Author's Note: Thanks so much for the reviews so far – I finally had the time to write the next chapter, and I hope you enjoy it! I do not own Wish.
Chapter 2: The voyage
Of course, there would have been faster and altogether more comfortablealternativesto descend to Earth, but quite as soon as Ranshou had obtained Touki's approval, he called for his sort-of pet,
the earth-coloured dragon he often used as means of transport. It would take longer and was a whole lot bumpier, granted, but it was a lot more spectacular to fly through the milky clouds and slowly descend towards the blueish sphere than to step through a magical gate and be there in a heartbeat…It also was a bit more daring, and Ranshou couldn't help but to try to impress Touki.
He helped Touki to sit on the patient creature, then sat down himself behind her, making sure they were safe. Giving the signal to take off the ground, he carefully slid his arm around Touki's waist as to hold her during the - for her- unusual ride. Touki startled at the contact, but soon, her immobile mask was back in place, and any sentiments she might have wanted to express were back under the thick blanket of cool detachment. It was a rather unnecessary measure, as Touki would have been able to gracefully descend with her own wings if she were to fall off the dragon, but somehow, his idea of gentlemanly behaviour didn't quite fit the thought of losing his companion during a flight. And this would probably as close as he would ever get to hold her…
The dragon started to lift off-ground and they were soon gaining some altitude before flying over the border into the free sky, opening up to an amazing view of earth. The sun sent warm solar rays out into wide sphere, unbroken in their full power because there was no atmosphere to break them down to a mere spectre. They approached and finally entered the atmosphere, and were still warmed and fed by the sun. The rays even got through the light fluffy altitude clouds, leaving a warm, milky light. It was rather quiet, as only a subtle breeze carried the clouds lazily a bit farther and they were to high to hear any of earth's noises then, the green and blue spaces seemed to mingle as the distance was still too large. It was rather cold, but the angels, feeding on the sun rays, didn't seem to feel it. The peaceful setting was close to perfect, slighted only there by the knowledge of the imminent end.
Touki actually didn't really care for flying, she preferred travelling in the streams, and was rather glad that Ranshou held her – it had soothed the panic she had started to feel when she saw the beast she was supposed to travel on almost immediately. But upon spending several minutes in the descending streams, she found that it actually wasn't that bad after all... A tiny voice told her that it was Ranshou who made this trip special, and she had to concur. And the spectacular sight and perfect harmony made her wonder if she could stand to ever return to any other mode of travelling. She marvelled at the sight of Earth, finally calm and peaceful for once, and the soft cotton-like clouds they passed. The sunlight warmed and fed her, and his arm around her made her forgot any cold or fear she might still have felt.
Ranshou could smell the flowery, yet fresh scent of Touki's hair, reminding him of the water lilies that grew in Touki's favourite places. He briefly had to chuckle at the thought of how these poor flowers had been drawn into the circular wall of water just this morning, and wondered briefly if that was how she managed to extract the smell. He revelled in the feeling of her slender body in his arms and the slight reverberations his chuckle has caused. He definitely could get used to this...
The dragon, guessing his passenger's secret wishes, descended in large circles, prolonging the travel quite as much as possible. It also enjoyed the harmony and silence; and sensing his best friend and master so happy made it feel happy too. He would have to share him from now on...
Not a word was spoken, as there was no need to - the simple presence of the other, the sights and the feeling of ever so slowly drifting down towards Earth filled their minds. Time became irrelevant, and neither would have been able to say how long they had been in the air, flying on the bronze – golden dragon, which reflected the sunlight so beautifully and being in so close an embrace, which was not a security measure any more, but the simple sign of affection and care.