Warm golden sun, cool Spring breeze. A grassy meadow, scent of flowers in bloom, perfect but for one dead tree. Nearby, a forest. Rustle of leaves, scent of bark and earth and recent rain. Growth and life... scatter of birdsong, chitter of insects. The usual things a Living, Breathing World throws at those new and old. Riot of colors in all the green. But that forest...
... along its edge, one particular living tree amongst many. Low of branch, generous of leaf. A woven nest occupied by two in its grip. One male. The other, female. Both... in repose. Just fur, feathers and scales between them. Limbs crossed, tails entwined. Hearts beating loud in their chests. Breath still heavy. Nostrils flaring. Small sounds escaping their throats. Female muzzle shows a warm smile, ears atwitch. A soft sigh of content from her as her mate's breath growls. Her forelimbs untangle from his, clawed fingers touching low on her belly as she rolls over...
..."I felt the Spark..." Her voice, so soft as to be almost whisper.
"Sweetness?" His eyes flick open, his ears go back, growl cut off. His voice comes with a grin of sharp teeth. No, he hadn't been sleeping or snoring, just... resting his eyes after...
..."My Love, innocence does not suit you." She looks towards her mate and shakes her head, tongue-tip exposed in humor, tail's tufted tip aflick in its restraint.
"Hey, call me Incorrigible. Our first Spark... our first child. Motherhood for you, fatherhood for me... can't help but question if it's all real. All I know..." His tail untwines from hers, tuftless tip draping across her hands briefly before his own movements pull her close, an intimate cuddle. His shroudruff feathers, partially unfurled. Her hands, trapped... "it's about time. All the times we've made love. Now finally parents..."
His grin, wider. Green of his eyes intent on the blue in hers. His last words, so filled with excitement, so... ummm... heh....... *
She mirrors his grin for a moment, then drops her eyes down his body till...
..."Ahhh, My Love... no shame!" She laughs, giggles. Thwaps him over the head lightly with her now free tuft.
He mock winces, grin not even close to gone... "So... wanna do it again?" Hopeful, but...
... Another sigh. Roll of eyes as she manages to uncuddle, to slip out of their nest. A four-legged stretch. A ruffle of fur and swish of tail before standing upright... "Time to honor Vinnaheen's Tree, My Love."
Male head pokes out from their nest, mock pout on muzzled face... "It's not fair, leaving me alone in this condition! You know..." He lifts a hind leg, a quick glance underneath... "Oh... heh... never mind." Grin again returns, infectious and wild. Even more wildness, as he performs his own stretch and display after leaping into daylight, shroudruff fully deployed, 'assets' pranced about as he sings a 'creative' rendition of "Puff, the Magic Dragon" for all to hear. Though fortunately, at this time of day, he only has one witness to his antics.
Him, Deen, of the Bloodline Ahvviyinn.
Her, Thoee, of the Bloodline Rurrumm.
Both, chasing each other across the grassy, flowered meadow to the one dead tree. Vinnaheen's Tree. A brief halt, both down on all fours, both quiet, watching The Tree. A deep breath, inhale and exhale, each with all four nostrils aflare. Slow walk, both Thoee and Deen. Thoee, first to reach out and Touch, all her senses afire. Deen, second, his hand on top of hers, as Father of this child. Both remembering.
Their Creators.
Their Bloodlines.
Their own families, Parents most of all.
Their own Childhoods.
All leading to their own time as Parents. As two made One.
"Tell me again, My Love..."
Deen rubs his cheek to hers, body pressed shoulder to hip, turns to lick her cheek. To catch her eye... "You are mine, I am yours, we are one in honor of all who have come before us."
Thoee's head drops, eyes closed, warm smile... "Thank you......."
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