Learning to Fly, Saying Goodbye-
Jack tossed Snow Drift up into the air, he wings spread out and flapped once before she landed in her arms once more.
"Alright Snow, try flapping twice this time and going higher"
The hatchlet chirped in understanding and Jack tossed her up. Snow Drift flapped twice, thrice before dropping into her Muwtrea's arms.
"That was really good Snow!"
The Winter Fury purred happily.
They did toss and catch for a while before changing it up.
"Okay, I want you to climb the tree and glide towards me, okay?"
Snow Drift gurgled and climbed the tree, Jack made sure she was a little way away from the tree before calling to her using a Winter Fury call. Snow Drift spread her wings and leapt off the tree, she kept her wings spread, flapping every now and then, and made sure her tail fins and base fins were flat. She missed Jacks arms and landed on her face instead.
Jack oof'ed and stumbled a bit.
Snow Drift cooed in apology before dropping to the ground.
Almost one hundred times later:
"That was amazing Snow! Now you need to figure out how to land properly!"
Snow Drift somehow ended up on Jacks back.
She purred and darted off.
Jack changed her position to the middle of the frozen pond and stood there, looking for her hatchlet.
The sound of wing beats caused the girl to turn and look up, she gasped.
The Winter Fury she saved from the trap flew above, and just above it was Snow Drift. Every time Snow Drift faltered, the older Winter Fury would nudge her into the correct positioning and roar something.
The hatchlet looked so free and much happier with the other Fury.
Jack smiled sadly. She knew what she needed to do.
Black Ice met Jack on the ice and they watched the two play in the air and roar excitedly.
"We have to let her go" Jack said, "she needs her own kind"
Black Ice looked at her and nodded just as sad.
Jack called their hatchlet and both Winter Furies landed. In front of them.
"Snow Drift, you need your own kind to thrive and be the best you can" Jack started, tears clouding her vision, "you need your true mother to teach you, she can do it much better than we can"
Snow Drift chirped in confusion, wondering why her Muwtrea was sad and saying this.
"And your true pack can teach you to be the best hunter, gatherer and flier" Black Ice said softly, "we will always love you, never doubt that"
The two humans hugged her.
"Goodbye Snow Drift, we won't forget you" Jack whispered.
"We love you" Black Ice whispered.
They pulled away.
The adult Winter Fury understood and dipped her head in thanks.
"Take care of her" Jack said to the dragon.
It chirped, of course, she is mine as well.
"Stay safe Snowy, goodbye"
The adult Winter Fury nudged the hatchlet and they flew off.
Jacob held Jack as they watched Snow Drift fly off.
Both of them cried that night.