Welcome to Gaia! ::

Nica shuttered as she watched the Gatherer take flight, knowing very well that she was next. Seconds seemed to last as long as hours as tiny feet shifted near the entrance. For a moment she looked back at Sly, almost as if she was looking for encouragement…although his loud 'go' was more than enough to cause the little one to take flight.

It wasn't easy, despite there being a lull in the storm. Normal glides turned to frantic flaps, as the aberrant swayed left and right. Rain stung her body as she struggled to keep ground, finding gravity stronger with each wingbeat.

I can do thi… Nica screeched as an unexpected gust knocked her into the tree next to the target. With frantic flailing, she somehow managed to cling onto a large branch. Shuffling, she managed to get herself upright and back into the air, landing (more so crashing) into the target tree with a loud thump.

Sly took off after Nica right when the upsweeping wind picked up. Despite flying most of his childhood, it was still a storm that rivaled his abilities. Unfortantly, despite it being one a fledling should not fly in, it was neccessary due to their situation. As nica crashed, Sly winced as if he expected the mix to crumple to the ground and prepared to dive down to scoop her limp body up, but she was resilent enough to cling onto a branch and quickly took off again, making another crash landing into the neighboring tree. Well, if it was one good thing mixes had, it was thick skulls.

Sly landed beside them, but was this the tree they needed for shelther? Would this provide them with enough safety form the storm? "We need to get out of the rain."

"Good thinking." Twilla praised the fledling, but looked to Sly before shuffling after her and towards the branch. Yes, it wasn't the best shelter in the world, but it was better than being in the rapidly failing tree that they had been in before. "I don't know of we'll be lucky enough to make it to another spot. I doubt the little one could handle it."

With that, she picked her way carefully after the aberrant.

The white and grey aberrant fluffed slightly with pride at the Gatherer's praise, although this was quickly crushed by Sly's cold shoulder. At least they both seemed to be in agreement for staying, and she seemed slightly relieved by that.

Nica shifted up closer to Twilla as she joined her by the trunk, attempted to gather what little heat she could.

"How long is the storm going to continue?" The fledgling squeaked, wishing for the whole ordeal just to be over. Golden eyes shifted to Hunter, as she observed his worsening state. Shadows seemed to take cool weather worse then most she had notice, remembering back to a lesson on the different types of Sentinels.

For once in my life, being half Mist is paying off, she mused to herself.

Sly was sharing Twilla’s sentiments. He hoped the storm would die out soon. If not, it wouldn’t be long till the effects of their poor shelter got to each of them and they would either have to leave again for a warmer shelter or risk the rain and cold wind. Even now, Sly was thinking of taking the risk of flying away. He wouldn’t last here for long and he knew it, though it would have to be soon. Each moment he spent here wasted more energy that he could be using to find a better shelter. Anyplace was better than here. His thoughts only vaguely thought of the mix and the Gatherer, but to each their own and who was he to stay around for them? Then again, a Gatherer’s death affected the clan and Sly always took that into account, even though the Gatherer in question was painted and defended aberrant fledglings.

Another gust of wind beat up against one of his wings and he curled them close, making his way over, only to stop in his approach. There was a certain …requirement … in taking shelter by a trunk. Without a surrounding wall to seek cover, it was a general rule to conserve heat by remaining close. That…bothered Sly. The idea of even touching anyone physically made him shiver more than any strong wind. Another howling wind picked up and he held his beak tight as it whipped through. Okay, he took that back. Still……

….if you want to waste energy and endanger you’re life? Do you really want to become ill because you didn’t want to be logical?

Sly thought about this for a moment. Comfort or safety? Hmm….he guessed he’d have to bite his tongue and deal with this and pray that the sky would part and the rain cease. Soon. If not, he would have to leave.

Slowly, he stepped beside Twilla, watching as he companions tucked under her body. He wasn’t touching her at first, regarding the small space between him before, with a silent sigh, he slid over. The sensation of his own feathers against another made him quiver. He hated being close.

Twilla struggled to keep from wincing as Sly pressed nearer to her. He did not wnat physical interaction, nor did she want it from him. There was no sense in two bright sentinels risking their lives even further by not helping themselves by helping eachother. Warmth was growing, due to the three bodies, but their position did little to help that warmth stay. Twilla shook quietly as chills ran through her.

"What a lovely name, little one. Nica. I shall remember that. I'm called Twilla." Focusing on the fledgling seemed to be what was keeping her going, as well as thoughts about her Jester. Another gust of biting wind brushed through her feathers and she shamelessly pressed closer to Sly and pulled Nica as close as she could with her wing.

Bang! That was close, with both thunder and lightning nearly at the same time. Lightning must have struck somewhere in Deep Woods. Crash! An even louder crack of lightning. The night is turning into day by the flashes of lightning as the storm seems to unload the last of its fury over Deep Woods.

When the mayhem finally stops the storm seems to have spent most of its energy. It doesn't rain quite as much anymore. Is it over? No... Not quite. An even louder noise fills the air.