Welcome to Gaia! ::

The sun was setting on the coast as the young lion made his way along the warm sands. It was not very often that he came to visit the beautiful beaches, and when he did he always made sure to enjoy himself. His hazel eyes scanned his surroundings while he sniffed at the air. The prominent salty smell filled his nostrils, drowning out all other smells. The wind picked up and the waves thrashed themselves against the rocks that bordered sandy shore.

Torin wasn’t much of a coward, as a matter of fact, he was quite the opposite. He chose to stretch out and make himself comfortable on top of a huge stone slab that faced the waters. Of course it had to be in the middle of it all, leaving him fully exposed. He had just come from enjoying the meal provided from the day’s hunt, and wanted to watch the sunset. It was an event that had captivated the lion ever since he was small- how such a large circle in the sky could provide so much light.

His day was complete, and now he would rest not knowing what tomorrow would bring. The lion let out a long yawn so obnoxiously loud that it would have startled anything nearby. But who was not to say that it wasn’t intentional?

The lion’s ears perked at the commanding voice. He crossed his right front paw over his left as he let his eyes wander to pinpoint where this demand came from. He let his eyes meet the stranger’s, and he raised a brow in question, “Your special lands..?”

Torin’s tail lulled lazily behind him as he looked down from the rock which he sat. He examined the red lion, seizing him up. He was used to having all of his encounters take a turn for the worse, and he wanted to be sure that he would have the upper hand if the need should arise that he fight or flee. But he wasn’t the type to back down.

“Good day sir,” he chuckled as he rolled onto his back, sprawling out only to make himself become even more comfortable. Torin's head hung upside down as he lay there. He continued to make eye-contact. “I’m only here enjoying the breeze. Is there something I can help you with?” He was smug in his reply, but not too cocky. He offered a toothy grin.

Torin was very observant, and took note of the lion’s odd behavior. This only led to an outburst of crude laughter. “And I’m not so nice myself! I’ve come to these lands all of my life. I’m not about to let some half-drunken ruffian spoil my fun. You can barely walk on your own, let alone force me to do anything,” his voice was scruffy, yet hearty as he retorted in slight amusement. “I answer to no one.”

Torin was intrigued by the word ‘loot,’ he felt the sudden urge to investigate. If he wanted answers, he would have to deepen the conversation a bit. Hopefully the lion wasn’t too lost in his intoxication. “You can be as unwelcoming as you like. I’m not moving.” The lion smiled in satisfaction. He wanted to rile up this stranger. He was interesting to him. “And what’s all this talk of loot, anyway? Are you hiding something from me?”

This would result in some fun. Or so the lion hoped.

Torin’s interest only peaked. A rogue clan? His day was only getting better. “Well met,” the young lion said as he sat upright only to leap down from the rock. He walked up to Pirato, and stopped short of a couple of feet. “I am Torin. A wandering rogue.”

The lion looked where Pirato had suggested his gang of lions lay hidden, but alas he saw no one. “So you have an imaginary crew, then?” He chuckled once more. Perhaps this lion was mad. Even if he was, he surely wasn’t anything near boring. Torin liked that. He took in a deep breath, making it seem as though he was larger then he really was. Everything was fun and games to the young lion, “Let me prove myself then. What is it I have to do?”

Torin really didn’t understand what he might be getting himself into. However, he hated wandering around all by himself. Sure, he’d have a few run-ins with some of the local females, but he only used them for his own personal gain before he tossed them aside. Thankfully, there weren’t any backlashes resulting in… cubs. Now that was something that the lion feared the most. He would never allow himself to be tied down by some devious, treacherous female. He cringed at his own thoughts, clearly unaware that Pirato could see the strange expressions that formed on his face.

Torin suddenly grew lost in his thoughts. And was making faces. Now who was the odd one.

Torin nodded in acceptance. An odd objective this strange lion had given him, but he would complete it none the less. Turtles? Why anyone would want them was beyond him. All he really knew was that turtles were a pain in his backside, they were faster then him in the water. He would have to plot out his tactics before he dove in.

Sharing the loot? Protecting their own? It was the sound of a misfit paradise. Just the thing that the lion really felt he needed. He was tired of always running solo, and wanted to know what it was like to be feared by all living creatures in the lands. It was his time, now, and he wanted to make a name for himself. Good or bad. This was beginning to sound like an opportunity that was to good to be true.

"Turtles, Pirato? Why would you be wanting turtles?” Torin eyed Pirato inquisitively as he mapped out how to go about catching the sea creatures in his mind. Torin would not catch just any turtle. He was planning to catch the biggest, fattest turtle that he could find. Pirato wanted it, and he would definitely be getting one. Or at least that’s how Torin looked at it. He dug his paws into the sand beneath him as he schemed. He turned his head to face the deep blue waters. Once he entered it’s depths, he was at its mercy.

The tide was beginning to come in. Perfect for the hunt.

Stifling a laugh, the young lion followed Pirato to the edge. He peered into the clear depths, hoping to catch a glimpse of what he would be hunting tonight. “All right then. I’ll prove myself. Just watch,” Torin beamed from ear to ear. He figured something like this would be easy. Having never done such a thing before, he grew cockier by the moment.

Torin waited, until he saw a shadow skip beneath the surface. His claws protruded from their hiding places as he rushed into the water. One could see the blur of his ebon mane and make out the tan of his coat as he danced with a larger image that could only be recognized as a turtle. A few moments passed before the lion burst through the thick, cool layer of water to no avail. Frustration had now become personified by this young one, and fierce determination emerged along his angered maw.

The lion did not understand why the drunkard desired such a silly thing! Wouldn’t it have been easier to wander the savannah for some sort of larger prey? Torin’s thoughts only fueled his rage as he dove beneath the surface once more. His slender form could be seen dashing through the waters. He was overtaken by his heated haze. This was not as easy as his naive mind had thought.

The lion struggled for what felt to him like hours. He was more than determined to perform the task at hand, but as the time passed in those waters they began to grow colder. The sun began to disappear, and pretty soon all would be too dark to see. He started losing all hope in even landing a paw on those blasted turtles. Ashamed of his failure, Torin started to trek back towards the shore.

The lion halted. His eyes caught sight of a huge shadow lurking beneath the deep. He dove back down without hesitation. Torin's eyes grew wide at the sight of the large turtle that swam towards the sea bottom. It was not too deep, for it was only a few feet from dry land.

He waited until he was certain he had been unnoticed. He did not want to alarm his prey, for he was not of the sea. The turtles could easily glide out of his grasp.

When the time was right, Torin made his move. He was barely quick enough, but he managed to lock his claws at the rim of the mighty female's shell. She took him for a ride, all right. He was determined to make sure it was the last one she would ever give.

From where Pirato stood, there looked to be a struggle beneath those waters, blood soon painting the surface. Bubbles emerged from the now dark and murky depths, clearly signaling one’s final moments battling to escape a watery grave. Soon there was nothing. No sound, no sight, and the light of the day had at last surrendered to night’s embrace.

The waves violently smashed against the sand. Nothing could survive without air for that long. It seemed as though the confidence of the youth was nothing but a façade. It looked as if he had met his end.

Torin burst through the waters, and luckily, was not empty handed. He made his way back towards Pirato, treasures abundant locked within his jaws. The sea turtle was massive, but its shell was the even greater prize! The shell gave off a glow as the moonlight shone against it. The color was very unique, and very solid. It was rare to find a solid colored sea turtle shell, especially one such a deep and vibrant blue. It almost resembled a gem.

Torin dropped the booty at Pirato’s feet. The gazelle-colored lion gave a cocky smile. "A beauty, ain't she? Now... How many of those would you like to see before morning?"

[Fin?]