“—and I didn't even ask him if he might want children!” Cherryburst cried out, horrified. What if he hated children? What if he didn't believe her? What if, goodness her mind kept spinning and it was exhausting.

The acha nuzzled her nose into the soft jackalope that she'd been ranting at and questioning and spilling her entire life story to. She felt like she was hyperventilating, was she hyperventilating? Was she even breathing?

The acha's next sentence was a muffled mess of words that even the jackalope's large ears couldn't understand. Poor, poor child, Giveforward thought to herself, lying her chin down on the doe's nose.

“I feel like such a fool. He probably didn't even like me that much. I don't even know if I gave him my name,” she sniffled. It seemed like every emotion she had ever felt in her lifetime was welling up within her and she couldn't keep any of them from spilling out. She was being ridiculous, she knew that, but she couldn't stop. And the only bit of luck, if she could even believe in such a thing, was that she hadn't run into him. That would have been a disaster, one that would have pushed him to try to force his way out of the swamp. He would've died from the ache just to get away from her.

“I should find a Legendary. I should beg them to make these children smarter than me. They should be more like him. Probably. Or at least not like me. What could I possibly give to them? I'm a mess who thinks a jackalope—no offence, you're beautiful and lovely and, oh, you're so soft like him—can help her.” She was being hysterical. Absurd.

“You're being far too hard on yourself, little one,” the voice came out soft and gentle.

Cherryburst startled, eyes wide as she lifted her head up and found a mare lying behind the jackalope.

“You—what—where?” the acha didn't even know what she was trying to say.

“A Legendary, yes, who came to bless you, and has been listening to you. It's all your insecurities bubbling up, dear, and it's perfectly normal. It's nerve wracking to be pregnant,” Giveforward reassured with a smile.

Silence stretched out between them, a deep flush warming the acha's body. She was an idiot, twice over now, and she was mortified.

“Now, we can talk over this all after, but, first, we shall bless your children so that you can find some relief. All that worrying isn't very easy for the children.”

Cherryburst nodded, dumbly.

“Your children shall be strong of heart and body and mind. They shall feel confident in their decisions and feel no need to explain their thoughts unless they desire to. They will know kindness and love and be kind and love others in return.” Giveforward smiled, that would do nicely.

“Now, why don't we talk awhile. I think you could use someone to talk to,” the mare added.

A nice sentiment that only sent Cherryburst into another round of emotion and wailing until, hours (or was it days?) later, the Legendary finally set her at ease. A sleeping acha was far quieter; Giveforward would have to seek out the buck and warn him. It wouldn't do to have him running away.