Birds chirped happily high in the trees. Their songs carrying out across the Forest like cries of joy, thanking the gods for the first taste of sweet Spring. The rain clouds had rolled away over night, surprising many of the inhabitants with the bright, warm sun's smile. The Forest glowed as new life sprouted. Flower buds began to open; their pedals adding dashes of color to the green canvas of the hillsides. The trees' leaves began to appear, clothing the bear branches yet again. The frogs dug themselves out of their winter dens, cleaning off the mud with their first swim of the season. Their loud croaks adding bass to the silent strum of the water as it splashed gently onto the banks.

The water was still cool to the touch, causing a chill to spread over Paavo's body. Shivering, he leaped out of the creak. His damp golden pelt sparkled in the afternoon sunlight once again. He spread his legs and shook his whole body sending hundreds of small water droplets flying off his fur. While a heavy feeling continued to sit within him, a refreshing comforting feeling rushed over him as the mud had washed away.

A gentle breeze blew past him. His fur and goatee swaying as the gusts brushed again him. Another shiver shot down him; he needed to dry himself or the chill would never leave. Typically he would have darted through the Forest, allowing the warm air to dry him as he ran just as he had done months ago but the free feeling he once had had vanished almost completely. As he watched other deer run and dance in the distant, Paavo gave a low sigh as he turned towards the bridge.

[center]A flower blooms in a field. Its gorgeous pedals only seen by those who search for it among the weeds. It's appearance alluring to the eye, causing the onlooker to draw near. Upon a closer inspection, one will see how delicate the flower is in the wind. Bound to the ground, the flower is a prisoner to Mother Nature and stands at the mercy of the wind. When a storm blows, what is there to protect the flower other than its own roots? Surely a near by rock will not grow legs, stand up, and set beside the flower in attempt to break the gusts that desperately try to pull the flower free. Fallen twigs will not build a shelter around it to protect it from the rain. Sadly, without even knowing, the once beautiful flower is yanked from the earth; it's source of nourishment disappears, causing it to wither away. Its dried pedals break free and dance away in the wind as if they were the flowers' tears that it shed while saying good-bye to the world.

The air remained cool throughout the night. The hints of the warming weather from the day had long disappeared as the sun was swallowed by the ever hungry night. A large moon hung high above the earth, looking down on the slumbering world with its silvery stare. The rays of light cast a faint glow but the storm clouds that the wind carried were bound to steal away the night's light.

The fresh scent of rain lingered on the breeze. Spring's signs were appearing almost daily now. For many, the promises of warmer weather and the sun's longer stay was a welcoming. Their hearts fluttered at the thought but for others, it only caused their heart to sink deeper into a growing abyss.

In the fading silver shine, golden flashes glistened as a heartbroken stag walked slowly with a hung head. His giant antlers that once rose high now hovered inches from the ground as he continued to stare down, watching the blades of grass pass by with each step. His gray eyes were clouded just as much as his head, What is happening...?

(Based on human-Paavo.)

His name is Paavo Amadeus Baroque. A young cellist running from what many would consider a glorious past. But as a descendant of royalty and born into a family with high musical interest, he found the pressure of perfection and the grand lifestyle proved to be too much for him in his early life. He longed to be average and live a normal life, where his music was a hobby- not a legacy.

Yet, so little was known about the Baroque bloodline. At least until now...



1 ) Lord Amadeus Baroque: Little is known about the Baroque family up until Amadeus was granted the title of "Lord". Original, he was just a farmer's boy who was captured when his Finnish village was taken captive by Germanic invaders. Forced into war, he managed to escape during a battle, but after he had stolen the general's diary full of the army's strategies and plans. He turned the diary into an English general, who was helping the Finnish, who then asked Amadeus to fight by his side.

The two regained much land and won many victories. When a treaty was signed, the King of England gave Amadeus the title of "Lord" and announced the Baroque family as nobility. The deal was sealed when the princess, Lady Catherine, was married to him.

2 ) Sir Antonio Baroque: Lady Catherine and Lord Amadeus gave birth to five unhealthy children before the birth of Sir Antonio. The first five children all died before reaching the age of two. (The first died shortly after birth. The second and third were twins who died two days apart during a bitter winder. The fourth suffered from a disease. The fifth was actually kidnapped and never seen again. Their names were not recorded in the family tree, but the family had passed down their existence through the generations.)

[center][=#EDC393][=10]Some say every aspect of our lives is chosen for us. That every thing has a purpose behind it and things happen for a reason. Our bodies are simply the vessels our souls use to travel the set path as we sit back for the ride, accepting our fate as it unfolds before us.

This was the world I was born into. I had no choice, no freedom, no opinions, or thoughts of my own. I slept when I was told to sleep. I woke when I was told to take. I ate what I was told to eat. I did whatever I was told to do. There were no exceptions. There were no excuses. I was told from the moment of my birth that this is the way things are and how things are meant to be. For sometime, I believed them...Until my beloved nanny, Hella - wherever you may be - told me of the magical power of choice.

She told that my life was not a set plan for if it were, then why would I have been born with curiosity? With my own desires and longings? With my own, separate thoughts? She told me that while life is a journey we take, there is no set theme or reasoning behind it. We make our choices and we accept the consequences that follow. Sometimes they can be hard, but those hardships are the stepping stones that make us stronger and wiser. This is why I chose to run- to run from the world of chains and shackles and enter a world of endless possibilities.

When I came to this world, things seemed so different. I was able to do whatever I wished and with whomever I wished. There were no set boundaries. No one to tell me I could not run as fast as I wanted, that I could not play with the fawns I wanted, and that I could not enjoy the simplest pleasures that life offered us. Upon those pleasures, comes something a bit a more...A feeling of importance in the eyes of another.

The rain fell down heavily onto the earth. It was a cold, fall rain; each droplet felt as if it were ice as it landed upon his soaked body. Paavo quickened his pace as the sight of the Old Oak came into view over the horizon. [=#EDC393]Almost there...[/center] he encouraged himself as he approached his destination. Skidding to a halt, his hooves dug into the soft dirt, covering his front legs with mud. He panted as he slowly entered the nook in the tree and sat down in the soft grass. He gazed out into the gloomy world but for him, it seemed a bit gloomier.

"The rain is fitting for today. Isn't it Usko?" Paavo said out loud even though no one was there.

He watched as the rain continued to trickle down from the heavens. Off in the distance, he watched other deer run and gallop with each other. Their laughter muffed by the soft sound of the rain but their smiles had not faded. He let out a heavy sigh as he watched other deer walk close to each other or nuzzle.

"Must be nice..." he said to himself. "Don't you think so, Usko?"

His heart felt heavy in his chest as he lowered his head, snuggling closely to himself for warmth. His courtships had been failures; the only one who even slightly noticed him was now taken. I'm so foolish... he thought as flash backs of his attempts to impress those around him came to him. The waltz...The poses...Pointless...

My name is Paavo Baroque...They say I was the twenty heir to the throne. I am sure some would say they were jealous of my life. At least, that is what the fawns use to say to back in my old forest. I remember being paraded around- forced to walk so comfortably with my head held high and my chest buffed out - around the kingdom. I use to hear them whisper as I walked by. "There goes the prince..." they use to say. "How lovely it must be to be of royal birth! To have everything you could ever want and be treated with such respect."

I use to close my eyes and shake my head. If only they knew...If only they knew the cruel truth. I did not have everything I wanted for my parents would not let me have them. I was denied the ability to play like the fawns, why, I couldn't even go near them. "They're filthy!" my mother use to scream at me. "A prince like you does not need to play with pond scum like them!" My mother use to let me play with other royal fawns but I couldn't stand them...They were too stuck up. They did not want to run or swim for it would mess up their fur. Luckly Usko came and saved from the loneliness. *pauses and smiles* Yes, Usko, I would have been lost without you, dear friend!

1. Laying Down: When laying down, it probably means that my human is not at her computer- therefore I won't be able to play with any deer who come up to me.



2. Roaring: Normally this means I'm trying to get noticed or someone's attention. Though sometimes, I like to make noises just because I like the sound the real deer mask makes.



3. Nuzzle: This is just how I simply say, "I like you." It doesn't necessarily mean I want you as a mate and if I happen to nuzzle anyone's mate, don't worry, I'm not trying to steal them from you. I'm just being friendly.



4. Hopping: I want to play and am encouraging others to come play with me or I am happy.



5. Amazement: Basically it means...OMG! Often used when I'm surprised or stunned.



6. Confusion: Um...What are you doing and/or what's going on?

How far have I traveled...? How did I get here...? This place...It feels almost magical, but what is it? Is this place a dreamland? Did I die and go to a heaven? *pauses* No. Usko says this place is real. Usko says that I have been granted entrance to this forest in order to be given a second chance at life. What is this place called, Usko?

*pauses* The Endless Forest?! Is it true, Usko? Is this really the Endless Forest? The forest that Hella use to tell me about as a drifted to sleep? *pauses* Wow...So it does exist! Oh, Usko! I'm so happy! Maybe we can finally have the life we always wanted here!

Wait...What's that? A bird? Why is it hovering around me? Why can't I catch it? *pauses* What's that, Usko? You say it isn't a bird but it's a deer? Oh, Usko, you make up the funniest stories. Wait! Usko! Did you see?! Did you see it?! Look! Look! That bird just turned into a deer! *pauses* Ok, Usko, you can stop laughing at me now...You were right. You were right.

Oh...This deer is so big...I must look so small to him...*pauses* Or her, you say? Usko! Does don't have anlters, do they? *pauses* Oh, I see. I get it, Usko. They can have antlers here if they choose.

{Voice }