Standing at the edge of what should be a field with wet soft soil, chill air with rain droplets, soft scents of flowers awakening from their slumber and sunshine peeking through the clouds although fleeting it would be.
Instead he found dry, brittle grass at the edge of the field. The colors were hard on the eyes, dark yellows and browns everywhere you looked. No lush green grass, flowers in a dizzying array of colors, no bushes beginning to ripen with flowers and fruit, and no rain! This waws unacceptable. The weather cycle was predictable and it there should be rain this time of year. The fields should be lush with vegation and flowers. The wind should be chill with a hint of rain, the soil should be soft, wet and moist beneath his hooves. The sky should be clear but a bit darker then usual due to the rain that would come and go. Whatever this was it was not what was expected.
Sighing he looked each direction hoping to see something different. Any sign of the rains and chill breezes. Absolutely nothing to be seen nor felt. He began to paw at the ground with his front hooves. He was agitated. He loved this time of year, the world renewing itself was something to treasure. How the flowers which withdrew in the colder months would now open and flourish due to the rains. That was not to be.
A rumor had caught his ears of fires. This is how it started that dreaded season. The ground like this, the air the same. The dreaded feeling of unease the same, he felt like he was back in that time and it chilled him. Shuddering he forced himself to focus. Maybe he was reading to much into what he was seeing. It was possible he was getting worked up over nothing, it is possible the rains are coming just not in a timely manner. It could be just a weather hiccup, and very soon it would rain. The cycle of renewal would begin again!
Lost in thought he didn't hear nor see a male approaching from the East.
Traveling for some time, Perhonen was beginning to understand no matter where he and his friends that were always with him went, the weather and area would look the same. The dreary yellow and brown ground, hard soil beneath his hooves, the wind blowing with not a scent of rain and most of all no sign of life returning. That is what upset him the most. He looked forward to Spring, it was a time of renewal. The land came alive again with beautiful things that were vivid in colors and smells. The soil was not musky like in the colder months, it smelled almost fresh. The bushes would start to bloom with its fruits and flowers, trees would begin to regain it's vigor and the leaves the green color. The air would be chill but carry softly across bringing with it the smell of freshness and rain.
The month of April was known for it's rain. About half the month it rained at least a few minutes a day in most areas. That rain replinished the soil and the waterways. It brought life saving relif to those who need it the most. The fact the ground is in this state does not bode well for anyone and everyone.
The rains although most find a pain, are necessary for everyone's survival. Without it plants, flowers, trees, animals and others can't survive. It is a cycle of the natural side of our world.
Mety moved and it caught his attention, turning his head he saw Mety moving as if trying to tell him something. Catty was also moving about, wiggling around and using her small tail to point towards the other side of the field. They had obviously seen someone and was unomfortable since it was a stranger.
Glancing back around he noticed a brown and maroon male with antlers on the other side of the field. His face was easy to read, he was unhappy with what he was seeing. Perhonen thought he was the only one who saw the area around the way he did. Most he spoke to thought it was just a delay and saw nothing wrong with the fields. The colors didn't faze them either.
Nothing he said made any differnce to them. Each thought it was a simple delay in the cycle of seasons. It happens, he knew that but this felt different. He tried to explain but no one would listen.
Snorting softly he turned back to Mety and Catty to reassure them all was well. Once they settled he began to slowly walk across the field trying to line himself up to be in the male's line of vision. So far he hadn't noticed him. Each step brought him closer, as of now he was about half way across and the male hadn't said anything. He began to second guess crossing when the male suddenly saw him and stepped back in confusion.
Perhonen stopped and called out "Sorry didn't mean to startle you. You seemed lost in thought so I moved slowly and tried to be in your line of sight, I guess you got a bit of a jolt when you suddenly saw me instead of this detestable field." he nodded and waited for the male to reply.
Marlowe was startled out of his thoughts but a male approaching! He stepped back out of instinct and that made him mad. He was not one to back away from anyone or anything. He huffed loudly and pawed the ground in agitation. The other male didn't respond so either he didn't see or hear, or he was deliberately ignoring that. Either way it put him in a worse mood then he already was in.
Sighing in agitation his ears perked as the male spoke. His ears twitched as the words reached him from the breeze. "Who are you and why are you here? It is no polite to startle someone who is minding their own business. I am trying to compliate why this area is so dreadful and why the rains have not come!" he said in a very agitated tone. His head turned to the side and he stepped forward with his lips pulled back showing his teeth. He was in a very foul mood, and this male just made it worse!
Perhonen saw the male pull his lips back and bare his teeth and he sighed. Great, just great! I have to deal wiht another neantherdal type male. he thought to himself. He knew he had to respond so he chose his words carefully "I apologize for startling you, I am just travelling through hoping to find a area that is ready for the rains. The rumors of fires has started making the rounds, and it is frightening quite a few. I for one am not looking forward to that, it makes the cycle of renewal late and throws everything out of whack" he said and sighed when finished.
Mety and Catty moved up towards his neck and nestled there. It felt warn and was comforting. It was their way of letting him know they were there.
Marlow watched the other male with appraising eyes. He heard the words he spoke and was stunned another thought the way he did. It was intriguing on how he happened upon him, and why.
"I must apologize as well. This bland, disgusting field has made me have a foul mood. I am looking forward to the renweal of life that the rains and Spring brings. Yet everywhere I look is this and it depressses me. Care to go over to the town and get a cool drink and talk about this? Maybe you know more than I do or vice versa." with that being said he turned and headed back into town. He looked back and the male was trotting along behind him close enough he can see him but far enough away to give him space. He was a smart one!
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