The air was crisp with the turning of the seasons. Light, fluffy clouds dotted the clear blue of the afternoon autumn sky like the tops of cottonsedge flowers. Koke stared skyward, absorbed in the sight above her. She paid no attention to her surroundings at all, even though she had arrived at a conversion point. She was on the border of an endless yellowing grass plain and a deciduous forest, colored in the bright reds, oranges and yellows of fall. A slow moving stream snaked it's way through the grasses and disappeared into the colors of the forest.
...and yet, the doe paid no mind to the beauty around her at all, well, except for the clouds above her.
The buck-to-be delicately picked his way through the leaves of elms, birches and maples, trying hard to keep his rustling to a minimum. He wasn't very successful, despite his best attempts, and he cringed with every step he took. The yearling was heading towards the brightening edge of the forest, where the sounds of gentle lapping water came from. The end of the forest. Which meant the end of rustling leaves. He couldn't help but feel relief. He had felt like obvious prey for days in the autumn leaves.
The buck-to-be pulled up short on the border of the trees and blinked into the afternoon sunlight. He surveyed the scene before him in appreciation. Where the trees ended, the plains began. Dried grasses stretched as far as the eye could see, only interrupted by a meandering stream which cut through it in winding curves. That explained the sound of water. Only one other item marred the endless plains. A grey shape, splashed in red, stood staring up to the heavens. A doe from the looks of it.
Teari hesitated, unsure whether he should approach the stranger or turn tail and head back into the woods.
It really wasn't much of a choice. The buck-to-be was sick of the fall forest. With a flick of his stubby fluffy tail, he moved forward, headed towards the stream. A drink was his first priority.
A sound. Koke's ear twitched back, picking up on a noise. Reluctantly she pulled her gaze back down to earth. A glance showed her the source of the disruption. A yearling emerged from the colors of the woods, his coat a sharp contrast of light grey. She watched as he made his way to the water.
'Company!' Her usually sweet voice came out as a squeal, as excitement got the better of her. She bounded over to the other, coming to an abrupt halt a few paces from him. He turned to her, eyes flashing.
Teari had just reached down to drink the cold water when he heard the doe move, and by the time she reached him he had his head up and was staring her down uncertainly. He paused, looking into her bright blue eyes, confused with her sudden approach. "Hello?" He had a rough voice, neither soft in tone nor deep in tone. "Do you need something?"
