Chapter 4 ((Archive))

cloudandis's picture
This is a bit of a late archive update, but it is very much needed. Over the past few months I've been moving and we only recently finished. It's good to be back, though!

CHAPTER SELECTION

I II III

You are in Chapter 4.




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May 30th, 2016

Awoke when a breeze caused the wind chime to jingle. Felt well rested, but strangely still tired. Tried heading to the Crying Idol to shower off the sensation. After a few minutes, meandered around the pond to listen to the frogs croaking. Sensed a familiar presence in the distance and made my way over, flitting through the trees. Gave "The Shadow" a greeting of prancing and posing before settling next to them. However, sensed another presence after a while- someone familiar, but not a companion of mine. I remembered briefly getting to meet them before.

Went off to seek out the scent of The Golden Face when The Shadow and their companion wandered away. Found them between two strangers, and was greeted by one with a white pelt and Noh mask. Odd behavior, was not able to easily read them. Bid them farewell when they left and eyed The Golden Face carefully- appeared to be in a tense moment. Decided not to get involved and bid them a short farewell, happy to have seen them for the day. Noticed The Large White Stranger with a group nearby, watching. Curious, but left it at that.

Returned and attempted to greet the stranger that was acquainted with The Shadow, but found their mood lacking amiability. Politely set some flowers on the rock in front of them as a peaceful gesture, bowed, and left. Perhaps your day will be better later on.

Went over the hill after I had picked up many familiar scents. The Star Kissed Stag, The Fire Butterfly, The Collector, and The Masked Mother were together on the other side of the hill! Happily bounced over to them. Much cuddling and nuzzling, as well as friendly greeting. Groomed The Masked Mother and checked on The Star Kissed Stag. Also noticed Thais had a little one I had come to learn was named Gunnar. Eventually fell asleep under Tig's blanket with the group.

June 2nd, 2016
Woke up rather late today. Spotted tig resting by a tree and approached quickly to give him a bit of much needed grooming. Cuddled next to him for a short period of time before getting up to drink from the crying idol and urn about- ran into several strange deer. Encountered two fawns when they were mooing up a storm in the forest, and found they were simply playing. Pranced and played, hopping around the playground and onto the large boulders. Eventually headed back to Tig, and found them following.

Bright eyes approached, having recognized us- I think? I am not quite sure if the young stag knows my companion. Greeted them warmly with a side nuzzle and managed to convince tig to come and sit with them. The Golden Face was already waiting on the hill of tall grass and flowers. Relaxed idly with the pair, and tried not to succumb to sleep. Eventually, Tig expressed wanting to head back to their tree- gave them a fond nuzzle before settling back down. Set some blueberries in front of the pair before meandering off to find my tree.

July 26th-31st, 2016
A hazed world of white fog and muffled shouts in the distance. Familiar figures prance back and forth, but never approach.
They fight and they play, they frolic and they mourn.
For once I know this is a dream. How long have I slept?


Waking up in the ruins, I climbed out. It wasn't the best place to have slept, as a rain brought mud down on me. My lungs felt quite sore, and my throat dry. I encountered a strange little creature above the pit in the ruins- where I had been sleeping for so long. He appeared startled and pensive. I wonder why he was there?

I also happened upon Sadiki. I hadn't noticed him until he'd reached me- my senses were a mess. Our conversation teetered on understanding and guilt on both our parts. But more importantly, it brought better understanding.

Please. Even if I am not here, some day... I would like to cherish the time we do have. Do not regret, my friend. Do not regret.

Dorian also offered his familiar and fond company after I'd reached the pond and settled in it. We attempted to play in the pond, but his slipping and my splashing easily became a bit of trouble. Pulling ourselves out of the water to dry off, I attempted to lighten his mood with a bit of jesting at a nearby tree.
There was much talking and catching up- wanting to know how much had changed. But this turned my thoughts to those I missed dearly- in particular, the little ones. The Blind Cub, The Lonely Monkey, and The Glimmering Stone. It was painful to know that in all of this, I had only been a short part of their lives. And now I had no idea where they were or if they were alright.

"I treasure your comfort, my friend. it does not ease the pain, but it gives me hope."

August 1st, 2016
Woke by the crying idol, much cleaner and more refreshed. Bounced about with much unspent energy, bolting through the trees! Suddenly a pair of hooves were clapping against the ground with my own. Turned when entering The Blue Bowl to see The Fire Butterfly trying to catch up! Pranced around him and fondly pushed and shoved out of excitement, with a warm embrace. We sat and talked, as I was eager to hear about The Fire Butterfly's life. They appeared to have changed quite a bit, in presence and appearance.
"You bring something new with you? Little ones?"

It was joy and music to my ears to hear that there would soon be more little hoofbeats within the forest. Though, this brought up many questions- as I truly believed my friend to be a stag. Nonetheless, I was quite happy for them.

August2nd, 2016
While reminiscing within the blue bowl, Comen approached. I had seen him earlier with a little one, and had avoided contact due to a previous experience with spooking a fawn. As he came to sit, I noted that he'd grown a little and seemed a bit more fierce in appearance. Conversation was fickle and uncertain with emotions. I was happy to see him, but... many of his words were linked to unfortunate memories. At some point, the little one from earlier and a large stag sat with us silently. He left on a neutral note, but seeing how the forest has been for him... I considered introducing the stag to Dazenth. Funnily enough, the dragon actually visited afterwords. His company was short, but very welcome.

Wandered through the forest toward the Old Oak, and found The Golden Face sleeping there. Remembered much intensity when trying to approach last, and was uncertain of how she was. Decided to offer company through silence and settled close by. Saw someone familiar arrive- Bright Eyes. He appeared to have grown a bit. Greeted him with a curious bow before settling once again. Decided conversing at the moment might not be best- as lately, it seemed to lead to sad memories and self reflections.

I hope life has treated you well.

Fell asleep again.

[=black]
---
August 2nd, 2016
While reminiscing within the blue bowl, Comen approached. I had seen him earlier with a little one, and had avoided contact due to a previous experience with spooking a fawn. As he came to sit, I noted that he'd grown a little and seemed a bit more fierce in appearance. Conversation was fickle and uncertain with emotions. I was happy to see him, but... many of his words were linked to unfortunate memories. At some point, the little one from earlier and a large stag sat with us silently. He left on a neutral note, but seeing how the forest has been for him... I considered introducing the stag to Dazenth. Funnily enough, the dragon actually visited afterwords. His company was short, but very welcome.

Wandered through the forest toward the Old Oak, and found The Golden Face sleeping there. Remembered much intensity when trying to approach last, and was uncertain of how she was. Decided to offer company through silence and settled close by. Saw someone familiar arrive- Bright Eyes. He appeared to have grown a bit. Greeted him with a curious bow before settling once again. Decided conversing at the moment might not be best- as lately, it seemed to lead to sad memories and self reflections.

I hope life has treated you well.

Fell asleep again.

August 15th, 2016
Woke up again, full of energy and went through a run through the forest. Passed so many familiar friendly faces- Kerosene, Hydra, Thais, Draven- and eventually grouped up with them after an extremely long run. Chased Thais around the trees, noticing she could move more freely without bearing the little ones now- and Kerosene in turn was a little iffy about moving much. We all raced around each other until they were exhausted, and then settled next to two strangers that Draven had been watching.

Tig turned up and settled next to me unexpectedly- nuzzled and we began to speak of celebrations that went on in the forest, and how they went by other names.

The peace did not last long however. After closing my eyes for just a few moments, I opened them to find a dust storm of tines and hooves hitting the ground, scuffling nearby. One companion sleeping with us had gotten into a fight with someone- but they were not the only one. Several other deer were fighting as well. Could not recognize faces with how quickly they were moving- save for one. A butterfly stag I had seen a short while back. Stood away and watched the fighting, making sure it didn't come close to us. Draven was uneasy and kept moving back and forth. However, upon Kersosene attempting to enter, I couldn't stand still. Went to try and prevent any further fighting, standing in front of our companion and shaking my head. Trying to discourage their opponent from continuing. Didn't work- ended up getting rammed, and having to move out of the way. Got up and started chasing them, trying to force them away. Why are you so persistent?

Was joined by Draven and the three of us managed to make the stranger back off. Limped back to the group, very sore. The other group of deer that were fighting stopped for a minute to let us pass.
The Wisp appeared to see what was going on, and showed concern- wanted to know who started it. Could not offer a definitive answer. We all did.

Remained in the group at Kerosene's side to better watch them.

---
08-29-2017

Out in the ruins, a small series of chimes is heard. The little glass bauble producing the noise swings in the air above a pit of sand,- some sort of wind chime. As it gently rings, the sand below caves in, and small, tiny coughs are heard. A frail looking, pale hand is desperately grabbing at the roots on the sides of the pit, trying to climb up- but quickly releases them with a small cry, their owner falling back down. She sits on her knees, straining her eyes against the filtering light and blowing her dark hair out of the way.
"Hello...? Hello?"

She calls up, hoping for someone to hear it. But her body is fatigued and she can't hardly even stand. Pleading, silver grey eyes peer up seeking out something, anything.

"How did I get down here?"


Met a dark blue stranger that seeped into the air, as if ethereal. Was helped out of the pit onto a ledge in the ruins by a small friend of theirs, swinging my legs back and forth off of it.
Ah yes.
legs.
Not hooves.

...

.......

............


What...?

Startled, almost fell back into the pit in confusion. Climbed back up and saw a familiar red stranger looming in the distance. Stayed put and clung to the blue ethereal one.

8-30-2017
Climbed out of the pit again today and began running about through the forest, feeling much more energized. Flitted through the trees excitedly, though fell over quite a bit with twigs and grass stains all over. Came tot he blue bowl and found a white rock face within, running past them before deciding it might be fun to pay. Sprinted around them and attempted jumping over the tall white stranger before rolling over on the grass and laughing.

September 3rd, 2017
Missing since November 22nd one year ago, someone appears in the ruins.

Ambled around the ruins for a while before taking off into the forest, getting used to the feeling of running on two legs. It had been very difficult at first- constantly fell over and had bruises. Caught the scent of Monty and followed it for a ways past The Old Oak. Jumped on him and climbed on his back as soon as he was visible, found him confused at first but mildly surprised. Enjoyed back and forth banter before starting up a little pinecone fight and decorating him in lots of flowers. Ended up high in a tree, but was eventually caught by him. We came down and talked a little more before her eyelids grew heavy and the stag vanished. Fell asleep in the flower patch.


After an exhausting morning of running all around the forest, returned to the ruins only to fall back into the pit of sand again. Scrambled out upon the familiar scent of Jovan coming my way and ran up to greet him. The stag was understandably confused. Basically buried him in my hair before setting to play.

"I've only changed in form my friend. It's still me."

Ran around with him before climbing onto the stag out of sheer amusement. Talked of who was still in the forest, how things had been- explained that I wasn't sure what had cause the physical change. Later joined Jovan at his place in the human world to meet Dorian. Got ice all over thefloor and messed up his little place in an attempt to make it more 'comfortable' eventually settling for a blanket nest and dragging him into it. Currently asleep.