Roadkill wrote:

The sun was even a bit too much for the sun-lover today. Perhaps not the sun, but the muggy heat that came with it. Knockdown trotted along softly without much thought in his head; he was wandering about to keep entertained. (It really wasn't that entertaining). Giving a small sigh to the boring situation, the buck continued onward as the trees became more dense. At least he was getting out of the direct sunlight, he thought.

Oh, what's this? Traipsing through the trees could only do so much, but he had spotted the edge of some water in the distance. A perfect spot for a day like this. As he approached the pond, a figure came into view. Someone else had the same idea that he did, and that someone looked to be a lovely doe. Cocking his head upward, he continued on with a more regal swagger in his step. Knockdown stopped himself at the front of the water, looking downward at the bathing doe. But... she wasn't doing anything. In fact, her eyes were closed!

A slight smile came to his face. "Unseasonably hot day, isn't it?"

Roadkill wrote:"Thank you for the invitation," the buck responded in his deep, yet soft tone. Easing himself down into the water, a sigh of relief escaped his maw. The water was rather refreshing and envigorating to Knockdown, sending a light tingle down his spine. He decided it was best to stop chest-deep, for he did not want to get his large ears wet.

"Forgive me for not introducing myself! I am Knockdown." He gave a slight bow of his head in greeting. "And conversation is all ways a welcome thing," he chuckled.

Roadkill wrote:Knockdown did not mind as the doe came closer; it'd be easier to converse this way. He did, however, give a head-tilt at her name. "Fragile Sunrise? I will remember that. But I surely hope you are not too fragile," he commented, musing to himself.

The buck adjusted himself in the water, swaying just a bit as he picked up a hoof to shake (as best he could) the muck off. He made a mental note to make sure to clean his hooves before leaving. Mud was not so becoming on white fur. His idle thoughts were paused as the conversation returned. "I am sure that the weather will last," he said in a confident and assured tone. "There is no doubt in my mind." If he wanted the weather to last, he could make it so through sheer will power. Or, so he liked to believe. "The young foals do need the sun to grow, yes," he stopped, looking up through the tree limbs above them. "But they also need the rain and cold." Knockdown turned his gaze back to the doe-- more smiling. "Can't grow without some tribulations."

Roadkill wrote:That was certainly a shift in atmosphere which left Knockdown all most taken aback. His smile quickly changed to a more serious face, crinkling his nose. "I did not mean to give you such..." he searched for the right words, but was not coming up with much. "Fright," he decided was the best. Softly shaking his head, he apologized, "I am sorry, Rise." Knockdown worried that he had stirred bad memories from this doe. That maybe the things which she had to endure were of great measure, and it was not his place to comment on such.

Roadkill wrote:"You did no such thing," Knockdown quickly responded to the doe. Trying to be of some comfort, he raised his head up above Rise's and brought it down in a nuzzle of sorts. "You have not ruined anyone's day." Moving his head from the doe and taking a step back, the buck resumed his soft smiling. She did seem rather flustered by the whole ordeal, but Knockdown did his best to try and make light of it all.

His ears twitched lightly at the question. "Foals?" Perhaps this doe was hinting at something, but Knockdown brushed it aside in his mind. "Yes, I suppose I would." He tilted his head in thought, "I know I would." It was in his very being to spread his genes, after all. Knockdown knew that it was his destiny to have children of his own. "And you, Rise? Have you any foals?"

Roadkill wrote:Knockdown thought that was rather nice. A journey to find a lover sounded romantic and far-off. And to think he was interrupting this doe's meditative process, trying to prepare for what was to come.

"Another meeting," he pondered. Rise wanted to see him again after beginning to look for a mate. He was unsure how to take this and what it meant from her. He shrugged internally, "That would be very nice!" Knockdown said with a firm nod. "It would be an honor to see you once more, Rise."

Roadkill wrote:With the jump of excitement came splashing-- water splattering right across his face. He smiled, shaking his head to try and get rid of the water. She seemed very thrilled at the proespect of leaving, and meeting Knockdown again. This gave him a sort of smug feeling. Some nice young doe wanted audience with him again, after all.

"Yes, yes," he said, looking up at the doe as she left the water. "It is quite exciting. Do not worry about leaving, for we will meet again." Ah, yes, charming. Knockdown thought that might leave a good impression on her.

As she trotted away, he laughed to himself. She was sort of strange, but very endearing. He decided to stay in the water for quite some time, reflecting on his chance encounter. "Hmm... Fragile Sunrise." He closed his eyes, becoming lost in thought.

[Fin]