[PRP] The Owl and The Tree. [Macalania x Yevon]

[LOLTERNATIVE]

Yevon flew through the forest, enjoying the glint her tail gave off in the moonlight. The night was crisp and she was thick with Winter feathers that kept her warm enough at night when she was awake. During the day it was warm enough in her nest that the cold didn't bother her. For now, she was hungry and the snow made it almost impossible to find food; she had eaten far too many insects for her liking.

Landing on a branch, Yevon looked around. It was then she noticed something odd about the branch. A small blue crystal protruded from it, emitting a soft glow. Curiously, she pecked at it and let out a squawk when the tree moved. She wrapped her claws around the branch, flapping her wings to keep herself balanced.

What in the world was going on? There was no wind to explain the sudden movement. Was she losing her mind? She was old but she wasn't that old. Looking down, Yevon noticed the strangest thing. There was a soquili underneath the tree and she was looking right at her.  

[LOLTERNATIVE]

Macalania walked through the woods, enjoying the silence that night brought. The only sounds she could make out were that of her hoof steps, breathing and the occasional owl flying about looking for prey. She wasn't exactly sure where she was walking to. She didn't know these lands well enough to know where anything was. It didn't matter to her, though. She didn't have anyone waiting for her and no purpose to direct her. She simply walked.

Until she felt something land on her tree. She stopped and turned her head, spying an owl perched in her branches. The movement caused her tree to move and the owl let out a screech, clinging to the tree. Macalania felt glad she couldn't feel the tree's pain at that moment. She watched the owl curiously. She was pretty, a mixture of black and bright blue. She seemed to have taken a liking to Macalania's crystals; pecking at them.

"They're not edible, you know." Macalania said softly, the sight bringing a soft smile to her lips. Normally shy, she felt comfortable around animals. They couldn't hurt you like soquili could. They were innocent; everything they did had a purpose. A reason. A meaning. Reaching into a satchel that hung on her side, Macalania pulled out some sweet snow berries, placing them on the ground beside here. "These are, though."  

[LOLTERNATIVE]

Yevon watched the mare cautiously. She wasn't ready to trust her just yet. What kind of soquili had a tree on their back for God's sake? She looked at the crystals and felt a little embarrassed that she'd been caught pecking. She wasn't normally like that. They were just so.. shiny. She got lost in them for a moment, but snapped back to attention when the mare spoke again.

Eying the berries, Yevon quickly recognised them as snow berries. She'd eaten them plenty of times, but had not had any luck at finding any lately. They were one of her favourite things to eat. Hopping down from the tree, she landed softly on the ground. She stared at the mare for a moment and then snatched a berry in her mouth and jumped back. She held it in her mouth for a moment before she ate it, juices covering her beak.

Delicious. Taking a step towards the mare, Yevon took another berry in her break, this time not moving away to eat it. When all the berries were gone, she looked up at the mare. "Thank you. I was beginning to think I was going to have to eat another grasshopper."

Walking around the mare, Yevon took in her appearance. She was pretty; there was no mistaking that. And odd. The tree on her back gave her that attribute. The crystals are what fascinated Yevon the most. She'd never seen something so pretty or shiny before. They were lovely.  

[LOLTERNATIVE]

Macalania watched as the owl hopped down and stared at her. All of a sudden she felt uncomfortable; as if every pair of eyes that existed were on her. She shifted uncomfortably and was thankful when the owl's attention turned to the berries. She laughed as she hopped away, finding her antics rather humorous. She smiled when the owl stayed close to her, glad she wasn't afraid anymore.

Again the eyes turned to her, this time the owl circling Macalania. Was she really that odd looking? Macalania hadn't met any other soquili; so she did not know what the norm was. Did not know how special and beautiful she was.

Noticing the owl staring at her crystals, Macalania reached into her satchel and pulled out a silver necklace. One of her crystals, cut into a circle, hung from silver in the form of a charm. She placed it on the ground before the owl and nodded her head towards her. "It seems selfish to keep it for myself when I already have so many. It's yours, if you'd like it."  

[LOLTERNATIVE]

Yevon averted her eyes from the mare, feeling bad for making her so obviously uncomfortable. She was being rude and that wasn't right; whether she could help it or not. She knew better than that; was raised better than that.

Yevon liked seeing the mare laugh. She seemed sad when she'd first laid eyes on her. Sad, lonely and lost. Such a shame for such an obviously kind and beautiful mare to experience feelings like that. Yevon wanted to console her; to stroke her hair and tell her everything was going to be okay. She wanted to calm her, to bring happiness to her.

She stepped back wearily when the mare moved to her satchel; a reflection of herself rather than her. Her eyes widened and sparkled with joy as she pulled out the necklace. Reaching forward with a foot, she grasped it gently. It was so delicate and beautiful. She slipped it over her neck, letting it fall into place. It was beautiful.

A tear rolled down her cheek. No one had ever shown her kindness and in one short meeting this mare had done so much for her. It was amazing that such a soquili could exist but be so.. broken at the same time.

"Thank you," Yevon blubbered out with a sob. "My name is Yevon."  

[LOLTERNATIVE]

Macalania inwardly sighed in relief when Yevon stopped staring at her. She was beginning to think she wasn't so common after all. She watched excitedly as she picked up the necklace and slipped it on. It really did suit her. Perhaps this was why Macalania had never warn it. It was never truly hers; it was made for Yevon.

Head tilting to the side, she bent down and nuzzled the owl when she cried. Why was she crying? Had this act surprised her that much? Had she never been shown a random act of kindness? What a pity.

"It suits you," she said with a smile. Ye.. von she said the name in her mind, making sure she would pronounce it correctly. "My name is Macalania."

Watching the owl, Macalania realised how alone she was. This had been the first interaction with someone else she'd had in a very long time. It had also been the longest she'd ever gone without hearing or thinking about her. Something about the owl soothed and calmed her and Macalania wanted her to stay. The only problem was she didn't know how to ask.  

[LOLTERNATIVE]

Cooing as the mare nuzzled her, Yevon returned the favour; rubbing a feathery cheek against the mare's. Her coat was soft and warm and she felt a little sad when they parted.

Wiping her tears away, she laughed at her foolishness. Crying over a necklace? How childish she was acting. She touched the necklace gently; stroking the crystal and feeling its smoothness; looking at the way her feathers and feet were given a blue hue when close to it.

Yevon had to return this kindness. She had to make sure Macalania was always happy. She never wanted to see that look of loneliness on the mare's face again.

"I'd like to stay with you, Lania." She shortened her name, feeling they had a bond that was already growing strong enough for her to do so. "I don't know where you're going, but I'd like to be there with you to make sure you're going to be okay."

Yevon took to the skies and flew in circles above Macalania for a moment before coming to rest on the roots on her back; mindful of her talons. She nestled down, fluffing out her feathers. She had a feeling she could get used to this.  

[LOLTERNATIVE]

Macalania was glad Yevon was no longer crying; though she still didn't understand why she was crying in the first place. She didn't want to ask in case it was a sensitive topic.

As Yevon spoke, Macalania listened intently, wondering if this was a dream. Had she really found a companion? Someone who was kind enough to travel the world with her? Surely it was too good to bed true.

Lania she liked the sound of that. She watched as Yevon took to the skies and then nestled into the roots of the tree on her back. She felt.. happy. At that moment nothing could break her spirits. Not even if she started screaming louder than she ever had.

Turning her head forward, Macalania began walking once more. She wasn't exactly sure where she was walking to. She didn't know these lands well enough to know where anything was. It didn't matter to her, though. She didn't have anyone waiting for her and no purpose to direct her. What she did have was company. A friend. And that was all that mattered for now.

"Thank you," she whispered under her breath.