I N T R O D U C T I O N x S O L O
Playful Banter
Playful Banter
There was nothing Sam hated more than a dull day. And so far, this was definitely a dull day. Currently, he was tucked into one of the small caves that was his mountain home on Eowyn, laying on his side with his bright emerald wings tucked around him. Even outside, it was quiet. He didn't have a particularly large clan, only eight Drakeins, and their Keinlings, so it wasn't a surprise that no one was flying about along the crags, enjoying the warmth of the sun and the rocks. Unfortunately, the stillness of the day left Samael bored and alone. An awful combination.
Rising with the flutter of wings, he stalked to the edge of his cave and plopped down with a huff, gazing over the edge of the rocks to the valley below. It was a rather long drop into the darkness, and as Sam lazily gazed down into the blackness, he heard the faint rustle and crumble of aged rocks falling from the cliff side. Occasionally, he thought he heard soft chirps and trills, but he couldn't see anything down there that looked like it could make that noise. He passed it off as a boredom-induced hallucination and started picking his claws against a nearby jutting stone.
It wasn't long before a louder screech yanked him from his dallying and had him scanning the valley for movement. Still, he saw nothing. But without any better plans for the day, he swooped down into the darkness. Sam didn't realize how narrow the valley was until his wings were scrapping against the rocks and he was forced to draw them in, if he wanted to continue. Latching his claws into the steeping slope, he carefully continued to the bottom.
It was dark. Even the light admitted from the above sky was small and faint, and Samael couldn't help but wonder what manor of creature enjoyed being in this pitch blackness. It didn't take long before his question was answered. Another pained screech drew his attention, and though Sam couldn't physically see the source of it, it sounded Drakein. And even worse, it sounded young. Too young to be down here on its own.
Sam squinted into the darkness, weary of moving until his eyes had adjusted enough so that he could make out faint shapes. "Calm down. I'm here!" He called, stepping careful along the base of the pitch valley.
It was silent for a moment longer than Sam expected, making him nervous that he'd taken too long, but eventually, an answer sounded, "Who?"
Samael sighed in relief. It didn't sound too hurt, after all. Maybe just a tad scared and desperately eager to have someone's attention. "It's Samael." He answered. Finally, his squinting paid off, and he saw a tiny, struggling shape, that appeared a somewhat different color than the rocks. "Ah, I see you." Sam said warmly, carefully approaching the little discolored mass. He leaned down to what felt like eye-level.
"My wing, it's caught!" The tiny voice told him, squirming. Indeed, Sam could see it now, the end of one little wing was caught beneath a boulder even larger than than Keindred. Samael winced at the sight. He wasn't particularly fond of pain, but this little fella sure was taking it like a trooper! Leaning down, the Drakein carefully nudged the rock from atop the little wing with his nose. Upon release, the Keindred chirped happily and ran playfully in a small circle. It didn't surprise Sam that a wayward rock had fallen from the cliff, especially with someone actually down here! This little one was just lucky he wasn't smooshed, himself!
He couldn't help the smile the barely-seen sight brought to his muzzle. But, there was still a few unanswered questions. "Agh... Which one are you?" Sam asked dumbly, craning his neck down to sniff the little Keindred. He felt an instant puff of defense from the little one, at not being recognized, but even the youngster realized Samael had little way of knowing.
With an unseen roll of his eyes, the small Drakein answered. "I'm Crowell." And suddenly, Sam realized why having a boulder on him hadn't particularly hurt the little Keindred. And he instantly felt remorse.
"You're the one that can't fly..." He murmured. Sam had never personally met the little Keindred. Hardly anyone in his clan had, but they all knew one of the females had laid an egg that hatched into a Keinling with two numb, gimp wings. A little Keinling that would never fly.
The very air around Crowell soured. "I don't need to." He uttered grumpily. "I climbed down here, y'know. Alone. With no supervision. And I'm fine." Sam didn't mention that he'd been stuck only a moment ago. Instead, a wayward smile stuck to his jowls.
"I guess yer right kid. But you still shouldn't be playing down here." Sam admonished in the best 'adult voice' he could manage. With a deep "Merump!" He plucked Crowell from the valley bottom and flew them back to the crags of Sam's cave, being careful not to scrape the little one against the cliffside. He sat the Keindred down delicately, and before a protest could escape his lips, Sam said. "I'll tell you what. Next time you want to play, call for me. And I'll take you down myself." Nevermind what the Keindred's mother would say. There was a brief moment of hesitation, but afterwards, Crowell beamed at him in excitement, and agreed with a gleeful nod.
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Results: Met Crowell
Word Count: 915
