[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgleft] The Moon Is Drowning walked along the edge of the water, looking from time to time at the reflection of the moon dancing across the ripples. It was quiet this night and the fireflies provided just enough light for the buck to see where he was walking. He hadn't any destination in mind, just a meandering sort of amble through the swamp. Walks at night helped him think, not that thinking had ever been a strong trait of his. Usually it was just... fuzzy white noise in his head, but at night, thoughts seemed clearer.

He paused a moment, watching a firefly make a lazy trail of light through the air. It reminded him of something. Or perhaps someone. Vaguely a thought formed of the zikwa in his family; a sister and perhaps a grandparent. It had so been long since he'd seen them, he wasn't sure he hadn't dreamt them. Thinking of family was always a little bittersweet. He had not seen any of his family in so long, it made him wonder if any still lived. He remember having offspring once or was it twice? The thoughts were easily replaced by the distraction of a small frog leaping into the water before him.

Lowering his head, he peered at the frog, giving it a snuffle before moving on. He was beginning to become hungry and wanted to search out a patch of grass or some moss to nibble on. Perhaps he would find some sweet mint if he were lucky.

@Beejoux

[imgright]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgright]It was hard to say exactly what had been keeping her up lately.  Maybe the moon, bright as it was hanging above their heads, or maybe the late summer heat that filled the swamp with muggy mist.  Meadow wasn't sure, but whatever it was it left her restless.  Tired, but without the ability to drift off for more than a few hours at a time.

She sighed as she rolled up onto her stomach, hair dancing around her face as she shook her head.  It was late, she knew it was, but after a moment she rolled up to her feet, flank twitching and tail flicking to shake off whatever bits of moss and dirt might have been clinging to her. 

That was when she noticed the buck staring down at the water's edge across the little creak Meadow had laid beside.  She watched him quietly for a time, her head tilting curiously.

@Jynk

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgleft]


Movement caught the buck's eye and he turned his head toward the doe, blinking with his own curiosity. Had she always been there, or was she a vision? He stepped down to the water and looked down at it briefly. It didn't look deep, so he waded across. Walking closer, he ducked his head a bit submissively, and called out in a quiet voice, "Hello?"

@Beejoux

Even when he noticed her Meadow didn't move beyond the small tug of her lips in a little smile as he stepped into the water to wade closer.  She'd half expected him to continue on his way, and that would have been the end of it, but there he was standing before her with a gentle dip of his head and a note of uncertainty to his voice.  It made the smile grow.

"Good evening."  All soft creams and blues, and a softer demeanor.  "Were you looking for something, or just wandering?"

@Jynk

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgleft]


"I wander a lot," The Moon Is Drowning answered, giving a soft smile in return. The doe seemed pleasant enough and wasn't just in his imagination as he previously thought. She was attractive, certainly, with her pinks and creams. "Do you often wander as well? Have I stumbled into your territory? If I'm intruding, I can leave."

@Beejoux

She rested her chin on crossed ankles, a little half smile playing along her features as she looked up at him. "I do, but you aren't. You don't have to leave." If first impressions were to be believed the buck seemed pleasant enough company for a lazy late summer evening.  "I'm Meadow Burn."

@Jynk

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgleft]


The buck walked closer and laid down near the doe. "I am called The Moon Is Drowning," he answered, tilting his head a bit. "Sometimes called just Moon." He nudged a pebble before him around with a hoof. "I'm glad that I'm not intruding. I don't often speak with others much now. Mostly from the wandering, but when I do meet other kin, they speak fast or or too much and I can't keep up."

@Beejoux

Lucky for Moon, Meadow wasn't especially energetic or bubbly. She didn't share his issue with keeping up, but she did find a certain level of energy tiring to be around for more than a few hours at a time. If even that.  With a hum she shifted her head against her legs, cheek resting on her ankle so she could look up at him easily.  "I'll be sure not to speak too rapidly, then."

@Jynk

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgleft]


The Moon Is Drowning nodded quietly and moved closer before flopping down unceremoniously. He curled up in a position that allowed him to gaze back at her. "Appreciated." He smiled softly. "What brings you to this part of the swamp? I normally wander, but I find myself in this area often. I think some of my family live near here." His brow wrinkled in thought. "Or it could be because of that really tasty berry bush over there."

@Beejoux