A Friend in the Snow: Chapter 1

        The snow crunched softly under the large Gryph’s foot. The snow head of him was unmarred and perfect, sparkling gently in the rising sun. A truly beautiful sight to behold. It was, in fact, the only reason the bald headed Stryx bothered to come out this morning. The cold winds made the skin around his beak ache with the chill of it, and he’d much rather have avoided it all together if it were not for the wonderful picturesque sunrise’s of winter. He watched the sun rise, it’s wondrous colors splaying out over the skies, until finally starting fading into their daytime colors, a soft smile playing at the edges of his beak. It wouldn’t be much longer before Ginger went back inside, though he’d be up a bit longer in the morning before settling in to sleep away the day. Perhaps he’d see if his rider would make him some Cocoa, though he knew the Horseman was quite busy, trotting around and getting ready for the holidays.

        He was brought out of his musings, just as he began to wonder if he should help out for this odd holiday his Dullahan insisted upon celebrating, by the soft crunching of snow somewhere behind him. Glancing behind him he saw nothing but trees and shadows. A quiet rumble escaped his chest, the beginnings of a warning threat to whatever presence it was that he had heard. Watching the treeline behind him for a moment longer, a faint movement caught his eye off to his side, but before he could turn to face the entity, something frigidly cold exploded on the side of his head. Squawking indignantly, he turned to face his attacker and found himself staring down at a small and very smug raptor.

        The Melanistic Raptor squawked and chirped in laughter, announcing herself as Soot, before darting off, obviously baiting him to play with her. Ginger stood firm, scowling at the Runner, using a wing to wipe the cold snow from his face, uninterested in her games. Undeterred, the smaller Stryx darted forward nipping playfully at his leg feathers before darting off again, waiting a show distance away, tail raised high and head lowered in a daring challenge. Refusing to be pulled into such childish games, Ginger stood at his full height, bristling out his feathers, and let out a raspy hiss, all in an attempt to frighten off the younger Stryx.

        Soot sat down and tilted her head at the display. The message was clear to her, this large bird didn’t want to play with her. He didn’t even want her around. She couldn’t really understand why, he was such a large bird, he must be capable of stirring up the snow so much better than she, he must be great fun. Heaving a dejected sigh she slowly picked herself up out of the snow, and made to return to her wanderings. A faint wonder if anyone would want to play with her crossing her mind.

        Ginger deflated slightly, watching just how sad the young raptor was. She was young, though he couldn’t quite tell how young, and she was rather far out to be anywhere near this territory. She must be very lonely, he decided, to be looking at him as a potential playmate. Turning to go himself, he felt himself pause, and in that brief moment he made a decision. Scooping up a large amount of snow with a wing, he flung it over his shoulder at the Raptor.  His reward for his effort was the startled screech, which quickly turned to excited chittering. Glancing over his shoulder, he gave her a smirk.  The excitement that bloomed across her face almost made him forget about the cold on his skin.

        Until another lump of snow was launched at him, smacking him square in the face and he was reminded full force of the frigid temperatures. Such a blatant act against him couldn’t go unpunished, so he turned and flared his wings in a silly manner, quickly stamping after her. Her chittering laugh echoed through the trees as she darted between his stamping feet. As they two stamped and played, throwing lump of snow after lump of snow, the sun steadily rose in the sky. High above what Ginger would normally stand for, and much farther beyond what the little raptor was used to. They played and laughed until the little Raptor started to drag her talons, until her little wings wouldn’t stay tucked against her body, until she swayed where she stood. And still she wanted to play more. With a gentle shake of his head, Ginger denied her more of her games, and carefully bundled her up in his wings.

        She couldn’t say out here, the weather might not be the worst during the day, but there were other dangers that might threaten a young exhausted Stryx, so she must be taken somewhere safe. He felt her thumbs cling into the thick ruff around his neck and she curled in close. He expected she’d be fast asleep by the time he made it back to his own nest. Before sleep fully took hold though, in a quiet chirp, she thanked him for the game. It was the best time she’s had. In a fading voice she told him of the lonely nights she’s had, roaming for a companion, hoping for a friend. She was so happy to finally have once now. After that, she was out, sleeping calmly in his wings.

        Ginger didn’t feel as cold, after she called him her friend. His heart was warm, and he knew he’d protect this young one, no matter the threat.