[B] The Wrong Way Is Also Right [Frail/Bitter End]

[Ruriska]

There was nothing frail about Frail. Perhaps at first glance, one would see only a small Acha with soft colours, a gentle creature that would be blown over by the first strong wind. Then they would get closer and she would turn to them with a hard look that betrayed an iron will and there would be no further questions about strength or weakness. Frail was untouchable, impenetrable and right now, very, very annoyed.

She had not intended on getting pregnant. It had been a brief fancy with consequences that would last a lifetime. She simply had to deal with it and since it was happening, whether she liked it or not, she was going to do it properly.

So Frail had started walking and talking and harassing any kin she could find until she was pointed in the direction of one of those fancy Legendary types so that they could ensure her offspring the best possible start. Even so, she was finding it slightly more difficult than expected because Frail had gotten slightly lost.  

[Maxx D]

Bitter End was wondering if basking as a caiman did her any good, but she had tried to eat a small fish in her animal form so she figured she'd better digest. There was a significant disturbance in the air as an irritable doe's hoofsteps came.

And they were heavy.
And angry.

With a flop, she landed on her little claws and started to scuttle towards her with purpose. Biting time biting time

Ruriska

you're stuck with the bitey philosophical one!

 

[Ruriska]

Frail spotted the caiman just before it entered prime biting range and was filled instantly with righteous fury. Of course, she was going to be attacked by a terrible snappy reptile while pregnant and clearly busy with important matters, putting her and her unborn offspring's well being at risk.

The very smart thing to do would have been to quickly dodge to safety. She didn’t even consider that an option.

Instead she lifted herself up on dainty hooves and tried to smash the beast's head in, as if she was some over-sized Totoma out trying to win a name.

Maxx D

I am infinitely pleased.
(not gonna bother quoting the rest)

 

[Maxx D]

Bitter End was at once fascinated by the pink doe's lack of restraint and rather concerned that if she didn't put out her skull, she would put out an eye. With a waddling turn, she whipped her tail around to lash at the hooves remaining on the ground, hoping to put off Killer-Kin-Kills-Legendary-Caiman stories, but also hoping not to be Legendary-Caiman-Makes-Doe-Miscarry. Sleepless would be really unimpressed if it turned out either way.  

[Ruriska]

When you are entirely focused on smashing somethings head in, you are not paying much attention to your back legs. Frail gave a startled cry as her hooves were swept out from under her and she landed on her side, heavily enough to push the air out of her lungs in a rush. Her legs flailed uselessly in the air and as she wheezed, she angled her head to fix a glower on the too-smart caiman. If this was the end, was going to haunt this stupid beast to death.  

[Maxx D]

Frantically, the caiman stepped rather literally into mare form, and immediately pressed her head against her tummy.
"OK," she said with heavy breaths, eyes wide. "OK, they're OK. Uh -" and she looked up at the doe with some mild horror, but also relief, and confusion, then an attempt at seriousness. "Why are you so angry? 'Were', I mean. It's pretty obvious why you're so angry now."  

[Ruriska]

Frail flinched away from the touch but it didn’t save her from the head against her stomach and she would have been a lot more upset about the mare taking liberties with her personal space if she wasn’t also breathing a small sigh of relief.

"I," she announced as grandly as one could when still on their side with their legs sticking out oddly because of a plump belly, "have been searching for you." She gave the Legendary a disapproving look. "And your behaviour was very inappropriate."  

[Maxx D]

"One way or another, you found me," she said, gently kneading the roly-poly acha over to a more comfortable resting position, "and the Motherfather works in strange ways." Oh boy she hoped the Swamp wouldn't be too upset about her shifting the blame... "Do your children really need a blessing, now? I mean, they'll probably inherit your resilience. And your...headstrong...ness..."  

[Ruriska]

She allowed herself to be kneaded because she did want to be more comfortable and getting up seemed like it was take more effort than she was currently willing to commit to.

“Oh, they will most certainly inherit that,” she snapped, eyes narrowing. “But if you dare refuse to bless them with something extra after that nonsense, I won’t be held responsible for my actions.” If her children also inherited her imperious stare, the Swamp was in for some trouble. “Unless your MotherFather’s strange ways only included you knocking me over.”  

[Maxx D]

"Mm," Bitter End said, moving back a little from the doe and her flaily, sharp hooves - well, no philosophical bullshit for this one: "may they be healthy and hale and as independent as their impressive mother." With that, Bitter End slid back into caiman form and scuttled away as fast as possible.  

[Ruriska]

The blessing wasn't very imaginative but it would do. Frail wasn't about to chase after the caiman doe for a redo. She stayed where she for a few more minutes and then got herself up off the ground.

Next order of business; find a safe spot to lay her eggs.

Fin!