Bacilio: *had found a little cuffed earring, trotting proudly with it in his mouth. It would surely look pretty on one of his friends, or decorated along his new home... once he found one, that is. But he stops dead in his tracks as he spots his mother, eyes widening, ears flaring* ....... 8I; *doesn't know how to react*
Shen: *Shen head in the clouds, and he sighs, glancing down from the sky to the field around him. Freezing up a bit at the sudden dark shape..smaller, lean. A sharp golden gleam catches his widening golden eyes* "B-Bacilio! Baci!" -it was indeed his little princelet, he didn't believe it, but it had to be- "It is..I'm not mistaken am I?" -It took two split seconds for Shen to stand there and gape before he was racing to the fawns side..No yearling, older now. Circling him with wonder and awe-
Bacilio: *he almost drops the trinket in his mouth from his surprise, making his cheeks warm hotly, and eyes tear away from the sight of his mother. His tail curled nervously around his legs, feeling a bit uncertain with Shen's presence. He'd been gone for so long... Ears beginning to fold back, he twitches them slightly at hearing Shen's voice. At least he still remembered his name... but a frown began to form at the questions, eyes snapping up to meet the purple ones* Of course it is..! *he retorts sharply, the jingly jewelry dropping to the ground. How could he not recognize him?! It made his tail curl in annoyance, and nose scrunch up. Feeling a bit uncomfortable as he was inspected, and embarrassed, he dearly wished Susan were here... the prince was sure he was going to make a mess of things with the thoughts that were swirling in his mind*
Shen: *Frowning softly and ducking his head at Bacils tone. What should he have expected, he'd been gone..again..always gone.* "I..I mean I know its you, of course it is. It's just, look at you! You've grown so much, and I..I've been terrible again haven't I?" *Shen knew it, felt it, that nagging stabbing guilt that had made him feel the urge to wander.* "You look, all the prince I thought you would and then some." *Shen tried a smile, soft as it was as he gazed at his little yearling. A yearling who really wasn't so little anymore. Dark markings, and lovely fur, and a horn, golden and cute. With all the chances of becoming menacing.* "I haven't been around to see anyone..not your siblings..not Hayden.." * just barely noticing the small shiny thing baci had dropped*
Bacilio: *he couldn't bring himself to look at his mother. Not even the doting compliments could bring him to. He was too shocked, frustrated and confused to, his eyes burning. Biting the back of his lip, he suddenly blurted out* Why are you gone so much? And where's da-... *no.. he wasn't his father anymore.. Frowning hard, he clenched his teeth, and turned his head away quickly.* What's so important that you can't be with me, mama..? If you don't like me, than just say so.
Shen: *Stands there stricken, startled by the sudden outburst.* "I..No it has nothing to do with you! It's not that..not like that at all." *Shen growls softly, hating the niggling little pain Bacilios questions bring. He had been, as he'd suspected a terrible 'mother'. Which meant he'd lived up to his own expectations perfectly* "I am gone, because-because its what I do. I am always gone, all the time. Hayden knew that.." *Shen bit out, it was no excuse, his personality flaws. No reason for him to have practically avoided his young.* "It has nothing to do with you though. I like you, love you most of all even...Not that it seems like it huh?" *Shen winced, wishing there was something more important then his own flesh and blood. Some huge important thing that had dragged him away, or..or kidnapped him..some monster or treasure..But there wasnt.*
Bacilio: *Gone all the time... He shook his head angrily, lifting it to pierce his eyes to the older male.* That's no excuse, mama! you've been gone too much! and all the time! I hate it! it makes me sad, and in turn daddy sad! *of course, the 'daddy' he referred to wasn't Hayden.. His eyes well up with salty water, brows furrowing more as his tail writhes in his built up frustration.* Hayden's already left us, and you only show up once in a blue moon! you're not acting like a king at all, mama! If you loved me, then you'd be around more! *his voice grows wavery, unable to keep a firm tone the further he progresses, a sniffle sneaking up on him.* y-you're supposed to teach me stuff... l-like.. how to be a good prince.. and how to handle situations..
Shen: *Flinched and took a step back, not surprised at Bacilio's anger, but not quite expecting it either. He'd never remembered Baci raising his voice before, being angry. He'd been such a happy fawn, always. At least to Shens vague knowledge he had.* "No, its not. Its a terrible excuse. I am very, very bad at keeping my promises." *Ears tucking back against his skull, shens frown managing to deepen by some greater margin at the mention of Hayden. Tsk daddy..Just someone else he'd made foolish promises too. He felt a little better though, about himself at least, knowing Hayden had been even more absent then him. That he was still the better parent of the two! For what little that was worth..* "I never wanted anyone to be sad, not you, not Hayden. I never meant for that I swear! If I could fix it...if me staying around more. Do you really think that could fix things?" *Shen snorted, narrowing his eyes slightly as Bacil sniffled. More grown up, but still very young, just a yearling.* "I am not, a good king, a good mama. I can't promise that I will be, not ever." *Shen muttered shaking his head and stepping cautiously forwards, stretching out to bump his nose against Bacils neck. "If you really want me here. Think that I have anything to teach you..Then I'll do it. Tsk, nail my tail right here to the field for you little one." *Shen gave a strong nod, personally thinking that, if anything, Bacilio was already a far better 'prince'. A better Hind then Shen could have ever taught him to be.*
Bacilio: *sniffling more, little beads of tears peeled over his eyelids, head keeping turned away so as to try and hide the weak moment from Shen. He wanted to be in control of this confrontation. At the mention of Hayden, he frowns further* He's not my daddy anymore. I got a new one. *he snorts* a better one. Who cares about me, and loves me like a daddy should. *a single ear perks at the gentle nudge from Shen, making a glossy emerald eye peek open hesitantly. Watching the adult nervously, he flicks his tail, and lifts his head slowly* y-...you have to promise, mama.. For real. A true royal wouldn't go against his word. We're supposed to set an example.. *he's almost... lecturing, or scolding his mother, voice firm and direct.* If you truly love me, you have to spend time with me. 8'c
Shen: *Felt a very-very strong urge to kick himself, hard. Or better yet, find someone else to do it, someone who could reach his stupidly thick skull. Perhaps this new 'daddy' Bacilio was speaking so fondly of? He certainly deserved it, making his own son cry.* "Wh-what? A new..I mean. I suppose, you can choose any kind of father you want, you deserve that much." *Shen stared a bit, biting his tongue lest he say something that would upset Bacilio worse. Whoever it was Bacil had chosen though..Shen knew he had to meet, probably had to thank. He did not however have to like this, 'new daddy', not at all. The concept of choosing a parent felt so foreign to Shen.* "We should have..I should have done better by you. I can't.." *Sighing deeply Shen bowed his head, giving Bacilio a more firm nuzzle. He couldn't break all his promises could he? Maybe if he kept just this one, just this once.*
"I-I can keep this one promise, and just this one. For you, because I really do love you Bacil." *Oh yes, Shen was going to do more then kick himself..He was going to find a deep hole, one full of angry hungry things, and throw himself into it. That was what he should have done before all this. Saved himself and his little one so much pain..* "Heh, and yes, we are. To set good examples for others. Another thing I'm terrible at." *Shen chuckled dully, slightly amused at how attached Bacil was to the idea of being a prince. Not at all able to tell him that there was no real lineage to back up that claim. He wouldn't destroy his little ones pure imagination on top of everything else. Even he was not that terrible. "I swear to you, Bacilio, that from now on I will spend time with you.That I will stay around long enough to prove that I love you." *Shen gave a Bacil another nuzzle, before stepping into a bow. Raising a foreleg and dipping his head until it was below Bacilios sight-line.*
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