[PQ] Chase the Morning

Amalia watches as her friends test the water before jumping in herself, her beak reaching down, the liquid refreshing and delightful as it courses down her throat. Greedily the girl partakes, letting her wings fall into the water, the liquid cooling her feathers, her back, the weary muscles so rarely used relaxing in the sun. Once she has thoroughly sated her thirst the girl takes stock of their surroundings: and most importantly, her friends, who are decidedly too dry. With a mischievous chirp she extends her wing, catching the primary feathers in the water in hopes to douse Kiada with spray before quickly looking the other way, feigning innocence. In fact, so focused is she upon her mischief that she does not notice the approaching danger - not until it's far too late. The snake is nearly silent in its approach; only Isuma's warning cry causes Amalia to turn, her wings pulling back just as sharp fangs snap where the muscle used to be. One long, creamy feather is the only mouthful it comes away with as Amalia's body begins to change, instinct pushing her into another form, the leopard taking shape. With a snarl of warning for the snake, Amalia rises up, suddenly a far more formidable target, daring it to approach her friends, her fangs and claws on full display. 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