[ Tim hadn't even thought about running away. Running away would turn his back, invite a chase, make him look like prey. These are not things he wants to do or be around a dragon. He's read enough fantasy novels to know better.

Which is why he's swirling the fictional "facts" he knows about dragons with this one's words and actions in an attempt to navigate this conversation. 'Good' and 'bad' is oversimplifying what a dragon's options in life are. Benevolent, wild, and malevolent are more accurate. He would like to know which this is before he leaves in one direction or the other. Points in the dragon's favor:

• He can talk (Tim assumes the dragon is male due to vocal pitch, although anything that big would probably be 'he' in his head).
• He seems rational.
• He is not lunging at the mammal dinner (i.e., Tim himself).

Points not in the dragon's favor or, perhaps more accurately, not in Tim's:

• Holy masticating molars, that is a lot of teeth.
• Do dragons have lips, technically? Because he just licked his lips.
• In general, meep.

The short list of unknowns is simply whether or not is an encouraging sign that the dragon doesn't seem to be talking in riddles. Yes, Tim suspects, because riddling dragons always seem to either be playing with their food or seeking amusement in return for letting someone live. Though, if it's a wild dragon, Tim would prefer having the chance to please it with cleverness.

As it is, he tries to choose his words carefully.]

I didn't necessarily mean that you belonged to someone. You can bring a friend to a party, but you only own the friendship, not the friend.

[ Okay, he did mean as a sort of pet, but that's why the adverb is there to couch the explanation in technicalities. ]

I didn't mean to offend you.

[ There's a hesitation at the end, where a name or sir would go, but he swallows the latter and offers his name first.]

I'm Tim. I'm one of the people who fell through a talking hole in the ground, but you already knew that.