❦ [video]

[burningheart]

[GUESS WHO. This face might be vaguely familiar, barring the new hairstyle, or it might not. Either way, it sure looks happy to be here.]

Oh, finally, I think it's working! Um... hello! I'm back. In case you don't know me or maybe just forgot, my name is Kieran, and I'm a child of the forest. I'm spending a year away from the herd in order to gather knowledge... a year that's almost over, actually. Winter's only a season away, isn't it?

But I guess I'm getting ahead of myself! Each season has its turn, so I guess I'd better talk about autumn instead. You don't mind, do you?

[Not even waiting for the magical spirit box picture thingy to respond. Just plowing on ahead. SEASONS ARE A REALLY BIG DEAL FOR A SAWSBUCK.]

Each and every person is attuned to a season of the year. That's what we Sawsbucks believe. Autumn might be the time of year when our leaves fade away and our antlers drift into dormancy, but it's also the season when our foliage is the color of our blood -- it's not a time of resignation, it's a burningly, achingly alive season! The autumn-hearted are people who possess fiery ambition. They have a depth of emotion that not many others can claim; when something seizes their heart, it's seized completely and utterly. Their passion can inspire the complacent and meek: the autumn-hearted are the bringers of action, powerful agents of change with endless nerve in the face of adversity. I didn't meet many autumn-hearted spirits last time I was here, but I'm certain there must be some of you out there!

Ah, and just between us, spirit box... they say that the autumn-hearted make the best lovers. I guess it only makes sense: for us, autumn is also the season of love. It's something I'm kind of nervous about! Last year, I was still a Deerling, so this is going to be my first rut. I don't know who I'm going to try to fight for yet... actually, I'm not sure how I'm even supposed to win anyone over. So many of the spirits here have no antlers, so I guess jousting is out, huh?

...Well, as long as I'm in the realm of the gods, I might as well do it however the spirits do it, right? I am here to learn, aren't I?

Comments

[tenderhoof]

[Oh Kieran, it's good to see you with clothes on...]

What are the other seasons like? I very much would like to know about your tribe's beliefs! Being so, ah, touched with nature is very important, I think.

[burningheart]

Patience, spirit! The seasons don't come until it's their turn to come.

It must be harder to figure out if you're not a Sawsbuck, but I think each person sort of just knows what season they belong to. If it feels right, then it probably is, you know?

welp time to spam the hell out of this post 1/???

[forgetbeam]

[DID SOMEONE CALL FOR PASSION AND FIERY AMBITION]

[forgetbeam]

[Wait... Lovers... Ruts...


What is he... getting at...]

[Video]

[electriccharge]

[Gasp! Guess who it is, practically pressing up against the screen!]

Kieran! You came back!! Wheeeeeeeeee!!!

Um, um, what've you been doing while you were gone from the school?

[Video]

[burningheart]

Watt! It's so wonderful to see you again. You look so bright!

Ah, it's a Sawsbuck's instinct to migrate with the seasons. I went back to the forest, then up into the big mountains. I had a lot of fun, but the season changed again, so I started to wander again, and... well, this is where I wanted to wander.

[Video]

[luneshalla]

My my, aren't you just the most wonderfully cute creature~

[Of course any nature lover, animal, or plant is loved by Ellistree! That much is a given, but this one in particular has piqued her interest!]

Fall really is a wonderful season isn't it? Hearts on fire, colorful changes all around that are visually alluring and the feel of the environment calling to your very desires.

[She smiled warmly and let out a satisfied sigh.]

I'm really looking forward to experience it in this world for sure.

[Also did someone say antlers?...]

[Video]

[burningheart]

[Cuuute? Him? Gosh, Ellistree, you've made him blush.]

Thank you, spirit! I'm glad you see autumn like we do. So many of the other creatures back in the forest thought it was such a sad season!

Although... I've never seen a spirit like you before! You're not of this realm either?

[ video ]

[idealisms]

Ah, yes, it is mating season for the Sawsbuck species then? You say your mating involves fighting for a lover and jousting with your antlers. Most humans seem to ask one another on 'dates', but I am not sure what they tend to entail.

Tell me, are you looking forward to having young Deerling this autumn? I would be very pleased to meet them.

[ he is getting like genuinely enthusiastic over deer pokemon fucking each other. take that as you will. ]

[Video ]

[burningheart]

[gosh how about that deer pokemon fucking each other happens to be something that Kieran is pretty enthusiastic about too!!!!!

god this conversation is going to be something isn't it]

Dates...? I'll have to find out about these! I want to do my best to learn about the spirits' ways, but just between you and me... they're a little confusing, aren't they?

But it would be so exciting to be a father, don't you think? I guess they won't be Deerling unless there's a Sawsbuck doe here, but I absolutely adore fawns, whatever kind of Pokemon they are! I hope this rut goes well for me. Ah... and for you too, of course!

[audio]

[raced_god]

[spiritual mumbo-jumbo all over the network oh god]

You are pretty one with nature, aren't you?

[audio]

[burningheart]

[Is that voice... familiar? Yeah, that voice is pretty familiar. Dang, where has he heard that one before?]

Well, I try to be. We Sawsbuck are half mana-types, so it's pretty important we stay in synch with the earth's dancing.

...Ah, sorry, hold on! I forgot you call them different things here. We're half, um... grass-types, I mean.

[video]

[stay_classy_cat]

[Oh isn't that adorable.]

You're not sure how you're supposed to win anyone over? Are you serious?

[video]

[burningheart]

Yes, very serious! I know the Sawsbuck way of doing it, but not everyone here is a Sawsbuck, right?

[whirlwind_wolfman]

Oh good, I was wondering what to have for lunch today! Problem solved.

[burninghart]

[SCREAM. Kieran's immediate reaction is to try to bolt. Which, unsurprisingly, is pretty hard to do when you're sitting down. He kinda just falls out of his chair with all the grace of a dying Magikarp, hitting the floor somewhere off-camera with a loud thunk.

This is accompanied by a sort of poofing sound -- guess Kieran's a bit rusty with keeping that whole gijinka thing up -- and just a hiiint of red foliage visible at the bottom of the frame.]

Leave me alone! I'm not going to be anyone's prey!

[Vidya]

[lives_strong]

[HIPPIE ALERT Hmm...this guy certainly was unlike most of the people here.]

Fighting for someone else, eh? I'd recommend fighting to improve yourself first.

Welcome back, I suppose. My name is Ondrea, I'm a Blaziken.

[video]

[burningheart]

Yes, that sounds like a good idea! I'd have a pretty hard time jousting with myself, though, wouldn't I?

Oh... but I've never met a Blaziken before! You're a Pokemon like me?

X is chinhandsing all over this post, man. [Video]

[maverickhunterx]

[In his autumn casual wear, X is seen in front of the camera. He's completely and utterly fascinated at all that he's heard, and his expression shows that quite clearly.

There are many things about Kieran's spiel that he's curious about, but X isn't about to barrage him with questions.]

I'd never heard fall described like that before, but you're right; there's definitely something robust and alive about it, even though it's getting colder and the leaves are falling.

The most delicious food also seems to come around during this season, too.

[Video]

[burningheart]

The most delicious food? Ah, I'm not sure about that! Grazing gets a lot trickier once the weather gets colder and things start to slumber. But maybe I'm just not foraging in the right places! The things that grow here seem to be pretty different.

[oceanshaper]

I'm sure boys and girls alike'll be falling over themselves for you this season.

[burningheart]

Do you really mean that? If I have a divine blessing, then I'm sure I'm bound to be successful!

FINALLY....

[rivalsweetscent]

I think you'll be fine! Just be yourself, I guess...? I don't know if you actually have to fight for anyone though...

But uh.

What do you think you'll do when your year is up?

HI...... 8)

[burningheart]

I guess it would be tricky to fight when antlers are so hard to come by, wouldn't it?

[No jousting... something about dates... massages. MAN, spirits have some real weird courting rituals. Though... ah. That question. Vague little smiles slowly give way to uncertainty.]

Ah... I've been thinking about that a lot, actually. Winter's not so far away, right? I think I've gathered up enough knowledge to be of use to the herd, especially with what I've learned about this place, but...

Um, can I ask you a question, Bulba?

[truffulatree]

Oh, I did miss all these stories!

[burningheart]

[OH MY GOD CELEBI.]

Beloved! I hoped I'd get to see you again! If you missed them, then I'll tell you any story you like. I'm not sure if I know any that you haven't heard before, though!

I am extraordinarily late

[punchtheflowers]

Autumn's for the passionate, huh? Guess that makes sense - a blaze 'fore winter sets in.

So where'd you get off to while you were gone?

ssshhh no such thing

[burningheart]

Exactly! It's sort of like a season-long going away party, I think. It's easier to accept the slumber of our antlers if we rejoice in their strength all autumn, right?

I didn't stray far! I was in the forest again for a while, then I wandered to the mountains.