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Away. Far away. Further.
He was further than he'd ever been. That was fine. He needed to go far.
He was awfully tired. Maali didn't think he'd ever flown this far, before, but another beat of wings kept him aloft. He had to keep going. He'd landed too recently - there was nothing good in these waters. He could keep going, for awhile. He had to. Another beat.
What had he been taught, never loose sight of the horizon? He'd messed that up royally. Of course he had. What direction was he going? He hoped it was west. The sun was right above him, though, and north was... which way was west, from north? The swan didn't know. He hoped he found land soon.
He was so tired. The waves were too large for him to rest, there were too many predators stirring below. Too many innocents. Lights danced on the edges of his vision. He could fly a little longer. He'd rest in a bit. Just for a short while. Then he'd keep on going. Try and get back, as if there was something there for him.

---

The sun was setting, when he saw a speck on the horizon. Something. How far had he gone? How long had it been? He was thirsty. He was hungry. He wanted to sleep, to fumble together a nest in the mud. He must be home, now, right? Or, close enough to his wetland. He must be.
Another few flaps, the swan directed towards the land mass with whatever strength he could renew. At the very least, he could land, right? On land, not on water. Deep water, that moved under you, tried to consume you, didn't let you rest no matter how hard you tried.

Entered a steady glide. He was close now. The island was filled with green, and there was a tall podium, a human light-building. The edge looked right, but... it was too small. Maybe he was on an outer island. Maybe he'd find his home soon. He needed to rest, here, at least. He'd be home soon. Find a safe space, away from predators. Try and not disturb any snakes. Dipped, as he got close, making wide circles, trying to find a space - There. He was no hawk - he couldn't break through the branches, dip that fast, but there was a suitable stretch of beach. Touched down, flapped his great wings. Took a deep breath.

Half of the swan wanted to collapse here, dark feathers on pale sand. Nodded his head, struggled to keep it in its natural S and not set back. Maali tucked his wings in close. This water was too salty - he could deal with some, but Maali had already drank too much of that. The thought of it made him even sicker than he felt. Spots glowed amongst the trees, tiny life making its course. He had to find food, some algae, a bladderwort. Something.
He took a deep breath, took a few steps into the rainforest, felt the mud squelch under his feet. This was wrong. He had to figure this out - tomorrow, though.
Finally dipped his head into a pool - not nearly so salty as the true sea. He could stomach this, even if he was still terribly thirsty. Wings began to droop from his sides. He was tired. This forest was cramped. Too cramped. He didn't like it.

// Flew across some stretch of sea, landed on the edge of the main island. Surprise!

     
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The swan's reaction times were, admittedly, not the best. Especially considering his current exhaustion. It was in the middle of a long drink that he'd heard the snap of twigs, leading him to slowly drag his head up, look in its direction, still taking heavy breaths. He was... not nearly so fast as he should of been. Come on, Maali - step up your game. It'd be ironic if you died, wouldn't it? He wasn't sure what'd even happen. Stared at the approaching feline(?) with  electric blue eyes - oddly bright, despite his tire, almost as if they glowed in the evening shade. An odd thing that spoke to him, equipped with vibrantly green horns and... wings?
The swan had seen cats before - small pets of the humans, often lean and cocky. They had liked to disturb his siblings, prompting his mother into scaring them off. At least, whenever she noticed them. Something in the back of the swan's mind prickled at seeing it, but he'd been too large to be threatened by cats for some time. Aside from that, this one seemed too young - he wasn't so good at at aging mammals , with their absence of baby-down, but this one was awfully small, and the wings on its back, battish, seemed far to small to carry its similarly small body. The subject of wings and horns on a cat, at this point, had slid past his notice - he was far too tired to attempt making sense of it.
...
He was saying something. Shape up, Maali. What had everyone told you, ever since your hatching? Be watchful. If they'd given any advice to follow, that'd been it. Don't die, don't be injured, even he wasn't completely sure the former could happen to someone like him. Mustered up a slight, wavering grin, as the child talked - he was sure they were young, now - despite worry and exhaustion painted across the rest of his face. Spoke, naturally melodic.
"I am okay, yes - Just tired. I will likely be fine, after a rest. I am not so sure your mum would appreciate me coming to your home." He was about to continue with a line about how humans generally did not appreciate swans, when his eyes were drawn to the growth behind Roan. Crocodiles. His eyes widened as he took a sharp breath in, about to call something out to the kid before he was snapped up, raising white-edged wings outwards - already? Normally it took longer. He shouldn't be here-
When another feline pranced down the back of one, with no fear of the jaws of death below. Spoke sternly, worry written over her face, what he could only assume to the Child's full name. Talked firmly, words he could far from recognize, sharp. Softened her words as her gaze fell onto the swan, delivering gentle concern. As if he was hurt. Maali still stared down at the crocodiles as he responded, waiting for the inevitable.
"I am fine, Madam, Sir, it has simply been a long flight. Am I intruding?" Truthfully, the swan didn't know what he'd do if they denied his presence - he wasn't sure he could much fly, but it was only polite to ask - for your sake, as well, especially as more felines swarmed the scene. He was fine. He wouldn't be hurt. He was too large - and they were all asking whether he was alright. It was fine.