B L A I S D E L L Knight | Mute | Kind | Loyal He was the unfortunate bodyguard who couldn't speak for himself. Ever since Celeste arrived in the clan, Blaisdell had been assigned as her personal attendant, sworn to protect her with his life. He really didn't have much say in the matter (literally), but the more time he spent around the arrogant lady, the more she grew on him. It also helped that she was constantly showering him with fancy trinkets and gifts. In fact, half of his belongings were her 'generous donations'. When he first came to RuneLight, he brought nothing but the rags on his back. Now he was the proud owner of a shiny new set of armour and trappings. The style was unfamiliar to him: It incorporated cloth, filigree and ornamentation; a far cry from the standard plate and chain link. It was more ostentatious than anything: Which designer thought decorative wings was a good idea? But warriors were trained to be flexible...and besides, it did look kind of cool. ART BIRTHSTONE Jasper Minerals & Ores The vibrant red has earned this variety the nickname ''Bloodstone''. 120 Jasper Passionate, Fickle

On a regular day among other days, Blaisdell heard an indignant screech coming from inside the lair. He could recognise that whiny voice anywhere. He backed away from the door just as Celeste stormed out, hissing the strangest hatchling-friendly curses ever.

"Slimy mudcrawlers...yellow-bellied worms..."

He took off after her, slowing down and keeping pace once he'd caught up.

"Ah," the Coatl purred, though it came out more like rusty cogs. That having failed, she put on a horribly fake politician's smile. "There you are, servant. Would you believe the nerve of this collective? Unacceptable. You never serve sweets before the main course!"

Blaisdell resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Instead, he just nodded.

"Back in the kingdom, I would've ordered the lot of them exiled. And after everything I've done to reward them!"

Sure, coming out of nowhere with something you 'overhead' them wanting isn't creepy at all. Their wandering took them outside of the clan, onto the open-air network of corridors and terraces that interlinked their lair. Here in the Sunbeam Ruins, the sun was always overhead. Right now, close to evening, it was just beginning to set.

Blaisdell was brought back from his musing by a sudden tail whack to the side. "Don't daydream while I'm complaining to you! Now, where was I..."

The Wildclaw smoothed his armour back down. Celeste had nearly no strength to speak of, yet the blow grazed his soul. What could he do to tell her that none of what she said even mattered?

He headbutted her gently.

The princess leapt back with a rustling of fine silk. "What are you...get away from me! Do my words mean nothing to you?"

No, actually. But the Wildclaw just raised a talon and pointed up.

After some hesitation, she obeyed. The sky was on the cusp of day and night: The sun bled deep orange and purple, and the clouds painted a chiaroscuro of light and shadow. The slanted rays of dying light fell upon them in bars of black and deep golden.

“Oh. Oh…what an amazing sight.”

Blaisdell sat down. He patted the floor beside him.

Still looking up at the sunset, Celeste settled down next to him, folding her legs like a deer.

“Seven moons I’ve lived here…or more! But never did I think of coming out here over supper.”

He shifted, tucking in his wings to sit more comfortably. Celeste did the same.

“Oh, who am I even talking to! The others are still inside, and you’re…well…”

Blaisdell stared at her.

“Ah. I see…I think. We should enjoy this sight in silence.”

He nodded.

“I understand now. Mother had always taught me to let my opinion be heard. It was my royal privilege. But perhaps…maybe silence speaks more than words ever will.”

The Wildclaw laid his wing across her back. She didn’t even notice, or mind.

‘It’s beautiful. Thank you for showing this to me.’ No doubt those were the words she wanted to say. But as they sat there, unmoving even as the night rose before them, Celeste let her smile speak for her.

Blaisdell felt the frown in his brow set as he brought his arms above his shoulders. The faint piano lulling in the other room made him feel sleepy, but this tiny fae flitting around him was keeping him on his toes. The little dragon made gestures to him with tiny commands, ‘arms up, head back, knees together please.’ He wasn’t keen on following this dragon's directions.

The only dragon he followed anymore was Celeste. She stood a few feet away fiddling with her attire in a full wall mirror. She could have looked up to see his disdain for the circles he was being put through, but instead she was much too invested in her own appearance to care how he felt at that moment.

Blaisdell let his glare drop from where she stood. He wouldn’t have seen it, but anytime he looked away Celeste’s eyes turned up to stare at him in the mirror. She saw the ways the fae made him move, grinned a little when he huffed and gave genuine smiles when he yawned. She knew it was insufferable to Blaisdell to go through all of this.

Blaisdell watched the fae as she beckoned toward the hallway. A mirror bound towards the two with garments in claw. The fae gestured at his shimmering black wings, the shade of which Celeste liked to call “Midnight.” He watched the other dragon untangled a long tuft of glittering silk. Another damn floofy, pointless garment, he sighed to himself.

The dragon began to drape the silk along his shoulders, arranging it so that they draped around his waist, up across his shoulders, and finally the Mirror clipped it to his wings with a large silver brooch. It had a large goldstone nestled between the filigree of the clip. The slack around his torso was gathered to his arms and clipped around each of them with similar silver bracelets.

Blaisdell let out a long, loud breathy sigh. Celeste almost giggled when she saw the deadpan look he shot her way. They met each other's eyes for a moment, Celeste’s smile creating little crinkles of feather around her silvery eyes. Blaisdell felt his gaze widen, turning a little slack-jaw at her expression. As soon as they had met gazes, Celeste schooled her features and went back to preening, looking as if she paid zero attention in the first place.

“Celeste.” Came a voice she had never heard. It only took a stalled heartbeat, though, and Celeste felt instinctively that she already knew that voice. She whirled around, face blank when she saw Blaisdell had his lips parted. It had been his voice she’d heard. For the very first time.

“Blais--” Celeste was hushed by the sudden flurry of signing Blaisdell made with his claws.

You treat me like I am disposable, and yet you dress me in fine garments and lavish me with toys, delicious food, and a plush den.

Celeste blinked in surprise. She hadn’t ever heard Blaisdell’s voice, nor had she expected to. He had been her perfect, silent companion and guard all her time in the Runelight Hallow. She stared in shock as Blaisdell waited for some answer.

“Well…” Celeste faltered for once in her life. It seemed like there had never been a moment in which Celeste had not been sure of herself. Blaisdell felt a tinge of pride to have made her stumble. But that did not last long. Celeste regained her composure. “I’m not about to have my servants or guards question what I do. You had better think about what you say next, Blaisdell, or I may not give such grand things to someone like you.”

Guards. Blaisdell signed with special emphasis on how there are multiple in her sentence. Not just him. Funny, that. Guards. Where are the others when I am your only one?

“Of course you are my only--”

“I know I’m not, Celeste.” He spoke again, silencing her, lips tight. Blaisdell switched back to signing again. I see the others, I hear them and feel them lurking even right now. Two, in that hall, and four out the windows. You cannot fool me, Celeste.

Celeste liked the way he signed her name, always had. But now wasn’t the time to be swept away by the words in his claws. She was silent as he glowered at her in some type of disdain. She stood her ground with shoulders set back, chin tilted knowing he had caught her. But she would not back down.

“You are not my only guard, of that you are right.” She began, taking a step forward, raising her chin to look above her at his icy stare. Her feathers pinned to her neck let him know she was not trifling with him now. “But you are my one and only knight. And I won’t hear any more questions about it.”

They battled gazes for a small moment, making the other dragons in their presence scuttle in the heat of their argument. Blaisdell broke first, sighing before flitting his wings wide, giving Celeste a little fright. He almost grinned again, taking her by surprise always delighted him. He shrugged off the ridiculous silks and began to unclip the bracelets when Celeste huffed.

“We’ll be buying these Star Drapes, they suit him finely. I expect he will wear them plenty enough to need a warranty as well.” She announced. Blaisdell felt his anger flare. He had not wanted to wear them at all! She could tell that, he knew she could. Whirling, he caught the haughty look on her face. His maw opened like he wanted to speak. Instead, he furiously signed with claws.

I will not wear these. I am tired of being your dress-up doll. I am done doing this.

Blaisdell’s claws flew fast as he let a little growl of frustration vibrate his chest. He hated this, he hated being a plaything for her.

“Blaisdell, I won’t be seen with a Knight who dresses in plain, dull armor. You’ll wear my gifts with gratitude!” She fought back, glaring as he tore the fine silks from his body finally. He left them flutter to the ground, where Celeste stared with a pout growing sadly on her face.

I’ll never wear your gifts again. I’m through being your Knight.

Blaisdell finished his signs with a fold of his wings, jerking against his back as he turned away. He could see Celeste’s jaw agape in one of the many mirrors in the room. The fae and mirror witnessing the whole debacle also stood with unhinged jaws. They snapped their mouths shut as Blaisdell began stomping away.

“Blaisdell! You had better stop this right now!” She shouted at him, voice desperate and shaking. He whirled, his voice booming against her ears as he spoke once more.

“And why is that?” He continued with his claws. Why should I stop?

He watched as Celeste quivered. He couldn’t quite tell if she was angry or scared. The way she spoke before, he thought maybe it was both.

“Because!” She cried out, pausing suddenly as her next words caught in her throat. Blaisdell waited expectantly for her reply. She choked a little, eyes going shiny. She watched him curl his claws into fists. “...I need you.”

Blaisdell let the words echo in his head for a long, silent pause. Celeste trembled, looking far from the proud character she put on all the time. Tears collected in the corners of her eyes. Her face fell.

Blaisdell let his eyes drift closed, and he saw another moment in his dark vision. The memories of Celeste he held close to himself. The first moment he realized she could be gentle. The moment he realized she could feel a dent to her pride. She wasn’t unfeeling, she was flawed and scared behind her perfection and perceived virtues. Scared of being alone, unheard, and unloved.

She did the things she did because she was afraid he might leave. She was insufferable behind the facade of generosity. But her generosity towards him was real. She wanted him to like her. She wanted him to be there for her without truly giving him what he wanted.

He realized he didn’t want to be a cold, unfeeling Knight towards her. He wanted to protect her, to feel her vulnerabilities, and know he could keep them safe. He wanted to give her more, yet she hardly let him near. Frustration led to this moment, and his ungrateful *** was walking away from everything he wanted.

When he opened his eyes again, Celeste was trying to staunch the flow of tears down her finely feathered face. She sniffled a little when she saw he was staring. Dropping her shoulders, she bent her head in shame. What had her pride done now? It was giving her the humility she never felt.

Celeste,

He signed gently. He hesitated for a moment, before opening his arms for her. Celeste found her eyes opened wide at his gesture. But the tears dripped from her chin when she shifted her crest feathers forward.

She sobbed as she bound towards his open arms. He caught her there, folding her in with both his arms and wings. She sobbed loudly into his chest, making ugly sounds as she snotted against his furred chest. Curling her head under his chin, she couldn't catch her breath to say anything, though she was trying.

Finally, her broken sobs turned into vague sounds.

“S-s-sor-sorry.” She sniveled, brushing the crown of her head up to cuddle his chin. He smoothed a claw across her shoulder. She gave him a shaky little burr of affection. Blaisdell curled his head down, and sighed.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered close. She snorted with happiness. Of all the years she’d known him, she’d never heard as many words from his mouth as she had this terrible day.

“Don’t you--d-dare d-do t-that aga-in.”