Cloudchild

Chapter 12 - Owls

Annani whirled through air and landed on the cave floor, ice shattering from her body. She weakly sat up and yawned, jelly hat tilting over her face. She lifted her gel cap up. Her eyes widened, Anath's visage before her.

The crocodilian beast hovered vertically within a wall of rising water outside the cave, tail gently swaying against its upward current. She gently crawled forth, seaweed-wrapped arms pulling herself out the water.

Annani saw the hole in Anath's stomach, though the beast seemed untroubled. Annani fell over as Anath curled into a big ball, taking up all the space across the cave.

The child waddled to Anath, who opened one eye.

What?

Annani yawned. "I fff—think we talk?"

Anath grumbled. What about?

Annani yawned again. "Wuh-why'd you...try to eat me?"

A sigh rumbled. Some idiot caused much architecture to avalanche over my den, burying me and destroying all my eggs.

Annani hesitated. "Oh...sorry, I didn't..."

Anath closed her eye. Don't worry about it.

"I'm still sorry. I didn't mean to."

I said don't worry about it.

"If I knew, I would have not done anything to, um, make everything fall."

Anath slightly opened one eye. It was the nicest den I made, had twelve perfect eggs. All gone.

Annani lowered her head, heart crumbling.

But I have nothing to worry about anymore. The eggs only had yolk anyways.

Annani sighed. "If I caused your eggs to break, then...why did you risk your life to save me?"

Anath shrugged. Well, your magic saved me, too, but... I guess I just still like you. She closed her eye and snuggled.

Annani felt a tinge of shame, thinking about when she cheered Anath being eaten by the Trolls. The child cuddled up against Anath and yawned. "I still like you, too. I'll always like you, and... I hope you can forgive me?"

A dismissive snort burst from Anath's nostrils. I'll always forgive you.

*

Echoing clicks awoke Annani. Gasping, she sat up, memories of fangs towering from the waters ripping her mind. Her heartbeat writhed through her guts and up her throat.

She inhaled hard, closing her eyes. "It's in the past." She touched her gumline, sighing. Still wish I didn't lose half my teeth... "Oh well, they'll grow back." Yawning, she sleepily turned. Anath slumbered. Annani yawned again, stretching, jelly hat wobbling. "Whazz tha noise?"

Someone's at my other side, being annoying.

Annani blinked. "You're awake?"

No, I'm sleeping.

Annani cocked her head. "Then how are you talking to me?"

Just do me a favour and see what's going on. I really don't want to wake up. I'm in the perfect position to keep warm while keeping my torn stomach closed.

Annani groaned. "I wanted to sleep, too." Touching Anath's chipped scales, the child crawled up, declawed fingers sometimes slipping. Eventually, she poked her glowing head over Anath's back.

Faint light shone from outside the cave, illumination revealing feathery friends. Chains still crisscrossing their chests, mattocks within their claws, five Moon Owls looked up.