...but where are you going?

Silas could not feel the compulsion, the irresistible urge that begged his bonded from the tranquillity of her haven, Hidden Falls. He was oblivious, in a tizz, and soft downy feathers fell loose against the billowy valley breeze as he scrambled after her with splayed wings and a heaving breast.

Wait!

In no time at all, the mare had withdrawn all attention from the crystal clear pool by her nest-cave, and the grim rippling reflection of a face scarred by worry and fatigue. The feeling which swept right through her had been unexpected but certain, and Africa had invested all energy to transform as rapidly as she could, even despite the pain which grated harshly through her shrinking core. Mottled grey wings beat in frenzy as dander and feather fell in the wake of her departure; a parrot’s flight was erratic and playful by nature, but the Grey’s direction this time was determined. She neared the secret pool with the tricky path weaving an exit beyond, and slowed momentarily, though the lithe young zephyr was already upon her.

Together they flapped south from the Falls, Silas unsure of just exactly where his possessed bonded was headed, but loyal to her endeavour nonetheless.

The dim blur of Deep Forest stretched out below them, a labyrinth inside which her flailing heart had descended many times. In earlier times, when heat and sand had inspired her (and true affection existed as mere fantasy), an adolescent Africa had explored the sinister woodland in search of fern-root and tender mushroom delicacies; it had been a place of wonder and beauty, a place where pigeons spoke Helovian tongue and Basilisks rampaged. But more recently, it had been a refuge of sorts, where she could wallow in self-induced misery and turn over in her mind, the myriad mistakes she had made along the path to such wretchedness- pitiful, painful...

She guided their journey down suddenly, fervently, and burst through the budding Birdsong canopy, swinging left and right in vain effort to evade shadow-cloaked timber. Silas followed attentively, violet eyes set upon the swooping, descending bird, but she propped suddenly, without any prior warning and fluttered into the forked limb of a tree. Beyond her, the ostentatious figure of an albino creature, a bird type he had not before encountered, stood by the doorway to a familiar old cavern- elaborate tail feathers fanned to his rear, glistening whenever sunlight penetrated the restless awning of foliage above. He followed Africa to the lowest branch of the ragged pine and settled warily beside her.

There were shining eyes everywhere around them, watching, waiting; a rainbow of parrots, apparently decorating every surface available.

The Grey did not rest for long though, the urge in her heart did not cease. Africa dropped from the tree towards the stunning Peacock, and sharp ebony claws grazed the cool earth upon which he stood- pale-yellow eyes danced across his marvellous feathered frame, and she fluffed her own demure cloak in greeting, square red tail waggling behind.


(xD)

Africa