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 Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 10:00 am
Even with the exciting event of the birth of her new adoptive sisters, Tegwen could not help but feel alone. She had her twin, Drystan, he one who was black as the night sky, with fawn spots the color of the stars. Her deep attatchment to the fawn ran as deep as their blood lines, a tie that could never be broken. She also had their new mother, or rather adoptive mother, Dyani, that spacey hnd who just didn't seem to click with the others in the herd so much. And then the two new arrivals, the twins of Dyani and Fell Lore.
Physically, the little albino truely wasn't alone. Mentally, however, she felt worlds apart from all else, secluded in a valley all her own, kept apart from the herd by that cursed coat she had to carry. It had never been a blessing, as some might think it would. It brought her uniqueness, yes, but who really wants to be so unique that they are the high talk of the gossiping hinds with their wicked tongues? And who truely wants to be burned when the sun is at its peak, who wants to hide like a fool in the shade? It was a depressing condition, one that was slowly withering away the young fawn's heart. She was growing into a cynical creature, hardened by her mother's abandonment and her condition. It was a sad thing for such a little thing to go through. Even the new babes could not cheer her. It was only when she was at their side that she was a bouncey, regular calf, happy and delighted as it should be.
With a sigh far beyond her age, she stepped slowly into the water before it. She was in the place Dyani had first brought her sister and her when they had met on that fateful day, the place where the otters lived. It was not otters she searched for now, however. She had gone to that place knowing of it's cool, sympathetic shade from the enourmous willow, and the gentle, sweet current of the babbling stream. Her white fur seemed to glow in the broken light, sticking out like a sore thumb compared to the shaded grass and water she was surrounded by. It was with a slight tinge of fatigue that she dropped her tiny body into the life giving liquid, just far enough into the shallow that her nose could stay above for air. She had many things to think about, things that were none too pleasent and then some that were. Solitude was best for a situation like that, which was one of the smaller factors that had driven her to her favorite get away. With another chilling sigh, she closed her eyes to think.
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 10:08 am
A coat of white was a curse to any creature that walked the wilds of the earth. Be it hunter or hunted. It attracted a great deal of unwanted attention, and while Tegwen might feel that she is, she was not the first to experience that, nor would she be the last. However, there were many a eye that had spied the calf as she wandered through the forest, alone. Something that was not all together safe.
A large vixen had caught wind and soon after, sight of the blazingly white albino fawn. She'd been slyly following Tegwen until she came to a stop at the stream. Creeping through the dried leaves of the forest floor, the fox crept closer. Licking her lips at the thought of the meal she would bring home to her cubs.
However... there was another that had also sighted the young fawn.
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 10:24 am
Brooding as always, the snowy fawn had not noticed a vixen stalking her through the forest. If it had been any other day, she would've taken the precautions that any creature with a coat like her would take. Today, however, she had been too deep in her dark thoughts, too lost in her lonesome waves to think twice about wandering. It was a foolish thing, truely, and one that she might look back on in later years and shake her head with a chuckle, saying something like, "I was so niave back then." That is, if she survived.
As the hungry momma closed in on her prey, Tegwen caught scent of foxy nature. Her young body trembled as she struggled to make the connection between that scent and what danger it meant. Just as her mind was clicking, she turned her head to see the orange creature stalking her way. With a yelp, the fawn jumped from her watery haven and headed towards the giant roots of the willow, jumping over the largest one and behind it. She curled into a ball against its side, waiting for the vixen to poucne over the obstacle and, hopefully, keep running.
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 10:32 am
Fortunately for the fawn though, someone was looking out for her this day. And the Vixen wouldn't capture her quarry. For the bark of a deer filled the air, followed by the sound of running hooves, thrashing leaves and the yelp of a fox.
A stag had intervened on the fawn's behalf, having charged the vixen. Lowering his mighty antlers, he had made a swing at the vixen. One of the tines having made contact. It did cut through flesh, but not deeply.. having scattered red fur more than anything.
Either way, it sent the vixen running. She would have to find a meal elsewhere. Her cubs would have to wait a bit longer. They would not be feasting on deer.
"Come out, youngling" then came the bold yet gentle voice of the stag.
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 10:50 am
The sounds that followed her over the root were far worse than any vixen could be. Terror filled the youngster's heart as she vocered her snout with her front legs, trying her best to hide from whatever beast was just paces away. It had to be large, for whatever it was, it was winning the battle against the fox. No deer had followed her out here that she had seen, so it couldn't be one of the Outriders, though that would be quite conveniant, wouldn't it?
With that beckoning voice, Tegwen popped her head over the root to find a brilliant white stag, standing there in al his glory. Her eyes widened in wonder as she gazed at his creamy pelt, her jaw slowly opening. He couldn't be a member of Home Oak, could he? She would've noticed him, surely! Or perhaps not? Her seclusion with her misfit family had caused her to not meet the entire herd. But... He was like her! Despite her shock, however, instinct kicked in. This was a large stag she did not know. A large stag she did not know. A large stag... SHE DIDN'T KNOW?! What had her mother taught her of strangers before her flee in the night? Especially large stags? To stay away, of course! With another yelp, she ducked behind the root, shiverring like a freezing kit on a winter night. Of course, with the temperature and light snow falls, it was a bit chilly, but that was far from the cause of her wiggling.
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 11:05 am
As the fawn ducked down at the sight of him, the stag laughed. But truely, he was delighted to find another of his own coloring as well. He had seen the shock in her red eyes, and that was only understandable.
"Herne be with you, no harm will come from me" he called out again, hoping to ease the young fawn's fears.
Despite his rather magnificent look, the stag was rather travel worn. He didn't belong to any herd, and was instead a rogue. There was a sort of tiredness in his blue eyes, as if life had not been kind to him. Which indeed, it had not.
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 11:22 am
Slowly coming out from her rooty hideaway, Tegwen peered at the stag with fascination. Was he albino like her? Did the sun hurt his skin? Did everyone notice when he walked by? Was he cursed? Questioned swirled in her mind as she stood stock still, locked in a whirlwind of confusion. She did not trust the male, though he had driven off that vixen for her... He had said he meant her no harm, though. Perhaps keeping a slight distance for now would work nicely? Yes, that would be the game plan until she could understand more.
Trotting over towards the water's edge casually, she took a sip, letting the stag wait for conversation, which he seemed to want, as he was still there. Though the questions were still storming in her already heavy mind, she attempted to not seem like a pathetically anxious little thing, and would slowly get things answered. "So... Who are you?"
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 11:33 am
The fawn's suspicion was well warranted, and the stag kept his distance for the time being. An ear turned as she posed her question, the stag dipping his head slightly to give reply, "My name is Finley, and who might you be? Are you a member of the nearby herd?" Yes.. he knew of the Firebringer herd that was located nearby. Although he dared not venture too close to their outriders should they notice him. He figured he would be driven off like he had been from other herds, including his home herd.
Was he like her? In some ways he was... it could be said that he was cursed. But the sun didn't hurt his skin or his eyes. However, he was noticed by many... be it herla, lera, or man. The herla feared his white pelt, and man prized it.. as there were legends of white stags in their lore. He had been hunted by wolf and man many a time, and only his wit and cunning had saved him.
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:27 pm
The fawn was slightly reluctant to reveal information such as where she lived, but for some reason she felt at least semi-comfortable around the white stag. Plus, he had saved her. Why would he have saved her if he had meant her harm? He seemed a respectable creature, though slightly rugged and a tad worn. There was something behind that weariness, however, something in those eyes that the little one was mildly attracted to. There was a safety there, as all fawns have that draw to the protection of an Outrider stag. It was a platonic attractiveness, however, as it was mostly due to their shared curse and the fact that he had saved her. She was beginning to feel safe with him.
"Nice to meet you, Finley." She bowed her little head in respect. "I am Tegwen. Yeah, I live at Home Oak, with my twin and Dyani." She smiled a little, inching slightly closer, though still keeping a safe distance. "Do you... ever feel alone? Like there's nobody like you in the world?" She had been dying to ask someone, anyone that. Someone like her. Someone so pure in color that they were outcast by society. Someone like that very stag.
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:43 pm
The stag smiled... although it turned a bit sad as Tegwen posed her question. "All the time" he admitted in a soft tone, those eyes looking a bit distant as memories seemed to flood his mind. He'd known loneliness all too well. Being that he was a rogue, he had nobody to confide in. Tegwen atleast, was lucky to have a twin... and a family that took her in. Finley didn't have anything of the kind. No herd, no hinds... no calves.
"But that seems to have changed" he then said with a more positive attitude, nodding his head towards the fawn herself. It seemed that they were no longer quite alone in this world. "Its nice to meet you too, Tegwen." And he recalled that she had said she'd had a twin, this causing one of his brows to life in curiousity. "There's two of you?"
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:54 pm
"Yeah... I feel that way a lot. I mean, I have Drys and Dyani, and the new twins but... I'm different from them, y'know? I stick out more." She sighed, shaking her little head sadly. It had been eating her away since birth, really, the fact that she was so different. It sickened her how some deer strived to be different, strived to be unique, when they really didn't know what it was like to be so astranged that it hurt. She loathed that attitude, for they never understood what they had, being like the rest. They never knew how lucky they were.
"Oh, uhm... Well we aren't identical twins. Drys is melanistic, I'm albino. She's all black, except for her fawn spots, of course. those are white. She's really pretty, and completely disappears in the night." There wasn't even an ounce of envy in the youngster's voice as she spoke so fondly of her twin. It was more of an admiration that was threaded into her words, as if there was truely any deer she looked up to, it was Drystan. "Do you have a family, Finley?"
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 10:28 pm
The stag sighed softly and bent down to lay amongst the leaves. It seemed like they might be talking for some time yet. He turned his head, looking into the distance, before looking back to Tegwen. "I see" he said quietly to the fact of her sibling being melanistic. That's certainly an odd combination right there, he had to admit.
"I did once" he recalled, "But I was pushed out of my herd when I became a pricket. They feared that I would bring bad luck to the herd. No other herd has accepted me either." Thus he's long since given up trying to join other normal deer. But with the sighting of this white fawn, perhaps there was hope. Perhaps he could find other deer like themselves. The only true thing he had to be proud of, was his shining crown of splendid antlers.
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Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 12:19 pm
"Oh..." Suddenly, her life didn't seem quite as bad as she had thought. At least Fell hadn't kicked her from the herd, even after her mother's abandonment. Perhaps things could always be worse, then. "I'm sorry, Mister Finley. That's awful." She looked up at him with pathetically sorrowful eyes. "I must be a horrible deer to think I had it so bad to have brooded about it... At least I still have family." She looked back at the brooke sadley, mentally beating herself up for having been so foolish. How dare she feel so awful when she truely had so much.
Slowly, she turned her little head shamefully to the stag. "I think I've seen a white hind in the herd. I thought she was a dream because i don't remember the rest of the day I met her but... Maybe she was real? What do you think?" She hadn't shared her 'dream' with any other deer et, as she thought it would be shrugged off as a cry for attention. In all reality, she had seen the white hind, but very breifly. Snowy, she was, with grrenery around her neck. Splendid and beautiful. Poor little Tegwen, however, had filed it away as nothing more than a mirage, a story created by her lonesome mind.
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Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 2:14 pm
Finley smiled kindle to the fawn, "Herne has his ways, and we're not always meant to understand them" he said softly. "You are not horrible, but you should be glad for what you have" he continued with a nod of his antlered head. However, as the calf made mention of a white hind, Finley's ears turned forward in an interested fashion. The idea of there being a grown female that looked like the two of them, definitely rose the stag's hopes.
He had virtually given up on the idea of ever taking hinds and producing calves as well. "Well, if there is the two of us, then I'm sure its possible." His voice taking on a wistful tone. But even still... that hind likely belonged to Tegwen's herd, and Finley was not keen on the idea of just walking into their territory.
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Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 3:50 pm
"Yeah, I really have a lot I didn't realize others might not have." She stared into the current, watching little fish swim about on their daily doings, as if nothing was wrong in the world and all they had to worry about was which rock had the most food hidden beneath it. Her mind flitted to the dreamy white hind she had seen a few weeks prior. There was something about her that was so unreal that the little fawn doubted she exsited. With a little shrug, she looked back at the stag, smiling a little. "You know what? I feel better now that I know I'm not the only one and all... I don't feel like so much of a freak anymore. The hinds in the herd... they talk about my twin and I a lot. It made me feel... I dunno." She sighed and shook her head sadley.
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