Welcome to Gaia! ::

Rain smiled at her well-traveled visitor without saying a word. He already knew. He just wanted her to say it.

With her dark nose, she gestured in the direction of the largest tree in this grove, ancient and twisted. Persimmon's sprawling nest almost smothers the boughs, paradoxically disjointed yet methodically organized at the same time. A hollow in the tree's heart opens below it. The ground around the opening has been well-packed by little hooves. Dried grass and moss and scavenged bits of soft things have been packed into the tree; how much the doe collected and how much the wasp collected is unclear. A nest within a nest. The outline of a Kimeti is pressed into the bedding.

"... you can have it to yourself, if you'd like... or..." It's not necessary to finish the rest of the thought. The end of her tail curls and uncurls slowly and a demure, playful little look passes over her face.

She can feel the insides of her ears flush dark pink form his flirtations. Oh. Ohh myy. He's so... forward without even really being forward at all. His father did raise a very fine son, and she deeply appreciates a buck who knows what he's doing. He played a little game with her and he has certainly earned a reward. She leans her head back against him and exhales slowly, whispering into his ear, almost touching it but not quite. The words are warm against sensitive skin.

"... or, my fine man, you can stay with me."

The doe takes in a deep breath and laughs, a low laugh from within her chest. Disturb Persimmon? Hardly, although part of her does appreciate that he thought about that. It hasn't been a problem before, it should not be a problem now.

"She won't be bothered. Not. One. Little. Bit." Each word is punctuated by a little pressure from her muzzle on his neck and... was that teeth? A bit of teeth on the last one? What a salacious doe she is!

Rain slept fitfully, breathing deep and slow and barely stirring against her pale companion. Together in the dark it was difficult to tell when one kin ended and the other began. The warmth and weight and smell of another kin so close made for pleasant dreaming as she lay half covered by her gathered bedding. Even when he got up she did not stir, although after a few moments, unconsciously rolled into the warm spot he left to feel his leftover heat and smell his leftover musk.

It was only when the bedding began to grow cold that she slowly woke... confused. There was a buck here and... Where did he go? He was here and then... Rain rubbed her face with her fetlock to clear the sleep out of her eyes and exhaled. He didn't seem like he would be the type to leave without saying a word... Too classy for that.

The doe let out a slow, deep breath, knitting her brow together and staring up at the careful geometric patterns of Persimmon's nest. He did say he was looking for the ocean. So soon? With an effort, the doe rolled over and willed herself to get up. Her body felt heavy and disobedient. Her hooves lead her out, and without thinking where she was going, back to the river.

His white pelt stood out against moss-draped rocks, even in the early morning haze, and she paused to watch him. She wasn't exactly surprised that he was here but... His confidence from before seems like it evaporated; the playful buck from before looks crushed. Rain felt a wave of pity for him as she watched him, ruminating. She had a feeling he would leave but did all this anyway. She had gentleman callers before but... they weren't like this. They weren't like him. Regret? No. No. It was wonderful. She doesn't regret anything.

Her teal eyes lay on his form for a long while as she watches him, thinking, sorting her own feelings. He looks almost pathetic like this. He can't stay here. He would be miserable. Her mind is made up. She takes a step forward and speaks to him, gently, quietly. No need to startle him.

"You said you wanted to see the ocean. Go and find it."

The doe listens respectfully as she steps closer to lay next to him. Not with him. Close enough to let him know that she is there, far enough so he is not smothered. A calculated distance, but for a different reason than the day before. She'd like it if he could stay, too. But... Rain smiles, only a little bit, more to herself than to him. There's something muted about it, her voice and expression. But not melancholy. Acceptance? She can feel bad after he leaves. Not now.

She stretches forward to dip the tips of her black hooves into river and relishes the feeling of the cool water between her two toes. It is peaceful here. But to a kin with wanderlust, this is just as much of a prison as any other.

"... you'll resent me if you stay too long. Go, when you're ready. But go."

The doe looks over at him with her teal eyes. There's something there, a little sparkle, even though she hates to send him away. "You are your own master. Not I nor the endless ocean nor the great Motherfather can tell you what to do. Who said that we should never meet again?"

The suggestion, however silly and idealistic, brings a smile to her face. Small at first, it slowly creeps up to her eyes. That red. It's such a fascinating color. A pause hangs in the air as she considers it. Her eyes drop down, following the pale blue stripes running like wind and water down his sides. The ocean is a far way from here, or so she'd heard. Would he really come back? The doe looks over at the buck as she thinks about it. Yes. He would.

"... I'd like that very much." There was a pensive tone to her voice, thoughtful and hopeful and maybe a little bit sad. She wants to ask When, when will you be back? but knows that no, that is something she cannot ask. It's a forbidden, selfish question. Her smile returns. Acceptance.

"... yes, that would be wonderful."

Rain leans over onto him, resting her weight on his body. Bright eyes close for only a few moments as she counts his heartbeats. Persimmon is a wonderful companion, but the wasp is not warm. Her hard body is not covered in soft fur. She does not breathe like a kin breathes and her heart does not beat in an endless rhythm as a kin's heart beats. All of these sensations are an alien indulgence to a doe to lives alone. It is enough comfort to lull her into a sleep. Is it enough to hold her over?

"... you should go before I try to keep you." Rain sits up after one last deep breath. No need to make it more difficult for either of them.

"I'll see you again when you come up the river. Maybe next time you can catch dinner." A little smile twinkles in her eye.