Ripple

Ripple is cousin to Depths and a barely noticeable character in arc 1. He shows up more in arc 2, and is one of the protagonists of arc 3, often being the optimist of the group.

### **Appearance**

Ripple has pale blue scales and cobalt colored underscales. His wings and spine are also shades of cobalt.

### **Personality**

Ripple first comes across as an oblivious or not very smart dragon who always sees the bright side of things. While Ripple is in fact an optimist, he is very aware of the severity and weight of the things going on around him. While not particularly observant, Ripple shows a stunning ability to perceive the emotions of those around him and to empathize with what's wrong, always offering a kind word.

Ripple is also a hard worker, taking on his fair share of chores and duties responsibly since a young age.

Ripple hates the idea of hurting anyone, emotionally or physically, and is frightened of becoming a hurtful person, which motivated him to do good and be an outlet of kindness, which eventually didn't take much effort. He will fight fiercely for those he loves, even if he isn't particularly good at it.

### **Background/Appearance in Stories**

* Arc 1
* Arc 2
* Arc 3
* Journals

* The Switcheroo

### **Allies, Acquaintances & Friends**

#### **Depths**

Depths is Ripple's cousin and closest companion. Ripple was envious of Depths' abilities of observation for a long time before Depths pointed out that Ripple could see things he couldn't, such as how someone was feeling and exactly how to help. Ripple enjoyed doing anything as long as it was with Depths, and didn't mind volunteering in the palace just to be near his cousin. He knows Depths wouldn't abandon him no matter what, on account of Depths often taking the blame from Arion for problems Ripple had caused, and how Depths didn't leave Ripple's side on the night of the fire, making sure he made it out okay.

Ripple also didn't mind giving Depths a place to stay while he was on the run, and tried his hardest to take care of Depths when he could, encouraging him without scolding him, knowing Depths would respond better to that than if Ripple told him off.

#### **Dew**

Dew is Ripple's mother. She was known to be a stubborn, strong dragon who worked the gardens and grew lots of food. Ripple absolutely loves his mother, although he doesn't always understand her. He always defended Arion when she spoke badly of him, even though he didn't know why. He once commented that "she was ALWAYS mad at him somehow. I would be exhausted trying to always be mad at someone. I don't know how she did it." Still, he loves her dearly.

#### **Zircon**

Ripple first saw Zircon reading in the library and immediately fell in love, much to his cousin's confusion. He often went out of his way to make sure her food was prepared the way he'd heard her say she liked it, and was almost paralyzed any time she spoke to him. He only admired her more as he actually got an idea of what she was like, even though he never really introduced himself.

At one point, a dragon named Torrent who worked in the palace as well began acting manipulative towards Zircon, and she seemed to see him as a friend. Ripple didn't have the heart or courage to tell Zircon she was being used for power, instead often showing up to interrupt their interactions, bringing Zircon food when she skipped breakfast or randomly asking if he could get her anything, and didn't stop even when Torrent grew suspicious of him.

In arc 3, he grows closer to her, protecting her from the pirate Husk and taking the armband away as it was making her sicker and sicker, despite her pleas for him to give it back.

#### **Bayou**

Ripple never met Bayou, and the only time he ever saw her in person was when she died. He rarely spoke about her, knowing Dew (Bayou's sister) didn't like the topic and neither did Depths, but did manage to hear that she was "the sort to sing someone to sleep". He often just knows her as Depths' mom.

#### **Arion**

If Ripple sincerely disliked anyone in his childhood, it was Arion. Even though he was too fearful to stand up to his uncle, he was extremely upset that Arion was terrible to Depths and got away with it. He would have told someone what was happening immediately if not for the fact that Depths was against it, and often told Ripple stories about when Arion was a better dragon when Ripple felt like doing so. He wasn't particularly devastated when Arion went missing.

#### **Spike**

Ripple simply viewed Spike as Zircon's Father for the most part, only thinking of him in a different sense when someone presented him that way.