Arius: *Frowns as he kicks idly at the slushy melty snow with his glowing hoof. Now what's he going to use as an excuse to keep Lotus warm? With a little luck there would be another cold snap, but the spring had to come eventually. Arius sighed and flicked his ears back and forth. Ah well, at least he'd have something to look forward to next winter. Arius looks up and notices a handsome, albeit damaged pair of antlers. Could it be? He cautiously approaches the figure and recognizes Mordred by the glow of his hooves. A brief look of joy came to his face; it was clear he had missed his brother dearly. But emotions are for sissys, he reminds himself... so the expression disappears and is replaced with a sneer* Mordred..
Mordred: *Ah, even in a blinding snow storm he would easily be able to find his brother with that horrible voice. Approaching his twin he managed to refrain from bowing his head, a humbling habit he had broken over the trip.* Brother. It is good to see you are alive and well. Albeit, plumper. Have you been hibernating? *Nice, honest words with a dash of sarcasm would be his ammunition for this fight. Oh, if Alaric could only see the dumbfounded look that was surely about to make an appearance on his brother's face.*
Arius: Of course I am... Why wouldn't I be? *notes the change in Mordreds behavior with a subtle frown. Doesn't Mordred love him anymore?* P-plump? *glances at himself breifly, worried about his figure, but he quickly composes himself and sends a small growl Mordred's way* Oh, you must mean my winter coat. It should be shedding soon. :T *still can't help but think that he might be fat and tries to remember everything he'd eaten and done over the winter* Where have you been all this time, anyway? I thought you-... *pauses and reconsiders what he was about to say* I thought you liked it here.
Mordred: *Gives the slightest of smiles at his brother's reaction. It would seem he has changed some as well, but it would be unwise to voice such a thought just yet.* Ah, yes. It must be your coat, it always is much nicer than mine. *Gives a nod of the head then focuses his red eyes at the question.* I do enjoy it here. Except I feared it would get overly hot, especially with our coats, so I ventured back to our old home with a friend. It gave me time to bury old ghosts. I apologize for taking so long in returning, time seemed to have slipped past us. And what of you, brother? What, dare I ask, have you been up to this past year?
Arius: *swells with the compliment and a grin plasters over his face; yeah, he knew all along he wasn't fat. Mordred was mistaken, that's all~ But as his brother continues his grin fades into an inquisitive frown* You went home? *quiet voice expresses his sentiment* How... how is it? Home, I mean... *scuffs a hoof as he patiently waits for a response* Oh you know. The usual. Conquering bucks and wooing the ladies.. *uncertain smile*
Mordred: *Eyes his brother with a skeptical look. Wooing the ladies, yeah, he's always been so great at that. But with the shake of his head and the rattle of his chains he dismisses his brother's worry.* It was desolate, ransacked, and overgrown. It looked just like when we left, but with more invasive vegetation. It's now just another part of the wilderness. *The finality of his statement is echoed in the relaxed expression on his face. It's no longer 'their old home' for him, it is nothing.* But now that I am back, home *Oh, he likes that word now*, perhaps you could fill me in on anything important that has happened while I was away?
Arius: *droops with Mordred's news about their home, unable to regain his typically regal posture even if he was aware of the drooping* Nothing has happened. The hartlands are as placid as they have always been. *can't even consider mentioning Lotus for multiple reasons, mostly because it hasn't even come to mind after hearing the news*
Mordred: Brother, why do you look depressed? What matters anymore about that old place? We have a much better home here. *Gives him a shoulder nudge with brotherly love rather than aggression.* There is no war and fighting, no caste system. We can have friends and.. start a family, here. At least, I plan on that. *Gives a sly... smile? He can smile! Cannot help but one up his brother for the first time in like, forever.*
Arius: *looks reassured as Mordred nudges him* You're right... *tiny smile appears as he thinks of Lotus* <3 It is very nice here. I just miss... *pauses for a moment and the thought is chased away when Mordred mentions starting a family. His eyes go wide and he watches his brother skeptically* A family? Do you even know what a fawn is? How are you going to be a father? neutral *and then he spies his smile. It was such a bizarre thing to watch his brother's face twist into an expression so foreign to Mordred that Arius hardly recognized him anymore. Arius's pulse sped up as he began to panic. What is going ON!?*
Mordred: *Concern for his brother flares up when he mentions missing something. What on earth could he miss about that horrid place? But on the new line of question he begins to frown again.* Well.. No. I've only met one fawn.. ever.. But I will have help, of course. Wasn't it you who was always making fun of me, saying I would never have a girlfriend? I didn't go on that trip alone, you see. *Well.. Alaric was not a girl but the concept was the same..* Do not tell me even in the time we have been here you have not found someone special to you. *Rolls his red eyes.* Surely someone who woos ladies all the time has a favorite.
Arius: *snaps defiantly when Mordred admits that he wasn't alone on the trip* I don't believe you.. *narrows his eyes* I'm calling your bluff. *Though, his voice was full of doubt... what else in the world would cause his somber brother to smile like that? Had he really found someone to start a family with before him?! Impossible! Who would fall for an oaf like Mordred, anyway? Furious with himself and these thoughts, Arius huffed when his brother subtly inquired about his love interests* The hinds just can't keep themselves from me. *lies out of habit* I don't have the time to spend with each of them and pick a favorite... stare So, if you're not the fibber I think you are... Who's this gorgeous woman you claimed to have captivated? *offers Mordred a glare and challenges himself to impress the mystery hind to prove to himself and to his brother who's the most attractive*
Mordred: Wait, you are telling me that I have found love before you? *Begins to smile again, oh he could almost laugh.* Oh, it's no gorgeous woman. Just a very average herla and no one you really know. *So very amused by all of this, he looks down at his hoof boredly and paws at the dirt.* But if it's as you say with the hinds you have nothing to worry about. Plus, we all need our secrets. *His smile gets wider at the thought of his children. Poor Arius, he might faint if he heard. It was better to not to tell him all of this at once.*
Arius: That is absolutely not what I'm telling you. All of my hinds receive my love, of course. *huffs* Whether she's gorgeous or ugly, I want to meet her. She can't be all that impressive if the hart she won over is ... well, you. *rolls his eyes* I already know I have no reason to worry-... *pauses* S-secrets? *suddenly looks absolutely horrified, as if he's just witnessed his own violent end* W-what do you mean? *His hooves quiver and his legs tremble as he silently answers his own question. Does he already know about Lotus? But how?!?!* gonk
Mordred: I apologize, brother. But they are quite busy right now, visiting their own family and all, perhaps another time. Anyways, you look like you might faint just at the thought of a hind. Yes, secrets must be won with trust brother. And I've confided in you quite a bit already. *Actually, the sudden change in his brother has him a bit worried. Perhaps he told him too much?* Arius.. Is something the matter?
Arius: *desperately tries to compose himself when Mordred continues. Okay, so maybe he doesn't know about Lotus... but the possibility that he might still plagues him* Fine, another time I will meet your hind. *disguises a sigh of relief as a mildly frustrated huff, still lightly shaking as he tries to calm down* Why, don't you trust me already, dear brother? :T Whatever secrets you have can't be worth my time, anyway. *pretends he doesn't care with the toss of his head* No of course nothing's the matter. What makes you think something's wrong? neutral
Mordred: *His smile fades some. Trust was an issue he had started to overcome thanks to Alaric, but still he was wary of opening up to his brother.* I do trust you, brother. More than I did before. But what you say is exactly why I won't tell. Because they aren't worth anything to you. *By now he was frowning.* What is the point of sharing my accomplishments with you when you have no care for them and do not share your own? *There was that old angst and plight everyone knew and hated, but with a dash of real sadness.*
Arius: *he notices the smile is fading and Arius finally begins to recognize the brother he knows and loves again. Not to mention the sense of comfort the familiarity brought him. At least he actually knew what to expect from this Mordred... then again, it was nice to see him happy...?* You're right. *sighs and shrugs nonchalantly, despite his irresistible desire to learn more about his brother* You would probably just waste my time if you went on endlessly about the pointless details of your pathetic life... *trails off sadly as he lowers his gaze with a deep frown, quickly regretting his degrading words against the brother he loves... why did he have to be such a p***k?*
Mordred: Why do you have to be such a p***k? I want to tell you about my new family and so many other wonderful things and you act like even contemplating the conversation is a waste of your time. *He snorted and tossed his head.* You would be jealous, I bet. Is that it, brother? I thought I was supposed to be the pathetic, moody one. Do you have any friends, Arius? Let alone a real lover? Or are you still playing games with your head that you turn into a dashing hart instead of a puddle of goo every time a hind walks by? *He knew that challenging his brother's manhood wouldn't get him anywhere but damn if he wasn't tired of that nonchalant attitude.*
Arius: *the sadness he's feeling only magnifies itself at Mordred's words, and he droops further because he knows it's all true. His blue eyes are fixed on the pebbles and snow beneath them as he wonders how he's supposed to respond. The silence stretched as the internal conflict raged. His regal, dominating, masculine outer shell that was impressed upon him in his homeland challenged the emotional, needy hart he truly was... which he only discovered when their home was ravaged. He felt more familiar with the bully of a hart he used to be, and Arius was always seeking comfort from what was predictable... But if Home was overgrown and abandoned, maybe... Arius remained silent as his ears flattened against his skull, looking very similar to a scolded child as he withheld the tears he had resisted expressing for so many years*
Mordred: *As his brother's attitude began to change he too stilled. Where was the explosion he had expected? The harsh words and the dramatic walk off?* A-arius? *Timidly he stepped forward and nosed his brother shoulder.* I-I am sorry. That was harsh of me to say. I really would... like you to be apart of my new family. Brother. We came here to start over, right? *Oh no, what else should he say? It felt so wrong to see his brother in such a state. He would gladly take a beating if only it would make his brother smile again.*
Arius: *remains still, completely convinced Mordred must hate him. He deserves to be hated, he's such a bully, after all... Especially to his brother. The doubting thoughts fled when Mordred gently nosed his shoulder. That was different... the kind of affection he never expected from his brother, nor ever received from him before. The unfamiliarity of it made him uncomfortable, but it was just a pinch of discomfort compared to the misery he was already feeling. Slowly, as Mordred spoke, Arius lifted his head to search his brother's face* I'm sorry. *his expression quivers as his voice sounded with a feminine and regretful tone that he has never sounded before* You're right.
Mordred: *He almost couldn't believe this was the same herla who used to beat him up a year ago. What did family do in a time like this? Hug close and share their feelings? Some how he doubted that would work here. Instead he did what came natural and nudged his brother's shoulder with his cheek, something between an affectionate headbutt and a hug. Manly but still loving.* All is forgiven, brother.
Arius: *with the affectionate headbutt, Arius drooped again. Did he even deserve forgiveness? He scanned the leaves and snow on the ground as he enveloped himself in silence again. Maybe with time he could make it up to Mordred.. all those times he'd beaten him, either physically or verbally. It would be a great expanse of time, but it wasn't impossible, wasn't it? So where to start...? Arius took a deep breath as he lifted his head in a weak attempt to regain his regal posture* I do have something to tell you, actually. *he shifted his hooves hesitantly, knowing exactly how much he was going to regret revealing his secret, but... his brother deserved to know* I met... this buck... *it took all of his effort to keep his gaze locked with Mordred's. What would he think...?*
Mordred: *Stepping back to get a better look at his now somber brother he couldn't help but swell with pride as Arius began to speak. He was going to share something? Trust! Yes, this is what he had been hoping for.* A buck? *His ears pointed forward curiously but his expression remained neutral. He met a male he didn't automatically try and size up against or beat up? This was a good start!* Do go on, please.
Arius: Yes... *shocked when his confession wasn't met with laughter, Arius paused and blinked, staring at his brother as he tried to remember where he was going with it* Aahh... *he shifted again uncomfortably, knocking the snow from his hooves as he desperately searched for a distraction* I-I... I think I, ahm... *his ears flicked to and fro, futilely trying to avoid the fact, but he quickly realized he was only prolonging his misery* I think I love him. *he murmurs quietly, his eyes dropping to trace edges of the melting snow. It was out. Finally. Someone knew. The relief he felt was incomparable. Arius felt liberated, and for a second he didn't even care what his brother thought. A smile stretched across the reindeer's face, his eyes still lingering on the dirt beneath his hooves*
Mordred: *It was like he had just been body slammed, his poor mind reeled with the news. His brother was in love. Love. He just stood there for a moment, jaw hanging slightly open as he tried to find the words to match the emotions that were- His brother was in LOVE!* ARIUS! *He nearly body slammed his brother with a great tackling hug, overjoyed with the news. Should he say congratulations? Or 'I knew you had it in you.' Or 'what a lucky fellow!' With his head awkwardly around his brother's neck, trying not to get their horns tangled while still trying to show affection he at least managed to find some words.* I am so happy for you, brother. *When he finally could manage to step back, oh so much emotion, he was grinning as wide as his mouth could.*
Arius: *he was ripped from his placid thoughts when his brother bellowed his name. His ears shot up as he looked to Mordred with a distraught expression. He had never known Mordred to raise his voice before! Was he upset with him? Once Arius managed to realize the attack was an affectionate one, a deep red color flushed his cheeks and he let out a quiet chuckle* Ahh... Thank you, Mordred... *his voice quieter than ever, he shifted uncomfortably again. This would be the perfect moment to change to subject, and Arius didn't hesitate to take advantage of that. He hated the spotlight when it revealed his sensitive, vulnerable qualities.* So, brother... when can I meet your hind?
Mordred: *My, this was a day to remember for the rest of his life. His brother had gone from being a jerk, to sad, and now embarrassed! Giving a low chuckle at the question he shook his head.* No, brother. I am sorry. It is impossible, seeing as there is no hind. My mate is also male, his name is Alaric. But I would be glad to introduce you two if I also have the pleasure of meeting your hart. *Oh! His family was growing bigger and bigger.* But there is another thing, brother. *He tried so hard to keep his face calm and composed but it broke at the last moment into a splitting grin.* We have fawns. Three, in fact.
Arius: What do you mean...? *remains still and silent as Mordred explains, hardly fathoming any of it at all. He opens his mouth as if to speak but only manages a harsh breath. After a third attempt he finally manages to speak* Y-you too? *has never been good with names, but Alaric does ring a bell. He figured he likely met the buck and quickly considered the name as worthless as the herla it belonged to. It was such a typical thing of him to do. Or.. used to be. If that didn't send him reeling, the next reveal certainly did. Mordred had kids? Three? He was an uncle? Arius stood as still as stone with his mouth agape for what seemed like an hour. Were his hooves still touching the ground?* ..... Mordred. *still looks rather dazed, but he manages to communicate somewhat effectively* You have been busy.
Mordred: *Oh my, had the news been too much for his brother? Perhaps he should have waited on that last bit like planned. Worried, he waited for his brother to digest the news as he shuffled his glowing hooves. But once his brother spoke it was his turn to be utterly embarrassed. He glanced down at the snow and pawed at a rock.* N-not too busy. I have been gone year after all, and it has all happened only recently. So it's barely anything. *He shakes his head to emphasis this point, his chains rattling above.*
Arius: Recently? So you haven't managed to squish one yet? *hadn't quite recovered from his daze when the insult slipped, but it quickly yanks him back to reality and an apologetic look quickly takes over his face* Ah... I mean... I don't know what to say, brother... I'm... *pauses and shakes his head* Congratulations, Mordred. *forces a weak smile* I look forward to meeting your family... *the confession was honest and genuine, but the hesitation he felt came directly from everything, including his brother's expression, being totally unfamiliar. It would take some getting used to, for sure*
Mordred: *The thought horrifies him, he would never! Anyways, if he even began to surely his daughter would zap him with a warning. His revulsion fades as his brother apologizes, so it had just been a joke. At least Arius was trying.* Thank you. Perhaps you would like to meet one of them? She is a bold one and followed me here. Or not.. You probably have had enough to keep your head spinning for a while. I shouldn't burden you with more.
Arius: I am fine. *nope* Don't be ridiculous, Brother.*looks around curiously as if expecting to see the mysterious niece of his... though he'd nearly forgotten that he'd need to look a little lower. Fawns are small, btw.* She's been hiding all this time? *eyes Mordred, wondering what to expect from the spawn of his somber, ragged brother. The image of a miniature female Mordred cracked a smile across his face. No doubt the kid looked just as dopey as him.* Where is she...?
Mordred: Yes. I promised she could come if she stayed quite and watched. I never expected fawns to be so obedient. Her brothers, too. Though they are all rather headstrong when given the opportunity. *Giving a light sigh he turns his head towards the direction in which he had come from.* Morgana. You can come out now. Oh, Arius. One more thing. I apologize if she shocks you, she cannot quite control it yet. *He gives his brother an apologetic smile then returns his gaze to the bushes as a tiny brown fawn wiggles out.*
Morgana: *Tries to keep her hooves about her in all this snow as she makes her way towards the two harts. With wide, inquisitive eyes she looks up at her new family member and after a moment she nods, pleased.* Yes. You will do nicely.
Arius: *his amused smile fades when the fawn appears. Yes that is definitely Mordred's child, but what are those lumps all over it? He looks alarmed when the fawn speaks and stares at the small hind for a moment before looking at Mordred with a disapproving expression* I think it just spoke to me, brother.
