Everything just seems to be falling in to place. He has a wonderful family, a friend, finally and, as of recently, possibly a new home of his own. For the first time in his life he feels like he has a place in the world, a small place, but it’s his all the same. And, all in all, life is good.

There’s a wide smile on his face as he walks into the meadow, and a bounce to his step that’s never been there before. There’s a new confidence to him, a new openness. For the first time his anxiety isn’t holding him back and he’s looking forward to the future with anticipation.

He’s waltzing through the centre of the meadow, head held uncharacteristically high, when the girl first approaches. His brown eyes catch on her strange scaly markings, but continue on to her face with a welcoming smile. He knows much about being different, he isn’t one to judge based on an odd appearance. “Hello there!” His head leans forward so that their eyes will meet at the same height. “I’m Lauchlan, what’s your name?” He finds it a bit strange that she’s out here all alone, being so young. “Where are your parents?”

The girl seems friendly enough, and his smile broadens in answer to her own. It’s hard not to feel cheerful in the face of such a bright and open manner.

But when she tells him not to worry, a strange niggling sensation in Lauchlan’s head tells him something isn’t right. He barely has time to consider the feeling however, when the girl’s introduction is cut off by the sudden appearance of a short palomino mare.

“Can I help you?” He’s frozen, quailing under the look of pure loathing being directed his way. “Uh …” His lips work for a moment, trying to find the right words to reassure this little personification of fury. “You must be her mother!” He smiles awkwardly, trying and failing to keep his unease out of his voice. “I’m so glad! I was afraid she might be lost!” His eyes gaze hopefully into the mare’s face, hoping to find some sign of patience and understanding there.

He shifts uncomfortably, his body rocking slightly from side to side as he tries to think of a way to gracefully extricate himself from the situation. Unfortunately none occurs to him, and he’s left with option B. That is, extracting himself awkwardly.

“Weeeeell I’d better be going then …” He tries to smile and bob his head in a casual manner, but it just looks terribly strained. “It was nice meet you Ajatar! And Ajatar’s mom!” He turns and starts to walk away, forcing himself to move at a slow and leisurely walk. He’s almost to the bushes, almost there …

“Stop.”

Damn, he was almost free. His hoof freezes in mid air. There’s a tone to her voice that makes him obey immediately. A tone that tells him she is not to be trifled with.

He can hear little Ajatar trying to reassure her mother, but the child trails off, obviously realizing that her efforts are futile.

Lauchlan has the distinct feeling that he’s about to get kicked, or bitten.

He forces a smile back onto his face (though it looks frozen and afraid), and turns slowly back to face the mare. He doesn’t want to make a sudden movement and set her off.

He waits then, expecting to be berated for approaching little Ajatar, and possibly be accused of being a creep or a kidnapper or something. He’s rather unprepared for what the mare actually does say.

“Your wings, are they one of those temporary things the fairies gave out in return for their arrogance?” Lauchlan’s head cocks to the side, brown eyes widening in confusion. “… huh?” His wings?! What do they have to do with anything?

He stretches his wings out for a moment, head tucking around to take a look, before returning his cautious gaze to the palomino. “Yeah, they were from the faeries?” Of course, he’d had wings before, only mutilated little stumps of wings (and he’d had his … problem) … he’s just not about to share that with this angry stranger.

There’s an intensity there that unnerves him, and as she presses forward, he slinks back beneath her gaze. “Oh um …” He feels more than a little uncomfortable. “My trait is … well, really not that great. I don’t want it back. I’m just fine with these wings!” He knows most would probably leap at the possibility of getting their traits back, and he has a suspicion that this mare will want to know why he is not like the majority. But he can’t bring himself to discuss his spider problem with this mare he doesn’t know.

But he hopes she at least understands wanting to keep the wings. They give him such happiness and freedom. There’s no way he’d want to trade that for … well, his problem.

He glances nervously back at the bushes, painfully aware of both how close and how far away they are. He could make a break for it, but that would be awkward beyond belief. Even more awkward than he usually is. His eyes return to the palomino, and he tries to offer what he thinks might be a winning smile. “Well, I should probably be on my way. I’m glad Ajatar wasn’t lost. And it was really nice to meet you!” He lifts a foot, but he doesn’t step or turn away. This time he waits for permission.