Darcy's Profile

Shiori's picture


Name: Darcy

Nicknames: D or Dar

Gender: Stag

Age: Mid 30's

Pictogram:
Here

Loves: Forever, a peahen.

Official Color: #C76114

Personality:
Darcy is a pretty complex guy and is extremely hard to describe in a short amount of space, but I shall try!
There are many layers to his personality, and no one layer truly stands out against the rest yet as he continues his journey to find his true self within a sea of emotion. I suppose it would be a good idea to start with Darcy’s positives. One thing that has always stayed steady about the stag however is his friendly, self-sacrificing nature. His level of outgoingness changes with his mood, but he is always willing to offer a smile and kind words to any who are friendly in return. For his friends, he’s willing to offer anything. In a constant search for approval and belonging he takes his relationships quite seriously and tries not to hold any one person above another.
He is creative and loves to work with words, often speaking poetically, philosophical about everything in life. Open and willing to try out new ideas and activities, when in a good mood he can be a fun guy to be around. His hobbies, likes and interests are broad, and unlike some it’s hard to pin point just exactly what sort of individual he is through them alone.
Honest but considerate, he is often stuck between the truth and what might not want to be heard. It is however well known that he is a bad liar and easy to read once his emotions get the better of him. Being plagued by a somewhat guilty conscience he often takes on more responsibility for a wrong done then he needs to or is at fault for, but he is always sincere and looking out for the best interests of others in whatever he does.

What may seem simply humble to some, however, can translate into a darker side in Darcy. Haunted by past and present events and mistakes, Darcy often struggles to move on from things that have caused him stress, or worse, especially if it has caused others the same illness. His mood will sour at any trigger of a bad experience, or at random if his mind is not properly distracted, and may often seem confusing and hard to understand to those around him. These fits of depression are extremely varied in their levels of intensity, the smallest being a simple standoffish sadness that keeps him distant and quiet for a short period of time, to the worst, in which his mind is so overtaken he seizes to function as himself and ‘loses his mind’, in a sense, temporarily switching off from the world around him.
And lastly, apart from sadness…anger. Darcy can at times, well…snap. One can only be gracious for so long, after all. He has always had a wild side as a younger stag and an affinity for starting fights, and while most of that former rowdiness has dulled, he is no less eager to lower his antlers when he’s anything from annoyed to protective to outraged. Especially when in a bad mood, his patience can be worn quite thin and he is easily provoked, while on another day he might tolerate the irritation better. Despite his looks, which certainly don’t mirror that of your usual tough guy image, he knows how to fight and wont back down from a reasonable challenge.

Appearance:
The buck has taken a strong liking to the orange butterfly pelt and the spiky brown antlers that curve down towards his back. His mask of choice is the Real Deer mask, not just because it’s a fine look but he very much enjoys the sound it makes. Rarely ever will he change appearance finding himself quite handsome as he is, thank you. When he's feeling silly or depressed though he might change things up for a little while. When he's sad he either turns into a mini deer (small and insignificant) or wears one of the real deer pelts (ordinary, not flashy).

Darcy is a bit on the short side for a buck, compact and sturdy in body yet lithe in features. His legs are thinly built but they are quite muscular and agile. His eyes are an amber color, only slightly lighter than the orange of his pelt. There are tusfts of hair at the ends of his longer-than-average ears like a lynx, as well as a bit of extra fuzz, streaked with premature graying, growing from his forehead that look curiously like bangs as it hangs over his mask. Scars dot his frame, some destryong hair pigment and causing new growth to come in white, and on others hair refuses to grow at all. He doesn't like to be 'naked' because of this, as the default pelt tends to show them better. His face too bears the many reminders of past harm, self inflicted and resulting from numerous battles. He's quite ashamed of them, and therefor will not allow himself to be caught without a mask that properly conceals them. If these long healed injuries can be overlooked, he has a pleasant face, his features very soft and subtle, all but his eyes which are deeply set, and while kindly, have a constant look of weariness in them. A short bit of stubble grows along his chin and jawline, helping him to have a more masculine appearance his otherwise softness may not allow...

Human Appearance: H e r e

Likes:
-Darcy’s favorite past time is making himself dizzy. When he finds he likes a certain someone or is really just feeling quite bored and idle, he’ll start circling. Around trees, rocks, the Twin Gods, mushroom circles or other deer, it doesn’t much matter to him, but round and round he’ll go. He's also start circling in place when he's nervous or anxious.
-Being transformed into small animals. He’ll stay in this form for hours, finding the reaction of others highly amusing, and appreciates the new perspective of the world.
- Helping others with their masks and pelts. Once given the honor of being asked, Darcy is dedicated till the correct combination is found.
-Playfighting. Unlike a lot of other deer who might find this behavior rude, he gets a thrill out of challenging others, though it's rarely ever serious. When another deer actually engages him, it makes his day ^^
-Sitting near the pond under the willows, letting the long drooping branches caress him.
- Dancing! He loves putting together new steps and combinations in his dance.
-Fawns. Fawns are his weakness, and he'll do his best to befriend them all and try to include them in his activities.


Dislikes:
-He doesn’t really care for ‘spell games’ too much, as he likes his appearance as it is and always ends up changing it back. He’ll play along for a while but if a spell caster is especially persistent he can get a bit agitated. He ESPECIALLY hates being ‘sneak attacked’ by the magical white pelts given by the Twin Gods. Unless he’s with good company, he’ll become quite aggressive or intimidated by this and will flee the area.
-He especially hates Mask spells, as he's very sensitive about his appearance and likes to keep his face concealed. If someone casts a spell removing his mask or if he loses it on accident he'll often flee the scene and present company till he can get it back.
-He doesn’t really like overly large, rambunctious crowds. He’d much rather break from a large group and go looking for a lonely deer to hang out with then remain in the chaos of it all.
-Any of the halloween sets. Not only does he find the skull appearance unsettling but he finds that the owners of these sets are often proud and aloof creatures. Still, he gives all the benefit of the doubt.
-Deer who don't know the meaning of PERSONAL SPACE. Darcy is very sensitive about his space, and while he'll tolerate close contact for a little while he might become agressive if a deer he isn't close to does not let him have it.
-When deer sit on other deer, usually in the case of gaining pelt spells from a sleeping deer. He finds this to be very rude and will often try and get the offending creature to move.
-The Drinkplaats. Getting naked = not fun at all. If friends enter he'll wait at the edge of the mushroom circle anxiously. If he really wants to take part in the fun he'll wait till no one is looking, dash in and transform himself. Only on rare occasions does he linger in deer form.

Location?: While he isn't particularly picky about where he is, he is fond of the pond, as well as his daughter's grave. He can also be found basking in sunspots.

What's Darcy trying to say in the forest?
Understanding Darcy

Darcy Art By Me:
X X XX

Loverly Fanart:
Blackhoof
Head Portrait //Studly Pose //Second down
Reetno
Watching Over Me // Bar Buddies //Best Picta Eva //A New View // You, You...
Ravenflight
A Shy Meeting
Skokey
Darcy in Pencil
Kana
Rearing Darcy
Rai [Vagrantcy]
On The Rocks // Christmas Love // Darcy the Collie! // Blue Monday// Naptime// Cute Overload!
Anzel
Carry Me Home
Wyvern
2nd Row, 3rd Down
Cato
Darcy and Atiq // Manlyman // Monocle'd D
Halogen
Awesomely Awesome D
Quamar
Darcy and Rowan
Meadow
Surprise!
POOH2004
Morning Forgiveness // Just a Hug
Lurvis
A Painted Style
Density
Darcy and Jerry's Wild Adventures!
Wake
A Light in Shadows
Sonata
Cuteness


Writing Features:
[Ok this section is new so...I don't have a lot, even though I know Darcy has gotten a few more writing mentions then this ^^' I'm sorry! If you know of one I don't have here please let me know!]

Shi
Before The Chrysalis Ch. 1
Before The Chrysalis Ch. 2
Before The Chrysalis Ch. 3

Rai
Mothers Cast Shadows
Valentines Day
Blink in the View of Life
Lapses in Judgement
Children Don't Grow Up


THANKS GUYS ^^ Hope I haven't forgotten anyone...
I wont USUALLY ask for fanart...maybe on occasion. To me though the best fan art is the one given in surprise! -hinthint- XD
Shiori's picture

His emotions were getting the

His emotions were getting the better of him again. Darcy had the unfortunate flaw of not being able to conceal them very easily, which made him a horrible liar. Guess that was sort of a good thing? He was forgetting himself though. Herla was so timid and gracious...he wasn't really used to it, what with Rowan putting him in his place all the time. An ear twitched to catch her apology as the other lay back against his head in shame.
“Don't apologize. I should be thanking you for keeping me busy,” he reassured her, his smile finally warm and genuine beneath the shadow of his worn mask, “I am only sorry at the cost it is to you...Come now, no more of that okay?”
He carefully stepped around her before lowering himself on her off side facing the opposite direction. Darcy's scarred body cradled hers. He could feel the quickness of her breath and slowed the rhythm of his in attempts to calm her.
“I...hear you have adopted a fawn? The little one you're always with? I hope you have some assistance with such a task.” He spoke idly, trying to distract her...or perhaps he was trying to distract himself. His rage at Reed still brewed in the pit of his stomach and left a sour taste in his mouth and an itch in his restless limbs.
Shiori's picture

Suzer – Hello there!

Suzer – Hello there! Um...yes, yes her does ^^ Why do you ask?

Cailyn – Seeing Lin has made him so happy! .__. She is his pride and joy, you have no idea -snugs- And yeah I sort of figured it was a computer problem...I'm sorry he keeps running off but you know him XD' He's always into something he should be, oi. I wonder if there's anything you can do to make it better? Either way, we're happy to just sit and frolic, as long as she's understanding when he suddenly has to bolt off to check on something XD' I know our activity here has been sporadic... and I'm not even going to promise it wont continue to be -sigh- But for now we're here...as long as Darcy has a reason to be.


The stag froze at the little doe's words. The muscles in his chest painfully constricted. She may as well have kicked him in the gut...but he deserved it. He deserved the real thing, and much much more for everything he'd done. He didn't want to meet her eyes, so like his own, but he did, swallowing the sickness that rose in his throat as he studied the complex emotion on her young face.
“Oh Lin...” he whispered, his voice strained. Heaving a sigh, he gave his head a quick shake, freeing the mask from his face so that it slid down his neck on a fine red ribbon. Shifting closer, he craned his neck around her, minding his antlers, and buried his face in the small of her back. Breathing in her scent, he closed his eyes tight against the moisture threatening to gather there.
“I don't deserve you...”
Sighthoundlady's picture

Herla looked up at Darcy with

Herla looked up at Darcy with an adoring smile at the kindness in his voice. Tears were in her eyes, she ducked her head again to hide them. When he gently sat beside her and cradled her against him, she let out a ragged sigh and laid her head across his back. It was easier to breathe with her head elevated. A funny warm fuzziness was creeping around her vision now. Not the same as when she couldn’t catch her breathe. No, this was a lot more pleasant. She sort of felt like she was floating above her body. The pain was still there but it was distant. Removed. It couldn’t bother here.

“Ciel is precious. But he is a handful.” and here she actually giggled. “Darcy, I feel funny.” and she giggled again.
Shiori's picture

He didn't know what to think

He didn't know what to think about the look she was giving him, so he merely smiled back at her, wondering if he was taking things too far. He was just being there for a friend, protecting a doe in need...surely Rowan wouldn't have any quarrel with that right? The uneasy feeling in his gut was not so convinced – and it intensified as the doe rested her head on his back. Naw, he was just being silly. Really...
Her answer was amusing. A brow rose beneath his mask, a small laugh escaping his lips as the tittering sound of giggling escaped hers. Sheesh, he wished it worked on him that fast! The high strung little doe no doubt absorbed and processed the mysterious properties of the fungus like a greedy sponge.
“That's normal...lets hope it's the drowsy sort of funny and not the 'Lets run a marthon' kind, ” he jested, watching her closely with a small glimmer of weariness in his eyes. He hadn't let her overdo it had he?
“And yes...they're all precious at that age. They need guidance though...” he continued, lifting his head and staring off toward the distance shore of the pond where a small group of youngsters played. Guidance...he had failed at that part, hadn't he?
Sighthoundlady's picture

Herla was feeling quite

Herla was feeling quite alright at the moment. She enjoyed the feeling of floating over her body, and having some relief from the miseries of her pain. Physical and mental. Her fear was gone. She nuzzled her face into Darcy’s back and giggled again. “You smell nice!” she said, more giggles erupting from her. It didn’t even hurt to do so. She inhaled the scent of the stag. His fur tickled her nose. She sighed happily. He was talking to her, the word’s meaning lost on her but she enjoyed the sounds of them none the less. It pleased her. “Mrrrrr… was her only reply to his nice sounding words, she buried her face in his fur again inhaling his scent.

((Herla is quite nicely stoned now! LOL!))
Shiori's picture

Yup, she'd definitely

Yup, she'd definitely overdone it. The lively, anxious glimmer in her crimson eyes was slowly but surely glazing over. He turned his head back to her cautiously, a bit on edge as she attempted to burrow into his back. Darcy made no move or shift to stop her, however. Now that he'd gotten her into this state, he had to keep her close...she was entirely his responsibility now.
“Oh dear...it seems I've forever tarnished your innocence,” he chuckled softly, laying back his ears at the thought though his eyes brimmed with amusement. It seems he had forgotten about his anger.
“You should sleep, now.” It was more of a demand than a suggestion. On cue, he snuggled closer to her, curling more tightly around her in persuasion.
superemily0's picture

Heya. xD I was the fawn that

Heya. xD I was the fawn that was following you around yesterday. I'm really good friends with Caitlyn/Lin. Sooooo yeah. I roleplay a stag fawn named Isaiah. We should roleplay sometime.
Sighthoundlady's picture

((Can’t just let an

((Can’t just let an intoxicated doe wander around the forest, dancing in trees! LOL!))

Herla sighed contentedly, and did just as the stag suggested. She drifted off the sleep, nestled close to him.

Sighthoundlady's picture

((Thanks for putting up with

((Thanks for putting up with Herla’s feistiness last night, I do hope she wasn’t too much a bother, lol))

When Herla found Darcy that evening, she was full of energy, dancing and frolicking around the stag, prodding him to play. It was never too difficult with Darcy. She laughed and giggled at his antics. She raced around him, darting under him and around, speed and agility packed into a small form. She was quick. The small black doe was not strong and had no antlers, but she was a blur when she wanted to be.

She “challenged” him to a duel. Taunting, then rearing up, her dainty hooves flashing in the air, before lowering her “antlers.” She shook her feather mantle like the stags shook their massive racks at each other. Then she would charge and feign attacks, laughing and giggling all the while. Diving around him, nipping at his flanks or even darting in with a kiss to his cheek, then bounding off again. “You can’t catch me, Darcy!” she giggled, rearing up again and bounding forward.
Shiori's picture

It was a side of the little

It was a side of the little doe that Darcy hadn't seen before. Who knew the quiet and gentle lass had such a playful streak. On most days he would have thought this quite the pleasant surprise, might have taken her energy unto his own and given her a true run for her money. She was a quick litte sprite, but so was he! The stag was smaller than average, carrying less bulk in a more compact frame. While his slender build was well muscled it was obvious he could not compete with the brute strength most the hulking beats of the forest used to their advantage. No...Darcy had speed, too. He might have dedicated himself more readily to her challenges - though he would never harm her - eager to teach her a skill or two that could possibly come in handy. Rowan too had only feathers, and she was fierce as a cat!

He might have...

But the male's mind was in a fog that day. It was most inconvenient, but ultimately nothing new to the meloncholy stag. Herla didn't know this Darcy, a fact that he was well aware of - and a fact he didn't want her to be aware of. So as she began to race around him he plastered a grin on his face, rose from where he sulked and gave chase with as much gusto as he could muster up. It was a struggle, keeping his dim thoughts on the game. Darcy allowed her to stay several strides ahead. He backed down to her challenges after little more than a bow-and-shake or two of his own antlered head. Her laughter was infectious as always, and she made it easy to smile and laugh along.
"You can't catch me, Darcy!"
"I bet you're... right!" he chuckled dryly, spinning around around as she circled him, darting in and out like a restless fawn at play. The monarch-pelted male was tiring. He charged after her, following her path as she weaved in and out between the trees, but he slowed as she bounded off through the the tangle of wild flowers, trying to take wing with the butterflies. A dull pain began to throb in his right tendon, warning him of his negligent clumsiness. Coming to a stop, he watched her play as he caught his breath, giving his head a hearty shake.

...Track....

...Track....
Sighthoundlady's picture

Herla was full of boundless

Herla was full of boundless energy tonight. Her injuries had not plagued her and she enjoyed the feel of the wind through her feathers as she dashed too and fro, Darcy quick on her heals. He was fast, there where many times that he would almost catch up to her. Almost. She laughed, full of light heartedness. It felt good to be young and free spirited, there had been too many pressures of late that one so young was still ill equipped to handle. She pushed the thought of her troubles away. It was still easy for her to do so…too easy sometimes.

She played. Darcy reared and lowered his antlers at her in mock battle. It made peals of laughter fall from her. She continued her game of kissing, then running away again.

When she realized he had fallen behind and was now just standing watching her, she turned back to him, cocking her head in bewilderment. It was then that she saw how he favored the one leg and looked…tired. A rush of concern flooded her and she quickly trotted back to him. He still had a smile on his face for her but he looked…unhappy. She wondered if she had angered him. She slowed when she neared him those last steps. “D-d-darcy?” she said, a tentativeness in her speech. Surely she could not have harmed him? She knew he got into scraps quite often with other stags, perhaps he was hurt. She felt suddenly very bad for pushing him to play. “A-are you alright?” she asked, leaning forward to peer at him with concern.
Shiori's picture

Spirited laughter and

Spirited laughter and splashing drew his attention. Hesitantly allowing the black doe to leap from his frame of vision, Darcy tilted his head to eye a trio of fawns not far off as they played in the fountain, finding great joy in the sorrow of the Idol's endless flow of tears. His smile faded as some deep thought took over- some distant memory- leaving only one corner of his mouth slightly upturned.

”D-d-darcy?”

He blinked, sending the whirlwind of thoughts scattering as he tore his amber eyes from the distant children to stare down at the little doe. Darcy wasn't surprised by her voice, subconsciously aware she had ceased her play and approached him - it was the look in her eye and the tremor in her small voice made him appear startled. His ears swiveled forward, immediately alert, and he stepped back to get a better look at her, forgetting his tender leg. A sharper pain traveled up the back at the awkward motion, but he merely clenched his teeth and quickly shifted his weight off of it again, forcing the pain to the back of his mind as his eyes swam over her wearily. Had she hurt herself? What was the matter? Before he could open his mouth to ask, she spoke again.

Was...he alright?

Suddenly her expression made sense. Her studious gaze ticked to his leg before jumping back up to his eyes. She seemed to be searching for something in them. It was...uncomfortable. He was afraid of what she might find. Despite missing a beat, his lips ignited into another smile, but his careful eyes betrayed him. They always did.
“Yes, of course,” he reassured her automatically, “I'm sorry, I ... got distracted. I don't have the energy I used to have, I guess.”
He lowered his head, looking a bit sheepish at this confession. Despite his avoidance, this wasn't dishonest. He was in his prime age yet the strain he'd put his body through for years was catching up with him. The mental strain was evident by streaks of premature grey and the deep furrows around his eyes.
“Just, uh ...don't tell Sorog, ok?” he chuckled, his ears twitching back. Lowering his head, the stag reached out and bumped her nose gently with the tip of his mask, attempting to convey his good humor.
Sighthoundlady's picture

Darcy had a far away look in

Darcy had a far away look in his face when she approached, but then looked at her and smiled when she spoke to him. Still, he seemed distracted. She’d seen him flinch when he’d put weight on his leg and gingerly rolled off it again. A frown flitted across her face. Still somewhat hesitant, she closed the distance between them and pressed her face into the thick fur of his neck. “You’re not old. I’m sorry. I know you have fought recently, I shouldn’t have pushed you to play.” She leaned against his side, the same as his injured leg, to help balance him. She wasn’t big but she could help. She laughed a little at his comment about Sorog, “Don’t worry, I won’t tell him.” It was distressing to her to see her Darcy acting this way, though he was trying to cover it up with a smile. She nuzzled his neck again. “We can rest now. I’m tired too.” She encouraged him to the shade of a tree. The sun was bright and hot that day.

((ugh, lousy post length on my part, I fail!))

Shiori's picture

She stepped closer, and once

She stepped closer, and once again he found himself involuntarily tensing as she came in contact with him, nuzzling her cheek into his neck. His forced expression faded quickly as he stared down at her a little stupidly for a moment. Finally, he let himself relax, and a more genuine smile gracing his lips, as apprehensive as his eyes portrayed. Damn does and their perceptions...it seemed his skills in lying had not improved in the slightest! The stag slowly lowered his head and craned it around, his mouth finding the cup of her ear.
“Herla,” he whispered, his words gentle laughter even as they mockingly scolded her, “you're apologizing again.” In a swift motion he grabbed her lobe in his lips and gave it a gentle tug before he lifted his antlered head once again out of reach. The glimmer of amusement in his downward gaze was sincere these time.
“It's just an old injury that acts up from time to time,” he attempted to reassure her, “sometimes just walking irritates it, it wasn't your doing. Look, it's already feeling better.”
The stag gingerly sidestepped away from her ready support. Looking down at the scarred appendage, he briefly flexed it, concealing a wince with the knitting of his brow before carefully returning it to the ground and steadily shifting his weight upon it. It took a few back and forth motions before the sharp pain began to numb into a dull ache again. He knew what would help it. Keeping pain at bay, physical and mental alike, was something Darcy had become quite practiced at. But he couldn't go that route...not with Herla around. That left the other, slower approach. He glanced back at the tree she had attempted to prod him towards before letting his eyes shift to find the crying idol once again. The fawns had fled.
“Come now, don't let me dampen' your fun. I'm more than pleased to see you so well! How about a little dip? Is that a fitting compromise?”
He grinned and didn't wait for an answer, turning his body toward the stream and carefully stepping after it. As reasonable as Darcy often was, he was in no way immune to the ego of stags and had a stubborn streak to compete with the best of them.


[I think mine are just too long XP]
Sighthoundlady's picture

Herla tensed when he tugged

Herla tensed when he tugged on her ear, then giggled at the startle it caused her. “Sorry,” she said, then giggled again at her apology for her apology, I wide smile now on her face. When he leaned away and tested his leg she watched with a critical eye. She could see the scar now, but he seemed to be putting full weight on it now. His expression was kind and he seemed in good humor again. She looked at him warmly. “Guess I’ll just have to slow down for you then old stag.” she teased, giving him one of her best coy looks from behind her feather fan.

When he suggested a swim and headed towards the water, she grinned and bolted ahead. The weather was hot and dip in the pond sounded the best thing, she still had energy to burn. She leapt around him, darting in for kiss on his cheek, and skipped about in the shallows, making more splashes then were strictly necessary. Laughing again, she plunged into the cool waters, momentarily submerging her head entirely before coming up with a leap, porpoising like a dolphin through the deeper waters. The coolness felt wonderful and she sighed in pleasure. Standing in the waters up to her chest, her feather mantle now lay plastered to her neck. She held her head high and smiled at Darcy warmly before lowering her head to take a deep drink.
Shiori's picture

Oi...what was he getting

Oi...what was he getting himself into? The little doe had bounced back more quickly than even he had expected her to. Tired, was she? Another peck on his cheek and she was off. The smallest blush colored his face a conspicuous vermilion, but quickly clearing his throat and shaking his head, he banished the demure feeling and hobbled after her. It was...okay. His dismal thoughts were not completely shaken, but the little interlude between them seemed to have cleared away the fog, at least. She wasn't here with him...but Herla was, and how could he deny her?

The descent had been a tricky one. The bank was steep and muddied by the fawns, but tucking his tender leg towards his chest he sat back on his haunches and slid carefully into the churning waters. It was a shocking chill, but one that subsided quickly enough. His hooves kneaded the muck, kicking up billowing clouds of sand to obscure his view of the weedy bottom. Well, Herla was already doing a fine job of that everywhere else. He stood quietly and blinked at her spectacle, leaning back and turning his head to avoid her splashing. It didn't work. The cool liquid sprayed him in the face, seeping behind his mask and rolling down the jagged contours of his skin. The stag snorted and shook, then laughed along with her, lifting his sound leg to smack the water's surface to send a counter-splash her way. He doubt she even noticed, already wading out to deeper waters. His tail twitched in amusement, but his attention was drawn in the opposite direction as the white-noise of the fountain began to drown out the doe's splashing. The tears poured steadily from the Idol's dark, hollow eyes as he vacantly watched the two deer. His smile faded, and after a respectful pause he bowed his head and muttered his usual quiet greeting. The buck felt the urge to approach the great rock and bow his head beneath the torrent, letting the weight of the water crash down upon him. Letting the sound drown out the world. Lifting his head again, he forced himself to step back, then turned to to wade his way back to Herla.

“You know if I didn't know any better I'd think you were meant to grow scales and not feathers at all,” Darcy jested, eying the way her beautiful plumage now lay plastered and scattered about her slick neck. Somehow she managed to look even more charming that way. The buck stepped carefully past her, moving slowly towards the bridge, enjoying the sudden lightness on his limb as the water crept to his elbows, than belly, than shoulders. The pain was subsiding, the chill of the deeper water numbing all four of his legs. He turned in small circles, lazily enjoying his new found buoyancy with a crooked smile.
“You should drag that goat of yours down here every once in a while. Would do those nerves of his a world of good, among other things,” he spoke offhandedly, then let out a dry laugh of surprised once the words left his lips and settled. Sorog snuck into his thoughts far more often then he'd every like to admit. He quickly tried to change the subject.
“I never really liked water, funnily enough. Always tried to avoid it when I was young...”
Oh boy, some subject change that was.


[-rambles off into own little world-]
Sighthoundlady's picture

At the stag’s jest about her

At the stag’s jest about her feathers she giggled, and then blushed, ducking her head. She could be quite concerned about her appearance at times but with the suns warm rays, they’d be dry soon enough. She left them slicked against her neck. She stopped to pluck a few succulent water weeds. They were one of her favorites. Herla had missed Darcy’s uncomfortable descent into the pond, so distracted she had been playing in the water, but she saw him now as he walked past her into the deeper water. From beneath her lashes she watched him move gingerly forward, she could see that he was in pain. She didn’t make another comment though. Stags didn’t like that, she had learned. But she did move closer to him, standing shoreward so she could keep her head above the water, and offering him a water weed in her mouth, a smile on her lips.

His comment about Sorog surprised her slightly but she laughed with him. “A good soaking is good for healing wounds…and sore joints,” she said. “Why didn’t you like it when you were younger? I’ve always liked the water…I’m afraid to go too deep by myself though. There might be crocodiles,” she said, wrinkling her nose.
Shiori's picture

Finishing another wading

Finishing another wading circle, he was surprised to be face-to-face with Herla as he turned back toward the bank. She teetered on a muddy ledge, daring to follow him into the deeper pool. A clump of soggy reed hung from her muzzle, which she stretched toward him, her eyes insistent as they sought his. He hesitated, then carefully stepped over and took it from her grasp, glancing away awkwardly as his lips inched the slimy-sweet plant into his mouth to chew. Very slowly he backed away as she spoke, the water rising quickly as the land dropped off under foot. Before he knew it the surface tickled at his fuzzy chin. 'There might be crocodiles.' Hm... His ears fell back as he lowered his face into the muddied water till only the nose of his mask and everything above it was visible. His eyes remained attentively fixed on her, tired yet brimming with new-found amusement as he attempted to mimic the beasts she spoke of. Bubbles began to pop up around his face as he laughed silently beneath the surface before finally lifting his head and revealing the wide grin that had formed out of sight.
“Can't say I've seen a croc anywhere near here before, I think you're safe,” he teasingly reassured her, shaking his head to deter a dragonfly as it made to settle on his mask. It buzzed its irritated disapproval before flitting off.
“As for me...” Darcy paused, his expression growing a tad bit guarded again as he seemed to carefully consider his answer.
“Well...lets just say I...wasn't a very popular kid. Some of the...razzing got out of hand by the river one day. Kids will be kids... Don't look at me that way, I'm a big boy now, I'm quite over it!” he laughed softly.
Sighthoundlady's picture

Herla watched perplexed as

Herla watched perplexed as Darcy sunk into the water. She cocked her head looking at him. When she realized he was mimicking a crocodile, she gave a snort and a laugh. “Well I have heard there are some crocodiles!” she insisted, bringing her hoof up to splash him. Darcy didn’t seem concerned though. “ Well…” She eyed the deeper water and took a step forward, her dainty hooves slipping on the sandy bottom. She was sliding anyways so took the plunge, and leapt in, the water coming up over head. She surfaced quickly though and was soon paddling around the deep areas, her nose barely above the surface. Proud of herself, she came back to the shallows so she could reach again, and shook herself off.

“Well I’m sorry you had such a time as a fawn. Children can sometimes be cruel. I had no mother to look after me. The forest can be a dangerous place.” She said, almost off hand. Shaking again trying to fluff her mantle up and preening. She squinted up at the hot sun, then closed her eyes enjoying the warmth on her face. “But there are many wonderful things here too.” she murmured.

((I am reminded of when I was a kid and we went to a lake to go swimming. There was a tame deer there that hung around us all day. She was so sweet. I took an inflatable boat out across the lake and she followed me. She swam all across that lake like it was nothing. So deer can swim very well! ))
Shiori's picture

He shook as head as he

He shook as head as he finally took the plunge into deeper water, watching with growing amusement as her thin little legs did quite the fine job steering her from one end to another. The stag stepped around her, following her movement, careful not to get into her way until she scrambled back onto the shallow bank.
“I'm sorry to hear that,” he commented softly about her mother's absence, a strange feeling of uncertainty swimming in his gut at the thought. He wanted to tell her she was lucky - that sometimes mothers were vastly overrated. After all, he would have been much better off without his. He didn't say that though, keeping his lips pressed tight as he watched her lift her face to the sunshine. Suddenly, his whole body felt numb, envious of the warmth as darkness threatened the boundaries of his thoughts again. Darcy shook off a tremor that carried down his spine before turning and wading back towards the shallows. He searched for a place where the bank was the least steep and hoisted himself up the side. His leg surprised him with one last shot of pain before quieting again as he clumsily regained his balance. The buck snorted, dipped his head and shook himself, causing his wet coat to stand awkwardly as water flew off of him in all directions. Standing straighter, his long ears swiveled curiously about as he briefly surveyed their surroundings. Seemingly satisfied, he glanced knowingly toward Herla before turning from the bank and wandering silently towards the nearby meadow. He eventually collapsed in a thick, warm tangle of timothy grass with a satisfied grunt.

[Aw! That sounds like a really neat experience. It's amazing that they can with such bony little legs haha]
Sighthoundlady's picture

Watching the stag climb out

Watching the stag climb out of the pond, she saw him struggle slightly and give a wince. Again, she tried not let him know she saw, not wanting to give him anymore discomfort or embarrassment about it. She gave a few more vigorous shakes, drying her pelt and feathers. Already her mantle was quite dry from the hot sun and it was fluffing up nicely. Preening a bit more trying to get every feather back in it’s proper place, she then followed Darcy up to shore. Sitting down next to him in the soft grass, she sighed in contentment, eyes closed, holding her face to the warm sun. “If only all days could be just like this,” she said dreamily. The activity and the warm weather, along with a full belly of water weeds, the little doe was now quite sleepy. She cuddled into the mostly dry stag and dozed.

B'aaaw, that makes us so

B'aaaw, that makes us so happy to hear. <3 Darcy has made such an impact on her character, and we both just love him to bits and pieces. Ah..I've tried various things in an attempt to get the game to run a little smoother, and it seems to be working, but not to the point where I can get up and interact with other deer without suffering a terrible lag afterwards. >__> Oh well, better than nothing. And it's totally fine if he wanders off...I kind of feel like she's holding him back anyways. Heh. It seems like Darcy's made some new friends and such, and there are a lot of people who enjoy having you two around, so hopefully that's reason enough. But people tire of the game, and things IRL can get hectic, so that's understandable.

She felt him tense up beside her, and risked a glance his way. Her eyes widened upon seeing his face--his real face, usually concealed from prying eyes, revealed to her for the first time--and blinked. The simple act of removing his mask had startled her, yes, but she was really taken by the face hidden behind it. Human, of course, but far more distinctive than her own. Handsome yet pained, so unfamiliar with what she was used to. His eyes, bright and playful, held a dull gleam as he looked over her. She felt a twinge of sadness as she met the eyes of the stag, the one whom she considered to be much like a father, and wished to offer some words of comfort, but was at a loss.
He spoke first, though, and she leaned into his gentle embrace and buried her face into his fur, instantly soothed as her eyes began to glaze over, being lulled by the gesture. However, at his next words, her eyes snapped back open and she stiffened, misinterpreting them.
"W-what do you mean...?"
shaku's picture

Tracking this &hearts;

Tracking this ♥

Shiori's picture

Hey there :3 Lol, well those

Hey there :3
Lol, well those two are off to a tense start eh? -chuckle-
shaku's picture

Lmfaooo, omfg, I was sitting

Lmfaooo, omfg, I was sitting here the whole time cracking up at Darcy. I could practically feel the animosity rolling off of him~

Shiori's picture

"Psh...pushy, overgrown

"Psh...pushy, overgrown buzzard."

BE NICE! >8C

"I am being nice. Look. This is me - being nice. "

-eyes-
shaku's picture

Aww, and now Darcy created a

Aww, and now Darcy created a push, undergrown buzzard |D Roflll...

"Of no consequence... If he's here, I'll protect him. If not, I won't. If my little one is tied to him, so will I be."

...Internal dialogue battle, GO! >D

uwharrie's picture

My brown doe with the gazelle

My brown doe with the gazelle antlers, Jade, just had a friendly spar with him and that gray deer I believe : )
Shiori's picture

"Who says I need protecting?

"Who says I need protecting? I'm merely there for the boy's sake, what with you starting fights right on top of him! Perhaps next time you'll have the presence of mind to conduct your business at a safer distance."

D8 -flail- CAN'T WE ALL JUST PLAY NICE?

uwharrie: Nice to meet you two :3 Your doe is fiesty D8 She got D pretty good in the chest lol. ALL GOOD THOUGH, we had fun!
uwharrie's picture

Lol, shame on her... She had

Lol, shame on her... She had fun too and was happy to take out some frustration she had from an incident yesterday ^^
shaku's picture

"He is my business. There is

"He is my business. There is no other fight but there, and if you make yourself his shelter, I will protect you. A shield has no say in the matter. Your voice is not your own, but an extension of his. As long as you guard him, your opinion is meaningless."

NEVAH! >:C

rofl

Shiori's picture

Cailyn: (SORRY THIS TOOK SO

Cailyn: (SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG LOL)
Not too negative an impact I hope... XD' And yes it is definitely better than nothing! Aw don't feel like you're holding him back...he certainly wouldn't stick around if he didn't want to. She's pretty high on his list of priorities, just the last two times she was on a lot of drama was occurring and he was all over the place XD But keeping busy is good for him...he feels his best when he's serving a purpose ^^

Feeling her lean herself into his embrace, the stag nearly let himself go. It had been quite a while since he'd truly relented to his emotions...but he wasn't about to start now. No...not with her. She had seen enough of that already. He had to be strong for his family now before he lost what was left of it. He nuzzled into her neck wiping away any trace of the tears that had gathered, but he felt her muscles harden beneath his touch. Darcy paused, then pulled back as she spoke, her soft voice filled with apprehension. The glimmer of fear in her eyes startled him. What? What did do? What had she... Slowly his brows knit and his mouth frowned, all the deep furrows in his face – age lines and deep, jagged scars alike – intensifying.
“I... Just that I...haven't been what I should have been. You deserved more than me. You still do... Tell me what you're thinking?”
uwharrie's picture

Pffft, I'm seeing Darcy all

Pffft, I'm seeing Darcy all over the place today...
My mini deer, Nanetta is Standing with him, Phobos and HoneyFur...
She's usually not that sad or paranoid but a deer tried to eat her the other day, bit her, and injected venom into her so she's acting odd from it.
Honeyfur's picture

Honeyfur's met him more than

Honeyfur's met him more than once, so it's about time I tracked this lovely character <3

I think Pride (the mini with

I think Pride (the mini with the golden butterfly pelt and real deer mask) met Darcy today? Honey sent me your way. Tracking! Darcy is very sweet <3
Mauvable's picture

Track Attack Mauv was

Track Attack

Mauv was trying to explain that she had gotten in a scuffle with Leviathann because Lev won't let her near Six.

Aw, how come Darcy didn't

Aw, how come Darcy didn't want to sit with us?
Sighthoundlady's picture

The little black doe watched

The little black doe watched the stag, keeping to the shadows of the trees. She peered through the leaves of some tall ferns, the monarch stag was resting in a clearing by himself. She went to move towards him, then hesitated, withdrawing back into the ferns. The sting of his rebuke the evening before was still fresh on her heart. She knew she had no right having a heart to be broken for he was not hers…but to loose his friendship was more than she could bear. Strengthening her resolve, she stepped toward him again. “D-d-darcy?” she said tentatively. “Are you still…are you still mad at me?”
Shiori's picture

Darcy was far away. How long

Darcy was far away. How long had he laid there, exhausted and uneasy, straining for sleep before it had finally claimed him? How long had Kumiko sat loyally in his company before finally leaving him to his darkness? How didn't seem to matter now, for he was there. He was...dreaming.
And not at all pleasantly.
Herla's quiet attempts at getting his attention were beyond his current consciousness...but his subconsciousness alerted him to the sound by somehow incorporating her voice into his fitful dream. His body gave a little shudder in response, muscles tensing, then relaxing again in a stuttering sigh of air...
Sighthoundlady's picture

Darcy did not answer. She

Darcy did not answer. She neared closer to him, he was sleeping, but it did not appear to be a pleasant sleep. He was fitfull, muscles twitching. He took a shuddering breath. The stag did not look well. “Darcy?” she said again, worried now that he was not waking. She looked around, she did not want to leave him alone in this state. Somebody should be with him. What if he woke up and was mad that she was there? She bit her lip in indecision. But she couldn’t just leave him like this. The doe set herself down carefully against him. What was wrong? Was he sick? She nosed gently at his face, smoothing his hair from his eyes. “I’m sorry, Darcy.” she whispered.
Shiori's picture

Toxins battled their way

Toxins battled their way through his system. The dreams were vivid...yet disorienting and confusing. Frightening – though he couldn't place exactly why. Faces...faces everywhere, distorted and grotesque as they frowned and glowered at him from unknown places. The muscles in his legs tenses and relaxed as he ran from them; ghosts from the past and monsters in the present...
He didn't react as the little doe crept closer to him. Didn't react as she settled down against him. He shifted away as she touched his masked face...then suddenly curled into her. His tormented body wrapped around her, sensing her heat and her pressure and desperately – instinctually- clinging to it. His fur was damp from sweat.
“Rrrm...Rowan,” he murmured as he nuzzled into her chest before sighing in a little sound of comfort.

[....-shoots Darcy- ]
Sighthoundlady's picture

His face felt hot beneath her

His face felt hot beneath her nose. Feverish. He groaned and twitched next to her. Alarm grew in her chest. What could have caused such a fever? She’d seen it before with bad wounds that had festered, making the whole body sick. And she’d seen it kill. But…he had no wounds. Not that she could see. She inspected as best she could, finding nothing. But he was ill. Very ill.

He had jerked away from her initial touch but then curled into her as she’d settled next to him. It felt good to have him accept her next to him…even if he might not be conscious she was there. Knowing he’d been angry with her, that he’d turned his head and would not look at her when she approached, that he had rejected her when she’d come to him…it had been a terrible pain. She clung back to him now, wishing it would not end. But then he whispered something…”Rowan…”

Herla stiffened. The words…the name…it sliced into her like a sharp icicle driven through her heart.

”Of course…” she thought.

A dead, cold feeling spread through. She wished to disappear and never be seen again.

She was such a fool. But she had known. She had known. Who was to blame?

She would stay with him. Until he was well. She would not leave him like this. But her heart had been shattered. She pressed her face into his neck and squeezed her eyes shut against the tears. She would keep her heart cold now. It would not hurt as bad if it was frozen.
ShikaTale's picture

I saw you :3 I was that fawn

I saw you :3 I was that fawn playing with you about 20 miins ago
Shiori's picture

[Shika: Nice to meet you

[Shika: Nice to meet you guys! :3]


He briefly saw her face. Her large, icy eyes and her playful smile were a beacon in the fearful madness. She stood atop a hill, peering down at him...then grinned from ear to ear playfully, spinning away and disappearing on the other side. “Rowan...Wait!” he called out, leaping after her. A song of tittering laughter was left in her wake, tangible in the air as ribbons of green and blue. Except it wasn't her laughter...it was too high and too sweet for even her voice. He barely gave it any thought though as the ground fell away and all that was left were ribbon-like walkways of sound. They spiraled around each-other, green and blue, then red, then...black. Somewhere in the distance, a baby cried.
“Shh, my love, shh...”
Rowan? Where was Rowan? He ran and ran to catch up.
“Shh...Be still!”
Not Rowan's voice. His mother's voice. The cries became muffled. His mother was...she was killing her!
“No...Mari...”
“Darcy...over here”
He spun around. Two white, hollow eyes stared at him from the dark sockets of a bird skull crowned in peacock feathers.
“Isn't he beautiful, Darcy?”
At the feet of the doe's rotting corpse stood a fawn with a brown and gold-striped pelt. It had his brother's face. It grinned madly up at him as it approached, slowly, and when it finally reached him it was no longer a fawn. The adult stag leaned in and nuzzled into his neck...then began to laugh. Darcy was frozen-

Then he was awake.

The scene shifted quickly as his eyes snapped open. A bright light immediately washed the darkness from his consciousness and stung at his hazy vision. The stag immediately shut his eyes against the white hot pain as it shot through his eyes to throb within his skull. He shifted in discomfort, then froze when he felt breath on his neck. Darcy started and flinched away...but he didn't get very far. His head swam at his quick attempt to lift it and he immediately laid it down in the dirt again, groaning.
“You win, okay? You win!”
Sighthoundlady's picture

Herla stifled her tears and

Herla stifled her tears and locked away her broken heart, turning her concern back to Darcy’s state. The stag was tossing himself about and mumbling in his fevered sleep. Riddled with concern for his unknown ailment, Herla held him close, and smoothed his fevered face. “Shhh. Shhh.” she soothed, not knowing what else to do. He was delirious. Saying incoherent things. His struggles where getting more violent, she was afraid he was going to hurt himself. “Darcy, it’s okay.” she tried to calm him. She gasped and fell back in surprise when he jolted hard awake, eyes wide and wild. When he collapsed back to the ground groaning she rushed back to hold him. “You win, okay? You win!” he said incoherently. She gathered him back to herself, tears springing to her eyes. He was so sick. “What happened, Darcy?" she asked into his neck. This was scaring her, her heart raced. Fevers like this sometimes killed.
Shiori's picture

As soon as the words escaped

As soon as the words escaped him, Darcy knew he was awake. His voice was groggy and slurred and it...didn't sound like him. He could taste staleness in his mouth as his tongue fought to articulate. He was awake...it was all... a dream. The stag's erratic breathing gradually began to slow as he let his pounding head process that bit of information. The images from his dream, vivid as there were, were already beginning to fade as his outward senses grew keener. That warmth...the pressure against his side and the wet breath against this neck. Who...who was-... Herla. He knew her sweet voice anywhere. Her laughter, in his dream... Not Rowan's laughter. The stag shuddered and opened his eyes, staring into space a moment before he wearily tried to find her. The doe's face was buried into him, hidden from view.
“Hey...you.”
It was all he could conjure to say. His mouth twitched into a tiny smile that fought not to be a grimace. The stag's muscles trembled, another cool shudder snaking down his spine. He felt cold, then hot, then cold again. The wood of his mask was digging painfully into his face and obstructing his vision of her. Darcy's face twisted in discomfort and annoyance and he began moving his head up and down against the dirt, struggling to free himself of it.
Sighthoundlady's picture

The little black doe clung to

The little black doe clung to the stag’s neck, so fearful of what this delirium meant for him. He, mumbled and shuddered under her in tortured sleep. His erratic breathing finally began to even out, she could feel him lift his head up and heard him speak, his voice a dry cracked whisper, “Hey...you.” She looked up from his neck to see him looking at her now, his gaze distant and unfocused. He didn’t recognize her…still. It wasn’t her he was seeing…it was somebody else. She pulled back from him, squeezing her eyes shut against the pain that lanced through her heart, turning her face into her mantle to avoid those unrecognizing eyes. She couldn’t bare it. “Darcy,” she whispered.

His body shuttered and trembled against her, and she looked back at him. He was rubbing at his mask, trying to dislodge it. She made to help him then hesitated, unsure. It was not her place. She felt that perhaps she should leave. But his struggles could not be ignored, she couldn’t leave him like this. She reached forward to clasp the ribbon that tied the mask on, pulling it over his ear.
Shiori's picture

The stag was growing

The stag was growing irritated with his futile task. He might have started thrashing wildly if it hadn't been for Herla's charity. With the ribbon freed it took one more good rub to snag it in the dirt and shake it loose. It toppled off to one side and revealed his human face. Once free of the nuisance, the stag settled again, resting his head back upon the dirt with a satisfied sigh. His head swam from the effort, his racing pulse throbbing at the edges of his vision as he squinted out at the world. Poppies...their pretty pink heads greeted him on all sides. The stag watched as a blue butterfly flitted from one stem to another before he grew aware of Herla's presence again. Darcy slowly curled his head in to face her again. He could see her this time, and the pleasant simplicity of it made him smile...but then the smile faded. The doe's ruby eyes were glimmering pools of fear and apprehension as she stared down at him. His sore muscles grew stiff at the sight.
“Hey, why...why are you crying?”
The stag frowned, his brows furrowing above his dark, sunken eyes. The smooth, light colored flesh of the deep scars that tore down his face wrinkled and pulled at his skin awkwardly as his expression shifted to convey his concern. He thought nothing of them now...his only thoughts were for her.
Sighthoundlady's picture

The doe watched as Darcy’s

The doe watched as Darcy’s mask fell away and she saw his face for the first time. She ducked her head, embarrassed. He was not himself, he was still confused and ill, did he even know who she was? She felt she shouldn’t look. It wasn’t right. But she did, she looked at him askance, through the veil of her thick lashes.

He was…beautiful. His face was strong and handsome, the scars enhancing the ruggedness. And his eyes. Without the mask to obscure them, she saw them clearly. Focused on her now. Seeing…her? She wanted to touch her lips to that face and stare into those eyes.

”Why are you crying?”

The concern in his voice made her heart leap. She wanted to settle back next to him, feel his warmth against her and press her face to his. But she pushed these feelings down, building a cage around her heart to protect it., and squelched the longing seeing his face had renewed in her. It couldn’t be. She knew it now. His heart belonged to another and would never be her’s. There would only be more hurt. And she couldn’t take it.

“I was worried…” she said, trying her best to keep her voice even. “You seemed very ill.” She looked away from him, swallowing her tears. “I’m sorry…I was worried…but...I can go.” she said, fighting back more tears.