It was the second day of his new life. The tree's were still in full bloom, though a gentle breeze from the east warned him that autumn would soon be here. By instinct he knew what that slightly chilled wind meant, though he didn't know for certain what would come of it. Large gray green eyes peered about the forest, taking in everything as he sat still upon the column base of a now deceased pillar. The Ruins. It was his favorite place. All though he'd been aware of his life for two days, he had already discovered places and things that he enjoyed. Despite the rather dark and dank appearance of the old structure, Kayl found himself utterly drawn to it. At times, it seemed as though the Ruins called to him, beckoned him into it's depths as a way of comfort. As if to say, "It's alright little one, come and rest here." He did not understand it himself, yet he did not care. He was alone, and the Ruins was a welcome retreat to his lost little soul.

Today he had come there because of a strange occurrence. On the first day of his awareness, he had met a few older deer here and there. Scattered and few in number. Feeling at ease, he had fallen asleep by a large old tree near a pond. The image had been perfect. Frogs croaked in chorus with little crickets, the water lapped gently and lovingly against the shore like a lullaby, and a few night birds perched their enchanting song right above his head. He had slept peacefully, no worry in the world.

Yet, when he awoke the next day, all was not well. As soon as his eyes opened he was on his feet. Every muscle in his body tense, frozen like a statue. His heart tackled the inside of his chest again and again, fear chilling him to the bone. At least eight... maybe twelve other deer had gathered around the pond. Fawns were running around him, and he could hear more in the distance. Their hooves thundering, thundering! The sounds were all over the place. Creatures bleating, pounding hooves, splashing water. Movement, so much movement! Kayl panicked, and the whisper of the Ruins sent him at a hard gallop away from that chaos.

That was how he ended up there now, laying upon a pillar, listening to the gentle sweet nothings of voices long past.

Cool loving fingers brushed along his back, the breeze wrapping about him like a cloak. He felt his eyes closing, so relaxed was he. Before he heard hoof beats once more. He immediately went to attention, though did not move from his laying position on the pillar. He did not feel frightened, and the comfort the crumbling building had given him aided him with a tiny spark of courage. A female fawn galloped by, purple flowers lying upon her head in a lovely crown. On she ran past him, before skidding to a stop. She peeked over her shoulder, one ear perked towards him. He laid stock still, almost as though he was pretending to be a statue. She then seemed to give him a smile, turning around and going towards him. She tucked one hoof underneath herself and bowed deeply.

Kayl's ears dropped, falling flat against his neck as he coiled away as far as he could, without moving from his position. He could see the confusion in her eyes as she tilted that dainty little head to one side. Studying him curiously, wondering why he was acting so frightened of her. She tried other motions, encouraging him to come with her. But Kayl just continued to sit there, uncertain, and unwilling to react. After a moment, she seemed to give up. Turning to leave. She seemed almost... sad.

He stood then. The sound of his hooves against stone causing the female to turn around, her eyes lighting up. Kayl tucked his head against his chest, still nervous and uncertain, before giving an elegant half bow. She smiled, bowed back to him, then took off through the forest.

Kayl watched her go quietly, his heart strangely silent. He was curious. He wanted so bad to chase after her, to play and meet other fawns. To prance about with others of his kind. How bad he wanted it, but uncertainty held him rooted to the spot, and all he could do was watch her gallop into the distance.

It was peaceful once again. Yet, as he was about to lay down to rest, a new disturbance arose. The earth began to shake, as that thundering sound of hoof beats suddenly filled the suddenly stone hard air. It swarmed him, the noise seemed to be coming from everywhere, attacking from around every breeze, from earth and sky. Then they appeared. Three deer from the depths of the forest. They were huge, and loud. Prancing about, all over the place. Kayl cowered, as if making himself smaller would somehow divert any attention that may be cast upon him. Yet, as he cowered, a brown female seemed to notice him. He didn't know what else to do, and although the Ruins beckoned him to stay, he ran. He leaped from his spot on the column, over some of the ruin debris, and off into the forest.

He ran until his legs began to throb. Dodging around the many deer of the woods. Stopping to await their passing, before running behind them when their attention was drawn elsewhere. On and on he went, until he ended where he began. Near the once peaceful pond. Well, it was peaceful once more. No deer were near it, but for one in the far distance, sleeping at peace. He was panting, his little heart pounded vehemently within his chest as he looked about, still cautious, still uncertain. But with relief he stepped forward to go get a drink, to cool his warmed muscles in the loving caress of the water. However, on his way, he spotted something in the distance. A rock that seemed to have two waterfalls coming from within it.

Curiosity spiked, and on weary limbs he trotted over to it. Whenever Kayl neared the great rock, his ears fell back and he looked up in surprise and wonder. There was a face on this rock, and the two waterfall's were falling from it's great eyes. The little fawn walked around the strange stone, studying it carefully. Then a sudden emotion came from deep within his heart whenever he touched the falling water with a gentle nudge. Sorrow, overwhelming sorrow. He reared back with shock, almost as if he had been struck. The pain of sadness hurt him so that he couldn't believe it. Wonder filled his mind, he carefully stepped down to where the rock's tears made a small creek. With extreme caution, he reached out and touched the flowing water and felt... nothing.

Kayl shook the water free from his hoof and looked up at the crying rock. His eyes softened, and he struggled up the muddy slope, before coming to the side of the strange stone. Was it crying because it was lonely? Did something bad happen to the poor stone? Thoughts swarmed through his mind, before a gentle smile came upon his face.

He took a single step forward, and very carefully, butted his forehead gently against the rock, and began to nuzzle it with the side of his face. His little tail flicked around happily as he welcomed the crying rock with rubs and playful little fawn head buts. He stepped back, that little tail still flicking about. He stayed with the crying rock the rest of the day. Hiding from passing deer behind it's large girth, and playing one-sided games with it. Then, as the sun slowly began to set, Kayl laid beside the rock, smiling warmly up at it. It was as if he was trying to sat, "Don't worry, you're not alone!"

And as night began to fall upon the lands of the Endless Forest, Kayl made a promise to the sorrowful stone. That even if he somehow managed to make friends in the forest, he would still visit the crying rock everyday, until his days were no more.


(( Comments and critique are both open and loved! <3 ))