[Set before the VB challenge]

Cassandra hadn't ever really gotten the chance to explore the world outside of the Cove or the Brook when she was younger, and had been somewhat hesitant to in between the time she and Talisa had come to the agreement of her leaving the Brook and joining the Cove. Especially when she'd known what she had learned about everything that had gone on in the lands... Shaking those thoughts from her mind, the Princess continued her travel from the Cove to investigate the different lands she'd not gotten to check out yet. Where she'd found herself today was actually a place that looked like it usually had beautiful blooms in it, though many seemed to be succumbing to the chill of the upcoming season.

There were still a few blooms hanging on though, those that seemed to be stronger than others. Spotting one of the ponds, the Princess made her way towards it. Maybe she could find some fish or something else interesting within the water. Stopping at the edge, she peered into its depths. Sadly, it would appear she'd chosen one without anything interesting in it. Oh well. She could just enjoy a relaxing day within these gardens and the flowers that remained. Making her way over to a patch that was still in bloom, the Valour girl laid herself down next to them. Stretching out her hind legs, Cassandra rested her head on her front paws. Duotoned eyes were half-lidded as she watched the different bugs and butterflies flit about near the top of the water. It was a nice day to get to relax and just figure out this new place she'd come across.

Perhaps when she went to leave, she could grab a few of the pretty pond stones to take back to her younger cousins as a little gift or something different and unique that they could play with.

@Myrkvi

actions. "speech." thoughts.

Art & Table code by Zodiac

Myrkvi was the wandering type. It was more comfortable exploring now that he was beyond the age of someone ripping him from his pride. He had no idea where exactly he was going, just that he was going. The air had chilled out and the sun weaker on his shadowy pelt. The sweet scent of rabbit crossed his nose and he was quick to hunt it down and grab it for a snack. Where he exactly wanted to enjoy this snack? It was going to be nearby but a familiar scent leads him away towards what became the gardens. He hovered at the edge as he spotted her laying by the pond. The various colors suited her, truly. Myrkvi would made his way towards @Cassandra, chuffing around the rabbit to greet her. Want a snack? He asked as he set the prey down between the two of them.

Art by K'sariya || Code by Zay

She had almost fallen asleep in the quiet peace of the garden, her eyes closed and her body relaxed as she lounged. However, the sound of pawsteps and a chuff of greeting caused a dark ear to turn in the direction of the source, and a single purple eye would open to make certain it was who she thought it was. ""Kvi. Hasn't been that long since I last saw you."" She said with a slight chuckle, an ear pushing back as she recalled the last time the two of them had come across one another at the Cay. That situation still was vividly etched into her mind. She truly hadn't expected to run into him so soon after their encounter at the Cay where she had expressed her thoughts about probably moving to the Cove to be with Morrigan.

""I can't say I'd turn down a snack - but only if you share it with me. Looks like you went through the effort of catching it."" Cassandra said, lifting her head from her paws as she spoke. She would resituate herself so that she was sitting more upright rather than laying sprawled out on the ground like she had been when he'd originally come upon her. ""What brings you all the way out here? Its not exactly nearby to the Lagoon."" She said, flicking her tail as she spoke. The Valour girl would wait for @Myrkvi to take a bite of the rabbit first - it was his catch after all, and he deserved to take the first bite.

actions. "speech." thoughts.

Art & Table code by Zodiac

It certainly hasn't been. Though if he could pick anyone to spend time with, it would likely be @Cassandra or Rasmus at any point. Her company was particularly treasured, not that he may freely admit that to anyone but her. There was comfort here he hadn't found elsewhere. I did and I'm happy to share it with you. He supposed rabbits weren't the easiest prey for a large lion to nab on his own. Though he had youth on his side in terms of weight. Myrkvi would sink into a comfortable crouch before the rabbit as Cassandra asked him what brought him here. I like to walk. Though I caught your scent on the wind. So in truth, she had brought him here. The Lagoon prince would take a bite of the soft belly and allow her to have the next one. The scenery here is beautiful even with the oncoming of winter. He commented as his gaze briefly diverted from Cass to the gardens.

Art by K'sariya || Code by Zay

She certainly didn't mind the Lagoon prince's company. To be honest, she hadn't really found any others in the Cove to spend some time with, not like she'd had back in the Brook. There she at least had her littermates to hang out with. The Cove? She hadn't really gotten acquainted with anyone around her age there yet. Had mainly stuck close to her mother and aunt while learning what they did as rulers of the Cove. A soft smile was given to the Sigrun boy as he mentioned he was happy to share his snack with her. ""Rabbits aren't easy to snag, not even for yearlings like us."" Cassandra said, inclining her head as she spoke. Despite her still feeling a little awkward about the last time they had seen each other, she still found it easy to talk with him, and found comfort in having someone else she could talk to.

An ear would flick as @Myrkvi would explain what brought him to the gardens. ""Walking is nice. Sometimes helpful to clear your head."" She said. ""I presume if you caught my scent on the wind then you know I've officially moved to the Cove with Morrigan?"" The fluffy girl would ask before taking a bit of the rabbit. Myrkvi would comment that the area here was beautiful even with winter on its way. ""It really is. Its part of what drew me here. I was exploring places I'd not found my way to before, and came across this place. Even with a lot of the flowers dying there's still plenty that are surviving against the odds."" She said, explaining what had drawn her to the gardens in the first place as she looked out across the gardens. A bird or two flitted about near the water's edge, keeping out of reach of the two lions of course.

actions. "speech." thoughts.

Art & Table code by Zodiac

You smell more like the sea. It suits you. He complimented with a gentle smile. Never mind that he was a million times biased about anything to do with the sea. In fact, Vellen was rather far from his mind here. No need to worry about a god's wrath. How is the Cove? He'd ask with a subtle, curious tilt of his head. He'd take another bite of rabbit as @Cassandra finished taking hers. There was a good sense of peace that rested over him. Though he was casually doing his best not to think about hunting down wildflowers that would be good presents.

Art by K'sariya || Code by Zay

A dark ear went back at the compliment from the dark Sigrun, and a warm flush spread across her cheeks. Tail curled up closer to her haunches as she glanced down at her paws for a moment. His next words, however, were a question. That she could deal with. She could answer a simple question. ""Its.. different than the Brook. I obviously had some trips there after my mom took over the leadership with my aunt, but living there and visiting are two different things."" She began, taking a bit of rabbit once Kvi finished his. ""And its also weird, cause I actually have a rank now. Since Morrigan's Sovereign, I'm a Princess within the cove now."" She said, figuring it wasn't particularly exciting to @Myrkvi. After all - he'd been a prince his whole life.

A paw would run absentmindedly across the ground as she thought. ""It was hard to leave Talisa and my brothers though... But I had to do what was best for me. I can get a chance to know the other side of my family now."" She said, flicking an ear as she spoke. Hearing others refer to her as 'Princess' still caught her off guard, especially since she'd not ever been called anything but a variation on her name, or endearing terms from her mothers. It was something that definitely was taking some getting used to for sure.

actions. "speech." thoughts.

Art & Table code by Zodiac

Myrkvi listened attentively as she answered his question with ears tilted forward and all. He kept his delight at her reaction to his compliment to himself. I can understand that. It was an odd thing visiting the Lagoon but living with my mother until we all moved. Especially when they all wanted to be by the sea. Though Cassandra being a princess now was good to hear. Princess Cassandra has a nice ring to it. He gave a nod of approval. His gaze dropped to watch her paw drift across the ground before looking back up to her face. Branching out is going to be difficult but a good thing overall. You can always visit. He would assure. Maybe we could host a celebration for our families and prides? There was plenty to be happy for despite the spiritual dark cloud that occurred at the drowning. Kvi was fond of the idea of putting something together.

Art by K'sariya || Code by Zay

She didn’t realize how similar she and Kvi were, to be honest. She had known about his family taking the Lagoon, but hadn’t known it had been something he and his siblings had to deal with with each parent being in another pride. "“I suppose the Hollows weren’t as far from the Lagoon as the Brook was though. But having a parent in two prides is never easy though.”" Cassandra said, flicking an ear as she spoke. As Kvi would say that her new title paired with her name had a nice ring to it, her ears would push back and she’d look down, slightly embarrassed by it. She’d know him before she’d been named a princess of the Cove, and she didn’t want him to feel like he had to call her that. "“It’s just weird to have anyone call me that yet - it honestly surprised me when my mom first called me that upon my welcome into the Cove.”" The Valour said, watching as a butterfly flew between the pair.

"“Yeah, I know I’m always welcome in the Brook. Much like my mom’s always allowed to visit without having to stop at the borders. Everyone in the Brook knows who Morrigan is, so she’s able to come and go as she wants.”" She added in response to his assurance about her always being able to visit. At his next suggestion though, her ears would perk up a bit more. "“I’m sure my mom would be down for that. Her and your dad have been friends since before we were born if I remember correctly.”" Cassandra said. A celebration or some other sort of event between the families and prides couldn’t be a bad thing. Especially since their siblings were now betrothed to each other.

Her mind couldn’t shake the feelings that kept cropping up since their first chance encounter at the Cay right before she joined the Cove. "“On another topic… do we wanna maybe talk about what happened when we ran into each other at the Cay..?”" She asked hesitantly, the scraps of the rabbit @Myrkvi had caught and they shared sat between them as she glanced between him and her paws as she shuffled them on the ground in front of her.

actions. "speech." thoughts.

Art & Table code by Zodiac

Myrkvi hadn’t ever really been referred to as Prince ever. He walked around with the title but didn’t expect anyone to address him as such. What was normal to him wasn’t to her, the general aspect of this compare and contrast kept his attention and his mind rolling. He liked having someone to relate to but wasn’t related to him. He listened as she spoke, offering nods of acknowledgment in places where he didn’t have a response or didn’t need to give one exactly. They have been, Im certain. In regards to the friendship between their parents. They had done events with the Brook but the two beach prides had yet to do something. She had perked at the idea and he was happy with it. He was going to mention some ideas but allowed the topic to shift between them as @Cassandra brought up the Cay - an encounter that made his heart race when he thought about it. We can. What’s on your mind? He’d prompt gently, hoping to ease some of the nerves she may be feeling with his openness.

Art by K'sariya || Code by Zay