So, I don't know what this is, or where it is going. I felt compelled to write after being overjoyed that there are readers that follow my writing. This is for you. This is an original work of which I do not have an outline for. That being said, I do not know how long it will be, or how often I will update it. I am at a loss for a better title. If you, reader, think of something better suited. Please allow me to consider it. And, I have no beta.
Trigger warning for violence, possibly non-consensual, implied, abuse, etc. If I missed anything that may possibly be triggering, please, please, please, let me know. I will try and keep triggers to a minimum, and will try and remember to make sure they are in place.
Italics are either an internal monologue or dialogue, or a flashback.
Artio is a bear goddess in Celtic mythology. She is the goddess of nature, fertility, bears and was worshiped in the region of Gaul.
A FOUND HOME
xoxoxo
Proceed with Caution
Tori awoke earlier than her normal, Mina having promised her a flight day if it didn't rain. Her anticipation the night before made it nearly impossible to sleep, as Mina had pushed her gently towards her bed. Her endless chittering caused Mina to threaten no flying whatsoever if she didn't settle down. She had silenced herself almost immediately, taking up a seated position on the pile of pillows of her bed, holding up a book for her to read; And Mina did. The book, tattered and worn, was one of her favorites, homemade, and a present. She fell asleep to the slow melodic rhythm of Mina's voice as she sang the story to her. A Winter Song...
But it was morning now, and Tori was tickled and proud of herself for getting completely ready on her own, before she eased over onto Mina's bed. She held one of Mina's shed feathers between forefinger and thumb, brushing the very tip of it against the woman's ear. Not getting the response she wanted, Tori climbed higher up, bodily resting across Mina's right shoulder, tiny fingers pressing an eyelid open. Mina, feigning sleep and fighting a grin, shifted farther onto her side, continuing her charade. She ruffled her feathers causing the young girl to screech, waving her arms to clear dust and feathers from her face. Tori straddled the woman's hip, now beginning to shove Mina's exposed shoulder, quickly growing annoyed with the woman's lack of enthusiasm. Mina made a great show of waking up, stretching her arms above her head, showing shock on her face at Tori's presence.
"Little One, why are you wearing clothes?" Mina cocked an eyebrow at her. "We are not going into town today." Tori crossed her arms and frowned, soft squawking sounds spilled from her lips. "Are those tears?" Mina rolled onto her back, Tori settling on her stomach. "Those are not tears!" Mina craned up as she spoke. "I think if I tickle somebody there will be no tears." By the time Tori realized what was happening it was too late, and Mina had grabbed her loosely and tickled until the girl screeched and jumped away, settling at the foot of the bed, gesturing wildly and chirping all the while.
Mina rolled up on her right side, head in hand on a propped elbow. "I don't suppose you made breakfast?" Tori scrambled away. "You know it's not safe for me to fly on an empty stomach." Mina called after her. She threw off her covers and padded over to a basin of water. Sinking her face completely into the water, she washed the weight of the night away, sucking in a mouthful of water lastly, swishing it around and spitting it out. As she finished toweling off her face, Tori stood behind her, plate of fruit and the remains of their loaf of bread. "Did you eat?" Mina cocked an eyebrow at the girl who was nodding vigorously. "Did you?" Mina, asking her question again, frowning, the girl's nodding slowing down. "We will eat. Together." Mina turned her around at the shoulder as they walked to the table. They sat opposite each other, Mina fighting a smile as Tori worked diligently to eat as quickly as possible. "And chew your food completely, little one. This isn't a race, eh?" Mina admonished her gently. Mina tore off a piece of bread, spreading a bit of stewed apple across it. Chasing it with water, she pointed a finger at the girl.
"You know, I think we may fly south this morning, head towards the ocean, then turn west towards the edge of the Big Woods." Mina popped the remaining bread in her mouth. "What do you think?" Mina rested her head atop folded hands on propped elbows, gazing at nothing in particular. She smiled widely at the girl, who was all grins and bright eyes.
"Next question. Harness, yes or no?" Tori wagged her head in the negative. Mina raised a playful eyebrow. "You sure?" Tori hopped onto her chair, patting her chest, then moving her hands apart. Mina wrapped her in a hug. "Yes, little one. You are a getting to be a big girl. I just want to make sure you are safe. Okay?" Mina walked over to a vine that, over time had wormed its way into the cave some time ago. She had trained it along the wall in it's growth and it now doubled as a clothes rack, for the minimal amount of clothing she owned. From a woody hook she removed a leather jerkin vest she had had custom made. A simplistic design, it consisted of three panels. A back piece that slotted between her wings and rested between her shoulder blades, two front panels with closures that criscrossed at the sternum. She simply had to slide her arms through allowing it to fall on her shoulders, then cinch it in the front and tighten the laces on the side. One too many falls creating road rash, and rare trip into town with people staring, and she decided protective clothing was best. A brown leather skirt dropping to mid-thigh, finished off her attire.
Their breakfast done, and plates stowed in a basin for later, Mina and Tori headed outside. Tori hopping along ahead of her, scrabbling over boulders and stones of a surface that Mina was sure, used to be a tower of industry and capital. Glass and steel could still be seen on occasion, much of it covered now in deep vine growth. One of many pillars of what was once a thriving metropolis. But time and tide, and geological upheaval had altered the landscape dramatically. Where there was once a city, was now a series of canyons. A once mountain range had become a bay that was fed by an ocean. Echoes of what was, now a haven for any creature that could scale it's height.
Their current home was such a haven, a series of misshapened granite towers that created a tight circle known as The Stone Five, that looked out over a river valley. The tallest of the monoliths which was also the center tower, camouflaged a series of caves not easily seen from the ground. There was a lone settlement that Mina kept tabs on from her perch. It was not the only one, but it was the only one that was out in the open, versus the ones farther away from the Border Woods. At last count, there were about two hundred souls that inhabited the valley floor. Mostly mutants, some metas, physically altered individuals such as herself, seeking sanctuary. Since making her home amongst The Five, she had made it her personal mission to be on the lookout for interlopers. Mina grimaced, humans. The ones stupid enough to venture past the Boundary Woods in search of mutant bounty remained a threat. Mina had made friends with a few of the valley dwellers for no other reason than saving a life. Souls that had been trapped and caught by poachers. She herself had been the twice victim of an attempted kidnapping in her new life, so she was wary of all humans, and even a few of the meta.
Still, Mina called it their summer place. A term she used loosely, as the weather was unpredictable and she had not mastered predicting meteorological changes in this new age. Years on, and she was still learning. But the caves were their home, and she had made it a habitable place.
When she first discovered the caves, she realized almost immediately, that she could make it work as a safe place. Water that flowed through a seam collected in a natural pool. That pool fed water to the plants that dotted the exterior. The exterior that was covered in all manner of foliage shielded the main entrance from prying eyes, and Mina never used it during the daylight hours. It was more than a large enough cave for the both of them. There was room to sleep, room for Tori to play and study. Adequate space for the food stores that she kept on hand.
It was good shelter, and the surrounding terrain provided fresh food during the warmer months. She would on occasion trade fresh game for supplies that she otherwise didn't have access to. But only on occasion.
Mina knelt down on her left knee, resting folded arms on her right, and scanned the valley floor, sniffing the updrafts that raced up the face of The Five. She inhaled deeply and raised her face to the sun, eyes closed, filling her lungs with fresh air. She cocked an ear and smiled, her eyes landing on her little one, perched on a flat section of stone, gesturing for her to hurry up.
Sparrow pushed her young charge toward consciousness, humming a light airy tune, and sitting at a respectable distance so as to not frighten the thing. After two days of solid rest she felt the girl was well enough to be roused from sleep, watching her closely as she slowly awakened. There was a wince to the young one's face as she rose to the surface of barely awake. Sparrow resisted the urge to move closer, tamping down whatever mothering instinct she felt, and so she waited. The youngster folded back the blanket that covered her, and pressed herself up into a sitting position; leaning carefully on slender arms, legs outstretched, her left, propped up on a cushion. Tori studied the soft cast that encased her leg, poking at her thigh gingerly. She flinched in discomfort at her own touch, tears welling into the corner of her eyes. A slight movement to her right though, and she was baring her teeth, hissing openly at the woman sitting quietly away from her. No longer immediately distracted by her injury, Tori took a quick glance of her surroundings, keeping a wary eye on the woman who still had not spoken to her. Tori's eyes widened in fear at the unmoving form lying on a makeshift bed near the fireplace. A second glance to the woman to her right and a deep keening sound grew from the young girl, Sparrow flinched, expecting an ear splitting screech instead. She continued her observation of the young girl as the youngling managed to roll onto her stomach, attempting to drag her way across the stone floor. The girl's keening became a whimper as she realized she would not be able to cross the floor, and her efforts ceased, spindly arms reaching for a distance she could not manage. Sparrow was moving the moment the sound of the cries changed, her feet propelling her the short distance, her heart wounded by the despair in the girl's song. Because isn't that what it is? All non-verbal communication to her was always a song that she interpreted. The girl froze at Sparrow's approach, as Sparrow launched into a hum to express her intent. The girl's eyes hooded as she withdrew. Sparrow held out her arms in Tori's direction. "Let me help you, little one." Sparrow noted the change in the girl's demeanor, and her eyes brightened ever so slightly, but remained suspicious. Sparrow closed their distance, both hesitant at the contact with each other. She scooped up the girl gently, and carried her over to the other bed. She held the girl in her lap as she situated the two of them on a stool. Her young charge reaching forward with one hand, rubbing tiny fingers along a bare and bruised shoulder.
Sparrow continued to hold her loosely, the girl's whimpers settled into a purr as she allowed herself to be cradled in this strange woman's arms. She eventually drifted off to sleep, her head falling heavily against Sparrow's chest.
x-x-x-x-x-
Mina reached her hands behind her head, catching peppered colored locks of hair with a piece of leather thong, tying them loosely. The tail plopping between the groove of her shoulder blades. She winked in Tori's direction, leaping to her feet and towards the girl in two huge strides. She swept the girl up into her arms and leaped from the highest point of the monolith. Tori's laughter filled Mina's ears as they fell, her wings snugged to her body as a second skin. Sensing a change in the air, Mina allowed her wings to snap open, and just as quickly as they were falling, they were pushed upward, well above The Stone Five. Mina rested on the breeze, mind wandering off into nothing as she enjoyed the morning, flapping only occasionally to maintain her aerial balance. Eventually, Tori tired of being carried in Mina's arms, and she allowed the young girl to scramble onto her back. There, she nestled in between the woman's wings, lying flat and resting her head on her arms as she was wont to do when the two had this particular type of outing.
Mina craned her head about, tapping gently on Tori's arm who moved up to hug her about the neck. From their vantage Mina looked to her right and turned toward open water. She made a note of the three vessels that had put to sea, sensing a fool's errand, the vessels perhaps farther out than what would be considered reasonable and safe. Or, safer. She had almost been nabbed once by something really big, and a lot of teeth. Flying low, just above the waves when learning to fly was still new and exciting. And ever since that miss, she decided to maintain a reasonable distance above the surface of the waves. There was always something, or some thing, trying to kill you in the now.
Mina took note that there was a lack of movement on her back, as she chuckled to herself, Tori has dozed off. Not surprising, she wore herself out through anticipation alone. It was proving to be a good day, and Mina closed her eyes as she drifted on the breeze. There was a serenity to be had when you could have the skies to yourself. This was her alone time. The quiet whisper of the wind murmuring secrets in her ear, and she found herself banking in a wide arc to the right and making her way inland, ignoring for the moment, reflections on the past and the Before Time. Mina climbed higher, she would wake the girl shortly, thinking a short lesson in clouds would be fun. But oh look at that, nary a cloud in the sky. Mina continued to flap her wings easy, though a change in the terrain was making her work a little harder. She had lost some of the benefits of the updrafts, not staying near The Stone Five. It was as she was settling into a high glide over the Border Woods, that she began to feel a bit of jostling, and the waking chirrup of Tori. She reached back, patting the girl on the leg. Mina, wings out, held steady, knowing Tori was moving to straddle her back. Mina nodded her consent that it was safe for her to move about, all but certain that the girl was going to practice her "surfer" move. She had seen her flitting about their home recently working the movements out in her head while playing. Mina didn't even know how the girl had come to discover anything that resembled surfing.
She felt small hands press into her back, preparing to make her hop into a standing position, but movement from down below had her almost frozen in flight. She could not, and would not jeopardize Tori's life by moving to avoid the projectiles heading her way.
Their impact was swift, painful, and blinding. And to anyone standing below, all to be seen was the blur of two bodies falling rapidly to earth.