[b]Ap-pear-ant Pear-enthood (HTxPear Flower)

[Scaramouche Fandango]

There were some days when Half Truth really did think she was the mystical ambassador of the Motherfather, a wise being with glowing eyes and mysterious ways.

Then there were days like today, when nothing was going right at all. The chain of events that had led her to this mud wallow was like a venomous snake: long, unpleasant, and decidedly full of dead rats. Now, she was plastering herself with thick, dark clay, grumbling about bees, nettles, and the audacity of a stinging species to make its home in such a place. If she hadn’t been running from the angry owlcats, she never would have tripped over that nest- but as it was, she wasn’t feeling in tune with anything today.

So when she got the sense that someone was approaching, someone who was looking for someone like her, she wanted to sink even further into the mud. Perhaps the other kin would go find Rose, who was beautiful and elegant and never had to sit in a stinking mud puddle because there was simply no other way to get the soothing clay where it needed to go.

Hoofsteps. An unfamiliar scent. Nope, the stranger was headed this way. Half Truth heaved a sigh. Of all the mares and stags in the swamp, why her? Why today?

@LOLLI qAq

[LOLLI qAq]

Pear Flower had specifically sought out the only mare regal and splendid enough(as far as she was concerned) to bless this particular pregnancy. The idea that this one mare would probably be the best at The Game, Pear Flower's favorite sport of half-falsities and power grabs under the veneer of grace and charm, well ... That didn't hurt.

She hadn't expected to find her bubbling away in a puddle of mud, but a grand messenger of the Motherfather must have their mysterious ways, right?

"Hello, your grace. May I trouble you for a moment of your time?"

She dipped into as gentle a curtsy as she could manage, being up to her very large belly in wet clay.

@Scaramouche Fandango

[Scaramouche Fandango]

Oh no. This one was polite. Here she was, up to her eyeballs in muck and the poor dear was trying to curtsy. She looked her over, up and down, as if she was judging her somehow. In truth, she was just looking to see how far along she was. Pretty far, all things considered. Peep would know more, but she hadn’t sought out Peep, she’d found Half Truth.

“I know why you’re here. It was foretold, after all,” she said with as much dignity as she could muster. “Even now, they nestle in their shells, turning in their sleep.” How many, she didn’t know. At least three, possibly more given the doe’s pear-shaped profile. “But you have an air of mission about you. Tell me- you give them the advantage of grace and beauty. But grace and beauty alone can’t carry you forever. There’s another advantage you seek.”

It wasn’t really a question. It was an opening, a way to suss out not just what the doe thought of herself and her offspring, but to give Half Truth an insight into the kind of parent she’d be. She found herself growing determined to salvage the day. This could be an opportunity to do just that.

@LOLLI qAq

[LOLLI qAq]

Pear Flower stood tall as she was inspected. Shoulders back and head high. Not in any kind of prideful way, but good posture was necessary if Half Truth were to get a good look at her.

Her chest threatened to burst at the joy she felt at the description of her precious children. This was a meeting of not just necessity, but love and pleasure. This time around it wasn't just a tryst, either. She knew their father would be around to engage and join her in raising their young. It wasn't something she'd ever thought she'd wanted, but the stability felt good. The potential jealousy it may raise in her brother was simply an added benefit.

Noting the kind opening she was being given, a hard edge crept into her voice that she couldn't quite contain-- "I wish them to be clever above all things. Wit that can cut. Intelligence to carry them above what simple appearances may grant them." She needed them to be strong in character and mind.

@Scaramouche Fandango

[Scaramouche Fandango]

Half Truth smiled. She loved cleverness. Were it tangible, she could take her eaglehound shape and roll around it. Strength you could develop by yourself; cleverness had to be cultivated in the garden of public discourse and discussion. Insights needed space to bloom, and the careful dance of words and wit required gregariousness and the ability to recognize the gifts and intelligence of others. Cleverness was different than smartness, or capability. Ingenuity, acuity- cleverness serves one well in multiple capabilities. “Cleverness, then. Hm,” she said, tapping a hoof and pretending to consider the request. In reality, it had already been granted, but both she and the mother-to-be were here to have a bit of fun. “Tell me. Let’s say you have a problem. Hypothetically speaking, one of your children comes across another foal who has something they want. Something physical, like a pretty stone, or a lovely pelt. What do you think they will think is the best way to obtain it?”

@LOLLI qAq

[LOLLI qAq]

Pear Flower placed a gentle, but thoughtful, smile into place. She already knew how to answer but she didn't want to seem hasty. That would just make her look like an overachiever or greedy for praise. She was neither of those things. Well, she was greedy for praise. She just didn't want to look like she was. Desperation was not a pleasant perfume. Cocking her head to the side, she opened her mouth to answer. "I think any child of mine would know from a young age that one catches more bees with sweetness than poison. That it would be prudent to find a suitable trade. Nice and interesting, but maybe not as high value as the coveted object in question. As long as both parties are satisfied, of course, the other foal need never know. Ignorance is bliss, and my family know how to help those that crave bliss."

@Scaramouche Fandango

[Scaramouche Fandango]

"And what if the other kin was sweeter? Sweetness will get you far- but sometimes," she said, wincing, "sometimes the sweet hides a sting. I can ensure that they'll have fast minds and fast tongues, but you'll have to teach them discernment. If you can do that, then they can do anything. And isn't that all we want for our children?"

@LOLLI qAq

[LOLLI qAq]

Pear Flower tilted her head in acquiescence- Sweetness and light meant little if one didn't know when and how to wield them. A good example was that she didn't miss the mare's wince, but would gain nothing by pointing it out.

"It is indeed. Wit means naught without the intelligence and care to use it wisely. All I hope for my children is for them to walk whichever path they choose and to achieve their loftiest goals."

@Scaramouche Fandango

[Scaramouche Fandango]

"They will. They will know that discretion is the better part of valor, and they will know when a plan has gone- excuse me- pear-shaped- and not in a pleasant way. You'll teach them that, and with the Swamp's blessing, they'll excel. They'll have the know-how, the self-confidence, and the nerve to pull it off. Brains, heart, courage- that's what will flourish inside each one." She felt a stinger work its way out as she shifted. "And, because I'm feeling the sting of mixed success more than usual, another gift: they will always know where the honey is hidden. But what they do with that knowledge? That's up to them."

[LOLLI qAq]

Pear felt like so many beehives were living inside of her chest and so many bees were about to burst through her ribcage, but if she was vibrating from pride and excitement- Well, she hoped it didn't show. It wasn't like her to get this giddy over a clutch, but she couldn't help herself. This was all she could have hoped for. She curtseyed again to round out their interaction.

"Thank you ever so much," she practically sang, "we won't disappoint."

She turned and made her way back home as gracefully as she could considering the circumstances. A pleased(and maybe a little smug) smile fixed to her face.