Ruby Light has never been a father before, let alone a mother. The strange flower he'd eaten before his dalliance with the pretty, crystalline, buck had a rather interesting effect, and now, some weeks later, he wanders the swamp, his belly full of sacs and he feels... well, a bit overwhelmed. That might be putting it mildly.
Quietly panicking while trying to find someone who can help is probably closer to the truth.
The Summer has seen Hush quite busy helping new mothers and fathers. Far more than usual. She can't tell if it's simply that she's been in the right place at the right time so often, or if, for some reason, this season is particularly... prolific. In any case, no sooner has she finished giving one new mother a few gentle words of encouragement near the market, than she senses yet another soul in need.
Thankfully, she's already traded her fish (and a good thing, too - she really wouldn't want to haul them around much longer in this heat).
Another acha, and while Hush is certainly no mind reader it isn't hard to see the young buck is feeling a bit distressed.
"Poor thing... Are you alright?" She asks quietly, noting that she really has been asking that rather a lot, lately.
Vivid red eyes look up at her, and she's slightly startled by the floating red stone that hangs over his forehead, seemingly of its own accord. How curious.
"No... No, I don't think so." His voice is tight, a little breathless, and as Hush leans down she realizes he rather - well, pregnant. That might explain his breathlessness, at least. He looks pretty far along.
"Is there anyone nearby you'd like me to fetch for you?" Though, a moment later she says, "I think, however, it might be best if I sit with you for a few moments... You really don't seem well. Is it the heat?"
The acha looks at her with a bewildered expression, before grimacing down at himself as he huffs and then settles as comfortably as he's able.
"No... I've never been a father before or.. a mother? and now I'm fat with eggs and I'm - I don't know what to do. I was on my way to find the buck who - that is - that, uhm.."
Hush smiles faintly in understanding as the buck blushes furiously, and laughs softly. It's endearing.
"Well, first things first. Perhaps you can tell me your concerns? I'm a mother myself, you know. I can safely say that it's not unusual to feel worried, or even afraid, as the time approaches. I can't tell you how many new mothers and fathers-to-be have been in situations very close to your own. You're not alone, though, young one... However much it may feel that way." Her voice is gentle, and she nudges him lightly. "What is your name?"
"R-ruby Light," he says, breathing out a heavy breath. Somehow, this old mare makes him feel far more at ease. Just being around someone else is helping, he realizes, and she has such a quiet air about her. He shifts, trying to get more comfortable.
"And you may call me Hush. For now, we can sit together, and if you like I will help you look for your wayward buck. Failing that, you can spend the evening with me, if you like. I'm afraid I don't live near here, I was only visiting to trade. Do you live nearby?" Her voice is so soft and lovely, kind of husky, as though she isn't used to speaking so much, and Ruby Light finds himself relaxing even more. It's a nice voice. He also realizes how utterly exhausted he is. Sleep has been elusive, and trekking out here in the heat has sapped his strength a lot.
"I live... close, sort of. There's a big, flat, rock near the bend in the river a little ways North from here. My den is only a short ways from that. I'm not sure I can make it back, though," he says, and feels the anxiety creeping up on him once more. He can't just stay out here all night.
"Don't worry. I'll help you home, once you've rested a bit. Let me gather something for you to eat, and we can sit a bit longer, and then once you're up to it we can head that way. There's no rush."
And that's exactly what they do. The sun is still bright in the sky by the time they start heading back, but the shadows are lengthening, and Hush knows it will be dark soon enough. Ruby Light takes several breaks, but in the end they make it back. He seems tired, but more peaceful, by the time he's settled into the thick nest of dry grasses. Hush smiles at him, and feels that, though her day turned out quite different to how she planned, it was, nevertheless, a day very well spent.
"Worry not, young one. All will be well." She touches her cheek to his in a gentle display of affection, and then steps back and curls up, herself, to keep watch.
Ruby Light's eyes droop in exhaustion now that he is home, comfortable, and safe - and with the company of someone else with him. He's been a bit lonely since he's left the desert, and it hasn't been all that long. He realizes he's a bit homesick. "Will you stay?"
"Of course. Rest now, and dream of brighter days ahead of you - for there will be many, I'm sure. Yours will be an easy pregnancy, this is my blessing to you, that you might know peace in the final days of this particular journey of yours. Sleep now, sweet one. I will be here when you wake, and come the morning you will see - there is nothing to fear."
And sleep he does, and deeply, for the first time in several nights. He dreams of the full moon over endless grassy plains- a bright face which seems to smile down upon him.
