One would think that Gawen would learn to adjust his lifestyle around the inevitable realization that his legs and his brain would never see eye to eye. But Gawen was far too curious and exuberant for such a horrifying prospect, and the colt's wanderings were not impeded in any way by the awareness of his own horrifying lack of coordination. And though the imposing darkness of the night would have warned away any other youth, Gawen was far too intent on exploring the far reaches of the Edge. It was monstrous to the tiny, gangly foal. So much to see, smell, taste. So much to learn and catalogue, and he wanted to know what lay beyond the borders of his current explorations.

So even though Mother had told him not to venture out into the dark, Gawen had simply pretended to sleep until she had wandered off to fulfill her own duties, slipping away beneath the warm-colored moon to disappear with Tin. And then Gawen was up and running - or, running as much as someone like Gawen could, which was more like a flailing blur of legs not unlike a runaway windmill careening wildly downhill. If it weren't for his wings held out like training wheels next to his lanky body, he probably wouldn't even make it three feet.

How he heard the other paint was a mystery with the raucous noise the boy was making, but he froze like an overexuberant deer, legs splayed wide and big blue eyes staring into the distance where the sound had come from. He crept forward stealthily, plodding along with his head low like a bloodhound and his knees nearly kicking himself in the throat, trying for silence. When in reality he just looked like a mess, too big to really hide behind the foliage and wings still goofily held wide at his sides like a mix of an airplane and a stalking cat with the limbs of a spider.

Gawen recognized Alysanne from his evil flying lessons, but he distinctly remembered Lyanna explaining that Alysanne - who he was supposed to respect because of her rank - had once been the longest standing Moon Doctor of the Edge. And so now he peered at her from the bushes, gleeful heart preening. He had captured her! She had to teach him herbs now!

And so he sprang from the brush, intent on taking her by surprise and demanding her knowledge. Except his wings, spread wide for balance, were caught in the brambles and he squeaked as he tripped free and ended up sprawled on his chest, butt high in the air and hocks caught by the vines. Unbothered by the landing, Gawen twisted his head along the dirt and grinned up at Alysanne without even bothering to right himself.

"Aly!" he squeaked happily. And he kicked himself free as if he'd planned that entrance, shaking the dust free like a dog as he went toddling towards her.

"Anna said you know healy stuff!" he chirped, fluffy little wings beating at his sides. If he were not so clumsy he would dance around, but even Gawen was not willing to tempt fate that much. "I wanna know! Everything! Please Aly!" And now he aimed his best pleading puppy dog eyes at her, lower lip quivering just a bit with the idea that she might reject him and he might never be able to heal people like Lyanna had.