A Dragon's Treasure // oxo //

Mathis trembled in fright. Tears pooled in his eyes and a few sliooed down his cheeks. "I-I gkt lost." He said in a small voice. "I j-just w-want to g-go home." He stuttered

Now this is just bizarre, Cairo thought, letting his wings fold again and sitting down.
"You got lost." He looked the boy up and down, before sighing and transforming into his human form. "You don't mean me any harm?" he asked his voice still retaining a bit of the dragon's rumble.

Mathis yelped as the dragon was suddenly no longer a dragon. He cowered against the side of the cave. He wanted to go home. "N-no! W-why w-would I?" He tucked his knees to his chest as he cried softly. He was going to die, wasn't he. He didn't want to die. He wasn't ready too.

Cairo took a step back, not wanting to frighten the human any further. "Most people who try and find me want to kill me," he explained, making his voice a little softer. "But if you mean no harm to me, I can't bring myself to mean harm to you. Besides, what would I do, eat you?" he cackled. Then his face fell as he realized that might have been a bad joke to make.
"What's your name?" he asked, hastily changing the subject.

Mathis squeaked like a mouse at his words. Oh god, was he going to eat him? He started to chew on his bottom lip. He cried silently. He looked up at the man, dragon, dragonman? He looked him up and down before quickly returning his gaze back to the cave floor. He hoped he hadn't angered him. "M-mathis." He said just above a whisper.

"I'm Cairo," the dragon replied, feeling slightly deflated. "And don't worry I'm not going to eat you, that was a…very bad joke. You don't have to be scared, you can stay the night if you want. I usually go hunting, so if you want me gone, I can do that."

Mathis didn't answer him. He just shook on the cave floor. Tears started to flow faster, heavier, but he made no noise. He hid his face in his knees, hugging his legs to his chest.

(Sorry to leave right in the middle of this, but I gotta run do some stuff. I'll be back on later tonight.)

"Hey…" Cairo was genuinely concerned now. "It's alright, I promise. I can fly you home tomorrow."
He took a couple hesitant steps forward, and reached out carefully. "Nothing bad's going to happen to you, okay? You're safe here."

(Okay)

Mathis flinched a little as Cairo approached him. He shook harder. He shut his eyes closed tight, trying to think of anything else. The field, think of planting, the terrible heat. Think of school, the work, the bullies. Anything other than where he was.

(I gtg to bed, but I'll be back early! ^^)
As gently as he could, Cairo laid a hand on Mathis's shoulder, ready to retreat if the human reacted badly. He hesitated, unsure how to comfort him, but tried his best regardless.
"I mean it," he said earnestly. "I can even take you home now if you like. Just show me the way."

Mathis flinched at the hand. He lifted his head just enough to look at him. "I-I don't know how." He said quietly. He didn't know how to get home.

Encouraged by any interaction, Cairo hurried to reassure Mathis. "We can figure it out," he promised brightly. "Maybe you'll be able to see it from the air. Do you know what town you live in? I'm sure we can get there before midnight even."

Mathis just whimpered. "I don't- I don't know if i can." He started to cry again.

"Stay the night then," Cairo sad soothingly. "I'm sure you'll recognize everything in the morning. Here, I think I have a blanket around somewhere you can use." He moved away, digging through the dark back of the cave, before reappearing with a old yellow blanket.
"Here," he said awkwardly, offering it to Mathis.

Mathis hesitantly took the blanket from him and wrapped it around himself. He curled up once more. His lips were almost purple from the cold, and he wasn't just shaking because he was scared, although that was a big part of it.

"I'm going to make a fire," Cairo said, moving away and transforming back into a dragon. He lit up his throat and breathed fire into a dip in the middle of his cave. The flames instantly roared to life, warmth filling the cave. Cairo sat on the other side of the fire, watching Mathis curiously.

Mathis yelped as he was suddenly a dragon again. His trembling increased. Oh god, he was going to be burned alive! But then he wasn't. He lifted his head and saw the fire. After a little while, he scooted closer to the fire, though he didn't drop his guard.

"Are you hungry?" Cairo asked, encouraged by Mathis's approach. "I have food, if you want…"
He trailed off, suddenly questioning himself. Why was he helping this human so much? Why did he care? No reason presented itself, but he felt compelled.
"Anyways," he finished awkwardly. "Let me know."

Mathis shook his head. He was hungry, but he didn't think he could stomach earing at the moment. He was sure he was vomit it back up.

(Imma stalk this is too cute!)

(Aww!!)
"Well, if you need anything," Cairo said as gently as his growly voice could be, "Just let me know. I'll be back here, reading." He paused considering. "Would you like a book? I have quite a few. Or are you going to sleep next?"

Mathis was quiet for a few minutes. He raised his head just high enough to look at Cairo. "C-could y-you read i-it to m-me?" He asked hesitatnly.

"Oh!" Cairo said, taken aback. "Well, sure, I suppose. Here, this one's one of my favorites."
He pulled a thick leather book from a makeshift shelf carved into the wall and set it down in near enough to the fire that he could see the words. "It's called "Fergus." I don't know if you've read it before. I hope you like it."
He opened to the first page and began to read in a soft yet carrying voice. The tale followed a bold hunter called Fergus who went on many adventures involving dragons, griffons, massive birds of prey and mysterious magical deer.

Mathis lostened to his voice carefully. He slowly bwgan to lay down on the floor as he listemed. His eyes fluttered close, no longer able to keep them open any longer. Not too much longer into the story, he found himself falling asleep

Cairo continued to read for several hours before he finally realized Mathis was asleep. He quietly closed the book and settled in to catch a little rest himself. He knew he'd need to build up his strength if he was going to help this human find his home in the morning. Though he wouldn't admit it, he was rather excited at the prospect of having a human friend. Tomorrow he'd have to make sure Mathis wasn't scared anymore.

Mathis woke up the next morning, his heartbeat racing. He had forgotten where he was for a moment and began to freak out. Then the nights events clicked in amd he calmed himself a little bit. He looked around the now lit cave. It was easier to inside. His stomach rumbled in hunger and he brought his knees to his chest with a small blush

Cairo woke up after hearing Mathis shift around, raising his head and offering the human a smile.
"Hungry?" he offered, hoping Mathis would be comfortable enough to not be scared anymore. He was starving himself, but he refused to move until Mathis showed he wasn't scared anymore."I have food, like I said last night."

Mathis nibbled on his bottom lip but nodded his head. "Y-yes." He curled into himself more.

Cairo fortunately had some pre-cooked deer left over from the previous night, so he re-warmed it over the fire, and offered Mathis some.
"Now, we need to figure out where you came from," he said brightly, glad the human seemed more comfortable today. "Would you like a map?"

Mathis took the deer and nibbled on it. "Oh…um…sure." He mumbled. He hoped he could figure it out. He wasn't the best with maps