Cal hadn’t made any more advancements toward me, which held a glimmer of hope in my chest. I pulled my chin from my chest, eyes straining through a throbbing headache to make certain that he wouldn’t try to get near me. I heard him speak my name and I shook my head once more, not nearly as harshly as I had done before since the pain in my head was getting worse. And as the pain in my head got worse, my breathing grew harder with the black slime that slipped past my throat and seemed to choke my throat.

And there we stood, I wasn’t going to leave. I couldn’t just leave and turn my back on him – there was absolutely no way I’d open up myself that way. I learned better than that. So I stood there, hooves planted into the earth that shimmered and sparkled the reflection of my ashen ankles. Blue eyes glued to the crimson Peg before me, wings stretching out and back into his back. Those eyes staring back at me before pulling away in what seemed to be pain. I wasn’t going to let it affect me. I knew better.

Then, suddenly, a creature appeared I had never met before. Another winged one, perhaps someone that Cal had brought with him from the lands of my home? Though, his wings were folded and appeared to be non-threatening which was a bit of a relief as well, but I didn’t change my stance any. I just stood, watching the male approach me and yet say nothing. He stayed within a good amount to where I felt like if I needed to run, I could. Then he seemed to concentrate on something, but that something was invisible to me.

But I felt it.

I felt it begin in my chest, a warmth like a blanket just beginning to envelop me. At first I began to fight it, thinking perhaps it was to be a trick to bring me back, but after a few moments I accepted it. The warmth and gentle feeling that seemed to expand in my entire body was enough to feel friendly enough to where perhaps it wasn’t from Cal. It was such a different feeling from the last time I felt magic take over my body and I couldn’t help but to exhale with relief as it began to dissipate. My eyes had closed during the process unknowingly, but when I opened them, the same winged creature stood before me next to Tembovu where Cal had just stood.

Then, the unfamiliar creature spoke, asking me how I felt. I took a second or more to gather my thoughts, no longer feeling that choking feeling that seemed to grasp my throat in its fist. I watched a small smile curl around his lips and I offered him a small smile back. “I feel… Wonderful.” I paused briefly, exhaling and beginning to feel the pang of the headache taking over my mind once more. “What is your name, friend?” I questioned softly, knowing deep down that if there was someone I owed something to, it was this winged beast before me.

Though I nearly forgot about Tembovu in my happiness of feeling better, that I turned to look at him offering him a small apologetic smile. I didn’t know what happened – I didn’t know I had mistaken him for Cal. “I – I don’t know what happened, Temb. I’m sorry for whatever I said or did.” I said softly. I remembered every word of what I said, but in my memory, my elephant had become my worst nightmare.

"Talk?"

rexanna

And from the minute that the line got drawn,
I couldn't see straight to you for nothing.