“You’re going to be a father,”Cucumber had told him and then her gaze had swept away and he’d been left to, figuratively, bash his head against a rock. Not because of the pregnancy or even the doe’s blunt delivery of such news, no. He actually loved kids but his sister was going to kill him. She rather preferred to be in-the-know about his relationships and he may have neglected to inform her of this one. Granted it was her fault, she’d found the doe and determined he should talk to her—blast if he could remember why though. Chicanery likely hadn’t even bothered to tell him but he’d learned long ago that whether he followed her or not, he’d end up the one in trouble. He snorted, proven right again. Off to find a blessing then; in the event he did end up dead or Cucumber decided she wasn’t the mothering type or the swamp sunk, the kids should have a shot at survival.He’d pressed his nose against the doe’s cheek after painting the search as a grand romantic gesture. (It was in jest; Cucumber’s smile was indulgent, nonetheless, as she wished him luck.) And then he was began, or walked. He knew how his life worked; if he were to search, he would always be one step behind but if he were to wander, well, he’d probably trip right over one. (Pity it just as often bit him in the a**.)
As it was, he’d been vaguely searching since the morning—the sun was falling now, the hard-sought warmth fading as the hour crept ever closer to dusk—had turned the horizon into a blush. He’d taken a break to watch some particularly vivid fish being plucked by hungry eagles from the river’s lazy trickle. Then found a herd of kin traveling that he’d stopped to speak with, not even bothering to ask if they knew of any stags or mares nearby. It was as they left, a thunder of hooves covering up the low rumble of an agitated caiman, that his predication came true. Three hooves had easily walked over the unassuming—indeed, completely unnoticed—reptile. The fourth, however, caught and down the buck went. And Motherfather if that didn’t hurt.
Either Way gave his head a shake, ears thrumming as his bones ached. He twisted his neck to look and was quite a bit unprepared for the trashing reptilian tail that he could see. Well, for a moment, as it was moving rather quickly in the other direction. At least it didn’t seem to want to chomp down on the offensive limb. He chuckled wryly, he didn’t imagine bones tasted—
“I rather think you hurt me, more than yourself,” the voice came and the buck leapt up, legs tangling until once more he was quickly dropped flat against the ground. “Did I startle you?” amusement laced the voice affectionately.
Either Way let his vision readjust as he looked forward. He was only half surprised to find a stag—it had to be a stag, no kin that he’d ever seen looked quite this dignified and ancient yet spry as a foul—and not at all to find a ghostly caiman, hissing its disproval, lying beneath the red Legendary’s belly.
“Yes, sorry about that,” the buck apologized, then rose—legs a little wobbly, head a bit more bowed—to get a better look.
“I’d say you should watch where you’re going but you’ve been so intent not to all morning, that I dare say it was on purpose,” Bitter Heartbeat remarked.
“Life has a humor to it, you know. You ask for a rabbit for dinner and you find yourself in the company of Rabbit who also wants dinner,” he mused. “You pray to find a Legendary and then as soon as you no longer want one…” he shrugged.
The stag smiled, sharp teeth not hindering the obvious joy he found in this encounter, “Strange as you may find it, I can relate.”
Either Way looked disbelieving but then laughed, of course he could.
“If I had looked in earnest, it would have taken me days.”
“As you didn’t, you tripped right over me.”
Oh, he liked this Legendary and the feeling seemed to be quite mutual.“I’m going to be a father and I’d rather like to be assured they have a chance,” Either Way admitted, his face unusually thoughtful, concern and worry flooding up from somewhere unknown. He knew what his life had in store; he had long ago come to terms with the thread of mischief that fate chose to bestow on him. He had no knowledge of the lives growing inside Cucumber. Would such a life as his beat them down or amuse them? Would their mother’s beauty bless them? Would they want that which he could not give, had not asked for?
“The Motherfather looks favorably on all their children. Each of us has our journey and path, none more difficult than we can manage. As long as we grow, we please them and ourselves,” Bitter Heartbeat cut in, having seen such a look before. Such confidence of one’s own life melted into nothing when it came to that of impending children.
“Then I ask for their health and may they grow into kin who see that they are loved and that is the most blessed one can ever hope to be.” Either Way felt his skin heat in embarrassment.
“You are wise,” Bitter Heartbeat chuckled. “It shall be as you have asked,” he inclined his head. And then, “Do be glad I wasn’t a watersnake.”
Either Way’s laughter rung out as the Legendary faded away; oh yes, for that, he was glad.
