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It had taken the two does almost a week to travel from the coast to the swamp. The journey had been long and the food scarce, but this was not too much of a hardship for the two kimeti who were so used to the harsh life at the ocean, and had only served to strengthen the budding friendship between Meets-the-Sea and Wave Walker. Meets, the elder doe, had become quite fond of her young companion, her motherly instincts finding a stronger purchase here than they had been able to amongst her own daughters. Wave was truly a kindred spirit, and a good friend -- the likes of which Meets had not before had the pleasure of having.

Over the past day or so of their journey, the vegetation had started to become more and more prolific, and the two does had begun to eat better again. Still, the sight of the first patch of mangrove trees was a welcome one to Meets, who knew that where the mangroves grew there would be fresh water running nearby. And near fresh water there was usually -- yes! "Ah! Wave, look! Berries!" Meets trotted over to the bush in question, excited to taste the sweet bursts of red flavor against her tongue after so long living on grasses and seaweed.

"How can you possibly not know what berries are?" came the gruff retort from the other side of the huge mangrove tree. Moments later a brown and gray buck emerged from around the tree's trunk, scowling slightly at the ignorant doe. "Did you grow up in a hole?"


"She grew up on the seaside, actually," Meets interjected, stepping forward into the buck's line of sight. "There's not nearly so much vegetation there." There was a flash in the little doe's eyes as she grinned at the buck. "And it seems that you have quite forgotten all of your manners, Smudge my dear."


Smudge's eyes widened in surprise as he stared at his mother. "What are you doing here?" he blurted out, regretting the outburst as soon as the words had left his mouth. "I mean. Hello again, mother. It's...nice to see you."


At this, Meets-the-Sea burst out into genuine laughter. "Well you certainly haven't changed, Smudge!" she replied, smiling at her son. "Not that I really expected you to. So like your father." Meets smiled at the pleasant memories. "How are you doing, Smudge? How are your siblings?"


Smudge rolled his eyes at his mother's sentiments, but answered her as respectfully as the grumpy buck was capable of. "I'm fine, thank you. I don't know about everyone else. We don't exactly keep in touch." He sighed, remembering something. "I did see Leaves-t'-See a few days ago," he continued, rather begrudgingly, knowing how his most unusual siblings enjoyed their solitude. He could respect that. Out of all his brothers and sisters, the twins were the ones that bothered him the least, and he tried to respect their identity as much as he could. "They seemed quite content."


At the mention of her twins, Meets' eyes lit up. "Oh Stream and Stray, I would love to see them!" she exclaimed excitedly. "Do you think you could find them again, Smudge? I do worry about those two." The doe turned back toward her companion, her eyes still alight. "You wouldn't mind a short detour, would you, Wave? I haven't seen my children in quite a while, and it's so hard to get ahold of them!"


Smudge grimaced a little at his mother's enthusiasm, but found himself unable to think of a legitimate reason to deny her. "All right," he sighed finally, casting his eyes back and forth from his mother to the other doe. "But you can't bother them for too long, mother, really. You know how they are."


Meets nodded, understanding what her son meant. "Yes yes, Smudge, I know, I promise I won't do anything to upset them. And Wave Walker here is quite understanding, you don't have to worry about her." The little doe flicked her tail excitedly, nudging her forehead into her son. "Lead on, my dear, I am so anxious to see the twins again!"


Sighing beleagueredly Smudge consented, and headed off into the swamp, trusting in his mother and her companion to follow along.

Wave was...somewhat confused. Clearly this brown buck was Meets' son, and he seemed nice enough, somewhat like Flint on one of those really rare days when he was actually approachable. That wasn't the confusing part. The part that had her pondering was the short conversation about the mysterious "Leaves-t'-See" that sounded like one person when the buck had talked but Meets had said Stream and Stray, the twins...were the two so close as to be considered one? Intriguing. Wave shook her head, then stepped forward to introduce herself to the large brown and white male.

"Well met," she said, inclining her head to acknowledge him. "I am Wave Walker, of the Tidewalker clan from the coast. I guard the northern beaches." Her introduction was stiff and somewhat formal, but the buck had made a snide remark, and she didn't particularly care for his tone, though her companion had reprimanded him for it.

It was as she was looking past his shoulder that she spotted a buck similar in markings to both of the Kimeti with her. "Is that one of the twins you spoke of?" She tossed her head in the fellow's direction.

"Hullo," she said,mimicking her previous action toward his now-vanished brother. "I am Wave Walker, of the Tidewalkers." His small slip had caught her attention. "You are part of one whole? Why have you split?" This male seemed ill at odds, and Wave felt concern wash through her. She hated making others feel bad!

She herself was starting to feel a bit twitchy, since Leaves-t'-See hadn't stopped staring at her, and her shoulders jerked slightly beneath her faintly striped coat. "Is there something wrong?" She looked over her shoulder, making certain there was nothing behind her that would so engage his attention or be a threat, then looked back to him, an inquiring look in her eyes.