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 Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 10:32 am
"No visitors? That's a shame," though it's hard to tell whether Longstride is joking or not -- the curl up of one side of his mouth could merit either wry amusement or true laughter. Eventually, it quiets, and his nostrils flare as the wind rises: he's caught the scent of something, and somehow looks right at Meets-the-Sea as he scents it. "I'll be moving on presently," he adds, "I was trying to get to the kiokote plans. Coming through the swamp in a day is tiring."
"But," he says, watching with glittering, bright-blue eyes as the shadows within the mouth of the small cave stir, "I think I've got good timing, for all of that." His eyes shift back to Meets-the-Sea, and the smile returns. "Did you know you're pregnant?"
Of course it would take a wolfish traveling Legendary to clue Meets-the-Sea into this fact. One who stands with his other-shape lolling at his heels, slowly and comfortably baking under the bright sun.
The word 'pregnant' filters back in through the dust to the cave, and Slide looks to Pillar as if he has heard differently. A moment later the buck boils out of the cave, watching Longstride with his own blue eyes (which in comparison look rather dull) -- for a moment Slide's flanks heave, once, twice, before he asks, in a raw voice, "What did you say?"
Longstride blinks and turns mildly to the buck, choosing his words carefully: "Your mate is pregnant, Walks Without Rhythm." That much -- being addressed by his full name -- shuts Slide up. Somehow his sensibilities both do and do not expand to include Legendaries.
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Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 1:27 pm
Interest sparks in Meets-the-Sea as Longstride mentions the plains, and an itch of wanderlust twitches her withers. His next statement, however, rather overshadows the first. She cannot think of wandering the world if she is carrying children. There is not surprise on her face so much as affirmation.
"I had suspected," Meets nods to the legendary, tilting her head. "You're sure, then?" But before he can answer, Slide is all but stumbling out of the cave, the sound of his strange gait even more haphazard than usual. Longstride's words to him are as sure an answer as she can ask for.
Slowly, Meets turns her body toward her mate, her eyes drinking in his every movement as if she can read his mind from his muscles. She has become rather adept at observing the physical clues to others' moods, especially in Slide, and has learned to control her own. "He tells the truth." Her voice conveys little emotion. "Forgive me for not telling you sooner. I was not sure, and didn't want to worry you." She waits for her mate's reaction, patience personified.
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Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 10:38 pm
Slide pauses, all of his muscles still: it is not so much a pause of confusion as one of waiting. The only thing that moves on the buck for a moment are his dark hair and long eyelashes, ruffled by the dry breeze. A moment later he sighs, the expression one harsh burst of air -- and then tosses his head, looking strangely relieved when Meets affirms the stag's statement. "No -- you haven't worried me." He can only shrug now, looking abashed: a rare thing indeed from someone so self-contained. "I am just glad you are alright. And that they are alright," he adds, breaking his somewhat stilted facade long enough to nuzzle her side.
Longstride nods at Meets-the-Sea, finally returning his gaze (which had gone rather cool) to the doe after making sure the buck would not trample him into the dust: "Yes, you are pregnant. I could smell it." He raises his eyebrows as Slide tries very, very hard not to look disgusted at that statement. "But you'll be fine." He looks her over: trim hooves, neat limbs, a clean hide stretched over taut, lean muscles. "The two of you are a strong pair." And something changes about the stag in that moment -- he goes from being a careless, dusty, sunbaked rake to something more ephemeral and swamp-blessed: the swamp chose him for a reason, though it seems to have been a reason known only to the swamp herself. "I can ensure that they'll be, too."
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Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 1:24 pm
Meets-the-Sea has been blessed by a legendary once before, but still it takes her a moment to recognize the feeling that settles over her with Longstride's words. That other blessing -- from a mare called Wood Spider, what seems like lifetimes ago -- had touched her with a spark of connection to the swamp, the motherfather, that she had all but forgotten in her subsequent journeys. She breathes out slowly as the feeling fills her once again, trying to reconcile that past life with this current one. Meets is different now, older, wiser. She turns her head and smiles at Slide, almost beatific, the light of some deeper understanding flickering in her eyes for just a moment.
But perhaps it is just the magic of motherhood, happiness, love confirmed and acknowledged and shared. "Thank you for your blessing," she says to the legendary. The moment passes, she is herself once again. Her eyes glint playfully as she turns back to her mate. "I fear I will have to make more frequent journeys to the swamp, my love. The food here is too scarce for me while carrying young."
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