Paxton raised his eyebrows, noting the marked difference in Ashton's demeanour. He'd thrown the dragon for a loop, immediately going for the prize, but the dragon boy took it remarkably well. Even if there were glimpses of the true creature lurking underneath: the teeth, the blackness and the brimstone...
Lesson there. Don't get the dragon too mad.
It came from behind Paxton's shoulder, a large eight-legged furry monster with a tinge of purple in it. Paxton inclined his head towards it, letting it rub against his cheek before picking it up. The spider raised its front legs in a threatening move. Paxton grinned. "I have an affinity for the creepy-crawly in this world." The spider wasn't real, of course, but that didn't matter. And it was as much a power as his silver tongue, wasn't it?
Paxton looked at Ashton. "What do you do when people try to bribe you with gold?"