Turbulence

Astra felt as if someone had kicked her in the side. Her belly had the light feeling that happens when one is plunging from a great height. The fabric of the balloon flapped in the air as the wind buffeted it. She was now fully awake.

She reflexively spread her wings out, and found it difficult. She could breathe more easily now, which was a bad sign, as that meant that she was out of the aerial river, and much closer to the surface of the water. She did not look down. With all her might, she forced her wings out, and extended her paws. She breathed into the half-closed base of the balloon. Any minute now, she expected to hit the water.

Just enough of the base was open. The balloon started to fill out. The terrifying feeling of lightness in her belly faded. She would fall no further. With a sense of dread, she now looked down.

1. There were five figures scurrying in a gondola that appear to have suffered no damage.
2. The gondola now tilted at an angle, and she could not see her companions. It was possible that they had still hung on.

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