Zul took a deep breath letting it out into the cool morning air with a happy sigh. Oh how she loved this cool crisp mornings! It never failed to put an extra bounce in her step and swish to her tail. She hummed to herself as violet eyes scanned the ground looking for pretty stones or feathers.
Sozin had woken to a leopard peering into the den he'd been sleeping in for the night, which was a lovely surprise. Not because of the company, but because the leopard hadn't seen Sozin, which had allowed him to startle the creature, and send it running for it's life. Had Sozin been more awake at the time, he would have given chase to it, but he woke slowly and had sluggishly left his den. It had been quite comfortable, actually. If he had been a stationary creature, he would have probably been rather content there, but he wasn't, so he moved away from the den at a comfortable pace - but only after hiding the entrance to the with an assortment of leaves and rocks, making it hard for others to find it. Just because he had found and enjoyed it, didn't mean others should be allowed to enjoy it too.
Zul shook her rump, the tip of her tail twitching in time to the song in her head as she picked up a pretty feather, adding it to an odd little beg she carried on her front leg.
Sozin was still mildly sleepy as he walked, so it took him a moment or two to realise he was walking towards another creature. A lioness. It was almost a pity. He preferred the 'lesser' species, since they were usually more afraid of lions than other lions were. Ah well, perhaps today was not to scare otehrs, but instead to manipulate? Either way, Sozin scanned the lioness with mild interest, she might create some amusement at least.
"Greetings," he called out to her, his voice deep and low. He wasn't a huge lion, but he was large. It wasn't bulk size though, just lithe muscles.
He recieved a bright welcoming smile in answer, "Well hello there! I didn't smell anyone else around. Am I trespassing?" Zul wasn't a big lioness, but she was very, very fluffy which made her look bulky.
Sozin's face twisted into a slight smile, unable to resist. He wasn't honestly happy, just amused. This lioness seemed friendly. Perhaps he could lure her off a cliff or something, he mused, but outwardly responded pleasantly, "If you're tresspassing, than I am as well. I was merely passing by and caught sight of you. I thought perhaps you would be open to conversing with a weary wanderer for a while?" He cast her a rueful look, adding, "that is, if I haven't disturbed you from something important?"
"Not at all!" She smiled as she sat down, curling her tail around her haunches. "I was actually just passing through myself. I am headed for those mountians. She pointed to the large, snow capped peaks behind him, a wistful smile on her face.
Sozin perked up. Lovely! "Really? What's up in the mountains?" He questioned lightly. "I've been up there a time or two before, not too far though," he lied. He had been around the base of the mountains before, but not further up. He couldn't tell her he'd never been up there if he expected her to believe him though! Telling the truth in a deception was always a terrible idea.
"Peace, quiet, and an escape from this oppresive heat." She made a face faintly then smiled ruthfully, "Truth be told, I am not a warm weather girl. I was born in mountains not too different from those and that is where I want to be again."
Sozin nodded sympathetically, pulling a face. "Yes, the heat can be rather terrible. I'm not a huge fan myself, but alas, that is the woes of a wanderer." Truth be told, he loved the heat. He thrived in heat, but again, telling the truth was a terrible idea. "I saw a path on the souther side of the mountains that looked like it was pretty reliable up the mountains," he offered her. "I mean, the first part looks a bit rough, but it evens out nicely further up." Actually, it was terrible, and would probably give way under her weight when she got further up, but that was the whole point, admittedly.
She gave him a slightly skeptical look, "Thank you but I already have a destination in mind. " Spying a pretty bit of shiney rock she picked it up and put it in the little pouch.
He scowled inwardly, keeping his pleasant smile on his face. Damn. He hated it when they weren't dumb. Where were all the dumb girls? Like the girl he sent into the croc infested swamp. That had been fun...
"Well, I suppose if your mind is made up... but do keep it in mind if you find yourself in need of it," he encouraged her, his smile never faltering. "I doubt the weather will corrode the path much, so it should always be there if you need it."
"Thank you, I most certainly will. May I ask what took you up in the mountains?" Not many savahna dwellers found the snowy heights a comfortable place.
"Oh, just honest curiousity," he explained, waving away her question. "I'm a wanderer by nature. I just have to see what's around. I've been to the ocean shores, the deserts, the mountains, the jungles," he listed, with a chuckle. "Gotta try it all out, make sure if I do ever settle down, I'll find the best place to settle." He winked, shifting on his paws slightly.
She chuckled violet eyes bright as she reguarded him, "I am sure you have met some very interesting people then!"
Sozin grinned. "Definitely," he agreed, before adding flirtatiously, "and some very beautiful females as well." He looked at her purposely. She'd either get embarrassed and leave - which was fine with him - or he could amuse himself with flirtatious for a little while. Somehow, he doubted she'd be swayed into his den for the night with a few flowery words though. She wasn't dumb enough for most of his manipulations, and he couldn't quite bring himself to care enough to work harder to manipulate her.
She arched a brow at him then and snorted amused, "Pull the other one, it might have bells on it." It was something her mother use to say when Zul was trying to pull a fast one on her.
Sozin chuckled, almost actually amused by that. "Ah, I should have known you would be too clever to fall for poetry," he mused, feigning saddness, before quirking a smile her way. "I sould let you get on your way, I suppose, since you are unimpressed with my flattery." No point hanging around if he would get no company for the night from her, nor lure her into danger. "Do remember that path on your trip, won't you?" He smiled
"I will be sure to!" She smiled brightly as she nodded her head to him. What a nice man! A pity she wasn't looking for a companion, he was certianly handsome but she had no time for a man in her life right now.
Sozin bowed his head to her, "take care, dear lady," he said smoothly, before moving away from her, disappointed in the whole encounter. Boring, he decided, that was just...boring. Perhaps he'd go find a leopard to torment, he mused, enjoying that idea. A real smile stole across his face as he moved away from the lioness.
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