The Transcended. That was what they called her now, a title that never failed to equally amuse and amaze her. How had she gone so far, risen so high? How had she become so strong? As she grazed peacefully beneath a palm near the gently rippling waters of their oasis, she wondered - where had it started, the title? Who had first thought to call her something special, who had thought to pass it on? Why Transcended? Was that what others thought of her?

If that were true, then she was blessed, indeed.

Cera's call broke through her tranquility, creating a note of discord in her mind. Astraeus, sensing her discomfort, spiraled from the skies above to land carefully amongst the fronds of the tall palm. -Danger?- he asked, sparks raining down on his bonded below. I don't know, shekhikhi. Let us find out. And so they took to the skies; Astraeus glided into the air, while his bonded used several cantering steps to launch herself over the water, a few strong thrusts all that she needed to gain enough momentum to carry her to the small crowd in which Cera stood.

The individuals surrounding the Diviner took her by surprise, though on second thought, she supposed it was normal enough. Still, she could not help but tense at the sight of Ampere and Gaucho standing in the same general location, for despite her newfound respect for the blue, a small part of her refused to trust her one-time rival. As she landed, she could not help the suspicion that flickered briefly in her orbs, though she glanced down until she was sure she had herself under control. Despite Astraeus's irritable sparking and grumbling, she was not one to assign blame without proof.

He loves me, she told her lightning-bird firmly. Astraeus made a noise somewhere between a growl and a crow, a sound of utter dismay. She could almost imagine his eyes rolling as he landed on her withers, pricking her with his talons. You did that on purpose, she accused. He merely settled snugly against her spine.

"Gaucho, Ampere," she greeted them each with a nod, opting to avoid being too personal in favor of retaining her strength as a leader. Still, she could not help but settle herself beside Gaucho, her folded wing skimming the edge of his. It was a very clear claim, though it did not detract from the situation at hand. Her voice calm, she instructed gently, "Cera, you bear news from the Sun God? Please, tell us all that you know. We cannot act without information."

"Talk talk talk."
Astraeus.

subtlepatterns.com | foxyfirewings & larfsalot @ deviantart.com