Ears perked and nostrils sparsely breathing, long strides began to carry his heavy, scarred body towards the Cliffs. Mbwene, in all her youthful wisdom, opted to stay where she was and not approach the smell, her trunk safely tucked into a fragrant bed of pine needles.
“Tembovu, my King!” His walk broke to a trot as a melodic voice summoned him— Arah. Realization dawned on him, the sweet call of the pale doe contrastingly combined with odor of scat; he had tasked her with cleaning the cliffs for her absence at the meeting, after Tilney had vouched for the antlered woman. Briefly, he wondered if the newly appointed Moon Doctor assisted her.
His swift two-beat made short time of the distance between himself and the graceful woman— massive body slowing as he broke through the trees and approached the cliffs. Seeing her alone, he was surprised by the relief that settled easily in his barrel— had he not wanted the ivory doe to be alongside the handsome, antlered Moon Doctor? His gaze found exhaustion lining the delicate lines of the doe, a few smudges of filth belying the labor her genteel body had undergone as punishment— his punishment. Briefly, regret flashed in him— but he suppressed it; beauty did not buy favors (at least, it shouldn’t).
“Arah,” his low voice rumbled warmly in greeting. His eyes
A short breath, sight tracing a few dark smirches on her otherwise perfectly pale coat, before a lopsided smile crossed his muzzle, “I can accompany you to the Grove, and stand watch as you bathe,” he offered quietly.
Sorry for the delay <3