Author's Note: This prompt was suggested by CJ
V is for Virgin Forest
Windlifter sat calmly as he savored every moment he had as he overlooked the spectacular forests of Nightcap National Park. There was always a piece of him that sang whenever he visited a forest like this…a forest that was both ancient and relatively untouched. It made every single fiber of his body sing with the joy of the moment.
Finding this particular observation point had been a highlight of this precious visit, and the timing of his arrival couldn't be better. On the horizon, he could see the bubbling of dark clouds rolling across the landscape bringing the rain that this temperate rainforest was so famous for. Windlifter could barely hold his excitement over the fact that he was about to be able to witness…no participate in the storm.
He was going to be able to watch as the storm rolled across the landscape bring its life-giving moisture. He was going to be able to breath in the air thick with the smell of ozone and the forest. He was going to be able to feel the patter of rain as it slipped across his skin. Honestly, Windlifter couldn't think of a more exhilarating memory from this trip than being one with this storm and he did his best to savor every moment as he watched squall come to greet him.
Tulxata Lee sighed heavily as she watched her husband have 'a moment.' She fully realized that she shouldn't be inpatient with the Skycrane. The patriarch of the family had taken on extra jobs be able to afford to take the entire family on his sabbatical to fight fires in Australia, and he even had made an effort to let each member of the family plan an activity that they wanted to do. This particular activity had been his pick and she knew that they shouldn't rush him just like he hadn't rushed her as they viewed the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef...but she was starting to get to the limits of her patience.
"Mom…." Her son whined. "How much longer is this going to take? I am getting hungry."
"I am hungry, too." Her daughter giving her best puppy dog eyes.
Tulxata sighed heavily again. "Give me a moment and I will get an ETA from your father."
Kicking her engines into gear, she skipped the ramp flew directly to the observation platform located just above the canopy of the rainforest.
"Tul?" The Skycrane allowed his eyes to slide off of the horizon and onto her as she landed.
"How much longer are we staying here?" Tulxata got straight to the point, knowing that if she didn't Windlifter would find every possible excuse to entangle her in riddles
"I…" Windlifter gave her a wide-eyed look, that made it clear who their daughter had inherited her puppy dog eyes from.
"I am not saying that you need to leave right now, but right now I have two very hunger fledglings and I need to decide if you are going to be joining us for dinner or not." The Sea Stallion did her best to not roll her eyes.
"Not." Windlifter settled heavier on his tires, very comfortable in his decision. He allowed his eyes to stray towards the horizon. "I wish to see this storm roll in."
"Don't stay out too late." Tulxata added giving her mate a playful nip of the tail. "We do have a treehouse completely to ourselves."
Windlifter had turned quickly on her. He wryly winked at her as he attempted to sneak a kiss. His breath was hot against her skin and…
"Oooo, gross!"
The sound came from below them. Tulxata didn't know which of the twins had spoken, but it had properly spoiled the moment. The Sea Stallion carefully detangled her blades from her mates and tried to slip away, but Windlifter caught her before she could take off. He allowed his lips to briefly brush across hers then he leaned in close.
"Thank you so much for putting up with me." He breathed into her ear. "Don't fill up too much dinner. Once the kids are tucked in their room, I have a surprise in store."
"What?" Tulxata pulled away and looked her husband dead in the eyes.
"If I told you, then it wouldn't be a surprise anymore." He said flatly but with a glitter of amusement in his eyes. Then he gave her side a light rap with his blades. "Now go."
With Tulxata went to drag her brood back to the resort for dinner, but she did so with more of a purr in her engines. Windlifter was a vehicle that moved through time and space at his own pace, but she had learned through their courtship that his surprises were more than worth the wait.
End Note: Well, I have finally written Windlifter's family. What do you think of them? Also, as I heads up, I have already started on the word W. Organicmcgee has requested a story involving Muir, Piston Peak's resident steam engine, and a little story decided to pop up.
