Mixed Impressions

Featuring Kerras and Menoa
Autumn, Year 761 of the New Age
Deep in the Glenwood, Glenmore

Menoa

She lifted her head, something catching at her sight, a dark shape, hard to distinguish betwixt the shadows of dusk settling upon Glenmore. But as her gaze darted to meet the figure, it was gone again. Her lindenwood mask rubbed against the fine hairs of her face as she released a low breath. Her raggy mane was standing on end, her nerves obviously picking up on potential danger.

Menoa questioned it deeply. What was there to fear in this kingdom of flowers and foxes...? Neither of the two hardly posing a threat. She raked a hoof in the rich soil beneath her as she lowered her head. A defensive posture that she'd learned from watching the stags face off to one another, and with that released a menacing bellow in the direction of the figure. Her gaze was dark and careful, although she could not suppress the undercurrent of curiosity that washed over her.

Kerras

The dark black stag couldn’t help his own curiosity. When he’d discovered the doe walking along by herself he just had to investigate a bit. She wore a mask upon her face- something he’d never seen before on another fawnling. it was quite odd, really. What was its purpose? Did it even have one? The stag generally would’ve stepped out and introduced himself, but the doe was paying him no mind- she didn’t even seem to have noticed him yet. So he decided to just tag along until she did.

It was a shame she was on the pale side, not quite as pale as the beautiful Princess, but definitely pale enough to die in Blackwood. Such a shame… Most Glenmorian does seemed so light.. He’d considered going to raid Silverthorne permanently now, but it was under such heavy border patrol that it was near impossible.

Then, she suddenly seemed to take notice of him.. or at least she seemed to realize that someone was there. She lowered her head, raking one hoof through the dirt. His ears flicked back slightly and he came to a stop, pondering whether to step out of the shadows or not. The gig was up, either way.

Menoa

Seeing that her display had garnered nothing, her brow furrowed under her mask. It definitely wasn't a small animal, else it'd be long gone. No this had to be another fawnling.
Menoa decided a false charge would set this mysterious figure high tailing away, or better yet, at least startle them out of hiding. She wouldn't have this sneaking around, especially not when directed towards herself.

She darted forward in a flurry of hooves and topsoil and the sound of thunder beneath her. They would move or risk being pummeled by the burlesque doe, she would ensure that much.

Kerras

What happened next surprised the dark stag. He’d never seen it coming.. The doe charged him, whirling about and digging her dark hooves into the ground, catapulting towards him.

Kerras jumped, alarmed by her charge, and spun about, bolting forwards a short ways out of instinct, blowing his cover. Wait, why was he running? Surely she couldn’t hurt him.. He’d never been one to turn and run. But, he definitely wouldn’t fight her. He turned upon her now, head lowered slightly in his own defense. “Sorry, didn’t mean to intrude.” he said simply.

Menoa

The doe skidded to a stop, nearly toppling over her own hooves at the sight of the unmistakable Blackwood before her. Her eyes widened a fraction below the wooden knotholes. What was this stag up to...? Nothing good, of that much she was certain.

"Oh don't give me that sorry excuse, you idiot!" She let the words fly out sharp as a sapling limb to one's snout. Her voice was rough and deep, which was put on to a degree, but still produced the venomous words she desired. "You don't follow someone around and not intend to intrude." She snorted into his face, tail lashing impatiently.

Kerras

Kerras’ ears flicked forwards and then backwards with surprise at the doe’s vehemency. Man, this one was ruthless! He couldn’t help but be a little bit amused, however he forced the humor to stay off his face. Who knows, she might just be able to kick his ass. That wouldn’t be too much fun. “Ah well, I suppose I was just curious.” He rose a brow at her slightly. “Is that a good enough excuse for you?”

Menoa

She looked him over impudently, "What are you playing at...?" Her long legs were stiff with the tension of her current predicament. The big oafish creature looked harmless enough, but looks were deceiving. She'd dare venture to say he'd thought the same of her only moments ago.

Menoa could just about guess what he was here for, he wanted to drag her into that insufferable death trap he called home, yes, that had to be it. And she wouldn't stand for it. He'd have to drag her kicking and screaming into that dark void. Her ears were perked, keen on his words. But she was sure to keep strong posture, if just to set him off guard.

Kerras

The black stag merely blinked innocently at her. “I’m not playing at anything.” he said simply, his head lifting slightly with a bit of defiance. He wasn’t going to be rude to her and he had no real reason to be… he found this golden doe quite entertaining so far. The wooden mask upon her face really intrigued him… She seemed so strange.

He tilted his head to the side slightly, cocking one hoof in a relaxed way. “You seem to already know what I am, so I’ll just tell you who I am. My name is Kerras, its an honor to meet you. What’s the mask upon your face for? Fashion? Or is it hiding something?”

Menoa

The doe backed up a step, her defenses slacking enough for her to return an ounce of his personal space. She decided to have a little fun with him after he made his introduction. "Why in the world would someone name a Blackwood Carrots? Oh, I'm so scared," she snorted, rolling her dark eyes a little, the fun part was she'd heard him just fine. "You poor things must be more nutrient deprived than I thought. Now your naming one another after food? No wonder you left!"

And what he'd asked, was a question no one had bothered to ask before. She paused her ridiculing to answer him. "Well it was supposed to scare others away, but a fat lot of good that's done me, eh?" Menoa made a gesture towards the stag with her head, "I'll have to fix that later"

Kerras

Kerras’ ears slicked back against his skull now and he let out a soft snort, rather offended by the golden doe’s insult. How cruel of her! It wasn’t his fault his mother had decided to name him something that sounded similar to a certain orange vegetable! Picking on his name was just low and cruel.. But, her line about being nutrient-deprived made his blood boil slightly. “It is not our fault you hog all the food.” he snapped out with frustration.

Menoa

"Well I-ah, I didn't mean to...," she stammered for a moment, ears drooping shamefully, before recoiling at a moments notice, "gees don't get your tail in a twist I'm not the one keeping the food from you, you're still standing here aren't you? I could've called for the Guard at any time but I haven't! it's not my fault everyone's scared of you behemoths." Her tone piped desperately.

Menoa was never good at apologies, they started out sincere but became hateful excuses in the end. But why did anything this stupid lug head had to say matter, it didn't did it? But maybe he had a point. Maybe she had went too far. The doe's words grew stagnant in her throat, not sure what else may slip out of she continued.


Kerras

The black stag’s ears flicked forwards slightly then back once more. He was a bit surprised that he’d caught her off guard, making her stutter a bit. He let out a soft chuckle, amused by her lack of words. “That is a good point.” he said, tilting his head to the side slightly. “And we aren’t behemoths. We aren’t what you think we are. If only you would open your eyes and see.. Or perhaps I could show you?” it was an invitation.. One he doubted she would take. But if she agreed to tag along he would bring her to his homeland. She was pale, yes… But, she seemed to be strong.. and if she made this decision and died in the Blackwood it would be her decision, not his. The blame would not be upon his shoulders. He had enough of that already.

Menoa

Menoa felt her stomach lurch at his words, though she didn't allow her body language to betray her inner concern at the invitation. He was obviously mad, she wasn't stupid, she knew light coats never returned from that abyss. And rarely ever had she seen a female return, regardless of their hue.

She decided it might be better to make him believe she'd go along with him. What if she refused? No, she wasn't really scared of him of course, but her better half said she should be. Menoa wasn't about to let this silver tongued liar get in her head, but maybe, just maybe, she could get into his.

The doe circled him once as if she were sizing him up, "And what if I were to take you up on that, hmm? Do you really think you could protect me out there?" Her tail flicked at his bony flank as if for emphasis. She locked eyes with him, her gaze steady. "Do I look so naive to you?" She prompted before stopping in front of the tall stag once more.

Kerras

The dark stag’ ears flicked back slightly then forwards once more. Man, this doe was quite confusing. He wasn’t quite sure what to make of her. His eyes followed her as she circled him, as if she was sizing him up. What was her plan? What was she thinking? He couldn’t tell. His eyes continued to follow her, even as he spoke. “I won’t lie, I’d probably return to raid Glenmore again. I wouldn’t be your protector forever. But I know of others who could help you. It’d give you freedom from this place… Somewhere where you’re actually appreciated for who you are and not shot down because of your rank. I’m assuming you are not of Royal blood?”

Menoa

Mention of her rank seemed to strike a nerve, causing the doe's nerves to jump. But she had to admit it did sound slightly alluring, although she was more than certain that the dangers were far worse than the benefits could ever hope to make up for.

A partly amused snort escaped her and she rolled her eyes, "Oh, don't even get me started, if I were I'd have a dozen fawns by now, much less be allowed to lift a hoof. Hey, as long as we don't cause trouble those snobs don't give a rat's ass what we do. Besides I moved out of this area ages ago I just come to... visit now and then."

The doe rose a brow at him, though it may be hard to read the gesture below her mask, as she awaited his response, Blackwood or not, he wasn't bad to look at. "Buuuut, maybe we can discuss your proposal more while we walk? And you can tell me all about the false rumors of Blackwood" She offered, cocking her head at him.

Kerras

The black stag let out a loud bark of laughter at the golden doe's words. "Ah, it definitely seems those royals have quite a few fawns." He tilted his head to the side slightly. So she didn't have any fawns for herself.. Good. He wouldn't have to drag youngsters along with him to Blackwood. His face lit up as she agreed to walk and talk. Perhaps this would be worth it after all...