The storm was raging, its lightning crackling against the high ceiling, sending flashes of light across the room of Polaris and through the eyes of a very observant bird curled in a moonstone shell. His eyes were wide and watchful, each glare lightning in his eyes with a bright blue glow. His wings, not yet of the bright blue of maturity, were curled tightly against his side, the muscles not yet functional and not quite in his awareness just yet.

He just continued to watch the storm above, both with fear and admiration.

For it was light, bright, blue and white, and it was destruction, for the winds tore rock from stone. In his little shell, he observed this strange, unbalanced duality with awe.

As he watched, his entire being focused on this one observable event, he started to become aware of other things. Of the shell and of his own body, which was cramped and barely fitting in his cage any longer. He didn't really think, he just struck out against the shell. It cracked and he struck out again. It cracked and once more, and it shattered, letting him tumble out.

Suddenly, the storm wasn't his concern anymore. Suddenly, he was alive. He was breathing and he was feeling. The world had opened up to him, from the darkness to the storm above, the sounds of both silence and the thunderous clouds. He stood there, in awe, unable and unwilling to say a word as he looked around before finally looking back up.

The storm looked different now that he was in free air and it was certainly more terrifying from the ground. He cowered beneath it, but still felt a ring of joy at each flash as color illuminated the room. It was beautiful and he wanted to make light too.

Fira was still hanging around Polaris, finding herself unable to leave, wondering if this storm would ever abate. This had been her home for many cycles, and despite her better judgment telling her that it wasn’t as though storms were sentient, she couldn’t help resenting this stupid loud thing that prevented her from leaving Destiny’s memory in peace. She couldn’t leave til it did, and that didn’t seem to be happening any time soon. The fur on the nape of her neck stood up in agitation as she marched around Polaris angrily. She marched right up to the site of a Gemling hatching.

This made her pause, and she couldn’t help but give a tight smile as she watched from a bit of a distance as the bird stared around in awe. She was amazed that the storm didn’t frighten it, but maybe it was too young to know fear. Slowly, she approached, trying to make herself look friendly. “Hey, there, kid,” she said gently, putting on her best Mom Voice. “Welcome to the world.”

@Alan

The little bird heard the other one approach, but didn't know where to look. He waited for the storm to flash before he finally saw the huge creature standing before him. However, he was not scared. He was too young to know fear and to know that the cat might want to eat him. He knew none of this. All he knew is that the car was speaking kindly to him.

If only he could see her. From the one glance he had gotten, she was very pretty. He wanted to make his own light. And without really meaning to, he began to glow an ethereal blue, lighting up the area a little bit. At least it was enough to see the leopard.

He walked up to her and looked at her closely. She was all gold and shiny and pretty. He liked this newcomer. He purred and rubbed his head against its leg. To him, this was his way of saying thank you. He did not speak. He did not know if he could speak and it didn't even occur to him that he should speak. Was this not speech enough?

@Fira

Fira almost instinctively took a step backwards when the bird walked right up and rubbed its head on her leg. She made a small noise of surprise in the back of her throat, staring down at the Gemling and feeling a little awkward. “H-hey there,” she repeated, though her voice faltered a bit. She didn’t really know how to react to a baby wanting comfort. She hadn’t spent enough time around her own kids before they’d disappeared to know what to do in this situation. Eventually, she lowered herself to the ground so that she was laying on her belly. This way the bird could see her face and they could interact a bit better. She gave the Gemling a smile. “So, you like me, huh?” she asked, voice still soft and soothing. At least this baby bird had made her forget about the storm for now. She had noticed it glowing as it had approached her. That meant its Magic was Light Magic, a beautiful kind. And it would come in handy in this time of darkness in the cave.

@Alan

The bird was happy when the cat lowered herself to the ground. They were now looking face to face and he could admire the pretty gemstone on her head. Did he have a gemstone like that? He didn't think so, when he shook his head he didn't feel anything heavyC since it looked heavy. He wanted a pretty gem on his head.

When the cat spoke again, he blinked slowly to confirm. He gave another purr. He really did like this cat, but he didn't really know why. The word 'like' meant little to him at this time, but it was a good descriptor for his sudden affection. Perhaps it was the appearance of another gembound in this brand new world or perhaps his need for a parent. Or perhaps he just didn't have any notion for what was or wasn't appropriate with strangers.

He turned at another flash of the storm. While he has made some light, it didn't compare. He still didn't know what that thing was. Perhaps he cat had an idea. He turned to her and lifted a wing to point, but then realized that he had wings. He looked down at the dark brown, barely blue wings that extended from his arms. At first he was confused, but then he was excited. What were these wonderful things? He turned and realized hat he had another. With a coo of happiness, he forgot the storm and was instead enameled by those beautiful glowing wings that he had.

@Fira

The baby bird made a purring noise again, as if to show that it was happy with her. Fira smiled at it, still not really sure what to do in this situation. It seemed to be staring at her forehead, and for the life of her, she couldn’t figure out why. Her gemstone wasn’t something she thought about often, especially since Magic in general wasn’t something she thought about often either. She didn’t really… do Magic.

The storm lit up again, and the Gemling gazed up at the flash of light. Fira turned to look at it, as well, but soon focused her attention on the bird again… who now seemed to be fascinated by its own tiny wings. She smiled in amusement as it stared at itself, wondering what would happen next. She’d forgotten how cute babies could be.

@Alan

Once the excitement of finding his wings had passed, he was once again curious about the storm. However, the cat hadn't seemed to pick up on his pointing. Maybe he would have to find a different way to communicate. If he could maybe find a way to copy the sounds she had made, then perhaps this contact would be smoother.

However, he hadn't heard much from her and he didn't yet know the word for the storm. He frowned as he tried to get together the words in his brain. There were a few things coming to him, but not things sufficient enough to communicate his desire to know. So, instead, he pointed again at the storm and did his best.

"That..." he started, but then stopped because he had forgotten the next word. "Where...there...welcome...world...while...what...what! He looked up, happy with himself, pointing to the storm. "What...that?"

@Fira