Azule

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[He's social and stronger than he realizes. He's smart and stays calm in most situations. Although he is outgoing, he is very shy around females.]

Azule had never really had big plans in life - he liked his home and Clan, and got on well with everyone. He was intelligent and had great strength, but he'd never let any of that go to his head, and was quite content to live the quiet life indefinitely.

As the token socialite in a tight-knit Clan, though, it was difficult not to notice when a dragon stopped coming to festivals or joining in on patrols. Perhaps it was just his instincts, though, as nobody else seemed to mention that they hadn't seen much of a small fae lately. The thought lingered at the back of his mind, but he had no inclination to be nosy. Life went on, as it always did.

One day, after enjoying a morning swim before much of the Clan was up, he heard someone weeping softly. The dragon was hidden by reeds, curled in on herself, and seemed not to notice Azule's approach.

"Are you okay?"

The fae's head jerked up to blink at him fearfully. "S-sorry," he said, "I didn't mean to bother you. I just, uh. Well, you were crying, I...guess."

She sniffed, wiping her eyes. "How astute," she snipped, but her words didn't seem to have much bite to them.

"Can I...help? Shadow, right? I hadn't seen you around much lately." Shadow nodded, but did not reply. "Well, I...don't know what you're going through," Azule tried, after an awkward silence, "but if you ever want to join me for a swim, company would be nice."

He hadn't expected to see her after that, but the next morning she was waiting by the bank, and waved to him tentatively when he came around the bend. She was there the day after, and the next. The two would swim, mostly in silence only filled by Azule's ramblings, before departing for the day.

"Thanks," Shadow said one morning, many sunrises later. "For...the company. I miss...I miss my sister."

Azule blinked, muzzle half submerged. "Oh...Ink, right? I'm so sorry."

Shadow nodded and looked away.

"I....I've never lost someone that close to me," Azule said, looking down, his mind racing. "I just...it must be hard to see things that remind you of her. All the time. Being here, I mean. It really sucks."

Shadow looked surprised. "Yeah," she said hoarsely. "I used to want to travel, but...but with her, not alone. It's too...different."

"I think she'd still want that for you," Azule said quietly.

"Would you...come with me, then?"

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