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Another day, another Viking, another step closer to becoming Captain of his own band of Reavers. Arwach Môr faced each outing with delight, and today was no different. His last Viking had gone extremely well. He had caught a rather fetching adolescent to be his first Thrall. Arwach wanted to make sure all of his Thralls were pleasing to the eye, as he couldn't stand to be seen with less than adequate lions around. So far she had served him well, listening to his commands and cleaning his den for him.

Today he hoped to find another Thrall, one that he could take back and perhaps make his designated hunter. He wondered for a moment if he should try to find a male to do that, and then he could try to have the two captured lions mate and produce more Thralls for him...but that might be a bit tricky. And he'd have to wait. He wanted Thralls now, dang it!

He trotted away from the Viking group he was with, as always. He preferred to spend as much of his time away from the group as possible - anything he found, he didn't want to have to share.

Arwach's search was turning up empty so far, which was disappointing. He hadn't seen any traces of anyone passing this way, but he supposed with how frequently Vikings had been going out lately, rogues might know to keep away.

Finally, though, he spotted movement by one of the bigger watering holes that he was familiar with. He slowed his trot to a slow walk, and soon he caught a glimpse of what was making the water ripple. A dark female climbed out of the water, soaking wet yet elegant. Her markings were striking against her black pelt and the large male knew she was his next target. She was fully grown, though, so he'd have to change his tactics to lure her into a false sense of security. With Igagasi he had used brute strength to force her back to the Stormborn, but she was still just an adolescent without any world knowledge.

Rather than skulking about. Arwach strode purposefully towards the water as if he owed the place. He kept his head high as he walked, using his height to his full advantage.

"And what's a pretty lioness like you doing in a muck hole like this?" he asked as he got within earshot. "Surely there's better places for a swim? Somewhere less..." He trailed off, looking to the side where a massive mud puddle sat, obviously a favorite rolling place of warthogs and hippos alike.

The response from the female was coy and teasing, but there was something about the lioness that made Arwach wary. There was a power in her voice, one that spoke volumes even though the dark female was playing along with him. This wasn't some ditsy girl he could claim as his own.

A hiss caught his attention from the opposite bank of the pond and he watched a crocodile with a fresh mark on its face drag itself into the reeds, obviously not pleased with how things had turned out. He knew how tough crocodile skin was from experience, and the fact that he could clearly see a gash in its armor was all the warning he needed. No one else was around, she was soaking wet and he had watched her come out of that very pond...

Settling his stormy gaze on the female once more, he let his act fall. There was no way he'd be taking this one back, but perhaps he could forge some sort of alliance with her. Being a part of a pride was still very new to him and having someone in the rogue lands to partner with might prove useful in the long run.

"Out on a Viking," he said, giving her a straight answer. "Looking for treasure, trinkets, weak creatures to take back and do dull work for me...things of that nature."

Arwach noticed how her sweet and delicate demeanor dissolved the instant he said 'viking'. Ah, so she knew of the Stormborn. It made sense, given the area they were in. He snorted softly at her retort, not at all threatened by her sharp words. What kind of self-sustaining lion would he be if a few snapped phrases made him run?

He'd give her respect where it was due, though. Foolish he wasn't, even if he was arrogant and overly proud. Besides, a powerful female was exactly what he wanted to be around. Not all the time, of course. She'd drive him crazy. But out here? Someone to join up with once he was a Captain to do his own thing with? Have adventures? Take down game bigger than either of them could manage alone? He had to have her...even if it wouldn't be as a Thrall.

"You are beautiful," he agreed, a small smirk on his face. "And I wouldn't dream of trying to drag you back with me. I value my paws as well as my life. I know strength when I see it, of mind and body both. You're quite the complete package, aren't you?"

"Ah, such confidence. I wouldn't let it crumble so easily," Arwach said with a soft snort, the female's ambition just as attractive to him as her pelt was. He moved forward just a bit more, looking down at her with his own confident gaze.

"I am Arwach Môr," he said finally, bowing his head just a bit in greeting. "And it is an honor to have come across a lioness like yourself. I can see you have no want for a pride, but perhaps I can offer something else. I am close to becoming a higher rank within the Stormborn, one where I can go on my own Vikings as I please. Battle thrills me and I seek treasure and glory. Perhaps on those days that I come out here we can make our own little hunting party?"

As powerful and cunning as she could be, he knew it was much easier to battle with a partner, be it against enemies or prey.