[ PRP ] The Hunting of a Lady's Heart [ Waltx x Starburst ]

[Blinded By Silence]

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... linded.gif[/imgleft]He was running, hooves stamping over the dusty grass with a sound like thunder rolling through clouds. A brisk, damp wind that tasted like a summer storm whipped through his mane and ran its fingers through his thick fur. His heart pounded in his chest, his eyes intent, focused on his prey.

A very large bird had been preening itself in the long grass of the savannas where Waltz had been resting in the sun when the winds had cooled and changed direction. The male easily caught the scent yet hesitated. He didn't want to kill the bird, but his hungry stomach defied him. Waltz gave a quiet huff and silently rolled over, crouching, eyeing the bird through the tall grass.

As the clouds darkened and thunder rolled, the wind changed course once more, blowing the Kiokote's scent over the bird. And so it began. The avian threw itself into the wind, trying to gain altitude in the tumbling gales. Waltz moved like lightning, darting after the bird as soon as it's scaly feet unhooked themselves from the dirt. He had been almost fifty tail-lengths away from the creature, but that number quickly dwindled. Thirty closed into twenty, and twenty to a mere ten. His legs worked hard, the scent of prey so close he could taste it. Timing it perfectly, Waltz leaped at the bird, his powerful legs forcing him into the air. The buck latched his jaws around the leg of the bird and together they fell into the dust.

The winged creature flapped and cried, its wing broken by the fall. A wince struck at his heart and a flash of sharp hooves ended the poor creature's suffering instantly.

"I am sorry..." He whispered, gazing up into the approaching summer storm.

[Blinded By Silence]

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... morphy.gif[/imgleft]The air was damp and heavy, more muggy than usual even by the standards of the swamp. It held none of the dry heat of the desert where Taste Like Summer's father hailed from nor the cool, rushing clarity of the plains that were her mother's homeland. Nonetheless, the swamp was Starburst's home and she loved Matope. Stamping her hooves into the squishy swamp floor, Starburst pranced a few step forwards and then a few back. It was then that a rush of wind brought the scent of a kill to her. Cocking her head to the side, the doe scented the air and followed the direction of the wind. Not particularly hungry, she was merely curious. Kills either meant a caiman, or crocodile, or another kin. Hopefully this was the latter case and not the former.

Dancing forward on light hooves, Starburst breathed in deeply, yawning as she did and smiled up at the sky. It would rain soon, but till then she had the sunshine shining down on her back, warming her pleasantly and making the air thick. All of a sudden, she was off the boggy, sinking ground that dominated most of the swamp and on grass, a large clearing. And there at the other was, yes, most definitely the source of the scent and most serendipitously, a fellow kiokote. Well, she wasn't quite fully kiokote, but she did take after her mother in appearance.

Approaching with quiet steps, Starburst stopped a few tail lengths away with a soft smile on her face as a greeting. She stretched, cat-like in her movements, before stilling again. Calling out, voice warm and gentle, she greeted the buck, "Hello!" 

[Blinded By Silence]

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... linded.gif[/imgleft]Waltz was tearing a strip of meat from his supper when a voice startled him, causing him to nearly drop the bird. He caught it by the wing a split second later, eyes darting about to find the source of the voice. Spinning about, with the bird still clamped in his mouth, he saw her. A beautiful sky-blue doe who looked as though she had just burst through the soaring clouds. His jaw loosened and the bird hit the grass with a thud.

The smokey buck shook out his mane and stood up tall. He offered the lady a friendly smile and lowered his head in a bow.

"Good afternoon, my lady." He said in return. 

[Blinded By Silence]

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... morphy.gif[/imgleft]She hadn't meant to startle him, but apparently she did. Her apology was at the tip of her tongue when he turned around with a large bird clutched in his jaws. He looked like the sky at twilight when the shadows were at their longest and the light and the darkness gathered together as day turned to night. Starburst's eyes flickered down, tracking the bird as it fell. Then the buck shook out his mane and bowed to her. She felt her heart flutter at the gesture.

She hadn't had a buck bow to her before. It was rather nice. Smiling happily, she returned the gesture, a bobbing curtsy of sorts. Starburst nodded towards the bird, a fine meal she had interrupted him from. Apologizing with a small, self-deprecating smile, Starburst lowered her eyes to the grass. "I'm sorry about startling you. I hadn't meant to."

Looking up, but keeping her head low, Starburst watched the buck, he seemed to not mind given his kind greeting, but you never knew. Coming a little closer before settling her hooves into stillness again, Starburst extended her name as an offering, hoping to learn his in return. She was sure it would be beautiful, only fitting for a buck of his wonderful color. "It's very lovely to meet you. I'm Tastes Like Summer." 

[Blinded By Silence]

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... linded.gif[/imgleft]Ears pricked up and his eyebrows raised, Waltz offered her a warm smile. Despite his inexperience with the lady folk, he didn't fall all over himself like other young bucks. Usually they stayed long enough to be complemented then would scurry off to play with the bigger bucks. He was pleasantly surprised, however, at the cute, clumsy curtsy she returned with.

Waltz gave a light, embarrassed laugh, "No need to apologize, my lady. I shouldn't have lowered my guard."

Slowly, he reached down and picked up the fresh kill and closed the space between them. Gently, he placed the bird at her hooves. Hesitantly, he peeked up at her with eyes the color of the sinking sun and raised his head.

"Tastes Like Summer... Beautifully fitting for one with a pelt that matches the sky. I am called Dances with Shadows," He gave her a slow, careful smile, "Lady Summer... I would like to invite you to my catch, if you would give me the pleasure." 

[Blinded By Silence]

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... morphy.gif[/imgleft]He seemed surprised about something, but Starburst wasn't one to pry unnecessarily even if she was very, very curious. He seemed very sweet and she didn't want to discomfit him with too personal questions. Giving a toss of her head, she smiled again, the beginnings of love planting their seeds in her summer heart not too far from the precious flower that Mugwort had left her.

And now look at her, thinking in garden metaphors, Mug would be proud. Eyes crinkling at the buck's laugh, all thoughts of the father of her first clutch were banished from her mind. Giggling, Starburst responded conciliatory, "I suppose we must both be at fault then."

She didn't back up as he approached. Instead, she merely inclined her head slightly when he set the kill at her feet. When their eyes met, mid-day summer sun to twilight sunlight, she was struck by their depth. His compliment made her heart flutter and when the buck offered his name, she found that she could imagine no other for him since it was so perfect. "And yours is most fitting as well for one whose pelt is the twilight sky when shadows lengthen and dance."

Slightly hesitant to invite herself to his kill, Starburst complied anyway. She had never shared a kill before, having always caught her own and never having had anyone offer. Chewing carefully before swallowing, Starburst gave a sunny smile. "Thank you... Sir Shadow."

It was only right that he be Sir Shadow if he were to call her Lady Summer.

[Blinded By Silence]

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... linded.gif[/imgleft]His sunset eyes warmed considerably. The way her eyes almost closed when she laughed, the scent of the wind after it ran through her mane. Never had he been so taken with a lady. It was a wonderfully warm feeling that made his hooves tingle with a touch of nervousness. All the others had left him at this point, giggling with their friends, whispering about him as they would prance off, never to associate with him again.

His winced inwardly, wishing, praying that she wouldn't do the same. It was curious, he thought as he took a bite after her, watching her eat as he chewed and swallowed. He'd grown used to, even expectant, of the rejection. It had never mattered before, he was patient and knew one day, he'd find his mate. But this doe... He never wanted her to leave.

He lifted his head as she did hers, straightening his legs and fixing his posture. The nickname filled him with warm pride. Waltz gave a light chuckle.

"You are most welcome, my lady," He tilted his head, giving the 'my' a slight questioning possessiveness, "Now, if I may ask, what brings a beautiful doe such as yourself to this pasture." 

[Blinded By Silence]

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... morphy.gif[/imgleft]He looked at her as if she were the only thing that mattered in the world with molten eyes the color of the setting sun. His eyes were so very warm and seemed to not have any expectations of her. For that, she was glad. As much as she loved making others happy and smiling and laughing, she would hate to disappoint someone because she didn't meet somekin's expectations of her. Starburst didn't know what was going through his mind but his clear open expression put her at ease.

She waited for him to take his bite and swallow before she bent to take another bite. Again, she chewed carefully before swallowing, studying with light eyes the buck that stood before her. He seemed so very earnest and it made her smile, she always preferred those who were open to those who hid their true thoughts behind shuttered eyes.

Straightening up with him, she gave a light tinkling laugh when he chuckled and found that is was easy to laugh with him.

"I was simply wondering when I scented your kill," Starburst smiled lightly, rarely did she have much reason for being anywhere other than the fact that it gave her joy. "And I admit that I followed the scent in hopes of meeting somekin new."

[Blinded By Silence]

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... linded.gif[/imgleft]A tickling sensation ran its fingers down his spine as she laughed. Waltz smiled softly, holding the doe gently in his gaze as if fixing her image into his mind as not to forget her.

"Ah, I see," He paused slightly, picking his way through words, trying to find a way to disguise what he was wondering in pleasantries, "Are you a moor-runner then?"

He paused again, no, that didn't sound correct. It was a harmless term he used to describe those who choose the swampy moor over the grasslands, but he didn't want her to think he was being offensive.

"What I mean, you see," He gave a nervous little laugh, "A-Are you from around here? Living, perhaps, with family or...?"

He wanted to say 'mate' but he didn't think it appropriate. He gave a silent sigh and shook out his mane, trying to clear the fog the wonderful doe was releasing into his mind. He had never gotten this far with a female and was not quite sure what to do from here... He met her gaze again, looking for any hint of displeasure or annoyance. Oh, he did hope he was doing this right. He just wanted to get to know her and frightening her away would make him so unhappy.

[Blinded By Silence]

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... morphy.gif[/imgleft]It was so very easy to smile when he smiled and when he looked at her with so much warmth, it was hard not to stare back, taking in the exact color of his pelt and his eyes, the delicate transitions from warm to cooler tones.

A moor-runner? She supposed so, though she had never really run in the grasslands nor had she ever run in the desert. The swamp had been her home her entire life, all she had ever known except for the stories that she had heard of both. Starburst had heard of the ache though, and the dreams and the flood and now the snow. All these things that brought kin of all kinds to the swamp.

She smiled reassuringly before answering, she wasn't offended. "I am. My parents met here, in the swamp, so I grew up here. I don't really know much of the grasslands, or the desert for that matter. Just what I've been told."

"I imagine I would like both though. I suppose one day my siblings and I could make the trek, two and two, each pair out of place in turn." Although Sir Shadow trailed off and didn't finish his question, Starburst answered the question he did pose. "I don't really live with my siblings nor my mother or father. I can always find my siblings should I wish I be with them, and I suppose my mother would be easier to find than my father who I guess is doing what acha do, singing beautifully and dancing through life."

"And I have a clutch living in the swamp too, though they stay mostly with their father. I love them dearly, but their way of life is not mine." Starburst tilted her head to the side and smiled. "Mug loves large families so it's perfect for him. Plenty of aunts and uncles, and cousins to love them. And the rest of the tribe too."

She could never begrudge the Outliers for raising her children. She had chosen to run on, to chase after the sun, after all. She was always welcome back even though she was not one of the tribe nor would she ever be. She loved them, but it was not her place.

[Blinded By Silence]

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... linded.gif[/imgleft]"So that's why..." Waltz murmured almost inaudibly, his spirit sinking almost visually.

She had children, a mate, no wonder she hadn't cantered off cackling like a foal. She was taken. But he couldn't douse the fire that was burning inside of him. He was drawn to her, plain as the wind blows through the grass. All of this was running through his head as she told him of her children's father and their tribe. He listened to the beautiful sound of her voice, hanging on to every word, wondering if it would be her last addressed to him.

"That is wonderful, I am most happy for you, Lady Summer," He said with a genuine smile, keeping his chin up.

Because he was happy for her. For talking of this 'Mug' and their children made her happy, so it seemed. And for some reason, that was all he wanted, all he felt he'd ever wanted. Because even though they had just met in this crazy random happenstance, he loved the doe whose scent tasted like the wind on a sunny summer day.

[Blinded By Silence]

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... morphy.gif[/imgleft]He seemed to go sad for a moment, but then visibly seemed to become brighter, if more determined and less easy than before. And when he smiled, it was genuine as far as Starburst could tell, and never was she one to be suspicious. He was still attentive, but something was different and she knew not what. It must have been something she said, but she couldn't comprehend what it was. She didn't think him so close minded, especially now that he was here in the swamp, to deflate then rally himself due to her mixed heritage nor by his genuine smile when said that he was happy for her, it couldn't be that he was not the first buck that she had thought exceptional, though Sir Shadow was much different from Mug who was more captivating in a fascinating and handsome way than this buck before her who was mesmerizing in his beauty.

"Thank you. I imagine that at least some will stay with the tribe and perhaps some will not. Some may stay with Mug and Sorrel tending to the garden, others may wander as the rest of the tribe is want to do. I have not seen my children since laying down their sacs and eggs, and not Mug nor Sorrel since then either. I don't doubt that Mug and Sorrel will take good care of them and raise them well."

Starburst smiled again, gentle and bright at the buck in front of her. Laughing she spoke easily, "I sometimes wonder if I will bump into my nieces and nephews, for I do not doubt that at least one of my siblings has had a clutch, if not multiple by now. How delightful is an acha's heart combined with the flighty speed of a kiokote's dreams."

"And wondering that makes me wondering if I have siblings I do not know about, acha, kiokote, and kimeti, perhaps even totoma, who carry the light colors of my two parents." Starburst didn't know if it was Mug's influence on her that made her think of families, especially large ones, so often or was it simply her nature or the nature of her father or even her mother passed down to her unknowingly. Shrugging, Starburst bent her head down, eyes up, and took another delicate bite from the kill. How beautiful were the buck's eyes that shown like the setting sun, so similar yet different than her own that she knew reflected the midday sun.

[Blinded By Silence]

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... linded.gif[/imgleft]"What a large family you have! You seem to love each other well," Waltz smiled sheepishly, "My sister is the only one of my kin that associates with me. The Ache brought her to the Swamp, and she brought me. Though I think she'd rather I stayed at home!" The twilight-colored buck laughed, "She thinks I'm too protective."

Waltz gave a small sigh and smiled. It was odd, normally Crack in the Ice was the most important thing on his mind. He was always worrying. But this doe... She made him forget the nasty mud and creepy crawlies hiding in the leaves. The swamp seemed to glow about her, taking in her radiance and shining it back. The buck nodded to himself. If she stayed by his side, he could get used to the swamp. He knelt down once more to take a bite of the almost half-eaten bird. Once done chewing and swallowing, he spoke again.

"So, Sorrel..? This 'Mug' of yours, his new mate I presume?" Waltz tilted his head, wishing she'd say yes.

[Blinded By Silence]

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... morphy.gif[/imgleft]"I imagine you're a wonderful brother and you all came in time then. Before the great flood swept through the homeland." Thoughts of the great flood were sad, especially since it brought thoughts of those who had died in the wall of water that went through the plains, but it was not time to be sad, they would want all the kiokote that had survived and all those that were now alive to run for them, to smell the wind and taste the sunlight in the air. Smiling softly, turning her thoughts away from death and towards life again, Starburst listened as the buck spoke, so glad to have the company and so warmed by his words.

The buck before did not seem completely at home in the swamp yet, perhaps too nostalgic about the plains, but as one who had never known the grasslands, she could not understand completely how he felt. When the mud squished beneath her hooves and the leaves broke apart into softness, she saw it is nothing other than home, the place and things she had known her entire life. The swamp, Matope, did not seem so odd to her as it must seem to him, a runner on hard, hoof packed land, rather than the perpetually soft ground of the swamp that, she though at least, gave running and prancing a decidedly light spring with every step.

She laughed quietly when the buck asked, mirth in her eyes. The buck was so polite and she found him breath taking and it made her feel effervescent. She wanted him to laugh with her and feel her joy so much. "Ah, no, Sorrel is Mugwort's sister, though if he has a new mate now, I would wish them much joy. I couldn't be sure, he's not the most open of bucks. One day though, I am sure he will have other mates, lovely does who will give him the large family that he loves and wants so dearly."

[Blinded By Silence]

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... linded.gif[/imgleft]"Yes, that was sad news..." Waltz paused and gazed up at the sky through the trees. He had been very young when he'd followed his sister here. He hadn't really been close to many kin, but upon hearing their names, he remembered a few whom he'd played with as a small foal, or does and bucks he'd seen while racing. Though, while that was sad, he and his family lived on and that was something to be happy about.

Waltz returned his gaze to hers and smiled when she laughed. It was such a pleasant sound, it hung wonderfully in his ears like the sound of grass dancing under the sunlight.

"What about you, my lady? What do you want?" The buck asked with a grin, though his eyes remained serious. For at that moment, he would chase the moon from the sky for her if she would ask him.