[16:01] Zii:
Since he had met Kupala he could not even begin to imagine how great his life was now. Course, when it was just him and Machu he was content-but with her-he was more than that. He was happy. He found that having free will and someone he could really communicate with-brought so many perks. And he absolutely adored her. Everything he never thought a waterbuck was-was now Kupala and he loved it now. He loved her. He was no longer the secluded little calf he had been before. He was stronger and more attentive to everything around him; for he had to be. Kupala had been used to that 'prince' and she needed him. Slavic just hoped that she would need him someday.

[16:05] Phife:
She had stopped counting the days since she had been gone from her makeshift herd and started counted the days she had been with a male who stuck with her. Though herds were not very common in their species, it made her feel safe in numbers and close to others like her whom she can commune with. However, when it was just her and him, Slavic was all she had to talk to and she enjoyed it more than the herd where she could not talk to the one she cared most for. She rested snugly close to his side, his warmth, his scent, his presence eased her to remain half asleep but awake and aware for when he were to speak. She was falling for him, she cannot help it, he hardly knew her and here he was. Kupala nuzzled him softly, releasing a soft sigh as she rest herself against his stronger shoulder.

[16:09] Zii:
He gazed down at her quietly-his dark eyes taking in her sight. What a beauty. Everything that he once thought beautiful, was ugly in comparison to her. Flowers, butterflies, the sky... all spoke of ugly and plain now. He rather liked it that way. He slowly nosed her with his muzzle-his head moving slowly and precisely. Since growing his horns, he had to learn to be careful with them. He made small-deep noises of content and comfort because he knew she liked them. He hadn't seen Machu in so long and inside it sort of made him nervous but... he didn't care-as long as he was with she. "Kupala?" He asked, not sure what to even say or ask.

[16:13] Phife:
The soft noises he made made her giggle a little, it was something her father did to annoy her when she was younger. It made her think she was in trouble, other times he would do it when they played to surprise her, now, it just made her giggle inside. She rubbed her head against him with a soft coo in response before opening her eyes half-lidded. "Hmm?" she questioned, lowing her head lightly to give a quiet yawn to allow the sleep to escape her. "Yes, Slavic?" she spoke in a tone that was almost velvet compared to his deeper voice.

[16:22] Zii:
Slavic felt silly for even waking her up. He licked his black nose in thought, his brown eyes gazing southward at the horizon before saying anything. They had bedded down in a lovely field of longish-brackish grass... perfect for hiding. Lately he had been antsy... and more nervous than usual... and he knew why. It was almost rut season... and that meant that others would be out and about trying to get a harem and he would not allow that. Also, with the rutt came more predators-eager to kill those who were to preoccupied with breeding to care. He didn't want to have to submit anyone to danger about that... so he wanted to find some place and he sort of had an idea. There were dense reeds not far from them.

[16:30] Phife:
Without a reply, she was curious why she was called upon, she raised her head up to his, nosing his chin. "Something the matter?" she asked quietly before looking about herself to get a clear baring as to where she was and what could possible be a threat to them. Like Slavic, she knew what was to come for she had gone through it a few times in her life with very little success. Though the prince had dominated any competitor and showed true valor and strength to his harem, he just did not have enough in him to take care of the entire harem and she was the one of those who were left without. The signs were clear but she could not sucumb to them just yet, she knew if she was going to, she'll have to get to somewhere safe and well hidden. "Slavic?" she questioned, a little more alert.

[16:40] Zii:
He wasn't one to admit something was wrong but he didn't know if Kupala knew or not... about the upcoming weeks. He cleared his throat, not sure how to even ask such a thing to a lady. He murmmered something quietly, trying to work out his problem before saying it aloud. Soon, his thoughts could no longer be kept in and he sighed. "Kupala... I can tell t that the-uh" He stopped for a moment. "-The uh, Rutt is going to start sometime soon and... " He looked around with half lidded eyes. "I am not sure if I am willing to stay out in the open during it... it is a bad time-" He paused. "-A good but bad time for all..." He looked in the direction of the long reeds that were within walking distance-perhaps half an hour? He looked down to her... "I have never experianced a rutt before with our kind... just machus odd way of rutting but..."

[16:51] Phife:
"I..." she started, rubbing her head against his neck. "I am fully aware." Kupala nudged him lightly, she was content where they were but knew well enough if they stood out here, the scent of females would attract males and if a herd of sex crazed waterbuck meant predators of all kinds to come and pick them off while their attentions and minds were elsewhere. She did not want to risk it, she did not want be hurt and she did not want Slavic to be either... The female nodded and agreed. "Please, lead the way." It startled her that Slavic had never exprienced a rut before! She looked at him wide-eyed with a slight slack jaw with question in her eyes. "Slavic? You? But, how? You're older than I am and I've been through two!"

[16:57] Zii:
Slavic knew that comment was coming. He started to unfold his legs one by one, standing slowly to his full height and giving himself a good shake-before nosing her softly to make sure she got up. "Yes... I know... but you forget... I left my parents and have not met other waterbucks but you..." He said, feeling rather silly for being so inexperianced. He rubbed his muzzle against his thin leg for a moment, before tossing his head back and forth-his ears flapping quickly. "I know it sounds silly but... my father never told me anything about it-and I knew when it came and left but never experianced any of it... I just steered clear of anyone during those times..." He lifted his head towards the reeds and began to check the air for any signs of danger... anything at all. There was none-thank the sky and ground. He looked to her, wanting to walk by her side at a slow pace so they could chat. "Though I think I have a good concept of what happens."

[17:02] Phife:
Kupala imitated the older male and raised herself to her feet, raising and lowering her neck to get it to wake up. Quickly, she came to his side, slipping her head delicately under his before pulling away to look at him. He was definitely a male that would need a double glance at. He was like the prince in many ways, he was true, he was compassionate, but she had yet to see all of him, but they've been together for quite a while. Someday, he will truly shine for her, however, she was happy with the way he currently was. "I know, but I would think you would have gone through the affects to find and compete, but I suppose not," she smiled, starting a few steps for him to get moving while they spoke. "I'll be honest with you, I too have not fully experienced a rut but what went on with me. So you and I are in the same valley."

[17:09] Zii:
Slavic was glad they shared something in common about the Rutt. He remembered the want to go out and find others like him and beat the living pulp out of them-he had laid awake and alert for nights... his restlessness making him almost crazy or something like that. He had to finally beat a tree down with his horns last time-frantic to get his frustration and other emotions out of him. He started to slowly walk towards the reeds. "well yes... I did... I know I wanted to wrestle with someone until my horns broke off and wanted to dance around any female I could find-but I just stayed in my cavern and waited it out." He shrugged. "Though.. I don't intend to do that this year..."

[17:15] Phife:
Kupala stopped and looked at him, the way he had described himself during the last rut scared her but also fascinated her. He would go to such lengths that he would break his horns? That would either take real recklessness or real strength. But what surprised her, and what made her stop, was his last comment. Shaking her head, she quickly went to catch up, looking up at him with question in her eyes. "What do you mean?..." deep down, she knew.

[17:22] Zii:
Now he had blown it. If he could sweat bullets he would. He blinked down at her-trying to form words for a moment before looking back up with a furrowed brow. Well, now was any time than ever. "I won't let any other Male at you Kupala... Not this rutt. I won't let anyone take you away from me Kupala..." He said... though he grew very quiet... and then sort of hung his head. "I am sorry... I shouldn't have said that... It is your choice what you do but.... I don't think that-that.

[17:24] Zii:
"-He paused. "That I could watch you with anyone else Kupala.. I love you too much."

[17:28] Phife:
Kupala smiled softly as she could for him, licking his cheek, her ear flicking in the day's air. She said nothing but move against him, rubbing her head under his with a sigh. "Slavic, I know you love me, you showed me that time and time again..." she smiled again and started toward the dense reeds. "If you truly plan to keep males away from me, are you prepared for that? There are those out there who can be stronger... and if you lose, what then?" She questioned, not turning to look at him, afraid of what his response would be. She wanted to be with him for he was so alone for so long and she was teh only remedy. What was going to happen soon could dictate their lives for a long time and was he prepared to do it every season?
[17:31] Zii:
Slavic fell behind slightly, watching her walk. He knew he may not be the strongest out there-or the fastest or what ever-but he was the best out there for Kupala as far as he was concerned. He snorted. "I would for the honor to have you at my side until my death. Then I would rise from my corpse and continue fighting til I am no more." He said sternly, his forehead furrowing as he continued on, speeding up a bit to catch up to her rump. He gave her a little n** on the rump. "I am prepared to toss myself to the lions for you Kupala... I am devoted to only but you." He said.

[17:34] Phife:
She smiled and nosed him. "You flatter me far too much, Slavic. But I would rather have you alive than a walking corpse or a dead mate, y'know? What fun would that be if my mate was dead?" she giggled and kept a brisk pace toward their hide away for the coming weeks. "I am glad, though, that you would go through such lengths for little ol' me, and if what you say is as sincere as it sounds, then I would be honored to be with you."

[17:46] Zii:
Slavic was a bit taken back at her words. Did she just confirm something he had been wishing-hoping-dying for his whole time with her. He caught something with his hoof and stumbled. "Mate!" He said quickly, catching himself mid step-hurring up to get level with her, his head lowered and looking at her intently. "is that what we are then?" He asked, his tail twitching quickly, his brown eyes showing his apparent glee. He sped up a bit, looking at the reeds. "Look Kupala... a safe place!"

[17:49] Phife:
Kupala chuckled and nosed his nose, licking it as she pulled away. "If you plan to keep me to yourself, we might as well be, right? The prince has taken too long and the rut season has returned. The only male who has stuck by me and cared about me is right here, so why should we be anything different?" She questioned. Kupala watched as he sped toward the reeds where they were heading and she quickly took after him with a soft laugh and anticipation to stop moving again in safety. Still, her head buzzed with thoughts of the two of them together. Would he turn into the prince if he had a female? Would he still be the same? What will happen? On the other hand, she wanted to be close with him and her patience grew thin, wasted on waiting for the male whom she thought would come to find her.

[17:53] Zii:
He stepped into the reeds and turned quickly to peer out of them at her with a grin. Her words most likely did more to him than she would ever now. He beamed at her-his expression playful as his front hooves pranced. "Yes... I agree.." He said, tossing his head excitedly, his glee aparent as the rain that fell or as the sky above. "Come in here Kupala... play with me for a little bit... hows that sound?" He said.

[17:56] Phife:
"Sure, we should make ourselves a bed so we don't lay down on pointy reeds when we sleep tonight, y'know?" Kupala giggled at the thought of Slavic trying to lay down with reeds poking at his belly and legs as he tried to lay down. The female stepped carefully through the reeds to Slavic and smiled at him. "So what do you have in mind?"

[18:04] Zii:
He looked around, wondering how they would go about finding a comfortable spot to lay in for the night. He looked closely at a reed, studying it. He lifted a back leg and kicked at one to see how sturdy. He rattled his rack against one, dislodging it sort of. He then grabbed hold of it inbetween his teeth and gave it a yank or two-wiggling it side to side before it broke below the ground. He stood there, looking like a dog holding a stick inbetween its muzzle. He looked side to side, not sure where to put it. He walked a bit of a distance and set it down on the ground. "There... a border... " He said, looking rather proud. He then began making quick use of other opposing reeds, tugging and bucking against them rather silly like. She had said it... They were Mates... She loved him. Oh the rapture. He had been hoping for this for so long that his heart could burst. He didn't care if this 'reed pulling' was a pain. "These reeds are so dense we can easily get through but a predator will make all sorts of clammor."

[18:13] Phife:
Kupala made sure that she stayed out of the way, but her eyes were clearly on the male who was doing all the manual labor. Making a little closure for them was a little, for a lack of a better word, attractive. He was working hard for her and he didn't really need to. "Well, it would certainly make it harder for them to get to us," Kupala laid down as soon as she found an opening for her, sticking her tongue out innocently, but mockingly, at him.

[18:18] Zii:
Slavic was glad to get moving around for a bit-considering he was getting anxious and such-this would get him less tense. And he personally didn't mind hard labor, he had been Machu's slave after all-and he was lazy as hell. He was busy digging at a bit that had broken off to far from the ground when he looked up and spotted her little pink tongue. "You've got a butterfly in your mouth Kupala!" He said with a laugh, bending down and plucking the hollow reed from the ground and holding it in his mouth. He then blew out, causing the reed to make a rather odd sound. He simply stood there, the reed stuck to his lower lip.

[18:27] Phife:
Kupala laughed and came up to him, taking teh reed from his maw and nosing him. "You are silly, you know that?" She nuzzled him with a soft coo. "You can stop, I think we got enough space to lay down in and the reeds supply enough protection. We're safe." It was strange, but she was growing tired of not being near him, able to feel him. When she could, it comforted her because she knew he was there, right there beside her. As long as he was close, she wouldn't be left alone again. "Slavic..."

[18:40] Zii:
He watched her take the reed and just smiled at her sheepishly. He nodded, nuzzling against her affectionatly. She was going to stay with him. He was so elated he may never sleep again. He stood beside her and waited until she lay before he would. "Yes Kupala?

[18:45] Phife:
"I can feel the rut coming... It won't be too long. The night is close and we're here, so lets spend it as the first night as mates," she licked him sheepishly and escaped to a safe spot to lay down, she was content, she happy, she was safe, and she was certainly in love. Was there anyway for it to get any better? "Slavic, I love you and I am really glad that we met, I couldn't ask for anyone better for this. For me." She smiled and nodded her head to get him to come to her.

[18:56] Zii:
He nodded slowly, his brown eyes soft and his body slack now. He was, hers. And she his. He smiled, nodding again, going to her and leaning against her softly. He grinned down at her. "Yes... as mates under the sky." He looked up.

[18:59] Phife:
"A night that will belong to us for a moment," she replied, resting her head under his, sighing softly and nosing his. She smiled and nuzzled him, nudging him lightly. "Slavic, my love, it would be an honor if I could..." how could she say this? It was so awkward and... was it the rut speaking through her? Was it her desire to be a mother? She couldn't find it within herself to finish but hoped he understood, moving herself under his neck and nuzzling softly. "...I love you."