Grimwood was a fairly melancholy sort, but he had found an unexpected amount of companionship in a certain kimeti doe that he had spent some time with, and found himself engaging in a quite pleasant relationship, which was a surprise to no-one more than himself. He wasn’t especially brilliantly clever, nor was he strong or (in his own opinion) particularly noteworthy in any way. But what he was was courteous and kind, and he did have a way with words on occasion, and somehow the beautiful doe was impressed enough to entertain his company. Now that I Have Loved the Stars was expecting their children, Grimwood was uncharacteristically optimistic (for him), and firmly devoted to providing her with as much comfort as she could possibly need.

Of course it turned out that that meant more than poetic comparisons to the night sky, but Grimwood was willing. And so he found himself out on a late summer evening, the air still fairly warm, seeking some damp moss to bring to the doe to help cool her a little in the stifling air. He shared with her a dislike of the warmer months, wishing for the return of long clear nights for stargazing and secrets.

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“Hellooo!”

The long out-of-breath call came from a Kiokote, his head adorned by glowing rainbow lights, that was making his way towards Grimwood. He had been running at a solid trot for much too long in this summer heat and when he finally got close enough for a solid conversation, he spoke haltingly between deep breaths.

“Might I... might I have a... a moment of your time?”

Grimwood blinked in surprise, pulling up and turning to meet the approaching voice, his eyebrows raising as he beheld another kiokote trotting his way. The buck trailed strange glowing lights that would have made him quite mysterious were it not for the fact that he was completely out of breath, but he paused uncertainly, giving the other buck a smile. “Oh, er, of course,” he said, blinking worriedly and tilting his head, “er, are you alright there?”

“Y-yes, I am... I am quite alright,” he gasped. It felt not that long ago that he’d easily made the march from plains to swamp and then continued to run all over that. Unfortunately many seasons and eleven children later saw him with a little less vigour.

Oh boy, he was getting old.

Finally getting his breath back, Once Forgotten lifted his head and regarded the other Kiokote with a smile. “Ah, such striking markings! May your children inherit them!” Oops, moving too fast. “That- that wasn’t the blessing! You see, I am here to bless them. You are to be a father!”

Was he ever going to do a blessing without shoving a hoof in his mouth?

“Will this be your first clutch?”

@subducting