Myanha was as nervous as she'd ever been. She'd been putting in longer and longer and longer days, but finally the Dulcet was almost ready. Almost. There was still one more important thing to see to. Priya.
Her parents had found Priya for her. They'd thought she'd be a good fit for Myanha's personality. They couldn't have known just how perfectly. Not only was the little faery the picture of decorum and propriety, Myanha had never seen another creature as hard working as Priya. Since the day her parents had brought her over the the grove, they'd been inseperable. And now Myanha had a big ask. The biggest yet.
She carefully approached Priya, who have practicing braiding on some vines. She was working in an intricate pattern, and studding the braid with flowers. "That's beautiful Priya. Our customers will be over the moon for it." Priya chirped happily and the compliment.
"Your customers Myanha. This salon is yours, from the ground up." Priya's voice was warm, as she continued her delicate work.
Myanha chuckled. "About that Priya. I've really come to think of it as ours? And honestly, I've come to think of many things I do as things we do ... And I struggle to imagine ever not thinking that way?" Myanha cast out her feelers, hoping Priya would bite.
The little faery turned around. Raising an ear. "You angling for a bonding ceremony?" Myanha shrugged. "Well, I wouldn't want to do it with a different noulicorn. Don't think I'd like to move on and work elsewhere. So yes, I think we should be bonded."
----
Myanha hadn't wanted to wait, so they made the trek Brightheart's grove that very afternoon. Myanha listened solemnly to the explanation of the ceremony, though she had heard about it before. It was important to not miss anything, or make a mistake. Priya seemed well acquainted with all of the details. Myanha wasn't particularly surprised by this.
Together the pair built a little stone cairn, and then Myanha went to fetch a burning brand from Brightheart. Her heart pounded, hoping the ceremony would be successful. The last thing she wanted was to be known at the noul who failed at bonding. As she returned to the cairn, she could help but crack a little laugh. Priya had placed a wisteria on the cairn, the exact type of flower Myanha had also brought. Perhaps this would go smoother than expected. She set her own wisteria on the cairn, and then set it all ablaze. She settled down, closed her eyes and the vision took hold.
----
Myanha's eyes snapped open. Everything was dark, distorted, wet. She panicked. She was submerged, and the water was battering her. Her hoof made contact with the bottom, and she managed to shoot her head above the surface, gasping harshly. She sucked in as much air as she could before her head plunged under again. This time her hoof struck a rock, turning her. It gave her a brief chance to get her head above that water again. Which allowed her to see the waterfall ahead.
Myanha used all the air in her lungs to call for Priya. "Priya!!! Can you hear me? PRIYA!" She could handle being thrown into some rocks in the river, but tiny delicate Priya certainly couldn't. She caught sight of a flash of pink and struggled towards it. Every inch forward has a battle, the water battered her, trying to force her down again and again. She just barely managed to keep her head up and worked her way towards what she hoped was Priya.
Sure enough, it was. The little faery was being tossed around mercilessly by the water. Myanha dunked her head beneath the water and brought her horn even with where she hoped the faery would be thrown next. Sure enough, she felt an impact and then scrabbling. Myanha kicked off the bottom again, and broken the surface.
Priya was drenched, but seemed to be mostly unharmed. "Priya! We've gotta get to a bank!" Myanha could feel the faery nod. "I can't see a way out." Bravely, Priya shook off her soaked wings and immediately launched herself into the air.
"I'll find a way, Myanha." The small faery flew up higher and higher, circling. All Myanha could do was struggle in the current, doing her best not to be sucked under. She hoped Priya would find some way out of this mess, but at least she was sure Priya wasn't going to plunge over the cliff. A sharp rock sliced into her, and she let out a squeal. Priya dipped low.
"To your left, near the falls, there's a gravel bar. You get get there." Priya flew low, and just ahead of her, clearly showing Myanha the way. Myanha did her best to follow, but it was monstrously hard. Every little bit in the right direct the water fought, sweeping her towards the cliff.
"Now, Myanha! Don't give up!"
Myanha dug deeper, and pushed off the bottom. Her front hooves made contact with something. The gravel bar. Using the last of her energy she hauled herself up. As soon as she was on the gravel, she collapsed. Priya alighted on her, watching over her until she could recover.
