A Day of Thought

Before he could realize what had done the wind picked him up into the air, his body flailing and his mind panicking.

"Oh no..." He wasn't able to avoid a small wind gust, sending him a sideways before his instincts helped him level out against the strong winds. All of that happened so suddenly that he didn't even realize that the winds had calmed entirely. The distance to his den was already immense, the massive tree looking so small and surreal behind him.

"Woah..." He couldn't help but laugh in amazement, the sight was only something he could get from the planes back in his own realm. To fly under one's own power was nothing a human could ever dream of. But now, he could fulfill this dream of his. To fly, to Truly fly. The wind washed over his face, through his fur, and under his wings, an overwhelming yet freeing sensation. He would close his eyes and take in all of it, the freedom of being so high, away from the troubles below. He didn't know for how long, but it was long enough for when he opened his eyes a tree line was fast approaching. Panicked he would try and throw himself away from the danger only to end up veering violently to his right and into the trees anyways. Thankfully his instincts still cooperated and he was able to withdraw his wings to his sides in time for him to careen through branches and sticks of the trees. He would hook his claws onto a passing tree only to slide off and drop to the forest below with a hollow "thud" and groan.

Brambles and sticks continued to fall for a short time after on and around him, birds and other wildlife vocalized their distaste with such an intrusion as he groaned once more and went to sit up. A growl would follow as he put weight on his front right paw. He was uncertain if it were a sprain or broken, but it otherwise hurt to much to walk on.

"What I get for closing my eyes the first time I fly..." Huffing he'd let out a burst of smoke from his muzzle and hesitantly open his wings, craning his neck to look them over as he did so. He would sigh in relief as they were only sore from the sudden unplanned landing, as with the rest of his body.

"At least I'm still somewhat functioning.."

With that, he would take in his surroundings now. A simple forest it seemed, the light flickered through the canopy and the wildlife seemed to have calmed back down to their idle chitchat and scurrying behind bushes and otherwise going about their business. He would slowly realize the hole in the canopy was where he initially fell through, even taking out a large branch it seemed.

"That... might explain my paw" He mumbled to himself with an air of annoyance. Gathering the remainder of his senses he would gingerly get up and wander in a direction. Not sure where he was going or his destination his mind would start to wander into the abundant possibilities in this new realm he found himself in. Amazing ideas and situations slowly turned into fear and dread. He was a dragon, but that also meant others existed as well, and who knows what else? Who might want to slay him and mount his head on the wall like a trophy or worse? He grimaced at the last thought and paused his walk to look over his paw once more, the pain becoming a dull throb that was almost unbearable even if he was hopping on three legs.

'Fuck that hurts" Hed says through a stifled growl. He attempted to flex his claws with a grimace and snarl.

"At least- at least I can still move it" One final groan escaped him as he then resumed his pace, now thoughts of survival wandering through his mind, wondering now if he would survive even a few days with his now injured paw. His mind would continue on this topic for some time, many hours it seemed as if the next time he would snap back to himself, it was becoming dusk. The woodlands became much quieter as the world around him prepared for slumber. He would sigh and lower his head now seeing the consequences of his actions.

"Just like back with Eridor..." lifting his head he decided to use the rest of his daylight to find a place to burrow. He found a tree with enough room under its erratic roots to sit and dig a temporary home for the night. It was difficult and awkward as he only had one leg to work with, as well as the pain from his injured paw, clouded his thoughts and actions. As it was becoming dark his efforts would pay off, a burrow for him to sleep in. Merely a hole under some roots to hopefully keep creatures and the weather at bay. For a while he lay there curled in his den, staring out into the darkness.

It was not something he was used to doing, nor was he used to hearing and seeing so much during the dark hours of the night. Enjoying the sounds of the night was something that was rare when you had so many cities, towns, industrial complexes, highways, and cars only a small walk away. Always moving around yet going nowhere. Now, however, He was in a place, at least presumably, without such things. Just him and nature.

"Well, And all these extra bits to me now" He whispers to himself with a chuckle. With that, he would close his eyes to the crickets, and other creatures of the night, drifting off into a night of sleep after a long and eventful day.