Selucian sat down on a smooth boulder while he examined his whereabouts. He had to be close now, because he recognized the fallen tree in front of him. But had he turned left after it or kept going forward? He could navigate through the streets of Pairlu blind easily enough. Yet the forests of West Pelisir kept him wandering in circles. He didn't mind so much, though. These woods were always calm and quiet, and the air was fresh and fragrant. He felt at peace here, and could have remained sitting on the boulder through the remainder of the evening except for the tingling excitement that kept his feet fidgeting in the soft ground beneath him.
It was now nearly the same time as it had been the evening before when he had encountered the beautiful maiden that had since captured his every thought. His entire being refused to be put at ease until he had seen her again... or at least learned her name.
As he sat contemplating on his boulder a doe stepped cautiously toward him from between two trees. It paused mid-step and stared at him as he held his breath, afraid that he might scare it away. When he had not moved for the space of almost a minute the doe stepped closer. It paused again, but more briefly this time, and then continued moving closer still.
When it was within arm's reach Selucian ventured to speak, because he did not know what else to do. "Good evening, small one," he said softly.The doe's ears stood upright and it stopped suddenly, as though his words froze it in place. Selucian began to raise his arm slowly and outstretch it toward the deer. "Please, do not run away." He smiled at the creature. "But if you do, I shall still consider myself favored by the Gods because of your quiet visit."
The doe's ears and stance relaxed. Selucian's fingers touched its nose lightly. He expected it to immediately bolt away from him and disappear into the woods. But it did not. Instead it stepped even closer and smelled his body.
The two made eye contact again, and then the does turned and walked slowly to the fallen tree ahead of them. It looked back, as though to see if he were following.
Selucian, suprised, pointed at himself. "You desire for me to follow you?"
The doe bounded over the dead trunk and then resumed its slow pace northward.
Selucian rubbed his chin. "How peculiar," he muttered. But then he rose to his feet and followed after the deer.
It was a short time later that Selucian and the deer entered the glade that he remembered so clearly from the evening before. "Amazing," he said, and then looked down at the creature next to him. "How did you-"
"Pela'anispé."
The doe immediately bounded away, heading toward the source of the sound. The female voice came from behind the pale tree with fuscia colored blossoms at the far end of the glade.
Selucian realized that he was holding his breath anxiously when a light-footed young woman walked gracefully from behind the tree and into view. Her delicate wings fluttered as she smiled at him in recognition.
"You are here..." Selucian caught himself gaping at her and promptly closed his mouth.
The doe now stood beside the woman and was licking friendily at her fingertips. The woman indicated the doe with a nod and repeated, "Pela'anispé."
"Ahh...I see." Selucian pointed at the deer. "She is your pet?"
The woman tilted her head slightly, "Pet?" she repeated.
Selucian nodded excitedly and stepped toward her. "Yes, pet. That is to say, she belongs to you." He tried to come up with some sort of sign language as he spoke. Fumbling with his wristband, he continued, "Like this... This wristband is my possession. It belongs to me."
She wrinkled her nose and shook her head.
"Well, if not a pet, then... a friend?"
"Friend?" She thought about the word. Then, patting the doe softly on the head, she nodded. "Friend." She then indicated all the small animals and birds around the glade. "Friends."
"How fascinating," Selucian commented in wonder. He was near to her now. "And was that this one's name? Pela... Pela'anispe?"
She laughed at his attempt to pronounce such an unfamiliar word, but nodded afirmatively.
He looked down at the doe then and said, "Well, Pela'anispé, thank you for leading me here. I am in your debt." He put his hand on his chest and addressed them both. "My name is Selucian."
She placed her hand on her chest, as he had done, and said, "Essynse."
