The Chesterton Challenge: Day 18

Welcome to Day 18 of the Chesterton Challenge! If you haven’t already, make sure to explore the creations linked in the notes of yesterday’s post.

Today’s Optional Prompt is: Friendship

Chesterton had a gift for friendship, often making friends even of his ideological enemies, and his works feature tons of friendships between very different people. You can use this word however you'd like to inspire your creative works.

Whatever you create, make sure to show us or tell us about it by reblogging or replying to this post. (Don’t forget: anyone is allowed to join in the fun at any point during the Challenge.)

Now go forth and create!

Vesper gathered up the bloody bandages and rags in her arms, turning to leave.

“Vesper,” Shard called after her, from where he lay carefully propped up on pillows in her bed. “Thank you.”

She hesitated, but said nothing, then ducked her head and hurried away.

Shard sighed, letting his hand drop onto the blankets. He felt smooth scales under his fingers, and looked over to find Shynael nudging his nose under Shard's palm. Shard obliged, rubbing the smooth scales in circular motions. Purring, Shynael settled into a more comfortable position lounging against the side of the bed.

“I don't understand her, Shynael. She saves my life, nurses me back to health...but she won't talk to me.”

“Humans're al'ays strange,” Shynael mumbled sleepily.

“She's shy, that's all.”

With a start, Shard looked over at the alcove filled with large pillows that all of their rooms had, designed to be a dragon's bed. Vannasai lay there now, her deep green scales almost black in the shadows. No wonder he hadn't noticed her before, especially when she'd been keeping so quiet.

“Vesper is very lonely,” Vannasai said softly, still watching in the direction Vesper had gone. “I am her only friend...and sometimes I fear I am not enough.” She turned her gaze back to Shard. “I think she needs human companionship...but you've seen how the others treat her.”

Legacy dismissively ordering her around like some kind of servant. Advent's snide comments sending her away in tears. Glaive...well, Shard didn't think he treated her badly, but he didn't really talk to anyone much outside of lessons.

Guilt squirmed in Shard's belly, twinging almost as much as the slowly healing sword wound. Yes, he'd noticed Vesper's interactions with the others, he'd idly wondered what history lay behind them, but what had he done about it? He'd been too busy with his own concerns, trying to find his place among the Ambassadors, working hard in his lessons so he could pull his own weight.

“It would be nice to have a human friend,” Shard admitted aloud.

Shynael stopped purring. “Hey, what about me?”

With a chuckle, Shard tickled him under the chin. “You'll always be my best friend, Shynael. But it would be nice to have someone I could talk to who understands what it's like to be human. Isn't it the same for you?”

Shynael thought for a moment, then leapt to his feet and bounded over to Vannasai. “You'll be my friend, right?” he said brightly, rubbing his head against the larger dragon's neck.

With a pretty little trill of laughter, Vannasai playfully nipped at the spot on Shynael's head between his horns, like a big sister ruffling his hair. “We already are friends, silly. Don't you remember that day we played tag together? That's what friends do, isn't it?”

“Oh!” Shynael gave her a toothy grin, then lolloped back to Shard and grinned in his face. “Hear that, Shard? I made a friend!”

Shard laughed until the pain in his abdomen forced him to stop. When the stabbing pain subsided and he opened his eyes again, he noticed Vesper standing uncertainly at the foot of the bed. How long had she been there?

When their eyes met, Vesper hastily looked down at her feet as usual. “Vesper,” he said, and though he made his voice as gentle as he could, she still flinched as if he'd shouted instead. “I hope we can be friends too. I'm sorry I didn't try to get to know you better before...all of this. But you've already been a good friend to me. You saved my life. So...I'd like to be a better friend after this, if you'll let me try.”

Vesper's voice was hardly above a whisper when she said, “You...don't have to....”

“I want to.”

She raised her eyes to his at last, and gave him a tentative smile. “I'd...like that.”