Cassius had heard the woman enter. Curious of what she might do, he laid still.
Feigning sleep, he sensed her approach. Bringing with her the scent of fresh autumn air, it seemed to naturally cling to her person, drifting towards him as if carried in on a breeze. At first taken a back the woman had regarded him for quite some time before, Cassius heard her startled heartrate being to settle. Intrigued when she finally began to creep nearer to him, he assumed the worst.
Prepared to strike her down should she try to poison him, Cassius continued to lay in wait. However, he was stunned when he felt the light touch of her cold hands and a tingling sensation on his skin instead. The nostalgic smell of herbs reached his nostrils. Its familiar potency unmistakable, Cassius remembered it as a remedy favored by the fairies. Secretive in their ways, the concoction was hard to come by even in the days dragons had freely roamed the skies. Finding it odd that this impoverish human should possess such a medicine, his curiosity towards her only deepened.
Steadily growing impatient, it became increasingly difficult for Cassius to remain still. Deciding finally to have a little fun with the human, he lifted his head slowly so as not to alert her of his intention. Then placing his face, just inches from the woman, he puffed a great cloud of hot air at her.
Startled and dizzy from the sudden heat, she fell backwards onto her butt. Looking back at him perplexed by his sudden prank, the woman shook her head trying to clear her mind out from a daze. Looking into her quizzical wide eyes, the dragon had noticed her appearance change slightly.
Although frail and dressed in poor attire, the woman was what most human males would consider a beauty before. However, now it seemed more pronounced, as though a veil had been lifted to expose everything that was remarkable about her appearance. The dull brown of her eyes, clear and as rich as golden honey shone brightly up at him. Her muddy limp hair, that brushed her shoulders, turning a soft and light fawn color. It framed her small round face, tinged with a subtle pink hue from the heat of the dragon's breath.
Standing, she wiped the dirt from her skirt unamused by his mischief. Completely unaware of her allure, she cast an indignant look in his direction. The gaze from her wide enchanting eyes, causing Cassius to want to bring her nearer. He reached out with his clawed hand and lifted towards him. Inspecting her as she squirmed uncomfortably in his palm, he used his telepathy to communicate with her 'What are you?'
Confused and partially annoyed with being handled in such a way, she replied, "I'm clearly a human."
'Why did you have a concealment spell on you then, human.' Cassius asked accusingly.
"I don't know what you're talking about." She grunted back. Recognizing the struggle to be futile, the woman drooped a bit in his grasp.
'Hmm, it must have been weakened for dragon's breath to dispel it so easily.' Cassius observed casually. 'I'll believe you were not aware of it then.'
Becoming agitated by his cryptic words and uncomfortable by having been taken hold of so firmly in his palm she demanded angrily, "Ugh, dragon, either put me down or eat me!"
Cassius, not intending to anger the woman, complied. Placing her back on the ground, he was mindful to draw back his claws carefully from her. Forgetting his strength, it was not until he saw her hold onto her sides, that Cassius realized he must have been too forceful. Watching as took a few discomforted breaths, he reminded himself to take more care in future.
Still regarding her in fascination, he felt compelled to inform her of his name, stating it plainly as soon as he thought to do so 'Cassius.' The woman, gazed back at him blankly, he clarified 'You may call me Cassius.'
"Cassius." She repeated hesitantly. Hearing his name leave her pert lips, he was greedy to hear it from her mouth once more.
"It won't matter what I call you very much if I'm to be eaten." she answered sternly.
Disappointed, Cassius felt his heart sink a little. Now his turn to be confused, he crossed one clawed hand over the other. Replying dispassionately, 'I believe your exact words were 'you can have me', little Fawn.' Staring vacantly for a few prolonged seconds, a blush returned to her cheeks as the meaning of her words eventually sunk in.
Horrified at the revelation that her promise could fit a multitude of interpretations, she sprung to her feet. "If I'm not your meal, then what am I then? A pet?" Aribelle squeaked. Amused by her honest reaction Cassius chuckled. Mulling over this description, the dragon nodded in agreement 'That's not inaccurate.' He confirmed. In truth there were other words he would have preferred more, but Cassius thought it best to keep these to himself for the time being.
Concealing her expression, she turned away from him. "If I'm not dying today, I should leave now before people start to worry after me." The woman said definitively.
He did not like it, their parting. Regretting now that her enchanting beauty was no longer shrouded by the spell, he worried other humans would now approach her, but he knew it would be unfair to detain her here. Especially, since he hadn't recovered enough of his magic to maintain his human form at the moment and she seemed perturbed by being so close to a dragon still. However, it did not come easily within a dragon's nature to release a treasure from their sight once it was discovered. So, like a petulant child he blew a minuscule plume of fire at the jar of ointment she had left near him on the ground.
Alarmed when Aribelle dove to protect it. He stopped as soon as he saw her leap towards it but knew as she held the jar to her chest trembling in pain, that some of the flames must have reached her. 'Fawn! Fawn, I didn't mean to.' He called out to her distressed.
Spinning around she glared at him. "Don't be so wasteful! Do you have any idea how many people would die to get their hands on this?" Her round golden eyes murky with water, a few tears rolled down the soft curve of her cheeks as she admonished him for his childish behavior.
Frustrated he could not transform in that moment and help to heal her wound. Cassius craned his neck, anxiously trying to catch a glimpse of the extent of her injury 'I'm sorry I must have hurt you, Fawn. Show me quickly.' Pulling her arm protectively into herself, she kept the burns on her forearm hidden from him despite his appeal.
Placing the jar back down beside him, she said softly "I'll come back tomorrow." Before walking away.