DTAE

Instructions

Full screen recommended. Hastily drawn. 2 art pieces. 1 animatic. Archer gazed down at the jungle floor, terror gripping his heart. He didn't know how to fly, but they expected him to jump. They said instinct would kick in and he'd want to do it all over again. The only thing his pointed ears heard was the harsh beating of his heart. Badum, Badum, Badum. "Get on with it." His father said, nudging his son closer to the edge. "Your siblings are fine, see?" He gestured with one wing towards his two sisters. He gulped, he probably looked like a sissy, two girls having done it before him because he was scared... He groaned, then with a gulp he closed his eyes and jumped. He plummeted, he waved his wings frantically, trying to catch the air, instead all he managed was an awkward fall towards the earth. Suddenly he was gliding and he started to rejoice he'd done it! He then looked down and saw his paws resting on the deep red fur of his father's shoulders. Frustration filled his gut. Why couldn't he be brave? Why couldn't he do such a simple task? Why? "Thanks, dad..." He muttered, settling down on his father's back. Soon they were resting on a branch near where his mother and sisters lounged. "Why are you such a scaredy-cat?" Symphony asked, with a flick of her tail. "It's because he's a boy." Harmony replied, baring her teeth and curling her lip back with distaste. Archer pinned his ears back. Here was another question: Why were his sisters' so mean? "Girls, don't be rude. Your father's a boy. He protects this family." "Oh, well I meant: it's because he's a little boy. Those don't protect families and they're too afraid to fly." Harmony corrected herself. "Maybe little girls are snots and the fear of- falling-" "He admits it! He's a scaredy-cat!" His older sisters began mocking him with the word, repeating over and over until their mother practically knocked them off the branch with a thwack behind their ears with one paw. "Knock it off girls." Their father said, surging to his feet. "Come on Archer- I have something to show you." SEVERAL YEARS LATER... Archer flicked his ears back, his sisters were teasing him again. He hissed and prepared to pounce. "Again, girls? When will you stop teasing him?" Their mother asked, interrupting their battle. "Uh, maybe when he learns to fly." Symphony stated, curling her lips back. "He's such a wimp to still be afraid of heights, we're Arialfelies for goodness sake!" "It's not heights, Symphony, it's falling." Archer jumped in to defend himself. "Like that's better." She replied curtly. "Symphony." Her mother's face was etched with disappointment, her whiskers twitched. She looked to Archer, "remember what your father showed you?" Archer listed his head, "I do, everyday, it's hard to forget when it's the only thing you have left of someone you loved..." "Oh Archer..." His mother stepped forward, dismissing his sisters with the flick of her tail. "I know it's hard." She sat beside her son and wrapped her tail around him, she licked his forehead. Archer's father had been attacked by a harpy, his death came from falling, wounded, hundreds of feet. He was found later by a scout from their tribe, wondering where their best hunter had gone. "Your journey is in a few days..." She commented, changing the subject. The journey... Something the male Arialfelies went through once they matured to prove themselves to their tribe. Archer didn't feel ready for that. He would never be ready. His mother shifted and he looked up, her eyes were full of unease. "I know you don't want to go," She said, "but if you don't want to be kicked out of the tribe you have to do it. I love you Archer and you know how that would ruin me." She nuzzled his neck. "I know mom..." He licked her nose. He had to figure out how to complete his journey without ever leaving the ground, but that would take away needed time, he sighed. A WEEK LATER... "As the entire tribe knows," The chief began, "our maturing young males are being sent on a journey, to test their strength, knowledge, and speed. When they return they will be given great honor. A great name and a strong future." He paused, scanning the eight sons before him. Archer was at the end of the line. He was bowing his head while he listened, his ears twitching occasionally, the feather tufts waving gently. He flicked his tail with impatience. His two eyes stared unblinkingly at the ground. He felt like a mess, his fur was matted, his heart was beating frantically, his mind, full of fear... What would happen to him out there? His attention was swept back to the chief as he announced the departure of the sons, the mothers and siblings surged forward to say goodbye. Once that wave cleared the fathers went on to congratulate their sons and give them a word of advice. Archer was the only one without it. Continued below: