MeiAnne saw Raba smile at her from his perch on Loola. It soothed her nerves as she strapped herself into Molis' saddle. Molis turned her head around to face MeiAnne. She outstretched her hand to meet Molis' snout and was met with a comforting rumble.
Looking into the sunset eyes she loved so much, she knew she could trust her partner. MeiAnne nodded and Molis turned her head to look up into the sky.
Molis lowered herself in preparation, her tail whipping back and forth above the ground to show how excited she is for this moment.
The pair shot up into the air as MeiAnne felt the breath escape her lungs. The wind whipped her hair in every direction as Molis continued to climb up into the air, working her wings extra hard with MeiAnne's added weight. MeiAnne was not heavy, but when trying to remain in flight everything counts.
As the pair leveled out in the air MeiAnne leaned forward just enough to set her hand on the base of Molis' neck. She could feel her heavy breathing as she pushed her muscles more than she was used to in flight. She could feel the upwards and downwards motion more often and more abrupt than when she rode with Yulan.
Loola glided underneath them, turning her head to keep her eyes on them at all times. Raba waved and beamed over at them. Seeing him so excited over this made MeiAnne blush slightly as she waved back.
Molis let out a trumpeting roar. It felt like thunder to MeiAnne as she clinged to Molis with her legs. Pride in her partner had completely replaced MeiAnne's concern. She should've known better with how confident Molis was coming into it, but MeiAnne was learning more about herself in the past weeks of training than she thought.
Molis never slowed or faltered. It didn't come as naturally as magic, but they never stopped working. Raba would soon call them out to fly at all different times and conditions. Raba pushed both MeiAnne and Molis. He pushed Molis to grow stronger flight muscles and control in the air. He challenged MeiAnne's mentality, calling her to step out of her comfort zone more and more.
"How are you scaredy bunny?" Raba teased one day.
"Wait, that's not how it goes." MeiAnne smirked at Raba thinking she had caught him in a slip up.
"Well no, but bunnies are cuter." With that he wiped the smirk off her face. Molis, who was nearby, did her chuff like a laugh again.
"Don't encourage him!" MeiAnne whipped around to Molis, who lowered her head to nudge MeiAnne.
Molis nudged hard enough to cause Raba to reach out and steady MeiAnne by grabbing onto her arm. She held her breath, trying to keep from blushing, as she stood back up.
"Can we just get on with today?" This received a chuckle from Raba as led them off.
The skies were growing dark for this training, although not from the sun going down. Clouds carrying the sound of thunder had rolled in blocking much of the light.
In order to distract herself from worrying, MeiAnne tried to make conversation. "I haven't been seeing Gen as often recently."
"He is my second, so as I train you I make him lead drills."
"Oh he must love you for that." MeiAnne and Raba both chuckled at the thought of Gen having to lead drills.
When they got ready to go up, Raba made sure MeiAnne's jacket was long enough at the sleeves for the rain. She was not prepared for him to walk up to her and pull her hands up at all.
"Oh! I should've warned you. I just want to make sure the rain won't make you too cold." He reassured her when he noticed her surprise.
It didn't take long before rain started to sting MeiAnne's face as Molis ducked and weaved in the air with Loola. If it wasn't for Loola adding brightness to the area, the sky would resemble a night with no moon. The only thing cutting through the darkness besides Loola's magic was lightning. With each strike the air warmed and shook, threatening to throw MeiAnne off balance.
A bolt of lightning came striking so close to Molis in the air, it forced her to lurch to the side and tuck a wing in to avoid being in its path. Before she could pull herself back, Molis fell into a dive. She started to spin into the fall, unable to unfurl the one wing.
MeiAnne felt her stomach drop out and could only hear the sound of thunder, wind, and Molis screaming out a roar as they fell. MeiAnne would be screaming too if it wasn't for her heart in her throat.
The sound of something moving fast behind them accompanied the deep bellow of Loola. Molis slammed into Loola's back in just enough time to slow down before tumbling into the ground. The pair rolled some, MeiAnne holding tight to Molis' neck to keep from getting crushed by the weight of Molis's shoulders and back.
They finally slowed to a stop with Molis on her side, both breathing heavy after their near disastrous crash. Molis growled as she groaned, trying to come to a stand.
The heavy sound of Loola landing beside them was followed by Raba yelling MeiAnne's name. Thunder still rolled in the air as he slid down Loola before she could lower herself. MeiAnne saw Raba tumble some as he landed, before dashing over to help.
Molis was able to bring herself back up, and MeiAnne followed as she was still securely latched into the saddle. She was shaking when Raba got to her. He undid her harness and pulled her from off of Molis.
Molis and Loola both lowered their heads to gently comfort MeiAnne as Raba held her in his arms. She was glad he did as she couldn't trust her legs to hold her weight until she calmed down. She felt Molis' snout gently press into her lower back as well as Raba's arms wrapped tightly around her shoulders and upper back.
"I've got you." Raba whispered with a low voice into her ear. At that MeiAnne felt her shoulders shake and tears join the rain still falling.
"I've got you"