//------------------------------//
// The Art of Preening 
// Story: Where The Heart Lies 
// by Broman 
//------------------------------//

Hammer blinked in surprise. He cast his gaze upon the other camp inhabitants, all sharing equally stunned faces and disbelief.

The war was over.

“The griffons ...surrendered?” he heard Anvil spoke, his voice breaking through the silence. A few moments later, as if lifted from a spell, the entire camp began to cheer. They cried out in victory, raising their hooves and paws into the air while others hugged their comrades and shouted in praise. Even the Diamond Dogs themselves looked pleased by the news, some dancing a little jig and spinning around in each others’ arms in childish glee. Shadow Hunter tried to settle them down, but his voice was shouted down by the pure joy the company was expressing.

Hammer felt happy for them, knowing that everything that they have gone through had finally ended.

The only sole equine who remained still and silent was Silverwing.

“The war is over?” she questioned the messenger, astonished.

The messenger nodded. “Yes. Roughly three days ago, the foolish king lead the army at the forefront upon the city of Prancy. They were disciplined for sure, but there was no doubt many lacked experience in fighting. While leading the charge upon the main walls, he was shot in the neck by a stray arrow from a Blacksmith’s son, and soon after the army began to panic. We then quickly surrounded the entirety of their forces, threatening to end their lives the same way as their king. Within an hour  the army raised the white banners and surrendered without incident. Though there were few who were adamant of keeping up the fight, trying to rally their warriors, but their spirits were too broken to continue the fight.

“A day after the battle, we got word that messengers were flying toward the city and that their leaders of their capital had rebelled against his rule and that a civil war broke out amongst their city streets. They gained ground and swiftly took control, and now wished to negotiate a peace treaty. Myself and a dozen others were then ordered to search for any pockets of our forces scattered about on the outskirts of the city. We’ve been flying non stop in the clearer weather for the past two days. Your company is the final one that has ventured this far and so close to the enemy’s borders,” he explained, allowing his words to sink in to their minds. 

Hammer could see that Silverwing was beside herself. He didn't know what was going on through her mind, but he began to worry about why she was not overjoyed by this news. She swallowed a lump in her throat and composed herself before speaking again.

“But what of our mission? We must retrieve lieutenant Quicksilver back from the enemy, before he is lost,” she explained, Hammer saw the fear growing in her eyes. His happy demeanor from earlier had been replaced with great concern with her.

“I’m sorry, Captain,” the messenger spoke, lifting his hoof in assurance, “It’s not my decision here. You are ordered to return home with everypony else. I’m certain that once the griffon leaders come to speak with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, they can negotiate with the transfer of prisoners. I’m certain that he will-”

“But that could take months!” Silverwing interjected. Some of the cheering guards and allies had quieted down from her outburst, and all eyes were set upon her. “He can be anywhere within those mountains, and if I don’t get him back, he will be taken away from us, or even worse: To be killed and left upon their doors as a warning to all outsiders! I will not let my brother be taken away!” she explained.

The messenger blinked uneasily from her outburst. “I’m sorry but I’m certain that he will be safe and-”

“How can you be so certain!? He’s the only family I have left! I can’t spend my time waiting, knowing he is still being treated horribly! I can’t just pick up everything and leave knowing my company and I have come so far!” she pleaded. Hammer felt his heart burn for her and her mission, but if the news was to be to be true and the war truly over, then they would have to go back.

“Captain Silverwing, I’m not the enemy here. I’m only here to explain the situation and the orders you are given. You can return to the city within a week or two if you keep a narrow path. I’m certain that your company will need the time to rest with a roof over their heads, including your...” He paused, casting a gaze to the Diamond Dogs among the throng of warriors. A few waved at him nonchalantly, giving off welcoming smiles, but it only made the messenger curl a brow at them. “...Your allies,” he finished, but Silverwing was not backing down. She stomped a hoof into the ground, her eyes glaring daggers at the messenger.

“I will not abandon my brother to die!” she shouted, but the messenger didn’t shun away from her verbal display.

“I’m sorry for your brother, I truly am, but you are given orders.” He pulled a paper from his sack and gave the parchment to her. She immediately seized it and began reading, her eyes darting over each word that felt like daggers into her body. Hammer could see the anger in her eyes losing their luster and she looked more defeated with every moment.

“You are required to leave and reunite with the main army and await further instructions. Failure to comply would lead to insubordination and a demotion of your rank,” He paused and removed his helm and rested it over his heart before continuing, “I’m truly sorry. These are just orders from high command,” he explained. 

Silverwing lifted a wing to him. “No…no. You’re just doing your job,” she said, letting the parchment fall from her hooves. “Please, take the time to rest before your return back to Prancy, and relay my words that my company will be returning,” she said, lowering her head and heading off towards her tent. 

Hammer took a step toward her, already knowing that a cloud hung over her head over the news. He watched as Equines, Cervine, and Diamond Dogs parted a path for her. Hammer took a tentative step forward and watched as Silverwing went back into her tent. A few within the camp went back to their duties or began talking amongst themselves, but many stood and kept their eyes on their Captain’s tent. 

Hammer eyed the messenger as he and his companions headed to the mess hall, likely to get a warm meal from their long travel. He looked at the parchment on the ground and saw the Insignia of the two sisters placed upon it. Whatever was written inside bore all the truth of their orders.

The war was truly over, yet why did he feel that only Silverwing had lost?

Feeling the sudden urge to see her, he made his way over to his tent. However, he saw a number of the guards and militia members eyeing him. Along with them, the Cervine had their ears back and eyes locked onto the tent, while he heard a few of the Diamond Dogs whine in discomfort. He felt the whole of their world had collapsed, and all he could think about was making sure that Silverwing was alright.

Without another word he went inside the tent, trepidation gripping him as he looked upon Silverwing. He blinked once when he spotted her, but she was no longer wearing her cloak. The fabric was tossed to the side while she sat on her bedroll, and a hoof pulled on the edge of the blankets. His heart felt a twinge of pain and he took another precarious step towards her.

“Silverwing?” he asked, his voice soft and gentle. Silverwing still kept staring forward, ignoring him as she lay on her haunches and wanted to bury herself in the covers.

“It’s unfair,” she mumbled. He remained silent, seeing her head bend down and her wings droop. She was shaking, her feathers bristling from every sudden tremor. He took an uneasy step forward, a hoof raised to her in the hope that he could comfort her in some way. He pressed a hoof onto her back, her fur vibrating upon impact.

Then without warning, she whipped around and wrapped her hooves around his midsection.

“It’s unfair… It’s unfair!” she began to cry out, her body quivering while she sobbed into his coat. Without a word Hammer wrapped his hooves around her body, his arms pulling her in as she cried. He lowered his muzzle over her mane while she wept into his chest. She continued to sob, and small hiccups would come soon after. After so long holding her guard and being strong in front of her company, the mare before Hammer had broken down to a crying filly.

“Quicksilver… My little Silver… I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I can’t… I can’t...” she bawled, her eyes closed and her ears flat against her head. Hammer tightened his grip around her frame, while she continued to cry so loudly he swore it would be heard throughout the camp. He didn't know if she cared if they heard her. She rubbed her muzzle deeper into his chest, Hammer still trying to comfort her as best he could.

It was the only thing he could do for the one he loved.





“Gretchen? How much further before we get there?” he asked, taking precarious steps down the old path.

“We’ll be there soon, Fletching. It’s not that far,” she explained, walking ahead of him.

“That’s what you said an hour ago,” he replied. A little annoyance grew within him and the load he carried on his back.

“Trust me… it will be worth it,” she retorted, her front paws clearing the snow in front as they made their trek down. 

Quicksilver sighed as he recalled the events that lead them to this point. Back at the cabin, they worked diligently in moving the bodies onto the pyre. After it was done, they set the bodies ablaze, their ashes being lifted to the sky and scoured across the land. Quicksilver and Gretchen then gathered their supplies for their journey. The rations and some gear they removed from the Gryphons were useful for the road ahead. Quicksilver gathered General Quill’s journal and the letter to his wife so that he may keep with him. There was no telling when they would need it, in the event that Equestria would demand justice over what has happened to Prancy.

He was certain they would understand when they had the evidence placed before them.

Along with the book and letter, he carried with him the general supplies they had for their journey. They still had the boar meat they’d not cooked up yet, and they managed to scavenge around the cabin’s pantry, despite it being rather barren. The few valuable items they found was some flour, garlic, salt, and strawberry jam, though they didn’t have anything else for it. It would be good to add some flavor to the meat they had, but Quicksilver wished for some carrots or even apples. But in Gryphon country, he would have to make due with what they had.

Despite the food rations they had they still had the blanket that Lupin had given them, which has been rather useful for keeping them warm, although, currently Gretchen was wearing it at the moment. He didn’t mind; she had already been through much since this morning, and since he carried some of the gear already and long trek they had it was actually keeping him warm for the most part. Despite that luxury item, the final thing he carried was her music box . She was quite adamant in keeping it, and he wouldn’t deny her request.

While he carried the items in his pack, Gretchen carried her uncle’s belongings. Namely, the cloak, sword and armor that belonged to him. He could hazard a guess, but he could only presume that she wanted momentos of her uncle to bring to her family.

He felt a twinge of pain go through his heart from the thought, knowing when they got out of the mountains they would have to part ways. He didn’t want to keep her away from her family, but at the same time, he felt the need to be there for her. The loss of her uncle weighed heavily on her mind, and Quicksilver would give her the space she needed if she ever said so. Yet despite his death and burial, she still seemed her usual self. 

How strong she must be right now, to move on from such pain.

After walking for another few minutes, he looked to the sky above them. The sun was set on the other side of the mountains, the light of the sun gracing their warmth upon the peaks. A deep mist seemed to form the closer they got to the bottom of the mountain. They had both traveled down an old goat path that was behind the cabin, but he could only imagine it being used very rarely, since the Gryphons can fly to their destinations. He breathed a heavy sigh, looking in front of him as Gretchen continued to trek on. Since this morning and the many hours since they traveled, he wondered if they were any closer to their destination.

As the sky slowly darkened and night came over them, he found himself preferring to be under a roof by the time it got too dark to see.

“You know, for taking a bath in the mountains, I expected this place to be much closer. Not traversing for miles on end,” he explained, hefting the load on his back.

“It’s actually much closer than you think,”Gretchen said, turning around a bend. “Besides, if we’d taken everything by flight, we would have been there within an hour. However, we had to take time with everything back at the cabin. Besides, since your wings are not fully healed, you would have been dead weight for me to carry,” she explained, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

He snorted his dissatisfaction. “Well, it better be worth it,” he said, turning the bend with her only to bump into her back a second later. He blinked and saw that she was looking up ahead. He looked past her and his mouth gaped.

“Like I said, we have arrived,” she stated, marching down the steps. 

Quicksilver was looking at the giant mouth of a Gryphon, its beak wide open and water gushing out of its mouth. The waterfall thundered down to the land below, a low hum from the constant torrent of water. He felt heat come onto his cheeks, and he could see steam go into the sky above. He wondered how he didn’t hear the noise before now, but he could only assume they had to be close to hear the majestic sounds. A strange, heavy smell hung in the air, one that he could not describe.

“C’mon, Fletching. The hot springs await,” Gretchen called out, waiting at the entrance of the cave just underneath the waterfall. He quickly followed, his gear jangled as he got to her side. Gretchen chuckled at the sight of the bumbling Equine, who still gaped in amazement at the Gryphon beak before him. Once he was at her side, she searched his pack.

“If you’re curious, that Gryphon there is my ancestor. His name was Griswold the Builder. He was instrumental in my family’s legacy by helping shape the very foundations of the Gryphon Empire. Many of the fancy buildings and architecture still standing in the great cities were his doing,” she said as she pulled two torches from the pack and began to light them up.

“So how is his legacy way out here than in the city streets of Gryphonstone?” he asked, still keeping his gaze up to the Gryphon face.

“He wanted his final days to be out here, on the fringes of the Gryphon Empire. Besides, some greedy Nobles never gave him his personal due and he decided to leave them in favor of leaving his own legacy. He devoted his life in building this hot spring, which was located near a dormant volcano known as Mount Everpeak. When he eventually passed away, his sons and grandsons took it upon themselves to finish his project. What you see is the enduring result of his spirit,” she explained.

Quicksilver marveled at the stone face once more. He looked out to where the stone face was staring and he was able to catch a glimpse of the plains of Prancy and all its glory. No doubt it would get a lot of attention for such a grand display, but he could only assume as to why there was no other Gryphons here.

“I guess since he built this place as a family secret?” he asked, turning back to Gretchen who offered a lit torch. He grabbed it with his right hoof and she gestured towards the cave.

“A family secret that not even the king or his subjects know about,” Gretchen said with a smile. She then proceeded to go into the cave, with the onlooking pegasus following behind her. 

“But that's a huge face in the mountains. How come no one has seen it?” he asked.

“Well, only a select few and their families know about this place. It’s far in the mountains and no Gryphon wants to venture out into untamed lands,” she explained. The two proceeded in silence, the light from outside fading and the light of the torches guiding their way. The further they went, the more heat he could feel coming from within. For once he started to feel warmer inside than when he did out in the wilds. After a minute of walking, the room opened up into a large cavern. He could see light smoke emitting in the room and the smell was much heavier within. 

“Here,” Gretchen said, holding the blanket that she had wrapped on before and handed to him. He took it and settled onto his pack, while Gretchen went over to set a small torch on the wall nearby on fire.

“There are small sconces around the walls. Light the ones on the bottom while I get the ones above, Fletching,” she explained. She expanded her wings, taking to the air and heading to the nearest torch upon the wall. Quicksilver deposited his gear next to hers and went to the closest torch he could find. What he found was a small bowl that had water inside. Curiosity got to him and he placed a hoof into the bowl. He brought the substance to his mouth and tasted it, but quickly spat out onto the ground.

“Oil?” he said, looking back down into the substance within. How has it managed to last this long? he thought. He lit the torch and moved onto the next one. He cast a glance and saw Gretchen lighting more spots around the room, revealing more and more of the grandeur of the hot spring.

The room was massive to say the least, rising high into the air by at least twenty feet while it stretched for at least several hundred feet in either direction. It was a large spacious room, where in the center of it lied the large hot spring. The edges were covered in some sort of marble that wrapped around the edge of the pool, and there was a long narrow water way that came out of the wall sending a constant flow of water through the pool and out toward parts unknown.

He was no architect, but he could only imagine that this Griswold was a genius for making this.

He turned and continued his work with lighting the torches up the wall, revealing more and more of the interior within. While he did this, he took note of elaborate drawings of Gryphons upon the walls. Each one seemed to tell a story, depicting them in a multitude of activities like fierce battle, trading or practicing philosophy. There were so many stories here, yet none he could decipher.

Once he got the last few sconces lit up, he went to the center of the room, marveling at what was around him.

He was looking at a mosaic of drawings and art that belonged to Gryphon culture. Seeing the walls lit up by the given light, he could see the three tribes of Gryphons all gathered, working out some sort of plan. On the wall to his right, he could see black creatures with blue eyes charging at them while they held their halberds in a defensive square formation. He’d heard the tales of Changelings and their cluster of hives that surrounded the land before, but he didn't know that Changelings also fought against the Gryphons in their lands as well.

The next picture on his right showed a king being anointed and crowned by what appeared to be an Arch-Gryphon and a host of Gryphons all bowing to the king.

“That was King Grover,” Gretchen said. “He was the first king nearly five hundred years ago who united the gryphon kingdom. It was through his courageous actions against the Changelings that tried to take our lands in ages past, to make our people whole. We had never been more united than any other Gryphon king after him,” Gretchen explained, lighting the final torches on the end of the room. “He and his sons after him united the people and kept the peace for many centuries. It was only after his reign and the bloodline ending though one of their daughters and resort to a marriage by the nomad Claw family. You would known them as none other than King Ravenclaw and his son Bronzeclaw.”

Quicksilver mumbled a reply, but his mind was focused on the family. He had no idea that after so many centuries of peace that they began to become militarized.

“I don’t think you know this Fletching, but after he assumed power, Ravenclaw began to expand our kingdoms reach, seizing fiefdoms and claiming all sovereign houses under his rule. Once he ensured the control and loyalty of all Gryphons did he finally encounter your species,” she explained, slowly flying down until she landed near him. The air became slightly cool from the breeze she created. Her torch was settled upon a nearby wall and she looked up to see the painting around them. “A few skirmishes later, the king and his retinue of warriors came to your capital and demanded to speak with your king. From there, from what I remember hearing, is that Ravenclaw died in a fight against a black unicorn and your king and his brother were killed, which lead to this war we know fight on,” she explained. 

He solemnly nodded. King Solaris and his brother in-law Osiris, the brother to the late Queen Selena, the mother of both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. They were both killed on that day, and the outrage and pure hatred of the Gryphons ensued. They were so beloved that his people dedicated several national holidays, honoring them for being kind and just leaders that lead their nation into a prosperous kingdom.

Now, after twenty years of war, it felt like a lifetime ago.

“I guess it can’t just go away that easily, huh?” Quicksilver said. 

Gretchen nodded in turn. “The only thing we can focus on is moving forward,” she explained, sitting on her haunches and looking out to the art around them. Quicksilver scanned his eyes around the walls, seeing the different pictures depicting different events that took place in their time and space. He also noticed that some walls have been left blank; no doubt when future Gryphons come here, they will add their history to these walls. He gave a little smile, seeing such rich history and lore upon these walls.

His eyes stopped on one piece, however, when he saw a multiple Gryphons attacking several monsters that infringed upon their lands.

“What is that one, those creatures on the wall?” Quicksilver pointed, and Gretchen followed his gaze. She shuddered from that image and shook her head.

“That right there is a cyclops, and they are the enemies of all Gryphons,” she explained. Quicksilver took another gander back at the stone painting. The cyclops, as they were called with their distinct eye, were monstrous creatures, easily standing over all Gryphons by several stories in height, possibly thirty feet or more. Their bodies were covered in fur, and they ranged in multiple colors. Tracing up their bodies they spread outward into a muscular chest and massive arms that were the size of tree trunks. They had four sharp talons and several golden bands that wrapped around their wrists. Their heads were shaped like a goat, with massive hair forming in braids on either side, and two horns that curl backwards.

The most striking thing that made them all the more intimidating was their single eye. The eye was pure yellow with a black pupil going sideways. It was as if the moment its eyes locked onto you, you could never escape its gaze.

Looking at the creatures and their size shook Quicksilver to his core.

“Several centuries ago, the cyclops emerged and began spreading like wildfire. It was said they were monstrous creatures, and their appearances were so abhorrent that anyone caught in their gaze would tremble in fear. They lusted after our gold, and would raid our lands and plunder it’s wealth. But even after they seized every coin and gem, their lust for it was never sated, and they would threaten our inner kingdom, to the heart of Gryphonstone itself. It was only the strong actions by King Grado the Great, that rallied our armies into a united force that they fought back against them. After countless but costly victories against them did they finally retreat back to their lands, but the damage was already done. It took several generations until the lands were completely healed and the wealth began to flow once more.

“Yet we are always patrolling, ensuring they don’t plunder our lands as they once did in the past. We haven’t discovered another one of their kind in many centuries, and we mean to keep it that way, even if we are stuck in this war,” she explained. 

Quicksilver was in awe of such a tale. He could only imagine the stories that their elders had talked about such beasts, or even if they continued on the legend of what had happened. He’d hate to think that their younger generations would forget about such events that took place. It made him fear if such creatures would return again to haunt them.

While he contemplated on such things, he heard Gretchen shuffle in place. He took a glance at her, and saw her merely stretch her wings. He looked back to the wall painting, wanting to get a longer look at the drawn battle. However, the momentary glance of her made him take another look, where she was dropping her gear and settling on the ground. Her back arched out and made a few audible pops before she went towards the hot spring. She settled a claw in the pool, flicking it a few times to test the heat, before slowly placing the other claw inside. 

“Ah, Gretchen…. What are you doing?” Quicksilver said, seeing how Gretchen was taking her time in entering the hot spring. She turned to him, and he could see her ruffling her feathers outward to their greatest height.

“I’m going to bathe, same as you.” She paused, then smirked at him. “You do swim do you?” she asked, her feathered wings flustering out before she went into the pool.

“Oh, I swim…pretty girl,” Quicksilver replied, still gawking at her. “Ah, pretty well! Pretty well! I swim pretty well,” he quickly corrected and blushed a little, hoping she somehow didn’t hear his little comment. The water splashed and Gretchen immersed herself into the warm waters. Her sighs drifted from her until she was buried into its depths. Quicksilver blinked in mild realization, his mind processing what was before him and while he stared back at the gear that she had placed to the side.

I’m going to be taking a bath with Gretchen, he thought, trying to get the mental image clear in his head. He eyed back to Gretchen, who eagerly splashed and soaked herself completely in the hot spring. He went over to her gear, trepidation with each hesitant step. Often times, it would be by himself cleaning himself, or when he was back with fellow companions and they all shared the same space to clean themselves in a nearby lake or some other water source. 

Right now, he was going to take a bath with a girl. Not only that, but with a Gryphon.

He kept thinking that he ought to wait, taking his time until he could bathe separately. However, the way that she said that they bathe together made it all the more conflicting for him. Why does she feel more calm than the days prior? Was it something that broke through her after he saved her from the wolves? Or was it when he had comfort her after the loss of her uncle? The questions were piling in his head, the uneasy gut feeling within him.

And the dream he had.

That damn dream that made him confess that he loved her. Was it really his true feelings or was it something else altogether? Could it be what his heart tell’d him?

“Come on in, fletching! The water is fantastic!” she called out, splashing in the waters nearby, sending rippling shock waves all across the pool. Quicksilver stiffened his resolve and slowly took off all of the gear he carried. Settling the pack of supplies and the warm blanket onto the ground, he turned to face her. But he paused when he felt something brush against him and hung around his neck. He looked down, examining the items he held.

The one crystal given to him by Felix, the stone by the Thestrals, and the medallion from General Quill.

Each item had helped him along his journey. The crystal, healing Gretchen in her greatest need. The thestral’s stone, helping them make the fires during the long cold nights. Lastly the medallion, the same one General Quill had on his person for the longest time. 

I hope it will be of use when I return home, Quicksilver thought. For the General and Gretchen’s sake. 
The more he thought about them, the more the items seemed to garner more value. For each one had helped Gretchen during their time together. He believed, in some strange way, they had somehow brought them together.

And that is what terrified him.

“Fletching! Are you going to make me drag you inside?” Gretchen called out. Quicksilver quickly removed the items off his neck, and placed them within his pack. He took a steady breath and headed towards the pool. When he stood near the water's edge, he took a look inside. The water looked warm and welcoming, and the air around him seemed to heat up the closer he got. He saw Gretchen swimming nearby and she seemed to enjoy the warm waters. He closed his eyes, letting one foot to go into the pool. His hoof was met with a greater heat within the hot spring. It felt like a warm bath but adding a strong heat deeper within, and he seemed to grow all the more warmer.

“Fletching?” he heard Gretchen and he opened his eyes, only to blink when he saw her standing in front of him. Her head was sticking out of the water, her feathers drenched in the water and a look of concern to her. He took a step back and looked away, his cheeks burning a little from her gaze. “What is the matter?” she spoke out, her voice carrying much concern. He looked to her and his mouth hung open to speak, but he could not find the proper words.

“Well...er I…. I don’t really...” he began to say, unsure how to proceed. He rubbed a hoof on the back of his neck, while Gretchen looked puzzled over his insecurities. He knew that what he was about to say next was ridiculous and may sound borderline childish.

“What? Out with it,” she asked. 

She’s probably going to have a laugh over this, he groaned inwardly.

“Well, I think it’s a little unfathomable being in this situation, and I remember taking baths by myself and well… it’s a little unprecedented if not unimaginable that this has come to this...” he explained, but she narrowed her eyes to him.

“Just spit it out,” she said a little forcibly. 

“I never took a bath with a girl before.” 

Silence permeated between the two, and the only white noise they heard was the rushing water and the flickering of the torches.

A small, noticeable smirk rose from Gretchen and it soon plastered itself on her face until she began to blow out air. She then began to laugh and she lifted her head up in clear enjoyment, while Quicksilver looked to the side and a shade of red was present on his face. Her laughter echoed around the chamber, amplifying her guffaw ever higher. Quicksilver felt he should bury his head in the snow outside, but soon her laughter stopped and her breath came out in a tittering wheeze.

“Are you serious? You’re nervous because you don’t want to bath with a girl? That is so unbelievable!” she chortled, raising a talon over head. “You’ve slept by my side and yet when it comes to bathing your nervous?” she cackled once more, before pointing a finger at him. “Let me guess: the last time was with your mother?” she said, still chortling. 

Quicksilver narrowed his eyes and took a stand. “Yes… well, no! My mother cleaned me, only when I was a colt. The last time I got a bath was with my sister when she-” Quicksilver instantly regretted opening his mouth. Gretchen’s eyes narrowed and she burst out laughing. She clutched at her sides while her wings rose a bit from her uproar, while Quicksilver began to feel really small in the moment. Her chortle soon calmed down and she looked up to see that Quicksilver was still silent and looking away.

“If you want to know,” Gretchen began, her wings lowering back down to her sides. “It’s more common for us Gryphons to bath together, if that helps ease your mind,” she said. 

Quicksilver looked back to her, still unsure and frankly more nervous despite her reassurances. 

“I don’t know, just… I can wait for you to finish and then I’ll be able to take care of my own cleaning,” he explained, still looking away from her. After a moment of silence, he dared turned to look at her, only to see that her head had lowered into the waters and all he could see was her golden eyes and the top of her feathers. He then noticed her hind legs begin to rise out of the water.

“Gretchen?” he asked, unsure what she was doing. Her eyes were focused on him and he saw the water shimmer in the water. Quicksilver curled an eyebrow from seeing her hind legs wiggle in the water, ready to strike out.

 And then it occurred to him.

“Gretchen? What are-” he began to say until she lunged at him.



Like a beast onto its prey, her body exploded out of the spring, sending water everywhere in all directions. Her two arms went up and around his neck, holding him tightly as his body pressed into her wet chest. Then in an instant she pulled him back, his body flipping up and over her and towards the hot spring. 

“Yoooooooooooouuuuuuu-” he shouted out before going silent within the warm waters with a mighty splash.

Heat instantly encompassed him, his bones feeling the rush of warmth from the waters. He felt Gretchen's arms release him and he kicked a few times in the water before he righted himself up. He felt the ground beneath him and found that it was quite shallow. He lifted his head and coughed up water once he was above the water line. The heat radiated around him and the blood in his body pulsated from the warm temperatures. He slowly but surely was able to adjust to it, despite it alerting his senses. He coughed once more, wiping some of his mane out his face to get a better look, and he could see Gretchen right in front of him, her eyes still hovering above the water line. He narrowed his eyes and coughed once more.

“Gretchen! You should have warned me!” he called out. Gretchen said nothing, her golden eyes still staring up at him. He stared back, locking his eyes with her own and wondered how mesmerizing they were. He sighed and coughed a bit of water out of his lungs before continuing where he left off.

“You’d think that... two reasonable adults… are little old to play childish games, don’t you think?” he explained.

The moment he finished, she lifted her head and spat into his face, the water splashing into him and making him flinch from contact. He opened up his eyes to stare back at her and saw her smiling at him.

He smiled back and a single chuff turned into laughter. He then lifted a hoof and smacked the water, sending a heavy amount of towards her. She responded in kind and gleefully protected herself while splashing warm water in his direction.

The two were now locked in an epic battle of water war, splashing and shoving water in each other’s direction and trying to become the dominant creature of the hot spring. The battle escalated when she used her wings to scoop up a bowl of water and send the water bombardment onto his head. Quicksilver was drenched in the water and he backed away, trying to escape from the losing battle. He couldn’t counter with his own wings, so he had no choice but to forfeit the fight, but not after sending one last cascade of water in her direction, which had moderate success. Gretchen didn’t seem to want it to end, and she began to chase him in the pool. He immediately took notice and began running around the pool, kicking up water as he galloped off and away from the approaching Gryphon. 

He was suddenly kicking in the water, his neck and parts of his wings being above the water while he was submerged. He was no longer in shallow waters, and he turned around to see Gretchen already on him, talons outstretched to meet him. He gave a yelp when she wrapped her talons around his neck and clung to him. 

The two then looked at one another, his muzzle close to her beak. For a brief moment, he was captivated by her golden eyes. The two then shared a laugh over their childish game and the two soon separated, dipping deeper into the water to relax. 

For a time that felt like hours, the two swam in the pool in silence, the warmth of the pool soothing their weary bones and aching muscles. Quicksilver realized he’d never felt a relaxing bath such as this, and he felt all of his woes and pains seep away from the bath. Every passing second to every minute, his body seemed to slacken and he allowed his wings to take up space in the waters. He would occasionally glance over to Gretchen, who would swim around the pools in circular motions. She in turn would look over to him and she would give a sideways smile before again swimming at the same pace as before. He followed her movements for a few moments, watching as she flicked her body one way while the waters shifted to the other. Feeling keen on the movements, he soon joined in with her.

The two began a strange yet eloquent dance inside the waters, swimming opposite and at times alongside each other. The movements they made were uncoordinated, and yet they seem to flow more as the two found a rhythm in the warm waters. He kicked and swam in the waters, countering her every movement that she had made, and she in turn did the same. The same uneasy feeling that he had before had washed away, replaced with a sense of calm if not relaxation that he didn’t think he would experience.

He pushed further in the water, his legs kicking in the deep end of the pool. He soon was alongside Gretchen this time, and he brushed up against her as she swam by his side. He turned to cast his gaze on her, and she did the same. The two locked eyes, entranced in this strange dance that they’d been doing. The heat of the waters seemed dull now as he continued to swim by her side. They swam in a circle, their legs carrying them as they continued to move. In a brief moment, deep in his heart, he didn’t feel that uneasiness or fear from before. He instead felt something more growing inside of him.

After another moment, Gretchen peeled off from him and turned to the left, while he pivoted right. He turned around and saw that Gretchen was going deeper into the water until she had completely vanished. He blinked once, wondering what she was doing, until she exploded out of the water at a rapid pace. He blinked once to see her in the air.

And what he saw took his breath away.

Gretchen went straight into the air, her head flown back and sending tiny droplets of water in all directions. Her wings expanded to great lengths, so far that he could have sworn they touched the ceiling. Her mouth was open to a smile, so genuine that it could have looked like it came out of a painting. Her body had twisted slightly and her curved underbelly was visible to all to see. The water that stuck to her body cascaded down her like a multilayer waterfall and rain seemed to flow off her body, creating an eloquent and memorizing scene before him.



Beautiful, he mouthed the words as she descended down into the pool to create a loud splash into the waters. The water soon came up and splashed him in the face, causing his long uncut mane to fall down over his eyes. Once the water was still, he pushed a hoof in front to part away the mane. What lies behind his sight was Gretchen rising up from the water to take a breath, her chest heaving up and down and her feathers seeming to shine in the given light. There was something that caught Quicksilver’s eyes about her and he could not take his eyes off. He couldn’t describe it in mere words, but there was a light that seemed to shine bright off her frame.

It was what drew him in more and more to her.

Gretchen eventually relaxed and looked over to him, their eyes locking once more before the two sharing a quiet laugh before immersing themselves into the pools waters. Quicksilver allowed his back to float on top of the waters, his wings being stretched out to a comfortable position within the waters. His wings stung from time to time, but they were mostly moot to the point of being unburdensome. He took a breath, his body soaked by the warm waters, and he cast a glance to Gretchen, who was equally submerged into the waters. Her wings were equally stretched out, and he could have sworn that the tips of his feathers had brushed with hers. Whether she felt them or didn’t share her objection, he couldn’t tell, and he allowed it to happen. She had floated near him, her head just above his own, and the two remained silent for the time in the hot spring.

A part of him wished this would never end.

Eventually, Gretchen was the first to speak out.

“I think that’s enough,” she said, rising out of the water and standing up on her legs. She arched her back and stretched upward like a cat, and Quicksilver caught sight of it. He blushed and stood up from his position, the water dripping down his body and his bones soothed by the warm waters. Gretchen walked up and out of the pool, her claws carrying her out of the water. Her feathers ruffled up a little, shaking about like a wet dog. Her tail soon flicked out the last of the water and took a few steps out to stretch again.

Quicksilver, seeing this and the tail swishing about, had other ideas.

Quicksilver slowly followed her out of the water, the waters splashing slightly as he exited and the humid air hanging all around him. Gretchen still looked forward and continued to sigh from her stretch, her tail still flopping from side to side from her small ministrations. Quicksilver crouched low behind her, his back arched low and his own teeth open in a playful grin. Once he was behind her, her tail the prize, he waited patiently. He knew from previous experience that pulling her tail lead to a bad confrontation. Instead, he was focused on having a playful moment with her.

“Gretchen,” he playfully spoke with baited breath. She cocked her head to the side to meet him.

“Yes?” she said and her eyes turned to stare at him. Her tail had risen from her movements.

He had her now.

Without another word he clasped his teeth onto the tip of her tail and gently pulled it.

Gretchen squawked, her wings expanding out in surprise as she was pulled back. Quicksilver arched his neck and pulled it up higher, letting Gretchen's sharp cry echoed around the room. He let go just quickly as he grabbed it and Gretchen turned around and looked rather flustered, clutching her tail and staring in surprise at Quicksilver. He blinked mildly, a bit shocked by her reaction and seeing her stare at him like that. He surprised himself that he even did it in the first place. After an unpleasant moment between them, his ears fell flat and he raised his hooves defensively.

“I’m sorry. I was just playing and-” he paused, seeing her expression change from surprise to eager. She lets go of her tail and stands on all fours. She hunched her body forward and her hind legs rose up. A small smile grew on her face as her talons kneaded into the stone floor and her body shifting ever so slightly. Her rump wiggled from side to side ,and her wings did a few test flaps on the side. Her body soon tensed and it was in that moment Quicksilver knew what was happening.

He bucked up.

“Gretchen!” he cried out, his own smile rising from her infectious grin, as she lunged at him. He rose up to meet her, standing on his back legs as his own hooves was already open for her. Within a single moment, her chest smacked into his with deadly precision, her arms wrapping around his body and holding him tight. He in turn by instinct wrapped his own hooves around her. Momentum carried the two of them backwards and for a split second, he sharply cried out in mock horror as the two fell back into the warm waters. It was in that briefest of moments that he could have sworn that she still smiled.

They splashed into the pool, sending water everywhere when they went in. Both were encompassed in soaking water from head to toe. The splash softened the impact, and Quicksilver found his back pressing into the shallow end of the hot spring. His head rose up, with the Gryphon hen standing over him. He opened his eyes and looked up, seeing Gretchen’s golden eyes looking down on him. The two shared a laugh as they looked into each other’s eyes, but the mirth soon subsided as they held one another, loss in each other’s eyes. He watched as her feathers glistened from the water and Quicksilver was admiring her even more. For the briefest time, he felt protected in her claws, and he wondered if she in turn felt the same with his hooves wrapped around her.

She then smiled and gave a small giggle, which was something he never thought she would do. She then lowered her beak, nipping at the top of his mane, tussling it’s wet surface with her beak. He smiled in return, accepting the little stimulation, even wrapping his own hooves tighter around her in acceptance. He lifted his own head upward, brushing his cheek with her own and softly nuzzled into her feathers. He then turned his head and gave the most tinest pecks on her cheek, her feathers brushing on his lips. She suddenly gasped from this and her head lifted up away from him, her golden eyes staring at him. He looked up at her and realized his mistake.

He blinked once, his mind processing what had occurred. He then looked down at his own hooves and they were wrapped around her waist, and her talons supporting the back of his neck and head. He also felt a strange sensation down below and his eyes broke contact from her to see that both their lower bodies were hugging tightly together.

 Along with something else. 

Gretchen in turn also looked down and saw the predicament that they were in, and a heavy blush was on her face. He looked back at Gretchen and a heavy blush was present on his face as well, while his rational mind was kicking into full gear.

I have to get off, he desperately thought.

His breath quickened and his heart beat fast from what was most pressing and both parties knew they had to part ways. He slowly lets go and rights himself up, while she in turn removes her talons away from his body. Their movements caused the water to stir as they took a few steps back and away from each other. The two looked at another, wondering what had just happened between them. Gretchen looked away, her tail wrapping around her, while Quicksilver felt his heart thumping hard in his chest. An uncomfortable silence overcame both of them as they sat in the water, and the two hardly looked at each other from what they both experienced. Quicksilver shuddered, sending tiny ripples all around him, and Gretchen took notice. After another brief, yet hesitant moment, Quicksilver was the first to get out of the water, not bothering to shake himself off. After a few stumbled steps, he slumped over near their gear. 

He sat flat on his haunches, his back towards her, clearly embarrassed as to what he just felt and did. Water still came off his body, and his wings spreading out upon the floor, but that was the least of his concerns and he did not care. His ears remained flat on his head and his tail hugged tight to his side. He lowered his head and closed his eyes. He felt aggrieved, if not ashamed, at what he just did and he dared not want to look back at her. He heard Gretchen slowly rise up and out of the water, hearing the water drip off her body. His body still trembled, still overcome with what he just did.

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!” He shouted if not quivered to her, hearing her stop close behind him.

I just kissed her! You fool! What have I done! Even your parts were… What have I done!? His mind became frantic, trying to cope with the situation that he was in. He had deliberately kissed her, even worse, he was exposed with her. Was his own emotions running the show now? He didn’t know, he didn't think he could be like this. He couldn’t be attracted to her, yet his body said otherwise. The dream was resurfacing, proclaiming his love and it ached in his heart of the memory. He couldn’t comprehend the actions he has caused and knowing that he tried to kiss her. Without her consent, for that matter. He felt more horrible inside for doing that to her and he wished to cast himself off the mountain and try to glide far away from her.

Just then, in the midst of his delusion if not reprimanding thoughts, he felt her soft wet feathers brush up behind him.

Quicksilver shuddered, feeling her chest press up against his back, with her body cusping his back and tail. He felt her claws wrap tightly around his chest and it held him there, while her wet wings came forward and enveloped him. He was spooned by her while standing and he felt her head sit silently over his head. He felt that he should bolt away, to try and escape, but he trembled underneath her frame and she no doubt felt every little tremor racking his body. He softly gasped, a tiny sob emanating out of him, which only propelled Gretchen to hold him ever tighter in her grip.

He hadn't realized that he had been softly crying.

“I’m sorry… I don’t know what came over me...” he tried to speak, but found it hard not to hold back his tears. He tried to compose himself to try and to be a decent pony, yet he could not find the strength to do so. He felt so emotional and he never experienced this before in so long. Not since the time he had nearly lost his sister to a hunger deprived citizen. He was a mess, feeling so ignorant if not selfish. And yet, with Gretchen’s wings holding him, the warmth they brought to him, they seem to ease his soul.

“It’s alright, Fletching. It alright,” Gretchen whispered, still holding on to him. His mind muddled over what he should say, but he still felt the overwhelming guilt weighing upon him.

“I didn’t mean to do it. You were holding me and I just naturally... I never intended to do that,” he replied, still feeling the hot tears stream down his cheeks.

“It surprised me. I just wasn't expecting it,” Gretchen replied, and she too seemed at a loss for words. 

Quicksilver closed his eyes, still shaking his head. “It’s my fault. If I didn’t pull your tail, this wouldn’t have happened.” he explained, yet he felt her head shake above his own.

“No, it’s my fault. If I hadn't nipped your head or even danced with you in the waters, I wouldn’t have become the way I am,” she explained. Quicksilver was able to open his eyes slightly, and she took a steady breath before continuing, “I had not felt like myself for so long. Day in and day out, I was just so into the camp life and ensuring everything was taken care of that I’d forgotten how it was to just be loose or carefree. My life was just so full of rules and strict customs that I forget that I am still a free-willed creature. For once, I felt more alive,” she claimed. 

Quicksilver took in each of her words. But the heavy burden still weighed heavily on his heart. “It still doesn't excuse me for what I have done,” he said, his body still felt racked with utter torment.

“And what is that?” Gretchen asked, her words calm if not tender to his weary heart.

“I kissed you on the cheek and I’ve come to realize it was a mistake,” he explained. Gretchen was quiet when he spoke, and when she did not raise her voice, he continued on with his reasoning. “It was without your consent. It has not been nearly a day since we stumbled upon your uncle’s body and less time since we have buried him. I had appreciated all that you had done for me and for your uncle, being able to learn from him. Yet I feel I overstepped my bounds in caring for you and your uncle, and for me kissing you, and feeling my… I felt I… I degraded his sacred name and with you Gretchen. I felt I infringed upon your privacy and dove head into your family’s private affairs. Again I’m sorry, (sob) there is nothing I would give to take that back,” he said, another wave of tears pouring down his cheeks. 

He lowered his head, trying to bury it into her own feathers. A sense of dread filling him up from feeling the way he is, but her wings still held him up, not once losing their grip. The memory of his own confession raised up in the back of his mind, and even though he felt love, he couldn't show it and more guilt pressed onto his mind.

She still remained silent, never once speaking up.

“I’ve dishonored you and your uncle, Gretchen. Just let me be off and away before I do anything else that would-”

It was subtle at first before he felt her feathers bristle against his back. Her cheek feathers, slowly but surely, moved up his neck and her head brushed against his jaw. He shuddered from the contact. Gretchen rubbed her cheek against him, stimulating a gentle touch against his jaw bone, rubbing away some of the tears that fell down the right side of his face. She then nudged her head further, stopping short where her face was staring out where he was looking and remained there.

“There is nothing to forgive, Fletching. You did not dishonor me or tarnish my uncle’s name,” she said. Her soft words were as gentle as the moisture that dewed down his body. He quivered, feeling that this was unnecessary, but she continued to comfort him to no end.

“The time we have spent together, the times we argued, and being carefree... I felt more free with each passing day. My uncle, he would have wanted me to move on, even if his death pains me to no end. When I was at my lowest, it was you who had me rise up. You brought me out of the shadow, even when I wished to be left alone or even at times when I resented you. I wanted to push you away, but I also needed someone, someone who could be there when I needed most. Time and again you’ve been there, and even at times lifting me back up. So if you think that you have brought shame to yourself or onto me, you are mistaken. I felt it was welcome,” she explained. He felt her lean in, and he cast a glance to stare deep into her golden eyes, that seemed to glisten and brighten from the nearby light.

“As for the kiss… I found it rather…. flattering,” she said a little hesitantly, and his breath hitched from her response. For a moment the two remained locked like that, staring into each other’s eyes and lost for words to speak. The guilt that was lingering on him had faded away and replaced with more appreciation with Gretchen. After another moment of silence, she receded her head back, resting her chin on top of his head. He didn’t not object nor voice his thoughts. Instead he allowed her to remain, and a warmth seemed to return in his heart. He sighed deeply, allowing the warm thoughts to comfort him. He still trembled a little, feeling inadequate to her, but that was all that remained.

Gretchen noticed his little shivers and she gently hummed to herself.

“Fletching, would you mind if I see your wings?” she asked, her words caring. One of his ears flicked to her and his eyes widen slightly. He didn’t know why she wanted to see them, but hearing that caring voice just was enough to allow him that. He winced a little as his wings raised up, gently brushing past her wings which continued to enclose him. For a moment, he felt like his wings were a flower and were blooming out of the Gryphon’s feathery embrace. Once his wings were out of her embrace, he let them hang off on either side of her own wings. He didn’t know why she wanted them to be seen or why his own crippled wings would mean to her.

Until, in that moment, he felt his feathers being gently lifted by her own wing, and felt the most strangest sensation invade upon his damaged wings.

Gretchen had her mouth on his right wing and was preening them.

He gasped from the contact, her beak grooming the feathers that seemed to have been neglected for so long. It had been too long since he himself did his own preening. In the times of war and being on the front lines, he couldn’t afford such luxuries. Often, when in the company of his sister, the two would do their preening together. He couldn’t even do any such preening while stuck in the camp. Here and now, feeling Gretchen’s beak upon his wings, brought something entirely new.

He was both relieved and terrified from this sensation.

While she continued and her beak tracing over his wings, he quickly got some sense back into his mind and he turned to look at her in his stunned state. She had her eyes closed and she continued to preen his wings.

“Gretchen! What… what are you… doing?!” he stammered, trying to understand why she was doing this, while he shuddered as she traced her beak over his wings. She paused in her ministation to look at him, her golden eyes looking rather relaxed in her little task.

“You’ve been agitated over what you did,” she explained, her voice calm and soothing, “You felt guilt for something that was meant in no offense. I wish to ease your troubled mind with a bit of preening. Grooming my feathers always relaxes me, so it should be no different with you,” she said, closing her eyes once more and going down to take another nibble into his wings, gently picking out the bad feathers and sorting out the others with her beak. He trembled when her beak traced over a part of his wing that felt sensitive, feeling his body tingle from the strong sensation.

“Relax, Fletching,” Gretchen muttered, still going over his wings like it was a normal everyday task. Though to him it didn’t feel normal at all, yet it felt right at the same time.

Quicksilver was beside himself, the foreign tongue and beak pressing and shifting into his own plumage, tracing back and forth in a simple pattern that any other pegasus would consider doing. However, what made this different for him was that a Gryphon had a beak and that came with a whole different experience. He turned away from her and lowered his head, his face brushing up against her feathers that held him in place. He cracked an eye down to her own feathers, the brown feathers that were right before him. With his whole body being held in her grip, apart from his head, a simple gesture came to his mind. He gently motioned his head over what felt like her own right wing and brushed against her feathers. Caught in a trance from her preening on his own wing, his muzzle and his own lips skimmed across the surface of her featherly plumage. When he eventually found the spot where his mouth touched a thick area of wet feathers, he buried his head deep within.

He opened his mouth and allowed himself to take in a mouthful of feathers and began to preen them as well.

Though the reaction that he heard from Gretchen was something that he did not expect.

She had stopped in her attentive task and gave a sharp moan that made him blush from the noise. She retreated her head away from his wing and her right wing went away from his open mouth. Although she didn’t leave his side, and he still wondered why she gave out the sudden reaction. He turned to her and immediately saw a blushing hen staring at him.

“Fletching! Why… you… why…” Her mouth hung open and simply gawked at him, her cheeks showing a deep red. The two stared at one another, both looking very flustered over what had taken place between them. 

Quicksilver swallowed a lump in his throat. “I just… I just wanted to return the gesture. Preening your wings and help… relax,” he said, stuttering his words and a growing heat growing in his cheeks. Gretchen stared at him, never once breaking eye contact over what he was suggesting. He felt his heart hammering in his chest, uncertain if what he did was off limits to her or if he had overstepped his bounds. It was only when Gretchen break their gaze did she finally speak.

“I guess… that would be fine,” she said, a slight hesitation in her voice. Quicksilver blinked and the heat seemed to rise more in his cheeks then it did in the air. He felt her briefly remove herself from him, only for a moment later to feel her talon on his shoulder and pulled his body towards her. He then was facing in front of her, his chest gently brushing against her white if not wet feathers. Out of reaction, he looked up to her and she in turn looked down to him. An uneasy feeling gripped both of them, unable to make the first move. Gretchen looked reluctant, unsure if she was willing to go through with this. Quicksilver was also feeling indecisive, wondering if he had pushed her too far in doing this.

Then, as if a spell was lifted, she opened up her left wing to him, her feathers extending to their farthest reach. She looked away as if ashamed, if not uncomfortable with the situation, but she did not say any protest to him. Quicksilver looked at the rows upon rows of lush feathers, unsure where to start. His eyes traced over to the low end of her wing, the primaries, which was still wet. He leaned forward, seeing the brown feathers before him and he quickly eyed her, and wondering if he was allowed to proceed. Gretchen gave no reply, only her eyes closed and facing away from him. 

Without a second thought, he looked back at her primary wings and opened his mouth over her feathers and proceeded to preen them.

Gretchen moaned softly, but it was not the same as the first, and she then sighed blissfully from the touch. For a few moments, Quicksilver allowed his mouth to trace over her feathers, cleaning and picking off any loose quills and ensuring they were cared for. While he did this, he felt a foreign presence on his left wing and he slowly opened an eye to Gretchen. She had removed one of her talons that was holding him and tenderly lifted his broken wing for her to see. Silently and with a determination in her eyes, she encompassed her beak over his left wing. The sensation tingled all over his body and he felt sensitive to her touch. But it gradually turned into a more tender and if not relaxing motion that he seemed to accept as he went into his work in cleaning her feathers.

Never thought I would see the day that a Gryphon and a Pegasus would preen each other’s wings, he thought, allowing himself to be immersed by her touch while he in turn was busy in his task of smoothing out her plumage.

They sat in silence for a time, preening and pulling feathers out of each other. Gretchen and Quicksilver parted away from how close their bodies were touching, but it allowed them to have the extra space in working into each other’s wings. Quicksilver felt the natural ministrations coming off of Gretchen, gliding over his sore and worn feathers and he in turn was giving in the same equal treatment to her. He breathed heavily into her wings from the constant tugs and gentle grazes from her beak, and there was no doubt in his mind that she was feeling the same thing. He blushed mildly at the thought, having earlier thoughts of what it might feel like to preen her wings. But he did not expect, or even fathom, how wonderful it felt being preened by her. 

After nearly a minute went by and in the midst of the current ministrations, Quicksilver heard the most interesting noise come out of Gretchen and what he heard made him sigh in relaxation.

Gretchen was softly humming.

It was soft and stable, hitting a few high notes before dropping down. She repeated once more, but in different tunes yet with the same pattern. It was harmonically even and it was welcoming melodic sound, almost like a complete song. When she continued, it sent the tiniest vibrations through his feathers as she preened them, and it not only felt relaxed, but it was calming to not only hear but to feel the little humming. He sighed as he continued to work, imagining a little harp was being played alongside her humming.

Strangely, when he heard it, he felt safe.

While she continued her little tune, she focused off his primaries on his left wing and focused on his secondaries, slowly if not gently handling the damaged area where his wings were hurting the most. Nevertheless, she was being attentive to his wounds and ensuring what she was doing was not harming him. He felt her pluck a feather or two, which did sting just a little, but he felt it was the biggest relief for his wings. He in turn finished off her own primary feathers and shifted his attention to her secondaries, burying himself into her plumage. 

Despite how wet she still was, he was able to keep her relatively cleaned up, even removing some of the excess water that was still on her. While he did this, his face was still in her plumage, feeling much of her feathers on his face and cheeks. Her feathers were so soft, so gentle that it tickled his nose. They had a smell to them that was different from his own, but he wondered if it was just from the bath waters. Yet the more he delved into her left wing, picking off the loose feathers from her feathery body, he could smell a nice oily scent. Almost like a tangerine… or vanilla.

He almost hummed in affection from it, almost joining in cadence with Gretchen's little song.

He then felt her beak trace over his joints and lesser coverts, and he seethed a little from where his wings were hurting the most. Her pace slowed a little, taking notice how he was feeling the pain from his damaged wings. She took her time, softly biting into his feathers, and he would occasionally feel his feathers being rearranged and pulled on. However, that negated at how much relaxation he was feeling when she worked on his wings. He himself felt obligated to slow down as well, giving the same equal treatment that she was giving him. He was rewarded when she elicited an ever so gentle coo and hummed deeper into his wings, which in turn made his body shiver from the vibrations. 

He continued into his tender care of her wings, still going into the rows of fine plumage that were so much more elegant than his own. Since his time taking care of her left wing, both of them had dried off from the warm air around them. This allowed him to feel more of her dry wings and experience her natural feathers. He still smelled the oil-like fragrance from before, but it seemed to be amplified then when she was wet. He still felt that it was nice and he continued to take in every bit of it. After a few moments, he felt Gretchen lift her beak away from his wing and he felt her talon tap lightly on the back of his head.

“Fletching?” she asked, her voice soft yet sounding heavy. Quicksilver paused in his ministrations, seeing that we were near the part of the body where the wings joint and the body meet. He blinked, feeling immersed by the attentive care for his wings and dealing with her at the same time. He looked down and saw that he was buried right in between her body and wing, his left cheek pressed up to her chest from where he was preening her pristine feathers. He blushed a little and he could have sworn that he heard her heartbeat fast next to his ear. He could feel her heavy breathing and her chest rising up and down from his tender care of her wings. He also felt something different in how her feathers on her chest and neck were much softer than her wings. Backing away he glanced up to Gretchen, who had her mouth half open and her face looking red. She closed and opened her beak like a fish before speaking up once more.

“I’m done with your left wing… May I do your right?” she asked, her eyes fixated on him like some predator to its prey. He nodded to her, seeing that he had finished with her wing, but remained in longer to add more comfort to her wings. He backed his head away from her body, the heat from his cheeks leaving him as he motioned himself over to her left side. Gretchen adjusted herself as well, her head motioned over to his right wing and began to gently hold his right wing with her talons. She then proceeded to preen them once more, his body tingling from the sensation. Once he let himself go to her tiny ministrations, he bent his own head down and began to preen her right wing, eliciting a muffled moan from Gretchen.

While he did her wing, he glanced over to his left side and saw that his wing was cleaned. His wings still hurt, but from what he could see they appeared natural and unblemished. On the floor he noticed multiple feathers piled up underneath from all the preening. It was such a relief to him, as if a small burden was being removed from his wings. He smiled a little and breathed a little further into her plumage, which caused Gretchen to hum in content. He felt every trace of her beak on his right wing which felt exhilarating and he in turn would get a mouthful of feathers to preen the gryphon majestic fluff. Both seemed to share an understanding between them and that they were both appreciating what they were doing for each other.

Time seemed to slip by as they continued to groom and clean their feathers. Every few seconds caring for one feather felt like several minutes of endless bliss. The sound of their muffled moaning was the only sound that made in the cave, besides the water running nearby. They were just so caught up in their treatment to each others wings, so engrossed in their task, that nothing else seemed to matter at the moment. The comfort, the genuine care, and the cooperation they had when dealing with each other’s wings made a world of difference. Each tiny endearment, each gentle caress of their feathers, left them both immersed in bliss.

Quicksilver blinked as he neared the end of her wings, where the feathers met her body and neck. He had no clue how much time he spent on her wings, yet it seemed that Gretchen still kept going, even after she was done with his right wing. He dared cast a glance through the foliage of feathers to see her working on top of his wings, being attentive to each individual feather. While he stared at her, the tiny white feathers bristled from where he moved and his attention was drawn to the plumage and pillow-like warmth. His eyes were drawn away from her, and he breathed heavily from the amount of tender pressure being applied to the most sensitive part of his wings. His mind was a blur as he gently nuzzled a little of her chest feathers, tickling his nose and taking in everything that is Gretchen.

I wonder if she will mind? was the only clear thought came to him. He eyed her for a spare moment, seeing that she was still busy with the top of his wing, while removing a mouthful of feathers from his mouth. He brushed and gave a gentle rub, grazing into her chest and parts of her neck. The white feathers pressed up against him, along with the amount of red individual feathers in their tiny spots. The smaller feathers were more bundled together and felt like a giant bush the more he pressed into her. More heat seeped into his cheeks the further he graced into her gentle quills.

Why are these so soft? He wondered, gently nuzzling into them. Gretchen took notice of this and stopped in mid pluck of one of his primary feathers, and she let go in order to look at him. When she did this, part of her neck move and the quills on her chest shifted ever so slightly, which in turn caused him to shutter slightly from the movement. He eyed her chest feathers as it was rising up and down with each steady breath. He bore a shadow of a smile as he drew closer to it, breathing a little heavy into her chest in preparation of what he was going to do.

“Fletching?” Gretchen asked, looking down at him.

Without another word, he has his mouth onto her chest feathers and began to preen them.

Gretchen gasped, but it was more of a surprise at what she felt. Her head rolled back a little and she looked up to the ceiling, while he cared for her chest feathers. The soft feathers on her chest were far more different than that of her wings. He gently explored the bundle of feathers, picking on the tiny quills with his mouth and giving them a clean. He heard a distinct heartbeat within and it went faster every time he went exploring every layer of her chest. He was at a loss for words at how soft they felt, and when he went deeper into preening he felt he would be buried in a warm feathery blanket. He could hear Gretchen shudder with every breath and he wondered if she too was enjoying this.

He did not hear her reject or push him away, and yet he wondered if he was pushing this a little too far. He paused in his tiny ministrations and eyed her, finding that she was staring down at him. Her face was blushing and her feathers in her cheeks seemed to ruffle up. Her golden eyes were half open and he couldn’t tell what she was conveying to him. He then saw her close her mouth and open once more.

“Don’t… stop,” she uttered softly, her gaze becoming more alluring from what he was doing. He happily obliged and delved back into her plumage, eliciting a soft coo from the Gryphon hen. Quicksilver was silent as he went back into giving her the preening. Gretchen softly moaned and her head went up while he remained where he was, caring for her pristine feathers that were the softest thing he ever felt in his life. 

In the back of his mind, he wondered why Gretchen allowed him to do this but no doubt she was experiencing a world of heaven from his tiny nurture of her wings. He could take a gander that her chest feathers and body were more sensitive, so he decided to do this slow and be attentive, so that she’d get the best that he could offer her. Although, he felt a strange feeling of being watched by the paintings around him. All of them watching, silently judging of his actions.

In this moment, he didn’t care in the slightest what they thought.

While he slowly worked his way up her chest and into the plumule of her feathers, he felt something on his sides. He felt her talons brush gently underneath his wings, lifting them up in a gentle caress. Despite how they were painfully hurting him, he only could feel her gentle touch that she was giving him. His mouth continued to move upward from her chest and towards her neck, giving her all the pleasant feeling of a preening. It was possible that she couldn’t get in these areas, because the more he moved up the more she cooed from the gentle reaction. When he hit the area that was above her chest and onto her neck, he felt something that he did not expect.

Gretchen was purring.

He generally had to pause when he felt her body vibrated through her chest and neck. He never once thought or could even fathom that a Gryphon was even capable of purring. But here he was, listening to the subtle purrs that reverberated through her body. He decided to get back into cleaning her feathers while she continued to purr. While he did this, her talons drifted toward his sides of his chest and down towards his waist. He shuddered when he felt her claws wrap around his back and traced up between his wings. She pulled him closer, allowing his body to stand more upright while he moves his head up and preening on her neck. She purred again from the contact, sending the vibrations all throughout her body. However, when he had nipped his mouth over her throat he felt its reverberation through his mouth and Gretchen silently exhaled from the touch. The sensation made his mind melt and caused Gretchen to lift her claws ever higher. 

Her talons crawled up his spine and towards his neck. Like a spider on its web, her talons grazed up his back, each tiny appendage pressing and pricking into his skin before settling themselves onto his neck, the sensation tingling up his back from her touch. Her talons cusped themselves onto the back of his nape and head, cradling him there as he held his mouth over her neck. He stayed there, preening the feathers on her neck and hearing her breathing becoming all the more heavy, the purring ever present. His own hooves instinctively went up, wrapping up her torso and pulling himself closer to her. This drew a muffled sigh as he heard the soft thumping of her tail nearby.

In a strange way, he felt the role of the predator and the prey be reversed.

“Fletching…. Fletching…” Gretchen said slowly yet softly, barely audible. He stopped preening when he was in between her neck and underneath her beak. He blinked once, getting out of his drunken stupor to see where he was, though a part of him wished to remain and for her to keep calling that little name that she has given him. Quicksilver slowly removed himself from that feathery embrace and looked up to see Gretchen staring at him. Her face was heavily flushed with red and her breath subtle yet arduous as she stared at him, a longing in her golden eyes. He in turn felt his own breath become labored as he stared up at her, lost in her orbs and wanting to go back and to care for her wings. His heart thumbed in his chest, threatening to break out of its cage. The light around him seemed to shine off her and those elegant wings, making her all the more regal in his eyes. She blinked lazily, looking down at him and only seeing him, and he in turn was seeing her in all of her glory. He softly closed his eyes and she in turn did the same.

I don’t want to leave this cave, he thought, holding her close to him and she in turn nestled her talons over his neck and head, holding him tenderly between them.

The two drew closer, his muzzle and her beak ever nearing within reach.

Boom.

A noise drew their attention and they opened their eyes to look at one another. The two looked dazed, lost for words at what they heard. Quicksilver lifted one of his ears and it went in the direction of the sound while Gretchen lifted her head ever so slightly.

Boom. Boom.

The noise was louder but it was not any nearer, only growing in its frequency. The two looked out towards the cave entrance, seeing no light or torch coming out, yet the sound remained.

Boom, Boom, Boom.

The noise reverberated off the walls, the sound of a drum pounded upon by heavy hooves. The drums continued, repeating in a strange sequence that resembles a chant. The two looked at one another, clearly brought out of their stupor and they looked at how close they held each other. The two blinked once and the two slowly let go, separating from their warm embrace and looking away as if embarrassed.

I almost kissed her, he thought, rubbing one of his legs from the intimate session of his preening and almost leading to something else.

The sound of the drums was heard again and a distant sound of voices was carried out, causing his mind to focus on what that noise is. He turned to Gretchen, trying to calm herself over her flustered state before looking back to him. He motioned to the cave entrance and she nodded to him in kind, a determined look on her countenance. The two made their way out of the cave, the warmth of the cave leaving them and the cold of the mountain was coming to them.

Once outside what greeted him was that it was already night and the full moon was out in the skies above. He questioned how long they had been in that cave as he looked around him. A few clouds were gathering in the north but didn’t look like it wouldn't form for at least a few more hours. Quicksilver and Gretchen cast a gaze down towards the valley, and the two saw a large fire, just behind a ridge of the mountain. The two shared a look of concern and they both wanted to know what was going on down there.

“Lets us find out what that is,” he said, while Gretchen nodded.

“I’ll go gather our gear and supplies,” she said, turning away from him and heading back into the cave.

“He actually did it. He truly-,”

“Hmmm?” Quicksilver blinked once, looking back at Gretchen and wondered what she muttered. She was gone out of ear shot as she disappeared in the cave. He decided to ignore it before looking back down towards the ridge, seeing many shadows dancing around the fire and the sound of a throng of voices chanting in the winter night.

Whatever was down there, he only hoped that it was no danger to them.