[imgleft]http://matope-swamp.com/images/phoenix/ ... uncert.png[/imgleft]There was a briskness to the wind that sent a chill down Flower's spine. The pale doe blinked her large pale yellow eyes and shook the cold out of her fur. Despite the sounds of birds and insects throughout the swamp, the bite of winter air made her feel even more alone. On earthen hooves, she plodded on with her jaw set. She was fine. She didn't need them. As alone as she might be at least she was free. That itself was worth it.

She was searching for a new home. She had found quite a few places that would have easily sufficed, but they were all too similar to the prison she had once called home. But as the sun sank lower and the mangroves drank up the last of the sunlight held in the water, An Unloved Flower was content with just finding a place to sleep. She spied a thicket well shielded by thick brush. Maybe there was a way in?

The earthy doe circled the area twice before finding a weakness in the wall of branches. She pushed her way in and found herself pleasantly surprised. There was just enough room and the grass here was soft and sweet. Near the back lay a nest of moss and dried grass. Now, most kin would have seen this as what it obviously was; another kin's home. But the Highborn tribe didn't nest this way and she was so tired.

And so, without a second thought, she climbed into to some poor kin's nest and tucked her nose beneath her hoof, trying her best to push away thoughts of home from her sleepy mind.

@Hibiscus Mist

Wilted Branches was tired. Going out to see what he could find in preparation of the cold season to come, taking notes of dens and burrows to dig into should he need to resort to such for sustenance. It was tiring, and avoiding other kin at the same time? A chore!

Yet he trusted the swamp to provide, and provide it did. He had a good catch of snacks, a couple fish that had put up quite the fight in their capture. Why they went together, he did not ask. He only appreciated that the Swamp was providing and gave his silent thanks.

At least until he returned to his home, slipping in through the bushes to find it more than the empty state he had left it.

The fish were dropped to the ground, his bright green eyes going wide in astonishment. The audacity of another Kimeti to just... just make themselves at home like this! His fur bristled a bit as he made sure he was heard.

"Who in the swamp do you think you are?" His voice cut the silence, the anger in his posture clear. Now that he was closer, he could see it was a female... a cute one at that, but that didnt excuse her seeing such a place and just moving right in. Part of him figured if he had been home she might have just straight up left, and that maybe this is why the swamp allowed him two fish?

He stomped his hoof and chased off the thoughts for later, choosing instead to wait for her own explanation.

@Blinded By Silence

An Unloved Flower had just entered that sweet place between waking and sleep when a voice shattered the winter quiet. Startled, she cried out, shooting up into a sitting position, blinking blearily as she looked around.

"What? I--" She shook the sleep from her mind and took in her surroundings, "Where....?"

This wasn't her home. There were no sisters pressed warmly against her, huddled together like a pile of rose petals. There was only her and this buck... Buck! Bucks weren't allowed in the Daughter's nest?! Panic flooded her until she realized that didn't matter. This wasn't her nest. She wasn't a Daughter anymore. Just a weed, laying in the bed of someone else.

"I-I'm sorry, I..." She stood, shaking the grass from her pelt. Flower didn't finish, only lowered her head, looking up at his with fearful eyes.

She had been told stories of bucks outside of Mother's control. Wild things, beasts, they had been called. She jumped as he stomped.

"Eep! I'm sorry, I'll leave, please..."

@Hibiscus Mist

So scared... as she should be! She had no idea what kind of Kin he was. Nor did she seem to understand the danger of that. Had he been an uncouth kin, he might have taken advantage of a sleeping doe in his bed. Instead he snorted and took a seat.

"Just what are you doing here in my den little doe? Didnt you see the way it looked and know it was already someone's home?" A brow raised as he spoke, tail curling over his hooves as he idly noted the fish were still behind him. He was hungry, but he wanted to know this doe's story first. "And what is your name? I'd like to know who decided to waltz in and take my bed while i was out getting food."

His tail moved as though to motion to the fish he'd brought back, letting it be known he was apt as a provider. It was a bit sneaky, but he wasnt sure where meeting this doe might go and the least he could do, should her story prove truthful sounding, was share his spoils before they spoiled. It was the polite thing to do, but he wanted to determine she deserved it first.

@Blinded By Silence

She looked up at the buck through thick lashes, her breath held as she waited for... something. But there were no fangs at her throat. And his hooves stayed planted as he sat himself down. There were only his eyes, icy blue eyes, watching her. Waiting. She swallowed her fear and remembered her place. She was a highborn, regardless of what her Mother's called her. Flower raised her chin, and answered, although her lips quivered and eyes stung with tears she refused to shed.

"M-My name is Flower. An... Unloved Flower, fully. And I did not take it," Her eyes flickered down, holding his gaze made her heart pound, "Not purposefully, anyway... We do not nest in such places, where I was from." She sighed, "All I saw was shelter from the wind and, what with it getting darker sooner now, I... I just wanted somewhere to sleep. That is all. I mean no disrespect, buck." Her stomach betrayed her, complaining in the uncomfortable silence that hung in the cool air. Her eyes lowered further, embarrassed.

@Hibiscus Mist

"My name, Flower, is Wilted Branches." He studied her, looking the cute doe over before smirking at her hunger. Such an ill prepared doe for the cold times ahead. "I can see you're hungry... but why are you not with your tribe?" A brow raised in curiosity.

Branches turned then, taking up his catch and tossing one to rest at her hooves, a silent offer of food as he settled in to eat his own. He himself had no tribe, nor did he think he might ever join one. Being a lone buck out in the world was suiting him just fine as far as he was concerned.

The wind blew, bringing a slight breeze into the den. He frowned at that, tail twitching as he untucked from his fish.

@Blinded By Silence

If the buck looked closely, he would find Flower to be incredibly easy to read. At his question, there was a soft thump as her tail fell. A twitch to her ear. A flat look in her eyes as she stared at the ground. But there was no hesitation in her response.

"A tribe does not necessarily guarantee one's safety," Her voice was low, almost inaudible in the crisp breeze. She made a face, as though she remembered an awful taste. It fell away when she remembered the buck sitting before her.

The tawny doe's ears drooped defeatedly as the fish landed heavily before her. She bowed her head, and murmured, "Thank you. I haven't... quite gotten the hang of hunting quite yet."

@Hibiscus Mist ((Sorry for the slow reply! QA Q))