Artemisia had found herself wandering the fields, the winds blowing softly and buffeting her thick fur subtly. It brought with it a fresh scent of prey off in the distance, as well as the smell of spring not too far away. She had to admit as much as she enjoyed the winter months she was more than ready for the warmer weather to head to Amaryllis. As she padded across the soft and damp grass field would the changing appearance of the sky catch her attention. It happened gradually as the sun began to dip, the usual shades of yellows and oranges and reds. But instead of those staying for long would they quickly disappear, greens and blues taking over in those oh so familiar swirls. A soft gasp would escape her as the sight stopped her in her tracks, maw gaping slightly as she stared up above. I can't believe it... she would whisper to herself, a folded ear flicking as leonine lips began to twitch in the beginnings of a delighted smile.

This was something she hadn't seen since she were but a small cub. Aurora Borealis. The Northern Lights. She remembered being so enamored by the way the swirling rivers of greens and blues took over the sky, flickering ad dazzling and bringing her to a silenced awe. It was a memory she cherished, and one that she never thought she would be able to have for a very, very long time - if ever again.

But it seemed as though that had changed tonight.

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The lights in the sky, he had never seen before, but then, that was likely for the best.

Lachesis did not see beauty in the blues and greens waving across the night sky. No, he saw only horror, only mockery, only mercilessness. What else could they be, other than a sign that fate was taunting him and laughing in his face? You are going to die,, he was sure the lights were saying to him. Look at the beauty your glossy, dead eyes will no longer see.

He was certain of it, as someone of his genius and wit could never be wrong. He was attuned to fate, after all, and knew she enjoyed insulting him. He would show her, one day. He would wrench the reins of his life from her wretched claws and take control. He would show her. He would show them all.

Oh, you wretched bitch, he shouted at the sky, not yet noticing he had a audience. This does not scare me! I am not afraid of you! Each word grew louder than the last, his tone growing angrier with each passing second until it erupted into a feral scream — his fury personified. He would not die, not the way she wanted. He only needed to understand how to gain control, how to gain the upper hand, and then? then he would be unstoppable.

@Artemisia

The sudden burst of a furious outcry would shock her from her gazing and back into reality. Muscles would tense automatically at such a shocking sound, causing for her body to almost flip on her fight or flight response. Crimson eyes would look around rather frantically as her hackles stood on end, heart quickening in pace. And there to the right of her would be a black form of a lion, seeming to be so mad over something... Someone? Artemisia took several moments to figure out what she should do. Running off quickly sounded like a good option all because she had not but a clue if this man was at all sane. But another part of her, perhaps some sort of maternal part, wanting to see if he were alright.

With a soft sigh would the woman decide, letting out a soft chuff in his direction to show that he is not alone. Are... you okay? Voice would start off soft but grow louder to ensure that her question would be carried over toward him. Brows would furrow as she watched him, her body still ready to spring into action and make her getaway if this all turned sideways.

@Lachesis

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How dare she? How dare she insult him in such a way? These lights, he was certain they were little more than an insult and if he could have reached into the sky, he would have torn them apart and pissed on the pieces. He was not to be mocked. He was not to be taunted. He was a dangerous beast, capable of great harm and great passion and he would not suffer these teasings as though he were anything but. He was a mighty Peitho and he would be treated a such. Fate may have mocked him now, but she would learn her lesson soon enough.

You—

He would have continued shouting at the lights in the sky, were it not for the voice of a lioness who seemed to be concerned for his wellbeing. His head swiftly turned in her direction and then, every ounce of fury left his eyes. He was not alone and it was better he not be seen in such a state. Most did not understand this immortal tussle he was in.

Though, it would have been so much simpler to snap and ask if he looked okay, such a lack of decorum would surely scare off such a fine lioness. Perhaps fate meant this to be a gift, of sorts.

He would soon find out.

My, he purred, I am doing far better now that you are here.

@Artemisia

At first Artemisia didn't think he had heard her, continuing on to yell at the sky - or whoever it was he was yelling at and about. He would cut off his sentence though after the first word, now focusing his attention upon the earthen woman, and her eyes would watch him with a keen stare. She could see the frustration and anger in his eyes if but for a moment, and then it was gone. He would purr out what she assumed was a flirtatious comment, and for the time being would the lioness disregard what had happened prior - for now.

Is that so? She would croon out as a smirk curled her lips. She would take a paw step forward, crimson gaze never leaving his face. Did the lights bring you here? A brow would rise as she asked the question, a subtle way in trying to get more information as to why he were shouting at nothingness.

@Lachesis

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Truly, it was envy that pushed him to be so…upfront about this sudden interest in a lioness who, to his knowledge, had no name. He preferred her with no name, truly, for it was a fine distraction from everything that made his skin itch with irritation. Aidoneus, for all of her laziness had secured something he had not and that was unacceptable. More importantly, he was absolutely gorgeous, a true specimen to behold. How could she not be interested?

It is, he says, words rolling off his tongue like honey. He himself took a step forward as she did, certain it meant he could get what he desired. When she questioned him about the lights, he glanced up briefly before continuing on: Fate, it seems, has it brought me here, leading me to you by way of these…lights. It was not a lie, but he could not say he was happy about it, for it meant he was still enslaved, still forced to follow fate’s tugging on his chain.

He would one day break it, but that time was not now.

Do you believe in fate?

@Artemisia

She was trying to tell whether or not this stranger was trying to flirt with her, taking in his words and analyzing them in her mind. Him trying to explain that fate had led him to her, but only moments ago did it seem like he was having some sort of existential crisis. But Artemisia would shrug it off and instead feed into his words, because stroking a man's ego seemed to work in her favor more often than not.

A part of me does, she would begin, allowing for her haunches to recline so that she was now sitting before him. The woman didn't feel too threatened by his presence as of now but if things went awry and she needed to defend herself she was more than capable to do so. But a part of me also believes in coincidences. The line between fate and coincidence could become blurry in certain circumstances - one just had to know about it. And you? Do you believe in fate...? The way her voice trailed off was in a tone that beckoned for him to give her his name without actually asking pointblank, but whether or not he would catch on would be determined soon enough.

@Lachesis

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Hedonism ran in his blood.

The idea that he should not get what he desired was a foreign one that he rejected thoroughly. Such things like self-control and restraint were mere chains[i] invented by those who wished to control the weak-willed — and he was anything but. No, he did as he willed, serving his aspirations and needs without concerning himself with the lives of others. They existed in [i]his world, after all. As did this female, who, as far as he knew, had no name.

But perhaps that would be for the best.

He watched her carefully as she told him of her opinions of fate. A smile pulled at his lips as she gave what he believed to be a fitting answer. Perhaps she was not as foolish as many of the lions he came across here. It was too soon to tell in his mind, but he intended to find out — better to ensure he had not wasted his time. She seemed to want to learn his name, though he did not give it, simply because it amused him to play a game she was unaware of. Have I not said that I believe fate has brought us together? he said lightly. Perhaps that is unfair, for I too believe in taking control of your destiny.

It is a balance few seem to understand.

@Artemisia

She takes note that he would not offer his name, instead continuing on with his reply. Artemisia was well aware that he had mentioned that fate must have brought him to the fields, to where she were located. But she couldn't help how the subtle twitch of her muscles seemed to be a que for how he was making her feel in his presence, like her skin was crawling. But with a couple of flicks of her bobbed tail would the earthen woman force her nerves to settle, instead letting out a simple hmm while she continued to listen.

Yes, I like to feel like I am the one deciding what I will and will not do. Having 'fate' or 'destiny' play any role in her actions and decisions as a bit much for her to believe in, but sometimes it did seem as though things just simply... fell into her paws. Have you been in Amaryllis long? Slight rise of a leonine brow and the smallest of steps toward him, the lioness trying to see if she could pry any useful information out of him while making it look as though she weren't that interested in learning - maybe then he would be more keen in letting some things slip.

@Lachesis

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They could agree then, for he too liked to feel like he was the one in control of himself. Of course, he also enjoyed being in control of others. It was only fair, after all. Some lions were simply born better, born above the rest and they deserved control and power. He was better. He was Peitho and this land may not have known such a thing yet, but they would find out. He had great plans for this place, but for now, they involved toying with the woman he found to be oh so attractive.

Who was going to stop him?

He either didn’t see or chose to ignore the subtle hints of discomfort her body showed, for he stepped closer still, a not so friendly smirk pulling at his lips. That depends on what you would define as long, my dear. He said with a shrug. Time was, after all, so vastly unimportant when he had so much of it. I have been around if that is what you are keen to know, though I cannot fathom why that would matter. Unless… His voice trailed off as if he had more to say, though in truth, he did not.

It was merely a part of the game with no goal in sight, save for his amusement.

@Artemisia