Mountain Peak Role-Play

[Aislinn_Mollisong1]

Eolee watches as the new stranger fights the hostile one, too terrified to do anything but watch. Her heart beats loudly in her ears. But soon, another sound catches her attention. A song.

She looks up. Someone else is flying towards her, and she tenses to fly. But...the song is coming from this person. She stares up at him, marveling at his owl-like wings. She blinks, and suddenly she's back in the Melody.

The owl-Wynged is glowing, and brightly. His song sounds like an entire orchestra of violins, complex and strong. She gasps, eyes wide.

He lands next to her, studying her closely, without speaking.

"Um...I'm Eolee." She murmurs, wondering if he can hear her.

[Sholan_Brasscape]

I streak down towards the terrified girl. I have almost reached her when suddenly she starts to sing! The result is like a shock wave, it knocks me out of the air and onto the ground!
I roll onto my feet. I stare at her, dumbfounded. "What was THAT!?" Without answering, she jumps to her feet and starts running. I shake off the stuper and take off after her. It is clear she is unused to her wings, I gain on her. She suddenly stumbles and falls. I quickly catch up. I smile from behind my mask. "No where to run!" I say as I raise my gauntlet, ready to fire my taser net. Suddenly, out of no where, something slams into me, bowling me over. I quickly spring to my feet. I see what it was. Well, well, my target! He must have followed me! I mentally kick myself for my carelessness.
I analyze my situation. It was two against one. The girl could fight, in spite of her cumbersome wings, I could tell.
The boy though, there was something about him, the look in his eyes. I had seen that same look many times, every time I look in the mirror. He too had been raised to fight, his whole life had been devoted to combat. It was almost unsettling how much I saw myself in him. I grimly realize that one day I will have to battle him, and there will be no interference... and only one winner!
Suddenly his voice cuts through my thoughts. "I asked you a question, who are you?"
I smirk once again through my mask. "Someone your gonna wish you hadn't messed with!" I say as I eject my wrist blades.
With a look of determination he follows suit, ejecting his talons.
He is ab out to say something when suddenly we her a swoosh overhead.
I look up to see a second girl with dragon wings heading towards us.
Fine, three against one,it doesn't matter.
Suddenly I see two more figures aproaching, two WINGED figures.
A third girl, this time with golden bird like wings. Also a boy with snowy owl wings.
I frown, and take a deep breath. It is getting way too crowded. Time to go.
"Alright," I say, "it looks like you won this time, but, trust me, there WILL be a next time. Until then stay out of my way!" I push the girl roughly for emphases, then , spreading my wings, I jump into the air. For a split second me and the boy's eyes lock as we both come to the same conclusion. We will meet again. I turn and fly off towards Engine Bay as I engage the microscopic tracker and bug I planted on the girl when I pushed her.
I chuckle, too easy.

@Aislinn_Mollisong1 @Gloria_Oldenpinner @Draven_Eldercraft @Erik_Deruin @Missy_Vonheart

Ooc: Gotta say, this is awesome!

[Erik_Deruin]

The song from this ‘Eolee’ is soft, sweet, flowing like clear streams in the spring. It’s makup like Irish whistles and gentle plucked strings. I give her a thoughtful look, my wings now folded.

“I am the Phantom. You may call me Ghostwyng, if you so desire.”

[Aislinn_Mollisong1]

Eolee was about to answer the 'Phantom' when something shoves into her back. She leaves the Melody abruptly as she falls. The boy in the suit flies off, sharing a glare with the boy who came to her rescue. She realizes there are more people around now, Iawylid and Missy.

"Eolee! Are you okay!?" Iawylid cries, surrounded by bats.

"Yes, I'm fine." Eolee assures her, then turns to the owl-Wynged again. "Ghostwyng." She smiles. "Nice to meet you, Ghostwyng."

[Erik_Deruin]

I give the girl a polite dip of the head. My eyes drift over the people beginning to gather, already above a number comfortable to me.

"The pleasure is mine Mademoiselle. Your gift is a special one indeed, one that is not common in the slightest. Should you wish to know more, follow the music, it will lead you."

I slip a small, black card to her, before turning to fly once again, safe from the prying eyes of the public. It read in red lettering:

Moonlight Sonata, D# minor.

[Ava_Tinnight1]

I walk around aimlessly as I try to find someone. Suddenly I spot Nola near the corner of the building. "NOL- er Starflame!!!" I wave and she walks over to me. "Hi Av!" she says. "I need to show you something Nola." I motion for her to follow me and I walk to the ledge of the mountain.

@Nola_Applequill1

[Millennium_Mollifoible]

I watched as Gloria walked away and turned to glare at Iceberg. He flinched slightly and sheathed his knife, mumbling something. I grabbed his wrist and followed Gloria. I soon saw Eolee, some other Skyraiders and two guys I’d never seen before, one flying away. I let go of Iceberg and flapped my wings, trying to get a better view. I rose several feet in the air before tumbling back to the ground, my wing wasn’t fully healed yet.
I caught the name of the newcomer: Ghostwyng.

[Rowena_Brokenlance]

I am running out of food.
Kneeling by my pack, I hold the last few biscuits in my hand, panic fluttering madly at the edges of my brain.
“Then starve, like the animal you are!” The words still hurt, but not as much as being driven away like a rabid scavenger. Hands shaking, I dump the biscuits back into my bag and hang it awkwardly around my neck.
I can’t even wear things on my back anymore. I’m a freak.
I poke my head out of the shadows and look around. Even though it’s nighttime and no one is about, I still have to watch for Automaton patrols. There are so many more of them here than in my little village. No Man’s Landing is certainly no place for a monster like me.
My only hope is a rumored Sanctuary on the Old Mount, and that is—according to the signpost—“Far Away.”
But there is no other place. I will walk for as long as I can and if I drop dead of exhaustion or hunger or an Automaton bullet, then that is that.
If I could only use these wings to fly, I might have a chance. But they aren’t strong enough to hold me up. I’ve tried and failed. And I don’t know if they’ll ever be.
As the night falls thick around me, I run out of No Man’s Landing, my wings folded tightly behind me.
The irony is not lost on me.

[Milady_Despark]

I watched, from the dark alley, a young woman run away from this bleak town.
"How interesting," I thought. "she obviously has wings, yet she had not used them before to flee." A bitter smile grew on my face. "How foolish I am. My wings work perfectly, yet I cower in the shadows. Never leaving, always listening to the sounds of the automatons."
I pulled my navy blue cloak tighter around myself and quickly stepped into a small doorway on the side of the alley. I grabbed a bag and stuffed some money, food, and my book into it. I scowled at the cuff encircling my wrist. A fleur-de-lis decorated its center. "Do not become weak." I ordered myself. "So what if you can never take it off? So what if it sets you up as an outcast? Your job as spy is kept safe by that."
A small blue jay settled down on the chair next to me. I smiled at him. "Tonight is the night, Dumas. We shall finally flee this Gascony like town."
With Dumas on my shoulder, I ran out of my small house, and chased after the young woman. "If she has wings like me, then I can probably trust her." I thought.
I came across her just outside of No Man's Landing. She watched me with wide eyes.
"Bonjour." I said.
"H-hello."
"I am... Winter." I said. I realized I would never be able to give anyone my true name. Lady Clarik and Anne de Breuil would not do.
She nodded, watching me suspiciously. "I'm Rowena. Why were you following me?"
I decided to go with the plain truth. "You have wings." Her eyes widened. "I believe you are going to the Sanctuary?" She nodded. "I would like to go with you."
"What?" She asked, her voice faint. "D-do you have wings?"
I pulled my cloak back and spread my blue-grey wings out. She gasped slightly, then nodded to me.
"Let's go." She said.

[Draven_Eldercraft]

I return tech boy's glare. "You can count on it." I think.
He turns and flies off in the direction of Engine Bay.
I relax a little, but I don't retract my talons. I needed answers.
I turn towards the strangers.
The first dragon-winged girl and the boy with owl wings are having an odd conversation.
I ignore it and turn to the second girl with dragon wings. I open my mouth to say something and suddenly stop as I see it. A single blonde braid hanging over her left shoulder! I grit my teeth and struggle to maintain my composure. I knew that symbol well!
I still needed answers and she might as well be the one to give them to me.
"So, who are you people?"

---

@Gloria_Oldenpinner @Missy_Vonheart @Aislinn_Mollisong1 @Sholan_Brasscape

[Gloria_Oldenpinner]

I watch as the intruding Tech Dude flies away, then look back towards the Owl Wynged and Eolee. He hands her a small card after a short conversation, then flies away.

Eolee stares at the note as if it might sprout wings and fly away with him.

Something flaps near my ear and I wave the bat away, forgetting they were there.

What's going on now? One of them asks. Oh, corks. Uh, maybe you guys should go back to your cave. I'll-- visit you later.

"So, who are you people?'' I open my eyes from when I had been talking to the bats-- now leaving, and wonder why I had closed them in the first place.

Raven Fellow is standing in front of me, a somewhat forced expression on his face. Probably because of the cloud of bats that are now flying away very obviously. . .

"We're the. . ." I clear my throat, and reach behind me and find a furry bat clinging to my right shoulder. "The, uh. . ." I smile awkwardly, trying to pull the bat off my shirt.

"Well. . ." -yank- "We're the. . ." -yank- "Wyngeds--" -yankyankyank- "Yes, the wyngeds of Mountain Peak Sanctuary." I give up on the bat, who merely snuggles closer. This is so comfy! Uh. Glad you think so.

"I'm Iawylid," I add, sticking out my hand.

I'm Elliot!

Nice to meet you, too.

---

@Aislinn_Mollisong1 @Draven_Eldercraft @Sholan_Brasscape @Erik_Deruin

[Nola_Applequill1]

(OOC: I forgot that I was in the center of the plaza with @Vytanni_Throttlenight... Let's see... How can I fix this? XD)

I notice Ava walking over to the ledge of the mountain, alone. I want to help, but right now I'm right next to Vytanni and THE SCARLET MAN, WHO ACTUALLY HAS WINGS. HOW IN THE ENCIRCLING SPIRAL DOES THE SCARLET MAN HAVE WINGS?!

"Starflame, come on!" Ava says, finally realizing I wasn't walking behind her after all.

"I'm a little... Preoccupied... Right now..." I whisper. I frown slightly, and then add, "Sorry, Av. Maybe not now..."

Ava frowns also, but then she looks at who's next to Vytanni, who's a few paces away from me, conversing with the Scarlet Man and his Wynged associates.

"Is that the Scarlet Man?" Ava whispers.

I nod excitedly, and then turn my head to Vytanni as I hear someone say, "...uphold the Great Engineer, overthrow the Usurper, and remind people who is the true Ruler of Aethasia."

I decide to join in on the conversation. "And how can we do this? How can we overthrow the Usurper without fighting him?"

The Scarlet Man looks at me, his golden wings folding onto his back. "Ah, Starflame. My dear, how have you been holding up?"

I want to answer him, but I'm hit with the astonishment that THE SCARLET MAN REMEMBERS ME, oh, and, of course, he just called me "my dear".

"I'm glad to hear that." He seems to wink at me behind his black mask, and turns back to Vytanni, as if knowing she was going to say something.

Vytanni looks around for a second, most likely out of confusion and computation, and then takes advantage of the silence. Turning to Alexander, she requested, "I'd like to see your main branch. I would like to see what assets and weapons you have."

"Not much," Alexander replied wearily, "but I'd be happy to show you. Follow me."

"Can I come?" I ask.

Alexander looks at Vytanni, as if for approval.

Vytanni's wings flapped slightly for balance. "Of course she can come. She's my Deputy Nest Guardian."

I smile in satisfaction, and then quickly notice someone running up to the group. It was Ava.

"Can I come too?" she asks, excited.

"I don't know about that," Jefferson replies.

Ava's face droops slightly, so I take a step forward and prepare to stand up for a new Wynged friend. "S-she should come. She's a new Fledgling, and she could use some help in learning how to fly."

"We're not trainers like Skyhawk," Julian responds. "There's no possible way we have time to train her."

I stand my ground, turning my head to Ava, who's behind me, and then to the rest of the gang, who are in front of me. I want to help Ava learn to fly... But I need to know our defense tactics.

My mind attacks itself yet again like ready combatants. I don't know what else to do.

Vytanni puts a hand on my shoulder. "Nola... It would be wonderful if you could help Ava in my absence."

My face flushes. "I need to know our strategy!"

"Nola, we'll discuss this as a team soon. I'm just checking out their main branch. I promise you, you will be there for the plans. As a Deputy Nest Guardian, it's your duty also to train new Wynged."

I sigh and nod in defeat. "Yes, Headmistress." I turn around and face Ava, putting on a bright smile. "Ready to learn how to fly?"

With one last look at Alexander and Vytanni leaving the group, Ava meets my gaze and smiles. "YES!"

---

@Ava_Tinnight1 @Vytanni_Throttlenight @Wynged_Resistance

[Ava_Tinnight1]

I look at Nola and she smiles.
"ready to learn how to fly?"
I look over at Alexander, Vytanni and the others leaving and then look back at Nola
"YES!!!"
We walk to a VERY large tree and she starts to teach me.
"So do you know how to flap your wings?"
"No........."
"Okay. You know how you stretch your back?"
"Yes..." I stretch my back and much to my and Nola's satisfaction my wings flutter and I hover just a few seconds before landing.
"Okay now start running and try it again!"
I run and then jump while flapping and soon....

"I'M DOING IT!!!!"

I fly higher and higher and suddenly
swish swish swish
Nola flies up next to me we grin and then fly around.
After we fly around the sanctuary I start heading toward the edge of the mountain.
Dramatically, I land and soon Nola comes down too.
"look!" I point to the pic axe and shovel on the ground. Nola starts to say something but I shush her.
"SHHHHHHH! listen!!!" We listen and faintly we hear a drilling sound. Nola raises her eyebrow and motioning for her to follow, I start to fly again. This time toward Vytanni, Alexander and the others.

@Vytanni_Throttlenight @Nola_Applequill1

[Rowena_Brokenlance]

"D-do you have wings?"
I pulled my cloak back and spread my blue-grey wings out. She gasped slightly, then nodded to me.
"Let's go." She said.

As I and my new companion hurry down the dwindling track away from the town, I try to make sense of this strange coincidence. Winter saw my wings—she has beautiful wings of her own!—and I find comfort in that.
But she doesn’t know what else I am and I can’t bear to tell her, relishing for once the companionship of someone like me.
“Have you ever tried to fly?”
From beneath my hood, I glance over at Winter and the bluejay perched on her shoulder.
“Yes, a little. But I can’t really get off the ground.” I pause, then ask, “How about you?”
“I have flown many times before,” Winter answers in that beautiful accent I cannot place. “It requires much time and effort, though. How long is it since you got your wings?”
“T-two years ago,” I say, hesitantly. “I’d rather not talk about it.”
I can tell Winter wants to ask more questions, but she gives a nod and refrains.
“Two years and never yet flown? Something is wrong with her wings,” she mutters almost inaudibly.
I wince. No one else would have overheard—I’m sure she didn’t think I had—but that was part of my curse, a terrible condition that had marked me an outcast.
You see, on that fateful day, I didn’t just grow wings—orange as a fox’s coat on the outside and striped black and white beneath. That would have been bad enough.
I grew fox ears.
And a tail.

[Millennium_Mollifoible]

I watched Starflame talking with Vytanni before Vytanni turned and walked away with the Scarlet Man.

That’s the Scarlet Man? With wings!? So cool!

After she walked away, Nola started teaching Ava to fly. After a few minutes, I joined.

“Hey Ava! Looking good. You’d you like to meet Moondust?”

---

@Ava_Tinnight1. @Nola_Applequill1. @Vytanni_Throttlenight

[Ava_Tinnight1]

After Nola and I fly back to the sanctuary we see Millennium come up to us.
“Hey Ava! Looking good. You’d you like to meet Moondust?”
I glance over at Nola for approval and she smiles.
"SURE!!!!" I say. "who is Moondust?"

@Nola_Applequill1 @Millennium_Mollifoible Its a little short but I didn't have much to go on...

[Nola_Applequill1]

"SURE!!!! Who is Moondust?"

I can't help but snicker at the funny question from Ava, in accordance with her excited proclamation.

"Moondust is my pet dragon," Millennium explains.

Ava leans her head back slightly. "Ohhhh. SURE! I'd love to meet her!"

"Him," Millennium corrected sheepishly.

"Oh, sorry!" Ava blushes faintly.

"It's no problem!" Millennium looks behind her and whistles. "Moondust! Come on over and meet my friend Ava!"

Silence.

"Um... He usually comes when I call him."

I put a hand on Millennium's shoulder. "Maybe he's busy right now?"

"But..."

Suddenly, I see a blur of grey, white and blue colors fly right past me.

"Moondust!" Millennium exclaims.

But Moondust didn't fly right to us. He's chasing something.

"He's chasing something," I note.

"What is he chasing?" Ava asks.

"How am I supposed to know when all I can see is a little grey blur?" I giggle.

"He's trying to eat something!" Millennium exclaims, running after him and beckoning for us to follow.

Ava and I follow Millennium's lead as Moondust darts all around the Sanctuary until he bumps into someone... A Wynged!

"Mmmh..." the Wynged groans as she tries to recover from the hit.

I stand over her, trying to remember who she is. Her vivid emerald eyes sparkle in the daylight, and her brown braid is curled over her face. She puts her braid behind her, stands up and straightens her sport jacket. "Miss Starflame! Miss Millennium!" She looks to her right and notices Ava. "Miss Melissa Wing!" She bows her head slightly. "I-I'm so sorry... I hope I'm allowed to run in the Sanctuary." She looks at me as if for approval.

"You're fine," I reply. I remember her now. Sierra Lightspark, also known as Li-- Lib-- Libele-- Ugh. Yes, Sierra. "It's good to see you, Sierra. In the jumbled mess of everything - not to mention the new arrival of Snow and the threat that something's terribly wrong - I've kind of lost everyone except for Vytanni, Ava and Emily here, and now you. Thank goodness."

Sierra smiles warmly. "Thank you, Miss Starflame." She looks at a dragonfly perched on her shoulder, and breathily exclaims, "Draco! Where have you been?"

Draco flies around and perched on her shoulder again.

Sierra looks astonished. "You what? Who was chasing you?"

Draco moves in the direction of Moondust.

"The dragon?" Sierra asks for confirmation.

Draco repeats the flying motion and perches on her shoulder.

Sierra kneels down to Moondust's level. "Is Miss Millennium your owner?"

Moondust crawls over to Millennium.

"I take that as a yes," Sierra says with a laugh. "Please excuse my dragonfly, Draco. He seems to always get himself in trouble."

Millennium beams. "Don't worry - Moondust does, too." She smiles warmly.

"Thanks, Miss Millennium. I-I should get going now." She meets Draco's gaze. "Come on, Draco. Let's go find Vytanni."

I put a hand up. "Oh, um, Sierra? Vytanni's sort of... Busy."

---

@Ava_Tinnight1 @Emily_Purplebottle/@Millennium_Mollifoible, @Moondust_The_Dragon, @Draco_The_Firefly, @Vytanni_Throttlenight

[Milady_Despark]

I noticed Rowena wince, and I realized she heard my words. "Odd. How could she have heard me?" I shivered from the cold, and saw her watching me. She looked confused, as do most people when they first meet me.
"How far away is this Sanctuary?" I ask.
"I'm not exactly sure. The signpost said 'Far Away'."
"Where exactly is it?"
"Its on the Old Mount."
My eyes lit up. "Parfait!" I thought. "No one will notice the difference around me!"
"How did you get your wings?" Rowena asked.
"I do not know. It happened, oh, four years ago? Is that right?" I asked Dumas.
His response was the make a small chirp.
"You understand what he's saying?" Rowena asked in shock.
"Quelle? Non! I mean, no. He generally nods and shakes his head, thus how I know his answers."
"Oh. What type of wings do you have?"
"Baeolophus bicolor." She looked confused. "Tufted titmouse."
"Cool."

[Millennium_Mollifoible]

“Hey Ava! Looking good. You’d you like to meet Moondust?”

“Sure!” Ava screamed in delight. “Who is Moondust?”

I giggled slightly. “Moondust is my pet dragon.” I explained.

“Ooooh! Sure! I’d love to meet her!” Ava said.

“Him.” I quietly correct.

“Oh, sorry.” Ava said, turning a little red.

“It’s okay!” I said, reassuringly, then whistled. “Moondust! Come over here and meet my friend Ava!”

No answer.

I repeat it again in dragon.

“Um,” I blushed a little. “He usually comes when I call.”

Nola put a hand on my shoulder. “Maybe he’s busy right now?” She suggested.

I suddenly see Moondust streak by us in a blur.

“Moondust!” I yelled.

But he didn’t come to me. I wrinkled my nose in annoyance.

“He’s chasing something.” Nola said.

I looked after Moondust.

So he is! I thought.

“What is he chasing?” Ava asked.

“How am I supposed to know when all I can see is a little grey blur?” Nola giggled.

“He’s trying to eat something!” I said, suddenly realising it.

I started moving toward him and motioned for Ava and Nola to follow me.

Moondust scampered all the way around the Sanctuary before he smacked into a wynged.
The wynged groaned as she sat on the ground, recovering from the impact.

Nola stood over as if trying to remember who she was. Her emerald eyes sparkled on the sun and her brown braid had been flipped into her face.

She put her braid back in its place, stood up, and smoothed her jacket.

“Miss Starflame! Miss Millennium!” She exclaimed.

I was almost surprised she new my name. I didn’t remember ever talking to her before.

She glanced to her right and seeing Ava there said, “Miss Melissa Wing!”

She lowered her head slightly. “I-I'm so sorry... I hope I'm allowed to run in the Sanctuary.” She looked at Nola for approval.

“You’re fine.” Nola answered, seeming to remember who she was.

“It's good to see you, Sierra. In the jumbled mess of everything - not to mention the new arrival of Snow and the threat that something's terribly wrong - I've kind of lost everyone except for Vytanni, Ava and Emily here, and now you. Thank goodness.” She said.

“Sierra.” I muttered under my breath. I recalled seeing her with May.

Sierra smiled at Nola’s response. “Thank you Miss Starflame.”

She looked at the dragonfly standing lightly on her shoulder. “Draco! Where have you been?” She exclaimed.

Draco flittered around and landed back on Sierra’s shoulder.

Sierra looked very surprised. “You what? Who was chasing you?”

Draco flittered toward Moondust, who had been trying for the last few minutes, to look inconspicuous.

“The dragon?” Sierra asked.

Draco flittered about again and returned to Sierra’s shoulder.

Sierra kneeled down to look Moondust in the face. “Is Miss Millennium your owner?”

Moondust muttered something only I could understand before crawling over to me. I tried not to laugh.

“Your a funny dragon, Moondust.” I murmured in dragon.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Sierra laughed. “Please excuse my dragonfly, Draco. He seems to always get himself in trouble.”

“Don’t worry-Moondust gets himself into a lots of trouble too.” I said, rolling my eyes then smiling.

“Thanks Millennium. I-I should get going now.” Sierra looked at Draco. “Come on Draco, Let’s go find Vytanni.”

Nola held up a hand. “Oh, um, Sierra? Vytanni's sort of... Busy.”

---

@Vytanni_Throttlenight, @Nola_Applequill1. @Ava_Tinnight1. @Sierra_Lightspark.

[Peregrine_Appleclock]

What a confusing day. I seriously hope things will settle down again. It's been crazy! I grow wings, somehow find a Sanctuary, find powers that I didn't have before, almost get attacked, and now even the Scarlet Man can fly!

Engineer, I pray as I sit on a bench, holding my head in my hands, PLEASE clear all this up for me . . .

Why did I have to grow wings? Why me? It's such an inconvenience. Well, perhaps as soon as I learn to fly then I'll think otherwise. But how am I supposed to learn to fly with these flimsy flippers?? Maybe I'll talk to Nola or maybe Vytanni when they're not busy.

I lick my lips. I'm thirsty. I rise from the bench and stretch my body. I feel my wings tensing behind me. So that's how you flap them...?

Now where's the nearest drinking water...? I look up at the giant oak tree in front of me as if it will answer my question. I wonder how old it is.

My eyes drift to my right, down one of the four main corridors that lead to each wing of the Sanctuary. This one was labeled in elaborate lettering, "West Wing." I shrug and walk down that corridor.

I walk until I reach a large ornate door. A sign says it leads to the main plaza. Fair enough. I open the door and sunlight smacks me in the eyes.

Once they adjust, they widen with wonder and intrigue, for all around me, other people with wings lingered. On the ground, in the air and in between, they were everywhere! I had no idea how many Aethasians had grown wings! A couple of them I even recognized. Is that Ava? Yeah, it is! She's talking to Nola and a girl with... is that a dragon??

I slowly make my way down the steps and found myself among the Wynged people. It's weird. I pinch myself on the cheek. Rats, not a dream.

I take a left and leave the crowd. I find myself ascending a small raise. When I reach the top, I gasp.

On the other side of the raise is a huge, sparkling lake.

My dry taste buds begin protesting louder. Please don't tell me this was another INSTINCT thing...

I walk to the edge of the shore, flex my back and watch my wings twitch in my reflection. The water is unusually clear.

I take a tin can out of my small pack, immerse it just under the surface, scoop up some water and sheepishly take a sip. I swallow and contemplate the feel of the liquid in my mouth and throat. It's surprisingly cold and refreshing. I take a larger scoop from the lake and gulp it down.

After about three more scoops I sigh in satisfaction, place the can back in my pack, stand up, and walk back up the hill toward the other winged.

As I join the crowd, someone calls my name.

---

OOC: This could be anyone. @Nola_Applequill1 @Vytanni_Throttlenight @Taka_Merespinner1 @Ava_Tinnight1 @Pig_Larkcape1 @Anyone_Really