Toomoko watched the other carefully; glad that the other was stirring when he himself had just sat beside him.
“Ah you awake now; glad I got you in time.” Toomoko tilts his head at the other deer. “I was worried that you had been in water too long…”

“In time?” Reetno replied, confused over what he had seen, and wanted to ask more but held his tongue.

“Yea, Lucky. Not many Deer can stay under the water for that long and be alive.” Toomoko winced, his legs still hurt from the effort of saving the fawn, which was heavier than him. “I think all your fur, holding the water and dragging you down. Stay there and rest for a bit longer.” Toomoko stood up and stretched his legs to try and ease the soreness. He entered the shallow water near the log and bent down to drink.

Reetno continued to study the gold fawn, slightly puzzled. The dream felt real, and if this deer was the same one… Reetno glanced about him trying to push it out of his mind. “I’m sorry if I worried or troubled you at all. I never mean to disturb you” He spoke as his eyes fell, the grass on the ground becoming interesting.

Toomoko finished drinking when the other spoke, lifting his head and looked back. “Naw, you not bothering me, can’t let you drown, would been my fault.” He tilted his head again and pawed at the soggy mud. “You are the first deer I ‘ave seen in a while, was a fright you gave me.” He scratched an ear with a back hoof, unsure what to do. “I am Toomoko, you are?” Toomoko trotted carefully back over to the other fawn.

His eyes glanced back up at the question. “I’m Reetno; you are the first deer I have seen in a while as well. Well I have seen a few but I knew that they didn’t want me around… so I didn’t go near” He responded, his eyes reflecting the sadness in his voice.

Toomoko stopped a few feet from Reetno. “Reetno huh? Odd name.” Toomoko shrugged, lifting one hoof off the ground slightly. “I normally stay away.” His nose twitched in slight annoyance at himself. “Suppose it better that way… Same as normal.” He sighed and stood there.

[Birthrights © Reetno and Toomoko]