The word of Scoria's call had reached Dousan and he was enchanted with that he heard. She was offering stones that would increase your chance of finding an abandoned foal. An admirable thing! Of course, the doe wasn't just handing them out. Nor should she! In order to receive one of her wares, hopefuls were tasked with bringing her a toy, something befitting a foal, to show her that recipients were suitable parents to potentially found babies. It seemed a perfectly fair request to make.
The buck poked about the space around his den as he pondered what he should make to bring to Scoria. Romy sat perched on her sunning rock, watching with an inquisitive eye. "Working up something for us to do this afternoon? You're going to wear a trench in the earth there."
He stopped his apparent pacing and blinked at her, pausing as an idea seemed to take hold of him. "You know, I think we've got a bit of a project for this afternoon and I'm really going to need your help with it. Couldn't do it without you, Romy." He explained his idea, a more refined update to an old game he'd play with his siblings. As foals, he and his siblings would collect the longest reeds they could find then swing the pollen laden seed pod ends at each other's feet and legs. The goal of their little game would be to leap and jump and avoid the swung ends, lest the pollen heavy tips of the reeds burst against you. Oh, how they'd run, and jump, and laugh themselves breathless!
The pair set out to collect vines and long grasses, and plenty of them. A few decently small round stones were also collected, plus some mosses. It took a couple of hours, making sure to not overharvest any one section of Homewood, before they found their way back home to the den. The next leg of the project fell to Romy. Braiding and weaving a long length of rope, periodically mildly weighted with one of the small stones securely woven into the middle of the cording, then wrapping it all to ensure everything was safe. Dousan provided a snack for his accommodating friend as thanks, coiled the rope as she worked, just kept waiting in the wings for anything she may need of him, offering supportive encouragement along the way. Once the rope was safely bound, a knotted ring net of mosses was made. It was an optional accessory, perfect for warmer days. Soak the moss ring in cool water, tie one end of the rope, and then just slide the ring down to the end for a cooling version of the exploding pollen pods he and his siblings had played with.
Dousan gave the rope a few test spins, keeping his head low to get the feel of it. The skip rope was smooth, pliant, and he was pretty pleased with the result. He whipped his head to swing the rope as hard as he could to see if the small stones bound into it hurt. He couldn't discern the sensation of the individual stones within the rope, so he was contented that it was safe enough for foals. It so reminded him of the games he and his siblings played when he was small. He felt that it was ready to bring before Scoria to see if it fit her idea of what would work for wee ones. The buck asked if Romy wanted to tag along, but she declined, so he headed off on his own, carefully carrying the coiled skip rope in his mouth.
Waiting his turn, Dousan approached the adept doe and explained the inspiration behind his offered toy, showing how the idea was updated and made safe. The buck touched on the testing he did of the toy, plus the benefits it could bring to any foals who used it. It could help with coordination, stamina both of body and lungs, a few other things, but mostly that it was fun and such a nostalgic treat that he'd love to share with any potentially adopted foals.
Scoria listened and nodded as he spoke. She smiled finally when he had finished. "This would be an excellent toy for a foal. You took the time and care to ensure that it'd be safe and you have experience with it yourself." She slid one of the stones across to him. "You're going to make a fine father for any foal that may find themselves in your care. Good day to you and best of luck!"
[WC: 766]
Reply
