[ P ] Knight & Pumpkin Princess

Rolling encounter 1d540: 283
A duck happily grooms its feathers

The truth was, silvery hairs wasn't far away for either of them. Kylar was turning 7 soon. Already she'd started to feel morning stiffness that'd dredge well into the afternoon and evening. Her eyesight was fine enough, but some scents had lost their luster. While she was healthy, all things considered, it wasn't long before her muzzle began to add a bit of salt. But that wouldn't stop her from kissing her wife's cheek or planting pumpkins this year for Nephele to marvel over come autumn.

The truth of it is that the body gets old and the heart matures.

For Kylar, that was finally starting to feel like it held true.

As the idyllic scene unfolded, what with Nephele gently nosing an injured bird's wing despite all laws of nature indicating that this bird should be afraid of them, Kylar couldn't help but sigh. Her ruby gaze was warm, however, and she patted her wife's shoulder. "Yes, you can keep it," she answered, for was this not the real question?

"Should we rustle something together to take it home in?"


@Nephele

Dainty white paws tippy tapped a happy dance while her tail whipped up into a happy frenzy of wagging so fiercely her whole rump was wiggling. You're the best wife, she let out a happy squeak and planted a thankful kiss on Kylar's cheek. She had been hopeful that she might keep the Jackdaw, but she knew Kylar was protective of their garden and she wasn't sure if her new friend liked to eat herbs and veggies. She hoped not. Oh yes. We probably should. I can't carry him in my mouth like prey, Nephele insisted, feeling uncomfortable at handling her new friend in a way that she would potential food.

Her ears wiggled, pricking up at the sound of rustling feathers. Was there another bird preening themselves? Is there another friend, Ky. Maybe we should find you one too? she suggested, only half joking. She hadn't been too sure about pets when Willow had brought home her skunk for the first time, but having seen how close they were she envied the bond. Maybe with her little Jackdaw she would find herself a close companion to keep her company while Kylar was attending lectures.

Art by Ashon

Rolling tame 1d100: 88
Success! Regardless of the animal type

Kylar's face broke out into a wide smile as Nephele bounced her paws in a happy dance and pressed a kiss into Ky's tawny cheek. She laughed, feeling warmth flood her veins over how beautiful their life had become. That, and the fact that their life felt far more natural to think or say than her life. They had become inexplicably intertwined and Kylar wouldn't have it any other way.

"Agreed, it might stress it out too," she mused as she started to look around. As she did, she heard a definitive quack. Kylar turned to see a mallard duck, his feathers tinged green around his face. It looked up at her with expectant eyes from one half of a pumpkin rind. Inside, it was scooping up the orangey flesh with its bill.

Which gave Kylar and idea.

"Maybe..." She mused at the thought of finding a bird for herself. "I never thought much about having a pet." Aryth had one as did Willow, but Kylar saw the garden and her children as the ones she needed to tend to. Her students also made that list. So did she have the time to care for yet another life?

Maybe the duck would decide for itself. Inching closer, she dropped down onto her belly, tail wagging.

"If it's friendly, we might be able to carry both back in this overturned pumpkin rind I see. Between the both of us, it shouldn't be too bumpy of a ride."


@Nephele

Kylar wasn't the only one in a dreamy daze. Nephele was fit to burst with joy. It sparked and bounced around inside of her like fireworks. In a list of top ten happy memories she knew this one made the list. It was hard for her to choose, of course, because everyday with her wife and family was such a precious blessing. And every date with her wife was always special. The day they'd carved their names into a tree in the royal garden, the day they'd gotten married, when they'd found a helpless litter of pups nestled in their garden patch, and of course when they'd opened Haven together and the day that had changed everything for her, when she'd met Kylar. All the memories bubbled up inside and oh dear were her eyes growing wet? Oops. She blinked them away, feeling comfortable enough to bear her injuries to Kylar and only her.

You're right. That wouldn't do at all, she clicked her tongue, glad that her wife was so sensible. Maybe I could carry him on my head? Ohh but I might drop him, she mumbled, and considered what else they might do. She didn't expect Ky to take her seriously when the prospect of a pet came up. It excited her to think that they might be sharing the joys of pet ownership together.

Quack

Is that a duck? she asked, voice higher than its normal pitch because she was shaking with excitement. Nephele had never been around a duck before. "Ooh! Maybe we could dig a pond. Do you think we have room?" she suggested, already making plans for their possible new pets because she was so excited. That's a good idea. They'll smell sweet like pumpkins after, she hummed happily.

@Kylar

Art by Ashon

Rolling tame 1d100: 5
Failure! The animal is suspicious of you.

Their life was perfectly imperfect. They'd found eachother by accident, each one having endured hardships, and yet Kylar would have suffered that pain all over again just to ensure she found Nephele. Her wife was so very worth it. Whether their crops wilted or their little pups took on the world as fully fledged adults, Kylar knew she would always come home to the love of her entire life. Summer storms and badgers be damned, she'd take every down just to share the ups.

Speaking of ups... the duck seemed to like her. The mallard quacked before inching closer and Kylar's tail wagged. In truth, she hadn't fully understood her daughter when a skunk had come following her home. Even when Nephele had pleaded with her to take the little birdy home, Kylar had been supportive but not particularly attached. In this moment, however, she understood the appeal. She stared with baited breath, hoping that the duck would be drawn to their little pumpkin offering. "Carry him on your head...?" Kylar asked then, broken from her fascination with a laugh as she glanced sidelong at her wife. "Yes, yes I think you might drop him," she whispered while giggling, her tail swaying happily behind her.

At Nephele's sudden excitement over the duck, a wide grin spread across Kylar's maw. "Ah, planning for all the pets I see?" She mused, heart warming with love all over again. In truth, it was going to overflow.

- fade exit if the duck likes me, but not if it doesn't LOL -


@Nephele

Her cheeks warmed at her wife's giggles and she found herself giggling with her. Carrying him on her head was a silly idea now that she thought about it. It sure sounded fun, but it wasn't really practical. Yeah, maybe not. I think it'd be fun though. Maybe I can teach him later, she suggested, tail wagging happily at the thought. Already she was making plans for this injured Jackdaw and she couldn't wait to surprise Ky with them later. She knew that corvids could be taught to carry messages. Maybe she could use him to send love notes to Ky while she was working at the college. She put a paw to her muzzle and giggled somewhat sinisterly for such a sweet little wolf.

Of course! I might make the Jackdaw a nest too. Birds like nests, don't they? she mused thoughtfully. I'll need your help. I have no idea where to start with a nest. They're made of twigs… and… well that doesn't sound very comfortable. Imagine getting poked awake by a stick. No, no, no. That won't do for Mr. Jackdaw, she chatted excitedly, feeling quite positive about her plans. She'd never built a nest for a bird before, but it couldn't be that hard. Birds did it all the time.

- Fade to exit

@Kylar

Art by Ashon