[PQ] Chase the Morning

Two hours in, and Amalia is losing steam. Her owl friend already retreated, not particularly in leaving his nest so far away for a purpose he does not fully understand. The girl cannot say she blames him: her wings are beginning to burn beneath the strain, the little-used muscles screaming in protest as she pushes them further than ever before. So she is grateful when the trees come into view, tilting her wings to approach the forest, the circling descent a welcome relief. With claws outstretched she lights on a branch, sighing relief and ruffling her feathers before turning to survey the rest of the scene. The scene that meets her is rather appealing. A lake of water upon the wastes, trees rising around, offering merciful shade. It smells clean, welcoming, a good change to the desert around. Extending her wings, the owl drops down, approaching the water with cautious fascination. Do you think it's safe to drink? she asks, turning her head so she can see both the water and her friends, her beak and tongue feeling suddenly parched. a m a l i a You were young and you'd stare With a reverence unimpaired Searching in your dark eyes to find the stars already there