The stone balancer's Links
Thinking fondly back to when Rune, barely older than a newborn, first snuggled up to him for warmth at the Pond, stone considers him a son. He feels a special tie to him not shared with his "sisters", since stone was the first to bond with the buck. He takes comfort in his very feral appearance and is reassured by his cautious nature, in that he ought to do well for himself with it. Like many, Rune is a scarce but welcome blessing, and will always be held dear to stone as one of his most rudimentary herd-mates.
Thought of as family, beloved. Finds Stone very comforting to be around.
Present for and bonded since Stria's birth, he witnessed a good portion of her growth in her early days before his increased absences, and considers her a daughter. Though he's not always been the fondest of her decisions in company or life progress, he's always supported her the best he can even where he cannot understand her. Regardless of his concerns, she's grown to be more physically capable even than he, and he's finally come to realize she does not need his protection anymore; regardless, whether she wants it or not, she still has it. She is constantly there to press at him and force him to face the world, encounter new things, and challenge old ideas; he is there to impart his own knowledge upon her and guide her where he can, if needed, though not always wanted. It is no longer about what he should do for her, and is instead about what they will do for one another.
'Watcher'. Known from birth, he has always been family. Guided by the old hart's wisdom in her youth and, though she craved his approval, rebelled against the majority of his advice. In time, learned that she could never mold her life to fit someone else's ideals. No longer conflicted over many aspects of their relationship and has come to a place where she can appreciate him for the things that frustrated her (and still do, at times) in her youth - content in the understanding they have of one another. Comforted and content in his presence as long as he sticks around and of the acceptance both have found in this arrangement.
... because they have no real concept of sexuality and enjoy warmth and a good time.
two bros chilling in the blue bowl 5 inches apart...
A familiar friend; though he doesn't know much about her, he is always happy to see her. He is interested in getting to know her one of these days. She is associated with times of peace and calm, as she always seems to appear without stone really noticing during those serene moments.
Observed the male for a longer while, eventually deciding to approach based on the fact he was guarding a fawn. As a result, spent pleasant time with the duo. Will come up to when seen.
Despite having met countless times, stone is not fully certain about Rossamund. He senses the being has connections to many who stone would not consider friends, so though he is always happy to greet Ross despite his admittedly somewhat eerie countenance, he is also always cautious about what may come to follow. Beyond this, there is some strange kinship he feels to Ross in a likened nature that he cannot explain and, to his concern, desperately does not want to consider.
Friend? A little uncertain about their bond given Stone’s feral tendencies, but appreciates his companionship. Chill, nice to just sit and talk with.
Though he's only met her a few times, each visit has been pleasant; her immediate comfort around strangers encouraged him right away, and he will seek her out any time he notices her around.
Really appreciates his company. A calm-being that somehow appeases her from her hyperactive thoughts. Will seek for his company, curious about.
An old and extremely close friend, he's comforted by her feral nature, and would love to be around her all the time. Hers was a species he encountered back in Manipur, so she brings a special feeling of home to him.
Profound Bond, Lure | Drawn to. Comfort. Safety. Trust. Respect. Admiration. Fond of. Interested in.
An old friend, he's comforted by their feral nature, and would love to be around them all the time. Took to them right away, and appreciates the simplicity of the deer. Admires their vigilance and distinction between instances which call for fight and those which call for flight.
old comfort, a teacher of sorts. one of the first comrades muley met in the Forest and one they learned much from - enjoys being in the old stag's company and still follows his lead. respect. trust. deference. safe.
An old friend whose meeting he cannot recall. It seems almost that he came to The Forest having already carried a relationship with her. She has been absent for many years, and he seldom thinks of her now.
He's encountered the doe in passing enough to recognize her, and appreciates her company. Having sniffed many times, he considers her a friend. Admires her quickness to respond to threats.
Respectful perception of. Regards as a trusted friend, enjoys seeing him around and will actively seek him out.
He's relieved by her companionship amongst the latest feral herd. Discovered she also possesses the capacity for speech, though a reticence to use it, and is absolutely delighted to be in such similar company.
Familiarity, herd, safety. A calming presence when he's around, a seemingly wise individual she looks up to. Knew for a while that there was more to him as she had heard him talk to himself while around the herd, but let him know that she was capable of speech too when he greeted her one day.
An old and close friend for whom stone's fondness remains no matter what length of time passes between their meeting. An invaluable ally in past misadventures, and firmly seated in some of stone's most cherished memories. One of few he truly trusts to take charge even in the worst circumstances.
An old and cherished friend that reminds him of simple company in the forest. Every meeting makes him pine for the days of forest herds where he could he immerse himself in company without the expectation of socialization. Protective of and close to his heart.
His favourite of the feral herd, stone will gravitate to Dusty in favour of almost any company. He admires—and somewhat admonishes—her bravery, as she has been the last to flinch at apparent threats upon many occasions, that is if she flinches at all. He appreciates her restful nature, as she seems to help put the herd, and himself, at ease. As he's discovered, she's not opposed to bouts of play, which has greatly earned his favour. Their many grooming sessions have established in him a deep and feral bond which greatly comforts him.
Safety. Follow. Ease and fondness. Stinky old man always gets his ears cleaned. Gravitates towards him, loves him as much as any simple deer can love. Trusts his judgement above hers when it comes to strange company and is more likely to flee when his guidance is absent. He thinks too highly of me; I'm just a dumdum who had a stamp work one time.
Having first met Raavas under the pretense of The Rut event of 2023—at which time Raavas completely showed him up and won over the affections of Jiuseppe, who stone had been courting for days by that time—stone is more than a little irritated by the ease with which Raavas outdid him. While most of this animosity evaporated with the diminishing hormones following The Rut's end, stone admits he still feels slightly vindictive toward the bull, though this could easily be changed.
Met during the rut of 2023. Due to the risen hormone levels couldn't take the other male as anything but a challenge, and thus gave his best in battles against him while impressing females. Has no ill feelings towards him outside of the rut.
Given the catastrophe around their first meeting during The Rut event of 2023, he is extremely cautious about the cow, though she has been nothing but kind and gentle toward him. Perhaps he will eventually be swayed otherwise.
Meetings have been scarce and rather awkward, but can't help but think this guy is kinda cute and huggable.
Admires; attracted to; comfortable with; curious about; feral company; very fond of; interested in; protective of. Having met during The Rut event of 2023, stone's initial feelings toward her were obviously clouded by more than a few hormones. Even since then, he finds himself drawn to her, enamoured by her distinct charm and ability to use a few words to say much more. While their interactions have seldom been of much intellectual substance, their relationship has carried an intimacy unique only to his connection with her. He will gravitate toward her in nearly any circumstance, and follow her perhaps too far.
One of a series of rut contenders who've since, mostly, disappeared from her life, on the season's end. Though not equipped for the event with antlers or any other sort of weapon, remained a figure of attraction based solely on the stag's charisma and persistence, causing Jiuseppe to form hunches that she's never quite been able to confirm, and a huge impression left in his wake. Reached the point of caring for the stone balancer in a number of ways she's since tamped down with mere curiosity - for the time being. Both missed, and endeared by his returns, vague festerings of fondness and mischief.