Birches towered over him. Long, tickling, feathery grass brushed up against him. The forest seemed to go on forever, the sky and the earth colliding with each other in the middle of his vision. This place was familiar. This place was home.

Vessel kept staring, losing himself in his own thoughts. Thoughts of being a parent, yes, but moreso about his past. Of what was. And what could have been.

"My child, you seem lost..."

The small stag looked up with no surprise. This voice was familiar. Yes, Twin Gods... You are correct...

"What troubles you, Dream Watcher?"

The things of old, the things that have gone and died. And are but memories, locked away in my mind. These are what bother me so. Not just what happened... But what would have been different, under different circumstances.

"Such as?"

He looked to the two infront of him, sighing silently, thought it was audible to them. Had I been able to speak... If I had a... a normal face... If I were perfect in his eyes... What would have changed?

They paused, looking at each other. "You must know, what was meant to be, was meant to be."

I know... it's only a thought... a question that I would like answered.

"If you were gifted with voice, with eyes of color and perfect countenance, you would be like any other. You would be like your father, grown to be haughty and close-minded. We gifted you so you would lead a better life. One of understanding, one of acceptance. Had you been like your father, you would have never found love, because you would never have accepted the flaws of others. You would never have met the Immortal."

A stag appeared before him, looking forward, his head held high. He saw Vessel, and scowled at him. He wore a Kirin pelt, with shining blue eyes and butterfly antlers. It was... Vessel.

"See how he looks down on you, pities you, hates you. He knows all about you. And he thinks you are the lowest form of life because of your flaws. This, Dream Watcher, is what you would be, if you had been perfect in his eyes."

Yes... I understand... I know what you did was right. It was all to give me happiness. That I have achieved. I thank you... for finally giving me an answer... He flattened his ears at the other, half in resentment, half in fear. The two deer promptly took it away, making Vessel feel at ease again.

"Something else is troubling you, Dream Watcher..."

Yes... Yes, there is... Do not misplace your perception, nor raise your anger. I know that you have guided me through life, taking on a parental duty when no one else would. You have been my parents, at the least, for you have taught me all that I know... But, even with your guidance, I still don't feel the assurance I need... to become...

"A father..." Vessel nodded, almost unconciously. He was so used to silence, he thought they wouldn't hear his reply. "What you must realize is that not everyone needs a father to set a good example. If you trust your morality, and trust in us, you can raise a good child. And if any help is needed, we will aid you."

But... He stood, almost outraged, but not really angry. He paused to calm down. He was talking to gods after all, why raise his voice? How... can I teach the fawn... when I cannot utter a single sound?

The two deer smiled at once, "You have made it this far without speaking, why should something like that obstruct your path to parenthood?"

The two deer faded, leaving Vessel all alone again. He looked to the distance, in the direction of the Ruins. Xylia was there, sitting, waiting for him to come home. She was worried. He hated that. He didn't want to worry her, and he decided to stop this before something bad happened. But something caught his eye. Something that stood out.

A young stag. Coated in brilliant blue and green fur, shining straight antlers with rounded ends, purple eyes... But his face... It was longer, deep blue, and had a lighter blue M mark on it. Just like Vessel's mark.

Vessel stared at the stag. The stag stared back. Vessel furrowed his brow, trying to understand this. The stag only smiled, and trotted away. Vessel bolted for where he was going, but when he should've caught up to him...

No one was there. He was alone. He could hear Xylia's call in the distance.

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FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIL

yeah, you thought the drawing would be enough, BUT NOOOOOOOOOO

lol just needed to write again. i really needed more Vessel time. and this was really fun to do <3

so uh... yeah... when do you think thisll happen? well guess what SHESALREADYPREGNANT *shot* *truck'd* *subway'd* *bus'd* *chucked out the window'd*

im kidding, if you dont already know. Xylia's not pregnant.

yet... >:3