There is a tiny ledge overhang atop the balcony, and a lightning flash illuminates a creature huddled in a corner, futilely trying to avoid the lashing rain beneath it. Although the creature is curled up, you note that it does not seem larger than you, so flapping your wings wildly, you approach the balcony cautiously. However, you do not account for the varying winds due to the walls of the castle. Just as you are about to pull your wings in and land comfortably inside the balcony, a sudden gust catches you unawares. Instead of a graceful descent, you find yourself clinging in terror to the railing of the balcony. You heave yourself over, and breathing heavily, lean back against the railing to catch your breath, ignoring your wings.
Despite the fact that you have reached the balcony, the creature remains curled up practically in a ball in the corner. Getting up, you approach, and notice whatever it is is scaly, and shivering. It doesn't seem dangerous, but you have had plenty of unwelcome surprises today.
"Hey, are you okay?" you try to shout over the storm, keeping your distance. "HEY!" It's no use; the wind carries away your words, and the more you stand out here the colder you get, as you have no clothes on but your pants, which are soaked through. Since there is no other choice, you take a deep breath and walk over, placing a hand on the creature's back.
"Hey, are you alright?" You lean down and shout, finally eliciting a reaction. The creature uncurls itself slightly, and you see a humanoid lizard, about the size of a young child, with scaly clawed hands and feet hugging itself.
"S-s-s-s-soooo c-c-c-c-cold," it chatters, shaking, and you notice a forked tongue. "P-p-p-p-p-please, h-h-help...." The poor thing seems nearly hypothermic, and you figure there is little damage it can do to you in this state. You take a glance around the balcony.
"Can we get in there?" You yell, nodding towards the door. You're pretty sure you know the answer, otherwise why would the lizard be out here? But you still check anyway.
"L-l-l-l-l-ocked," it stutters in its gutteral voice, and for a second its eyes nearly roll back in its head.
"Hey, hang on!" You holler, but you know there's no time to interrogate the lizard out here. Grabbing the lizard around the waist, you run to the railing. Leaning down, you try to get your bearings, but the balcony sticks out too far for you to see the window. Biting your lip, you clamber over the railing and ease yourself down, hanging onto the limp lizard with one arm. Dangling off the bottom of the balcony by one arm, you spot the dim outline of the window below you. Lining yourself up, you let go, and madly try to stabilize yourself with your wings. However, you were no expert in flight when you just had your own body to support, and the lizard, while small, seems to be nearly all muscle, and dead weight at that. Flapping madly, you get yourself at an appropriate angle to the window, and spread your wings, preparing to glide in. However, just as you reach the frame, a forceful gust hits you from behind, catching under your wings and flipping you while blowing you all the way into the bedroom wall. At the moment of impact, you black out.
You're not sure how long you were out, but when you come to, you're in a different room, lying on the floor next to a small fire grate, which is lit. Although you are lying on your back, your wings are spread slightly, allowing you to lie flat. You register the warmth of a blanket atop you, and open your eyes. Only to find two slitted eyes with nictating membranes blinking down at you.
"Gaaaah!" you shriek and sit up in surprise, looking wildly around, as the lizard scuttles backwards, obvious shocked. That's when you realize something is missing. "Where's Leona? And Cain? Did you do something to them?!" You bark at the lizard, which shakes its head back and forth vigorously. "If you did something...!"
"What happened?" The door bursts open as a worried Leona and a yipping Cain enter from the hallway. "You're awake!" Relieved to find your little group unharmed, you glance sheepishly at the lizard. "Sorry about that..."
"No, perfectly understandable," the lizard croaked in its low voice. "Anyway, I am in your debt. If you hadn't rescued me, I probably would have died out there...it seems this form is cold-blooded." The lizard lifted its front claw up and looked at it rather sadly.
"Sorry for what?" Leona flops down on her leonine stomach after closing the door, looking from you to the lizard curiously.
"Uh, I kinda thought this guy did something to you, since I didn't see you when I woke up," you respond embarrassedly. Seeing the lizard wave off your explanation, you begin to have a rather good impression of the fellow. At least he doesn't seem like the sort to hold grudges. "Anyway, what's your name?" You ask by way of starting conversation.
"Camelia," the lizard stated rather bashfully in its growly voice, sitting in an oddly feminine manner.
You blink and exhange a surprised glance with Leona, who you know is thinking the same thing as you. Turning back, you both cry out as one, "You're a GIRL?!!"