[imgleft]
http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... ncert3.png[/imgleft]The crane blinked slowly, a chuckle rolled like waves on stone in the buck's mind,
'Mayhaps,' he thought to the young wantling as he shook out his feathers and spread his wings. The wind stirred, carrying with it the sting of sea spray and the scent of salt brine, despite being no where near the ocean. Feathers became fur and in that slow, deliberate blink, the crane became a stag.
Watch stepped forward, shaking out his ling silvery mane. The markings on his pelt rippled like light on the surface of still water, rolling over his white fur like waves. His eyes opened and the light of a sunset seen from miles away shone through them, trailing like a thick mist.
"Your desires outweigh you, but my blessing I will give." From his mouth, that red fog fell with each word, pooling and spreading between the two kin. Every breath shaped it, each sentence directing, breathing life into the shadows that formed.
"Tell your mate to not be ashamed, for one cannot be called brave without being afraid. You will have many children. Stong, vivacious," As he spoke, the figures of small foals lifted from the fog. Their laughter echoed around them as they ran and played amongst themselves, moving too swiftly to give a proper count of them,
"But take care for what you wish for, young buck. For those who live a life free of fear will not know how to respond when the need arises." And with a swift movement, the fog swirled, enveloping the shadow-children with a sudden silence.
While this was a warning, the stag's presence was not ominous, nor was there a hint of threat. He offered the new father a knowing smile,
"All will be well as long as you put all those wants to good use. Long for your children's success, wish for them to become well rounded individuals and yearn for their happiness. Do this, for that is your duty as a father." He nodded to the buck and craned his long neck, shuffling his weathered nose beneath the wing of his mantled crane. From there, he selected a single feather, long and well shaped. Gentle, he laid it at the buck's hooves and took a slow step back before turning away.
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