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Unborn was not pleased with the new changes to her body. She felt bloated and uncomfortable, the little parasites within her growing stronger by the day. It would be a pleasure to finally by rid of them, but until that day she was forced to deal with sore knees and an endless hunger.

Today she was eating lotus roots, standing in the shallows of a pond, ripping the plants up from the stems until she could wash the roots clean of mud and devour them as quickly as she could. This would be a good place to leave them, Unborn thought as she munched on her meal.

[imgright]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgright]She knew, much to her surprise, that someone needed her. Someone was nearby who needed her and what a strange thing that was, to feel needed without knowing who was needing. Half Truth let the Swamp pull her to where she needed to be, and she came across her.

The way the doe carried herself; legs wider than the usual stance, the curve and swell of her middle- she was pregnant, heavily so. So that’s what the Swamp was doing; it was showing her someone who could use the particular brand of help she was now able to offer. A thrill ran down her spine, settling in the ruff of feathers on her back. She approached the doe slowly, speaking kindly and gently.

“They say that lotus can help you forget; that the lotus-eaters dance in a dreamland. Is there something you’d rather forget?”

The doe continued to munch, though it slowed to a steady grind of her teeth as she regarded the fancy mare. This was new. A legend come to life. They had clearly been wandering the Swamp for too long and it had warped their soul.

She swallowed with a loud gulp.

“There are many things I would like to forget. But today I feel as though I am going to burst at the seams and my life is being drained from me. I would prefer to walk in dreamland until they are done.”

@Scaramouche Fandango

"It's not easy, this thing you're experiencing. But it is real, and all real things come to an end, eventually." Half Truth smiled gently, then chuckled ruefully. "Though I supposed that's a useless platitude to you, isn't it? Words can be comforting to the mind, but when the body aches, the body aches. Have you tried chewing the bark of the white willow? It's excellent for inflammation. Should help with any knee, hoof, or back pain you're experiencing. As for the rest, that's up to your body- and good luck arguing with that!" Was she doing this correctly? Was she helping? The doe swelled with life, but not with the anticipation of it. "Do you have plans, for when the time comes? I might be able to help with that."

@Ruriska

“Some things come to an end and others never begin,” Unborn said, expressionless. “I tried to find the right herbs but they didn’t take.” She shrugged, the motion running through her as a shiver.

“I have no plans.” Her head swung about, surveying the area. “I could drop them here, or...” There was family she could take them to. Her mother was not uncaring; her grandfather was flippant and carefree but he would try.

She supposed if they were going to be stubborn and unwelcome, she should at least give them a chance. “I will sort it out.”

@Scaramouche Fandango

She had to admit that her heart twinged just a little- in some ways, she envied this doe. In others, not so much- but to pass up on the founding of a family...

Well. Perhaps it wasn't the right time, or she wasn't the right kin. The path Half Truth had walked was her path, and though she liked it, it wasn't anything to impose upon others. Not everybody wanted to be a parent, and it wasn't a choice that should be forced on anyone. It was already hard enough, having to carry the way she did; she needed to know that she wasn't doing anything wrong. Or maybe she knew that already, and Half Truth was making assumptions based on what she might feel, were she in that situation. What was most important was this doe's safety, the ease of birth, and then regaining her strength. It was a draining process, carrying sacs. She needed shelter.

"I know a place. It's not far from here, but they take good care of mothers and b- offspring." A less loaded term. She wasn't here to judge; she only wanted to help. "It's a safe place where everyone's kind, and there's wonderful food. You'd be welcome there, and you could leave whenever you wanted. A friend of mine looks over it it; she likes to take care of everyone. You'd be safe there, while you recovered- though everyone's gentle, they aren't weak. There's lots of does there who leave their offspring for them to raise. But if you didn't want to go there, you can leave them here. Nothing bad would happen to them. And if you came here, when it's time, I could make sure there was food. Fresh fish, or some other kind of meat- you'll need it, for the strength and nourishment. Clean water, as cool as I can find it. Nothing dangerous nearby. I could promise safety, for you and for them. If that's what you wanted." She paused, not wanting to overwhelm.

"The most important thing is that it's your choice, and that you're safe."

For the first time in a long time, Unborn smiled. She didn’t want the help or plan to accept it but the offer was enough to shift her mood just slightly. It added life to her eyes where there had been none before.

“You are very kind,” she said matter-of-factly.

The Legendary was so ready to offer her assistance, so ready with options. Unborn was certain that if she asked for something, anything at all, the other would leap at the chance. It was nice.

“I don’t mix well with others,” she said, though surely that must be clear. At least to her it was obvious she didn’t quite belong anywhere. “But I thank you... for the options. Please do not be concerned for my, or their, well-being. We will survive.”

"Not just survive- you'll thrive. You all will." Half Truth smiled at the expectant doe. "You'll do well. Take care of yourself- and if you do find yourself needing more options, all you have to do is come here again. You don't even have to ask."

Unborn frowned and her mouth opened, perhaps to argue. But then she shut it again, giving a minute shake of her head.

“Perhaps we will.”

It was the swamp, after all.

It had a way of guiding you.


@Scaramouche Fandango