Gilded Amethyst

by Subtle Shenanigans

There is nothing more treasured in Avalar or The Forgotten Worlds than a Dragon, since they disappeared well over three centuries ago, and the only tale the inhabitants have left are the manuscripts left behind, and whatever news an Egg Theif carries back after traversing their land. That is, until the delegate of the black market gets ahold of one, anyhow. Cover Art by me.

16. Polish

Spyro seemed to be enjoying the targets, Hunter noticed with a smile. It was really cool to watch the dragon spit flame, as well as see his potentially-a-friend(?) smiling, even if it was small.

It felt real, and Spyro seemed to enjoy it. That's what was important.

But there's was still. . . something not right. The dragon would suddenly droop, as though tied down back in the cage, expression glazed and wary. He wondered if Spyro still had nightmares.

(He wondered if Spyro still questioned their motives.)

But, over the past week he seemed to be improving. Maybe not fully better, and maybe not in big leaps and bounds, but it was enough to clear the glazed expression in the dragon's eyes at least somewhat.

Spyro was still quiet, hesitant to speak, but he did make an effort. He had no fear talking about his home or how dragons lived - as long as it avoided his own personal feelings, he was fine with it.

Hunter wishes that he would open up more, but he wasn't about to push it.

Spyro's scales looked healthier too; shining a little more, like the shore rocks polished by the tide. But there was still a slight dullness, a lethargy to his movements.

Probably because he wasn't really eating much.

And that. . .that really worried Hunter. Because, well, he gathered that Spyro was younger than him - though by how much he didn't know, as he'd have to factor in equivalency and not just number-age - and growing, so he really should be eating more. But Spyro just tended to pick at his food.

It wasn't a matter of preference, Hunter figured out; from what he gleaned, dragons were omnivorous but just ate more meat than plants.

It seemed to be more tied in with his previous, Uh, kidnapping(?) than anything.

And Hunter wasn't exactly sure how to help.

Forcing him or guilting him into eating would surely just cause more distress than help, but at this rate Spyro would start getting sick. He was barely picking at any of his meals, that Hunter wasn't even sure if he was eating even one meal by the end of the day.

Maybe he could encourage him to snack throughout the day? Or he could start snacking throughout the day himself, and casually offer some?

It was at least worth a try, Hunter supposed.