smashacademy | ❦ [video]

[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?

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[It's okay, Bulba, not knowing what things mean is an ineivtable part of the Kieran Experience. u_u]

A strong heart, huh...? That's reassuring to hear, honestly. I've been thinking a lot that... well, how to put it?

[He scratches at the base of an antler, brow furrowing a little.]

Everyone always thought that I was going to turn out to be summer-hearted. I'm not sure if you have an idea about what a summer-heart's like, but it's... really different from being a winter-hearted Sawsbuck.

I think I've gotten these wrong every time you've asked me what I thought they were like.

[It was admitted with a sheepish look, but Bulba offered him a reassuring smile.]

I might not know all the differences, but I don't think it'd be very terrible to have a little summer in your heart. Winters aren't always what we normally perceive them to be everywhere. Some places can be very warm.

...Maybe it's something you need to make your own?

Those are wise words, Bulba. I have a hard time picturing a warm winter, but you've seen far more than I have.

Is that... an honest thing to do, though? Belonging to a season is something that carries responsibilities with it. My role in the herd was decided by my season. If I bend what being winter-hearted means to make it easier on myself... that's not very winter-hearted in and of itself, is it?

I wouldn't really know, to be honest... but I don't think it'd be dishonest if you were being yourself. You're the only person you can be. Does being winter-hearted mean you need to pretend to be someone else?

If winter was the season that reached out to me, then that must be who I am, right? I'm sure it didn't just happen for no good reason! I don't know that it would be pretending, I just... haven't figured out how to be the winter-hearted me.

[He starts scratching at the base of an antler again, but only for a little bit. It's not long before he gives that train of thought up, and simply shrugs with a little smile.]

Well, I've still got the rest of autumn to get the hang of it. And not every hart takes exactly a year, anyway! Things will work out however they're meant to work out.

[Bulba smiled again.]

Yeah. It'll be fine! I mean, I'm still figuring out this Ivysaur thing, so sometimes it can definitely take a little while.

Well, I think you're working at a very nice pace.

[A thought that felt a little familiar. Hadn't he dreamed something like this? Oh, well. Life was funny like that.]

It won't be so bad to linger here a while longer, anyway. We're in very good company, aren't we?

[He blinked and flushed just a little.]

... Thank you.

And I'd like to think so! It'd be a shame to see you leave so soon.

It's not like I'd be going very far, Bulba! Even if I did go home, the forest always has room for you too.

[IDEA. He claps his hands together (one of those human gestures he learned here, as a matter of fact -- it means something exciting, he's pretty sure, so it must be appropriate!)]

I could show you some of my favourite places, if you wanted. That'd make it easier to meet even if we part ways, wouldn't it?

[Wow, dream thoughts indeed. Bulba could have sworn he remembered this bit, but his earlier dreams were somewhat hazy. This was like some crazy deja vu.

And this was something that was quite exciting. Appropriate response was quite appropriate! Bulba leaned forward a little in his seat with an eager curiousness in his eyes.]

Ohh, yes, please do. I'd really like that a lot, actually.

[Had Kieran even known shared dreams had actually been a thing, he might have attempted to bring it up -- that had, after all, planted the seed of an idea to come back here. BUT OH WELL.]

Wonderful! We'd better do it sooner rather than later, though. It's only going to get colder, and it's a bit of a long walk to reach the parts of the forest that I know best.

[Another nod.]

Yeah, it'd be good to go fairly soon... I'm up for pretty much whenever you'd like to go though!

Look forward to me surprising you very soon, then! I don't mean to be hasty, but I've missed you very much, Bulba.

Don't worry, I'm definitely looking forward to it. I missed you too.

❦ [video]

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i am in bed and turning off the light

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