[B] Little sprouting buds [Thirsty Roots x Stalker Owl]

[Beejoux]

Well, it wasn't surprising, what happened. She'd between up in a large tribe, and she was an inquisitive doe. She knew there'd be a chance when she'd started messing around with the spikey Seared Earth. So when she started to feel the subtle, yet unmistakable flutter in her belly, she knew what that meant, and she knew what she needed to do next, who to talk to.

Now she just needed to find them, or someone else like them, should the kin she had in mind not be available.

She let Seared know she'd be heading out for a little while, then she went searching.

[Toshiful]

The nights had started to get just that much cooler, and Stalker knew the summer would be winding to a close very shortly. Some of the swamp's sturdier fruits and grasses would appear and they would be able to concentrate fully on preparing for winter.

Stalker never really stopped preparing for winter, it was only that in the spring and summer he got pulled aside more often to also manage frivolities and to waste his hours making the attempt to be social.

At last night's party, an outsider had come bearing an array of new fruits. One of them had proved to be a resounding hit, and rather than eating his portions Stalker had spirited away some samples to see if any seeds could be salvaged. It was a tricky thing with any kind of plant, although there were creatures that could help even if the seeds were finicky.

It was then he spotted what was very certainly one of theirs, although he couldn't recognise their lineage exactly from the patterning. The ankle markings, however, gave him some pause. She looked like she was searching for something. Had she dropped something? Was someone missing?

He shuffled his shell with saved fruits importantly.

"Are you in need of assistance?" he asked stiffly.

[Beejoux]

Thirsty paused when she heard the shuffling, and large ears perked, swiveling, before she spotted the regal looking buck not far from her. "Oh, yes. Yes, your assistance is exactly what I'm looking for," she declared as she moved swiftly over Stalker Owl. She knew him, sort of. Had seen him plenty, heard stories and opinions, but had yet to meet him more officially since joining them.

"You see, I'm...well," She chuckled, shuffling on her feet. She was usually a very slight thin, thin and spindly, but her belly was starting to look quite noticeably round. "I heard you were the buck to talk to if you happened to be expecting, and I seem to be expecting."

She glanced back in the direction she'd come, back to where she'd left Seared dozing. Wondering briefly what he thought of all this, and what they were going to do moving forward. She pushed those thoughts aside again, looking back up at Stalker.

[Toshiful]

"Ah," Stalker said, "That kind of assistance. Well, yes, certainly. Ahem. Let me see."

There wasn't a formal guide for these things, but whatever forces he had been connected to seemed to work alright anyway. He put down the shell, so he could concentrate, shaking his mane and standing a little straighter.

"I've given a few blessings," he said cautiously, "and they were all very healthy, but also in my experience, a lot. You're keen on all that, then, before we proceed? Having a bundle?"

[Beejoux]

She watched him with a curious tilt to her head as he seemed to...well, she didn't know what, exactly, but it was like he was suddenly more than he'd been a moment before. It was impressive.

Those large ears of hers flicked when he gave her the heads up, and she nodded. If healthy and happy babies meant a large clutch? Well, so be it. The tribe seemed to celebrate children, and it felt safe here. There was always food, always support and protection. She'd been happy to stumble upon the tribe, and happier still to have been welcomed into it.

"Yes, I'm good with that."

[Toshiful]

Some members of the tribe were, in the kindest terms possible, silly with not much besides fluff between their ears. For that kind, a simple blessing would do. Some were a bit more ambitious. Regardless, all of them seemed to be regularly getting into trouble.

"Do you know the...other party?" Stalker asked. Not necessarily a sire, now, which he was grateful for. "And do you have any hopes for your clutch yourself?"

[Beejoux]

Thirsty did know the other party, but she could understand how some in the tribe might not be so sure. It was very...free, here. Which was what had attracted her in the first place. "Seared Earth is the father." The spiky fellow with the yellows and greys.

She considered for a moment, tail flicking idly back and forth. "Healthy, of course, but If they could be happy, find joy easily, that would be nice, I think?" She'd known kin before that didn't seem happy with anything, and that just seemed so...sad.

[Toshiful]

He did know Seared Earth. His lineage was a distinctive one. It was a good thing that this particular clutch would probably be eggs, he couldn't imagine a live birth with good results. Happiness was a good wish for any clutch.

"Ah, yes. I'm familiar with him. Then, have a safe birth," Stalker Owl began, "and may they be pretty, and in good health, and each find their happiness." He thought that was safe enough. It wasn't a blessing for troubled or difficult times. The tribe had been flourishing. He couldn't help but add, "And may they have at least a little sense," Thinking that couldn't hurt either.

Stalker inclined his head to her, then bent to pick up his shell again so he could get the seeds stripped and stored.

"Then, if you're not in need of further assistance...?"

[Beejoux]

All good blessing, and even one Thirsty Roots hadn't thought to add, but was appreciated all the same. A little good sense could go a long way. "Thank you." She watching him pick up his seeds again, curious about them, but not enough to pry.

"Oh, no. That was all I needed. Thank you for taking the time. I hope I wasn't keeping you from anything pressing."

[Toshiful]

"No, that's alright. Just the usual." Stalker was almost always bustling around with some task or another.

He cleared his throat. "Have a good evening," he said, giving another dipping bow with his head, and then hurrying off.