Such a day began, like most summer stories do, with the sun. A big, massive ball…hung high up in the sky! What a perfect little slice of June. Not too hot, or windy. Just right. And it appears we’ve got a goldilocks in our mids- “YOU’LL NEVER CATCH ME!” Giselle was a bundle of mane and giggle-like chirps, running along the dark, sooty beach. She was playing a game familiar to all of us. Both young and young at heart. “Come on sea goddess!” She slammed a paw down into the cool foam and sand, causing quite a bit of both to go all over her face and chest. “Whatcha got for me!” Now, now. Little girls who play with water get their manes all wet. Almost as if in response, the waves drew back. She, of course, followed. It’s not as fun without the possibility of getting caught, right? Until suddenly, a much larger wave came rolling down the beach. Fast. Strong. A beast in its own right. And as she ran, all sweet and lovely in her mirth, the wave rushed past her, engulfing her in salt and sand. Giselle spit. Her mouth was swathed with salt and adorned with bits of shell. And for a second, it looked like she was pretty much about to cry. Until there was a very LOUD rumbling. No, it was not a storm. It was not her belly (though she couldn't remember the last time she ate in this godforsaken trek). It was a purring sound, deep within her chest, climbing slowly up her nose. A purring which soon evolved into another series of humorous chirps. The dampened feline simply shook out her pelt, causing her ginger mane to flap around like an assortment of wings or even tentacles. You know, if you wanna stick to our ocean theme. And once again, she ploughed forth into the sea spray! Ready for the game to start once more... @Open! "Speech!" I've been dreaming of a true love's kiss

He wasn't entirely sure why the shore had such an appeal to him. The sand was messy as it dared to cling to the places that sweat pooled. His own maze was already moistened as it draped around his cranium and down his chest. The thick scent of sea and fish was enough to choke someone out. Yet there he was as he trudged along the shoreline.

He hadn't made it very far when he heard the voice. Ears had strained to pick apart what was said. Whatcha got for me? The question was carried on the wind, even over the roar of the waves that crashed on the beach. His eyes had traced the sanded part time and time again as he moved. Unable to pinpoint the source until he would drag his gaze away and toward the ocean itself.

There she was. A golden dart that barrelled down the sea itself. A mess of mane on top of her pretty head. He had pulled to a stop, without even a notice, as he watched her move. A smile set on his lips as he reclined to his haunches for the show.

@Giselle

The sea reached for her, with its foam-embroidered sleeves of dark azure. A quasi-fearful chirp left her lips, as Giselle bounded back towards the hot sand with the wave in joyful pursuit. It pooled about her back toes before creeping back into the lurking ocean. Outsmarted but not yet defeated! As the feline turned around to charge once more into RIGHTEOUS battle, she noticed she was being watched. Sitting there, as if waiting for a spectacle, was a male whose stripes and socks gave him a messy chic appearance. Truly, from this distance it was hard to tell if they were markings or actual mud! And while she was hard at work trying to decipher such a riddle, another wave suddenly slipped under her! Like a really cold, disgusting little lizard. Giselle let out a small yowl of surprise, her gaze peeling away from the stranger and coming back to her own feet. The lioness’s hackles, which had stood up during the ordeal, began to slowly fall back onto her neck. Now, you’re probably thinking, how embarrassing! Looking like a scaredy-cat in front of others, oh my stars! But that wasn’t a problem for our little wave-chaser here. Not that Giselle was above such trivial emotions, she was simply…trusting. She’d never think badly of anybody, so why would anybody think badly of her? “Hey!” She called out, tail sweeping up in a cheerful arch behind her. “Mister!” Giselle began her approach. “You have a BEAutiful beach.” Much better than the ones advertised in the brochure! @Apophis "Speech!" I've been dreaming of a true love's kiss

The power of the ocean attempted to show the lioness within its grasp just how forceful it could be. However, the female took it with a great deal of happiness (from what he could tell anyway) as she frolicked with the waves. The sea had done little to sweep her away into its depth, for that he could be thankful.

The pale, muddied brute continued to watch the lioness as if nothing else upon the shore even had a tidbit of interest to him. Because it all, sadly, did not. She was quite the entertainment with the way she rushed the liquid as if it had a mind of its own- and perhaps it did. However, it would seem that eventually, she would take notice to an onlooker.

Apophis straightened his posture even as he remained seated. Eyes on the girl as she turned to face him. He had to force away a dumbfounded smile that had managed to capture his lips for a short moment when he saw her fully. Her words caused his ears to lift and push forward. Cranium would turn from left to right. "Me?" Soon it would give a shake as well. "Oh no, doll, I don't own it, but if I did- I'd relinquish the right to you any day." Smooth, really smooth apop.

@Giselle

She’d caught it, you know. That shy, puppy dog smile. And she’d liked it. Thought it was cute. Maybe the usual tourists around these parts weren’t so…friendly. Giselle tilted her head as she came to a stop in front of him, causing the wet ends of her mane to fall down and coil up on the top of her legs and chest. It appeared almost as if she were wearing some sort of bronze armor. Like a warrior princess…except a lot friendlier! He seemed to be looking for someone, despite there being no one else on that beach except a couple seagulls. Though seagulls do tend to be on the chattier side, from personal experience of course! But it was only a moment until he realized she was talking to him, and not one of her brand new feathery friends. The lioness giggled, finding his flustered speech quite endearing. “Oh my, well that’s very kind of you – doll.” It wasn't said in a teasing manner, no, it was almost like she was testing out the word, exploring how it felt and tasted flying from her own lips. She sat beside him with a decisive thud, and let out a long, dreamy sigh. Giselle then turned her head to face him, “brace yourself, I might splash you,” and proceeded to shake out her lengthy mane. Trust me, it’s amazing how much water that thing can hold! And once she’d finished, Giselle smoothed it with a paw over her shoulder, and beamed at her (unbeknownst to him) newest tour guide. “I’m Giselle, Giselle Everafter. And you are?” @Apophis "Speech!" I've been dreaming of a true love's kiss

He had half expected her to laugh at him, but instead, she seemed to take it with stride- literally. Each one would bring cut short the distance that had been kept between them. Not that he really minded. He watched as droplets fell to the sand that greedily absorbed it back. Her locks were like a sopping crown with jewels that dripped down.

He was surprised to see that she had no worries as she plopped herself right down next to him. She warned him of the wetness he might receive and had unconsciously leaned away from the lioness as she gave a good shake out. Not that it helped. Stray drops left her only to find a new place on his palomino pelt. He dawned a smile regardless.

"Everafter? Interesting last name. I'm Apophis Casimir." He remembered when he used to think his family was well known. Back when his father roamed the lands. "Are you a regular beach bum, or new to it?" He asked with a hint of laughter to touch at his words as his cranium cocked to the side just slightly.

@Giselle

“My mother picked it,” she stares dreamily at the waves, “it’s brought me luck.” Of course, she’d had the growing pains of any other idealistic little girl out there. But she'd come out with her faith unscathed. Giselle glanced over at him once more, “what about Casimir? What does that mean?” Hers might be an unorthodox name, but it had meaning. That’s what names were supposed to do, they had to give meaning, to guide you. What use was it to be linked to a past that is no longer yours? That’s what her mother had said… His question made her laugh, or perhaps his own humor was just infectious. “I love the beach; it’s so calm out here.” Here, with the calls of birds falling from the heavens, and the wind brushing past her skin, it just felt...right. Giselle closed her eyes, filling her belly with a breath of clear ocean air. “Maybe I am a beach bum,” she breathed out. “I never went much before I came here. But now…I’m hooked!” It is true. She had fallen in love. With the sea! “Hey,” she stood up, “have you ever heard the ocean in a conch shell?” @Apophis "Speech!" I've been dreaming of a true love's kiss

Her bubbly attitude and quirky nature thus far seemed almost contagious as he felt the smile that had yet to leave his lips spread a bit further as she spoke. She went on to explain her answer and even ask of his own last name. Apophis looked out toward the sea for a moment as he considered the question, but soon his shoulders would shrug and his gaze would return to the lioness at his side. "My father gave it to me, but I don't know if it means anything other than that I'm his son." And most likely the last within the land as well. Not that he would know otherwise.

He watched her react to the ocean after they had moved on to the topic of it. A soft chuckle escaped at her dreamer-like response. He had little time to take it in further before she had hopped up, once again full of the energy he had found her with. Quickly he gave a shake. "I haven't." The brute would go ahead and stand, sure that she was about to lead him off and show him.

@Giselle
-sorry for the wait, had to find his muse again-

“So maybe…it means that you belong.” Giselle offered, her voice soft and hopeful. That soulful look towards the waves had plucked at her tender heartstrings. Was his father no longer here, with them? Oh, or perhaps he hadn’t seen his family in a very long time. His name both a keepsake and a reminder of what had been left behind. Whatever it was, surely Apophis could take comfort in what his last name brought him now. Legacy. Plain and simple. Although she was more than happy to move on to a lighter subject matter. Giselle motioned with her head and skipped happily over to where said subject laid. The conch, a horned yet gorgeous thing, must have housed quite a massive creature inside it once. Its smooth pink opening was the perfect size for the lioness’s cheek, which pressed right up against it as she crouched down in order to hear it. That signature woosh, woosh. She rose, leaning back onto her haunches, and pushed the conch gingerly towards him. As if its ghostly inhabitant were still in there. Or perhaps it was that sea goddess she talked so much about. It would definitely best not to anger her. “Put your ear to it,” Giselle beamed at him expectantly, “and listen” @Apophis "Speech!" I've been dreaming of a true love's kiss