[SRP] A Moment of Respite (Ram x Tethys)

[Epine de Rose]

He was here...Again.

While the Stormborn would always be his home there was something to be said for the white sands and the more benevolent ocean. He could see why his mother was so fond of it here, it was certainly more complimentary to her than the harsher regions that he and Dione had selected. Yet, he could also appreciate why he had chosen to come here as well ... he couldn't quite place his paw on it, but there was something about this place that simply allowed him to breathe.

Perhaps it was simply because the individuals of this pride were so calm. Their peaceful ways ensured that their overall demeanour was different, with less posturing there was less pressure to appear a certain way or to act as one would be expected to. For all intents and purposes he was able to let his hair down without truly worrying whether he was exposing himself to ridicule... something that could be avoided in less difficult times, but not right now.

Unsurprisingly the guards had viewed him with suspicion as he had re-entered the pride, but as he had come without an escort they had let him be. Admittedly he had come with his newly found field medic, but as he had previously advised, the Bahari already knew of Onesimos and no longer regarded him as a threat. They might be puzzled as to his allegiances, but his character had been enough to quieten their nerves.

Thus, as Onesimos had occupied himself with discussing a variety of things with his friends, Tethys had simply taken to relaxing by the shoreline. A chance to breathe was something that he dearly needed, and he was going to do just that before they returned to the forward camps...

Words: 294

 

[Epine de Rose]

"You do not appear to have a home to go back to," Ram remarked as he crossed the sands towards the lion. He'd been made aware of his presence the moment he had crossed over the borders and his curiosity was piqued. Tethys had already been back once to deliver some materials to the Hlare, and it had barely been any time at all before he had returned again. "Or perhaps you are simply learning to appreciate what makes this particular region so unique," he mused.

Drawing closer, the King noted the rather severe bruising and shook his head. The Vikings could certainly hold up to their stereotypes and while he knew the Mwani had did their best to patch him up, he was going to do lasting damage to himself if he kept this up. Ram might not have been the younger lion's father, or even from his pride, but he could still feel a measure of concern for him.

"You weren't lying when you said that your enemies were brutal," he continued and took a seat. With his lips pursed, he turned his gaze towards the islands that lay beyond the shoreline. With the tide so high, they wouldn't be able to reach those islands for a while, but they were still pleasant to look at all the same. "Though if you keep this up, those wounds won't ever heal properly and you'll end up harming yourself in the long term," he concluded.

"Do enough damage and certain wounds stop healing."

Words: 253

 

[Epine de Rose]

Tethys hazarded a half smile as the King appeared, he should have known that he would cause a disturbance. However, he was pleasantly surprised that the King was in reasonably good spirits. If anything he seemed to be concerned by the captain's health and rather than demand why he was here, elected to remark on his current appearance.

"I do, that much you can be reassured of," he replied and shook his head. "There's just something to be said for a little bit of peace and quiet, a place where no one is going to query you on your progress," he cleared his throat as he regarded the Bahari lion. Ram was a strange one to him, he gave off the vibe of a ruler but he didn't seem to 'relax' in quite the same way that the others did... if anything he was larger and more muscular than even some of the guards..

...All in all he was rather out of place.

"It's bad, by the way," he said finally, though he wasn't entirely sure why. "So far the only thing we've found is how they can put their victims into a stupor, the rest of it...?" he snorted bitterly. "Nothing."

"...We still can't even work out how to see them," he grimaced. "Not easily at least. I managed to somehow figure out how to see them this time but...I don't think it's something I can teach to everyone," he murmured.

Words: 242
Total Words (Tethys): 536

 

[Epine de Rose]

"Well..." Ram patted the male on the shoulder and smiled. "I've often heard that a fair few individuals experience an epiphany or two while admiring the views here, perhaps you will be one of them -" he paused briefly to take a breath and furrowed a brow. The Captain had kept his end of the bargain and so far, he'd kept every Viking who had accompanied him in check, in this he was entitled to a measure of respect... Especially when he provided information so freely, for the time being it seemed he regarded them as his allies.

"However speaking from experience," he began to speak at last and nudged the lion's shoulder as if to push him away from the shore. "When you're looking too hard for an answer you often miss the obvious solution," he pointed out. "Might I suggest that on this occasion you take a deep breath and simply appreciate what we have to offer here - food, festivities etc..."

Another pause and he chuckled.

"Or you might even wish to seek out your half-brother," he added, causing Tethys to look up at him in surprise. "Surely you know your mother better than to assume she wouldn't meddle even slightly," he chuckled and shook his head. While the gods often enjoyed the Bahari's beaches, they came and went as they pleased... Arimathras just happened to be one of the louder and more jovial ones.

"You have her eyes, even more so than your brother does... But the resemblance is still uncanny. I'm not entirely sure of whether or not he's aware that you are here... Nevertheless, it might be a much needed change of pace for you. Brooding can be bad for the soul..." he murmured as he took his leave.

He wouldn't interrupt the lion further, not now that he knew the purpose of his visit... He would settle the guards' nerves and be done with it.

Words: 320
Total Words (Ram): 573