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 Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 8:15 pm
In that moment, when her birdy-feet clutched at the rock, Vodadragan felt... complete.
As if some cycle, some rhythm or pattern, had reached its end. Only, nothing had ended, it just kept going.
Thus transfixed by the sight before him, he turned only after his gaze rose as the sad chirrup reached his ears, the question posed followed by a sudden flight.
Raising his neck to peer anxiously at the shore, he saw what had so troubled the colorful bird: Meridah... well, where she should be, where she had been only moments before... and... ah, there! He spotted her fleeing across the sand, seemingly away from a monster but... there was nothing there.
He took off after Phoenix with a splash, almost diving and then catching himself to call "I don't know!" Where was she going? And why? His heart beat fast, pumping adrenaline through his veins, as he ducked his head beneath. Rolling every few strokes to peer upwards, checking on the bird soaring ahead, he made his way to the shore.
He rolled back, trying to remember, playing back those few moments in freeze-frame... but, nothing there. Nothing to hurt, nothing to harm, just Meridah, ducking beneath a bush.
Determined, he popped his head above the waves "Stay close, but high!" He would be too slippery, when he came onshore, for her to land; the best thing to do would be to keep Phoenix in the air (he glanced anxiously at her wings; surely she would need to build strength, she had already flown so far... but, she could do it, he knew she could) until they figured out what was wrong.
"Meridah!" Voda left the water and cantered across the sand, his gaze fixed upon the form huddled in the shadows as he called to his bestest friend. "... what's wrong?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 9:27 pm
Although it was true she was getting tired, Phoenix felt a renewed sense of strength as she flew to shore; gliding quite a bit even if it meant she lost some altitude but she was airborne. She understood how to land from her previous haphazard "flying" from one horse to the other, so if need be she could more or less fudge it into a non injury landing - wouldn't be the most graceful thing she'd done but hey...it would do the trick.
Nodding down to Voda she glided around in small circles, knowing he would take care of mama like he always did so she soon felt herself get distracted with seeing some airborne bugs; her eyes narrowing as she chased after them around the general area.
She hoped she'd be able to catch one to bring back to her parents, but she wasn't going to hold her breath on her first day of true flight.
Meridah! She heard the echo from the fog, her head slowly turning but could only see legs beyond the skid marks of her nearly diving into the bush. Her nerves still caused a tremble as she finally took consious notice that the water had only splashed up against her legs; a little on the chest but nothing much. The dripping off her fur had already begun, as well as the moistened dirt of the skid marks.
Immediately she wanted to express she was fine, that it was just....well, her being silly. Yet...that would be a lie. Yes, she would be alright. Her fears were not silly though, as they were very real to her for a very good reason - even if her drowning had been essentially what had brought her and Voda together. Closing her eyes she took a shaken breath, trying to force her nerves to calm. "I....I just got a little w-wet is all..."
He'd understand, without the key words in there Voda would still realize.
...and all of the fear of failure, death, and drowning came flooding back much harder than the water droplets on her legs.
Besides...she didn't want to Phoenix to see her like this; as she'd never mentioned she couldn't - or wouldn't swim.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 10:43 pm
Dropping to his knees in the moist sand- so far from the water's edge- the colt pressed himself down and stuck his head beneath the bush with her. He made sure to leave an opening by angling his body, in case she wanted to come out, and so she could still see.
Gold eyes peering at her with concern, his brow furrowed at her words.
A little? Surely... ah, wet.
He took a gentle breath, letting it out slowly. The day that had brought them together had surely left scars on her soul.
"Yeah..." he whispered, matching her low tone, staring at her for a few moments before poking his head out to check on Phoenix- she was there, circling and diving high, and he would have smiled a bit at that if he had not been so concerned for his friend. Returning his head to the sand, he poked it a little further enough- still leaving some light.
Letting his tail trail behind him, he perked his ears forward hopefully.
"I'm here." He echoed those words from what felt like a lifetime ago- and yet was still very present for them both. "The ocean... it doesn't mean to, you know? It's like..." He frowned a little, earnest and honest and yet trying to be reassuring all the while. "...like the wind. Sometimes it blows and it feels nice, and gentle, sometimes it brings a storm, and sometimes it's a storm in itself and the only quiet place is deep beneath the waves." He flicked a little bit of sand from the corner of his mouth, then tried to inch his nose closer to her, seeking the comfort of touch. "The water can be rough, and it can be smooth, and it can be murky and cold or clear enough that sunlight penetrates far down... it's like us, you know? Almost like it has emotions, except it's moods are rhythms and they can be fast or slow or... or a little scary, even." He looked down before trying to catch her gaze with his. "But... but it's not personal, it's not malicious- I don't think- and it's just that you don't know how to... how to be in it yet." Even he had gotten tossed around, a little, when he was young...
He didn't know why, but he felt like, maybe, just maybe, if he kept talking, he'd share something that might... help.
"It's like Knight training. I got an advantage because of my tail, like you got you, but I still had to practice. And... and maybe you'll never be able to make up for that difference, but I know you can still... be there, when you want." A water droplet trickled from his mane to his nose. "When the ocean is calm, you can be there... with me." He kept his voice low.
Searching for a thread, anything, he waited.
I'll never ever let you go under- all the way, when it's not on purpose- again.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 11:18 pm
There grew a lightness in the shadows, bubbling up slowly from her soul as Voda came into her line of sight with his head ducking into the bushes. It was hard to even express how glad she was to see him, as his mere presence was enough to stop the quaking of her skin.
Politely she listened...as she really didn't have anything urgent to say, and Meridah was always willing to listen to anything Voda had to say. Despite their age, and the unfortunate abandonment of his youth she knew he had a well of hidden wisdom behind his often quiet lips. She could feel her breathing slow to a steady rhythm which was her usual relaxed state, while watching his ever inching nose closer to one of her legs. Eyes met. There was no second guessing as her head moved down and brushed against his cheek with her own; remaining there for a moment.
"I understand..." She said a little breathlessly despite her vitals returning to normal, "...I like the water...truthfully I do. Its your home and reminds me of you with every raindrop, puddle or lake....seeing the sea means seeing you." And well...that was always a good thing.
"I hate....that it also keeps me from enjoying something you must remain around. That we cannot play there as we do on land." Of course, it would never be the same as she wouldn't have the same capacity of play they both shared on solid ground. She had no flippers, gills, tail...they both had hooves and legs though. Her mind, however reeled back as he brought up a very close and passionate word to her heart.
Knight.
Her eyes drifted past his body through the space he left open, watching the waves splash the shore as if nothing happened; washing away her hoof prints as if she'd never been standing there in the first place. Another deep breath as she turned her head away from his cheek only to catch his gaze once again; a little bit of determination back in her eyes.
"It isn't...but I am. I would....would like to try." Surely, this was going to be the calmest she'd be for a while; after Phoenix's huge success why shouldn't she try too? In the moment of his reassurance and comfort...there was no better time to try and break down a piece of the wall her fear had begun to build up.
If you will come with me Her eyes seemed to say before casting down as heat pooled in her cheeks; still embarrassed at times to show such things she deemed weakness' in public.
Voda wasn't public though, and she knew she couldn't be embarrassed to a part of yourself.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 11:45 pm
Voda relaxed into her touch, just that gentle contact enough to soothe a little of that clenching worry away. Acceptance, reassurance, friendships confirmed.
He listened, as she had to him, trying to hear what remained unsaid as well as what was acknowledged aloud.
He felt a little glowing warmth, deep inside, at her words- even if it did combat with a little flick of jealousy. The whole sea, him? He cast a glance at the ocean and dismissed the thought; the sea wasn't him, of course, and it was sweet that she attributed something that big to... the idea of him.
But... did that mean that she was... no, he was the good in the sea, for her. She'd never be afraid of him.
She had no reason to be.
"Well, sea-play is... different, of course, but that's what makes it... fun, unique." Nothing she didn't already know. Except, perhaps, for fun.
He had only ever really played alone, and once or twice with the few little creatures that didn't mind coming into contact with what looked kind of like a large predator... and had given him enough warning of their approach that he hadn't raced off to hide either.
He wanted to share the sea with Meridah, as they shared everything, and his heart soared for the second time that day when she said she'd like to try.
"I'll be right here." he nosed her quickly, gently, to indicate that he meant 'at her side' and not with his nose stuck under a bush.
It went without saying, really, that he'd be at her side, but he knew how reassuring those little words and touches could be.
Reaching out, he exerted just enough pressure to lift her chin up with the bridge of his nose- if she didn't resist, if she felt like raising her gaze once more.
Gathering his hooves under him, he prepared to lift up from the sticky sand. "Let's go wash off?" Maybe she didn't mean right now, but he knew that once decided she was determined and strong as ever. And action almost always immediately followed the plan. Unless, of course, the plan called for a certain time of waiting.
He looked back out to Phoenix, and smiled, raising his voice a little. "We're here."
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Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 12:05 am
It never ceased to amaze her about the world around her, how out of everything she'd come to learn about from her expanding time here on the earth that such simple notions...simple words could impact one so enormously. Her warm eyes closed slowly, sometimes she felt if their little moments of comfort and confirmations were tangible that they would fill up any container - such little moments giving her lasting comfort for days.
It was different than the comfort she got from her family...Meridah knew her parents were amazing; but what came from Voda was soul confirming, making her so sure and so at peace with herself when she was with him. Her parents had made her, and she felt as if she was a piece in a puzzle; unified in their parts to make a wonderful family unit. Yet...parents were also parents. They were there to nurture and protect; often not telling the whole truth in order to save feelings or try to teach a bigger lesson.
With Voda....it was just them. Friendship. Trust. Need. Strength...and Love.
While it wasn't a grown up love...it wasn't exactly the same as her parents or brothers either. She never wanted anything to happen to him, their friendship meant the world to her and the loved every moment spent with him - and Phoenix.
She would even go as far to say she loved him more than she did her Knight training and dreams of the profession.
Yet one wouldn't hear that from her out loud.
Meridah relaxed her jaw and let her head be raised up, offering a smile and a non resistant nod against the bridge of his nose before taking the assistance and standing. "That...sounds like a good idea." It would get her in the water....hopefully, or else she'd be itchy all the way home. Immediately her eyes looked for Phoenix, happy to see the little bird come swooping down and stumbling only a bit on Voda's drying backside. "Mama you're back! I almost caught a moth! And - and I flew! To the rock to the rock! Papa saw, he can fill you in." She puffed out her little feathered chest in pride, hopping up along his back. "You and Papa going swimming?" She questioned, cocking her head to the side with a ruffle of her feathers.
Meridah chuckled, and offered a deceptively sheepish smile; not too far off from her usual one. "Well...maybe just a quick dip in the shallows, Phoenix."
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Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 10:41 am
Voda smiled encouragingly, his heart swelling with pride to call this amazing filly friend.
She faced her well-earned fears bravely, secure in their friendship and perhaps even considering it a sort of test. She was a Knight, a Mama, a Friend.... Meridah. Only, always, ever, that wonderful, amazing creature called Meridah.
Even though there may be some that shared certain characteristics, even though there were members of her family with similar dispositions or skills, the culmination of all those little things into one being was uniquely Meridah.
Eyes shining, he looked out at the ocean, its blue expanse welcoming and inviting but never so ... so... He peeked back at Meridah as Phoenix landed on his rump, then looked back at the small bird with a smile on his face. "Yes, she did..." That fateful rock, the dual location serving as the anchor for Meridah's fears and Phoenix's success. So odd, that something could have both positive and negative experiences surrounding it... but, then, even the prettiest landscapes were only places to admire. For all their beauty, locations did not hold the essential lure of a fellow soul.
"Just enough to wash away the sand." Willingly approaching, and maybe even lowering herself down a little or letting the waves do their work, was enough for one day- he would not seek to push her further than she could handle. Though that cusp of slight discomfort was where growth lay, she had to be comfortable- or at least comforted by their presence- for it not to come as too great a shock.
"For today." Your water-dragon is here.
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Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 6:08 pm
I can do it.
It was a solid resolve in her mind that she would get into the water by the time she left here, back to her home and her family. The day was still fairly young, her father had mentioned something of a storm tomorrow so she had to make the most of today. If it was serious she would be forced home against her wishes.
Once more her eyes drifted to the colt beside her, the anchor to her wildly sailing ship she called life. Never had she imagined this would be how her life became to be, a daily run down to the beach to play with a kelpie of all beings but it was how it came to be; would always be. She began to see that no matter how much she planned and calculated some of the best things in life came unexpectedly. Would she have stopped and approached some random foal if she hadn't come to nearly drown in this very cove? Probably not...Meridah would have completely immersed herself into studies, training, simulations.
She could have been a very lonely filly. She wouldn't have been any the wiser.
That warm smile crept on her lips again, nodding in agreement. "For today." She echoed, nosing his shoulder as she began to slowly walk towards the spot she'd ran from; eyes watching and counting as the waves stretched along the shore. Her legs became heavier the closer she got....but Voda was here...he wouldn't let anything go wrong.
I can do this.
Mere inches from stretching waves, Meridah gingerly put her hoof forth as upon its return crawl up the shore splashed against her hoof. Inwardly, she trembled. It was a horrifying memory, but she was going to be a great knight and if she was afraid to get wet well....that would be severely handicapping. Yet, she pressed forth in nearly a hypnotized manner till she was up to her belly; standing firm against the water as it rhythmically rushed by. She could hear the happy chirps of Phoenix who had taken off once close to the waves and flew in large circles overhead...but she just couldn't take her eyes off the water. Not this time....
I can do this...
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Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 6:27 pm
The kelpi paced himself with his land-legged friend, ignoring those little tugs and pulls of his inner nature to just slip in and swim around. He didn't always splash when he entered the ocean, he could part the waters quietly and calmly when needed... like now.
She was strong, and brave, and brave, but he didn't want her to get splashed again- not so soon. Not like this. Not when she was doing so well, and so... so.. mesmerized?
Nearly hovering, he watched her out of the corner of his eye as he kept a careful watch on the incoming waves. The waters were kind; no large crests were coming their way, and those that remained were evenly spaced enough that none would catch up to the other and form a sudden rush.
Poking his head around, not quite coming between her and the wide-open ocean but still letting his presence be known (well, registered by her eyes; he knew she knew he was here, but sometimes it was good for the eyes to see that it was true... when present knowledge was chased by the past), he grinned. Still grinning, he peeked up at Phoenix and then devoted his full attention to the land-dweller belly-deep in the ocean.
Mine.
He blinked at the thought, his tail creeping around subconsciously to just-outside-an-embrace around his best friend.
Well, yes, of course, his- his best friend, his companion in play and in parenting, his reason for coming on shore and his reason for going to bed at nights just so he could wake to see her again. She was her own, free and true, and yet there were many with claims and ties to her- her family, to them she was daughter and beloved and maybe well who knows, and to Phoenix she was Mama, and to him... to him, she was... everything.
Eyes shining, Vodadragan inched a little closer, careful to keep the subsurface movements of his body to a minimum so she would only feel the coolness of the water. If she wanted, if she needed, he was here, like he'd always be here.
"You did it."
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Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 6:45 pm
Eons passed as Meridah had begun to not only count the waves as the gentle tide carressed the underside of her belly but the number of beats her pounding heart began to produce since stepping into the sea.....okay. It was maybe a few minutes of glazed over staring. Time stood still for her though, even with the counting in her head she was trying her best to be brave; to take this step that was not only important to her but important to Voda. Meridah had always prided herself to show her friend the best of everything since his rough beginnings.
Trying to be a part of his world was important.
There was movement beside her, as that comforting presence she felt became a tangible thing as the obsessive numbers faded from her mind. Turning her head in a slow reluctance she released her muscles from tension when his tail touched her...finally gazing into his eyes like a deer in the proverbial headlights. She....did it. It was a far cry from swimming, as the fill was standing like a tree in the tide...but it was a start. A large step from several minutes ago.
Oh wait...breathing. That was important too.
Taking in a deep breath as she'd forgotten and looked a little foolhardy in her sputter she smiled, nodding but moved up against him since well...it was hard to watch the tide and pay attention to him at the same time. "I...I did..." In a moment of disbelief she offered a haphazard grin...but moments came and went.
This one went too soon.
"Its grandma! Grandma!" Phoenix chimed from above as Meridah's brows dipped rather suddenly and deeply as the little bird flew back to the direction of home to meet up with her or something.
"Thats...odd. She never comes to get me..." She said aloud, looking back to Voda. "Something must be happening...but I think i'll have to leave."
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Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 7:07 pm
He'd have wished that that moment could have lasted forever, if he hadn't known that a life full of little moments was so much better than only one. But, with her, there, now- ... this was good.
His grin fell to a smile, as he peered back at Phoenix and then to the filly at his side. Grandm-? ... ah.
Voda sighed.
Nodding slowly, he read the seriousness of her expression as the last of his smile faded away. "Yeah." he said, feeling a little hiccup of worry as his stomach sank.
Something happening, over there, on land, just past where he could go on all but the stormiest of days. A call home.
"Yeah." Curling his tail a little tighter around her, he leaned over to embrace her with his neck, sighing a little before releasing her with a heavy heart.
She'd be back, if not tomorrow then the next day.
She'd always be back.
They'd promised.
His mood perking up slightly at the thought, he tried to smile in encouragement. "You'd better go. It might be important..." he bit his lip a little at the 'might', because he knew it'd be important especially if her Mom had come early but... but... wasn't this, them, important too?
His brow furrowed as he puzzled at the thought. Of course it was! Why did he keep....
He paused.
Somehow, some day, he'd heard the word... 'jealousy.' But he'd never be jealous of her family, they only protected her and and she was... theirs. And hers. And they couldn't be together every moment of every day, because she needed to eat and he needed water and it's not like she could sleep in the waves even if he held her up and....
and....
Letting out a noisy breath, he stopped, slightly exasperated at himself, then peered silently at his best friend for a few moments. He smiled crookedly.
"I'll... see you soon." It wasn't... quite... a question. More a statement, with just enough uncertainty to need her confirmation.
"And... and tell Phoenix she did great today." He beamed, going over the day to comfort himself at all the great things they'd accomplished. She'd sleep, and he'd sleep, and soon they'd be together again.
Always.
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Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 9:09 pm
Immediately her mind began to race, a glance shifting to the winding path which would take her back to her own lands away from this special little second home. The puzzle of it all was almost too much to bare...but while she was curious to what her mother was coming to fetch her for; she was saddened that she would be parting with Voda so much sooner today. Usually she had till the last reaches of sunlight peering over the horizon but....today was not one of those days.
As his tail moved more securely around her as if she was a blanket for a human child; her tender look returned as she leaned into the embrace; drawing her snout up into his short mane near his ear. "I'll be here as soon as I can tomorrow; if its not too severe." While she was mostly free to come and go as she pleased, if it was indeed too dangerous or treacherous during extreme weather her parents insisted she remain home. "Otherwise - i'll be here extra early the morn after..." They would have to make up for lost time; after all!
"So rest up, we'll have a great adventure!...maybe in here again." She motioned to the sea they still stood in; her eyes glittering in that same bold fashion. One last time she gave his neck a feirce nuzzle before prancing out from the waves as she was careful not to fall. "I will! I think she's just excited she doesn't have to hold onto my mane anymore." She laughed, merrily, as she knew the little bird had a very hard time with the speed she liked to travel in.
"See you tomorrow, Voda!" Meridah called behind her, her little body rushing up the hill; with a ceremonious glance back to him before vanishing out of sight.
If only she'd have known it would be the very last she'd see of him...
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Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 9:20 pm
He'd listened quietly as she spoke, absorbing every word even if he did not respond to every comment. Early, the morning after, to play- after the storm had finished its thrashing, once the sun could shine again and her parents would allow her to come back to him.
He'd nodded, satisfied, to confirm, still glowing from her tender touch and the promise of adventures to come.
He'd grinned when she mentioned Phoenix's exuberance, fully understanding the little bird's enthusiastic departure. He'd probably have left just as fast, if he'd just learned to swim!
But... as it was...
He followed her slowly, for a little while, until the last waves just barely tickled his hooves, and then watched as she raced up the hill.
Everything was okay, most likely, but just to be sure, she needed to hurry.
So she could hurry back to him.
"See you soon." he called, a statement of pure confidence.
Letting out a gentle breath- not quite a sigh, this time- he turned and made his way back into the sea, turning every few steps to see if she'd checked back yet. It was a little ritual, but he had some irrational fear that one day she'd turn too soon and see him looking away, or not be able to see him at all if he dove beneath the waves too soon.
Swishing his tail beneath him, he watched her leave, bobbing gently in the waves. He could just make out the flicker of her mane as she glanced back at him, and he shot up a few inches in delight, making sure she'd get that last glimpse of him before disappearing beyond his sight.
Settling back into the waves, he dipped his nose beneath the surface and turned gently, the arcing motion sending him further away from his heart as he dove to find a quick meal before bed. He'd need to eat, to weather the storm, and to have plenty of energy for their next adventure.
See you soon.
-Fin-
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Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 9:59 pm
It seemed like eternity had happened in under a twenty four hour time period from that fateful morning at the beach. It was times of joy, excitement, new accomplishments, bliss.
How could a day so perfect become to tainted with sorrow.
News had reached the iron clad family of their nemesis returning to the lands, as extra precaution all the foals had been summoned back to the protection in their immediate herd lands. It was something they had all taken quite seriously...even Meridah knew it meant she probably would not be allowed to head to the beach till it was resolved and the threat diminished. As painful as it was not to see Voda, she knew as soon as it was possible to return she would.
It was late evening, long after Phoenix had gone to sleep had she played with her siblings in the safety zone....only to realize too late that it wasn't as safe as everyone had hoped.
Without so much as a scream, Meridah had been stolen away into the night within her own herdlands by the murderous Beelz.
It wasn't long till her metal leggards she'd practice with were found with signs of a struggle before what appeared to be drag marks.
As much as the family had searched hours after her kidnapping - her parents knew the outcome. Beelz would have killed their only daughter, they knew it with every fiber of their being. It wasn't until morning that Phoenix had awoken to the worst day of her short life. She'd grieved with her family for hours, having never stopped crying until she realized she couldn't stay...as much as the little bird loved her extended family; she needed her dad. Voda had to know, and she knew it was up to her to head down to that sea.
So, in the pouring rain with thunder rumbling above her she fought for some time to make her way down the path. It seemed to much shorter when she was on the back of her filly mother; her little sobs drowned out by the rain. It was mid afternoon by the time she'd arrived, having to hop along on the ground as she was soaked down to the bone. Her little body hopped down to the beach, looking out on the bleary sea with red sore eyes; her tears long mixed with the rain. "....daddy..." She said, feeling her little voice hitch.
How on earth was she going to tell him..?
Feeling her chest tighten at the thought of her dead mother, she closed her eyes and yelled as loudly, as painfully as she could. "DADDY!"
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Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 10:17 pm
Voda drifted quietly just beneath the churning reach of the storm, watching as the waves crashed above and little torrents drifted downwards. It was peaceful here, quiet... his little sanctuary.
And, yet, Meridah was above, somewhere in the storm- on land, be it dry or not, and not down here where all was cool and calm.
With a few great strokes of his tail, the kelpi colt pushed up and out, into the chaos, his nostrils still pinched against the torrent of rain that greeted him.
Squinted out towards the shore, he scanned hopefully for that familiar form- that flash of red hair- just in case she'd decided to brave the storm. Just in case her parents had let her go.
Tilting his head downwards, using his tumbling mane as a shield, he took a few breaths of air, quickly flipping his head back up as he began to swim closer. He hadn't quite been able to get a good look, from the churning surface waters above his little haven, so he had to move into the worst of the storm. Just... just to see.
Making his way easily from sea to shore, the slippery sand not doing much to impede his progress, Voda moved onto their beach as he looked around for his best friend.
Moving further towards the hill he'd last seen her, a small smile tugged on his lips even as the rain pelted down on him. His spirits were high, just at the chance of her being here- at the sliver of a chance.
His head tilted as another- but not her- familiar form caught his attention. His breath hitched as the piercing cry tore through all his self-control and he galloped towards the little bird, slipping and sliding on the sand in his haste.
Phoenix. Alone?
Was she hurt? Was she okay?
Vodadragan knelt beside the bird, sheltering her with his head and neck as he scooted closer to try and nuzzle her at the same time.
Not who he was expecting, but still beloved.
"Phoenix? Phoenix, what's wrong? What's the matter?" Even in the storm, he could smell no blood; she seemed fine, if a little worse for the wear because she had made it all this way in such nasty weather. He frowned a little, checking her over once more; has she been so thrilled with the success of yesterday that she'd demanded a chance to pit herself against the elements?
He shook his head quietly, to himself. No... No. Her urgency, the way her tiny voice had cracked and cut through the storm... something was Wrong.
"Phoenix... i'm here, Phoenix." he reassured her, cooing gently for a little while as he tried to slow his jumping heart.
He looked around, seeking the mother to this little treasure, seeking his friend.
She was nowhere to be found.
Turning back, cradling the young form with his body, his next words were low and uttered with all the calm he could muster. "Little one.... where's Mama? Where's Meridah?"
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