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 Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 5:07 am
 How now, Left? Here was how now: he had considered it a rather wretched day for him (albeit most days were pretty wretched as far as he was concerned) having been dragged out into the cruel field like this by this thoroughly insensitive father - peddling wares with carefully manufactured enthusiasm was a task for him simply unbearable, even just having to be around other Kin drove him insane...one other Kin in particular, and the Kin in question had little qualms jeering him, jostling him, nipping at him, shoving specimens of ick into his face at every turn, as was his wont. But nevertheless he had been making the best of it, almost enjoying it: in between bouts of "this isn't my job, Dad, I'm in research and development," and "quit it, Best, I'm not - what the - STOP THAT," he was almost having a good time bouncing up to Killing Moon every few minutes to share some new, interesting factoid that had just popped into his head. For Killing Moon was best and everything that had to do with him was best, and he'd had little opportunity to wander outside the store with his brother (the last time he'd accompanied him on a hunting trip was...a disaster never to be spoken of again. Physical exertions and Left did not much agree.) and being able to trot alongside over unending stretches of grass and shallow pond detailing little bits of his grand plans to that patient nod was, despite the unavoidable annoyances around them, a veritable treat. For a wretched day, it had probably been the happiest he'd been in much too long...until they'd reached the mound. Until that unknown doe had swooned up to them and breathed in tones of worship he found all too uncomfortably familiar, "Killing Moon." Until that inutterable look had crossed his beloved brother's face. Until that TOUCH. That touch of cheek to cheek.
He knew it. He had always known.
His brother, the most handsome buck that had ever stepped upon the blessed Swamp. The most charming, the most caring, the most generous, most gallant, most just. The most talented, most dashing, most arresting, most most. Employee of the month twenty-six times and counting, hunter, gatherer, deliverybuck, promoter, producer, coordinator, infallibly enabling SalesKin. He was, quite simply, the best Kimeti that had ever existed. So, of course, even if he had never spoken of it, he would have a...doe friend.
And so, as one who had thought himself 'special' meeting the incontrovertible proof that he was no longer, if he had ever been, 'special', that someone else he knew nothing of but could see right away was infinitely more palatable in every sense, could share the benevolence of that gentle gaze, the unspoken volumes of that soft smile, that unceasingly tender touch...his little world shattered. Behold the vivisected dichotomy of a sensitive buck, as magnified through the lens of angsty overprivileged youth not entirely fair to those around him:
Exhibit a. the runt of the litter, the delicate child, the failure, the outcast, craving soft words but never viewed with anything but scorn, mistrust, disdain and mockery, stepped on, spurned, and kicked about...save for by one, the shining hero of his heart, the only being who ever thought him 'favourite,' an honour he cherished above all other joys - who now lay in thrall to a (he hated to voice the thought even in his head: attractive) stranger he had never spoken of to his kith, but with whom he was obviously long intimate.
Exhibit b. the tortured soul, all ambition and misplaced brillance trapped by frustration, desire, the cage of a mind that ticked not so fast as its prototype (his mother would cuff him to hear herself referred to so - or she would just laugh in derision, which would be so much worse and therefore likely); haunted, always haunted, spurred, but spurred astray, by the dream of his name, he dream he sought so hard to avoid, the dream that now arrested his cogitations, froze his blood in his veins: for he didn't need telling what manner of plague could ravage the universe so that there was nothing, dead stark nothing, till Only the Ashes Remain...and he had called her Ember.
If anyone cared to look upon him now (and who would? The handsome buck and his beautiful doe were a much better sight to look upon), they would see the most comical miserable expression across his face: the look of a child whose darling pet had been violently seized and devoured whole before his eyes. And it did not feel unlike that, if said pet had been his core, and a brutal hoof bisected his chest cavity to wrench it, savagely, into the muddy wet, and grind it flat into the dirt. In other words, he felt, in the local parlance, as if his heart had been ripped out and stomped on. How now? As the only apple ever of his eye cast an introductory glance for his private paramour back towards his family, how now was the biggest, fakest smile he could muster to plaster across his face in a hurry. Since his face was never even really made for smiles, it might have looked a little disconcerting.
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Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 5:41 am
"They're so cute!" Shanty laughed, loud and good-humoured, "roly-polies waddling on their way, scurrying like ants pushing together their little anthill. And so much food - no wonder! But none the least bit as cute as you," she concluded, ruffling the pretty streaks of gold in Mudlark's hair with a cheeky but affectionate rub of her muzzle.
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Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 6:30 am
 While she wasn't normally one to listen in, she couldn't help but hear excited bursts of conversation about this festival or that gathering that happened at the mound. Kin were breathless with exertion and still chattering about the events that happened here, at this place, a crumbling ruin. But, there was so much life here, she she doesn't regret making the long trip to get here. Kimeti foals appeared in great abundance and... are those foals? With the plates on their heads and backs? They're so... fluffy, and she couldn't help but laugh quietly to herself. Sandwalker shook her head, but it didn't really make her eyes stop burning from the smoke. At least it chased the flies away (a small miracle all on its own). She carried herself closer to the mound and put a hoof down on what she thought was a safe, dry patch, only to have a shell of char crumble into a pile of hot embers still smouldering under her. With a hiss she withdrew, feeling all at once foolish and surprised. While a fast reaction saved her from a burn, the heat was still quite a shock. It wasn't at all like the heat underfoot she was accustomed to. The glow was mesmerizing, like fireflies. Sand smiled. Yes, she was glad she made this trip.
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Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 9:50 am
At the touch of cheek to cheek, Ember let out a soft, fluttering sigh. This was the first physical contact she had had with another kin since she had left the northern reaches. She had spent the time after the harsh winter nursing her heart and now that it could burn as bright as the day she had been born again, burn it did. Between the two of them, The Killing Moon and Smoldering Reverie, they had never needed many words to understand the true meaning of what was being said. Killing Moon's eyes were always open enough for her to read, no easy feat to make yourself easy to understand to a doe who understood so little outside of her dreams.
Right before Killing Moon spoke, Ember looked past her dearest friend to catch a glimpse of the rest of his party and was arrested by two looks of less than pleasure, one more tragic than the other, like that dream she had had so long ago with the bitter parting of two kin who had always been together, though, surely, that couldn't be what he was feeling for here he was with his family. Then came Killing Moon's easy words, proud and laden with love, and a blink of the eye later and that expression was gone, replaced by what Ember could only think to be a smile. And so, it was his family. She wasn't surprised; she had never come across another kin, buck or doe, that had had Killing Moon's beautiful hair. But only some of it. His family must be large, and he was in contact with them all? Ember couldn't imagine that, too used to be solitary and self-contained, all the company that she needed in her day to day life presented to her in the form of dreams. The moment she had been able to walk and wander, she had separated from her family, even her twin, the mirror image to herself present in a buck.To still be in contact with your entire family, or even just part of it, and to actually be close to them was not necessarily a foreign concept to Ember, she had seen it enough in her dreams, but she couldn't imagine it for herself.
Of course, she knew that Killing Moon was close to at least one of his brothers. The one who had given him Echo, the one who was spoken of with so much affection love. Ember wondered if he was amongst the bucks assembled behind Killing Moon. Taking a closer look at them, she could not decide and would have to ask, perhaps later. She had never met so many kin at once.The two bucks behind the other two, with Killing Moon's hair, they must be related to Killing Moon, the one who looked as if the world were burning down on his pelt, she could see the resemblance, but the one next to him, she could not. Looking back at those at the back, she was reminded again of their displeasure and she wished that she could know why, but she could not read their eyes like she could read her dear friends and when it came down to it, her dreams could not substitute real experiences, she could not always know all through the fire and ash laden dreams that chased her in the night.
But regardless, she tried to forge on, fighting down her natural inhibitions and reserve, she ventured to greet the rest of Killing Moon's family with a quick dip of her head, a nervous half-smile that did not soften her ash-eyes, and a soft, but carrying, "Well met."
And after a quick pause, she continued on, offering her name, "I am Smoldering Reverie."
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Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 10:52 am
"I've never been to a gathering like this, but I've heard about them," she replied. "Have you?" She followed his gaze taking in the work and then the pile at their feet. "Of course, I'll help. It's good to organize first sometimes. Anywhere in particular you think these additions would do the most good?" She had to admit her eye on the project was more artistic than practical, although she had been working hard since she'd arrived. "I usually work on solo art projects, nothing on such a large scale or with a purpose such as this."
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Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 6:14 pm
If Killing Moon had taken just a second to turn his head a look at Left, if he had not been so entirely focused on the doe in front of him, the look on his brother’s face would have broken his heart. As it was, when the idolized buck turned to gaze upon his family and voice the introduction, there was only the forced (and somewhat unsettling) smile on Left’s face. Killing Moon at first presumed it be born of a general dislike of dealing with other kin and unhappiness at having arrived at the mound for what would no doubt be a busy day of work.
But that didn’t feel quite right, and a frown appeared briefly on his face and then flickered away just as fast. He was not blind to Left’s affections, having always made a point putting his brother first and knowing exactly what the end result would be. Killing Moon had always been a perceptive buck. No amazingly-fake smile could hide the pain in Left’s gaze. It was not, however, a matter he wanted to dive into now. He would speak with Left alone later, and surely after he got to know Ember, he would be just as entranced as Killing Moon.
Killing Moon only offered Best the quickest of glances, and upon seeing the usual smirk in place, looked back towards Ember. A tender smile graced his face at the nervous greeting she gave his family. “My father, my uncle, and my two brothers…” He would let the others introduce their own names, but he shrewdly chose to put Left in the spotless. “…and there…” He motioned towards his favourite sibling, head lifting proudly, “is Only the Ashes Remain. Left. He is the one I told you about.”
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Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 7:54 pm
Lost sighed slightly. She wasn't sure she wanted to spend the whole day building this mound thingy. She wanted to play too. Maybe she could do both. All work and no play made everything no fun. In a playful fit, Lost Trail pushed her nose against Windy's shoulder. "Bet I can carry a bigger rock then you can."
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Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 8:11 pm
He shook his head, "No never been to something like this before." A little bit of leaves fell from his mane and added itself to the pile. "Thank you. I don't have any spot to put it, but if you have an idea of where to put them..." his voice trailed off as he talked more to the doe. "May I have your name?"
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Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 8:19 pm
For the first day Keep True had kept them to the edges, marking trees and clearing debris. But as the second day dawned, she was longing to get in the thick of things and lend a hoof building the mound itself. How many stories had been told here over the years? It was a pleasing thought that perhaps one day she could join them. There was, however, Story to think about. Her sister was painfully shy and Keep True did not want to push her into any situation that would cause her stress. “Should we get our hooves dirty on the mound?” She suggested as she paused from the removal of a particularly stubborn bush. Jun D I spent half the day typing this up this one teensy post. Shanty might have to wait till tomorrow for a reply. Sorry. D:
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Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 9:07 pm
Tidewalker. She should have guessed it earlier, he had it written all over him. Though she wasn't too familiar with the tribe, who hadn't heard of those who lived on the southern reaches? Joining them had even crossed her mind once, but despite the thrill of the challenge, she could not bear the restriction on territory (nor was she ever one to listen to anyone). So she had remained north, where it appeared this buck had never been. "I'm Precipice, or Edge, whichever," she shrugged "And yes, this is the annual Festival of Fire-- though usually there's more dancing and less building. I don't suppose you dance, do you?" Her playful teasing tone made it clear she couldn't imagine him doing so.
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Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 10:37 pm
Wrap you in Stories peered up, wide-eyed, from her pulling jawshold on the bush Keep True had been working on. Carefully extricating her teeth from the prickly bark, she straightened and looked hesitantly out at the myriads that swarmed over the mound, pushing bits and patting mud down. There were so many Kin...but being with Keep True would make it alright. They wouldn't have need to talk to her. "O-okay." In truth, even from their workplace at the borders, they could hear the bursts of laughter and cheering at the snippets of tales recited from break to break...and in all her fear, she couldn't quite resist the thought of catching these snippets herself.
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Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 6:19 am
 Thaw was a relativly sedimentary kimeti. He roamed about in his youth as any young one was like to, but the buck found that he enjoyed the comfort and familiarity of his own home. Rarely did he leave his corner of the swamp. Rarely could he leave his corner of the swamp, if he did, who would take care of his plants? In fact, in recent years, Thaw only ever left his home on one occasion and that was to visit the Ghostthistle Mound during the festival.
Kimeti, and in recent years Acha and even some Totoma, gathered here once a year. It was a good place for story-tellers and story-lovers alike. Thaw was both. Perhaps the only thing he loved more than his plants were stories and songs.
In the crowd he caught sight of a familiar acha. She had grown since he'd last seen her, but Thaw, however old he might be, did not forget things. She was busy now, pulling at boulders and whatnot, but perhaps later he would coax a song from her. Jun D Sorry, I couldn't resist throwing Thaw out there. orz
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Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 8:10 am
 With slight surprise at the nudge, Ashes looked to Lost with glowing, ember like eyes. Oh, so she wanted to make this a competition, did she? This would be new. Ashes never really interacted with other 'Meti before. A small smile spreads onto his face. "Oh? And what makes you so sure you can do that?" The dark buck then turned away, trotting off to the edges of the festival around the forest to find a rock that he could haul over. "Let us see, hm?"
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Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 11:54 am
There was only one kin whose smile could contest the terrifying wideness of Left's - and that was the proud daddy, looking on with giddy glee. " I am The Sun Also Rises, Smoldering Reverie, but just Rise is great," he said, only just keeping his delight from exploding all over his speech, and then failing quickly after. " And my goodness Killing Moon has kept such a secret! He's usually a very good boy - I'm astounded he never told me he was so well acquainted with such a lovely doe." His gaze briefly turned to Killing Moon, almost like a momentary reprimand, except it was too chipper to be chiding, and it quickly travelled back to the doe. " Very much a pleasure to meet you!"
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Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 11:54 am
"Easy now, Rise," came a gentle murmur from his shoulder, "you'll scare her off that way." The one unrelated by blood - but overly related through affection - member of the Rise & Shine delegation peeled away from his boss to give the doe a welcoming smile, "Well met, Smoldering Reverie - Ember, did our Killing Moon call you? I am Sky Fell In, please call me Fell. Thank you for taking such care of our dear boy."(We decided that Rise and Fell were quite enough to overwhelm poor Ember with for now, Left can be frightening later! XD Ahhhh sorry darlin's, I'll catch up with everything I've missed in the thread tomorrow! *runs off to bed*)
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