.Terran.
They’re not physically metallic, just visually, which actually surprises me. My mother had been made of the stuff, gleaming silver and hard as stone. Talulah had told me stories of her falling into a slumber once, her body hardening to lock her into an eternal cage, like some gilded statue. That was one of the only times I’d ever been glad I was traitless. My twin, on the other hand, had been born dangerous. Titanya had been gifted with the ability to make anything heavier, solid. She could turn water into blades of death, make grass like needles, turn a horse’s heart into a weight that ripped free from the chest like lead… For now, these wings would suit me fine.
Jinju’s gentle touch draws me back into a semblance of repose, my grin dulling as I reach forward to bump her gently against the shoulder. She could touch them all she liked, I would do the deed myself if I could. “You think they’ll grow?” I ask offhandedly, knowing the black mare probably wasn’t any more informed on situations like this one than I was, “What crap luck that would be if they stayed this size.” I chuckle, praying silently that it wouldn’t be the case.
I’d be the laughing stock of Beqanna.
But, as if in response to my thoughts the wings shudder, flex, and expand. I cringe, closing my eyes as the muscles in my back spasm with the effort of the sudden growth. “Ahhh,” The groan slips from my mouth, along with the realization that this gift would be a literal pain in my back for the next few days to come. What about flying? I’d never been farther than a few feet off the ground and not much longer than a few seconds at that. Navigating the skies … what a whirlwind that was going to be. “Jinju, I’m sorry, I don’t think I can stay here for much longer. I need to find someone who can help me manage this.” I explain while my teeth graze against her ribs gently.
“Can I come look for you later?” I ask, neck twisting so that I can train a single, amber eye on her.