They were a solitary pair who kept mostly to themselves, which meant that Fierce had to do quite a bit of digging in order to even find them. When he did at last discover the two acha huddled underneath a slowly blossoming willow tree, it took another fair bit of effort to convince them that he was, in fact, there entirely for the benefit of them and their future children - and not, as he patiently explained (for the third time) to intrude upon their sanctuary.
The Light That Remains was still giving him, even now, a look that suggested skepticism while his mate, the gentlehearted and wary Scatter, huddled beside him, her legs tucked under her slender body and her ears pressed back against her head. They made a pretty pair, Fierce could see. Pretty and clearly untrusting of others in the swamp.
Or perhaps just him. He tried not to take that personally.
"All I'd like is to just offer a blessing," he said again, carefully, clearly, because if he pushed too hard, he was certain that the would scatter on the wind like dandelion seeds. "'I'm here because I heard the yearning and the questions that you asked of the motherfather - or of the Swamp itself, both are potentially true. I am tasked with the ability to offer blessings to those in need, and since starting a new family can be a daunting task, many new parents reach out for help. I know it seems, er...perhaps a bit sudden, or maybe even alarming that you didn't call for me specifically, but I promise you that i'm only here for help. If you wish me to leave, I most certainly will."
At his hooves, the cluster of little animals that always accompanied Fierce on his journeys swarmed and ebbed like a small tidal wave. The shuppies, at least, had been confined back to the Cres and were likely digging holes for him to fall into on his return, but the walk had been blissfully uneventful without them. Somewhere close to his head a sensation of cold could be felt as his spectral sea turtle drifted lazily by, the very tip of his fin brushing against Fierce's ear, which flicked in instinctive response.
The Light That Remains was still eying him - and his party - with narrowed, suspicious eyes, but some of the tension seemed to ease, just a little. He glanced sideways at Scatter, who cocked her head and gave her mate a return look that Fierce couldn't read. There was some sort of unspoken message between them, quiet and gentle; the sweetness of being able to communicate without words, and a pang of longing hit Fierce hard nad sudden. He pushed down on the feeling, tamped it away, and cleared his throat.
After what seemed like an eternity, The Light That Remains gave a stiff nod. Fierce felt a small smile tugging at his face and he dipped his head in acknowledgement - and out of respect, bending his legs so that his nose nearly touched the grass at his hooves.
"Thank you," he said, once he had straightened up again. "I appreciate your trust in me to help you in...this time together with one another, and your burdening family."
A look was exchanged between the two acha again, but this time it was clear from the softening eyes and the gentle faces what it meant. The same pang of longing as earlier returned, clutching at Fierce's heart, and once more he pushed it away, his throat feeling tight. At his feet, the wolves pressed nearer, always so aware of his moods, Sharp Eyes pushing her flank against one of his legs in reassurance. It was a welcome weight, however slight, and it gave him a chance to gather himself before he looked back at The Light That Remains and Scatter.
"Now," he said, "let us begin."
The Light That Remains was still giving him, even now, a look that suggested skepticism while his mate, the gentlehearted and wary Scatter, huddled beside him, her legs tucked under her slender body and her ears pressed back against her head. They made a pretty pair, Fierce could see. Pretty and clearly untrusting of others in the swamp.
Or perhaps just him. He tried not to take that personally.
"All I'd like is to just offer a blessing," he said again, carefully, clearly, because if he pushed too hard, he was certain that the would scatter on the wind like dandelion seeds. "'I'm here because I heard the yearning and the questions that you asked of the motherfather - or of the Swamp itself, both are potentially true. I am tasked with the ability to offer blessings to those in need, and since starting a new family can be a daunting task, many new parents reach out for help. I know it seems, er...perhaps a bit sudden, or maybe even alarming that you didn't call for me specifically, but I promise you that i'm only here for help. If you wish me to leave, I most certainly will."
At his hooves, the cluster of little animals that always accompanied Fierce on his journeys swarmed and ebbed like a small tidal wave. The shuppies, at least, had been confined back to the Cres and were likely digging holes for him to fall into on his return, but the walk had been blissfully uneventful without them. Somewhere close to his head a sensation of cold could be felt as his spectral sea turtle drifted lazily by, the very tip of his fin brushing against Fierce's ear, which flicked in instinctive response.
The Light That Remains was still eying him - and his party - with narrowed, suspicious eyes, but some of the tension seemed to ease, just a little. He glanced sideways at Scatter, who cocked her head and gave her mate a return look that Fierce couldn't read. There was some sort of unspoken message between them, quiet and gentle; the sweetness of being able to communicate without words, and a pang of longing hit Fierce hard nad sudden. He pushed down on the feeling, tamped it away, and cleared his throat.
After what seemed like an eternity, The Light That Remains gave a stiff nod. Fierce felt a small smile tugging at his face and he dipped his head in acknowledgement - and out of respect, bending his legs so that his nose nearly touched the grass at his hooves.
"Thank you," he said, once he had straightened up again. "I appreciate your trust in me to help you in...this time together with one another, and your burdening family."
A look was exchanged between the two acha again, but this time it was clear from the softening eyes and the gentle faces what it meant. The same pang of longing as earlier returned, clutching at Fierce's heart, and once more he pushed it away, his throat feeling tight. At his feet, the wolves pressed nearer, always so aware of his moods, Sharp Eyes pushing her flank against one of his legs in reassurance. It was a welcome weight, however slight, and it gave him a chance to gather himself before he looked back at The Light That Remains and Scatter.
"Now," he said, "let us begin."