[B] It's a Sign (Smoke Signals x Dusk Wave)

[HuniPi]

Today was a good day, Smoke Signals was absolutely certain about that. He'd always thought he was unlucky with love ever since his first love left him, not that he could blame her. He wasn't exactly very good at communicating with others.

In fact, it was nothing short of a miracle that he managed to catch the eye of another incredible doe. So when he learned he was going to be a father, he absolutely knew he had to get help from someone wiser, more skilled, basically anyone. He sought out for a mare or a stag for advice, maybe, hopefully a blessing too.

[peanutbutter]

Sometimes, the pull Dusk felt to kin who needed help were subtle - a nudge here, an idle pull there, and Dusk would find himself in front of someone who needed help. Others were more obvious - a strong urge that came to him in the middle of task, an obvious feeling that he would follow. This one was in a category of its own - blindingly obvious.

Dusk paused from his task, leaning up from the pond he had been drinking from to turn a head in the direction he had felt it come from. If it was this strong, the other kin had to be near, and so he shook his hooves out and started forward from where he felt the pull. It was a trek through the undergrowth, but when he finally made his way through, he spotted a dark grey buck.

Normally Dusk was a bit more cautious and prone to not assume, but with how this had started out, he felt a certainty that this was who he was searching for. At least, it better be - he would feel rather strange if he had to leave to keep following this pull.

"Hello," He offered as he stepped forward, as to not lurk in the shadows. He'd like to not scare the other, at the very least.

[HuniPi]

Smoke didn't jump at the voice but he certainly looked surprised. He was looking for a stag or mare but he wasn't expecting to find one so soon! Maybe they weren't as elusive as he heard they were? Or were they just more available to expectant parents?

Speaking of expectant parents, the acha smiled and trotted over to respectfully bow. "I greet the wise one," he began, "With hopes of future counsil. Counsel? Advice! I would very much appreciate advice. I'm also Smoke Signals, may I know whose presence I'm in?"

[peanutbutter]

Dusk paused for a moment at the influx of words - it had been awhile since he had been talked to so much and for a moment he was reminded of his daughter and when he traveled with her. It brought a small smile to his face as he listened to the other buck, clearly eager to hear from Dusk.

Which, considering, he should probably reply. He gave the newly named Smoke Signals a nod, then replied, "I'm Dusk Wave. What would you like to know?"

[HuniPi]

The acha was, quite frankly, eager to ask all manners of question when prompted. They ranged from what it was like to raise children, how it feels when they grow big enough to go off on their own, how could one tell which ones would go off or stay closeby, what are good ways to show support through actions and words.

And somehow the questions began wandering to different tangents and other manner of topics. It was as if all the questions the gray buck had for any legendary kin just came flooding out because he didn't know when next he would have the opportunity. So on top of the parenting questions (and not-so-subtle requests for emotional reassurance), there would be inquiries about what being a stag was like, did the world seem different than before, was it true that each legendary kin had the ability to talk to each other just by looking?

[peanutbutter]

Dusk blinked - and then blinked some more. He had been expecting questions, sure. There was always a few questions, and some reassurance, and then most parents-to-be were merrily sent off with a blessing and warm fuzzy feeling for the both of them as they parted ways. This however was not just questions - this was a stream of thought, with questions peppered in.

At one point, Dusk began having questions himself. Such as how was the acha able to breathe, with this many questions? Were these his daily thoughts? How exactly did he remember all of this?

Finally, when it seemed to trail off (or maybe when Dusk was finally able to just interject - it was a little hard to tell), Dusk said, "How about you narrow it down to your top three? And in return, I have a question for you."

It was very very clear that this was the buck he had been looking for.

[HuniPi]

Smoke Signals closed him mouth sheepishly, ears pressing flat against his head in mild chagrin. He was doing it again, but he couldn't help himself. "Just three, just three," he repeated to himself, "Hmmm, ah! I have it! Them. I have them!"

It was tricky for the acha to stick to such a small number but if this was what the stag limited him to, it wasn't his place to ask (and don't get him started on the idea of asking even more questions.) "How do I raise children with a parent whose lifestyle is very different from mine? How drastic will my life or lifestyle change once I become a father? And should I-, no wait, ah! That last one doesn't count, um,"

He pressed his lips shut again as a preventative measure. He had one question left, it should be the best and most important one! "How can I know if I'm raising them right and not ruining them?"