[LOG] Stepping Out (Giveforward x First Freeze)

[anemosagkelos]

First Freeze surveyed the seemingly empty swamp before him, noted the rare moment the waters were so still it became a large mirror. But here, and there, if he squinted, he could see small ripples near the edges, and if he concentrated he could hear breath being held in an attempt at silence.

He feigned ignorance, striding forward all nonchalance and pleasant smiles. Except his eyes were sharp and calculating, tail swaying lazily behind him, and muscles tensing beneath skin in preparation to pounce.

[anemosagkelos]

Giveforward fluttered upupup until the euphoria of a kin in need gave way to lightheadedness. The songbird's wings stuttered, stilled, and--

Below, the mare began to coalesce into a translucent shade. She giggled. Distance was easy enough to manage; height, however, was bothersome. In a manner wings were no different than legs, up and down, to move. She was really quite good at the whole flying thing, until her kin mind began to panic with the tree tops beneath her, and then she looked well, drunk as hell.

The giggles were smothered as the mare faded out and the songbird, reoriented, began to glide towards the kin in question. It took far less time as a small avian to maneuver over thorny brush and under low hanging branches, than it would have taken her as a full-size mare. And she spied the pale--the songbird's journey was paused as a caiman popped up and she twittered a reproach before landing quite confidently on it's snout. Such bad manners, this buck was going to be a daddy!

[anemosagkelos]

Freeze heard the beating of small wings but kept his attention on the approaching string of bubbles. He wasn't hungry, his familiars helped him with his hunting, but this kill was not for him. Movement in the corner of his eye had the buck freezing in place as the caiman broke through the surface, only to become a perch for a songbird.

He held his breath in wait. What would the caiman's next move be?

[anemosagkelos]

The caiman bellowed, low, as the water around it vibrated and the songbird's beak came to kiss at the rough scales of it's head. And then there was no songbird but a lovely elegant mare, lips pressed to the rough hide of the caiman. The bellowing ceased and as the beast sunk down, the mare vanished. Once more in its place was a songbird and it trilled, sweetly, as it made a beeline for the buck.

The avian flew around him, twice, before settling lightly on his nose. Bright, piercing green eyes stared into black lined pink irises. Waiting, questioning, giddy.

[anemosagkelos]

Freeze did not expect that. No, no he did not. But he wasn't frightened by what he'd seen. He was intrigued and fascinated, more than anything. He'd only heard of shape-shifting kin from the remnants of rumors that Fancy passed on to him. It couldn't have been a trick of the light, the fading after-image of the mare was still clear in his mind.

A wry smirk played at his lips as the water around him stilled from the reptile's departure. "I was going to offer that caiman to my latest lovely," his voice was soft, almost a hiss, but the chill was light. "Now it seems I must do with something else."

[anemosagkelos]

The songbird's head tilted, quixotic, before the mare was resplendent before him. She was likely too close to be comfortable--she had after all been perched on his nose a moment ago--but she did not seem to notice, even as a mere breath would be easily felt. Instead, she smiled, amused.

"He's very old, you know. Very tough," she advised. And didn't mention the nest of eggs just to his left that would have been easier to poach.

"Perhaps a blessing, instead, for your impending clutch?" she queried, soft, but firm. It was more than a fair trade.

[anemosagkelos]

He took one step backwards. For Freeze that was one step too many. But the mare before him, her splendor and majesty, the buck would not begrudge her the retreat he'd been forced to take.

Especially with the offer of a blessing. "It would be foolish of me to ask how you know of my clutch, wouldn't it?" The smirk widened, "And even more foolish were I to refuse such a perfect gift."

He bowed to her, "I accept and am humbled."

[anemosagkelos]

Giveforward smiled--enigmatic--as she answered, "Only curious," she corrected but offered no answer to the how of it.

All regal coyness dropped the moment he accepted the offer. As he bowed, she began to prance, giddy. And at first, it seemed she would say nothing, until finally stillness settled over her, the picture of serenity, as she opened her mouth.

"May your children's beauty and wit remind all of how wonderful life is," she decided at last. There was a great pause, as she regarded him, hoping such a blessing was not found wanting, before she added, "They shall be healthy and strong of heart." She gave a broad smile, laughed soft and breathless, and then she was gone. Vanished.

A songbird trilled and then there was only the beats of wings as the songbird ascended towards the sun.