Dawn had just barely broken, the sun casting hues of orange and reds into the navy blue sky to the West of her. She’d found herself a safe place to rest, and now a long drink of water sounded like the perfect way to start off her day. The dust wasn’t quite as thick as one would expect from a large crowd being by the water- so she was hopeful that should she run into anyone- it wouldn’t be a lot of lions, but perhaps there’d be one or two others seeking some conversations.

As she approached the water, she lowered her head to take a good long drink, before she stepped back from the edge- her eyes scanning the water's edge. She sank back on her haunches, once she decided she was a safe space away from the water- should anything be lurking within its depths. She hadn’t quite figured out what other predators this strange land could have- and she didn’t want to find out by being it’s meal.

Her tail twitched lazily in the dirt, as she looked around- her eyes on nothing in particular, when she caught sight of what looked like fresh pawprints in the dirt. So she stood and followed them, up a small cluster of rocks so that she could look down on the other side and see if anyone was there. Hello?

when i speak

ART BY GONEAPEY VIA CC, CODE BY LARS

In the murky depths of the watering hole, Vain had managed to dive to the mouth of a small underwater system of channels. He was curious as to what might be lurking within. He was unafraid of any water bound creature sharing the murky waters with him. He had learned some time ago that they did not respond well to the deathly scent that permeated from his pelt.

Fortunately, it kept most company away. There wasn't much, in his experience, that had anything of real value to offer him when it came to company... so he regarded this as more a blessing than a curse.

About half-way though his breath of air, he heard sloshing noises from above. It tore him from his concentration and caused his attention to be pulled from the channels to what seemed to be someone drinking at the shore. He watched, thankful that he had not been on the surface when they had come... and once it seemed they had gone, he was nearly out of air.

It was time to resurface. Poking his head out of the water, He turned in the direction the drinking stranger had been... but she seemed to already be walking along and calling out to someone he could not see. He hummed quietly to himself, wondering if she had truly fallen for the false trail he had laid out before submerging himself in the deep waters.

@Ghyslaine

image by moogle/code by saph

For some, she supposed, that there was a luxury in being alone. Ghyslaine however wasn't a lioness who enjoyed solitude. She found that while wondering she lacked any sort of purpose. So instead, she sought out company in various forms- trying to meet any and everyone. The watering hole, was probably a great place to meet others when it wasn't dawn- but she had thought for sure that she had scented someone...

She heard her call die among the silence, and turned her gaze back to the water as she swore she saw a slight ripple in the water's surface. A slight pang of unease shot through her, as she wondered what lurked below. She'd never been the hugest fan of water- purely because she worried about what existed under the surface that she couldn't see- and Ghyslaine had no intention of falling prey to something else. So she'd remain a smart distance away.

It's with a half-hearted sigh, that she turns towards the water again, keeping a careful distance as she gazes at the watering hole- and settles back onto her haunches. Surely, eventually someone would turn up... or something would happen?

@Vain
words

_{— art by yumpy}

He watched on as the woman began to turn her head back in his direction. His heart seized in his chest as he immediately ducked back beneath the water's surface without thought. Strange... it was strange for him to do anything without thought. He scowled to himself for the reaction, almost scolding his own mind and body for betraying him so unexpectedly!

Shaking his head in disappointment with himself, he decided he would surface... if only to act against his own natural reaction. Steadily, he swam upward, his head breaching the water's surface in no time. His long half-mane plastered itself in front of his eyes and to his neck in various places, his ears held at half mass as he regarded the woman with shy interest.

The scent of death was prominent now that he had emerged... it was his own scent. Abstractly, he wished the offending smell was just a hair less noticeable. It could really put a damper on first impressions... after all, it did work to keep most company away. So too, however, did he not knowing what to say to a stranger. He wasn't so confident that he could come up with some smooth one-liner right on the spot... Hell, he couldn't even drudge up a smile.

He did what he found was manageable... a polite nod to her as he moved with an eerie amount of ease to the shore.

@Ghyslaine

image by moogle/code by saph

To say that she was shocked when a head surfaced from the water, and a head of another lion at that- would be an understatement. Ghyslaine's eyes widened in disbelief, as a lion slowly emerged from the water- as if he'd been living there or something like a half fish! She stood, stepping back a half step as she regarded him curiously as he emerged from the water. A scent- familiar to her- seemed to emanate from his very being.

Was he taking a bath to wash the scent of death from his fur? If he had- that hadn't worked very well. She watched has he drew closer to the shore with a mixture of curiosity and surprise. He offered a nod in her direction, and that was all the indication she needed before she spoke. "Were... Were you swimming?" She asked, stammering a bit, as she looked back at the water where he'd emerged from with an excited flick of her tail. "You... you were under the water?" She questioned her own eyesight at that point. That just didn't make much sense to her... but she had seen it.

After her stammering question, she realized foolishly that she hadn't even said hello or introduced herself before questioning a stranger like that. How rude! "My name is Ghylaine, forgive me for my rudeness in questioning you before even offering such pleasantries." She said, offering him a sort of friendly smile- despite the smell that he had. Maybe he had fallen into something- it wasn't her place to question that.

@Vain

words

_{— art by yumpy}

With her first question, an immediate quip came to mind - 'Oh no, I was sinking' - sadly he wasn't comfortable enough with her to voice it. Instead, he made his way onto solid ground in stoic silence, the water dripping from him creating mud under his paws. He shook his head to keep his mane from covering his eyes... but he was careful not to splash his company when he did so.

Something told him she wouldn't be so interested in smelling like a drowned corpse.

He nodded to her obvious questions politely, almost finding them humorous in the way she was so unnerved. But it was not so new to him. Everyone was unnerved in his presence. He watched her gaze with the ice-blue of his own, listening as she continued and ultimately introduced herself.

He stopped a comfortable distance from her, dipping his head in formality. "No forgiveness needed, Ghylaine." He cooed gently, his words matter-of-fact. He then lifted his gaze once more and brought a paw to his chest. "I am Vain Black. It's a pleasure..." He introduced in turn. His features softened, but still no smile sat upon his face. It was as though he were simply devoid of emotion.

"And yes, I was swimming under the water." Might as well put her worries to bed while we had them at the forefront, eh?

@Ghyslaine

image by moogle/code by saph

She wasn't a stranger to meeting different lions. It seemed all she had done in this place thus far was meet others that were very different from the life she'd led before coming here. She studied his appearance, trying to commit him to memory- so that she could remember him should she meet him again. When he spoke, responded to her more proper introductions, she committed his name to memory as well. @Vain Black. She'd remember that.

Though no smile rested on his jaws, she found a smile blooming on hers as she nodded politely in response to him sharing his name and answering her questions.
"How do you do that? The swimming under water? You'd have to hold your breath for so long? She asked, and then shook her head with a sigh ever so slightly.

"I'm sorry if that's forward," There she went apologizing again, as she spoke with him. "I've just never seen something like that before..." She'd trail off, her eyes widening with wonder.

words

_{— art by yumpy}

The charming female would return his rather drab stoicism with a lovely smile as she happily accepted his pleasantries. Even so, she was apparently a woman who was not content for long. She was caught up in the wonders of his underwater endeavors. It was clear she found it to be something of an extraordinary feat.

It confused him quite thoroughly that she would be so amazed by an act as simple as swimming under the surface of the water. As far as Vain was concerned, anyone could do it. He wasn't anything special.

"I suppose strong lungs are the key to a fruitful swim. In all honesty, though, I don’t exactly stay down there that long..." He cooed softly with a furrowed brow, trying to understand why this concept was so alien to the older woman. "Have you never held your breath underwater before? Have you never gone for a swim?" what he was doing was generally the same... just... all at once.

As for her apologies, they were simply ignored. Lost by the wayside as the more pressing matters were addressed.

@Ghyslaine

image by moogle/code by saph

It's with wide eyes that she studies the water for another moment, before her gaze went back to @Vain. He spoke, and she listened to his soft words, and she shook her head at his later question. "I've swam, of course, I just never thought about being able to dive under the water. I'm usually trying to get from land to land, and don't want to think about what else I'm sharing the water with." She admitted softly, with a grin.

"Is there anything under there worth looking at?" She asked, as she peered towards the water. "I don't know if I have strong enough lungs for that- but it does look fun."

Her attention shifted back to the male, as she listened for his response, politely giving him all of her attention again.

words

_{— art by yumpy}

The young man could certainly understand when it came to fear of Alligators, Adders or any other predator that frequented watering holes. Having the presence of death upon one's coat was not often something one was thankful for, but to alleviate such a worry as being snapped in two or envenomated... he supposed that was indeed something to be thankful for.

He nodded politely with understanding as she continued to speak, turning toward the water with her in silence. As they peered at the water's surface he would 'tikk' his tongue against the roof of his mouth. "I do enjoy a good dive... but there is rarely anything of substance under the surface." he lied, hoping it would discourage her from attempting the same feat as he. It would be a dangerous thing for him to endorse... especially for someone so -inexperienced-

At that moment, a rumble from deep in his belly would make itself known with vigorous aggression. With ears snapping back in slight embarrassment, Vain would dip his head respectfully to the older woman. "I regret I must take my leave now, Ghyslaine. The hunt calls me... I do hope you understand. It was a pleasure." He said softly, making sure to conclude their encounter with a proper farewell before turning to make his way toward the grasslands upon graceful paws.

OOC: Exit Vain Unless Stopped

@Ghyslaine

image by moogle/code by saph