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Shotechi — Lessons of Manhood

Published: 2014-04-21 23:28:36 +0000 UTC; Views: 5387; Favourites: 184; Downloads: 3
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Description Featuring Éliot (age 6), his father Éilias (NPC), a seal bay who is a NPC, too, as well as his buddy  Caelum Aureo and a mentioned little doe you all should know
Autumn, Year 758 of the New Age
The forests at the southern slope of Sorghum Peak, Windborne

A very strange feeling was in the air, affecting the whole island with its craziness and driving every Windborne to the stage closest to madness.
Éliot saw stags chasing around does, who seemed to rejoice in their frenzied game, saw adults scramble like fawns, only with a slightly bigger amount of seriousness in their pushing and pulling, their shaking limbs, trembling muscles and the intertwined mass that was their antlers.
And with a slightly bigger amount of blood, when the defeated limped away; out of sight of the triumphant winner who then welcomed another doe in his harem.
It was rut.
Last year, Eli had still wrinkled his nose at the rut’s fury - it had been stupid madness, nothing more.
But this year was different.
This year, the heat of rut was pulsing through his veins, too.
The only problem was that he absolutely couldn’t handle it.
It was his second year with antlers - four prongs now sat on his forehead in all their glory and tried to look a little bigger than they had last year. His voice had become deeper, too, more rasp like his father’s, but with a melodic, warm sing-song to it.
The strange influence young does with their fluttering eyelashes had on him made him eager to run his antlers into every single rack that walked past, especially the big ones. But he was barely more than a sapling; he should have been more aware of his weak youngling’s body, compared to the well-muscled limbs of older, much more experienced stags…

Two years after his mother had run away, his father had started to participate again. The fights Éilias won expanded his heroism in his son’s eyes; the fights he lost disappeared from Eli’s mind as it they had never happened.
The does he fought for were few, and Eli never knew them or the fawns his father sired - those were private things. But he sometimes watched him fight, studied his movements and technique and congratulating him when the opponent was defeated.
The young guards of his father’s group were a bunch of the best fighters within the main herd, and Eli soon learned that, apart from does, there were other reasons to measure their strength.
Some of the stags had decided to spend their whole life with one single mate, so they just fought to impress them (or to be gently caressed if they lost). Others fought for prestige, some for training.
Eli saw all this bursting manhood around him - and it confused him in a way he couldn’t quite understand.

Éliot had spent the day scrambling with his friend Aro. The palomino was already stronger than him, only a little taller, but able to throw his chestnut friend over with a swing of his already very massive neck; mature strength Eli could not stand up to. Aro was also mostly the one the girls admired, Eli thought; they were falling for his dashing colour and his artistically formed crown of antlers, not the curls and curves of the four prongs that formed Eli’s headwear. Still, the chestnut didn’t know what he would do without his friend.
At this very moment, he found himself tumbling down a grassy slope, his limbs entangled with his friend’s as if they still were fawns playing on the peaceful pastures of Westhaven. Quickly, he jumped on his feet and the young stags’ antlers collided, crashing into each other with boyish exuberance until they both lost interest and parted, puffing and laughing at the same time, enjoying the carefree time that is youth.
It was already late, and the sun fell early in autumn, so the young ones soon said goodbye; each of them went back to the place they called ‘home’.
Fallen leaves, showing hues from bright yellow to muddy brown lined his way, and through the thick foliage of the treetops fell the last golden beams of a dying sun.

A sudden sound made him look around with curiosity.
It was an almost bell-like sound, fitting to the enchanting mood of the forest surrounding him. It sounded like the laughter of a young doe, who immediately assumed the forms of a beautiful, fairy-like creature in the confused youngling’s mind. It was the image of a little doe he knew from his earliest days of fawnhood - and sometimes longed to see again.
Had she returned?
The thicket parted - and a nimble doe that sadly wasn’t the independent spirit of his fawnhood stepped onto his path and smiled at him with a cheeky, coquettish expression. “Hello”, she greeted and giggled, and Eli’s mind wanted to explode.
“Well… hello”, he mumbled, barely able to utter decent sentence.
The doe’s giggling only increased over his hopeless stuttering, and she drew a little closer to him, temptingly swaying her tail from one side to the other, as if she wanted to hypnotize him. Well, she succeeded.
“I’ve seen you fighting with the other just now, and…” Something in the wood next to the turtledoves cracked, causing her to stop dead and look around cautiously.
The young stag’s mind was in turmoil, so he didn’t notice the big shadow stepping out of the thicket behind his back. He only noticed the doe back away from him (had he done something wrong? He didn’t even know her name!), so he finally turned his head - only to gaze into the anger-filled eyes of a seal bay stag that was nearly twice as big as him, and at least thrice as muscular!
“What are you doing with my doe?”, the stag huffed, spicing up the possessive pronoun with an extra emphasis.
Eli had the guts to stand up to him and puffed himself up. “I just wanted to ask you the same, old man!”, he crowed with his adolescent voice. “First in time, first in line! Heh!”
Instead of crushing the bumptious young stag into the ground, the seal bay rather was amused by his behavior - he had to admit, he hadn’t expected such backchat. But fine, if that little brat wanted a lesson to learn, he would teach him one.
“And what do you want to do, tickle me with your baby antlers?”, he teased.
That had been the final straw! Eli lowered his head and snorted furiously, taking a few steps in the bigger stag’s direction. “Do you really want me to ‘tickle’ you with those ‘baby antlers’? Better think twice!”
The seal bay laughed. With a fluent motion, he lowered his magnificent rack - and practically let the chestnut run into open arms.

The impact shook his whole body thoroughly and would probably cause a headache that would last the next few weeks, but Eli didn’t notice anything; all he saw was red.
The seal bay though, stood solid as a rock against crashing waves. Again and again Eli made another attempt; the small antlers collided with the bid ones - a feeling that made his blood run in a strange rush, an inner drunkenness he had never experienced before.
“Don’t hurt yourself!”, the seal bay exclaimed and winked at the pale doe, who still watched the proceedings as a silent spectator, giggling to herself at the attention the dominant stag paid to her.
With one last furious run, Eli slammed his head on his opponent’s.
His hooves cut through the grass and rotten leaves on the ground, throwing little parts of dirt into the air as he braced himself against the mass of muscle and manhood in front of him, trying to push him back with all his body weight.
It didn’t really work.
The other stag moved a little, just a little push to the side, until something snapped between their entangled horns…
Eli had finally lost his cheek; he wanted to back off, run away from this big bulk of walking disgrace, but he couldn’t. He could neither move forwards nor backwards. His antlers were caught!
He desperately tried to free himself, but in vain…
“Tired already?”, the seal bay joked. “How comes you are so lax at once?”
He stepped forward, pushing back the chestnut as if he was as light as an eucalyptus leaf. Éliot tried to withstand and put up at least a little resistance, but with no visible success.
The stag pushed him backwards, step after step, until he tripped and his legs yielded below his body. Now he finally felt exhaustion in every single limb. Trembling, he half lay on the forest soil, half hung from his opponent’s rack, able to look into his eyes that were close to his own.
Now the seal bay started to walk backwards and dragged the younger stag’s feeble body through earth, mud and leaves; an embarrassing position for the youngling who had so deeply wanted to impress a doe.
“Let me go!”, he huffed, struggled and kicked the air to get free.
“Giving up already?”
“I do, you stupid bunch of stag-flesh!”
“You are such a cute little fawn. But I like you.”
With a little snap, their antlers broke apart.
Immediately, Eli struggled on his feet and ran away. He disappeared in the thicket, leaving behind belly laughter and a doe’s giggling - but not this feeling of shame that seemed to be glued at his coat. 
 
His father’s few losses were one thing - but his own defeat was a loss he could scarcely forget.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I just had to finish this, the sketch lay around for months - and now it just fits so well to the present time (Autumn 758, it's rut), so..
There's a rp missing to understand what's going on in his mind, concerning the doe he knows since his fawnhood, and now I feel awkward to post this before <.< I'm sorry! I just couldn't push this around any longer xD 
Ey, PinkLionArt , I hope it's okay that I featured Aro in this, but all I wrote are Eli's thoughts, and he might be wrong; I hope I didn't godmod your little one D:

The picture took soooo long :'D but I had enough time to work on it through my vacation. and now I really like it. (: 
the story was a fight as always, I don't want to know how many mistakes are in there, but there are some passages I'm rather proud of, and I hope you like it, too Eli is absolutely funny to write, this little brat xD

1567 words and art: +3 stamina
bonus: + 1 stamina (fighting with another fawnling)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Art, written art, Eli (c) by me, no ref used
Aro belongs to PinkLionArt
(c) by Ehetere

Related content
Comments: 52

Shotechi In reply to ??? [2015-09-13 15:49:57 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much C:

They are indeed! I love how many story possibilities the world gives... it's so creative and painstakingly planned into the last details, I really love playing in there c: I can only recommend fawnlings to you! but of course only if you can allow yourself to have one, I feel you in that situation

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Wolfspirit8698 In reply to Shotechi [2015-09-14 14:02:05 +0000 UTC]

Lol ya. I love the species you have created. And i feel you on how people describe their character and put the story that matches their personality!

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Shotechi In reply to Wolfspirit8698 [2015-09-14 15:14:26 +0000 UTC]

OHH nononono I did'nt create Fawnlings! that was Ehetere 's awesome work - I only have to pleasure to own two  of them.

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Wolfspirit8698 In reply to Shotechi [2015-09-14 15:34:21 +0000 UTC]

lol ok.

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Kelltick [2015-07-22 20:22:37 +0000 UTC]

Ha loved reading this! I'm not a member of Fawnlings (yet) and am still reading through the basics of the group, still trying to rap my head around all the info and such. Anyways, great story!

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Shotechi In reply to Kelltick [2015-07-25 09:13:43 +0000 UTC]

Eep I'm so gad that you like it! It'll be awesome to welcome you to the fawnling family, it's a fantastic community!
Thanks a lot

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Kelltick In reply to Shotechi [2015-07-25 15:47:55 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome!

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Zafrean [2014-08-12 14:27:11 +0000 UTC]

So cute!

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Shotechi In reply to Zafrean [2014-08-18 08:46:43 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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Zafrean In reply to Shotechi [2014-08-18 13:40:59 +0000 UTC]

 

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zephuko [2014-06-27 12:55:13 +0000 UTC]

awww der arme xD so fies
aber das bild is so toll! ich lieb es so wenn du das licht durch die blätter durchlässt und die dann so hellere lichtflecken machen, haachh x3 das kannst du so gut!
und richtig toll dass du den wald hinten so in reverse gemalt hast; die hellen stämme auf dem dunklen hintergrund machen so eine tolle dramatische atmosphere, das passt wunderbar!

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Shotechi In reply to zephuko [2014-06-27 22:00:02 +0000 UTC]

Vielen Vielen Dank! mann du merkst immer die kleinsten Details ^^freut mich! Hintergründe machen am meisten Spaß. ich brauch die iwie für die Atmo. ohne kann ichs nicht xD

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zephuko In reply to Shotechi [2014-06-29 15:19:08 +0000 UTC]

hehe, natürlich sieht man! pfshh ja, wieso sollte man auch ohne, wenn man mit kann? xD

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infinitebones [2014-05-27 20:09:45 +0000 UTC]

I would love to know how you color all of your artwork. It's not often that I see such fine detail with pencils, and this is definitely one of the greatest pieces of artwork I've ever seen.

The anatomy of both the larger stag and Eli is superb, and both poses are perfect and go incredibly well with the story. Your talent for blending while still keeping your colors perfect, flowing, and sharp is very impressive. I love the detail in the grass and you've even included dappled sunlight!

Amazing work.

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Shotechi In reply to infinitebones [2014-05-28 19:36:59 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad to hear that, I feel honoured
I did some kind of walkthrough some time before, maybe you want to have a look at it: [link]

Thank you so much! (:

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infinitebones In reply to Shotechi [2014-05-28 19:44:53 +0000 UTC]

I will definitely take a look!

You're very welcome. I really like seeing your artwork in the group, because very few people work traditionally anymore, which makes it very special!

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DodgerMD [2014-05-04 19:37:54 +0000 UTC]

Deine Hintergründe, echt! Die sind der Hammer! *3*
So viele Details und ich liebe auch, wie du das Fell shadest, echt genial!
Und, awwmaan, Eli. <3

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Shotechi In reply to DodgerMD [2014-05-04 23:01:38 +0000 UTC]

yeah, vielen Dank!

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PinkLionArt [2014-04-30 17:42:31 +0000 UTC]

Oh mein Gott!
Ich hab das erst jetzt gelesen und...
Oh mein Gott!! Das ist so wundervoll geschrieben und wie du Aro beschreibst... Ich musste extrem lächeln! Gott ist das süüüß! Meine Güte ich find Eli so unglaublich knuffig, ich glaube ich muss ihn dir klauen xD

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Shotechi In reply to PinkLionArt [2014-05-01 12:11:33 +0000 UTC]

NEIN meiner °A° *klammert sich an Eli*
vielen, vielen Dank! Aro ist so cool, ehrlich!

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PinkLionArt In reply to Shotechi [2014-05-01 15:42:33 +0000 UTC]

xD Danke^^

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agata507 [2014-04-29 16:24:59 +0000 UTC]

It's amazing, really! That big deer, with darker fur and giant horns looks... Like a pure strong! 
But that dark forest. It beat everything. THE BEST! I love your trees Sarah!
Good anathomy of deers. You have a really big talent

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Shotechi In reply to agata507 [2014-05-01 12:12:47 +0000 UTC]

Aww thank you so much, dear!
you're too kind!

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ReQuay [2014-04-25 18:26:22 +0000 UTC]

Don't worry Eli - your rack will be big and impressive soon enough!    Then you will forget about this loss too - just like your fathers. 

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Shotechi In reply to ReQuay [2014-04-27 21:51:41 +0000 UTC]

Aww, he really appreciates your encouragement

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monymay14 [2014-04-23 06:03:26 +0000 UTC]

Ahh...poor boy, he'll get bigger though and stronger!!!

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Shotechi In reply to monymay14 [2014-04-23 18:24:41 +0000 UTC]

He's sure of that!

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bellequine [2014-04-22 20:40:34 +0000 UTC]

this is amazing!

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Shotechi In reply to bellequine [2014-04-23 18:24:24 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much!

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LaughingHeron [2014-04-22 16:44:45 +0000 UTC]

I love your use of colors in this! Great art!

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Shotechi In reply to LaughingHeron [2014-04-23 18:24:17 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much!

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ReneeScarted [2014-04-22 15:38:55 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful art!

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Shotechi In reply to ReneeScarted [2014-04-23 18:24:11 +0000 UTC]

thank you!

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Tigglesaurus [2014-04-22 14:43:37 +0000 UTC]

Gasp! Absolutely gorgeous <3 I love the colours, especially the pale blue hue to the background makes it seem more dangerous!
Poor Little Éli! Great to see him finally in the present day  

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Shotechi In reply to Tigglesaurus [2014-04-23 18:24:07 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much!

yay! ^^ I still have something else from his past, a little picture I even wrote some poetry for xDD but it still needs a proper story eeeugh D:

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fulociraptor [2014-04-22 14:39:36 +0000 UTC]

Teach me your ways oh wise jedi

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Shotechi In reply to fulociraptor [2014-04-23 17:16:34 +0000 UTC]

"many experiments help. colours - an amazing thing they are.. and always satisfied with your art you must be. *nods* great progress it will bring."

but thank you - how do I deserve such honour?! I am sorry!

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fulociraptor In reply to Shotechi [2014-04-23 20:11:06 +0000 UTC]

I had a giggle

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DatNachtmaehre [2014-04-22 08:26:59 +0000 UTC]

Der Arme Eli.
Irgendwann schafft er es.

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Shotechi In reply to DatNachtmaehre [2014-04-22 12:45:54 +0000 UTC]

ich bin ein bisschen mies zu ihm ._.
aber ja, davon ist er fest überzeugt xD

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DatNachtmaehre In reply to Shotechi [2014-04-22 13:00:58 +0000 UTC]

Mach dir nix draus Ich bin mies zu vielen meiner Charas xD

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Fibonacho [2014-04-22 08:25:38 +0000 UTC]

Oooow, nein, armer Eli :/

Dieses Blau ist überirdisch *.* Hab ich dir schonmal gesagt wie sehr ich deine Hintergründe liebe? :3 Ich könnte mir den ganzen Tag nur deine Hintergründe ansehen...

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Shotechi In reply to Fibonacho [2014-04-22 12:45:33 +0000 UTC]

aww danke dir!

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Jian89 [2014-04-22 08:16:19 +0000 UTC]

young stags don't have an easy life XD

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Shotechi In reply to Jian89 [2014-04-22 12:45:15 +0000 UTC]

Indeed! xD ...and he still thinks he is the greatest

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Jian89 In reply to Shotechi [2014-04-22 12:51:04 +0000 UTC]

hahaha the mind of a young buck
I fear for my golden boy when he ever get 5 years old

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blaine-rr [2014-04-22 04:16:32 +0000 UTC]

This is SO amazing! The artwork is incredible, and the story is rich! Great job!

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Shotechi In reply to blaine-rr [2014-04-22 12:41:15 +0000 UTC]

I can't tell how glad I am to hear that! thank you (:

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SkullOfAnubis [2014-04-22 02:06:51 +0000 UTC]

D'awh, poor Eli! One day he'll be big and strong!

I absolutely adore your artwork of him. You have amazing talent, and really bring his character to life.

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Shotechi In reply to SkullOfAnubis [2014-04-22 12:40:56 +0000 UTC]

He hopes so!

That's sooo amazing to hear! thank you very much!

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