[B] The Idiot's Guide to Parenthood [Clean Cut/Giveforward]

[Gl!tch~]

[imgleft]https://matope-swamp.com/images/blue/cl ... uncert.png[/imgleft] So that was how that was, then.

The buck took a breath. In. Out.

He he took his first steps through the swamp, on a new and unexpected journey.

Cold Dawn was pregnant. Her father told Clean Cut himself, then recommended he go find a legendary. Or maybe it was a threat. The other buck's teeth certainly looked pretty sharp that day.

If it was, it had not hastened Clean Cut's steps any. The intriguing idea of meeting one of these myths, however, stayed on his mind.

He went to his mother after he heard the news. Not that he knew why he bothered. She was an abrasive, angry sort and only his stoic nature kept him from fearing her presence. When he asked for First Impact's help, all she did was give him a crack on the skull and told him to figure it out for himself.

And now he was. A whole swamp to search for a kin of legend. Hopefully the children would not already be born by the time he returned...

[anemosagkelos]

[imgright]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... ncert5.png[/imgright] Giveforward hopped through the swamp in search of the kin in need of a blessing. The feeling had bitten her, figuratively of course, a few hours earlier and she'd found herself too excited to be of much use as she flew over and through the swamp. She kept getting distracted between this one and another one but by the time she'd found the other another Legendary had already come to his aid. And she'd breathed a sigh of relief; now she could focus on the kin that had called to her first whether he knew it or not.

She was close though it had taken far longer than it should have. Perhaps she was getting a little rusty, not from lack of will, but from trying to put out the word of her daughter's needs instead of answering all the calls she could have. No matter; she'd find him.

[Gl!tch~]

And how will I know when one of these 'legendaries' has come around? Clean Cut had asked the elder kimeti before the former was shooed off to start his journey.

Well, Fresh Start began while cocking his head to think, In my experience they are a tricky lot. They are the weirdest and most brilliant kin you will ever meet. And dangerous in their own way. Be wary of any strange kin you meet, and respect every animal that crosses your path. I don't know what happens when legendaries get angry, but I don't think either of us want to find out.

And that was basically that.

He kept an analytical eye out, passing over the various life about. The moths, the the turtles, the foxbuns; each gave him pause. They all passed him by, some more hurried than others at his presence.

He chose to only eat what berries and leaves he could find. Any potential prey could be who he was looking for, and he didn't want to risk getting un-blessed. Or worse.

Eventually, he had to stop to rest and gather his bearings. He drank some water and contemplated how he would find his way back. It had already taken a decent amount of time, and this part of the swamp started to all look the same after a bit.

Had he managed to go in circles?

Clean Cut sighed at the thought.

@anemosagkelos

[anemosagkelos]

There he was!

Giveforward beamed, quickly hopping forward towards the buck and placing her forepaws on his nearest leg. She craned her neck back, horns almost tipping her small body backwards, as if to ask him a question.

@Gl!tch~

[Gl!tch~]

He jumped a bit at the touch, his head being so in the clouds and all. And not looking down, that did it, too.

But it was only a touch and not a bite, so he calmed quickly and took a thoughtful look at the creature apparently trying to catch his attention.

Could rabbits have horns? He couldn't remember. So many things were only legends. Glowing eyes like that were definitely strange, though.

Even if it felt silly to ask aloud, he might as well do so. Worst thing that could happen was he talk to a prey animal and no one would be around to laugh at him for it.

"Are you who I've been looking for?" Clean Cut dared to ask.

@anemosagkelos

[anemosagkelos]

The jackalope nodded enthusiastically at the question until it realize that this was always easier as a mare. She let her forepaws fall to the ground and then she twisted, hopping away from the buck. And then she was gone.

"Yes, I do believe you have been looking for me," Giveforward said from beside him, which was not where the jackalope had vanished from. "A Legendary, I mean, not me specifically," she laughed, softly and sweetly. "How may I help?"

@Gl!tch~

[Gl!tch~]

"Ah-!" He stepped to the side in surprise, almost falling over. Almost losing the cool he usually maintained so well.

Clean Cut took a moment, and a breath, to compose himself.

First, he bent in respect. "Thank you for answering my..." What exactly was it that drew legendaries and kin together? "Call? I suppose is a word for it. I am sure you know the situation, it is all the same to you, I am sure." He was not callous, but very direct. Not one to waste anyone's time if he could help it. Especially not one gifted by the swamp.

But he had to be vulnerable, and that was always difficult. He exhaled, struggling with how to put things into song. "The doe, she...is important to me. I want her to have as little difficulty as possible. She gets enough from me as it is." A wry chuckle followed.

"I also fear that if I am not successful, her father may kill me. But that is not here or there." He couldn't help but ramble, looking off at the canopy in thought; all the preparation in the world didn't feel enough for meeting a legendary kin. "I just want her to be safe and happy, and I can only assist so much with that on my own."

@anemosagkelos

[anemosagkelos]

"It is like a call, I suppose, yes," Giveforward agreed and then quieted as he continued talking. She shook her head at his idea that it was all the same, she gasped at the idea of him being killed, but still she waited until he had finished to speak.

"It's not all the same to me, I must admit. Each blessing is unique and every parent is different in their desires. I adore each and every one of you that finds me," she corrected with a smile. It was obvious that she held no ill will towards his misconception, perhaps obvious that ill will would never be held at all by this particular mare.

"Your children will never be put in such a position as you find yourself and will always find a Legendary with ease should they wish it, they will be healthy and happy, and their mother shall have an easy pregnancy and birthing process," she said as she blessed the clutch and the doe.

And because she couldn't leave it at that, "Now, I think we should go find this father so that he knows you have done well by his daughter. I'm sure he is only as anxious as you."

@Gl!tch~