......: I awoke to the sound of rain pounding aginst the ground, bits of it sinking into the soft soil. I cringed, opening my eyes for a few moments only to have them close again as a bloated raindrop singed my eye. With a sigh, I outstretched a soaked leg, struggling to get my balance in the slippery mush which was the ground. Finally, after a few tries, I managed to rise to my hooves, finally opening my eyes with reluctance to the rainy landscape. It was a misty morning, the rain clouding my vision as it rebounded when it didn't sink into the dirt. Fearfully, I looked to my coat, only to find it nearly brown with the amount of dirt that had stuck to it. I yawned, walking towards to the pond as not to trip in the soft earth. Hadn't I told myself to sleep in more practical places? Because, as of late, sleeping in the open air didn't do much for practicality.



......:With a quick dip in the pond and a few falls while doing so later, I shook off the cool water as I stepped back into the storm. The air even smelled wet and humid, but at this point, I didn't really care for staying dry at any time soon. After all, I wasn't motivated to gallop through the forest with a pounding heart drumming in my chest and a slippery wet ground ready to trip me in the process. Staring away from the pond, towards the sloping landscape, I decided within myself to do some wandering. "Oh sweety....look at you all soaked from the rain. Poor dear, why don't you come see your mother so I can get you cleaned up...." A voice cooed inside my mind, doing nothing for my already irritated nerves.
......:"Now now, hunny, I can't stand to see you so mangled....let your mother clean you up..." The voice continued as I reached the border between the dark forest and the 'Birch' one. All this time, as this voice continued to mock, I had managed to keep my mouth shut amongst the foliage. I knew she couldn't be speaking to me, I couldn't see her. And how did she expect me to reply with my heart beating this loudly! Had she wanted to irritate me to such a high degree?!



......:Silence. I looked up from the ground in my walk, slowly fixating my eyes past the birch trees and tall grasses. A single, white, doe stood in my path, and I could actually hear myself skip a breath. Who were they...? Raising my antlers, I tried my best to hold an acceptable appearence as I watched the doe walk amidst the rain. After awhile, they finally managed to spot me, bolting as soon as we locked eyes. I let out a deep breath, slouching in the storm once more.



.....:Dissapointed, I eventually meandered to one of my favorite spots in the birch forest, a hill overlooking a flat plain with the playground in the distant horizon. It's quite a view, if I must say, despite it's clear view of the sky. I suppose mi luna draws me to the spot, as when she wanes and waxes I can see the distant cresent sillouette of it all. With a shiver shooting down my spine, and came to sitting atop the hill, letting the consistant rain drops drip down my silver fur. Silly silly child. My dear, dear, child. So impecibly lost and helpless...." The voice continued, in which I squinted my eyes shut. Finally, I whispered a barely audible answer back to it, the wavering in my voice nearly shouting reluctance. "Mi luna...just..." I paused, biting my upper lip as the pounding in my chest grew faster, and louder. "Shut up." I cried out, the beating suddenly stopping with an incredible halt. I opened my eyes, trying to catch my breath, but no breath would come. Panicked, I opened my eyes wider, darting my vision back and forth across the landscape. Whimpers barely escaped my breath, and I could feel my chest painfully aching, my lungs stinging with every passing moment. "Poor child, so useless..." Darkness.



.....:When I finally pryed my eyes open, I could hear a chorus of chirping birds and the distant hum of far-off hoofbeats scattered with laughter. I didn't care to move my body from it's position sprawled across the hill, my fur combed every which way. My entire body felt heavy, as if it was being pushed down by some invisible force. My head was spinning, and as I looked to the clearing sky, I wasn't much calmed by the slowly moving clouds that flew far overhead. Sun gently crept through the treetops, warming my damp fur and drying the soaked earth around me. The air smelled freshed, cleaner, and the bitter rain which hadn't so long ago pattered onto the ground swept away and cleansed the now fresh enviroment. I remember laying there, helpless to the force of gravity for quite awhile, my eyes and mind wandering across what I could see without moving my heavy head. I took almost painfully deep breaths, blissful from the quietness of my heart alone. I wasn't sure if I was going to make it through that bitterly cold night, and the welcoming brightness of morning soothed my spirit as I looked back to the memory.
......:I always knew I wasn't in good shape, surely is was not only a blessing but a curse as well to be doused in such a dubious color. No amount of running and fighting against inanimate trees would ever really increase my fitness, I presumed, because my heart would always start involunatrily pounding inside my chest when I attempted such. I was, what one could say, helpless to what mi luna had given me, daring not to ask anything more for what I was already granted. I suppose I could be thankful for such crisp vision, keen hearing, and clever mind, but that cinicle heart of mine was always much of a rebel.
......:Drifting in and out of awareness, I finally gave back into sleep, which I welcomed with every fiber in my body. The sun slowly faded, as I fell into a warm, tired rest.



.....:I came back to my senses in the same position I was last in, my tired body finally feeling it's way back into a sort of 'health'. Graciously, I outstretched a few limbs, laying upright with a clumsiness simliar to that of a newborn fawn. The air was warm, and anything but humid. I was glad for the weather, I guess, as it was the perfect temperature to awake to and try to regain back my health. Hunger stung at my stomach, and instictively I stood, heading slowly towards the pond. I nabbed a few grasses here and there on my way, eagerly swallowing the sweet tasting treats. I stood in the 'Idol's Tears' for quite awhile, gently letting the water wash away the muck which so eagerly clinged to my fur. It was incredibly refreshing, to say the least. After a quick toss of a few bits of crushed cinnamon upon my fur, I listened for any familiar voices. I was taken aback, by the sound of many, many, familiar too, sounds echoing off from the stones of the playground. I surged forward, graciously taking in any form of socialization that may comfort me in this new day.



......:I grinned ear-to-ear as I approached the rocks, spotting many different deer, all in which I knew quite well. Sir Rajan, Miss Ravenflight, Miss Poltergeist....all were gathered around dancing amidst the stones. Chuckling, I sat for awhile, familiarizing myself with the appearence of another deer which I wasn't quite familiar of. They're pictogram was easy to remember, I suppose, and they wore a stunning almost speckled pelt and a mask that whistles when called out. Their antlers also matched to that of a butterfly, which I found quite enertaining.



......:It wasn't long before I was spotted, first by a straggling fawn, then the entire group. I stood swiftly, preparing myself for a bombardment of greetings and hellos. I bowed, politely, trying to keep my cool under the rush of voices and sounds. I suppose I wasn't quite over my incident a few nights before, and every sense seemed to be over-amplified and bold. "Ah, Sir Rajan, Miss Ravenflight, Miss Poltergeist, it's such a pleasure to see all of you in one group. I do believe it's been while." I adressed lightly, greeting the fawns that weaved in and out of the group. I nuzzled Miss Poltergeist as well, kissing her cheek as I pulled away from the greeting. "You don't know how glad I am to see you..." I uttered softly, before turning back to the group with a bow towards the new doe. She introduced herself as Miss Sambreel, and I noted to keep the name tucked within the library I was collecting of them. Eventually, we all broke out into a merry circle of dancing, laughing and giggling all the while. It was much a help to my aching mind, too, I must agree.



......:The group ensued in many fun activities of the forest, not limited to posing on the rocks...and inside them as well. I'm not even sure in my rational mind how on earth all of us deer managed to do so, but I must say it left for some hilarious memories.



......:Eventually, Miss Ravenflight had to make her departure, and we all layed around her in a circle as she left. I knew I would be have to be taking my leave soon as well, but I was reluctant to give into rest just yet.



......:After Miss Sambreel also walked off, the group meandered down to a stag with large, impressive antlers, Sir Rajan, Miss Poltergeist, a few fawns here and there, and I. We all came to sitting upon the playground rocks, basking in the warmth of the forest and observing the impressive view. I knew it was time for me to leave though, and I cringed my eyes shut for a few moments before standing. "I'm afraid I must be making my departure." I spoke, interupting the silence. I bowed to the large-antlered stag, and to Sir Rajan as well, before turning to Miss Poltergeist. "Thank you for being here today...I love you so incredibly much...." My voice tapered off into a whisper as I nuzzled her goodbye. "Until we meet again." I whispered in a barely audible tone before dissapearing from sight.