Of course, it was about gain; Cicero stilled his features when Aesa spoke of hatred of the world, he knew that type of sentiment well. Just waiting for her to regain her composure as he watched, naive woman, he thought as he stared back into her eyes. "I am not a good person, nor would I do anything nice without reason. What you have found is lacking: a speck of experience in the vastness of the world. The amount of bloodshed, hatred, and greed that lies on Earth is undeniable. Much like how humanity itself thrives on suffering," He spoke, words not wholly hollow, as it seemed like it was from experience. At this moment, his true agelessness could be felt, like a blanket that overshadowed. "Value, what you have is your will, your body, and your time. Whatever else, that is for you to decide."
The conversation skewed slightly, Cicero's smile widening as he raised a hand to his chin and held it momentarily. "Why should it stay between us? As for pregnancy, it was one of the reasons why I agreed in the first place. Don't get me wrong, I'm not the type to ask for one's firstborn. However, I wonder if it will be human first or if you will litter" Cicero spoke in a matter-of-fact manner, filled with a type of childish delight or amusement. If she hadn't caught on to the fact that he didn't do anything that either didn't benefit him or made his time enjoyable, then she would likely never understand how bad a situation she was in.
"I should perhaps answer your previous question, I do things out of curiosity... To amuse myself, to spend my time learning, and to find things to eat," Cicero whispered, slowly exhaling, his breath almost like honey and nectar as he leaned toward Aesa, still staring into her eyes. Until the blue bled and his iris changed to sharp slitted orange-gold pupils. The emphasis on that last word was meant to elicit either fright or confusion. A slender hand moving to touch her jaw, it was obvious that he was either trying to get a rise out of her or scare her. "I could make an exception," He mused, though what of was entirely unspoken.
Aesa hated generalizations that included her and didn't apply to her. It made her want to argue, but she didn't see a point. This man clearly had his opinions and wasn't going to be swayed. And if he wouldn't do anything nice without reason, why bother trying to convince him other wise. Wasting her breath was not a habit she had. At least not since she was a child. And Thorin had cautioned her against it even before she accepted he was right. Thorin. If someone went in her place and found her phone, they would have called him. Told him something happened. He'd be in a panic. She needed to contact him as soon as possible, but what did she tell him? Hey, I'm probably not human anymore. Weird dude in a suit shot me up full of some weird stuff to save my life, now I might turn into something weird every now and then. A quiet sigh left her as he talked about value. For some reason, she thought she was going to have very little say in decisions with Cicero.
Aesa's head snapped to him when he talked about why he agreed. "You mean, you agreed cause I might get pregnant and you want to see what happens if I do? Right? Not that I am pregnant." She chuckled. "There'd be no way to tell after one day." What was she worried about. He was just messing with her. There was no way she was going to be pregnant on top of everything else. "Will my birth control I was taking before even work for me now?"
Any other question she had fled her brain as he took hold of her jaw. The way his eyes changed color made her gasp. If he wanted to scare her, then he'd succeeded. Human? How could he call himself human? There came a point where enough aftermarket parts meant it was no longer the original model. And she thought he'd hit that point. She blinked at him when he made his comment. She'd not asked him anything else. What was he talking about? "An... an exception? To what?"
Cicero brought generalizations because humans in general were just that, ruled by majorities, and those who were unique either didn't actually make enough of a change to redirect the flow or just became shining examples of mediocrity. He'd have gone ahead and discussed if Aesa had pushed; however, the issue was that no matter the examples or anecdotes given, Cicero could find worse on the other spectrum. As for decisions, she was very much correct on that point; it was just that the choice still mattered even if the end result was the same.
When she snapped to attention, he blinked and stared as he slowly shook his head. "No, I very much dislike being misunderstood. So, listen carefully. Usually, the invasive nature of my surgical procedures is not suitable for checking these matters. However, your blood, among other things, mixing with certain magics made it clear that you are... how do people say it nowadays? expecting?" Watching her like a hawk, his eyes staring intently at her. "I'd not continue taking them if I were you, unless you want to experiment on yourself," He pondered.
Upon his eyes flitting over to those draconic ones, the gasp that escaped her was curious. "Taking your offspring, of course. They most likely wouldn't be human, and you have your whole life ahead of you," He stated in such a flat tone that one wouldn't know if he were joking or not. Perhaps he was just gauging her reaction, the response to such a vile idea. Yet, he was offering it up in an unsavory manner; however, it would have likely sounded a little better if he had phrased it like one would from a clinic. If Aesa showed negativity toward that thought, he'd do a one-shoulder shrug before letting go of her jaw.
"Any further questions or concerns? Gerwulf has finished cleaning themselves up and is coming back soon... so, if there are any words you want to share without their ears. You should do so now." His stance became a little calmer, and as he straightened his back while sitting there, he took a breath that poured smoke from his lips and nostrils. The warmth from his being wafted from him like he were a living furnace. Wondering if she would actually pick up on the details, like him wondering if she'd have a litter or a singular child. At least she wouldn't turn blue, though a tail would be high on the list of odd things that could spring up.
Aesa couldn't look away as he talked. No. She heard him wrong. Her heart rate spiked and her brain refused to process what he was saying. She was... expecting? He had to be wrong. He was lying wasn't he? She searched his eyes and had the sinking feeling that he was not. Though when he mentioned taking the child or children, she stiffened. "You... you want my children? Shouldn't that be discussed with more than just me, considering Gerwulf is the father? I've not been with anyone else in a couple of months." Her voice cracked and shook as she spoke. "I can't say yes to that when it's not just my child."
Did she want children? She'd be a shit mother. She didn't know what she wanted. It was too new. Maybe he was lying. Though she didn't think he was, but... she could hope. He gave that shrug, but when he let go of her, she relaxed some. "This is...." Her head felt a bit woozy and she closed her eyes. She hook her head as he asked if she has any other questions. "No, no. Wait... yes. Did you tell him I was pregnant yet?" She had no idea if it was something he would have used against Gerwulf or not, but from what little she'd seen of him, she wouldn't put it past him. She lifted her hand putting it against her forehead. "My head is... this is a lot. Is this what people mean when they say their world is flipped upside down."
Her hand came to her lower stomach, looking down at it. "This is... too much." She leaned forward some, bracing on the table, trying to breathe through it. "The books I read... they say that some shifters lose pregnancies when they shift. If I do shift.... could that happen to me? I know they're just stories, but... it would be good to know."
"Why would I need to discuss it with Gerwulf? You're not bound by blood, magic, or any kind of consecration." Cicero found that amusing; it wouldn't be the first time that the mercenary had children. However, the issue with nowadays and the past was that before, he likely never knew, as he disappeared days after. It wasn't that bad of a deal, though; it all depended on the wording. Some would say that leaving flesh and blood to Cicero was a fate worse than death. Staying calm and collected, though in the face of such shock, was easy enough. Eyes looking into hers with a little concern, though it was more like a doctor seeing a negative reaction in a patient.
"No, it is your body and your deal." Cicero had no compulsion to mention anything to Gerwulf, which was why he had left to clean up in the first place. He had already lost out on the balance, all so that Aesa would get a fair trade. Though she was correct, Cicero would likely use the information against Gerwulf, yet he didn't, because he knew the wolf well enough not to do such a thing. "Once we are done here, I have lemonade and some human food outside," He mentioned lightly, before slipping off the table and standing, moving in front of the woman who looked like they were going to have a panic attack.
Taking a breath, he whispered, that same sing-song manner, a soothing thing, "Yours will be different and likely safer. Though I would be against birthing in your changed form. As your children could become stuck in that form as their natural state for the rest of their lives. The reasoning is that your change will bleed into the burgeoning embryo, meaning that they will be as unique as you will become." He smiled, offering a hand to her so that she could get up off the table. Depending on whether or not she had more questions, it would change if they left the room now or let Gerwulf wait.
