DARK FOREST WOMAN; Genya has chosen to stay by the water, where everything looks clearer and smells like an oasis. Hares are bound to come, their reclusiveness shying away the instinct of a prey. To them, Genya is just a foriegn object who can give off warmth. She did chase a few of those bastards around for fun, but eventually more came. Yesterday she feasted upon quite a few of them, but still they came, converging around the water without fear. It's true then, hares are stupid; stupidly courageous. One of her paws slip into the cool water and she half-closes her eyes, silvery gaze gazing at nothing. She's been idyl for so long these days that she must be gaining weight. All this eating and no exercising has taken a toll. But this is a sacrifice she's willing to give. Besides, nobody else but Genya herself will see the change in her body.

it feels strange, leavin' tessa and the kids behind. strange enough that he's got people to leave behind. there's a paranoid itchin' at the back of his mind that says everytime he lets 'em leave his sight, somethin' horrible happens. rogues attack the plateau, then rogues attack everywhere. it weren't a good track record so he ain't too keen on headin' too far away. just far 'nough, find 'em some food. maybe see if he can track down the others they'd lost in the chaos.

it's as if his thoughts manifested her, 'cause she appears before him; the only other livin' soul on this stretch of foggy beach. there were others 'round, he knew, but he recognizes her easy as anythin'. quietly he chuffs, not wantin' to sneak up on her too bad. if they were back in the valley that might've been all he'd done, buth this was a new land, and he was worried. @Genya was a hardy woman, he knew, but still he worried and fretted 'bout all those he lost in the mad scramble.

so it's an easy enough thing for him to lumber closer, not stoppin' until he's much closer. "fancy meetin' ya here," he murmurs, his smile wide - knowin' better than to try 'nd hide it. he shifts a shoulder, intent on reachin' out and pullin' her in for a hug, but goes slow enough for her to stop him if she weren't lookin' for a touchy-feely reunion.

""

DARK FOREST WOMAN; For a moment, only Genya's ears twitched as the sound slipped through. Her whiskers were stiff from the cold and her belly quivered a little. Something nostalgic was haunting her senses. By both the sensation and the chuff. Soon, however, Genya looked over and noticed the sight of the lion lumbering forward. He was as soft and warm as ever, she thought, mouth curling into a grin. Israel she said, words dissolving into a purr. It sounded too sensual; she couldn't help it. Israel was one of the very few men she had slept with. One of the very few she thought of as a friend. She digs her face into his mane and relaxes. But his presence was also a shock to her. That meant his family is here too. Tessa and...whatever they decided to bring. It's been too long since she last met Tessa. Where is Tessa? she then asked, curious eyes searching for an answer in his.

she don't complain or fuss, so he pulls her in close - rumblin' somethin' soft as he does. he was well equipped for the winter, but she weren't, and when she leans her face into his neck he lets her - happy to brush his chin 'cross the top of her crown. he lingers, just a moment too long, before releasin' her - pullin' back with a crooked smile curvin' his lips. "i'm glad yer here, 'nd i'm glad yer alright," he says, and means every twangy word. others, he figured, weren't gonna be as lucky as 'em. some, he figured, would've died in the scramble gettin' on, and israel's selfish 'nough to admit that he's glad it weren't any of the people he cared 'bout.

(at least, as far as he knew.)

"ya are alright, right?" he asks, uanble to help himself as ruby eyes sweep 'cross her form, lookin' for any bumps or bruises that might've accompanied her journey. she'd been in... what? the jungle pride when it all went to shit, right? he weren't too sure how any of 'em had faired, but @Genya, at least, looked whole. he'd take her word for it, 'course, but at least she weren't bleedin' or nothin'.

ears twitch when she asks after tessa, and he gestures in the direction he'd come from with a jerk of his chin. "she ain't too far, just restin' with the kids." the last time he'd seen genya, tessa had still been pregnant; it was amazin' just how quickly everythin' had gone to shit. sigh. "you'll have to come meet 'em, they're all awfully cute." he says, grinnin'; they took after tessa in that department. "and they're still young 'nough ya ain't gotta worry 'bout 'em bitin' ya." unlike some other cubs, cough cough.

""

DARK FOREST WOMAN; This is nice, Genya thinks, because she always craved closeness. No amount of fortune and power can bring this soft feeling stirring in her breast. Except, she knows this isn't love for Israel. They are already past lust even; it's a certain companionship they mutually want from one another. Or perhaps it's something else and Genya still isn't sure of it. He smells too much like the old Israel. Actually, he never did change. Maybe except for his relationship with her, now that he has a wife and...children. Of course was Genya's response, head briefly parting from his thick mane to look at him again. She shifts a little, hooping that putting some distance will make their conversations easier. There's still the shine of playfulness in her gaze and that natural sensuality upon her features. The latter of which, Genya thinks, will never shed itself. She's every bit a viper as she is a woman.

I swear to gods Israel, you asked me this every time you see me A chuckle slips out of the dark woman's lips. Israel cares, she knows that. He has a heart twice as big as anyone else's. The question now is, is he taking care of himself? Unlike Israel, Genya doesn't directly ask him. She just stares, wondering if his eyes have a touch of sheen lost. Or a certain pallidness to his coat and mane.

When Israel gestures toward another direction, Genya almost thinks she will see Tessa and their little ones walking toward them. Genya wonders who the children will look like more. And are they healthy? How old are they? It feels like she has missed out on so much. I will; it's the least I can do for you and your wife Genya said, smiling. And I bet the little ones will be curious about their extended family as well. Truthfully, this is a wedge that will never leave. Genya's now a part of Israel and Tessa's life as they are part of hers.

Dimly, she realizes she could see a future where her own children can meet theirs.

you asked me this every time you see me. he huffs, a little sheepish; did she really have to call him out like that? brows lower then rise, givin' a roll of his shoulders. he weren't gonna be shamed outta carin' for her - or worryin' after her, when she up and vanished. "ain't my fault," he drawls, givin' her a smile. "ya'll always be my queen." and if his voice goes just a little husky, then hopefully she'd let him have this. they'd come a long way since then; it felt like a lifetime ago - 'specially here, in these new lands. but, ah. he was a stubborn beast, with a distaste for change - no matter how often life decided to throw 'im curve-balls.

she didn't answer his question but that's okay: she's quickly - easily - forgiven, 'specially when she refers to herself as his extended family. "they're gonna love ya," he promises with a little wink. toro would, for sure - and cassidy'd probably come 'round quick enough. little ida might take longer to warm up - she didn't seem to be too fond of strangers - but maybe that'd change for auntie @Genya. "i ventured out here, intendin' to bring back some dinner for tessa. mind helpin' me look, or pointin' me in the right direction?" he asks, ears tippin' forward. that sounded nice, right? a little reunion dinner, even if it was beach-side. "assumin', 'course, there's anythin' to eat 'round here." here his face crinkles up, a little annoyed; of all the places, of course they had to wash up on a damned beach.

""

DARK FOREST WOMAN; Trying to make me fall in love with you again, huh? Her words were mostly in jest, though there is a playfulness to it too. Genya looks up at him, making sure there's only a new inches of distance between her and Israel. She always knew Israel had a charming streak, but this? Genya wondered if little Tessa knew. But they had been together for so long it must've meant she was aware. Even so, this moment between her and Israel felt a bit more special, and a little special. Not because she still wanted Israel to be hers deep within that greedy heart of hers, but because she wanted it to be. If Israel hadn't came, she would've left this land within the next few weeks and returned to where she came from. But there are now enough lions here that Genya wanted to stay and find her next chapter.

Thankfully, @Israel knew just what she needed. A good exercise to stretch her limbs and work off some of the gained weight. Lately it has been so easy for her to add a few pounds here and there, almost as if she's pregnant again. But it's been a while since her last romp in the haystack - surely it couldn't be that. I saw some fat hares roaming about; they are scared of nothing Genya tilts her head to a patch of land between two stone pillars. A faint sprinkle of vegetation coils around the pillars and behind them would be where some of the hares roam. The winter changed their pelts to snow-white, but the sandbar keeps them from camouflaging. Perhaps this is the deity's way of making it up to them. We can see who brings in the most hares, if you like Genya then adds, winking as well.

her words surprise him, just a bit - eyes widenin', belyin' his feelin's on the matter. love him, huh? again? ears twitch, considerin', but he hopes to hide his surprise by grinnin', instead. "sure," he drawls, lettin' the twang of his voice stretch the word out. "but i didn't realize ya'd stopped." he adds with a chuckle, seekin' to bump his shoulder into hers goodnaturedly. that seemed safe enough as he tried his best to side-step the topic entirely. while he certainly felt somethin' towards her, even now, the time for it had long since passed. or, rather, was never truly meant to be. that don't mean that it still don't prickle, or that it don't stir in his chest - but it weren't the time to dwell on it.

fortunately @Genya seems amenable: both to dinner, and to comin' for a visit. rabbits would've been a hard target, but if they were as fearless as she said... well. they'd be an easy meal. "hmmm," he rumbles - face scrunchin' like he's considerin' it. 'course, he was game the moment she mentioned it - but she didn't gotta know that. he makes her wait a moment before relentin', as if there was any real risk of him sayin' no. "as long as yer not scared to lose, let's scare some bunnies." his smile goes toothy, fangs flashin'; rabbit meat was never his favorite (because his player's name is bunny and that'd be weird) but it was far better than fish. "c'mon then!" he says, lookin' to her. ladies first!

""