Welcome to Gaia! ::

Glossbones looked up instinctively. Although he had asked River-Swollen many times, it seemed that the distint buzzing of wasp wings could only be heard by him. And it showed up whenever a certain Mare gave them patronage. He stood mesmerized by the skeletal banquet set forth in front of him. The big skull was enigmatic. Oh the possibilities. It was larger than even a Totoma's skull. He eyed the slim body of the Mare. Freakishly strong. He was excited. He couldn't wait for River-Swollen to get back. But when that happen he didn't know, he had more pressing matters to attend to. Doom was always unpredictable but this time she did not come alone. Two Mares, oh sweet MotherFather.. Nervous, he audibly swallowed and willed his stained tail to unclench from between his legs. Standing a bit straighter, he addressed the newcomers.

"Greetings, Doom, thank you always for your continued and dedicated patronage. Who might your friend be?"

Geeze, Doom swears Lull is such a creeper. She probably likes to watch. But she would never admit the delight at Lull's presence. Now Doom could share the Skull Collectors with the other mare, gossip over them like fishwives, AND showcase her giant marine-based skull. Doom waited, curious of Glossbones' reaction.

Glossbones' resolve faltered internally. There was a lot of tension among these two. He wasn't sure he quite believed Lull's declaration that they were.. friends. That smile was just too bright and alarming. Look at all that teeth.

"Lull in Sunlight, I am Glossbones. With my sister, River-Swollen, we own the Skull Collectors. Look around, perhaps if you tell me what you're looking for I can help direct you." Yes, be professional as always, even if you feel like running, Glossbones reminded himself.

If he could, he would have walked to the nearest tree and bashed his head in. Of course, Vetiver came by, and of course, he forgot. Glossbones was a methodical, scientific oriented buck. He forgot about things that did not concern him. Spetiver with his honeyed words did describe the Mare in detail to him in such haste to return to Mother Snailshell, but the appearance of two mares threw him off. He was not getting off on the right hoof.

"Yes, my father Vetiver, did mention that." Gesturing to a log underneath overreaching branches lay skulls of a hawk, raven, pigeon and little songbird. The last one was so tiny it had room for only seeds and little twigs dipped in raspberry juices. The pigeon, known for its extraordinary dumbness was stuffed with pretty colored rocks while the raven was black and shiny, its beak sharpened to a dangerous point. Finally, the hawk skull sat unadorned save for a lone hawk feather, its tip and the sockets of the skukll rimmed in bright gold. He proudly displayed them, silently wishing River-Swollen was here.

"Doom, we always enjoy your visits. Thank you so much for the skulls. Will you be taking any skulls back today?"

//

Doom inwardly preened in delight. She would never let the other Mare know. It was their unspoken code. It was how they operated. And since the other Mare was being so nice she asked, "How is your brood doing? Hale and hardy?"

She answered Glossbones, "No skulls for me this time. I was just hunting in the waters."

Carefully he watched the new Mare. So she had a brood of her own. From the murderous intent of the two Mares, he wondered if they had any broods or any maternal instincts but was too wise to ask. But count him curious. As he observed her perusing and pausing at each skull, and at the mentioning of blessings, he cringed. So she knew. But.. there were two Mares.

"I'm glad your brood's doing well. I should visit them sometime" she gave chase with a great beaming smile. "Ohhh, a blessing? You have to be joking" Again, she's playing it up, all too pleased and having fun at others' expense.

"The raven is nice though."

Doom thought of it. She could give a blessing, but theirs was a tentative working relationship. Though, she wouldn't have mind it. But the fact that Lull hated blessings as much as she was a beacon for them, Doom was all too happy to oblige. "Why, no no, I wouldn't want to bereft you of your pigeon skull. Go ahead and bless" It was almost a dare.

Glossbones watched the exchange between the Mares. Doom was.. finicky. This Mare, with malice and murderous intent radiating forward was... not tested yet. He didn't know what to expect but she did offer and he did already owe her a skull. And the fact that she did the blessing without payment was really nice of her. Though the more he thought, the more he recalled it was unheard of for blessings to be bought for. His eyes slid to Doom, but Doom was a customer and vendor. Adding blessing Mare would be too complicated. He made up her mind. The fact that she liked his skulls pleased him all too well.

"Very well, two skulls for two blessings." He went about wrapping them each in a banana leaf before fastening a swing to attach to the Mare. But before he did that, he waited. In case her blessing involved frantic dancing or lots of movements. He didn't know anything about blessings or what to expect.

"The blessing is for Rebirth. She is a feathery light doe of red, magenta and yellow. Like dawning colors" He was rambling now. He shut up quickly and waited at Lull's mercy.

Visible relief rushed out of his ribs-sticking-out body. Finally, it was done. His ease was short lived for he still had two Mares waiting for him. Dilligently, he attached the banana parcels into a broadleaf which he affixed to Lull.

"Thank you for the blessing and for our parents' blessing. With each purchase we include a parcel of dried mushrooms for snacking."

He turned to Doom, a cautious smile as to not offend. "Thank you, Doom for your continued patronage. Since you aren't buying anything, we would like to pay you for the skulls." He moved to hand her a parcel full of jerky meats, mushrooms and fruit, but she stopped him.

"This skull" she pointed to the waterbreather skull, "I will return for it. Make it grand. I want it for my family to denote our lineage." She took out a parcel from a parcel she wore near her neck, hidden by hair. "This contains some pearls. I got them from clams while I played in the water. Use these too."

Taking her hefty food parcel, she placed it in Lull's sack. "This is for your children. Since you're looking kind of chunky, you must be eating all of their food. I will visit your family soon" Not that she would ever admit she cared for Lull's children. Not to Lull's face. She hoped them well and was content that they were in capable hands. With that, Doom ran off, free and light, excited to tell her stories to Gloom, Look-See and their brood.

At Doom's exit, River-Swollen finally makes an apperance. She stood hidden by the trees at the arrival of the two Mares. She loved to see her brother tremble before powerful females. She addressed the new Mare. "Thank you for the blessings and come back soon."

River-Swollen turned to her brother, "All in a day's good work. Good job, and on another family." She turned to their wares and picked up the skulls Doom gave, or in the case of the waterbreather one, lent then. The pearls were interesting. They would have to think how to affix them without damaging the luster.

Turning to Glossbones she asked, "Do you think I should start a brood, too?"

Stunned, he pretended to not hear and instead cleaned up his working area, willing the green owlcats to pop out.

"Hmph. Bucks!" She would have her day, too.