The grass is always greener on the other side. You know this. I know this. It’s been hammered into our squishy pink brains ever since we started complaining about things. And here’s the thing. We all crave that Pantene glow. That Loreal-esque mane, the Herbal Essence tresses. That is until summer comes around and you would give anything to be bald instead of the dog from the Little Mermaid. And that’s exactly how Ressie was feeling. Underneath her luscious curls, her skin prickled, and her flesh broiled. Her tongue spent more time outside of her mouth rather than actually in it. And it all put her in such a bad mood that she had already thrown a temper tantrum at the surrounding wildlife more than once. Ok, FAR more than once. When she got that first whiff of water…oh, you couldn’t understand! Water right now felt like a delicacy. The nectar of the gods. It was sustenance and a playground all at once! So, Ressie SHOT into the water, like a tiny reddish-brown dart, and began rolling it it. Soon she was more mud golem than lion cub, and she stood there, happily lapping up the water. She felt like she could drink up the entire watering hole. Nay! The ENTIRE WATER SUPPLY OF AMARYLLIS. Such a thought, of course, was quickly doused by the horrible feeling of her sloshing belly. @Open! "Speech" Art by Drifter How the kingdom lights shined just for me and you

Even though she'd been pretty far from the watering hole, and the beauty that usually was Celosia Fields- Ghyslaine didn't mind the trip to come back to drink here and then stroll through the flowers- the place where some things had changed for her. Ghys had been a wanderer for most of her life, so traveling an extra bit just for a specific sight or drink- just made sense to her.

Things had changed since her arrival here at Amaryllis, and she hadn't quite decided exactly how she felt about that. So, the trip alone was a good way for her to mull over her thoughts and relax a bit.

As she neared the watering hole, she slowed her pace- noting that- to her, the heat had seemed to make the hole just slightly smaller. Or maybe she was finally going insane? She remembered a prior meeting she'd had at the watering hole, and she wondered what possible encounter she could have on this day. As she neared, her ears moved forward attentively, as she heard the distinct sounds of another.

Drawing closer, she let out a soft huff of laughter as she noted the small creature standing in the water- muddy but seemingly happy. A cub, she noted silently. She glanced around, as she approached the water's edge for her own drink- carefully moving over where the water seemed clear after the youngster's muddy play, and she lowered her own head to take a drink.

Once satisfied, she sat back, licking the remaining droplets from her mouth, before she spoke. "Are you having fun?" Probably a stupid question because the youngster looked as if she was indeed having fun but figuring out what to say was not exactly her strongest talent sometimes.

@Ressie

(OOC Note: Ghys has a few ongoing threads so I'm keeping some details super vague, such as pride membership status, and past experiences here.)

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Her ears fluttered under the thick caking of mud, sending bits and pieces of it flying everywhere. Atop the murky water, Ressie’s reflection glanced back. Of course, it would’ve been unrecognizable as Ressie, had it not been for those singular yellow eyes (which, however singular can’t be seen in her ref nor her profile picture somehow) hiding betwixt all the muck and sticks. And that goofy smile on her face! In fact, she was so caught up in making funny faces at herself, that she only noticed the older lioness’s presence once she’d spoken. For a second there, she’d almost thought it was her reflection talking! Ressie peered up at the stranger’s face, her ears swiveling forward in that curious cat fashion. Curious, it definitely was, as the lioness did not seem to be hauling around the same amount of fur SHE had! It was short and soft, and lay almost like a down on the feline’s skin rather than lifting up in Ressie’s own rambunctious waves. What where they talking about again? Oh, right. Fun. It was only after some considerable processing of the question at paw that she flashed the woman a sunshine smile and purred, “Yup! Most fun I’ve had in AGES!” Though there was that butterfly she’d chased the other day, and the hill she’d rolled down last week, and then the- Never mind, it was still great fun! So much fun actually that Ressie, feeling a bit mischievous and with quite an impish look on her face, took a couple steps back and SWATTED a pawful of mud at the pretty lady’s face. “MUUUUUD FIGHHHHHHHHHHTTTTT!” @Ghyslaine "Speech" Art by Drifter How the kingdom lights shined just for me and you

The water had quenched her thirst, and as Ghyslaine studied the youngster, she fondly reflected on the games she and her sister had played. They had rolled in mud once, and come back home covered so thickly in the substance that their mother had promptly ushered them back to the water and demanded that they properly bathe, as proper young ladies should.

When the youngster spoke, Ghys felt her own grin widen, and she listened in amusement. However, she wasn't quite ready for the impish grin the cub offered her and the wad of mud that splattered across her face.

It was so on

Ghyslaine may have been an "adult" but she wasn't above rolling in the mud and enjoying some play to cool off. She shook her head, and let out a playful growl as she prowled forwards into the mud and picked up a wad herself, throwing it in the direction of the youngster- trying to return the mudball to her face.

Though Ghys had let out a playful growl, her eyes were probably sparkling with amusement, as she chuffed out another laugh, launching herself down into the mud with a roll, before lunging to her feet to give a playful chase to the youngster if she would allow it.

@Ressie

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“AHHH!” Ressie screamed in between giggles and scrambled away, her furry feet slipping in the mud. The pale lioness’s projectile aimed true, splattering all over the back of her head and matting up those gorgeous curls. Moisturizing! Don’t even get me started on tomorrow’s wash day. Lionkind’s going to discover all sorts of new places to get mud stuck in. Not that Ressie cared, she never had to be a proper lady, and it showed. She was gonna play DIRTAAY! Both literally and figuratively! When the lady rolled in the mud, Ressie rolled too. Though since she was already so covered in the stuff, it made little difference. But it sure was a lot of fun! And cool. She’d almost forgotten just how hot and thirsty she’d been when she first got here. The squelching beneath her paws made her laugh, almost uncontrollably. Ressie lifted her paw up from the sludge, and the most horrible sound came out. “Hey, who farted!” At the other’s playful growl, the little russet cub squealed and skipped around the watering hole gleefully. Every now and then her legs would try to slip out from under her, but she had gotten such a fantastic lead that she turned her face to shout over her shoulder “Can’t catch me, can’t catch-” SPLAT! Ressie fell face first into the muddied water. @Ghyslaine "Speech" Art by Drifter How the kingdom lights shined just for me and you

What a happy youngster!

The thought brought immense joy to Ghyslaine as she watched the mud she'd flung towards the curly haired cub, hit true. The giggles and the happiness that the young lioness had... It brought a warmth into her heart, that she'd almost forgotten. Along with that warmth was a pang of longing for her own sister, but she dismissed that thought as she rolled in the mud- thoroughly coating herself.

She couldn't help the laughter that left her, as the youngster lifted her paw- letting the mud squelch beneath her paw and spoke- asking who farted. Ghyslaine playfully rolls her eyes, as she gives chase- watching her mud companion rip around until she looked over her shoulder, speaking- telling Ghys that she couldn't catch her-

Splat!

Ghys skidded to a halt as she drew close, raising a paw- aiming to lightly and carefully thump the youngster hopefully before she could regain her footing with a dry, "I think I just caught you, Mud Cub." Her dry words were accented with a playful smile, as Ghys looked at her for a moment- before darting off again, going out further and further into the mud, before turning around- her eyes seeking out the mud cub again- wondering if the chase was back on.

@Ressie

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OOC: Sorry for the wait <3 As moisturizing as mud may be, it’s not something you want shoved up your nostrils. Or any orifice, really. Ressie sat up, swaying like a drunkard played by a middle school actor, and started hacking and coughing and rubbing at her nose with her paws. Her tongue was tainted a delightful shade of poo brown. Very earthy. Definitely some sandy notes. The grit adds a nice touch. Who doesn’t love texture? As the cub finished her ministrations, a muddied paw thumped against her. I think I just caught you, Mud Cub. “No fair!” She squealed, attempting to gain her footing again, whilst the figure of the lioness was quickly replaced with her dashed outline and a question mark. Poof! Ressie shook out her mud-studded coat, “that doesn’t count, I slipped.” She bounced forward towards the lioness, giving chase. As much as she would’ve liked to protest the other lioness’s foul play, being the chaser was also such fun. And it was made quite a bit harder by their choice of arena. The mud and water made it harder to maneuver, especially when her legs were shorter than her opponents. But all love an underdog. “I’m gonna getcha!” She roared, splashing through the water in the wheat lioness’s wake. And Ressie loved a challenge. @Ghyslaine "Speech" Art by Drifter How the kingdom lights shined just for me and you

Though her response had been teasing, as she darted away she paused. She kept a close eye on the cub, ensuring she would again rise and give chase. Falling face first into mud wasn't often something that Ghyslaine would consider overtly harmful... but still it was only a fun game if the youngster wasn't hurt.

When the cub managed to get to her feet, and squealed that it wasn't fair, Ghyslaine let out a low chuckle. And then the chase was back on!

Ghyslaine moved through the shallow waters and mud more slowly than she would if she were really running from a threat. She didn't want to use her longer legs to her advantage- not when the game was this much fun- and most importantly- she didn't wish to hurt the curly red cubs feelings.

"Can't catch me!" Ghyslaine cheered, aiming to keep just ahead of the youngster, but she wasn't trying to hard to stay out of her grasp, if she were being honest.

She wanted to be enough of a challenge that the youngster felt like she won, but not a challenge that was unfair.

@Ressie

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OOC: Apparently this is becoming a theme BUT I’M SORRY FOR THE WAIT AGAIN As we well know, all good things must come to an end. And as the thick curls that covered her legs became more and more waterlogged, Ressie began to feel it coming. Like a looming beast whose hot breath was fast on her cheek. She was a strong and healthy cub, but even so…all that splashing around can take a toll on just about anyone. However strong and healthy they may be. Can’t catch me! But OH, how her fires burned. From within, a playful and competitive flame burst forth. Yes, perhaps this game, like all good things, should come to an end. But it would not be an amicable tie. Either she would be VICTORIOUS or she would be a butthurt loser. And only one of those words was a part of her vocabulary. Hint: it’s loser, I really don’t think she can master such big adjectives yet. So…with that little bit of heat seeping through her veins, as her legs became that much lighter, Ressie pushed forth. She leapt up into the air, brought down a peg or two by watery hands, and attempted to clawlessly swipe at the woman’s escaping buttocks. Her eyes close…then slowly open. She hits the water again with a splash. Did she win? @Ghyslaine "Speech" Art by Drifter How the kingdom lights shined just for me and you

Ghyslaine

She kept up an easy pace, trying to stay just out of reach of the girl, but not trying too hard. Confidence was easier to build the first time around after-all. She loped through the mud, her pace easy, her claws digging down into the earth as she fought to keep herself up-right.

It seemed the light teasing was enough to do the trick, because as she glanced over her shoulder she noted that the youngster was closer- gaining. Ghyslaine didn’t push faster, instead she tried to maintain her speed. Then as @Ressie lunged forward, her paw slipped down into the mud and for a moment she felt like she was weightless, her hips succumbing to the youngsters paws as she batted against her- tipping her over the edge.

Splash!

She sank under the muddied water, fighting to right herself as she stood and emerged. She shook herself sending a gross muddy rain cloud from her wheaten body, her chest heaving as she fought for air. She would turn, making sure the youngster was okay- should she have fallen as well, and seek to nod at her- panting hard.

”You win,” she heaved, with a friendly grin on her mud plastered face. She gasped for air, and shook herself again as she stepped back towards the mud that was shallower- wondering if the youngster would follow.

"I am a pretty lady,"

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