Gawain loped through the snow happily. He had been practicing his speed more than anything else lately- after narrowly rescuing a cub from a crocodile, he'd realized it was something he needed to put more stock into. As he did so, he doubled back over his tracks occasionally. Honestly, it was more for fun than for any security reasons- just a chance to let loose and run. Most of the time, it wasn't something he would expend the energy on, but things were going so well lately and so he didn't worry about just cutting loose and having fun for a bit.

And then, he threw himself face-first into a snow drift.


+10- Practice Speed
+10- Create a trail of confusing tracks

_{art by yumpy}

XVIII     the moon ☾

Something funny was afoot.

Something strange, bemusing.

Something, which caused Aidoneus to abandon a hunt. With her quarry dashing off opposite, she stood and stared at the scattering of tracks. They held no rhyme in their movements, lacking the logic of a chance or the brandishing of a brawl. She stood, taking in their wayward paths, and leaned to drawn in a scent. Certainly, any one with eyes could see they weren’t of a stag, nor boar. But, did they smell of illness?
Didn’t seem so.

Yet there they went, zigzagging through snow and rime.

She followed, intent on finding the crazed beast that had left the confusing pathway through the snow. She was patient in this pursuit, taking moments to draw in his scent, and study the length of its’ stride and the gait the beast must have used to make the tracks she followed.

And then? As she glanced up, came a curious spray of snow as something made quite the impact.

She stood away, for a moment, eager to see what, if anything, would rise from the stirred flurries. Not yet, having made out the entirety of @Gawain in the onslaught of snow and fun chaos.

_{ART & CODE}

Gawain wiggled his way through the snow drift, then pranced out the other side. He then climbed up over the drift, causing the tunnel to collapse in on itself and leaving a strange, backwards set of tracks in the middle of the path he had left. Only then did he notice that someone was watching him.

"Oh, hello! Come to play in the snow?"

If she had, he would happily engage her in a game. If not, he would settle down, though he'd really prefer to continue his cubbish games. He was rolling a snowball under one huge paw, but who could blame him? Things were looking up, the love of his life was now his mate, he couldn't help but be thrilled with the events of the past month or so. It was time to celebrate!

@Aidoneus

_{art by yumpy}

XVIII     the moon ☾

The tracks, it would seem, led to the very same floof of chaos just beyond. And! What's more, the show carried a second act. The woman watched, befuddled as whoever it was wormed their way through the drifts, prancing clean of the snow as he went. She watched, absolutely ensnared by the warm and open display. Frivolity was a luxury few enjoyed, but Aidoneus found herself keen on it. Refused such gaily fun in her youth, she clung to these paltry seats when they found themselves within her grasp. Cheeky, she wore a wide grin as he shouted an invitation. In no mood to deny herself it, she loped towards @Gawain —taking aim, and attempting to pounce on the joyous ruffian. Not to catch, but to startle. To pounce, and then bounce again.

_{ART & CODE}

Light danced in his eyes and she joined in the fun. He was absolutely thrilled by this turn of events. They were kindred spirits, it seemed- two lions forced to grow up far too fast. But there was nothing stopping either from enjoying their day today. After all, what else was snow good for?

She pounced towards him and he, in turn, flicked the loose snowball up towards her as he danced to the side, tail twitching playfully. He dropped low then, butt wiggling as if he intended to pounced, then turned and ran, kicking up snow as he went. "Catch me if you can!" He shouted behind him as he zigged and zagged in a fashion similar to his previous tracks.

@Aidoneus

_{art by yumpy}

XVIII     the moon ☾

Whatever poise she’d clung to unraveled, revealing a buoyancy to her expression, her movement—effervescence personified, she dipped with her pounce, his assault making purchase at her face when she did. A laugh followed, her face turned to give a shake—whisking away the snow that clung and pilled to her fur. With one eye, she turned to watch him dart off leaving a wake of powder at his heels.

You’re on! she called after him. In a fluid motion she righted herself, then went into a full-bore gallop. As he zigzagged through the snow, she followed his steps—her paws falling into the crevices he’d made with his loping strides. Small as she was compared to him, it was quite the feat. With all fun and games, it mattered none. They was good, and it felt serendipitous she had found @Gawain when she did. and now? to catch him!

_{ART & CODE}

Play was something so often denied when one grew older. Apart from games with cubs, how often did adults just enjoy themselves? Especially with a stranger?

Sure, perhaps there was an element of danger inherent in every interaction, but was that not true for a cub, too? Not knowing of danger didn't make it any less real. Besides, Gawain knew he could easily defend himself.

And so, after one particularly strong zag, he dove sidelong into yet another snowdrift, playing exactly as he would with Naz, his child. He looked back to the lioness chasing him with a grin, inviting her to join, then he started digging into the banked snow. There was no end goal here, just fun.

@Aidoneus

_{art by yumpy}

XVIII     the moon ☾

That rush! How thrilling! They bounced, rollicking through drifts. She met each of his steps, shadowing his movements as they dashed. She couldn’t imagine a day she’d felt so free; free of strife, free of angst, of every compulsion to brood or bound in pensive toiling. No. Since finding Amaryllis, there came upon her an era of innocence, of simple delights. Without the impediment of callow worries and stringent caution. Even her youth was sullied, tarnished. Little room outside of instruction and study, outside of rigid tradition and belief. Amaryllis was freedom, and swanning into the snowbank was a strange reminder of all she’d found there, and the company she’d been blessed to meet. Laughing, she went to work side by side to @Gawain. Her thin forelegs delved deep, sweeping through the silty powder.

_{ART & CODE}

He continued digging in the snowbank, careful not to dig through the other side. Digging took effort, sure, but lately he'd been finding a strange, doggish joy in the act. Besides, he could feel the way it strengthened his arms.

Before too long, they'd dug out a nice little cavern in the drift, so he paused to catch his breath, a ridiculous grin plastered onto his face. Oh, to be young again. "I'm Gawain," he introduced at last, eyes still dancing with the thrill of the chase. "If no one has told you yet, welcome to Amaryllis." If every day were like this, life would be perfect.

@Aidoneus

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XVIII     the moon ☾

Many thanks, @Gawain — I'm Aidoneus. she beamed, nestling herself in the snow-castle they'd made. The ache of well-worked muscles settled in, in that familiar, comforting way. A job well-done, a feat accomplished. She basked in it, and the jovial company she'd found herself with. She drew in a long breath, favouring the way the cold hit her lungs and nostrils. it was different from the oasis, and the dunes surrounding it. Better than the dry air of the badlands, or the chill of the shoreline. Her breath slowly collected itself from the exertion, and giving a tilt of her chin, she gave him a quaint and amused look. You know, I've never got to enjoy fun like this. It was true. Sure, she'd known some manner of play since arriving in Amaryllis. But, before then? Gods, no. This was a first. So, my thanks for that as well.

_{ART & CODE}