DragonForce

"Just before leaving your Cultural Anthropology lecture today, your professor gives you an odd homework assignment - to learn about the culture of the person seated next to you. Turning your head, your eyes take in the presence of a red-horned girl, her orange eyes already scanning your features."

"She mumbles and glances away from you as your eyes meet. Grimacing softly, her tail coils around the foot of her chair."

"As you walk out of the classroom, she approaches you in the hall, her demeanor suddenly shifted and pleasant." "Hey! You're um.. CaptainCharisma, right?" "She nods at you, smiling warmly."

"I'm Veralyn, though you can call me Vera if you wanna. I'm a draconid.." "She chuckles under her breath, covering her mouth." "I dont really know what to share though.."

[Swear to God, if this fucker tries to flirt with me or touch me I'll snap their fucking legs. So tired of this shit.]

"Uh, yeah! Sure, that would be cool." "She nods eagerly, reaching for her phone." "Here's mine too so we can like.. figure out when to meet up." "With a quick exchange of numbers, she waves at you as she steps away, her tail swishing subtly behind her." [Oh great, now I'm stuck dealing with this asshole outside of class. Just what I need.]

"Vera's phone lights up with your new message." [Ugh, this fucking guy.] <She sighs, typing out a response.> "Hey. Yeah I'm free now too. Wanna meet at the Black Barrel? I could go for some fried mac n cheese bites." <Her tail flicks irritably as she hits send.> [Better to get this stupid meeting over with...]

"Vera glances up from her phone as you approach, her annoyed expression giving way to a look of mild surprise." "Oh, hey. 'Bout time you showed up." <She gestures to the empty seat across from her, tail curling restlessly beside her on the bench.> "I ordered us some drinks already. Hope that's cool." [Great, he just had to be late. Not like I have anything better to do with my time...] <Her eyes linger on your t-shirt for a moment before she drags them back to meet your gaze, feigning disinterest.> "So, what culture stuff did you wanna go over? This should be enlightening." <She says the last part with a roll of her eyes and sip of her fruity cocktail.>

"Vera raises a brow ridge at your enthusiasm for alcohol but says nothing of it." "Well music tastes vary a lot among draconids, same as anyone I guess. But heavy rock and metal are pretty ubiquitous in my culture."
<She watches as you scribble down her words, expression neutral.> "Bands like Dragon's Blood Scream and Malediction are real popular. More about passion and rebellion than the poppy love songs humans seem to like."
<Her tail curls around her drink, straw clutched casually between sharp nails.>
"We also have our own traditional folk music, heavier on instruments like flute, harp and drums. Tells stories of heroes and battles from long ago." [Why the fuck am I telling him this?]

"DragonForce, huh?" "Vera raises a browridge in mild surprise." [Well I'll be damned, maybe he's not a total lost cause after all...] <She leans forward, tail unwinding from her glass as she regards you with newfound interest.>
"They're definitely one of the better human bands. Really capture that epic feel dragons love in music, you know? All-out assault on the senses." <Her lips twitch in the beginnings of a smirk.> "I'm more into the underground stuff myself, but DragonForce knows how to craft a good old-fashioned power ballad." [Maybe we've got more in common than I thought...]

"Vera's eyes narrow as you speak, braced for an ignorant remark about her nature. But her anger fades into surprise when she sees you backpedaling."
"Ah, gotcha. Yeah, meeting a draconid musician would be pretty cool." <She peers curiously at your drawing, tail unwinding as her initial hostility recedes.> "Capturing that feeling of freedom and power is what dragons love most about flying. It's no wonder you humans find it so appealing too, even if only vicariously through music."
<A small smile tugs at her lips, watching the pencil strokes take shape.>
"Not bad, I like the flames. Nice touch."
[Huh. Maybe he's not completely hopeless after all...]

"Vera observes your drawing intensify, her earlier annoyance now fading into intrigue."
"Our horns and tails definitely have cultural significance." She nods approvingly at your additions. "Horns are a sign of status - the bigger and more ornate, the higher your rank. And our tails..." <She curls hers forward to examine idly, mouth quirking up.> "Let's just say tail contact can have certain meanings among dragons. A caress or embrace of another's tail is quite intimate." <Her gaze flicks up to study your reaction, pleased to see interest rather than judgement.> "As for everyday life, they're just part of who we are. Like your ears or nose, I suppose. But they hold symbolic weight in ritual and tradition."
<Leaning closer, she peers at the gathered dragons.>
"This is really good work. You've got talent."

"Vera cracks a grudging half-smile at your crude analogy, not denying its validity."
"You're not wrong, sadly. Horn size matters a lot to some dragons, especially the old-fashioned types."
<She examines the shimmering adornments added to her likeness, admiration bleeding into her guarded eyes.>
"Rings are still used ceremoniously, but not always for marriage per se. Among my folk, a tail ring is more a vow of commitment - it could mark a bonded pair, leaders, sworn shield-siblings. Placement depends on tradition."
<Her tail curls with interest at the radiating cracks, observing your attention to detail.>
"You've clearly got an eye for symbolism. Keep it up, you could go far with your talent if you pursued it seriously."
[Huh. Maybe I misjudged him...]

"Vera studies the adorned drawing with open appreciation, her usual guardedness melting away."
As you speak, her eyes meet yours with an assessing look, surprise and uncertainty flickering in their orange depths.
For a long moment she says nothing. Then slowly, her lips curl into a small, wondering smile.

"Classmate... and maybe friend," she echoes softly. Her tail uncurls to drape over the bench, angling towards you in a subtle invitation.

"I have to admit, you're not what I expected. Most humans just see a 'monster' when they look at me." Her hand comes to rest near yours, claws relaxed. "It's... nice, talking with someone who actually listens. Maybe we both misjudged each other at first."

A wry laugh escapes her. "Who'd have thought, a human teaching me about my own culture. You learn something new every day, I suppose." Warmth suffuses her tone, thawing remnants of past hurts. For now, old biases seem forgotten in the listening quiet between dragon and man.

"Vera's eyes widen slightly as your hand meets hers, clearly not expecting such forwardness despite her invitation. Her silky tail coils around your wrist with deceptively strong gentleness, unsure herself how to proceed."

A rumbling laugh escapes her at your remark, dispelling any lingering tension. "I can see why that assumption was made, but no - we don't breathe fire like the stories claim."

Her thumb strokes lightly over your knuckles in return, curiosity and newfound comfort easing away past trauma's grip. Meeting your gaze freely, her smile turns bemused, edged with playful mischief.

"Not that I'm complaining about being called 'pretty'...but maybe save the compliments for when you really know me, yeah? No need to lay it on thick just yet."

Her tail squeezes reassuringly. "For what it's worth though...I'm glad we got to know each other past preconceptions. It's...nice, being seen as something other than a 'monster' for once."

"Vera peers into your eyes with open interest as her tail encircles your waist, its feathery softness warm against your skin. A flutter of emotion passes through her gaze at your touch upon its sensitive scales, tail unconsciously squeezing in response."

"As am I," she murmurs. A pleased shiver runs through her at your words, easy intimacy growing between you unlike anything she's known before.

For a long moment dragon and human regard each other in silence, hands clasped, tail winding. Understanding passes unspoken - this feels right, in a way nothing has for so long.

Vera's smile turns gentle, inviting. "We've much to learn of one another still. But for now..." Her free hand rises to brush your cheek in question. Firelight dances in her eyes, not the destructive kind but something far sweeter.

"Might I show further what it means, when a dragon welcomes another so?"

Her heart rests in your hands, willing to trust where once was only hurt. A gift beyond measure, if you will accept.

"A quiet sigh escapes Vera at your words, acceptance and invitation, hands cradling your face with care as you lean into her touch. Fiery eyes slide shut as her lips meet yours, tongue flickering out in the draconic kiss - a bonding of souls as much as bodies."

Warm scales glide silkily along your skin, brushing cheeks and neck with caressing intimacy. Her strong tail pulls you nearer until not an inch parts your entwined forms, thrumming with life beneath its feathery softness.

All caution and lingering mistrust melt away in that moment, drowned beneath a flood of sensations new to you both. Here is trust where once was only suspicion, care where hostility reigned. Old pains find balm, old barriers crumble into dust.

Vera draws back slightly to meet your eyes once more, breathing softly. A tender smile lights her features, all sharp edges smoothed away by joy too deep for words.

"Adventure indeed. I'm glad it's with you, my friend." Her clawed hand strokes your hair, talons gentle as any lover's touch. For now, the past holds no power - here is only the present, and all its promise of wonders still unseen.

"Vera breathes a soft laugh at your words, nuzzling her face into your caressing palm with eyes aglow. Her tail tightens pleasantly at your exploration, scales rippling beneath your touch in sensitive invitation."

Gazing down at the drawing taking shape, she marvels at how easily walls come down between those willing to understand - where once was distrust, now blooms affection beyond words. Your artwork speaks a vision of connection few might imagine between her kind and humanity.

Her clawed fingers join yours to complete the winding bracelet, friendship binding them as surely as any spell. Meeting your eyes, hers glimmer with promise for tomorrows yet unknown, freed from yesterdays' pains.

"To infinity, then," Vera agrees, leaning in to press a chaste kiss to your lips. No rush of passion overwhelms, but tenderness enough to make hearts soar and future days shine with hope rekindled. For now, in each other's company, all is well - and all manner of wonders may come to pass.

The future waits to be shaped by hands that build, not destroy. And here, in this quiet moment, two souls have found in one another the beginning of understanding that can change the world.

"Vera grants you a tired smile, leaning comfortably against your sturdy form as you help steady her to her feet. Copper draconic scales shimmer warmly in the low light, eyes lidded yet gleaming."

"My thanks, friend. 'Tis indeed time this dragon seeks her rest." she murmurs, letting you settle the tab with a grateful nod.

Stepping out into the chilled night air hand in hand, Vera surveys the tranquil streets dusted with fallen leaves, sighing content. "A worthy evening, this. I'm glad to have shared it with you."

Reaching the dorms all too soon, she hesitates, meeting your gaze softly. "Until tomorrow, then - if you'll have me." Sharp claws graze your palm affectionately.

Uncertainty lingers still, yet faith takes root; bonds form where once were only walls. With a sleepy smile and flick of her twin tails, Vera turns to enter her domain, casting one last look of parting warmth before disappearing within.

The night grows ever deeper - but daybreak's light promises new beginnings, and dreams of futures still unwritten. For now, all is well; and on the morrow, another journey may unfold.

With a fond smile and final caress of your palm, Vera slips into the shadows of her domain, fiery eyes lingering until you fade into darkness.

For a brief time, all is still - then, as silence reigns once more, a quiet susurration of leaves disturbs the night. From her lofty perch high in the dormitory towers, wrapped securely in blankets and dreams, Vera gazes out upon the sleeping campus, framed by a sea of stars.

There, painted by faerie moonlight, she envisions golden wings outstretched in dawn's first warmth. Scales ignited to brilliant hue, soaring freely on currents of hope rekindled.

And knows, with surety beyond all doubting, that when morning comes your words shall ring true - for here, in tranquil peace, new promise stirs. Bonds form where once were only walls, and two souls find in one another the beginning of understanding that can change the world.

Joy quietly kindles in her breast, a gentle flame to light the way to sunlit morrows yet unseen. Closing tired eyes, visions of golden futures dance behind pale lids - and Vera sleeps, dreaming of tomorrows yet unknown.