[B] The pitter patter of tiny hooves (Swallow x TKM)

[Lirilei]

Swallow had felt a happy glow when she found out she was pregnant. Family was important to her, and her family, so additions were always a welcomed thing. This, was one of those things that would never not be a welcomed thing.

Still, she wanted to ensure that the ones she carried got started with a good hoof forward, as it were. So, here she was, searching.

ruriska

 

[Ruriska]

The foxbun ran by first, swift and panicked, bounding over the path and disappearing into the underbrush with a flash of its white tail. Then the Killing Moon arrived in a burst of motion, muscles tensing as he slowed himself to a very sudden halt from a flatout run. Two ghostly hounds stood at either side of him, had stopped their own run as fluidly as if they had never been moving at all.

Chest heaving, eyes wild with the hunt, the stag turned his head towards the doe and demanded, "tell me what it means to be a mother.".

Lirilei

 

[Lirilei]

She saw the foxbun running by, and she paused a moment, searching around her instinctively, to ensure there was no danger coming towards her, and merely something after the small animal. Seeing the arrival of the stag and his hounds, she could see why the foxbun was running.

That question though! It was an unexpected surprise, but she didn't hesitate in her answer. "It means to teach the good and bad in life. To protect as able, but encourage them to defend and not rely solely on others. It means family most of all, and sticking by them no matter what, because nothing is more important than family. It means continuing the family, growing and strengthening the bonds of it."

It was simply how it was to her family.

Ruriska

 

[Ruriska]

The Killing Moon slowly dipped his head into a bow and when he raised it again, he was smiling warmly at the doe. “Well done,” he praised. “That is a very good answer.”

The expression in his eyes had calmed and he blew out a great breath through his nose, a shiver running through him from top to hoof. His hair shifted, the red waves sliding along his neck as he head tilted thoughtfully. “May your children be healthy and strong, both willing to learn and ready to chase their dreams.” He gave his blessing and then added with quiet assurance, “You will do well.”

Lirilei

 

[Lirilei]

The words washed over her, and made her smile as a content feeling came over her. "Thank you." it was a wonderful blessing to get for the new life she was carrying, really.

Her head bowed to the stag, moving away from him and the hounds so they could continue on their way to wherever they were going.

Ruriska

Thank you again!