[AW] nothing to see here at all.

[Toulouse]

toulouse A gentle rush of wind fills the air as an owl descends through the trees, sending a shower of leaves down to the ground below. He alights on a low-lying branch for rest, ruffling his beak through his feathers in content. Toulouse watches the large avian with interest from his place in the shadows. It had been quite some time since he had seen a messenger owl—but even here in this new world, the bird seemed the same as all the others before. This one was slim and compact, leaner and made for flying long distances. How far has this one flown? The curiosity bubbled up unbidden from within him, but he made no effort to push it away. More importantly… why is it here? He could make out part of a seal stamped onto the letter, bright and important-looking. His heart beat a little faster inside of his chest—perhaps it was a matter of royalty, of wealthy lords and ladies? Or politics, perhaps, a decree from a distant king? Surely it was something of importance. His curiosity was getting the better of him again. He moved out of the shadows slowly, hovering near the shade of the trees. The owl’s head snapped to attention at the sudden movement, his yellow eyes meeting the seafoam green of Toulouse’s gaze. But there was something soft within the owl, something naive and trusting, and it showed in those golden depths. That’s what a lifetime of comfort and captivity will do to you. Bird and horse watched each other as the palomino drew slowly closer, every step slow and deliberate, speed and time measured with the ultimate carefulness to avoid scaring the creature into taking flight. The owl shifted, and Toulouse paused. The branch the owl sat on was low, so low that Toulouse could easily see eye-to-eye with him. As the owl continued his methodical preening, the ivory splashed gelding continued his approach, drawing nearer and nearer before finally stopping beside the tree. His horns brushed the branches overhead, knocking free a handful of leaves that fluttered gently past his nose. He hardly glanced their way, paying no attention to their descent—his attention was for the messenger owl alone. And the message tied to his foot. ”What have you got there, friend?” he crooned, craning his head forward. A glimmer of suspicion shone in the owl’s eyes, the feathery bird leaning away from Toulouse’s unwanted touch. A frown threatened, tugging at the corners of his pale lips; he was quick to hide it in a smile. ”Come on now,” he cajoled, persistent in his reach. ”You’ve traveled a long way. Just let me help you—I’m not going to hurt you.”  Perhaps another promise he couldn’t keep—maybe he had no intention of staying true to his word at all. But his voice was honey sweet, a gentle whisper in the owl’s ear. ”And I’ll be careful with it.” At least some part of it was honest, an inkling of truth to give conviction to his deceiving plea. He reached further still, nearly touching the owl’s soft white back now. His chest hardly moved, hardly daring to breathe in his concentration. ”…I’ll make sure it gets to the right hands.” The owl’s head tilted towards Toulouse. He had him. His telekinetic grasp remained slow and controlled as it pulled on the bow, the elegant carmine ribbon falling away and the rolled up letter falling into his waiting grasp. He let out his breath in an audible sigh as it did, relaxing visibly. The owl had turned now to watch him with an expectant look in his eyes. ”Thank you?” Seeming satisfied, the bird went back to its preening as though nothing important had happened. With a now-shaking grip, Toulouse had just broken the seal and was about to hold the letter up to the light for reading— —When a twig snapping behind him made him freeze. He whirled around to face the intruder, blonde hair flying in the dappled forest light like a halo around his striking face. The letter he shoved inside of the inner pocket of his scarves—perhaps just a second too late to keep its existence hidden. @open to anyone!! ”here am I!”

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