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In the midst of all the gaiety, Yes hadn't had a chance to talk to the juggler, even as night fell. He'd lost track of the pretty pink thing, too - how terrible! At the end of the day, he was feeling decidedly grumpy, and it didn't help his mood any that the herbs he'd eaten were wearing off. Silently fuming and glowering darkly at any who approached him, he stamped to the denser tree-cover at the edge of the flats. He found a quiet place and threw himself onto the ground to sleep, sprawled carelessly. With a final glare at the great stone, the feat of strength that none had been able to best, he drifted off...


- And later, woke suddenly as he heard the sound of that stone grinding into motion! A thick fog had drifted in, and he couldn't see anything clearly that far out, but it was plain enough out the huge rock not just moving, but rolling over - once, twice. Yes stood, not daring to brave the crowd, but clambering up above on the roots of a landlocked mangrove tree to look over them. The silhouette he saw galloping through the fog was... small, but large. Huge horns, and heavily muscled, but short in stature. A strange, squat creature of apparently incredible strength. Perhaps the Acha were not the only ones putting on a first appearance today? Yes rather thought the flashy song-and-dance men wouldn't appreciate being shown up by another newcomer. Or oldcomer, if the story of the other eggs was to be believed.

Yes shook his head. He was thinking too deep for this hour. He thought that he should go back to sleep, but he felt strangely energized, and knew that he would be unable. Wishing he had more of those weeds to chew, he dipped again into the crowd, looking for something to do to burn himself to tiredness. Perhaps he could find that pretty pink thing again.

Pieces had, by now, gotten over his cheeriness and was currently a little moody after the event wound down - he strolled along in the darkness, gaze sweeping across the stragglers. So much for a gathering big enough to find his relatives. It was only large enough to severely traumatise him and for some druggie to find a dealer. Nevertheless, it was a shame to be this upset; after all, he did get some important hints - a solid fact, actually, from that kind doe with her charms. He would always be grateful to her for the news on his brother. Not to mention, they did have a good time snacking on samples, and the fellow carrying them seemed like a nice guy. He would make his way to their shop sometime and perhaps someone there would have more information, too.

So today wasn't quite so wasted, no. Think positive, Pieces, he sighed, trying to shake that forlornness. It was time to find a place to rest, yes, and -

- and -

- in the distance, with another smaller silhouette, was a flash of gold, then red, then as it passed from under a tree - the same raven hair that he had...

My brother?

He broke into a full-on gallop, racing towards a scenario that was seemed too good to be true. "Hang on!" he called, "please, wait!"

All the commotion and squabble had distracted Scattered, and it seemed she had wandered away from Forgotten. She watched with eyes wide at all the other non-kiokotes... which she had learned were called "kimeti", and the smaller, dainty ones, called "Acha". They had... such pretty voices... or at least, some of the ones she heard did. Then... there was that mystery creature on top of the rock, the "winner"...

Her siblings forgotten for a brief moment, she could only stare at the mysterious figure, shrouded by fog.

"Well," he said, shrugging gracefully and smiling that oh-so charming smile, "surprise! Here I am, and here we are," he finished, gesturing towards the swamp and the visible forms of the few now wakeful and of the sleepers on the ground. After considering the view a moment, he chuckled and moved right up to the base of the rock. Looking up at the very bright and dainty doe, he introduced himself; "My name is Yes. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, miss... ?"

His grin grew. "Rouge. Charmed," he said, and he was. She was small and dainty, maybe, but she seemed to make up for it in sheer force of personality. He was, to be perfectly frank, quite besotted with her pale pinks and lively yellow, and excited at the thought of getting to know this prodigal daughter of the swamp better.

But how to court an Acha? He knew nothing of how their culture may have changed from his, what sorts of things were considered romantic gestures and what could be seen as a grave insult. It varied so much among a people that lived roughly in the same place, so he could only imagine how different life could be among the Acha!

He decided to take a calculated risk and play it straight. Sighing, and leaning one shoulder against the rock, he said to Rouge, "Pardon me for being so forward, but I think that you are very pretty."

Apparently, the direct approach was the safest! Such a welcome relief from needing to circle around and around other does before approaching the desired subject. Yes' face reacted to the upwelling of pride, gratitude, and excitement by grinning wider and raising his scaly eyebrows, and his voice was quite merry when he said, "Then we are well met, my long-lost cousin!" Far distant cousin, fortunately - he had made the mistake of developing affections for closer ones before, and was determined to not let that happen again. "If you'd like, I can show you to a more... private place, and we can continue our talk there." And, he couldn't help but add with a wink, "Get to know each other better." He was incurable.

"I would like that," her delight was betrayed by an irrepressible little kick of her hind heels before hopping neatly off the rock, "very much indeed." She made sure to press against his flank for the briefest of moments as she slipped by, cocking her head back at him with a flicker that may have been a quick wink. "Do lead, and I will follow, gladly! We have much to talk about, don't we?"