Bramble

The white-tail fawn trotted into the land, looking a bit dazed as he did. He had just witnessed the death of his mother and sister; all that he had in the world; and was lucky to have escaped himself. Now he tottered on with his head down and his ears drooped.

By now, he had lost his spots, and was about half the size of a young adult. He could still be taking milk from his mother, but now, it was obvious that he'd have to turn completely to vegetation.

Wycliff

The red deer found some time to herself now that Nhosh had claimed the land. All that was left was to find some more hinds to keep her company. But as she grazed idly and mulled over thoughts in her head, the scent of fear came to her. Instantly her head shot up and her sensories became atuned to the slightest things. Along with fear, the scent of a youngster rode on the wind and she eased up slightly. No scent of the mother lingered.

Curious, Wycliff began to follow the trail until she came upon the young buck, wondering aimlessly through the land. Her heart went out instantly to the small creature. What could be better company to a lonely soul than an innocent fawn? "Little one." She called out kindly, in a mothering tone. "Come this way, I won't hurt you."

Bramble

Bramble looked towards the hind, startled at her mostly white pelt. She vaugle resembled his mother, but her scent told she was a different sort of deer. But... he couldn't resist the tone in her voice. The extreme desire to be comforted and protected overroad his natural cool, confident nature. Lowering his head, the fawn bounded towards Wycliff and stood hesitantly before her. Unable to find any words, he just gazed blinkingly up at her.

Wycliff

Wycliff smiled fondly down at the youngster and nuzzled him between the ears. "You're safe now." The hind said soothingly, trying to bring more comfort to Bramble. The scent of fear was so strong on him, she wondered what could have scared him so bad. "Tell me, little one, what is your name? Mine is Wycliff. And I can take care of you, if you wish."

Bramble

He nuzzled up closer to Wycliff, feeling secure again, though his eyes told of the great internal pain he was going through, "Bramble." The young buck simply nodded at Wycliff, unalbe to think of anything else to say at the moment. He tried to push the violent killings out of his head, but they stuck there.

Wycliff

She licked the top of his head, "Bramble is it? Well, how about I show you around?" The hind suggested, seeing the torment that lay in the young one's eyes. Wycliff would try to distract him from it.

Bramble

The youngster nodded, "I would like that." Again, he couldn't find much a heart to voice anything. He felt numb and dead inside, but here at least was something to occupy him. And after a while, he would learn to get over his family's death; but never would he forget them, or those that killed them. Oh no, that strange cougar-wolf... well, what ever it was... he'd never forget that creature.

Wycliff & Meteor

She nuzzled the fawn in another warm gesture before pulling back, "Just follow me. I think I know someone you'd like to meet." Wycliff headed off, but made sure that Bramble would stay near enough to her.

The hind ventured into the steep, narrow valley that earned their terra its name. She choose an easy trail that led along a stream. After several minutes of following the water, Wycliff veered from its course and headed into a small cluster of aspen and birch trees, which grew exceedingly tall because they needed to reach as much light as possible in the narrow-sided valley. Inside the thicket of young trees, she came across the fallow buck named Meteor.

"I've got someone who'd like to meet you." She spoke out pleasantly as the buck, black in color, turned around. On his head branched large anlters, cleaned and polished after getting rubbed free of their velvet covering. "Bramble, this is Meteor. Meteor, this is Bramble." She introduced. "He will be staying with us now.

Meteor spoke up in a pleasant voice, "Nice to meet you, Bramble."

Bramble

Bramble gauwked at the strange, spreading antlers and the overall differnt look of the deer before him. "Nice to meet you." He replied, his tone of voice still saturated with his sorrow and anguish, but he tried to sound pleasant. "What kind of deer are you?" The youngster questioned, taking a few steps closer and staring at the antlers. He glanced back to Wycliff once for reassurance.

Wycliff & Meteor

Wycliff smiled down at Bramble, glad that he was feeling well enough to converse. She knew that by fall, she would be carrying a fawn of her own. But like many hinds, she loved to keep her fawns of last year around, and so although Bramble was not her fawn, she would treat him like a youngster for another year if he wanted it. And forever more, she'd think of him as her little buck.

Meteor grinned a bit, "I'm a Fallow deer. And you are..." he studied the little one before nodding, "A white-tail, am I right?"

Bramble

He nodded, still gazing at the antlers, "Yes sir, I'm a White-tail." Meteor's anterls and size, though one of the smaller deer species, encouraged the youngster to be more proper and polite with his responses. Now he turned to Wycliff, his curiousities growing, "What other kind of deer live here? I mean, in the Valley?"

Wycliff & Meteor

Wycliff nodded, "A good question, Bramble. Well let me see.." The hind trailed off, thinking of all the deer. 'First, there are the Mule deer. You'll recognize them by their larger ears. Sika are another kind, and a good deal smaller than us. Roe are small as well, and dark brown to red brown." Wycliff shook her head, "There are many others, but I haven't the time to meet them all yet. When I introduce you to Solange, he will tell you more. He has met many types of deer." The hind looked down at the youngster, seeing if he were satified with the brief explanations.

Meteor listened to the hinds tellings before lifting his head. "Ah, Huyen is back!" He announced, headed away through the brush to meet his friend. He had spotted the buck high up on one of the ridges.

Wycliff

The hind turned suddenly, catching scent of a doe. Her wide eyes lit up, "Oh, Bramble! I scent someone else, follow me!" Excitedly, the hind followed Meteor up the cliff.

Bramble

"Someone else?" He whispered, a lit of interest sparking his his large, deep eyes. Although everything was so overwhelming right now, he was enjoying meeting so many! The fawn followed eagerly along after the hind.