OOC NOTE: Leading on from this thread.

So, Magnus would huff once they'd reached their destination; relatively close to the site of the hunt, but far enough away for privacy. He dropped his rump to the ground, settled comfortably under the shade of a large acacia, and then his share of dinner - a large and juicy section of flank - would follow. It was at that point that he'd look over at the calico huntress, expression neutral except for the light arching of a brow. What have you been busying yourself with since I last saw you? It wasn't really his business, to be honest, but any excuse to keep @Desdemona around and talking....

the finest fury is the most controlled

code by corvus

desdemona trailed along magnus, walking within the great man's shadow as they left the giraffe carcass behind them. idly, she looked over the flamingos in the distance, a swathe of pink and black feathers on stilts that were happy enough to rest in the sun's rays. it was decent enough entertainment, she supposed, as she sunk down beneath the acacia tree near him. what have you been busying yourself with since i last you?

what had she been doing? desdemona had been blazing the trails of the island, catching the scenery and conversing with the occasional amaryllisian transplant here and there, but always returning to rest near the watering hole: nothing of importance. she considers stringing a tale of grandeur, but supposes it would fall flat, all things considered - especially since her path with @Magnus had crossed not once, but twice at the watering hole.

honestly, there's a bit of a sigh to her words as if disappointed in her own answer. just surviving. i've also done quite a bit of exploring. she lifts a paw and observes it casually, unsheathing her claws to observe the giraffe's blood that coated them like a crude red polish. pretty. and what do you do for fun? it may have been considered "small talk" to the passing eye or lingering ear, but desdemona was genuinely curious on what magnus had been doing to pass the time. certainly more than what she was getting into.

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He does not expect a lengthy tale for an answer, which is just as well considering @Desdemona does not give him one. Ah well - no matter. Such was the life of a rogue, he supposed; mostly uneventful. Magnus arched a brow, seeing a juicy opportunity bloom right before his very eyes. Well, eye. Surviving, he would reiterate, slow and deliberate as he traced a claw across his portion, I remember that. I'm surprised someone like you isn't in a pride already. It hadn't been so long ago since he'd been a nomad; he'd been one for years. It suited him well at the time, but now he'd adjusted to having a permanent roof over his head the titan could not imagine any other sort of lifestyle. The domestication of it all would make his forefathers nauseated. Fun? He laughed at that; he simply could not help himself. What would your definition of fun be? Magnus would take a bite, then, easily devouring the mouthful in one fell swoop.

the finest fury is the most controlled

code by corvus

he repeats her favorite past time as of late and she nods, catching the way that it falls from his tongue. @Magnus looked as if he had been carved from the mountains himself - muscular, dark and impenetrable, scarred but unbreakable. its admirable and her mind wanders off to her noble friend of the rainforest. the two were so similar, but different. desdemona likes to think that she's wrangled up some interesting friends ( if they'd consider her that ). though, his next statement leads her to narrow her eyes suspiciously and her tongue clacks against the roof of her mouth. someone like me? what's that supposed to mean? she's not offended in the slightest, but finds strong interest in just what exactly magnus deems her to be. annoying, overconfident, unfocused? the traditionals of her homeland would have used all three.

as magnus bellows at her question, desdemona reaches down for a bite, doing her best to be as neat as possible over the large giraffe hock. watching the clouds, stretching out over the peaks, chasing stray hyenas... things that it seemed magnus wouldn't be interested in now that she thought about it. scaring the flamingos? there's a subtle hint there, as if suggesting that he go and scaree the flamingos and she looks over to him, brows furrowing in almost a cub like fashion through her thick lashes. oh magnus, she drawls, whiskers trembling like a hummingbirds wings, it would be so much fun.

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She had a come back for his observation, of course. He'd expected it. Still, judging by her tone she was not offended, which was just as well. To me you tick all the boxes for perfect pride material. Young, energetic, gregarious. It doesn't hurt that you are attractive, either - I'm sure any King out there would love to have you under him. Take that how you will, @Desdemona. His observations were candid, and he trusted that the calico woman would have enough grit in her gut to not get all sensitive about it. He was simply being realistic; he was not experienced with pride life but he did know a lot about men. He knew what they wanted. The conversation topic would shift, though, and become altogether less serious. He'd pause, clearly considering his options. To say no would simply paint him as the sour puss, which would not do well to endear him to his company. And so, with a little relenting sigh and a sudden burst of speed, he'd launch himself onto his paws and take off in a charge towards the flock.

the finest fury is the most controlled

code by corvus

beneath the shade, the warm flush of her cheeks feels damn near insufferable. flirting was not something that tied her up, but it was typically playful back and forth - @Magnus' words were nothing but truth, judging from the gravel of his tone and the sobriety of their conversation. she did want to impress him, after all, and it seemed that she did impart herself in some fashion. the last part though, she can't but help a sniffle of laughter. have you seen any of those kings around? i hope they have rabbit lined dens too. she recalls their first hunt and the gentle threat of her pelt lining his den floor. the mischievous tale of the rabbit and the behemoth.

it doesn't take as much as she thought to get magnus going. as flustered as she was, its soon forgotten for something more innocent as he takes off after an immense sigh. desdemona sails off after him and towards the pond, eyes set on the mass of pink just ahead. the earth softens near the bank and mud stains her paws as water splashes around them. the calico cat snaps her jaws up at one of the flamingos as it takes off squawking, leaving a sea of feathers floating down around them. laughter bubbles from her chest, guiltless and free, and she whips towards magnus, spraying water as she goes, almost certain that he has to find some part of this enjoyable - or else, she had a lot of work to do.

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The chase was thrilling, and it is only once he skids to a halt - with visibly flared nostrils and a mouthful of pink feathers - that he takes the time to truly enjoy the moment. His muscles were still stiff from the exertion of the hunt, so no doubt he would pay for all this running later when he was curled up in the comfort of his den. Not wanting @Desdemona to get too much of a big head, he'd merely shrug off just how much he'd enjoyed running around like a lunatic. Happy now? He flopped down into the long grass, looking up at the small woman and finally acknowledging the words she'd uttered seconds before the chase. I'm one of them, he confessed, keenly reading her expression to see just what she'd make of that news. I took Obsidian Hollow two months ago, just west of the passage. What do you think now, little rabbit?

the finest fury is the most controlled

code by corvus

those look good on you, she nods towards the pink and black striped feathers that he has a mouthful of. desdemona treads from out of the shallows, tail twisting with a cool mhmm of approval when magnus questions if he's satiated her request. very happy, indeed, although from his reaction she would have to find another activity if they bumped into each other again ( which she certainly hoped would happen ).

the feline remains standing after he dropped down into the grass, looking down at him as he glared up at her with his good eye. she expects for him to complain about the romp, but what comes next leaves her quite struck: "i'm one of them." a king? there's disbelief that crosses over her expression initially, lips tugging in consternation as he follows up with the location of his pride. she wonders if she should have known or rather, why now he decides to tell her. that's a rather important detail for you to have left out, the calico says, a twitch of her ear causing a stray feather to float down towards the ground between them.

while desdemona had never been one to bow and submit to royalty, its something that deserves respect, especially when said title was taken. maybe if she knew he were a king, she would have treated him differently - more distant in caution of being claimed or spoken down to, or being expected to obey blindly. not all sovereigns were good sovereigns. slowly, almost painstakingly, she lowers her head, shoulders arcing. nearly nose to nose with the dark titan if he'd allow it, her voice drops to a whisper, i hope you're not expecting me to curtsey, king @Magnus.

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If she was at all flustered about the revelation, @Desdemona does a good job of mostly keeping it to herself. Still, she had something to say about it, at least. Magnus would not apologise, not in so many words, but he would try to placate her. I do hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me, the King offered with a faux-weary sigh, attention following her movements as she dipped herself closer to him. There were so many things he could say, so many things he could do, in response. Lewd flirtation was something he found himself rather enjoying with the little calico; respectful enough to maintain a boundary and take a hint (probably) if things ever got too hot and heavy, but not nearly enough to hold back when it came to the openly roving eye and the scorching comments. Such was the way with this sort of banter, right? You do not need to curtsey. He'd keep his dark gaze on her, unwavering. But I do have a proposition for you.

the finest fury is the most controlled

code by corvus

king @Magnus doesn't budge as expected and she stands where she is, unrelenting. his breath on her cheek sends a rather salacious shiver down her back and her toes curl, claws coiling into the ground beneath her. the cat didn't expect that, as much as she didn't expect him to reveal himself a sovereign. i'll think about it, desdemona plays, but knows that his trespass will be forgiven in a few meager seconds - although that doesn't mean she'll have to admit it. but then, he offers her a proposition and desdemona slinks down onto the ground in front of him, sphynx-like, searching his steady eye for a hint of what's to come. and what would that be? her ears cup forward, intent and eager to hear this proposal.

art