Tracking this, will contribute later! :D

This is such an awesome idea. :3

Tracking. I do plan on doing something for this, just not sure what media to use. ;;

The doe is visibly nervous when she approuches, staring from side to side until finally daring to move forward on her speckled feet. In her mouth she holds something strange; sharp but finely edged, milky white and spotted. It falls to the ground with a soft thud as Sorrel drops it, ears reaching upright at that moment as if to search for something; she does not make eye contact with the smaller mother.

"I do not know what it is...but it is sharp, to protect. I found it in the flowers." With that, she hastily backs away before standing utterly still for a moment, pausing in the silence and contemplating the thought that all is safe. Then she nods to the pregnant doe, smiling; time to leave before the stag comes.

(( I was gonna do an image but stones are harder to draw then I thought! ))

(Such a sweet idea~ I kind of want to add a drawing for this, but for now...)

Tracking~<3 Gotta figure out what my Willis can offer

There was many rumors and words that flowed through the forest at the moment. Rumors about something terrible threatening mothers and their children, of parents that had lost their children even before the child left the mother's womb. Illrose had yet to find out what this threat was, but it had caused her to become even more protective of all the fawns roaming the forest, in case this threat would go after any of them. And when she heard the little dark doe - Herla - was pregnant and in search for stones to use as protection, Illrose immediately decided she wanted to contribute, to help her with this. So Illrose had left the forest, and she had searched the mountain sides in the other world after a gemstone, until she had found a little black stone with a strange, blue shine to it. It was an obsidian, and what could possibly be a better gift from a dragon, than a stone produced in lava and fire?

Illrose had removed her skull mask and hid it away before she went to find the little doe. She had seen the doe several times, greeted her and her company every now and then, even been sitting near them once or twice, but she had never really spoken to any of them so she wanted to make sure they didn't believe she would be a threat to Herla and her unborn child. With the black stone held gently between her lips, she finally found the doe she was searching for. Illrose held her head low, and her steps were calm and surprisingly silent for such a large doe. When near enough, she dropped the gemstone to the ground, in front of Herla.
"Congratulations." The one word was accompanied by a warm smile and a nod, before Illrose turned and made her way back between the trees.

A blue fawn -a fawn on the edge of adulthood- stood in a patch of purple flowers. The flowers swayed easily in the light breeze that swept down from the canopy of the trees. The fawn's yellow eyes glinted in the broken rays of moonlight that poked through the roof of pines. He sighed a heavy sigh. A sigh of heavy burden. He nosed throught the flowers to uncover his prize.

A small... thing... revealed itself from the nest of flowers. It glinted in the moon's pale light as Willis held it in his mouth. Its shape was jagged and rough. It was bumpy as his tonuge his the small object. He flicked his ears about, listening for the infamous Herla (hehe. David Clement-Davies ;3).

He found the little doe curled up, sleeping soundly. Her body rose up and down with her calm breaths. She looked peaceful. A tear spilled from Willis's eye as it reminded him of his own mother. He shook the thought away and puffed his chest out. His tail stood up and he walked confidently up to the doe.

He set his gift - the shard of and ancient meteor- next to the doe. He smiled lightly. He took a step back and closed his eyes. The fawn you call Willis, who hadn't spoken since his mother's death, sighed with mixed emotion.

"Herla," he whispered, "I bring you a gift from the stars. I hope to remind you that all of the deer that have met the stars, my mother included, will watch over you. They will protect you and your child. And it's children to come."

Willis opened his eyes and stepped backwards into the shadows, leaving the night silent once more.

A river stone. Smoothed over time by the flow of water.
In enduring, its strength shined through.

    It was always unsure, what were Foxbrow's true intentions. Mostly because she herself din't know that too. The best way, how to describe her motivation would be, that she is simply selfish. She wouldn't admit it though, neither would anyone else, but the fact is, that whatever she does, she is doing it simply for it pleases her.

    Recently she gained another passion - the birth. Really hard to tell why she got so attached to this act of bringing a new life. But it is highly probable that it is for these two reasons:
    First - since she herself was never truly 'born', all of this is somehow fascinating for her. And also beyond her understandings, which irritates her and feeds her interest even more.
    Second - Fawns. It is no secret how she adores these little being around. It was always much more fun with them than with adults. And having fun, it is something like the meaning of whole Foxbrow's life.
    Oh, and there was also this funny part, when the ever so wary and protective fathers chased her away whenever she sneaked to their birthing does. Gods know how she likes chasing games, not even minding it is always she, who gets chased.

    In this Forest it is much harder not to know, which doe will have newborns. And now, when one of her friends, Umay, finally gave a birth to her fawn, Foxbrow took an interest in Herla. Actually, it was for something more than just the upcoming child. Herla reminds her of another doe she used to know and like very well.


    The idea she just got cast a grin on her face so broad, that the fawn she was dancing with meanwhile pondering Herla's pregnancy got scared and dashed away.
    Pity.

- - - - -

    Later in the night, Foxbrow went to the Pond and waited till everyone else would leave. She didn't want anyone to see her and she also needed the water to be as still as posible.
    Some says that our dreams only reflect our real lives. Well, Foxbrow really didn't know, who said that, but she she was very well aware of how thin and fragile is the fringe of what most inhabitants here would call Reality and how close it is to the world of Dreamlands. However, for her both of them were real enough to live in them.
    She never did this before and probably will never do this again even if she would succeeded. First she had to find the right position - standing at the shore, Foxbrow started that strange swaying dance. Suddenly she stopped, she finally found the perfect angle, where she stared right into the eyes of her mirror image, meanwhile the water illuminated her real face with the reflection of bright moonshine. Then she slowly lowered her head down to the water level, like if she wanted to drink from the pond. Her breath was held, she didn't want to disturb the water mirror in any way. Now her nose was almost touching the cold water and Foxbrow slowed down her motion. Then thin line between air and water bent under the weight of her head. Still peering into her own reflective eyes she could feel the cold spreading on her face. From the nose to her cheeks and eyebrows...



    Foxbrow quickly lifted her head and shook all the water from her in spouts of little drops. Looking in the Pond where was her image just a moment ago, she noticed a flash on the bottom. Curiously she poked into it and a round stone rolled onto the shore. She succeeded.



    She grabbed the stone and then the ginger doe disappeared to the night.

- - - - -

    Quiet gently steps, hooves walking through the fluffy moss slowly getting closer and closer to the sleeping doe. Nothing should alarm the sleeper for there was no threat for her. Foxbrow would never dare to disturb anyone's sleep. Laying down in the soft grass against the future mother, whose red eyes were closed in restful slumber, the green-eyed doe dropped something gleamy in front of her.
    She waited till Herla would wake up.



    The doe was left sleeping alone, only with her two more heartbeats dreaming about the life that awaits them. The night still had a long time to its end, but since then it was dark no more. Not for the felines.
    And in the mossy grass beside her laid a round shaped gem, green like the eyes of the deer, who brought it here. The surface of the stone was smooth, disrupted only with one straight scratch, where its originator dug it from the water. Light refracts in this groove, disappearing somewhere deep into the stone, resembling a black narrowed pupil.

- - - - -

(Huh, not sure if this is exactly what you wants, but it was fun writing it. By the way, the inspiration for choosing this kind of stone comes from this book. Just in case you're interested.)

The large raven stag had collected two stones, and would give them to the doe later.



Posting this here too. :]

Jalini sat quietly beneath the ferns, she had heard chatter around the forest about stones and now she watched in silence as visitors came to meet the doe. All left a gift, a pebble, a stone, a gem. Each one a trinket to ward against evil or a token of protection.

Slowly and delicately her long slender antlers began to curl inward, wrapping themselves together in a tight bundle. She smiled and nodded to herself before drifting off to sleep; perhaps she would contribute to this lovely little ceremony after all.
That morning she emerged from her place among the ferns, her antlers gradually unfurling as she moved, until only a tiny bundle was left at the very tip. Approaching the doe with a soft smile and a graceful bow she offered no words but in instead allowed her antlers to open and drop the tiny gift at the doe’s feet.

A symbol of purity and beauty, the shiny surface of the smooth white pearl reflected the morning light with a gentle glow.

(Global Beauty)
Herla stood and bowed in recognition of the blue doe’s gracious offering, her feathers spreading out like a fan from her crown over her shoulders, they had grown more full just as her belly was growing more full with the magic of creation coursing through her.

The feathered doe carefully picked up the leaf covered rock and gently placed it in the crook of the tree near where she rested. The blue doe’s good will could be felt upon it’s surface.

“This is a welcomed gift,” Herla said, not commenting on the revelation that there in fact might be two fawns growing now inside her, a feeling she had begun to feel more surely herself but could not confirm with certainty. A tilt of her head and a nod was all she would show.

“I thank you for your blessings. May light follow you always.”
----------------------------
(Quadraptor)
The little black doe listened intently as the blackbuck presented the odd rock that was a “fossil.” She peered at it curiously, seeing the clear form of something that was once alive now embodied in stone. The pulse of that life still warmed it. She bowed in gratitude.

“I suiting gift, a stone that bridges life. A noble creature forever enshrined. I thank you for your blessings.”
----------------------------
(Crowesie)
Herla stood at the creature’s approach, its predatory appearance making her wary. But at the offering of the gift she bows and accepts it graciously, taking the beautiful pink hued crystalline rock given by the creature, its good will apparent.
“I thank you.”
----------------------------
(anons)
The little feathered doe could not help but furrow her brow in confusion at the cavorting deer and the rhyming fawn. She shifted her feet a bit uncomfortably trying to discern what their intentions where. When it was apparent that they meant to present gifts she became more gracious. She looked at them with interest. They appeared very soft and cushiony. Things she much appreciated right now. A smile graced her features, “This is very kind. Thank you.”

----------------------------
(parrotsnpineapple)
Herla opens her eyes in time to see the retreating form of her friend and fellow feathered doe. Standing, she starts to open her mouth to call after her, but she is already disappeared amongst the trees. Stepping forward to follow her, a blue light catches her attention, drawing her gaze down. There, laying nestled in the ferns, a blue glowing crystal, tear dropped shaped, and lovely. She bends to inspect it, it’s energy palpable. Powerful, pulsing with life. It is a precious thing and she recognizes it as such. “Thank you,” she murmurs, hoping that Ravenflight knows of her gratitude.
----------------------------
(Anjali)
Herla watches the slim buck approach and present his gift. Another stranger that she does not know, but who clearly wishes her well. She looks at the tiny world rock, perfect in its tininess and imbued with good will and life. “It will serve well to guard life, thank you.”
----------------------------
(WonderfullySarcastic)
The black doe turned kind eyes upon the other small doe, as she presents a beautiful stone wrapped in leaves, a lotus blossom crowning it. Herla lowers her head to inhale the sweet smell of the blossom, it is one of her favorite flowers. She nods in greeting and as confirmation of all the other doe has asked, “I am expecting, and the stones shall help in their protection. This is a lovely and most welcome gift. I thank you.”
----------------------------
(Skitties)
The sleeping doe’s lids cracked open enough to see the young oryx slip away through the trees. Two lovely new stones, one purple and one deep black, rested in the glade. The doe gathered them up and accepted them as the gift they were intended to be. “Thank you.”
----------------------------
(Freyja)
Herla understands the other’s trepidation and bows to her to try and put her at ease. When a stone is presented, the little black doe examines it with interest. It is special in it’s own way and from the earth, it’s colors and spots catching the eye. Like with all the stones that have been given with good will, the energy of protection can be felt as the doe collects it up, “I think you. It will serve it’s purpose well.”
----------------------------
(Momochi)
The pale fawn approached with a green stone in his mouth, Herla noticed his curious glances at her burgeoning belly. Glances she was only getting all too used to. She smiled indulgently at the fawn as he presented the lovely little jade pendant and with the untroubled cheer of youth, gave her a nuzzle, one which she returned, her heart was big for fawns. “Thank you, this is a wonderful stone, and I do hope I will be a good mother too,” she answered, a smile on her lips, a bit of mirth touching the corner of her eyes.
----------------------------
(Phaios)
Herla recognizes the brown doe when she approaches and bows to her in greeting. She looks at the small smooth stone the other has presented and it is a long while before she can raise her head again to look at the other doe. When she does, tears glisten at the corners of her ruby eyes. “Thank you,” she says, her voice tight with emotion, “This means a lot to me, it really does,” she says as she gathers the stone, precious as the memory of her departed daughter-in-law, “I shall hold it dear, always,” she promises.

----------------------------

[I'm still working on these replies! Thanks to each and every one of you for contributing! They are all very special. I appreciate it a lot! ]

It was already night and quite a long time after the word had spread about the Gift of the Stones when Kaikias returned from his rather over-ambitious search. He had probably digged over half of the Forest, leaving holes and scratches in turf and soil. He found several pieces, gems and the like but was either never really satisfied with them or he saw something similar already placed by other deer at the place. He was exhausted and seemed even thinner when he gave up the search. With gems all around the place the buck mentally waved goodbye to his goal of finding the finest stone ever for Herla. So he wondered if he could at least find something very special.

Kaikias suddenly remembered that he saw a pretty ugly rock in one of the first holes, the soil around it was of a strange grey-black and it was very hard to even scratch the material around the stone. There were small black stones all around the site, perfectly rounded. The rock itself had a dulled black surface, but some splinters of a copper were shining through it. When he found it in the first place the buck did not find it really worthy of presenting it, it was something very - special... oddly special, but nothing fine. Now he thought that you could at least tell at once that there was not another stone like it anywhere around the future birthplace and maybe not even in the Forest. So he returned to the place where he found it, diggin it up.

The rock was about as big as his foot and of a strange shape. One side was perfectly smooth while the other side was fissured and jagged badly. It actually looked like it was made of dirty water frozen in motion. The whole rock was covered by this strange dull ashen patina that Kaikias started to scrape it off hoping to uncover more of the copper. But underneath the patina he found more blackish and blue shimmering material and the coppery tone where light reflexes on that dark ground, definately some kind of metal. Kaikias brought it to the creek vigorously cleaning the stone in water and sand, probably for several hours without paying attention to his fatigue. Some of the fissures cracked through the stone and some loose parts of soil broke off. When he brought it to the birth place finally it looked very differrent. Fine even. Kaikias thought self-satisfied.



There was noone there when he finally arrived at the spot where all the other deer had already placed their stones. It seemed very peaceful to him and inviting. There, somewhere between higher grass and plants he placed the stone carefully. It shimmered softly in the faint light and seemed to have facets mirroring the forest faintly, while other parts where just dark. Scattered in between lay some small pale green half gems sticking out of black material or covered inside of deep dark holes on the back side of the stone. Inside of his head there was a strange sensation, a humming sound. He did not know if it was his mind playing tricks on him, if it was exhaustion, or if he was going mad. It was impossible for him to tell. He was too tired to care for that now.




Kaikias tilted his head and nodded. Then he vanished between the bushes to seek a place to sleep.




(the stone is a Pallasite, a metal meteroite with tiny olivin fragments, if the sound that Kaikias can hear is only audible for him or only a hallucination is not for me to decide)

Oh dear! Has the stone gifting event ended or may more be brought? I do want Kyria to contribute!

Wonderful picture. I was wondering if you would let your character Herla make a brief cameo in the story that i'm writing. I figured I'd ask your permission before i complete my story.