[ b ] A Story in the Skies (Fierce Warrior x A Story in the Stars)
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2025 10:57 pm
He had arrived as a wolf this time, surrounded on all sides by other wolves. Some were his own, pressed against his sides as though he was part of their pack, and some were his childrens' familiars, romping around through the tall grass and occasionally tripping over one another in the process. Story had thought them amusing at first (although Cloudpuff had huddled against one of her hooves, tiny squeaks of uncertainty barely audible beside the grand flap of wings from her spectral crane, Tale), and had watched them for quite some time before it became apparent that one of the wolves was not like the others.
After that it had been easy, in a sense, to relax even further. They had met a long time ago, during one of Story's earlier clutches, and perhaps it was for this reason that she felt comfortable in telling him that she had perhaps gotten in over her head.
"I don't understand," said Fierce Warrior now, as he reclined with his head resting against the trunk of a gnarled old willow tree. He was back to his usual form, his long, spiked tail curled halfheartedly around his body like a casual attempt at protecting himself. The wolves around them both were still frolicking, the scent of river marsh and lilies and a faint hint of sun-dried mud wafting through the air. "You said yourself that you're all right with this. Is it because he's, er...a little bit...shall we say..."
"Daunting?" said Story, with a touch of dryness, and Fierce laughed.
"Perhaps," he said, and nudged away a shuppy that had started to sneak up on him. It made a rude sound and toddled off a short distance away to start digging vigorously in the dirt. What it was doing, Story had no idea and wasn't quite sure she wanted to.
"As I was saying," Fierce said, "You shouldn't worry too much. You're an experienced mother, and maybe that makes it harder sometimes, but you're also quite intelligent. You seem to have a good head and you care very deeply for your children, I know that much. I have no doubt that you'll treat the newest clutch with as much tenderness and care as you have your previous ones. Let that be your reassurance."
"I suppose," said Story, which probably sounded ungrateful - ungracious, even, especially seeing as how the stag had just spent all that time saying nice things about her. Fierce, for his part, didn't seem too bothered, since he only offered her an amused smile in return.
Story conceded. A little. "All right, all right," she said with a heavy sigh, heavier than strictly necessary, and they both knew it. Cloudpuff, who was still hunched by her hooves, gave a small chirrup of disapproval, then scuttled back into hiding, beak buried under its tiny, fragile wing. "You're much more nice than you think you are, by the way. That whole intimidating, spiky appearance doesn't fool me."
Fierce laughed, and it was a nice sound. "I take that as a compliment," he said, eyes twinkling. "Just as you should take the fact that you will be blessed with a good clutch of children who you will love and dote upon as a compliment. I say this because I know, and because you know, and because I know that you know, but I'm saying it anyway.'
"Show off," said Story affectionately, and grinned.
After that it had been easy, in a sense, to relax even further. They had met a long time ago, during one of Story's earlier clutches, and perhaps it was for this reason that she felt comfortable in telling him that she had perhaps gotten in over her head.
"I don't understand," said Fierce Warrior now, as he reclined with his head resting against the trunk of a gnarled old willow tree. He was back to his usual form, his long, spiked tail curled halfheartedly around his body like a casual attempt at protecting himself. The wolves around them both were still frolicking, the scent of river marsh and lilies and a faint hint of sun-dried mud wafting through the air. "You said yourself that you're all right with this. Is it because he's, er...a little bit...shall we say..."
"Daunting?" said Story, with a touch of dryness, and Fierce laughed.
"Perhaps," he said, and nudged away a shuppy that had started to sneak up on him. It made a rude sound and toddled off a short distance away to start digging vigorously in the dirt. What it was doing, Story had no idea and wasn't quite sure she wanted to.
"As I was saying," Fierce said, "You shouldn't worry too much. You're an experienced mother, and maybe that makes it harder sometimes, but you're also quite intelligent. You seem to have a good head and you care very deeply for your children, I know that much. I have no doubt that you'll treat the newest clutch with as much tenderness and care as you have your previous ones. Let that be your reassurance."
"I suppose," said Story, which probably sounded ungrateful - ungracious, even, especially seeing as how the stag had just spent all that time saying nice things about her. Fierce, for his part, didn't seem too bothered, since he only offered her an amused smile in return.
Story conceded. A little. "All right, all right," she said with a heavy sigh, heavier than strictly necessary, and they both knew it. Cloudpuff, who was still hunched by her hooves, gave a small chirrup of disapproval, then scuttled back into hiding, beak buried under its tiny, fragile wing. "You're much more nice than you think you are, by the way. That whole intimidating, spiky appearance doesn't fool me."
Fierce laughed, and it was a nice sound. "I take that as a compliment," he said, eyes twinkling. "Just as you should take the fact that you will be blessed with a good clutch of children who you will love and dote upon as a compliment. I say this because I know, and because you know, and because I know that you know, but I'm saying it anyway.'
"Show off," said Story affectionately, and grinned.