[BRP] Something Better [Bare Trees x Cure][FIN]

[Chrystali]

This was -- unplanned.

Cure was - if nothing else - extremely meticulous. He usually planned his routine and dalliances with the safety of his knowledge of herbs, to ensure there was nothing lasting. He knew there was a possibility of things not going as planned, but the probability of it seemed so low. Now, however, he was staring in the face of his 'one thing' that didn't go as planned. He'd had a hunch, a feeling - and seeing her again, it was confirmed. She was pregnant.

He was going to be a father.

"MotherFather help us all," he murmured as his lions padded next to him. They were the only family he wanted, but...perhaps this was a lesson unto itself.

Aric Val with an edit

 

[Aric Val]

A curious branched foxbun peeked from the bushes and onto a light coated kiokote from the distance, she could spot him easily but it was mainly because she could feel him troubled, seeking help. And Bare Trees was there to bring comfort and offer help. She always would.

She practically bounced from the bushes and on the swamp floor, bright golden eyes trying to catch the kiokote's eyes, there was something about him that she really liked even if she hadn't 'met' him yet. She could tell. And of course with agile legs and swift speed she caught up to him and his lions, trailing as if she was part of his group.

Chrystali

 

[Chrystali]

Whiteflower turned first. Cure didn't think much of it until Moonflower had also turned, the lioness stopping entirely. The male followed suit, and unable to just walk on and leave his 'bodyguards' behind, the Kiokote turned his head to see what had caught their attention.

...mm. Okay. That was new.

His One and Two, he had raised when he was younger. He hadn't had one just join him, yet, but he supposed there was a first time for everything. "They wont eat you," he told the foxbun, as if it could understand him as well as his two lions. "You're free to tag along or ride with us, but don't jump on Moonflower's back." The lioness rumbled softly at Cure's words.

He looked at the two, who, seeing the Kiokote wasn't under duress, promptly turned back around in tandem and continued onwards. Cure dipped his head to indicate the foxbun should do the same and continued his walk, falling back into his own thoughts.

Aric Val

 

[Aric Val]

And the branched foxbun's eyes looked up at Cure as he spoke, looking then from one lion to the other and nodding her head, completely understanding even though he didn't know who exactly she was.

She giggled as much as she could in her form, rubbing her little nose before she started walking again, the lions seemed so big as she walked between them... it was quite soothing, as if she was protected from anything else. Moreover, she was surprised with how calm they were and how much they seemed in tune with the kiokote. She could feel the trust.

And she walked for a few moments, then sprinting under Cure's legs to walk a little ahead of him, looking at him expectantly as if to say something.  

[Chrystali]

He might have given mind that the foxbun did, in fact, seem to understand him - but he was, understandably, preoccupied. His lions didn't seem bothered, so Cure himself saw no reason to be bothered in turn; they walked in silence, a strangely shaped but no less tight pride, an odd escort to the small horned creature.

Who was, quite suddenly, in front of him.

Cure's thoughts turned from his own mortality as a father to the little beastling cantering in front of him, raising his ridged brows. "Need a ride already? Your legs are so small, agile, but you must get tired easy." Without breaking his stride, he lowered his nose to the little creature so it might scramble up to his mane or back, if it desired. He certainly didn't expect anything else. "Forgive me. I'm not talkative on a good day, and I've much on my mind." A thoughtful pause passed between them. "May you never know the accident of family, mm? Boggling, it is."

Aric Val

 

[Aric Val]

Oh MotherFather! She had found herself once again pressing herself onto the mane and back of a strong abled kin, the kiokote's muscles flexing at every movement. And as she was very small, it was terribly obvious and well -- she did turn a little pink!

She did shyly crawl up the light pelted buck eagerly, looking at the two companions looking up at her now. "..." She nodded her head in understanding at his words even though he probably couldn't see her. And the last part he spoke of, she nodded her head enthusiastically, knowing very well what he was asking. "Maybe not, but I can help."

Chrystali

 

[Chrystali]

Cure would have stepped forward to resume his travels, but he was fairly certain he'd just heard a voice. On his back.

He glanced to the side at his guards. Both of the lions were staring at his back; Whiteflower's ears were forward, Moonflower's were back. His own swiveled back before he turned his head around as much as he could, trying to look at the foxbun.

"...what?" The word was soft, touched with disbelief. Sure, his mother had told stories of Legendaries, but she never mentioned that their animal forms could talk. At least, he had to assume that's what it was. He might have thought himself on some sort of trip from testing his ingredients but if both the Flowers were attentive, then it wasn't in his head.

Aric Val

 

[Aric Val]

"I can help!" She said gently, but speaking up so the kiokote could hear her in her tiny form clearly. Bare Trees moved up slightly nearer his neck, putting a little paw on him.

"You seem a little troubled, and I am here to ease those worries." It was no doubt then that the little foxbun was the one speaking, tilting her head to the side.

"Tell me, I want to help."

Chrystali

 

[Chrystali]

The Kiokote blinked his amber eye in profile at the Legendary, and after a moment of consideration, he took a few steps forwards, stopped, and instead tucked his legs beneath himself and laid down as carefully as he could. Cure knew about Legendaries and he wasn't exactly star-struck, but what was he supposed to do with one clinging to his neck?

"My mother told me of your kind. She met one - a foxbun, no less - when she was pregnant with my brethren." He might have actually continued on, but true to his word, he didn't want to talk too much and, knowing what the foxbun was, wasting her time seemed not like the best idea.

Making a soft sound, he again turned his head, though he couldn't see the little one on his neck. "This was not planned, Legendary. The only help I could ask for is that they don't lose their way, given the trials they will face." He paused again before nodding to himself. He wouldn't wish anything on them that they could not develop themselves, but a little help certainly couldn't hurt.

Aric Val

 

[Aric Val]

And with those words she jumped off his back, moving in front of his face and giving him two big bright eyes, nodding her head. And with that she transformed into a mare, golden eyes glowing and kneeling just like him, her head slightly bowed as she was looking at him. Feeling a bit humbled, herself, to be in this form in front of this stoic kiokote.

"My name is Bare Trees, and what you ask -- is yours." she smiled soft. "They will grow strong and wise, and they will not lose their way as long as they follow the will of the MotherFather." she paused, nodding her head. "So do not be troubled anymore."

Chrystali

 

[Chrystali]

And then there she was: a beautiful mare with the most magnificent crown of antlers he'd ever seen. Her eyes glowed as brightly as her cheeks, and for once, Cure felt what he surmised was...humility.

"I am Cure," he responded quietly, "and if you are ever in need of my namesake, I imagine you can find me better than I you." He scarcely noted his guards that had backed up several feet, both of them laying down; a submissive gesture to a greater force than even their master. "Thank you. For your time, for -- your blessing. My future children thank you." And they would, because he was their father, and he said so.

A brow lifted slightly, realizing he had internally referred to himself as a father. He supposed the blessing worked both ways, then - to the children, and the parents that conceived them.

Aric Val

 

[Aric Val]

Her eyes gently lowered, cheeks a little pink at the kiokote as he spoke.

"Cure. I will remember that name." Bare trees nodded her head and looked beyond him to his companions and felt so very humbled, her body also lowered in respect of him and the lion and lioness. "It was my pleasure, if you'd want to seek me later on -- I would not mind at all. You are welcome, your family will be strong, and handsome as you."

And with that she bowed her head, stepping back. She could feel the pull of others that need her, despite her wanting to stay longer.

Chrystali

 

[Chrystali]

A light flickered in his already bright eyes, the briefest of smiles following. He had taken a bit of a shine to the mare, but who could blame him? Perhaps he was more star struck than he was giving either of them credit for.

"Until next we meet then, Bare Trees. I look forward to it." He tipped his head to the side, the lions standing and coming to his flank. Cure nodded to the Legendary as she began to leave; even he knew she couldn't stay.

"Thank you," he repeated. It was a load off his mind, and for that, he would be enormously grateful for the rest of his days.

Aric Val