forum Are You An Angel..? / OxO / closed! Pm if interested!

Started August 06, 2020 by @ElderGodSwimwithGamers group

tune

"I've got you," Matthew said gently as they flew. He held Rowan tightly to himself. He set down after a moment in a much larger nest building, and much higher up than his own had been.

Rowan still clung to Matthew when they landed, noticeably shaking. "Is it over…?" He whispered weakly, keeping his face hidden.

"It's over," Matthew said softly. He held Rowan close, rubbing his back a bit to help him relax. Matthew wrapped his wings around them, keeping still.

Rowan dared a glance over his shoulder and wailed in distress when he noticed how high up they were. He gripped Matthew more tightly and hid his face again, shaking harder.

Matthew stepped away now, bringing Rowan far away from the entrance.
"I've got you, you're safe." He turned so Rowan couldn't look up and see the entrance, wings tighter around them.

Rowan cried softly into Matthew's shoulder, clearly still terrified. It took him several minutes to start pulling himself back together.

Matthew stayed still, making soft comforting sound and rubbing Rowan's back.
"Are you okay?" He asked gently, wings tight around them still.

"N-Not really, but I'll get over it…" Rowan rubbed at his teary eyes and drew in a wavering breath. "I-I… um… s-sorry…"

"You don't have to be sorry…" Matthew reached his fingers through Rowan's hair once, still holding him close.

Rowan sighed shakily and leaned into Matthew's hand, closing his eyes for a few seconds. "I-I just… I need a minute…"

Matthew nodded.
"That's okay, you have as much time as you need. No one is going to ask you to do anything until you're ready."

"T-Thanks…" Rowan took another few minutes of slow, controlled breathing to calm himself back down. He was still a little frazzled, but mostly okay. "I… um… I-I think I'm ready now…"

"I see. Are you okay with me still holding you?" He lightly rested his hand on Rowan's back, opening his wings slightly.

Rowan nodded a bit, shifting a bit closer to Matthew. "Y-Yeah, that's fine with me… I'm probably kinda unsteady right now anyway."

Matthew left his wings lightly around Rowan, bringing him further into the building.
"I'll take care of the council, okay? You won't have to say much at all."

"Okay…" Rowan buried his face in Matthew's shoulder and fell silent, perfectly content to just let the avian handle the talking for him.

Matthew held Rowan close, eventually coming to a stop.
"Council," he said softly, dipping his head a bit. "I have a request. This man needs help back to his home, and he's unable to fly." He hummed softly, still holding Rowan close.

Rowan looked over his shoulder at the council meekly, keeping quiet and huddling up closer to Matthew. All the council members seemed very intimidating to him.

The council members examined Rowan a moment. They were each seated in simple chairs, more relaxed than one might expect them to be.
"How far away is this man's home?" One inquired.
"Another world. I'll need to bring him to the city to help him return." There were quiet murmurs.

Rowan listened quietly to the conversation, fidgeting a bit with his hands. He hoped that the mages in the other city could help him, because he didn't have a whole lot of other options.

"How do you plan on getting there, if he can not fly?" One woman asked.
"By horse," Matthew answered. Several members nodded.

Rowan hesitated before resting his head on Matthew's shoulder as he continued to listen. Do they have to give us the horses…?

It seemed like a moment they're be allowed to leave with no further discussion, but an older man spoke up.
"Who would take your place in the guard?" Matthew hesitated a moment.

Rowan looked up at Matthew quietly. He obviously didn't know anything about this guard or anyone in this place other than Matthew, so he couldn't help.

"My brother can have the position. He has always been a better guard than I." There was quiet murmuring again.
"Oh, just let the boy go," one finally said. There were sounds of agreement, and make nodded in response.
"Thank you."