My Exploration

A few moments later, I plunged into the water feet first. The water was warm thankfully, so it wasn’t a shock to my body, which had obviously been awakened to some of the human sensations as I negotiated with the Great One and The First Circle. I swam with strong strokes to the surface and then towards the shore, deciding that I liked the feeling of the water against my still naked body, but I was cautious coming closer to the shore. I looked towards my back and saw with surprise that my wings were still black, but that they did not reflect themselves in the rippling water.

I bowed my head and whispered a prayer of thanks that I had been allowed to Fall in a place that would not harm my now more human body and then looked around for some clothes. Noticing that I did not have any I gestured towards a rock that was nearby and smiled, happy that I still had the ability to create outfits on a whim; one of my favorite talents. The outfit that I had put together this time was one of my favorites, a black sleeveless tunic-like shirt, with a more skirt-like bottom than regular tunic tops and tight black pants that would fit me perfectly. The back of the top dipped low to accommodate my wings, even if humans could not see them. I stood and fanned my wings, drying myself off and then dressing in a nearby stand of weeping willows. It was interesting getting my clothes on while working around my wings but I did it.

I ran my fingers through my now black hair and walked out of the trees; my feet bare and my toes being tickled by the grass, making me smile as I looked up and let the breeze dry my hair. It was interesting being mostly human, feeling things that I never did when I was one of the Second Circle. The scent of one of the purest parts of the human environment was pleasurable, a fresh clean scent that I cannot put into words, and it is something that one would have to experience for themselves.

The grass was rough and rather uncomfortable, and I shifted on my feet, trying to get a better footing but found none. I turned full circle, taking in my surroundings, and listening as well. I heard something that my brain connected to my new ears as the sound of cars in the far distance, and I spread my wings, testing them. With a hard thrust I was able to get off the ground, but not as high as I would have in Paradise. I cocked my head again as I hovered over the ground and listened for the sound of cars again, then turned right and followed my hearing.