FurFall leaps off the cliff using his strong hindlegs and catches a breeze. He tucks his paws as close too his body as he can, so as not to cause any resistence. His tail and flexible body help steer him as he trys to catch up with Crow. Just before reaching her, the tortie does a couple loops and then falls in beside her. FurFall does a good job of keeping up with Crow, using his small size to his advantage. As the young woman hums FurFall purrs along. He enjoys the flight as the stars twinkle above like jewels, and the night breezes blow his tortoishell colored fur.
Surprisingly agile, Crow laughs and reaches one hand to scratch FurFall under the chin. "Over there, " she giggles, pleased with herself. Her hand gestures towards another set of cliffs, bathed a silvery bronze by the light of the rising moon and its accompanying satellites.
FurFall gives a throaty purr as Crow gives him a scartch under his chin. The sight of the new place brings up the tortie's love of exploring. But it saddens him as well, since their arrival will put an end to FurFall's other love-flying. Nevertheless, he looks forward to arriving anyway.
Silver threads its way lazily down the cliff to pool below, only making a soft sound as it is a very small flow. Cliffs on all sides keep the area enclosed except for the most agile climbers - or fliers. Crow descents lightly, landing on a rock which extends out of the rippling pond, other such rocks surrounding it. However, no other land is visible, as the area is almost literally a hole dug into the surrounding rock, obviously draining somewhere below. However, the pool itself is very wide, so there is no feeling of claustrophobia to the area.. just.. serenity.
FurFall flys through the moonlight shining down on the pool a few times before he lowers himself down beside Crow. After he lands with his hind feet first, followed by his front, he takes a few moments to lick some of his tortoishell fur back into place. As he looks about he can sense the peace of this place. He goes over to the pool to see if it has any fish in it, but only glimpses his reflection. The tortie tom then sits down, licks a few more stray hairs into place, and says,"This is a lovely place Crow. Does it have a name? Does the pool have fish in it?" He adds the last phrase with a catly smile.
Crow laughs as the gentle breeze causes her silky hair to wave and flutter. "Ah, no.. I doubt any of the Tribe have ever found it and named it. And I wouldn't do it the dishonor of attempting to name it... but perhaps if you've an idea, then it shall be gifted with a name."
FurFall thinks for a second, but sighs as he says,"No, I can't think of a name for it. Perhaps after we have been here for a while I will think of something. I usually have a tough time at naming things."
"As for fish, " she grins back, "not here, no. But it drains into a larger river in which there are plenty of fish - I can take you there later, if you like."
The tortie tom stands up with an eager look on his face. "Yes, I would like that! I find a snack a good way to conclude a meditation session."
After FurFall gives Crow a chance to answer, he continues,"You mentioned that I could try to find my spirit guide here. I am still interested in doing so. But since I've not done such a thing before Crow, how do I go about doing it?"
A smile dances across her features, and Crow extends one hand towards the shimmering silver water where the moon prances in creamy lines. "Watch the water and see what you see. The way the water moves, the shadows and lines reflected. Relax, and open your mind.. let the thoughts flow freely.. regulate your breathing.. ask your spirit guides to come to you, to offer their advice.. keep nothing but truth in your heart, and let them come."
FurFall goes to the very edge of the pool. The water and the moonlight dance as the tortie looks at them. Being tempted by this movement, FurFall raises a paw to bat at it, but thinks otherwise. Instead, he brings his furry head close to the water's surface. With his nose nearly touching the water he focuses his bright green eyes on the moving water and the shimmering moonlight.
She dips her hand into the water as FurFall begins, causing ripples which stir the water's serenity. A whisper emerges from nowhere, like the wind through the wings of an eagle.
".... listen..."
FurFall tilts his head to the side as the whisper tickles his ears. He concentrates on the water, the moonlight, and the whisper. His eyes become clouded, his breathing slow and his body still as he slips into a meditative state. Such a state does not frightening the tortie tom since meditation is not new to him. In his mindseye the water and the light swirl together, and embrace him. He then reaches the familiar place within himself, and looks to see if indeed he has a spirit guide.
While in his mindseye FurFall sits with tail wrapped around his front paws and his eyes half closed. He has no sense of the passing of time as he trys to remain optimistic that he will find that which he seeks. As his thoughts wonder from what his guide will look like, to what he could ask it, he feels a brush against his whiskers. He opens one eye to peek, and then both eyes in surprise at what flutters before his face. It is a small dragon with two wings, four legs, a long tail, and shimmering multicolored scales. It resembles his friend the astral dragoness, yet FurFall knows it is not her. As the tortie curls his tail in questioning at this similarity, he hears a soft mindvoice.
~Am I that much of a surprise to you FurFall? As your guide I take on an appearance familiar to you.~
Still surprised, as well as feelling a mix of other emotions, FurFall stumbles over the words as he forms them, ~I.. I guess.., well I guess I didn't know what to expect. This is all new to me. I never thought I would have a spirit guide."
The little dragon smiles and replies,~I have always been with you FurFall. You only needed to seek me out. Now, what would you like to speak of," says the small dragon as it sets itself down in a spot between the tortie's front paws.
Later, after he finishes his conversation with his new found guide, FurFall brings himself out of his meditative state. The first thing he notices is that not much of the night has passed by since he communed with his guide. He wonders if it will always be that way, or if it will be as long as he needs it to be, or wishes it to be. This he decides, he will learn in time.
FurFall calls out in a excited voice, "Crow! I did it! I found my spirit guide. I really do have one," finshes the tortie with a catly smile on his face as he waits for Crow to reply.
Perched beside him, though he may have never known it she is so still, Crow hums quietly, eyes closed. She, too, is meditating, though it takes only a few moments more for her eyes to open in response to his cry. Her face, momentarily aged, splits into a smile that melts the illusion away.
"I told you." She laughs and springs to her feet, tin bells around her ankle singing with the motion. "Come - let's fly again." Without hesitation, the youth leaps into the air and soars against the moonlight. Even in her enthusiasm, there is a sensation that she is yet searching for something herself, that whatever she was meditating on has upset her, and she allows the night and the moon to conceal her tears.
FurFall eagerly leaps into the air after Crow. He makes a couple passes through the moonlight, since he enjoys watching the light turn his tortoishell colored fur silver. As he falls in beside Crow he senses that she is troubled, but he is not sure by what. However, not wanting to seem nosey or wanting to trouble Crow more, the tortie doesn't ask what is bothering her. Instead, FurFall asks with enthusiasm, "Will we be able to go catch some fish now? You asked me about that before meditating, and I wouldn't mind a snack now. That is of course if you wish to. If not, we can return to the house to see how Grandmother is fairing if you prefer."
She laughs, stretching out against the sky. "Of course I'll show you the fish. Follow me." Her wings fold and she dives like a hawk, the stars whirling overhead. After a few moments, the cliff below gives way to a valley of surprisingly lush vegetation into which Crow plunges (albeit through a small parting of the leaves). She lands with grace, folding her wings and leading the way on foot to where the forest meets the cliff. Halfway up the cliff, the water rumbles downwards in a frenzied whisper, puddling at the base and rolling out into a lazy stream.
FurFall lands lightly, folds his feathery gold wings to his side, and goes over by Crow. For a moment, mesmerized by it's movement, the tortie tom watches the water tumble over the cliff. Then as Crow moves away he follows her to the river's edge.
As Crow cross out into the river, FurFall pauses and bends his head to the surface of the water. The flowing river reminds him of what he had told Grandmother. He had told her of a dream, or was it a memory? FurFall was still plagued by this confusion, due to his lack of knowledge of his past. Whatever it was he told Grandmother about, in it there had been a river. A river in which he had been pulled under. FurFall looks at the water and curls his tail in question as he is torn by indecision to venture out onto the river.
Soon though, the comfort of Crow being nearby and the smell of fish entices the tortie to move. However, as FurFall moves out onto the stones he moves with less exuberance than he has shown throughout the journey here.
Skipping lightly across stones speckling the gentle flow, Crow squats in the middle of the wide stream. She places one finger to her lips, and gestures to the water, where a flash of silver darts by.
FurFall finds the widest stone near Crow, crouches down, wraps his fluffy tail about himself, and waits. As FurFall glimpses flashes of silver, he stares intently at the water, his whiskers come forward, his paw twitches, and his tail taps the stone lightly. All these motions in anticipation of making a catch. The tortie however decides not make a catch yet, instead he looks at Crow and in a whispers asks her if she wishes to make a catch first.
She smiles and gestures for him to go ahead - she isn't hungry. But a question nags her, a childish one, perhaps, but something which has always bothered her. Without thinking, Crow extends her hand into the river and simply draws a fish out as if it had leapt easily into her hand. She examines it, then lowers the flipping silver fish back into the water without an explanation. The girl's brow furrows.
After Crow returns her fish to the water, FurFall still in his hunter's pose spots another fish. In a quick and coordinated flash FurFall's paw enters the water, hooks the fish with his claws, and tosses it onto a rock to his left. As the wonderful aroma of fish causes FurFall's mouth to water, Crow speaks.
"Has anyone ever been afraid of you, FurFall, because you were different?" she asks softly, tracing a pattern in the water which doesn't disturb the fish.
FurFall's attention turns from his flopping fish to consider Crow's question. His tail curls in questioning and he tilts his head to the right as he thinks.
"It is hard for me to say how many times I may have caused such a reaction, since I remember so little of my past, but I believe there were a few times such an unfortunate thing happened to me. I don't think others are afraid of me that often since I am small in stature. I may be small, but I can be tough when needs be," adds the tortie almosts as an afterthought. In addition to his words, FurFall puffs his fur up and hisses to show Crow how he can be tough.
She smiles and wrinkles her nose back at him, wiggling her fingers as if to tickle.
After a moment FurFall settles his fur, gives it a few licks and continues, "I may have had only a few incidences in which others have feared, or teased me because I am different, but I have met others who have experienced such a reaction more often. It is a sad thing that someone would fear, hurt, or tease another because they are different, but it happens," says the tortie with a sigh."
FurFall now drawn by curiosity and concern at Crow's question forgets about his catch and moves closer to the youth. He puts a furry paw on her hand, looks up at her, and speaks with a caring voice, "Why do you ask Crow? Is there something troubling you? I will listen if you want me to. Grandmother and you have been kind, as well as willing, to help me. If I can help either of you in any way, even if it is just listening, I will gladly do so."
"I merely ask of my own curiosity." Crow smiles again, but there is a sadness to it. After a pause which stretches as the trees do to the sky, her voice whispers again.
"Grandmother will never admit to it, but my visions tell me of my past. Grandmother found me, abandoned to die on a rock in the middle of the day, presumably because of my wings. She tells me not if she knows my mother - but when she looks at me, there is a deeper recognition in her eyes." Crow leans her head on her knees.
At Crow's mention of 'visions' FurFall's whiskers droop as he thinks to himself, //Ah visions, or even dreams. I wish I would be so lucky as to know if mine were trulely part of my past like Crow's are, for I recall little of my own past//
Her fingers find FurFall's ruff, scratching in the way cats adore and the way in which humans draw comfort.
FurFall's drooping whiskers perk up and he purrs at Crow's scratch.
"I wish I could someday see the village myself, but I have been stoned away from it before by the children and their parents, so I do not go back. I wish I could find somewhere I could belong," her voice turns wistful. "Grandmother has done all she can, and I will stay with her as long as she lives even though I know she would set me free if I wished."
"But," Crow turns soulful eyes on FurFall, "I owe her more than just my life, but fo rthe happiness she has given me." She shakes her head. "Forgive me, FurFall, if I talk too much. I dare not share these things with Grandmother."
FurFall looks at Crow with understanding. "It is alright Crow, I am willing to listen. And I will not tell Grandmother of what you have told me. It can be our secret if you wish it to be," says the tortie with a smile. "Speaking of Grandmother, do you think she is wondering where we are? Do you think she has had a chance to figure out my dreams?" While FurFall waits for Crow to reply, he takes a moment to nibble at his fish.
"More than likely, " Crow agrees. "Though she won't be aware of just how much time has passed, for she will have been meditating. But you're right; we ought to head back. I don't like leaving her for too long anymore. She's much older than she looks, " she adds with an air of confidentiality.
The native rolls her feet underneath herself and stretches, the span of her wings making her look like Isis for a glorious moonlit moment.
While Crow stretches FurFall finishes eating his fish. When he is done he carries the remains back over the rocks to the river bank and buries them. After he gives his paws and face a few licks he stretches in a long feline manner from front to back. When his stretch is complete he tells Crow he is ready to leave whenever she is.
"C'mon then, " she says with surprising force and a small smile. Her wings beat only twice, lifting her from the ground and zipping across the treetops towards the small stream of smoke rising from the make-shift chimney in the tiny house.
With a catly smile at the prospect of seeing Grandmother again and at flying, FurFall unfurles his golden wings and leaps into the air. It takes the tortie time quite a bit of quick flying to catch up with Crow.
As FurFall falls in beside Crow he can't help but think,//Oh, I do hope Grandmother has come to some conclusion about my dreams. Could they be real memories from my lost past, or are they merely random dreams of no importance? I suppose I shouldn't get my hopes to high. If all turns out for naught, I'll try to remain optimistic. And in time I am sure all will become clear for me//
FurFall comes out of his thoughts and does a couple flying loops as Grandmother and Crow's house grows closer.
Crow's wings fold and she lands neatly outside the lean-to's door. She doesn't mention the torches she saw approaching far in the distance.
FurFall, unaware of anything different, lands lightly besides Crow and folds his feathery gold wings to his side. He takes a brief moment to lick his fur back in order after having it ruffled by his flight.
Her footfalls are nearly silent as she works her way inside to find grandmother sitting in the middle of the living room floor, humming and rocking gently.
Finding it difficult to contain his eagerness to hear what Grandmother has to say about his dreams FurFall leaps over the door's threshold. But upon spotting Grandmother's position FurFall comes to an abrubt stop just inside the door. The tortie's ears and whiskers droop as he thinks, //Oh no! That wasn't a bright thing to do. I do hope I didn't disturb her.//
Thinking about the inappropriateness of his over enthusiastic entrance, FurFall looks from Grandmother to Crow with a look of remorse on his face. The tortie then quietly tucks his paws beneath his furry body and waits until Grandmother is done, or Crow speaks to him.
Do not copy or quote the above material without the express consent of the owner of this page.