Stargarden had been hot on the trail of his best friend Bites for Fun when suddenly the trail disappeared without a trace. Or that was how it seemed to Stargarden. In reality, the trail had merely disappeared into the depths of the swamp's water, a place Stargarden had not yet found an ability to follow after. He could fly into the sky but the water of the swamp was well out of the stag's realm of expertise. It was quite discouraging to say the least though, leaving the stag (currently hovering about as a moth) rather gloomy.
He hadn't meant to scare off Bites for Fun with his joke. It was just a simple joke, he didn't think that Bites for Fun would have taken it so seriously and run off the way he did. Crocodiles, who would have suspected they were so sensitive? Stargarden certainly didn't. They certainly held grudges too. Stargarden had apologized but instead of accepting it, he flipped his tail at Stargardn and flung Frolic the Rock at him. How insulting! Bites for Fun knew how much Stargarden hated that rock.
The whole afternoon left Stargarden in a foul mood. It wasn't the fowl mood he was usually in, no, it was most definitely foul. There was no happy flapping of his feathers or dancing on the hides of bucks. Instead the moth just fluttered about rather angrily. The wings were harsh and it made suspiciously not so moth-like sounds as it did.
"Nnn... ggg... rrr... nnn... no fair..."
It finally slipped out.
The moth might have continued that slow spiral into despair had there not been the rustle of hooves from the bushes. It couldn't possibly be Bites for Fun, and waiting for the worst, Stargarden was pleasantly surprised when he seen quite the handsome buck staring at him. It painted a familiar picture with the moth, and with it brought a familiar smell. If Stargarden was any normal stag, immediately he may have recognized this buck as Neat, his estranged grandson from the strange union of two of his children. Stargarden didn't judge, no, not at all. Of course, on the list of things he didn't judge also fell reality. It had no say in his world.
The buck seemed to motion to move away but Stargarden wouldn't be having any of that. He happily flapped his way over to the buck and fluttered about his nose. He was happy to see him! This was how he was showing it! He fluttered continually until the buck tried to move away from him. He went to say something but immediately the moth once against fluttered in his face. Oh! He was so happy to see you! Please, don't go! He was more than willing to reward him for staying, that familiar sense popping up once again in the moth's sense.
"Children!" The moth abruptly said, almost causing Neat to jump back. He very well would have, had Stargarden not immediately then shifted into a crane and propped himself up on the buck's back. The buck wanted to object but Stargarden once again refused to allow that. He pecked the buck firmly on the back of his head and instead of words all that was heard was the slight whimper from a painful blow. Certainly this was not normal.
What was that about children? Oh yes!
"I want you to have more children!"
Huh?
Neat stood confused and once again when he went to say something he was halted.
"Be blessed!"
Stargarden was proud, and at this point quite happy. He had forgotten about the earlier adventure with his best friend Bites for Fun but in turn, as he flew off into the sky, he had left poor Neat stunned and speechless. Really, what in the swamp just happened? Neat had absolutely no idea, none whatsoever.
