As Aribelle exited the cave, still holding her injured arm close to her, she was greeted by subtle golden rays. The sun risen now. Dispelling the fog, its soft light filtered through the gradually yellowing leaves on the trees and began to remove some of the bitter chill from the autumn breeze.
Although she was pleased that her expectation of being eaten had not been fulfilled. Aribelle could not exactly warm up to the idea of essentially being the dragon's plaything either. Frustrated at her own rashness and stupidity at forming such a contract, she kicked up the leaves as she walked. Racking her brain for some sort of loophole in their promise, her ruminations were interrupted by the calm flow of water rippling downstream nearby.
The sting of blusters beginning to form on her arm, Aribelle diverted her path slightly. Coming to a little creek, she sighed as she crouched beside it. Rolling up the tattered remains of her sleeve to reveal the raw burnt skin on her arm, Aribelle grimaced before quickly plunging it into the frigid water.
Submerging it far enough for her fingers to unsettle some of the sediment around bank of the creek the water reached well past her elbow. Wincing, as she felt the fresh pain of the injury renewed, Aribelle took deep inhalations as she attempted to distract herself.
However, this effort soon became unnecessary, as she noticed a mysterious light playing across the water around her arm. Watching the mystifying swirls of emerald and turquoise as they drifted past, time seemed to slow for Aribelle. The babble of creek becoming less pronounced to her ears, it was overpowered by the morning birdsong of the forest. Feeling as though the water was drawing her further in, she pulled her arm from it with startled rapidity.
At first, assuming the mesmerizing light within its depths to be a trick of the light. Aribelle, was confounded once she inspected her forearm. The burns no longer present there was not even a scratch left where her injury had been, only a slight redness. The area left completely devoid of pain or discomfort; it was cool to the touch. Unlike anything Aribelle has witnessed, she could only stare in astonishment at the plain surface of the water.
It was then that she caught a glimpse of herself. Somewhat taken aback, she ran her fingers over the image disturbing the reflection returned among its gentle flow Aribelle confirmed it to be her own. As there were no mirrors in the Abbey, as the Sisters had no need for them, she was not too familiar with the fine details of her own face. Although it was not much different from what she recalled; her little nose and round face were still the same as ever. Even the freckle near her right eye remained. However, there was something enchanting about her now that she couldn't quite place as she turned it from side to side.
"What the hell did that dragon do?!" Aribelle yelled crossly at her reflection.
Aribelle had been told before by men on the street and cautioned by the Sisters of the Abbey that she was in some mildly pleasing to the eye. While she might receive some passing remarks because of her delicate and graceful features, it was not so much so that she received a lot of unwanted attention.
However, this she thought scrutinizing her face again '… this could be troublesome'. Not a particularly vain woman, Aribelle was annoyed by this development. Most of all because it was due to her moderately unremarkable impression that she was able to achieve most of her escapes from her various stunts.
Having half a mind to go back and demand that Cassius undo whatever trick he was playing at, Aribelle decided to postpone this confrontation once she reminded herself that the day was growing shorter. Concerned that those who rose early would begin to wonder after her. She decided to delay questions towards her appearance and the miraculous healing of her burn until the next day.
Still vexed Aribelle marched back towards the Abbey. Muttering curses to herself the entire way, she hoped the dragon had good hearing so that he might know the aggravation he had caused her.
Attempting to enter stealthily, Aribelle approached back gate in the garden. Purposefully leaving it ajar after her departure, in the hopes that she would avoid being eaten, she rushed in hurried. However, she did not expect to crash into a tall figure travelling in the opposite direction.
Staggering backward, Aribelle regained her balance only to have her face seized spontaneously. His large callused hands on either side, they pressed her cheeks together making her mouth pucker. Pulling her face upwards, Mikel examined it closely.
Fixing her with a severe look of reproach, he said "Why are you sneaking around so early?" "Makaw, wet me gow." She protested.
His eyes widening. Mikel tilted her head from left to right as he reviewed her with increasing displeasure. "What-what bastard are you changing for?" He asked annoyed, still squeezing her face. "You're perfect, any man that says differently I'll beat to pulp!" Mikel exclaimed. Embarrassed by his praise, a blush spread across Aribelle's cheeks. "Wow one!" she insisted ridiculously.
"Don't lie to me Ari." Mikel scolded, "I've let a lot of things go up until now, but this is the last straw. Now give me a name."
Lips pressed together firmly, and eyebrows arched in a fierce scowl, Mikel released her face. Standing back, he crossed his arms in front of his broad muscular chest awaiting an answer. "My face has always looked this way, Mikel." Aribelle replied, rubbing at her sore cheeks. "I only washed it this morning is all."
"This- "he started. "You." Mikel began again, before finally giving up, exclaiming "Argh, I need to go to work!" as he threw his hands up in resignation.
"This isn't over Aribelle." He warned taking his leave of her.