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"Your company is always welcome, Eiros. Thank you for coming back..."
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Spent most of the day sleeping in the birch, and was surprised to find Eiros sitting near him when he awoke. They had a long and bewildering talk, leaving Soona to ponder even deeper than he had at the time of the incident. They strolled through the forest to clear both of their heads. Later rested in the birch, only to have Soona be spooked by Saburo. Soona eventually took his leave when Eiros was beginning to grow uncomfortable. Left feeling better than he did before, although he wishes he didn't have to leave Eiros.
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wounds healed by Eiros
Highly cautious of other stags, may react fearfully if one approaches him.
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It may take him a while to trust certain deer.
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Deer being transformed into small animals spooks him, as well as forest magic in general.
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He is polite and friendly, but has severe trust issues.
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He is not a fighter, but he may defend himself and those he trusts if necessary.
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Has a minor stutter that comes out when he is nervous or frightened.
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Very insecure and ashamed of his fleeting desires toward stags.
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When he learns to trust another deer, he becomes very loyal to them.
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He may become spooked and flee for any reason, especially when strange deer approach or if he's in a crowd.
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Likes to sleep in places where he is hidden (tall grass, behind large trees, etc.).
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Will retreat to the birch forest if very frightened, for it provides the most cover.
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He may become clingy to some deer, especially those that he trusts unconditionally.
At the age of 27, a troubled man took his own life and was placed within the Forest. Through reincarnation, and with a new name, he was given a second chance to lead a fruitful life free of the demons that plagued him while he was a human. However, some of his memories were brought along with him, and although he cannot remember his name or his act of suicide, he remembers the fear and uncertainty that followed him throughout his life.
Soona had been tormented for as long as he could remember, and had always been a social outcast. He only had a couple of friends, one of which who he developed strong feelings for. However, when this friend found out, he had beaten Soona and threatened his life. They never spoke again, and Soona was left scarred and broken. This event was one of the larger contributors to his suicide, as it had haunted him since.
At the age of 17, Soona came out to his parents who promptly threw him out of their home. Alone and afraid, he had nowhere to go and ended up living on the streets for three years. Through a twist of fate, he was taken in by an man a few years older than him who presented Soona with a job opportunity in journalism. Soona lived with the man as he worked, and found that he enjoyed writing. He was beginning to feel at home, at a place where he had always belonged.
Things were wonderful for about a year, and then the man suddenly became abusive. Sexually, mentally and physically he tormented Soona, knowing that the younger man had nowhere else to go. Fearing of losing his home, Soona stayed and lived in fear of his housemate. Two years later, after the other man attempted to murder him in a drunken rage, Soona fled and took refuge at a homeless shelter. He was at his wits' end, with his savings he rented out a meager apartment and lived in paranoid fear that the man who abused him would find him again.
He never did, but Soona never stopped being afraid. Soona remained at the apartment for three years, and during this time he met a man around his age at the local bookstore where he worked. They grew close, and Soona began to feel trust again. The man moved in with him, and they began an intimate relationship. The feeling of love was mutual. Soona never felt so much security in his life, and even threw away the pills that he had begun to take for his extreme anxiety.
A few years later, the man that Soona grew to love was killed in a car crash. From there, everything plummeted. After months of tears, struggle and false hopes, Soona washed down a bottle of sleeping pills with bleach and never woke up.
Well...not in the real world, at least. He woke up in the Forest and felt free of pain, although his fears remained. His struggle to find trust and solace continued to live on in him even in his next life, and he seeks the love and affection of another as he had for so long. Perhaps then, his soul would finally be at peace.
Eiros
"Sweet Eiros... Gods, I feel...I-I don't know how I feel exactly, but...it's wonderful."
Daneth
"I was frightened of you at first, but you are a kind and gentle soul. Thank you for protecting me, and for being my friend."
Sianna
"You are very sweet, and very loyal to your mate as he is to you. Thank you for being there for me..."
Soona was relieved to see that Eiros had not reacted very much to his awkward statement...but at the same time, he felt oddly disappointed, like he wished there would have been a reaction. Not a harsh or disgusted one, of course, but one that was...something positive. He wasn't sure what. Maybe he shouldn't dwell on it too much; the blonde already looked terribly nervous, and it made Soona's heart sink. So much nervousness... It made Soona wonder if there was something about himself that was making Eiros uncomfortable, although he couldn't imagine what it could be. Then again, he and the blonde were quite alike: both of them were very afraid and uncertain of most things. But each other? It shouldn't have to be that way...
The blue stag kept his eyes on the blonde as he shifted, his expression gentle and encouraging. To see Eiros's face fall was almost heartbreaking, as it always was. Such a beautiful face should smile, not frown... Soona felt another small pang of disappointment as Eiros shifted his gaze to the ground, but he couldn't blame the blonde too much for that. After all, Soona did such things around Eiros...but it seemed to stem from certain emotions. Embarrassment, mostly...when he starts to blush or let his eyes take in too much. For Eiros, it was the uncertainty. The fear. But fear of what...?
As Eiros began to speak again, Soona's ears tipped up attentively, and a frown slowly formed open his own face to mirror the blonde's own. Eiros was...apologizing? Soona blinked when Eiros claimed that he had bretrayed his trust, and the blue shook his head. "No, no...Gods no, Eiros. You could never betray my trust," he said quickly, offering a small smile. "I...am very grateful for what you did. I was confused at first, yes...but I wasn't afraid. It was..." He paused, and even as he began to blush again he could not tear his eyes away from the blonde. "It was...wonderful. I had never felt so...so wonderful in my entire life." The last of his words were spoken in a soft voice, his tone almost dreamy as he briefly recalled the incredible sensations their encounter caused. He shivered slightly, a pleasant feeling, his smile growing a little broader to match his deepening blush.
His folded ears fluttered restlessly when the blue immediately jumped in to deny his apology. The blonde's expression tensed and his lips pursed together uncertainly. Soona was...quite enthusiastically trying to make the thing seem like no big deal, and the idea completely baffled Eiros. Had he agonized for days over nothing? But why nothing...? He couldn't help but wish that the gentle blue stag would be angry with him, if only a little. At least that would be a reaction he understood.
Except he did understand, didn't he? Somewhere deep down he knew what the other male meant, yet he wouldn't allow himself to believe it was real. He barely knew this stag! The last time another deer took this much interest in him- … No. Soona wasn't capable of that.
A furious blush spread like wildfire across the brown buck's cheeks at the male's last string of soft-spoken words. A confession, and yet not one that the blue seemed all that shameful about admitting. It was...wonderful. The phrasing repeated over and over in his head, and he thought his head might pop from the strain it was putting on him. His violet eyes bore into the dirt and his cheeks lifted in a smile despite his attempts to fight it off. Of course, for Eiros the experience was a little less wonderful... Energy felt nice no matter who it was coming from, really. Yet... he had felt something with Soona, amongst the pain and emotional distress...something different that could only be described as wonderful. Eiros' chest heaved in a sigh of defeat and his smile faded again. Well, this wasn't going at all like he'd planned... “You're a... bit of a strange one, Soona...” he breathed, lifting his head up and laying it once again against the smooth bark of the tree beside him. He stared at the other male, his expression beaten and thoughtful, his eyes full of questioning. He no longer knew what to say...was no longer convinced it mattered. Soona would always be looking at him with those eyes of his in the same way he always did...
The sight of the blonde stag blushing did wonders to Soona's spirit, and his smile only grew. It was a soft smile, bearing warmth and reassurance. To see Eiros smiling also after such a clumsy and sputtered confession...well, that in itself was very much reassuring as well. Soona knew that he spoke his mind too much, usually when he should not otherwise, but now...Eiros did not seemed disturbed. He seemed...flattered? Gods, he hoped so. The brown stag deserved such flattery; he had done so much to ease Soona's pain, physical and otherwise. Almost as soon as it appeared, however, the smile faded, and Soona frowned inwardly. As beautiful as Eiros was, to see him smiling made him so much more stunning. It broke the blue stag's heart to see the blonde distressed.
Eiros's words took him by surprise, and for a moment the blue wasn't exactly sure how to respond. He blinked and held the blonde's gaze before chuckling nervously. "Yes, I...I guess I am. I'm sorry," he replied quietly, and he couldn't help but feel a little ashamed. He felt as if he were acting wrong around Eiros. Everything he said or did seemed to make the blonde nervous... It was then Soona noticed that Eiros was not breaking eye contact with him, and his heart skipped a beat. He swallowed, hopefully not too loud, his mouth suddenly dry. He needed to ask the blonde...he had to. "Eiros...um... D-do I frighten you?" His voice was just above a whisper, and he felt compelled to look away as his shame grew...but somehow, he managed to continue looking into those violet eyes.
The statement had lacked in tact, that was for sure...but what else could he do? He could only hope that the stag would not take offense, for the blonde's eyes were in no way judgmental as they warily looked him over. No...just confused. Lost. Soona seemed so sure of himself in his presence...how did he do that? Well, he had until he caught on to Eiros' own discomfort, however. He hated that...he hated always being the source of the male's abrupt shame and sadness. His heart sank for Soona as another worrisome look washed the smile from his face. What was he doing?
“...D-do I frighten you?”
The brown stag went rigid, and his eyes made to widen in surprise – but he stopped them. Instead his expression just grew more reserved, pulling in on itself, internalizing his pain. Again his eyes diverted, staring at the sun-dappled earth intently a moment before his lids fluttered over to hide them. “A little,” he sighed, sagging beneath the weight of the truth. He couldn't keep it from Soona. He had come to be honest – even if the blue stag claimed he had no need to be. “Many things frighten me...many things that shouldn't frighten someone. Things that are supposed to be good, even sought after...those things frighten me most of all.”
His eyes opened again, but they didn't move from where they stares before. “Most deer... would have been...well, disturbed by what I did. You don't seem to care at all... I don't understand that. You should not trust me so much.”
Even before Eiros spoke, Soona prepared himself for the inevitable. He shifted his eyes away and closed them at those two words, and he sighed. Well, what did he expect? Eiros was always nervous around him, and Soona had, like a fool, pursued the blonde. Harmlessly, of course, but he did not once think about what that may have meant to the timid stag. Now that he thought back on it, he wished he could have done things differently. What kept him enlightened was the fact that despite all of that, Eiros still wished to get to know him...even heal him. And really, that confused the blue stag given Eiros's general demeanor when he was around him.
Despite himself, Soona gave a half-smile, his attention still focused on the long grass that surrounded them. "Yeah...I'm frightened by a lot of things, too. Things that, as you say, are supposed to be good. But, I don't know...that's just how I've always been, and probably always will be. Either way, I understand what you mean," he said quietly, not meaning to ramble but not really able to help it.
When Eiros spoke again, Soona returned his gaze to the blonde, blinking in mild confusion. "I'm sorry, Eiros...I'm afraid I don't understand why I shouldn't trust you. You are the only deer to have attempted to get to know me since I arrived here. I just...appreciate that, so much." He paused and looked away for a moment as he thought. "It was a little frightening at first, yes, but...it just became pleasant. I had never felt so at peace in my whole life. I wish I could explain it...I really do. But I...don't know how to explain it." The blue stag smiled sheepishly to himself, closing his eyes. "I guess I not only wish to thank you for healing me, but for making me feel sane for once. It's a nice break from my usual nervous, sputtering self. To experience that elation for a few minutes...it was just wonderful."
He didn't know what to expect from Soona...he had given up trying to predict any of the male's actions. He knew his honestly might elicit a bad reaction from the adoring stag...or maybe it would be appreciated in the sense he hoped it would. When he finally spoke, the blue's words were soft and kindly – even understanding. But did he really understand?
Warily, his violet eyes lifted to spy the small smile fixed on the male's lips. They traveled no further as the lips moved formed another apology. Eiros himself remained fixed, in body and mind. His face did well to hide his emotions, and though he avoided eye contact, he seemed attentive. Soona was thanking him again; again expressing his wonder at what had happened. Some deeply ingrained idea expressed its displeasure once again at the male's repeated confession. The male had enjoyed the contact...enjoyed the exchange of energy...but he didn't understand it. He didn't understand what Eiros had been doing...what he'd been stealing from him! The blonde was quick to try and extinguish it, distracting himself instead by wondering what to say.
“...You're welcome,” was what he finally decided on. He wished there was more, but what else could he say? Soona wasn't asking for an explanation for what happened, and he wasn't accepting apologies... Everything the stag had planned to say fell flat. A silence fell over the two of them, filled only by the endless twittering of bird song. His face twisted in thought. “I...hope you have been staying out of trouble then...and...making new friends, since we last spoke...”
The blue stag did not fully understand, no...but for whatever reason, he was okay with that. He was comfortable with not fully understanding. After all, he did trust Eiros despite what the blonde wished for him to think. Maybe one day, if Eiros would allow it, he would question...but today he would not. He was much too happy to see his friend and did not want to bring up anything further that would elicit a nervous reaction from the blonde.
"You're welcome..."
The response only encouraged Soona's warm smile, and he bowed his head slightly. It didn't bother him that Eiros didn't have much more to say; he was happy with him speaking at all. His eyes remained focused on the ground, and for a moment watched a beetle scuttle between the blades of grass. A period of silence had fallen over them; Soona hardly noticed the twittering bird.
Eiros's voice brought him back, and he looked back up at the blonde with a chuckle. "Well...I've been staying out of trouble, yes...but I haven't made many friends. There is a nice bird-like deer that I met, though. Her name is Soleil...and another doe named Herla, I think her name was. They're sweet."
His heart sank slightly, wishing that he could see them again. He felt so safe around them...much like he did with Eiros. Suddenly, he felt as if he needed to ask the other male a single question...he couldn't bring himself not to. Swallowing, Soona began again quietly, "Eiros, I was wondering...where did you get your powers? Have you...had them your whole life?" He didn't wish to pry, and he hoped that he wasn't being as such. But he suddenly needed to know.
The blonde relaxed as the awkward weight was lifted with the fluidity of Soona's response. The blue stag was so casual when he spoke...so expressive. He seemed to pull off easily what Eiros often struggled with. Then again, maybe he was just glad the topic was no longer about himself. The stag's ears shifted in his blond hair and lifted with interest at the mention of new acquaintances. “Do not be discouraged...bonds take time,” he spoke in soft encouragement, his expression no longer tense as the corners of his mouth lifted ever so slightly. But if that was true, why did the blue buck trust him so much? They had only ever met twice...
Eiros' eyes finally lifted from the dirt to meet the others, round and awed at Soona's next inquiry. The question startled him only because he had no longer been holding out for it, the other male's disinterest in questioning him before having put him off his guard. As quickly as he had reacted...he calmed, his ghost of a smile fading even as his gaze grew gentler. Soona looked nervous for asking... he did not want to male to feel any more ill at ease because of him. His eyes flitted off again in thought before he carefully answered. “My...father was...what I am - or so my mother said. I've never met him, though, to say for sure... I've had them most of my life, yes. When I was a boy, they were...not so strong as they are now. I could sense things, but I couldn't-...” He paused, uncertain how to continue. He glanced back up at Soona, meeting his eye in some silent questioning. “I couldn't heal. I couldn't exchange energy... only feel it.”
A small smile quirked at the corner of Soona's lips, feeling more confident as Eiros appeared to relax as well. It was a reassuring sight, and his own ears shifted forward as Eiros spoke. The blue stag chuckled softly, his gaze shifting away for a moment. "That is very true. You're absolutely right; I can't expect good things to happen right away," he replied. He wished to openly observe that Eiros was an exception, but that would be foolish and assuming of him. After all, did the blonde feel the same way about his own bond with Soona? Probably not. Despite his doubts, Soona continued to smile softly. He must remain positive for once in his life. The stag watched Eiros's face become gentle and passive. That was definitely a good sign; for a moment, Soona was worried that he was prying more than he should. The blonde actually seemed relieved that the blue stag had even asked, and he listened intently as Eiros explained.
Soona nodded slowly as Eiros spoke, his brow furrowing slightly as he took in every word. His eyes searched the blonde's own, and found those usual uncertain and regretful emotions there. "I would imagine that to be able to use such a power, it would take time to harness and control it," Soona replied, his eyes soft and reassuring. He paused for a moment, and then refrained from inquiring about Eiros's parents. That would be reaching too far, although his curiosity was harmless. He wished to know more about the blonde. So much more. "Do you remember when you discovered that you could heal and exchange energy? Was it like something that became more prominent through puberty? You know, as you became an adult?" He smiled softly before adding, "All I got from puberty was acne and an awkward voice change; I'd much rather get healing powers."
Eiros never felt particularly secretive about his past...only the small addition of what he was and how it had played a part in his life. With that little cat out of the bag, it was easy for the blonde to draw on those old memories. He didn't have to weave them into a vague tale as he usually did... he simply let the truth roll off his tongue. The stag's subconscious cooed forth its careful warnings, but he chose not to acknowledge them for the time being. Soona would not betray him.
A sense of normalcy returned for Eiros when the blue stag – encouraged by his friend's easy answer – picked up on the questioning. It felt strange still, he had to admit, being interrogated – since it had rarely ever been a pleasant experience to wade through in his mind. Yet Soona's questions were innocent and genuine. A careful smile pulled at the corner of his mouth in response the the steady stream. The focus was back on him again, yes, but the other male was no longer fixated as he was on the brown stag himself, at least – only the stories he had to tell. “It...doesn't quite work that way,” he began cautiously once the inquiries had ceased, “I can't...I can't control when it happens. It's not some power I am able to harness. It's just...a reaction.”
He gazed at Soona carefully, wondering if he'd understand. His soft voice grew in volume and clarity as he continued on. “As for when it happened...'puberty' is about right, heh. On top of everything else,” the stag chuckled softly in response to the other's joking. It didn't last long. Considering the rest of what the blue stag said, his smile faded some again and he shook his head. “I was resting with a friend when it first happened. It frightened her...it frightened us both. Then, with my mother... It took us days to realize why she was getting so weak and sick. No, Soona. This is not a thing I would wish on anyone. It is not glamorous magic in the works. Yes I can heal...I can sooth the minds of others, but there is a cost. You saw what happened...how I healed you. Would you... truly want that for yourself?”
Eiros' eyes narrowed in concerned questioning, his ears tilting back as he searched those blue eyes for comprehension, and then a formulating response.
The blue stag listened intently as Eiros continued, genuinely interested in learning more about his powers and his past. Well, as much as Eiros would allow him to know, anyway. He wouldn't push for too much information. Gods know he wouldn't readily give away the darker details of his own past unless he fully trusted someone...like Eiros. But even then, Eiros was discouraging Soona from trusting him, and he wasn't sure why. Until now, as the blonde explained.
"A reaction... So it's beyond your control. You can't stop it. It just...happens," Soona reiterated, tilting his head slightly at the thought. He supposed he shouldn't be surprised; such powerful abilities must take years to harness and manipulate. Eiros was still very young, and hadn't had his powers for very long. A brief smile graced his lips as Eiros chuckled. It was a comforting sound; it made Soona realize just how rarely the blonde laughed. Or smiled, even.
His eyes softened as Eiros continued, and then widened as the realization suddenly hit him. Eiros couldn't control it...and he would begin to absorb healthy energy? Is that what he meant by his mother getting sick? The blonde's question caught him off-guard, as the blue was still trying to process what Eiros had said. Swallowing softly, Soona chose his words carefully. "No matter the consequences, I am grateful that you healed me. I truly am. And I know that you mean no harm; you can't help it that these things happen. But it's a gift, Eiros...it's a rare and beautiful gift. There are repercussions, yes, but...I guess that in time, you'll be able to overcome them."
His eyes met Eiros's own, saw the concern there. "I am sorry for what happened to your mother...but don't let it haunt you. It's not your fault, Eiros. It's just awful and unfair that to have such an amazing power comes with set-backs." He searched the blonde's own eyes, and then offered a small, albeit warm smile. "But you know...you're sitting by me, and I feel fine. I feel no different. In fact, I think I feel better than I did earlier." He meant mentally, of course. But physically? Well, he still felt about the same. He certainly didn't feel weak or sick.
Soona seemed to be trying his best to grasp what the blonde was saying. At first, the reaction seemed promising, as the blue carefully repeated what he'd been told. Eiros nodded slowly. Then some questioning, startled emotion flickered in the other male's eyes. He tensed a little, uncertain of what was to come as the blue stared off in thought. He was nervous, sure, but not afraid... Not even unwilling. Anything to make Soona better understand...
So far, progress was slow.
His heart sank a little when the other male began to praise and encourage him once more. Eiros smiled in response, but his eyes remained guarded. A rare and beautiful gift... It wasn't the first time someone had told him that. Even his mother, down to earth as she was, had done her best to convince her son that his abilities were special. He'd never felt that way. He had learned to accept them, sure, and knew they could be used for good... but to hear them gushed about in such a way made him uneasy.
Yet Eiros smiled on. He had no desire to make Soona feel bad about any of it. He wanted the blue to know the truth...but what was he willing to pay? The cost of his friend's pity or uneasiness upon fully realizing the extent of how truly unglamorous his abilities seemed too high. The harshness of the truth might come out in time, but for now he would just offer pieces. “I know it was not my fault...as I said, I can't control when it happens... But I can control when it doesn't. You feel fine now because there is a tree between us... I have to be... touching someone... for it to work.”
For whatever reason, he fought back a blush saying this. There was nothing embarrassing about the statement itself, but his thoughts immediately returned to that morning, curled beside Soona in the birch. Despite his current discomfort now, he could not deny how wonderful it had been. Would it...ever be again? “Would you...like to take a walk?” Sitting here was growing stagnant and awkward. Eiros often felt the best way to move forward was to actually move forward...
Beyond the encouraging smile, Soona could sense the uncertainty and uneasiness in Eiros's demeanor. The blue frowned inwardly and wondered if he was trying too hard to turn the situation into a positive. After all, Eiros had had bad experiences with his powers, and seemed uncomfortable using them. The blue understood why he was uncomfortable, yes, and he supposed he couldn't blame the blonde. His mouth almost never ran like it had this afternoon, and that made him feel baffled also. He was asking too many questions, and so he would ease up. Eiros undoubtedly felt as overwhelmed as Soona did.
As the blonde continued to explain, Soona blinked and then slowly nodded in understanding. A tree... That's all it took to block the connection? That was interesting... Soona saw a slight blush creep into Eiros's cheeks, and he couldn't help but do the same. He thought back to their first connection, and how incredible it felt...how warm Eiros was curled around him. In the back of his mind, he realized just how much he missed that feeling...that closeness. Soona subconsciously shook the thought from his mind before he'd embarrass himself further, and then gingerly fused his gaze with Eiros's own.
The suggestion took Soona by surprise, but it was a welcomed one. A smile formed on the blue's lips, and as he rose to his feet he inclined his head. "I would...like that very much," he replied softly, his heart beating a little faster. To move around would be nice, and what better time to stretch one's legs than with a friend? The feeling of hope was coming back again.
Eep...it is? Nooo! ;-; It seems to look fine on Chrome and Safari (iPhone), but it could just be my resolution. Can you tell where it's leaking from, Unplugged? Hopefully I can tweak that area. Thank you for letting me know! ♥
Soona was relieved to see
The blue stag kept his eyes on the blonde as he shifted, his expression gentle and encouraging. To see Eiros's face fall was almost heartbreaking, as it always was. Such a beautiful face should smile, not frown... Soona felt another small pang of disappointment as Eiros shifted his gaze to the ground, but he couldn't blame the blonde too much for that. After all, Soona did such things around Eiros...but it seemed to stem from certain emotions. Embarrassment, mostly...when he starts to blush or let his eyes take in too much. For Eiros, it was the uncertainty. The fear. But fear of what...?
As Eiros began to speak again, Soona's ears tipped up attentively, and a frown slowly formed open his own face to mirror the blonde's own. Eiros was...apologizing? Soona blinked when Eiros claimed that he had bretrayed his trust, and the blue shook his head. "No, no...Gods no, Eiros. You could never betray my trust," he said quickly, offering a small smile. "I...am very grateful for what you did. I was confused at first, yes...but I wasn't afraid. It was..." He paused, and even as he began to blush again he could not tear his eyes away from the blonde. "It was...wonderful. I had never felt so...so wonderful in my entire life." The last of his words were spoken in a soft voice, his tone almost dreamy as he briefly recalled the incredible sensations their encounter caused. He shivered slightly, a pleasant feeling, his smile growing a little broader to match his deepening blush.
EDIT: Claimed my own page, WOO. So pro.
His folded ears fluttered
Except he did understand, didn't he? Somewhere deep down he knew what the other male meant, yet he wouldn't allow himself to believe it was real. He barely knew this stag! The last time another deer took this much interest in him- … No. Soona wasn't capable of that.
A furious blush spread like wildfire across the brown buck's cheeks at the male's last string of soft-spoken words. A confession, and yet not one that the blue seemed all that shameful about admitting. It was...wonderful. The phrasing repeated over and over in his head, and he thought his head might pop from the strain it was putting on him. His violet eyes bore into the dirt and his cheeks lifted in a smile despite his attempts to fight it off. Of course, for Eiros the experience was a little less wonderful... Energy felt nice no matter who it was coming from, really. Yet... he had felt something with Soona, amongst the pain and emotional distress...something different that could only be described as wonderful. Eiros' chest heaved in a sigh of defeat and his smile faded again. Well, this wasn't going at all like he'd planned...
“You're a... bit of a strange one, Soona...” he breathed, lifting his head up and laying it once again against the smooth bark of the tree beside him. He stared at the other male, his expression beaten and thoughtful, his eyes full of questioning. He no longer knew what to say...was no longer convinced it mattered. Soona would always be looking at him with those eyes of his in the same way he always did...
The sight of the blonde stag
Eiros's words took him by surprise, and for a moment the blue wasn't exactly sure how to respond. He blinked and held the blonde's gaze before chuckling nervously. "Yes, I...I guess I am. I'm sorry," he replied quietly, and he couldn't help but feel a little ashamed. He felt as if he were acting wrong around Eiros. Everything he said or did seemed to make the blonde nervous... It was then Soona noticed that Eiros was not breaking eye contact with him, and his heart skipped a beat. He swallowed, hopefully not too loud, his mouth suddenly dry. He needed to ask the blonde...he had to. "Eiros...um... D-do I frighten you?" His voice was just above a whisper, and he felt compelled to look away as his shame grew...but somehow, he managed to continue looking into those violet eyes.
The statement had lacked in
“...D-do I frighten you?”
The brown stag went rigid, and his eyes made to widen in surprise – but he stopped them. Instead his expression just grew more reserved, pulling in on itself, internalizing his pain. Again his eyes diverted, staring at the sun-dappled earth intently a moment before his lids fluttered over to hide them.
“A little,” he sighed, sagging beneath the weight of the truth. He couldn't keep it from Soona. He had come to be honest – even if the blue stag claimed he had no need to be.
“Many things frighten me...many things that shouldn't frighten someone. Things that are supposed to be good, even sought after...those things frighten me most of all.”
His eyes opened again, but they didn't move from where they stares before.
“Most deer... would have been...well, disturbed by what I did. You don't seem to care at all... I don't understand that. You should not trust me so much.”
Even before Eiros spoke,
Despite himself, Soona gave a half-smile, his attention still focused on the long grass that surrounded them. "Yeah...I'm frightened by a lot of things, too. Things that, as you say, are supposed to be good. But, I don't know...that's just how I've always been, and probably always will be. Either way, I understand what you mean," he said quietly, not meaning to ramble but not really able to help it.
When Eiros spoke again, Soona returned his gaze to the blonde, blinking in mild confusion. "I'm sorry, Eiros...I'm afraid I don't understand why I shouldn't trust you. You are the only deer to have attempted to get to know me since I arrived here. I just...appreciate that, so much." He paused and looked away for a moment as he thought. "It was a little frightening at first, yes, but...it just became pleasant. I had never felt so at peace in my whole life. I wish I could explain it...I really do. But I...don't know how to explain it." The blue stag smiled sheepishly to himself, closing his eyes. "I guess I not only wish to thank you for healing me, but for making me feel sane for once. It's a nice break from my usual nervous, sputtering self. To experience that elation for a few minutes...it was just wonderful."
He didn't know what to expect
Warily, his violet eyes lifted to spy the small smile fixed on the male's lips. They traveled no further as the lips moved formed another apology. Eiros himself remained fixed, in body and mind. His face did well to hide his emotions, and though he avoided eye contact, he seemed attentive. Soona was thanking him again; again expressing his wonder at what had happened. Some deeply ingrained idea expressed its displeasure once again at the male's repeated confession. The male had enjoyed the contact...enjoyed the exchange of energy...but he didn't understand it. He didn't understand what Eiros had been doing...what he'd been stealing from him! The blonde was quick to try and extinguish it, distracting himself instead by wondering what to say.
“...You're welcome,” was what he finally decided on. He wished there was more, but what else could he say? Soona wasn't asking for an explanation for what happened, and he wasn't accepting apologies... Everything the stag had planned to say fell flat. A silence fell over the two of them, filled only by the endless twittering of bird song. His face twisted in thought.
“I...hope you have been staying out of trouble then...and...making new friends, since we last spoke...”
The blue stag did not fully
"You're welcome..."
The response only encouraged Soona's warm smile, and he bowed his head slightly. It didn't bother him that Eiros didn't have much more to say; he was happy with him speaking at all. His eyes remained focused on the ground, and for a moment watched a beetle scuttle between the blades of grass. A period of silence had fallen over them; Soona hardly noticed the twittering bird.
Eiros's voice brought him back, and he looked back up at the blonde with a chuckle. "Well...I've been staying out of trouble, yes...but I haven't made many friends. There is a nice bird-like deer that I met, though. Her name is Soleil...and another doe named Herla, I think her name was. They're sweet."
His heart sank slightly, wishing that he could see them again. He felt so safe around them...much like he did with Eiros. Suddenly, he felt as if he needed to ask the other male a single question...he couldn't bring himself not to. Swallowing, Soona began again quietly, "Eiros, I was wondering...where did you get your powers? Have you...had them your whole life?" He didn't wish to pry, and he hoped that he wasn't being as such. But he suddenly needed to know.
The blonde relaxed as the
“Do not be discouraged...bonds take time,” he spoke in soft encouragement, his expression no longer tense as the corners of his mouth lifted ever so slightly. But if that was true, why did the blue buck trust him so much? They had only ever met twice...
Eiros' eyes finally lifted from the dirt to meet the others, round and awed at Soona's next inquiry. The question startled him only because he had no longer been holding out for it, the other male's disinterest in questioning him before having put him off his guard. As quickly as he had reacted...he calmed, his ghost of a smile fading even as his gaze grew gentler. Soona looked nervous for asking... he did not want to male to feel any more ill at ease because of him. His eyes flitted off again in thought before he carefully answered.
“My...father was...what I am - or so my mother said. I've never met him, though, to say for sure... I've had them most of my life, yes. When I was a boy, they were...not so strong as they are now. I could sense things, but I couldn't-...” He paused, uncertain how to continue. He glanced back up at Soona, meeting his eye in some silent questioning.
“I couldn't heal. I couldn't exchange energy... only feel it.”
A small smile quirked at the
Soona nodded slowly as Eiros spoke, his brow furrowing slightly as he took in every word. His eyes searched the blonde's own, and found those usual uncertain and regretful emotions there. "I would imagine that to be able to use such a power, it would take time to harness and control it," Soona replied, his eyes soft and reassuring. He paused for a moment, and then refrained from inquiring about Eiros's parents. That would be reaching too far, although his curiosity was harmless. He wished to know more about the blonde. So much more. "Do you remember when you discovered that you could heal and exchange energy? Was it like something that became more prominent through puberty? You know, as you became an adult?" He smiled softly before adding, "All I got from puberty was acne and an awkward voice change; I'd much rather get healing powers."
Eiros never felt particularly
A sense of normalcy returned for Eiros when the blue stag – encouraged by his friend's easy answer – picked up on the questioning. It felt strange still, he had to admit, being interrogated – since it had rarely ever been a pleasant experience to wade through in his mind. Yet Soona's questions were innocent and genuine. A careful smile pulled at the corner of his mouth in response the the steady stream. The focus was back on him again, yes, but the other male was no longer fixated as he was on the brown stag himself, at least – only the stories he had to tell.
“It...doesn't quite work that way,” he began cautiously once the inquiries had ceased, “I can't...I can't control when it happens. It's not some power I am able to harness. It's just...a reaction.”
He gazed at Soona carefully, wondering if he'd understand. His soft voice grew in volume and clarity as he continued on.
“As for when it happened...'puberty' is about right, heh. On top of everything else,” the stag chuckled softly in response to the other's joking. It didn't last long. Considering the rest of what the blue stag said, his smile faded some again and he shook his head.
“I was resting with a friend when it first happened. It frightened her...it frightened us both. Then, with my mother... It took us days to realize why she was getting so weak and sick. No, Soona. This is not a thing I would wish on anyone. It is not glamorous magic in the works. Yes I can heal...I can sooth the minds of others, but there is a cost. You saw what happened...how I healed you. Would you... truly want that for yourself?”
Eiros' eyes narrowed in concerned questioning, his ears tilting back as he searched those blue eyes for comprehension, and then a formulating response.
The blue stag listened
"A reaction... So it's beyond your control. You can't stop it. It just...happens," Soona reiterated, tilting his head slightly at the thought. He supposed he shouldn't be surprised; such powerful abilities must take years to harness and manipulate. Eiros was still very young, and hadn't had his powers for very long. A brief smile graced his lips as Eiros chuckled. It was a comforting sound; it made Soona realize just how rarely the blonde laughed. Or smiled, even.
His eyes softened as Eiros continued, and then widened as the realization suddenly hit him. Eiros couldn't control it...and he would begin to absorb healthy energy? Is that what he meant by his mother getting sick? The blonde's question caught him off-guard, as the blue was still trying to process what Eiros had said. Swallowing softly, Soona chose his words carefully. "No matter the consequences, I am grateful that you healed me. I truly am. And I know that you mean no harm; you can't help it that these things happen. But it's a gift, Eiros...it's a rare and beautiful gift. There are repercussions, yes, but...I guess that in time, you'll be able to overcome them."
His eyes met Eiros's own, saw the concern there. "I am sorry for what happened to your mother...but don't let it haunt you. It's not your fault, Eiros. It's just awful and unfair that to have such an amazing power comes with set-backs." He searched the blonde's own eyes, and then offered a small, albeit warm smile. "But you know...you're sitting by me, and I feel fine. I feel no different. In fact, I think I feel better than I did earlier." He meant mentally, of course. But physically? Well, he still felt about the same. He certainly didn't feel weak or sick.
Soona seemed to be trying his
So far, progress was slow.
His heart sank a little when the other male began to praise and encourage him once more. Eiros smiled in response, but his eyes remained guarded. A rare and beautiful gift... It wasn't the first time someone had told him that. Even his mother, down to earth as she was, had done her best to convince her son that his abilities were special. He'd never felt that way. He had learned to accept them, sure, and knew they could be used for good... but to hear them gushed about in such a way made him uneasy.
Yet Eiros smiled on. He had no desire to make Soona feel bad about any of it. He wanted the blue to know the truth...but what was he willing to pay? The cost of his friend's pity or uneasiness upon fully realizing the extent of how truly unglamorous his abilities seemed too high. The harshness of the truth might come out in time, but for now he would just offer pieces.
“I know it was not my fault...as I said, I can't control when it happens... But I can control when it doesn't. You feel fine now because there is a tree between us... I have to be... touching someone... for it to work.”
For whatever reason, he fought back a blush saying this. There was nothing embarrassing about the statement itself, but his thoughts immediately returned to that morning, curled beside Soona in the birch. Despite his current discomfort now, he could not deny how wonderful it had been. Would it...ever be again?
“Would you...like to take a walk?” Sitting here was growing stagnant and awkward. Eiros often felt the best way to move forward was to actually move forward...
Beyond the encouraging smile,
As the blonde continued to explain, Soona blinked and then slowly nodded in understanding. A tree... That's all it took to block the connection? That was interesting... Soona saw a slight blush creep into Eiros's cheeks, and he couldn't help but do the same. He thought back to their first connection, and how incredible it felt...how warm Eiros was curled around him. In the back of his mind, he realized just how much he missed that feeling...that closeness. Soona subconsciously shook the thought from his mind before he'd embarrass himself further, and then gingerly fused his gaze with Eiros's own.
The suggestion took Soona by surprise, but it was a welcomed one. A smile formed on the blue's lips, and as he rose to his feet he inclined his head. "I would...like that very much," he replied softly, his heart beating a little faster. To move around would be nice, and what better time to stretch one's legs than with a friend? The feeling of hope was coming back again.
Hey Uruushou, I'm pretty sure
Eep...it is? Nooo! ;-; It
I don't know! It happens when
Hm...you're right, it wasn't
Track ;; You have awesome
You have awesome chars =]
I love his design !
Stitch.
Aw, thank you so much Stitch!