Title:           The Kobold in the Bed (updated)
Author:          dzamie
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/1Cq6m3ct
First Edit:      Tuesday 16th of August 2016 06:12:26 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Last edit on: Saturday 20th of August 2016 04:29:51 PM CDT

>it's been a long day
>dinner done, shower over, dried off
>time to just collapse into bed
>yawning, you stumble into your darkened room
>by the light of a window, you can still see
>you accidentally kick a book on the ground
>...you can still MOSTLY see
>looking over to your bed, the sheets look weird
>must've gotten balled up or somehow your pillow moved
>groaning, you flick on the light, immediately squinting while your eyes adjust
>...that's not a pillow
>that is a little small yellowish scaly thing
>you calmly express your surprise
>in the form of shouted expletives
>the lizard thing seems scared now
>"I-it's pretty cold tonight. Can I stay until morning?"
>the voice is an odd combination of soft and dry, more feminine than masculine
>after you calm down enough, you ask why you should let her
>"Well, um... better than spending it alone, I can... I can... You could let me stay out of the goodness of your heart?"
>you stare at her, unimpressed
>after a couple seconds, she sighs and begins shifting around under the sheets
>"Well, it was nice while it lasted. Warm, soft... here, I'll put these back as I found them, least I can do."
>the scaled creature half-unravels, half stretches out of her fabric "cocoon"
>...she's much taller when she's not curled up
>probably around four-and-a-half, five feet as she stretches
>a yawn displays a forked tongue, curling back behind rows of small, pointed teeth
>with the exception of the parallel ridges on her snout and down her back and tail, her scales look consistent
>...you have a VERY unobstructed view of her scales
>nothing seems particularly visible, though
>she does seem to be a reptile, after all
>not that you looked or anything!
>if she notices your gaze, she doesn't mention it
>sheets in hand, she sets about laying them over the bed
>leaning way over to push them over the far side
>she has a very nice looking tail, flipped up like that
>the lizard girl steps back, letting out a breath as she looks over her work
>"Thanks for not yelling at me or hitting me. Other folks tend to do that."
>she nods at you, then starts walking out of your room, and likely your home
>"Well, then, goodby-"
>you place your hand on her shoulder
>she looks back at you, surprised, and possibly bracing for a hit
>it's just one night, right?
>you offer to let her sleep over, keep her warm
>her face lights up, and she eagerly goes to wait under the sheets
>as you instruct, not wrapping them around herself again
>you turn off the light and blindly stumble in the general direction of-
>"To your right."
>you reorient yourself, aiming at her voice
>sliding into bed, the sheets shift against your skin
>cool scales brush against your arm
>when you don't recoil or object, the reptile presses herself more firmly against you
>she hums happily
>you ask if you're warm
>she confirms that yes, you are warm
>her tail slides against your legs, searching for more heat
>her scales are pretty soft...
>they're not quite that gentle, though
>you get out of bed, explaining that you'll return soon
>underpants: on
>and back to bed
>"Hm?"
>she ducks her head under the sheets
>and back up
>"Did you just notice now?"
>while waiting for an answer, she repeats her earlier actions
>rests lightly against you
>gradually creeps forward
>her tail curls around one leg
>you tell her you just need a bit more protection there, as you've no scales
>"I do know of some human norms. The extra body heat is nice, though."
>the beat of her heart gradually falls as she finds her place against you
>you ask her what species she is
>"A kobold, of course."
>you are far too tired to continue this line of questioning
>the two of you drift off to sleep
 
>the light of the sun shines onto your face
>why do those blinds always wake you so?
>with a groan, you wake up, kicking off the sheets
>you glance left and right, no sign of any kobold
>probably just a dream
>...although, you did put on underpants
>halfway through getting clothes on, you remember it's a Saturday
>you finish dressing anyway
>in the doorway of your room, you hear sizzling
>oh shit, did you leave the stove on?
>a mad dash to the kitchen
>there is a naked lizard tending to a skillet
>she turns to face you
>"Oh! Sorry, I just felt I should do something to thank you for last night. Eggs?"
>you nod slowly, walking over to grab a glass of water
>...
>two glasses of water
>and a pair of plates
>you take a drink, blink a few times, and she's still there
>tail swishing back and forth
"So... you're real, huh? Not just a dream."
>the question startles her from admonishing the eggs with soft "cook, damn you"s
>"Yes, last I checked. Don't worry, I'll be out of your way after breakfast, I promise."
"Oh? Where're you headed?"
>her mood dampens, and her ridged tail stops, hanging limply between her legs
>"Um... not really anywhere. I have no dragon to serve, and most humans try to chase me away on sight."
>the kobold tips the eggs out onto the plates, giving you a visibly larger portion
>"Although, the parking lot a dozen blocks that way might have a lair under it. Not too uncommon."
>wait, what?
>you shovel a forkload of eggs into your mouth as you process her words
>the eggs are quite tasty
"Dragon?! Like, huge monstrous lizard that eats people?"
>she nods
>"Yep, dragon. I generally move at evening, so I'll hide for the day again. Alleys work well - humans rarely look down 'em."
>you wonder if she's saying stuff like this on purpose
>if so, it's working
"You want to make sure no other human sees you? Tell you what, you can, quote-in-quote, 'hide' here."
>the lizard girl freezes, mid-bite, her jaw slightly slack
>she blinks her slitted eyes a few times
>slowly, she swallows, and her mouth curls into a wide smile
>with her sharp teeth, it's a little unsettling
>"I... absolutely! I cannot thank you enough!"
>the two of you finish what's left of the eggs
>she wordlessly and eagerly takes the plates, then washes them in the sink
>her tail is in full swish
>it's almost hypnotic to watch, and you catch yourself staring as she works
>you wonder if you should tell her you have a dishwasher
>she seems happy enough
"One thing, though, if it's safe for us to do..."
>she sets the plates to dry
>"I- you're not implying what I think you are, right?"
>she seems to draw back a bit, even as she turns in your direction
>"Apologies if my lack of clothes misled you, but I'm really not that kind of..."
>what is she..?
>oh
>OH
"No, no, that's not what I meant at all! I just- if you don't think I might get eaten or something, can I go with you to look for the dragon?"
>she relaxes and steps towards you
>a smile crosses her scaly muzzle, and she nods her head
>the two of you decide to spend much of the day with her telling you all about kobolds and dragons
>...
>eventually, the two of you are lying on your bed
>or rather, you're lying on your bed
>she's lying on you
>"So, yes, you probably won't get eaten, but there's a very slight chance he - or she - will think you're a sacrifice I brought to increase my chances."
>you decide to go, anyway
>all of a sudden, she yawns
>a wide, pink maw, with a forked tongue and lined with white teeth
>inches from your face
>forget dragons, it feels like SHE'S going to eat you
"Seems we're both tired. Tell you what, I'll set an alarm for a couple hours, we'll have a nap, then leave a bit after sundown?"
>you reach over and start the timer
>...she's already asleep
>you close your eyes, listening to her slow breathing
>and together, wait two hours in your dreams
 
>the second thing you notice when you wake up is your buzzing alarm
>the first thing is two sets of sharp claws digging into your side
>you roll over to turn off the alarm
>too late, you realize this earns you a few shallow cuts
>you mutter a few choice swears into your mattress
>suddenly, you notice one more thing
>something thin, warm, and wet is repeatedly sliding against the cuts
>you freeze, then turn your head towards where the cuts are
>the kobold lets out a - very cute - "eep!"
>before you realize what happened, she's at the foot of the bed, curled up in a tiny ball of scales
>like how you found her, but minus a blanket
>the area around your new injury feels cold
>was she... licking you?
>incredulous, you ask her
>"Y-yes? I'm sorry, I should've asked, it's just that-"
>"-the alarm startled me, and I accidentally cut you when you moved, and I've heard it helps to heal..."
>now that you've woken up, the pain's honestly not that much
>sitting up, you glance down to see the damage
>it's a pretty decent area, so a simple bandaid probably won't help
>but far from severe cuts
>you reach up and gently pat her scaly head between the sets of ridges
>you tell her it's not too bad, but perhaps in the future you'll sleep alone if you've got an alarm
>she nods and starts to uncurl, sluggishly sliding off the bed
>you follow suit and walk to the bathroom, pressing your hand against your side
>...absolutely no larger bandages
>you make a mental note to get some
>well, time for ingenious solutions: where creativity meets stupidity
>you call out to the kobold, asking her to bring you paper towels and masking tape for your side
>...she moves FAST
>the sound of drawers being opened and shut reach your ears
>maybe you should've told her where the tape is
>regardless, she gets back quickly, holding her quarry in her paws
>after thanking her, you take them with your clean hand
>you tear off a few squares of paper towel
>fold them a few times
>you notice the lizard girl glancing between you and your cut
>"I could... I mean, I don't know if we kobolds can actually heal, or if it's just a way to clean the area, but... um..."
>she hangs her head, worry evident on her muzzle, then slowly turns to go
>fuck this is weird
>aaand very dangerous
>you hope you won't regret this
>you tell her she can try, if she wants
>although you're definitely going to wipe away kobold spit before you put on your poor excuse for a bandage
>she smiles, hopeful
>the kobold kneels next to you, flicking her tongue experimentally
>WELP BACK TO PAPER TOWELS
>you try very hard to ignore the warm, slimy tongue lapping against your skin
>with now two small "pads" about the size of your cut, you quickly rinse one and squeeze it from "wet" to "damp"
>then place it carefully on the dry one
>it is time to admit you don't know what you're doing
>you glance down and ask her if she knows how to make a bandage
>the kobold pauses, looking back at you with a bloodstained mouth, then shakes her head
>that was only mildly horrifying
>you wet another bit of paper towel, then ask her to stop so you can try the thing
>she withdraws, standing back up to her full height
>with the wet cloth, you wipe her saliva and your blood off
>trying desperately not to think of how many reptile diseases you might've just gotten
>then, your weird combination of folded paper towels
>it covers the cuts well
>and for the coup de grace
>you literally tape the "bandage" to your skin
>there is no way any part of what you and her just did could backfire in any fashion
>problem solved, probably forever
>blood doesn't immediately soak through, so you feel confident
>after washing the blood from your hands, you smile at the kobold
>after getting a shirt on - fortunately, you had apparently taken it off while talking earlier that day - you check out of a window
>getting dark now, excellent
>time to get ready and go
>you ask her if she wants to borrow a sweatshirt or something
>"I really couldn't impose, especially since, if all goes well, it's pretty much just another thing in a dragon's hoard."
>"It seems a warm night, too, which really only leaves one reason you ask, if I may be bold."
>did she just
>was that a pun
>you can't tell if her smile is asking permission or laughing at the joke
>"And I've told you already: not sure if it's magic or what, but without... intent, there's nothing visible down there."
>to demonstrate, she lifts one digitigrade leg over her head
>in spite of yourself and of knowing what's there, you glance between her legs
>same scales as everywhere else
>it's a little offputting, honestly
>you're not sure what you were expecting, but it hadn't been this
>hold on
>she seems... off-center on her one foot
>the kobold is tipping over a bit
>you start forward, but she looks at you with a confused expression
>then sets her foot down and swings her tail back to a normal angle
>right, tails
>you sigh, and ask if she's ready to go find a dragon
>she nods, and the two of you cautiously exit, making sure to avoid onlookers as she leads you into an alley
>you hope this hasn't been some elaborate trap to eat you or something
>the kobold seems happy, almost skipping as you make your way towards your destination
>the two of you continue for much longer than you thought alleyways would last
>however, you figure out that you're near the parking garage she mentioned
>on a whim, you ask the kobold if she ever considered a cloak or something to be harder to spot out
>"Clothes don't last long. They get shredded by my back ridges, or blood all over them, or something."
>blood?
>and with how she acted around your cut...
>you step away from her, paling
>as though sensing your reaction, the kobold tenses, shaking her head quickly as her tail curled around in front of her legs
>"Pigeons and rats! Y'know, for food! Almost never human blood, honest."
>"almost never" isn't entirely reassuring
>"Look, if you think this is all a plan to eat you or something, I won't stop you from leaving. I'm going to find a dragon, hopefully."
>it is time to continue the string of bad decisions
>you nod and step towards her
>a thought occurs to you
>you point out to her that, despite the two of you having slept, eaten, and now exploring shadowy alleys, neither knows the other's name
>finally, after nearly a whole day, you introduce yourselves
>her name's Ezzi
>apparently, kobolds don't have last names
>or rather, their last name is the name of the dragon they serve
>you're learning all sorts of trivia today
>and you'd be called insane for talking about it
>the two of you quickly dash across the street and into the parking garage
>the clicking of her running claws echoes off of the concrete along with the sound of your shoes
>she vaults over the railing at the other side and immediately ducks down
>by the time you get to her, she's dug about a foot down, revealing what appears to be a metal hatch
>curious, you pull on it, and it swings open
>through it, a ladder, surrounded by what seems like candleflame
>"After you, then."
>in the low light, her smile is unnerving
>especially with her jaws still stained with your blood
>well
>the dragon's lair beckons...
 
>you slowly lower yourself down the ladder
>the tiny flames around you work surprisingly well
>the tunnel is lit, albeit dimly, but the light doesn't blind you
>after some time of climbing, you wonder just how deep you are
>you look up, hoping to see how small the hatch looks
>you can't see the hole
>because the underside of a kobold's tail is in the way
>you immediately look away and keep climbing
>eventually, your feet hit solid ground
>you step away from the ladder, and Ezzi soon drops down as well
>looking around, it's hard to see much of anything
>you successfully locate a wall, and in the other direction, a large, dim shape
>Ezzi seems awestruck, slowly looking around through the dim light
>"I've... never... seen..."
>you start wishing you'd brought a flashlight
>although, that might annoy the dragon enough to eat you
>the kobold steps towards the large thing, her clawed hands clasped in front of her
>the shadowy thing moves, and a gleaming, golden eye opens, easily visible even in the dark
Good evening, little kobold. I do not recognize you; you have found shelter during the nights?
>the strong, penetrating voice almost seems to echo in your mind as well as throughout the enclosure
>Ezzi's tail is slowly moving back and forth again
>"Yes. Most nights, I spent in simple shelter, although I was lucky to spend my most recent in a softer bed."
>she glances back at you and smiles
>the dragon's head turns to face you
A sacrifice to me, and a way to cover your tracks? I commend your cleverness.
>sacrifice?
>shit
>did she really just use you?
>you throw a frightened glance towards Ezzi
>she looks surprised, her earlier smile completely vanished
>"N-no! Please don't, he's been nothing but kind to me!"
>the dragon turns to look at her once more, and she shrinks from his gaze
>even giving another one of her cute "eep"s
>a short chuckle comes from the dragon
Very well, death is a poor way to repay a debt.
I assume you have either a message from another dragon, or a desire to serve.
>Ezzi nods, slowly standing tall again
>or, well, as tall as she can, being under 5 feet
>especially compared to the dragon
>"The second, sir. I don't know of another living dragon in two miles' radius, and hoped I may find you here."
>the dragon nods slowly
Another capable worker is helpful. In fact...
>back to looking at you
Human.
>more panic
>are you being conscripted by a dragon?
>you nod, unable to form words
I can trust that you will not reveal my location, correct?
>you nod again
>it's not like you can say no
Good. Now, I can allow you to see...
>"Ezzi, sir."
>her smile grows into an ecstatic grin as he continues
To see Ezzi vitAzurel in the future, without staying down here,
>he gestures with a large, leathery wing
>something lets out a startled noise, then the sound of clattering metal
>the dragon pauses, then says something towards whatever made the noise
>despite the usual booming voice, you actually can't make out what he said
>he turns back to you
However, if she is stolen, or killed while visiting you...
>you blink, and suddenly, a large, scaly muzzle is just feet away from you
>his fangs, gleaming in the candlelight, are as long as your arm!
>and to think you'd been worried about Ezzi eating you just hours ago
>the dragon could do it in a single bite
>gradually, you tear yourself away from the massive fangs, over his blue muzzle, and back to his eyes
I will hold you very, VERY responsible.
>what's that, body? You're having a heart attack?
>he draws back and takes a deep breath
Ezzi, with me. Human, you are free to leave; covering the entrance would be appreciated but not required.
>the large mass of scales rises, turns, and slinks away
>you turn towards Ezzi
>she immediately dashes towards you and hugs you, humming happily
>"I'll visit, really. He wouldn't have offered, otherwise."
>she runs off, and you ascend the ladder
>what an interesting day