Kind Dragon

> *"Sweet human."*
>
>

## Storyline

The Listener stumbles into a cave, disturbing the rest of a massive dragon. He announces himself as *Celadexon* and intimidates the intruder to come out of hiding. He identifies the Listener as a young human and asks if they've come to kill him. He freely shares that he has no treasure or jewels and is confused to hear that they are only looking for shelter from the storm outside. At first the dragon refuses to help and tells them to leave or he will destroy them, but he gets a hold of himself and takes it back.

*Celadexon* calls the Listener a guest and bids them to come close and warm themselves against his body. He also apologizes for being so defensive; the last time his sleep was disturbed was by a lovestruck young knight trying to prove himself and it did not end well for him. After lighting a fire for his guest he asks what they were doing in the storm and the Listener replies that they were looking for something in the north and have lost their companion, a hunter. He tells them that there's nothing beyond the mountains and that it is only a place for the forgotten.

They ask who he is in return and he describes himself as a "dragon of shadow" and "a creature best forgotten". As a young dragon he made a name for himself terrorizing kingdoms but now he is old and wants to spend the rest of his long life sleeping and dreaming, his favorite thing. "The world seems to burn when I am awake," he says. The Listener asks how long he's been alone, pointing out a human-sized bed, and he admits that there's a kitchen too. He had a lover a long time ago, a human woman, and they spent decades together. At the end of her lifespan he brought her to the north, hoping that the fresh air and open spaces would be good for her health. He even wen to far as to shapeshift into a human so consult with doctors. She passed away in her sleep and he stayed to sleep and dream for dreams are the only place he can see her again.

The dragon yawns and gently invites the Listener to stay the night with him, promising to help them find their missing companion once the storm has passed.

## Personality

*Celadexon* is an ancient dragon that spends most of his time asleep. He has the humor and defensive instincts of others of his species but they are tempered by a lifetime spent with his beloved, a human woman who has long since died. Once he shakes off his bad mood he reveals himself to be a gentle and considerate host, careful to make sure that his human guest is comfortable and safe even from him. By the end of the audio he appears to be fond of the Listener, calling them "sweet human" - possibly they remind him of his former love. Even after he's consigned himself to dreaming his life away he is willing to help the Listener find their hunter companion, suggesting that not only is he lonely but that he cannot abide loneliness in others.

## Trivia

### Celadexon

* Calls the Listener "stranger".
* Hasn't changed his sleeping position in 80 years.
* "This audio is a new diving into the concept of dragons in fantasy, often portrayed as strong, noble creatures. A Dragon's Grief is an exploration of how a near immortal deals with and processes the concept of grief, the ideas of rememberance (sic), and mythologising of self deprivation. Through all this, our dragon maintains a hard outer shell with a soft core that is reminiscent of "After Life", his kindness spurred by the memory of the one he cared and still cares about the most in this world." - Hollow's video description

### Fan Theories

* This is a sequel to "Shy Hunter Keeps You Warm" meaning that the missing hunter companion is Regis. Evidence: The Listener is searching for something in the north and the previously mentioned hunter companion.