I get a what?
Tuelden snorted and stomped a hoof against the tile floor. The centuar was not happy about what he'd been tricked into now. An outcast from his herd, he'd found a nice forest that was not yet torn down by these pesky humans and what did he find out? That some pesky humans said they "owned" that forest! They pretended that they were being generous and "allowed" him to stay, but then he'd been tricked into this. He was not fit to be a parent! But... it had taken him some time to find such a nice forest where the humans hadn't messed it up. Gaia was full of so many humans... and others just like them that ruined nice forests. With a sigh, he'd agreed to this, but he wasn't happy.
Of course, those in charge hadn't seemed to care if he was thrilled or not. They'd gotten a new parent. That made them happy. And so out was wheeled the centaur's new charge.
"Ah, stars above!" The centaur cried out as he spotted what was to be his new daughter. The girl was... well... a fish! And just how was that wheelchair supposed to get around in the forest? Especially if it was muddy? Of course, such things didn't matter to those who had stuck him with this kid. Tuelden shook his head. No, he was not going to do this. He'd be better off finding a new forest! Turning to leave, the centaur glanced towards the girl.
The girl looked as if she was about to cry. She'd noticed how Tuelden had reacted. This wasn't supposed to be how daddys were! Daddys held you and played with you and told you stories! They didn't look at you like you were strange when daddys were strange too!! Sniffling, she looked straight at the man. "Daddy?"
Tuelden cursed every god and being that he knew under his breath at that look. It was so... so... sweet, and innocent, and pure, and full of hope. How was he supposed to say no to that? The centaur sighed and clip-clopped over to where the girl was sitting. His forelegs bent so that he knelt awkwardly and looked at the girl on her level. "I suppose I am." Curse him for having such a weakness for sweet things like this.
The girl's face lit up and she managed to push herself forward out of the chair and hug Tuelden, her arms wrapping about the man's neck. The wheelchair rolled backwards as those who'd pushed it out had forgotten to lock the wheels. But neither Tuelden or the girl seemed to notice. The centaur stood, his arms holding the girl to him to keep her from falling. Gently, he shifted her to his back. "Put your tail to this side and hold on to me. You got that, uh..."
Turning, the centaur noticed they were now alone. Darn, and he'd had several choice words he'd wanted to say to those who'd been in here. "Uh... what's your name, sweetie?"
"Daddy names me!" The girl cheerfully stated, happily clinging to him.
The centaur had not been expecting that. A name meant so much... and... centaurs spent much time thinking on what to name their offspring. But a name was needed now. "Awin."
"Awin..." The newly named girl tried it out.
"It... it was my mother's name..." Tuelden muttered, emotion beginning to cloud his voice.
"I like it!" Awin chirped, oblivious to the fact that her new parent was trying to hide emotions. "Onwards, Daddy!" She flipped her tail, causing it to smack Tuelden's flank a couple of times.
The centaur sighed. Well... it was going to be interesting...
