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 Posted: Tue May 16, 2023 6:57 pm
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 Although they were a long way from the herd they had grown up in, Surin was simply happy to be with Nanva. Wandering through the trees together was somehow a delight, in spite of being so ordinary. But of course, that was because every step of the way he got to traverse with Nanva at his side. Or, as was often the case, somewhat ahead of him. They had taken a respite to recharge and simply enjoy one another's company, for a time. He found himself longing for a day when they could settle down. A day when they could truly begin to plan their family.
Of course, family planning was not always a perfect science. Sometimes the family came before the planning. Such was often the case, but so far they had managed to get ahead of it. "Nanva... is there something you'd like to eat, my love?" he asked, as he moved over to their small fire and began to poke at the embers. It was time to stoke the flame, to get it burning nice and hot again, so that if Nanva wanted something cooked he could cook it for him. Although there was always grass, if they found themselves pressed for options.
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Posted: Wed May 17, 2023 10:01 pm
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Nana and Surin had indeed been making their way through the forests of the Chimera Island, and for good reason. The large buck had fought for his lover's hand, and afterwards, the two had left their original herd behind. They had hopes of starting their own family, of starting over just the two of them, far from the home they had left. While the rocky mountains of their former herd had allowed them to meet, the two had wanted a different life...
Hand-in-hand, they made their way out of the mountains, away from the foothills, and disappeared deep into the forests. Days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months, and the longer they walked, the better Nanva felt. It was only recently that his motivation for being on the move had changed. Instead of roaming simply so they could have a new start, a new adveenture, it had now turned into wanting to find the perfect place to settle and raise a family.
Not, of course, that the spirits had blessed them yet... But he hoped they would. Surin was his life -- he made his heart sing, and he knew his delicate lover was yearning, pining even, for the pitter-patter of fawn hooves. Perhaps they would be luckier if they found the perfect thicket in which to settle. Someplace not far from a meadow, but far enough hidden that no centaur or beast would dare do them harm.
Nanva, at least, would ensure their future little home would be well protected -- but he also wanted to ensure where they settled was relatively safe. Because he too wished to spend time with Surin, time to be besotted and twitterpated and otherwise madly in love. Hopefully, the spirits would guide them to such a sanctuary soon.
Glancing up from where he had been scratching his horns against a nearby tree, he paused to look over at his beauty. Gods, but he loved him--that delicate fram, his beautiful spots, his soft colors... He was perfect. Completely, and utterly, perfect. "Is there something simple you can make? I believe there's some bread from the village we passed a few nights ago. Is there anything you can make from what we foraged?" He wasn't picky and he didn't want him to have to go through the effort of whipping up something difficult.
Pulling away form the tree, he stepped closer to the fire, offering Surin one of their packs. Rumor had it there was another village of elaphotaur another days journey north. While Nanva was still a bit anxious about the villages, knowing it was made up of fellow elaphtotaur did make it appealing-- and he had not missed the delight and excitement of Surin, shopping, chatting, and bartering with the townsfolk they'd last met. He'd blossomed...
As much as Nanva was loath to find a new herd, maybe finding a small village would be their next step. If not for Nanva, than for Surin.
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Posted: Thu May 18, 2023 12:10 pm
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Ah, but Nanva was not at all difficult to cook for. That he liked certain foods in general, Surin knew. He had made note every time Nanva had seemed pleased over a meal, and when he had seemed less thrilled. The latter was much less common than the former, for which he could only be grateful. "Thank you, darling," Surin said, a smile curving his lips. "I will throw something together from what we foraged." There was water cress, a particularly tasty tuber, fragrant herbs, nuts, and seeds. In combination with the bread, it could certainly make for a tasty meal.
Placing a pot of water over the fire, Surin began to make a stew, which would be tasty and fulfilling. He'd managed to gather quite a few herbs along the way, and flavored the pot with a careful selection of them. Then, he added the tubers, which he had cleaned meticulously. With some chopped root vegetables and minced herbs, it was sure to be fulfilling. He added a few chestnuts to boost the flavor, and began to stir. "Thank you, my love." His one and only buck. With what was in the pack, he certainly could make a delicious meal for them both.
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2023 7:51 pm
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Nanva watched fondly as Surin began to prepare their meal. While the buck could cook if he had to, he was more of a forager, eating whatever he had on hand with little fuss. His cooking was relatively bland for convenience and efficiencies sake -- but he hadn't known real flavor until Surin started cooking for him. The little elaphotaur certainly had a knack for combining flavors and textures; he seemed to know how to make up a meal with just the most meager ingredients.
Perhaps that would be another reason to find a small village or city. Maybe Surin would be happier some place where there was a market or bazaar to purchase or barter spices and new ingredients. Nanva could build them a home, a little garden as well as some flower beds. A little spot just the two of them could call their own. The trick was finding the right village, the right area... So far, the ones they passed hadn't been what he wanted; too big, too crowded, or just generally unsafe for Elaphotaurs.
Nanva was well aware that there were some taurs out there who had a taste for Elaphotaur. It's what made him leery being so exposed and without a home or herd to protect them. Giving a languid stretch, the Buck made a last few scratches and marks on nearby trees and trails, before he slipped up next to Surin, and slipped his arms about him. "It smells great," he complimented, even though his love had only just begun. "Can I help with anything?" He asked, giving a little kiss to Surin's shoulder.
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2023 8:16 pm
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Humming to himself, Surin concocted something delicious for their meal. He was quite pleased with the way it was coming out, too, but Nanva was... very distracting. That kiss to his shoulder had Surin thinking about things that mainly did not involve food, but somehow he soldiered on. "I'm glad you think so," he said softly, stirring the pot of food. "Mm, I don't need any help, darling. But I so appreciate that you asked." His lover was the sweetest man, though he showed it rarely to strangers. Ah, Surin was the happiest doe in the world, he felt certain.
He snuggled into his lover's hold, a beatific smile on his face. "I adore you, you know," he said softly, and turned to kiss Nanva. He couldn't reach his face unless he reared, but he could kiss his bicep without any assistance. So, kiss it he did. "I love you." Now and forever and always. There was nothing and no one that made him as happy as did his buck.
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