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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:25 am
 The long journey was finally finished, but instead of weary relief, wary caution, or nostalgic longing for their homeland, Sundew couldn't keep in his excitement.
He had been just a fawn when they started the journey, his mother anxiously bidding him to keep up and mind his footing so he didn't hurt himself. He had listened with utmost obedience, it was an important journey and he didn't want to get lost or left behind. She needn't have worried, with his youthful energy he would often bound up and down the line with the other foals as they traveled. At least until she admonished him for running lest he break an ankle. She was always spoiling his fun, but Sundew was a bright fawn and never held it against her, his mother was just making sure he stayed safe.
Now he was told they had finally arrived in their new lands, having settled on the forested edge of a great broad meadow for several nights now while scouts surveyed the area and assessed it's suitability. Sundew was no longer a fawn needing to hide behind his mother's legs, his proud new rack of antlers showed as much. He was eager to explore their new land unfettered by longing for the forests and meadows he had been born to. Most of his life had been on the move, memories of his homeland would fade as surely as any other memory from their travels. But where did one start when it came to leading oneself, rather than following along with everyone else?
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Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 4:53 am
He had always known that these new lands would be regarded in a different manner across the herd. There would be those that were satisfied, those that were unhappy and those that remained neutral. The young and the inexperienced would probably embrace it with far more ease than their cautious parents. It was a simple fact of life and for one who had observed his herd in silence he could recognise this. This new life was truly one for the younger generations, the elder Cerynei had come along but it would take the encouragement and enthusiasm of the younger buck and doe to draw them out of their shells.
...A shame though that many of the children that had come on this long journey had no lasting memories to hold on to, memories to embrace and to recall their former homeland. It was true that they were free of the bond with that land but to think they had never seen it in it's glory days. Perhaps sometime, when the Cerynei were settled he would return to these lands and see how much damage had really been done. Maybe by the time he did return years would have passed and the lands would be much healthier - however, there was no way he would ask his kind to move again.
Alas, these were all 'what ifs' and Kozue had no time to muse over such particulars. He would have time when he had found his kind safe ground and they felt safe. They had eventually settled on a location but this did not make it 'safe' - that would take time, the scouts would have to patrol and while Kozue was loath to admit it... He would have to seek out the Alphas of these lands to discuss the Cerynei and their safety. He had never enjoyed politics and rather liked the solitary life his kind had led but he no longer had a choice.
With a quiet sigh, the buck regarded his new home with mild satisfaction though. It was pretty and the air was clear, it was a lot louder but no two places were the same - It would do. His ears flicked and swivelled with each sound and now and again he shifted his amber gaze across the horizon. However, at this time in the morning there were few of notable danger out within these regions...
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Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 2:50 pm
Sundew was still too young to give serious thought to matters of safety, and this morning had been picked as the morning he would give in to his eagerness and explore the surrounding area. He had always been an early riser, his name had been quite suiting in that regard, and this morning was no exception. For the most part he was ignored by the other sleeping and drowsy cerynei as he bounced to his feet and readied himself for the day. A quick trip to the closest creek for some water, some snatched mouthfuls of leaves, and a short rub of his branched antlers against a smooth barked birch for the sheer pleasure of having antlers to rub, and he was ready for his first big adventure.
With a spring in his step he trotted to the very edge of the forest, and then slowed as he became aware of a larger buck in front of him. In the morning light Sundew was first aware of the proud, dignified pose, the regal stance... And all of a sudden his eyes went wide. This was the Prince, right there in front of him!
As a fawn he had been one of the many younglings who idolized the proud male, and he felt his stomach make a giddy twirl as he realized he was so close he could maybe even talk to the Prince! Sure he had caught the occasional glimpse through the herd, or seen the Prince walk amongst them when they settled in for the night, but he was just one of many young fawns and had never any cause to actually catch the Prince's attention...
Sundew was completely thrown off guard, so overwhelmed at the thought of approaching the Prince that he simply froze and forgot to make any approach at all.
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 7:35 am
He had never been adverse to the company of others and as the months had progressed throughout their journey he had grown accustomed to others. There would come a time when he would once again seek out solitude but for the time being he was subject to the scrutiny of his own kind. No matter the time or the place he was always visible to at least one Cerynei, reassurance that while they were in a new land there were constants in their life that wouldn't change regardless of the location. For the most part, the youngest of the Cerynei had never really grown accustomed to his presence or the traditions of their former home but for the others... Well, he had been told more than once that his existence was important at this precise moment in time.
In the morning sun his mahogany coat glistened from the dew that had descended during the night and even his horns seemed to sparkle with the droplets that began to seep down from the tips of his antlers to his snout. With each droplet that touched the tips of his ears they gave a quiver and for the most part he was content. Or rather, he would have been content had it not been for the individual who had come to a halt nearby, just within his peripheral vision. He was shrouded to a point but there were hints of a golden yellow that could not be ignored.
Shifting his weight, his eyes and head swivelled round to face the Cerynei that had become frozen on the spot. Sundew was undoubtably young, he had antlers to hint his age but he was scarcely out of adolescence. Ah, one of those who had never really experienced the terror of the fires but old enough to recall the journey and to 'torture' the elderly with his laughter. A ghost of a smile lifted on to the Buck's lips and he fixed his amber gaze upon the opposing male.
"Good morning," he offered.
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 8:30 am
Sundew almost choked, the Prince was looking right at him.
"Good morning, sir! Ah... Prince! Good morning!" He stammered and stumbled over his words, leaving most of his dignity somewhere between scattered thoughts of admiration and approach. Perhaps he realized what a fool he sounded, he bashfully looked away a moment to collect his thoughts before stepping forward with a bit more grace than he had shown previously. He kept a respectful distance from the older buck, and tried not to stare like a reverent fawn.
"The weather looks nice this morning," he said, looking out at the large field as a distraction so he could avoid tripping over himself further. It really did look like it would be a gorgeous day, and his heart swelled with excitement for all the exploring he could do and all the wonderful sights he might see over the horizon. Perhaps growing up on the move had given the young buck restless legs. When he thought about seeing the world, no amount of lost dignity could put a damper on his bright smile.
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Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:23 am
He supposed he really should have gotten used to it by now, the discomfort felt by the opposing party when he spoke to them. It was never Kozue's intention to cause unrest but it seemed unavoidable. The moment he came into view and addressed another they gave a start, stuttered and then seemed entirely uncertain of how to deal with him. It was a bit off putting to say the least but he had been raised to take note of such things and to endure them - he was the 'prince' so to speak and therefore he was different. When it came to being nobility, it came with more than just trimmings and respect... it came with discomfort, potential backstabbing and an array of other issues. Perhaps that was why that was why the 'royal' bucks had often chosen to live within solitude, rather than to proceed through the world in the open.
...Their consorts didn't have to deal with the endless whispers and the shunning from 'subordinates' simply because they had been chosen. And they on a personal level, did not have to endure the stumbling words, the shifty gazes and the aura that really informed them that while the individual respected their role they'd really appreciate it if they weren't around because it made everything a little awkward. Now was one of those times but rather than heave a sigh the buck merely smiled mildly and considered the younger Buck's words for a brief time.
"I cannot say that the clouds are heavy," Kozue agreed softly and flicked his gaze upwards towards the sky. It wasn't crystal clear but it was clear enough. "Such weather will provide ample opportunity to explore, nyah?"
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