[B] Assurance (Pearl & ???)

[Anhelisk]

[imgright]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgright]

It was happening soon, now. Pearl was sure of it.

She'd been around several family members clutching in the past, had been taught how to count the phases of the moon to when the time was due... and while she and Uncertain had settled on a sheltered grove to have their clutch in, the anxiety of first-time motherhood had Pearl nevertheless in a state of restless pacing. They'd found a place with plenty of food, had stored some up in the interest of making sure that they wouldn't have to work too hard for it when they were in recovery, but even with that assurance pinned down, it felt like something was missing.

[Ruriska]

[imgright]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... ncert2.png[/imgright] Of course there was something missing!

The most important piece had yet to arrive (due to some scheduling errors which were certainly not his fault) and he was only just winging into the air, a songbird at full speed.

Thankfully it wasn’t a long flight, and he arrived at the grove in good time, giving a musical trill to announce his presence.

@Anhelisk

[Anhelisk]

Oh! A songbird! And such a pretty one at that! Pearl smiled softly, watching as it fluttered closer, trilling a noise of greeting.

"Hello there, pretty thing," she cooed, voice gentle despite the joy this little creature brought. Any break from her pacing was a welcome one indeed, even if it seemed like this little friend was entirely too fixed on her to be wild. Nevermind that the thing was fittingly plump, her first worry turned to another creature having an expectation of her, and her being left entirely bereft of the means to please them.

"I'm afraid I don't have much in the way of treats to give you," she apologized. "Is your kin nearby? Maybe you should go find them--"

@Ruriska

[Ruriska]

Watch Me did a flashy glide around her head, not listening to anything she was saying because he was simply too enthralled by her beauty. She was magnificent!

With one last flap, he transformed into his Kiokote form, a bird on the wing one second and then a stag standing with his head held high and his eyes agleam.

“Simply marvellous!” He bellowed. “It is an honour to be here at the MotherFather’s behest.” He dipped his head and bent a leg in a bow. “And greater beauty I could not have hoped to meet.”

@Anhelisk

[Anhelisk]

It took a moment for the doe to catch on when the bird caught alight, swirling in a blur of motion, and a kin stood there instead. It almost had to be one of those tricks, the ones moving faster than the eye could see... but no, birds weren't that biddable, and one as vocal as it had been would have been chirping up a storm for rewards or treats after a trick like this. At least, that was her experience of birds....

Besides. Its eyes had been glowing. Which simply meant that the bird... was a stag? A stag that was presently in the process of talking her up. Talking her up quite loudly.

"Um." She was given to understand that those hand-chosen by the MotherFather were honorable sorts, at least... but she couldn't help but back up slightly as he dipped forward in a bow. "Thank... you?"

@Ruriska

[Ruriska]

It was natural that she find herself a bit tongue-tied and shocked by the appearance of one of the MotherFather’s chosen, especially when it was himself on display. He had practised his swoop-into-stag maneuver many times and no one had failed to be awestruck.

“I have been sent to bless your unborn foals, so that they may start their lives under the MotherFather’s watchful eye.” He winked. “Tell me your dreams for them and I will bless them accordingly. Though it is clear that if they were to inherit even a small portion of their mother’s charm, they will do well enough on their own.”

@Anhelisk

[Anhelisk]

Oh. Oh! Pearl's reticence melted away.

This stag was here for a blessing. This could be it-- the missing thing, that last detail to a riddle that made everything fall into place.

"This is maybe untraditional," she admitted. "But... my mate was worried about her last clutch having... conflicted names? Ones that weren't simple and joyous. I don't know if that's something you could affect, but if you could, I would be much obliged. And... if you can't, I'd at least like them to be happy."

@Ruriska

[Ruriska]

That was rather unconventional. He’d never been asked to bless for a particular style of name before. His own children had all had well-suited names, except perhaps for poor Break A Leg, and Almost There had a bit of a complex.

It would be a bit unfortunate for anyone to be born and then realise their name was Useless or Killer and it made sense to want to guard against it.

“Well,” he replied joyfully. “We won’t know until we try.” He cleared his throat and lifted his head, bellowing into the skies, “MAY YOUR CHILDREN BE BORN WITH NICE NAMES THAT AREN’T UPSETTING FOR ANYONE. AND FAILING THAT, THEY CAN JUST BE HAPPY EVEN IF THEY’RE CALLED USELESS OR KILLER OR BUTTHEAD!”

Then he looked back at the pretty Acha doe, grinning proudly.

“There you go! All blessed!”

@Anhelisk

[Anhelisk]

Pearl blinked. She was awed, all right. Practically gobsmacked! How could she give someone feedback for that... absolute... performance?

He certainly had the spirit, but the worry still stuck. "Well um, about that... we're maybe only half-blessed? Uncertain's, um. Also carrying. Would you maybe... consider following me and giving a... um." How could she put this?

"Slightly more sensitive version of that blessing to her?"

[Ruriska]

I’ve blessed many parents alone without the other being involved and it seems to work out fine.” Not that he could know for sure, he’d never done much follow up unless they were in the troupe.

“But I shall endeavour to ease you and your partner's mind!” Watch Me was always glad to be of assistance to someone so lovely.

And with any luck, her mate would be just as pretty.

“Lead the way, fair maiden!”

@Anhelisk