I headed for the playground early, excited for the festivities to begin. There, I met a large group of (evidently) like-minded deer. We danced for a bit, then curled up on one of the rocks, in a circle. We looked quite lovely, with our candled antlers lighting the night.



Then. All of the sudden, I saw him! Oh, how my heart leapt at the sight. The phantom was laying quite a distance away, watching us. I said adieu to the candled deer, hopped down off the rock, and trotted over to where the ever-watchful stag was laying. I gave him a nuzzle, and he got up. At first, I expected him to run -- but he didn't, at first. No, he hung around, watching me curiously. Then he turned, staring me right in the face. I looked up at his curious skull, into his empty eyes, and smiled. He got closer, lingering there, with his muzzle near mine. He made a tiny movement, but shook it off before I could see what he was trying to do. Then he walked slowly past me, so close that our ribcages rubbed together, and I almost expected to hear the sort of sound you'd hear when someone runs their finger down a xylophone. When the yellow aura subsided, he looked back at me, and trotted off.



I spent the next couple of minutes following him through the forest. Being a rather shy girl, I did wonder if he was trying to get rid of me. But I soon noticed that he would slow down, or even stop altogether, whenever I began falling too far behind. Evidently, he was hoping that I would follow, after all. He lead me to 'his' big, red hill -- the hill where I often find him laying all alone, if he's not following me around; the hill he runs to, if I startle him too badly. I think it is probably the place he calls home -- and I can imagine that he looks upon that great hill with the same relief and gratitude, that I feel for the lake.

In any case, it was on this great hill that the phantom reacted in a most peculiar way. He began bouncing around, being generally quite silly. I gladly joined him in his game; leaping is one of my most favored past-times. And then, he was off once more, trotting and galloping through the forest, just as his given namesake might imply.

Though I had been looking forward to the new-era festivities for some time, I gladly joined the phantom in his trek through the forest. He has a most peculiar habit, though. One minute, I will be running right alongside him -- and the next, he has transported himself just ahead. It's as if he gives himself some boost of speed. It's a most strange thing. I would be inclined to blame LT's computer, but he is the only deer I've seen display such an unusual habit. Very ghostly indeed, I'll tell you that.

We wandered through the forest a bit more; the phantom all the while continuing to wait for me when I fell too far behind him. Eventually, he lead me to one of my most favorite places in the forest -- the little pink flower patch by his red hill. I leapt around in glee, letting him know that I loved the little flower patch dearly. Somehow, I think he already knew that.

He went and laid down in some purple flowers, and I gladly curled up next to him. It feels so nice to have such a warm, soft body to lay beside -- it's such a comforting feeling. It wasn't long before the phantom ran off once more, however. Using those peculiar powers I mentioned previously, he managed to lose me. When I finally found him again, he had already begun to sink into that deep sleep. I laid beside him until his body vaporized into a puff of black smoke.



After that, I returned to the new-era party. Feeling much better, I joined them in their dance. The festivities were really so beautiful. After a while, I went and laid on a nearby rock, to reflect on my recent meeting with my dear phantom.





It has been a good day, after all.

Lemon

LT: Happy new year, guys! I'm curious; has anyone else interacted with the dotd stag? :>