Sari Aviaria: The Lunula Helical/Prologue

== Prologue ==
Seven-year-old Sari's ear twitched. She turned over in bed, squeezing her eyes shut even tighter and hugging the blankets. Her ear twitched again. Another drawer downstairs had been opened. Sari flipped over again, kicking the blankets off her body and sliding out of bed. The hedge-kitten tiptoed to the shut door, her silver fur and light blue Perry Penguin pajamas shining softly in the moonlight cutting through her bedroom window. She fumbled with the cold brass handle for a couple seconds, and finally managed to twist it, silently opening the door. The floor creaked with each step, and Sari grumbled. 
He was going to know she was awake in a minute anyway. And what was he doing up so late in the first place? If Dads have to be so mean as to send their kids to bed well before dark, then said Dads should be in their own beds sleeping too!
Sari forgoed tiptoeing, announcing her presence by loudly stomping down the stairs of the hut and stepping into the tiny living room. Her arms were crossed, and a petulant look written all over her face. "Why are you up?"
The much older, towering Mobian falcon turned towards her, eyes wide. He'd been caught red-handed. Altaïr coughed, and covered his beak with his greying wing. "Ah. Well. You see." He went silent. "Why are you up?"
Sari tapped her foot, otherwise not moving.
"Alright." Altaïr closed the satchel sitting on the table in front of him and kneeled down to her level. He set his wing on her shoulder. "I'm going away on a mission. A very dangerous mission. We learned Robotnik has nearly finished a secret weapon that could... hurt a lot of people. I need to stop him."
Sari's face scrunched and she grabbed his other wing, holding on so tight it might have bruised. "NO! You're staying here! Send someone else!"
Altaïr shook his head. "I have to go. I'm the only one who can get us in there to destroy it." 
"'Us?'"
"Other volunteers are going with me."
Sari crossed her arms, her face growing more petulant by the second. "You're not going."
"That's not for you to decide," Altaïr told her gently. "You're one of the people who could be hurt if we don't get rid of this machine. I will not - I cannot allow that to happen. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if..." He trailed off, eyes flicking to the floor. 
Sari was still for several seconds. Then suddenly, no warning, she rushed forward and threw her arms around Altaïr's neck. Tears trickled slowly from her eyes, her nerves numb with fear. "Come home safe, Dad." 
Altaïr returned the embrace, hugging his daughter tightly. "I will try, Sari." 
"Promise." 
A moment of silence. "I promise," he whispered softly.
Category:Fanfiction
Category:Chapters
Category:Sub-pages
Category:BranwenVictora's pages