we heal with love

Despite Iona’s insistence that it would be a quick and effective way to learn, Alysanne was glad when the rest of the student seemed disinclined to leap off the cliffs of the Edge and go soaring down to the bottom. Just the idea of Ultima and Gawen leaping off sent her heart beating wildly because what if something went terribly wrong? And she no longer had her healing magic to help? Lyanna could, of course, and she had every faith in her teal-accented friend and flight teacher. Who, thankfully, had less dramatic suggestions for settings than her sister.

Alysanne had to agree with Ultima on the beetles.

Maybe boulder-diving wouldn’t be at the top of Lyanna’s suggestions, but Alysanne couldn’t blame the colt because that was exactly what her instinct had been too. Find somewhere high - but not too high - and use the power of the drop to get some air beneath her wings.

It still felt a little strange, to be learning how to fly with an actual group. And for her secret to be out to Iona - but when you get caught leaping around a meadow trying to get air, it’s a little difficult to explain your way out of that one. Alysanne was improving though, she could maintain flight for several minutes at a time - if she stayed low. And she was growing fond of their flying meetings, whenever they all had a spare chance to get together and learn from one another. Landings were still her least favourite part and she sympathized greatly with Gawen when he fumbled on his.

“You are getting better!” Alysanne complimented as she caught up to them, checking over young Gawen to make sure that his tumble didn’t cause any damage. But, luckily, the great thing about foals was that they usually just bounced right back.

Hemlock, for his part - proving to be as unhelpful as he had been with her private lessons - swooped effortlessly over the group and hooted at Gawen. Even Alysanne wasn’t sure whether the hoot was a laugh or an encouragement, but the small owl appeared to be in good spirits. He felt happier when his bonded did, and flying was a pastime they should both appreciate.

Sure enough, her flying teacher and friend Lyanna approached and immediately offered some kind advice to the young would-be fliers. Abandoning her own attempts to fly, temporarily, she came to stand beside Lyanna - reaching out to greet the teal-accented mare by bumping her muzzle against her neck. “Iona suggested the cliffs, so we decided on smaller rocks.” She smiled at Gawen with a wink before looking back to Lyanna. “But it’s probably better that you take over instruction from here.”

alysanne & hemlock