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The volley of raindrops and veil of mist surrounding the Pond had lifted in the early hours of the morning, where the fight had taken place. Just as before, when Cutlery died, the body of water had been tarnished with patches of blood; the two combatants each had their share of malevolence. Crumpled amongst the reeds lay Vipin, his wounds being examined by a selection of those whom deemed themselves capable. Ephra lay beside him, speaking softly and slowly with words of explanation to Vipin. She explained how she had encountered the Demon Gazelle in the middle of the night and survived. She spoke of how she met with Walter beside the Pond, of how he was trapped in a world between worlds. All the time Vipin listened silently, his weakened expression twitching whenever the doe treating him happened to be too inconsiderate.

It took some time until Ephra was finished explaining. Vipin, requiring time to recuperate and heal, allowed her departure whilst in turn allowed himself to be escorted away to the Ename ruins by persistant healers and others concerned for his safety. The doe turned and began a slow walk towards the border of the Birch Forest, lost in her own meditation and emotional magnitude. The catastrophe of the night before had claimed her hope and left woe in it's place. She had seen how badly Vipin and Walter had torn each other apart.. How was there any chance he was going to survive now? A body could not exist without the heart..

Ahead of the drifting female, the large fountain contained within a mushroom ring became visible, although Ephra did not acknowledge it. A haven for critters and deer alike, the sparkling droplets of water caught the rays of the rising run as they splashed against the rocky base they sprouted from. With his head risen to observe the arriving doe stood Virgil, the Sentinel. Just as his title spoke, his ceremonious antlers were proudly in display as he towered over the resting Kaoori beside him. Both were equal in delight to see the Forest's first matron, but both also became equal in unease and concern when Ephra passed by without a word spoken. It was not out of the doe's way to prefer solitude at times, but Virgil recognised this pattern in behaviour; there had been a time in the past when the pair of them shared pensive moments.

"Twenty-One?" The auburn-coloured male called out, his scarred face tracking Ephra's movements. He chose not to use her proper name in front of Kaoori, although the miniature doe was quite aware of it. Choosing to be formal, he raised the volume of his voice as Ephra turned her head in his direction. "Are you alright?"

".. Yes."

"You should have a seat, Ephra." Kaoori chimed in, her indigo eyes visible with concern. With the fluent and friendly tones in her sweet voice, the old doe could only smile as she turned and proceeded back to the pair. Soon she was nestled down beside Kaoori and admiring the beautiful golden markings, which were so similar to stars, scattered in a few places across her azure pelt. The two antennae-like antlers which perched upon the small doe's head bounced merrily with each word she spoke, almost hypnotising to the eye. "We heard about Vipin's fight this morning.. Virgil came to watch over me in-.. in case.." Unable to complete the sentence, Kaoori trailed off. Ephra nodded sympathetically, knowing that the smaller female had previously lost her child to Walter. Virgil grunted and became silent, still observing the landscape. It took several minutes for him to join in with the conversation, which carried on between the trio for the majority of the morning.

In the time spent, the three took turns to listen to one another, with Ephra doing the majority of the speaking. As she did with Vipin, she explained how she had "appeared" in Walter's limbo realm and how he was neither living nor dead, as his soul and body's presence had proved. Kaoori spent her time speaking of how she had believed Walter to be a kinder creature in regards to the twisted old man he had become. As for Virgil, most words that were given were of mixed judgement and perhaps laced with hidden meaning. He'd seen some things of Walter that were not exactly desireable. He could say the same of his friend: the Riddler known as Silence.


Across the other side of the Forest, where the doe would normally sleep, a giant yawned and stretched out upon his awakening. A bright orange in colour and striped with a variations of tan and crimson, Quamar cracked open his skull maw and flicked his blue tongue out in an impressive yawn. Massive by stature and as slow as a wet weekend, the Guardian began trudging towards his on-duty business beside the Pond. Famous for his duty as a protector for the bridge which formed over the Pond's local stream, Quamar was able to perform his duty well with strength that couldn't easily be outmatched. Armed with antlers but apathetic in using them, his arrival at the bridge was greeted by the local fawns who delighted in mimicing him. They followed suit as the giant bulk rested across the middle of the stone formation, taking a place at each side of him with cheerful giggles. Quamar grinned to himself; a fan club indeed!

It had been forunate that Quamar had chosen -not- to sleep on duty today, as not long afterwards, Lieka came cantering along the river's edge towards him. An expression of apprehension etched on her features, she came skidding to a stop just before the large stag and rushed a polite bow to him and his company in greeting. ".. H-Have you.. seen Walter.. c-come by.. ?" The Queen asked, gasping for air between every other word. The Guardian lifted his head to regard Lieka and then slowly he shook his head. With ears sinking low and a nod, Lieka merely turned and galloped off again in search of the rampant stag.

Quamar turned his head to watch her leave, then rolled his eyes.
"As mad as a hatter.. That old man's been dead and gone for months." With a grumpy sigh, Quamar lay his head down and curled up to sleep, whilst the two fawns accompanying him rose. Sharing glances they laughed and pranced off, only to return with peacock adornments for their favourite stag.