A Gift

I wondered through the Forest, greeting deer along the way.

I decided I would pay a visit to the Gods Statue. I often liked to sit there and meditate, I guess you could say.

On my way there, I stopped at the lake for a drink.

I looked at my reflection for a bit.

I never really liked my face. Don't ask me why, I couldn't tell you. I just get this strange, almost sad feeling, like an ancient memory is trying to surface that I can't and don't want to remember.

I shook off the thought. I wanted to go visit the Statue even more now.

When I arrived, I found something on the ground in front of the Statue.

A mask.

I went to stand over it to get a closer look at it. It was an elongated mask that I often saw on many of the other deer. On some it looked like a real face.

Beside the mask was a flat, white, rectangular object. It looked quite delicate.

I tested it with my hoof.

As soon as I made contact with it, I heard a distant voice that seemed to fill my head.

It said, "A gift. I think it makes you look more like me. I hope you like it."

I broke contact with the object.

It burst into flame and the ashes blew away in the wind.

The mask glowed a bright green as it lifted itself off the ground.

It floated to fit onto my face.

Then nothing.

At first, I felt like nothing had happened, but then I focused my sight to an elongated snout that seemed to be coming from the center of my face.

I sprinted to the lake and looked at my reflection.

A new face looked back. It was long and fur-covered like the ones on those deer that wore the masks.

I liked it. I found it... Comforting.

But... Who had spoken to me? What had it said meant?

It wouldn't be too long before I forgot these questions as I continued with my life in the Forest.