:: http://www.geocities.com/dragynmistress ::
:: By Jennifer Vromant			   ::
:: jen_vromant@yahoo.com		   ::
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Spoof - Chapter 13

The girl smiled at him, and Spoof drew back his head in surprise and stared with wide eyes.  She saw his reaction and giggled, causing more confusion in Spoof's already chaotic mind.  He was curious beyond belief about this simple human who showed compassion and delight so openly.

He lowered his head until it was level with hers and slowly moved it forward until they were about one foot apart.  She was still smiling, and he was still confused.  This was, after all, a human.  Humans were evil, greedy creatures.  Weren't they?

The girl's expression softened as she slowly extended her hand and gently placed it on Spoof's head between his nostrils.  She smiled again and cocked her head to the side.  Spoof was at war with himself.  His curiosity wanted to learn more about her, but his insticts desperately wanted to get away.

He snorted smoke and caused the startled girl to jerk her hand away.  Suddenly she wasn't so sure of herself.  Spoof narrowed his eyes and pulled his head up and back to look down on her.  She looked up at him with wide, trusting brown eyes.

The dragon and the girl stared at each other for a long time.  The girl looked up with her hands clasped at her chest and her long brown hair billowing around her.  She was thoroughly soaked and shivering from the cold.  The dragon looked down at her and snorted an occasional cloud of angry smoke.  He was angry that a mere human would dare confuse him.

Finally Spoof took pity on the tiny, shivering human girl.  He lowered his head until it was about the height of her waist.  Then he gently breathed hot air on her.  His throat thrummed at the effort of not producing flames.  She smiled gratefully as her fingers stopped stinging from the cold.  Spoof opened his left wing to its fullest and held it over her to protect her from the rain.

He lowered his body back to the ground, this time in a resting position, all the while keeping his wing spread over the girl.  She hesitated a moment, then walked up to the dragon and sat down with her back against his warm flank.  He snorted contently and adjusted his wing to cover the girl enough, then he curled his neck around so that his head was on her lap.  She smiled again and gently put her arms over his head in a loose embrace.  Then the dragon and the girl fell into a content sleep.