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The Next Day.

Janelle lowers the phone back onto its cradle, having called in sick soon after waking up. She had grabbed all the various soaps and bubble bath liquids she could find from Liseth's bath, taking them back to her house to examine them more closely, even experimentally exposing her feet to them to gauge any kind of reaction, but as far as she could tell, they were all just Earth-made basic bath products. They all washed off, with no rashes, irritations, and especially no scales.

She spent the rest of the night idly picking at the patches of orange, finding the scales to be quite resilient. No way to simply 'peel them off'. Not unless she took a knife to them, and something told her that would make things far worse than better. No way to know how deep this infection went. So, a quick run to the store, and all the skin care and anti-fungal ointments she could find, she rinsed carefully and applied her home-brew medical treatments, then carefully wrapped her wrists and palms up in gauze for the night to let the medication soak in... and that was all she could do.

A deep sleep, interrupted only by the unwelcome blare of her alarm, and she was quickly up and into the shower to start her usual routine. She washed the sleepiness out of her eyes, and then began to examine her body. Feet remained the same, legs and waist as well. Her chest, and boobs, neck and face, all the same.

She began to unwrap the gauze around her left hand, frowning as she found the ointments had little effect, the orange scales perhaps even shinier from the skin treatments? Her right hand next.

"Shit... it's... worse?" The scales had spread, seeming to creep up the back of her palm. She flexed the fingers on her left hand, feeling them move slower, stiffer, the skin tone looking darker? And that led her to make the call. A sick day. She hated it, but... what was happening to her?

She spent the morning washing her hands repeatedly, scrubbing the flesh and thick scales as if she could simply clean this off. Two hours of that and she eventually gave up, as it was only irritating the skin that wasn't affected by this illness. Some kind of strange dragon-related illness? She scratched at the scales, finding them surprisingly more sensitive than she would expect from the hardened material. It was more than just a growth... it was definitely a part of her. But... why? HOW?

She sat on her bed, staring at them. Another problem that she surely can find a solution to? Though... in truth... she only knew one person who might have that solution, and her own stubborn pride had kept her from asking for help from Liseth'erend'oreana. Another nap? And then... maybe it would get worse. She sighs, and after an hour of worry and doubt, she settles on a course of action.

Throwing on more casual clothing, a jacket with large sleeves, and her same gloves, she heads in to work despite taking the day off, hoping that Liseth'erend'oreana can forgive her for lying, and can help her resolve this illness...

Liseth'erend'oreana frowns as the message gets to her about the sick day. "So it did get a bit worse after all", she muses to herself. Settling on a course of action... the dragon is still at the breakfast table, watching some soap opera by the time Janelle shows up.

Janelle looks... almost recognizable from the sharply dressed professional who has come into work every other day. She's not made-up or wearing her well tailored suits. She heads in, punching in the code for the elevator, riding up with dread in her stomach, until at last the door opens and she steps into Liseth'erend'oreana's loft. She glances around, considering the dragon's routine and where she might be, "Liseth'erend'oreana? Ma'am?"

Liseth call from the kitchen lounge, where the dragon is laying down and watching daytime soap. "Janelle? I thought you were sick?"

Janelle walks towards the sound of Liseth's voice, "I... am, ma'am. I really am... And, I think I need your help."

Liseth looks up, tilting her head at the bedraggled woman as she comes to view: "Anything you need... Oh, my. You don't look so great."

Janelle frowns at Liseth's words, but can't exactly deny it. "I... didn't take the time to get myself put together this morning. I was more worried about... well..." She gets closer, and removes the glove from her right hand, revealing the more drastically changes. "This... the uh, 'rash' is a little more than just a rash. Had my efforts done anything to help it, I wouldn't be here like this, but it only seems to be spreading... do you know of any illnesses from your home that might cause something like this?"

Liseth looks at first with concern, which then turns into something of a shocked look. She gets up and steps closer to look at Janelle, lifting the woman's hand gently in her paw. "...that is no rash, that is for certain."

The dragon takes a deep breath, then looks Janelle into her eyes: "First and foremost, if you want this to not go any further, you leave now, and do not come back. I am almost certain I am causing this. This is... worrying."

Janelle blinks, her mind racing at, "Go further? How much further? And... Leave? Ma'am? But... our work together? Our friendship? What is this?"

Liseth sighs, looking aside. "I was warned about this, but did I listen? No, of course I didn't. Getting closer might cause something like this, I knew it, and here we are..."

Janelle removes her other glove as well, revealing the smaller but still significant patch of scales as well. It is present, but not as advanced in the changes as her right hand. "Getting closer? I still don't understand. Somehow our proximity has caused this? Is this why you typically seek to intimidate your staff?"

Liseth nods, looking rather shaken for a big apex predator. "I did not want this to happen, so I just made myself believe it wouldn't..."

She finally turns to look back at Janelle: "In essence, the ambient... magic, or force, probably the closest word for it, that's in all us dragons... it's changing you."

Janelle nods vacantly, not so unaffected herself as she stares at the back of her palm. "Changing me... that's why I can still feel it when I touch the scales. They literally are part of me..."

"What am I turning into, ma'am? Not a dragon like you, surely?"

Liseth shakes her head absently, trying to push through her shock. "I... I think I mentioned our homeworld, creatures in there. Kobolds."

"They would be with us dragons, coming after scraps of whatever we killed. In time, the relationship evolved more... symbiotic. They'd help us clean up and watch our backs, and we'd provide and protect them. Over long times... both sides started to resemble each other more."

She takes a deep breath before continuing.

"When... when a dragon and a kobold developed a stronger partnership, a... loving partnership, the resemblance, and the changes, would also grow stronger, more obvious. The kobold would start looking like the dragon they're... involved with..."

She looks at Janelle, afraid to see what the reaction even might be.

Janelle looks shaken at first, but she slowly closes her eyes to try and think this through.

"Kobold... resembling you?" She opens her eyes again, feeling very vulnerable in front of this massive, beautiful creature. "Does... this mean the partnership is mutual, ma'am?"

Liseth'erend'oreana swallows, then nods. "There is no reason to deny it now, I imagine. Yes. I care for you a great deal, Janelle."

She pauses, something snagging in her mind. "...mutual? You also... me...?" She trails off, her breath catching.

Janelle nods, "I... I don't know. I hadn't considered it to be that close? But said aloud... yes. I trust you implicitly, ma'am. You are beautiful and intelligent, and a good friend."

She sighs heavily cradling her hand close to her chest, "But perhaps this is a sign that it is not meant to be? I would rather not go, ma'am, but... what am I supposed to do?"

Liseth swallows. "I... the logical thing for you... m-might be leaving. Save yourself from the change."

She lowers her head: "...but I am ashamed to admit that I would rather you not. Selfish of me, but I can not lie to you. I would want you to stay. With me."

Janelle looks down to rub her fingers over the scales again. "The change has not been painful or unpleasant physically. Just... shocking. It almost feels as though it isn't real, but there it is."

"Logic... ma'am, you're not incorrect. Logic says I should tender resignation now, turn and walk back to the elevator and never look back. But... I am uncertain I can follow that logic."

"In so much as scales are growing upon my hands and arm, I fear things are already too late, and I similarly wish to remain with you. I am... uncertain how this will impact my life. And these changes are still frightening to consider, but... I am afraid I must be a fool, ma'am, and a selfish one as well."

Liseth feels her heart leap as she looks back up at Janelle's last set of words. "I... I will do my best to help... to guide, to protect, to provide... whatever you need, it's yours, Janelle."

"I love you." She seems almost startled herself at the words, but has no doubt about the truth of them.

Janelle almost gasps at the admission, not realizing just how deeply those emotions went until they are laid out so plainly. She's never been good with emotions and admissions of such, always being one to bottle things up to release in private. Easier that way. Less risk of getting called out, or saying the wrong thing. Or getting hurt.

Liseth's words completely blindside her, and with tears welling up in her eyes, knees shaking, she stutters out a reply that is honest but somehow feels inadequate to her, "Ma'am... I... Liseth'erend'oreana, I love you too."

Liseth leans her head towards Janelle: "M-maybe not ideal way to find out, b-but..." She closes her eyes and sighs softly.

After a few seconds, she opens her eyes again, looking directly at Janelle with her eyes tearing up as well: "It m-makes no sense, but I feel... right, with you. We... connect. Understand."

Janelle steps closer, to Liseth's snout and extends her scaled hand to pat it once more, like she did in the bath, but with less hesitation and more warmth this time.

"I will accept having the knowledge in the open, regardless of how we found out. I am... bad with words in this regard, ma'a-err..." She hesitates, then laughs, "I feel I should call you something else, Liseth'erend'oreana. 'Ma'am' is a term of respect for you, but it feels so impersonal."

Liseth considers as she nods into the Janelle's hand. "...there is probably another term." She swallows, hesitating fiercely even though she's admitting more that wasn't already said.

"...love."

Janelle leans in to plant an awkward kiss on Liseth's snout as well, her heart certain but head still frightened and body still shaking, "As you wish, love."

Liseth shudders slightly at the kiss, feeling a jolt go through her.

She whispers as she closes her eyes again: "I will do anything for you, Janelle."

Janelle leans her head against Liseth's "And I for you, love. We... have a lot to determine."

Liseth hums. "We do. But... together, r-right?"

Janelle chuckles, rubbing Liseth's snout once again, "I cannot do any of this alone. Nor do I want to."

Liseth mm's, then carefully but still fiercely grabs the woman into a full blown hug. "I wouldn't let you even if you did."

Janelle lets out an unexpected cry as she is pulled in closer to the dragon, but it soon becomes a laugh as she hugs back as best as her meager human frame allows. "Well, I am happy to report th-that I have completed one of the projects you assigned to me. Most unexpectedly, I have managed to find someone to love me."

Liseth laughs, a rumble Janelle feels from the dragon's chest: "T-that you have. A-and I g-guess found me dating company while at it. Efficient!"

Janelle hums, pressing herself closer to feel that laugh, "Love, if you know anything about me by now, it is that I do value efficiency."

Liseth laughs, nuzzling her head closer to Janelle's head and back. "That you do. You're very good at what you do. Which apparently also includes stealing my heart~."

Janelle oohs, surprised at how good Liseth's scales feels pressed against her front and back, "M-ma'am! I did no such thing! I said I would protect your valuables! It was never my intent to steal them!"

She cranes her head back to look into Liseth's eye. "Your heart remains intact where it was, I am simply watching it closely and ensuring no one else may steal it."

Liseth laughs again: "Fair enough, if we need to go down to definitions. Which we just did."

She pauses.

"Again. We do that, don't we."

Janelle nods, nuzzling against Liseth's chest, "I apologize. I am very meticulous, love. And... Still in a bit of shock."

Liseth nods, holding Janelle softly: "I am sure I will freak out about the consequences of this later, but right now I can't find myself to care."

Janelle sighs, finding herself at last letting go and simply letting Liseth hold her. "I don't know what is going to become of me either, but... But I trust you."

Liseth smiles: "And I trust you. We'll see this through. You are the smartest human, if not the smartest being I have had the honor to work with."

Janelle blushes, "I uh, don't think you've worked with many people then, ma'am. But I try. You're the only one who gave me a chance to prove myself."

Liseth smirks: "Shush. I'm complimenting you here. Accept it."

Janelle bows her head, "Ahh, understood. Compliment accepted. Thank you, love."

Liseth smirks, then lowers Janelle back down. "Now. Let's at least get you cleaned. I won't have any companion of mine looking that bedraggled."

Janelle looks down at herself as she's set back down upon the ground. "O-Oh... Yes, perhaps that would be best."

Liseth smiles. "I can't help much, but if you want to show me, much as I am able to see from the door anyway."

Janelle ponders what exactly she can do here. "I guess most of my makeup and supplies are back home... All my good clothes too."

Liseth hums, then smiles: "If I may be so bold to suggest... I could fly you home."

Janelle blinks, unsure if she heard that right. "I could... fly on you? Like... me? Riding a dragon?" She reaches up with her scaly hand and pinches her cheek.

Liseth shrugs, her wings shuffling slightly with the motion. "Or I could carry you in my arms, it's probably more secure like that."

Janelle blinks again, "...either way... I think you just made my eight-year-old self's dream come true. I... I accept! I'd be crazy not to."

Liseth smiles: "If it brightens up your day, I will happily do it for you." She pauses, doing a bit of math in her head. "Wait. You've dreamed of that since before my kind came to Earth?"

Janelle swallows, laughing nervously, "Well, old stories and folklore. There's a book series about brave warriors who bond with dragons when they hatch, and they train and fly together to battle against evils. I... I used to love those stories as a kid. Of course, then the more practical world got in the way..."

Liseth considers: "So... when the practical world, so to say, offers you a chance to make a bit of that dream, even if the only evil we are going off to fight is you looking down... that's pretty good, then."

Janelle can barely nod, "It... it's not very practical at all, but today is apparently not the day to let logic stop me. So, it's pretty good, for certain."

Liseth hums, then nods towards the hallway: "Well then. Let's get your mind off of anything but flying for a few moments. Just tell me where we are going."

Janelle gathers herself together and heads down the hallway towards the balcony, giving Liseth her address somewhat mechanically before stopping herself, "Though, perhaps it'll be easier just to point the way."

Liseth laughs softly as she walks. "Yes. I do not actually know most of any streets here, since I barely need to."

Janelle chuckles, "It's a large apartment complex across town. It shouldn't be too hard to find. ...I'll have to consider what do about it soon enough, though."

Liseth hums as she opens the grand balcony doors: "We have both time and resources. So whatever you decide."

Janelle dips her head as she steps out, then glances at her hands, taking a moment to put her gloves back on. "I don't really want to impose... but I might not have much choice if things keep changing." She swallows at that thought, still having not quite grappled with it yet.

Liseth looks at Janelle's hands as she puts the gloves on. "I am sorry. But if you do stay with me, you will likely change further. To what extent, I can not be certain... we shall find out, I guess." She gives a deep sigh as she steps onto the balcony. "I wish I could just not have it happen, but I am afraid that is not an option."

Janelle nods, "Neither is leaving you behind, so we shall find out, indeed."

Liseth nods, then walks to the edge, before turning her entire body towards Janelle as she sits down on her hind legs, leaving her forelegs free. She opens them invitingly: "Okay, so... I do not have too much experience with this, but I promise I will hold onto you in a way that you can not drop."

If Janelle is hesitant about the gloves and the changes, she is not hesitant about the idea of a flight, nor about embracing Liseth's offer as she steps forward into her embrace. "I'm confident you won't. And... thank you for this."

Liseth smiles: "Thank me after all the changes finish. I'm still the reason for any of this." She grabs Janelle gently, but tightly, into an embrance in her arms that still easily leaves her free to fly. "Alright, last chance to back off. We are very high up here."

Janelle shakes her head, "No chance of that, love. I wager you could reach my house in just a moment or two but... feel free to take your time."

Liseth smirks: "As your boss, or at least ex-boss, I say that we have all day if we need it." She spreads her wings, giving a couple of strong flaps before lifting off and over the balcony railing, over nothingness, street being far below somewhere.

Janelle chuckles, starting to speak before Liseth's launch interrupts her, cutting the words off with a loud cry instead. That surprise quickly turns into elation and laughter. She grips tightly onto Liseth's claws, but probably not tight enough for the dragon to feel. Any chance to give directions is lost as she simply enjoys the sensations of feeling weightless, securely held by Liseth the whole time.

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