"Ehm." again he stared at her for a few seconds before he answered.
This doe... was a little too quick or him.
"Hello Herla ....I am Morsch" he cocked his head slightly from site to site, the stubs on his back still twitching nervously.
He still was not entirely sure about the behaviour of the doe in front of him... but slowly a certain idea grew in his head.

"Ehm.... yes?" the answer to her question sounded actually like a question as well.

morsch: Herla was delighted by the strange stags response. She made sad eyes a him and put on her best helpless look. “What a big strong stag you are, I’m sure you would have no problem looking out for me while I graze? Make sure nothing scary comes out of this forest to hurt me?” She fluttered her eyelashes and ducked her head demurely.

“Oh, that would be wonderful!” Herla gushed. She rushed forward and gave the stag a little lick on cheek and turned to the grass to graze. “Keep out a good eye now! she said cheerily, giving the stag a bright smile.

Herla was very startled by the stag's hiss and sudden outburst, she cringed and shrank back, her feather mantle laying flat around her neck. “I’m…sorry.” , she stuttered and started trembling. She’d never had anybody get mad at her for kissing them. Most stags liked her kisses! She was afraid. And when she was afraid, she ran. It was her only true defense. She shot like a bolt through the forest, not paying any heed to her direction.

She ran and ran. Upon seeing a large oak, she ran inside it's arching roots and hide herself inside. Trembling she tried to make herself as small as possible.

Herla huddled within the old oaks roots, trying to still her trembling. Her instinct was to lay still like a fawn so she wouldn’t be seen. She tried to calm herself. She hated being afraid! She had swore she would not be afraid anymore, that she would secure the protection of as many stags as she could so she wouldn’t have to be afraid anymore. But here she was, trembling and scared.

(Would you guys minded if I joined in for a little bit? I'm pretty bored at the moment, haha~ XD; )

As fate would have it, a particular golden-pelted buck had taken a stroll toward the pond at that moment. He thought how nice the cool water would feel on such a hot, miserable day. "Accursed summer sun," he muttered to himself, shaking his fur free of pestering flies as he strutted. While passing by the opening to the oak, however, he happened to glance inside...and saw a familiar form huddled in one of its corners.

Liam stopped and tilted his head, and then gasped softly when he recognized the deer. "Herla?" he spoke softly, cautiously peering in through the gap in the oak's giant roots. He could see how scared the doe was, and his heart went out to her. "Oh, Herla...are you alright? What happened?" he asked frantically, moving closer to give her a comforting lick on the forehead.

(Gah, curse my poor timing! XD No worries, morsch; g'night! c: )

(Huzzah! Also, I love the description of her barreling into poor Liam; that is a hilarious visual! XD)

The young buck was certainly not prepared as the frantic doe rushed toward him from the shadows and practically shoved her whole body against his chest, making him stumble with a small bleat. He quickly regained his composure and balance, however, and tucked his chin against her neck in an attempt to hold her securely against him. Feeling her tremble and hearing her sob broke Liam's heart, and he raised his head to a little to nuzzle her crest comfortingly. "Oh, sweet Herla...whatever is the matter? Why are you so afraid?" he asked softly, gently nudging away her tears with his flat muzzle.

(Edit: I'm going to assume that Liam temporarily went deaf and didn't hear the ruckus that Morsch was making, lol!)

(Hooo-boy...awkwardness, coming up soon! XDD)

Liam blinked and furrowed his brow as she mentioned a male. Had some rowdy buck tried to have his way with her? How dreadful! "Wh-what buck? He did not hurt you, did he?" he asked softly, probably sounding more concerned than he should have been. She seemed fine after all, just a bit shaken up, but he could not help but feel protective over his friends. If they were distressed, he would always offer his comfort and help no matter what.

He closed his eyes as she rested against him, making sure to keep her supported, and he chuckled softly when she spoke again. "Dear, sweet Herla...if anyone is miserable it is me. There is no shame in being afraid; it is natural. Some things are beyond our control, and there is indeed evil in this world that we cannot escape," he replied, nudging some of her feathers back into place with his muzzle. He smiled down at her when he finished, and proudly announced, "There! Now we can see those pretty eyes again."

(The irony! Dun, dun, dun! Also, mini-Herla is so frigging adorable, lol~ XD)

At the mention of the stag's name, Liam tilted his head with a frown. Morsch...? That certainly did not ring a bell. What a peculiar name... He shook his head and smiled, giving her a playful nudge to her neck. "You think you overreact? You haven't seen anything yet; I got you beat, there," he replied with a chuckle.

The question, as perfectly innocent and kind as it was, made Liam freeze. It then all suddenly hit him at once: Herla thought he was something that he was not. She thought...more of him, beyond being a friend. How could he be so oblivious?! "Oh..." he uttered out loud, his cheeks flushing. Well, great...now what? How could he possibly explain this to her, after all of the signals she had thrown in his naive face?

"Herla, I...there is something you need to know about me, something that I had not told you... And, please...please do not be angry," he added frantically, but made sure to collect himself and take a breath before he continued. Wow, was this awkward...

"I...I am attracted to..." He paused, his throat seeming to lock up out of shame and fear, but with some effort he managed to force out the words, "...I am attracted to...to stags..." He let out a shuddering sigh, and braced himself for the inevitable shouting and outrage. Why must he always do this...get so close to some one, and then have to reveal what he really was? A revolting, loathsome creature shunned by the Gods.

(Aww, poor Herla! ;_; )

The buck started at Herla's words, and he shook his head furiously. "N-no...no Herla, I do care for you. I care for you so much, and you are so very beautiful," he replied quickly and earnestly, feeling terrible for making her feel that way. He knew that she was fragile and self-conscious much like himself; he could only hope that by relating to her, he could help her feel better about who she was. Sighing, he rested his cheek against her crest, closing his eyes. "Please do not doubt that I care for you, because I truly do. You are such a wonderful friend, and I am afraid to see you hurt. I...I feel a connection with you, and it comforts me. I do not know if that makes sense, but..." Liam sighed, not very sure what to say. Everything was so awkward, but he was amazed that she did not run from him. Well, that was a start, anyway.

A soft sigh of relief escaped him when Herla spoke, although he still felt terrible about everything. He was now terrified that he had unknowingly led her on... She sounded so disappointed. "I...I am happy that you still consider me to be a friend. I am sorry that this is confusing to you, but...thank you for trusting me, and for not chasing me away. If...if you ever need me, I am here for you," he replied gently, nuzzling her comfortingly as she leaned against him. He suddenly felt very protective of her... She was vulnerable, fragile, frightened. He did not like to see her like this... He would do all he could to make her feel safe.

(Indeed, it was; I very much enjoyed it! ^_^ G'night!)

The young buck let out a shuddering sigh of relief at Herla's gentle words. It was all he needed to hear to be put at ease. With a soft smile, he sat down and inclined his head in invitation. As she laid down next to him he curled up beside her, and kept watch even long after she'd fallen asleep. Eventually, his eyes began to flutter shut, feeling pleasantly warm as he drifted off. Sweet Herla...be at peace in your dreams...

No, no problem! I didn't know who he was, I kept trying to make friendly emotes at him, but then he started lowering his antlers and rearing. I responded by cringing and sad emoting but he was kind of acting like he didn't have a clue. Maybe he was button mashing? It's all good. I had to disconnect and reconnect because of my computer in the middle of it. Doh!

Met her briefly earlier, Ryou was the (naked) mini by the pond. He left quickly because she confused him. I've seen her around a few other times, I'll have to interact with her again someday!

Edit - And I absolutely love your CSS!

He's too modest sometimes. xD

No problem. I've actually been following both Herla and Woden's bios for a while, so I figured it was about time I did.

So that's who this stag is! Herla has been greatly enjoying his company. *doe bow*

She’s finding the fluff wonderfully comforting to cuddle in, she has made a little nest on his back and is right at home. And blue is her favorite color.

No worries! I went and visited Liam and then left Herla sleeping multiple times to go do other things around the house. It seems I’m constantly having to multi-task!

*track*

Gorgeous pictures, by the way. ^^

The Irish had approached the feathered doe as she seemed to be on her own. Well, there had been a stag before, but when they saw Gehirn they had quickly turned and ran. Stroking the black giant's ego. "Hello again, Herla." He smiled through the sternness in his face. "How are you today? I happend to notice you were alone. Pretty does like yourself shouldn't be left alone in this forest, hm?"

"I wouldn't dare suggesting you were afraid, dear." Though he watched her a bit curiously as she hid underneath him. Was she really? "Well well, it is quite fine. Ofcourse you may." He nodded at her. "No reason to ask, feel free." He smiled his grin, quite impressed by her looks. Likely, she knew, and likely it was too easy to mend him. Again. The stag lifted his broad neck again, looking as impressive as he could. Seemingly, he was looking out for any hostile approachers. But the forest seemed calm enough.

(Oh ninja! Those are amazing haha! I haven't been capturing screenshots since eternity.. They just stack up on my files ;_;'.. Aww)

The stag let out a snort. "Well well, don't bury me in your compliments, dear." The cheek lick caught him off guard for a moment, but he answered with a smile anyway. "You honour all stags with such compliments?" Gehirn laughed. He watched her as she was grazing, his ears turned to the environment. Ah, but, he shouldn't look like that. It was as that thought hit his mind, his head also lifted to look around them. Gehirn wasn't one to graze much himself, grass hurt his omnivorous stomach. "Are you feeling better yet, lady?" He had seemingly caught a bit of her nervous behaivor previously. Even though the stag was oblivious to most things.

Thought I'd post this here. xD
Sorry for shoving in on that sparring session between the ram skulldeer and Gehirn. Banshee was just wondering what all the noise was about and totally didn't mean to steal the ram's attention, promise. ;A; -scoots out-

(That's fine Sight! I don't mind, I like relaxing paces. (AKA I am lazy.))

"I am glad you think of me as a strong stag." He replied honestly. His strenght was his pride after all. "It is a pleasure for me to be in the company of such a beautifull and charming doe as yourself as well, lady Herla. That should not be forgotten." He gave her a playfull wink.
An all familair doe to him made her arrival, and seemed bothered by a stag she didn't know. Nor did Gehirn, for that matter, but he jumped in to Dajhi's aid immediatly. He warned the stag off, pushing him back with his enormous antlers as he started to threaten Gehirn.

When he got distracted, Gehirn went back to Herla and Dajhi to lead them off, away from the stag. He wasn't looking for a quarrel, after all, but just wanted peace for both does.

"I am sorry you had to witness that, Herla." He sighed. No real harm had come to either stags, though. Their clash had ended quickly.

(Interrupting is fine though Selruil! We didn't know the deer but, since Dajhi is pregnant she is very flighty and so Gehirn jumped in. I think we saw them yesterday too.. I try to keep everything that happens in the forest RP-related unless the other turns out not to be rping at all. Then it's DANCETIME. But yeah, even interruptions or whatever work fine. If it was a spar, Geh would've made that clear..XD)