She remained on the ground only as long as her ego would allow, for as soon as her instructor came around she forced herself to stand. Her tail did smart, as did her jaw, but none hurt as much as her pride for having fallen. She was a creature of the mountain and its stones were part of it. That she could be knocked from it so easily (and hilariously so) when even the elements struggled to down her from the formidable cliffs, was an embarrassment she would not endure without reconciliation.
“I am fine,” she grumbled, shrugging the away from an inky black shoulder to reclaim her own four paws. She would not be coddled, not in the aftermath of her own mistake. Carefully, her lower jaw fell open then rose to test the extent of the pain; nothing more than a soothing press on a warm stone could not cure. And as for her tail, the lush plume ascended like a banner and wavered just as openly before falling smoothly to her ankles, stiffening only when she move she leap upon her stone again.
Upon her brows was the scowl of determination as she turned to face the molten eye of her lead. She said nothing, though her expression made her intentions quite clear; she was not yet finished. The lesson was far from over. They had only just begun and she would take something from it.
[Leading out to black] |