❦ [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

[burninghart]

First to the forest, then to the big mountains within sight of this place. I traded news with the Jumpluffs and met the children of the soil that lived in the sunless places.

[NOT THAT IT'S ANY BUSINESS OF YOURS, SCARY WOLF.]

[whirlwind_wolfman]

You mean the cave-dwellers up and around there? Not seen much of them myself but I don't spend as much time in caves as I might.

[His tail wagged lazily in the backround of the feed.]

So, your theory on Autumn Hearted folk. It's interesting. What then, in your opinion, makes a Winter Hearted person tick?

[burninghart]

Yes, the Digletts. It doesn't surprise me that you don't see them. You're just as much of a predator in their eyes as mine, you know!

[Huff. Kieran gives his head a shake, setting his foliage all a-rustlin'.]

I'm not sure I want to tell you! What does winter matter to you, wolf?

[whirlwind_wolfman]

Here's a question for you - what do they look like under the dirt? Only ever see their heads.

Winter and I have a long and odd relationship. If you don't want to tell me I'll not be offended. Just thought I'd ask being as you seem so keen to impart your species' philosophy unto the masses.

[burninghart]

I'm not sure you want to know the answer to that.

[The world is not prepared to know. 8| ]

The winter-hearted... theirs is a season of enduring, so that's something they know well. The autumn-hearted possess the active, fiery strength of a weapon, but the winter-hearted have the unbending, patient strength of a shield.

[whirlwind_wolfman]

That bad, eh

[He could see that. Autumn and winter, a weapon and a shield respectively. If there was one thing he could do, it was endure. Yeah. He liked that.]

I appreciate the knowledge. Cheers.