I saw them! I saw the twins of dance! Well, I didn’t see them, but I met them! Well, I was too shy to actually approach them, but… well, you get the idea. I caught the tail end of one of their performances; I was overjoyed! One of my wishes was to see the twins in action. And even though I couldn’t see what they were up to, I’ve become rather talented at perceiving actions by listening. It’s important for me to have this skill; otherwise, I’d never know the difference between someone bowing to me, and someone lowering their antlers at me. Luckily, I’m equipped with a very vivid imagination; so I had a blast listening to the twins sing and dance.

After they left, I frolicked around with some fawns who had been watching. We probably looked ridiculous, but what do I care? I was having too much fun to care.



After that, I met a rather peculiar fellow at the playground. I was curious about him, but I was feeling rather timid. I cautiously stepped toward him, trying to keep myself from bolting. It would have been so easy to just jump down off of those rocks and gallop off; but lately I’ve been making a determined effort to be more friendly. I don’t know if anyone has noticed, but I really am trying. I don’t like to hurt the feelings of deer who try to approach me. Though it’s difficult and though it exhausts me, I have been trying to be a more social doe. So I carefully inched toward this unknown buck; something I very rarely do. I do not approach unknown males, when I’m alone. If I’m in the company of others – preferably under the watchful gaze of a familiar stag – then I will usually feel safe enough to say hello. But when I’m alone…

I don’t know why I feel so uneasy around bucks. Actually, that’s a lie. I’m sure my father has everything to do with my fear. He betrayed his own flesh and blood; tried to kill me for a reason I don’t understand. And aside from that; it may be rare to find a doe who wants to pick a fight, but the forest is unfortunately littered with rather aggressive bucks. Testosterone and aggression go hand in hand; everybody knows that. And being blind, it’s not easy for me to read the signs of a deer about to snap.

The stranger took a step toward me, and I froze. That sound – the sound of hoof on rock – sounded off like a bullet in my mind. I waited for him to move again, but he didn’t. I tentatively reached forward with one of my long, slender legs; gently pressing my split hoof into the warm rock. Then, out of nowhere, there was an explosion of sound. Something smashed into my flank, and I bolted, my heart in my throat. I stopped about twenty yards away, and glanced back. Evidently, some rambunctious young buck wasn’t watching where he was going, and had run right into me, galloping full speed. I told you stags were bad news.

The young buck had gone on his way, by the time I returned to my treasured playground perch. The curious stag still stood in the spot he had been, watching me. I could feel his eyes on me, wondering. I lifted my head, trying to hide my embarrassment with mock-pride. That’s about the time I noticed my friend Seed, sleeping nearby. I turned and trotted in his direction. There, I found him laying beneath the slanted rock, sound asleep. I curled up next to him, hoping he would wake up. I must have dozed off for a bit; when I awoke, that same unknown stag was sitting nearby, watching me. I got up and went over to him, moving a bit quicker than I had, last time. I sniffed him carefully, testing the waters. He didn’t stir. After a moment, I crept to his side and laid next to him.



I laid there for a while. After a while, however, he got up. I rose, too – I never lay down unless I’m feeling completely at ease. That’s when he began to stomp the ground and shake his head; taunting me. I shrunk back, frightened. Males are unusual and complex creatures; I doubt I will ever understand them. I hid inside the largest playground rock, listening as he ran around looking for me. I felt bad for hiding from him; but what else could I have done? It’s instinctive. I worried for a moment that he would discover me, as the birds had begun to betray me. They landed on the rock near my head and clung to the side of the cliff, chirping merrily away. I know they don’t mean any harm; they like my company as much as I enjoy theirs, I suspect. But when one is trying to hide, it isn’t handy having them collect all around you.

But he never did discover me. After a while, he went on his way, leaving me to sigh with relief. And yet, I didn’t feel much better. Seed was still asleep, and I was alone. Aside from that, the stag had intrigued me. Maybe I just liked him because of his age; he was almost as young as me. But I decided to follow him. I trailed expertly behind him; compared to the trials I am often put through when following the phantom, this was as easy as pie. He arrived at the pond, and I took some bushes as cover. I watched him for quite some time; I don’t think he ever noticed me.

I’ve become quite good at stalking deer. Just yesterday I played a little game with myself; trying to see just how close I could get to a deer before they noticed me. I surprised myself. The two deer I followed remained clueless as to my whereabouts until I made the mistake of trotting right past them; so close, I could feel their breath on my skin as I passed. Even then, I think only one of them saw me – the other found me quite a while later, hiding just a few feet away from where they played. He seemed astonished at finding me there.

That’s when the phantom found me; or maybe I found him. It doesn’t really matter, I was just happy to have his company. We wandered around for a bit, and he lead me to a most peculiar sight. At first, I didn’t understand what he was trying to tell me; he nodded, telling me to continue forward – but I shook my head. I didn’t want to leave his side, just yet. Then Vala came running up to me, and told me to follow her. I followed, and was astonished to find a copy of myself, curled up in the grass. I laughed, utterly surprised. Vala attempted to beat the imposter-me up, but “I” didn’t stir. So I sat on myself.

Dynamite found us there, and I frolicked around with him for a bit. He followed the phantom and I for a long while.





After a while, I came to notice Darcy near the pond. Darcy had been feeling rather low, the last time I bumped into him – he thought that I was trying to avoid him. Of course, that was certainly not the case, and I was determined to prove this to him. I hoped to join him near the pond – but when I arrived, I found that he was with another deer; someone I didn’t recognize. I hung back, not wanting to get too close to this unknown deer. I laid down in the grass, waiting for an opportune moment; silently hoping that Darcy would notice me, and come approach me. Much to my surprise, however, he turned and ran the other way.

I was disheartened; had I upset him that badly? I was angry at myself for causing Darcy – a deer I have always admired and adored – to believe that I disliked him; and angry at myself for being so antisocial and timid. The phantom comforted me, no doubt wondering what had gotten into me. Then I turned, and realized that Darcy was coming back! Perhaps he simply hadn’t noticed me! Oh, of course. Feeling ashamed of myself for acting so silly, I trotted down to meet him. I tried to say that I was nervous around the other deer, and both seemed to understand. The phantom curled up to watch us play; and I began to feel much better.

After some time, the phantom said his goodbyes. I was sad to see him go; I tried to follow him for quite some time. As usual, however, I just couldn’t keep up. A little discouraged and quite lonely, I laid down in a patch of grass. That’s when I ‘spotted’ Winterleaf, nearby. I realized that he was without his usual set, and I offered to help him get it back. I know he’s been feeling rather low, lately. He misses Nala, I know. I wanted to cheer him up; but I fear I’m not very good in that department. Nevertheless, I think it’s safe to say that we both had quite a bit of fun trying to get his set back.



While I was trying to get his pelt back (I kept forgetting which one was his, haha…), I was surprised by the arrival of Seth! He snuck up behind me, just as I was about to cast a spell on Winterleaf. Having jumped in surprise and glee, I missed Winterleaf completely, and my spell hit a nearby fawn. Maybe I should have practiced my magic more, as a fawn…

Seth got the idea, and he started helping. It wasn’t much longer before Winterleaf had gotten his complete set; and we all did a celebratory dance! I think Winterleaf felt better, after that.



I fell asleep, after quite a bit of playing.

When I woke up, I was alone. I knew that Seth was somewhere near the playground, sleeping. At first, I tried to stick to myself; tried to find someone to befriend, make myself feel a little less pathetic. But after a while… I just ended up there, laying right next to him. I don’t really know why I gravitate toward him that way; he didn’t even stir for probably half an hour. But I didn’t care. I didn’t make a peep. I was just happy to lay next to him, feel the warmth of his skin next to mine.

Gods, I’m pathetic.

I must be such a nuisance, always hanging around him like that. I mean, it was bad enough when I was a fawn. Always tagging along, always sticking right by his side. I’m not a birdgirl, I’m a damn leech. A bother, a blight.

Just a silly girl. A silly blind girl.

He woke up after a while, and that was enough to pull me out of my miserable mood. How can I feel sorry for myself when he’s around? We played around on the playground for a while, being just as silly as usual.





We went frolicking through the forest as per usual, and I noticed that Darcy and Rowan were around. I hurried over to where they were, and found them near the pond. Seth and I played with them for quite a while, although Darcy left us not long after we arrived.



After that, I noticed Winterleaf standing nearby! We all went running over to him, and showered him in love. I think he liked that; I hope we cheered him up a bit. Then somebody turned him into a squirrel, and he chased us all around!

After that, we found this guy, who looked a little lonely. We decided to give him some company.





Then we discovered these TINY fawns!



Okay, not really. The reality is, we had fun in mid-air for a while! Air-dancing, and the like.





After a while, I started to feel overwhelmed by so many deer around, and I started feeling a little faint. I trotted a little distance away from the group and laid down, trying to catch my bearings. Social anxiety has a way of sneaking up on you, that way. One minute, you’re having a blast with your friends – and the next, your knees are going weak, and you just want to curl up and hide. Luckily, I think everyone understood that I just needed a moment to collect my bearings. Seth and Winterleaf followed me, to keep me company – what wonderful friends I have. I don’t deserve to be surrounded by such loving deer.



I began feeling a little better; but just as I decided I was ready for some more action, Rowan said goodbye. I was sad to see her go; I love hanging out with Rowan. Just before she disappeared, however, she pulled some rather peculiar antics; though I doubt she meant to. Winterleaf, Seth, and I all became amazed, which sparked a sort-of game of 3-way-mirror. I’m not as coordinated as most deer are.



Then Winterleaf said goodbye. We were both sad to see him go. Seth and I ventured off on our own, and eventually arrived at one of our favorite past-times; button mashing.

For some reason, I found it ridiculously hilarious to tap my foot while bowing. I think maybe there was something in the water. I’m lucky Seth’s sense of humor is just as nutty as mine.



Seth left not long after. Suddenly feeling very alone, I fell asleep. When I awoke, I discovered that there were two clones laying nearby. I was astonished; these were the second and third clones I’d found of myself, today! There was another deer sleeping nearby, and yet another laying next to her. I introduced myself to the dark-pelted deer, who introduced herself as Zephyr, and we proceeded to try and make clones -- peacock feathers, real deer mask, beluga pelt. I don’t think we ever quite got there – but it was fun trying!



At any rate, I fell asleep for the night, after that.

Lemon