• Memory • Wayward Child

[Lanidya]

64th of Ashan, 714

Lanidya huddled on the cold stone floor of her cave. She hugged her scrawny bruised legs against her chest as she picked at scabs on her toes. Her expression was one of anger, frustration and basic disgust. This was her daily expressions, having found life away from her home undesirable. The red winged girl had found much to distract her and she had done a great many things. Her hate for humans, however, had increased inside of her and filled her to near fill. The hate almost brimmed over, but she was pretty sure she could cram more of that hate inside.

The cave she had been given when she returned was meager and lacking almost everything; but it was still more than she had before. Lanidya looked around it again and flexed her wings until they spread out almost filling her cramped quarters. She then yawned and stretched her arms, closing her golden eyes in the process. Having just woken up she was still trying to shake the tired feeling of oversleeping. It had been a while since she had rested fully and comfortably. Well, as comfortable as she could make herself, at least she had a bed now.

Her wings twitched as she went on all fours and crawled around the cave floor. The young Avriel crawled over to the lip of her cave and looked down. Her head jerked quickly from one side to the other as she examined the world outside with large golden eyes. Lanidya let out a screech, a warning that she was awake and aware and it was followed by several responses. Her clawed hands grabbed at the edge of the cave lip, unafraid of the height, as her excellent vision examined her surroundings. A grimace tugged at her lips as her scarlet wings twitched again in agitation. Still, this was calm for her since she was no longer the unthinking creature she had been. Lanidya was an adult now and some of these habits had to be kicked; such as crawling around on all fours.

So, she slowly stood up, standing to her full height and careful not to bump her wings against the roof of the cave. The young female Avriel stretched her scrawny arms and studied them. It was going to take a while to gain some weight and muscle but the possibility was there. Her frame was tall and strong and she would make a fine Shadow Wing one day. As she stood akimbo at the mouth of her cave, Lanidya managed a grin. This was just the beginning...

[Lanidya]

Lanidya had been given clean clothing to wear, although they were plain. This was fine with her since her main feature were her crimson set of wings. She displayed them proudly as she walked to the meal center. Her long dark claw like fingers twitched with energy as she smelled the boiling meat. It was plain boiled meat for the young ones, while the older ones shared the better cooked meats. This was fine with her, since hunger always won out and at least she was no longer catching her own food. Sometimes she would eat it raw, especially when she couldn't produce a fire to cook it on. Those were the tough days, when hunger won out and even rodents tasted good.

Golden orbs spotted others her age, and they all seemed like wild creatures; their eyes wide, their heads constantly turning this way and that as if seeing everything for the first time. When Lanidya discovered that she to was doing that she stopped herself. Instead, she stood up straighter and observed the way the adults conducted themselves. The young Avriel squared her shoulders and set her wings into a comfortable position behind her back. Most of the youths had their wings open, ready for flight at any second if spooked; but Lanidya did not. Her chin was held high and she took her time walking towards the human slaves serving the food.

At the sight of them, however, she lost a bit of her composure and she snapped at them, screeching a warning which made them wince slightly but did not stop what they were doing. No, these humans were used to young Avriels like Lanidya and although they were frightened they were trained well to stay put and just take it. One of them served her a bowl of boiled meat, his eyes downcast respectfully and as soon as she grabbed the bowl he went to the next Avriel and did the same. For an instant, Lanidya wanted to throw the hot concoction at the human just to watch him writhe in pain. Hunger got the best of her, however, and also manners. Lanidya could feel the careful eyes of the adults on her and how she acted. She could feel them asking themselves if she was really ready to return to Avriel society or if she was still that wild unpredictable child that had been set free to act out her impulses.

So, without another word, she took her food and proceeded to find a spot to eat....