[open] dust and bones

[Altissima]

Being almost a year and a half old, Altissima was fairly certain that she was an adult. She certainly felt like an adult, at least in comparison to how young she used to be. This was the oldest she had ever been, after all. She wanders her home wondering if it will always be her home or if she could, and should, discover a life beyond its borders. In the bright summer and red clay, Altissima and her owl companion stand out as they move – this is a pair made for the chill of winter and little else. Winter, the snowy owl, is flying near her bonded friend, bright golden eyes alert for whatever they may come across. It’s a surprise to find Altissima’s father. Such a surprise that her eyes shift from their natural blue to a deep violet. Those dragon-eyes pick up the differences in Litotes but her life experience doesn’t provide her with any knowledge to explain why this version looks like the ghost of the one in her memories. The yearling feels emotions twist her stomach though she’s not sure what any of them mean. There’s fondness, his silver-speckled face is one of the first she had ever seen, after all, but there’s also a sense of abandonment as well, and confusion, and a hollowness. She doesn’t even know what to call him when she approaches, her legs moving her almost against her will. But they halt while there is still several feet between them, locking up. Her companion circles nearby, curious and wary. “Hello father.” She settles on, though it feels odd and formal but she's not sure what else to do. She's confused by the caution and wariness she feels. Her reaction to him hinges on how he will react to her – will he be happy to see her? Will he be disappointed that she is not someone else?

image by Reitiro

@[litotes] hope you don't mind!!