Ricochet

His name is Ricochet. However, he tells everyone to call him Aenigmus as he hates his common name.

He hates being common. That's why he wears the finest silks he can find - the most beautiful, the most expensive. That's why his familiar is a magnificent paradise bird and not some common critter. That's why his skin is covered with shining silver tattoos - he hates that his scales are so plain and despises his plain-looking parents who gave him this look, so he pretends they never even existed.

He is beautiful. Possibly, the most beautiful dragon in the lair. And still, he's alone - the clan is wary of him and his vicious, nasty streak, his vindictive nature and sharp, poisonous tongue. Sometimes they wonder why he stopped Searching and stayed in the plain, boring dirt lair of Children of Stone - yet they suspect that he found his Charge here, and the only reason why he doesn't tell what - or who - it is, is because he's ashamed of it as it doesn't meet his standards.

Some of them pity him, as they feel something painful and unhealed deep beneath his arrogance and superciliousness, but if they try to reach him, he lashes at them with harsh, unforgivable words... and they leave him alone, frustrated and scared.

"He's such a nasty shit," hisses Orchid, narrowing her eyes. "Sometimes I just want to drag him to Wyrmwound and throw him in - it will be such a happy reunion, they surely match in being acidic and destructive."

Heder stops fluttering for a second and looks at Ricoc... Aenigmus closely.

"He wants to be beautiful so much, my lovely lady. Sadly, he will become truly beautiful only when he believes that he already is and stops trying so hard - and he can't believe it, no matter how many times he is told so."

Orchid blinks, stunned by sudden depth of his analysis, and glances at Heder.

"You are... wise," she says.

Heder blinks. And giggles:

"Oooh, that's because of my amnesia! See, sometimes I just forget that I'm stupid - ooh, lookie, a yummy moth! Race you to it!"

And he darts away, laughing. Orchid follows him with her eyes. Then looks back at Aenigmus, preening at the reflection in the nearest pool.

"Bloody mad shadows," she hisses quietly... and without true feeling.