ƒℓу ѕωιƒтєя тнαη αη єαgℓє

[~echo~]

A few hours later, at eleven in the morning, Jacob returned with a pack overflowing with meat. The boy had killed a deer and skinned it, fashioning the beginnings of a deer-skin coat for himself.

[Deleted]

She was still there.
She opened her eyes, smiling at him.
"Nice catch." Her voice was low, soft.

[~echo~]

He nodded stiffly. "For your journey," he said. "I can't imagine it will be a short walk to the centre of the earth."

[Deleted]

"I'm not going home, but thank you." She tilted her head. "I'm going on a journey. Shall you like to come?"

[~echo~]

He blinked and watched her. "That depends on where it is you're going."

[Deleted]

"To create a group. To make a rebellion." She dusted off her pants and swung her satchel over her back.
She secured it to her chest, eyes cautious. "I ask again - do you wish to come?"

[~echo~]

"Make a rebellion against whom?" he asked. He did love a good rebellion story.

[Deleted]

"The evil bastards who dragged me away from my home as a child." Her voice was cold. "Against the scientists."

[~echo~]

"I'm in," the boy said, opening and closing his wings a few times.

[Deleted]

"Oh? Last night, you couldn't wait to kill me, and now you want to join me. Curious, especially for a fire user." She tilted her head. "It will be no easy trek, young one."

[~echo~]

"I have seen strife enough, thank you very much," he said curtly. "I think I can handle it."

[Deleted]

She nodded. "Very well. At some point, we will cross through Daragon, but we shall not stay there." She stared at him, head still tilted. "Did you see my dragon, or no?"

[~echo~]

He shook his head. "I have not," he said with a blink.

[Deleted]

"Oh, well. He shall protect you and I from now on, and any who join us." She turned and finished lacing up her boots, fixing her leather pants, the vest, the pack on her back.

"We ready to go, then? I take the lead, no questions asked, alright? I know were I'm going."

[~echo~]

The boy watched her. "Do you mind if I fly? I don't like being on the ground for too long. I won't go too high up."

[Deleted]

Elena nodded. "Go ahead. I am not one to deny talent being free. We head North for the next few fortnights, then we'll turn to the East. I've got a track to follow, but I can make you a copy of the map I'm using."

[~echo~]

"Thank you, but that is fine," Jacob said. "I will simply follow you."

[Deleted]

She nodded. "Very well. Then follow." She whirled, unsheathing her sword so her dragon could crawl up her arm and keep track of the time for her. She started to run.
But it was so much more than that.

Jacob had physical wings, but the wings that Elena had were more metaphysical, almost a tangible presence around her.
They were feathered dragon wings, if you looked hard enough, clear so they could camouflage better. To the touch, they were softly, silky, if you cared to try.

She leaped up in the air, spinning through it, legs tucked under her as she sailed over the log and landed on the balls of her feet.
Does he follow?

The dragon on her wrist answered.
He does.

[~echo~]

Jacob ran and leaped into the air, soaring on true pleasure. He smiled and followed Jacob.

[Deleted]

It was sundown and her dragon was beside her. Not on her, as he normally preferred to be, but beside her. They were munching on meat in a companionable manner.

"Jacob! Come meet Aqua!"