Edit: Hello, new page!

i know, hes pretty right X'D
thank you <3

I couldn't help but ruin the even money amount. I've had a soft spot for haikus for some time.

Their names are sleeping—
Violet, peripheral—
And the snow comes down.

I'm sorry I won't be able to draw for this, I had really hoped I would be able to! I am happy Hadou got my contribution onto the tree for me, however! I did manage to write a little haiku, it's terrible as I'm not big on poetry, but it's something!

What are these strange deer
Always frolicking about
The Endless Forest

That's quite alright acer! Such a unique Haiku. I love how you incorporated the TEF name into it. Thank you so much ♥

[e]: Ebony3, unfortunately i'm only able to accept one haiku from each person. I'm sorry!

Going to close this tomorrow morning, in 8-9 hours or so.

Writing Prompt: "Leave a gift for the Twin Gods"

(This is actually an "epilogue" of sorts to my previous story.)

__

It was certainly a beautiful day. Indeed, just about everything-the sun-pierced leaves, the luscious and rippling water-seemed to scream reminders of the majesty that this place had to offer. The young stag had the right to think so-and quite honestly, he couldn`t imagine anyone who would say different. Despite its looks, this forest was more than a land of pretty pictures-it had saved them. He, his herd, the very land itself were here only because of the nourishment that this picturesque realm had brought them. This place had saved his life.

And he owed it all to two creatures whom he had never gotten to meet.

Indeed, the memories were faint-fleeting images of licks and nuzzles, the faint impression of fur against fur. They had been there once, though he could not remember what they had looked like. They came to him only in sleep, in the half-lucidity of early morning, in the form of whispers and the swaying of fresh grass. They were the immortals of this land-and it was only through their power that he could have ever received his own.

A long time ago, the memories had saddened him-enough to make him cry uncontrollably. But then he had listened to the whispers, realized those they belonged to, and everything had changed. Even now, a few drops of strong emotion would manifest themselves in one or two tears, splashing into the already brimming stream. It was among his most prized possession, this stream-this lake of his tears. It may have been created by surprise, but he guarded it anyway, proud that he could have something to offer to not only his herd, but to those who watched over them.

Today he was going to offer something a little different, however. The idea had occurred to him the night before, as he was sitting at home, in the shadow beneath the trees at the foot of his stream. From there he could see them, standing magnificently at the top of the hill near his lake. Even from here one could swear that they were watching, keeping silent guard over those whom they had once called their kin. They must be happy, he had thought, finally at peace. But...was there something missing? Was there something that even they still longed for?

And so in the early hours of the morning he had set off, spurred on by the whispers that came with waking. It was a long and rather painstaking task, but by the late hours of the noon he had managed to find everything he had sought out to. With his mission accomplished, he set out to the hill where the Gods stood, waiting until everyone had cleared from it. Indeed, many of the forests inhabitants often came to pray to the Gods, thanking them for giving their own lives to save the lives of countless others. It was a sort of spirit everyone wished to possess-yet for this endeavor he sought to be alone, for the items he had were not the only things he had to offer.

By now, the first tinges of dusk were beginning to crawl into the still blue sky. Up the hill the young stag climbed, his eyes focused on the adjoined statues in front of him. Even now they seemed to be watching him-a gentle and unwavering gaze originating from somewhere behind those pearly white eyes. The stag took a moment to compose himself, closing his eyes and bowing deeply to them.

"Mother. Father."

A few moments passed before he continued. He had stood back up to gaze at them again-and for a fleeting moment, he wondered whether or not they would be angry that he had come here. But why would they be? Family did matter, after all. Another deep breath, and he began to speak again:

"I...have heard the legends. They say that even as we struggled in the barren wastelands, you struggled more, searching for a place where we could live in peace. Some thought the stories that inspired you were foolish. But...it has been revealed that the elders were right. That you were right, as well." His voice cracked momentarily, and he blinked rapidly. At that moment, the tiniest trace of a whisper began to creep from the statues.

The stag was speaking again. "Only the...p-purest of heart could have achieved something of this sort." He stuttered. "Yet...for all you have done for us, you yourselves have not yet experienced all of the wonders that the forest has created. You have donated so much of your time to protecting us...and I commend you for it..." He paused, swallowing deeply. "And now, I wish to give you a turn to gaze upon what you have birthed."

It was now that he swiveled his head, reaching to grasp several objects balanced on his shoulder. One by one he placed them-all sorts of objects, ranging from branches to leaves to stones. They may not have been of particular significance to the average passerby- but to the stag, they were of great importance.

He bowed his head once again, motioning to each of the objects in turn. "Here are the products of the land you have created for us. These are the branches from the forest around us, and the leaves that sprout from them. They serve us well-especially in the warmer months, when they protect us from the sun." He turned around now, motioning to the lake. "I would have brought you some of the water from down there, but unfortunately, I...know not of a way to carry it. However, I hope you can see it from here." He paused yet again for a moment. "There....there is a birch forest, growing north of here. It is home to a vast variety of plants, as well as other things of interest." He turned now to a sliver of what seemed to be a branch, colored with a smooth black and white patterning.
"This is a part of the birch trees that grow there. Over here-" He motioned now to a small, moss dampened rock-"Is a product of the rock structure we found in the Birches. The fawns love to frolic on the rocks. We call it the Playground for that reason." He smiled slightly.

A short time later, the stag had finished his display. Now he took the objects he had gathered, placing them at the foot of the statues. It was then that he picked up on a faint whisper-it was the whispering from earlier, now of an audible pitch.

"These are the gifts that your land has bestowed upon us." The stag once again turned his head to gaze upon the statues. "I...am honored to call myself your son." Ever so slowly, he pressed his muzzle against each of the statues in turn. "And now...I have but a single request."

The stag`s ears flickered-the whispering was growing louder. Perhaps they are listening? "You have done a great deal for us. Thanks to your determination, your limitless willpower, and your love for your herd, we have been saved for all eternity. Many have come to thank you for your selfless deeds. I, too, have come to thank you-yet, I also wish for something else."

I wish I had been fortunate enough to know you.... "I...I wish to be like you. I...do not mean that I wish to be a god-I am but another forest inhabitant-but...I wish to find a way to watch over those that roam this forest. I have managed to create the stream and lake only with your help. If there is a way-I want to be able to guard it, the way you guard the forest." He inhaled deeply. "Mother, Father....I want to be like you. No, I want to be with you. Watching over our home...together."

It was now that the whispering had built to a considerable intensity-yet they had risen from the grasses, seeming to encircle him almost entirely. For a moment he felt panic-had he insulted his Gods after all?-until he realized that the voices did not seem hostile. They were still the same gentle and loving tones that had comforted him as a child, when he was confused and upset. He felt almost like that child again-a curious spirit that wished to explore, to find the ones who had birthed him. For a brief few seconds he closed his eyes, allowing himself to bask in the Gods-no, his parents-warmth.

Then the voices were gone. He opened his eyes slowly, strangely unfazed by this. Once again he paused to gaze at the statues-and now, a great mixture of emotions flowed through him. It would have been awfully difficult to describe them-he did not think he could-but they settled soon enough, leaving just him and the Gods.

Slowly he knelt down, bowing once again. "Thank you." He whispered. With a final glance at the statues, he turned, beginning to make his way down the hill.

He did not know if the Gods had granted his wish. There was one thing he did know for certain, however-something had most definitely occurred up there, though he did not know what. Perhaps they had listened to him after all? The whispers themselves had seemed rather convincing.

Perhaps...perhaps they have. The very thought of it was enough to make the stag slow almost to a stop. He was down by the lake now-his lake. At the very least, they had listened. And that meant more to him than anything else possibly could have.

They heard me. The very thought of them hearing, listening, granting-it was nearly overwhelming in its very concept. They were here, they were watching, and they loved him. From the eyes of the stag came two tears, slithering silently down his face and into the grasses below. From the grasses they traveled, weaving through the soils and sands and straight into the lake-two tears of joy.

aa the busiest week of the year -ehem only busy week of the year-
and such a lovely event is happening.
I wanted to colaborate more, but well,
I added a praying mantis to the tree,
I asked for Allison's permission to put it over her book ♥

I also made this:


it's my favorite place, a memory of a very important moment, in company of one of my most beloved beings.
it also has the elusive pond duck, which is precisally elusive because it's on the drinkplaats, not the pond xb

I want to thank you again, Unplugged, for everything you do on this community. You're the winter sun that keeps us all warm ♥

It was really a wonderful idea !!
Such beautiful Art done here !!

Thank you for hosting this amazing event and for donating the money. It was lovely being a part of it. ♥

Congratulations on such a money overload, M&A will be totally happy *-* ♥
So am I that I could contribute it~

I hope you don't mind me asking but what will be the gift art of?

little thank you gifts for the ones who maxed out their donation by completing all four challenges. ♥
Aivilo, Jennie ChocolateTabbyKat

I felt like a dumb askin', now I feel like a double dumb so that you posted it.
But let's leave it at that.

The artwork is power, my eyes can't seem to get off it. As simple as it is, the aspects are a burst. That pelt, as if straight from my imagination. To not to get creepy, but the holes in the fur. Exactly these fading dead colors that bloom in my mind when I think of her zombie pelt, now here. Left to fall apart for not being cared for, exactly the happenings there, yet so vivid. Despite the staleness natural I can see a clean look to the halloween greenish fur, as if it shimmered in the sunlight. Calls to my mind short, trim and clean fur of a deer that shines, as simple as that. The bones as if exposed throught the thinnest of coat are a powerful feel, too, and how their color fills the hooves and the inner ear. In love with those wicked antlers, as if cracked sharp. Abstract feel to the mask and the antlers, actually to the whole thing. As scarily real as it is, more than not the holes in the perfect fur seem to be only paint in the pattern.
Lovely gift of a glowy leaf. Makes my heart warm up.
But oh, then there's the dynamics. I can see us in that. The strangest of spacetime bending, I can feel the concept of a glitch bursting from it in invisible rays.

So yeah, I guess I was in the mood to type out. Thank you very much, I bet you know how much do I love it. Such ways are a talent and I do feel honoured indeed. Your use of brushes brings it to a whole new level, just to add.
Thank you very much. ♥

Those are gorgeous! The leaf necklaces are just perfect. Again can't thank you enough for doing this! x

Yesssss

Jennie you think yours is the weirdest? Say that to half who decorated the tree with a box of wasabi.

Get out, Unplugged. Wasabi is the new black.

Wait, oh my goodness! I didn't even know that you'd be drawing for people who did all the challenges. I just wanted to max out so I can 'donate' the most I could for the forest. Aaaa, what a pleasant surprise! Thank you so much for drawing Lionel. '7'

Get out, Unplugged. Wasabi is the new black.

Yes, please.

AND ALSO UNPLUGGED U R GREAT EVERYONE IS GREAT
G R E A T
♥

Money went through, donation has been made.

♥♥♥♥♥

lovelovelovelove

i asked M&A for a weather change to celebrate the end of this event.
<3<3

These screenshots melt my eyes.
Would it be alright with you if I'll make some edits out of them?

This just popped up on my Facebook