It was all a blur to him on how he got here. All he knew was that he kept on walkin', searchin' for a place to call home. He kept goin', even when his paws ached and his body pushed past the point of exhaustion. No, he had to keep goin', for he was too far along to give up now. The dun man would take up a slow pace, each large paw draggin' right after another in the sand. The sand felt foreign to him, gettin' in between his toes and feelin' rather uncomfortable. A grimace would appear on his face, lips pullin' into a thin line. He wasn't used to bein' on the beach, and for good reason. Well, mostly 'cause of the sand, but that was reason enough for the lion.

Golden eyes would look left then look right, takin' in his new surroundin's. He was surrounded by water on both sides, and straight ahead seemed to lead into an expanse of land he had no knowledge about. Maybe things would work out here for Lucien, and maybe he'd be able to settle down and find a homely life here. He didn't want to put all his eggs in one basket, but with the memories of his past all he was wishin' for now was something stable and somewhere to call home.

speech

image by caitt, code by twesh

What a strange sight this was.

It had the air of a refugee camp, the gathering of lions ahead. That, alone, was strange, but what caught her attention (and held it a moment longer than it should have) was the impenetrable fog further ahead.

Careful, quiet, steps carried her forward, gliding like a shadow to the edge of the coast and the nearest figure to catch her eye. The quickest way to learn the reason behind the scene was to ask, after all.

"Excuse me," she spoke, smooth voice accented with her native tongue, and paused a comfortable distance from the man. Kage would wait for some kind of response before continuing, allowing for the opportunity for him to slip away should he prefer not to chat with a stranger. "Could you tell me what has happened?" There had to be something, some reason for the beach to be so popular at the moment.

@Lucien

He wouldn't be by his lonesome for too long. Footfalls weren't that easy to catch when they were on sand, but the lioness's attempt at gainin' Lucien's attention would cause his ears to prick forward and for his head to turn in the direction she was comin' from. His eyes would watch the stranger, takin' in her appearance and makin' a note of how odd it was that she had not one, but two tails? Or one tail and a quarter of another one... Either way, it was somethin' the dun mane had never seen before and so knew that it wouldn't be somethin' he'd easily forget.

"Uh, I ain't quite sure, miss. Brows would furrow, allowin' for his gaze to shift back at what the lioness was askin' 'bout. He didn't have the slightest of clues as to what was goin' on, and for right now he was okay with not findin' out just yet. He wanted to gather his bearin's, maybe take a brief rest to allow his achy body to relax before seein' what he could find 'round these new lands to make a meal out of.

speech

image by caitt, code by twesh

Slight disappointment was felt at his answer, but did not show on her face. Her gaze simply drifted when his did, toward the island. Or, what she assumed to be an island. It was difficult to tell with things as they were. "I see." Perhaps he was like her, someone who had simply wandered into the situation by chance or luck.

Her head would dip in a bow, "Then I apologize for bothering you, sir. I will seek answers elsewhere." Straightening, she would begin to move again, intending to follow the coast toward the larger group. Maybe there she could find someone who could tell her more. If he chose to follow, she would make no move to stop him. It wasn't as if she held any authority over a stranger, after all.

@Lucien

Their interaction would be brief, the lioness biddin' her farewell before startin' off. Lucien would watch her for a moment, tryin' to decide if he should let her go and give in to lettin' his body rest for the remainder of the day or if he should follow her. Maybe they'd both get answers then? With a rumblin' chuff of sorts echoin' in the salty air toward her, the dun man would start movin' in a quick gait in her direction. "Er, do ya' mind if I trail along, miss..?" A brow would rise as he left the open ended question for her to give him her name, if she wanted to.

"Name's Lucien Hanover." He'd introduce himself once he was in step with the lass, bobbin' his head to her in a greetin'. Even though they both didn't know where they were at didn't mean they had to travel alone. And maybe meetin' new lions would prove to be useful in the long run; one could never have too many friends. "The only thing I know is that somethin' told me to come here. Like a voice or a thought. It's nuts." Lucien sounded crazy, he knew it, but maybe he wasn't the only one that had this happen to?

speech

image by caitt, code by twesh

That he wished to join her was a mild surprise, but not a request she would refuse. A nod of acceptance was offered, "Not at all." He'd done nothing unpleasant so far, and so she had no reason to turn him away. "You may call me Lady Sasaki." His prompting for a name did not go unnoticed, nor ignored. Her tone, while formal, was not cold or dismissive. Although, in her opinion, it was more polite to offer one's own before requesting another's. He did make up for it, somewhat, by introducing himself as he came up alongside her. "It is good to meet you, Mister Hanover." That was the correct title, yes? Kage would like to believe her common was fluent, but the way she spoke - from formal tone to phrasing to accent - betrayed the fact it was not her first language.

It seemed they found themselves in a very strange situation. He spoke of a voice that called him to the shore, and she wondered if he meant it literally. If so, she must have been out of range. Her generally stoic demeanor would slip ever so slightly, the dark woman blinking, once, in very slight confusion. "'Nuts'?" For her, the word brought to mind the type found in trees, but perhaps it was a bit of informal speech she was unfamiliar with.

"Have you been across," what was the word? She let it trail off as if a complete question. Better than floundering trying to decide what to call the strip of sand that stretched between the shore and the island. Land bridge? Sand path? She knew the word in her tongue, but doubted he would recognize it.

@Lucien

"You can just call me Lucien, Miss Sasaki. There was no need for him to be spoken to in formal manner; he wasn't nothin' special, just a simple lion searchin' for a place to settle down in. He'd continue to stay in step with her, givin' her a sideways glance as she voiced the word 'nuts' in a rather puzzled manner. Lips would pull into a grin, Lucien findin' it a bit humorous that she was confused with his vernacular. "Ya', nuts. Like crazy, insane." Deep drawlin' tones would pluck different words that meant the same thing, hopin' that that would help the lass better understand.

With her comment, or maybe even question, the dun man simply shook his head in partial response. "Naw, not yet. I just arrived here." Golden eyes would wander over to what she was talkin' about, gaze steady and observant. "Not even sure what this place is or what it's called. He had so many questions but obviously wasn't gonna get any answers any time soon since they both were new here.

speech

image by caitt, code by twesh

'Miss'? Oh, no, that would not do. "Lady." A confident correction - not yet offended, but firm on the matter. It was a title, not just a preference. She was a leader - by necessity, if not by choice. Lady of Clan Sasaki, as their previous Lord had, presumably, been lost to flame. A tragedy, truly. He had been a good man.

As for his own correction, a very small and mildly apologetic smile graced her features, "I really cannot. We barely know each other, sir." It was so familiar, so informal - given names were to be used by friends, family, not...strangers, and it was embarrassing, to her, to presume they were close enough to be anywhere near a first-name basis.

She tucked the language lesson away with a small hum, though. Learning new words never ceased to be interesting to her, and she supposed she was likely to learn quite a few more the longer she was around him. His manner of speech was far less...formal...than those who had taught her his language.

"It seems our situations are similar, then." Minus the voice he'd spoke of, for her. "Shall I assume you have not encountered any other wanderers like yourself?" He didn't seem to have any information beyond what they could both observe around them. So, even if he had encountered others, she doubted he'd gotten any more information out of them.

Kage continued toward the sandbar, her ultimate goal to cross and discover what awaited her on the other side. "So, it seems, the only solution is for one to discover for one's self, yes?" It seemed a simple solution to her. If no answers had been provided, she would find them on her own. With his company, should he choose to continue traveling with her.

@Lucien

Just like he did, the lioness would also correct him on how to address her. Lady. Well alright then, he supposed he could keep it at that. Greetin' another and givin' names was a common thing that Lucien was used to, so havin' this be his first encounter of havin' another not want to call him by his birthname and instead address him as sir felt a bit odd to him. But the beast wouldn't say anythin' on the matter; if that was what Lady Sasaki wanted then that was what he'd let her do. So he'd let his head bob in understandin', lettin' that part of the conversation trail off.

"Yer the first lion I've come 'cross." Lucien would confirm her question, golden eyes takin' a moment to give the lass a sideways glance. He always wondered how black furred lions could keep themselves cool on days where the sun was relentless. And her tail! It was somethin' the dun man hadn't seen before, and it was quite interestin' to him. But he knew better than to ask, for all he knew there could be a story behind it that she didn't want to relive. Or, simply, she could've been born her tail split at the end. His attention would be brought back to the present with her next question, a deep soundin' hum of agreement vibratin' within his chest. "I'd agree with that, yes. Maybe we'd find others, too. But Lucien wouldn't hold his breath.

speech

image by caitt, code by twesh

@kage

Another thing they had in common, being the first each had encountered. It was amusing, in a way, though the feeling wouldn't show through. She assumed it also meant he was not attached to any of the other groups or individuals spread out across the area - or else he surely would have made a point to seek them out, no?

Thankfully, he let the matter of names and titles drop, and she took that to mean he would oblige her preference later. In time, perhaps she could return the favor.

The way his attention shifted from the surroundings, to herself, did not go unnoticed, but as he didn't say anything she didn't find a reason to comment on it. In her homeland, she had been accustomed to a certain amount of attention, but all of it respectful. Traveling strange lands had exposed her to far more curious stares and questions she was quite inclined to deem rude in their delivery.

There was no hesitation as she reached the beginning of the sandbar, the dark woman continuing on as confident as ever. "I do not doubt the land beyond is home to many. I only hope it is hospitable." The strange fog was concerning, but fear of the unknown only held one back.

@Lucien

-we can call this an exit if you want 'cause the thread's pretty old now and have them meet again later (if you want)?-