[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgleft]When his grandmother had heard the news, she immediately insisted A Warm Wind seek a blessing from one of the swamp's chosen ones. He was promptly loaded up with far too many delicious treats to give as offerings- and maybe for snacks if he go hungry along the way -and ushered off to go find a legendary kin. The buck hadn't been given any chance to protest, and he wouldn't have any ways. He knew better than to disobey Peck. But getting a blessing for his soon-to-be foals had not been in his plans....

At this point, A Warm Wind had been wandering the swamp for half the day without any sign of an ascended kin. He had no clue where to even begin and was already missing the comfort of home. He didn't get out much, and when he did it was usually an anxiety-inducing event.  This didn't seem like it was going to be any different. What if he couldn't find a legendary? He couldn't go home without a blessing. Was he even going to be able to find his way home? He had travelled quite far already.

Too many what ifs were running through his head now. He was starting to panic. He needed to just...stop for a moment. Calm down. Maybe have a snack. Yeah. That was a good idea. In a conveniently cozy patch of grass, A Warm Wind settled down and carefully began unwrapping one of the treats that his grandmother had strapped to him.

Guardian of Life had always wandered as she felt the urge, and that hadn't changed upon finding Pestilence, and the Mothborn, and now the only difference she felt was a more urgent pull to leave the tribe lands. So with an explanation to her mate, she'd departed, and followed that tug, wondering at it. It was the same, and yet not to the urge to wander and help she had before being chosen.

Travel was quicker now she noticed, and even harder to get through areas were less difficult, the marine iguana ideal for fast trips through water, or through smaller spaces. It was after one such water trip she'd stepped back onto firmer ground, water rolling down her spines when she realized the pull was...more or less gone. She scampered a bit, and found herself staring at a patch of grass and a buck who seemed to be settling in for a snack.

Now it all made sense!

Carefully the marine iguana approached A Warm Wind, and stared up at him, blinking a few times and waited patiently



@CelestialRequiem

A Warm Wind had only just managed to unwrap one of his snacks when the lizard scampered up to him. His whole body tensed as it approached, not sure what it's intention was. Hungry. Probably. Right? Drawn over by the many smells that wafted off of the buck. Would it try to snatch some food? Or attack him to get at it? A Warm Wind could only wait in terrified anticipation for the iguana to make its move.

And wait...

And wait some more.

It really didn't seem to be doing much other than stare at him expectantly. Maybe it was just a very polite iguana. And such politeness deserved recognition. Also, if he gave it food maybe it would go away. Or at least no attack him.

"Um...h-here you, buddy." He cautiously nudged the mostly opened leaf-wrapped parcel- which it turned out was full of blackberries -toward the lizard.

The iguana continued to stare up at him, though the allure of berries was very strong, and carefully one was snagged and munched. While that was happening, a mare stepped into view of the pair, and gave a warm smile.

"I see you're well prepared for travel." her words were spoken softly, hoping not to scare the buck with her sudden appearance, even as the iguana ate another berry. They had been offered after all! It scampered back toward her as the berry was finished, vanishing from sight as it reached her hooves, as if it'd never even been there, and she peered down at the buck a moment before leaning down to gently push the berries back toward him. "Thank you for sharing, it's appreciated."

Try as she might, scaring A Warm Wind was pretty much a guarantee. As the mare- whom he had not notice step into view -spoke he gave the quietest of yelps and jumped to his hooves in a flurry. His eyes darted back and forth between the mare and the lizard, trying to work through who she was and where she had come from all while making sure the iguana didn't try anything funny.

"Um, y-" He began before the iguana scampered off suddenly, giving him another little fright before it just....disappeared. All he could do was stare dumbly at the space where the lizard had once been. "Wh-...Uhh...You're welcome..."

The response came automatically now, after his time running sales for Rise and Shine (hard to imagine that such a scaredycat like him could be a good saleskin, but he was a very different buck when he was in his element). Eventually, his gaze returned to the mare and slow realization came to him. She looked exactly like the lizard had. If that wasn't enough to tell him what she was, the tell-tale eyes certain were.

"Oh! You're...You're a legendary kin! Yes! You're welcome. Please, take as much as you'd like. I have plenty." A Warm Wind began frantically untangling himself from the various snacks that had been draped and strung and strapped to him so they could be offered to the mare.

Guardian felt a little sheepish startling the buck, but couldn't help the gentle amusement that she felt as he watched the iguana scuttle away and vanish.

His frantic energy though was startling and a half step back was taken before she was stepping closer, words gentle, and hopefully calming. "Deep breath, no need to be in such a hurry. I'm not going anywhere just yet." There was a long look given to him and all that was strapped to him, and she smiled. "You certainly are prepared, aren't you?"

A Warm Wind stopped his feverish shuffling and laughed awkwardly. "Y-Yeah, hah....My uh...my grandmother wanted to make sure I had enough food for myself and for any legendary kin I come across." And at this he cleared his throat and stood up straighter, trying to give himself some semblance of courage.

"You see, I...um..." and that courage was very short lived. "I........am.....expecting foals." It sounded like he still wasn't entirely convinced of this statement. And apparently he needed a moment to actually come to terms with it before continuing at a rapid pace. "I mean, I'M not, but a doe is expecting and the foals are mine and I would really like for them to have the swamp's blessing if that would be okay."

He couldn't even manage eye contact after awkwardly making his request.

"Your grandmother was wise to help you prepare, it's hard to say how long a journey might last after all. Better to be over prepared than under." she continued to give the buck a warm smile, a low gentle laugh at his words.

"I know what you mean. You're going to be a father, a wonderful thing! I am more than happy to give you the swamps blessing. Do you have something particular in mind?" she could tell he was nervous, and stepped forward to gently rest her chin against the top of his head. "Take a deep breath, and relax. There is nothing to feel awkward about. You're excited, and nervous. New life is always an exciting, terrifying thing. No matter how many times you experience it, each time is different."

Guardian stepped back then, to let him gather his thoughts a moment.