Nova's confidence did little to quiet the instinct that kept him hyper-aware of every movement she made. He adjusted mid-flight anyway, small corrections meant to make the ride feel effortless even while the air remained uncooperative. He had made Marcus and Margot practice carrying riders with him in his longma shift. This was very different, and despite his size and strength he could tell he couldn't do this for very long. This structure was not made for long treks of carrying a passenger.
As they got closer to the water, the world changed. The smoke thinned from a suffocating wall into drifting ribbons, torn apart by the colder sea winds. Each breath came easier here, though salted and sharp, and the rhythmic crash of waves below and the rush of the wind in his ears replaced the oppressive hush of the smoke. Noah kept them low, wing tips occasionally skimming the damp air where the sea misted.
Her frustration brushed against him through the bond, tight and prickling. Noah flicked an ear back, catching it before it could settle too deeply. That’s not failure. He told her gently. Distance can weaken connection. With time, that can change. He reassured her. Banking them away from the thickest smoke trailing the cliffs, the hunter angled toward clearer stretches of coastline where water gave way to scattered rock.
Where do you want to land? He pasued to let her contemplate her answer, before warmly reminding her, I was heading toward King’s End. Rodeo should be starting soon. With most of the smoke behind them now, this part of the coastline was safe enough if she chose it, but if she didn't he was not confident he would be able to carry her all the way to to the rodeo.
As they got closer to the water, the world changed. The smoke thinned from a suffocating wall into drifting ribbons, torn apart by the colder sea winds. Each breath came easier here, though salted and sharp, and the rhythmic crash of waves below and the rush of the wind in his ears replaced the oppressive hush of the smoke. Noah kept them low, wing tips occasionally skimming the damp air where the sea misted.
Her frustration brushed against him through the bond, tight and prickling. Noah flicked an ear back, catching it before it could settle too deeply. That’s not failure. He told her gently. Distance can weaken connection. With time, that can change. He reassured her. Banking them away from the thickest smoke trailing the cliffs, the hunter angled toward clearer stretches of coastline where water gave way to scattered rock.
Where do you want to land? He pasued to let her contemplate her answer, before warmly reminding her, I was heading toward King’s End. Rodeo should be starting soon. With most of the smoke behind them now, this part of the coastline was safe enough if she chose it, but if she didn't he was not confident he would be able to carry her all the way to to the rodeo.
noah
you touched my heavy heart and made it light
