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Ugh.

Vice and Virtue was used to a certain quality of life. She would get herself cozy, sleep for as long as she pleased, and leisurely find herself something to nibble on, foraging a little bit and taking anything of substance that she found back to Rise and Shine to exchange for sturdier, preserved goods. Usually fermented goods. The doe knew what she liked, and her lifestyle was one of decadence and predictability... but a streak of buck-induced illness had soured her stomach, and made everything feel wrong. No longer was the doe able to enjoy eggs gently pickled in herbal brews, nor the fruits that she loved so much. Autumn was getting meager, and sometimes she found herself resorting to stripping bark or- or!- digging up tubers to sate her gnawing, twisting hunger.

It was terribly undignified. She had only one recourse-- legendaries, she knew, were about easing the pains of motherhood. And she had to do something about this. Next time, she wouldn't let a buck off without a second thought-- not if this could happen.

After all, the least one could do for the privilege of fathering a clutch would be to spoil her senseless.

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... ncert3.png[/imgleft] Half Truth couldn't pick a favorite season, but these in-between, liminal times between them were definitely a contender. The encroaching winter wind whipped her feathers and fur into a frenzied fluff, and the cold nipped at her nose like a playful pup. It was the time she thought of as Lean Time; not quite time to break into your stores for the winter, but definitely not a good season for foraging. There was nearly nothing left... unless, of course, you were willing to hunt. But competition there was ferocious. Bears might be hibernating, but wolves were more active, and boars knew no seasonality. The sky seemed eternal, even moreso than normal, and the sun itself seemed to be brighter- but certainly not warmer. How could the sun be cold? It was a mystery. One that reminded everyone that this was a season of less.

Although... her senses were telling her that for someone, this was a season of more. Through the barren fields, she could feel life sprouting anew- and if she felt it herself, that could only mean one thing. She reared on her hind legs, surveying the area for the parent-to-be. Who was it? And why were they out here in the cold? She found herself drawn to a doe, foraging where there was little to be found. She ambled towards her, approaching slowly and gently.

"I say, isn't it a bit chilly out here for you?"

@Anhelisk

Virtue turned slowly as she heard a kin address her, blinking sedately. "Cold's never really bothered me," she said, before turning back to grab purchase on the plant she'd been working at digging up. A sturdy pull and-- there! It came up, but not without showering her with a spray of dirt.

Ugh. Of course. "Hunger's worse," she said, clearly peeved.

@Scaramouche Fandango