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