Welcome to Gaia! ::

: A :
'The herd has been traveling for many weeks now. The weather has only gotten worse and worse. It's nearing larn and all you can see in either direction is the black of the night sky and the white of the pelting snow all around you and beneath your hooves. Your coat is heavy with snow clinging to you, melting under your fur and down onto your skin. You stop for only a moment to shake yourself off, but when you look up the herd is gone! You can't make out any scent in the cold snowy air and every time you face the wind your eyes are stung with the icy snow...'

: B :
'It's the first break in the cold weather for weeks. The herd has finally found food in a thin forest that spans and thickens out for many miles ahead. Donner plans on moving out first thing in the morning. That larn you notice another herd of deer, they're different from you...much different. They're larger with long, curved, and more pointed antlers. You note that some of them have no antlers at all! Donner's warned you about approaching strange deer but they don't seem all that dangerous...'

: C :
'It's Anlach. Though you're young you still have a reputation to live up to. Donner has already competed fiercely, defending himself as the leader of your herd and earning the hearts of several attractive cows. You're the youngest of the deer at Anlach, your antlers aren't grown in half as long as he youngest bull up from your age. However, a fine cow has been eyeing you through the entire week...'

Prompt C

The brown adol stared down solemnly at a frozen puddle, Donner’s laughter ringing through his ears. Oh, his older brother was so much better than him… Donner was now, at the moment, surrounded by some very fine cows. How did he do it? Rudolph sighed quietly, brown eyes weighed down by want. He wanted to be like his brother, to boldly gallop out from his huge shadow, to become not known as “Donner’s brother” But, as Rudolph. He wanted to be known for who he was. The buck wanted… oh, did he want, to be able to know what to say to cows, to be brave, to be like Donner.

Slowly he sank down to his knees, to lie down, glowering at that little patch of forlorn ice as if it was the cause of all his problems. And he lay there for a while, as Donner’s smooth voice flowed in the background, entrancing the cows. He could be even better then that big oaf, Cupid, sometimes. Cupid was nice, but all he ever talked about was girls. Which got annoying after about five agonizing seconds.

Finally, the bleak winter sun began to sink down, leaving the world a place of shadows. Donner’s voice had quieted down, but Rudolph could still hear it, and it became accusing in his mind. ‘Why can’t you be more like me?’ The buck could just hear his brother saying that. It would be just like him, to. The young reindeer grumbled and rested his head on his legs, the little golden stumps that crowned his head glinting in the dull sunlight. If he could catch one cow, just one cow, he would feel a bit better. Have something to talk about with Cupid…The good fellow had given him some advice, but it never worked. Rudolph’s voice would become trapped, and his heart would thump wildly against his chest as he could only gawk at a pretty cow. Letting a low moan escape his throat, the buck slooowly closed his eyes, and drifted off into a land of fitful dreams and accusations.


It started off as a low growl, then a chorus of them, becoming louder and louder. Finally, when one growl broke off into a low howl, Rudolph looked up, and gasped, as he found a pack of wolves looking back at him, eyes glowing green in the darkness. Yelping wildly, he bolted up, stumbling backwards, only to slip on that very patch of ice he had been glaring at. “Ahhhkkgh!” The buck cried out as he landed hard on his rump, and a few wolves leapt at him, snarling hungrily. Rudolph could only look in horror as the went towards his throat. He was going to die, to perish- Suddenly a shadow leaped upwards, knocking the wolves away with it’s small rack of antlers, then chased the others off, yelling loudly as the wolves scampered, whimpering. Rudolph quaked, and quietly ventured out his first guess. “Blitzen..?”

The shadow chuckled, and stepped into the moonlight. It was a cow, alright, but most certainly not Blitzen. Smiling quietly at him was the most stunning cow he had ever seen in his short life. She had good sized antlers, of a light grey, and a coat as white as the moon itself, and very silky. Her eyes, he could barely make them out, were a warm, comfortable brown. He stood there, open mouthed, as she spoke. “Sorry, not Blitzen. Chena, actually. You seemed to be in a bit of a scrap, there.” Her voice was soft, but warm, like her eyes.
Rudolph blushed, embarrassed that a cow had saved him. “Uh... thanks.”
“Anytime.” The reply was even softer, and she stepped closer towards him, eyeing his fine coat. Rudolph kept looking down, blushing. How could he even talk to her? Surely she was already in a harem, or had a mate. She was too beautiful not to!

“Listen,” Chena continued, “I noticed you didn’t have a partner for this Anlach, or a harem. It’s crazy that you don’t… So uhm, Well, let’s just say I wouldn’t mind being your harem.” She stated it boldly, winking one large eye at him.

Holy crap. Rudolph stared at her blankly, not quiet comprehending what she had just said. Chena… An absolutely stunning cow… wanted HIM? He swallowed a few times, before replying, “Uh…. Uhm…Err..” Why couldn’t he speak? Mentally he was kicking himself, hard.

“….Oh.” The white creature looked down, a bit deflated. “I see.” Slowly, heartbroken, she turned from the one she had been eyeing all week, and walked away, hooves crunching softly on the snow.

“Wait! No! I didn’t mean that! I’d, well, I’d be honored if you could! Oh, please don’t go! Please don’t!” It all came out in one huge blob of babbling and shouting, as he chased after her. Chena turned around, delicate ears perked hopefully. “Really?”

“Yes!” It was as if someone had unplugged a cork from him, he was chattering away madly now, nervous and excited. “I’d be just so, so honored! You wouldn’t believe how honored I’d be! You… Chena? You are the most amazing stunning cow I have ever seen, and am I in your gratitude from saving me from that scrap back there! Oh… I just don’t know what to say! I’m willing to beg… You… You just made me lose my breath, you’re so stunning!”
Chena giggled, blushing beneath her long coat of fur. “Oh, don’t go an’ flatter me, I’ll get a big head!” He smiled back at her, breathless, silently whispering a thanks to Herne. The cow winked again, and snuggled close to him, also whispering her thanks. Rudolph looked a bit uncomfortable at first, but allowed her to. Not that he would have the guts to tell her to stop.

Slowly they walked along in the near darkness, the full moon lightning their way as the ambled towards the main herd. Rudolph’s chest was puffed out as far as it would go, and his head was held high with pride. His antlers almost looked bigger. Almost. They certainly felt bigger, and as if they weren't under a shadow anymore