Dependence [For Kalpita]

Finata slowed his galloping and settled down panting in the rocks. He kept his head tucked low and tried to calm his breathing. He could hear her after him.
He didn't know how long it would be until he was found.
She was always so good at smelling him out.
No matter where he ran she would be on his side in an instant.

He saw those gray hooves stroll past and tried to mute his own nervous giggles. It was useless. He snorted loudly with laughter and rolled out from his hiding place to tackle the large doe from behind. She met his greeting with equal enthusiasm and the two romped around the forest with disregard for personal safety. No one else mattered. Adults were foolish or violent. Other fawns were judgmental. But here? With her? It was perfection.

He playfully bumped his head against Kalpita's foreleg and nuzzled her. "Hey Kalpita...do you think I am going to be little forever?" He stared out towards the collection of deer near the pond. It had been many months since he entered the forest yet he still remained so small and helpless.

He stared imploringly at her with those large sad eyes. Kalpita sat down by his side and followed his gaze. How could she answer? She was created as an adult and had never experienced growth. She had seen deer that were fawns one night and deer the next with no real rhyme or reason to it. Should she share this knowledge? Should she admit her ignorance? She bent her neck down toppling the small deer over and nuzzling his stomach. "I know you'll be ticklish forever!"

She had averted the silly conversation and continued to bestow affection on her young creator. If he grew up...would he abandon her? She had been contemplating that reality for some time as she watched the younger fawn mature. He was nowhere near an adult yet, but his legs were lengthening and his voice growing deeper. He had sprouted antlers some time ago and his face still bore the scars from the attack in his childhood. Her creator was no longer a child, and yet he was not an adult. He would be growing up someday and she only had a small window of opportunity to impress on him how important she was in his life.

She collected more candles for his growing antlers. She tended his wounds. She defended him mercilessly from the violent deer of the forest and wiped his bloody tears. She stood by his side when his father returned, and she will be by his side again when he dies.

She would always be there for him...even if he no longer acknowledged that she existed. She was his imaginary friend, and she would never abandon her creator. Not even when he abandoned her.
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A few notes:
Finata has matured into a young adult. He will be seen in the forest wearing candles, the crying mask, and the mini pelt. His adult set will continue to be influenced by the deer he meets in his diary entries.

Kalpita is the imagined friend of Finata in case anyone is reading this and completely confused.

I didn’t post this last night when I finished it because I’m a huge fag.