|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed May 22, 2013 1:16 pm
 Vain Beauty fairly tip toed her way around. She had heard whispers of special kin who could bless a doe's young while she still carried them. She had no idea where to begin, and soon found herself wandering aimlessly with her loyal Lady right beside her. Several times she'd been about to just give up, but she hadn't just yet. She usually tried to keep it hidden, that part of her that cared what he thought, the same part that wanted to make him happy as well. She wondered how he would react when she finally told him they would be a family. She sighed and paused for a moment, looking down at her pet. "Lady, do you think this is worth it?"
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 22, 2013 4:35 pm
"Usually, it is," says a voice from somewhere off to the side. It is hidden at first glance, unless she looks up -- to where an eaglehound is lolling on an huge fallen cypress. The hound is stretched out, with its belly exposed to the rotting wood (the day is humid, and the wood is cool and camp), one of its back legs hanging off the side. Its tail thumps the wood once or twice in greeting. Its eyes gleam -- unnaturally brightly, like the eyes of kimeti. "But it also depends on what he thinks about it."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 22, 2013 6:43 pm
Beauty jumped at the sudden sound of a voice, her eyes narrowing as she looked around and saw no one at first. "Who's there?" she asked, a slight tremor to her usually arrogant voice. The thumping of his tail made her turn and look up to see the eaglehound on the tree. There was something odd about that animal, the eyes... And then it spoke again. She supposed it was male, by the voice. Was this one of the ones she'd heard of? It wasn't exactly what she'd expected. "He? You mean my mate?" she asked. It wasn't particularly like he had a choice. She supposed he could leave like he had before, when they were younger, but she somehow didn't think he would. He was different now. They were different now. Even if neither one of them showed it outwardly. "I haven't told him yet."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 22, 2013 7:26 pm
"Hmp," says the Legendary -- not judgmentally, but thoughtfully, as if this scenario is one he is familiar with. He has left many a time without knowing he left behind babies. The eaglehound suddenly rouses itself, feathers rattling down its spine, and stands to regard the other doe.
Behind it, in the shadows cast by the massive fallen log, another shape moves through the trees -- the ghostly form of a stag flits through the shade, bearing more than a passing resemblance to the eaglehound.
"What are you going to tell him?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 11:10 am
She watched him carefully, her eyes drawn to the shadow he cast. The disparity between the eaglehound and his shadow sent a shiver down her spine. She thought about his question for a moment, leaning closer to Lady as the touch of her fur comforted the doe. "I suppose I'll tell him the truth," she said. What else could she do? They'd always been together, she and Careless, even when they weren't. Even when she'd sought other suitors, she had always belonged to him, as he belonged to her. "That he'll be a father."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 25, 2013 10:52 pm
"I think that's best," the eaglehound says; a moment later it leaps off of the fallen log into the shade behind it, and after an eye-watering moment where it seems to merge with the stag, Longstride steps around the log to regard the doe with his own eyes. "He can hardly refuse that. I think he'll probably be glad you told him."
The stag shakes himself, the motion unapologetically canine (are all legendaries so marked by their other shapes?), and then smiles. "I suppose you want what all expectant mothers come to legendaries for?" The question is gentle, but a bit teasing. Longstride knows why she is here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 25, 2013 11:57 pm
Beauty took a step back as the eaglehound leaped from the log. She tried to watch him, but as he changed she had to close her eyes. When she heard his voice again, she opened her eyes to eye him again. She would have to remember all she'd learned here for the next time she sought a blessing for her children. She snorted softly. He could refuse it, for all the good it would do him. She'd been with no other buck, there would be no denying them as belonging to him. She bit back the retort she wanted to give his question. Why else would she have tramped out here in the woods seeking a Legendary? She wanted to, but didn't say such a thing. She wanted him to bless her children, not to curse them. "You would be correct in supposing that," she said and tried to keep her tone even.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 26, 2013 8:38 am
He watches her as she turns over his question in his head: it probably wouldn't have done any good to snap at him. He is too good-natured, too (blindingly) self-confident to let a mere comment stop him -- unless it comes from Bitterleaf.
He shrugs. "No need to panic, love, I'm teasing." He tilts his head and suddenly she is awash with a rush of coolness -- like the first splash of cool water in the middle of a hot summer day:
"Your children will be as open and honest as you are, but they'll also learn to admit what they want when they want it."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 26, 2013 6:54 pm
She gasped softly at the sudden chill that washed over her. She shivered from it as she listened to his blessing. A flush burned her face as part of his blessing seemed to be an admonishment of her. "Thank you," she said simply.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
