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 Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 11:16 am
Pathfinder wound her way heavily, grumpily, down to the edge of a pond. She liked the swamp, she really did. It was fascinating, the kin were fascinating, the food was fascinating. But that day, for some reason, her mood was irritable. She could not get comfortable. Every little thing seemed to bother her; flies, the humid air, a root that sticks out to catch her hoof.
She snorted angrily at herself, and out of the corner of her eye caught her reflection in the glassy surface of the pond. She stood still, contemplating, watching tiny ripples distort her features. Oh, what a fine totoma, whining about the almost overabundant lushness of the land. So brave and strong! Was she really the same as the totoma who had traveled so long to get here, had eaten tree bark and twigs and slept in the wind, unsheltered?
She lay in the cool grasses on the edge of the pond, tucking her hooves under her. Even that was uncomfortable. What was wrong with her?
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Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 7:30 am
 A crane was making its way across the shallows, each long-legged step purposeful and slow. Occasionally its head would dart down and snatch at a quick-swimming tadpole or guppy, but mostly it seemed content to wade, not intent on the hunt.  When it eventually spotted the strange furry creature lying on the bank, it stopped in its tracks, staring in a way no normal swamp beast would. Its path changed, and when it took its next step towards the Totoma its form seemed to shift, the dainty crane legs changing into silvery-white fur and hooves that retained the slow, deliberate lift-and-place movement of the crane. The mare -- for that's what she now was -- paused a few feet out from the bank, the shallow water rippling around her legs. "I have seen your kind in dreams," she spoke to the furred creature, "and heard stories. But I have not yet met one of you myself." Her head bowed slightly. "It is a great pleasure."
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Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 5:44 pm
Pathfinder watched though half-lidded eyes as the crane picked its way through the grassy margins of the pond. And changed. She stared as the crane shifted to new proportions with a liquidity that made her already uneasy stomach churn.
As far as she knew, this was impossible.
"I... what are you?" she asked, incredulous.
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Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 8:21 pm
Meets-the-Sea, usually so thoughtful, hadn't even considered the fact that this newcomer to the swamp might be confused by her. She laughed at herself, a gentle sound.
"I am a kimeti," she replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, although it was clearly not what the totoma was asking. "A mare. I can change my form," she nodded over her shoulder to where she had been walking as a crane, "because I am Ascended, one of the swamp's chosen. My name is Meets-the-Sea." She paused, tilting her head at the totoma, feeling the now-familiar tingle of knowing run its way down her spine. "And it seems the motherfather has sent me to you for a reason." Her smile, when she looked down at the totoma, was kind. "You are pregnant."
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 10:56 am
Path gazed up at the mare, a sleek blue-gray that reminded her of the glimpses she'd had of a faraway ocean. Suddenly she stood, hauling herself up to stand on all four hooves again. It seemed somehow rude to remain lying down while in her presence.
"It's nice to meet you," she said, bowing her head. "I am Pathfinder, and... I've certainly never met anything like you." She smiled an odd, shy smile, glancing up at the mare curiously. All discomfort was forgotten.
"Yes, well... I am. How did you know!" More magic!
She reined in her curiosity for the second it took to voice more serious concerns. "I hope... well, this is a strange place. I haven't..." She blew out a breath. "I'm just worried," she concluded lamely, unable to voice her concerns fully.
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