[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgleft]Winter's lifeblood gathered in thick, heavy droplets at the ends of budding branches. Tension held until a simple breath of wind shattered their resolve and sent them plummeting to the soaked earth below. Fresh green forced its way through the icy crust of dying winter. The doe who smelled of death was still there. Pestilence reveled in her warmth as he pressed closer to her side. Resting his muzzle on her shoulder, he breathed her in. She smelled of life now. He inhaled it, holding that truth inside him, hoping to quell the anxiety building within him.

He had stayed too long. He had duties to do, kin needed him for projects left on hold. He was positive Rot had noticed his absence. Guilt clung to him like the wet stench of death.

And yet... He stayed. Why? Was he nervous? No, he didn't think so. Ashamed? No, he took pride in his work. Not only that, but Guardian respected it. Maybe... Maybe he was scared. Scared that, like the snowmelt clinging to the trees, everything that was good and perfect could turn to mud at his hooves with the slightest shift of the wind.

Pestilence sighed and pressed his nose into her hair once more, willing this moment to never pass.
@Lirilei @MennyDeer

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgleft] Guardian was more than content right where she was. She had spent most of her life traveling endlessly, but here, she felt no urge to leave, and keep wandering. Not truly. Sure, she knew that perhaps she ought to go help those who could benefit from her help in healing, or her company as their time to leave this world and return to the MotherFather came closer.

Except she was also aware that doing that, now of all times was also foolish. She was far along in her pregnancy and so she let go of the faint urge to be up and traveling, helping to instead nuzzle closer to the buck who had awed her from the start. His reverence for death matching her own for life. It was amazing to her how completely different and yet the same they were. Two halves of a whole it truly felt like.

She could sense he was troubled by something though, and there was a careful shift, and a pale nose pressed to a vivid marking on his neck, against the green splash on his dark hide and she nuzzled softly. "Something is bothering you." words soft and gentle. That's really all she knew how to be. Soft and gentle. She breathed a soft note as she shifted her body a little more comfortably against his own. "We'll be fine here if there's things you need to attend to, which I'm sure there's plenty of." well she'd seen his work with the bones and his beetles when they'd first met after all. She was sure there was plenty more he had to do along those very lines. If not more she was yet to be aware of.  He didn't need to change his routine because she was here, because of the life she carried. She, they would be fine. She could stay here and just rest. It wasn't as if he had turned her out of his home, quite the opposite, so she wouldn't go far really. Just far enough to tend to necessities before returning to this very spot.

Her voice was low as close as she was to him, knowing he'd hear her, even if she were to whisper her words to him. Maybe that was the point, to let her voice wrap around him and caress him. Fill him with the knowledge that all was okay, and he could go attend anything he needed to, and she'd be here when he returned. She wouldn't venture too far, not this far along. It was foolish.


@Blinded By Silence @MennyDeer

The Crest was bustling with activity. What little frost lingered on the territories edges was melting away, the light of the sun strong enough to penetrate the cold and fog. The air was still sharp with winter, however, blowing in from over the vast ocean and misting their breaths against the sunlight. Something hummed here, in the trees, in the dirt. A blending of energies and changes that signaled the start of something new and beautiful.

One wouldn't think Spring to be her favorite season, and yet the Elder was currently at the Grove Of Rebirth, lovingly tending and whispering to the new saplings that had sprouted from the cold ground. Even now, with Winters chill still playing upon the breezes, they reached their tender new leaves towards the sun. However, even with life beginning to unfurl all around her, she could not help but feel a distinct absence. Pestilence had come to her as a young buck, eager and passionate. He had poured his very being into the Mothborn, and particularly into being a Piecemaker. He understood the sacred duty for what it was, and there was nowhere else he'd rather be. Tattered ears perked forward, listening as her cool green gaze went from face to face. More and more she had noticed him slipping away for longer stretches of time. It was very unlike him to leave his work for so long, she knew he felt very strongly about it, and so Rot had surmised that only something truly important had ensnared his attentions. She cast that cool, knowing gaze towards the pools, and beyond.

"Elder," A voice called to her, redirecting her thoughts. Leech, one of her scouts, approached her along with two others. She dipped her head to them in acknowledgement. "He's still within the territory, at the farthest western point. He leaves only to fetch food or water, and there's a different scent on the wind." Leech reports, the mangled side of his face taught with something like tension. Dear Leech, hotheaded and protective, and at one point quite jealous of Pestilence. She offers him a gentling smile as his eyes narrow. "Shall my scouts bring him in?"

Rot weaves her way around the saplings, giving a single shake of her antlered head. " I think I will see to this matter personally. You've leave to return to your regular rounds." She says softly, steps sure as she moves from the soil of the Crest to the shallows of the marsh. Her tone leaves no room for arguments and Leech can only watch as her form fades in with the mists.

@Blinded By Silence @Lirilei

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgleft]The dark buck looks deep into his lover's eyes. No, she was more than that. More than the carrier of new life, she was the sinew and tendons that bound his bones and made them push harder than ever before. He looked into the soft light that her eyes held and found warmth, comfort. Certainty. Of course, she knew. In one look, she could read him just as easily as he did his bones. A sigh here, a longing glance there, anxiety and indecision.

He touched his nose to hers, "I know." And he did know. She was a strong doe despite her soft and gentle demeanor. He had no doubt that she would be just fine without him, just for a little while. He rested his head on her shoulder and looked down at her swollen belly. They were so close now. If he left... "What if I miss them?"

Pestilence had not been there for the birth of his sons. He had never met his other children, only those who had sought him out once they had grown. He didn't want that to be the case this time. He was eager to tend to these children with as much care and presence as he did those in his pools. This clutch held the swamp's blessing. They would bring about great things, he was sure of it.

His mind fell back to the Mothborn. They had accepted his sons. Surely Guardian and his new children, they would be allowed too. He chewed his lip lightly. Rot was a fair and just leader, but he hadn't come to her. He hadn't told her. Why? He cursed his stupidity. If anything were to happen, it would be entirely his own fault. He glanced past Guardian, to the direction of the Crest.

"Have you heard of the Mothborn?" He asked softly, "They are a tribe that holds these lands. They watch over the dead, tend to the dying. We help them pass on and ensure they are remembered." He paused, one of Pestilence's signature long moments of silence, "I am their piecemaker. One of them. They have helped me hone my craft and in turn, I provide my service." He blinked slowly, "But they are more than that. So much more."

@Lirilei @MennyDeer

His question brought a smile to her face and there was a low note of affectionate amusement coming from her. "I don't think you'll miss them. I'm close but not that close. You can tend to anything you need to, for some time before you have to worry about that. Both today, and in days to come." she'd been in this position before, knew what she was feeling, knew her body. There was time yet.

His questions to her about the tribe however earned a shake of her head, a negative sound from her. "Until now, no. I've not heard the name. To be honest, I've never passed anywhere near these lands before. So this is all new to me." she could easily admit she had plenty she hadn't heard of, and to learn. The swamp was a large place so there was a lot she was unaware of.

"That explains why you are so good at what you do, so gifted." she'd been in awe watching him work with the bones, watching him put together the doe again. She nuzzled his neck again a moment. "The root of your troubles I take it? Trying to split yourself between me, and your duties to the Mothborn?" well it did make some sense. Though she fell silent for a few long minutes. "So you're part of a tribe....one I was unaware of. Who is...unaware of me as well I'm going to guess.?" a quiet thoughtfulness from her. "Now, I have to ask...have I broken any rules...or customs by being here?" there was a low note of concern from her now. She didn't want him in trouble with his tribe due to her presence in the end.

@Blinded By Silence  @MennyDeer

Moving through the marshes was like breathing for her. There were few trails through the rushes and reeds, but ones she had traveled before. The sun warmed her back, the bits of bone and bead in her hair and tail clinking softly together over the gentle lap of water. She enjoyed this weather, when the mists still clung low to the surface, dancing in the light. She never missed an opportunity to admire the beauty around her. End joined her, following her like a shadow. As she maneuvered through a small cluster of mangroves, her thoughts fell back to Pestilence.

He had a surety with bones and the dead that he did not have with his breathing brothers and sisters. He spoke little, though he wished for understanding, and held a restlessness within him that he channeled into his work. Rot spoke his language easily enough, able to guide and teach him without much use for speaking, since he managed to say plenty without it. He'd made himself at home here, with his cave and his pools, his sons raising their beetles and singing to the dead. Over the past few months, she had noticed it in his eyes before he began disappearing. An absence, a longing, a disconnection from the world around him. Like he had somewhere else he needed, or wanted, to be.

Maybe the winds called him, beckoning him to move on from the Mothborn. Like Spring, perhaps he was growing too much within his skin to remain. Perhaps that's what the restlessness had been all along. Steadily she pushes forward, nearing the answers to her questions.



@Blinded By Silence @Lirilei

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgleft]"No, no," He quickly but softly assured her, "I don't belive so. You brought no offering, so you are simply a visitor." His ears pressed back and he lowered his eyes, "I am sorry for not telling you. Or them about you." His acid green eyes held hers, searching, reading. "I should have, as soon as I knew I wanted you to stay." His eyes leave hers once more and find themselves looking distantly into the marshes around them. "I should have told her."

Life had been so perfect in the beginning. The two of them, learning from each other, content with simply being. The situation was a rare find, a delicate skeleton he was trying to move. One wrong touch could have turned the whole thing to dust, that's why...

@Lirilei @MennyDeer

There was a soft note from her. A touch of relief, but also apprehension. Simply a visitor his words rang loudly in her ears, and she breathed a soft note, brushing her nose against his own. "Offering? What sort of offering? If I'm to stay, I should know these things. Else, I probably need to leave before my being here causes troubles. As much as I don't want to leave here. To leave you." no, she didn't want to leave him. Not now, before the life she carried was born. She could see how much being there meant to him.

Not after they were born, either. Either to leave the life she carried here to grow without her presence, or to bring it with, and not have him part of their life. No, neither was an option. She wanted this. To be here with him. She would do all it took to be accepted, and allowed to stay here at his side. "I don't want to lose you after finding you. I feel like all of my journeying was bringing me here, to you." and while she would in time travel again it would never be for long, or too far. No, her heart had a tether now and it's name was Pestilence.

"So, what do I have to do. Who do I speak with Stil?" there was determination in her words as she shifted, and eased herself up to her hooves. No time better than the present to get onto that. To smooth over any harm her unknowing presence may have caused, as quickly s possible. She didn't want to be told to leave...but she would if she had to, as much as it would break her heart.

@Blinded By Silence @MennyDeer

Her hooves move onto the dirt of Pestilence's tiny island, emerging from the mottled shadows of the trees. In a blink, a breath, she was there, the green glow of her gaze taking in her surroundings. It lands on the cave, ears swiveling forward as her nose twitches. Ah, yes. There was that scent Leech had told her of, strange and familiar all at once. The warm scent of motherhood, and the sickly sweet smell of dying wildflowers. End casts a shadow over her as he flits passed, landing on a large sun-warmed rock to rest.

Pestilence's scent is here as well, and she sounds a note in whalesong, announcing herself. If her suspicions were correct, she would not dare enter the cave uninvited. It carries on the breeze, soft and low. Inquisitive. Birdsong and the buzzing of insects fills the silence as she waits patiently for any sign of the buck and his guest.


@Blinded By Silence @Lirilei

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgleft]As the dark buck pulled himself to his hooves, he stood, searching for words as he stared at the light of his life. In the shadows of the cave, she almost seemed to glow with radiance and determination. Standing before him was a doe who knew. She knew what she wanted to do, where she wanted to be. And for once in his life, he too was sure. Sure that she wanted to be here, with him.

Tears welled in his eyes.

He knew that this was it. She was the one. The one who understood him better than anyone else ever could. The one who would stand beside him, no matter where they went, or what they faced. Never before in his life had he been so sure. Her brilliance melted away any shred of doubt like the bright new-leaf sun chased away the claws of cold.

His ears pricked forward before he could bring himself to speak. An echo of whalesong. More than familiar. He felt the beetles crawl out from his fur and heard their tiny claws skitter across the cave floor, excited to see their leader.

"Her." was all he could say.
@Lirilei @MennyDeer

The sound from outside his home was distinct. Another kin announcing their arrival. Trying to get his attention if he was home, to get him to come to the mouth of the cave. That single word from Pestilence says it all.

The kin outside the cave, was the one she had to convince to let her stay, at least till she gave birth. Then, well...she'd figure it out. She would do what she had to, to ensure their offspring had a safe place to grow up in, and she knew here with him was that place.

That single word had her brushing her nose against his lightly, and a simple "Then we should invite her in, no?" as she took one step toward the mouth of the cave. His cave, what would hopefully become theirs. Now wasn't the time to fear, and she knew if there was danger to her, he wouldn't be even remotely calm. He'd be more agitated than he already was. Love and duty to the tribe trying to find peace with one another was wearing on him, and she would do all she could to help it all coexist peacefully. So he could exist peacefully.

@MennyDeer @Blinded By Silence

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgleft]Pestilence could feel his heart thudding in his chest. He inhaled deeply, holding inside of him the hope that this perfect happiness would stay, just as it is, before releasing that breath and giving her a small nod. He stepped forward toward the mouth of the cave. As he did, it felt as though it were a precipice, fragile beneath his hooves. He pushed the thoughts of what Rot might say. There was no point worrying now.

He stepped into the light and squinted. The watery winter sun was weak but still brighter than the cool shadows of the cave. He opened his mouth, tasting her scent. He would recognize that scent anywhere. It was musty and musky, leaf litter and decaying flowers. The faint dust of mothwings. His lips parted and he bowed his head slowly.

"Elder, you are welcome, as always." He lifted his eyes, holding her green gaze. Searching. "This is my mate, Guardian of Life."

@Lirilei @MennyDeer

It was a moment before either of them were to appear. She could feel hesitance, a thrum of worry and fear in the air. They emerged from the cool dark of the cave, Rots eyes begin with a slow blink as they travel over the two, assessing their state, before they fall on the heavily pregnant swell of the does belly. Her brows raise, eyes widening as she blinks in surprise. She moved forward to meet them halfway,  as regal and poised as ever, stopping to greet Pestilence's beetles on her way as they skitter excitedly around her hooves.

Pestilence speaks, his anxiety clear in his voice, but only affection in his eyes when he spoke her name. Her green glow lands on the pale blue doe beside him, offering a small, kind smile. "Guardian-," The name is said warm and slow, intent on committing it to memory. "-Welcome to the Bonemarshes. I'm happy to finally meet you after so many months." She gives Pestilence an amused little side-eye when she says this, as if to show she's been quite wise to him all this time. Truthfully, though, she hadn't been expecting a doe so far along. Someone in her condition should be at the Crest, recieving care and blessings.

"You bring Life just as Spring takes her first breaths," She observes softly. " I can see why he was so hesitant to leave your side  These marshes can be quite dangerous. Luckily our scouts patrol quite often." Her gaze turns to Pestilence, tone fond with amusement. "You've managed to make Leech quite suspicious of you."

Rot didn't know what this all meant for Pestilence. Perhaps he was keen on leaving with her, and its why he's so nervous? Hiding a pregnant doe on the treacherous fringes of the territory was definitely out of character for the moody, studious buck. Surely he understood how the Mothborn felt about Lifelings?

"I am hesitant to ask you to journey to the Crest in your condition...," Rot begins slowly. " Of course, that decision rests entirely on you and your mate. I must admit, I am...curious of his motivations." Her gaze then moves to Pestilence, gentle yet expectant of an explanation.

@Blinded By Silence @Lirilei

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgleft]The black buck let out a soft whoosh of air. Relief, perhaps? This held no surprise to him, at least. Of course she had known. He shouldn't have assumed otherwise, after all, the swamp witch knew everything that took place on her lands. She had the whole tribe behind her at that. He shook out his fur, imagining Leech's ruined eye following him throughout the territory. That buck was suspicious of every puddle and stone he had never seen before.

He looked to his mate and felt her warm glow wash over him. He wondered if Leech would be suspicious of her too. What of the rest of the tribe? He wanted her there, and she returned that feeling. But he swore to himself that if anyone dared to acost his Guardian, they would have every reason to be suspicious of him.

He returned his eyes to Rot, standing before him. Waiting. Expecting what she deserves. Pestilence felt like a foal before his mother. He had done wrong and his reasoning for his actions was poor at best. He lowered his head in apology and spoke softly.

"I am sorry, Bonemother. I..." He paused sheepishly, "I was afraid of many things. But those fears were baseless and only held weight in my insecurities. I apologize for not telling you directly."

@Lirilei @MennyDeer

Seeing Rot there, his deference to her, made Guardian realize she was the leader of this tribe, and she took a small step forward, and dipped her head in quiet acknowledgement of the other doe before she was gently resting her weight ever so slightly against Pestilence's side. A physical way to try lending her strength to him, feeling his sheepishness, among other things.

There was a warm smile on her face though, a gentle laugh at those words. "It's a pleasure to meet you, though I'm sorry it wasn't sooner. As for his motivation...I think his motivation was to capture my heart, and it worked utterly." there was nothing but sincere love in her tone for the buck at her side. "And now, to keep me, and the life I carry safe, and close." she paused a moment, looking at him, then at Rot. "Should I, we, be allowed to stay at his side, in any case."

His apology was followed by one of her own. "I'm sorry for being an unknown stranger in your lands, and for being a temptation that kept him away from his duties to the tribe. It was not my intention." the farthest from. She shifted her weight a little on her hooves to be more comfortable. "The Crest?" she looked between the pair curiously, waiting for some sort of explanation.



@MennyDeer @Blinded By Silence