This was familiar. Only this time, he knew how to break free.

His hind legs shot out, cracking against the shell of the chrysalis, breaking it into a hundred little pieces around him. He slid out onto the ground and gasped, coughing roughly to rid his lungs of the foul liquid that had filled them. He lay there on the ground in a heap of tangled legs and... feathers?

James lifted his head, new feelings and instincts suddenly bombaring him. He flapped out his wings- his wings! He had wings- why? What happened?

Peering over, he stared at them, curiously spreading them, trying to move each feather. The frills on his head flared up and down as easily as he swished his tail. He had wings! How wonderful! He wouldn't have to worry about being tricked off cliffs anymore...

Stupid creature, he thought, looking up at the top of the cliff.

James staggered to his feet, wings shooting out to try and balance his new weight. His wings were big and heavy, and they pressed down on his chest, which was weirdly deep. His tail (and the feathers attached, the entire thing now changed so he could flare them at will) shook out, flicking up and down as he took note of everything. Lighter bones, weird, bird-like muscles and skeletal structure, and the feathers and wings, of course. What a change.

Now all he had to do... was find Ari.

"ARI!!", he cried out, stumbling forward like he was a newborn all over again, his legs cramped from being encased for so long. At least his leg wasn't broken.

"I'm coming," he said, the weird calm he felt making way for panic as he attempted to fold up his wings like he'd seen birds do it, with limited success. They blocked some of his vision no matter what he did, though he chalked it up to inexperience with the limbs. He'd practice later.

"ARISTOTLE!!!", he cried out, taking off at a jog, still not sure of himself.

@Comet @Aristotle

Comet

Arctic Wolf

Comet followed Aristotle on the hunt. They wandered into a part of Orion that she had never seen before, which wasn't saying much, as she doesn't wander around Orion. Soon, they came to a place where there was a huge cliff on one side. It was taller than even many of the trees in Eridanus, and impressive sight.
She pricked her ears, listening for prey, and caught a slight sound. It didn't sound like that of moving prey, more like a call. Strange, it sounded very similar to Aristotle. Aristotle... the sound echoed through the winding valley. She was sure that is what the sound was this time. Strange, who could it possibly be? Comet remembered that Aristotle had mentioned something about their horse daddy. Perhaps it was him? Daddy, I hear someone calling you. she followed the sound, pricking her left ear and swiveling it in all directions to pinpoint where the sound was coming from. Eventually, she came upon a huge black animal that sort of looked like a deer, but it had colorful wings. She gave a tentative sniff. Who are you?

@James
@Aristotle

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

Aristotle strode over the ground with grace and ease. He kept a slow lope as the pace, so as to keep a quick pace but not fast enough to make Comet run but just fast enough to make her jog. They were out on yet another hunting lesson. Aristotle had taken to almost daily hunting lessons for Comet, he had also begun teaching her how to keep her claws sharp enough to skin them, and he had begun lessons on how to skin them as well. The girl was always so eager for her lessons and he absolutely loved teaching her. Though the only lessons that Aristotle was able to share with the two children were their lessons on herbs and gardening, as well as medical care. But Sun had taken to mostly staying at home and tending the garden. Though he was getting a bit chubby, he would have to get him out and make him exercise more.

As they reached the tall cliff near the side of Orion, Aristotle’s nose was assaulted with the smell of old blood. The scent of blood was accompanied by another smell, one very familiar and very fresh. The lion’s baby blue eyes widened as he stopped dead in his tracks. He looked to Comet a frantic look in his eyes. The lion’s rounded audits perked as they caught the sound of a voice echoing off the cliffs.

Aristotle was at a run before he realized it, his broad paws carrying him swiftly over the rocky ground. ”James I’m coming!” He was yelling before he realized it was his voice calling back. Soon the two were face to face. Aristotle stopped dead in his tracks once more taking the sight of James. He had wings and feathers now. Brilliant white purple and black feathers decorated the horse now. Aristotle took a few steps forward, his head lowered slightly and ears pressed back. ”J-James? James what happened to you?” Suddenly the lion came to a realization. He had yet again failed to protect the one he loved.

Tears filled the lion’s baby blue eyes and began to stream down his cheeks wetting his soft beige fur. ”James I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault.” The lion cried as he stepped as close to James as he possibly could and pressed his face into James chest. Then a soft curious voice came from behind him and Aristotle turned half way. Lifting a paw the lion wiped away his tears and smiled down at Comet. ”Comet, This is James my partner and your other father.” Aristotle looked up at James a bright smile on his face. ”James this is our daughter, Comet.” The lion introduced the two with a gentle smile. The two of them had much to talk about, but that could wait for now.

@James
@Comet

"Oh Ari- Ari!!", he cried out, galloping forward to meet him halfway, collapsing to his knees to snuggle into the lion's fur, wings shooting out, showing their brilliant colors, and quickly wrapping around the lion.

"I was restless- I couldn't sleep and I needed to move. I went up onto the cliff to see the view and to think, and then... she appeared- this woman! She was so beautiful and she needed my help, so I jumped over the bridge a-and she turned out to be a-an illusion-", he snarled, tears in his eyes.

James was so hurt. Both traumatized by the fall and the betrayal for what had be no reason!

He nuzzled into Ari and buried his face in the other's mane, breathing in his scent. He looked up as Ari turned, gently shuffling his wings into place. Another child? This time, a wolf. A hunter.

Perfect for him, he thought, stepping forward.

"Comet... such a pretty name," he praised softly, rubbing his tears away on his wing, "Gosh- I'm so sorry I couldn't be here. I got hurt and was stuck in my chrysalis until I healed... and grew wings."

Looking to Ari, he seemed as baffled as he did about them, and just shrugged. They'd talk about it later...

"Where are you from?", he asked, stepping forward to gently sniff at her fur, getting acquainted with her scent and the feel of her fur.

@Comet @Aristotle

Comet

Arctic Wolf

"James." Comet tried out the name on her tongue. This was him, her other dad. It finally clicked in her brain that this was what a horse looked like, but Aristotle hadn't mentioned anything about horses having wings. But everything made sense when the horse explained about him getting the wings when he went into him chrysalis.
She watched cautiously as James stepped up to sniff her fur. He was HUGE. Probably ten times as big as her not including the wings. Comet sniffed the horse in turn, memorizing his scent. It was very different, from the smell of his breath she could tell he ate plants. Not a hunter like her and Aristotle, she thought about how he was more similar to Sun. She rubbed her head against his fur-- more like hair than fur, it was short and smooth. I'm-- I'm from-- Comet stuttered, she was still nervous around James, even though she knew he was friendly, and her other dad even, she was still a bit scared. Eridanus. she looked up into his eyes, and when she saw they were rather warm, it gave her a boost of confidence. I'm gonna be a cycle old soon. And I know how to catch rabbits! I'm going to be a great hunter! Lion Daddy says so anyway. now that she had met BOTH dads, she would need to differentiate between the two.

@Aristotle
@James

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

Aristotle pressed into the horse as he dropped to his knees. The lion lifted one paw and wrapped his head and one foreleg around the horses neck, being careful of his claws as he pulled himself as close to the stallion as he possibly could. The lion relaxed as he felt James new wings wrap gently around his body, the feathers ever so gently brushing against his fur.

Rounded audits lay back slightly as he listened to James speak. Explaining what had happened.The lion pulled back hearing the anger in his voice he saw the tears in James’ eyes. Aristotle reached up gently with his muzzle and licked the stallion’s cheek. ”It’s okay James, at least you’re alive.” The lion gritted his teeth and pressed his cheek to the horses. He had failed to protect him again. This was all his fault. He should have stayed with James and accompanied him on his walk. But no, he had to leave to go to Eridanus for some gods awful reason.

Aristotle looked at Comet, a gentle smile playing on his muzzle. ”Isn’t it though.” The lion admitted that their daughter had a beautiful name that matched her own looks to a perfection. The lion smiled as Comet cried out her other father’s name so joyfully. He knew that she had been looking forward to meeting her other father, but he hadn’t realized just how excited she truly would be on their first meeting.

The lion stood idly by watching the horse and wolf cub get acquainted. He was unworried about the exchange knowing well how James would react to the girl. Though James probably hadn’t figured that Aristotle would take it almost literally when James said he wanted more children. Though it wasn’t as if he had planned on adopting Comet. She had just kind of fallen into his lap, but he was okay with that. In the short time she had been with him he had already come to adore the little wolf. Seeing the anxiousness of the little wolf, the lion leaned down and ran a gentle assuring tongue over the girls cheek.

Aristotle beamed a brilliant smile at James. ”Yes, she shows a lot of potential as a hunter. With a bit more practice she could even be better than me.” The lion admitted rather easily that wolf could probably out hunt him once she got older.

@James
@Comet

"Oh! How wonderful!", he said merrily, wiping away the last of his tears, "From what I can tell, only the very best hunters come from Eridanus. Ari, and you... how lucky I am to have a partner and a daughter so talented."

James let out a trill, eyes widening, the sound odd to come out of his mouth. He blinked for a few moments before shaking his head and offering his nose to nuzzle Comet. Already he felt affection in his chest for the young girl, happy that he hadn't been gone long enough to miss much. As far as he knew, not much had changed.

Reluctantly, he pulled away, turning to Ari again, "Home? Despite being asleep for so long, I'm awfully tired."

He'd find out if he could fly another day. Right now? He wanted to see if his son was alright. He was also rather eager to settle down in his nest (wait, nest?) and sleep for a hundred years. And maybe tuck his children under his wings and snuggle up against Ari. Yeah... that sounded wonderful.

"Comet?", he asked, "I'd like you to check something for me. I'm still figuring out my new feelings... it appears that they've come with my wings, but I believe you can find a space when my wings fold that you can lay in, if you wish. Like a little ride!"

James slowly knelt down, wings folded up neatly, his crest of feathers settled down by his neck, only looking like a tuft of brown and black. A mating display, perhaps?

@Comet

Comet

Arctic Wolf

Comet listened the James's praise. Even though she had met him for such a short time, she already felt her love for him. He was just as good a dad as Aristotle. She raised her head and rubbed her snout against his nose. She wondered what James liked to do. He didn't seem to be a hunter, so perhaps he could teach her about other things that Aristotle couldn't?
"Okay!" replied Comet. When James knelt down, he was almost as short as her. She placed her front legs onto his back and hauled herself on. He was right, just in between his wings was a fold that was perfect to ride in. Comet tucked her hind legs under her and placed her head on the soft bunch of feathers on his neck. It was very comfortable being in that position, warm and comfy. "This is very-- com - for - table." she sounded out the word. She wondered if Sun would be able to fit with her, but she guessed he enjoyed riding on Aristotle, something she was not able to do because of the shape of her body. But this fold was perfect for Comet to ride in. She stuck out her head to the side to see where they were going next.

@Aristotle
@James

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

Aristotle let out a soft chuckle as he smiled up at James. His partner always was free with the compliments. He was just a hunter. He wasn't sure how great he was, but he did what he had to to eat. He had become skilled in taking the skins of his kills simply to make himself and his family more comfortable. He was simply teaching his daughter how to survive as a carnivore. He was so attuned with plants that he had become able to sometimes digest fruits which he greatly enjoyed eating. ”I’m nothing special.” Aristotle admitted he was sure other lions would be just as good at hunting as he was.

Aristotle tilted his head to one side in confusion and interest at the new sound that James made. It was nothing like anything he had ever made before. ”What…” Aristotle said taken aback. ”You’ve never made that sound before.” The lion noted out loud.

As James looked back to him, breaking his exchange with Comet. James spoke of home and how tired he was. ”I’m not surprised you’re tired, you’ve been through one hell of an ordeal.” Aristotle commented softly. Just because he had been in his chrysalis, didn’t mean that he had rested well. His body had been going through changes. Major physical changes that made him different than he was before. His body more avian in nature than equine.

Aristotle listened as James offered for Comet to take a ride on his back. The lion couldn’t help but wonder, how exactly the wolf cub would get up on his back in the first place. However he would lend a hand if need be done. Though his assistance was unneeded as he watched the little wolf squirm her way up onto the winged horses back. Aristotle smiled brightly watching Comet settle in and make herself comfortable on James’ back.

@James
@Comet

James lurched to his feet, careful to keep Comet stable as he steadied himself. He looked to Aristotle and tutted, bumping noses with him gently.

"You're the best partner anyone could ask for," he said, "And that puts you above everyone else. Well, except Sun and Comet. They're even."

He shrugged helplessly at Ari's notice of his noise. There would be more surprises to come, he was sure.

Turning his head, he made sure Comet was comfortable, adjusting her paws briefly so he wasn't getting claws into his back (not that he really minded, his fur and new feathery shoulders and back were more than enough protection). He started walking, knowing that his wings would catch her, should she become unbalanced. He was incredibly happy about this new change of events, if only for the reason that now he didn't have to worry about his children sliding off his back.

"I'm glad you're comfortable, dearling," he said, before falling in line beside Aristotle, "Now... we're finally homeward bound."

James flicked his crests up and down experimentally, flashing bright feathers before they disappeared as they flattened against his neck. He shook his head out and let them sit relaxed, half-open, the colors able to be seen but not blocking his hind-view.

@Comet