[B] Staying Warm (Wound Binder x Tidal Terror )

[Pandora Talie]

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgleft]The new day was just beginning. A brown-furred totoma stretched and shook her pelt as the sun just peeked over the horizon. Light snow dusted the mountainside where she stood, overlooking the swamp. She had a busy day ahead of her, but her mind drifted back to a time just a few months earlier.

Let us stay warm together. She suggested to the buck she met that frigid evening while looking for food. Although their time together had been short, she now carried quite the memento. As for now, Wound Binder was back to the spot they met: trying to stay warm.

And today was different, she was not just trying to stay warm for herself, she was preparing for the new life arriving soon. Thus began her task for today and well, technically, every day until the nest was suitable enough for their foals. Wound Binder dipped her head and began collecting some grass.

She needed to gather as many grasses and boughs as she could find. Of course, she made time to snack on a few particularly tender shoots and flowers. Wound Binder was always a hard worker, so the effort bothered her little and in a short time, she had amassed a sizeable pile. This should be enough for today, she decided. Now, to bring this home.

Wound Binder carefully bundled her fresh bedding to carry as much as she could per trip and set out ferrying the materials back to her den.

[Gl!tch~]

[imgright]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... ncert3.png[/imgright]
"Hello, old friend," she said to the snow as flakes settled onto her nose.

Tidal Terror felt invigorated from her journey out this way. It was a nice change of pace, and she allowed herself to reminisce over the good times in the mountain.

Odd, though, to be so close to the edge of the swamp. But someone was nearby, someone who called for her.

She caught sight of brown flanks.

Ah. There.

"Hail and well-met!" she called out, lumbering over. "It has been some time since I have seen a fellow totoma out in the wild."

She considered the bundle the other doe appeared to be carrying.

"Would you like some assistance?" she offered.

@Pandora Talie

[Pandora Talie]

“Oh, hello,” Wound Binder replied, “sure. I could use a hoof.” She eased her burden down to get a better look at this friendly stranger. Her eyes widened as she realized that she was in the presence of a blessed one and she felt her muzzle redden. “Ah, it’s no problem, actually. I’m fine.”

And she proceeded to quickly gather her bundle back up, not wanting to trouble someone so important with this menial task.

@Gl!tch~

[Gl!tch~]

Tidal Terror couldn't stop herself from laughing in surprise. She was taken aback by the deference, sure, but the quick shift in attitude the other doe went through just by seeing Tidal Terror's eyes...it was something else! Even her own children didn't show her so much respect, even after her ascension.

A stranger didn't need to give her more than what she was due just for having a dream, that was for sure.

"No, no, no," she shook her head, still chuckling. "You stop that, now! We are both totoma, especially in a climate like this one. It would be my honor to help. You are strong, doing so much on your own. But we will be stronger working together, no?"

@Pandora Talie

[Pandora Talie]

Reluctantly, Wound Binder rested a couple of her bundles down to allow the blue totoma to aid her. “Thank you so much,” she genuinely said, “you honor me greatly, with these wise words.”

She secured her remaining bundles, shifting them to stabilize them and balance the weight. “My name is Wound Binder. Would you mind telling me what your name is, too?”

The brown doe tried to make conversation while leading the way up the path to her den.

“So what brings you out this way?” Wound Binder asked. “I haven’t seen many kin around as of late.”

@Gl!tch~

[Gl!tch~]

"I am Tidal Terror! Although when there are no tides to be a terror in, I am just a totoma like any other," she said with a tooth grin.

"Well-met indeed, Wound Binder. A strong and honorable name. I should keep you in mind the next time I get in a scrape with a caiman!"

Tidal Terror gathered what was left for her as quick as she could, then kept pace with Wound Binder once they were on the move.

She let out a chuckle of delightful surprise at being asked about herself. "Ah! Well. There are many kin to be found, but most either are down in the swamp or farther in the mountains, in my experience. Myself...I tend to keep to the beach, when I can. But as of late I have been pulled in many different directions. Usually there is a call to assist those who could use it, such as yourself!"

And now she had her own question.

"And friend Wound Binder! I have to wonder. Why are you all by yourself out here?"

@Pandora Talie

[Pandora Talie]

Having climbed a bit more and reached a greater vantage point, Wound Binder looked out across the swamp. “Family,” Wound Binder said, “I left my tribe many moons ago in search of my parents.” She mused, “My father was the first to disappear. He set out in search of better hunting grounds. When he never returned my mother went in search of him, and here I am.” She let out a sigh. “I have yet to find any trace of either of them and now I fear I won’t.”

@Gl!tch~

Spoiler

Took me just a bit to figure out why she was alone D; lol! and then I forgot to reply... /sweat

[Gl!tch~]

She nodded, the mood feeling much more somber all of a sudden.

"I understand longing for family. You feel the cold space they leave behind when you nest at night," she said, thinking again of her own children she only saw now and again between her duties and their own ambitions.

"It is a worthy cause to look for them. I am sure they miss you as much as you miss them. The Motherfather works in mysterious ways; perhaps you will find them yet.

Perhaps you will even be lucky enough to bring your grandchildren to them. Who is to say? But do not lose sight of what you will have while looking for what you have lost."

@Pandora Talie