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Through gritted teeth, Leomaris pushed on through the heavy rain. Though it was one of his favorite times to relax, he wasn't doing very much of that. He was stressed, anxious, and all around going crazy. He honestly hated the feeling, and wished there was some way for it to just ... disappear. But it didn't seem there was, he'd felt like this for a while now. Yet no matter what he did to try and feel better, it failed.

His life had gone nowhere lately, just aimless wondering. It was getting more than a little too much to bear.

Lightening struck across the sky, and Leo's eyes lit with unexpected fear. Though it quickly vanished. Sopping wet and beginning to feel the effects, he began to search for a shelter of some sort. If he could just get out of this rain and finally relax, maybe just MAYBE things would start to look up. Perhaps the rainbow after this rough storm was finally meant for him? The thought made his heart beat with a little joy, and a smile slowly spread across his maw.

With the rain hot on his heels, the male's eyes darted this way and that. Any potential shelter, and he would take it. It need not matter what could be wrong with it, he wasn't planning to stay long enough to make any adjustments to it.

THERE!

Right out of the corner of his eye, the lightning flashed before him. Allowing him a quick glimpse at a cave just up ahead. With his face turned up into a slight grin, he kicked his heels into overdrive, and headed right for it. Unaware of any possible inhabitants within.

Skidding to a halt just before the cave, mud caked against his gorgeous blue fur. Looking down at it, he grimaced but paid little attention to it other than that. He then turned, and did the one thing he shouldn't in such a dangerous situation. Paid no attention the lioness already within. He simply - just didn't see her.

To add insult to injury, the male slunk low to the ground and began to shake the water from his mane at full force. Probably drowning the unknown lioness in the process!

"This is it for tonight. Tomorrow i'll go looking for that rainbow.." Through an obviously exhausted tone, the lion huffed his worries away and began to settle in for the rough night ahead of him.

Nearly jumping out of his skin at the tone in her voice, Leo quickly turned around all the while trying to regain his composure. "Wh-Who said that?" He yelped fearfully, having spun in the opposite direction of the female.

Seeing no sign he darted his head in both directions, determined to find the source of -

Oh! There she was, a striking beauty now covered in bits and pieces of what had once been on his fur. "I'm sorry! So sorry, I had no idea anyone was in here, Let me help you with that." Without much thought, he quickly leaped into action, brushing his paw against the female's chest in an attempt to clean it. His attempts were sadly in vain.

Noticing his own stupidity the male simply backed away into the corner once more and mumbled, "I can't do anything right."

Her squeals of discontent made Leo shudder in the corner, ashamed of his actions. It always went the same way for him, if he did something of his own mind, it went terribly wrong. This was most definitely one of those times.

Wanting more than anything to simply disappear, he actually debated leaving the cave but the bright clashes of lightening were pretty intimidating. The female's remark only furthered to frustrate him. "NO! I wouldn't dare chase you off because of my misfortune. Please stay, i'll stay in this corner and not bother you."

Further attempting to prove his point, he promptly turned to face the wall, barely taking note of her next comment.

"No, no I don't think its that i'm trying too hard, I hardly tried to wipe the dirt from your pelt. And I nearly ruined it as a result." He paused a moment taking a glance back at her muddy pelt.

"I'm very sorry about that." He frowned, turning back once more to face the wall.

For the time being, he chose to ignore her offer to come out of the corner. He couldn't really help it, in his mind he had upset someone. Then he had failed at doing even the simplest task - was it really OK for him to show her his face as though nothing had happened? He didn't think so, but then she was quite intent on weaseling him out of this corner.

"But I did do wrong, even if you won't admit it. That mud will prove to be a pain to remove once it has dried there." He knew a thing or two about mud. He was one of those weird lions who liked to attempt to do things he'd heard about. So one time he tried out a mud bath - he would never make that mistake again. He shuddered the memory away though and listened to the soothing voice behind him.

"Leomaris. But you can call me whatever you'd like." He allowed his body to shift, so that he was now facing the lioness. "And if I promise to quit apologizing, will you tell me yours?" He tried to put on his most charming pair of goo goo eyes. But his frantic panic probably made it look more like he was feeling sick or something.

Leo made quick work of agreeing to the nickname she'd requested. Not only because he liked it, but because it was what he did best. He followed the lead of another, and this time he jut so happened to be taking on a new name. Well a nickname, but the premise remained the same. "Leo is fine!" His voice squeaked a bit as he shook he head in agreement. "I guess my name can be a bit of a mouthful huh?" He snorted lightly at the comment, noting the lioness' beautiful pelt. How much more beautiful would it be not covered in mud ... He may never knew, he'd just have to cherish the view he did have.

"Sa-de. Got it!

Its a pleasure to have met you under such undesirable conditions." Before holding out his paw, he quickly wiped it on his own mane. Being careful not to get her even dirtier. He nearly had to bite his tongue to prevent himself for apologizing yet again. "So why are you out and about in this weather? It doesn't seem like it suits you." He frowned slightly, wincing from his own words.

He couldn't apologize now, it was too late, she'd already forbidden it! Instead, he would have to live with however she chose to take his statement. Whether it be compliment or otherwise.

While her last words made little to no sense, he wasn't the type to question it. He supposed she had meant it as some type of flirting comment, but if it was, it was above his head. So he simply shrugged it off, very uncomfortable in the current situation.

What was he to say? While this female was obviously attractive, he knew she would never go for him. She was out of his league. She'd proven that when she'd fussed over his numerous apologies. He'd driven her a little mad and now she was simply trying to make nice until the storm passed. With a glance out the window, it seemed that wouldn't be anytime soon.

"A wave of tides huh? That sounds nearly poetic..." He thought over the comment and it brought a smile to his face. "Very nearly poetic." He paused a moment longer to think of his response back. He had nothing poetic to say, nothing at all.

"I'm just here because you caught me between two more bad choices." He giggled at his own words, knowing them to be true. "But i'm beginning to think I may have made a right one for once.." He purred softly, allowing his tail to swish slightly in happiness.

Slightly more relieved that she had accepted his compliment, Leo allowed his shoulders to become less tense. When he wasn't all uptight, he actually turned out to be a nice looking lion. Which was likely now shining through, Sade' had given him a slight bit of confidence, and with him, that went pretty far.

He smiled over at her as she patted the ground, and he could feel his cheeks warm at the simple comment. "Oh I don't either!" Were the only words he could muster as he sheepishly stalked over to the female and lay beside her.

Sure, he was definitely awkward, but it seemed like this female might just have a thing for awkward.