He looked at the water, and took his wobbly paw to touch the water before him. Nothing splashed in his small pond, and he wondered why. His jaws loosed up to open, and let him gulp up a fair amount of the gruesome water. "Eck!" He spat out the fowl water, and set into thinking again. Only if he could control his tongue.
"F-fich?" He tried his mouth at the word once more hoping he got it correct this time as he said.
"Fish?" His tail flicked near him, and he let out a cough trying to rid his lungs, and mouth of the unhealthy pond water. Miller's eyes flashed as he felt his ear tip slightly over with the weight of his stone. Remember your name is Miller. His tongue didn't work the best, but his mind worked fine. For his age he wasn't meant to be this mature. He let out a long groan as he sat himself down with a tired sigh, and hoped for a peaceful rest. The muggy air around him settled his breathing like a soothing song, or a relaxing touch. He felt at home in this room more than any other.

This was one of the few times Leon had actually time to himself. He had come back to the cave after a routine patrol and Makyna wasn't in the den - so he had to assume that she was out doing something, but what, he didn't know. Typically this would be the time he'd use to rest and catch up on his sleep, but this day Leon found himself inexplicably restless. The election was fast approaching, but there wasn't really anything Leon had to do to prepare. It wasn't as if he was running for the position of leadership. It was hardly fitting for him, especially considering the recent criminal record he had somehow accrued. Even if he wanted to, Leon didn't know if he was mature enough for it. His mind was still clouded with thoughts of Makyna and the anger from Cancer; he feared that any important decisions he'd have to make would be too strongly influenced by them. It wasn't good for him, and it wasn't good for Maji Walezi. It was best to just let Bevy have her way.

With thoughts of the impending meeting leaving a heavy indent on his mind, Leon couldn't sleep. So, he had drawn himself up and towards the waterfall, rounding the lagoon and wandering amidst the rocks and the ponds. It was there that he caught sight of another Gembound, only they weren't familiar - and, taking a quick sniff, Leon could tell that he wasn't a freshly emerged child born here in Pisces. He smelled earthy, carrying the familiar stench of Eridanus on him, though he still looked fairly young. Leon tilted his head, uttering a low rumble as he approached the wolf from behind. "Hey there!" He greeted curiously, tilting his head and keeping his distance.

"Huh?" Miller tilted his skull to the creature that greeted him. It was fuzzy, and a bulky creature. Miller feared his chances of getting away from this creature if he swung himself to close. "Hi." It was a simple word enough for any soul to say, and miller knew it. Miller felt another soft tickle find its way into his throat that threw his small body into a terrible coughing fit. He sat on the ground with a terrible sigh of nothing. He had no one to look up to, and no companions so what was the meaning of talking. He would only make a fool of himself like he always had. "I-I... a-m Miller." The words hurt him to say, and the tongue in his mouth felt so stubborn like it was rebelling against him. "Ya-you are?" Miller cursed the words he was saying how could he be so stupid to say more?! He turned his attention to the size of his body; he was rather large for his size, and he knew it, but still the movement of his bones wasn't the best. Miller filled his lungs with moist air, and let it out with a blow that moved any loose soil under his feet. His eyes turned to the creature once more, and wondered if he would decide to leave without giving him an answer.

(Sorry for the wait!)

The bear hadn't meant to startle or frighten the other Gembound - so when he suddenly broke down into a coughing fit, Leon's eyes widened with alarm. "Are you alright?" He asked, cocking his head as he scooted closer. Maybe he was sick. Leon knew his imposing size could be frightening, especially to young or small Gembounds; he just hoped it hadn't shocked the wolf into choking nearly to death. Leon made an effort to appear smaller, slumping down onto his rump and setting his shoulders back with a benign smile.

Thankfully, the wolf recovered and merely sighed. Words must have been new for him, so the bear waited with patient silence as he stuttered, introducing himself and gradually asking for a name. "It's nice to meet you Miller!" He answered with an even broader smile, encouraging. "My name's Leon. I live here." The bear added and gestured to the surrounding cave with his paw. "Are you just exploring? The caves can be really exciting to see for the first time." He added with a laugh.