It is funny how Sir Summer seems to appear whenever the forest is still and un-eventful. We had talked at length about the day it snowed, and the supposed Abiogenesis that took place not long afterwards. I myself have never seen one, but I feel it is perhaps because I choose not to believe in the "Twin Gods". Not that I have anything against anyone who does... perhaps it is more to do with the fact that I don't need to believe in them; I don't need a higher power to remind me how to conduct myself with my fellow deer. Nor do I feel the need to worship them, bargain with them when things go wrong, or thank them for when things go right when there is no-one else to thank. I don't tend to let others be aware of my non-belief so as not to cause offense or land myself in any un-due trouble, as I fear it might well do with the less tolerant deer of the forest. I have however entertained the thought that in my non-belief I inadvertently prove their existence: if they are aware that I do not need them, then they therefore choose not to show themselves to me. I suppose that's another conversation to have with Summer another time though. Right now he seemed to be quizzing me on what happened that day, and it was something that, for once, I wish my memory would interfere with.
"The season spirits are an age-old belief that died out long ago... you are sure you saw the Winter spirit?" He seemed rather confused, "I for one don't even believe you when you say it snowed. It's the middle of Summer!"
"Which is why I found it most peculiar." I dug the end of my mask into a little divot on the ground so it would hold my head up, "But I'm telling you," I sighed, "it was indeed the Winter Spirit. I saw him with my very own eyes. His speech wasn’t clear to me, but as much as I protested he wouldn't leave me alone; my head is still sore from..." I trailed off then as I felt my teeth clenching. I attacked those trees and rocks as if they were my most hated enemy - and I have no enemies. That feeling of what I can only describe as blind, unrelenting rage makes me feel sick every time I think about it. It didn't help that the roots of my antlers were still a little sore, and I could see the evidence of my rampage all over the Birch Forest - I haven't ventured there much since.
"I found my tree in the end and collapsed out of sheer fatigue." I continued rather hastily, wanting to have this conversation end as soon as possible, "Clearly not the wisest thing to do as it later rained - if it wasn't for all those deer that saw my state and kept me warm, well, I don't much like to think about it."
"... I see." Summer murmured, absent-mindidly staring at one of the butterflies that had landed on a long grass blade beside him. I don't think I've ever seen him this subdued, and it looked like he was mulling everything over in his mind to find something intelligent to say. To be honest, some closure wouldn't go amiss. I had told him moments ago that the spirit had said that my purpose was to be reincarnated as they saw fit, and that I was some sort of servant at their disposal.
"... Why are you laughing?" Summer asked suddenly. Of course I was! This was all just utterly ridiculous, me harping on about a season personified with a voice and knowing my name. But what made me laugh most of all is that no matter how much I would like to believe I had eaten one-to-many mushrooms, it was all very much real.
"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about all the faces I woke up to, most of them strangers. It's wonderful how caring this forest is, you know. Why, you'd see it if only you were here more often."
"For your information," he began whilst hoisting himself off the ground, "I'm here enough to know that you have found yourself quite the... companion, should I say?" He looked at me with the most suggestive brow-raise I had ever seen, "Not that I blame you of course. She is very pretty.”



I jumped to my hooves sharply. Was he talking about... no, perhaps he's gotten me confused with someone else. It wouldn't have been the first time.
"Whatever do you mean by that?" I challenged him in a more defensive tone than I would have liked. In hindsight it was probably the wrong way to go about it, "I assure you, I don't know what or who you are talking about."
"You may be wise, but you're also both oblivious and stupid. That Doe you are always with! Whistling mask, the elaborate pelt - which I recall you disliking at one point, by the way - she was the last one to stay with you after everything on that night." I fell silent and swallowed. I wasn't with her all the time... was I?
"I said I didn’t like it on Stags; I see it as very much a feminine pattern. On her it’s very fitting, and we are... close, I suppose." I smiled to myself, "She's wonderful to be around."
"... And?"
"... And what?"
"Oh come on!" Summer stomped his hoof, "Fine, we'll do it your way. Answer me this question: when she's not around, what do you do?"
"I..." As soon as my mouth opened, my usual confidence was no-where to be found and all words escaped me. Usually I could cut Summer down with one well-structured sentence, but for once I couldn't seem to concentrate. He told me to think about when she wasn't around, but, to be honest, I simply couldn’t.
"... I'll make it more simple. What were you doing before I came to find you?"
"I was sitting below a new tree, with poppies." I answered instantly. That was at least one thing I was sure of; I had been tree-hopping because I somehow didn't feel right in myself and couldn't get comfortable anywhere.
"Ok," Summer nodded, "and what were you doing under that tree?"
"Doing?" I repeated, "Well, I was..." Suddenly I felt a bit queasy, just like I had felt when sitting under all those trees. It was like I needed to run, or just move somewhere else to get rid of the odd adrenaline rush I could feel tightening my chest, "... I was thinking-" of her. I stepped back a little when that answer hit me, not actually saying it allowed. Sir Summer just smiled at me knowingly.
"B-But..." I think I must have looked quite frightened by this revelation. Summer however reacted like Summer - he just stood and laughed his merry head off. He knew I behaved some-what awkwardly in front of Does, but the fact that he saw this coming before I did was just brilliant in his eyes. I must have looked so out-of character - a big, lumbering, stuttering mess of a Stag. I cleared my throat in order to try and compose myself, and that I did much to Summer's amusement.
"No good trying to cover yourself now my friend!" He turned away and parted the butterflies in front of him, "Why did you think I didn’t go to the dance?”
“You’re not exactly one for keeping promises.” I was wondering when he would bring that up, “I assumed you had found something better to do.”
“Well first off, where’s the challenge in starting one of my lovetrains at something so organised? Secondly, I didn’t go because I knew you would not have gone there alone anyway. You didn’t seem too bothered when a fawn just so happened to cast the spell for her coat onto you; you wore it for the dance, correct? It was clear that you had every intention to go there purely for her.” I couldn’t deny that he was right, but how did he know about that? How did he know about her at all even – he didn’t ever come to the forest unless I was here to entertain him.
“… How do you know all these things?” It was all highly suspicious. Sir Summer wasn’t exactly the most subtle of creatures, “I can always smell you coming miles away; you’re terrible at hiding from an observant Stag like myself.”
“… Let’s just say I have my sources. Now if you excuse me, I must be leaving.” With a white flash of his tail he was off with a great spring in his step, “I’ll see you very soon!”
“Sure you will!” I called after him, “… I’m sure you will.”



I sat down where I stood, thinking back to a moment where she and I were sat by the crying idol. We were joined by two fawns, and she commented that even through my mask she could tell I was smiling because of them. But if I’m honest with myself, it wasn’t because of the fawns at all… am I really that enamoured with her?



I curled around myself, feeling quite alone all of a sudden and sick to the pit of my stomach. I hadn’t eaten, or slept properly… perhaps there’s something wrong with me. Virgil’s been sick lately, coughing and such the poor chap. But from what I can tell, this is entirely different.

(Apologies for the edit-bump, but I found an annoying spelling mistake that had to be corrected)