This land she had stumbled upon was much different than her home. This freezing cold was a shock to her system unlike any other. Winter was still such a thing in her homeland but it wasn't near as cold there as it was in this new land she found herself in. Her paw pads and toes were frozen so numb that she could hardly stand it but the numbness almost spurred her on. It helped her continue her trudge until she could find herself some shelter from this freezing morning, only slightly tripping over herself ever so often. The roaming lioness surely had come unprepared for such a season but at least she had the sense to get out of these freezing temperatures before the even colder night set in. The sun was still peaking out, only slightly, and she didn't want to chance getting stuck somewhere with no shelter as she would surely freeze.

Pausing in place for a moment on the rocky surface underneath her paws, she peered up and scanned the towering rock formations around her, searching for any opening or even slight indention in the walls to serve as some sort of protection. A slight shiver crawled along her spine, the cold reminding her to keep moving. With a sigh and roll of her shoulders, she continued on until she rounded a corner and found a large opening into a vast cavern of sorts. Her yellow eyes twinkled and the corners of her mouth twitched slightly as proof of some relief. It would still be cold, but it would work for now to protect her from the harsh night. Tentatively, she stepped slowly into the opening. Her nostrils flared and mouth opened ever so slightly in an attempt to scent the air for any recent scents. With no experience on what scents may belong to who or what, all she could guess was that most of these scents were stale and nobody had been here within the past few moments. But she knew, judging by how far back this cave seemed to go and with the many different trails within, there could be anyone coming or going from anywhere at any time.

Breathing slowly and stepping quietly, she found herself a less than comfortable spot, thanks to the rocky floor, just far enough from the cave's entrance to protect herself from the cold winds but close enough to make an escape if she should need to. The lioness reclined into a seated position and peered out the cave's entrance. Maybe next winter season, I'll be more prepared." She whispered to herself, a slight amusement in her tone. Her ears flickered upon the top of her head, listening for any stumble of stones or scrape of footsteps from around her. She listened for the next few moments before she deemed it safe enough to lounge upon the ground. After traveling for so long and so far with little stops, her body had reached a new level of exhaustion but she could not bring herself to sleep quite yet. For now, she listened carefully as this new land spoke to her, whispering its secrets in her ears.

"speech."

code by corvus

Winter was growing harsh. Day after day the temperature was dropping and with it the air bit back harder with every gust. Snow, light and powdered, was everywhere. It left Nazonal dreaming of her jungle home where the temperature was still warm and she could sleep without needing leltsi draped across her. But there were necessities still outside her little bubble, and today they took her west and into the mercy of the weather. They had a few objects in their mouth, odds and ends of things for Sparrow's work and some extra gifts for the Leopardess. But it was growing intolerably chilly, Nazonal could feel the bite at her flesh like her pelt did nothing. A shelter. A cave. Yes!

Hello? From outside in the winter's cold a voice came. Their breath rolled from their lips like a soft mist, swirling around into the space above their muzzle and then vanishing at the whim of winter. Nazonal could smell someone on this cave threshold, someone was seeking shelter inside from the cold. They felt a wave of uncontrollable shivers roll down their spine as a wind kicked up from behind her and whisked along her belly. Oh how she needed some shelter, just a little while to warm up and then be on her way home into the warmth of the jungle. But they didn't really want to just barge in either on whoever this was - was that a shadow she saw? Nazonal's brown head pushed in past the edge of light and into the darkness. Their pupils began to widen, light flooded into her eyes and gradually details inside grew clearer and clearer. Can I come in? They ask aloud as their eyes continue to adjust to the darkness. Rather haplessly not seeing the woman in question still fairly close but reclining upon the ground. Her voice sounding strange and muffled from the things she carried with her and would not be leaving behind any time soon.

@Rhymira

As the winds and whispers danced around and inside her ears, her eyes began to get heavy, forcing her to jolt her body awake ever so often. Fighting sleep was not her strong suit in this moment. Although it was still cold in this cave, perhaps colder because of the bare floor, she still felt a warmness coming from within her that wanted to lull her to sleep. With eyes narrowing slightly as she peered out the cave's entrance and head resting upon her outstretched front limbs, her breathing became deep and shallow. Just as she was about to drift off, a new scent hit her nostrils. She made no movement and, although her heart beat just a bit faster in this moment, she waited for any indication of danger. There was no fear within the druid lioness, only curiosity and carefulness.

As the sound of a female's voice hit her ears, calling out, her head rose from its resting place. Rhymira kept quiet for the moment, head cocking ever so slightly as she scanned for the source of the figure. When the voice came again, Rhymira's eyes locked onto the dark figure who seemed to be the source. "Please," she urged gently as she rose into a seated position. "It's too cold to be out there. You're more than welcome to join me inside." Her tones were even and perhaps somewhat inviting. A chance to meet someone finally within these new lands sparked something within her. While she would remain careful and aware of the dangers she may face by meeting strangers of this land, it was not in her to be hostile. As the figure came further into the cave, Rhymira could just barely make out features on the lioness's face. With such a dark pelt like the one this lioness in front of her has, it proved difficult for Rhymira to pinpoint exactly the appearance of the stranger, no matter the somewhat heightened eyesight in the dark. They were still unlike most Rhymira had ever laid eyes on, though. "I am Rhymira, She introduced with ease, voice still even. "And you are?"

"speech."

code by corvus

@Nazonal

Oh thank you. Naz responds as they step fully into the shelter. The worst of the cold wind is then blocked, and blustering snow ceases to dance around. The dark brown lioness that steps in heavily sighs as they first feel the relief and security of this shelter upon their pelt. They are warmer almost immediately and most noticeably their lungs didn't ache from the chilly air flowing into them. Just inside Naz gave a light shake to clean off the loose debris from their pelt, a quick twist down her spine to disperse some water drops, some snow, and dirt. She then took a few steps closer to the lioness, sitting down herself near, but not touching, the other's personal bubble to help build warmth by proximity of body heat.

At her other side Naz turns to set down what she has in her mouth. A bundle of odd, but local, herbs. Most seemed quite dry and wilted, victim to the weather. There is a beautiful looking rock with a smooth surface that suggested it was from a river somewhere. Stripes of oranges and browns paint it's surface. And the most macabre item of them all, some poor bat that looks like long ago fell and froze in the cold night. It was rigid and leathery looking without a drop of moisture in it's taught skin. Shreds of skin were missing and bone was exposed. Naz carefully settled them close to her before looking back over to her company. I'm Nazonal, Hi. I'm from the Rainforest myself so this weather .. it ain't doing it for me. Their toothy smile grew and a chuckle rolled from their lips. It's a nice cave you've got here. This your home?

@Rhymira

Her eyes lit up as the obsidian female thanked her and she dipped her head swiftly as if to say "Of course", only silently. As the female shook herself off, freeing herself of the freezing debris, Rhymira watched and almost shivered as if she were the one covered once again. It had only been a few moments since she had gotten out of the frozen outside but she still somehow felt a warmth to her. The snowy debris that fell from the lioness only reminded her of how cold it really was outside of this cave. As her new acquaintance settled herself near her, obviously being careful not to invade her personal space, Rhymira lowered her frame down to the ground, facing the direction of the female, as if to signal that she was comfortable with the closeness.

Her eyes watched carefully as the lioness unloaded her stash. With an admiring gleam, she scanned the trove with curiosity. The herbs, the river rock, the deceased bat. It was all very interesting to her. Perhaps this lioness was a collector of these sorts of items. When the female started speaking to her, Rhymira looked towards her with ears cocked forward.

Nazonal introduced herself in that moment, mentioning where she happened to be from. A rainforest surely was different from this weather here. Rhymira chuckled at the humor in her statement and tone, eyes closing in appeasement. "Nazonal, it is nice to meet you. My name is Rhymira," The lioness dipped her chin slightly as she introduced herself. "I just happened to stumble across this place. It is pretty nice," She said with a slight shrug, head rotating and peering up at the almost towering space above them. "It's definitely not what I'm used to though. I come from a place more... plush in foliage. Much warmer. But this is certainly better than being out there in the cold. She chuckled, head tilting sharply in the direction of the outside they now sheltered from. Admittedly, she felt much warmer thanks to the company provided by her new acquaintance. "How long have you resided here in these lands? Were you born here or traveled here like I have?" Her tone was inquisitive, but she hoped she didn't sound too much like a pest.

"speech."

code by corvus

@Nazonal

Rhymira's description of a plush, foliage filled landscape brought a smile to Naz's face. A knowing one, visions of their own home, their den, their friends, all leapt into mind right away. You should come visit the Rainforest then, it sounds more like what you're accustomed to. And at least for the winter things would be far more tolerable amongst the towering trees and humid, heat retaining, ecosystem out in the east. Nazonal seemed quite happy to extend the invitation, not worried about a stranger coming around or someone unknown being close to her own home. Offering a safe and comfortable, place to rest, live, visit, or whatever else someone needed was what they did. What their fathers had done. But agreed, much better in here with some company. Now that they'd had a few moments to appreciate being out of the winter wind Nazonal began to appreciate the additional bonus of extra body heat. And of course the conversation, letting her mind be active and engaged kept the thoughts of cold away.

I guess technically I travelled here. My father brought me when I was young. Gawain had never hidden the past from the cub that would become his adopted child. Naz knew this wasn't where they were born, but for all practical purposes- I don't really know any other home but this land though. And they were happy to call this place home. Compared to where they and Gawain had come from it was certainly a step up even in the cold of winter, even in its harshest moments. Anywhere else had long become a story, a dark but curious to think about place.

@Rhymira