A Heart’s Liftoff

Summer was approaching and that day in particular was rather humid. Twilight, Dusk, and Dawn were sitting at the edge of camp chatting about summer plans. Movement caught Dusk's eye in the background behind her brother. Letting out a little smile, and then quickly looked back at Twilight, not giving anything away. Korra was creeping up slowly behind her friend. "What the…?" Dawn began. Dusk quickly cut her off with a flick on her back with her tail from behind. Twilight just kept jabbering on about how excited he was to hurry and grow up so he could play on their Father's zip-line. Korra nodded at the sisters from behind and then they at each other, then they dove in separate directions while Korra hurled a large snowball right at their little brother, knocking him face first into the ground like a kill shot. He let out a loud growl and dashed after her yelling "I'm going to kill you!" His sisters trailed after them, ecstatic about the snowball fight that was most likely about to break out. After a scuffle between Korra and Twilight, full of mercy wails, growling and squealing, that everyone heard, the four of them squared off against each other. "I must compliment you Korra," Dusk said, "Your hunting skills are becoming very sharp, sneaking up on him like that." She dipped her head at her niece and then ever so delicately formed several large snowball piles around them.

Jay sped in, out of nowhere and nabbed a ball, nailing his brother in the face who was sitting nearby. This started an all out snowball war with almost the entire family. Even the grumpy Uncle Victor joined in, getting some revenge on the offspring that had been annoying him. The game went on for a couple hours. Poor Jay got tagged the most by everyone, the price of being loved. "Soaked to the bone," according to him from his shivering. The older adults were simply exhausted from chasing the tribe's youth around by the time it was over.

It wasn't until Twilight was about seven months old that his wings fully developed, though they would continue to grow until complete adulthood, continually shedding. His Father woke him one morning, smothering him with his entire face. Twilight was startled and screamed, and Jay started laughing. "Today you will learn to fly! Come on, up up up!" Jay kind of shoved him to his paws.

Yawning, Twilight followed his Father out to the field. His sister and mother sat nearby on the side to cheer him on. "Alright, stretch out your wings and do some warm-up thrusts, strong ones." Jay started. His son unfurled his wings, fluffy as a baby duck. Jay teared up just a bit and said, "You look like an angel… and I would know, I've seen two." he said regaining his cool. Twilight had been practicing these thrusts building muscle, but only so much that his front feet came off the ground for a few seconds. "Now jump up! Raise you wings as high above you as you can and with all of your might push them fully underneath you." He fell to the ground and yelled in frustration trying to catch his breath. "It's alright, it just takes practice," Jay assured and encouraged. He just growled and shoved his father away, turning his back.

"You're doing great kid, cheer up." A voice said. Twilight looked up to see his grandfather smiling down at him. "You should have seen your Father when he started to learn, he had no teacher. You're way better off for your first tries than he was. Ha, this kid jumped from top of that damn tree and broke his arm." He gave Twilight a little loving shove. "Now come on, try again." Jay gave him a little nod and a smile. Logan grabbed Twilight and threw him up in the air as high as he could. He flapped as hard as he could and actually managed to keep the attitude for almost a whole minute, and then glided down to the ground. "Yeah!" everyone cheered. "Okay, I've got an idea," Jay said. Logan gave him a concerned look while Crystal yelled from the sidelines, "Last time you had a bright idea, you and your brother went body deep inside a dragon!" Jay just gave her a non-serious I hate you glance. Jay then did a little running start, grabbed Twilight, and took flight. Hoisting him into the air, as high as the clouds were floating. "Get ready!" Jay yelled. "You're crazy!" Twilight yelled back at him. "Just find a breeze of wind and let it carry you. Also not only do you want to force your wings underneath you, but simultaneously behind you to go forward." They exchanged unsure smiles and Jay released him. Twilight immediately started thrusting his wings in a panic, until he felt his father below him, gliding upside down non the less, put his paw on his shoulder. "Clear your mind...breath and feel the air currents around you." Twilight closed his eyes and stretched out his wing tips stroking the air as one might with their toes in soft grass. He could feel the current! He flapped his wings and alternated gliding, actually controlling his altitude. He managed to struggle a little higher, going into the clouds just to feel them. Everyone below could hear when Jay finally cheered. Twilight was just squealing with joy. He and his father flew side by side for several minutes before Twilight started to fall from exhaustion. Jay was glowing with pride as they reached the ground. Besides occasionally with his friend Lucifer in the underworld, Jay had never had anyone to go flying with, and he couldn't be happier that it was his son to be the one. He couldn't wait to teach and try some aerial team hunting moves.