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 Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 8:51 pm
There was nothing amazingly significant about the weather to suggest that today was any different than any other day. The sun was still watery in its shine, the sort of wateryness that suggested rain was on the way. The plants worked on poking through the melting snow, as they had been for the last few weeks. There was no more ice on the stream, but that had melted several weeks ago, much to Telyn’s relief. It was neither too hot nor too cold. All in all, it just seemed another normal day…
But, for Telyn, today was very important indeed. Just the night before, her children had come into the world. TWO! That had amazed her almost as much as the pain. To think that she had two babies inside of her! She wasn’t a large hind herself and the birth hadn’t been easy, but she was young and strong. Perhaps even more surprising than the number of children was the fact that one was a calf. Telyn hadn’t thought of that…
In Brychan’s grove---which was quickly becoming Telyn’s grove since she spent more time here than the Outrider----Telyn relaxed by the stream, watching her wobbling babies explore the world for the first time. They were both gorgeous deer; she had known they would be, but they went beyond her expectations. She would definitely have to take them to Brychan soon… once she had recovered a bit, of course. She was still choosing names and had thus far referred to them both as ‘YOU’.
Currently, the black you, the calf, was nosing his way around the little stream, feeling wetness on his nose for the first time. He sneezed and then ran back to his mother in delight. He didn’t stay there long and was quickly exploring the world once more. While he took after his father appearance-wise, he clearly inherited some of his mother’s inherent curiosity about the world.
Or maybe he was just hyper. Wobbling his way to his sister, he nipped at her fur before running---or stumbling, since it looked like the young calf would splay every which way soon enough---around.
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 9:17 pm
A very important day indeed... too bad the father didn't know about it... atleast not yet. Brychan had been patroling.. and his visits with the hinds had gotten fewer and fewer what with Fell Lore's command of increased security around the herd. The wolves had been lurking about, and they needed to make sure that no more members of the herd were killed. That was easier said than done, and Brychan spent long hours at his post. However, the news that the hinds had started birthing, quickly reached the ears of the Outrider stags. Excitement flowed through all of them, various males making bets on how many calves they would have this year. Brychan hoped for atleast one.
The stag did manage to finally get away, wanting to check up on his ladies. Making his way down from the hills, he soon descended into the valley and making his way to that little grove. The stag having decided to check on Telyn first.
The more grey 'you' was a bit more mellow than her brother. She stood quietly, gazing around at their surroundings and being a little more tenative in her explorations. Inspecting a small bush, a squirrel dashed out from it and skittered up a tree to scold her. This scared the poor fawn half to death. The girl making a quick stumbling retreat to hide behind Telyn's legs and peer out from behind her with blinking blue eyes. Although her brother's n** soon caused her to forget of the scary squirrel and tilt her head at him as he practicly bounced in his hyperness.
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 9:25 pm
Telyn momentarily lowered her head to administer a lick to the grey ‘you’s’ cheek, pleased that she had a daughter. One of each… well, that seemed like a good thing to her. Perhaps the half-grey, half-black fawn would even follow in her mother’s footsteps and be one of those rare independent hinds. Well, almost independent… Telyn wasn’t so arrogant as to think she could survive without her herd for long.
Her head came up once more as she heard footsteps approaching. With narrowing eyes, she gathered up her children and stashed them in the bushes, pushing them down with her nose until they both got the idea that they were supposed to stay down and hide. This took longer with the black ‘you’, who kept wanting to get back up and n** at something or other. Probably hungry, poor thing…
Once both babies were safely hidden, Telyn turned her attention to where the noise was coming from. Only then did it occur to her that it might be Rhomae, or Loreena. No… the steps were too heavy for either of the hinds. Brychan, maybe? How odd. She hadn’t expected him… she had rather thought he would check on Loreena first.
“Brychan?” No harm in checking…
The black ‘you’---occasionally also called ‘fuzzbutt’--- was not pleased. There was a big world out there, but she wasn’t letting him go explore it. He let out a plaintive squeak until Telyn nipped at him, a brief warning to keep quiet when she said ‘be quiet, fuzzbutt’.
He sulked quietly, wondering what was going on. Edging over to his sister, he nipped at her ear again, apparently either unwilling or unable to stay still for long.
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 9:40 pm
The grey 'you' was easily settled down, knowing that it must be important for them to be hiding in the bushes. She folded her legs under her and watched as her brother put up a fuss... then grabbed her ear. Not liking her ear being tugged on that much, she shook her head to pull it out of his mouth and then fold them back while eyeing him. How rude.
Brychan moved toward the clearing at a steady, unhurried pace. His ears flicking forward as he heard a familiar voice call his name uncertainly. "Telyn? Its me... how are you doing?" he asked as she soon came within sight. The stag having absolutely no clue that two younglings were stashed in the bushes nearby. Was it his imagination or did she look less fat? Naw... probably just wishful thinking on his part.
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 9:49 pm
Telyn’s ears moved forward as she saw it was indeed Brychan. She had been a little worried that he wouldn’t come around here and that she would indeed have to make a dangerous journey with her two little treasures. Well, not really that dangerous for her alone, but certainly more perilous with two baby deer.
“It’s good to see you, Brychan,” she said, nuzzling at his neck temporarily. Hmm… now what would the most amusing way to introduce his two new children be? Just sort of let him graze and find them and then casually remark, ‘oh yeah, while you were out keeping the herd safe, I added two new members. Surprise!’ or shove them out to their father now? Nah… she would just lead him over there and show him the babies.
“I’m doing as well as can be expected… I have something to show you!” her voice held a tone of excitement, like she was going to share a wonderful grazing spot with him or something of that nature. Signaling him to be quiet, she led the way across the clearing---yeah, such a horrid journey---to where she had stashed the young and pulled back the leaves to reveal the pair. Half the pair, anyway. The black fuzzbutt had apparently decided to stick his head into another bush, leaving his hindquarters exposed. Telyn sighed, wondering if she had been this troublesome as a fawn.
The black calf’s ears went back at his sister’s annoyance, clearly hurt that she didn’t want to play. Well, fine… maybe he would find his own game. He eyed the squirrel that had so recently frightened off his sister; clearly, he wasn’t quite as easily startled as her. He looked more entertained than scared. Then again, the squirrel was pretty far away.
Getting bored of just sitting there, he shifted slightly and sniffed at a bush. Hey… what was that? Seeing some sort of movement in the bush, he stuck his head in more deeply, his little tail wagging. It wasn’t a good smell, or a bad smell. It was just… interesting, especially to an overly hyper calf with absolutely nothing to do.
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:07 pm
Brychan smiled and nuzzled her back before giving a curious tilt of his head when she said she had something to show him. The stag quietly followed, wondering what there could possibly be that she'd be so excited about. Well duh.
When she pulled back the leaves, he had to duck his head to peer in and look. Blue eyes blinked in surprise and amazement as he saw a little fawn... and what appeared to be the butt of another little one. He then turned his staring gaze to Telyn, the shock still apparent on his face. "Two?" clearly he was flabergasted, but also quite pleased! He had done good. "They're... beautiful" he said in awe... lowering his head again to get a better look.
The grey girl sat quietly and watched her brother. What on earth was he doing? What could possibly be so interesting in that bush? She started to get curious herself.. but hearing noises nearby from Telyn and her father in which she was being introduced to... her attention was turned to them. Blue eyes blinked up at the both of them. Figuring it was safe to come out, she stood up in a wobbly fashion, he tail flicking as she stuck out her nose to sniff at Brychan's own. Who was this?
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:19 pm
Brychan’s amazement pleased Telyn, which she made no effort to disguise. Her tail swished slightly and she nudged at Brychan. “You helped make some beautiful babies, Brychan.” She wasn’t about to let him forget who had been doing most of the work! Admittedly, he probably had one helluva time putting up with her while she was pregnant. Hopefully, the babies were worth it. “I was surprised too. I didn’t expect two of the little babies..”
The picture of her daughter and Brychan touching noses was absolutely precious. Telyn felt her heart melt a little at the image, a feeling that she blamed on the hormones and recent pregnancy. Still, she wanted their son to meet Brychan as well, so she nipped his little butt, trying to get his attention. Words rarely seemed to do it.
The black calf let out a slight squeal at the n** and quickly backed out, shaking his head. Getting up on shaky limbs, he looked from his sister to his mother to his father. And then it started over again. He blinked his blue eyes, looking very confused and yet fascinated by this big black stag. Since Brychan had his head lowered, the black calf took advantage of this moment to bite at his ear, apparently amused by the way they flopped around sometimes.
“Surprise, Brychan. The little grey… she’s female. And the black one who can’t stay still for long, he’s a boy. You’ve got a calf and a fawn.”
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Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 3:07 pm
Brychan chuckled at Telyn, "Helped yes... what you've done is simply remarkable. I don't know how the hinds manage to pull it off. Especially considering there is two!" He was simply amazed and the stag felt his heart swell with pride. His smile widened into a grin as he touched noses with the little grey girl... only to have his ear assauted as well.
"Hey now..." Brychan spoke gently, smirking lightly and rolling his eyes upward to look at Telyn since his head was being held down. "Really? A fawn and a calf?" So his son was chewing on his ear!
The girl watched as her brother grabbed her father's ear. Seeming to think this was a good idea, she grabbed the other one. Making poor Brychan look like a lop ears rabbit.
"It'll be a miracle if I leave here with my ears intact."
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Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 4:36 pm
“Not sure how we manage it either,” Telyn admitted, watching as the two babies played with their father. It really was a sweet sight. “Count yourself lucky that they’re only after your ears and not after milk. Don’t worry; they’ll get distracted by something else soon enough… or, at least, our son will. He’s very easily distracted. Our daughter is more mellow… she at least stays put in the bushes when I tell her to.” They were certainly a handful, especially for a first-time mother like Telyn! At least she had her harem-sisters and Brychan to help… well, once she brought her children over to her harem sisters anyway. She had yet to do that.
“They need names, Ear-Boy. I can hardly keep calling them ‘fuzzbutt’ or ‘you’,” she nudged Brychan affectionately. “I want you to help me in this.” Maybe they were hungry now. That could explain why they were tugging on their father’s ears. She nudged a little at her daughter, trying to encourage her to let go of Brychan and have some milk instead.
The black calf’s tail wagged excitedly as his sister joined in on the fun. He tugged hopefully on the big stag’s ear, hoping that something would happen. Well, something besides Brychan making noises. He promptly dropped the ear, however, once he noticed the antlers. Canting his head to one side, the black calf attempted to stand on his hind legs to sniff at those tined antlers.
His attempt failed as his spindly legs went everywhere else, landing him on his behind.
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Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:21 pm
Brychan didn't really mind it, and simply tolerated the little ones pulling on his ears. Although he was a bit relieved when the both of them let go. "Names? I'm not very good with those.... but..." he looked at the calf and then the fawn... quietly pondering. "The girl reminds me of a grey, stormy sky." Perhaps her name could reflect that. However, Brychan was distracted once more as the boy that took after him, reared up to inspect his antlers. He smirked lightly, "You like those, hm? You'll have them one day." And then the calf fell on his butt. The stag chuckling as he offered the calf a nuzzle.
The gray girl let go of her father's ear at her mother's prompting and trotted over to her side. Oh yay! Food! Younglings were constantly growing and thus, constantly hungry... especially in their earliest days. She didn't need any more invitation. The little fawn ducking her head beneath Telyn to nurse happily, her tail twitching back and forth as she did so.
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Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 10:44 pm
“I was thinking of something like Storm or Wind or Tempest or Blizzard for the girl,” Telyn admitted sheepishly. Or about as sheepish as she could ever get. Hormones were probably still influencing her at least a little… it wasn’t as if they suddenly just shut off the flow because she had given birth. “It just doesn’t seem to suit her sweet personality…” she briefly licked the fawn’s side and pulled away a few twigs that were sticking to the little one’s coat.
“As for the calf, I was thinking about something to do with the grove. This grove, I mean. Ilwyn or maybe Islwyn.” She smiled as Brychan inspected his new son. Privately, she was glad that she had one of each; it would be interesting to watch them both grow up as friends. Telyn hadn’t stayed in touch with any of her brothers and regretted it horribly, especially since they had both ended up dying so young. Alas, that was the way of life.
The black calf looked at his rump, as if confused why it was hurting. He was distracted soon enough by the older deer’s attention. Standing up once more on wobbling limbs, he nosed the older stag, apparently very intrigued with how he managed to stay standing up. Or maybe he was just interested in Brychan’s legs because that was all he could reach. He circled the stag once before touching noses with him, just as his sister had minutes before.
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Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:26 am
Interesting choices... "I like Tempest, myself" he replied with a chuckle, "Perhaps she'll grow into it." Especially if she ends up anything like her mother... it would certainly suit her. She was far too pretty to have a dull name, after all. At her suggestions for the boy's name... he nodded, "I like either one." Especially since.. they were practicly the same give or take a letter.
As soon as the calf was back on his feet and circling him, Brychan's attention went back to him. The stag keeping his head low to be more at the young one's level. He was just as intrigued as the calf was with him. He had a son! But not only that... he had a son and daughter from the same hind! That gave him a bit of bragging rights to the other Outriders. Although he didn't yet know that Fell Lore had two sons from Danica. Oh well. Touching noses with the calf, he grinned, "You'll be a fine Outrider ones of these days."
The grey girl might not ever be an outrider, but she would hope to make her father proud when she grew up. Although at this age, she didn't really care about such things. All she wanted was to play, eat, and sleep. Her little tail twitching all over the place as she filled her belly. Once she was done, she backed up and lifted her head. Pink tongue licking at her muzzle. Folding her legs beneath her, she then laid down in the grass next to Telyn's legs.
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Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 12:46 pm
“Tempest it is then.” It sounded good to Telyn and it certainly suited the little girl’s coat, if not her personality. Then again, she had only been in this world for less than a day. One couldn’t be too impatient about these sorts of things… it would take a little time for her personality to develop. Telyn was still harboring hopes that her daughter would be like her: tough, strong, and independent. Maybe the name would help her grow up like that.
She nuzzled Tempest----at least the Grey You had a name now---- glad that she was getting sleepy. Once Tempest got sleepy, Telyn had learned that it was only a matter of time before her brother followed. She hadn’t been particularly maternal before having these two, but she couldn’t help but feel some warm feminine wave of something or other. It was either hunger or love for her offspring. Most likely, it was the latter.
“Islwyn seems to suit him.”
The newly christened Islwyn sniffed at his father’s nose before giving it a slight lick, apparently wondering how it would taste. He had no concept of what the older stag was saying, but he liked the fact that he was getting attention; the black calf’s mind often ran like this, if a constant litany of ‘eat’, ‘sleep’, and ‘play’ could really be called a ‘mind’ at this point. Speaking of eating… he looked back to his mother plaintively. Since she showed no signs of walking over to him, the black calf made his way to his mother’s legs---avoiding Tempest since he didn’t want to trip over her--- and ducked under Telyn for a drink.
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Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 8:40 pm
The night stag nodded in agreement, "A good name." Fine names for fine children, Brychan couldn't be any more proud than he was at this moment. He had two beautiful offspring from an equally lovely hind. "Herne has certainly blessed us" he said in awe, "Starbuck himself could not have had a finer fawn and calf." He then blinked as his nose was then licked. The stag laughing amusedly. When he moved away, though... Brychan lifted his head and held it high. His shoulders straightened and taking on that look of a proud new father.
Tempest opened her maw in a long yawn, ears flicking as she listened to the voices she couldn't really understand. They were kind and she felt safe in the presence of her mother and father. A groggy look was given towards her brother as he stepped around her to get at his own meal. But it was time for her to rest, and the small fawn settled her head down into the grass and soon dosed off into a deep slumber.
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Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 9:32 pm
They were indeed blessed as far as Telyn was concerned, although any mother felt that way even if their children were the ugliest things ever to have graced the earth. At least she had the certainty of knowing that her children were the furthest thing from that!
“We made some beautiful children… when they’re older, I’ll bring them to visit you. They’ll be more active then,” she promised, looking from the feeding calf back up to Brychan once more. He looked so proud… kinda ironic, given that he hadn’t done much aside from get her pregnant. If Telyn was cynical, she would have pointed this out to him. Actually, she was just that cynical… but, her muzzle stayed shut, on the basis that she didn’t want to ruin his pride. She breathed a quiet sigh of relief as the calf finally stopped feeding.
That sort of thing got really sore after a while! Plus, the calf was nippy, as he had proven with his father’s ear.
“How is Loreena?”
Backing away from his mother’s legs, Islwyn licked his lips, trying to get every last drop. No sense in wasting anything. Yawning in approved ‘adorable calf’ fashion, he wandered over to his sister and flopped down nearby her. It hadn’t been a long day for the babies, but it had been long enough to tire them out, it seemed.
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