She looked between the buck and the wolf as Badger's attention lowered to his companion, a thoughtful little frown on delicate features before the call of the doe leading them called for their attention. 

And Merry was t a ride doe, she'd have given it willingly, even eagerly, but her attention snapped up like it hadn't been her choice to do so at all.  It made her blink, puzzled the frown lingering and ears sweeping back against bright curls.  Skybird chirruped softly down at her.

"Y-yes.  Please," she answered as she looked back up at the buck beside her.  "I'd like that."  They might have been in a large group, but he was the only one she knew.

@blue

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgleft]

Beauty Past Compare was a maiden, a delicate flower, and so she rose from her seat, and her plump body shimmied insistently inwards to the leading mare and her sweet bobbing feelers. She wasn't keen on walking again so soon, but she had made her choice to come and show the Motherfather what for, so it was what it was. For now, she was now carried along by the momentum of the crowd. With the impressive number of totoma, perhaps they would kindly be of assistance should she collapse dramatically from exhaustion.

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgleft]


The purpose the mare instilled thrummed through Shroud; it was intoxicating. It made him feel exactly as he'd wanted - it made him feel alive. He laughed, just to himself, just a little, and kicked back on his heels. And they hadn't even left for the mountains yet!

If he were younger, just a little, he would have fearlessly leapt to the sides. But time, and many...many bruises and cuts and bites had tempered his boldness with the understanding of his limits, and the effects of his decisions on those around him. He ambled near the queen.

*******
[imgright]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... s_jund.gif[/imgright]


But not as near as Dapper Mantis, who stuck right to his lifemate's side. He nodded pleasantly at the travelers about, but made no other move, nor sought to speak now that they were to go. This was Swarm's show, and he was ready to shut up, put up, ride or die. Well, he hoped not die - but if they had to, there he was.

First Strike, as much as she disdained him, would take care of Court. It would be happy with her Child, and Brother and Sister too. He would stay with his beloved to the end.

(Let's not die.)

And also Aphid had better not die, young lady.

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgleft]He would have not called her weak, now or before. To Pestilence, Guardian was a pillar of strength and she demonstrated it every day in the way she cared for others. But that was neither here nor there, for it was a physical need that was being discussed. And while the thought of wedging himself into a group of kin he didn't even know the names of made him very uncomfortable, the idea of her being out of his sight simply would not be allowed. And so, he shook his head and followed her into the throng of kin, all marching along like worker ants, carrying their worry and excitement with them.

"I won't leave you," He said simply, finding a place at her side.

The buzzing grew stronger the closer they were to the striped mare, who, even in her Kimeti form closer resembled her wasp friends. It became almost comforting, the beat of their wings and the thrum of their song. It reminded him of home, of his beetles and other bug friends. He hoped they were doing well under the care of his son, Scourge.

As they walked, he found himself watching the mare curiously. He had heard how different the Swamp-Kissed were but to see it here, in the flesh, was astonishing. She was taller by a fair bit, bigger than any Kimeti he had seen. He wondered if Legendary kin could be identified by their bones alone? The thoughts were a kind distraction from the worry gnawing at his mind, at least.

@Lirilei

Fish smiled, nudging open her pack. “Trust me, there’s plenty.” Silvery dried fish, gleaming with scales and packed with oil. “Pure energy, these little nibbles. Energy and salt. We’ll need it for the trail ahead.” She looked over the group. “I worry about the acha. And the zikwa. Those delicate ankles of theirs might make for rough going over the rocks. And even with the spring thaw, I can’t imagine it being at all pleasant without much of a pelt. Not that I begrudge looking out for them, mind- everyone deserves a shot at the trip. And they can be just as formidable as we are. But it’s something we’ll look out for, anyone who’s struggling. And some lichen.” She chuckled at the other doe’s mention of plants. “It’s been a lifetime since I’ve seen the mountains, but I’ll never forget the taste of lichen. Even when we were at our hungriest, when I couldn’t fish up anything, there was always lichen to scrape from the rocks. It’s... nice, knowing that in the swamp, there’s at least moss or something less unpleasant. I remember that awful sound, that dreadful scraping that rattled inside my head... no, I don’t miss lichen one bit. But cold, truly cold icy water? That I dream about sometimes. How about you,” she said, abruptly turning towards a quiet purple buck. “Ever see the mountains yourself? Or are you swamp-born? Nothing against you either way- but it’s good to share stories on the journey.” She paused. “Or little oily, salty fish if you want some.”




@Prolixity @Mima

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... ncert2.png[/imgleft]As the herd of kin began to shuffle onward, a large blue and white crane lifted his beak from undergoing, his sun-set eyes streaming a misty glow. He, too, had heard the Swamp's Calling, Her voice coming in eerie dreams of spires in black, grey, and pink. For so long, the bard had waited, left on the cliff hanger that was a stagnant life. Eager was too small a word for what the Stag felt when he had opened his eyes after that first nightmarish dream. He had within him a hunger, one that has plagued him since before he was given his wings. To see everything the water touched.

His large wings spread, stretching from his sides and reveling in the sun that filtered through the trees. Watch felt laughter bubble up from within him, he could hardly contain his excitement. A grand warbling call rose from his throat and echoed in the leaves. His wings beat down and he rose and then fell, following the group in the air above them. From the far back, As The Sun Burn's could do as he always did; keeping watch as this grand tale unfolded.

It was time at last to see the place from which the rivers that fed the Great Ocean were born. Oh what a story this would make.

Slowly they all moved to comply and Swarm knew the satisfaction of order taking place. For a few minutes she lingered, her own nerves now swept away by the steady thrum from Brother and Sister, as she allowed everyone to figure out where they belonged. Now and again she leaned closer to Dapper Mantis, so she could feel his closeness, always knowing he was just right there, a comforting warmth.

Those she had deemed ‘weaker and less experienced’ began gathering close to her and she studied each one, giving gentle nods to each in turn. It had not been a slight to single them out. It was simply a fact that some would fall behind or find it harder to keep up. Keeping them close would ensure their safety.

“If anyone is struggling,” she said to the small group that had gathered near her, “I will assist you.”

Satisfied all was as it should be, Swarm turned to face the mountains.

“We march,” she announced, and began walking at a steady but not difficult pace. They could keep this up for some time without stopping and she did not plan on stopping until nightfall. They had a lot of ground to cover. She tilted her head up once, to curiously watch the crane soaring high above them, and then her head was turned only forward.

The mountain was calling.

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgleft] She blinked, not having expected such a reply. Especially after she had...apparently insulted the doe's mother, no less. She wouldn't backpedal on her comment, but was thankful that the other didn't seem horribly offended. It could have been worse

"Thank you" She mumbled, rising to her hooves at the offer to walk. The buzzing was getting increasingly difficult to ignore and it'd give her a reason to near the rest of the group without looking like she was contradicting herself "I will attempt to keep my comments on your kin to myself as we do so." The words didn't exactly sound right with her flat delivery. They were meant to be a bit of a joke, but she held her own reaction back besides the slightest upturn of the corners of her mouth in case it wasn't received well

With that out of the way, she pushed her reluctance towards the others down as far as she could and made to catch up with the leaving group (without leaving the doe behind). However, she did intend to stay a bit further away from the leading mare than she probably would have liked. Just in case she spoke in that strange hum again. There was nothing saying being closer to her when she did that wouldn't make the effects worse

@Ruriska

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgleft] Aphid was used to flat delivery and she caught the underlying note of humour. She gave a small chuckle, big eyes wide and full of smiles. She knew very well Swarm was easy to misread and she wasn’t going to lose out on a potential friendship over a single comment. An intense wasp legendary wasn’t going to appeal to every kin.

“Do your best,” she teased in turn, falling in alongside the furry Kiokote.

They caught up to the inner group as the march began and Aphid hopped up and down a bit to get a good look at her parents at the front. They looked cute together. She hoped that one day she could find the sort of love they had.

It seemed like an interesting mix of kin they would be travelling with, her gaze catching on a cute rotund Acha. So pretty!

“What do you think the mountain will be like?” She asked Cloy as they walked.

@HannahBug
@Maxx (just a mention because aphid thinks Beauty is a cutie!)

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... y_ruri.gif [/imgleft]


The hum of the wasp leading him into place was almost as strong as his need to travel forth. It was good to take action. Journey was anxious to begin travelling and he took up position on the right flank, knowing he would be strong enough to cover any distance without tiring. Whether the mountain itself would challenge him, he was excited to discover.

When they finally set forth, it was with a small sigh of relief. Forward. Yes, he was on the way.

[imgright]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgright]At the other doe's urging, Sleeping Terror obliged- taking just a small fish and crunching it down in one bite, bones and all. Never one for social tact, she continued mumbling in response, even with her mouth full. "Not to mention they don't seem very nutritious, if they die along the way." She laughed, clearly intending it as a (terrible, off-color) joke. But the ever-guiding will of the MotherFather brought her swift justice as she ended up coughing, soon spitting up a fishbone she'd gotten lodged in her throat.

Not known for her intelligence either, Sleeping Terror.

...Right. Best behavior.

Moving swiftly along in not acknowledging that had just happened, she nodded at the comments on lichen. "When it comes to things like that, it almost takes more energy to scrape it off than eating it will give you. I'd rather just go back to sleep until the hunting's better." She wasn't the lichen-scraping-terror, after all.

"It's true. I found myself moving closer and closer to the swamp in my age. The valleys are much easier to grow things in." Of course, she'd never grown things intending to eat them- she still preferred the taste of meat to plants. No, her gardens were purely decorative. The colors and shapes of flowers were just her passion.

She also glanced to the other totoma her companion was speaking to, though she didn't ask him anything more. Just listening for an answer.

@Scaramouche Fandango

[imgright]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... ow_tia.gif[/imgright]The mare's buzzing in Murkcrow's head was wildly irritating, and he found himself not wanting to listen to her in much the same way he had ignored the Swamp's messages for ages. Nonetheless, he couldn't avoid putting himself in line - somewhere near the back, with the totoma, because he preferred to walk next to Tidal Terror. Murkcrow was not the most talkative, but, he admitted, he'd prefer to have someone to talk to on the journey. And he kind of-sort of already knew Tidal Terror. He was, maybe, a little out of place there, but he did consider himself to be in pretty good shape, and he at least knew what blizzards were like, and he felt reasonably well-prepared. Finally, the group started underway, and Murkcrow felt his heart catch in his chest. He was leaving the Swamp, and that should not have even been impossible.

[imgright]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgright]It took Eats a moment to realize he was being addressed; he moved a step closer to the speaker to reply. "I was born in the mountains, but came to the swamp when I was very young," he answered. "I don't remember it well. I want to know what it's like." The fish looked good, but he shook his head, the thought occurring to him that maybe it would be better to save supplies for later. "I'm not hungry yet, but thanks."

@Scaramouche Fandango  @Mima

Hush had, like so many others, heard the call. She'd been visited, also, by strange dreams that left her feeling shaken in the morning, and yet filled with a sense that something was happening - a strange exhilaration that left her breathless, heart pounding, and brightened her eyes. She didn't fully understand the dreams, or what they meant, but they had felt far more real than any dream she'd ever had before.

Yet, she'd hesitated, initially - balking at the idea of leaving the safety and warmth of her den for places unknown and so far away.

In the end, it was the memory of her father's stories about the caves in the mountains, the somewhat wistful tone he'd used to describe them, and the long, and sometimes dangerous, journey he'd undertaken to arrive at the swamp so many years ago. He had always been more adventurers than she - Killing Smile, her bold brother, had inherited far more of their father's thrill-seeking spirit than she. And yet...

Yet, she found the idea had burrowed its way into her head like a caveworm. Torn with ideas of what she could be missing, as well as the dangers, she'd nearly decided on staying back - until that breathlessness had threatened to choke her.

She ran in the direction the buck had mentioned, following the signs of the other kin who had traveled a similar path.

When she arrives, for a brief moment Hush thinks it's too late and her heart sinks. Only, as she looks up she spots them - a dark trail of kin on the horizon, not yet too far away to reach. Had she waited any longer, however, they very well may have been.

"....Wait!" She calls out, but her voice is not one used to shouting, and she isn't sure they hear. Fear grips her, her eyes wide and wild as she struggles between instinct and the desire to know.

She runs, trying not to think of it, and slowly the others come into view.

She's panting, her hide slightly lathered when she catches up, and then she realizes others are looking at her. Strangers. Overcome with shyness she ducks her head, her long, full, tail curling itself around her in a gesture of self-soothing.

"I... I didn't want to be left behind," she says, finding her voice as she looks up at the mare leading the group.

@Ruriska

"It was a wonderful idea, Murkcrow! I should have brought such things myself to give to those with thinner flanks! You will do well on this journey." She could only hope that living on the beach didn't thin her own flanks too much for the coming cold.

She watched in surprised silence as Swarm took control of the otherwise rowdy group. Others seemed to be intimidated by the wasp-voice the doe projected, but Tidal Terror felt more impressed than anything else. A strong leader indeed! A strange one, as wasps did not do well in the cold. But if the swamp chose her, she would be a hardy one.

Tidal Terror's attention soon turned to Sleeping Terror again as the elder doe addressed her. She took comfort in the othe doe's strategy and logic. They would need that. Most of them from the mountains likely left behind the war mindset, but now they would need to be troops again.

The blue totoma left Sleeping Terror with a kind-looking totoma carrying fish, sure that they would be able to take care of themselves as well as  the others.

If a few totoma were taking up the rear guard, then there would need to be more flanking the sides. She started to move through the herd as openings became available in the crowd.

"Friend Murkcrow! I will be moving closer to the front and sides! You may join me if you would like!"

@Tiarana