Spine of the Mountain threw his head, his wide horns knocking bark off the nearby trees in chunks. He wasn't sure how to feel. Some of his brothers had kids, and they seemed to still be upright? Did their hearts race like this when they found out? He didn't have time to find the words, or them, and ask.

Memories of That Party rushed back through him as he moved through the Swamp, his massive hooves leaving deep tracks in the mud. He was happy to be invited by one of his rowdier friends, and even happier when most of the party-goers were totoma. The ground shuddered and shook with them and he somehow managed to strike conversation with a sassy, vibrant buck. Conversations turned to flirting, flirting turned to stealing away from the party.

That felt like yesterday and seasons ago at the same time. He didn't expect Something to Remember to be so different the next time they crossed paths. They were going to be parents.

There wasn't much he could do, but he wasn't completely useless. His brothers shared stories about their experiences, and that information had him out in the trees at this hour. Hoping someone would just know he needed them.

Usually, Tidal Terror felt like if she wasn't given the ability to sense parents-to-be, she would struggle to find the kin who needed her.

Today, the ruckus could have been enough on its own to draw her to where she needed to be.

"Hail and well-met!" she called out. "Is that tree giving you trouble?" she added with a laugh.

Tidal Terror had never seen such wide horns like that before. She wondered what would be more difficult, getting through the mountain forests or the swamp trees.

lilacfishie wrote: