Both Jeremy and Leticia were newcomers in their own to what they were doing. Jeremy knew his mother would likely have sent his antlers through a mulcher for being impulsive enough to have sex with a girl he just met. Leticia knew her girlfriend must never know of this night, for her reaction would be wrathful.
But after downing the berries in preparation for this before hand, Leticia threw all other thoughts to the wind. And Jeremy, Jeremy, having finally won at something, threw his own inhibitions to the wind.
++++++
A couple hours later, Lateisha asked about her best friend rather in an amused voice, "So, do you think the top buck is gonna freak out and run away screaming like a little boy when he learns Leticia is only female until the end of her vacation?"
Having finally calmed down, Jenny threw in a little quip to keep up her 'up beat' appearance. "If he's looking for a long term relationship like Hannah, yes. If he's just looking for somewhere to fire his pistol, I doubt it."
"Well," Su Yin said, "The bucks all appeared to be listening when Sam gave his departing speech about giving us all a word in edgewise. And Jeremy hasn't followed through on Spike's plan. So it looks like we're likely to have more say in how things go on in the herd from now on."
"You said 'herd.' " Lateisha pointed out.
"So I did. I believe this is an effect on us from witnesses the entire mating ritual. Instincts sublimely altering our terminology as our intelligent brains would see it. After all, animals don't HAVE words like 'herd' or 'group.' "
"What about Leticia?" Lateisha asked.
"On top of not used to being a deer, HE wasn't used to being a male. Maybe mating will bring her back down to Earth. Or permanently lock her brain into the concept of her being female. It's possible that's why Hannah ended up judge at first, and why Leticia of all of us ultimately took her place."
Lateisha said, "Where is Hannah anyway?"
"She said she wanted to be alone before any of the regular meetings."
"I wonder if that's healthy right now. I mean, she knew she couldn't have Sam but, still seeing him go couldn't have been easy."
"I know what you mean." Jenny said, "We just met him. And look at all the impact he made, and poof, he's gone, like that. Wish we had gotten to know him better."
"You know being so easy means that it's very possible you'll catch a transmittable disease Jenny. You should be more careful."
"It would be an interesting question." Su Yin thought, "As to weather or not, we're now vulnerable to diseases related to both humans and deer. Since we now have the traits of both. We might even accidently become a train for some diseases to cross over the species barrier. All the natural animals in the park are isolated. But what about in the outside world? All species have their own brand of unpleasant viruses and parasites."
Jenny hugged herself, "You just sent a shiver up my tail."
"Good. It's a realistic question. And one that people who are interested in keeping their changes once their vacation is over need to seriously think about."
"Back on track." Lateisha said, "Is it safe to leave Hannah alone right now?"
"Don't worry." Su Yin said, "Laurie will make sure she doesn't do anything foolish."
+++++++
Laurie voice was motherly, polite, kind, and totally non-hostile, "If anything happens to Jasmine while I'm with Hannah, I will break every bone in your body."
Mike just nodded dumbly as Laurie handed off Jasmine into his arms. Jasmine had fallen asleep in her mother's arms. At the same time, Hannah had shown up at the pair's borrow. Hannah said she needed a friend to talk to who wasn't a doe. Laurie felt the need to comply.
"I saw what happened. Sam was just defending himself. Those bucks weren't precisely playing by gentlemen rules."
"It's not that it's just... it's just... I feel like I've lost him twice now! First by finding out he was married. And again, with him needing to leave the park early to hold onto his sanity. I'll never see HIM again. I'll only meet HER later. I've never met HER Laurie, I don't know HER. And then I'd have to meet her husband. I don't think I could face HER."
Laurie used the same tone she had been using with Jasmine lately. "First. Stop. Stop shaking. Second, stop pretending you're not going to start crying. Third, stop fixating on the distant future. Forth, stop lamenting about someone you know you weren't going to have. And will never have. Won't feel their arms around you, won't feel their lips against yours, won't hear their voice again--" Hannah finally let go and started crying. Laurie didn't cry, she had already shed her tears dry that mourning.
Laurie thought to herself, 'This night, I finally say good-bye to you too Jason. I always have, and always will love you. And I'll protect and teach Jasmine as much as I am able without you. I won't lie to myself and say I would have still come to this park if I know how things would have turned out. But... I will accept... you're happy like this.'
'And maybe,' Laurie thought looking at Hannah, 'Now that those bucks have felt the desire to strive for something, to prove themselves to a lady. Maybe, just maybe, some of them might be interested long term with you Hannah. Don't give up hope.'