10/20/12
Friend Ravus! Friend Geisha!
Look! Do you see? The fog, and these mighty handsome antlers!
They are just as fine as yours, aren't they, Ravus?
...Geisha?
...Friends?
Look! Do you see?
....You do not see.
Well...
Then...
Hah!
No?



....I'd like to see you overlook me now!
I'll get you yet, sleeping Lady.

---

9/26/12
Grow well.

---

6/25/12
Ravus! Geisha! Friends I thought I would never see again!
Krystal, again! Dear friends!
I am so happy; if I run fast enough, I might just fly~

---

6/23/12
A yawn, a stretch, meander to the pond to find two dozen deer laughing and dancing, soon to plunge and race nothing-clad.
What is this?
Ah, no matter - it is perfect.
It is the way the Forest has always been and should always be.
Hello, Friend Krystal! You are so tall. I have been asleep a long time now, but it is so good to see you again. Won't you dance with me? Yes. Let's dance away from dreams and into the Forest light.

---

6/20/12
Have you been sleeping, too, little fawn?
Your friends have left you a lot of lights.
I've been wearing these for a while, now...
But perhaps they would be more useful here.
I don't need them so much now.

This one won't come loose...
But that's alright.
I'll keep it to remember you by.
Memories keep us alive when all else is gone.
I promise you won't fade as long as it is lit.




I hope you wake soon.
And I think...
I have slept long enough.

---

5/2/12
A long time I have slept here...
Eyelids flicker now.
The Forest's sounds are distant.

Just a minute more...


Then maybe...





I'll get up and play...

11/27/11
The stag collapsed among the violet blooms, a plume of butterflies scattering in his wake; his eyes glittered with silent joy.
You! Sister-friend long lost, never known! Let us meet again soon, oh, please.
His chest heaved, seeking the breath it had lost some time ago. Rire had been running for nearly as long as he'd been awake. And it was good, so good!
First, the tree, strange deer-tree, a thing he did not understand. The wide birch was silent as any other, but it felt different.
Three tiny deer came and went or came and sat before the buck gave up the search for what made this tree so strange. Off, off he flew, into the wood and upon a fawn and a stranger.
The stranger laughed and danced and wheeled and spun, pranced among the Fairy Rings and wove bright, twinkling lights into vibrant pelts. Rire was more than happy to accept her invitation to join, and the two embraced in a haphazard waltz - she one way and he the other, one moment together and another apart.
It was perfect, beautiful, chaotic joy - a deer whose heartsong was a harmony to his own.
The fawn came and went and danced and sat, fussed and praised. Rire could only laugh at her nonsensical doings. Other fawns joined and left, the group waxing and waning until only three remained - she, Rire, and a promising young thing.
The buck and his two ladies, fawns all three, cavorted across the wood. Flowers tossed, towers built and crumbled, laughter easy to find - all the world was right, and he could not complain when at last they all tuckered out and lay to rest and bid farewell to one another.
Yes... let us meet again soon, friends.

---

9/23/11
He could smell it, feel it in the air - a deer he knew.
Gradually, he frolicked his way to the Twins' hill where Ravus stood - but as he bowed his greeting to the silent stones, a burst of red caught him off guard.
Little friend Krystal!
The stag leapt with surprise and joy, and the two were off leaping and bounding - Ravus quite forgotten until Rire had settled down. With a bump and a laugh, he attempted to entice the great-antlered deer into a dance. It seemed to work, after many tries, but he soon realized she was, in fact, telling him to sit and be still.

So boring, friend Ravus. But I will sit. She seemed satisfied, and so he was content to be still.
But a body at rest will stay at rest, and he soon found himself dreaming.



Awake again, it was a different scent which greeted his senses.
Friend Phylux, sad friend Phylux, are you still unwell? Should I sit with you, too?
But even as Rire began to lower himself to the ground, the white-fluffed stag stood. Such sorrow! Such apology!
Why friend? No, no. Why this? Here, away - come, come! Come with me. We will play, and it will be well.
I will leap and you will prance, and I shall dance upon your antlers. We'll chase the rabbits and tag the fawns, and laugh with the tiny deer there.
Are you well, now, Friend? I am glad you smile again.

I am so very glad.

---

8/19/11
The wind whispered high among the tree boughs, gossiping with the leaves of the oaks and neeldes of the pines, begging the birches for sweet secrets. The Forest felt empty, and it cast the stag back to younger days when deer were few and far between. Nostalgia and old faces' smiles both warmed and saddened his heart for just a moment before he brushed it gently away.
Although there was a curious herd of rabbits encircling a miniature stranger, little else seemed to be going on - and even they were asleep. He made his own fun for a time, circling and gaping at the group before darting away to gaze from a distance. Then, on a whim, he was off and about, over the stream and around the pond and splashing into the water with satisfaction. He watched the Idol weep for a while and observed the drowsy clouds as they scuttled by.
A lonesome voice rang out across the woods, and Rire answered once - but something drew him back to the pond's shore instead of the voice's source. He longed for company, but for once a rambunctious lot just wouldn't do. No... This dozing fawn was the obvious choice.
He pressed close until the little one vanished into dreams of purple mist. Alone again, the buck lay his head upon the ground with a wistful sigh and watched the wind ripple and dance across the water.
The Forest was beautiful, full of peace and serenity he hadn't seemed able to find for some time... He longed for a friend to share it with, but the frogs would simply have to suffice.
Croak.

---

6/19/11
It felt good to be running, to be leaping among the clouds - or at least as close as any deer ever got. He paused long enough to dance for a fawn and its companion - dear, dear friend Phylux. With much beckoning, the fawn rose to join him in the air, bouncing from hoof to hoof and twirling on nothing at all. The grand white fellow only watched. How odd.
When the tiny one had meandered away and still his friend had not joined the fun, Rire dropped his head out of the clouds (at least a little) to investigate. A poke, a prod, a 'misplaced' nuzzle and a laugh - but the stag only tilted his head and stared.
Come, now, look, I'll leap! We'll race, Friend, you and I - up and over!
But still he stayed.
No? But this, surely - this always secures a laugh!
And yet...
Not even still? Are you ill, friend?
The buck's heart drooped as low as his now-grounded hooves.
...Then
I suppose...
I will simply sit beside you, until you are well again.





Ah, but I can't help it if those birds wish to change your pelt.
Sorry, friend - he simply would not be stopped.

Or perhaps it had been the bouncing red deer who suddenly appeared and turned Rire quite the handsome brown. Krystal, it has been so long!
Ah... Phylux is sleeping. He will not mind if I play for a while...

And so he did, and soon he found himself among the Geisha and... was that Ravus? The glimmer above her head was new, but surely it was his old friend. While the Painted Lady slumbered they painted themselves as butterflies, and found a mask of rough comparison to her face. Laughing all the while, the buck put on a show of temper as the Geisha was wont to do to him when he was about - and indeed, when she awoke, she sneezed herself clean and turned to sulk.

But they had left on unhappy terms the last time, and so Rire sought to make ammends; rather, he pranced and showed himself as favorably as he was able to the Lady.
See? I make you look good. Can't we be lovely together?
She did not think so.
Broken-hearted again, Rire lay in defeat for some time until the Lady faced him once more and drew nearer. Had she approved? Joy! But... oh... no, it is a greeting for the little red one.
It took a great more doing before the Geisha even allowed him close.
[the rest in a libbit, watchin' a movie]

---

4/7/11
You were so much fun before... Lady Geisha, Lady Geisha, play with me, please! Won't you? Why not? Look! It's fun. The water is fresh and cool, let me share it!
But Lady! Come back, stop running! I can't share it if it all falls off first!
Geisha... Why won't you play with me?
I want to see your pretty smile, not those prickly antlers - and certainly not your bottom.
You make friend Ravus sad...
It isn't much fun.



.....Will you play with me if I bring you a bunny?

.......This bunny is bigger than I remember.
But that's good, right?
Won't you play now?

---

3/2/11
Dance, little fawns! I will teach you!

---

2/28/11
Cantering, cantering, wheeling and whirling among birches and pines and oaks, hooves scattering grass and birds and bees alike - a sand devil's messenger flying across the Forest.
There were a few deer he recognized, but they were greeted only with enthused circles, a heartbeat's hello before he raced off and away again, fleet feet dancing across the floor.
Celebration, celebration, joy, love and laughter - merry prancing, swiftly racing, ever after -
after wind and after feather, through the bushes, through the heather, across the meadows, through the plains until he reached the tremendous rocks again.
Why cower, little fawn?
His rejoicing faded, distracted, redirected to the fawn's fright. Was that Mateo?
The stag's heart leapt for joy only to come crashing down again with the realization that his friend was fighting - and fighting fiercely. Rire stood guard over the little one until the battle carried the two stags farther away, and he followed them hesitantly.
A break, a pause, and the buck rushed in, urging the pair to remain apart - but to no avail. One surged forward, reared, brought hooves down on his back; from the other side, tines pricked his sides.
Dancing, fluttering away, Rire moved back to sulk and to fret, to pace and worry and wait for his next chance. The two warred and raged long and hard, and at last the buck's friend began to tire. When his opponent did not back down, he could bear to stand by no longer.
Enough!
...Mateo?
No! Don't taunt him further.
What are you doing?
No.
GET BACK.
BACK.
BACK.
Again and again he lowered his head, butting against the dark-furred stag's shoulder, forcing him back and back again until, at last, he gave up and his foe departed.
Angry and concerned, Rire stalked after his friend until he lay down.
About time. Rest!
The fool.

The pair were joined by a new stag, one who seemed to be close to Mateo - and so Rire allowed him.
Little did he know that once Mateo had drifted to sleep the newcomer would seek a game as readily as Rire; the older buck welcomed the chance to relax and throw away the earlier stresses.
Dancing, laughing, leaping and lining, calling and shouting for more to join in - yes. He liked this fellow, indeed.

---

2/22-23/11
Nimble hooves pounded through the forest of towering birches, stirring up dust and swishing down grass as they skittered by. Away, away, to familiar friends and faces!
Ravus! Geisha! Won't you dance with me? No? Too tired? Then to the fawns!
He danced and spun and made altogether too much noise, but his little crowd grew - a fawn, a second, a stranger, a crow! The buck's mask echoed with merriment. Surely the lazy lot could see how much fun it was, now?
No? Well, I know how to fix that one, don't I!
Grinning, he tore through the forest again - this time for the Twins' hill. A bow, an offering, and he had a new surprise in store thanks to a small sleeper. Bow and depart, run and race and fly and soar, hooves hardly touching the ground - so good, so good to run beneath warm sunlight, friends just ahead!
Ah, but careful now, tiptoe, step, careful hoof...
Back-step, side-step, inch forward, a bit more...
Glow of gold,
away!
Away, lest she flay your hide!
Come and get me, Geisha, pretty lady! I think blue suits you fine, but I know you disagree!
He laughed and leapt and danced away, brown eyes gleaming within the confines of his mask. High above he figured he was safe from any looming antlers - and so he was, but the golden spell certainly caught him. It only made him laugh all the more; Mateo's twin soon danced upon the air.
Tikwid! You will dance with me. Come, come!
And they danced, until the little one had grown tired and all had gathered together, warm and comfortable.

Deer drifted in and deer drifted out, until only Ravus and her twin remained; they laughed and danced and spun eye-befuddling circles until Rire's sides ached with laughter.
And then they raced to the strange fountain and laughed some more, and soon Rire had a twin of his own. They lay to rest, a perfect pair, unable to tell or part one from the other. Not even the casting fawns could figure it out.
Friend Ravus, what a fool I was to abandon you all. How could I have forgotten?
Ah, my feathers... Yes, you are right. It's time I had them back again. What need have I for tines?

---

2/14/11
Brown eyes flickered open to take in dark, quiet woods. This was not where he wanted to be. Not any more. Warmer trees were calling, softer grasses, bright faces...
Home.
The stag's eyes lit up as he stepped at last into the bright birch forest, felt the warm fingers of sunlight grace his back. It had been so long...
How long?
A familiar scent answered the unspoken question. Running, leaping, flying to the great bird-stag! Phylux, Phylux! A head tilt, a cock to one side, tilt and tilt again - Don't you know me?
Perhaps he had mistaken... But no, a bow, and...
Could it be?
Rire's ears flicked to attention, pressed forward eagerly. He tested his voice, curious, and awaited an answer to his call - but none came.
No matter.
Racing, racing, rush and find her there, listening with disbelief.
Ravus, Ravus, friend Ravus, I am sorry! But I am here, and we are running, and all will be well again.
The elegant doe who had lain beside his friend did not grant such an eager greeting, and soon received new headgear. She didn't seem too keen on that, either, and soon was blazing red with fury - but that was the Geisha the buck had come to know and expect - and even, occasionally, sometimes, every now and then feel affection for. But only sometimes. Grumpy pants.
Run and run and run and run and drop, exhausted, laughing and panting beside the pond's willows.
Yes....
It is good to be home.

---

December 2010-February 2011
Sleep long...
Sleep deep...

12/18/10
IT IS WRONG!
It is wrong, wrong to be so angry!
Angry like this!
My heart cries, it is wrong!

But I am so angry!
I stream through the forest,
biting
kicking
lashing.

They are only trees,
but their sweet hum
is so sad as I tear at their bark,
so sad as I shred their helpless skins.

But I am angry
so angry
and it frightens me,
and the fear makes me angrier.

It is wrong.

It is wrong.

But I am too angry to care,
and the bark falls like leaves.


I run to my beloved birches,
and it is their mournful whistle that,
at last,
forces me to stop.

And I fall,
helpless as they,
beside their tattered sheaves of bark.

It is wrong.

Friends do not tear at each other.
I cannot be both sides;
I am torn,
torn,
torn in two.

You are tearing me in two,
and I feel so small.



---



Ravus...
I want to sleep.
Maybe I will just sleep for a while.
I am so tired.

Dublin...
Stop sniffing me.
It tickles,
and I don't want to laugh.

Mateo...
Sit down.
You should sleep, too.

Little Rainflower...
Will you rest with me,
Friend?


I am so tired...
So tired...






.....Dublin.
Shut.
Up.



Stop following me.
Ravus, I am too tired for this.
Leave it be.
...But little Rain,
you can come.

---

12/16/10
I am a frog.
I am a big frog.
Croak. Hello!
Croak. My legs are so long!
Croak. Why are you angry at her now? She was sleeping peacefully beside you a moment ago.
Achoo. Look, the frog is gone. Is it better, now?
No?

Geisha, you are being ridiculous.
Stop, your hooves hurt.
Geisha.
That's stupid.

Fine. I'll be stupid, too.
A poke, a prod, a "misplaced" nuzzle -
These are the rewards for your incessant anger.

Ravus, do not give in to her.
It only makes her feel justified.
This behavior should not be rewarded pleasurably.

Calmer, now?
Good.
Maybe I will make a habit of this.

Perhaps I should not encourage the little one, though...

...But it is funny to see him pester the Geisha as I do.
. . . No, he is a heathen child. Ravus's child! Not my problem!

But I still laugh.

Are you well, little deer?
Did her hooves strike you?
Did her tines touch?
Vasska, do not pounce on her; let her rest.
You are not supposed to mimic the Geisha.
She is rude.
...Oh, but...
You are asking her to move?

That is better, then.
But let her rest.
Here, little one, I will rest beside you until you are safe.

But if you are well, then,
I have a fawn to follow.
Off, away! Farewell! Be well!

There you are, friends.
Oh, a bare one?
Here, take these.
Is that what you seek?
No? A dance?
Alright, then, for a little while.

Will you play, friends?
Look, see this trick I've learned with the water!
Up and wiggle, wobble, fall!
Did...
Did you see it?
Here, I'll do it again.

That time?
Are you ignoring me?
One more.
Right in front.
Yes!
Oh, you are a little wet, now... Sorry.
But look!
Come play with me!

Or walk,
slowly,
away...

I suppose I will find Vasska, then.
But he is sleeping...

Very well.
I will find someone else.

Or maybe I will just enjoy the birch trees...
Maybe I will melt into them,
and fade away
as the birds croon
a lullabye...

---

12/14/10
A bow, a prayer, dear Twins; good evening to you.
Surely Gustiro will not badger me in their presence?

A pelt?
The green scales are not my favorite,
But I will wear them as a sign of good will.

I am curious, now.
Will you good, now, too?
Should I return the favor? Should...
I will follow then - but slowly.

Did you mistake me for someone?
Did you mean to cough?
But you don't turn me away.
I have a spell, too.
Will you take it?

...Oh, dear, it doesn't show.
My magic is not good today.

Oh, fawns!
What were you like,
as a fawn,
Gustiro?

Were you grumpy?
Did you frolic?
Did you laugh?
I have never seen you smile, I don't think.
Did you smile, once?

Little fawns, little fawns, play with me; let us skip.
A spell for you, too!
Oh, no, I did not mean for you-
No, don't be angry, friend Gustiro! I did not think I had missed...
Let us... Let us frolic a little further away, then.
There are other deer here.
Let us dance where they cavort.

Ah, hello, little Dublin. Are you well?
Dance with us, please!
Won't you?
We are nearly twins,
And the fawns would wish it so.

I hear Ravus,
but she is far.
She would dance, Dublin.
...Is that the great red stag,
A fawn upon your back?

I like this fawn,
who dances with me.
Who are you, little friend?
A great V, a little cousin of Vodun - distant Dublin kin, a box, a line.
You are great fun, and fun you seek.

Devil's Child! I see you there,
Crafty, troublesome, tiresome,
somehow cute,
Vasska.
Who is your red-streaked friend?

Ravus!
Friend Ravus!
I should have known you would not be far behind.
Run and leap and spin!
Dance with us, friend Ravus-
The little fawn
and me.

No?
Then guard little Vasska, yes.
He puts his nose where it should not go.
Like the fierce white doe's tail.

Friend fawn.
Where are you going?
The tiny pond,
Strange place with thunder's voice.
You are a great rabbit.
The Geisha would like you.
A squirrel?
No, I will be.. Yes, a grand frog.
Croak.
Yes, frogs both!
Croak, Croak.
A long-legged splashing dance we perform,
With bursts of flowers above our heads
to applaud us.

Are you tired, now,
Little friend?
Then rest your head,
And I will keep watch
Until you fade into dreams,
With pungent smoke the only trace of your memory.
We will meet again.

The fawn is gone,
And I am curious again.
Gustiro has not moved.
Carefully,
I will sit here,
And I will watch with kind eyes.
Are you like the Geisha, Gustiro?
Fierce to all but those who strike you properly?
I want to see you smile.

...Ravus will make that more difficult.

. . . Vasska will make it impossible.
Heathen child!
Little devil!
Are you crazy?
Off, get off of him!
No, no, he is sorry - I am sorry!
Don't hurt him.
Vasska, no.
Come here.
Come here.
Come here.
Sit.
I will sit on you,
And you will not move.
No, you will not move.
Vasska.
SIT DOWN.
SIT.
DOWN.
PLEASE.

You are impossible.
Twin Gods have mercy on me,
Grant me patience.
And a little bit of my sanity back, please.
....Will you get out of my tail?
RAVUS, WHERE DID YOU GO.
DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE WITH HIM!

....If you are under my tail
.....Then I can sit on you.
Be.
Still.
...Fine, sit on my back.
Just...
Stop moving.
Thank you.
NO.

. . . How do does do it?

I will begin again, then.
You limp away, Gustiro.
You have been fighting again.
Why?
If you could be friends with others,
And not chase them away,
You would be whole.

Ravus,
Can't he smile?

. . .

I am glad that fawn listens to someone, Ravus.
If only you could make him listen to me.
I wouldn't worry so much that he would be kicked and beaten, then.
Wishful thinking.
I will just let him be your problem, then.

...So I say.
I know it probably will not be so.
Wishful thinking, again.

---

12/10/10
Where is everyone today?
Ah! Leyawiin?
No... She sleeps.
Then I'll go look for a new friend today.
What about... Hm... Maybe...
No...
This way?
Maybe... that way.
Yes.
Oh! Sianna, you are here?
But... So is she.
Sit?
Well...
If you are between us.
It is not so bad.
Maybe she is alright.

But now I am the only one awake,
And I am restless.
And thirsty...
Yes, the pond.
Oops, I've fallen in.

Croak.
...You too?
Together, then!
Run, jump, splash, leap, bound, waltz, and shake!
And rear?
Oh!
That...
That looks like fun.
How clever!
How smart!
Thank you, friend! I will use this!

...On Sianna, no less!
Did I scare you?
No?
I will pretend it did.
Here, you look too dry.
Have some of mine!

We played for a long, long time,
But where is my little frog friend now?
Another day, then.

Sianna, are these your friends?
You are just standing there.
Come, run!
...Not after the rabbit?
Wh...
I don't get it.
Why are you stomping on it?
Here, I'll lay on it. It won't hurt you.
That tickles, little rabbit. Stop wiggling!

...Sianna
...You are a little heavy.
. . . I think we squished it.

Poor rabbit.

.
.
.

Geisha?
Yes! I smell the Geisha.
Geisha!
But she is not coming.
Perhaps she wants to sit alone.
She often does.
She is strange.
But Ravus likes her.

I want to sit in that tree.
But I am not very good at catching its branches.
Perhaps it is too small.

Ravus!
Yes, it is Ravus!
Ravus, Ravus, come and play!
Dance with me!
Sing with me!
Let's run!
Let's...
You aren't paying any heed.
Well.. Let's go to Sianna!
Come, come!
...Go?

But I've left Sianna all alone.
It's rude.
Then... I will stay with Sianna.
...Even though she has fallen asleep.

Oh, hello, Geisha!
Oh... Your friends?
Okay then.
I'll just watch.

Ravus, why are you so far away?
Come closer.
Yes.
Hello ♥

...Geisha?
For me?
A greeting? A touch?
I am visible today, after all!
And special, too!

...Hey!
Hey, now, what!
What are you doing to her?
Off, shoo, little red fiend!
Hey, off, heavy hooves!
You do not dance upon deer while they sleep.
That is rude, too.

Move?
No. Shoo!
Thank you.

Ah - yes, Ravus, I can play now... But now I am tired.
Let me rest a minute.
...A minute too long?
Hello, dear ones.
Thank you for keeping me warm.

...Sianna, it's only a frog.
A very large...
DEER.
NO, RAVUS, DON'T MOVE.
Let me hide behind your antlers.
Why do you laugh?
It isn't funny.

Sianna? What's wrong?
Ravus, not you too.
I'm sure he didn't mean it.
...Why does he keep following her?
Yes, fly high, Sianna.

...Still?
Such rudeness today.

But he is gone, soon enough.

Another rabbit?
No, Geisha.
Oh?
I am Mateo.

And now I am tired again.
I'd best get some sleep.
Take care, friends.

---

12/1/10
The stag sighed wistfullly, watching the world go by from the playground's spectacular view. Every so often his gaze would drift to the doe resting nearby, to reassure himself that she hadn't up and died on him.
So many faces I could have done without today... And all in the same place!
As usual, things had started well enough - but then the grumpy red stag had passed by, leading away the one Rire recognized as Vodun. Anxious, the buck had watched them go and eventually crept near enough to reassure himself that no harm had come to the gray deer. When he returned to the larger group, however, he had found that a dispute had broken out between Ravus and a different gray deer.
Again, Ravus?
So much, lately!
First with the red one, then with one I did not see - did you think I would not notice those scratches?
Rest, Ravus; you will hurt yourself.
But he had been brushed aside, and the bristled pair's antlers clashed - soon joined by Mateo's as well.
Torn between a desire to get away from the whole mess and the need to make sure his friends were safe, the stag had lingered by a tree and watched listlessly as they tore each other apart.
Every so often, when the lot had broken apart to breathe, the buck would step forward and try to keep them from returning to the fray - but never was he successful.
In the end, he had given up and taken to watching from the sidelines with his head on the ground, frustration seething from every pore.
Leyawiin had joined them, and he lay beside her, seeking her warm comfort.
However, he soon found himself on his hooves again, rearing and baring his antlers as the commotion swung too near to his dear friend.
Go away! I'm tired of it!
When at last the two sides had called a ceasefire, Rire found himself too upset to even look at his friends, and pointedly turned his back.
I won't encourage it. I won't. I won't. Leave me be!
He was glad for the white doe's company - although today she was looking rather brown.
When Leyawiin had fallen asleep and Ravus took her place, Rire edged away - at the same time Sianna moved. Poor Ravus was left with a great gap between her friends and herself, and had gotten up to keep company beside a tree, instead.

...Rire felt bad.
I... Perhaps just...
Just quickly...
I am angry,
but you are not unforgiven.

...But I still don't want to sit with you. Yet.
A brief nuzzle, and then away!
But now it was Rire who was sitting alone, as Sianna and Caen had taken his movements as a cue to relocate to Ravus's tree.
Cautious, the antlered doe had crept to the buck and asked him to rejoin them - though the other two deer had suddenly taken off. So much motion!
Maybe if you were a peacock.
And she was.
They laughed, perhaps a bit uneasily, but it felt good. ...Well, better.

Very well, then. Let's find the others.
Soon the duo rested beneath the arch of the playground's leaning slab, and Rire allowed himself to drift away into dreams.
I'm still mad, though.

---

11/30/10
It is nice to have good company, Rire yawned.
He had spent most of the day in good company - first with a stranger, casting pelts on another deer he didn't know. The fellow was oddly bird-like, but seemed a nice enough fellow - albeit a quiet one.
Then the little fawn had joined him - Vasska. He had been with Ravus not long ago, and he'd found the fawn a curiosity then. A third joined them, and they danced up a storm until little Vas took off after someone else - Dinah. The Forest is full today!
Wary of the fawn's games and what tiny scraps he knew of the white doe from the fight he had witnessed some time ago, Rire stood guard over the little one until he grew bored and wandered away again.
I suppose I should keep an eye on him. Fawns are fun anyway.
Little did he know!
Soon the little tyke had managed to not only goad the Geisha into trying to maim him, but to get Rire in the middle before dragging the poor stag away to prance into the midst of a raging fight. Rire recognized the deer he had casted with earlier, but dared not interfere in the others' affairs except to protect little Vasska. He couldn't do his job very well all torn up, now, could he?
What did I get myself into? he grumbled.
And back to the Geisha! Ooh, she was terribly mad - stomping and huffing and shaking sharp antlers at Rire's face.
Little Vasska cast a butterfly's fur over Rire's vibrant argus swirls, and the stag gave the Geisha a taste of her own medicine.
She found it about as bitter as Rire did, but not even half as funny, and eventually departed to sulk.
At least the fawn isn't hurt. He's a child, Geisha! Smile, won't you? He will learn.
He hoped.
Finally - finally! FINALLY! the fawn was tired, and lay down to rest at Ravus's side. Rire gladly did the same, and soon found himself asleep and... a peacock?
Oh-ho, Ravus!
Then you will be a whale.
The Geisha had joined them, then, and Rire slunk up to her.
Are you still angry, Geisha?
No?
I am forgiven?
Then I am glad, so glad!

Ah! Sianna! Sianna, are you well? Have you been hurt?
You are well?
Good.
But I still do not much like that stag.
They drowsed in good company, keeping close to ward off the chill of the snow that fluttered against their pelts like a thousand flickering moths, a world of ice's ash.
Finally - my peaceful Forest returns for a while.
And to complete a pleasant day, the young stag awoke to an old friend he had not seen in a long time; he and Leyawiin danced for the Twin Gods like no one was watching, and he found himself quite warm despite the snow.

---

11/28/10 (Afternoon)
Rire wuz heer
Hello, Ravus. Sorry I missed you.
You would look so much prettier with feathers, but I'm sure you prefer your big red antlers. So I left them for you. ♥

---

11/28/10 (~2am)
I feel horrible, Rire moped, sitting away from his group of friends for once. A tree kept him company instead as he kept a brooding eye on the gathering of deer before him.
You can't fight off someone's friends. It isn't right. His stomach churned at the recollection of a downhearted doe as she was herded away by a boisterous red stag.
Things had started out swell! The day had been perfect - he'd joined Ravus, his dear friend, and they had found Sianna, with whom Rire was less familiar. It wasn't long before he discovered Sianna was a great deal of fun, however, and the decision on whether or not he should like the doe was simple and instant. They had sprinted for what seemed like hours, this way and that, up and over and around. He had paused, once, to try to entice the Geisha into romping with them - only to jolt in alarm as prongs pricked his posterior. Hey now! A little close, aren't we? - but she had laughed and started up the canter again, and Rire had done the same. Might as well, now that he had a fire under his tail where the tines had pricked. It soon faded, but the group danced and played until they found themselves at the ruins.
A rest? Good, I was about to need one. I could drink the whole pond! ...Wow, look at all the deer.
And there were a lot of deer. They were watching something.
A fight.
He recognized a select few deer in the crowd - the tiny blue-furred doe he had danced with once the only one he was really familiar with outside of simple passing. He didn't readily recognize either of the combatants, but the kind little doe looked terribly concerned - and, well, their brawl was heading towards his friends. He couldn't help but be anxious, too.
Before the pair could reach the group, however, one of them collapsed.
Is he alright? Rire wasn't one to take sides unless he knew the deer. Cautiously, he moved forward to glance over both parties. Well... neither was dead, and that would have to be enough, he supposed. The buck took a seat a ways away from the fallen fellow to keep an eye out for him.
A strange doe took things a little further, however, and viciously guarded the fallen stag. She threatened Rire with her antlers, but he had only shaken his head and bowed. She seemed taken aback at this, but returned his bow and ventured away from her comrade long enough to sniff at Rire.
Somewhat reassured that no one had been done serious... well, gravely serious harm... Rire had ventured off after his friends again - only to find that Ravus was locking antlers with a stag he didn't know.
Oh, come on.
Things had gone downhill from there. It took some time, but eventually Rire saw what was happening: Sianna, looking sad, attempted to show the stag that the group were her friends, and that they should all get along. The jealous stag, however, would have none of it, and as soon as anyone else got near, his antlers were there to block the way - and sometimes also to clear it.
It was a long ordeal, from Sianna's painstaking attempts to Rire's stubborn refusal to either leave Sianna's side or to fight (So much for finally getting my shoulder back in shape) - but in the end, the stag with giant antlers had forced his new playmate off into the distance.
Can't we do anything, Ravus? She looks so sad... Doesn't he see?
The young stag slumped beside a tree and sighed, resting his head against the wood.
What happened to the old Forest?
Where has the peace gone?

---

11/24/10
My shoulder doesn't hurt so much any more. It is good to run and jump and play.
There are so many fawns - and they frolic so readily! These fawns are fun.
Who is this little one who stays so near? He is familiar, but I have never seen him before.
Ah, well. Forget it - let us dance!
Let's swim!
Mateo, won't you come swim? No? Well, take some water anyhow.
Friends come and go, and eventually it is only red that remains.
Even the Geisha?
...Yes, Ravus, you have convinced me. She can stay.

---

11/18-19/10
No butts buts about it: Ravus and I had fun today.

---

11/17/10
My shoulder is better today. It is stiff, when I rise, but after I move for a bit it is better.
We fly. Like the brown-red birds, we fly, leaping and dancing as we scrape the branches of the nearest birch. Ravus's antlers make the branches sing a rattling song that matches our tip-tapping hooves, and we laugh until our sides are fit to burst. Then we rest.
Ravus rests too long; soon she is Mateo, and Mateo is Ravus.
Tikwid! Tikwid, wonderful helper! You come always at the right moment.
We call across the forest - call, answer, answer, call, and laugh.
I should not run so much; my shoulder is angry. But Ravus, you needed those great loop-pronged antlers! They compliment you so.
The fawn runs with me. It is not one of the fawns I know, but his eyes are bright and he does not sneeze away the magic as some do when I offer to play. He looks a little puzzled, but we dance, we three, for Ravus and Mateo, beneath the sun-sweet warmth of the gaps between birches.
Join us, Ravus! Come, Mateo! Don't you like your new face?
No..?
Dance with us anyway.
Or perhaps just rest some more.

No fights today.
No arguments,
no disputes.
Let us laugh.
This is the Forest I love, bright and joyous.
The quarrelers can jump in the pond. Its cleansing power would do them good.

To the Oak, now, and let us dance some more!
The fawn watches.
We dance until we drop, worn out, and I awake cold and alone -
But icy snow and Ravus find me almost as soon as I find myself, and we chase the flakes as they flutter down. I catch one on my nose, and it tingles away to nothing.
I would play more, my friends, but the Oak is singing me a lullabye, and I have already run too far today.
Your company keeps me warm despite the weather. Thank you, dear ones. Until tomorrow.

---

11/15-16/10
I should have rested more today, Rire groaned as he slumped into the flower patch. But no, he just haaaaad to trot around after his friends and work up his shoulder. I'll be more careful next time I run in the mud, he promised himself.
Overall, he hadn't gotten himself too torn up the day before - a few scratches on his shoulders, a deep, dark bruise here and there, a number of deeper gouges from stray tines... His greatest undoing had been that slip in the mud and his now-stiff shoulder.
I've never hurt before, though, he thought sadly as he lay his head down. The Forest wasn't always like this.
But those were sad thoughts. No, he wouldn't have any of that tonight. Enough of that!
He had found company with Mateo and the little green gremlin he didn't know very well. Mateo was a friend of the great bird-stag, so surely he was... alright, if immature. A stranger had joined them, and Rire soon found himself prettying up the bare-pelted deer. The newcomer seemed to appreciate the attention, and remained with the buck when his companions found themselves distracted elsewhere. They lay beside the pond for a while, after a cool drink, until Rire opened his eyes to find his new friend had gone. May we meet again, kind heart.
He had found the odd couple again, now united with Ravus. The lot of them seemed fascinated with sniffing a ragged-furred doe Rire did not know. Curious, he chanced a whiff before laying beneath the cool shadow of the Playground's sloping stone. ...He didn't smell anything unusual. Oh well, whatever made them happy.
When it became noise and rambunctious behavior which entertained them, however, Rire made a point of getting up and moving over. A sullen glare was cast from within the confines of his mask, hidden behind its eternal grin. If they don't stop shouting, I might start, he had grumbled to himself. Eventually, though, they had settled down, and the doe had joined them in their rest.
The group had moved about throughout the day, pausing here and there to relax between bouts of spellcasting and bouncing. Even Cyric had joined, as Karuna's twin. Cyric! I have not seen Cyric since I was hardly more than a fawn! It pleased the young stag to see a deer who had been such a large - if distant - figure in his fawnhood. Cyric had always been in the Forest, and it had seemed that he always would be. Perhaps, now, he really would.
The Geisha had surprised him. A nuzzle? Had she ever done that befor... A spell? Fleeing hooves!
Why... Wasn't that his own game?
.....Geisha! I may teach you yet! ....I suppose Ravus can keep you.
He'd just have to get rid of the ache in his leg, first, so he could keep up. Oh, to run again!

---

11/14/10
It is cold. It is cold, and it is wet. I shake the water from my fur again and again and again, but it returns heavier than before.
I find Ravus, curled tight against others, and we make the best of each other's company.
---
We play. Others come, and we play. I am dressed like the great bird-stag, and we prance together, bold white amid the gray day.
Why do you bare your antlers at me, friend? I do not know you. I have not wronged you.
...Why do you bare them at the others? The little one is afraid. Stop it.
Stop!
I am not sad, as when my friends fought.
No. I am... I am angry?
How dare he chase others like that.
Stand behind us, little one - no, not off again!
The little one doesn't understand that I am after his chaser. We are helping.
No, little one - I am a friend. See? I bow. Yes, stand beside me. I won't let him near.
Phylux! Do you hear me?
Yes.
Come! We are here.
Where is Ravus?
...Ah, with Geisha.
Whoever the stranger is, he will not get by so many of us.

Your friend is awake, little one?
Farewell, then. Be careful.
...I am tired,
but I will not retrieve my feathers just yet.
...Just in case.

Phylux - I have not known you long, and I do not know you well, but I am grateful for your company today. ...My tail, however, is not.

What? Again?
There are more of us now. Why don't you give up?
We won't let you into the Great Oak. You won't get past our line.
...Or maybe you will just jump over us.

I am slowing. I don't keep up very well, right now.
A fall in the mud, and I am done. I cannot run on this leg right now.
It is good to see the does protecting the smaller deer.
Let me rest for a while - let fresh hooves join the chase.
...Have I dozed off?

---

11/10-11/10
Is the Geisha still mad? Perhaps I will sit on my own for a while, then, and not leap quite so much...

Hello, Leyawiin. How are you, lovely dove?

These flowers are nice, and quiet.

...Oh. Hello, everyone.

It is good to see Karuna again. It seems like it has been so long.

Ravus! No, not behind - above! ...Way above. Can you see so high?
...I can see the playground and the Twins from here. Is this what they see? Is our pond always their puddle?
......I wonder if I can go higher.

...Not today. Oh well.

This new orange deer is fun. I hope we meet again.

I do love fawns.
My, how frightful your new antlers are, little one! You will surely grow to be strong.

Ah, Ravus. You always make me smile.

---

Where did the date go? Find it, Rire!
What a shame, that the Geisha would not play with us - or even the little fawn. It must be terrible, to be so grumpy all the time. But perhaps today it is just the rain. She has to laugh some time?
He had tried. He had. Mostly, though, he had just made the doe angry with his antics. No? he shook his head with a curious tilt. Why not? His hoof struck the ground and he took a couple of jovial steps before nodding. Come dance with us. Another tilt of his head. Please?
When she had declined both Ravus and himself, Rire had grinned - oh, an idea! Why not just move the dance to her, if she would not move to it?
...But that didn't last for long, either. Away she went!
An awkward game of tag-and-dance had ensued, but to little avail. Ravus even seemed to cower a little before the Geisha's scowl. He couldn't imagine mighty Ravus was afraid of much of anything, but there she was, right in front of his own eyes, looking meek. This was the doe who took on two stags just days before?
Rire tried turning his back on the Geisha as she turned her back on them. Maybe if he played her own game, and she saw how much fun he and Ravus were having without her? Maybe she would get lonely enough to join the fun.
...No, still too stubborn.
Then the fawn had joined them, and Rire was quick to get the little one into a dance. He was playing at being tiny, today, and the Geisha had seemed at least somewhat amiable when she had first noticed him. Surely the fawn with its sweet face could do better than he?
...No, maybe not. Not even for the sad face?
...Not even for the sad face.
Well, now what.
Rire huddled under a tiny mushroom to ponder. Ravus laughed at his teeny umbrella, but he fit under it just fine, for the moment. It was a bit crowded when the Geisha joined him, however - and, well, three's a crowd, and Ravus's antlers made four. They did help catch the drops that would have fallen on the bit of his mask which protruded from the mushroom's canopy, though.
He must have dozed off, because the next thing he knew he was blazing white instead of his usual mesh of gold and brown. The young stag hauled himself up with a laugh and spread the blue halo around. The Geisha didn't seem to like that much, but Ravus soon had the other doe white again. Energy renewed, Rire had set off at a canter, and by the time he had looped around to pass the does again, the Geisha was butterfly-brown again. He couldn't resist a fly-by spell.
...The doe didn't appreciate it, though, and zip - there she went again. Much farther, this time.
Rire followed, still laughing a little. I'm sorry, but it was funny. Why won't you smile with us?
But she wouldn't have his appology. Instead, she had set herself out in the middle of the rain, her back pointedly turned upon him. Oh well.
He sat down in spite of her temper. Look, I'm behaving now.
...Aaand away she goes. A downhearted Ravus replaced her.
Bit by bit the Geisha had returned, but Rire figured she was still unhappy with them.
What a grump.
He'd have to fix her one of these days, if Ravus was going to insist on keeping her around...

---

11/6/10
Leyawiin had seemed afraid of his new mask. Confused (as she wore a very similar one herself), Rire had run and tried to play with her and her friends for a time, but had eventually sought to amuse himself alone instead. Armed with several antler spells, he charged through the forest and zapped unsuspecting deer with new headgear. One was even granted a new face, just for good measure, before Rire trotted, laughing between pants, to get a drink from the pond. Ah! the cool water, slick against his parched throat. Playing is hard work!
And then he had an idea. A terrific idea.
Why not flyby a shape spell?
Soon, Rire was comfortably seated in the midst of a fairy ring - and it was not long before he let himself doze off.
The roar of approaching hooves woke him not long after, and a familiar scent made him grin as he opened his eyes behind his mask. Oh-ho. She thought she would catch him asleep, did she? Peacock him, maybe, for revenge? Not this time, dear Ravus! A burst of light, and the charging doe became a harmlessly fluttering dove; Rire fell to the ground, gasping with laughter. When he had regained his composure (save for the occasional chuckle), he settled on the ground beside his friend - ah! But what was this? Suddenly Rire himself was a dove. Touche.
They worked this to an advantage, however; in the guise of simple doves, they managed to peacock a sleeping deer. Rire eventually recognized him from the day before, and Ravus's spellcasting on a random stag made a lot more sense.
But alas, Ravus could not finish the job. After she had departed, Rire finished masking their victim, for her sake, and ran off in a flurry of fleeing hooves and laughter.

Ravus, what have they done? Why do you shake your antlers so? What did I awaken to?
He brushes against you - is that not an appology? What happened? I don't understand.
Stop! Stop shouting, stop rearing, stop stamping your hooves. Ravus, don't dare them closer!
Why am I standing between the lot? I've lost my mind.
But I want it to stop.
It makes me sad.
It hurts my heart more than the antlers hurt my flesh.
Yes! Come with me, come away. If they follow, we will move again. We don't have to fight.
No more.
It is too sad.

What is it?
...I see.
They bow, Ravus. Let's move on.
Please?
Slowly...
And at last, we dance.
It is good.
I can smile again.

---

11/4/10
I slept too long again. But it had not been a Long Sleep. Only a little sleep. A half-long sleep. Not so much has changed. Change was often good, but today Rire was glad to have the comfort of familiar faces. Well, one familiar face. He'd found Ravus among two other deer after failing to follow Leyawiin's scent to its source (She must have gone to rest). The four had played for a time (I'm not so sure about some of it, though...), but soon the other two had left, and for the first time in what seemed a great while, Rire had Ravus to himself. A race ensued, although there was no finish line; perhaps it was more a game of chase, though no deer was 'it'. They cavorted, leapt, and dashed, frolicked, pranced, and darted until they found themselves at the strange fountain - and there they ran some more, just for the heckuvit. Round, round, round the giant fairy ring - round, round, round again, round in reverse, round forward, in and out and weaving through and through! They had taunted the mushrooms, daring them to strip the deer bare, testing the barrier hooftip by hooftip until the blue smoke swarmed across their pelts and they rolled, naked and laughing, to the ground.
And off again! Off, off through the birches, tall and wiry, thick and grand - bright, bright as the sunlight which streamed warmly across their pelts. Over and across and through the grasses, brush, and meadows - leaping, soaring, flying across the birches' Warm Line and into the Cool Shade of the First Forest.
Peaceful pond, so distant but bright, placid blue... What a lovely place to rest.
Rire often thought the same of many places within the Forest, but at that moment, friend by his side, it was the most enchanting sight his eyes had ever beheld.
The birds - sweet songbirds, croaking crows, rustling ravens - such beautiful music, soothing for a soul which sought only smiles. It was all he could do, to stay awake - and even his valiant efforts, in the end, were for naught; the buck lay his head to rest beside his companion's, the two breathing slow and deep as the world ambled by.

---

10/30/10
You better not forget this one, either >/

---

10/29/10
You better not forget to write this one, Rire >/

---

10/28/10
Crickets sang their nightsongs as Rire lay his head on the ground with a sigh, watching the water lap gently at the shores of the pond. His stomach churned a little; he felt guilty for disturbing the Geisha and Ravus, but he had only wanted a little company. When the Geisha removed herself from Ravus's side after Rire had joined them, the buck had puzzled over her odd, irritated behavior - and when she did not re-join the group, he had gotten up and scraped at the ground where he had been seated, looking at the lovely-pelted doe with baleful eyes hidden behind his mask. Take it. I'm sorry. Rire moved away from his friend to sit closer to the willow, instead, hoping to right the wrong he had unknowingly committed. His heart warmed a little when Ravus made a point of getting up to sit beside him again, and the Geisha had given in and joined them.
The lull of the water, birds, and bugs soon carried him away, however; it had been a long day for the young stag, and he was so tired... But at least now he had someone by his side as he dozed into the world of wooded wonders.

---

10/22-23/10
My eyes are so heavy, Rire sighed as he lay his head down on the leaf-littered floor of the Forest. I hate to fall asleep with so much company. And there were a good dozen or so about him. But we are all tired, so I suppose I'm not the odd stag out. And the air felt so cozy, despite the cool autumn air...
I hope I don't wake up with peacock feathers, Rire smiled. Ravus had found herself painted in vibrant green; Rire had been moments away from completing the set with a mask when the doe had awakened and stomped the ground with irritation. She had laughed, though, when Rire couldn't help his incessant giggling, and had even kept the decorations long enough for him to find the proper mask for her new look.
Soon, they were at the jumping logs with a new friend. Rire had never met the doe, though she seemed familiar. Rire's favorite fawns joined them - and then another deer - and another - and another. Rire knew some of the older deer, but many were strangers. The Forest is so much more full of life than it was before the Long Sleep, he thought. Another smile flickered across his lips as he drifted in and out of his doze. I like it.
The lot of them had lined up and danced, cast spells, played a game of run-and-chase, and then had lined up all over again and danced some more. New faces wandered into the group and joined in without second thought. This is Forest magic - not to make antlers or fur or faces - to make a family. Even the Geisha had joined the dance. Their hooves had struck a steady-yet-shuffling upon the ground for more time than Rire could track between the happy calls and rambunctious leaps and bounds; it was no wonder the group had, one by one, drifted away from the line and laid down to rest.
My eyes are so heavy, and the wind whispers my favorite lullaby... It's terribly hard... to stay awake... Good night, dear friends.

---

10/17/10
The Forest is a peaceful place, Rire grumped as he recalled his morning. We aren't meant to fight, much less in front of the gods. But that was more or less the first thing he'd found himself witnessing, after joining up with Ravus for a frolic. After a bit, Ravus had meandered away to watch a couple of deer. After studying the scene for a moment, Rire had realized the pair was fighting - and rather heavily. The buck approached cautiously, waiting for some sign that it was just a friendly spar - but it never came. The two reared and bellowed and clashed antlers, and Rire found himself positioned between the duelers and his friend. Surely Ravus could protect herself, of course, but it made Rire feel better, having her behind him - though his heart pounded within his chest as never before. When one of the combatants swerved too near, Rire had reared and flailed his hooves with a snort. You're too close! Back off!
He had made an attempt to nudge Ravus away, but the doe seemed intent on watching the battle for what seemed to be years to Rire. Eventually she had settled near a tree, and Rire stood guard beside her until a fawn had strayed onto the battleground. The buck had surged forward, leaping between the little one and one of the skull-faced deer as the scuffle brought them dangerously close. Ravus, too, had gotten to her feet and trotted forward to protect the tiny fawn, lowering her head threateningly every time the fight carried the pair too near to their charge.
At last, the gray-pelted deer had run off to nurse its wounds in the water, and the white-furred fighter had laid down before the Twin Gods. Rire didn't feel much like frolicking any more, so he had moved over to the tree where Ravus had previously been, and rested with her and the fawn.
Most of the rest of his day was a blur. I'm not too surprised, he sighed, with how distracted I was. A flicker of warmth embraced his heart, though, at the one thing he did remember - dancing with Leyawiin until the pair had found themselves before the gods - running to fetch Ravus over when she didn't answer his calls - and a long, merry dance of praise to the guardians of the Forest, with a blazing white pelt for every deer involved. I hope we made up for those others' intrusion, Rire murmured within his head as he fell away into sleep.

---

10/15/10
Today was awesome.

10/14-15/10
Rire opened his eyes and found himself without his usual vibrant coat. That was alright, though, because the sun was bright and warm upon his back, and that was all he really needed to wear - sunlight. The good and gentle warmth. The buck had drowsed in the sun for a while, simply listening to the others frolick about him as the pond lapped playfully at his hooves. The water was chilly with autumn's approach, but Rire didn't mind. Everything was so peaceful!
As always, however, that hadn't lasted long. Soon Rire found himself leaping and bucking with Ravus, mostly in celebration of the doe's hard work to get the young stag's usual appearance back into place. Rire thanked her for her kindness, and the two leapt off to play - only to find another deer in need of dressing. The pair set to work straightaway, and soon the other doe was looking rather dapper, too. Ravus and Rire bid farewell to the deer he knew but could not name, lay down to rest, and were shortly joined by Karuna. This formed the trio Rire had grown so fond of, and the buck drifted off in comfort and good company.
Then it was back to work; Rire sought out Leyawiin, and soon the two were hard at play. They thought it wise to consult their inner fawns for this matter, and were pleased indeed with the results. It is good to feel so young, Rire thought with a mirthful laugh. It's so easy and light. They leapt! They danced! They played with strangers, and Rire found himself a tiny red double. Even the maker of the River of Tears couldn't help but glow at the displays of joy around it.
At last, Rire's hooves faltered in their skipping dance, and the buck thought it best to bid his friends adieu and rest. I have a good life, Rire sighed happily. The Twin Gods are good to us.

---

10/11-12/10
Rain! Rire had rejoiced upon awakening. Rain everywhere! The buck kicked up his heels and sprinted, hardly noticing the mud that sucked at his hooves as he skimmed over the soggy ground. Rain! Rire had known of rain, but never before had he seen it. He'd always been asleep or off elsewhere. This was new! This was exciting! It's beautiful!
The fawn from the day before hardly slowed him down; Rire cavorted around the baffled little thing, and soon was off again with a friend in tow. Rire ran and ran and ran and ran, and it wasn't until he found himself beside the lake that he had realized how tired and thirsty it had made him. After a long gulp of water, Rire had shaken the water from his fur - though it was soon replinished - and settled beneath a willow, where Ravus and a deer he did not know were already reclining.
That hadn't lasted long, however; Rire was too excited to sit still, and soon he was up and frolicking with the fawn and a nameless stag. They cast antler spells again and again, and laughed as they strutted their new adornments in fabulous displays of manliness.
After having worn himself out a bit, Rire joined the Forest's newest fawn and guided him through his new home, showing him the wonders of the Forest -- Magic, the Playground, the strange fountain, and the simple joys of running. When Rire and the fawn could frolick no longer, the two lay down to sleep, and Rire rested with the gentle pitta-spat, titta-tat of rain upon the ground in his ears and the soft caress of warm water droplets trickling through his pelt slowly leading him into the Forest of Dreams.

---

10/10-11/10
I'm so tired, Rire groaned as he lay down. I feel like I ran all day! And in truth, he nearly had. The day had started with a good run, and he'd paused only to observe a large group of deer as they postured at one another in what he assumed to be some sort of conflict. Ravus had come along and distracted him from that, however, and the two had leapt away on hooves light as air. Rire had lost track of her and caught her hiding in a tree, and the two had lingered there to play for a time. A rabbit came along as they were goofing off, and must have been amused because he stuck around. The trio rested a while, then danced and pranced until they found themselves at the strange fountain. Lightning flashed just before Rire, and the buck had reared in fright as its angry voice crashed over him before both light and sound were gone as quickly as they had appeared. Rire's ears clanged with bells for a few seconds. When he had recovered, the group resumed frolicking and sipping from the water again and again. Rire found himself as a giant crow or rabbit - and once even a frog and a dove. From the sky, an idol dropped with a tremendous, ground-shaking whufp. Rire had been too busy staring in amazement to shake off the water that had cascaded over his plain pelt and unmasked face. Then the idol, too, vanished - as quickly as the lightning. It was replaced with a giant dandellion blossom. What a wondrous place! Rire recalled thinking. Why don't I come here more often? Another blinding flash and resounding crash answered his thoughts - and Rire had fled.
Shortly after the lot had left the fountain, Rire found himself separated from the others. Having lost track of them for the moment, Rire instead sought another's company, and soon found himself dancing with Leyawiin. She looks so different without her white fur, Rire had mused. Somewhere in their play, the doe's pelt had changed again. When she saw that her fur matched Rire's own, she had nodded with approval - and Rire smiled inside. The pair lay down to rest by the River of Tears, and were soon rejoined by Ravus (We make a rather fetching trio! Rire joked with himself).
A fawn Rire had never seen before joined them, and for a short time (after Rire had fallen into the water during play and shortly found himself "peacocked"), the little one was his double. Then Karuna had come along, and after a lot of horsing around, they three had formed a rather frightful totem. I call not it for the bottom spot, next time, Rire mumbled within his head as he recalled the antics.
Then it seemed that everyone had vanished. The young stag had soon stumbled upon Karuna and Ravus again, however, and lay down beside them, his back against the old crossed logs as he fell into dreams. What a long adventure today was....

---

10/9/10
Today was a little strange, but it was also fun. I'm glad I met the fawn again. We had a play fight. The little one will certainly be a handfull one day... Leyawiin was lovely as a dove today. The Forest is lovely, too. It is good.

---

10/7-8/10
I slept a lot today, Rire mused with a yawn. And I'm still tired. I hope everybody understood. The buck had curled up in a patch of hyacinths and allowed their soft fragrance to lull him back into half-sleep. He'd lounged with Ravus, Geisha, Leyawiin, and a few others for a long time. The group had grown and shrunk, grown and shrunk as the group of friends had invited strangers to join them, rested in their company, and bid them farewell time and time again. Eventually only Rire and Leyawiin had remained, and the two drowsed in peace until, at last, they too had parted ways and Rire had found himself lost among an ocean of purple perfume that gently, tenderly buoyed him away from the shores of reality until he found himself lost in the Sea of Dreams.

---

10/6-7/10
I'm glad I'm not alone tonight, Rire thought with a shiver as he curled on the rock beside the other deer. The whole world was a blanket of white; snow fell from the sky. Rire couldn't remember if he'd ever seen snow before... Maybe he had. Maybe he had only dreamt it. The sharp coldness was certainly real now, though.
The buck hadn't expected to do much, being cold and tired as he was, but in the end he had surprised himself. A vaguely familiar scent found him, and Rire was quick to trace it to its source - a fawn he was reasonably sure was the one who had played with and rested with him several days before. Rire had led the little one back to where he had left Ravus, and the lot piled inside a rock and danced away. The fawn soon wandered off and disappeared, however. Rire still hadn't discovered a proper name for the little thing.
Sluggs had made an appearance a few times, briefly joining the group's play before sprinting away again - only to return a few minutes later to repeat the process. Rire snuck away and hid, and tried not to laugh while Ravus searched for him. After calling back to her, he'd been found, and the pair had picked up where they left off. But eventually, all things come to an end, and the group had wound down and settled onto the giant rocks of the playground, enjoying each others' company and shared warmth until the snow had ceased its muted falling and Rire found himself sound asleep once more.

---

10/5/10
Rire yawned, echoes of laughter flitting through his mind as he reminisced about the day. When he had opened his eyes, the Forest was filled with mushrooms - giant mushrooms! He had seen them before, long long ago, but they were still a startling sight. Enjoying the blue dust that plumed from the fungi as he brushed by, Rire raced himself to the pond for a cool sip of water to wet his throat after his doze, and found Vodun resting quietly on the banks. After a brief hello, the buck had noticed Ravus, sound asleep. Wanting to say hello, but unwilling to wake his friend, Rire had quickly formed a plan. Three, five, a dozen fleet-footed trips later, a mirror image of himself lay resting peacefully on the ground before him, and Rire - or was it Ravus? - kept quiet watch ("quiet watch" being read as "struggling to sit still rather than roll around laughing").
It was about then that Vodun had come over, looking befuddled. Rire grinned as the other deer sniffed first him, then Ravus - and both burst into laughter. The buck got up to play, and somewhere in the cavorting Ravus's pelt had gotten changed a time or five. The poor doe would later awaken to find herself a mess of random pelts and antlers; Rire giggled softly at the recollection. The pair had gotten a little carried away, and eventually settled into a set of violet and red. After Vo had drifted off, Rire sought out the sleeping Ravus again so that he could set her back to being his reflection, but as she came into view Rire saw her rise and stretch. After she had sneezed herself back to normal, the two went on a romp - jumping over mushrooms (I practically flew over them!), sitting in them, 'wearing' them like giant costumes (What would a pelt of mushrooms be like?, Rire wondered drowsily), and generally making fools of themselves until Ravus had had to be elsewhere and the young stag was too tired to run any longer.
I run myself tired a lot, he mused silently among the nighttime's music. ...But it's a good tired. A smile crossed his lips below his mask as that final thought flickered across his mind before sputtering into sleep.

---

10/3/10
Today was a good day, Rire thought as he lay down beside two of his new friends. Karuna he'd met a few days before, among a large group of deer who spontaneously joined forces to spread mirth in the forest. The buck was kind, but always seeming to lose his pelt and mask. Of course, Rire was always more than happy to help the poor fellow out; he'd laugh - here we go again! - and race to the nearest sleeper, or the first patch of mushrooms he could find. Unfortunately, Rire is notoriously bad at finding mushrooms, but he had managed to come across some eventually. There was much laughter and singing in strange voices as each new mask was tried.
The other deer Rire had met some time before, after re-awakening from his Long Sleep (as Rire is wont to do from time to time). She was bright, bright white - always white! Rire had never seen such a thing, except for upon those who prayed. But prayer pelts were only short-lived; this doe's stayed with her for so long as she desired it. It was different. She'd been among seven fawns when he found her, like their guardian angel. Some of the fawns seemed wary of him at first, but soon he was among them, running, laughing, and dancing. One of the fawns seemed to take a liking to him, and Rire became fond of the little one. This one will be trouble, he thought with a chuckle as he watched the feisty fawn rear and challenge its peers - and much larger deer.
But today, he'd spent time with just Karuna and Leyawiin. That was her name, the white doe. Running, running, running, leaping and soaring! And now, Rire was dead tired. Time had flown by so quickly! And now the buck's heavy eyes fell shut against his will, and he drifted off to a forest filled with sweet dreams.