A place to rest

A place to rest

Featuring Draam, and Mari

Silverthorne - Fork of the silverstone river - Early Spring- 759

Mari

Mari grunted and groaned a little her belly was big and her fawn was due any time, she only hoped it would wait till she had found a secure nesting spot. like her first fawn this one would be delivered by only her it seemed, but that was something she was use to buy now. Being alone was a daily thing, and ever since her meeting with Tar in early winter, she had stayed out here by the river, it was close enough for her taste but still far enough from the border for any real problems.

Mari started walking in to the brush a little looking for grass and a clearing she hopped over a small branch that was low to the ground and grunted on the landing. Her belly bounced and she sighed, soon finding a little trail and following along its path.

Draam

The slim champagne stag froze in his tracks at the nearby sound of an uncomfortable grunt. His head moved to meet the direction it had come from, ears swivelling to hone in on the noise.

He saw the partial figure of a doe. And judging by the circumference of her belly, even at this distance, Draam knew she was with fawn. It even appeared it wouldn't be long before her time... So what was she doing out here all alone? He'd scented no other stags as of late.

In a prompt decision, the dark stag moved forward and began to slowly gain ground on the doe, but he didn't want to startle her. His wiry tail swept over the grass as he strode towards her, a sound to warn of his approach.

Mari

Mari froze and let her ears listen she heard something approaching and quickly knew it was a hooves and not paws so there was no need to use her fire. She started to look around and soon saw them, the Fawnling was dark tan in color but his coat would shimmer in the rays of the sun, she relaxed a little as she watched him walking, it appeared that he was walking to her.

she watched him a little longer then flicked her ears a little “hello?” she asked and stated in a calm but curious and sweet voice.  “i'm not intruding on your spot am i?” she asked softly and swished her tail a little.

Draam

Draam nodded in response to the doe's greeting and gave her a curious glance as she looked him over. Her tone was kind enough and he slowed as he came within a few feet of her now, always keeping in mind the principle of personal space.

He caught her question then and let out a small snort. "Not at all and even if it were who am I to refuse a mother?" He responded kindly. " I am wondering though... Why are you all by yourself?"

The young stag tilted his head at her ever so slightly as he settled into a relaxed stance, though half attempting to keep the scarred side of his face out of view. Scars usually meant one got into a lot of trouble, or was the cause of it. He was afraid it would cause her unease and that wouldn't be good for the fawn.

Mari

Mari sighed softly and glanced down many had asked her that and she never knew quite how to say it “i have no one to be with me… the father of my first fawn is our king and has moved on, the father of this fawn is my sisters mate… therefor i'm alone for the birth of this one… i was looking for a place to make a nest and keep it safe for the little one.” she said softly and watched him part of her wondering why he didn't show her his full face.

she looked at him a little longer then sighed softly “is everything ok?” she asked and glimpsed part of his scar but thought nothing of it, she was never one to judge for anything like that.

Draam

He gave her a small look of sorrow in compensation of her situation and noting her glances gave up on protecting his 'not-so-good-side' from her view. He let out a short breath, thinking for a moment. The dark stag never offered her any judgement.

Draam met her gaze steadily and gave her an invitingly warm smile. Or, well, he did his best anyway...

"You know I do believe there is a nice little glade not far from here. I think you'll like it." He raised one hoof in a courteous gesture as he asked her permission. "Mind if I lead the way?"

Mari

Mari smiled happy to see him looking more comfortable with her, and now seeing what he was hiding she understood but said nothing about it.

She turned a moment later and looked the direction he had indicated then back at him "that's fine with me, I think I can trust you" she said with a soft smile, he had seemed nice enough so far and he really wasn't bad on the eyes either, not that she would ever try to find herself a stag again to call her own.

Draam

Draam nodded politely as he turned his attention forward, making his way to the thin treeline that preceded them.

For a short moment he worried that his tines would get tangled in the branches before he realized he'd shed them days ago. He shook his head at himself, walking slow and clearing brush that could catch at this doe's heels.

"I'm Draam by the way." He gave her a wayward glance, smiling lightly as he spoke.

Mari

Mari watched him and smiled “thank you” she said softly as he cleared the path for her. She smiled a little bigger when he introduced himself, that usually meant things could lead to being friends and that was something in short supply for her these days. “its very nice to meet you Draam, i’m Mariposea but please call me Mari” she smiled and continued to follow him, her fawn was starting to kick a little in protest to all the bouncing around and she groaned a little softly.

Draam

The stag's tail swung slowly as he pondered her name. Mariposa. It fit her, he thought, nice and delicate sounding. Even though he was certain she could be quite the opposite if push came to shove.

"Likewise, Mari it is then," He said speaking lightheartedly. "Its a lovely name by the way."

Draam held a disconcerted look in his gaze then at the protests Mari voiced. To say the least he'd never been around a fawning doe and had no idea how he planned to help her. But he did slow his pace, as to prevent her from jostling herself around too much. Besides, she needed someone even if they were at a bit of a loss, or that's how he looked at it anyway.

Mari

Mari smiled softly at the slower pace then a little brighter at him “thank you” she replied and followed him a little closer feeling a few more kicks she thought of something.

“Draam.. have you ever felt a kicking unborn fawn?” she asked softly, happy he was there and she was no longer alone, even if it was for just a short time.

She started to look at him and the area, she couldn't help but notice he actually was a very attractive stag, and he was so sweet, she had to wonder if he was a one doe stag or if he took a harem ever year.

Draam

Draam’s eyes bulged slightly at the doe’s question, looking as if he were at a loss for words for a moment before collecting himself somewhat.

“Well,I- no, I must say haven’t.” He managed in a kind enough tone. He pondered the prospect. “What an odd sensation that must be to have a little one moving around inside of you.” He added, more curious than startled by the thought of it now. “Why do you ask?”

The stag peered at her as he spoke. He liked her already, who knew maybe they’d become friends.

Mari

Mari looked up at him a little and smiled softly “oh no real reason just, well its moving and kicking now and i thought if you … well if you wanted to feel it there would be no harm in it… and yes it is odd but knowing its your fawn gives you hope that they are strong and healthy” she said softly and watched him.

He was a very sweet stag, she wondered what it was that had kept him from finding a doe. or if he had found one and something happened. surely he wasn't a stag to abandon a doe, no he wouldn't be this careful and caring of her, a simple stranger, if he was.

She sighed a little and part of her hoped they could be friends, she knew she needed more of them, or at least one other than her sister and her mentor.

Draam

The stag slowed, turning to face her side, glancing at her to reassure the permission she’d given. He then prodded at her side gently  with his thin muzzle and waited. He felt it soon enough, a miniscule movement as if the unborn fawn were offering a greeting of some sort. It was...strange,yet endearing.

Draam blinked as he pulled away, a delighted, somewhat bemusing smile playing across his features before he slowly began walking again. He didn’t wish to intrude the doe’s personal space for too long for fear of causing her some form of unrest.

“We should be getting you to to the glade, and soon I’d dare say.” he said shaking his head good naturedly at the doe.

Mari

Mari smiled at the stag, she was happy to let him feel her fawn, the father wouldn't likely be there so better some sweet stag like this one take pleasure in the unborn fawn. Mari laughed softly, then sighed a little and started to follow him again. His mention of the Glade made her pause a moment, with her wandering off during rut and getting as close as she did to Blackwood she had to wonder if there would be any talk of her fawn being of bad blood.

She knew who the father was, but even that a bad taste in some mouths. He was her sisters chosen mate, it had been a brief encounter, on a night he had clearly been wracked with troubled thoughts. His mind was elsewhere it seemed to her, and why she went and fell for him that night was beyond her. They hadn't talked before much and they really hadn't talked since, only the occasional checking in.

“i think you may be right.. my first was most active a few days before he came… this one has been very active today.. i think it may be sooner than what i was ready for, but i thank you for helping me, i don't know of many that would be a sweet as you have been… tell me Dram… please… if you have never felt a growing fawn then you have yet to have one of your own.. is there … well have you not found a doe of your own… or is there another reason… im sorry for the question i know its quite personal.” she said with a soft sigh hoping she hadn't asked too much.

Draam

Draam's eyes pinched shut for a long moment, her words leaving him at a standstill. " I could tell you a story..." He mumbled under his breath, meeting her gaze with a solemn expression, "A story of two 'brothers' and a snake of a doe."

He began walking again as the words poured out of him. " They were near inseparable, the brothers, one learning from the other, even looking up to him. They were best friends, not true brothers true at heart. But then, there was a strange doe starved for companionship. She found her way into both of their hearts, playing their emotions as the wind plays songs in the grass. One of the brothers held too tightly though and he would regret it always. The doe that he'd given his young heart to, shattered it and left him for the elder, a stag the color of blood itself. He finally saw her for what she was. She'd chosen his brother and he'd welcomed her without regard to his companion's feelings. They had both betrayed him... And he was alone again. Without love nor a brother anymore. And then the doe had the gall to beg for his forgiveness, for him to take her back. She'd seen what his companion was capable of, or maybe that he didn't love her. But he rebuffed her pleas wanting her to only feel as broken as he did inside. So he left her, he left them both. And now here he stands before you..." The dark stag grew quiet as he plodded into the glade, coming to a slow halt.

Mari

Mari listened and followed as his story went on her heart went out to him. He was such a kind stag, and one she at this point, didn't want only know this one time. Once he stopped she took a deep breath and moved up beside him. “im sorry that you were betrayed like that… but.. perhaps something good can come from you meeting a doe today… i'm not really worth any long term mate but … perhaps we could be friends? and not just friends today and then never see each other… but real friends… i know i would really like it… and i would be honored to call you my friend… though you would be the only one really… so i would understand why you might not want to” she said softly and then looked out at the little meadow, it was perfect.

Draam

His brow rose at her words as he listened on, watching her for a moment before giving her a short bow. "I'd like that, Mariposa, and I will treasure it always, Don't you doubt it one bit." The dark stad gave her a pleasant smirk as he rose again.

"But we'd better get you settled down" he nodded toward a mossy patch upon the soil as he flicked an ear. It appeared soft enough, and he was sure of its safety and seclusion for the doe. This was a good place for birthing if he knew any.

Mari

Mari looked at the soft moss and smiled up at him “it's perfect Draam thank you” she replied and licked his cheek in a sweet friendly kiss. Her body was tired already and the moss looked so inviting, she walked over to it and laid down with a soft sigh. “oh yes very perfect, thank you so much for.. everything” she smiled and said softly to him, he was such a kind caring stag.

The stag felt his cheeks heat up at the gesture, much to his surprise, "It was- you're welcome." He stuttered momentarily, truly not expecting such gratitude. Draam didn't feel he'd really deserved it, he hadn't done that much. It was the least any decent stag could do to find a fawning mother a safe bed.

"Is there... anything else you need?" He asked in a mellow tone as she made herself comfortable upon the lush vegetation. He leaned against a young tree, his tail waving contentedly, as he awaited Mari's reply.

Mari smiled up at him and thought a moment.  “i think i'm ok, but i would love it if you could stay a while, keep me company? Im sure you have something to get back too but, i'm really enjoying you being here” she said softly and smiled sweetly over at him, she felt her heart burn a little at the thought of him leaving, and part of her wondered if she could be starting to fall for this sweet stag. They hadnt know each other long at all. not even a day, but there was something about him. She saw more in him than she had any other, and his kindness to a stranger was more than she could have ever expected.

Draam

Draam felt a smile light up his face once more at her request and settled himself at her side,

"Of course, Milady."