Story From His Past wrote:Rain. Torrential, unending rain. It feel from the sky in grey, pounding sheets. The wind howled and ripped at the forest, shaking everything down to it's roots. Lightening streaked across the clouded night sky, momentarily lighting up the darkness, before booming, deafening thunder followed. It was terrifying, and powerful, but also beautiful at the same time. For one Swaerflie, however, the beauty did not touch his heart. Instead it brought forth painful and despairing memories.
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He ran, his paws skimming across the grass as he tried to make his way to his den. The sky was darkening and the scent of rain hung in the stifling air. A storm was coming, and it was going to be a big one. He sent out small yips and chirps, alerting all listening creatures to take cover. Nothing would be safe from this storm. He twitched his ears nervously, his wings flitting ever so slightly. He was eager to be home.
He took to the air, flitting from one tree to the next, pushing his thin, dragonfly wings to the limit. Finally, he made it to his home tree. He nosed aside the foliage that led into his den. His silver grey eyes widening to adjust to the dimmer light. A rumbling, happy noise much like a purr formed in his throat when his eyes rested on her.
She was a slim Swaerflie, but beautiful. Her fur was soft and the color of dark honey with darker flecks along her back, flanks and shoulders. The dark color was broken with her white underbelly, chest and muzzle. Her dark ears flicked ever so slightly and she turned to see who had entered. Her bright blue eyes lit up and her white tipped tail whipped happily from one side to the other when she saw her mate. She rushed foward and buried her muzzle deep into his chest. "Tempest." She whispered simply, her voice as soft as her fur.
"Amberflower." He murmured back, just as soft, though his voice was much more gruff then her's.
She padded back her shining eyes mischeviously. "What took you so long? I was worried about you."
He dipped his head sheepishly, but grinning rogueishly. "I was warning everyone to stay inside because of the storm." He replied, drawing a small circle in the floor of their den.
The female's nose twitched. "Uh huh, and were you attack by blueberries? You smell of them, and your fur is blue from them, famine face." She giggled, before head butting him good naturedly.
He chuckled, his ears heating up in embarassment. She licked at his berry stained cheek before padding towards their mossy bed. She curled in the soft bedding before looking at him lovingly. He padded fowards, flashing a sheepish grin before he curled around her. He rested his head on her shoulder and breathed in her scent. The small purr-like noise returned in his chest as they both drifted into sleep.
A loud crashing jarred him from sleep. He hopped to his paws, a small growl forming in his throat. His mate pressed against him, she was also growling nervously. A flash of white lightening momentarily illuminated the den and Tempest relaxed. He licked the fur on Amberflower's shoulders. "It's just a storm, love, relax and let's go back to sleep." She murmured in agreement and started to lay back down. A loud creaking noise filled the small expanse and they both looked up. The tree they had made their home in for seasons was collapsing.
Tempest snapped out of the shock quickly and nudged his mate. "Run! Get outside!" He yelled, his voice steady despite his fear. They both scrambled from their den and into the storm. Outside, wind and rain ripped at their fur and blinded them. They struggled through the gale, desperate to get away from their toppling home. Behind them the creaking of the dieing tree became deafening. Tempest willed his paws to move faster. Beside him, he felt Amberflower match him, pawstep for pawstep.
Suddenly, the forest floor fell away and he stumbled into dizzy space. He yelped, his paws flailing as powerful gusts of wind sent him tumbling, nose over tail. He caught glimpse of honey colored fur before the grey sheets of rain and wind swept them apart. He twitched his dragonfly wings, desperate to gain control, but it was useless. Suddenly, a pain flared in the back of his skull and stars exploded infront of his eyes before the darkness of unconsciousness settled in.
He awoke with a groan. A dull throbbing had set residance in his head and it only intensified when he opened his eyes. The storm had stopped and the night had passed. It seemed to be late in the morning, and the sun shined cheerily on. Almost oblivious to the turmoil that had occured last night.
Tempest groaned again, before slowly getting to his sore paws. His whole body ached and his mouth felt as if it was coated in sand. He licked vainly at his lips, his sticky eyes darting around nervously. He half stumbled/half dragged himself to a stream nearby, and lapped greedily at the sweet clear water, desperate to relieve his parched throat. He finally sighed and sat back, staring around him almost dumbly. His eyes suddenly widened in fear and his heart roared in his ears. "Amberflower?"
He hopped to his feet and darted around the clearing the storm had deposited him. She had to be here. He had seen her in the storm and had even ran with her. She had to be here with him. He sniffed every tree, every bush, every leaf, desperate to find just a trace of her scent. "Amberflower!" His voice cracked with worry and fear. He crashed through the undergrowth, not really caring if any predator was near.
He flicked his wings, desperate to fly and look for her in the air. Pain, however, shot through his body and he paused long enough to look at his wings. His eyes widened in shock. They were ripped and even had holes in some places. He shook his furred head in disbelief before tucking his wings against his back to protect them even more. He willed his paws to move faster. Now that he couldn't fly, he had to rely on speed to find his mate.
He skidded to a halt as he reached the cliffs that eventually gave way to the sea. He looked around desperately. His heart ached and a wail started to form in his throat. His head lolled back and he howled to the heavens his despair. "Amberflower!" His voice echoed on the cliffs and trees around him, but no answer came.
----
Outside his den, the storm raged on. He felt numb and heartbroken, his body ached from the memories and his torn wings tucked close to his back. Tears rolled down his cheeks and blurred his vision, but he cared no longer. He let his head fall back and his mouth fell open in a pitiful, heartrenching wail. The storm raged on.
