Post by avalikia on Jan 22, 2010 4:51:30 GMT -5
Characters:
Chanson - Male Whitetail Deer
Niabi - Female Elk
Aspen - Female Whitetail Deer
Aylen - Female Elk Calf (NPC)
Dawn - Female Whitetail Deer Fawn (NPC)
Setting:
Maple Glade
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The maple glade once again. Chanson might have at one point thought it would be boring to stay in one spot for too long, but nowadays... he has things to anchor him to places. Chanson had been convinced that as a young buck he'd wander about and compete here and there and do what everyone else did. Fight. Of course, now he has this place as (kind of) his own. It's home... a new home that he's proudly watching over. And under. And through. He's made a circle of their territory, looking hither and yon for his sweetheart and their fawns. Why did children have to be so good at camouflage? Or the fairer of the species seemingly so good at avoiding things? It's Chanson we're talking about! He slowly strides through the glade for the fifth time today, huffing as he comes to a stop, thwacking a few low branches with his antlers, sending leaves fluttering and waving. Well, fine. If they won't let themselves get found, it's not his fault, because he looked!
Having spent the morning grazing (and trying to convince Aylen to give it a try), Niabi returns slowly, stopping periodically to nibble on anything tasty-looking. With a calf by her side she's never really not alert, but knowing how secure this area is makes her relax just a little. She pauses to listen when she hears some tree branches shake, and turns in that direction. Either it's something dangerous, or it's one of the bucks, and either way she wants to investigate. Aylen startles at the noise, but when her Niabi turns towards it she's quick to keep up; mom's never been wrong about this sort of thing.
Aspen has been very much a busybody lately! Though the maple glade is always the end point of her journeys, she, along with her brood, have been having adventures in the woods! Learning boundaries. Investigating things. Playing games. Practicing the art of being ever watchful, cautious, and quiet. Things like that. Has she meant to be so elusive to a certain buck? Maybe not. But today is a different story. She's scented Chanson around and knows that he's been out patrolling the territory. She's shadowed him, along with Dawn, albeit at least a mile behind him so she won't be noticed due to Dawn's lack of stealth. It's a fun game that the spotted young fawn seems to be enjoying as she hides behind boulders and trees and bushes, even though she's not sure what she's hiding /from/. Now, they're getting close to the glade, and Chanson finally comes into view. Aspen suppresses a giggle as she watches his frustration, and Dawn, recognizing the buck, squeals a "Tantin!" of delight before ducking into a bush with a loud giggle. Aspen tries to blend in with the shadows.
"Wha-?" Chanson exclaims, turning about at his daughter's yell. But all he sees at first is Niabi and... a calf. Hasn't he? Yes, he remembers Niabi "Hullo! Hey! It's you there!" he calls out through the trees, figuring it was them that were trying to hail him. Albeit in a very odd, squeaky voice... His ears and eyes continually tilt about to try and pick up more. He could have sworn that was Dawn's voice instead, but he's *certain* that she wasn't in the immediate area. Or at least, he's *kind* of certain now. "Did you... say something?" he asks the elk.
Niabi's attention is diverted momentarily to the strange noises in the bushes nearby, but if the fact that she was also looking for the source wasn't answer enough she smiles and adds, "Not yet, I was about to." Whatever it was didn't sound dangerous, but she errs on the side of caution and finishes approaching Chanson. "It's good to see you again, by the way," she adds as she turns again to look in the direction that the sounds came from. Aylen remains right by Niabi's side, but 'accidentally' ends up on the side of her mother that's directly opposite from Chanson.
Dawn peeks wide baby doeish eyes out from the bush, eyes directly on her father. And her father is soon accompanied by an unfamiliar creature that's rather large! Curiosity outweighs fear, and knowing that her mother is near..ish, she promptly leaves the bush and approaches. So much for being hidden and all that! Still, she's no fool. She moves to her father while keeping faaaar away from the elk, ears swiveling back and forth as she moves. Halfway to her destination, she breaks out into a trot to speed up the process and nearly crashes into one of the buck's hindlegs. "Hi!" Aspen, of course, is watching on. She sees Niabi, though doesn't see her as a threat to her offspring. And Chanson? Of course he can handle one little fawn by himself for a minute longer, right? )
Maybe, maybe not! Chanson erfs when his daughter comes toddling, then charging out of the undergrowth! He turns to face her with a wide smile however, bowing his head to sniff at her and uncover where she's been through the things she might have picked up with her fur. "Aww, little Dawn! You rise again," he says with a cheesy waggle of his head, smiling back up at Niabi. "It's good to see you, as well... Niabi! I knew I'd remember it. Wow. It *has* been some time... things have changed significantly." He looks down at his daughter, flicking his tail. "You see... this one's mine. Aren't you Dawn? You're Chanson's!" He tilts his head at the forest around them. "And where is your lovely mother?"
More than one young deer's curiosity gets the better of her fear; Aylen's head suddenly pokes around Niabi when the fawn comes into view. Still, her eyes move between the buck and the fawn, as if deciding between the two. It ends up being sort of a draw: "Hi," the calf answers, but remains firmly where she is. Niabi chuckles, but doesn't interfere with the two youngsters, instead turning to Chanson, "Yes, a very long time! Nearly a year, in fact. And yes, lots of change; mostly good it seems." She smiles at the interaction between fawn and buck, finding the whole scene precious. "This is my daughter Aylen," she introduces the calf, pride very evident in her voice.
Is she his? Oh yes she is! Dawn may not fully understand her father's claim, but she has no trouble deciphering his kind tone and touches, and she responds to them both with glee. She raises her head up, seeking to sniff and nuzzle at his nose while peering at his antlers that are so fascinating. She darts in and out of his legs, giggling all the way, but comes to a sudden stop when noticing the young calf. Eh? What a straaaange looking fawn! She looks nothing like her brother or even remotely like the other fawns in the herd. Dawn stares at Aylen, blinking owlishly. Aspen, who has watched the interaction between father and daughter with heart-melting fondness, finally moves towards the gathering, acknowledging Niabi with a nod and smile. "Good to see you both again," she greets before moving to Chanson's side, offering him an affectionate nuzzle to the neck. "You are so good with her." A very high compliment.
"Yes, mostly," Chanson replies distractedly, standing still and watching Dawn flit back and forth between his legs like some sort of monster-size hummingbird, affectionately bewildered by her hyperactivity. He glances back and forth between her and Aylen, smiling at the two of them. "Hello there," he says with as regal a nod as he can manage; not hard considering his large, handsome antlers. He told Aspen they'd get bigger next season, didn't he! And then there she is. He smiles tightly, tilting his head towards the nuzzling. He doesn't want to look goofy, but he doesn't want to look like Roscoe either, struggling to keep himself in check. Striking a balance is hard! "She's your gift to me, and the forest," he says quietly. "How can't I be good?"
Niabi is quick to connect the dots. So, Chanson and Aspen, huh? She smiles at how sweet they look together. Almost makes her wish... Nah, Aylen's father would surely be driving her crazy by now if they'd stayed together. Giving the calf an encouraging nuzzle, Niabi smiles at Aspen, "Same here." Despite her mother's encouraging nuzzle, Aylen seems reluctant to investigate the fawn with now two grown whitetails around though she's obviously very interested. Torn, the calf eventually becomes adventurous enough to take just one step further around Niabi and sniffs the air curiously.
Aspen's ears flick forward in surprise than fall back in slight embarrassment, though it's the kind of pleasant embarrassment that has her smiling warmly instead of cowering away in annoyance. "When did you start having such a way with words, hmm?" asked with a grin, nudging him playfully though an overly pleased feeling still clings in her chest. Her eyes turn to Niabi now, and she nods to her. "The two of you know each other? Niabi was the first one I met here," she says to the buck at her side. "And I'm glad it was her. If Roscoe were the first..." she shudders, "I doubt I'd've stuck around! Though he's been different lately.." she muses. "Nicer." Dawn, who could care less what her mother, father, or the mega big thing are talking about, is getting over her initial shock. And once Aylen steps forward, she begins to grin. "Hi!" she offers as she trots forward, tossing fear aside as she aims to sniff her up close and personal.
"Since I decided I didn't want to say 'hi' like Roscoe," Chanson says with a wry smile, returning the nudge gently. Although, she does have a point. Roscoe has been getting... a little... less not nice recently. He watches Dawn move forward without any fear. After all, they're elk! It's not like they're predatory cats or anything. "Yes, Niabi and I met first when I got here... although, I also managed to run into Roscoe early on too," he says with a moderate, rueful chuckle. "It was mostly a matter of pride that *I* stayed... Niabi helped me through that by offering me words of encouragement and practice for the actual contest."
What's this about Roscoe being nicer? It's hard for her to believe that. Still, she's only bumped into him twice since she returned, and the first time she had some rather sharp things to say to him. Well, she'll find out exactly what the change is for herself soon enough. She smiles modestly at their kind words, "I'm glad to help anyone I can." Especially if it helps moderate Roscoe being Roscoe. Aylen looks a bit alarmed when the fawn approaches a little too close and a little too fast, but manages to hold her ground anyway. Oh, just wanted a sniff? Well, that's okay then! The calf takes this opportunity to get in a good sniff of her own.
"Practice?" Aspen asks, glancing between the buck and elk curiously. "You mean, is she the one I should thank for you beating Roscoe the fateful time you did?" said with a grin to them both. And thank goodness he won! What would that have meant for her if Roscoe had been the victor every time the two locked horns! "Niabi, are you here to say? I haven't seen elk since...well, since the last I saw you now that I think of it. And I know there must be others..." said with a glance to the calf. She surely didn't get that little one by herself! Dawn, delighted that she's close to the other larger young one, cranes her neck up a little to sniffsniff. And now that that's done..they're friends! She bleats playfully, then leaps backwards, inviting her to a game of chase by hopping a few steps, then looking over her shoulder.
"Yes, she's the one. Without her I'd have just kept flailing and failing... and we'd have never come together," Chanson says ominously, a note of fearful realization in his voice. If he hadn't won, then *Aspen*... would have been *Roscoe's.* The very thought makes him shudder with vague disgust. While the two seem to have graduated to 'speaking terms', he doesn't have any desire to see any of his children, or his sweetheart of a doe, to not be his anymore. He finds some more happiness in watching his daughter get friendly with the other youngster. She seems to be the polar opposite of her brother, both of them possessing qualities he now knows he always wanted to see in his offspring.
"He did?" Niabi asks, delighted and quickly wearing a satisfied grin. She'd always wondered what ever became of that little lesson she'd given Chanson, and is very happy it was put to good use. What she wouldn't have given to have seen it! Oh, well. "Yes, I am," Niabi answers Aspen, "Well, not 'here' here, but around yes. I'll visit here often. And that you haven't seen the others is the main reason I'm here, actually, aside from just catching up on everything I missed while I've been away. Roscoe and I have much to talk about." Perhaps a bit cryptic, but Niabi doubts that it's a good idea to go into details about a difference of opinion among the herd leaders. Aylen startles a little at the bleat, and looks confused at the fawn's sudden change in behavior. Noticing the problem, Niabi quickly tells Aylen, "She wants to play tag. But be gentle!" Tag? Aylen knows that game! Throwing caution to the wind, the calf sprints after the fawn, intent on it, though she keeps her mother's instruction in mind and is careful around her smaller playmate.
Whether or not she felt that shudder or saw it, Aspen seems to choose now to slightly lean her side against Chanson's. A reassuring touch, perhaps, or maybe she's just seeking nearness. She sneaks him a smile. "I bet you would've gotten the hang of it sooner or later. But still, I'm glad for the practice! This year, the two've you..." she glances up to his antlers, larger than they were the previous year, "he won't underestimate you now," said encouragingly before she looks to Niabi, ears twisting forward a little. "Oh?" Yes, well that was...secretive! But she doesn't pry. If Roscoe and Niabi haven't yet talked, then the issue is up to them. Roscoe may fill them in later. Maybe. "How many elk are there?" she asks curiously as the young ones run about. Dawn looks as if she'll play with anyone with hooves, as even though the calf is larger than her, she's laughing as she races around both her parents, then around Niabi herself. With deer around, there's nothing to fear.
"Ha, he better not, or he'll taste all the new things I've learned in force!" Chanson says with a proud waggle of those new antlers, brandishing them fiercely. He feels bolstered by Aspen's touch, leaning back gently, but surely. It's like he plans to be some kind of avenging hero this new mating season! He keeps his ears on the kids and the forest around them, and his eyes on Niabi. "It's good to know you'll be close by. At least we'll be able to feel like the forest isn't devoid of other creatures like us," he says, smiling serenely. Yes, things are safe. Right now, for now. "It's nothing... dangerous going on, I hope?" he prods hesitantly about the "talk" with Roscoe.
"Four." Niabi answers Aspen, "Me, Aylen, the lead bull Ojalo, and another cow named Catori. There are a few others we see occasionally; I'm sure it's the same with whitetails." She frowns at Chanson's question, and there may be a hint of worry in the way an ear twists, but her answer is, "Nothing more dangerous than normal." Aylen seems to be taking the game very seriously, but despite her longer legs that provide greater speed she's slowed by her own unwillingness to get too close to the adult whitetails, and also by the fawn's slightly better agility. Come back here, you!
"Mmmhm, like your newfound skill to melt hearts of females, deer and elk alike, with your fathering skills will your daughter?" Aspen says lightly to Chanson, eyes glittering with jest as she tosses a wink Niabi's way. "Oh yes, that'll knock him dead, make'm run with fear .... Along with those great big antlers of yours," she adds because they're worthy of honest comment. She grins, though soon pays attention to the words exchanged between him and the elk, blinking rapidly at the talk of danger. All joking aside, she eyes Niabi, considering her answer. "..Let's hope so. It's been so peaceful here. And with the fawns, I'd hate to think something .. out of the ordinary is waiting for us." Speaking of fawns. Though Dawn is quick, she seems to be tiring and her next sharp turn around the adults sends her sprawling. A usual tumble. So usual that Aspen, after glancing to make sure she's alright, leaves her to pick herself up.
Chanson eyes Niabi carefully, mulling over the way she says that. If it's no more dangerous than normal, shouldn't the rest of the herd know? He also flicks his eyes Dawn's way as she takes a tumble, but they go back to Niabi again, and he unconsciously nudges a little bit closer to Aspen. Must keep safe. He smiles genially at the compliments laid upon his fantastic antlers. "Well. I *do* seem to have developed an aptitude for charming the fairest in the forest," he says, looking meaningfully to Aspen.
Seeing that she's ruffled a few feathers, Niabi decides it's better to be more specific than to cause unnecessary alarm, "It's not a matter of what's dangerous, it's a matter of how it could be safer. There's some room for improvement. If there was anything wrong, I would tell everyone, I assure you." Unable to resist the opportunity, Aylen jogs up to the fawn, gently noses the nearest leg, then sprints away slowly, looking behind her to see if she'll be followed.
Aspen can feel her skin growing warm beneath her fur as she gazes at Chanson, wondering when this romantic streak of his blossomed so vibrantly. But hey, she's not complaining! "Mm, maybe fairest of the /glade/" she says, ducking her head a bit to tuck it beneath his chin, eyes closing in comfort, "but the whole forest? I won't admit to being so vain.." Eyes slitting open, she listens to Niabi, brows lifting. "Roscoe won't like hearing that. It'll make him seem ... insufficient." Dawn doesn't make any movements to stand up immediately, seemingly worn out. She does at least roll onto her belly with her legs tucked beneath her, panting and beaming at the calf. She's just found herself a new best friend!
"Well, he has been having trouble keeping himself going," Chanson admits. "I recently caught him sleeping after admitting to be awake for days on end. When he knew I was watching he went right back to work, whether he was rested or not." He blows air through his nose stiffly. "One of these days he's going to find himself unable to function as good as he used to. So, yes. That could be improved. He thinks if he's not going all the time every time he's failing utterly."
The surprise that crosses Niabi's face at Chanson's words indicates that the elk wasn't aware of any such thing. "Ojalo's been wearing himself out as well, though not quite to that degree," she comments thoughtfully after a moment, "It seems that Roscoe will just have to be told a few things he'd rather not hear, then." And she seems relatively unconcerned about the task, having done so before and suspecting that she'll have to do it again. Aylen dances impatiently in place, barely breathing hard; she had a lot of really long days while traveling with her mother and has a lot of stamina for a calf her age. She paws the ground a little, wanting more fun right now!
"He gets angry when I ask him to rest," Aspen admits, pulling her head from beneath Chanson's chin so he can regard the both of them more easily. "The two of you are right. He /does/ need to share the load more. But I know...heh, /we/ know how hard-headed he can be, and resentful." She wrinkles her nose a little, head tilting up to exhale a sigh. "Better you than me, Niabi, that's the only consolation I can think of. The last time I tried to get my point across to him, he took some pretty drastic measures. We're only now starting to ... cooperate again." Her tail flicks agitatedly, though she turns her eyes to Aylen, as if to distract her from her thoughts. "Sorry young one. Looks like you wore Dawn out."
"Drastic measures?" Now it's Chanson's turn to look surprised, looking over at Aspen. "What happened? Is that why you were gone for so long?"
Niabi's ears perk at Chanson's question, curious herself. Don't tell her she'll have to take him to task for how he's treated a doe. Again. She doesn't add her own question, but her expression pleads for the real answer. Aylen, not understanding what Aspen means, turns to Niabi for the translation. "She's tired, no more tag," Niabi says distractedly. "Oh," is Aylen's disappointed answer, and the young calf looks around as if wondering what to do next.
Aspen flicks back her ears a bit, realizing she hadn't confided in Chanson on any of what happened. "..Yes," she answers to his last question, ignoring the 'what happened' part of it for now. Her eyes stray to Niabi unsurely before she looks at Chanson. "It's not important now, Chanson. It's in the past, and I'm here now. That's what's important, right?" She smiles reassuringly at him, a pleading look in her eyes. "Please don't ask him. It'll just make him angry again and things are going so well now. He's been nicer. I'll...I'll speak to you about it later. Promise."
Well, like he's going to just get brushed off like that. No longer is Aspen just some vague object he was trying to win, but she was... well, *his*, or as close as she was going to get. He's protective now, and it shows in the focused, concerned gaze he sends Aspen's way. "You promise," he says simply. Yes, she is promising, and they *are* going to talk about it, now or later. "Aspen, if this is something that's been bothering you, we... we *can* discuss it now."
"Please," is all that Niabi adds, her expression turning to a gentle concern. Her interest is two-fold: first, whatever Roscoe has done, it'll give Niabi an idea of how Roscoe has changed or not during her long absence; and second, if the measures were too drastic, then... well, she'll have to figure out what to do then. Aylen, unable to find anything better to do, slowly makes her way back to the comfort and safety of her mother's side.
"I promise," Aspen assures with a small yet grateful smile to the buck, leaning up to press her muzzle against the fur of his cheek. "Later." Niabi's presence, though welcomed, seems to be the deciding factor. Whatever she feels...or felt about Roscoe won't be spoken in front of the elk, though at her gentle insistence Aspen offers her a smile. "Don't worry, Niabi. It's already been settled, so you shouldn't think on it any longer." She offers a slight, yet hopefully reassuring smile before she moves to nudge her half sleeping, yet not concealed in the brush and grasses, daughter. "Bedtime, it seems."
"All right," Chanson says with a nod. Bedtime indeed. He sends Niabi a curious look before turning away. "I'll get back to patrolling, then. Aspen... it's /so/ good to have you back," he says, giving her a nuzzle on the cheek before stepping back. Roscoe was probably sleeping... someone has to carry the load now!
The doe's words cause Niabi to frown, and she sighs quietly. It's difficult when you consider yourself trustworthy when others seem to not agree. But then she reminds herself that Aspen doesn't know her very well. "A herd should be able to say what needs to be said to eachother without fear," she says quietly, as if to herself. Shaking her head, she turns without another word and leads Aylen into the woods to find a quiet place to sleep and think.
Chanson - Male Whitetail Deer
Niabi - Female Elk
Aspen - Female Whitetail Deer
Aylen - Female Elk Calf (NPC)
Dawn - Female Whitetail Deer Fawn (NPC)
Setting:
Maple Glade
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The maple glade once again. Chanson might have at one point thought it would be boring to stay in one spot for too long, but nowadays... he has things to anchor him to places. Chanson had been convinced that as a young buck he'd wander about and compete here and there and do what everyone else did. Fight. Of course, now he has this place as (kind of) his own. It's home... a new home that he's proudly watching over. And under. And through. He's made a circle of their territory, looking hither and yon for his sweetheart and their fawns. Why did children have to be so good at camouflage? Or the fairer of the species seemingly so good at avoiding things? It's Chanson we're talking about! He slowly strides through the glade for the fifth time today, huffing as he comes to a stop, thwacking a few low branches with his antlers, sending leaves fluttering and waving. Well, fine. If they won't let themselves get found, it's not his fault, because he looked!
Having spent the morning grazing (and trying to convince Aylen to give it a try), Niabi returns slowly, stopping periodically to nibble on anything tasty-looking. With a calf by her side she's never really not alert, but knowing how secure this area is makes her relax just a little. She pauses to listen when she hears some tree branches shake, and turns in that direction. Either it's something dangerous, or it's one of the bucks, and either way she wants to investigate. Aylen startles at the noise, but when her Niabi turns towards it she's quick to keep up; mom's never been wrong about this sort of thing.
Aspen has been very much a busybody lately! Though the maple glade is always the end point of her journeys, she, along with her brood, have been having adventures in the woods! Learning boundaries. Investigating things. Playing games. Practicing the art of being ever watchful, cautious, and quiet. Things like that. Has she meant to be so elusive to a certain buck? Maybe not. But today is a different story. She's scented Chanson around and knows that he's been out patrolling the territory. She's shadowed him, along with Dawn, albeit at least a mile behind him so she won't be noticed due to Dawn's lack of stealth. It's a fun game that the spotted young fawn seems to be enjoying as she hides behind boulders and trees and bushes, even though she's not sure what she's hiding /from/. Now, they're getting close to the glade, and Chanson finally comes into view. Aspen suppresses a giggle as she watches his frustration, and Dawn, recognizing the buck, squeals a "Tantin!" of delight before ducking into a bush with a loud giggle. Aspen tries to blend in with the shadows.
"Wha-?" Chanson exclaims, turning about at his daughter's yell. But all he sees at first is Niabi and... a calf. Hasn't he? Yes, he remembers Niabi "Hullo! Hey! It's you there!" he calls out through the trees, figuring it was them that were trying to hail him. Albeit in a very odd, squeaky voice... His ears and eyes continually tilt about to try and pick up more. He could have sworn that was Dawn's voice instead, but he's *certain* that she wasn't in the immediate area. Or at least, he's *kind* of certain now. "Did you... say something?" he asks the elk.
Niabi's attention is diverted momentarily to the strange noises in the bushes nearby, but if the fact that she was also looking for the source wasn't answer enough she smiles and adds, "Not yet, I was about to." Whatever it was didn't sound dangerous, but she errs on the side of caution and finishes approaching Chanson. "It's good to see you again, by the way," she adds as she turns again to look in the direction that the sounds came from. Aylen remains right by Niabi's side, but 'accidentally' ends up on the side of her mother that's directly opposite from Chanson.
Dawn peeks wide baby doeish eyes out from the bush, eyes directly on her father. And her father is soon accompanied by an unfamiliar creature that's rather large! Curiosity outweighs fear, and knowing that her mother is near..ish, she promptly leaves the bush and approaches. So much for being hidden and all that! Still, she's no fool. She moves to her father while keeping faaaar away from the elk, ears swiveling back and forth as she moves. Halfway to her destination, she breaks out into a trot to speed up the process and nearly crashes into one of the buck's hindlegs. "Hi!" Aspen, of course, is watching on. She sees Niabi, though doesn't see her as a threat to her offspring. And Chanson? Of course he can handle one little fawn by himself for a minute longer, right? )
Maybe, maybe not! Chanson erfs when his daughter comes toddling, then charging out of the undergrowth! He turns to face her with a wide smile however, bowing his head to sniff at her and uncover where she's been through the things she might have picked up with her fur. "Aww, little Dawn! You rise again," he says with a cheesy waggle of his head, smiling back up at Niabi. "It's good to see you, as well... Niabi! I knew I'd remember it. Wow. It *has* been some time... things have changed significantly." He looks down at his daughter, flicking his tail. "You see... this one's mine. Aren't you Dawn? You're Chanson's!" He tilts his head at the forest around them. "And where is your lovely mother?"
More than one young deer's curiosity gets the better of her fear; Aylen's head suddenly pokes around Niabi when the fawn comes into view. Still, her eyes move between the buck and the fawn, as if deciding between the two. It ends up being sort of a draw: "Hi," the calf answers, but remains firmly where she is. Niabi chuckles, but doesn't interfere with the two youngsters, instead turning to Chanson, "Yes, a very long time! Nearly a year, in fact. And yes, lots of change; mostly good it seems." She smiles at the interaction between fawn and buck, finding the whole scene precious. "This is my daughter Aylen," she introduces the calf, pride very evident in her voice.
Is she his? Oh yes she is! Dawn may not fully understand her father's claim, but she has no trouble deciphering his kind tone and touches, and she responds to them both with glee. She raises her head up, seeking to sniff and nuzzle at his nose while peering at his antlers that are so fascinating. She darts in and out of his legs, giggling all the way, but comes to a sudden stop when noticing the young calf. Eh? What a straaaange looking fawn! She looks nothing like her brother or even remotely like the other fawns in the herd. Dawn stares at Aylen, blinking owlishly. Aspen, who has watched the interaction between father and daughter with heart-melting fondness, finally moves towards the gathering, acknowledging Niabi with a nod and smile. "Good to see you both again," she greets before moving to Chanson's side, offering him an affectionate nuzzle to the neck. "You are so good with her." A very high compliment.
"Yes, mostly," Chanson replies distractedly, standing still and watching Dawn flit back and forth between his legs like some sort of monster-size hummingbird, affectionately bewildered by her hyperactivity. He glances back and forth between her and Aylen, smiling at the two of them. "Hello there," he says with as regal a nod as he can manage; not hard considering his large, handsome antlers. He told Aspen they'd get bigger next season, didn't he! And then there she is. He smiles tightly, tilting his head towards the nuzzling. He doesn't want to look goofy, but he doesn't want to look like Roscoe either, struggling to keep himself in check. Striking a balance is hard! "She's your gift to me, and the forest," he says quietly. "How can't I be good?"
Niabi is quick to connect the dots. So, Chanson and Aspen, huh? She smiles at how sweet they look together. Almost makes her wish... Nah, Aylen's father would surely be driving her crazy by now if they'd stayed together. Giving the calf an encouraging nuzzle, Niabi smiles at Aspen, "Same here." Despite her mother's encouraging nuzzle, Aylen seems reluctant to investigate the fawn with now two grown whitetails around though she's obviously very interested. Torn, the calf eventually becomes adventurous enough to take just one step further around Niabi and sniffs the air curiously.
Aspen's ears flick forward in surprise than fall back in slight embarrassment, though it's the kind of pleasant embarrassment that has her smiling warmly instead of cowering away in annoyance. "When did you start having such a way with words, hmm?" asked with a grin, nudging him playfully though an overly pleased feeling still clings in her chest. Her eyes turn to Niabi now, and she nods to her. "The two of you know each other? Niabi was the first one I met here," she says to the buck at her side. "And I'm glad it was her. If Roscoe were the first..." she shudders, "I doubt I'd've stuck around! Though he's been different lately.." she muses. "Nicer." Dawn, who could care less what her mother, father, or the mega big thing are talking about, is getting over her initial shock. And once Aylen steps forward, she begins to grin. "Hi!" she offers as she trots forward, tossing fear aside as she aims to sniff her up close and personal.
"Since I decided I didn't want to say 'hi' like Roscoe," Chanson says with a wry smile, returning the nudge gently. Although, she does have a point. Roscoe has been getting... a little... less not nice recently. He watches Dawn move forward without any fear. After all, they're elk! It's not like they're predatory cats or anything. "Yes, Niabi and I met first when I got here... although, I also managed to run into Roscoe early on too," he says with a moderate, rueful chuckle. "It was mostly a matter of pride that *I* stayed... Niabi helped me through that by offering me words of encouragement and practice for the actual contest."
What's this about Roscoe being nicer? It's hard for her to believe that. Still, she's only bumped into him twice since she returned, and the first time she had some rather sharp things to say to him. Well, she'll find out exactly what the change is for herself soon enough. She smiles modestly at their kind words, "I'm glad to help anyone I can." Especially if it helps moderate Roscoe being Roscoe. Aylen looks a bit alarmed when the fawn approaches a little too close and a little too fast, but manages to hold her ground anyway. Oh, just wanted a sniff? Well, that's okay then! The calf takes this opportunity to get in a good sniff of her own.
"Practice?" Aspen asks, glancing between the buck and elk curiously. "You mean, is she the one I should thank for you beating Roscoe the fateful time you did?" said with a grin to them both. And thank goodness he won! What would that have meant for her if Roscoe had been the victor every time the two locked horns! "Niabi, are you here to say? I haven't seen elk since...well, since the last I saw you now that I think of it. And I know there must be others..." said with a glance to the calf. She surely didn't get that little one by herself! Dawn, delighted that she's close to the other larger young one, cranes her neck up a little to sniffsniff. And now that that's done..they're friends! She bleats playfully, then leaps backwards, inviting her to a game of chase by hopping a few steps, then looking over her shoulder.
"Yes, she's the one. Without her I'd have just kept flailing and failing... and we'd have never come together," Chanson says ominously, a note of fearful realization in his voice. If he hadn't won, then *Aspen*... would have been *Roscoe's.* The very thought makes him shudder with vague disgust. While the two seem to have graduated to 'speaking terms', he doesn't have any desire to see any of his children, or his sweetheart of a doe, to not be his anymore. He finds some more happiness in watching his daughter get friendly with the other youngster. She seems to be the polar opposite of her brother, both of them possessing qualities he now knows he always wanted to see in his offspring.
"He did?" Niabi asks, delighted and quickly wearing a satisfied grin. She'd always wondered what ever became of that little lesson she'd given Chanson, and is very happy it was put to good use. What she wouldn't have given to have seen it! Oh, well. "Yes, I am," Niabi answers Aspen, "Well, not 'here' here, but around yes. I'll visit here often. And that you haven't seen the others is the main reason I'm here, actually, aside from just catching up on everything I missed while I've been away. Roscoe and I have much to talk about." Perhaps a bit cryptic, but Niabi doubts that it's a good idea to go into details about a difference of opinion among the herd leaders. Aylen startles a little at the bleat, and looks confused at the fawn's sudden change in behavior. Noticing the problem, Niabi quickly tells Aylen, "She wants to play tag. But be gentle!" Tag? Aylen knows that game! Throwing caution to the wind, the calf sprints after the fawn, intent on it, though she keeps her mother's instruction in mind and is careful around her smaller playmate.
Whether or not she felt that shudder or saw it, Aspen seems to choose now to slightly lean her side against Chanson's. A reassuring touch, perhaps, or maybe she's just seeking nearness. She sneaks him a smile. "I bet you would've gotten the hang of it sooner or later. But still, I'm glad for the practice! This year, the two've you..." she glances up to his antlers, larger than they were the previous year, "he won't underestimate you now," said encouragingly before she looks to Niabi, ears twisting forward a little. "Oh?" Yes, well that was...secretive! But she doesn't pry. If Roscoe and Niabi haven't yet talked, then the issue is up to them. Roscoe may fill them in later. Maybe. "How many elk are there?" she asks curiously as the young ones run about. Dawn looks as if she'll play with anyone with hooves, as even though the calf is larger than her, she's laughing as she races around both her parents, then around Niabi herself. With deer around, there's nothing to fear.
"Ha, he better not, or he'll taste all the new things I've learned in force!" Chanson says with a proud waggle of those new antlers, brandishing them fiercely. He feels bolstered by Aspen's touch, leaning back gently, but surely. It's like he plans to be some kind of avenging hero this new mating season! He keeps his ears on the kids and the forest around them, and his eyes on Niabi. "It's good to know you'll be close by. At least we'll be able to feel like the forest isn't devoid of other creatures like us," he says, smiling serenely. Yes, things are safe. Right now, for now. "It's nothing... dangerous going on, I hope?" he prods hesitantly about the "talk" with Roscoe.
"Four." Niabi answers Aspen, "Me, Aylen, the lead bull Ojalo, and another cow named Catori. There are a few others we see occasionally; I'm sure it's the same with whitetails." She frowns at Chanson's question, and there may be a hint of worry in the way an ear twists, but her answer is, "Nothing more dangerous than normal." Aylen seems to be taking the game very seriously, but despite her longer legs that provide greater speed she's slowed by her own unwillingness to get too close to the adult whitetails, and also by the fawn's slightly better agility. Come back here, you!
"Mmmhm, like your newfound skill to melt hearts of females, deer and elk alike, with your fathering skills will your daughter?" Aspen says lightly to Chanson, eyes glittering with jest as she tosses a wink Niabi's way. "Oh yes, that'll knock him dead, make'm run with fear .... Along with those great big antlers of yours," she adds because they're worthy of honest comment. She grins, though soon pays attention to the words exchanged between him and the elk, blinking rapidly at the talk of danger. All joking aside, she eyes Niabi, considering her answer. "..Let's hope so. It's been so peaceful here. And with the fawns, I'd hate to think something .. out of the ordinary is waiting for us." Speaking of fawns. Though Dawn is quick, she seems to be tiring and her next sharp turn around the adults sends her sprawling. A usual tumble. So usual that Aspen, after glancing to make sure she's alright, leaves her to pick herself up.
Chanson eyes Niabi carefully, mulling over the way she says that. If it's no more dangerous than normal, shouldn't the rest of the herd know? He also flicks his eyes Dawn's way as she takes a tumble, but they go back to Niabi again, and he unconsciously nudges a little bit closer to Aspen. Must keep safe. He smiles genially at the compliments laid upon his fantastic antlers. "Well. I *do* seem to have developed an aptitude for charming the fairest in the forest," he says, looking meaningfully to Aspen.
Seeing that she's ruffled a few feathers, Niabi decides it's better to be more specific than to cause unnecessary alarm, "It's not a matter of what's dangerous, it's a matter of how it could be safer. There's some room for improvement. If there was anything wrong, I would tell everyone, I assure you." Unable to resist the opportunity, Aylen jogs up to the fawn, gently noses the nearest leg, then sprints away slowly, looking behind her to see if she'll be followed.
Aspen can feel her skin growing warm beneath her fur as she gazes at Chanson, wondering when this romantic streak of his blossomed so vibrantly. But hey, she's not complaining! "Mm, maybe fairest of the /glade/" she says, ducking her head a bit to tuck it beneath his chin, eyes closing in comfort, "but the whole forest? I won't admit to being so vain.." Eyes slitting open, she listens to Niabi, brows lifting. "Roscoe won't like hearing that. It'll make him seem ... insufficient." Dawn doesn't make any movements to stand up immediately, seemingly worn out. She does at least roll onto her belly with her legs tucked beneath her, panting and beaming at the calf. She's just found herself a new best friend!
"Well, he has been having trouble keeping himself going," Chanson admits. "I recently caught him sleeping after admitting to be awake for days on end. When he knew I was watching he went right back to work, whether he was rested or not." He blows air through his nose stiffly. "One of these days he's going to find himself unable to function as good as he used to. So, yes. That could be improved. He thinks if he's not going all the time every time he's failing utterly."
The surprise that crosses Niabi's face at Chanson's words indicates that the elk wasn't aware of any such thing. "Ojalo's been wearing himself out as well, though not quite to that degree," she comments thoughtfully after a moment, "It seems that Roscoe will just have to be told a few things he'd rather not hear, then." And she seems relatively unconcerned about the task, having done so before and suspecting that she'll have to do it again. Aylen dances impatiently in place, barely breathing hard; she had a lot of really long days while traveling with her mother and has a lot of stamina for a calf her age. She paws the ground a little, wanting more fun right now!
"He gets angry when I ask him to rest," Aspen admits, pulling her head from beneath Chanson's chin so he can regard the both of them more easily. "The two of you are right. He /does/ need to share the load more. But I know...heh, /we/ know how hard-headed he can be, and resentful." She wrinkles her nose a little, head tilting up to exhale a sigh. "Better you than me, Niabi, that's the only consolation I can think of. The last time I tried to get my point across to him, he took some pretty drastic measures. We're only now starting to ... cooperate again." Her tail flicks agitatedly, though she turns her eyes to Aylen, as if to distract her from her thoughts. "Sorry young one. Looks like you wore Dawn out."
"Drastic measures?" Now it's Chanson's turn to look surprised, looking over at Aspen. "What happened? Is that why you were gone for so long?"
Niabi's ears perk at Chanson's question, curious herself. Don't tell her she'll have to take him to task for how he's treated a doe. Again. She doesn't add her own question, but her expression pleads for the real answer. Aylen, not understanding what Aspen means, turns to Niabi for the translation. "She's tired, no more tag," Niabi says distractedly. "Oh," is Aylen's disappointed answer, and the young calf looks around as if wondering what to do next.
Aspen flicks back her ears a bit, realizing she hadn't confided in Chanson on any of what happened. "..Yes," she answers to his last question, ignoring the 'what happened' part of it for now. Her eyes stray to Niabi unsurely before she looks at Chanson. "It's not important now, Chanson. It's in the past, and I'm here now. That's what's important, right?" She smiles reassuringly at him, a pleading look in her eyes. "Please don't ask him. It'll just make him angry again and things are going so well now. He's been nicer. I'll...I'll speak to you about it later. Promise."
Well, like he's going to just get brushed off like that. No longer is Aspen just some vague object he was trying to win, but she was... well, *his*, or as close as she was going to get. He's protective now, and it shows in the focused, concerned gaze he sends Aspen's way. "You promise," he says simply. Yes, she is promising, and they *are* going to talk about it, now or later. "Aspen, if this is something that's been bothering you, we... we *can* discuss it now."
"Please," is all that Niabi adds, her expression turning to a gentle concern. Her interest is two-fold: first, whatever Roscoe has done, it'll give Niabi an idea of how Roscoe has changed or not during her long absence; and second, if the measures were too drastic, then... well, she'll have to figure out what to do then. Aylen, unable to find anything better to do, slowly makes her way back to the comfort and safety of her mother's side.
"I promise," Aspen assures with a small yet grateful smile to the buck, leaning up to press her muzzle against the fur of his cheek. "Later." Niabi's presence, though welcomed, seems to be the deciding factor. Whatever she feels...or felt about Roscoe won't be spoken in front of the elk, though at her gentle insistence Aspen offers her a smile. "Don't worry, Niabi. It's already been settled, so you shouldn't think on it any longer." She offers a slight, yet hopefully reassuring smile before she moves to nudge her half sleeping, yet not concealed in the brush and grasses, daughter. "Bedtime, it seems."
"All right," Chanson says with a nod. Bedtime indeed. He sends Niabi a curious look before turning away. "I'll get back to patrolling, then. Aspen... it's /so/ good to have you back," he says, giving her a nuzzle on the cheek before stepping back. Roscoe was probably sleeping... someone has to carry the load now!
The doe's words cause Niabi to frown, and she sighs quietly. It's difficult when you consider yourself trustworthy when others seem to not agree. But then she reminds herself that Aspen doesn't know her very well. "A herd should be able to say what needs to be said to eachother without fear," she says quietly, as if to herself. Shaking her head, she turns without another word and leads Aylen into the woods to find a quiet place to sleep and think.