P mouths full of rain

Arsynia,

Lioness of Prideless

Played by dusk

---

arsynia tollaire.

The transition from dry to wet season was never gradual. A storm had blustered over the mountainsides overnight, stealing condensation from the snowcapped peaks and spilling out into the forests of the valley below. Arsynia had fled from the rocky outcroppings, rolling hills that offered little protection in the vicious downpour. By the time she had reached the line of trees that bordered the Sidonius Woodland, she'd been soaked through. Her thick fur slicked against her slender form. The long fur of her cheeks hung just beyond her jawline, the thunderous pattering of water subdued by the canopy above, but only just. The sky was twinged with a windy, bleary darkness; the forest was even darker, a haunting haze lingering between the trees yet, beyond the rain, it was blissfully silent.

Arsynia moved between the trees, watching as smaller animals desperately scurried around her underfoot, rushing toward their nooks and their burrows in order to escape the rain as it began to pool between the leaves and gnarled roots. The tree branches ached in the wind, bark crackling similar to the thunderclaps that sounded in the far distance. The electrified charge of the wind unfurled along Arsynia's whiskers, sending a shiver up her spine, increasing a sense of animalistic urgency in her gait. Eventually, she settled in the hollowed trunk of a centuries-old tree, having grown just wide enough to fit a lioness of her size before dying, hallowing so that other creatures, like she, could seek refuge within its tangled, ancient roots.

And though it was not completely dry, the pattering leaks in the bark offered a blissful white noise as Arsynia settled, and began to groom herself dry.

Art by DefineDead

Lucien,

Lion of Junior Member

Played by Gunner

---

lucien hanover

Lucien had decided to take the day to venture from the Steppe, wantin' to see what other types of land inhabited Aesseldar. He hadn't been here too long, several days at the most, and all of them had been busy with him goin' over every foot of the flatland. It was his comfort, a security blanket of sorts. But he knew he wouldn't be able to stay there forever without takin' a look 'round the rest of this expanse of the unknown. So, he went forth. The dun man took his time with it, too, observin' all the scenery had to offer. And while he ventured would the winds begin to pick up, whistlin' growing ever so gradually louder until it was a constant gust of wind rufflin' his thick mane. Ears pricked forward as skull tilted toward the sky, golden eyes watchin' clouds roll on in a fast pace. Brows would furrow at the realization that a storm was a brewin' and there was no way he'd be able to make it back to Roskurr Steppe before it made its grand appearance.

Great.

Clouds would unleash their wraith, a downpour of rain beatin' relentlessly against the land, and with it the goliath of a lion. Grumbles and grunts would come from his chest, all obvious signs that Lucien was indeed not thrilled that he was now soaked to the bone. Black mane would become drenched, stickin' to his body and seemin' to become heavier with how it held in whatever water didn't roll off it. Golden hide was a darker shade from the rain, and large paws hit muddied ground and causin' for it to splatter on all four legs and his underbelly. Lucien knew rain was a good thing, but it wasn't at this particular moment when he had nowhere to escape it except a rather menacin' lookin' forest. But it was all he could see to use for shelter, so the lion headed right for it.

He'd push past from brush roughly, inky lips pulled into a thin line. The thickness of the trees above gave him quite a bit of refuge, but rain would still find its way through and land on him. It was better than the wide open, though. His gait would slow down slightly, yellow eyes flickerin' here and there to find some sort of overhang or cave to get under or into to begin the long process of tryin' to get himself dried off. But nothin' was comin' to view, so Lucien would continue on, passin' a large tree trunk, one that seemed to be way beyond his and his pa's and maybe even his grandpappy's years.

"SPEECH."

table by ferus, art by driftyworks

@Arsynia

Arsynia,

Lioness of Prideless

Played by dusk

---

arsynia tollaire.

The muffled thundering of the rain outside drawled on with little signs of relenting, and Arsynia had long begun to dry her fur when she realized perhaps she would have to spend the night in that tiny little nook. Her shoulder braced against the curled inside of the trunk, feeling the way it creaked underneath her, and crackled in her ears as if threatening to break. And yet, it remained firm: unmoving, if not a bit enfeebled. But as she struggled to get comfortable, the blissful cacophony of the rain was suddenly accompanied by the soft footfalls and the soaked leaves crumpling underneath. Arsynia's ears swiveled forward, straining to hear as the sound grew closer and closer.

Eventually, her mismatched gaze peered from the darkness of the tree as another lion approached: a lion, far larger than any man she had ever seen before. The lions here were truly massive if they all came in his size, and Arsynia could not quell the thrum of her heart as it thundered in her throat. She was hidden for now, muffled by the darkness and the sound of the rain as it swept half-sideways through the forest. But as he encroached, hastier and just as soaked through as she had been, Arsynia had little time to try and find a swift escape. Instead, she would need to face him directly.

And fight for this place you have taken as your own.

No—no.

She drew an unsteady breath, willing away such primal, animalistic urges. Her introduction to Aesseldar had been roughened by the expansive terrain and the aggressive, steeled lions fostered within it. But Arsynia Tollaire would not unhinge herself just yet; it was power and control she craved. “Halt, lion,” she bellowed from the entrance of the tree, poking her head out enough that he could see her, but she would not be completely captured by the downpour of the rain, “this tree is not big enough for the both of us.” There was little threat in her tone, a more matter-of-factness lingering in her steeled, even tenor. If he should bare his fangs, she was more inclined to leave; but least of all did she desire to be squashed against the side of the tree just so he could fit.

@Lucien

Art by defineDead

Lucien,

Lion of Junior Member

Played by Gunner

---

lucien hanover

He wasn't able to get too close to the trunk before a feline head popped out from inside of it, causin' Lucien to stop in his tracks for a few moments. The hackles along his spine, although drenched, aimed to bristle, his ears pinnin' themselves backward and into his soaked mane. Golden eyes would squint at the vision, not out of hostility or fear but to keep the droplets of rain from interferin' with his sight. A brow would rise and another step would be taken toward the hollowed out tree trunk, lettin' a shoulder shrug as his response to her comment. "I ain't lookin' t' steal yer haven, if that's what ya' think." He didn't even assume the trunk was hollowed out enough to fit a lion of his stature, anyways. As a matter of fact, he didn't think the trunk was hollowed out at all.

"I Think I'd have a better time waitin' out the rain out in the open at this rate." As his deep, drawlin' voice continued, right front paw would lift from the ground and motion toward himself, speakin' about how he was already soaked to the bone and it wouldn't make much use for him to find a sheltered area to start to dry off. His mane alone would take several hours to dully dry, at least. Yellow eyes would shift a bit, takin' in his current surrounding's before findin' their way back to the stranger. "What a time t' take a walk, am I right?" Why not try to throw in some humor at the series of unfortunate events Lucien was livin' in right now?

"SPEECH."

table by ferus, art by driftyworks

@Arsynia

Arsynia,

Lioness of Prideless

Played by dusk

---

arsynia tollaire.

He seemed to strain against the haze of the rain, and as he neared, Arsynia tensed; but she made no move, realizing perhaps he was indeed just trying to see her better through the downpour. I ain't lookin' t' steal yer haven, if that's what ya' think. His accent was strange, boyish, and melded into the rain as if it belonged there. Arsynia relaxed, but could not help but wonder what had compelled the man so close. Certainly, he must have just been passing by—the smell of the rain was so thick in her nose even she could not smell herself. The familiar waft of fire and iron was quelled by the storm, and would certainly be more unpleasant later should Arsynia not remain dry. This man, on the other hand, seemed far less eager to duck under the nearest cover.

I think i'd have a better time waitin' out the rain out in the open at this rate, he responded, as if content to revel in the cold of the tempest if only because he was already soaked thoroughly through. Arsynia's nose twitched, but she did not contest the man's strange desires. There was never a worse feeling to her than being bared down upon by the rain. What a time t' take a walk, am i right? His tone lightened, enough to entice the Wolf from her den; she emerged now halfway into the rain, though the thick winding of canopy and gnarled branches above offered enough cover so that only a few droplets slicked the damp furs of her face back against her cheek. “If you're looking to catch a cold,” she retorted, though her tone was not unkind, “it's not much, but the tree cover here could lessen the brunt of it.” Neither lion would be completely dry, but at least it was enough to let them hear each other above the thunder of the rain, and see past beyond their paws as the incoming wet season willed away the heat of the summer and plunged the forest in a hazy mist.

@Lucien

Art by defineDead

Lucien,

Lion of Junior Member

Played by Gunner

---

lucien hanover

He’d catch her movement, watchin’ as she appeared a little more out of the trunk and into the open. Her words would fall upon ears that were still pinned back into his thick mane, a grunt soundin’ from his throat at her comment about catchin’ a cold. "I like t’ live on the wild side," Lucien would reply, tone of voice that of jokin’. But the offer of tryin’ to help him get out of the wind and rain was too enticin’ to pass up, even if they both wouldn’t be able to fully cover themselves.

"I appreciate the offer, Miss..?" The beast would move slowly toward the hollowed trunk, takin’ the time to make sure that he wouldn’t knock into the woman too much while he tried to fit goliath form next to her. But it would be inevitably as his side brushed against hers, Lucien givin’ the lioness a sideways glance as if to apologize for the intrusion of space. "Name’s Lucien Hanover. Might as well make friends since we’re gettin’ cozy, eh?" Inky lips would curl into a humorous grin, tryin’ to keep a light air ‘round the two of them while they waited out the storm.

"SPEECH."

table by ferus, art by driftyworks

@Arsynia

Arsynia,

Lioness of Prideless

Played by dusk

---

arsynia tollaire.

I like t’ live on the wild side, he retorted, something that would normally entice an eye roll and clever little smirk from any other woman. But Arsynia remained oddly stonefaced, letting nothing more slip beyond the slight shrug of her shoulders, and an exasperated suspire that exhaled from between her teeth. It was the nature of man to be so damn stubborn, after all; Arsynia had encountered too many in her life who would say and do the same things as this lion, and end up catching cold regardless. If she'd been lucky, the colds would go on to kill them.

To her surprise, however, he joined her, edging his way toward the trunk and joining her beneath the thickly-woven canopy. I appreciate the offer, miss..? “Arsynia,” she finished. His size was much more apparent now that he sat next to her, and though Arsynia did not mind the closeness, she couldn't help but feel the fur along her nape stand to attention at the way his half-curled, wet mane dribbled water on her paws and cheek. Name’s Lucien Hanover. Might as well make friends since we’re gettin’ cozy, eh? This finally drew a soft, fleeting smile to the lioness' lips. “I suppose so,” she responded, an unexpected warmth in her tone where there'd been nothing but an iciness before, “though if we wanted to try being enemies, I'd enjoy throwing you back out into the rain.” He was a massive lion by comparison, but Arsynia was certain she could put up a good fight; and the thought of it seemed almost enticing.

@Lucien

Art by defineDead

Lucien,

Lion of Junior Member

Played by Gunner

---

lucien hanover

She was a coy one, hard to read and decipher. It was almost felt like a game to Lucien with how he had to choose his words to see how she would react and respond. Nothin' about how she was takin' to him told the lion that she would much rather be alone than share a very small hollowed out space with another. But he wasn't also takin' it as if she wanted to company, either. Just bein' polite and tryin' to do some good in the world, perhaps? She would reply with her name at his open ended question, a bob of his head then given to her. "Pleased t' meet ya', Arsynia." Her name rolled off his tongue in his usual drawlin' tone, golden eyes givin' her a sideways glance before lookin' out toward where he was once standin' out in the open.

Arsynia would agree about them havin' to become close 'friends' since the two of them were pressed into the trunk, but what would cause for him to let out a deep chortle was her comment about becomin' enemies and she enjoyin' tryin' to push him up and out of the hollowed trunk ."Now why would be become enemies? I ain't that bad of a lion... Do I smell, is that it?" He'd let out another gust of laughter with his words, the sound deep and low. Jokin' and jabbin' could definitely help pass the time while the two of them waited out the storm, unsure as to when it was goin' to let up.

"SPEECH."

table by ferus, art by driftyworks

@Arsynia

Arsynia,

Lioness of Prideless

Played by dusk

---

arsynia tollaire.

He was unlike most other men Arsynia had met so far. Barnabas and Kaden both sought to wear crowns, to take power and wield it unflinchingly, swinging their sword blindly into the wind and hoping they strike something, anything. This man, on the other hand, seemed far more reserved and content; what did he feel inwardly, Arsynia wondered? Was his roughish and boyish exterior hiding something just as cunning and calculating? Did Lucien also want so wantonly? She did not ask outright, content to watch him from the corner of her eye, and listen to his unique drawl break the white noise of the rain. Pleased t' meet ya', Arsynia, he replied warmly, and Arsynia's gaze refocused forward and away from him, peering out across the rain where slowly more and more trees disappeared into the warm mist.

Her suggestion was bold, but was as much of a joke as Arsynia Tollaire could manage. After all, she'd spent her childhood roughing her brothers across the scrublands and clawing her father's tail even at the most important of his war meetings. It would be just as fun labeling Lucien a rival as he would be an acquaintance. Now why would be become enemies? I ain't that bad of a lion... do I smell, is that it? His reaction gave Arsynia pause, but only for the briefest moment. “Like a wet lion,” she retorted, a clever smirk creeping onto her dark lips. It was not entirely untrue, but beneath the musk of wet fur she could almost catch a hint of dust and desert, yet twinged with an almost-inviting masculinity. “Fortunately for you, I must smell like one too.”

@Lucien

Art by defineDead