Squeezing her eyes shut, she would take a few seconds - back pressed against the cold rock wall behind them - to recover. The bustling noise and sudden scent of her companion in her immediate vicinity confirmed that Camelia had seen enough sense to stick together, and the brunette let out a sharp exhale before letting eyelids flutter open. And then she laughed, loud and incredulous, uncaring in that split second if anyone overheard them. "I don't know, but I sure as hell-" she paused for a second, to give her lungs a chance to recover, "hope that we weren't." To prevent her mind from reeling with worst case scenarios, she gently brushed past Cam in order to poke her head out of the alcove and scan the horizon. She still couldn't see anyone, so unless the guys that lived here were ninjas..... Pink gaze would shift quickly to lock onto the face of the other yearling. "Yeah? Try and beat me this time, then!" And without another second's thought she would burst out of their temporary hiding spot, hauling ass straight to their initial target.

All she could do was hope that this swim would be worth it.

Scaredy-paws, she egged.

hypocrite. okay, even the most daring could have small moments of uh, fear. and uh, concern. She felt it. the adrenaline blooming in her veins, making her pale and pied body shudder. Their moment to collect was enough to incite further call to play. Huffing, she laughed. Pushing her face into the coolness of the shaded rock. Shock rippled through her consciousness hearing Tosca offer a challenge. Who could honestly say no to that?

The girl screeched giddily, racing towards the water and perhaps too eager to make a splash, a grand entrance.

You cheated! She gasped, racing past Tosca and ready to dip her little pale toes into the water. Cold sprayed against her legs, touching her belly and chest. It sunk to her chin, and perhaps that last bound was a little too much, finding herself beyond where her toes could reach bottom.

Floating for a moment, she began to paddle towards where it was shallow, and to of course, brag. See, told ya.

The scaredy-paws comment was borrowed, and Tosca would've reminded her friend sharply of that fact were it not for the fact that her lungs were on fire and she was running full-pelt for the pool. Annoyingly, Camelia outpaced her on this occasion, but the bitter disappointment of losing the second race melted away in seconds when the cool relief of the water caressed her aching muscles. "I'm not a cheat!" Her tone is one of mock-horror and complete indignance - how rude! With a giddy grin and giggle, Tosca would wade out to her companion's spot, seeking to lift a paw and splash at the pale yearling. "Ha!"

She found some footing, and did the slow trawl towards; enjoying the resistance it gave against her steps.

The smell, the taste of salt on her lips, and the joy of cold against her worked muscles. Joy. And it tasted of home, it tasted of honeyed days, lackadaisical weeks. Before she knew adolescence, of fear and war and illness, and strife.

When a kid could be a kid and not have to worry about finding her way across the globe by herself. Ya did, she cackled, swiping water into Tosca's direction. She romped towards her, hoping the movements caused enough to slosh across the brunette's back. You had like a whole head start. She jokingly chided.

Camelia gave her a small shove, So Mayhem, where to next? because this has been way too much fun to stop now.

Despite the stress and considerable pressure on her poor little lungs, Tosca had really rather enjoyed this little escapade and the adrenaline-rush that had come with it. They'd done no harm, truly, and had been able to enjoy a little dip in the beautiful lagoon for their efforts. But now, really, they should quit while they were ahead. "Okay, okay, maybe I did cheat a little," Tosca relented with a wicked grin, shrugging her shoulders before turning and starting to wade her way back towards the shore. "I think we should quit while we're ahead, don't you, Trouble?"

She rather liked their nicknames - she pictured them sticking quite easily.

With another quick glance around them, she motioned to Camelia with a hasty tilt of the chin - away from the pool and towards the border. Towards the safety of neutral territories, where they could wash away their sins. "I reckon we should see if there are any other prides around here to explore...." She was, of course, joking, and it's only once she's said it that she balked - she'd probably just given Camelia more devilish ammunition now.

quit while they're ahead.

she feigned a pout at the suggestion. but really was possibly the most sensible thing either of them had thought of. someone's folks would be proud. not likely cam's but someone's. she gave a small roll of her shoulder, it really was a good idea but she wasn't about to jump for joy over it. I s'pose we've tested our luck enough.

There, anyways.

Trouble and Mayhem, Camelia could weep for the rest of the island. They were sure in for it now.

It definitely hit better than Cam. Sinking into that feeling of bliss, she pursed her lips at the thought and gave a nod in ample agreement. More prides, you say? She gave a small maniacal fake-chuckle, lifting her brows at the suggestion.

Oof. Poor Amaryllis.

Lessgo. Following your lead, Mayhem. From now and forever more.

TASK(S) COMPLETED: Explore the borders of a pride or group.
Practice running or speed.


The pout that Camelia offered was nearly enough to send Tosca into nervous spasms, but - luckily - the girl ultimately complied. Without hesitation, the brunette would start to head off back towards the borders at a hasty trot. "C'mon then," she chuckled. All she could do was hope to god that the other yearling would have forgotten about the whole 'other prides' thing by the time the adrenaline had worn off and they were very much in the clear. She would only relax, properly, once her paws were back on neutral soil.

And with that, away they went - Bonnie and Clyde without the implied lesbianism. Because, you know, secretly related and all that.

EXIT

The temptation to yawn out a 'you're no fun!' was excruciating. It really was. Likely a game of chicken would lead to less idyllic results, but Camelia did enjoy a good wager. A good dance with the devil. Some Mayhem and Trouble to make the day go by in a blink. Without so much of a moan or sigh, she slipped from the water. Almost a little too eager to make tracks. She glanced around the Lagoon once more, feeling a sharp stab of grief. It truly was too much like home, and half of her meant to stay. Meant to make it hers. Meant to relive more of those early days with relish. However, logic won out. Bidding it a wordless farewell, Camelia turned tail and shadowed Tosca's steps out and away from the ghosts and their absent host.

exit.