Cicada-Crusher had gathered herbs, doing all the caring things he loved to do for his partner. Stand Tall In The Light was a strong, lovely Totoma, but he was a caretaker by nature and he felt compelled to do what he could for her. He loved her, and wanted to make sure she wanted for nothing in this time. He felt much more confident this time, already a father once. Already once-acquainted with a legendary who blessed his children. Cicada-Crusher vowed he would do better this time, not insulting or disturbing a legendary in their nap.
Well, at least he could always hope, the way he hoped his children would be healthy, or that his lovely blind doe would be safe. He would seek out another legendary for a blessing for his lambs.
The giant wasp arrived with a vibrant hum, appearing from between the trees, a ransacked beehive clutched in her grip. The bees had long fled and honey still dripped from the honeycomb as she came to a loud, bobbing halt in front of Cicada-Crusher. There she waited, glowing gaze pinned expectantly on the Totoma buck.
Cicada-Crusher paused, looking at the giant wasp and her dripping hive. Honey was such a good, hard to find (well, obtain) treat for his medicinal stores. He could feel the longing, but held his tongue. The wasp appeared to be waiting, and he noted the eyes. Giant wasps could be so intimidating... but Cicada-Crusher didn't worry about that. "Hello there," he said politely. "Do you need help with that?"
She did need help, though expressing this as a wasp was difficult to do. It came out as an angry sounding buzz and a quick darting movement straight towards the buck. Being rapidly approached by a giant wasp was a startling prospect at the best of times, but should he stay put, she planned to rest the hive on his back plate, a gift for a father-to-be.
Cicada-Crusher tensed as the wasp came towards him, her noisy buzzing an unpleasant sound. If she was going to sting him, he could be thankful for his thick pelt and his knowledge of healing herbs to soothe the pain. He stood still. "Ah," he sighed, when there seemed to be no sting. Only the wasp and her glowing eyes, and him.
She relinquished her burden and flew back, settling on the ground, her wings finally going still.
The wasp licked honey from her front limbs, cleaning them with little nibbles from her mandibles, unhurriedly finishing the task. Only when she was satisfied, did the wasp looked back to the Totoma.
Well? It seemed to be saying, glowing eyes expectant.
It was sticky on his back, and he could feel that he'd need to wash, but he didn't mind. He often worked with sticky, or smelly, or strange things. It was just another one. The wasp was still there, her glowing eyes beautiful and frightening. "I have a favor to ask, if you can grant me that as well," he said to her. "Can I get a blessing for my children?"
"You may," the mare said, the change from wasp to Kimeti instant, her voice rusty with disuse. "Though you have yet to thank me for my gift," she gave him an especially unimpressed stare. "May your offspring grow strong together, knowing the unity of family." There, that seemed to be a generous blessing.
She was an especially impressed mare, watching the transformation hurt his head a little. The Totoma bowed his head, appropriately chastised. "Thank you. For the honeycomb, as well as the blessing. It is very kind of you," Cicada-Crusher said. "I really appreciate it. Should you need any healing, please come find me again."
"I will keep that in mind," Swarm promised, and she would. Though she didn't intend to need healing anytime soon, perhaps she would meet somebody who would.
Pleased by his gratitude and having had quite enough of talking, she dipped her head briefly in farewell. She was already certain he would be an efficient and caring father.
A wasp once more, she darted off without another word.
