Somnus  Since obtaining the barn owl nestling in the midst of a harsh blizzard, he had been unable to show her the world. She had been far too young to fly then, but as the days trickled by she grew far braver, attempting to leap off of every available ledge within the citadel in an attempt to learn how to fly. Doors, shelves, tables, and a chandelier… Somnus truly hadn’t even wanted to know how Alba had reached the light fixture in the first place. That day, with its sunshine and glorious weather, proved to be far too perfect to pass up, and so the normally reclusive tactician had left the citadel halls to get a little bit of fresh air, and teach the young barn owl how to possibly fly. “It was a good try, Alba, but we cannot be masters in a single day. Nor from a single attempt.” In response to his soothing words, Alba ruffled her downy feathers and clacked her beak, already beginning to molt away the baby down as new, more mature feathers began to grow into place. Indignation pulled at that mysterious link that they shared, and Somnus couldn’t help but chuckle warmly in response. “Then try again, if you are so adamant to learn to fly. Come. Lift your wings. I’ll coach you.” It would take a few attempts, of that he was certain. Flying was an unspoken art, but instinct could be a fantastic driving force behind learning such endeavors. Alba would inevitably get it, and then he was certain that little could stop her insatiable curiosity. The pair stood in the clearing for an indiscernible amount of time, and Somnus patiently went through the steps of teaching his bonded how to fly. It took some time. The barn owl would leap into the air from the poll of the tactician’s head, wings flapping, only to land in a heap upon the earth. Frustrated she would climb her way back up to the top of the stallion’s head. Up, down. Up, down. The cycle repeated itself, but eventually, Alba was capable of gliding effortlessly a few feet in the air before landing upon the ground. Progress at last! She gave a loud, piercing shriek of victory, large round eyes turning back to the dunalino as though saying, ’see?! Did you see me?!’, and that alone was rewarding enough for Somnus. “Well done, Alba! Immaculate, dear heart, truly.” She had a long way to go until she was soaring effortlessly through the skies, but it was the little things in life after all. 'Small victories' and all that. |
All welcome! Somnus is just teaching Alba how to fly.
