literature

SV-RPG Ch 2.2: Well that was unexpected

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Ossie rested under the branches of a large oak tree, one eye trained on the kit. Now that Bran had hatched, he lost that pervading draconic stink and smelled more like she’d imagined a gryphon would—a mix of raptor and great cat, with a hint of cinnamon. He had changed subtly over the last few hours since his hatching, growing slightly taller and possibly heavier in the process.

And cuter, Ossie admitted privately.

Mac and Kanorlan sat nearby, the former enjoying a light lunch courtesy of the McAulfys; the latter was cracking open the bones of a yearling deer, spooning the marrow out with his long, pink tongue. Bran played in the circle made by Mac’s legs and Kanorlan’s forepaws, batting one of the deer’s ribs around.

A small equine smile played around Ossie’s muzzle as she bent to tear a tuft of bright green summer grass from the edge of the road. It wasn’t as sweet as home grass, but it wasn’t terrible, either. She chewed thoughtfully, lifting her head to look down the road. The mountains that were purportedly the homeland of a gryphon clan rose in the distance, sharply peaked and covered in brown rock. Patches of pine trees grew at the base and rose a quarter of the way up, before giving way to spots of green that could only be moss or lichen. Ossie couldn’t see any flying beasts, but hopefully they would—soon.

Something skittered near Ossie’s feet and the draft dunalino mare glanced down to see Bran sitting there, a rib bone in his beak. Swallowing her mouthful of grass, Ossie leaned down so that her muzzle was at level with his head. “Hello, there,” she murmured.

Bran’s tufted ears pricked excitedly and he dropped the bone at her feet. It bounced once, then landed across the dark feathered hair covering her massive grey hoof. Bran reached out and tapped her hoof with one small taloned forepaw.

Ossie’s left ear swiveled. “Yes?”

Bran scooted forward, his half-leather, half-feather wings partially extended. He tapped the bone and wriggled backwards, making soft, chittering noises. Ossie’s brow furrowed as she stared at the rib bone. Did he want to play, or was he offering her something to eat?

Only one way to find out. She flicked the bone down the trail, where it landed with a puff of dirt.

“Mrrp?” Bran vocalized, tufted ears flicking sideways. He looked down at her hooves, then at the bone laying several feet away. “Mrrp?”

“Go on, get it,” Ossie encouraged, giving him a slight nudge with her muzzle.

“Mrrp!” Bran’s golden eyes widened and he dashed off, avian claws and draconic hind paws kicking up clouds of dust. As he raced by Mac and Kan, Mac covered her mouth, stifling a giggle. She flashed Ossie a thumb’s up as the kit scooped up the bone in his beak and galloped back to Ossie like a puppy.

Purring heavily, Bran deposited the rib bone at Ossie’s feet. His draconic hind end wriggled like a cat’s in anticipation. Ossie chuckled, a low, deep sound that rumbled through her broad chest. She scraped at the bone with her left hoof, getting it into position. Wedging the front part of her hoof underneath it, she flicked her leg. The bone soared high and wide, landing further away than the first time.

Bran took off like a shot, all claws and paws, spade tail waving around for balance. He quickly brought the bone back and presented it at Ossie’s hooves.

Mac laughed. “You started something, Oss.”

The kit turned at the sound of Mac’s voice, ears swiveling. Mac shoved the last bite of sandwich into her mouth to muffle her laughter. Bran immediately pivoted to face Ossie. The mare lowered her head to his level, nostrils blowing sweet, grass-scented air across his avian face.

Bran squealed and rose up on his draconic hind legs, pressing his foreclaws against Ossie’s nose. The mare nearly crossed her blue eyes to watch him reach up for her flickering, flaming mane. Bran steadied himself with one foreleg, the other stretching out towards the fire.

“Careful,” Ossie cautioned, though there was no way he could reach all the way up to her forelock. Even if he did, she had the ability to turn the “burn” on and off.

“Mrrp?” Bran slid down her nose and tilted his head to the side. “Mrrp!” His tiny feathered throat bobbed; Ossie lifted her head, in case anything was coming back up.

Bran’s golden eyes crossed and he belched. A tiny jet of purplish flame erupted from his black beak, sending the kit rolling backwards.

What the … ! Ossie scrambled backwards; at the same time, Mac and Kanorlan leapt to their feet. They stood frozen, staring at the pudgy hybrid as he rolled back onto all fours. Shaking his head, Bran trotted back up to Ossie with a proud “Mrrp!” He reared up and smacked the dirt with his foreclaws, more purple-colored flame shooting from his open beak like baby fireworks.

“Oh dear,” Mac murmured between her fingers. “I think we have a problem.”

Horse's name: A823 ECr Odtsetseg
Rider's name: McKenna Hansen
Link to tracker image: Summer Voyager Tracker
Prompt # or Extra #: Chapter Two: A Mystery Revealed
Extra prompt #2: I didn’t ask for BBQ.
Collaboration: No.

:iconsummervoyager-rpg:

<< SV-RPG Ch 2.1: Gotta eat sometime || SV-RPG Ch 2.3: Once more for the road >>

Word count: 835
Story (c) me
© 2017 - 2024 shekeira
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