silver beneath the surface

Her pink eyes watched as Bigs made his way over to Atreyu's side. She'd been so big all her life that it was hard to imagine what it might feel like to fear an owl. With a cautious eye, she looked back up to the birds. A smile curled across her lips as she watched them, their eyes locked back on her as they twisted their heads to get a better view of the one watching them. There seemed to be an instant connection.

Ellara was delighted that Atreyu agreed and she stood up, her haunches rising to align with her spine while her fluffy pink tail uncurled and began to sway. Unexpectedly, the owls swooped down towards her and landed along her spine, adjusting themselves comfortably as they showed their interest in the fire and the salmon. The female seemed to open and close her beak, clearly loving the smell of the good cooking.

Ellara was so in shock that these creatures felt comfortable enough to land on her, their talons sharp against her skin and causing her hackles to raise just slightly. She twisted her neck to look back at them, not daring to move less she disturb them.

"Did you hear that, owls? You promise not to eat Bigs, yeah?" Ellara said in a joking but stern voice. The owls turned their heads to look at her and ruffled their feathers. "Mmm, okay. Just remember, you promised!" She giggled, pretending to speak owl.