“It’s just a bit much though, don’t you think?” And So Forth had quite a few talents, but being quiet wasn’t really what he was known for, so his whisper traveled through the clearing fairly easily, not that Whistledown called him on it. “I mean, he looked just fine before, and now he’s adding accessories and it’s quite over the top.”
Whistledown nodded, her voice solemn as she didn’t bother to whisper when she answered. “Yes, he’s overdone it now. Those sleeves of his weren’t practical in the slightest, always getting muddy and needing washed, and now he’s got to thread something else through his mane?”
Normally, Seiram was wise enough to simply pass by and not get involved in other people’s business, but whoever the pair were gossiping about wasn’t present, and they were ruining his otherwise peaceful stroll with their chatter.
“Sorry, I couldn’t help overhearing. So it sounds as though someone you know has been changing their appearance lately. Can I just ask, is it hurting anything?”
“My eyes,” And So Forth grumbled, though as usual it carried farther than he’d intended.
“Of course not,” Whistledown rolled her eyes at the stranger. “But for someone who was so fashionable when he caught my friend’s eye, it’s not exactly flattering. Plus, it’s not like he can dump him, they’ve baskets on the way.”
At the reminder And So Forth swallowed a bit anxiously, his urge to nibble on a nearby patch of clover almost overriding everything else. “Well, he is still handsome at least, it’s just getting to be a bit much,” he conceded.
Oh, this was a mess that he had stepped in, and he’d only himself to blame. “First time baskets for you?”
“Both of them,” the deer confirmed. “And Faolan is going spare about it.”
“We had to come out here just for some decent grazing, he’s trampling everything down around home. Because if he’s not accessorizing to find the perfect look for the naming ceremony, he’s pacing.” And So Forth looked rather put out, but there was a slightly wistful edge to his voice as well.
“Oh, I remember those times well,” Seiram chuckled softly. “For Alexandria and I’s baskets, we were both going a bit mad from nerves. She was determined to stockpile food in case of a late frost, and the foals were born in June! At the time, I thought she was the crazy one, but after it was all said and done I realized I’d been just as unreasonable. I’d set up a patrol of sorts that wasn’t sustainable at all, and I was exhausted by the time they came out of their baskets. I don’t suppose you’ve changed any habits during all of this?”
His question was just a bit pointed, and And So Forth was almost offended before a sheepish look stole across his face. “Well, he did say I was talking nonstop and he couldn’t hear himself think, and it’s possible he’s right.”
“I’ll say,” Whistledown nodded. “The other day you were telling me about that mare across the river and if you hadn’t started coughing I wouldn’t have been able to correct you about the name of the third stallion she was seeing.”
“It happens to everyone I think, at least the first time.” Seiram grinned a bit to himself as a few pictures floated through his mind, Pharos’ shaky steps out of the basket, squabbles he’d had to break up. “No one really knows what they’re doing, and they get pretty worked up about it all. Everyone handles it differently too, whether they stick to their same schedule or spend far too long prepping for something that you can never fully prepare for. But it’s a wonderful time too. And the accessories will probably go away after the ceremony, and if not, well, things break.”
They all snickered at that, and that felt like as good a time as any to continue his walk. If it just so happened to border what he considered his home, well, patrolling wasn’t a completely bad idea. “Have a good rest of your day, and good luck with those foals,” he called out as he turned away.
He’d barely made it out of earshot when Whistledown looked over at And So Forth, who had wound up taking a bite of the clover after calling out a goodbye. “You know, if he was a few years younger, he’d be quite the catch, don’t you think?”
And So Forth shrugged and finished his bite. “I don’t know, I think the silver fox vibe is working for him.”
“Fair enough,” Whistledown demurred, “but more importantly, do you think he was right?”
“He seemed to know what he was talking about,” And So Forth allowed. “But even if he didn’t, a couple of accessories isn’t really the end of the world I suppose.”
“It could be worse,” Whistledown agreed. “He could be accessorizing us.”
