And then next.... there was a cock in his face.
The bird blinked at him, head tilted, feathers fluffed.
Almost There blinked back, so startled his body had activated its freeze state and all he could do was stare at the creature, who was studying him very intently.
Then the legendary in marshfowl form pecked him.
“OUCH!” Almost There flinched back. “What was that for dad?”
“Who is it?” Watch Me demanded, a Kiokote now, though the remnants of his marshfowl form was still there, puffed out feathers, gleaming little eyes. “I can’t believe you’ve kept this from me!”
“I-I-I,” Almost stuttered. He couldn’t handle his father at the best of times and this was far from the best of times. Possibly the worst of times because along with being ambushed while winding down for the night, he’d also just discovered his little fling had come with some unintended consequences.
His breath shuddered. “Oh MotherFather.”
“Come now, give me all the info. Is it an Acha?” Watch Me plopped down beside him, leaning in to receive the gossip. “Do I know them? Tell me everything!”
“A-acha,” Almost There admitted.
Watch Me beamed proudly.
“I- it’s - uh,” his thoughts were scattered, remembering the doe, her smile, “Halfway There.”
“Halfway to what? No, silly boy, you’re Almost There. As in, almost there in telling me all about them.” The legendary chuckled at himself. “... so?”
Almost There was not used to having Watch Me look at him with pride. He was very much one of the forgotten sons, a Kiokote who had almost been an Acha. A disappointment. He was someone his father had looked at and said, ‘what a shame’. Even if his father was getting better, he still carried that with him.
He cleared his throat.
“That’s her name.... Halfway There. She’s... really nice. All white, black and red.”
“Oh! Matching names! That’s cute! Good job!”
Almost There had spent the last few years repeating the mantra ‘I DO NOT NEED MY FATHER’S APPROVAL’ but the second he saw the look in Watch Me’s eyes and heard his words, he felt a warmth blossom in his chest. As if, finally, he’d done something right. It was frustrating just how much it meant to him.
“We’ll go find her,” Watch Me decided. “Welcome her into the family! I love new grandkids.” The legendary nudged his son's shoulder with his own. “Ready for your blessing?”
Was he?
Better to get it over with.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m ready.”
“May they be happy, healthy, vibrant and full of life! And may,”
Almost There squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the dreaded words. May they be Acha’s.
“...they be just like their father.”
Watch Me finished off, smiling. The coals in the fire crackled in the silence that followed. Eventually Almost There let out the softest of sighs.
“Thanks, dad.”