Thella hadn't gone this far east in a long while but as she stepped into the glade, she was glad she had. It was free of the tall pines of the grove—more open, more inviting—and the breeze was cool and refreshing in the warm sun. It was also full of life, from the littlest insects on the blades of grass to the many herds roaming the gentle hills. It was a far cry from the dead wilds she had once visited and she was happier for it.

She sat atop one of those hills, merely watching as the herds grazed all around her, and contemplated her next move in this new territory.

@Zenith

code by scorpixia♡︎

The land is soft here, spared the harshness of nature’s whims. The trees are fewer, letting the sun beam down from an open sky. Zenith thought she must have stepped into paradise. The air is scented with fresh shoots, and teeming with insects and animals alike. Had she already found the Promised Land the elders had spoken of, this soon?

Zenith giggled as she pushed through the swaying grass, picking up speed. She is a palomino blur through the green as she ran, head back and joyful. Butterflies and birds scatter in her wake, as she turns for another pass. Her feet spread as the ground rose and fell gently. Finally, Zenith collapsed to the ground, panting and grinning broadly. If only there was someone else to share in the fun with, she thought.

@Thella ♔

Potential EXP
+5 Practice running or speed (1/2)

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Over the sounds of the herds came one Thella wasn’t expecting: a laugh. A joyful, giggle that grew louder and softer as its source ran around, back and forth in front of her. She rose to try and get a better look at what was laughing and just barely caught sight of the light-furred form as it streaked by before disappearing and quieting below the tall grass.

Interest piqued, she made a beeline in the direction she last saw the figure, trying to catch its scent on the breeze to better pinpoint where it landed. Ah, there you are. "Hello, there! Having fun?" she asked as the figure came into view; she was a small, floppy-eared lioness lying under the sun to catch her breath.

@Zenith

code by scorpixia♡︎

Ah, this is the life! Zenith stretched her fore-limbs above her head, and flexed her toes for the sheer joy of it. The glade was imbued with a sense of magic; the grass smelled sweet beneath her, the sky was clear, and the sun bathed her in its warmth.

It seemed that Zenith’s wish for company would be granted when a voice called to her. She turned her head toward the voice, which belonged to a gray lioness, of elfin build like her. Her soft features are marred by pale scarring on one temple, and a single ragged ear. She liked the rows of spots along the woman’s back, they resembled the deer that she loved for their swiftness. With a glimmer of mischief in Zenith’s eyes, she considered whether this woman would run like a deer if she were to chase.

“Yes I am!” She answered care-free, rolling onto her stomach. Before she could ask her new companion if she wished to participate, the druid was compelled to consider whether she had been an inconvenience. “I’m sorry if I disturbed you.”

@Thella ♔

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Yes I am! I’m sorry if I disturbed you!

Thella laughed in delight; it always warmed her heart to see others having fun. There was so much doom and gloom in these lands that another happy face felt rarer and rarer. "Please, don’t apologize! No disturbance at all! And I’m glad to hear it!"

She moved to circle the girl, tail held high playfully as the tall grasses tickled her side in passing. She hadn’t had a good romp under the sun in a while and she seemed she might be the perfect playmate. "I'm Thella. What brings you here…" she trailed off as is if waiting for a name in response.

@Zenith

code by scorpixia♡︎

The woman’s laughter fell like gentle rain over the clearing. Zenith smiled – how could she not? The sound encouraged her to relax, and she would cherish this moment of serenity. It’s good to meet someone who took pleasure in the simple joy of being alive, and to drink it down like a summer wine. To savour it for as a precious experience.

The grey woman circled Zenith, tail held aloft and she couldn’t help but mirror her movements. The fair elf circled from the other side, her features set in an expression of mischief. So far, she’d been careful to be aware of her surroundings and wary of strangers. Zenith sensed no aura of darkness from the woman, so she would trust her. Maybe that would be her undoing one day. “I'm Zenith. It’s good to meet you, Thella.”

Her tail swished from side to side, and her eyes scanned the clearing before settling on an overturned tree. “Race you to that tree!”

@Thella ♔

OOC: The 'winner' of the race is determined by the roll of a dice. 1 is a failure, and 2 is success.

Potential EXP
+5 - Practise running or speed (2/2)

Rolling 1d2: 2

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Thella's circling was met in kind and the woman's devilish grin did not go unnoticed.

"Likewise!" She barely had time to say even just that before the little lioness was proposing a race. A race? Her eyes followed in the direction of @Zenith's gaze to the fallen tree she spoke of and back again to her soon to be adversary in this test of speed. She hunkered down with a light-hearted but determined "Gladly," before preparing herself for launch and counting down for them.

"On 'go.' One, two, three, GO!"

She lunged forward. Both with small statures, they were quite the match for each other, though she could see out the corner of her eye that she was incrementally falling behind with each stride.

code by scorpixia♡︎

Zenith’s grin widened as @Thella ♔ agreed to their game. Life was too short to waste it on worrying about what others thought. Her new friend’s voice was breathless, and her body language eager as she crouched down. The girl followed, lowering herself to the ground, muscles taut in anticipation of action. Zenith’s heart beat rapidly in her chest as Thella counted down, barely able to contain her excitement.

When Thella shot forward, she wasn’t far behind. The grass whipped past the fae as she ran, her tail held high like a banner behind her. Zenith risked a glance back at the lioness as she called, “Come on Thella!” The palomino girl carried on, her strides lengthening as she drew neared the finish line.

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Thella thought herself quite fast, though it could’ve been because she was surrounded by giants all the time. She had her work cut out for her with this one, who was just as quick, if not quicker. Doubt began to creep in that she had this one on lock.

@Zenith's call back to her was just what she needed to put a little extra oomph into her pace. Muscles contracted each time her paws hit the ground. Claws dug into the earth, propelling her forward. She focused solely on the tree now, mental blinders going up for the woman beside her and not daring to look over to see how she was fairing against her.

Rolling 1d2: 2

code by scorpixia♡︎

The fallen tree loomed ahead of Zenith, coming closer. She felt a giggle bubble up from her chest at how near @Thella ♔ was. Hot breath bristled against her pale fur and the sensation urged her forward. Together, they made quite a mess of flattened grass and churned earth. Bit by bit the distance closed until the fae flopped down on the grass, panting and smiling. “It’s a draw!” she declared breathlessly, the point of the game seemingly forgotten.

Zenith rolled onto her side as she watched Thella. Now was a good time to get to know her new friend, and learn more about this land. “Are you from Amaryllis?”

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