A sharp, shrill warning cry resonated obtrusively beneath mountain stone and Silas flared his gaudy plumage to draw focus away from his vulnerable bonded. The zephyr swept forward from his perch between her hips, beak clacking, warning the heavy ashen stranger who lingered and then lunged in through the prison cell’s crudely cut entrance, to mind their distance. He screeched again furiously when the other failed to slow, and as unfamiliar white hide brushed against Africa’s slim, wingless, dappled flank, he began to slow thrust of each wing-beat, star-glitter radiating in the half–light of the cave – all too quickly though, and even despite the sudden lurch of time around them, the other pulled away. Silas glowered fiercely after her, whirling back towards his bonded and alighting once more with feathers flashing pretentiously.

The one-winged mare had been so startled by the sudden ingression of the stranger that she had frozen as solidly in place as an ice-cloaked lake. It was only as steaming, foreign skin slipped away and touch was lost that trembling knees unlocked to stagger backwards to where the shadow of her haven was all the deeper. The harsh, piercing sound of the zephyr’s cry rang on in her ears, and fearful eyes hung agape as they watched the panicked mare slide back towards the entrance. The tense clasp of Silas’s powerful, pointed talons returned to her rump, and all that lay between the Starry-Eyed and her pale visitor was the dancing glow of firelight.

There seemed to be confusion, enthrallment, glazing the murky steel grey that lay hidden beneath the golden, burning reflection. Fear gave way to a rising tide of curiosity, and after only moments spent dazed, Africa’s long sooty ears swivelled again forward through tangled tendrils of oil-slick mane and flame; thoughtful sand-toned eyes wandered ahead too, though her slender body hesitated longer- she was quick to forgive, certainly, but not to forget. The larger mare stirred back to life too, tossing her slim face beneath a dull swirling forelock blurred white and grey. She glanced briefly by Silas and then finally back out into the open where rain still fell steadily; lastly moving with a lowered muzzle to sift through slush. The one-winged watched the silent stranger with growing interest, while Silas growled his discontent to the rear.

Wiry, yellowed scrub was recovered, wilting and not the least bit appetising to behold, but it was presented kindly to Africa in polite gesture and she smiled coyly and graciously in return. “Thank you,” the dappled mare offered warmly before nosing the small morsel laid down upon cool, moist earth to her front. She warded off all desire to question the mare’s first reaction and introduced herself with a naturally mellow voice instead. “I’m Africa. Nice to see the rain again, isn’t it?” Fluttering breath pressed upon the gift. Her appetite was still lost, and there was just no desire to eat – regardless of the confident instruction to do so. With another quiet smile, face lifted higher, hopeful that conversation might distract them both for now.


(I adore long posts <3)