It was far too easy to surprise her, a delight when it came to Kvare's rough-housing, a version of playfulness that often ended up in someone being thrown or splashed or tossed all about. Kozrain wasn't typically so eager for this type of play, often preferring spars often pure fun; it was nice, in a sense, to allow himself that surrender with @Fernweh. There was nothing more delightful than seeing a shocked cat get all wet, and Kvare's lips parted into a broad grin, guffawing at her glare.

“Life's not fair,” he retorted, though his tone was more mocking of its seriousness. Nothing in life was quite fair, especially when Kvare had the upper hand of both size and surprise. In fact, it was quite fair given that Kvare had been nothing but playful. Any lion with far more basic instincts would have loved this opportunity to be so close to her, to feel her touch, unwanting yet not quite pushing him away...

He shook his head, willing the tempting idea of it away. The droplets of water she splashed in his direction were chilling enough to keep him grounded in that reality, his eyes regarding her playfully, carefully. And then, a larger splash - Fernweh's legs came down and sent a larger wave of water directly onto him, once more drenching his mane and face, water dribbling off the edge of his chin. “Oh, you'll pay for that,” he growled, attempting to imitate her move, his large forelegs crashing down onto the water's surface and sending a wave in her direction as well.

Art by Drifty, table by cala

truth be told, fernweh had not indulged herself in this activity since she was a cub. living by the cove meant she and her siblings would be in a constant game of water wars every time they edge near the shoreline. arkyn was particularly good at this since he was bigger and, for a short time, fernweh had made it a goal to make the biggest possible of splashes so she could soak her siblings in them.

long gone now was the childhood fancy of winning a game. now, fernweh was in half-shock at her own gesture, mind briefly contemplating that she ought to stop. but herein laid a problem, which was her heart told her that she couldn't. not when she earned the brunt of kvare's attack as water hurled its way towards her face and chest. her pale coat darkened beneath the weight of the water as she shook droplets away.

going back and forth was an option, but fernweh now had the idea that she must have kvare pay for the surprise attack. in a spur of the moment decision, fernweh tossed herself at the older male, attempting to use her body strength to push the man back and into the water.

a girlish laughter slipped out of her mouth, whether it was a conscious decision was unknown. and it had been too late for her to realize what she did._{BG — ART — CODE}

He wondered if @Fernweh might ever find the strength to break the back-and-forth of their splashing, and surprised was he when she suddenly leapt forward, using her weight to thrust him into the water. Even he was not strong enough to keep her from submerging him, thrust into the blue depths underneath her featherlight weight and taken by surprise from her sudden boldness. His arms reached up, seeking to wrap around her frame and hold her down with him, back legs flailing and attempting to propel them through the water, twisting and turning and splashing all about.

It is only when his lungs begin to burn does he attempt to resurface with her. This time, he aims to keep her afloat, knowing all too well that they'd spent a good deal under the surface and without the appropriate amount of breath. His limbs ached now, treading water for far longer than lions typically would; thus, he would drag himself to the shore, fur clinging to his muscled shoulders and legs, mane heavy with damp.

Whether she followed him or not, he'd turn to look at her, crooked grin boyish and toothy. “Much better than that damned desert,” he concurred, rather having enjoyed this strange turn of events. He would remember this place. He would remember her.

Art by Drifty, table by cala

she would not be surprised if, at this moment, @Kvare would seek to take her down with him. what little shred of decency was gone, outmatched by pure adrenaline as she tumbled forward. that was, until fernweh realized why she was tumbling forward. water splashed from around them as kvare gripped her, taking them both into the water. she opened her mouth and closed her eyes, preparing for kvare to toss her again. but he stayed close to her, not quite trapping her with him, as she had her fair share of splashing.

it was a relief that fernweh had no fear of the water, for the duration of those seconds she was completely at kvare's mercy. just as she almost swallowed down some of the water, they both resurfaced. her tired legs withdrew from where ever she had found its perch on kvare's body. out of breath and ready to be on dry land again, fernweh quietly hauled her body out of the lake. water dripped down her stomach and chin as she moved, darkening the dry earth.

the hot air was quick to rob her of the cold that clung onto her pelt, reminding fernweh that she was, once again, amidst a wasteland.

kvare too made it out of the water and only land a few feet away. she noticed him looking at her, grinning with fangs flashing at her. but fernweh sensed no danger nor underlying threat. instead, she briefly smiled back, out of a gesture of goodwill. much better she agreed, voice unexpectedly gentle and smooth. then, after a pause, she added i'm fernweh greyflood. if you want to find me...just look for me here again.

there was still an abyss of uncertainty in her words. mostly for herself, because she didn't know what to make of this male. but she did feel a strange sort of kinship with him and she did want to meet him again. [exit]_{BG — ART — CODE}

He'd live here, if he could. If it were within the realm of possibility to forget all the obligations he'd promised to glory. He had given himself the harder life, and knew that if he remained, he would soon tire of the peace of this place. Kvare watched Fernweh as she left, his eyes regarding her with careful intention as he continued to linger. He would allow himself the surrender of a few more minutes here, replenishing his thirst and keeping cool until the sun came close to setting. Only then would he leave, speaking her name on his lips over and over again until he'd long committed it to memory.

By the time he'd left her, he'd gone back to the desert, eager to warm and dry himself up once more by promenading in the sands. His enduranced patrol would soon by abandoned, however, by the sudden urge to once more dig his paws deep into the sandy earth, and wrench himself around, getting used to the way the grains tickled between his toes and the lack of movement sacrificed for control. Control, he mused.

He would undoubtedly seek her out again. Next time, perhaps, it would be even more entertaining than it had been that day.

{Exit Kvare}

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+5 Practice a defensive maneuver (2/2)
+5 Learn a new fighting move (2/2)
+5 Exercise to gain endurance (excluding spars) (2/2)