[PRP] The grass between my toes

[Shia bean]

The flatlands stirred early today, the puddles from yesterday’s rain disturbed by the passing of feet. It was morning and already the young Griffin was up and moving, the energy he had propelling him restlessly.

He was like any child, so full of life he could hardly see the dilemma’s that faced him; like the chance to be socialized, perhaps? The life he lived now, alone, had driven him to imaginary friends and misconceptions of those few creatures he saw, and their intentions.

He would not venture out of his nesting site for at least a month after birth, and even then his nervousness was not lifted till he stumbled upon the single tree on this part of the Flatlands. His home had been tall blades of grass and soft beds of flowers for the time he used to adjust to his new features, but now it was intriguing, tall plant with arms that were made for comfort. When his wings were ready for some simple flights, he maneuvered himself up the face of the tree and onto one thick branch, and every day he'd scout these lands, and play amongst nature with no one but his mind to accompany him.

So today he moved with expectations of the same sort. Moving along the southern fringes, Oskari clicked his beak and tucked his wings tight against his sides, slinking with his belly against the earth in a crouch. His eyes were set on a large rock yards away from him, where a green bug had been settled for some time.

"I've got you this time." He murmured, ears flicked back in his pursuit.  

[Starry Omega]

Brighid sighed as she'd awoken from her sleep under one of the large rock formations that provided alittle shelter. She stretched out her limbs and wings, yawning widely. She'd been alittle stiff, as Brighid had tried her best to quish herself against the rock for protection. She liked it when it rained, but lastnight wasn't the rain she liked. It was cold. Brighid didn't like the cold.

The cold always reminded her of things, and was alittle scary what exactly her mind could conjure. But, she would always shrug it off. Being young, Brighid could do that easier than the older ones could.  

[Shia bean]

The bug had been gone for minutes now, but Oskari still settled in his place low and tense with his eyes a bit wide. There was something in the air, a traveling scent that didn't read as flower or grass; but living creature. The smell almost resembled his own, and this was enough to disturb his play.

Curious, however, the male approached the rock still and peaked over the edge of it. The stone had formed against a hill, and arched out over the ground, creating that shelter in which the female now rested. He heard her sigh, and saw her shift, rolling back onto his belly and casting weary glances to his left and right.

He'd never been exposed to this! There was never anyone around to be exposed to, and being this unprepared instinctively frightened Oskari. It was far too late to retreat now, he was afraid his noise would anger the other below him and not knowing her age, he worried she'd be faster and stronger than he.

So, instead the griffin stayed put and waited, sticking to the mud behind him.  

[Starry Omega]

Brighid clicked her beak as she heard her little tummy rumble. She sighed again, knowing just how hungry she was, but, since it was morning quite a few good bugs and such were out. Though, since it also rained, she noticed a few slugs. Eww. She liked to watch them, but always felt bad when she'd accidentally step on one.

The young female's feather's ruffled as a scent came fluttering by. It was like her own but.. alittle different. Brighid wasn't experienced enough to know which direction the scent had come from. Though, since it was someone of her own kind.. maybe they were lonely like was.

 

[Shia bean]

Moments seemed to pass, and still no movement was made by the other. As nervousness passed, the young male felt inquisitive again and moved around the rock, looking out and checking the scene where the female stood.

Her light features were definitely alike to his, and the comparison instilled some excitement within him. Another living, breathing being worth playing with! Oskari was pleased! As she clicked her beak and stiffened, he felt a bit at ease with his own fright.

Though he had used his voice only occasionally, he managed to blurt out "Hello there!" moving away from the boulder and around it nearer to the other, the fear lessening in his features.

"How long have you been here?"  

[Starry Omega]

Brighid squawked alittle in surprise from the sudden sound of a voice. She turned her head in the direction it came from and the owner of said voice. Another gryffin? And young like her too! Her brown and white feather ruffled in a pleased way.

" I-I wander. So..I haven't been here long. I was trying to take shelter from the rain lastnight, because I was too far from the woods. " Brighid managed to say. She hadn't spoken to another in a long while, let alone to someone her own age.

Atleast for now, she wasn't alone, which she really appreciated. She'd liked her alone time but..full on lonliness wasn't something she really liked.

 

[Shia bean]

If having never seen someone before wasn't enough, Oskari was taken back by the sound of her voice; so sultry and smooth, unlike his that cracked and never had a consistent tone. His neck curved back as he quirked a brow, and listened to her words with some difficulty.

"The woods? That place is scary." he spoke, more harsh than he had anticipated. Drawing back a bit more, the male spoke again, feverishly. "Wander though? That makes sense then. I've never seen you before, but I've never really seen anyone like you before either." Like me, he thought.

Reacting to her gestures, Oskari relaxed onto his rump and tilted his head. He didn't really know what else to say, or how else to respond. He'd dubbed himself Oskari a while back, and assumed she should know what to call him if they ever were to meet again after today.

"My name is Oskari."  

[Starry Omega]

Brighid sat down on the wet grass and replied, " I know they are but.. when it rains it's good cover. " She titled her head abit from the male's varied tone.

" Oskari? That's an interesting name. Mine's Brighid. Nice to meet you. " She was happy to meet another, and it showed in her tone as she introduced herself. Brighid was getting so happy, that she was starting to get alittle antsy just sittin' still.

Brighid cocked her head, seeming to mull over a thought. She didn't know what sort of games Oskari might play on his own, nor did she really know what kind of game he'd played with others. Though, she sorta retracted that last thought as Oskari had mentioned that he'd never seen anyone like her around. The young gryffin looked at herself and then back at Oskari. Maybe he'd just been refering to their colouration? It was rather similar..

" Do.. you want to play? "

 

[Shia bean]

"Brighid?" the male repeated, a chuckle in his voice. "Hm, so you come from the forest then?"

Playtime for him had always been made-up adventures and chasing after air, or flying around on a passing wind; he'd never played with someone else before. The thought was taxing, and if only to rid him of it, he replied, "Well, I've never played with someone else before."

He realized how embarrassing his antics were when he was on his own, and how someone else might not exactly enjoy them but not only that; he didn't know this girl. He was a playful boy, and enjoyed adventure but this was certainly a wake up call, he couldn't always trust everything that walked by.

Watching the female, he replied sheepishly. "What did you have in mind?" the long tail sweeping behind him.  

[Starry Omega]

" Welllll, we could play tag. Or chase are something together. Or maybe just wander around and see what we find. " Brighid fluffed with happiness again. The prospect of playing always made her swell with excitement right down to her dainty lil' toes. She wanted to sit closer to Oskari, but didn't know how he'd feel about it. Then again, she didn't know how she'd feel about sitting close to him either. How weird.

Brighid waited patiently for an answer. Her tail swaying alittle behind her, almost powered by pure happiness. A morning breeze decided to come by, making the grass dance to and fro, the water the blades held falling to the ground.

 

[Shia bean]

Tag? He had no recollection of the word, and disregarded it as a silly game only girls would play.

But chase he knew, very well. Oskari chased bugs, and he chased the winds, he chased the leaves that flew by and the pollen that floated in them. What fun chase always was, but Oskari knew how quickly he captured things and had second thoughts on playing with another creature. Who knows, she could slow him down.

"Explore," He bobbed his head, the scales on his hind shimmering in the hint of sun that came from above. "That, sounds perfect. Could we explore the Woods?" He'd never been, he knew how scary it was, and he felt the rush of adrenaline as he inched closer to adventure once again! This time, even if Brighid was slower than he, Oskari could enjoy the world he lived in that much more! He'd expand his knowledge of this land by finding the new terrains and walking along them as well as he had these plains.

Plus, it was time for a scenery change. Waiting for a response, the male shifted in his seat, before rolling onto his feet and looking for the nearest path where the flatland met the woodland.  

[Starry Omega]

Brighid leapt up with excitement and bounced around. She had to expel alittle bit of the happiness that had built up while she'd waited for Oskari's reply. " Sure, we can explore the woods. I've only explored a small portion of it. Beyond that, who know what we'll find. "

As she hopped around with excitement, she toned it down alittle. Brighid didn't want to frighten off Oskari, though.. she didn't think he'd be afraid of her just jumping around happily. But, who knows. Everyone is different.

On her last bounce, she'd watched the young male search for the nearest path to them that led into the woods. Brighid made one last stretch. There was nothing worse than gettin' cramped up while exploring. It puts a real damper on things.