Just a few minutes, she had insisted to herself. It had started off as a journey to the passage, optimism fueling the movement of her large paws as she walked swiftly out of Lorien. Oh, but the idea of the passage was far different than the reality of the trek. She had only gotten as far as Celosia Fields before the exertion of her walk weighed at her paws, her steps gradually slowing until she hunkered under a nearby tree.

The summer sun beat down upon the whole of Amaryllis that afternoon, making physical exertion that much more unbearable. Anniston hummed lightly as she shimmied down to a laying position to allow herself a few minutes to bask in the sun. Then, surely, she would have the energy to finish her journey.

---

|| july y9 | 1y 2m | LP heiress | at celosia fields | open ||
+5 - Sunbathe or take a nap
+5 - Relax with someone else

+5 Sunbathe or take a nap - (1/2)
+5 Relax with someone else - (1/2)

Finally after absolute months, no, a year it seemed Orchid at last had returned to the side of the Black family. Well, partially. After following his scent to the peak, she encountered Recluse, who was now assisting her regain strength and weight after her ordeal. Still, the lilac woman still appeared like a walking twig, her tiny form malnourished and frail- but in this moment she finally did not feel like she was starving. The sunshine could be enjoyed on her silky fur, and she could relax. Except the sun was a lot hotter than she anticipated.

Orchid had begun by laying in the field, the warm rays on her skin pleasant and soothing, up until she began to feel like she was burning. Across her face, where the fur was velvet soft and nearly absent, redness had begun to appear uncomfortably. Irritation shot through her, sending her stomping towards the nearest tree to instead lay in the shade, where the leaves would at least moderate how much light was on her. Ze first fucking day I get to relax and I get sunburned. The pale French noblewoman complained, stopping as she reached the tree to note a much younger but much larger lioness already resting there, her pelt color similar to both Recluse's and her brothers. Brown ringed eyes would flick from the girl to the empty spot beneath the shade near her side, and decided she would take her chances on whether or not she was going to be incredibly annoying. Ze day eez scalding. She would mutter as her greeting, settling down elegantly onto her belly and observing her claws.

@Anniston

Image by Photographycourse

Her mind began to drift into easy slumber, the rustling of grass and the distant chatter of animals serving to lull her out of the curse of consciousness. There was no telling how long she went on like that – a peaceful shadow rising and falling with each breath, melting into the fields that had raised her.

Her eyes snapped open at the sudden sound of another lion's voice, its harsh accent clipping at the edges of each word until Anniston had to strain to understand it. She rolled slightly, tucking her forelegs to her chest as she twisted her front half around to get a look at her surprise company. There, under the shade of the very tree she had chosen, was a lioness too tiny and scrawny to be grown.

"Huh?" She started, twisting her face in confusion as the rasped alto of her voice contrasted against her infantile stature. "Ze day eez scalding."

"Isn't it great?" Anniston cooed, her eyes latched upon the rouge of exposed skin. Before she could think to filter herself, she asked, "what happened to your fur?" The girl murmured as she stared upside-down.

---

@Orchid
+5 - Sunbathe or take a nap
+5 - Relax with someone else

+5 Sunbathe or take a nap - (2/2)
+5 Relax with someone else - (2/2)

Beneath the shadow that the tree provided, she began to feel far more comfortable, despite the larger company that had begun to rouse and pay more attention to her. Truly the lilac woman had hoped she would just close her eyes back and remain silent, the only reason she had said anything as a greeting was so the stranger wasn't startled by her sudden appearance. But instead, the much darker purple lioness rolled over and pulled a massive portion of audacity out of her ass. Disregarding her cooing mockery of the heat, Orchid scoffed indignantly, her already burned face flushing as mention of her unique fur condition was asked about.

It was the one thing she hated being asked about. The thing her mother constantly called an imperfection, something to be ashamed of. Usually, she had it covered with makeup made of flowers and aloe- but she had only just recently regained freedom. She had not had a chance to make any makeup. It eez a special fur type. She stated, staring at her paws in embarrassment. If I were not so weak right now I would put you in your place you dumb bitch. Her mind hissed, but she would hold her tongue, unwilling to get beaten to a pulp so soon after beginning to improve her health again.

@Anniston

Image by Photographycourse

”It eez a special fur type.” Anniston maintained her jewel-toned stare as she considered this, watching the way the older lioness’ eyes trailed to the earth below – an insecurity, she could see. The heiress only smirked.

“Special, hmm? Never heard of it,” she countered, though that was all she intended to say on the matter. The girl tossed her limbs to one side, attempting to roll back onto her stomach so that she was a proper loaf as she regarded the stranger sitting there. If a fat lion was powerful, what was a tiny lion? A rogue gust of breeze rustled the tree that bound them, carrying away Anniston’s thoughts of such matters with it.

“I’m Anniston Frei, Heiress of Lorien Plains,” she introduced casually, sticking with her middle-of-the-road grand title rather than pulling out all of the extra stops. Her stare did not waver – only waited for a matching introduction.

---

@Orchid
+5 - Relax with someone else

Orchid would not be looking to see the cheeky smirk the plum yearling would give, but could hear the hint of mocking in her tone. Mocha ringed eyes would shoot to view her sidelong, the nobles head not bothering to move to view her head on. A smirk would lift on her own mouth, irritation silently wearing away at her patience. And you, darling? What happened to you? I'm going to assume you were alzo born whiz your special looks, oui? She questioned. Was there anything truly wrong with @Anniston? No. But she had poked at a sore spot with Orchid, and she was petty enough to pick fights where there was no business doing so.

However, her introduction as royalty would bring her to look at the plum lioness more directly, her eyes squinting into consideration for a few moments. Was she telling the truth, this... Deadbeat gremlin of a girl? What sort of heathens raised this this princess, if so? She'd question herself, before finally, resigning to give an elegant smile, Lady Orchid Fleur. The lilac woman would return, a delicate paw pressed against her chest in unnecessary emphasis.

ART

She tilted her head slightly, one corner of her mouth tugging into a pleased smile as the naked lioness paid her a compliment, of all things. Her mind buzzed with pleasure as her own special appearance was recognized. Perhaps this stranger had an eye for beauty, after all, and Anniston thought that talent might get her places in life still.

"Oh, yes, I've always been beautiful," she confirmed with an eager nod. How simple life was when she could not did not have to look past surface meaning! Drunk with sun, the girl squinted against its glaring light to try and keep track of the tiny stranger – Lady Orchid Fleur, she now knew.

"Which pride do you reign in?" The young girl questioned conversationally, secretly just waiting for the chance to boast about all of Lorien's features.

---

@Orchid

The lilac lioness rolled her eyes as the insult seemed to float above the plum princess's head, resigning a small sigh instead. Whatever. Well, hmhm, at leazt you have your lookz going for you, oui? She would say, tilting her head a bit. Her own eyes squinted against the bright sun in turn, her white lashes glowing like a halo from the glare- making it more difficult to focus on @Anniston.

Further pressing from the plum yearling would have Orchid go silent for a moment. Pride? I am not from any pride, princess. I am from a foreign estate. She would say evenly. But, I am..... Here now. The pale woman stated, motioning a tiny paw to their..... Riveting view.

ART

Finally, the young princess pushed herself up into a seated position. The sun had radiated through her dark pelt so that she felt like burnt charcoal (in only the best of ways), and she was beginning to grow weary of the encounter. "From a foreign estate," the girl claimed – Anniston made note that she would have to use that line. Finally, she had waited long enough to get to speak again.

"Well, if you want a here-estate, Lorien is the tastiest pride around," the yearling insisted eagerly. "You should check it out sometime – sprawling plains, endless sun, and only the best of lions." Beaming, she waited for the lioness' grateful acceptance.

---

@Orchid

The lilac lioness would watch evenly as the larger yearling would prop herself up. Heat exhaustion, irritation and indignant embarrassment about her patches had Orchid feeling quite tired of this conversation, and as the "princess" began to boast about her pride and even seemingly.... Invite her.... The much smaller lioness would feign a considering look. Zat does sound nice, oui? I will speak of eet to my husband. She lied, waving a paw softly before standing to them. Speaking of him, I zepose he must be looking for me. Until next time, Princess @Anniston. Orchid would say in farewell, giving an elegant sweep of her foreleg in a bow before she began to eagerly make her way back home. She needed proper shade, and someone to tell her she was pretty.

//Exit

ART