...to be greeted by a wall of white as I awoke?

I fear I have been away longer than I usually would have. I wonder if I can place blame on the chill in the air that signals winter's arrival on my "hibernation" of sorts.
No sooner had I awakened, did I notice some familiar faces sitting amongst the poppies at the entrance of the Ruins. One of which was a well-known ghost in this Forest.

And now, it would seem most of the group recently gathered has scattered off somewhere.

And what is this I hear? Lady Kaoori is expecting a little one?
I do wonder what Darkweaver makes of the father being Wesker. There is more than a bit of bad blood between the two. I will admit my barely held tolerance towards the bone-pelted stag, for I do not understand what started this needless rivalry.
Call me hypocritical for my dislike if you will. I cannot help that the powers that be would have me befriend one before even knowing of the other.
Perhaps if I could learn the reason these quarrels started, I could somehow help cease them.
That little one should not have to be born into a world where one parent's friend is the other's bitter enemy.

But there my thoughts go as they often do. Traveling along a tangent.

I shall end this here for now.

I remain,

Bastilion

[=white]All Hallows Eve has come and gone, but it would seem the festivities have yet to come to an end.
I awoke to snowfall, with giant dandelions taking the place of many of the forest's trees. And almost right away I found that Lady Amary was approaching. Not long after engaging in finding some amusement from the giant flora, we were joined by the presence of Darkweaver as well. Even Lady Kaoori made an appearance.
I could not help but notice, that the fawns I had seen, were retaining spells that had been cast upon them. It was as if they were indeed permanent.
It may be due to my curiosity being answered, but I found myself experiencing a second childhood, or more like third[i] childhood if you will. I had taken on the form of a fawn once more. Only, I still carried the great antlers atop my head. How I could still carry them, I do not know. But soon, Lady Amary and even Darkweaver had become fawns as well!
The events that followed I can only describe as a lack of sanity on my part.


Though, unfortunately, the good mood found itself being rudely interrupted by the arrival of a stag I had seen before. The last time had been when the gods of this forest decided to grant night time. This one seemed...less than thrilled with Darkweaver's presence then. If both had been in top form, and I had not stepped in between to stare the other one down, I can bet my second life a fight may have broken out.
It seemed this situation wished to prove similar, but different, for neither was fatigued by wounds.

There was a strange...commotion in the forest when I awoke this day. It seemed to be centered around the hill of the Twin Gods statues. Curiosity took the better of, as I found myself making my way over to see what the matter could be.
Odd... Fog seemed to appear out of nowhere. And it only became thicker as I approached my destination, with wolves making themselves known through their distant howls. At least they stayed distant...
Many deer were gathered at the hill, and the reason for this...
...a behemoth of a deer, with rotten hide and skull for face! And those antlers...
...they were like my own!
What was this?? Are my antlers of darkness then?
I did not know what to make of this, but could not contemplate it at the time, for something else caught my eye.
I had not noticed right away, but the deer here...they were all as miniature versions of the giant one they danced around! Had he done this to them?
As I watched, my question was answered. The light of spells being cast on this creature. Instead of affecting this beast, they would reflect back on the caster, giving the equivalent "zombie" appearance of what I assume had been cast.
...was there a reason they all wished to look undead?
I know that mask of bone changes one's voice, and....wait a moment. I had never gotten to enjoy voice-changing masks much before, thanks to my past muteness.
I found myself tempted to join the fun of these other deer.
If only for today...

Even the music one hears while dancing seemed to fit with the occasion.
I wonder if this all is related to All Hallow's Eve. Is it that time of year already?
There is also talk of whether this..Big Zombie Deer, as he is called, would awaken again.
I am...somewhat intrigued, but also apprehensive of this.
But I should like to see this for myself some time.

I remain,

[center]Bastilion

I am not quite sure why, but I found myself acting...not myself this night. Acting much more lively than usual. "Hyper" even.
I cannot even blame the shield-like mask I wore, for I was behaving strangely before choosing to wear it.
In fact...I seem to act this way mostly when around Lady Amary.
...
I tread on a subject I nothing of once again.
She was standing much closer again as well. Closer even than the last time we met. And I willingly allowed it. Content at her proximity even.
...
I can imagine Cousin teasing me this very moment.
Would speaking of this with him if possible even be wise?
I am unsure if I could even bring myself to do so.
I suppose...I shall figure this out eventually, as I have with the other mysteries of this forest...

I remain, growing steadily confused,

Bastilion

...or is that truly Wesker come back to life...?


(Normally I wouldn't put more than one entry for Bastilion in a day, so I opted for a "letting the screenshots do most of the talking" type entry.)

I find myself being surprised by this Forest for the first time in awhile. I had thought I had learned all of its secrets. All of its ways. Even figured out my most confusing of close companions.
I find myself revoking those words, for I have been caught off guard by some things unexpected.
I found Darkweaver nearby at the Ruins, seeming to be laying poppies upon each grave. An act of repentance for his recent deeds perhaps? He would not say.
Soon, though, we found ourselves in the company of Lady Amary. It has been awhile since I have encountered her cheerful self. But onto the first of the strange events I mentioned..
Not long after a large grouping of deer began to gather, my dark companion seemed to revert in age. Right before my eyes, he took on the form of a cowering fawn. Taken aback, I did not know what to make of this. After a moment, I assumed it was similar to the other times I had seen him take on another form, even calling himself by a different name. Multiple personalities I believe it is called.
Perhaps I will inquire about this transformation later.
It was not too much later that we were led away from the Ruins by Lady Amary, to this gathering of stones near the edge of the birch. It seems quite familiar. I believe I have visited this same grouping of rocks once before. On the last dawn I think.
Dark had remained as a fawn even now. Yes, that was strange.
But this.
This is...quite odd.
I do not know what to react at this moment as I write this.
I am sure that before he took his leave, my dark friend took also notice of the lady being in closer proximity than normal.
I wonder what Cousin would have thought of this.
How I wish I could speak with him...
He would probably know more than I. As it is, I am ignorant of the ways of women.

And do not think I did not hear what you uttered before departing, Darkweaver.

I remain, somewhat confused,

[center]Bastilion

Blood...
Its cloying scent fills the air.
Do I dare guess what has happened?
Has peace been shattered once more?
Or has far worse come to pass?
...
Part of me does not wish to know. For I fear that this involves those close to me in some form.
Again.
But I have not written of what I speak of, have I? I am sure it is old news by now.
While this.
This is fresh.
Fresh as the metallicness that refuses to flee my senses.
I shall never enjoy the smell of blood.
Perhaps...Sir Virgil is more aware of the situation than I? I have just looked up to see him denying the company of other deer, in the form of frantic fleeing. Is it best I not find out?
...
No. I cannot remain ignorant of this. But I will find out on my own. Even if I do not like what I learn.
I shall deal with the knowledge then.


I remain,

Bastilion

[=white][i]I found myself searching out Lady Aegle after I awoke. This was after finding a familiar deer I had seen before sitting beside me. But upon noticing my waking nature, they fled. They seem to be quite wary of other deer.
When they are awake at least.
But, as I said, I was seeking out Lady Aegle. I have been growing concerned with how the few times I have noticed her presence in the forest, she would be secluded, as if avoiding others.
Alas, when I found her, she was asleep, curled up in a patch of hyacinths. Rather than startle her into wakefulness, I settled for watching over from afar. There was a nice spot being shined upon by sunlight that did nicely.
Peace can only last so long, of course, for my idle musing was interrupted by the arrival of that same deer from before. Though they were not alone. They seemed to be caught in the pursuit of an insistent fawn. This deer seemed to even not wish the company of fawns either. I do not know why, but rather than question this at the time, I decided to offer a small mercy by obtaining the fawn's attention and allowing that brown deer to slip away.
I do not usually seek out the company of fawns, for they are quite energetic and insist on frolicking play, but some do surprise me. A few might even convince me to join in their play.
Quite a rambunctious youngster this fawn turned out to be. I could not decipher exactly what they wished to do. One moment they would be tilting their head at me followed by laughter, the next they would be rearing up in mock-spar.
Though I did gather they enjoyed the various masks that change the voice. I was better able to this time around as well of course.

I expected this to come to pass eventually... I just was not sure when. Rather than beat around the bush as they say, I shall be more direct.
I suppose the best way to say it is...

I am no longer silent.

No, this does not mean I will be able to converse verbally. At least not yet.
Or not very well.
Still, though...it is rather strange and...exciting to finally know what my voice sounds like...
I will no longer need to write on the ground to communicate. This pleases me, for not all deer here are able to read I believe.
I assume it seems like I am taking this far too lightly. I should be acting more excited.

Rest assured, I have expressed my happiness for this as any other given such a gift would...though privately.
I do wish at least one of my good friends had been present at the time. Well, no matter. I suppose I will just have to shock them the next time we meet.
I wish Cousin could be here to share in my joy. But my thoughts threaten to turn depressing. No more of that.

I still wonder what has caused my voice to return. Though I suppose it does not matter, does it?
For now, I will relearn how to speak properly as to not make a fool of myself around others.

I remain, no longer silent,

Bastilion