[PrP] Subtle as a Bulrush (Diaphanous x Watermelon)

[Anhelisk]

Winter was an inconvenient time, Diaphanous had learned. Between the wet and the frost and the inconsistent coats of snow, plants died left and right, leaving scrubby branches and tough roots as the primary source of sustenance for the lazy, chubby buck. Times like this, he wandered slowly, looking around for signs of anything remotely palatable– his usually cheerfully rotund belly was tighter to his body than ever, and if he didn't eat anything soon–

...then he'd just be hungry. Like he had been for a while, now. The buck sighed, picking his head up, and tilting it as he saw a stand of tall, brown stalks. Was that--?

"Cattails!" he exclaimed, galloping forward. Sure, they were far less palatable than they were in the height of summer, but their tubers were starchy and filling! And maybe– just maybe– there would be bugs or even fish in the water nearby. For now, though, he started scrabbling, pulling and kicking dirt out of the way as he unearthed the first cluster of tubers, and carefully began stripping the tough outer skin for the tasty crunch inside.  

[Anhelisk]

The buck stopped abruptly from his attempts as a voice chastised him for his actions. "Oh. Terribly sorry, um." Oh, oh dear! It was a very... very shiny acha doe that he'd splattered. "I don't think I could eat them all even if I wanted," he blurted out, in response to her accusation that he'd be so gluttonous. He shifted, leaning forward to ask if she'd like some of his haul, and– there she was, suggesting they cooperate.

"Why not?" he said. "You've probably got some... cute pets? kids? to provide for, and I'm more than happy to help. Food's better with company, after all." He didn't even think about the charming smile he offered– things like that were as natural as breathing to him.
 

[Anhelisk]

That sadness! That would simply not do, not on Di's watch! "Really? A fetching doe like you, with no kids, or pets?" he asked, starting to root around the larger clumps of roots to expose them. If they were going to be brought back, this would be a great deal quicker and easier– no need to peel them if they'd wind up sitting in some sort of storage for a time!
 

[Anhelisk]

"Well, the one you pick out has to be pretty, and you have to like them," the buck said. "At least, if you want them to stick around and help with the kids. They don't really have to be pretty, but I've found that's what most kin tend to look for? Either that or they have to really love someone." It was true, the buck was somewhat vain. "But mostly you just have to decide you like them, and that you think they'd make healthy eggs. Or... sacs, or lambs, I guess!" That was a mirthful giggle.
 

[Anhelisk]

Diaphanous, instead of reacting badly, simply laughed. "Thank you! I like to think so," he responded, unconcerned in the least. He continued unearthing the roots, passing them onto her. "And you? You're not pretty."
 

[Anhelisk]

Diaphanous was quick to cut her off and continue his statement. "Pretty's too plain a word for you. You're a vision– I'd love to see the sunset through your crystals," the buck responded, with a cheeky grin. The effect may have been a little dampened by the bulrushes clamped in his mouth, but he was certain she'd get the impression from his body language.
 

[Anhelisk]

The buck smiled, moving to put his mouthful into the neat pile she'd made, before noticing a folded-over rush take a clod of dirt, and crumpling. "Oh! Be careful– you want to keep some of the really long ones intact, so we can tie bundles with them," the buck said. "They'll be easier to bring back that way."
 

[Anhelisk]

Now was the time to start gathering those rushes he'd mentioned. With the doe more mindful, he reared back onto his legs to get a better view... and started to pull the ones he knew would bend most easily, then started alternating between chewing and rubbing at the stalk with his hooves, starting to saw at the leathery material until it began to tear.

"Mmmph-hmm," came the muffled hum, before he responded in full. "I was for a while, but it was noisy and there wasn't as much fancy food as I'd hoped," the buck admitted. "So I moved on, and I've just kind of been wandering. The swamp is so big! I want to see every side, edge, corner, and nook of it before I die. Or, the interesting bits, at least!"