Supernatural Charm

They’ve chosen this form for now, enjoying turning in the mirror as they played dress up in the store. In honor of their androgynous appearance, they found themselves twirling in pretty dresses, skirts, lingerie, midriff bearing shirts, and skinny jeans as well as more masculine clothing like baggy pants, big t-shirts, distressed flannels with the sleeves rolled up... The whole nine, really.

Don’t break eye contact.. Don’t break eye contact.

Held fast in the creature’s grasp, Nonna thought about speaking time and time again, but really what could she say? Of course she wanted them out of her house, but at the same time, they would no doubt take offence to her asking them to leave. They weren’t causing any harm after all - apart from being generally unnerving - it would be unfair of her to judge a book by its cover and throw this being out. No, she’d have to give them a chance, with her enhanced healing and strength, she was at least somewhat prepared if things should turn sour.

“Ahh haha,” she forced out a laugh at the demon’s ‘joke’, thinking that it would be unwise to not react at all, “t-that was a good one. I’m n-no good with making up rhymes or puns or anything like that, I shou -” 

She trailed off, realising that rambling would get her nowhere, it was probably better for her to focus entirely on her ‘guest’, and worry about being witty later when the threat of being eaten was completely off the table. “W-What? Oh, oh n-no, no you don’t have to do that,” she cried, flattery, perhaps flattery would help in this situation, “y-you look fine. Listen, I’m sorry, you’ve just startled me, that’s all, I really don’t think changing your form is necessary, I just need to calm down, I-I’m not used to being woken up like that.

“Umn, what can I call you? I don’t even know your name.”

Laliya’s eyes flickered back and forth between Nonna’s, trying to read her. Of course there was little they could glean, save for her fear, preferred traits in a lover, and relationship status. There was only so much they could pull from one’s mind, mostly pertaining to how to get a meal. It was like being able to only speak English and everything else is in languages with completely different alphabets.

They stepped off the bed once again and, despite her objections, their skin began to change, almost like scales flipping over. Their joints cracked and bones changed visibly under their tight flesh. Horns and tail receded into their body with an almost sickening sound before finally--

Ohh, God. Breathe, Noyabrina, breathe.. This thing hasn’t turned hostile yet, it would probably be a good idea to keep it that way. Sitting cross-legged on her bed, Nonna tried her hardest not to shy away from the demon, eye contact was very important and a steady voice would work wonders, perhaps if she showed them that she wasn’t afraid, they’d lose interest and leave?

“I.. My energy? Oh - oh, you mean it’s different to a human’s? O-Oh that’s because… Um…” Well, that made sense, but it also sent a thrill of horror through her.. The way the demon spoke really did imply that they’d visited specifically to feed. Well, all she could do was sit and hope that they didn’t find her energy tastier than that of their normal prey.

With her jaw set, Nonna’s eyes followed the creature’s movements, trying her hardest not to inch back from them. They looked… Broken, for lack of a better word. Their movements were jerky, their jaw jutted forwards, bones stuck out horribly against their leathery skin, giving them the appearance of being malnourished.. No wonder they were hungry. But easily the most unsettling thing about them were their eyes, just the thought of them watching her as she slept with that great, burning gaze wasn’t an easy thing to comprehend.

“I’m not exactl…” She began before the threat of injury soon halted her. With her face now held in the creature’s firm grasp, Nonna remained deathly still, trying her hardest not to breathe in the demon’s horrid breath, surely one rash move would result in death. “N-No, no I didn’t know you were coming! I-I’m j-just prepared in case people break into my house! I have never seen you before in my life, I promise you.”

“Yes, yes. Very different,” they said with a nod. They released her jaw to lightly boop her nose with a claw. It was almost cute to watch people react to their true form. Head cocked to the side again as they watched Nonna thoughtfully. “I see. That’s good. I’d hate to spoil surprise visits.” Then she wouldn’t know when they would come to try and feed again. Which was good. Maybe then breakfast wouldn’t be ruined.

The grin remained and their tongue slithered back into their mouth. “For someone so prepared, you seem quite scared. Oh! That rhymed!” An excited little clap of giant hands signified their excitement at the happenstance. They hopped back onto the bed, which hardly shifted anywhere but beneath their feet, almost like a graceful cat, with their light landing.

Laliya’s fascination certainly wasn’t broken by Vee addressing them and their rather obvious gawking. The only thing to shift was their eyes, the rest of them... eerily still, as their gaze shifted to his face. A smile curled onto their face as they extended a hand.

Oh shit she woke up.

Tendril-like tongue poked through their teeth as they heaved themselves to their full height. “Hungry,” they breathed with a sharptoothed grin, crooked, janky tail swaying lightly. “The meal is gone now.” Laliya hopped off the bed, stooping forward as arms hung heavy between their legs. “Your energy is... interesting.” They cocked their head to the side. They could tell she wasn’t human, but they couldn’t pinpoint what it was that she was, so they said little else on the matter.