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 Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 6:46 pm
 Sometimes I Fall Awake could not believe her eyes. Usually when she saw and saw things that were not, she knew that for all the reality that these waking visions were imbued with, eventually the illusion would slip away and if she so wanted, these kin became whatever and did whatever she wished. Now, she could see this buck, some light, matching his stride to hers at her side and she couldn't believe it. She could see and she was awake, but this was no simply a dream, it was a waking dream that she could press her nose to and know as real rather than wishing it so.
It was strange to be walking and dreaming, but rather than dreaming an illusion, she was living in a dream. It was a dream. And he was Feather. He filled his dreams with a lovely light, so precious and strange, that it could not be so. It was and so Daydreamer smiled, uncertain yet warm because he made her feel as if she could fly and never plummet down.
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Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 7:00 pm
 Light Steps made sure to keep pace with the doe beside him, his lips stretched into a smile. He couldn't believe that this was happening. Sure, she had drawn him in with her airy way of going about the world and the way she talked about dreaming all the time, but he had never expected to actually have children with her. Of course, he would never have had such an encounter with her if he didn't care for her; he just wasn't that kind of buck. He knew others that pranced around and played around, jumping from doe to doe without much care for what happened afterward. But no, Feather was different. He was going to be an actual father to these children.
He turned his head to nuzzle against Daydreamer's cheek, his flank brushing against hers accidentally. He liked the warmth she radiated. His long ears twitched as the swamp chattered around them, and pulled back enough to smile at her. "How are you feeling?" He asked, genuinely concerned about her. He didn't really know anything about pregnancy, so he didn't know what to expect. He just wanted her to be comfortable at all times.
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Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 8:24 pm
 The mare's hoof was swift and deadly as it slammed into the near-dead -- well it was a bit hard to tell what it was to the unknowing -- creature that had foolishly sought to fetch itself an unwilling owlcat for a meal. Stupid of it, really. Unluckier still, that the owlcat was a mare. Lull in Sunlight gave a sigh as the irritation ebbed and found herself wondering what to do with the carcass. She had long ago had her morning meal and she had no want to add this to her stomach. Oh well. She took the creature in her mouth all the while thinking she was going to have to sink herself in a pond and then roll in a field of fleabane. (It looked mangy and ill-kept; she would have dropped it all together if she didn't like -- she had the sudden desire to meet up with that insane doe. They never had exchanged names.) It was not long truly until the sensation of a stroke down her spine made her pause. Honestly. She was quite tempted to go in the other direction and make whoever it was seek her out. Not that it would be hard, the creature was dripping a trail and she decided that it would do no good. This once she'd not hide. She threw the carcass upward and then slunk forward to catch it neatly on her back. And waited until she could hear a voice. Then, with a smile, interrupted. "How kind of you to ask." It may have been a touch sarcastic as she stepped into sight.
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Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 8:36 pm
It was easy to match the smile on the buck's face, easy to let the simple, small smile that had been on her face to stretch just that much more because of the concern and the genuine kindness and warmth that seeped into her bones when he smiled. She returned the press of nose to cheek as she continued walking with sure hooves. She was feeling fine, better than fine really. She was so light, and with him at her side, she could be nothing by comfortable. About to answer with words, Daydreamer was interrupted by the sudden appearance of an imposing looking mare, with such a dangerous glow that Daydreamer was shocked into a quivering stop.
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Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 8:50 pm
It would be easy to say that Feather was startled by the mare's appearance. His ears perked up and he stopped walking as well, glancing at Daydreamer when he noticed that she seemed a bit frightened. Something did seem a bit intimidating about this mare, but he supposed a lot of legendary kimeti could come across that way; they practically exuded power and demanded reverence after all.
He immediately bowed his head in respect, nose nearly brushing the ground as his eyes slipped closed. Hello..." He wasn't quite sure what else to say, really. He'd never met a mare before, and he wasn't up on all the 'lingo' or special greetings that one might need. He hoped that he didn't offend her.
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Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 9:10 pm
Surprise was the emotion that echoed inside her mind; her face betrayed nothing past the smile that remained. If anything, she expected them to be startled but to quiver as the doe was -- whatever would she have done if the mare had melted out of the shadows? And yet, Lull in Sunlight was quite pleased with the reaction. As much as she had always preferred to be seen as innocent, harmless, there was something to be said about the pride of being thought intimidating.
It seemed that even with her apparent startling appearance, the buck was sound enough of mind to show respect. That she would always appreciate. It would have been nice if the doe had bowed as well but if her senses were right, she could forgive it.
"Hello," she returned and then let her attention turn to the doe. "You need not be afraid," she offered, her voice falling soft and soothing. A rare tone that had only been heard by family -- it was different from the one that was used to fool others; this one was genuine.
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Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 9:46 pm
There was something to be said for seeing a kimeti, a mare, melt out of the shadows, quite literally. The mare had not moved like any kimeti Daydreamer had ever seen before and the kill on her back was dripping. She tried to settle down, usually not so prone to surprise, but something in her seemed to shift when she was with Feather and against her usual better judgement, her heart settled soft and pliant, open when she would usually be steeled against the world. And so, she could only blink, intimidated into silence.
When the mare spoke, Daydreamer was struck by how different the tone of voice, soothing and soft, differed from the imposing, contrasting appearance of the mare. It settled the shaking that had overtaken her and Daydreamer, realizing her misstep, matched her mate's low bow and echoed his greeting in an even softer voice than she was sometimes prone.
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Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 10:44 am
Like Daydreamer, Feather had not expected such a soft voice from the rather imposing mare. But he accepted it, glad that she didn't seem to be as frightening as first impressions suggested. He raised his head slightly to look at her politely, ears folding back gently. "It seems fate that we have run into you," he murmured, smiling softly. I Fall Awake and I, Light Steps, have been lucky enough to be blessed with a litter of foals." He dipped his head slightly again, closing his eyes. "We would consider it a great honor to receive your blessing." He remained in the posture he was in, waiting to see what this mare would say. He hoped he'd gone about asking in the right way, and that Daydreamer wasn't the one who was supposed to do it. He would hate to get off on the wrong foot already.
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Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 12:36 pm
While she noted the doe's quivering had stopped and that she had mimicked the buck's bow, it seemed in this encounter the expectant father was the one with voice.
"Oh, it was not fate," she cut in without explanation and then tried to laugh. Oh she knew they were expecting if only because that was the only reason she ever seemed to meet any doe or buck. She did not speak her agreement on the fact it would be an honor, always was, but some pride may have peeked through her eyes -- if they did not glow so brightly as if to obscure her emotions all together.
The mare took a step forward, regarding the couple, and wondering the best course of action. She did not think a quest was in either of their interests but she wasn't quite ready to grant her blessing.
She turned her attention to the doe, "And what do you wish your children to be?"
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Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 6:25 pm
Daydreamer was ever so glad that Feather was able to speak for the two of them. The already reticent doe, so prone to not speaking, did not trust her voice in the presence of the mare. She kept close to Feather, drawing comfort from his composure.
Where the mare took a step forward, Daydreamer carefully held her ground, keeping her eyes dropped respectfully, expression soft, trying not to be afraid.
When the question was directed at her, she froze. She had never thought about what she wished her children to be; she found it hard to think now, with the mare's brightly glowing eyes turned on her. She looked up, glancing at Feather, searching for the answer in the vision of her gentle mate.
Daydreamer felt her heart trying to soar, struggling against the careful weights that she had imposed on it her entire life, and she knew. She spoke, careful and soft, respectful, "I wish for my children to not be afraid to fly, to not be so afraid of falling that they don't dare reach for the stars."
She fell silent for a brief second, "If by your grace you could grant them that, I, we, could be eternally grateful."
She ended with a low bow.
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Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 6:39 pm
There wasn't much more that Feather could add to Daydreamer's wishes; after all, the question had been directed at her. But he agreed with her wholeheartedly, thinking that he wanted that for their children as well. He wanted them to be able to set their mind to anything and try their hardest, even if they should fail.
He could see the way Daydreamer was looking at the mare, and dipped his head to nuzzle into her cheek reassuringly. Obviously this mare was at least willing to give them a blessing, right? She probably would have just walked away if she wasn't...
He glanced at the powerful kimeti again, dipping his head in a bow to match his mate's. Hopefully this would bring her the security she needed; he could tell that, when he wasn't right by her side, she was different in a subtle way. Less free and light, perhaps? He just wanted to see her happy.
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Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 7:01 pm
There was no need to bow after every turn spoken, she thought but gave it no voice. Instead she considered the parent's wishes. It appeared they wanted dreamers, perhaps courage or bravery. She did not know if that was best. It certainly wasn't something she would bless her children with and she weighed the options silently with no outward movement.
"You desire children who dream," she spoke at last and then paused. "Then you shall have dreamers, ones imbued with courage, who know when to fight, when to lie down, when to let go." If that did not please them, well they would have to find someone more interested in the flutter of butterflies and prancing through flowers. Intelligence was far more important than dreams, in her opinion.
She turned her head, catching her teeth at the furry rox on her back and turning back to them. As it dangled from her mouth it was easy to see the raccoon like ears attached to the foxy face. Dropping it to the ground, "Anything else?" Perhaps she wasn't offering it to them, after all.
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Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 8:23 pm
Daydreamer leaned with careful weight against Feather's touch. He was the first dream that had taken steps on solid ground. He had stayed. He was here, beyond the first blush of attraction and infatuation.
The mare was right. She wanted children who dreamed, but not like her. She didn't want children who lived a waking dream, no matter how comforting the notion was in her own life, using it as a shield and weights. She wanted her children to be able to take their dreams and turn them into reality, to use them as wings rather than weights.
The mare understood. Her words, imbued with power, gave Daydreamer hope that her children would be born without the crippling fear that caught Daydreamer whenever she dared hope beyond her means.
Her eyes instinctively followed the drop of the creature, the movement as sudden as the mare's appearance but not nearly so graceful. She could think of nothing else, so fulfilled where her wishes. "No, thank you so very much."
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Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 10:38 pm
Listening to the things the mare promised, Feather smiled. Those sounded like wonderful traits for their children, and he agreed wholeheartedly. He bowed his head again when the mare was done, matching his mate's posture almost perfectly if it weren't for the difference in their body size.
He truly hoped that their children would be what the mare promised. He had faith that, with her blessing combined with his and Daydreamer's parenting, they would be. He wanted them to chase their dreams and not be afraid of them. He wanted them to have the courage to not worry about what others thought of them. He wanted them to be free.
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Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 1:52 pm
Blessing attended to, the mare shifted into her owlcat form. It waited for a moment until an eaglehound -- looking suitably chastised -- slunk forward to claim the rox. Without preamble, the owlcat shot off, eaglehound in pursuit, and left the expectant parents alone.
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