[private] Little Darling; Lilitha

[Stillwater]

Stillwater

He eyed her closely, analyzing for any reaction to him. Cool, calm, defiant. Steady. Not the trembling fear he'd expected of one so young. No screams or fretful glances for an escape route. Like an obsidian statue, she held stoic and solid. Fearless. Just as sharp.

Her eyes absorbed him openly, trailing along all his dark, wet muscles. His eyes lit with curiosity, intrigued that not only did she not retreat, but seemed to make an advance in her own way. She met him stare for stare, with equal intensity, roved his figure boldly as if she had any idea what that could mean. Even matched his little smile with her own. Her unexpected response to a him tickled at his senses, and his smile grew just a mite.

"Hello yourself," she said easily. Just as smooth as his own voice. Confidence and wit seemed to emanate from her in faint, invisible waves.

He had a fleeting image of her beneath the water with him, fiery hair was a glaring flame burning below the tide. Perhaps when she was older, something more. But for now at least, just a fun little fire sprite, in over her head and unaware. There was a beautiful irony there. To entice that image of fire into his cool depths. Maybe he'd even let her live after.

He grinned, a new longing concealed within his eyes.

With fluid grace he slid around her side, touching his muzzle to her withers and spine, gently dragging down her as he circled slowly. Aren't you a bit young to be about on your own? he asked casually. He rounded to her other hip, testing her boundaries and brushing at her warmth faintly before completing his circle at a more polite distance. He hesitated when he drew even with her cheek, but remained apart and instead moved to her front again, his shoulder level with her chest by a few feet.

He flicked his tail idly to the side in a wet slap against his leg as he considered her. What fun she might yet turn out to be. Perhaps she had the potential to stay awhile, to be the closest to him and survive it.