Welcome to Gaia! ::

Prompt A

It took two days to finish the dyeing of his feathers, two days that seemed to last forever. Many times, he had asked himself 'Why did I agree to this?' over adn over, he asked himself silently. Then, he would see her blue eyes, her smile and eagerness to help, that was why he was doing this, not just in some vain attempt of recognition. If he got this spot, not only would everyone know who he was at lasst, but they would have to look apone her with a new respect as well.

For both of those long days, he never once saw his own reflection, he didn't want to spoil his surprise by seeing an unfinished work. When the last feather was done, the last spot of dye dried carefully in the sun, she smiled warmly at her friend. Few fenlings could say that they had a Avoral as a friend, none could say that they had been given the honor of doing what she had done. The dyeing of a Avoral's feathers was not a task that would have been given to a fenling, one who many saw as clumsy and uncoordinated.

Even as he wished to see his reflection, he heard the truppeting in the distance, the competition was about to stat, he would have no time to see how he looked. He flew as fast as his wings could carry him, doing his utmost best not to damage a single feather, that none would be out of place. He landed just in time to enter the contest. Going out before those who would judge him. He poured his heart, his soul, his very being into his dance. He moved with a grace that was awe inspireing to the judges. The whispered amongst themselves as he moved to the beat of the music. Finally, as the last few notes wavered threw the air, he dropped to his knees, his wings folded, draped about his body as he finished.

The judges talked amongst themselves, whispers behind secreative wings. Finally, teh talking was over and one of the judges stood. He was breathing deeply, half exhausted from his danceing, half from excitement over what he was about to hear. "We loved your danceing, you are by far the most talented dancer here today...." the judge began. His heart nearly exploded in his chest. He was in, he had made it to where so many dreamed.

"But... I'm afraid that you just don't have what we need.... your colors just will not work with the rest of the dancers... sorry, but perhaps you can enter next time..." the words hit as sharp as thorns, stabbing deeply into him.

'How could this be?' he asked himself. As he made his way out, he passed those who had yet to dance, he saw their dye jobs and wondered, just how awfull did he look to lose his place, just because of the way his feathers looked. Finaly, he found a fountain, looking into the still waters, he saw for the first time, the colors of his feathers, the delicate designs that had so carefully been painted and dyed. The smooth surface of the waters rippled, disturbed by a tear that rolled from his eyes. No, not a tear of sadness, but of joy. Unlike the judges, he looked apone his form and did not see some crude attempt, but instead, saw the love that had been taken in the job. It no longer mattered to him that he lost, he had gained the greatest gift he could ever hope for, a friend who would do this, put such love into this, and nothing could take that away from him.