[imgleft]https://www.matope-swamp.com/images/max ... uncert.png[/imgleft]
Breathe in. Breathe out. Don't let yourself panic.

His tail flicked, a sign that it was easier said than done.

He shouldn't be surprised, really. The two of them kept falling into each other's lives enough (and surviving!) that it seemed inevitable, in some way.

That wild acha who had ensnared him (how else could he describe it?) was...

Deep breaths.

Pregnant.

It was not like they could run away together and have a happy little family. Pet Peeve ran with that group of brutes, and didn't seem interested in breaking off from it.

Part of him wanted to rush into the pack's land, offer his throat, and plead with whoever was in charge to let him stay and be with her and their children.

But it wouldn't be that easy, he could be sure. There weren't many bucks around, and when he was stuck there and afraid for his life almost every moment, well. He was afraid for his life! How could someone live like that?

It was all he could do to keep mulling over his options while scraping at the mud under his hoof. Staying still felt better than moving. Who knows where he would end up if he let himself wander with so much on his mind!

@Ruriska

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... ncert5.png[/imgleft] [imgright]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... ncert3.png[/imgright]It was rare for Peep to wear the form of a lioness but as she had set out that morning, following the pull of the blessing, an unease had settled under her skin that was only countered by the strong feline form. So she embraced it, traversed the swamp at a steady pace, deep into the swamp, where the trees blocked out light and prey darted too and fro with fearful eyes.

This was an area she knew well, or rather... knew well to avoid. Though the MotherFather had seen fit to send her into such unwholesome places numerous times. It was a call she would always answer but her heart ached regardless.

The swamp was home to many kinds of kin, some more beastly than others. Even those who ran like wolves deserved to have their children blessed.

Peep had begun to sense that this would be yet another brush with him when she found the buck. When she saw the pensive fellow, very much not related to Big Bad (there weren't enough teeth), she sighed in relief.

She transformed quickly and quietly, trying not to startle him any more than necessary .

“Good day,” she called.

@Gl!tch~

He jumped at the sound of a voice, then hung his head in embarrassment.

Though not also out of defense. He had come to understand that usually anyone who wanted to hurt him didn't sound so friendly. Or gave their position away.

"Hello?" he called back.

@Ruriska

She approached slowly, each movement deliberate and thoughtful, just a small Acha with a friendly smile.

“My name is Peep,” she told him softly. Then came the warning,“this isn’t a good place to wander.” He did not seem the type to run with wolves. “Would you allow me to lead you somewhere safer?”

@Gl!tch~

He hesitated.

Part of him wasn't wholly able to trust.

Part of him wasn't sure if he deserved such kindness, if he was being blessed with such a thing.

But he saw her eyes, and they were unlike anything he had ever seen before. This was not a normal kin, and she did not seem to move like the predators he had entangled himself with.

"I know where I am," he said, his words slow as if he was trying to keep a snake from striking.

"I don't care about my safety. Only hers. And theirs."

@Ruriska