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The Totoma was solid and unassuming and for the majority of his life he had remained nameless. Despite now being past his prime and having had quite a few years wandering over the mountains, nothing had stuck. It seemed nothing short of throwing himself off a cliff would finally get him a name. Then the journey had begun. It was not an easy trip for even the younger Totoma and he had struggled. But perseverance and the will to survive had carried him through.

“Left Behind…” He tested the name once more and grunted, softly pleased. He wasn’t exactly thrilled with being in the swamp. It was hot and full of little, annoying bugs that tried to crawl into his eyes, but at least it had helped him earn a title. Now he just needed to find something else nice about it.

Trampling bushes, Left Behind trundled along. Each step caused the ground beneath him to shiver, the old Totoma naught for the ground beneath his hooves. Sooner or later he was likely to end up in a muddy sinkhole, but luckily enough for today, the path ahead was relatively dry.

Her voice brought him up short; muscles bunching as he halted suddenly in his tracks and swung his head around.

"No." He answered as he turned completely and approached the Kimeti doe with heavy steps. "Each one of you in so different…" He remarked, the comment muttered only for him as he studied her through narrowed and thoughtful eyes.

"I am here because very soon an honorable death would have been better than to remain alive and nameless."

Not long before the journey south had begun, Left Behind had watched one of his cousins do just that. A buck, younger than himself, had finally been dubbed Flies-like-an-eagle. For a long time the old Totoma had stared down at the shattered body, only retreating when scavengers had begun their approach.

That could have been him had not the march to the swamp begun.

There was no exaggeration behind his words. He spoke merely fact. "I dream, just not as you do." He replied, his voice a low rumble. "We are born into the world aware and must earn our titles." His expression was serious, unable to forget that he had nearly gone through life with no name at all. "To be nameless is the greatest humiliation." The Totoma lifted his head proudly. "You may call me Left Behind."

"Living in and leaving this world without a name, there is no worse fate." The Totoma watched her steadily, more than happy to answer her questions. "One would prefer a name gained by valor or strength, and most are…" He gave a huff of laughter. "Why bother to name someone something such a Good for Nothing? If they are good for nothing, they do not deserve a name."

He watched the way her hair slid across his shoulders, mentally musing over the strange growths these Kimeti seemed to have. There was nothing of the sort amongst his kind and he found it a strange sight. "You are perhaps referring to my name which, I will admit, out of context it is not that impressive.”

Some would perhaps be disappointed that the name they had earned was not so obviously notable. Left Behind didn’t mind. He was both glad to finally have a name, and enjoyed the chance to explain it to everyone he met. An old fellow needed something to ramble on about, and the origin of his name was a fine conversation topic.

"Pretty words are well enough for some, but we do well enough without them." He smiled at her in obvious amusement. "It is a simple enough story. I joined the others on the trek to the swamp, but I am not as young as some of others," a glint is his eyes made it clear that he did not truly consider his age an impediment in any way, "and the travel took its toll. So they left me behind to die, as they had done so with many before." The Totoma lifted his head higher, stamping one hoof down. "And yet, here I am."

"I am content enough for now. The swamp can not compare to the mountains, but I’m sure I will grow used to it." The trek back home would probably be the end of him, no matter how stubborn the old beast was. "We will all settle in." He glanced around thoughtfully. "The glory of battle may have to be put aside for a time. Waging war in all this mud is hardly appealing." Shaking that thought away, he eyed the Kimeti doe. "I will need a teacher in the ways of the Kimeti."

The customs of his kin, from what he had seen to far, were far different from his own. It was disappointing to see they did not take part in the war games the Totoma were so very fond of. Perhaps, he pondered, that was what he could bring. The arrival of the Totoma would enflame the hearts of the Kimeti and make them long for battle.

Left Behind followed. A better introduction to his kin and the swamp he could not imagine, and he proved himself to be a most able and keen student.