Tell Me Secrets [social]

Judging by the hefty intake of air, teary eyes closed tight, the day was still young for a certain black-stripped feline. The day presented a picturesque glamour, bathing the landscape in contrasting puddles of light and dark. The greenery nigh burned with vividness beneath the mothering shed of the heavenly body above and all Topaz could do was wake himself up with more brisk walking.

Besides his robe-y attire, he held a satchel as he moved along. Though, his pace slackened as he made note of a figure he was not familiar with. They were posed in front of a particular bush, picking its berries with a concerning degree of joyous equanimity. It was very much similar to the task he frequented. If the individual had the same intentions that he did out in the wilderness picking from bushes and the like, then most certainly they were making a fairy grave mistake.

Topaz revived his steps, but made them grand enough to carry him towards the woman in a quick, lively sprint. He was certainly awake at that point and his steps became less spaced and more rapid as he slowed to a stop before her. All the while, he was hollering, “woah!” until he grew close enough.

“Those berries there! They – uh, they aren't fit for anything beneficial – unless... that's your intention.” He thought for a moment before just deciding to explain. “They're – um, they're rockspray berries...”

“They do, don’t they?” Topaz agreed upon the subject of the berries’ beauty. “Red shines so bright and they’re so shiny, too--” But, it was around then that he was pulled into the woman’s embrace. Not long after, he received some familiar, complimentary words and all he could do was chuckle softly in response to his realization of the situation - or at least, a portion of it.

“I do! It’s Topaz - like the colour of my … fur? Or eyes. I meant to ask my brother what colour Topaz is. I never did!” He thought for a moment. “Actually, I was told my eyes changed … nevermind!” His self-made conversation seemed to be at its end.

“Woop, woop!”

“Ah - they’ll upset the fish right outta your tummy!” came Topaz’s response, not at all the least be technical, but did make the result obvious of what follows the ingestion of the berries.

“Woop, woop!”

His ears twitched. Topaz was catching something faint on the breeze. He may have still been pressed into the stranger, but he did look around a bit. “What’s that? I hear something… I think?”

“WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP …”

From the stream nearby, assumedly aquatic creatures with legs enough to stand upright upon the ground peer out from around trees, out of bushes, all WOOP-ing in a wall of overlapping sound.

“What - “ he began, looking at the creatures standing about a foot in height.

What a pleasant encounter. It was a shame it took a sharp turn for the weird with the approach of a band of strange water-lizards-like creatures. Each word Kin uttered - there was no sign that Topaz took special interest in any in particular regardless of their tone or assent. Assumedly, he was too absorbed in the happenings around him. Eventually, he was asked what they were.

“Huh - I’m not sure,” he said. It was slightly concerning. One would imagine Topaz knew of the local wildlife, but if his response was to be believed, he did not know of these particular species. After a few pokes - actually, the surrounding creatures moved in closer. They attempted to get between Topaz and Kin as much as possible and continued woop-ing. Unbeknownst to anybody, in their language of sorts, they were repeating, “pretty!” over and over with their attention locked on Kin.

“I’m also completely unsure about that, too …” Topaz mentioned. He counted five of them in total.

Topaz glanced to Kin. It was a difficult person to read, but the situation did not seem to bring about any anxiety or dread. No, it appeared as if a good time was had. That realization brought a smile about even with the strange wooping all around him.

The two were about to find out, essentially, if the creatures were friendly. She spread her arms wide to invite them in while beckoning for them to do just that. When they replied by doing just that, Topaz watched to see if they were perhaps biting her, attacking her in some way - they were not. Instead, their woops became, “awwwww”s. A collective “awww” that went on and on, new breaths constantly drawn to perpetuate it.

Somewhere close by. Topaz thoughts went immediately to - “Oh, yes! Sure there is!” Topaz exclaimed, pressing his paw-ish hands together. He motioned for her to follow him. He revived his paces, moved into a wooded area and started through it. He hoped the girl was still following him with an armful of whatsits.

Their destination did not take long to reach. Not at all. In fact, when Topaz came to a halt, he was before a river. The water rushed by, its soundings down-right therapeutic. Topaz threw his arms straight into the air as if to emphasize them having reached their destination.

“These guys are from here, I bet! It’s the direction they came from and just look at ‘em! They look all fishy!”

They did seem content with the embrace they received until then and did make movements that suggested they were all up to swim about the river.

"WOAH!"

Splish-splash, he crash. Once where there was air, there was water. Everything was cold and smothering. Both surprise and the cold, crisp caress of water rinsed over him. As he opened his eyes, besides seeing a watery environment, he saw those things that they just let go of. They were ever-so playful - so, he decided to swim along with them.

What merriment! The group of them performed all kinds of underwater maneuvers. Topaz was completely unaware of his swimming prowess up until that moment. However, his surprise grew even greater, pulled his eyes wide when he caught sight of something deep beneath the water. It sparkled, it shone. As he approached, it looked like an entire underwater city.

They lead him inside and the oddest thing happened. They started talking - normally even. Topaz could understand every word; but, could they understand him. Topaz spoke, a few bubbles escaped him. It seemed fine, however. The escaping air did not hinder him at all. As he asked them, "What is this place?" they certainly understood. It was then did they impart a summery of the city's history. All the while, during their story, they lead him to the King's castle. It was there where Topaz met real, authentic royalty. He took special notice of a handsome prince and, miraculously, he took notice of Topaz in return.

Completely unheard of - the two would plan to be wed and -

Actually, no. When Kin pushed Topaz into the river, his head slammed against a rock, knocked him unconscious, and now he lies motionless on his back, washed up on the bank a ways down the stream.

If you can believe it, you can achieve it.

So, when Kin attempted to fashion a furry, makeshift fountain, at first she achieved just that. There was some coughing. His shut eyes shut tighter and after the coughing fit passed, he sat up. Usually, he sat up a lot quicker; but this time he rose a little slower.

When his eyes opened, it did not take long before they started searching about. It did not appear they searched for his whereabouts, but for something, or someone specific. "Oh, no ... I was dreaming all of that?" The obvious realization came to him and was uttered aloud without thought.

"...Oh, hey!" He saw Kin there. He placed two and two together. She must have saved him. So, with that assumption, he gave her a big hug. "Thanks for saving me! I'm glad you were here today!"

Hug roll: Ruvsha5I +6 (incase you try to dodge it!)

"Mhm!" He affirmed as he was certain, his gladsome feelings were as authentic as can be. The optimum embrace period was at an end. So, he took a step reward, corrected his posture and gave her his undivided attention. Topaz had gleeful flavours stewing that smiling face of his. It could not help but become a flux of curiosity and surprise, mild and innocent, as the whole of the woman's demeanour changed.

Topaz maintained this very expression as she told him secrets - at least, what most would consider something to be kept secret. She did not, however, and that came off as strange to him. Many things could be said. Topaz tapped the tip of his chin at his initial response. Doubtless, she awaited what he had to say. His very first reaction, though, was more subdued than perhaps she would have thought.

"That makes sense!" he began with a burst of realization. "What fun, a playmate!" He pointed at her by fashioning his hand into a finger gun. "Some people like having fun on their own, but you made sure I was part of it too! And y' even made sure I was okay after.

"The world's kinda boring or way too harsh right now! I think it needs this kinda fun. Good-spirited, harmless fun!" He paused, but besides that, it was obvious his eyes were seeing something beyond the world in front of him. Something burned behind those telling windows. "The guild could totally use some more antics! Some capers. Some shenanigans!"