Username: fawn-
Name: Vega
Collar: star themed
Prompt: CelesteIt was a windy day at Strawberry Rose farm and the herd was grazing under the cloudy sky. The new calves were frolicking about, still learning how to use their legs. They chased each other around, kicking up dust and dirt in their wake. “Watch out!” Celeste called out as they weaved around her and through her legs. One young tawny calf in pursuit of another tripped and rolled towards the pasture gate. She laughed with her friends as she placed her wobbly legs beneath her, only to sink back down in shock as she looked up.
A fluffy bull approached the gate, with an equally fluffy calf closely following. She looked scared but curious enough to continue peering through her guardian’s legs as he strode forward. The calves ran back towards the barn, alerting the herd to the stranger at the gate. A few older mothers walked towards the bull as he introduced himself and told the herd he was looking for a safe place for the calf to stay. Somewhere she could grow up.
The herd leaders were quiet for a few moments. “While we would love to have a new addition, our mothers have their hands full with the newest spring babies. I’m not sure any of us have the time for what she needs.”
The bull sighed, and with a soft smile looked down at the calf with resignation. Celeste couldn’t let them leave! She had had two calves of her own, now grown and living their own lives. She didn’t like being an empty nester.
She ran forward to the visitors. “Wait! I can look after her!” She turned towards the herd leaders. “Please, don’t send them away, I don’t have my own calf, I can take this little one in as my own.”
“Are you sure?” one mother asked. “Yes, positive. I know what I’m doing.”
“Ok, then” another heifer said, “Celeste will adopt this calf of yours if you still want to leave her in our care.”
Taurean turned towards the calf, speaking so softly Celeste couldn’t hear what he was saying. A few moments later he lifted his head, nodded towards the herd, and walked back the way he came, leaving the calf standing at the gate. She looked a bit bewildered, so Celeste opened the gate and guided her in. “You can sleep in my stall tonight.”
The next day, the fluffy calf no longer looked scared but confused. She sat and stared at Celeste, who looked back equally as confused every couple of minutes, feeling the calf’s eyes on her. Celeste didn’t want to judge a book by its cover, but she thought their shared unique hue would be a good starting point and something they could bond over.
“So…your purple, like me! It’s nice to meet another cow who stands out on her own!”
The calf narrowed her eyes a bit.
Is she judging me? Celeste thought to herself.
“Do you want to tell me about where you came from? I’d love to hear about it. But only if you want to. Don’t feel pressured to talk to me. Well, I’d like it if we could talk to get to know each other. Especially now that I’m your new guardian. I grew up on this farm. I think you’ll like it!”
This is silly, why are you asking this calf who just got here about her whole life story! Celeste continued rambling but raised her head when the calf stood up. She perked up her ears in hopes that she would share something, but the calf just blinked, moved to a sunnier spot in the grass, and laid down. Celeste sighed, hoping she hadn’t ruined her first impression as a mom.
She decided to take one more chance and took a few steps towards the calf, “Could you tell me your name? Or, if you don’t have one, we can think of one together.” The calf looked up at her. “I don’t have a name.”
Celeste smiled, “that’s ok, we’ll pick one out.”
Maybe she’s finally warming up to me! Celeste began going through all the names she could think of. She was nearing the end of the alphabet when the calf perked up. “Yes, that one! I like that one.”
“It’s settled then! It is very nice to meet you Vega.”
[724 words]
