Snatch flapped like crazy, but the air passed right through her downy feathers and she couldn't make any headway. "Meh. I hope I grow better wings soon."
Bernon was already out of breath. "I'm going to set aside my dignity and get a running start on this one. Going straight up sounds like a lot of work." Backing up until he was near the trees, he spread his wings as far as they would go and dashed into the wind, towards the water. With a few powerful wing-beats he managed to lift off, but dipped dangerously down towards the lake after a couple yards.
"Woah, abort abort," he yelled. "How do you steer, Tanrial?"
“Tilt up to go up, tilt down to go down. Lean right to go right and left to go left.” Tanrial replied, flying circles round Bernon a few times before flying upwards.
"Okay…." Bernon clumsily turned away from the water and practiced doing figure-eights over the beach. Snatch ran below him, chasing him excitedly and trying to grab his feet. After a while, Bernon got a bit more comfortable and playfully swooped down towards Snatch, then used his gained momentum to rise up to Tanrial's level. "This is really, really fun. I'm so glad you told me I have wings."
Tanrial laughed, “It is pretty fun. It took me ages to figure out how to do it, you got the idea really easily.”
"Thanks." Bernon lost his concentration for a moment too long and dropped down a couple dozen feet before he regained his balance. "Whoops! Don't jinx me now. I've still got a long way to go."
“That’s true, but a start is better then nothing.” Tanrial gave him a smile before flipping backwards, diving down towards the ground and pulling up at the last second.
"Ah c'mon," Bernon said, laughing. "I feel klutzy enough as it is."
Snatch's voice floated up through the cool air. "Come back down guys! Tell me what to do!"
Tanrial quickly lowered herself back to the ground, “Try and take a running start, flapping your wings as you go.”
Snatch backed up, then shot down the beach, her wings a blur. At first it seemed like she might be lifting off, but it was no use. Snatch gave an almighty leap–and landed with a thud, kicking sand everywhere.
Bernon coasted in next to Tarnial, wincing. "Ouch. You okay, kid?"
Snatch got grumpily to her feet. "Yeah. Stupid useless baby wings."
“Aw, It’s alright, you’ll get the hang of it soon enough. Maybe try in your other form, see if that might help?” She suggested.
Snatch shifted and tried again, but although she bounded and jumped determinedly, her luck was no better. Eventually she stopped and sat down to catch her breath. "It's not fair. When do you think my wings will be as big as yours?"
"Um…." Bernon looked uncertain. "I'm sure it won't be long. Soon you'll be a better flier than either of us, I'll bet."
“I agree, it takes time to learn how to fly and I’m sure you’ll be able too in no time.” Tanrial said, giving her a reassuring smile.
Snatch sighed, returning to her human form and folding away her wings. "I hope so."
Bernon also allowed his wings to vanish and glanced down the shoreline. "Hey, I think I can see Mike coming back. Looks like he might have found a good spot to catch a water beast."
“Hopefully, that’ll be some good news.” Tanrial folded her wings back but didn’t make them vanish, they might come in handy later on.
Bernon nodded and waved at Mike as he drew closer. "Hey, any luck?"
Mike nodded. "There's a sheltered cove surrounded by trees just a short walk from here. We'll be able to hide in those trees and all have a good shot at our target." He reached around and unslung a very old, strange-looking rifle from his back. "Polla gave me this. It's a dart gun, she'd been keeping it for emergencies. The darts used to have tranquilizer in them, but not anymore. Luckily…." Mike rummaged in a pocket inside his coat and pulled out a small bottle. "I've got this chemical that works about the same. A guy down south gave it to me and I've still got enough to make some for all of us. Tanrial, you can dip your thinnest arrows in it. Bernon, all you need to do is protect Snatch if something goes wrong, so you won't need any. Clear?"
Tanrial nodded, “Yeah, got it. We should head back to the tavern, get everything ready.”
(So… my timetable changes for next term tomorrow and I might not be able to come on as much. It should be pretty much the same but I'm nearly on holiday so that's fun. Just wanted to let you know)
Bernon nodded. "What all will we need?"
"Our weapons," Mike said, "And tough clothes that can get wet if necessary, and some strong rope, and a thing to carry the water beast on when we catch her. I'll ask the villagers if the have a sledge or a stretcher we can borrow."
(Okay, gotcha. Sorry I wasn't on yesterday btw, I had housecleaning earlier and then the site glitched baaaadly cries)
(That’s fine and yeah, the crash was bad cries with you)
Tanrial nodded, “Alright, that sounds like everything. Let’s go pack everything up then.”
They returned to the tavern and Mike went to talk to the bartender while Bernon led the way back up to their rooms. Snatch raced into Tanrial's room and started digging around in Tanrial's backpack. "I need better clothes too! Do you have anything I can wear, Tanrial?"
“I mean, maybe…? Here, let me look.” Tanrial said, taking the bag and rummaging by through it, “Try this.” She said, handing Snatch a white shirt and black pants.
Snatch tugged them on and studied herself critically. "They're a bit big…" She rolled up the sleeves and pant legs, then ripped off the bottom of the shirt and used it as a belt. Only once she was done did it occur to her that she maybe shouldn't have destroyed Tanrial's clothes like that, and she glanced at Tanrial guiltily. "Sorry."
“Don’t worry about it, I have plenty of other clothes to wear.” She said, giving hr a smile and ruffling her hair, “I never liked them anyway.”
Snatch grinned and bounced back out of the room. "Let's hurry up so I can show Mike and Bernon!"
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