The Black Ones
The Dragonjaw Hoops — Gothic Dragon Hoop Earrings are brass dragon hoop earrings in three finishes — silver, gold, and black. Unisex. ~4.4g per pair. The dragon's jaw rendered at the hoop closure, the kind of piece that does not come from a jewelry counter. Luna wears the gold. Chelle wears the silver. The black ones are a different matter.
Midnight has never explained the black ones. He has been asked, in the way you ask a dragon things — obliquely, carefully, without making it obvious that you are asking. He has not answered. He tilts his great head when someone picks one up. That is the whole explanation he is willing to give.
The gold and silver moved quickly. Luna put the gold on the morning they arrived and wore it out the door without discussion. Chelle took the silver — looked at it, looked at Luna, said nothing, put it on. The silver caught the candlelight in the register of moonlight rather than flame, which is exactly right for Chelle, which is probably why Midnight forged it that way. He thinks about these things. He has had a long time to think about them.
The black ones stayed on the display case.
Not because no one wanted them. Because Midnight watches whoever picks one up, and people notice when a dragon watches them, and the particular quality of Midnight's attention when someone reaches for the black finish is not the tilt of curiosity or the rumble of approval. It is something older than both of those. Something that has been watching long enough to know what it is looking at before the person holding the earring has figured it out themselves.
Luna picked one up on the third day, turned it in the light, set it back down. She did not put it on. She looked at the rooftop. Midnight looked back. She picked up her gold one instead and left the room, which is not something Luna does — she does not retreat from things, she does not back down from stares, she does not let anything make her feel like she is not ready for it. She set the black one down. That is the whole story of that morning.
Chelle has not touched the black ones. She stood near the display case once, close enough to reach, and then moved on without stopping. She did not look at the rooftop. She already knew what was up there.
The black finish is brass — same as the gold, same as the silver, same weight at ~4.4g, same dragon jaw at the hoop closure, same unisex fit that works on any ear. The difference is not in the material. The difference is in what Midnight is watching for, and he is not going to say what that is, and the Attic has learned to accept this about him. Some things he forges for specific people. The gold and silver found theirs immediately. The black ones are waiting for whoever he is watching for — the one who picks it up and does not set it back down.
The display case still has the black ones. Midnight is still on the rooftop. He tilts his great head when someone reaches for them. He does not elaborate. The jaw closes on what it keeps. The question is whether you are the one he has been watching for — and whether you will know it when you pick one up and find that you are not putting it back down.
About This Piece
What it is: The Dragonjaw Hoops — Gothic Dragon Hoop Earrings — brass, dragon head at hoop closure, ~4.4g per pair
Finishes: Silver | Gold | Black
Wear: Unisex — punk, gothic, hip hop, daily
Series: Dragonforged — Midnight's Domain
Character leads: Midnight (forged them, watches the black ones). Luna (gold). Chelle (silver).
Find it: The Dragonjaw Hoops — Gothic Dragon Hoop Earrings
More from Dragonforged: The Awakening of the Dragonforged Soul | Earrings: Whispering Adornments | The Full Dragonforged Collection
What are the Dragonjaw Hoops?
Brass dragon hoop earrings in silver, gold, and black. ~4.4g per pair — light enough for all-day wear. The dragon's jaw rendered at the hoop closure. Unisex. Midnight forged them. Luna wears the gold. Chelle wears the silver. The black ones are waiting for whoever Midnight is watching for.
Why does Midnight watch whoever picks up the black ones?
He has not said. He tilts his great head. He does not elaborate. The Attic has learned to accept this about him. Some things he forges for specific people. The black ones are waiting for theirs.
Are these unisex?
Yes. Luna wore the gold. Chelle wore the silver. All three finishes work on any ear. The black ones work on whoever Midnight has been watching for.
What are they made of?
Brass — fashion jewelry, not pure gold or silver. The finish holds with normal wear; avoid prolonged water exposure and heavy sweat to extend the life of the color.
What will you find?: The Dragonjaw Hoops — Gothic Dragon Hoop Earrings