Post by Ahiga on Dec 20, 2009 23:51:10 GMT -5
Setting: Cluster of Fir Trees
Characters: Aspen (female whitetail deer), Chanson (male whitetail deer), Roscoe (male whitetail deer)
It's been a long day for Aspen. With her fawns born in the middle of the night and beginning of day, she hasn't had much time to rest. Oh sure, laying near the newborns may seem like resting to some, but with every braincell on the alert for danger, "restful" hardly would be the correct term. The brother-sister pair have done little other than eat and sleep since their birth some many hours before, which is just fine with Aspen. She's chosen this area of fir trees for a reason. The cluster of trees provides cover, and their scent might just be enough to overpower the aroma of the very young deer. It seems perfect, yet still she's wisely watchful. Her ears twitch to and fro, responding to the slightest of sounds that seem out of place. Her tail twitches slightly as her eyes return to her children, and with a suddenly soft expression she lowers her head to nuzzle them both, giving both small and spotted bodies a few swipes of her tongue of reassurance. She'll need to leave them eventually, for a little while, to eat and drink herself. But for now, it doesn't seem as if she has any plans on going anywhere...even if her stomach is grumbling.
Since the birth of his son, Roscoe had traveled far and wide just in order to be alone for a few days. He knew very well that he was behaving like a child, but he couldn't just go and beg for, or .. rather demand forgiveness, from anyone. Not Tix and not Aspen, the other doe he had offended with his childish mood. The crownless Prince had made it to this cluster of fir trees, the scent overpowering nearly everything else. In fact, it was hard for him to keep tabs on the other scents of the forest with the evergreens so pungent. The lead buck had since gotten over his disappointment, and would at /least/ act as civil as he had in the past toward the other deer when he returned to the northern forest. However, he wasn't so sure how long that would be. The mud from his body had since washed off, leaving a clean and royal looking Roscoe once again. His head was held high and craned just slightly, walking through the southern patch of trees with pride once more. The scent so overpowering in this area however, he had completely missed the scent of Aspen, as well as the already very faint scent of her newborns. In fact, he'd walked right passed her without even noticing. Apparently, his mind was not on being cautious, once again. Which could spell trouble here in cougar country.
Being too alert has its advantages. The soft sounds of shifting grasses and fallen pine needles has both of Aspen's ears turning in the same direction, and her head swiftly follows. A flare of hostility rises in her chest, the instinct to protect her offspring drowning any feeling of fear she may have. This place is unknown, and the creatures that pass through it might all be fanged foe. But the option of fleeing is no longer hers to take. Not with the young ones as defenseless as they are. So, be it wolf, cougar, or merely a passing squirrel, she's ready to give it her all to see that the two fawns are kept safe. But! ... luckily for her, it isn't a predator that her wide eyes fall upon, though the distrustful expression that remains on her face might make an onlooker think otherwise. Roscoe is watched warily, and she ducks her head a little, hovering her neck over the small bodies that are tucked against her, as if protecting them from the shadow that passes them over. He hasn't seen her, and common sense tells her to stay just as she is and let him pass on. The last time she tried speaking civilly...well. /That/ didn't go down so well. And so she holds her position, silent and watchful as the buck moves on. It's only after he's a few yards away that she stands, casts a look to the sleeping duo, and then begins to follow him. So much for common sense.
The fact that she and her newborn fawns were so quiet was something else that kept the buck from noticing them, hidden in the pine trees as they were. The sudden sounds of something rustling in the background though, /that/ he could hear. Those large ears of his flicked back, and with one of his front hooves raised, the male tilted his head backward, and noticed the doe behind him. A blink was given, and a somewhat hesitant, nervous cough. He was embarrassed by his behavior the other day, and wished that any hostility between them could be obliterated. That was wishful thinking on Roscoe's part, but he still held hope. "Good morning.." he says quietly, his voice low and somewhat crackled, as if it was the first time he'd spoken in .. since he'd spoken to her previously. And it had been that long. The amount of time that passed had allowed him to travel here, and he had to wonder why he kept running into her, even in the strangest of places. It made sense afterward, though. The scent of the trees was good cover, and he thought highly of her for thinking of that. Not seeing the fawns with her, he had hardly even looked back, and hadn't noticed her normal-sized belly either, and simply took in a deep breath, and sat his hoof down, ready to carry on if she had nothing to say to him.. and that, he wouldn't blame her for one bit.
Chanson has arrived.
Aspen is currently shadowing Roscoe, looking almost normal-sized again. But there are no fawns in sight, and the dominant aroma that lingers in the area is not one of birth, but one of pine. Aspen's expression is hard to read as she follows the lead male, pausing once he does, and ears flicking back as he turns to face her. Granted, she looks none-too-happy to see him, though she doesn't outwardly frown or scowl at him. It's more of a passive look that conceals her expression now, and offered greeting is answered with a light nod of her head, as if agreeing that it truly is, yet lacking the desire to return sentiment. She's quiet for a moment, hesitant or indecisive, though it's the motion of his hoof that gets her speaking. "I don't know if you wish for me to stay or not. I've come out here for two reasons, and that was one've them. And so, before you go, I figure I should ask. This is your herd, so you should have the final say. Do you wish for me to stay, or would you rather me go?"
Chanson only arrives right when the conversation seems to reach its high water mark. He had smelt something odd and a little disturbing in the wake of Aspen giving birth, having no knowledge of it since she went off on her own to do it. In fact he hasn't the slightest idea it even *could* be what was causing the strange smell. His ears perk up considerably when the words become clear to him, and he stops short a fair distance away, looking surprised about a great many things. Aspen seems to have suddenly lost a lot of weight for one thing, and her question is not anything to take lightly! He's so shocked by the blunt nature of it he can only stand and stare, watching and waiting for Roscoe's answer.
The way she looked at him in return made it clear to Roscoe that she wasn't too pleased to be in his company, and that didn't surprise him one bit. He seemed to have that effect on all the deer in the herd, though he'd tried his hand at being civil. Oh well. Keeping his eyes on her, he was a bit shocked at the question she asked, and a bit annoyed at the same time. Furrowing his brows, he held back an eyeroll, and instead just scoffed half-heartedly. "I don't know what makes you think that I want you to leave." He said clearly, and he meant it. Just because the two weren't the best of friends didn't mean that she didn't offer something to the herd. "I won't tell you what to do either way. If you want to leave, leave. But please, don't think that I want you to go. I.." He stopped, thinking his words out carefully, "..I would like it if you stayed with us.. but I won't force you to." The stag wanted to add in that it would be her loss, but he refrained. To be so insensitive at a time where she obviously needed some encouragement would be downright stupid of him. In fact, he even offered a smile. "I apologize for my behavior the other day.. if that has anything to do with your consideration of leaving. That is no way for a leader to behave, and I didn't mean to take anything out on you." Letting out a huff of breath, his red eyes met the ground. "I'm sorry." Through this exchange of words, he had taken another glance at the doe, and had noticed her weight loss. A genuine smile appeared, and he motioned his head upwards a bit. "Safe to presume that you've got a few mouths to feed now, I suppose?"
Whether or not Roscoe is annoyed effects Aspen very little, less now than it has before. If he's had his fill of her, she's had more than her share of him, though Roscoe's outlook on her doesn't seem much important anymore. Funny how things are put into perspective when one becomes a mother. She listens without interruption, and his last comment has her nodding once. "Yes," she answers. "Two, and there is nothing wrong with them," she informs, glad to be able to report such. She still hadn't had the opportunity to see Tix and her fawn and see for herself what is so terribly wrong with it. But it's a thought and fear that plagued her ever since her last talk with Roscoe. "No, I don't wish to leave. I can handle....handling you. Trying to figure you out. Trying to figure myself out when I'm around you. But what I don't wish to happen is for this ... rift to have an effect on my fawns and their lives here." She hasn't noticed Chanson, with her eyes so rooted upon Roscoe and ears twisting to listen for any sounds from the hidden young ones.
Chanson looks between the two as they have their words, trying to figure out what's going on. Was Roscoe making people feel unwanted /again?/ It wouldn't surprise him in the least, but hearing Aspen talk about leaving was enough to make his heart quicken and his mind race. And when talk of new mouths to feed comes up, and then the count... he feels himself sway on the spot. He must be dreaming. They can't /really/ be talking about that, can they? Has it really happened? And he missed it? Well, shoot! But first thing’s first. Aspen is still talking about going. "I don't want you to go," he interjects suddenly and quietly, but it's there, and he's walking forward as he says it. If she left, it'd just be him and Roscoe... /that/ is a situation he doesn't want to think about! "Why are you two talking like this?" he says, with a meaningful stare at Roscoe. It's obviously somehow his fault.
Aspen blinks rapidly a few times, startled and surprised at the sudden sound of Chanson's voice, and she turns his way, heart swelling. She doesn't have an immediate answer for him, reluctant to speak the truth. It's bad enough Roscoe can't seem to find any redeeming qualities about her. The last thing she wants to do is get on Chanson's bad side too by being seen as too troublesome. "I don't want to leave either," she says at last. "But sometimes it feels as if it'd be better if I did. I don't seem to ... fit in well sometimes, and I cause strife for some," she says, giving a sidelong look in the direction of Roscoe (or where he departed to). "Still, he's apologized, and that's more than I expected," murmured as she takes a few steps in Chanson's direction. "..You'd be upset if I was gone?"
It wasn't that Roscoe couldn't find any redeeming qualities about Aspen, as he was sure there was plenty. It was the fact that he was put on the spot, and wouldn't likely delve into any personal matters, even if the question called for it. In his mind however, the question wasn't personal at all. 'Do you want me to leave?' 'No.' Simple as that. In fact, it was awkward for him to even try to compliment her at all. Clearly, Roscoe had no intentions of becoming good friends with any of his herd-mates. A backwards step was given, his nervousness building up as the two of them rather ganged up on him in regards to wanting to know /why/ Aspen should stay, with Chanson on the defensive of the doe, no doubt. Red eyes kept on them both, and his expression turned serious. "I've told you. If you feel that you would be better off without the herd, I won't keep you here. But the both of you are valuable individuals, and the herd would suffer if you were gone. You always have your freedom, though." Blinking slowly, the tired older male turned around once again, but did look back at the younger couple. "Congratulations on the fawns. I hope to meet them soon." Ah, well. These were compliments, if they were to be judged on a Roscoe-curve. Taking a few steps away, the buck had eventually climbed up a slight incline, and had left with hardly a sound to continue to trek to .. wherever it was he was going.
Chanson sighs and looks incredibly distressed over the whole situation. Roscoe, what are we going to do with you? Chanson /wants/ to respect him, he really does. But it's so hard when he's just a distant, condescending snort on the wind all the time. When Aspen asks him her question, he stops before her and gives her a look that says he plainly believes the question is ridiculous, his mouth working silently for a few seconds. It clearly took him off guard, and takes him several very thoughtful seconds before he can blurt out an answer. "Of course I would!" he says, sounding a mite indignant, his surprise adding force to his voice. "Why wouldn't I be? You're... I care about you, and you're..." He stops short, unable to think of more words. Suddenly he's hit a brick wall in his mind. He's never had to express himself to Aspen with any kind of passion (well, except that one incident that started the whole fawn situation) "You're... I... I like you, and... just please don't leave," he says, sputtering out rather pathetically. Though his voice is weak, his eyes are suddenly shining with a sort of sincerity and concern that's somehow different. Suddenly, the feeling behind it just seems much more clear and emphatic.
Aspen slightly folds back her ears at the suddenness of his initial answer, though they prick forward again, listening in earnest. She hadn't allowed herself to hope this much. Having heard Roscoe speak of often of merely checking in on Tix out of necessity, and never hearing him speak fondly of her...or of her at all, /and/ all the noise of males not being needed when fawns are born has pretty much convinced her that being around too much may be cramping Chanson's style. And so hearing his request for her to stay and seeing that sincere look in his eyes has her heart melting and face feeling warm beneath her fur. She moves closer to him and presses her muzzle against the side of his neck in a fond touch. "I would miss you too much. And...your fawns deserve to know their father," she adds with a small grin. "I'll stay, and I promise to try to make things better between me and Roscoe. For our fawn’s sakes."
Chanson's ears perk up when she nuzzles up against him, his eyes widening considerably. His mouth drops a bit when she mentions the fawns, and his eyes grow *much* wider still. "So it..." he whispers breathlessly. "It's... happened?" He slowly turns to look her in the eye. "They're... they're here? Now?" Shock. Stillness. Trembling excitement. All this and more is evident in his quivering lips and swaying stance.
Aspen is reluctant to pull away from him, but she does in order to look at him with a soft smile. She nods eagerly in reply to him, leaning in to touch her muzzle to his cheek. "Yes, they're here and new and perfect. You make good fawns," she commends with a bit of a playful grin. "You have a son, Ridge, and a daughter, Dawn." She turns her head towards the cluster of fir trees, nodding in the direction of them. "They're there, quiet like they should be. And you..." She smirks at him, nudging his shoulder encouragingly, "should go see them."
Characters: Aspen (female whitetail deer), Chanson (male whitetail deer), Roscoe (male whitetail deer)
It's been a long day for Aspen. With her fawns born in the middle of the night and beginning of day, she hasn't had much time to rest. Oh sure, laying near the newborns may seem like resting to some, but with every braincell on the alert for danger, "restful" hardly would be the correct term. The brother-sister pair have done little other than eat and sleep since their birth some many hours before, which is just fine with Aspen. She's chosen this area of fir trees for a reason. The cluster of trees provides cover, and their scent might just be enough to overpower the aroma of the very young deer. It seems perfect, yet still she's wisely watchful. Her ears twitch to and fro, responding to the slightest of sounds that seem out of place. Her tail twitches slightly as her eyes return to her children, and with a suddenly soft expression she lowers her head to nuzzle them both, giving both small and spotted bodies a few swipes of her tongue of reassurance. She'll need to leave them eventually, for a little while, to eat and drink herself. But for now, it doesn't seem as if she has any plans on going anywhere...even if her stomach is grumbling.
Since the birth of his son, Roscoe had traveled far and wide just in order to be alone for a few days. He knew very well that he was behaving like a child, but he couldn't just go and beg for, or .. rather demand forgiveness, from anyone. Not Tix and not Aspen, the other doe he had offended with his childish mood. The crownless Prince had made it to this cluster of fir trees, the scent overpowering nearly everything else. In fact, it was hard for him to keep tabs on the other scents of the forest with the evergreens so pungent. The lead buck had since gotten over his disappointment, and would at /least/ act as civil as he had in the past toward the other deer when he returned to the northern forest. However, he wasn't so sure how long that would be. The mud from his body had since washed off, leaving a clean and royal looking Roscoe once again. His head was held high and craned just slightly, walking through the southern patch of trees with pride once more. The scent so overpowering in this area however, he had completely missed the scent of Aspen, as well as the already very faint scent of her newborns. In fact, he'd walked right passed her without even noticing. Apparently, his mind was not on being cautious, once again. Which could spell trouble here in cougar country.
Being too alert has its advantages. The soft sounds of shifting grasses and fallen pine needles has both of Aspen's ears turning in the same direction, and her head swiftly follows. A flare of hostility rises in her chest, the instinct to protect her offspring drowning any feeling of fear she may have. This place is unknown, and the creatures that pass through it might all be fanged foe. But the option of fleeing is no longer hers to take. Not with the young ones as defenseless as they are. So, be it wolf, cougar, or merely a passing squirrel, she's ready to give it her all to see that the two fawns are kept safe. But! ... luckily for her, it isn't a predator that her wide eyes fall upon, though the distrustful expression that remains on her face might make an onlooker think otherwise. Roscoe is watched warily, and she ducks her head a little, hovering her neck over the small bodies that are tucked against her, as if protecting them from the shadow that passes them over. He hasn't seen her, and common sense tells her to stay just as she is and let him pass on. The last time she tried speaking civilly...well. /That/ didn't go down so well. And so she holds her position, silent and watchful as the buck moves on. It's only after he's a few yards away that she stands, casts a look to the sleeping duo, and then begins to follow him. So much for common sense.
The fact that she and her newborn fawns were so quiet was something else that kept the buck from noticing them, hidden in the pine trees as they were. The sudden sounds of something rustling in the background though, /that/ he could hear. Those large ears of his flicked back, and with one of his front hooves raised, the male tilted his head backward, and noticed the doe behind him. A blink was given, and a somewhat hesitant, nervous cough. He was embarrassed by his behavior the other day, and wished that any hostility between them could be obliterated. That was wishful thinking on Roscoe's part, but he still held hope. "Good morning.." he says quietly, his voice low and somewhat crackled, as if it was the first time he'd spoken in .. since he'd spoken to her previously. And it had been that long. The amount of time that passed had allowed him to travel here, and he had to wonder why he kept running into her, even in the strangest of places. It made sense afterward, though. The scent of the trees was good cover, and he thought highly of her for thinking of that. Not seeing the fawns with her, he had hardly even looked back, and hadn't noticed her normal-sized belly either, and simply took in a deep breath, and sat his hoof down, ready to carry on if she had nothing to say to him.. and that, he wouldn't blame her for one bit.
Chanson has arrived.
Aspen is currently shadowing Roscoe, looking almost normal-sized again. But there are no fawns in sight, and the dominant aroma that lingers in the area is not one of birth, but one of pine. Aspen's expression is hard to read as she follows the lead male, pausing once he does, and ears flicking back as he turns to face her. Granted, she looks none-too-happy to see him, though she doesn't outwardly frown or scowl at him. It's more of a passive look that conceals her expression now, and offered greeting is answered with a light nod of her head, as if agreeing that it truly is, yet lacking the desire to return sentiment. She's quiet for a moment, hesitant or indecisive, though it's the motion of his hoof that gets her speaking. "I don't know if you wish for me to stay or not. I've come out here for two reasons, and that was one've them. And so, before you go, I figure I should ask. This is your herd, so you should have the final say. Do you wish for me to stay, or would you rather me go?"
Chanson only arrives right when the conversation seems to reach its high water mark. He had smelt something odd and a little disturbing in the wake of Aspen giving birth, having no knowledge of it since she went off on her own to do it. In fact he hasn't the slightest idea it even *could* be what was causing the strange smell. His ears perk up considerably when the words become clear to him, and he stops short a fair distance away, looking surprised about a great many things. Aspen seems to have suddenly lost a lot of weight for one thing, and her question is not anything to take lightly! He's so shocked by the blunt nature of it he can only stand and stare, watching and waiting for Roscoe's answer.
The way she looked at him in return made it clear to Roscoe that she wasn't too pleased to be in his company, and that didn't surprise him one bit. He seemed to have that effect on all the deer in the herd, though he'd tried his hand at being civil. Oh well. Keeping his eyes on her, he was a bit shocked at the question she asked, and a bit annoyed at the same time. Furrowing his brows, he held back an eyeroll, and instead just scoffed half-heartedly. "I don't know what makes you think that I want you to leave." He said clearly, and he meant it. Just because the two weren't the best of friends didn't mean that she didn't offer something to the herd. "I won't tell you what to do either way. If you want to leave, leave. But please, don't think that I want you to go. I.." He stopped, thinking his words out carefully, "..I would like it if you stayed with us.. but I won't force you to." The stag wanted to add in that it would be her loss, but he refrained. To be so insensitive at a time where she obviously needed some encouragement would be downright stupid of him. In fact, he even offered a smile. "I apologize for my behavior the other day.. if that has anything to do with your consideration of leaving. That is no way for a leader to behave, and I didn't mean to take anything out on you." Letting out a huff of breath, his red eyes met the ground. "I'm sorry." Through this exchange of words, he had taken another glance at the doe, and had noticed her weight loss. A genuine smile appeared, and he motioned his head upwards a bit. "Safe to presume that you've got a few mouths to feed now, I suppose?"
Whether or not Roscoe is annoyed effects Aspen very little, less now than it has before. If he's had his fill of her, she's had more than her share of him, though Roscoe's outlook on her doesn't seem much important anymore. Funny how things are put into perspective when one becomes a mother. She listens without interruption, and his last comment has her nodding once. "Yes," she answers. "Two, and there is nothing wrong with them," she informs, glad to be able to report such. She still hadn't had the opportunity to see Tix and her fawn and see for herself what is so terribly wrong with it. But it's a thought and fear that plagued her ever since her last talk with Roscoe. "No, I don't wish to leave. I can handle....handling you. Trying to figure you out. Trying to figure myself out when I'm around you. But what I don't wish to happen is for this ... rift to have an effect on my fawns and their lives here." She hasn't noticed Chanson, with her eyes so rooted upon Roscoe and ears twisting to listen for any sounds from the hidden young ones.
Chanson looks between the two as they have their words, trying to figure out what's going on. Was Roscoe making people feel unwanted /again?/ It wouldn't surprise him in the least, but hearing Aspen talk about leaving was enough to make his heart quicken and his mind race. And when talk of new mouths to feed comes up, and then the count... he feels himself sway on the spot. He must be dreaming. They can't /really/ be talking about that, can they? Has it really happened? And he missed it? Well, shoot! But first thing’s first. Aspen is still talking about going. "I don't want you to go," he interjects suddenly and quietly, but it's there, and he's walking forward as he says it. If she left, it'd just be him and Roscoe... /that/ is a situation he doesn't want to think about! "Why are you two talking like this?" he says, with a meaningful stare at Roscoe. It's obviously somehow his fault.
Aspen blinks rapidly a few times, startled and surprised at the sudden sound of Chanson's voice, and she turns his way, heart swelling. She doesn't have an immediate answer for him, reluctant to speak the truth. It's bad enough Roscoe can't seem to find any redeeming qualities about her. The last thing she wants to do is get on Chanson's bad side too by being seen as too troublesome. "I don't want to leave either," she says at last. "But sometimes it feels as if it'd be better if I did. I don't seem to ... fit in well sometimes, and I cause strife for some," she says, giving a sidelong look in the direction of Roscoe (or where he departed to). "Still, he's apologized, and that's more than I expected," murmured as she takes a few steps in Chanson's direction. "..You'd be upset if I was gone?"
It wasn't that Roscoe couldn't find any redeeming qualities about Aspen, as he was sure there was plenty. It was the fact that he was put on the spot, and wouldn't likely delve into any personal matters, even if the question called for it. In his mind however, the question wasn't personal at all. 'Do you want me to leave?' 'No.' Simple as that. In fact, it was awkward for him to even try to compliment her at all. Clearly, Roscoe had no intentions of becoming good friends with any of his herd-mates. A backwards step was given, his nervousness building up as the two of them rather ganged up on him in regards to wanting to know /why/ Aspen should stay, with Chanson on the defensive of the doe, no doubt. Red eyes kept on them both, and his expression turned serious. "I've told you. If you feel that you would be better off without the herd, I won't keep you here. But the both of you are valuable individuals, and the herd would suffer if you were gone. You always have your freedom, though." Blinking slowly, the tired older male turned around once again, but did look back at the younger couple. "Congratulations on the fawns. I hope to meet them soon." Ah, well. These were compliments, if they were to be judged on a Roscoe-curve. Taking a few steps away, the buck had eventually climbed up a slight incline, and had left with hardly a sound to continue to trek to .. wherever it was he was going.
Chanson sighs and looks incredibly distressed over the whole situation. Roscoe, what are we going to do with you? Chanson /wants/ to respect him, he really does. But it's so hard when he's just a distant, condescending snort on the wind all the time. When Aspen asks him her question, he stops before her and gives her a look that says he plainly believes the question is ridiculous, his mouth working silently for a few seconds. It clearly took him off guard, and takes him several very thoughtful seconds before he can blurt out an answer. "Of course I would!" he says, sounding a mite indignant, his surprise adding force to his voice. "Why wouldn't I be? You're... I care about you, and you're..." He stops short, unable to think of more words. Suddenly he's hit a brick wall in his mind. He's never had to express himself to Aspen with any kind of passion (well, except that one incident that started the whole fawn situation) "You're... I... I like you, and... just please don't leave," he says, sputtering out rather pathetically. Though his voice is weak, his eyes are suddenly shining with a sort of sincerity and concern that's somehow different. Suddenly, the feeling behind it just seems much more clear and emphatic.
Aspen slightly folds back her ears at the suddenness of his initial answer, though they prick forward again, listening in earnest. She hadn't allowed herself to hope this much. Having heard Roscoe speak of often of merely checking in on Tix out of necessity, and never hearing him speak fondly of her...or of her at all, /and/ all the noise of males not being needed when fawns are born has pretty much convinced her that being around too much may be cramping Chanson's style. And so hearing his request for her to stay and seeing that sincere look in his eyes has her heart melting and face feeling warm beneath her fur. She moves closer to him and presses her muzzle against the side of his neck in a fond touch. "I would miss you too much. And...your fawns deserve to know their father," she adds with a small grin. "I'll stay, and I promise to try to make things better between me and Roscoe. For our fawn’s sakes."
Chanson's ears perk up when she nuzzles up against him, his eyes widening considerably. His mouth drops a bit when she mentions the fawns, and his eyes grow *much* wider still. "So it..." he whispers breathlessly. "It's... happened?" He slowly turns to look her in the eye. "They're... they're here? Now?" Shock. Stillness. Trembling excitement. All this and more is evident in his quivering lips and swaying stance.
Aspen is reluctant to pull away from him, but she does in order to look at him with a soft smile. She nods eagerly in reply to him, leaning in to touch her muzzle to his cheek. "Yes, they're here and new and perfect. You make good fawns," she commends with a bit of a playful grin. "You have a son, Ridge, and a daughter, Dawn." She turns her head towards the cluster of fir trees, nodding in the direction of them. "They're there, quiet like they should be. And you..." She smirks at him, nudging his shoulder encouragingly, "should go see them."