Ashera froze for a moment as Asa finally, really spoke to her. She smiled kindly at the show of trust and shrugged. ”I'm a Fae, Asa. I can't lie. At least not directly, I can twist the meaning of words if I need to but… It’s just not in my nature.” she told her gently. ”And I can't go back on my word. I told you on the first day that I would take care of you, so I will. You don't have to run anymore. I don't want you to.”
Asa kept looking up at Ashera, still slightly scared.
"I always have to run," she said quietly.
Ashera shook her head softly. ”You don't have to this time. You can stay with me and I won't tell anyone.” she offered. She really didn't want Asa to leave.
Finally, Asa slipped off of Ashera's lap, sitting in the other end of the couch. She let the baby dragon facade fall, sitting straight and gracefully, tail flicking slightly.
"Why? You have no reason to." Fear was slowly giving away to cold reason.
Ashera was a little happier that Asa was willing to talk with her now and a little surprised at the shift in her demeanor, but it didn't bother her. ”I see no reason to turn you in either.” she explained calmly. ”You shouldn't have to be punished for what you are and I don't see anything wrong with you staying here. I really enjoy your company and would like to continue to call you my friend.”
Asa's tail flicked again.
"I see." She didn't show it, but she was beginning to feel a small kernel of hope beginning to form in her. It would be nice to have a place to stay, where she could be herself. To not have to hide all the time.
"I can… Live with this." She gave a very tiny smile.
Ashera’s smile grew. ”Does that mean you’ll stay? I have a guest room that you can use if you want it. And it’ll just be you and me here, so you can look however you want.” she offered.
Asa nodded.
"I'll stay. …Thank you. I'll probably stay in this form most of the time. Just in case."
Ashera grinned. ”You’re very welcome. You can stay as long as you want and I don't mind which form you're in.” she said excitedly.
Asa couldn't help herself; she smiled back. Ashera was being so kind. Still, she felt like she didn't know Ashera well enough to take her human form. Even still, in this form Asa had a lot of energy. She fidgeted a bit, then finally came over a gave Ashera a tight hug.
Ashera was surprised by the hug but quickly, happily returned it. ”Maybe now that we can actually talk, we should get to know each other better.” She giggled.
"That'd be nice." Asa pulled out of the hug, sitting on Ashera's lap again. She really did love being around others; it's the reason she always let herself get adopted out after she got far enough away. She was way too social for someone in her position.
Ashera smiled and let Asa get comfortable. ”Okay. Would you like to start or would you like to know more about me first?” she asked as she placed her hand on Asa’s back, tempted to pet her again.
"You, please," Asa asked politely. She leaned into Ashera's hand, an invitation of sorts. Asa absolutely loved getting pet.
Ashera smiled and began stroking Asa's back. ”Well, let's see… My name is Ashera Sylmare. I’m a nature Fae so I can help plants grow and stuff like that. I don't really like humans but I don't hate them either. I also really like just about any kind of sweets… except for black licorice.” she gagged playfully.
Asa nodded, leaning into the pets. She let out a little giggle at the last part, smiling.
"Well, you already know my name is Asa. I don't have a last name, like most dragons. I'm a halfing, obviously, and my mom was an Earth dragon, so I'm really good with metals. And I've had three owners in three years, not including you."
”It’s nice to meet you, Asa.” she smiled at the Dragon, as this was their first real meeting. ”Well, if I need any help with something like iron, I'll be sure to ask you. I can't touch the stuff.”
Asa nodded.
"I'd be more than happy to help." It was the reason so many dragons were employed by humans; they were some of the only creatures other than humans who could handle iron. Asa smiled.
”Thank you, Asa.” She smiled and gave her a quick hug, determined to make her stay with her the best it could be. Asa wasn't a pet to her anymore, Ashera would be her friend.
Asa hugged Ashera back, mostly relaxed by now with this. She surprised herself with how quickly she had gotten used to this.
"You're welcome. I think… I think I should show you my human form. So you recognize me."
Ashera nodded and let her go. ”If you would like to… I only caught a glimpse the first time.” she smiled, a little excited. From what she saw before, Asa looked very pretty as a human as well.
Asa nodded, backing off of Ashera's lap. She closed her eyes, steeling herself for this. She took a deep breath, then finally turned. She let her hood drop, exposing her tiny horns.
Ashera watched carefully as Asa changed forms, intrigued by it but she didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable by her gaze either. She smiled kindly at her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. ”You’re beautiful.” she told her, remembering the number of times she had already said that when Asa was acting only as a Dragon.
Asa took her green hair out from under her cloak, pulling it over the shoulder Ashera didn't have her hand on.
"Really?" She asked quietly. She blushed slightly. She'd always thought her human form was hideous; after all, unlike full dragons, she kept dragon traits in this form.
Ashera blinked. ”Y-yes. You are. I already told you I can't lie.” she said gently. She looked over her shoulder before she stood up. ”I’ll show you. Come with me.”