Chasing Crows

Featuring Ayden & Shilo
Late Spring, Year 756 of the New Age
Silverthorne, Silverwood

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Shilo

The little buckskin fawn trailed through the forest, her thin, dark legs taking small strides. Her large ears were folded back, dark eyes downcast as she frowned slightly. It was a beautiful late spring day, a calm breeze drifting through the main herd, with the sun overhead a few hours before noon. Yet, the more Shilo thought about reaching the destination a little ways away from the herd, the more she wanted to turn back.

Shilo was old enough to be on her own for short periods, which was a blessing. Able to escape the crowds and travel along the edges for a few hours. Her mother hadn’t approved with all her time alone, so she’d set up a mentor for some herb learning. It wasn’t her first class, but Shilo lacked the ability to properly identify the stout green herbs. Those she did find right, she often got their use wrong.

Glancing up with dark eyes, the little hind stopped in her approach for the forest. Her ears unfurled, that frown forming into a giddy smile. Maybe skipping one class wouldn’t be such a bad thing…

Ayden

The day was just too nice. Too nice to be spent doing the same old boring drills he’d been doing all week. That and those herb lessons. What did he need them for anyway? He wasn’t going to become a healer like some doe. If he needed to get patched up, he’d just go to a healer. And the drills. He’d just begun soldier training this season, but already he was irritated. Why did he need to run about and build stamina? He could already last longer than any of the lighter built bucks. So why should he bother attending?

With a snort the young dun continued through the underbrush, hooves heavy as they hit the earth. He wasn’t trying to be sneaky as he ditched for the day (something he knew he’d be in trouble for later, but he just didn’t care), and even if he were, he’d have failed. The heavy buck wasn’t built for stealth.

Of course...he was quite surprised when he finally looked up to find the figure of a filly ahead of him, silhouetted against the trees of the Silverwood. What was she doing over here? Was she lost or something?



Shilo

Shilo lifted her head, a burst of confidence giving her swagger as she went to turn. That’s when she’d heard it, a soft rolling thunder that could be compared to running. Her large ears twisted to the side, still as she spotted a young buck charging.

At what though? Her brow quirked, a silent question and curiosity. She never did understand why all the older boys were running and butting bare heads, but she’d never figured to ask. Not that she had a chance to, her mother was content to keep her with the other fillies and younger colts.

Conflicted with staying and turning away, she’d noticed that not only was the dun male running, but he was looking at her. At least, that’s what she imagined, right? Wonderful, she snorted softly, she was already paranoid someone was coming to drag her back.

Ayden

Ears flickered forward, tail lashing behind him as he halted. Well, the filly had seen him...but then she’d looked away. The buck felt a flicker of irritation, that she wasn’t even interested enough to say hello. Well, he was just going to have to change that, and see what she was doing way out here.

So with a huff, he picked up his thick legs and carried forward once more, until he was closer. “Hey there!” he called loudly, a smirk slipping on his muzzle as he slowed to a walk, then halted feet from the smaller fawnling. “What are you doing way out here? Escaping?” Though Ayden couldn’t really imagine what from. Does had it pretty easy, after all.

Shilo

The little filly jumped upon the loud voice, her ears folded back shyly as she glanced back, startled by the older buck. Oh, he was walking towards her. Shilo’s mind was frantic, but she managed to put on a small smile as he got closer. Be polite to those you don’t know, first lesson taught.

He smirked, seeming to saunter up to her in a way that made her giggle. “What are you doing way out here? Escaping?” He sounded confident enough to be a legitimate excuse.

“I might be,” she admitted, her voice quiet as she curled her thin tail playfully, “though it depends on who’s asking?”

Alone, one on one with someone, she could outgoing. Plus, long as he didn’t try to drag her away to her lessons or worse, her mother, it’d be a fun time in most cases.

Ayden

“The names Ayden, soldier in training,” the red dun announced arrogantly, smirk shifting to a grin before morphing back once more. “So what were you supposed to be doing, instead of being all the way out here?” he asked, curious. Sure, he should be ushering her back to her proper place at lessons, and he probably would have...except that meant he’d have to go back to his own. And he really, really didn’t want that. So perhaps he’d have to make do, and deal with a slightly out of place doe. Besides, it could be more fun, just this once.

Shilo

Ayden, so that was his name. His smirk stayed put, almost turning into something more, but he seemed to catch himself before it happened. Ah, and there was the question.

“Uh,” she glanced to the side, offering a sheepish smile as she looked back at him, “studying herbs. I’m not any good at it though.” She put a hoof forward, ready to change the subject, “But I’m certain you understand that, right? Else, why would you be aimlessly charging everywhere?”

Shilo tilted her head, looking up with dark brown eyes. If he was a soldier in training, she’d much rather watch him work then have to dig through the undergrowth.

Ayden

The red dun watched as she glanced to the side, amused by how sheepish she looked. It was actually rather cute, he supposed, as opposed to the brazen looks some fillies thought they should wear. And oh, studying herbs. The thought caused him to actually shudder, though it more dramatic than anything else, to be sure.

“Because I can be,” Ayden replied promptly, with a grin, when she asked why else he’d be charging about. He ignored the aimlessly part, though. “I get not wanting to learn herbs. They’re so boring! I mean, if I wanted to I’d be good at them, but I don’t care for it. I’m not going to be an herbalist, so why bother? I’m going to be a soldier, and protect you and the rest of the herd,” the young fawnling announced, puffing out his chest in a display of cockiness and pride. He do it, too!

Shilo

The little buckskin fawn smiled at his confidence. Plus, she was excited he didn’t like them either! She listened, ears perked forward and curious to hear more. When he announced he was going to be a soldier, something in her mind told her there was no doubt about it. His strong words, preening posture - she could see it.

“I can’t wait!” She beamed, “I bet you’re going to be one of the best soldiers.” She’d seen the soldiers around her, guarding the herd and tending where it needed be. Ayden was devoted to being as a soldier as she was to skipping lessons.

“Though,” she pursed her lips, still smiling, “what’s training like?”

Ayden

“Oh, you can bet I am!” the buck announced, beaming under her gaze. He decided he liked this filly, he definitely wasn’t going to tell her to go back where she should be. No, it would definitely be more fun to skip on drills and lessons together.
“Training? It’s so boooooring. Especially right now! They’ve just got us running pointlessly in circles. Something about building up our strength. I could do that all day long. I wanna learn how to fight,” tone was plaintive as he spoke, nearly a whine, glancing back toward the direction he’d come from. “I wanna lunge and jab, charge and lock antlers. Not this baby stuff,” words were accompanied by actions as he moved, darting forward with his head lowered, acting as if he were stabbing something, though his head was as yet bare. He hadn’t had his first set of antlers yet, even. He bounded over to Shilo’s other side, charging as he moved, as if meeting some unseen opponent.

When he stopped, he lifted his head, apparently remembering something as he turned back to look at his companion. “What’s your name, anyway?” he asked, perhaps looking the fool for not asking earlier, but not caring. It wouldn’t be the first time.

Shilo

She watched him display, tail curled along her hind leg in aw. He wasn’t as strong as an adult yet, but Ayden looked like one of the strongest youngsters she’d met. Not that she’d met many, mind you. “Just wait till you get some big antlers,” she giggled, turning her head to watch him mock fight with an invisible opponent, “then you’re really gonna do some damage!”

Shilo was lifted her front legs off the ground, knees touching as she reared in excitement as he ran. She set her feet back on the ground and bounced a bit, watching Ayden stop, only to ask for her name. Offering a large smile with wide, vibrant brown eyes, she said, “I’m Shilo!” She was amazed he wanted to know, he seemed so caught up in his games. Not that she minded, it was easy to lose oneself sometimes.

Ayden

“I’m gonna chase all those nasty black demons back into their lands, and the water rats back down into their tunnels. They won’t dare show their sneaky faces again!” Words were arrogant, proud, and also fed by the words and giggle of the filly. “I’ll even protect you from those vicious cave lions. They won’t come close! I’ll be strong, and be a great fire wielder, just you wait,” he announced, puffing out his chest once more with a giant grin. He was really, really enjoying himself right now.

“Oh, well, nice to meet ya Shilo. You seem like a good sort of filly, I think,” the buck decided, nodding, as if that was all that mattered and he was the authority on the matter. Like he had a clue at all. “So what do ya wanna do with the day, since we’re skipping class?” Question was curious, bright, as he turned his grin upon her, shamelessly drawing her into his plans for the day. Why wouldn’t he want to hang out with a nice little golden filly? Besides, he had to make sure she was protected!

Shilo

She listened, eyes growing wide with his announcement of the cave lions. The thought made her uneasy, which lead her to step closer. His words gave her a sense of security and hope! Of course he’d protect her, he was Ayden! He sounded invincible. She smiled, not believing he could get his chest out anymore than it was. She decided she liked the older dun.

“Nice to meet you, too!” She said, beaming and shaking off the thought of the cave lions. Shilo giggled when Ayden called her, “good.” That made her happy, it sounded like he was willing to keep her around for a bit. And it seemed the young filly was right, for he asked her what they should do. He was talking with a grin in voice and eyes, which caused the little buckskin to swish her tail. “We could go and chase some crows on the ground? You could show me some of your moves!” She bounced in place, all excited for a new friend and a new adventure.

Ayden

The young buck couldn’t help but chuckle as she stepped closer, grinning like a fool. It wasn’t often he had the attention of a young filly, especially one that seemed to enjoy his company! He was far more used to getting giggled at for doing something stupid...but this was a great change of pace.

“Hmm, alright! Chasing, crows, huh? Could be fun! Get a good workout in too, way better than running in circles,” Ayden replied with a laugh, flicking his tail before dashing off. “Well, come on! What are ya waitin’ for?”

Shilo

“H-Hey!” Shilo called out, startled as the older boy dashed off. She took chase after him, her little legs working into overdrive to try and catch up with the Ayden. The filly laughed as she chased him, giddy with the thought of having someone’s attention. Plus it was someone older and yet younger than her mother, a double win! “Wait for me!” She continued to bound after him, weaving through the trees as the dirt and grass flew in a wave behind her with her effort to keep up.