#* . ⊹ 𝑰𝑻'𝑺 𝑨 𝑺𝑻𝑹𝑨𝑵𝑮𝑬 𝑩𝑬𝑮𝑰𝑵𝑵𝑰𝑵𝑮 › starter

[autumnfrolic]

‎‏‏⸻‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎𝐅𝐎𝐑‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎; ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎@fledercanons. | tod + copper.

Sharp sunlight scattered across a seemingly endless expanse of open country,  the vast valleys and undulating hills becoming a golden tapestry sparingly bespeckled by stick-built homes and farms ;  the vague cloud of the forest and mountains looming in the distance.  Dawn light spun like silk across the treetops,  morning mist flowing toward the western end of the earth with the midnight dew sparkling as it still clung from the night before,  covering everything in glittering pearls.  Though despite the spectacular pageantry of nature,  there was one too restless to even properly notice it for all its beauty.

Shivering like the autumn grass as the wind blows through it,  a young doe stood back in despair,  her pale eyes yearning as she peered through a sheer pane of glass.  Her name was Dart,  and she stood upon a rustic wooden floor with an awkward,  staggered stance,  nervous hooves emitting clicking ticks in quick succession as they vibrated against the planks,  the lost fawn trembling pitifully.  Landing in unfamiliar settings after getting herself foolishly caught in a Hunter's snare,  Dart had been taken into the abode of Widow Tweed for rest and recouperation.  Tod,  a young red fox,  had offered to help her during her time of need,  though admittedly Dart felt regretful of her decision to accept his assistance.  Attempting to place one's desperate trust in Man after He has killed many without mercy is near futile,  if not impossible.  She recalled how easily the old Woman held her against her chest as she struggled,  squirming fearfully this way and that.  Everything about humans seemed to be wholly dreadful to the young deer,  for no comfort could be found for her in the burning of wood stoves or noisy old televisions. . .

Wearily,  she thought about the forest,  where even now her family and friends roamed with their freedom.  Maybe they were frolicking in the meadow,  perhaps they dearly searched for her,  or did they think she was dead. . . ?  So many questions raced through her anxious mind without a single answer in sight.  Even in the midst of her terror,  she could not help but begrudgingly admire the miracles Man could muster.  They could create water at will,  and they could make roaring fires with simply a matchstick.  It bewildered and fascinated Dart in a terrifying,  morbid way.  Tod had reassured her that Widow Tweed was not like most other Humans,  and while Dart was inclined to believe him,  the gnawing fear of doubt still ate ravenously at her belly.  The old Woman had washed her,  cleaned her,  and wrapped a thickly woven spider web around her foreleg to cover and compress the damaged limb.  Had it not been for Tod and Widow Tweed's intervention,  the foolishly fearful fawn could have wittled her flesh down to the bone.  Perhaps it was possible that not every Man was cruel,  and as the case may be,  the fawn understood gravely that if this Human had wanted her dead,  she would be.  Yet she was not dead.  Breath still coursed through her lungs,  and pain still throbbed through her skin.  How could Man be both merciful,  and yet so cruel. . . ?

After the cold of the morning had burned off through the warmth of the day,  Widow Tweed gave a cursory examination of Dart's bandages.  While the wound had not fully healed,  the fawn needed to keep the strength in her legs with physical movement and nourishment of outside plant life.  Sternly,  she gave Tod the task of keeping an eye out for the fawn as she slowly opened the door to her backyard.  Imploring the young fox with a waggling finger to act responsibly,  she allowed the two animals to exit the household and emerge back into the bright world outside for a short time.  Dart felt a rush of relief bursting through her as the cool air brushed across her skin,  carrying the comforting smells of nature along the breeze.  It was the first time in days that her tail and ears wiggled in such joy !

‎‏‏⸻‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎; ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎@autumnfrolic.

[autumnfrolic]

‎‏‏⸻‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎𝐅𝐎𝐑‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎; ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎@vxlleyborn.

At first,  winter was a fun experience for Dart and her brother Dash.  ‏‏‎ ‎It silently snowed as they slept,  the twins awaking on a bright and early morning to a fresh blanket of soft snow covering everything their eyes could see,  sparkling and glistening wherever the light would hit it.‎ ‎ ‎‎‎‏‏‎ ‎Clumps of snow would fall from the trees and land upon the ground with a soft velvety thump and send a small cloud of white rolling outward dazzling and entrancing them completely.  ‏‏‎ ‎The air hummed with the cold,  bringing a sense of tranquility and quiet that vibrated throughout the entire forest.  ‏‏‎ ‎Nary a sound could be heard,  not even a bird. ‏‏‎ ‎ If you focused your gaze strongly enough you could see the particles of ice dancing through the air. ‏‏‎ ‎ Excitably Dart and Dash would spring forth and fearlessly tear through the snow,  their mother looking on happily as their strides delightfully grew into great bounds and leaps.

But soon the enamored fawns learned the harshness of winter,  and the joys of a first snow gave way to perpetual frustration.  ‏‏‎ ‎Born in the warm months of summer,  they had only ever known the abundance of vast green leaves.  ‏‏‎ ‎Now they all had to diligently scrape and paw at the ground to find every shriveled piece of grass that had shrunken far below the snow. ‏‏‎ ‎ Blizzards would bring fresh,  deeper layers of snow,  which the sun would melt during the day,  and through the night the water would chill into frozen sheets of ice.  ‏‏‎ ‎Straining to break through,  the ice would shatter into sheets like glass,  and cut the deer's fetlocks until they bled.  ‏‏‎ ‎The simple act of surviving in winter was grueling. ‏‏‎ ‎ Though there was a small positive consolation in the middle of their suffering.  ‏‏‎ ‎Beatrice,  Dart and Dash's mother,  explained as they walked that they would soon be joining the herd and spending a lot of time together. ‏‏‎ ‎ Dash was ecstatic,  though Dart seemed a tad apprehensive about joining everyone.

As they arrived,  Dart and Dash beheld the sight of so many deer all together in one place.  ‏‏‎ ‎It was a lot to take in. ‏‏‎ ‎The meadow had always been a popular,  but even the Princes were here,  their large glorious crowns resting above their proud heads.  ‏‏‎ ‎Bucks, does, and fawns all congregated here in the valley, having come down from their homes in the mountains for the upcoming cold months. ‏‏‎ ‎ Immediately Dash raced off to join some familiar faces he had met on the meadow the season before.  ‏‏‎ ‎Beatrice gave Dart's backside a gentle, reaffirming nudge with her muzzle.  

❝ ‏‏‎ ‎Off with you— ‏‏‎ ‎❞ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎she said,  ‏‏‎ ‎❝‏‏‎ ‎ Go have fun.  I'll call you once the sun sets. ‏‏‎ ‎❞

Without another word,  Beatrice turned and calmly strolled to chat with the other adults,  leaving Dart behind.  ‏‏‎ ‎Standing awkwardly, she rustled her thick fur,  the chestnut colored fawn independently trotting away from the group and settling beside the trunk of a large evergreen.  ‏‏‎ ‎Her attention slowly turned from the herd to her surroundings.  ‏‏‎ ‎Pine needles of years past had fallen onto the ground,  creating a compacted layer of earth that sounded hollow when a hoof would thump against it.  ‏‏‎ ‎Thankfully the pines stayed green all year long to protect them,  and Dart thought to herself how good and polite they all were for being such watchful guardians.

‎‏‏⸻‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎; ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎@autumnfrolic.

[autumnfrolic]

‎‏‏⸻‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎𝐅𝐎𝐑‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎; ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎@starsweepers.

For the first time in their lives,  the twin fawns had been given the freedom to roam throughout the meadow on their own accord.  Casting a quick glance back at her mother,  Beatrice,  whom was far more concerned with nibbling fresh clover than anything else,  Dart reared up in excitement before scampering off across the lush grasses in a whirlwind sprint,  Dash quickly bounding after her.  Golden dandelion heads and purple clover blossoms dotted the open fields,  the dense blades of grass covering almost every inch of earth beneath them,  with a rush of clear water trickling down the eastern slopes and through the thicket below.  Dart and Dash galloped through the vastness,  weaving back and forth between each other before sprinting opposite directions,  only to return once more ;  their backs streaking through the tips of the tall grasses like little red flames against the sea of green.  After their third or fourth loop around the meadow,  Dart had eventually lost track of her brother.

Perhaps she had split too far away from him,  or maybe he had gotten distracted by something interesting. . .  Nevertheless,  Dart's gleeful heart insisted upon relishing this freedom,  her legs eagerly carrying her forward.  Deep down inside,  she felt a bodily joy that all deer instinctively do,  prancing and dancing as if her happiness could no longer contain itself within her.  She jumped and kicked and twirled with an uncontrollable passion.  She was wild !  Tearing through the meadow,  a fiery,  playful urge suddenly overtook her —  how fast could she really run ?  Extending her gait to its fullest,  air found itself under her hooves as she flew like the wind.  Everything became a blur.  Surely she was the fastest fawn there ever was. . . !  She knew it now !

There was an abrupt movement in the trail ahead,  and Dart's eyes could barely register something in their field of view before she bodily slammed into it.  She tumbled forward over and over again with the other until they both spilled forth onto the soft earth,  a dust cloud slowly settling around them after impact.  Shaking her head,  Dart's eyes fluttered open in a daze,  noticing she was nose-to-nose with another fawn !  She was rosy and pale with brilliant blue eyes. . . Scrambling back instinctively,  Dart stuttered and stammered before taming her nervous tongue.

❝ Oh my gosh,  I'm so sorry —  ! ❞ ‏‏‎ ‎She babbled,  ❝ Are you all right !? ❞ ‏‏‎

‎‏‏⸻‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎; ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎@autumnfrolic.

[autumnfrolic]

‎‏‏⸻‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎𝐅𝐎𝐑‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎; ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎@storybounded.

Intoxicatingly sweet scents drifted through the air as the warm breeze carried them along the wind.  ‏‏‎ ‎There were simply far too many to name as Dart's nose snuffed the air,  attempting to decipher the myriad of smells fruitlessly.  ‏‏‎ ‎She followed closely behind her brother,  whom in turn was following their mother.  ‏‏‎ ‎Today,  their mother Beatrice had a special surprise in store for them,  and the twin fawns had been none the wiser about it. ‏‏‎ ‎ They had been to the meadow before,  though something about this day in particular felt wildly more magnificent than the rest.  ‏‏‎ ‎With a flick of her tufted tail,  Dart eagerly bounded to her mother's side and questioned her.

❝‏‏‎ ‎ Mom—‏‏‎ ‎ ❞ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎she asked insistently,  ‏‏‎ ‎❝ ‏‏‎ ‎Where are we going ?‏‏‎ ‎ ❞ ❝ ‏‏‎ ‎To the meadow,  obviously !‏‏‎ ‎ ❞ ‏‏‎ ‎ Replied her brother pertly. ❝‏‏‎ ‎ Do not be mean to your sister,  Dash. ‏‏‎ ‎❞  Beatrice gently scolded before continuing,  ❝ ‏‏‎ ‎We are going the meadow,  yes, but we are visiting a spot you both have not been yet. ‏‏‎ ‎ Along the edge of the meadow there lies an ancient oak,  and that is where we are going. ‏‏‎ ‎❞  ‏‏‎ ‎Patiently explaining as she seamlessly lead her two fawns through the dense thicket.  ❝‏‏‎ ‎ Some say it is the oldest tree in the entire forest. ‏‏‎ ‎❞

Reverently,  Dart thought long about how old the oak must be to have outlived even Friend Owl !  ‏‏‎ ‎They carried on through the woods,  the trees beginning to slowly part,  revealing the open glades behind them more and more,  until they stood at the cross-section of multiple trails,  their mouths leading directly to the meadow,  the old oak towering beside them as a gigantic landmark to any resident forest-folk.

❝‏‏‎ ‎ They pass the old oak every time they come through— ‏‏‎ ‎❞ ‏‏‎ ‎ Beatrice said to herself. ❝ ‏‏‎ ‎Who's coming,  Mother ? ‏‏‎ ‎❞‏‏‎ ‎  Dart asked,  impatiently bouncing in one place. ❝ ‏‏‎ ‎Be patient,  little wild one—  you will see for yourself soon enough. . . ! ‏‏‎ ‎❞

‎‏‏⸻‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎; ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎@autumnfrolic.

[autumnfrolic]

‎‏‏⸻‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎𝐅𝐎𝐑‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎; ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎@allnostalgic.

The cold broke, and there was a small spell of warmth in late autumn.  ‏‏‎ ‎Soft rays of light escaped the through roof of woven leaves and dappled the forest beneath with spots of comforting heat,  which the snow-covered earth gladly drunk in.

In her den atop the hill Dart's eyes surveyed across the forest below,  the sun rising behind the contrasted silhouettes of distant trees and slopes.  ‏‏‎ ‎The beds of fog that blanketed the forest slowly burned off,  fading away to reveal a stark orange sky that brilliantly radiated the sun's light across the land,  scattered yellow clouds streaking across the heavens like the strokes of a divine paintbrush. ‏‏‎ ‎Every morning, evening, and night the forest would alight with a chorus of voices,  though this picturesque dawn fell suspiciously quiet.  ‏‏‎ ‎Dart felt a subtle pang of disquiet inside her.

Suddenly,  Dart's ears swiveled as a raucous commotion erupted in the distance.  Flapping wings and shrill voices sounded from the south-eastern part of the forest.  ‏‏‎ ‎A multitude of birds desperately dispersed from the canopy,  the crows circled crying their joyless calls,  and the vague voices of agitated forest-folk were audible from even here.  ‏‏‎ ‎It wasn't uncommon for chaos such as this to occur in the forest,  but the pure vitriol pouring from their cries was not.  ‏‏‎ ‎It piqued Dart's ill-advised curiosity.

Tracks trailing behind as her hooves gently punctured the cold sheet of snow,  Dart observed her surroundings intently.  ‏‏‎ ‎Despite her desire to understand,  she was still wary,  and ready to turn tail at a moments notice if needed.  ‏‏‎ ‎Every few steps she would move forward,  then shrink back,  almost folding into herself,  before stretching out once more and continuing again.  ‏‏‎ ‎As she neared the southern thicket of the forest,  the racket vibrating through the air begun to grow clearer,  Dart quickening her pace eagerly as a result.  ‏‏‎ ‎She wanted to know what was causing such a stir in the community terribly, though she didn't have to wonder for long.

❝ Traitor ! ❞ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Cried the magpie. ❝ Scoundrel ! ❞  ‏‏‎ ‎Shrieked the weasel. ❝ Betrayer ! ❞  ‏‏‎ ‎The jay screeched.

In every corner of this thicket there seemed to be creatures rallying.  ‏‏‎ ‎From branches in trees above, or from burrowed dens in the earth below,  every creature had joined together here in an embittered frenzy that maddened them and caused them to forget caution.  ‏‏‎ ‎Overhead the crows still shouted loudly,  ❝ Spy !  Spy !  Spy ! ❞

Driven by their harsh words,  Dart sprang forwards,  desperate to finally find out what had caused all this uproar in the first place.  ‏‏‎ ‎Breaking through the wall of golden foliage that obstructed her vision,  wilting leaves grazed across as her muzzle as she parted through the brush.  ‏‏‎ ‎Setting hoof into the clearing,  Dart gasped at the sight.

❝ How dare you ! ❞  ‏‏‎ ‎The squirrel scolded from her perch upon a straight branch,  ❝ You should be ashamed ! ❞  ‏‏‎ ‎Her tail whipped like a lick of flame.

❝ You will surely lead Him to us ! ❞ ‏‏‎ ‎ The fox yipped,  his body taught with contempt.

Apprehensively,  like a young beech in the wind,  a canine with a messy cedar coat stood before them,  receiving their cruelty directly without so much as a lip-curl in retort.  ‏‏‎ ‎It seemed this stranger had barely stepped paw within the wood before immediately becoming a victim of association.  ‏‏‎ ‎Humans simply meant death for any creature in this forest,  and any creature guilty of serving Man was fated to be cast out, cursed by the forest-folk whom have always hated and despised Him.

❝ What is going on here ? ❞  ‏‏‎ ‎Dart marched forth,  snow gently crunching underhoof. She simply demanded from anyone willing to speak, though when the other forest-folk ignored her, she looked to the stranger directly for an answer.

‎‏‏⸻‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎; ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎@autumnfrolic.

[autumnfrolic]

‎‏‏⸻‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎𝐅𝐎𝐑‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎; ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎@wornlilac

Tonight was perfect for dancing ! ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎The full moon hung across a draping sheet of darkness speckled with tiny twinkling stars. ‏‏‎ Without care or concern,‏‏‎ ‎ a young doe frolicked across the soft knolls and cool meadows, ‏‏‎ the wind pushing her forward with every step, ‏‏‎ ‎rousing the grasses and making them sway along to the midnight song. ‏‏‎ ‎She had been overcome with a childlike playfulness that swept her away like a leaf in the breeze. ‏‏‎ ‎Autumn had finally arrived, ‏‏‎ ‎and with this season brought the doe great happiness. ‏‏‎ ‎Completely charmed by the beauty of nature and all of its spectacles, ‏‏‎ ‎it was she that understood life needed levity in a world full of fear. . . Crimson leaves flew into the air as her delicate hooves sprung from the ground. ‏‏‎ ‎Icy cold night air filled her lungs, ‏‏‎ ‎tasting ‎crisp like a fresh green apple, ‏‏‎ while large ‎breaths of vapor escaped her nostrils, ‏‏‎ ‎reeling into the air as she exhaled. ‏‏‎ ‎As she spirited through the valley and into the thicket, ‏‏‎ ‎the trees slowly parted to reveal a beautiful glade. ‏‏‎ ‎Stopping dead in her tracks, ‏‏‎ ‎the doe scanned the area curiously.

This place was different than the rest of the forest. . . ‏‏‎ ‎It certainly felt different. ‏‏‎ ‎Gentle,‏‏‎ ‎ serene, ‏‏‎ warm air seemed wrapped up in this place. ‏‏‎ ‎But how could this be ?‏‏‎ ‎Green burst from everything ‎like it was still springtime. . . ‏‏‎ ‎‎Mystified and confused by this earthly wonder,‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎‎‎‎the young doe took in every detail her eyes would allow her to.

‎‏‏⸻‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎; ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎@autumnfrolic

[autumnfrolic]

‎‏‏⸻‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎𝐅𝐎𝐑‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎; ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎@royalmagc. | duchess.

A tumultuous, bubbling clap screeched through the rural streets,  followed by a nose-wrinklingly acrid smoke spewing from the wriggling exhaust pipe of an old,  rickety motorcycle.  It alerted many of the outskirt forest-folk who promptly fled to safety,  seeking shelter in deeper parts of the forest.  Through this pastoral countryside lay dotted many small thickets which the animals had made their beds,  now suddenly shaken from their sleep by this rude awakening.  Morning light had yet to break,  and sleeping under the young ferns rested a young doe,  cracking her eyes open as she groggily stirred.  Gazing up to the dark it sky stretched ever forth with dark,  heavy clouds that nestled closely against it.  It was surely going to rain soon.

Ears swiveling forward as she raised her head aloft,  the doe spotted a projected light in the distance.  These farmland roads were rarely host to these types of vehicles,  and the strange noise and light this object created morbidly intrigued her.  Intently observing how the light would erratically swerve and violently over-correct,  and how the smog of noxious smoke slowly trailed behind as it puttered down the hill.  Instinctively flinching as the foreign object came to a shrieking halt at the crossing of a small curved bridge, the watchful doe's keen gaze spotted He who strode across the noisy Man-made object ejecting something from the back of His carriage,  throwing it into the creek that shallowly flowed beneath, in an instant accelerating again—  promptly fleeing the way He had came and back up the hill once more.

❝ Litterbug. . . ! ❞ ‏‏‎ She scoffed with an exasperated huff. The doe stood and exited the safety of her thicket, trotting through the long grasses with the blades swishing softly against her sides as she moved.  Surely it had been another case of city-born scallywags dumping their undesirables into the river.  She had seen it before.  Confidently striding up to the riverbank,  her head began to tilt quizzically as she observed what bobbed along the water's surface before her ;  a delicately woven bundle with ribbon and velvet drifting downstream.  Surely this was not undesirable !  The craftsmanship of the artisan basket alone would be valued higher than most alternatives,  at least compared to the other Human objects she had previously examined.  As the basket dipped gently,  the soft curtains exposed a flash of white,  which lured the doe's curious eyes with the promise of something hidden within.

Trotting eagerly along the bank,  she awaited anxiously for an opportunity to rescue the small vessel before it reached a heavier, faster, deeper part of the river.  At last there came a small break in the watery divide where an old tree had fallen to create a natural bridge.  Increasing her gait to gain speed,  the doe rushed ahead,  bounding onto the narrow log and dipping her head down to snag the bassinet's beautiful handle.  A forceful tug pulling her down as she lifted indicated that it had been heavier than first anticipated.  Nonetheless,  she successfully—  albeit clumsily—  retrieved the discarded object from the water.  Dawn's light had barely begun to show as she placed the bundle down upon the soft grass,  and with an inquisitive nudge of her black nose,  she lightly brushed the velvety drapes aside to see what hid within. . .

‎‏‏⸻‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎; ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎@autumnfrolic.

[autumnfrolic]

“Can I stay with you tonight? I just… really don’t want to be alone right now.”

‎‏‏⸻‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎𝐅𝐎𝐑‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎; ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎@springsung. ‏‏‎ ‎{ ‏‏‎ ♡‎ ‏‏‎ ‎} ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎//‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎Still Accepting !

What first began as a brief reunion between old friends had grown into something quite a bit more serious than that. ‏‏‎ ‎ In the past, ‏‏‎ ‎ Dart and Bambi had the pleasure of passing by one another actively throughout their youth,  ‏‏‎ ‎as growing up in this part of the forest lead to their mothers crossing paths frequently on the overgrown trails they used to navigate the thickets they called home. ‏‏‎ ‎ Dart had only been a tine or two older than Bambi, ‏‏‎ ‎ but she understood that he wasn't due for true independency just yet,  ‏‏‎ ‎and the vacancy of Bambi's Mother concerned her.  ‏‏‎ ‎Unfortunately, ‏‏‎ ‎ Dart had yet to hear the rumors currently being spread by the forest folk far and wide. . .

❝  Hey. . .  Is something wrong ? ❞  ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‏‏‎ ‎She asked, ‏‏‎ ‎ leaning her neck down to observe his expression worriedly.  ‏‏‎ ‎Eyes were a window to the depths of the soul,  ‎‏‏‎ ‎and the Young Prince's vivid golden orbs were no exception.  They shone so bright they bore their own spot in the universe despite the oncoming darkness of grief and loss ahead.

Something was definitely wrong.  ‏‏‎ ‎A plummeting feeling wracked Dart's stomach.  She could feel the prey-driven anxiety rising within her.  ‏‏‎ ‎The doe's ears swiveled to hear clearly,  ‏‏‎ ‎and her nervous gray eyes glanced around their sides to ensure no oncoming threats.  ‏‏‎ ‎All boundaries were secure, ‏‏‎ ‎ though the nagging,  scraping feeling inside Dart's gut suggested they ought to start moving. . .

❝  All right,  let's go. ‏‏‎ ‎ We can talk on the way to my place. ‏‏‎ ‎ Come on. ❞  ‏‏‎ ‎Dutifully supportive sympathy vibrated through Dart's familiar voice, ‏‏‎ ‎ yet there was a clear undertone of seriousness that motivated respect.  ‏‏‎ ‎There was no reason to linger here any longer than necessary. ‏‏‎ ‎ With a flick of her tufted white tail she flagged for Bambi to follow closely beside her, ‏‏‎ ‎leaves rustling as Dart entered the wall of trees.

‎‏‏⸻‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎; ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎@autumnfrolic.

[autumnfrolic]

tags.

* . ⊹  𝑪𝑶𝑼𝑹𝑨𝑮𝑬 𝑫𝑶𝑬𝑺𝑵'𝑻 𝑨𝑳𝑾𝑨𝒀𝑺 𝑹𝑶𝑨𝑹. ›   dart, * . ⊹  𝒀𝑶𝑼'𝑹𝑬 𝑩𝑹𝑨𝑽𝑬𝑹 𝑻𝑯𝑨𝑵 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑻𝑯𝑰𝑵𝑲. ›   musings, * . ⊹  𝑻𝑬𝑳𝑳 𝒀𝑶𝑼𝑹 𝑺𝑻𝑶𝑹𝒀 𝑾𝑨𝑳𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮. ›   headcanons, * . ⊹  𝑩𝑼𝑻 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑪𝑨𝑵'𝑻 𝑲𝑬𝑬𝑷 𝑭𝑹𝑶𝑴 𝑳𝑨𝑼𝑮𝑯𝑰𝑵𝑮. ›   funnies, * . ⊹  𝑳𝑰𝑭𝑻 𝒀𝑶𝑼𝑹 𝑯𝑬𝑨𝑫 𝑼𝑷 𝑰𝑵 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑾𝑰𝑵𝑫. ›   memes, * . ⊹  𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑫𝑬𝑾 𝑫𝑼𝑹𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑫𝑨𝒀𝑩𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑲. ›   aesthetic, * . ⊹  𝑨 𝑩𝑰𝑹𝑫 𝑭𝑳𝑰𝑬𝑺 𝑶𝑼𝑻. ›   starter call, * . ⊹  𝑰𝑻'𝑺 𝑨 𝑺𝑻𝑹𝑨𝑵𝑮𝑬 𝑩𝑬𝑮𝑰𝑵𝑵𝑰𝑵𝑮. ›   starter, * . ⊹  𝑪𝑶𝑴𝑰𝑪 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑨𝑾𝑲𝑾𝑨𝑹𝑫 𝑮𝑹𝑨𝑪𝑬. ›   reply, * . ⊹  𝑾𝑨𝑰𝑻𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑭𝑶𝑹 𝑨 𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑺𝑶𝑵. ›   prompt, * . ⊹  𝑯𝑶𝑾 𝑫𝑶 𝑰 𝑾𝑨𝑵𝑵𝑨 𝑭𝑬𝑬𝑳 𝑰 𝑾𝑶𝑵𝑫𝑬𝑹. ›   ask, * . ⊹  𝑾𝑬𝑨𝑹𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑻𝑹𝑼𝑻𝑯 𝑼𝑵𝑫𝑬𝑹𝑭𝑶𝑶𝑻 𝑳𝑰𝑲𝑬 𝑨 𝑷𝑬𝑩𝑩𝑳𝑬. ›   beatrice, * . ⊹  𝑻𝑬𝑳𝑳 𝑰𝑻 𝑻𝑶 𝒀𝑶𝑼𝑹 𝑴𝑶𝑻𝑯𝑬𝑹𝑳𝑬𝑺𝑺 𝑹𝑬𝑭𝑳𝑬𝑪𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵. ›   dash, * . ⊹  𝑨 𝑺𝑴𝑰𝑳𝑬 𝑻𝑯𝑨𝑻 𝑳𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻𝑺 𝑼𝑷 𝑨𝑳𝑳 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑹𝑶𝑶𝑴. ›   bambi, * . ⊹  𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑶𝑵𝑳𝒀 𝑫𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑴 𝑰𝑵 𝑷𝑬𝑨𝑪𝑬𝑭𝑼𝑳 𝑩𝑳𝑼𝑬. ›   faline, * . ⊹  𝑫𝑶𝑵'𝑻 𝑷𝑼𝑺𝑯 𝑺𝑶 𝑯𝑨𝑹𝑫 𝑨𝑮𝑨𝑰𝑵𝑺𝑻 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑾𝑶𝑹𝑳𝑫. ›   ronno, * . ⊹  𝑺𝑶 𝑫𝑨𝑹𝑲 𝑾𝑯𝑨𝑻 𝑳𝑶𝑵𝑬𝑳𝒀 𝑷𝑬𝑶𝑷𝑳𝑬 𝑫𝑶. ›   the great prince, * . ⊹  𝑰 𝑾𝑰𝑳𝑳 𝑩𝑬 𝑾𝑰𝑻𝑯 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑬𝑽𝑬𝑵 𝑻𝑯𝑬𝑵. ›   bambi's mother, * . ⊹  𝑯𝑬𝑹 𝑽𝑰𝑺𝑨𝑮𝑬 𝑵𝑬𝑽𝑬𝑹 𝑺𝑴𝑰𝑻𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝒀𝑶𝑼𝑹 𝑬𝒀𝑬𝑺. ›   amalthea,