Gawain huffed when Naz told Eli that he talked about him. "Oh what's next, do I talk about him in my sleep, too?" He pretended to be indignant about the whole thing, but it was incredibly obvious that he was joking. He had to make a show of it all, of course. Then he turned to @Elijah, more sincere this time. "There's nothing bad to say," he replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. He genuinely couldn't think of anything negative to say about either of the lions in his den. They were the two lions he loved most in the world. Both here, now, finally together. He stretched to reach for a nearby colorful feather and passed it to @Nazonal with a look, a bribe not to say anything else embarrassing.

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Truthfully Nazonal really didn't know what Gawain did in his sleep. They slept hard and they fell asleep fast, most of the time not even knowing what her father did in the meantime or if he was even around. A truck could have driven through the den and they probably wouldn't have noticed until afterwards when they spotted the tracks. Not in your sleep. Nazonal began to answer @Gawain's claims of false indignation with a cheesy little grin and exaggeration in her voice. They clearly looked over to @Elijah and mouthed the words 'he does' and nodded immediately after she responded to her father. One of their eyes winked at Elijah, happy to feel like she was sharing a secret with this new friend and cuddle buddy. He always sounds really happy when he talks about you. Never anything bad, sometimes good, sometimes just simple talking. Regardless of the context Nazonal didn't miss the way her father's face would light up.

They took up the feather Gawain passed to them, they took the shaft end in their teeth and began to roll it along her teeth. The colorful plumes spun around out the side of her mouth, flashing and flickering as she manipulated the feather to create a pleasant sensation in her mouth. Bribe accepted. I love the rocks. She dropped the feather out of her mouth as they began to talk again. She reached up over her head and dragged herself partly out of the pile and towards a corner where she'd stashed a few of the rocks. Half on the pile and half off she began to twist them back and forth on the ground with her paw. I think I might start collecting them. So many colors, so many textures.

ooc: sorry for the wait!! i must have missed the tag ;_;

their banter is charming, ears lilting as they volley back and forth. it is as harmless as it is endearing, lending small little insights to these two and their relationship. he is struck, then, how different they both seem -- how hard it is to imagine either of them in darkstone. naz had been born there, but swept away before she was too old, and gawain did not belong there, either. still, these little moments of peace would've never been allowed and he is grateful for each of them as they pass.

the feather gets passed around -- elijah does not recognize it for the bribe it is -- but he watches with mild fascination as the colors swirl around. against the dark pitch of naz's fur it is truly a show, and he smiles to see it. that smile widens as they wriggle their way towards the edge of the cuddle puddle, intent on the rocks she's collected so far. some were from him, others helped picked out by him. it warms him to see that they were well-received, enough for her to consider a true collection.

i will keep an eye out for you, then. a promise, however small. he knew there were some nice quartz-ish ones at the pit -- perhaps she would like the marbled ones. perhaps even the one that was sitting in his den at this very moment. the thought reminds him of the morning dragging on, slowly -- the march of time and the responsibilities that lay elsewhere. outside of this den, as much as he does not want to return to the hollows. his ears dip slightly at the realization, a little frown quirking his lips before they smooth into something more neutral, albeit sheepish.

i... should be going, he murmurs, a little whine behind his teeth belaying the sentiment for the apology it truly is. it feels a little heinous to crash and then run, but elijah knows himself -- knows that the longer he stays here, cradled in their warmth, the harder it will be to leave. besides, he... could not simply stay here, right? this was their place, and he did not to intrude more than he already has. thank you, both, for letting me stay -- and for showing me your collection. he thinks ( hopes ) that @Nazonal will show them to him again, later, and in more detail; he hopes that @Gawain, too, will not think less of him for this.

with slow, careful movements he withdraws from the cuddle pile, doing his very best to do this without disturbing them too much. it is easier said than done, of course, but he tries. it is a little like fleeing with his tail between his legs; it is a lot like fleeing with his tail between his legs. but elijah had never been a brave man, and the thudding in his chest speaks to that. but he treasures these moments of peace and warmth, of comfort and security; he holds them tight to his breast as he returns to obsidian where he has none of that.

and quietly counts down the moments until he can return.

exit

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Gawain had known Eli would eventually have to leave, but perhaps part of him had hoped that he simply... wouldn't. That he would just stay here, that this morning would drag on forever and they could all three just know the peace and warmth of each other's company. But alas, the spell was eventually broken. He snuggled his muzzle into Eli's mane as Naz showed off their little rock collection and purred when he said he'd look for more, a not so subtle hint that he could just stay. Just abandon his pride and stay here in their jungle paradise, snuggled away in this den. But Eli got up, and Gawain wasn't one to prevent him from leaving, no matter how much he wanted to. "Of course. Stay safe, Eli. Come home anytime." A slip of the tongue, he hadn't even realized he'd said home instead of back. The little lion would be more than welcomed back whenever (if ever) he decided to come. Gawain watched him leave, ears perhaps drooping a little, then he turned his attention back to Naz and snuggled them closer. "So what do you want to do today?" -Exit Gawain

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