[B] Love of Life (Keep Going x The Killing Moon) FIN

[gooberfeesh]

For as long as she could remember, Keep Going had been traveling. She never stayed in the same place for very long, and when she did it was only for a day or two (if that). The thrill of adventure and potential opportunities kept her optimistic, moving forward, and never looking back. She hadn't expected to meet an interesting and handsome buck along the way, and she certainly hadn't expected that she'd...well, that she'd become a mother. She had never been opposed to the idea, really. The doe had just assumed that she'd explore more places before she welcomed little ones into the world.

Ah, well. Change of plans! With hopes to ensure that her children would make their way in the world just as happily and confidently as she had, she began to seek out someone who could help her with that - someone wise and experienced and wonderful. Hopefully she'd find them. Even if she hadn't the faintest clue where to look.

Ruriska

 

[Ruriska]

Lucky for the doe, her search was not a long one. A fellow traveller and the newly ascended, The Killing Moon, stepped neatly onto her path and stood staring at her, his head tilted with a regal air, the flow of his hair perfect and his expression... ever so slightly confused.

It wasn’t that he didn’t know how blessings worked but doing it yourself was a different thing entirely, especially when it would be your first. It was all very new and slightly disorientating, like developing a new sense and having to adapt. The strange instinct that said ‘go this way’ and had led him right here, to this spot, looking at the doe that was most certainly pregnant. Not that she was currently overly round, he just simply knew. As if his ascension had come with an extra sense.

Echo the Eaglehound padded in alongside him, sat down on her haunches and watched the doe warily. Not long ago they had been running together, side by side, two Eaglehound’s on the hunt. Her blood was still running hot.

But his confusion quickly cleared (not an expression he cared to keep on his face for long) and his smile at the doe was sharp and wild. “You want a blessing.” It wasn’t a question, just a statement.  

[gooberfeesh]

The abrupt and unexpected (though certainly not unwanted!) appearance of the long-haired stag in front of her prevented Keep Going from proceeding onward. Her eyes widened as she took in his form - beautiful, otherworldly, majestic - and once the awe and shock of the moment faded, she smiled and nodded. "I do," the confirmation came. She turned her head and looked down at her slightly protruding sides. "This is my first time ever doing something like this, and I want to make sure that my children meet this world with love and happiness in their hearts."

Ruriska

 

[Ruriska]

The awe - a reaction both expected and unexpected - amused him. He wondered if that would happen every time and after a moment’s thought, decided that would not be the case. There would be those who would not be impressed and would need to be taught respect. Not this one. Her smile was a lovely one, full of hope for the future.

It was almost disappointing that he had no desire to make her struggle for the honour of being blessed. She deserved simply by virtue of being herself. Still-

“Will you raise them?” He asked her, pinning her with a thoughtful stare, eyes glowing ceaselessly. “Or will they wander alone after their birth?”

G a b y

 

[gooberfeesh]

The stag's query prompted another moment of silence from Keep Going. She was aware that some mothers left their young to essentially raise themselves after birth (seeing as Keep Going's own mother had been of that kind) and while she understood and never felt cheated or unhappy by it, the thought of leaving her children behind... It saddened her. She wanted to be there for them, even if it was just for the first few weeks of their lives. Hopefully longer.

"I will," she decided. "I want to be close to them. I want to teach them and show them everything." She had spent most of her life as a nomad, living life and enjoying every opportunity that came her way, but perhaps now it was finally time to put down some roots.

Ruriska

 

[Ruriska]

Her answer pleased him but other than the slight quirk of his mouth, that emotion didn’t show. “Then they hardly need a blessing at all,” he told her. “They already have a better start than many other kin. Adding a blessing to the mix is a bit of an overkill.”

The Killing Moon stood quietly, let the seconds tick by, let his almost refusal hang heavy between them before he relented. Of course he would bless her. Let them have the advantage of both mother and the touch of a legendary.

“May they be strong and self-reliant, quick to learn and open to love.”

The words spoken held a strange weight and sent a tremble up his spine.

“It is done,” he informed her and turned to leave. As he steps began to carry him away, his voice floated back to her, “look after your children well.” If she didn’t, he would know. Because of course he would keep an eye on how his first blessed kin would turn out.

G a b y

 

[gooberfeesh]

Keep Going wasn't one to experience many negative or disheartening emotions, yet she'd certainly felt a slight twinge of sadness when the legendary had implied that a blessing wasn't needed. However, when he did so anyway her unease disappeared and a shining, almost blinding surge of gratitude and happiness threatened to overwhelm her. As he departed from her, the jubilant doe called out to him as well:

"I will! Thank you so much for your kindness!" Perhaps she'd find the stag again someday. The thought of introducing him to her little ones so he could see his blessing in living, breathing form warmed her. With another joyful smile she, too, took her leave.