To Be Proud Of What You Are

[Shanza]

Rylion quickened his pace at Jyla's call. They were traveling through the Northern Scrubland to meet with Felix, a slave trader and Jyla's boyfriend. Rylion grinned, keeping a giggle to himself. Her parents didn't much like Felix, in fact they liked Rylion more. They thought she could do much better. A smug smile plastered his face; just about everyone liked him whereas the only one who liked Felix seemed to be Jyla. He didn't quite know what to think of Felix; on the one hand his appearance was always a complete mess but on the other he was nice and polite most of the time. Of course, Rylion only saw him when he was with Jyla.

He quickened his lope as Jyla vanished over the crest of a small hill, but stopped when he saw the gathering of pegasi. Rylion didn't know if the whole herd was owned by Felix, but it was large enough to be impressive. Sometimes traders grouped up to pool resources for guards, but he had yet to see a co-owned herd. There were three guards on the surrounding hills, with at least twenty pegasi in the area. Picking up a trot, he followed Jyla down the incline as she and Felix met. When he arrived they took no notice, well into their discussion. Bored slightly, he wandered closer to the herd, curious to who was there.

He slipped between pegasi, receiving a few annoyed glares but no threatening movements. A slightly battered blood bay stood near the center of the herd, resting and watching the guards. Her feathers had been recently cut, and it looked like she had a fresh brand on her hip. "Were you wild?" Rylion couldn't check his curiosity, and grinned up at her. She was almost twice his height. "I've never met a wild before. What's it like?"

He smiled, straightening up and puffing his wings slightly. "I guess I should ask your name. I'm Rylion. Do you know how to fly?" His eyes danced with excitement as he hoped her answer would be yes. Leaning in closer, he whispered to her, "I can, but I didn't have anyone to teach me. Most of the pegasi here who can fly deliver messages, and they're too busy." He hoped he had finally found a real instructor; he could do basic stuff, but he wanted to learn how to dance through the air. He wanted to be able to do tricks and flips and the fancy stuff.

[saetta]

This was all but a bad dream, but for some reason it just didn't end. And now for the last few days she was with this group of other pegasi. But before even that her flight feathers was clipped. And then her rump branded and she tried to sooth it by licking at the mark. But she kind of gave up on the idea. When she was crammed in with the rest of the other pegasi. And then the others glared at her and some even acted like she might have even colic. Then there was this so called trader and his ever present superiority complex. He kept telling Aquilon that she was now his and only his. And since she was a wild pegases that she would bring more when it came time to sell her. And being so young was another benefit. But when she was first cornered that night she ran into Ven. He went and held her left wing down with his front hooves, and then proceeded to tear out her flight feathers. And that was how she was not able to go and escape. She was grounded and then Ven roughed her up. And then forced her to this place with the others.


But she tried twice now to run off. But each time she didn't get very far and was dragged back here. And was told right to the point the next time her wings would be broken. Being a Shalo, Aquilon was not built to run but to fly. So they could very easily over take her since unicorns were natural runners. She just felt completely drained and not wanting to even live now. Felix told her that she was going to be the center piece. And that who ever was looking for a slave, she was the first one to be looked at. And so far today she had her fair share of interested buyers. But for some reason they just didn't want her. Not that Aquilon was looking forward to having some unicorn own her out right.
So she craned her dial skyward for like the millionth time and sighed heavily. She ached to just lift up and into the sky and leave this nightmare far behind. Now it all made sense, on how her parents didn't trust the horned ones. Or the unicorns to be more precise. So Aquilon was still holding herself in a self defeating stance. She didn't even noticed the small pegasi that came up to her. She even jerked back instinctively. Because she didn't know if she was going to get hit or beaten on for doing something wrong.

And then he must of knew she was not from this land at all. Because he started to ask questions and lots of them to boot. But the first ones, hurt the most in Aquilons mind. And that was he wanted to know if she was a wild pegasi. So Aquilon picked up her head slightly, and looked down at the smaller pegasus before her. She must of stood there for a while before even acknowledging the other horse.

"If you mean wild as in free, then yes I was a free pegasus. And you must be either naive or never out of this hell here. And how was it you ask? How would it feel to have your freedom,family, and life taken from you and not being able to stop it. Because that is what happen to me a few days ago. These bastards have taken everything from me. And then had the audacity to cut my flight feathers and brand me like cattle."


Aquilon then just cut her speech off, there was no need to take it out on the young colt before her. He was not the one to blame or to go after for Aquilons ill fortune. Then he gave his name as Rylion and asked for hers. So she spoke quietly

It is Aquilon. At least that is what my parents named me. But I got a feeling that is going to be changing soon, just like everything else so far."

Then he asked if she could fly, and all the blood red mare could do was shake her dial yes in response. It did lift Aquilons spirits up a little. Even if it was not anything major, just talking was helping to ease the pegasi nerves. But how could she even teach him to fly. When her own abbility was taken from her. Plus if they thought for one minute she would stay here and teach the colt. Then these unicorns was truly nuts and off their rockers. Because once Aquilon got her wings back to flying condition. She would be high tailing it back to the mountains. And then rejoining her family.

[Shanza]

Rylion rocked back as her scorn of her first words washed over him. Naive? This is hell? Family, freedom, and life ripped away? What? He shook his head, shocked and surprised at her words. "They aren't bastards!" Was the first thing that came out of his mouth. "I'm not naive, and I LIKE it here!" He took a step back from her, as his wings drooped slightly. "You're alive, and how old are you? I'm two, you must be twice my age! I remember my mother, but she left a long time ago. How can you still live with her? Does she still protect you? That's what they do, protect you. How can she if you're as big as she is?" He shook his head in bewilderment, she had opinions and ideas he had never heard before. "Your brand is something you should be proud of, it marks your position in life. I'm proud to have mine." Slightly hurt, he looked rather disappointed. "I just want to learn more about flying," he said softly.

"Aquilon is a nice name, and the unicorns won't change it. Your name is your name, and it's yours forever." Rylion craned his head upward to get a better look at the mare. "Why would they want to change it? There's no point." He paused for a moment, then completely switched subjects. "You're big." He grinned up at her, his good mood returning. "You're bigger than most of my friends. Can we be friends? If we can, you can call me Vy," smiling up at her, he hoped she would agree. "Will you teach me things about flying? Please? Pretty please? With a cherry on top?"

"Rylion!" Jyla's voice called out over the crowd of pegasi, and the two-year-old jumped. He glanced around, then flashed a quick smile at his new friend. "Sorry, gotta go. See you soon!" He spun and took off through the herd, weaving and ducking his way back. Jyla and Felix stood close to where he came out, and Jyla snorted in exasperation when she saw him.

"There you are, what have you been doing?"

"Talking to a wild! She knows how to fly!!" He grinned, and Jyla chuckled.

"We are heading over into the forest, do you want to come or talk to your new friend?"

"Do you mind if I stay?" His heart leaped, and wild excitement crept back into his eyes. Maybe he could wriggle a few flying tricks out of Aquilon while Jyla was hanging out with her boyfriend.

"Go ahead, but don't get into any trouble."

"I won't!" He called, dashing back into the herd before she finished her sentence. "Hey, hey Aquilon! I'm back!"

[saetta]

Aquilon still had to much shock to even move any more. What was the use, she didn't have a say on the matter anymore. Aquilon was just stuck here probably the rest of her life. But she did see how some of her words took the young pegasi by surprise. The first words that he answered back to Aquilon was the unicorns was not bastards. So she just slowly shook her dial no and asked a question.

"So if they are not bastards, then tell me why I can not just go and walk off. See being free I have a choice here, I can either stay or I can leave. But now it is not my say, but who ever owns me telling me what to do and how to do it."

This was the most foreign and hardest part for the young mare to grasp. Because her freedom was the most precious thing to the mare. Rylion just could never know or have any idea about what it felt like. But again Aquilon knew that he was not to blame for this. But then he asked how old was Aquilon. She then sighed and spread her raven black wings out. She then looked over to her right wing tip. Then swung her dial over to her left one, before looking right back down to Rylion. Then speaking almost in a whisper.

"I am four years old now. And I only live around with my parents and one sister. We help each other that is what a family does. Up until I either took a mate or decided to move on to another place myself. But again that decision is not mine to make anymore. But again what ever my master or owner wants."

She just sobbed and cried over this as emotions flooded over the blood bay mare. She just knew that her life had changed and not for the better. Then he told her that her brand was her position around her. She was about ready to just break totally down and lose it. That was all she was was property nothing more nothing less. Even that worthless Felix was driving home that point on poor Aquilon. So she talked again trying hard not to interrupt her speech with her cries.

"I would rather have my nice unmarked pelt than this mark on it. I prided myself on my pretty coat and perfect condition of it. But these unicorns didn't waste time ruining it for me. So now my life is set on what my mark is. Instead of what I wanted it to be myself.

And there is one important rule when learning to fly little one. And that is you always work with the wind, never against it. Or you just tire yourself out to quickly, and never make any head way in your travels."

That was the most important rule to most pegasi and flight in general. Yes she was big but sort of small when it came to most Shalo. Because her dam was 17 hands high but her sire was just a little past 15 hands high. Her sister was closer to their dam at 16.3 hands high. So poor Aquilon, sort of split the difference between her parents. So then he sort of begged about learning to fly. And the cherry on top brought a short laugh out of Aquilon on Rylions antics on this. But then it seemed like their little meeting was over when he was called by his owner Jyla. But it would be easier to just show him how to fly. Than to tell the young colt. But that was not going to happen unless there was a miracle around the corner. Because she was just worth so much, and these unicorns are not going to be giving up Aquilon the cash cow. Wild pegasi was ultra rare in the kingdom, and that put little Aquilon in a very exclusive group. And they didn't have to do anything to get her either. She literally fell right into their waiting hooves. But then the small Drangthir came back and said he was able to stay a little longer. So all Aquilon done was crack a smile. She then started to wonder who was going to be buying her. And if she would ever cross paths with Vy later on.

[Shanza]

Rylion shook his head, still amazed that she was living with her dam at four years old. "That's how life is," he said calmly, eying her up and down. She didn't look crazy, so why did she have these crazy ideas? She started crying, and his eyes grew wide and he fidgeted back and forth. He had no idea what to do, the last time he had seen a pegasi cry it was when his foal herd was being split up. They were six months old at the time, and although the ten of them were great friends, he had only seen two of them since then. Sileni and Wyngli had been kept by Jyla's parents, so when she went to visit, he got a chance to catch up with them. Moving on was a part of life that no one could forget. You enjoyed what time you had while you had it; they could be gone the next day.

"It's gonna be alright," he said softly, fidgeting slightly as she started to control her sobs. She hiccuped once, and continued about her marked coat. "I don't know what it's like out there, but you still have influence over your life. If you want to have a good one, be the best you can be and be proud of who you are. Honor in your life and commitment are valued highly here." He smilied slightly, hoping to cheer her up. He hated seeing depressed pegasi.

Rylion couldn't believe his ears when she started talking about flying. Really flying! He nodded as he hung onto her every word, and was eager to hear much more. "So what if the wind is coming from the north and you want to fly north? I know the messenger pegasi have some trick for flying against the wind, I think they call it tacking, but I don't know what that is. Do you? And what about those nifty loops and spirals I see them do? How do you do that? And what about how they can go up so fast? Is that just a lot of practice and muscling, or is there a trick to that too? What about diving? How do you get going really fast? And gliding! What about gliding? How do you glide for a long time? How do you tilt your wings to get a good take off? How do you sprint through the air and how do you conserve your strength for long distant flights? I want to know everything," he grinned at her, eager for answers. He didn't know how much time he had to talk with her, but if this was going to be their only encounter, he wanted to make it memorable.

[saetta]

Aquilon just still had a hard time adjusting to the changes around her. And crying was not really helping to making it any better either. But she just decided what ever happens from here on out. Was just what fate had dealt to Aquilon. But she'll still be looking for any escape in the meantime. She just had to bide her time, and really that is all Aquilon had was time. But she was brought back to the moment when Rylion tried to comfort her. She heard him say that it would be all right. All the blood bay done was meekly shake her dial up and down in acknowledgment. But she still didn't like that she had no idea what the future held for her. She was not liking how at any moment she could be bought. And then be at the mercy of a whole different unicorn. A unicorn even more mean and uncaring then Felix. As long as they had the money they cold buy Aquilon even against the young mares wishes or protest. Then he told the blood bay mare. That honor and commitment was valued highly around here. What part of her freedom was taken that this young fool not understand. But she remained ever silent and just listen to what Vy had to say. Maybe the mare might learn a thing or two from him.



Then he started again asking questions about flying. And he asked what to do about if you absolutely had to fly against the wind. And he also asked about a trick called tacking. Again this brought nothing but heartache to Aquilons spirit. She was born to fly, but she was also a threat to her new owners. If she was able to fly, since then all she needed to do was head back to her mountain top home. So Aquilon answered his little querry.

" You have three ways to deal with head winds Rylion. First if the winds are not real strong you can just use brute strength and batter your way forward. Second you can climb higher and maybe the higher level winds are blowing the opposite way. And yes you can use the zig zag or tacking trick also. But I never used it due to having such high and dangerous wind shears around my mountain home. Then there is the forth option you can just land and try another day."

Aquilon laughed on this point because she had used it herself several times. But then the youth and inexperiance colt started to rattle off. And he wanted to know how to do the advanced stuff like rolls and loops. All the mare done was shake her head no and shout.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa there I suggest you start and learn the basics and control. Before you start to worry about the fun stuff kid. It took me three years to learn what I know. And I still am learning new stuff all the time. So learn how to fly first, then everything else will come to you. But the more experiance you have, the better it is for you"

Then it hit Aquilon between her eyes like a powerful kick. And that was if Rylion was happy to live with his master then maybe that was what Aquilon was looking for also. So a slight grin entered at the corner of her maw. And she then quietly spoke to the smaller pegasi.

"Tell you what Vy you go tell your owner that you found another pegasus that she could use. And I'll see what I can do to help you in return. Because if your happy to live with your owner. Then maybe that is the type of owner that I could live with also. Only thing is, is I know that no good Felix is going to be wanting a fair amount for me. So do you think your owner could afford the price."

Now it was all up to how this little drama was about to unfold. Would Aquilon find a new temperary home. Because she still had all intensions of escaping at the first oppertune time. Plus maybe she would sort of get lost in the crowd. And so they never would notice her being gone.

[Shanza]

Rylion near laughed at her suggestion to use brute force to get through headwinds. Him? Use force? She looked like she could accomplish the task, but Rylion doubted that he ever could. Nodding as she described other tricks, he listened intently to what tacking was. Vy giggled at her last statement about trying another day; he definitely like that idea.

As she cautioned him about getting ahead of himself, he frowned and his expression soured. He had been flying for four months already! Why couldn't he do the fun stuff yet? Rylion sighed, his wings flopping against his sides as he listened to her comments about flying. After all, he had been the one who had asked. "I guess I always wanted everything to be easy, and I'm told I'm too hyper to stay put for long. I guess that also translates into learning," Vy said sadly. His forelegs lifted into the air slightly as he bounced, his grin returning. "But I'm willing to wait if you teach me!" He giggled, "I think."

His eyes widened as she asked to go with his owner. Conflicting emotions rushed through him, but the main question pounding its way through his mind was: Could he convince Jyla? "Oh, you'll like her, she's fair and everything. She actually listens to grievances!" He grinned, "Her parents don't much approve of her methods, but I like them a lot! As for the price, it won't matter much." He voice dropped to a whisper, and he glance around furtively, as if to make sure no one was listening. The small red dun leaned in closer, and waited until Aquilon dropped her head to his height before he spoke into her ear, "She's what ya call rich." Pulling back momentarily, he grinned at her, then continued in a soft voice. "She never wants anyone to know, though I think they do." Chuckling softly at his mistress's whims, he shook his head, letting his silky mane flow against his neck. "I think it's the whole mindset of fighting for her place in this world, and not using her parents' influence and wealth earn it for her. The other unicorns respect her for that."

He backed off slightly, with a slightly nervous look on his face. "If she wants you, she'll buy you." He glanced away, then looked back quickly. "But if she doesn't, there's nothing I can do about it. The most I can do is suggest to her that you will be good for her, but she has to have a reason to buy you, especially since you'll bring a high price." He gulped, clearing his throat, and then leaped straight onto the tender subject ahead. "So what can you offer? Can you play the stakes and train well for a upstanding family? That opportunity is few and far in between, however. Most high priced serving slaves come from blooded lines; only a few are wild." He grinned at her, "They have no idea what your personality's like, and that's a huge drawback. The other main option for wilds are.... um.... hehe, please don't take my head off," he paused, and backed up a little. How well did he know this mare after all? She was a wild, and they were known to act... strangely. Well, if he didn't talk to her, he would never get a flying coach.

"TheImprovementOfTheBloodlines," he rushed through the sentence, jumbling the words together. "You know, new blood re-invigorates the lines and all. There's a lot of Shalo and Shalo crosses that are looking for new blood." His eyes wide and his stance set, he knew that if she reacted badly he was a goner. The guards were there to watch the herd, not to break up small fights. Rylion knew this would be a small fight if she attacked; she was twice his size, after all! Jyla was probably somewhere in the forest with her boyfriend, and that realization almost made him laugh. He was glad for the levity; he wasn't sure how much longer his heart would stay in his chest. He watched her for any reaction, any indication of her intentions, knowing that telling her might have been a mistake, but it was a mistake he had to make. He wanted to learn all about flying so badly, almost any risk was worth it.

[saetta]

Oh to be young and brash again, Aquilon just stood and watched Vy. He was somewhat funny and humorous to watch with his antics. Then she felt sadness and despair when Rylion said he was willing to wait and have Aquilon teach him. This brought a heavy sigh out of the blood bay mare as she dropped her dial down to the ground. Then she picked it back up and looked at the smaller pegasi. Then in a low voice spoke sincerely to Vy.

"That is the problem Rylion, most pegasus mothers show their foals by example. And since my wings are useless I can not do what comes natural to me. So yes I can tell you what to do. But it would be quicker and easier if I was up there beside you. But I also know that would never ever happen with these unicorns."

She was now silent and just let Rylion take over and spoke to her. First about Jyla and how Aquilon would like her. And that she was fair and that she allowed her slaves to talk to her about any grievances they may have. So Aquilon shook her head yes and said.

"I wouldn't of ask to be part of her slaves if I thought she was mean."

Then her heart sort of sank when he began to stammer around for words. Aquilon was just about to shout at him to just tell her what he had on his mind. Rylion then said that since she was a wild that she would fit in perfectly to increase the bloodlines. All Aquilon done was slowly shook her head yes. After all this whole thought was on her mind the moment Felix started to tell her how valuable she was. But she then spoke directly to Vy though.

"Why didn't you just say that I was good for breeding. Or to have a stallion on my back. I am old enough to know such things Vy. No need to use any cute and coy codes with me just be direct. I really do not want this at all. But I also have no say or can prevent it from happening either. So just go and tell her what ever you need to. I'll then do what I need to convince her that I am the one she is looking for. Because if it isn't her that wants me for a breeder. Then another possibly meaner unicorn would. And if I have a choice now I want Jyla. So go and talk to her."

She then turned slightly away from Rylion and quietly cried. Because now Aquilon knew that there was no returning to her former life. And she really didn't want any foals. Because all the mares here said that the unicorns took them when they was barley weened. Aquilon was scared that she might lash out and attack any unicorn that touched one of her foals. But for now she needed to convince Jyla. That she was the pegasi that she needed to complete her little plan.

[Shanza]

Rylion shifted guilty as he realized she was right. Jyla would never let her fly again, and he would never have a real teacher. He sighed, staring at the ground between her hooves. "But you can still teach me stuff, right? I'm sure you know more than I do, even if you have to tell me from the ground," he looked hopefully up at her, glad it sounded like she was still going to teach him.

He was so relieved when she didn't freak out at the breeding reference. He had no idea how a wild would act, but if this is what they were like he still thought they were strange. Vy shuffled, slightly embarrassed as she took him to task. Well, how was he to know how she would react? She could have done anything from ignoring him to attacking him; he had heard of wilds doing crazier things on slighter provocation. She told him to go and talk to Jyla, and his first reaction was to bristle up. Who was she to tell him what to do? His mouth dropped open slightly, and he stared at nothing, realizing what he was thinking. If she was going to be able to get anything through his thick skull, he would have to listen to her. "There will be a problem with that," he shook his head quickly and hard, trying to get his mind focused again. "Jyla's with her boyfriend," he giggled over the word, nearly bursting out laughing. "They're in the forest, and I won't be able to find them. They should be back within the hour or two, and then I can mention something to her." He paused, his eyes quickly losing their mirth. "We'd better hope she's in a good mood, otherwise she won't buy anyone."

Rylion rocked back slightly as Aquilon started crying softly. He fidgeted, and shuffled sideways. Leaning away slightly, he was trying to hide his reaction to 'contagious' tears. All the fillies he had ever known had had 'contagious' tears. When one started, they all started. They even got him and the other colts going a couple of times, with the strength of their contamination. "It'll be alright," he said nervously. Why wouldn't she stop? "Please, it'll be alright!" He started to get desperate, worrying about the affect of prolonged exposure. "Please, stop, please! You'll contaminate me!"

[saetta]

Aquilon was still in shock she has now switched hands a grand total of three times. That is if Jyla would buy her or not, Aquilon just felt less of a pegasus and more like a donkey on an auction block. The only things missing was the hands forcing open her mouth. And picking her legs up and looking at the bottom of her hooves. It was just too degrading to even imagine for the young mare. She was so wrapped up in her current predicament. That she almost didn't hear Rylion ask if she would still be able to teach him. All she did was shake her head yes and speak meekly.

"Of course Vy, It's just that it might take longer for us to get through a couple of things. That is all."

Then her thoughts went back to how she would be ready both physical and mentally on bearing a foal. She fought off two overly aggressive stallions last year. Because she didn't want to be tied down with young. When she herself was so young, she still wanted to live her life. And not worry about a foal every hour of every day. But Aquilons free will was now over, her life was what this Jyla told her it was. Then Rylion told Aquilon that Jyla was with her boyfriend in the forest. This brought a huff and a sharp response out of the blood bay mare.

"You mean that arogant prick, that takes so much pleasure in tormenting me mentally. If I do get out of here today, I'll never will miss him at the least. And so I guess we have no choice but to wait for them to show up."

And then the smaller pegasi tried to comfort her when she went back to crying. But there was one more question she wanted answered. So she fought back a couple of sobs and asked Vy.

"I want to know one more thing Rylion. And that is, am I going to get branded again? Because if so I might actually freak out just a little. Since it hurt so bad the first time around. I might actually go and try and attack who ever does it again. And not to worry Vy I'll try and control my emotions from now on. But I still feel bad about losing my freedom."

She still didn't like how she couldn't move without someone telling her to. And what did Vy just said about contamination tears? That was a totally new thing that Aquilon had never heard before. But she hoped that since she was going to be a breeder that she would not be seperated from Vy. The little pegasus had somewhat grown on the big mare.

[Shanza]

Rylion smiled back at the tall mare as she confirmed that she still would be able to teach him. He laughed at her initial description of Felix, and did not doubt that she would be quite glad to be rid of him. "He's a little overbearing and obnoxious at times, but his head's on right. For the most part." He grinned at her, happy to be able to laugh with his new friend.

Clearing his throat, he looked away nervously at her question of another branding. "Uh, yeah, I think you will. Brands signify ownership, so if a pegasi is to transfer, as you will, they need to receive the brand of their new owner. It shouldn't be too bad," Rylion said, lying through his teeth. He knew it was going to hurt, but there was nothing she could do about it. "They won't let you attack them, so you shouldn't worry about that. They know you're having a hard time adjusting, so they'll take it easy. Or at least I think Jyla will."

He glanced down, shame pushing at his mind. "Sorry about the tears," he mumbled. "I thought they might be contagious. All the ones in the past have been." A smile inched part way onto his face, and he hesitated. "I guess you're not as contagious as Faralee and Direngi's tears." He looked at her curiously, "You know, you're not quite like anyone else I know." He bounced in happiness, "Probably because you're a wild. You're weird, but you're cool!"

"So...." he glanced around, then sidled closer, rearing up to speak into her ear, "Can we start a lesson now? Pretty pretty please?" Dropping back to all fours, he backed off so he could look her in the face. "Or at least some more tips?"

[saetta]

This was not what Aquilon wanted to even hear. Let alone go through all over again. And that was another mark on her blood bay pelt. She did laugh when Vy told her that Felix was overbearing. It was the truth after all she had spent almost three days with him. And she hated almost every single minute of it. And her heart sank when Rylion told her that another brand was coming. All she said in response was

"I just hope that it is a small one, and not very noticeable. And I thank you Vy for being honest about it. And I am hoping Jyla just does take me."

Then Vy switched to how he thought her tears was contaminated and would transfer to him. She just let out a loud laugh over hearing this. It was just so out there and made no sense to the large pegasi. And then he said that she was a wild and so was sort of weird but cool to him. Again she just shook her head yes in agreement. And then he went right back to asking questions about flying. And if he couldn't get a lesson out of Aquilon now. All the blood bay, Shalo done was looked around slowly. And then unfolded her wings straight up over her body vertical. She then slowly started to turn left until she was facing the breeze. When it hit her in the face she stopped and put her out stretched wings down in the horizontal. And then started to flap her wings and trotting forward. She then was producing lift for herself but since her flight feathers was cut. All Aquilon could do was skip fly a little and touch down again. She never got above four feet off the ground. Or more than about 25 feet between hops. But it was all short lived as she ran out of space and a guard was there to meet her head on. So she stopped folded her wings and trotted over to Rylion. She then quietly spoke to the pegasus.

"Again like I said earlier Rylion, use the wind to your advantage. And so you face it and that way you can get airborne quicker and so you use less energy. I would of been airborne before any of these guards could of ever stop me. But without my feathers, I am just another regular horse with some useless appendages."


All Aquilon done was just slowly shake her dial no in front of the smaller equine. She really wanted to not be here. But at least now she was passing the time better. And she was actually doing something instead of just standing around. She just then hoped that Vy take what she is telling him to do.

[Shanza]

Eyes wide and intensely focused on Aquilon, Rylion watched as she trotted the length of the pegasi area several times, gliding for a few streches. He would suck in his breath and hold it when she looked like she would hit the other pegasi, but somehow she always managed to avoid them. He was madly grinning as she came back over, weaving her way through the pegasi herd.

"Again like I said earlier Rylion, use the wind to your advantage. And so you face it and that way you can get airborne quicker and so you use less energy. I would of been airborne before any of these guards could of ever stop me. But without my feathers, I am just another regular horse with some useless appendages."

The small red dun listened closely to her advice, committing it to memory. His face fell as she sadly restated the loss of her ability to fly. He knew it would be devastating for anyone, even more so if they had been flying for their whole life. Once he had gotten the taste of the air he never wanted to come down again. Rylion could imagine the anguish he would feel if he ever lost his ability to fly; he also knew that what he would feel couldn't even come close to matching what Aquilon was feeling. She had lived her whole life in the sky; he only had tastes of it. Loss can only exist if you know what you're missing.

Eager to get airborne, his wings twitched at his sides as he stiffled the urge to dash off into the air right then and there. He knew it would be an insult to all the pegasi who couldn't fly, and might just cause a riot or insurrection. Jyla would be oh so mad, and would likely let him get reamed by her boyfriend. As much as he liked laughing at Venka, Rylion knew he would never want to get on his bad side. He shuffled, trying, and utterly failing, to get his mind off being in the sky. "So, what if you need a really short take off, and the air is dead? Are you just out of luck or do you need a massive amount of muscle power or is there another trick to it?" He grinned at her, eager for her answer. He wanted to get all the possible information he could while he had the chance.

[saetta]

Aquilon was still wondering what was keeping old no good Ven and Jyla. Because she was starting to go over what she wanted to say to the young unicorn mare. But she did have a back up plan and it involved little Rylion. That is if she turned her down or Venka demanded to much for Aquilon. But the Blood Bay pegasi was not giving up hope. She always was milling over alternative plans. But now Aquilons gaze was towards the woods. She wanted to go looking for Jyla herself. But she knew that was nothing but a pipe dream. Because the three guards would of stopped her before she got three steps outside the boundaries.
So she just had to stand around and wait when they was through. When ever that was, but she then looked back and towards Vy. And again the smaller red dun pegasi didn't talk about anything else. He wanted to know how to get airborne at a dead stop. Problem was that she was a Shalo and he was a Drangthir. So she knew that he could get airborne a lot easier over her larger heavier frame.

But Aquilon knew that she had better endurance and power over the smaller Vy. So she told Rylion

" Your a Drangthir are you not. If so Vy then you should be able to get airborne a lot quicker and easier than me. And probably from a dead stop like you asked also. But I got you beat in the endurance and power though. I can create more lift with each wing beat. And once I am airborne I could stay up there for most of the day. that is why I was captured because I was up in the sky for over 18 hours. But us Shalo sort of use a swooping motion. We go up in the air a good 75 feet and then dive towards the ground. It gets us up to speed and we trade it off for altitude. You could see if that works for you also."

Aquilon was not the type to brag, but she needed something to have over the young upstart. So again Aquilon looked over to the woods wondering how much longer to wait on the two unicorns.

[Shanza]

Eyes wide, Rylion kept nodding as she talked. He wanted to know everything about flying, but the red dun was starting to realize that it wasn't going to happen in one afternoon. He nodded vigorously again when she finished, promising himself he would try that at the first opportunity. Grinding his teeth, he pawed the ground slightly. Rylion was eager and ready to try the tricks out that she had talked about, but he wasn't going to try it here. Aquilon looked off in the distance, and he followed her gaze to the edge of the woods. "They should be back soon. I don't know what's taking them so long." He grinned suddenly, realizing that they had been gone longer in the past. He just hadn't been anxious for them to come back before. "Well, scratch that. I think my mind's playing tricks on me." He glanced up at Aquilon, more questions bubbling in his head. "So where did you learn it all? You had to learn it some where, right? From a teacher or trainer or from family? Or did you just know what to do? What was your family like? I never met my dad, and don't remember my mom. Were they cool? What's your favorite memory? Mine's when I fell in the ice-stream and she had to pull me out. I was so cold, but she just curled up around me and her wing covered me," he paused, smiling happily, but took off again without letting Aquilon get a word in edgewise.

"Did you have a lot of good friends? Were they really nice? Did you have a lot of enimies? I never did. Did you fly with eagles? I want to fly with eagles some day. Have you ever seen the ocean? I want to see the ocean and run through the waves. I've never been there, but I hear it's fantastic. Have you ever flown to the highest peak just to see if you could do it? I once ate a whole pile of carrots to prove I could," he grimaced, the sour memory still rather fresh. "I was sick for a week after that and Jyla laughed her head off. I don't like carrots anymore. What about the desert? Have you ever been there? It's suppose to be really hot; hot enough to boil your flesh where you stand and then at night freeze you into stone. How can some place be so hot and cold at the same time? It doesn't make sense. It's either really hot, or really cold, like winter and summer. Not both.

"What about the rain forest? Have you been there? I have. It's really wet." He stuck out his tongue, and shook out his coat. "And I mean super-living-under-water wet." He shook again, pinning his ears tight to his skull. "Blah." Rylion looked up at the blood bay, cocking his head back so he could see her better. "So? What about you?"