The decision had flared, warm and sudden as if stepping out into the sun, within her mind ages ago it seemed. They might say Legendaries were only stories but she felt differently. And though she had not exactly set out to seek one -- rather she had set out to become one -- it was often true that in searching for something, it would only be found as soon as you stopped looking. It seemed to have held true for her.It was after meeting with Roses in Bloom again, after her decision to become one, that she had stopped ever so briefly to think. She closed her eyes and imagined herself. Elegant and respected -- and likely speckled with mud, ends of her hair sopping wet, and a nest of birds settled on her head -- as she sought to help everyone. She'd been delighted, oh so pleased, that she almost didn't hear it.
"Go east and you'll find her."
Her brow had furrowed. That seemed extremely complicated for she was already here. Had all this time there been two of her -- and one of herselves already a Legendary at that! -- roaming the swamp? Or might she been daughter of one? She shook her head, no. In her mind, Mother looked more like Takeback. But anyway, there was only one thing to do. Go east.
East was made up of densely woven mangroves. An obstacle course that prevented her from going through; around, left and right, spiraling in as she tried to follow the sun. At least she thought it the sun for it was the only light within the canopied darkness she had wandered into. It must be sunrise, as the glow of light was tinged pink. Giveforward paused; that couldn't be right. It had already been noon when she'd heard the voice--"Go away!"
Not that voice.
"Excuse me?"
What the doe had mistaken for darkness suddenly became a mare. One with glaring red eyes and a snarl.
"You heard me," the mare snapped, taking a bold step forward. She was in a foul mood; indeed, she had woken up spoiling for a hunt. When that had gone poorly, she'd stormed off intent on being alone. It seemed that, too, was going to go poorly.
"You're not like any kimeti I've seen..." Giveforward mused, brow pinched as she looked over the mare.
Lull in Sunlight sighed; if she'd known this one was a naive little lamb, she would have actually tried to scare her. The one perk of her special ability and she'd already blown it. Damn.
"I am a Legendary," she explained, simple and concise, as she rolled her shoulders back and lifted her head high. "And I won't bless you."
Giveforward's delight and awe was doused as the last words were spoken. She felt confusion swirl and invoke indignation, regardless of the fact she wasn't looking for a blessing.
"Why not?" the doe asked.
"I don't want to. Now go away."
"Oh. Well that's fair," Giveforward nodded.
The mare opened her mouth, ready to argue, when the doe's tone made her pause. There was no anger or upset which forced her to realize the doe thought her fair. How bizarre.
"You--what did you seek me out for then?" she queried, suddenly feeling thrown. She'd had a buck approach her for courage, yes, but this doe seemed oddly content.
"I want to become a Legendary and many kin say they don't exist. This afternoon -- or maybe it was yesterday -- anyway, I heard a voice tell me to go east to find her."
The mare glared. Doom. Only she would have known where to send someone to find her. It wasn't her usual hideout. That one was far deader than this. Ominous almost. Beautiful in its way but sure to exacerbate her irritation and morose mood. Which is why she'd come here. Hmph; so much for being alone.
"Well you shouldn't. It's thankless. They come from miles around, day after day after day, wanting blessings from you and then they go on their merry little way and someone else comes. Save yourself the headache." It did have its perks; the knowledge for one, the almost invisibility, the stealth of an owlcat. That didn't prevent the coming of the whole swamp's kin from being a nuisance.
To the mare's surprise, the doe was smiling. A bright eyed wistful smile that -- for a second, the mare thought the doe might have been besotted. She took a step back.
"That sounds wonderful!" the doe sighed, dreamy. "I would love to bless others." And then the dreaminess was replaced with determination. "Do you think you could tell the Motherfather of me? I don't know how to reach them..." A blush flared on her cheeks.
Lull in Sunlight huffed, "And why should I?"
Giveforward laughed, "If I was a Legendary, I could do blessings for you!"
A nice idea; the mare doubted it worked like that. It wouldn't hurt though.
"You have a deal."
The doe likely should have worried about the feral smirk but then she was an optimist. Indeed, she barely noticed that was alone until her "thank yous" were only echoes swallowed by the wind.
