Nestled together deep within the damp darkness of their cave, they shared body heat. His feathered appendages blanketed his body, wrapping a secure sanctuary around him. Autumn was deep upon the land giving the dampness a bitter bite. The wind whistled in a vortex the dwelling created. It gave him restless sleep tonight. Pulling closer to his dam for soothing warmth he shifted slightly. The new position was not helping and sleep was escaping him further now...
Hazel orbs unshuttered in annoyance as a frustrated snort escaped him. He sighed as his crown still rested upon his wings. Gaze fell upon the opening of their home. An eerie haze crept into the domain. Seemingly swimming like spirits in the rivers of Hades hell. Arms outreached to grasp him and drag him into the abyss with them. This wasn't helping...
Silently he rose as to not wake mother. Lightly he stepped upon the stone floor, oh so lightly, passing through the fog and into the night. Surely a midnight flight would put to rest his mind. But first a drink... Following the path to the creek he observed the night. There was nar the slightest of breeze so the haze lingered thick along the ground. Lobes twisted to hear the faintest of sounds but there was none. The forests were quiet tonight... Too quiet. He stepped even lighter, more nimble and cautious. Orbs scanned but he could not see through the mess that engulfed him. He wasn't even sure he was on the right path anymore or how far he had ventured...
Without warning a crashing sound was heard. He froze in place listening to it near. Wide hazel stare desperately tried gripping onto any form of reality as did his mind. Whatever it was was nearing quickly. Caw! Caw! Crown twisted to the familiar sound and what it meant. Still frozen in place lobes searched for the barreling noise that had seemed to disappear. A rustling was heard from up the path he had came. Mother! Lunging forward he blindly galloped through the forests. Dodging what brush and trees he could while barging through the rest. The branches gripped and clawed at his brilliant purple coat and feathers. Stumbling finally upon his home his nares inhaled deeply to catch his breath. A scent drew inside him of familiarity. Brow furrowed in confusion as to why he had came. Was something wrong? The rustling had stopped before he had arrived but he hurried forward into the darkness. Vision struggling to adjust to the dim light the cave allowed. As it slowly focused on a dark figure wrapped around his mother he questioned his intentions, "Stillwater? What are you doing here? What happ..." His questions cut off by the stallions rough voice assuring Klaudius his mother will be fine. His focus shifting from the stallion to his mother, lifeless in the stallions embrace. "Mother!" His soft vocals called to her. Called her back to him. Muzzle lowered to her cheek nudging her ever so gently. A violet purple tear shimmered down his cheek onto hers. She was cool to the touch but not cold... Not yet. He shifted to her side, laying at her feet. Wing outstretched to blanket her chilled body. Curling into her, his head buried into her shoulder. Her usual strength was non-existent. He didn't question the stallion further. At that moment he didn't care. He cared only for his mother to return to him...
