Star Tide picked his way through the still water, his passage making only the quietest of splashing noises under the waxing moon. The cool dark of the water was glassy and reflective- he could just about see his own pale limbs in the gloom and no more, treading cautiously in the dark along a shallow stretch of swamp. Already the swamp was starting to grow warmer as the summer moons approached, and on this particular evening the air was just warm enough to take the sting out of the cool water. Carefully emerging onto a patch of dry land, the buck shook his short fur out, sending a flurry of droplets glistening into the evening air.

[imgright]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgright]It was warm, and the water was clean and cool. For days prior Conception had been searching for just the right place to bathe herself-- she'd been feeling parched and headachey lately, and that was a sure sign that she needed to tend to her need to commune with the water.

The problem was-- the water in the swamp was often stagnant, or running fast enough that it carried the cold from someplace far-off. It was tricky to find the right place-- a place where the water flowed naturally, but wanted to gather into a pool, getting snagged in its flow in a place where it lost its momentum and had place to thrive. It was here that the plants grew well, where tiny fish flocked-- and where there were tiny fish, there were algae eaters, interested, as-ever, in the smoothest, slimiest patches of her coat.

She giggled a little as she felt the first nibbles of something curious, testing the waters, as it were, to see if her mane was some new sort of food. "That's not for you, silly darlings," she murmured, turning her head to encourage them to find something else, as she enjoyed this pool of water she'd found, deep enough to touch her eyepad and cover her nose if she dipped her head the slightest bit.

Flicking his ears forwards as the luxuriously warm night air brought a voice to him, Star Tide turned his head in interest, padding around a large, twisted tree and carefully balancing on it's roots to see who was there. In a small pool, illuminated under a break in the foliage, a doe bathed, the water beneath her reflecting a starry sky onto her coat. No- Star Tide squinted, realising the glittering blue was her coat, distorted and rippling in the swamp's water. Something about the doe made the water cling to her just a little more than he expected, shimmering wetly under the dark sky. He remained a respectful distance away, perched on the tree root, doing his best to make himself known without alarming her.

When she turned, looking up, the doe paused. There was a large shape above her-- one, she thankfully saw, which had softly-glowing eyes. Not something large that might think of pouncing on her... at least not probably.

"Hello," she called out gently to the figure before her.

"Hello," Star Tide said, stepping a little closer now she knew her was there, nodding politely, "Please forgive the intrusion. I just finished dusting the day from my coat myself. These pools are excellent for cooling off and relaxing in." He stayed a respectful distance away, unsure if the doe was interested in conversation or if she would simply want to be left.

Oh. Oh. Now that she had a proper look at him, Conception was entranced. He was a tall, slender thing, with legs almost as dainty as an acha's, covered in the gently twinkling light of countless tiny stars. In the dark, it was difficult to tell what sort of kin he might be, but the doe knew one thing-- if he wanted anything to do with her, she wanted to find out.

"I don't bite, you know," she said. "And the fishes here only ever really nibble, if you wanted to join me?" He had just mentioned recently finishing his own dip-- it seemed a safe assumption that the buck enjoyed an evening swim.

Star Tide hesitated only for a moment- the air still held enough heat that slipping into the waters was all the right kinds of pleasant. It was shallow enough that his shoulders were still out of the water, but he crouched, ducking more of his silvery body under the water before rising and giving himself a slight shake. He walked gently, trying not to disturb the fish that swarmed around the doe, peering down at them curiously. “I’m Star Tide,” he offered, dipping his head towards the doe. She was really quite stunning, he thought, and different- her hair and coat looked as if it would melt into the water if given half a chance.

The doe smiled as the buck gave her his name. "Conception," she said. "It's good to meet your acquaintance." When he approached, she stood still, until he was close enough so she could slowly turn in his direction, without startling any of the fish overmuch.