Emily and Ashton and OPEN
Whens he touched his face, Ashton looked at Emily with a frown, studying her with intense scrutiny. Emily, he had found, was not afraid to touch him, and while it was somewhat reassuring to know she was not scared of him, he also remembered Barclay's words about what it meant to bring someone to the dance. Romantic entanglements. Was that what was happening here? The dragon was unsure, and began looking for clues.
But she was right, the dancing was easy, and Ashton found it much easier to do, mimic her movements, when they were closer together, so he copied her by putting his hands on her hips and pulling her against him. A small smile touched his lips, rather pleased with himself to be doing so well at this human custom. He would master them all, he resolved. Not only was he learning all of the languages he could get his hands on, but soon he would blend in with humans everywhere.
"Who are your friends, Emily?" he asked curiously. All he knew about her was that she didn't like Barclay, but that wasn't helpful. If they were going to have to mingle with others, he wanted to know who so he could prepare himself. There were some students at the school who he'd never spoken with and others who he simply didn't like and ignored. Some, though very few, had pestered him and tried to get in his way, threaten him, even. Those students he kept a close eye on, but so far had obeyed the rule Ms. Menides had set for him about not bullying. Dragon strength and dragon magic could be dangerous and he understood why he had to back down sometimes. It was better than the alternative and someone else was seriously injured by his actions.