[B] Never too Old [Memories of the Lost & Distant Thunder]

[CelestialRequiem]

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... equiem.gif[/imgleft]There were days when Memories really felt her age. When her joints ached in the cold. When she couldn't recall something clearly. When she became winded after just a few moments of playing with her grandson. The fact that she even had grandchildren...

But then there were moments when she didn't feel quite so old. Moments like the brief time she'd recently spent with a dashing young buck. It had been such a delightful little tryst and he had reminded her that she really wasn't that old. Certainly not too old to have more children, as it seemed more would so be on the way.

Still, Memories worried that her age might complicate the process and wanted just a little reassurance that things would go smoothly. And nothing would reassure her more than a blessing from one of the swamp's chosen. Finding one hopefully wouldn't be too much of a challenge. It was, after all, summertime and everyone always flocked to the beaches during summer- herself included. With any luck, one of the ascended had also answered the call of warm sands and cool waters.

[Maxx]

[imgright]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgright] Distant Thunder was at home near the shore, his large, limp form situated just far enough to feel the waves lapping at his hooves while he napped in the sunshine. Then intuition kicked into his chest and he shot up, hooves scrambling, his entire side covered in coarse, rough, irritating sand that got everywhere. As his tail battled aggressively at himself, and he pranced about, shaking the grains off, he groggily wondered what it was - Tidings was nowhere to be seen, and some kin were milling around, so...

He squinted to see a slightly swollen figure of an Acha. Maybe that one?! After the awkward display of sand displacement, he broke into a run towards them. If it happened to be a naturally rotund Acha instead of a pregnant one, he'd just have to pretend he was jogging by.

@CelestialRequiem

[CelestialRequiem]

Luckily, Distant Thunder wouldn't have to deal with that particular brand of awkward encounter. The acha was, in fact, pregnant. And she seemed to be looking for someone. Her neck craned at every kin she passed, looking each one over to compare them with her memory of one kin in particular.

Because there was one legendary whom Memories recalled visited the beach with some frequency due to his tribe's affiliation with the local Sandbar tribe. Granted, she had only ever seen Watch Me once and it had been from a distance. But she was certain she'd know him if she saw him. She just....needed to see him first.

Maybe someone would know if he was even here to begin. The kiokote who was rapidly approaching her, perhaps. She hopped into a lazy trot to meet them and called out to the other kin. "Hello! Excuse me! Have you seen Watch Me around?"

@Maxx

[Maxx]

Distant Thunder would instead have to deal with a different brand of awkward encounter, as his face - you know, with the legendary glowing eyes and stuff - twisted as he slowed down to her, with the distinct understanding that she was pregnant, but also that she was looking for a different legendary. He'd heard of Watch Me. He'd heard him, too. It wasn't hard. He was extremely loud.

His mouth drew into a tight, mildly frowny line.

"No, but er...what do you need him for?"

@CelestialRequiem

[CelestialRequiem]

Completely oblivious to the offense she had just committed, Memories stopped in front of the buck with a warm and friendly smile. The sun was blazingly bright up above and she could swear the way it's light hit his eyes made them seem to glow. How interesting!

"Oh, I was hoping to ask for a blessing. I know he comes around here somewhat often, so I thought I'd ask around and see if anyone had spotted him."

@Maxx

[Maxx]

"Oh a blessing," Thunder said with calculated airiness, understanding that she seemed to have missed all the telltale signs of him being a Legendary: you know, glowing eyes, extraordinary runner, very handsome. But then again, Watch Me was one, too, and he was not quite so convinced on that buck's scores on these attributes.

But it would be too easy, wouldn't it, to just give it like this. He had to sort of ease into it a little. Impress her and impress upon her his superiority.

"Why, that must mean there is a pregnancy, eh? Congratulations! Oh, the sun is ever so strong today, let's get you somewhere cooler. Come, come, I might yet be able to resolve this blessing dilemma of yours."

He started to (attempt to) usher her towards the cool waters gently licking the shore. There was his domain.

@CelestialRequiem I'm sorry
(Also, Ruri, if you end up reading this, I am also sorry.)

[CelestialRequiem]

Memories could barely get in a 'thank you' and the kiokote's congratulations before she was being ushered towards the sea. And she went along willingly. After all, he was right. It was a very hot day and the water looked so inviting. She wouldn't mind a quick dip. And it seemed like this buck was able to help in her search as well!

"Really? You've seen him around then?" The joy and relief in her expression was all too obvious. If only she knew about the revelation she'd soon be having. And the very awkward apology she'd be giving.

@Maxx don't you dare apologize for this delightful rp >:]

[Maxx]

"Mmm," he demurred until he had corraled her into ankle-deep waves, "perhaps I can show you something even better. Now let's see, what is it you might have dreamed of? Perhaps of, or even for, your children?"

The sea around them sparkled promisingly in its slow slosh around their legs. He hoped she would be willing to share her dreams with him, and if they were too private for showing, he would very politely turn his head. He and Tidings had determined that his Motherfather-given powers did not discern between nice, wholesome dreams, and dreams unfit for public consumption.

@CelestialRequiem aw well thank you and GOOD because this is the first time I'm trying to publicly use his Legendary powers!! wooo! If Memories is amenable, Thunder's power enables him to project her literal dreams onto water! Of course whatever pops up is up to you, including if nothing pops up at all should she understandably not be willing to share her dreams with a random asshole on the beach. /o/

[CelestialRequiem]

"A dream for my children?" The answer was pretty obvious to Memories. She couldn't imagine anyone saying anything different, honestly. "Well, what mother doesn't dream of her children being strong and happy and healthy. But I suppose if I weren't going to be so cliche..."

She paused for a moment here, really thinking about it. "I dream of my children- the ones what will be here soon and the ones that I've already had -get along well with each other. That they look out for each other and take care of each other. And maybe check in with their dear old mother every now and then." Memories closes her eyes now, losing herself in the daydream. "Oh, and if we could all get together for the summer solstice just to catch up and enjoy each other's company. They can all bring their own children or any other special kin in their lives. We'll all good off all day and then have a big feast in the evening and-"

Her eyes popped open and Memories gave the- as far as she was concerned -very patient buck an apologetic look. "And that's probably far more than you were asking for, hah.... Really, all I can hope for though is that everything goes smoothly when it's time to bring these little ones into the world." She looked down into the water at her hooves, a bit embarrassed at how carried away she'd gotten. 

@Maxx Memories is all too willing to share jcmskg

[Maxx]

The ripples had bloomed into colours around her limbs, gently tinted like a trick of light in tones not unlike her birthed children, images of kin gathering and frolicking in a lively pantomime of her musings. Thunder watched both her and the scene reflected upon the water playing out with great satisfaction and a small tinge of relief that it was so very wholesome.

"Ah, I see," a shit-eating grin, "then I think we know what kind of blessing you want, eh?"

"By the way, I'm Swamp-touched," Thunder leaned in and said with the loudest whisper anyone within a 5 mile radius could hear.

@CelestialRequiem WHOLESOME good dream A+

[CelestialRequiem]

Memories watched the scene playing out on the water's surface with amazement, her eyes sparkling with wonder. Or maybe it was just the sun's reflection. Either way, she was awed and a little dumbfounded by this whimsical thing happening before her. "How is this..."

She looked up in confusion at the buck who had dragged her into the water. The buck with those sunlit eyes. The buck who had somehow magically projected her dream onto the sea???

Before it could even properly form in her mind he confirmed the thought that was coming to her. He was one of the swamp's chosen. The recognition slowly seeped into her face and then quickly turned to complete embarrassment. "Oh. Oh no. You're-....This is so embarrassing. I'm *so* sorry. I don't know how I didn't recognize! And this whole time I've been asking for another ascended kin when one was right in front of me!"

Memories waddled in awkwardly inna circle, pausing with her back to the now-realized legendary to try and recover from this horrible mistake she'd made before facing him again. "Please forgive me. I have no excuse for not recognizing."

@Maxx

[Maxx]

"Oh no, no worries at all," Thunder smiled the most irritatingly peaceful smile, his pettiness settled by the ostentatious display of his powers and her kind apologies, "it seems that even though you sought someone else, it was I who was fated to meet you today." (Not Watch Me. Not this time.)

"Thank you for sharing your hopes with me," he bowed gently, "I know what to ask of the Motherfather now."

And with the niceties concluded, he raised his face to the sky and yelled real loud:

"HEAR THEE YOUR CHILDREN, GOOD MOTHERFATHER," he briefly turned to nod at her - yes, indeed it was happening right now, "MAY YOUR GRACE GRANT THIS DOE'S CHILDREN STRENGTH, HAPPINESS, HEALTH BUT MOST OF ALL, A LOVE FOR THEIR SIBLINGS AND THEIR DEAR MOTHER, AND TO FIND HOME IN FAMILY!"

The sea sloshed gently in the following silence.

Thunder lowered his head and beamed at her.

"It is done."

@CelestialRequiem yey you can end it I think! thanks for indulging him hahah

[CelestialRequiem]

In that moment there was one thing Memories wanted to do and that was sink under the waves and disappear completely. Her embarrassment was already near unbearable, but now that it was being announced to the entire beach- probably the entire swamp with as loud as this buck was -that she was receiving the swamp's blessing it was simply too much. But it was be far too impolite to do any such thing, especially after everything that had happened. So, she just stood there, accepting her fate and planning her escape as swiftly as possible.

And when the declarations to the skies had finally quieted and the deed was done, Memories gave the most polite smile she could manage. Which was still exceedingly polite for any normal kin. "T-Thank you. You're very kind and gracious." She made a quick glance over to the dunes with a look of sudden realization. "Oh, I must be off. My daughter and grandson are waiting for me. Thank you again, so much, for this blessing. If there's ever anything I can do to repay you for... everything, please let me know."

She gave a quick little bow of her head then waded back to dry sands. It was true that her daughter and grandchild were waiting for her. Somewhere. But they certainly weren't on the dunes. Which was good because Memories needed some time alone to recover from whatever it was she had just experienced.

@Maxx thank you for this wonderful little adventure lmao