Alex hopped along the mangrove roots, careful not to fall into the dark, muddy water. It smelled sulphuric, a smell they weren't familiar with but definitely didn't like. They twitched their nose, but knew it wouldn't do any good. They hoped the smell didn't cling too strongly to their fur, they'd have to get rid of it soon.

Regardless of the smell, this was a cool area. They froze when they noticed movement in the roots, then crouched to watch. It was a tiny crab, filtering through the mud for food. Each bundle of mud became a tiny ball that was tossed aside for the next little mouthful of mud. It was fascinating. What if lions did that?

Poor kid. The smell did stick to your pelt. Raven should know, she lived here and it showed. Where once she kept her pelt clean, mud now covered her pelt greedily. If someone saw her, and knew what she looked like they would know her pelt had white on it but now? She looked like she was completely black. Which was fine with her as Raven would continue her walk through the swamp lands. Ears twisting on top of her head, nostrils flaring as she caught scent of the other and moved towards him. Having fun staring at crabs? She would question, coming up behind him.

@Alexon

+10 Practice disguising your appereance

Alex froze at the sound of a lioness behind them and dug their claws into the mangrove roots instinctively. Drowning was not on the roster for the day. Clearly, the strong smell was increasing their anxiety. Interesting.

Carefully, they turned around to face her, intentionally placing each paw to avoid slipping. The roots were slick and wet beneath their paws. "Facinating little creatures," they agreed with a nod. "I've never seen anything like them."

They studied the lioness before them. She was cearly muddy, and her scent was barely distinguishable from that of the swamp itself. It seemed likely that she lived here. Perhaps she would know something of the native flora.

@Raven

She saw the tension in the child - yes child - when he heard her voice and began to turn towards her. Raven ha no intention on pushing the other into the swamp cause that would mean she would have to grab him out of it or let the creatures of the swamps get him. But that wasn't on her agenda today and so Raven would stay where she was. Her longer claws had already made purchase into the more solid ground beneath the mud that caked her pelt. There are plenty in the mud and in the swamps. They are assholes though so don't get to close. She would warn them.

@Alexon

Alexon nodded, taking her words to heart. "Crabs are assholes, good to know." The lion wasn't sure what sort of damage such a tiny creature could do, but they didn't particularly want to find out.

They could feel the mud already caking onto their paws. That was going to be annoying to clean later. They wondered if the mud tasted as bad as it smelled, but had no doubts that the answer was yes. To be fair, no mud tasted particularly good, but they had eaten their fair share anyways.

"I've never been in a swamp like this before, I grew up in the desert. Do creatures other than crabs live here?"

@Raven

He repeated the words that she spoke but Raven said nothing. There was nothing she could say, or needed to say. Though where the lion before her probably thought it was annoying that mud was caking up his legs, Raven was content with it being on her body until she would go out and find herself a more suitable home. Right now, she planned to stick to the swamps and enjoy the time alone expect for the occasional visitors such as today. I live here. She would announce to him and him alone it would seem. Ears twisting on her ears in his direction and blood eyes watched him closely. You must not be from this land. You look uncomfortable in the swamps. Though he stated he had lived in the desert, that didn't change the fact that he looked uncomfortable.

@Alexon

Alex sat carefully on the roots, careful to keep their tail out of the water. They definitely needed to stop by the river on the way out. The swamp was not gonna be a frequent stopping point for them, but they were glad to learn about the area regardless. "Sorry if I'm intruding on your home."

The larger lion nodded when she mentioned they looked uncomfortable. "Mud isn't exactly...common where I'm from. Can't say I'm particularly familiar. I'm mostly here looking for any plants that might be useful." They looked down at the little creatures balling up mud. "The crabs are just a bonus."

@Raven

Far from intruding. She would state bluntly to him. Raven could not claim this land. She was no ruler, and never would be as far as she was concern. That was not something Raven could see herself being apart of much less putting into action. Anyways, Raven watched as the male before her would make himself somewhat comfortable in their situation. Ears twisting as he would explain that the swamp was not something he was used to. And where he came from, it wasn't common which caused a tilt to come from her head but onto other things. You won't find many plants here but the Jungle holds many. She would advise to him.

@Alexon

Alex nodded when she confirmed they were not intruding. "Glad to hear it." They last thing they needed today was to get into a territorial battle over a swamp they had no affinity towards. They were a bit curious why she had made this her home. It didn't seem particularly hospitable, after all.

They listened with interest as she mentioned that the jungle had more plants. That was also important information, they'd be sure and make a stop there. Still, they studied the plant life nearby, entirely unsure of what they were looking for in the way of useful plant life. They wished there were outward signals on helpful plants, something to indicate their usefulness, but alas, no such thing existed.

@Raven

Glad to hear it? That was interesting but Raven left it at that as she would watch him closely. What kind of plants are you looking for? She would ask. Perhaps she could help. There wasn't much she could do here in the swamps but in the Jungle there were plenty of plants that she could show him. Raven did know her fair share of those things for many reasons. Granted many of the plans she knew were for killing and he probably wasn't looking for those but she also did know those of herbs of healing so Raven could show @Alexon those right?