[BRP] Burning Bridges [BB x Stillborn][FIN]

[Chrystali]

Tracking her had not been easy - but it came with a certain sort of haphazard direction that was natural when following a wildfire.

The flaming mare, he'd asked after, chased phantoms and whispers of her passing. The night on fire.

And perhaps, unsurprisingly, he found himself encroaching on the territory of a tribe, much like the Legendary had upon their first meeting. He was the interloper now, the one skirting the territory of a tribe that had so long since stood that even he had heard of it. Westfen. His ears pinned back, his head held down, the turtle shell secured to his chest unsightly and obvious; he was entirely out of his element. Surely, she could appreciate that fact alone.

Shaking out his pelt, Stillborn continued to ghost along the edge of the territory, looking for a protector of the tribe, like he was - anyone that would alert him he was in the right area. Anyone that could find her.

Minsuil with an edit 'cause FINIIIISHED TY BBY

THANK YOU FOR DEALING WITH HIM AGAIN, I AM SO EXCITE

 

[Minsuil]

The visitors streaming into the borders of Westfen seeking a blessing from her had increased. She wondered how word got out. And then wondered why they even bothered. No doubt more than half were chased away by patrols. The last time she had visited the clan home, Rift in Stone had shot her a dirty look. You ought to turn them away, he said. But if they came this far, and if they brought offerings, why should she? At the very least they could give the young ones practice!

The acha who made their aproach into the clan's territory was not quiet. Either they were unused to the deep swamp, or they were burdened. Burning Bush peered out from within the undergrowth and was pleased to find that it was both. She recognized that "charming" sneer and felt a smile spread across her face.

Oh, this would be fun.

Stillborn looked around with every step - clearly out of his element. She sat on a rock as an owlcat watching his every move, wondering when he'd notice her. Her tail swayed back and forth, and her eyes were filled with bright amusement that could only be at his expense.

Chrystali

IM HAPPY TO DO IT!!! BB LOVES BULLYING KIDS....bad bb...bad...she's gonna make him talk to an owlcat it'll be funny...for her...

 

[Chrystali]

Ugh. The heavier land wasn't even sturdy enough to bare his weight, burdened as he was. His hooves weren't exactly sure, his steps still sharp and pointed but significantly more clumsy. He wasn't deterred. The Acha grit his teeth and kept moving.

Stillborn almost moved entirely out of sight of the owlcat before he caught her tail flip - a flash of dark with a pinpoint of light - prompting him to look over his shoulder, bright eyes narrowed before widening with recognition. It's her. Not that he was exactly surprised, her watching him without word - he could only imagine she'd been there most, if not at least half the time, watching him sink and growl and kick muck off every other step.

It took time before he could get back to her, determinedly stepping on rocks and any other debris he could to stay 'afloat,' jaw set over the red shell on his chest. He stopped some ways from her, legs slightly splayed to the side like a newborn, head lowered stubbornly, expression dour. "Good day, fire walker. You are...surprisingly annoying to find."

Minsuil

YES SHE GETS TO TORMENT AND ANNOY AND HE HAS TO GRIND HIS TEETH AND TAKE IT. EXCELLENT.

 

[Minsuil]

The owlcat acknowledged him with a sharp hoot, almost like a laugh. If it acknowledged his words...it was hard to say. Burning Bush kept her tail swaying from side to side, before bringing it to curl around her paws.

It looked at him and tilted its head to the side as if waiting.

Chrystali

 

[Chrystali]

His gaze was heavy upon the owlcat, though it seemed the small burning creature was full of mirth. Stillborn really hasn't expected otherwise.

Shifting his jaw, he ground his sharp teeth before speaking, his voice filtering through his clenched jaw, "You were right." His nose wrinkled, more at his annoyance at himself than at her. He should have listened. He had known better, and yet... "About children." Another pause; when he was forthcoming, the words always came slower, tripped over. "There's a doe. Passing by - and now, first of my clutch..." The rest went unspoken. No one ever thought he would have children, least of all himself.

He turned his head and bit at one of the dried vines that held the shell against his chest. It loosened, but didn't fall, though it did allow enough scent of its contents to waft: dried leathers, something vaguely fishy, bone. He shifted his legs to better hold his weight, with a smidgen of dignity. Barely so. "You knew. So I came to find you. For..." Ugh. "...for help."

Minsuil

 

[Minsuil]

A sharp cackle left the owlcat as it lifted its head to the sky. The flames on the owlcat burned brighter and brighter before flaring out. Where the owlcat once stood, a mare now was. The mirthful smile that graced her face remained, full of amusement, was the same as the one the owlcat wore.

"Now, that wasn't so hard, was it?"

She took in the turtle shell and the contents it held. A most generous gift. Someone had been nervous.

"A gift for a gift then," she said as she leaned forward. Her nose touched the acha's forehead. The flames that sprouted from her body licked his, but they did not burn.

"Your children shall always find their way. May the MotherFather watch over them."

Chrystali

 

[Chrystali]

His gift was removed, and with it, the burden of finding her, convincing her his children would be better than him, of proving himself. The Mare was there in all her glory of the sun devouring the night and he felt instantly so very small next to her.

Still lifted his head, partially to keep his dignity, in part to look up at her - and her nose fit just so between his eyes, the flame he'd been so alarmed of fanning over him. It wasn't hot or as frightening as he'd thought it might be - it reminded him, strangely, of home. Dare he say it was a comfort.

And she gave what he had sought. A fair blessing, at that -- an assertion. They wouldn't be lost. Not like him. "Thank you," he said, his tone quiet but filled with bewilderment and even a touch of humility. Still bowed his head, taking a few steps back, before hesitating. He looked at her for a few heartbeats, tail swishing with his indecision. He'd come all this way - he'd be a fool to keep the words back.

"Can I find you here again?" he queried, eyes somewhat bothered, if not haunted, by his own considerations. "Like this." With a gift. With an open-mind.

Minsuil

HELLO I AM THE WORST and I love Burning Bush SO MUCH THANK YOU

 

[Minsuil]

Burning Bush watched him watch her. He was quite a different boy from the one she'd met seasons ago - humbled, perhaps, by his experiences. Something about children bringing out the weaknesses of their parents? Ah, but she missed his pride and his indignant anger. A humbled child, tail swining in awe, was hardly as fun.

"If you wish to find me again, you need only search in your dreams. The MotherFather guides us in our dreams and if your need is great, They will show you the way."

She raised her head to the sky, as if to ascertain something, and then turned to leave. She took two steps and the stopped, and cast a glance over her shoulder at Stillborn.

"But next time, bring your pride and tongue with you."

There was a quick flash of her wry smile - thin, but mirthful, full of her own amusement. And then, she was gone.

Chrystali

SORRY I TOOK SO LONG TOO QQQQ and pats stillborn poor baby's been traumatized by being wrong strokes him gently shh its ok////

If you ever wanna do anything else with BB, let me know! and if still ever has an kimeti children,,,let me know,,,,shifty eyes