[companion egg finding/soon-to-be-hatching!]

Now that they were free of the caves, Alysanne had made it her mission to explore as much of Helovia as she could. There had been too much on her mind before, too much guilt weighing her down and keeping her from exploring the place that she considered home. Were there other dangers lurking wherever that sickness had come from? Where were the other herds that she had heard about? The Basin was in the north and for a moment she had almost gone that way, almost went to go check up on Lena, but changed her mind.

Okay, her mind was changed for her. Alysanne thought she was heading in a relatively north direction but instead of encountering deeper snow, the temperatures remained relatively moderate – for winter, anyway. The longing calls of gulls alerted her that she was near the coast, and that unmistakable breeze bringing to her the smell of the sea confirmed it. Although she had always much preferred the forests and the fields, she could not even remember the last time she had done anything more than fly over the coast. She had never even been to a beach before.

With the overcast morning sky, the beach was a grey atmosphere – the dark horizon blending the point of sky and sea together. She imagined it would be something to behold in the summertime, when the water and sky were clear blue and turquoise, but now it was an odd combination of gloomy and peaceful – a combination that suited her current frame of mind well. She disliked these times alone, times when she could reflect and tear herself up about what was missing in her mind, what memories were real and what were false. Summer-green eyes looked away from that hazy horizon, looking for something else to focus on.

Large feathered wings folded at her sides, she was just passing from the point where grass turned into sand when something glinting in the sandy soil caught her eye.

It reminded her of the spheres from Nocturne, those delightful little glowing things that were where they stored their magic. She often preferred to absorb them, rather than having them float around her all the time, but then… maybe this was different. It looked more like an egg. She looked around for the parents, something that might give her an idea of what it could possibly be.

And that was when it dawned on her that maybe this was a companion egg! She had never seen one before, just the remnants of the ones that had once housed Penna and Ouija. Oh what was she going to do? She nuzzled at the soil around it, freeing it a little more and taking in the earthy, rough scent. As she touched the egg, it began to wobble – causing her to jerk back just slightly, those shining eyes widening. “What is it little one? What do I need to do?” Though she knew she would get no answer, the two-toned mare’s soft voice broke the silence anyway. Children she knew how to care for, but an egg? Where to even start?

[open to anyone!
@[Nayati] if you're still interested]

Alysanne could not have been happier to hear the approaching sound of someone in the sand, making their way over towards her. She turned to see a young mare with a brilliant spotted coat and a kind smile. And those words! This mare and her companion were angels for appearing now, when this pegasus needed them.

Dragons had not been something Alysanne had a lot of experience with prior to coming to Helovia, but she did not feel as shy around them now as she once did – they seemed to be a very popular companion! She smiled up at the circling dragon as the young mare referred to him. Rathunax! A delightfully strong name. But her attention was quickly drawn back down to ground level, her worries not so easily forgotten, only made easier by the comforting words of this stranger. “Oh could you? I’d be so thankful to the both of you.” She remembered the difficulty in finding food for Parelia’s young companion and had been worried that she would find herself in a similar situation. It would be good to have help, even just to have someone tell her what she should look for would be amazing. “I’m so nervous.” She confessed quietly, hoping that this spotted youth would not think less of her for it. Motherhood came so easily to Alysanne – as soon as she saw her son there was no room for worries in her mind. But this, this was another animal – she didn’t even know what yet! What if she didn’t know how to take care of him properly?

Although the pair with her were strangers, she felt so comforted by their presence. With their help, surely she would be able to do this.

Before she could say anything else, the egg continued to wobble and then a louder crack that made her jump again, only this time she let out a nervous laugh. The shell of the egg was popping as whatever-it-was pushed against the shell, fighting to escape. She wanted to help, but the words of Nayati stayed her. Instead she only watched, and it took several minutes, but finally a hole was made in the egg and she could see inside. A high-pitched peeping accompanied every movement as the little life struggled to get out of the egg. A bird perhaps?

Her gaze kept darting between the hatching and the mare standing with her, checking to see whether she was reacting to anything going wrong. She wanted it to be a smooth entrance into this world. Some more time passed and Alysanne had to keep reminding herself not to hold her breath – but soon enough, a small, pinkish owlet was revealed as he (he!!) completed the emergence from the egg.

The breath escaped her in a sigh and those emerald eyes lit up as she looked from the little owl to Nayati. “He’s alright!” Alysanne had not realized until now just how afraid she was that something would go wrong. It still could, but now that she could see him, the fear was lessened. With a little peep the little owl struggled upright in the broken shell of its egg. He seemed tired to her, and Alysanne wondered if that was why he had not yet opened his eyes (for she did not know it would take several days yet for that to happen). She recognized the appearance of the damp down feathers from when her wings had once been composed of it - it should try up soon and fluff out, giving the owlet a little more protection. The way they were sticking out now reminded her of needles, like on the hemlock tree.

He looked so fragile, she was afraid to touch him, though she moved her muzzle closer and exhaled a soft breath that ruffled his damp feathers and then inhaled his scent. “Should we… what should he eat?” She asked, looking to the mare – anxious for help.


@[Nayati] no worries about the wait and I didn't think the post was crappy at all <3

The presence of the young mare was so comforting, Alysanne took a moment to reach out with a muzzle, intending to touch the spotted neck and thank her for moving closer. Physical contact between near-strangers (for were they not sharing an intimate moment in Alysanne’s life? Hardly strangers!) did not bother her and in this case, she welcomed it. Already she was so appreciative, she did not even want to think about what would have happened if she had been left on her own! Would instinct have kicked in? Would he even had made it?

She wondered what Ampere would have done, faced with a little life like this that clearly needed some help. Would she call it justice to leave it on its own or care for it and then abandon it, forsaking whatever emotional bond might have been formed? As much as she liked the blue mare and all her strength, she could not look at a pair like the one before her – dragon and horse – and think there was any sort of injustice being done. Nor did she feel that way when she looked upon the little owlet.

So many good things were coming of Nayati being there, and reminding her to pick a name was certainly one of them! She paused for a moment and contemplated before grinning as she remembered what his feathers had reminded her of. “Hemlock. It’s one of my favourite trees.” But hesitation was the theme of the day and she looked to her new friend with a crinkle of concern shadowing her face. “Or is that a silly name?” With her son she had been able to contemplate what name she would like beforehand, as she had a long pregnancy spent healing from an attack and worrying about the welfare of the child within her. Artorius had needed a strong name because he needed to be strong. A kingly name. But she had not thought she might come across a companion egg one day and so had no prior thought given to the matter.

Although she knew that they would have to build a nest – it only made sense! – it alarmed her that this young mare was offering to pull out some of her own hair. “Oh no! Your hair is too beautiful to be pulled out – it is not a matter of scent; I would very much like for him to remember who helped us out today.” This mare and her red dragon were so precious to her already, having her companion get used to their scent was not something she worried about.

“Thank you, Rathunax.” She echoed Nayati’s soft words with some of her own as he brought forth a mouse and tore it into manageable chunks. Alysanne only flinched once but quickly reminded herself that Hemlock was going to need to eat meat to survive and until he could get it on his own, he would need her help. At Nayati’s advice, she lowered her head and carefully picked up one of the small pieces of meat (feeling absolutely giant and clumsy as she did so) and stretched out to offer it to Hemlock. He still had his eyes closed, but the scent alerted him that there was food and while making impatient peeps he sniffed about until he found the food she offered before snapping at it… and missing. But with the second try he was rewarded and Alysanne was delighted. While he was consuming the piece, she took a moment to follow the other suggestion she had been given. Without hesitation, Alysanne turned her head and moved her wing forward – she barely used them anyway, it would not matter if she took as many feathers as she had so long as it would help keep Hemlock warm. As carefully as she could she ripped out feathers with her mouth and then turned to arrange them carefully around the owlet to form a little nest.

She continued to build it up – pausing after she thought she was done to check with Nayati and see if it was adequate – as questions continued to buzz around her mind. She wondered how long it would be until he was strong enough to climb onto her back. She couldn’t help but feel exposed here and felt as though they would be safer in the Edge. But she was patient, and she would not rush him. After offering him another piece of mouse meat, which he greedily swallowed without difficulty, she again realized just how much she was relying on Nayati and Rathunax. “Did you catch food for Rathunax when he was young? I’m just not sure how to do it on my own...” Did baby birds eat as often as other baby animals? Or was it more? Alysanne might have found herself a new full-time job, hunting around for mice and trying to figure out how to tear them up!



@[Nayati]

At Nayati’s sweet offer, Alysanne found it impossible to refuse the girl. “That would be just so wonderful if you could. Every little bit helps, right?” Between the hair of her new friend, the moss gathered by the delightful dragon and Alysanne’s own feathers – little Hemlock was going to have a nest fit for a king! Which was just what she wanted for him. Nayati and Rathunax were being so wonderful to them, she just hoped they would not feel as though Alysanne was taking advantage of them. She would find a way to thank the beautiful girl and her delightful dragon one day, as words were just not enough. She could thank them both until she lost her breath but it still would not demonstrate just how thankful she was for their presence on this chilly beach day. That ever-present smile brightening at the purr from Rathunax at her thanks. Dragons were such magnificent creatures!

Hemlock stirred lightly as the materials were added, a soft coo released at the proximity of the dragon as he set down pieces of moss. Perhaps at an older age he might show a little more appreciation for the care that was being done on his behalf – but for now, being freshly born quite took a lot out of you! He did seem welcoming of the presences around him though – comforted by the soft voices of the mares speaking over him. His head was too heavy and his eyes would not open for a couple more sunrises, but the little noises he made grew more content as moss and hair and feathers built a temporary home around him so he felt warm and safe.

The name Evangeline stood out for a moment, causing a brief moment of distraction as she recalled the group at the border of the Edge. What a small world Helovia was! She briefly wondered if there was anyone out there with an owl companion that might be able to help her out, but these thoughts are dismissed as Nayati continued to speak, explaining the basics of keeping up a food stash. Well, she still wasn’t sure how she was going to go about catching anything in order to keep up a store but maybe that was just something she was going to have to practice! Surely it was like anything, where just a bit of practice would be needed? “I’m from World’s Edge, I’m a healer there.” A rather proud note snuck into her voice – she loved the Edge like she had loved no other home she ever had! Speaking about it always brought a smile to her face, especially now that the single tragic memory she had there was rapidly being replaced by happier ones.

She wanted to learn how to take care of Hemlock herself, but oh how Alysanne hoped Nayati and Rathunax lived close to the Edge so she might be able to find them if she ever needed help. “If you two don’t live far from there we’d greatly welcome visits and your help. You are a saint - both of you are.”

Really, the hope that they were close to the Edge was for more than help with her companion. In their short time together, she had grown incredibly fond of the pair and believed they would be great friends. It would be an honour to keep them both in her – no, their! (She was part of a plural now) lives.


(today on the things both Aly and I adore: @[Nayati] <3)

Alysanne watched without so much as a blip of anxiety as Nayati carefully lowered herself and arranged her tail to curl around Hemlock, adding to his little nest. She trusted this young mare to be gentle, and she certainly was. The scene was before her was one that the painted pegasus would treasure forever – it made her so happy to meet someone else that was able to care so much for them, when they had only just met. She lowered her muzzle to gently adjust Nayati’s tail and the nest of the little owl king.

She his quiet, sleepy little form as a sign that he was content.

What amazing coincidence it was that Nayati was from the Edge as well! “You have talents, Nayati – I’ve already seen them.” That soft voice assured her. One day, if she wished it, Nayati could be whatever she wanted – she would find her own way to help the Edge or any herd she decided to live in. That was, at least, what her new friend thought of her.

Nayati’s insistence that they were not saints had Alysanne shaking her head. “Oh but you are saints. To me you are. You saved us.” Well, him most certainly though she did not like to think about what might have happened to Hemlock had they not found her today. That would’ve weighed heavy on her soul, and so Nayati had saved her from that sadness. Looking at the little owlet now, she adjusted his little nest carefully once more. She wondered what he would be like, when he was older and developed more of a personality. Would he be friendly like she was? Protective like Valiance? Grumpy like Sasha? Or some new personality she had not yet learned to love. Whatever he was, this sweet little angel of hers, she did love him.

Nayati’s voice draws her attention once more though She didn’t like being told she was more important than anyone, that wasn’t the way she saw the world. Everyone was important! “We’re both important to the herd.” She took a step to the side and reached out with the intention of touching the spotted mare on her shoulder with a kind gesture, adding emphasis to her words. “But your help would be so appreciated. We can do the dirty work together!” Her smile was so soft, trying to lead Nayati away from being so self-deprecating. The sweet mare was amazing, her gorgeous dragon too!, and they were a pair that Alysanne would never forget. Oh she was so young, she had her whole life ahead of her.

And how lucky was she, to come across not only a helpful mare but one that also lived in the same herd as she did? Nayati was a blessing! Alysanne just knew they were going to be great friends – she was such a sweet mare! Already she looked forward to learning more about her, learning how she came to be a member of the Edge or anything else they could share. “How long do you think before he can travel?” There was no impatience in her voice, only curiosity. Though she wouldn’t ask Nayati to wait around any longer than the young mare was comfortable doing so – Alysanne would wait here on this beach as long as it took just to be safe.


@[Nayati]