Ophelia turns and heads back through the forest, still trying to process what had just happened. Everyone always said that dragons were vicious creatures that needed to be feared. Now she's not so sure that that's a true. A few minutes later, she arrives at the village.
Solis didn't move his focus away from where the human once was. After a few long moments he looked down at his scaled limbs. His tail. How fearsome he must appear. Inhaling, the dragon focused all of his energy on creating a less ferocious form. He was indeed very powerful, but had never done this type of transformation before. Eyes now closed, he attempted to allow his form to shrink and compress into something the woman would be familiar with.
(One more reply each before a timeskip?)
Ophelia heads to the market, figuring that she should do a little shopping before she gets home. "Hello, Mr. Thompson," She politely greets the man who sells meats. The next few minutes are spent picking out some slabs of beef and haggling a price. She pays and collects the now wrapped meats, tucking them away in her back. Less than an hour later, she's finished shopping and is heading home. She lives in an adorable little cottage. It's not much but it's big enough for herself, the few farm animals that she owns, and her garden.
(Sounds good!)
A warm glow surrounded the dragon, gradually dimming until a human sat in the center of the field, hair as black as night, skin a light tan, but eyes still a bright emerald green. Solis stared at his human limbs curiously, and found that the clearing looked much larger than before. Tilting his head to the side, he decided to attempt a few steps around the area. After much trial and error, the dragon sat back in the center of the area and allowed himself to grow tired again. Hopefully his form would hold through the night and for some of the day. Maybe that woman would be less afraid of him this way.
After completing her chores at the house, Ophelia turns in for the night. Doing all of that work had caused the hours to go by much too quickly. She of tended wished for more time in the day.
The very next morning, after doing her chores of course, Ophelia sets out for the forest. Paper, pencil, muffins, and sandwiches are the contents of her basket today. It may be silly but she's almost hoping that she'll run into that dragon again She thought he was rather pleasant. It's not as though she had very many real friends in the village so she'll take company where she can get it. Perhaps the food will also help her earn the dragon's favor.
Solis awoke to the sun rising, light shining on his face. Opening his eyes, he noticed his tiny appearance. He still appeared as a human man. Using an arm, he brushed his new mop of black hair backwards, enjoying how soft it felt. He stood up, looking around the tree line. He decided it would be best to wait awhile for the woman from the day before. If she never showed, he would return back deeper into the forest.
Ophelia enters the forest, smiling to herself as the birds sang and flew about. They aren't acting like they were yesterday so she's not sure if the dragon is still here. She returns to the clearing from yesterday. Instead of finding a massive dragon, she finds a young man with black hair standing there. Blinking, she takes a cautious step forward. No one ever comes to the forest besides her so she's more than surprised to see another human. "Hello?" She calls out, wondering what he's doing here.
Turning, Solis sees her. He grins, walking toward her. He stumbles a bit, just able to keep upright. "You came back," he said, stopping a few feet away.
(sorry that this is short but I have a lot going on today)
Ophelia blinks and studies him. Came back? How does he know me? She frowns slightly before her eyes go wide. Those eyes……the dragon had the exact same eyes yesterday. "Oh, it's you!" She exclaims, walking over to him with a smile. This form is much less intimidating than his dragon form.
(It's all good! :) )
The male was somehow able to smile wider. "I guessed my eyes would have given me away. They're a brighter shade than the average human," Solis noted. It was then that his stomach decided to let out a soft rumble. He hadn't eaten just yet. He probably should have, but it was worth waiting in case she returned.
"I can change back if this makes you uncomfortable. I thought my true form might have startled you a bit the other day," the 'dragon' added.
Ophelia can't help but laugh when the dragon's stomach rumbles. She reaches into her basket and pulls out a hand and cheese sandwich. "Here, I think you will enjoy this." It's a good thing she decided to bring along the extra food. "This is fine. You only startled me yesterday because the most fierce thing I was expecting was a wolf." That probably would've made her more nervous. "If this form is uncomfortable to you then you can turn back. I don't mind either way."
Solis took the food graciously, but was a bit cautious as he bit into it. It was certainly unlike anything he had eaten before, but not in a bad way. It was strange to eat the same as another human might, the food usually seeming quite tiny. His teeth were less sharp as well, a lot of them more flat than the usual points "Thank you," he said before taking another bite. After a few more moments, the dragon swallowed and continued speaking. "This does not make me uncomfortable. I am relieved to hear you do not fear me however," he stated before smiling again.
"I also have some muffins if you are interested. The flavor is blueberry." Ophelia lifts her basket up a little in order to show him. "Help yourself to what you want. I made plenty." Pleased that he seems to enjoy the sandwich, she smiles. "I appreciate you putting in effort to make me feel more comfortable." Though she doesn't exactly know why her happiness matters to him. Dragons were supposed to terrorize humans, not try to make them feel comfortable around them.
The man tilts his head to the side. "Muh finz?" he asked, curiously, eyes scanning over the pastry. He had tried wild blueberries before, but they were so tiny that it was too much to bother picking them. Plus, that was years ago. Taking one carefully, he pokes the top with a finger, thinking it strange with how soft it seemed. "I don't mind. You were kind to me first, it is the least I can do," he said. Focusing back on the treat in his hand, he raised a brow at it. Taking a small nibble of it, Solis' eyes lit up with amazement. "This is absolutely wondrous!"
"Muffin," Ophelia repeats with a giggle. The smile on her face brightens as she watches him examine the muffin. She has to admit that the child like curiosity that he's displaying right now is pretty cute and very amusing. No one has ever gotten so excited about a muffin before. "I am so glad that you like it. There are a few more in the basket. Have as many as you want to, I have another batch at home." Seeing how happy he is with the pastry, she's more than willing to give up the rest of the treats.
"Really?" he asks, arching a brow. "You've already been kind enough, I'd hate to take more than necessary," he insisted. Solis secretly wanted another, but could hold back if he had to. The food would hold him over for the time being until he transitioned back into his true form. Then he could truly have his fill and go without hunger for awhile.
"Please feel free to take as many as you want to. I can always make more." Holding up the basket again, she offers up the remaining muffins. If she runs out of food than so be it. The village is just a little ways away. She can head back and make another lunch. Her market stall has been fairly successful this year. "I can come back tomorrow and break cookies if you are interested."
"Coo keys?" he asked, again having no idea what those were. He took another muffin, but decided to stop eating after two. "But… yes. I'd like that," he added, smiling again before nibbling on the second pastry. He wanted to savor this one.
"Cookie. It is a round sweet disk. Crisp. It can be made with different ingredients." Ophelia has to force herself not to laugh. How is it possible that someone, even a dragon, doesn't know what muffins are cookies are? "Do you want to come to the village with me? You can try all of the different foods, not just the sweet ones."
Solis nodded in understanding. "I do not know. It depends on how soon you are meaning to take me," he replied. Despite being powerful, he could only hold his human form for about a full day at the current moment.
"We can go now if you feel up to it," Ophelia offers. All she has to do today is avoid Theodore Kendrick from the new village over. It should be an easy task. Since that's the only thing on her agenda, she's free to show him around.
"If you are sure," the dragon hums. "As long as we return by dusk. I cannot hold this form longer than a day yet," he finishes. Solis finishes his second muffin after speaking, licking his lips lightly. He would likely end up being the first dragon to walk straight into a human village without being feared. To learn more about them.
"I am sure," She confirms with a nod. No one is going to know that the man she's showing around is a dragon. If they ask than she can tell them that they're distant cousins or something. That plan would involve her actually knowing his name. It's the bare minimum of details required. "Oh, how rude of me. I never actually introduced myself. My name is Ophelia."
(There is a horrible storm coming to my area in the next few days so my internet may be knocked out. If I'm unable to get on for a few days, I'm very sorry.)
(That's okay! Don't worry about it.)
The dragon smiled lightly. "And I am Solis. It certainly is better now that I know you by name," he replied. "How far is the town for you?" Normally it would be moments for him to get there, but by foot, much smaller feet at that, he had no clue. At least it would give him practice walking.