The day had reached the point when shadows had grown long and there was more shade available. It wouldn't be long before the sun would begin its descent from the sky. And it was around this point in time that the acha Sun-Cursed made her way to the garden that belonged to Story.

At first, it began with her desire to repay his kindness and generosity. Weeding a portion of the ground here, helping bolster the frames of other plants there, chasing off pests that only emerged at night, small things, really. But there was something satisfying about these chores and tasks in and of itself. And Story himself had so much knowledge to share.

After she gets a doe's perspective, she would go to Story for a buck's perspective. And in this case, she had some things she hoped he could shed some light on. But first, "Hi Story!" she greeted as she trotted up to his plot of land. "Anything specific I should help you with, or should I just do my usual maintenance stuff?"

LOLLI qAq wrote:reply when you have the time

He could hear her before she fully made it within his little garden. It didn't hurt that as soon as she got near his pets were already squeaking and huffing and crowing in excitement and anticipation. It seemed as though everyone enjoyed Sun-Cursed's visits as much as he did.

Story greeted the small acha with a bright smile, but stayed nestled down in one of the beds of leaves, feathers, and donated tufts of fur that he'd only recently put together.

"You're more than welcome to tidy up what debris you find," he breathed the words in and out, "but there's no real need tonight. Company is enough."

He gestured for her to settle down in one of the other resting spots nearby.

HuniPi wrote:

Not needing to be told twice, Sun-Cursed tidied up what little there was that needing handling. She may have gotten even more efficient, or it was just nerves. How she managed to settle down was a mystery to the acha as she was brimming with energy and anticipation. But the garden, the familiars, and the wise buck's presence helped center her mind.

"I'm glad I can keep coming here," she said, taking her usual spot and relishing the sounds the bed made and the textures against her body. "And now that I've moved into a den, it's a lot easier for me to find my way here." She was beginning to ramble when she caught herself. Rather than apologizing, she decided to get to the heart of the matter.

Her halo wavered slightly as she drew in a deep breath, as if working up the nerve to ask "Story, have you ever been in l-l-lo-" she coughed as something lodged in her throat, "Have you ever had feelings for another kin?"

LOLLI qAq wrote:

Story hmm'd contently in response to her joy at being able to visit. He was lonelier than he'd ever admit to the doe as he didn't want to be a burden ...

And then she asked if he'd ever been in love.

Story raised his chin and eyes to regard her and he knew the overwhelming grief in his heart was threatening to edge it's way into his smile.

"Ohhh," he breathed the sound in and out as he thought carefully about his answer, "yes. I still very much am, in fact. Why do you ask?"

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Sun-Cursed couldn't help but let out a small swooning sigh upon hearing Story's admission. Knowing that someone as advanced in years wise and learned as Story could continue to harbor feelings for another kin, well, it made the young acha feel a bit hopeful that her own thoughts and feelings for a certain kimeti wasn't as fleeting and temporary as she first thought.

"Well, you see, I have. Um, I mean, maybe." The halo around her head would flicker slightly as she tried to get her thoughts in order, before finally shaking her head and clearing her throat. "I think I feel deeper feelings for a kin. And I have not been sure if what I feel is more than just friendliness. How did you come to realize your feelings for your Special One?"

LOLLI qAq wrote:

The emotions playing on his young friend's face warmed his heart and caused worry in equal measure. Love for the first time could be overwhelming and terrifying, and that was all the more reason to rush into it. Not to say that it wasn't that way every time, but Story only knew what the first and only time for him had felt like.

Like he was home.

As though she could read his thoughts she confirmed his suspicions, and asked about his love- He was always happy to answer her questions, but this time he was even more enthusiastic to reply. He wanted to make sure he took his time, though. Love was big and contradictory of itself in a lot of ways ...

"When I met my love it felt as though the trees and the winds and the MotherFather had conspired to put us together. She was made for me, and I was made for her. It felt, for the first and only time, that I was home." He watched her face as he spoke and took a moment to be sure she was understanding the depth of what he was saying before continuing on. "My heart and mind felt so light that I thought they might leap from me and fly off to the stars, but that all of me was now tethered forever to the world and her. To answer your question-" He sighed. "It was instant."

He closed his eyes and savored the memory though it also hurt. Story had no intent of diving into the kind of pain the sudden loss of that love could bring with Sun-Cursed. She didn't deserve to be frightened.

"Do you feel safe and seen like never before with this other?"

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