[B] Can you see? [Do You See x Mourning Fog]

[NymiiNym]

We Do See had spent a rather eventful night with a beautiful doe, and yet, now, it was time to go. He hadn't traveled far, his attention caught by the flora in the area. He hadn't met anyone to terrify, and, honestly, it left him unsettled. He disliked the days he couldn't creep other kin out, since it met a chance to be social had been taken from him. Maybe he could go back to that pretty doe, though he was sure he'd only serve to alarm her. He had promised to be on his way right when the sun raised, and he originally hadn't kept his promise. We Do See had lingered around, taken by the fact she had put up with him for so long. Eventually, he did wander off, and now here he was, already accustomed to her company. Bah, he was just clingy, that was all.

We Do See flopped onto the ground, blinking through the rays of sun that hit him. He could visit his parents, perhaps? Or just find another group of kin to spook out. They always thought his eye markings were real..... not that he was complaining!

Valkymie

Eeeeeey.

 

[elufae]

Mourning Fog sighed, he had spent months holed up, not daring to go out or, well, do anything really. Months seeing his life-mate's silhouette in the corners of his eyes, only to turn and see nothing there. His children begged him to take a walk, wander the swamp again. It would do him good, they said.

But left with his own thoughts he couldn't help but hang his head in melancholy as he dragged his hooves through the soft dirt and mud. After a while, he took his moth form, aimless floating always felt easier.

Fluttering on, he eventually stopped to rest just shy of a bright red buck, though the legendary kimeti didn't even notice him yet. He was too absorbed in his own thoughts, wondering where his lifemate could be after all this time. She never came home. Will she ever come home? Though rays of light hit his wings, they didn't feel all that warm.

Yushika

((also I think it's neat that your buck is clingy, cause my doe is like super obsessive and is probably still thinking bout him lmao))

 

[NymiiNym]

We Do See let out a soft, content sigh. The warmth of the sun absorbed into his skin, leaving a nice, comforting warmth. He could stay here for days! Maybe he should... no no! He couldn't just lurk around! What if that pretty doe saw him again and assumed he was stalking her? He couldn't have that. With a disgruntled sigh, the buck began to shift to stand, stopping when a ray of light bounced off a.... a moth? Normally, he'd never really stop to admire the creature, but the soft colors had lured him in. They were beautiful. Didn't some kin keep these as pets? How hard was it to care for something so fragile? Curiously, he shifted onto his haunches, peering down at the moth, head tilting to observe it better.

"We wonder what it's like to be a little moth. Must be relaxing, we suppose." He paused, slowly nodding before tearing his gaze away to look about. "Flying wherever you please must be rewarding." He drawled, shrugging softly. Oh, look at him, talking to a moth! He really must be too bored!

Valkymie

Oh boy. ; u ; That's actually cute. We Do See would love to know that.

 

[elufae]

Mourning Fog was muttering internally when he thought he heard something, just fading into his mind. Words? A voice? Breaking through his thoughts, he heard the last of it, "must be rewarding."

Blinking, the moth seemed to turn and look at the buck, studying him back in turn. He fluttered off of his resting place, and onto the ground beside the buck, before taking his stag form once more.

Rarely did Mourning Fog transform in front of others, but he figured he could at least say hello face-to-face. It seemed like ages since he spoke to someone outside his own family. And if he was honest with himself, he missed that social interaction.

Laying somewhat close to the buck, he spoke, "It is quite relaxing actually, or.. would be on happier days." he hesitated, caught on his breath, before adding, "My name is Mourning Fog, among the chosen of the swamp."

His voice seemed weary, older than it was years ago. But he gave the buck a soft, welcoming smile. Such that always came naturally to him.

"What brings you here, son?" he inquired, tilting his head.

Yushika

 

[NymiiNym]

We Do See watched the moth flutter on by, calmly lowering his head when the moth dropped beside him only to....

Woah, woah woah woah.

His head snapped back, eyes widening as he just stared at the other buck, tail briefly flicking. Wait, a chosen of the swamp.... was he speaking to an ascended?! It took a good minute for We Do See to respond, flabbergasted at the experience before him. Him? Meeting someone as special as.... Mourning Fog? The name sounded melancholy, and so did the voice for a brief second. An ear flicked as We Do See abruptly reminded himself that the other buck had spoken to him. Manners! He almost forgot them! Forgotten were the attempts to creep another kin. No, this was an ascended.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mourning Fog. We are named We Do See." His voice remained faintly polite, though a curious tone hinted at the edges. What was it like to transform? How did one get chosen? He would never wish for such a responsibility, he doubted he could handle it.

"On happier days? Are you troubled?" He immediately inquired, shaking his head as he realized the other had asked him a question. "As for me, we were heading.... somewhere. We promised not to burden the beautiful doe we had been spending the evenings with."

Valkymie

 

[elufae]

Ah. Well. Maybe that wasn't such a great idea, to so calmly transform in front of a stranger. He admitted mentally that the years of staying in his den had made him a bit..socially inept?

His heart warmed at the polite response, at least he hadn't scared the poor thing into shock, or worse, caused him to run away. Though the use of "we" did make Mourning Fog a bit curious.

At being questioned, he almost regretted mentioning that at all. He didn't want to burden a stranger with his own troubles, but part of him wanted the relief of just...saying what had come to pass.

"My life-mate. She never returned to our den. It's been years, so I fear the worst..." he said, his voice shaking ever so slightly. It was still hard.

"...But I must maintain the hope that she is well. That wherever she is, she is well, and happy."

He paused, to take a deep breath. Letting it out slowly, he cleared his throat and shook his head. "But do not let me trouble you with my own problems. Especially not on this happy occasion for you" he chuckled, it was like the laugh one's father or grandfather would make. Warm like the summer air.

"You see, the Motherfather sees fit to show me," he paused, grinning, "that you and that beautiful doe of yours will have lovely children. A clutch of your own, all healthy and bright."

Mourning Fog always had a soft spot for children. And it didn't matter whose. They were all precious things to him, little beings to brighten one's life.

Smiling, he asked, "Would you like the blessing of the swamp?"

Yushika

 

[NymiiNym]

The tale caused a frown to cross We Do See's face, a sympathetic head shake following. That was.... terrible. Lonely, even. He never really.... tried the life-mate thing out, but the thought of losing someone you love with no answers? No way of knowing? He regarded the other calmly, tail flicking at its own leisure.

"We hope she returns to you. We are sorry if we upset you, Mourning Fog." He had been about to continue on, when, instead, the other buck said the most peculiar thing. Happy occasion? Well, sure, meeting an ascended was a rather joyous moment, but-

Oh.
Wait.
Hold up.

His head, again, jerked back, eyes widening as Mourning Fog went on. Wait, hold on a second, kids? With the beautiful doe? Wait, he promised her he wouldn't burden her.... though, were kids really a burden? His tail wagged lightly behind him as he seemed to miss the last question, taking his sweet time to consider and ponder over the announcement. Children! His children! Who would have thought?! Oh, oh! He needed to go back! He couldn't walk out on the pregnant doe! No no! That was a terrible thing to do! Would she be annoyed? Chase him away? Oh, how he hoped not!

Oh, shoot. Mourning Fog had asked something..... a blessing? His head cocked to the other side as he considered, a careful and thoughtful expression crossing his face.

"If it does not trouble you, please." He finally admitted, nodding faintly. "Thank you. We never would have known!" To think he was about to leave for good!

Valkymie

 

[elufae]

The stag shook his head in response. "You did no such thing" he said, despite the sad eyes.

But the buck's reaction to the news made him chuckle heartily. He remembered fondly how excited he was when he first learned he was going to be a father. The nostalgia of it washed over him. This was always his favorite part of being ascended.

He bent closer and touched his nose to the buck's forehead, keeping it there for a moment as he closed his eyes. Warmth coursed through him, from the pit of his stomach out to his limbs.

"May the swamp bless you with healthy children, full of love and laughter. And may the motherfather watch over you all." he said, his words carrying power. He backed away gently, giving one last smile to the buck. "I'm glad I could be here, then! The motherfather has a way of guiding me to where I need to be."

He stood, stretching his legs a bit. Age was just starting to get to him, it seemed. "I'm sure you'll do right by your new family." he assured him, before sauntering away.

Yushika

 

[NymiiNym]

We Do See was in an excited frenzy, pondering and exclaiming over the news. His body froze at the touch, eyes closing at the comfort the other buck seemed to exude. He was lucky, honestly. His first clutch, announced and blessed by someone as warm as Mourning Fog. Someone who had his own troubles and yet stopped to ensure none would befall the children of We Do See. He'd fondly tell this tale, even if no one would believe him.

A soft, content sigh escaped We Do See as Mourning Fog stated his blessing, eyes snapping open once the buck had stepped aside. An energy lingered, probably spurred by the adrenaline We Do See was feeling. His day had been completely thrown upside down, and he was glad for it. Children. Little versions of himself and the beautiful doe. They'd surely be as pretty as her! Happy, too, if the blessing was anything to go off of. That was all We Do See wanted, honestly. He wished nothing more than to have happy children who would go into the world with confidence.

"Thank you, Mourning Fog." We Do See hummed, tasting the name and how it fell from his lips. That would be the name he would remember and tell to his children. The second they could understand he would happily tell them about the buck who had blessed their futures, and hopefully they would meet the ascended in the future.

The buck had began to leave, giving We Do See a moment to just soak in what had happened. He would return to the doe and state what had just happened. Hopefully, she'd believe him. Hopefully, she'd want him there, too.

Valkymie

I think this is good! Thank you so much!