Jasper

Just when the change in Jasper occurred was difficult to pinpoint. Those who knew him early in life recall a soft-spoken, nearly painfully shy creature with a desperate need to belong. Although few had gotten close to him at that point, most agreed he was sweet and gentle, easily led and a credit to the lair.

All that they could agree on afterward was that there was a change -- a few days spent sequestered who-knew-where, and the timid Spiral had changed, as though a switch had flipped in his brain. Where before he had hardly had the courage to approach anyone in the lair, now he roamed freely -- perhaps too freely. He had often been seen to appear as if by magic in corridors or corners known to be empty. At times he seemed from reports to be in two places at once. And, most worrying of all, he took particular interest in dragons who lacked -- "companionship." Disappearing into their chambers, neither would be heard from for several hours. In the following days, his companions would emerge weak and shaky, but full of unaccountable cheer. A handful disappeared entirely.

Some argued he was better like this -- particularly those whom he'd seen fit to visit after his transformation. Others were less certain. Certainly he quickened no nests, and some wondered why Talis saw fit to keep him around when she insisted on the importance of breeding for the good of the clan. But none had the courage to ask, and Jasper, for his part, was dead silent on the matter, save for a slow and knowing blink.