09-14-2018, 01:56 PM
I’d been expecting to see a dappled grey figure, and so for a moment I stare blankly at the striped stallion. He seems equally surprised to see me as well, so it is likely that my moment of hesitation goes unnoticed, especially since a smile comes a moment later as a gust of winter wind clears away the steam.
“I was worried you might throw a party if I gave you too much warning,” I reply. Tossing a damp strand of mane from my face, I wade through the shallow water until we are closer. Sound carries easily across these hills, and I’ve no desire to rouse those horses that are fortunate enough to still be sleeping at this early hour.
His glance across my hide is not missed, but the memory of times I have been unharmed are not yet ancient history, and a lighthearted jest about that particular topic is not something I’m ready for. Not yet, at least, though I do offer a reassuring smile as I spread my undamaged wings in a silent assertion that: Yes, I’m fine.
Another chilly gust cause me to draw them closer again, and I glance to the side pensively for only a moment before stepping to the right, toward the center of the pool. The water is deeper here, and it closes over my back with a small wave. Hyaline might have had glorious mountains vistas and splendid snowfall, but their lack of hot springs had made for a miserably cold two months of captivity. The water seeps between the feathers of my wings, but the weight is comforting, if only because I feel secure at last in my own home.
“Ilma offered me a deal.” I answer, and for a moment it seems like that might be all I have to say. Wolfbane will want otherwise, of course, so I don’t pause for long. Just enough to be mischievous, I hope.
“It wasn’t a very good one though, so I took Princess Valdis on my way out. I thought Kagerus and Solace might be more inclined to sweeten the pot if we tossed their daughter in as well.” Now I pause, clearly rather pleased with myself and what I’ve accomplished. It’s not exactly what we had planned in the air over the River, but I had been forced to utilize rather limited resources and an overzealous cat.
“I was worried you might throw a party if I gave you too much warning,” I reply. Tossing a damp strand of mane from my face, I wade through the shallow water until we are closer. Sound carries easily across these hills, and I’ve no desire to rouse those horses that are fortunate enough to still be sleeping at this early hour.
His glance across my hide is not missed, but the memory of times I have been unharmed are not yet ancient history, and a lighthearted jest about that particular topic is not something I’m ready for. Not yet, at least, though I do offer a reassuring smile as I spread my undamaged wings in a silent assertion that: Yes, I’m fine.
Another chilly gust cause me to draw them closer again, and I glance to the side pensively for only a moment before stepping to the right, toward the center of the pool. The water is deeper here, and it closes over my back with a small wave. Hyaline might have had glorious mountains vistas and splendid snowfall, but their lack of hot springs had made for a miserably cold two months of captivity. The water seeps between the feathers of my wings, but the weight is comforting, if only because I feel secure at last in my own home.
“Ilma offered me a deal.” I answer, and for a moment it seems like that might be all I have to say. Wolfbane will want otherwise, of course, so I don’t pause for long. Just enough to be mischievous, I hope.
“It wasn’t a very good one though, so I took Princess Valdis on my way out. I thought Kagerus and Solace might be more inclined to sweeten the pot if we tossed their daughter in as well.” Now I pause, clearly rather pleased with myself and what I’ve accomplished. It’s not exactly what we had planned in the air over the River, but I had been forced to utilize rather limited resources and an overzealous cat.
