asriel He had been hiding in the shadows for some months now, analysing and studying the lions that he begrudged so easily. The striped tiger had limited knowledge about their ways and their vastly different lives that they seemed to live. Mismatched eyes observe the grove carefully, as large paws weave through the glade with ease. Asriel inhales and the stench of lion is evident, which draw into question: why did he come here? Perhaps it is curiosity that kills the cat - but whatever it was, Asriel wanted to know more, and he wanted to learn more about his distant cousins that called themselves the kings of the castles.

+5 Observe and study a new scent

+5 Study the landscape of an area
+5 Learn something interesting about a character

He roamed from the Hollow now, knowing that he needed to go visit the other prides soon and let them know a child had been found. First, though, he would do other things, like explore the glade. He hadn't had much of a chance to do so until now, and he was finding it quite peaceful. He wouldn't have expected to find such an open space in the forest, but here he was inspecting what could almost be called a grassland.

Even his slowly diminishing senses was able to pick up on a strange scent crossing his path, and that drew him to a halt as he looked around, curious as to what the source might be. Fortunately, he was still able to track despite not having used the skill much, and he eventually drew near enough to see someone roaming in the grass.

"Greetings," he called to the stranger, realizing that something was rather off about the feline he was looking at. This was clearly not a lion. How fascinating...

@Asriel

asriel Large and agile paws tread carefully as he moves, mismatched eyes studying the glade carefully as his jaws parted to inhale the myriad of scents that lingered in the air. The peninsula that he had found himself in was certainly interesting, but perhaps that was due to the lions that inhabited the various territories. As he was about to depart, the voice of another caught his attention, and the striped male stopped dead in his tracks. A large crown turned, and he looked at @Tobin, who had dared to speak to him. Hello. Asriel returned out of politeness, smacking his lips together. Do you want something? He asks, not one for idle chit chat.

The beast turned to look at him and Tobin was made even more aware that he needed to be careful not to irritate the stranger. They were roughly the same height, but the other male outweighed him greatly and was likely far more physically fit. "Merely to meet someone new. I'll admit I've never met one such as you. Perhaps we can exchange information, to make it worth your while. I've been in these lands for some time now," he replied. He knew just asking questions of the other man wouldn't get him far, because very few just wanted to talk about themselves with nothing to gain. But if he could offer something in trade then perhaps he might get somewhere.

@Asriel

asriel The male lowers himself to his haunches as @Tobin speaks and explained what it was he wanted. The man's mismatched gaze studied him for a moment, as though he were calculating whether the information would actually be worth his while. But what would he gain if he said no? I'm Asriel. Who are you? He asks with a gentle flick of his tail tip. What do you know of these lands? Admittedly, the striped feline knew little about the peninsula his cousins called home, and whilst he was curious to find out more, Asriel was apprehensive to openly ask. He needed to be calm and calculated about his questions, but Tobin had opened the perfect doorway for some answers.

It seemed his offer would be accepted, and the large feline took a seat. It was a relief to Tobin, who knew full well that should the other male decide to attack he wouldn't do well. "Tobin Kramer. I live in Obsidian Hollow, one of the prides of this land, of which there are many," he replied. "I'll admit I know more about the lions and prides that populate these lands than the lands themselves, though I do know there were several large groups of lions who were native to this place when myself and many others came to them. They believe in a god called Maua." He didn't know if the other feline was spiritual in any way, or even believed that gods could exist, but he figured this would be useful information to provide.

"Are there many like you where you come from?" he asked. "Forgive me, I've never met another who looks like you." Surely he wasn't a lion. They looked similar in many ways, but in others there were obvious differences.

@Asriel

It turned out that the striped feline had asked the right questions at the right time, as @Tobin had some answers for him. His mismatched gaze remained fixated on the figure of the older made as he spoke about the lions that lived here and what they believed in. It turned out, much to Asriel's surprise, that Tobin knew quite a bit about Amaryllis, and this piqued his interest. You have some captivating comments, Tobin. Obsidian Hollow certainly sounds like an interesting name for a pride, what is it like there? He begins with a single flick of his tail. The darker male then speaks of a god, called Maua. He nods. I've heard of them. I've been in Amaryllis longer than other lions might think - long before the large groups migrated over here. Whilst he had kept entirely to the shadows, travelling only at night when the darkness provided cover for him to move from biome to biome. Many like me? He shakes his head. Us tigers... we are not exactly highly represented. Asriel remarks with a rumble and a smirk. He was finding the curiousity of the older lion entertaining, and it almost felt transactional - he was getting something in return. Have you never seen a tiger before?

i respectfully don't care

code // art // do not use without permission

"Peaceful," Tobin said of the Hollow. "There are several families there, and everyone watches out for each other. It has been challenged for a couple of times and our sovereign has been able to defend it both times. I feel... more secure there than I have in the other prides I have been part of." Granted, he hadn't been part of that many prides since he had gotten here, though he had served under several different sovereigns so it almost felt as though they had all been different prides.

Ah, so he was in some way from here, but perhaps didn't spend much time walking the lands. Tobin couldn't blame him. Soon enough, he also wouldn't be moving around the lands as much, if at all.

"I haven't," he admitted. "It makes sense, as you say there aren't many of you, though given how long you say you've been around I suspect you're quite good at going unnoticed if you so wish." Remarkable he'd spotted the man at all, come to think of it. Clearly he'd gotten lucky, or Asriel had been open to conversation.

@Asriel

Asriel nodded and took the time to induldge in the information that @Tobin was revealing to the striped feline. It was always interesting to discover other lions perspectives on things, regardless of what their standing might be. Knowledge was power, right? I suppose that atmosphere is good to live in, should you want something like that. Us tigers, we like to keep quite solitary. Asriel explains with a quip of his eyebrow. Even I'm not sure if there are other tigers spread across Amaryllis. I've yet to meet anyone else since lions have inhabited, and especially since the mist. I'm curious as to where they've gone. The striped tiger ponders for a brief moment, a slight quiver of curiosity lacing across his features before returning to a solemn expression. In terms of going unnoticed, I can do. It really does depend on how I'm feeling on that day, and just how much of a conversation I wish to hold. So - count yourself lucky. He remarks with a smirk.

i respectfully don't care

code // art // do not use without permission

I can't say that I blame you. I myself was quite solitary for a time before I came to these lands and decided to try again. But that does explain why I have never met a tiger before, he commented. Even the one he was speaking to didn't know if there were others in the lands. Tobin wondered how they found each other to gain mates, or if they simply didn't. Obviously they found a way, as the species continued, but perhaps mateships weren't typical for their species.

Tobin smiled in return to Asriel's comment. I do, he said. This had been quite informative for him, and he knew the tiger had no need to stop and chat with him. He also wouldn't be offended when the male eventually grew tired of their chatter and took his leave, possibly abruptly. Was there anything else I could tell you of these lands or its inhabitants as a thanks? he asked.

@Asriel