[FIN] Could I Persuade You (Evening Tide, Lull in Sunlight)

[Flayre The Pyro Girl]

It was a deliciously warm day, perfect, in his mind, for conversation with someone or something actually possessing a bit of wit. Sadly, he had found no such conversation partners this day, and was vaguely discouraged and annoyed. Where were the Kimeti with intelligence? Or the Kiokote with their plains-dry humor and too-fast voices?

He let loose a sigh, part disgusted, part resigned that he would likely be searching for days to relieve his boredom, and broke through a copse of trees to stand in the sunlight by a shining pond. If no one held the ability to speak, then he could dream them, he supposed, during a well-deserved nap. It was as he lowered his head to drink that he noticed the pink and black doe further down the waterline. Pray to the Swampmother that she was intelligent.  

[Flayre The Pyro Girl]

"I suppose you must be remarking on my colors, not my intelligence, miss. But yes, it might be nice to see one as vivid as I in a section of swamp so typically dull." His eyebrow, raised in a mocking review of her words, indicated that he thought she was...less than "bright" for her choice in words. She was pretty, though, if he looked closely, and he did, observing her red eyes and intriguing stripes. "What brings you to this area? I've found it mostly deserted in recent times, despite the relative beauty."  

[Flayre The Pyro Girl]

"Ah, a test. Very well, miss, if you insist on making me extrapolate your motives for being here, I shall." He inhaled, glanced around, and spoke once again.

"Since, as I said earlier, this area has been deserted for a time, I doubt you're looking for someone in particular; this area only claims the water as beauty, and is no match for the fields of flowers that bloom closer to the heart of the Swamp. I suppose you could be passing through, though I would venture a guess that you would have moved on by now unless you are particularly weak, and the fresh prints of the eaglehound there by your hoof indicate that your companion is off somewhere, likely hunting, as eaglehounds are most proficient at such things." It was said in a bored tone, as though he could care no less for such a test.  

[Flayre The Pyro Girl]

"Believing one's self clever is for fools and ignorants. Knowing one possesses enough intelligence to make clear connections is something else entirely." He eyed her movements, marking her distance from himself and the eyes she cast to the trees closest to her. Intriguing.

"Make no mistake, miss, I never declared that you liked fields of flowers, simply that while this place may have its aura of beauty in some ways, a field of flowers will generally be more attractive to nearly any being." He nodded to his left, where the deep tracks of a fast, weighty eaglehound had been stamped into the softened earth by the water. "And while your stamping may have been an obvious sign, there were others closer and more noticeable. As is the fact that you are watching for something to come out of those trees. Your hound, most likely. I presume that it would not take well to seeing me in between the two of you."

He lifted a mocking brow. "Have I passed your tests, or do you require more?"  

[Flayre The Pyro Girl]

"Wondrous." His tone was as dry as the swamp was wet. "I'm certain that should you create further tests, they'll be more inventive than such mundane tasks."

Tide could only hope for a challenge; too few of his chance meetings were with beings of any sort of intelligence, and yet, here was a doe with wit and a sharp tongue.

"Perhaps, in our cases, these general truths and common sense would give way to atypical truths and uncommon sense, as you seem to rise above the rest of the herd, as do I. An intriguing thought, for myself."

He smiled, and said calmly, "As for your hound, I'm quite certain my songbird will be obliged to send signal when it returns. After all, a fight between a loyal companion and perceived interloper could turn dangerous for all involved, including said companion's company."  

[Flayre The Pyro Girl]

"Indeed, untrained pets are a hindrance at the best of times. I'll admit to finding some pleasure in your company; I should hate to have such intriguing banter cut short by fight and injury." Tide cast his eye to the pond, and bent his head to drink again, allowing the female time to ponder.

During his drink, he took the time to weigh his next move in this strategic conversation. "I'm called Evening Tide, by the way. The bird is called Foam, though I'll introduce you properly when the pets have returned."

It was a sign of acceptance that he gave this doe his name; a mark that she had earned respect for her wit. There were many Kimeti and a few Kiokote around the swamp who had met the blue buck and walked away with the mystery of his name stinging ore for the way he had talked down at them like the fools he judged them to be.  

[Flayre The Pyro Girl]

"A striking name, for both you and your hound." And she was a striking doe, pale pink and stark black. There was a deep feeling in his chest, a lively pull that makes him frown in consternation. It's true he'd never felt something like this--but then, Tide had never felt much of anything more than boredom and derision towards others.

"Well, perhaps more than simply some. In truth, I find your company most pleasant." A soft smile curved his lips, a flicker of warmth that flashes in and out like a swamp light.