.......:The day was ragged, the clouds and their presense overwhelmingly obvious as they sputtered overhead, crossing the sky as fast as the wind could carry them. It was the first thing I saw when I awoke, my body screaming in agony, preventing any sort of attempt to move. My heart was stinging like fire, the pain coming in excruciating waves. I opened my mouth, letting out an exasperated breath, trying to keep the obvious pain within me. The clouds continued to carress the sky, leaving passing shadows to follow them upon the forest floor. I let my eyes wander, trying to get them into some sort of focus. I let out another breath, exhaling before quickly drawing my breath. "What? Does it hurt? Oh poor, sweet Wudiin. Mother is here to care for you." I closed my eyes again, leaning against the cold earth, drowning in the dark grass. "Now, now. My child, your mother only does this for your own good. Poor mother doesn't want his dear son to just wander off doing whatever he pleases. Your mother wants to make sure her son is in control of his actions. What your mother would give for her son to at least have a little more manners in his heart!" I opened my eyes, glancing dreamily across the land. Another typhoon of pain crushed my chest, and I let out a heaving breath, curling into myself. The pounding. Louder. Louder. I bit my lip, listening to the echoing voice in my head, squinting my eyes shut quicker than I had opened them. "You are hiding, poor child? Oh, Wudiin. Stand up, that pain is nothing. I cannot have my son so weak that he lays upon the ground as the world passes him by. Child...." Gathering up all my strength, I left the cold ground, the forces of gravity fighting to push me right back down. It seemed as if hours had past before I managed to stand, and I tried to hold my head high despite the crippling pain in my chest. Louder.




......:I headed towards the pond, slowly, drinking the cool liquid and letting it's texture sooth my dry throat. After such, I raised my antlers, listening for any familiar tones. None. Against my mind which told me otherwise, I burst into a full sprint, my body readying itself for what it was preparing to do. I surged forward, my legs carrying my body faster than my heart would allow. I ignored it, lowering my antlers right into my path of travel. Crash. I felt my neck bend as I slammed into a large tree, it's bark twisting in agony. I felt the tree give, yet I tried with all my might to pursue forward, trying to bend it's reluctant base. I stopped, taking a few steps backwards. Pausing, I looked towards the large tree, noticing what damage I had managed to inflict. An impressive array of scratches now scarred the tree, the bark deeply agash with the power that I still attempted to press upon it. I swallowed a lump in my throat, breathing heavily. Louder and louder. I felt lightheaded, but still managed to catch my balance. Silence impacted the forest, and my ears tiredly swiveled to try and catch any noise. Still, nothing. I looked at the dark ground, staring at it's texture. Until...I noticed something catch my eye. I moved towards it, trying to focus on what lay under what my hooves had dug at.



......:It sparkled. I was taken aback, nudging at the small object with my left hoof. Another twinkle escaped from it's surface, my mind so dizzy that I almost mistoke it for just another plant. My rational mind was slowly emerging, and I took the object carefully in my mouth. Setting it away from the hole I had skid away with my anger, and examined the foreign thing closer. It was a magnificent deep green, and seemed to be quite translucent. "An....emerald..." I managed to whisper weakly, taking it in my mouth, heading back to the pond. Once arriving, my weak mind and body still managed to rinse off the precious stone, and I was amazed by how clear and crisp the small object was. I thought for a moment, before once again enduring my body in a painful walk towards a familiar spot where I knew a certain doe to fall asleep upon often. I gently placed the precious jewel next to the base of the tree, hiding it to a point where only one who looked closely enough could spot it. Satisfied, I carried my screaming heart and aching body towards the birch forest, where I observed an oddly angered-looking stag interact with a playful fawn before falling asleep near the ruins. I believe his name was Sir Baal...or something of the sort. He seemed a tad angered as of late though, I hope he does not lash out upon others like it seemed that he intended. I suppose it was a dangerous flick in his eyes that I managed to spot that makes it seem so, although I suppose I'm not one to judge.



......:Another night passed without incident, and I craved the sleep which was so generously given to me before I finally gained conciousness. I was greeted unwelcomingly by the ravenous pounding in my chest, causing my body to shutter in anger towards the painful burst. I stood up, knowing it likely that it wouldn't subside, and I well should make use of my alertness in the time being. I wandered away from the ruins for awhile, before spotting two dainty looking fawns, one cowering behind another. I paused in my walk, looking to both of the small creatures with a conerning eye. One, much more bold than the other, while the second stayed secluded behind the bolder 'brother' in their attempt to close the distance looming between us. I rose my head, saying nothing as the break the contact that the ensemble of eyes were sharing. Finally though, I knew my heartbeat to be screaming, it's beat hammering out of my chest. Their ears pricked, and I evaded my gaze, knowing the spell to be lost. They could hear that annoying pounding within me. I turned, with one last bow, before blending back into the forest, finding peace in sleep not long after.




......:A thunderous roar overtook my eardrums, deafening me with it's bellowing cackle as a flash of white light attempted to blind me. I shifted in my sleep, pinning my ears, curling up it feeble attempts to avoid the obvious rainstorm chattering overhead. I rose my head, lifting my heavy eyelids to only be greeted by an unforgiving wall of water to flood my eyes. I let out a deep breath, my heartbeat nothing in comparrison to the forte of noises being unrolled by the unrelentless sky. I stood, eager to find any sort of shelter from this irritable storm. I turned to walk, but then paused in my intent, and looked towards the thundering rain that washed my fur away of debris which once so clinged to it when I lay there among the dirt. "Ah, child of mine. Can you hear me over this terrible storm? Poor clouds can't seem to keep their mouths shut, just like my sweet little Wudiin.... So intent on talking, my son? Or is it sarcasm that flows from your old mother?" I winced, closing my eyes, letting the cool rain wash away inpurities that now rushed towards the wet ground. "Your profound personality is the least of my worries now though, sweet little Wudiin." I quickly opened my eyes, looking left and right, trying to find a source to the sound I knew to be non-existant. I wouldn't answer it....it didn't exist. "Denying your mother? I'm heartbroken." I scowled, taking a step forward in the wet mud which now was the ground. "You should be more concerned of that deer you so rudely stared at a few days ago, my son." I paused in my step, furrowing my brow as I recalled my memories, letting my heartbeat cresendo and block out the sound of the scattered raindrops which beat the earth to a mushy pulp. "He's not one to be playful, that buck which you saw. That fawn, my dear son, was probably lucky that you lurked within the shadows, as the fawn that stag now accompanies now isn't so much as even near lucky." I let out an exasperated breath, closing my eyes, giving in to this alternate universe which my mind slowly carried me to. I didn't hear anything but the sound of a sarcastic, motherly, and melody-like voice which cooed warnings into my brain, avoiding my ears completely. "My Wudiin. My little alabastar relative which kindles nothing of her poor mother's love. And yet you continue to break my heart. Or. Rather. I must say it's your own heart that's breaking, child. That, and other's as well. I speak to you, Wudiin, of a dead fawn...and you witnessed an angry glinter of it's attacker....and yet did nothing to counter the inevitable. Dead. Perhaps that will be you one day?"



......:I broke from my trance, my eyes shooting open, the silent abyss I was once embraced in now fading away into the sharp pattering of raindrops and the creaking of swaying branches. They howled in the eager wind, raindrops weakening their defenses as well as mine. I now panted heavily, swaying simliar to the way the branches did as the wind pushed them. I coludn't bare to walk, let alone even speak, as my mind was riding a wave of thoughts which I couldn't seemed to break lose of. I couldn't even remember who that voice really was anymore...it was almost a part of my concious now....yet it still sounded simliar to that comforting voice which I so relished in just a few months ago. Mi luna? My mother? The moon? Me...? I couldn't tell anymore, as I couldn't even care to try and answer to questions in my mind. I took a weary step, then another, marching to the rythmm of my slowing heart. My pace matched it...as it was now slow enough fo me to keep up with. Maybe if I marched to this drum the pain in my chest could finally stop aching so profusely.



.....:I perked an ear, unaware to my own actions before the shift in sound caused me to stop dead in my tracks. I looked up, raising my slouching head to spot the source of the rustling earth. A doe...so far away that I could barely focus my vision upon her. Her pelt...I regonized the color the same as the tree's bark which swayed all around me. Doe antlers...but I couldn't seem to recall what mask she wore, if she donned one. I stared towards the approaching creature, my eyes losing their focus and my mind wandering. Let her approach, I told myself. She took a few more steps, but I soon felt my heartbeat speeding up, and I bolted away in attempts to meet its pounding. Louder.




.....:Our interactions between us carried in the same way continually about the forest, until I found that I could no longer keep up the scattered pace. I soon came to walking ever-slowly through the birch forest, my fur now completely drenched in the cool rain. A shiver erupted from my hooves to my neck, and I let out a cool breath in it's agreesive attack. I didn't care at this point...the water washed away everything I knew to be doing wrong. Bolting from others, not greeting others, interacting....slouching.... breathing too heavily.... not using proper grammer.... letting my mind wander.... everything. Another rustle in the bushes, though, caused my head to turn with little enthusiasm, only then did I spot the deer after staring aimlessly past the grasses.



.....:They cowered behind a birch tree, their body almost hidden save for their frightened face. I paused, perking my ears, trying so desperatly to focus on what my eyes were telling me. The first thing I noticed, was the clear, blue markings trailing down the doe's face, with bright, blue eyes to match them. I suppose I was a bit taken aback, as I'd never seen such markings dubbed upon another deer before. Their pelt was a swirl of golds and browns, creating a lighthearted effect against the darker blues which tipped her antlers. then I noticed the spots, so carefully aligned on her brow like a crown of aqua jewels. Curious, I took a step forward, only to be met by a flighty step backwards. She was shy. No wonder I had scared her, surely I looked horrendous with the pouring rain grinding away at my posture. I bowed, keeping a lower stance in attempt to show no harm. I pawed at the ground, tilting my head, asking if perhaps, maybe, I could approach. She cowered, but replied with a light curtsy. I bowed again, trying in my best attempts to show no danger lurked within me. My antlers may be heavy, but they have never been used to harm a doe. Ever. The thunder loomed overhead, and I could feel the rising tension in her frightened body, those bright blue eyes barreling right through me. Finally, I attempted to speak a few, calm whispers, my voice a bit deeper due to it's ill-use. "Please...trust me." She tilted her head, and I pawed at the ground once more. "Please..." I replied once again, letting my voice fade into the thunderstorm.
.....:She approached, and I was overjoyed by the does sudden courage. I nodded my head, slowly, bowing continually, making my meaning clear. I suppose I was also thanking the doe for such kind reception to my words. I turned on my heels, pawing once again, turning to see if perhaps she had run off. Lucklily, it wasn't the case, and she coninued to follow. I took a few steps, turning back for a bit longer than I had moments before. "I know of a spot with a nice view...if you'd care to join me...Miss..." I let my voice trail off, knowing she'd introduce her name when she felt complied to. I looked towards the open hill, realizing it now lay victim to the storm and was drowned in raindrops. The doe sat down beneath a tree, as did I, and we sat, looking outwards beyond the branches over to the far reaching landscape within the belly of the birches.



.......:Suddenly, without warning, in a cloud of purple dust, a sleeping form appeared before us. The peace had been broken , I knew she would bolt. And so would I. My predictions were correct, and we both split ways in frightened flights away from the disurbance. I grew saddened, until I noticed in the corner of my eye the distance sillouette of a doe, drenched in the cold rain. I regonized her to be the same one I had so solemnly stared at earlier. She approached, and I didn't make any effort to move away...until I spotted the blue-eyed doe approach me once again. I bowed, apologizing silently for my fleety escape, knowing I should defend my ground when faced with another flighty deer. Then , I turned back to the brown doe, who watched eagerly in the distance. I noticed the flighty doe cowering, but wasn't surprised in such an action. She was scared of others... similar to I. The brown deer came closer, and I turned to the other Miss with a comforting glance, trying to speak through my eyes that this deer meant no harm. The distance closed within the three of us, but then I felt a terrible pain strike deep within my chest. Louder and louder it pounded. I cringed, letting out a painful bellow, bursting foward, away from the two does.




......:"You are a useless child!" I cringed, running faster, in circles, my sides gracing impact with the trees scattered around me. I coughed, letting out a spill of blood which fell onto the murky ground, no different from the rain save for it's color. My pace was not stiffled by this, and I continued to run in ellusive circles until a loud thud erupted in my body. Everything was dark....quiet... but a stiffling pain was the only thing I could sense. I heard no tentative beating, saw nothing but darkness, and felt nothing but a deep pain. I couldn't locate it, but it was there. But....where was I? "With your mother, for I am responsible. I protect the young and weak, unlike a certain someone I happen to know..."






.....:My body shuttered when I came back to conciousness, the rain still relentlessly pouring upon my weakened body. I cracked open my eyes, the sight of nothing but drenched plants and cloudy sky flooding my eyes. The two does were gone. Thunder still roared across the sky, bright flashes of lightning blinding me for breif moments as heat and the sound of buzzing came with them. Another thunderous roar, and I soon fell victim to an overwhelming emotion. Terror. I closed my eyes, pinning my ears, trying so desperatly to blend in with the wet ground beneath me, trying to escape this hellish pain and overload of the senses. Another flash of light was followed by the sky's roar, and I curled my shivering body onto itself. Salty tears dripped down from my clenched eyelids, blending easily with the rain as it attempted it's assault on my cowering form. My fur was drenched down to my core, and nothing but cold, uncaring pain gripped within me. I began to weep, silent tears still dripping against my shuddering body. I doubt anyone would try and find me. I knew of the death which now tore at the forest, the death of an innocent child which fell victim to an anger directed at nothing other than the attacker himself. Would anyone care if that not-so-innocent, annoying stag which so carelessly ran at every chance of communication...perished? I could feel with every beat, the pain begin to paralyze me, leaving my body nothing else to do save for fight this dangerous upheaval and leave my mind to try and fight my own thoughts. I couldn't dare stand...the amount of gritting turmoil lacking any words I could ever conjuer up. No...they'd eventually find me... after the storm calmed and the clouds drifted away. Another beat...with it following a poison of pain. "But who will I chat with once you leave, sweet Wudiin? I need your company, child. But unfortunatly even you now deny my existance, just like your father." That voice...I could barely hear it now under the screams which erupted from my lungs, echoing off the bark without a single reply. Then...a wall of relief rushed over me as I was greated by a welcoming darkness. Sleep. Yes. It always calmed me.








Note: In conclusion, Wudiin isn't having a very good week. *goes back to studying*