Hey, new chapter! Hope you enjoy!

Silas didn't know what to think. Abelie and her family had fallen right out of the sky. Or, really, her mother did. Literally. With the sun suddenly shining in her eyes, her mother, Safia, had had a collision with… well, he didn't know what. However, he did know, that in result, she had dislocated her wing. It was only minor; Lalli (who for some reason, when they found her, was crying her eyes out and looking very depressed) was able to reset it with ease. She advised she stay off it for a day or two, until the pain went away and it had time to adjust a little. Just in case.

So, while Denisha, Andre, and Zaida (who was absolutely delighted to have company) kept poor Safia and her mate, Damian, company, he was sent out to show Abelie around.

She was pure white, much like his sister, a rare thing to his kind, but her eyes were what surprised him. They were an electrifying, bright, yet soft, violet. They were… mesmerizing. He'd never seen eyes such as those. He caught himself more than once staring at them with wonder. They twinkled like gems, shining elegantly like the moon; serene and modest, but dazzling.

"Ms. Abelie?"

"Oui?" she, too, was French.

"I am curious. Where was ze destination of you and your famille?"

"Mother wished for some time away from our home. It has become quite… wild. No discipline. No rules. And when…" she suddenly looked troubled, slowing her flight. Sensing something was wrong, the other chick nodded to a branch they were passing. Fluttering to a stop, she landed gracefully on the tree limb, the other of her species landing beside her.

"Is something… ze matter?" she ruffled her wings and turned her head away. "Come now, tell me. I won't tell a soul."

"Well…"

"It's not healthy to keep things inside, you know." He pointed out gently, reaching over and gently moving her face so he could look her in the eye, willing himself not to get lost in those big, gem-like… beautiful- no! Focus! "You can tell me. You should."

"It's just that…" she sighed, and she suddenly had tears gathering in her eyes, making her purple orbs glisten, big and googly… focus! "Well, you see…"

"Yes?" he prompted gently.

For a moment she stood their, eyes wet and big, shaking slightly, whimpering… she burst into tears. She couldn't help it. The painful memories just came flooding back… and she lost it. Water flooded her face, and suddenly she was sobbing loudly, pulling away and plunking down, burying her face in her wings, not wanting to see his disgusted reaction. She was expected to be proper, controlled, poised! And here she was, blubbering like a baby. Goodness what would he say?

She was surprised to feel a wing lay itself on her shoulder, patting it gently, before the sound of someone settling beside her gathering her trembling form in a hug.

Silas wasn't, exactly, sure what she was upset. Her words as she explained were choked and jumbled; between the sobbing and sniffling and slight hiccupping, he could barely comprehend a word. Something about an older brother, and a massive fire… oh. If his assumption was correct… this poor girl. No wonder she was crying.

Abelie calmed down soon enough, and he gently pushed her back, wiping her tears, before offering her a leaf tissue. She took it, dabbing at her eyes hurriedly, mopping up the remaining tears. "Th- Thank you." Her voice was still choked, although to be honest, she felt much better. He was right; keeping things bottled up did no good and actually intensified the sad feelings over time. It had done the little chick much good to get all those tears out. "I kind of need zat."

"No need to thank me. What are friends for?"

She smiled slightly. "We're friends?"

"But of course." He stood up, offering her a wing. She took it gladly, and she rose as well. "Why would we not be?"

She giggled. "I don't know."

"Come on then." He cast his eyes over to the bog, which they could see the very entrance of from their high perch. "Our friends await. Mustn't be tardy."

She nodded in agreement. "Alright then. Shall we?"

"We shall." And they took off.

The two fluffy chicks (Silas was glad to find someone who shared that characteristic as well) chased each other chased each other through the air, Silas leading her to their place of play.

Out of breath from laughing, the two children landed, kind of wobbly, on a branch of a young tree just inside the bog. The humid air was making Abelie's feathers puff even more, if possible. The two shared looks for a moment, before bursting out in laughter. The female was quite pleased; she hadn't laughed this much in forever.

After they calmed down, something caught Abelie's eyes. "Oh my…" she breathed in amazement. "What… what kind of flower is zat?" He looked over. Somehow tangled up in a bunch of lilacs, was a large lily. It was bright magenta pink with pure white stripes, one on each petal, originating from the very center. "It's beautiful!"

"Mm, yes…" suddenly, an idea sparked in his head. "Would you like it?"

She gasped happily, making him smile triumphantly. Yep, this would surely impress her. "Can I?"

"But of course. I will get it for you."

"You will?!"

"Of course."

"Zat's so sweet! Thank you!"

"Pas de probleme." He quickly flew over, grabbing the lily in his beak, tugging it away. A few strands of lilacs were wrapped decoratively around the stem, making it smell all the sweeter.

As he presented it to her, she couldn't help breathing in amazement. Sit was even more beautiful up close. "It's lovely!"

He bowed, somewhat teasingly. "For you."

She giggled and bowed back, taking it. She smelt it; so fresh and fragrant! She hugged her new friend in thanks, and he took the small lily blossom, managing to weave the lilac strands into a ring. Placing it gently on her head, he adjusted it to the lily was off to the side, making a beautiful decoration.

"Oh thank you!" She practically squealed as she fluttered down to stand on a log, checking her reflection. "It's so beautiful!"

"Convenu. You look lovely." She giggled and blushed, but said nothing, just giving him a soft, sweet look. She stepped closer and nuzzled up against her beloved new friend; he was the first he had in years. After the death of her brother, she closed herself off from peers her age.

"Merci." She whispered. "Merci. Thank you."

He put a wing around her, smiling. "You're quite welcome."

They would've stayed in the comfortable embrace for a while longer, but soon, two voices behind them were heard. Not wanting to be caught, they both shared reluctant looks and took to the skies. Silas lead Abelie to their ship, perching in a tree that served as a mast, beginning to talk.

He was surprised to see Gupta arrive with a little badger sow about his age. He paid it no mind though; he was hardly one to criticize.

Abelie was thanking him for the millionth time (both their ears still ringing slightly from the new girl's scream, taking a fright from Shira) when he heard Gupta call out teasingly "Hey Squint. Whose your girlfriend."

Oh dear. This wouldn't go down well… he could just tell. But he hoped otherwise.

Well? It felt so weird typing sweet, innocent little kids talking so grown up and proper and… it just felt weird!

Anyway, I've decided I'd do a little introduction to each new chapter via how they met, leading up to the big scene where they all meet.

Sorry if this sucks; still sick and unfocused. Please review!