Jumpers

Liora perched on a moss-covered rock, her fiery red hair catching the sunlight as she grinned at Old Grumble, the village elder known for his perpetual scowl and endless tales of “the good old days.” Today, she had a mission: to explain the wild world of the Jumpers to him.
“Ya know, Old Grumble,” she began, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “...we’re not just a bunch of crazy kids with a death wish, I promise!”
Old Grumble raised a bushy eyebrow, his skepticism palpable. “That so? Enlighten me, then.”
Liora leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “You see, we Jumpers have a special bond with the Skywings. Those massive birds, with feathers that shimmer like emeralds and sapphires? They’re not just our mounts; they’re our partners in crime.”
Grumble snorted. “Crime, eh? Sounds about right.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “Not that kind of crime! More like…adventures. Imagine soaring through the sky, the wind in your hair, and the world spread out below you. It’s pure freedom. And the Skywings? They trust us completely. We ride them without fear because we know they’ve got our backs.”
Grumble’s eyes narrowed. “And what do you do up there, besides giving your poor parents heart attacks?”
Liora’s grin widened. “Oh, all sorts of things! We dive through Cloud Canyon, race each other to the top of Thunder Peak, and sometimes, we even play a game of Sky Tag. It’s exhilarating! But it’s not just about the thrill. It’s about the bond we share with a Skywing. They rely on us as much as we rely on them.”
Grumble’s scowl softened, just a fraction. “Sounds dangerous.”
“It is,” Liora admitted, her tone serious for a moment. “But that’s what makes it worth it. We face our fears head-on, and in doing so, we learn to trust ourselves and each other. Plus, it’s a lot of fun!”
Grumble chuckled, a rare sound that made Liora’s heart lift. “You remind me of myself when I was your age. Always looking for the next adventure.”
Liora’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Exactly! And who knows, maybe one day you’ll join us for a flight. I bet you’d make a great Jumper.”
Grumble shook his head, but there was a twinkle in his eye. “Not likely, young one. But I appreciate the offer.”
Liora stood up, giving him a playful salute. “Well, the offer stands. Anytime you want to feel the wind in your hair, you know where to find us.”
As she walked away, she heard Grumble mutter, “Crazy kids,” but there was a warmth in his voice that hadn’t been there before. Liora smiled to herself, knowing that even the grumpiest of Underlings could appreciate the magic of the Jumpers.