As the days pass, it grows easy to forget that there had ever been a time before this. A time before the dragon that had tried to carry them away (presumably for a small snack). A time before they had been sequestered here, with each other and the lake for company. And as the days pass, Vital too grows forgetful of the danger that had once lurked. Of the fear that had filled his first days in this new place.
On this particular day, it is early yet, the dew only just beginning to cling to the trees and grass, the heat of the day still distant. Zephys sleeps curled beside him, but Vital cannot seem to find slumber again. The time that passed has allowed his terror to fade. And that in turn has allowed him to think. To remember and reflect. To feel anger at himself for freezing - for doing so little against the threat.
With a faintly worried look at his twin, Vital slowly untangles himself before rising, attempting to make as little noise as possible. He would let him sleep as long as he needed, but for Vital? For himself? He had determined in these last few days that he must make himself strong. Had determined he would not be a victim again.
In those first days of terror, he had abandoned his former attempts at bringing the bird he had mostly accidentally transformed into to the surface. But now? Maybe if he could call it at will, he wouldn’t feel so defenseless.
He doesn’t go far - only far enough that the fire occasionally licking his skin would not be visible to his twin through the trees. And there he concentrates. He calls and strains and paces and hisses in frustration. He does this until sweat begins to darken the ember-hue of his skin. Until he grows weary enough that his mind begins to still even as his body does. Then, just as he had nearly given up, the bird rises through the stillness of his thoughts. Feather and flame sprout across his youthful form until the fire dies and in his place stands an equally youthful Pheonix with sprouting plumage the color of the morning sky. From his avian throat, a lilting shriek of excitement rises, piercing the early morning air as he hops excitedly (and clumsily) on two legs.
@Colby if the muse strikes you <3