The flower fields have seen better days.

With the coming winter and creeping autumnal winds, it was no real surprise that most of the plants here had withered away. Drying out and dying, there's no explosion of color anymore. The land is muted and sad, but if there is anything faolán is good at, it's finding the beauty in horrible places. Even here.

Indeed, there is still value to be found here. You just need to know where to look. Dainty paws carry her carefully through the familiar paths through the fields, pausing here and there to better investigate. She had every intention of gathering the last remnants that she could, but... Her paws slow, hesitating.

Suddenly, the idea of working didn't seem as appealing as it did only minutes before. suddenly, she does not seem so keen on taking from what little lingers. she is tired of causing harm, and so her hand stills. she rocks back on her heels, easing into a seated position. the cool, autumn wind ruffles her fur as it breezes past her, and a sigh whispers from between her lips.

BG — ART — CODE

The flower field isn't exactly pretty, but Orion suspects it will do. It's better than the constant pushing and crowding he's used to, anyways, and that in itself means he's reluctant to brush it off as just another field for now.

He can see where could be pretty, too, were it not for the onset of the colder months; the remnants of flowers aren't something that escapes his notice, and he finds himself, subconsciously, wondering if some of the friends he had left behind would like a place like this, when the weather was warmer.

A noise catches his attention as he slows, and it's only then that he realizes he had been so lost in his own thoughts that another feline- not a tiger, he's sure- is surprisingly close by. Too close for comfort, if he's being honest, but she doesn't seem the type to prepare to bring him harm.

If anything, she could prove to be an useful ally- or, if nothing else, a source of information. Orion blinks, and then dons his mask as easily as breathing, approaching with an easy grin and a rehearsed relaxation in his form.

"Good day." He calls, his tone as light and airy as the rest of his self-formed image. "It's pretty here, isn't it?"

Now, if he's lucky, it'll have been a good enough conversation starter.

@Faolán

Art by Rabbit || Code by Zay

Unlike the other, she is acutely aware of his presence.

Every step @Orion takes is marked and measured, watching the other feline from the corner of her eye. She has no lived this long under the thumb of bjorn without being careful, without being cautious. The other doesn't seem as aware, not until the grass creaks beneath his steps. She can almost pinpoint the moment he realizes she's there, and a small smile curves her lips. Nonplussed, non-threatening.

Even a wolf could learn to hide her claws.

At first, her only answer to his question is a small little hum. A thoughtful noise as she turns, better to face him. Here she finally realizes he isn't a lion, even if they're speckled just the same. That... is a surprise, but a welcomed one; somehow, it makes things easier. Have you seen it in spring? She asks, a winter-colored ear ticking his way. Twin tails sweep along the ground at her ankles, disturbing the dying grass for a moment or two before she realizes her mistake. This is a shadow of its former beauty. She continues, soft voice lilting as mismatched gaze turns from him to the gardens around them.

Still, faolán smiles with a quiet fondness, and it's clear that she agrees with him.

BG — ART — CODE

She already knows he's here.

He doesn't notice it immediately- just the twitch of her ears- but his attempt at coming closer makes it clear she's aware of his presence. There's something in how she watches Orion that reminds him of himself, and, had he not already approached, it would have been enough to make him falter.

It's going to be harder than he expected to get much out of her. That's fine- he's done this a thousand times already.

"I'm afraid I haven't." He confesses, giving the land around them an once-over again. It's the closest he'll come to admitting he's a newcomer to these lands, and even that's almost more than he's comfortable giving away; it feels wrong to, rather unnatural, and he suppresses that lingering unease. He can still use this to his advantage.

"Is there anywhere prettier, in your opinion?" His interest isn't entirely faked- part of him already wants to make notes for the near future- but for now he just wants a map of the lands. Anything else can wait.

@Faolán

Art by Rabbit || Code by Zay

his confession is a small thing; she won't hold it against him. how long had it taken for her to find this place in the throes of spring-green? you'll have to come back when it's warm, she murmurs, the ghost of a promise there; it's worth it. the landscape might be fading now but instead of being sad about it, it's almost a relief. everything was inevitable, and everything came back around. with enough patience, the world would right itself again and this place, too, would bloom again. she just had to be patient, and Faolán was nothing if not patient.

she hums, a small and thoughtful sound, as mismatched eyes gaze flick to the horizon. to where she knows the landscape better, to the place she's long since decided was home. cruel memories and all. her gaze turns back to @Orion, regarding him softly for a moment. the little wolf knows better than to judge a book by its cover, even if the inky-purple striped fur still throws her for a loop. instead, her head inclines to the side as she asks: it depends -- do you like the cold?

it's... not a yes, exactly, but the door is open.

BG — ART — CODE