wake up from your reverie a light year from reality Disbelief covered his face while eyes narrowed when labeling her mother the best of the best. Now, he would try and disapprove that but puny vocals were no much for one that has probably exercised theirs for cycles. Though it is not surprising how bias she was likely being. Honestly he would probably do the same. Probably. Looking the hybrid up and down, he blinked for a second as if expecting something. "Oh? Everyone? Let me hear you sing! Or are you actually the apple far from the bunch?" he taunted, gluing bottom to the submerged ground. Kyorai was the type that needed to see or hear it in order to believe it so, thoughts wanted to witness whether their statement was true or had a few holes in it. The canine listened with all attention toward company. Brain was able to process just about everything, but something still stumped him throughout the explanation, angling head. He was not sure what the difference was between "having one" and "adopting one" but mind was nitpicking in the matter. After staring blankly for a good minute, he snapped self out of space and immediately nodded his head. He saw how half of it worked, but he figured that was enough to understand the base process at least. Forepaw kicked a bit of water, beginning to splash it entirely. Although he was seemingly occupied, awareness definitely remained on the other. Things appeared to have settled but movement slowed and ears gradually flattened when he heard "listen, kid". The canine felt he brought about some trouble again, swinging head back and keeping it up with a crooked smile. However, as he payed attention to what she was saying, he rolled skull back down and perceived them fully. First was about the thing with her eyes which he responded in a stomp and rough shaking of head. "Your eyes! They weirdly moved! Like, they went around or something. I don't know what that's suppose to mean!" he explained, huffing and going on to what else was mentioned. Expression softened when told he would have to get use to those like her. That was slightly the problem, however, as he has yet to meet anyone apart from her in which acted like this. Leaning onto the rock closest to him, he licked the salt crystal that had formed upon it to try and alleviate the feeling that sprung onto him; finding the aftertaste enjoyable. Once she was done, he stopped his salt licking as he coughed up some particles that hung around in his throat. Humming, perhaps he should become somewhat like her? Though just by the way it sounded, it put a disgusted look on his face. "How did you get that very poor mouth filter? Do your parents know about it?" he uttered, lips twitching in its indecision to grin or smirk. It was a bit out of place asking that as if he were to tell them if they did not know; though it was likely what self was aiming for even if he doubted the rest of those under the same surname were kind enough to listen to such. "Kyo Speaks"

@Cadence

---


Cadence's ears flicked, a flash of uncertainty coloring her features as she realized how long it had actually been since she'd exercised her singing voice. Cycles, many cycles since she'd allowed herself to sing a single verse but she knew it was just like hunting. Once you knew how to sing you never forgot it. Right? Besides, she was a Songcat. Daughter of the Great Leon and the Entrancing Makyna... There was no way she wouldn't be able to prove to this guy that she could sing. "You're on, kid! Just like all the other Songcats I'm an expert in music." She hoped she wasn't all talk today. So, after clearing her throat she decided to give him a taste of what she could do.

Or not.

Before she even opened her mouth she knew it was going to be rocky. It had been ages since she'd done this and it showed when she tried to pick up a tune and sing an easy song that she remembered that she'd picked up from her childhood.

"When I was a young girl,
My father took me into the city
To see a marching band..."

She trailed off, wincing as her voice cracked and the pitch didn't quite match up correctly. To be nice her song didn't sound very good and it filled her with hot embarrassment. What would her dear mother say?

Quickly she lifted her nose into the air, eyes narrowing to prepare for the ridicule she knew was to come after talking such a big came. "It's been cycles since I last sang! Give me a bit, I'll be able to sing you into tears once my voice has warmed up!" She turned her head away, snorting as she was all too ready to move on to something else besides her singing abilities.

After Kyorai had stared blankly for a moment it was Cadence's turn when he mentioned her "eyes going around". For a moment she was completely confused as she tried to decide what he meant. Then, it clicked. Was he talking about when she rolled her eyes? It was an action she was so accustomed to doing that it didn't even register. "What? You mean when I rolled my eyes? Have you never seen someone do that?" Her brow furrowed, completely confused as to how he had never seen the action before and feeling oddly weird that she had to explain it to him. "It shows annoyance like this. See? I'm rolling my eyes now because I just had to explain it." Here she sighed dramatically and rolled her eyes again for comedic effect. "See?" And then she grinned at him.

Then, he did something that slightly surprised her... He teased her back to which she smirked and let out a laugh. "I was born with it. My mom tried to fix it but I guess it didn't work, now did it? Now I'm way too old to fix it." She winked. "Guess that's gonna be terrible for all you poor kids in the caves, huh? I'm gonna walk around and make everyone cry."

---

517 | --- | @Kyorai

"Talking!"
Thinking...

wake up from your reverie a light year from reality Kyorai sat patiently with brow rose and a smirk resting on his face. He did not expect the worse; mind was ready to be proven wrong. Hearing company's acceptance toward the request, head rested back to await for what was to come. For some reason a hint of keenness hit the pup, nail tapping the ground. Seeing the hybrid readying self for a song, breath stalled out to take in the singing fully. However, how notes tuned out of the other made him deliver a rather long snort. Along with it, he had rotated head and dipped it close to the ground as if disappointed; although it was a mixture of emotions with finding joy in being right and stunned from being unmistaken. "Aww, I don't feel as bad now," he stated while shaking his head. A "ha" sounded soon after when given an excuse for why the performance fell poor. If such was the case then such should have been done before hitting the real deal; at least that is how he thought. "Mhm. You wouldn't! There's no way you can bring me into tears. My eyes won't allow it," he told while rubbing one of them. To think he could not recall a time when he cried. Surely, discharge and irritation did not count, yes? They were not exactly avoidable. Brows furrowed along with company's when she figured out what he was talking about. Apparently, the thing she was doing was "rolling her eyes". He did not think of that possible! When bringing about whether he has seen anyone else do it—he simply said, "Nope! See you're special," snickering afterwards. Skull angled when she then explained the use for the action, finding it far from what he thought its purpose was. "Annoyance? It looks you're trying to get something out of your eyes! But, I guess it would be used for such," words fell uncertain, secretly trying the strange motion. Though it seemed self could not bring them around to have it be exact, but he had not a motive to use it within the oncoming future. Stuck with the want to achieve the action, gaze cut to Cadence once mind realized what she said about mother's failure in bringing her out of behavior. "Wow! So you're old, old? That explains a lot," smiling, he was unsure whether that was a joke or a completely different thing. Maybe both. Falling into a bow, he disapproved of what was said about going around and making other gemlings cry. "No! Not if I don't stop you!" he asserted, narrowing his eyes at her. "Kyo Speaks"

@Cadence

---


He felt bad? More like she felt bad. She didn't like the feeling of embarrassment when it stemmed from an error she had made though she was quick to latch onto whatever else she could. "That's what you think, kiddo! But trust me, once I get goin' you won't be able to stop from crying." Maybe. Some gembounds didn't have the ability to cry and some did it all depended on the creature but she couldn't just say anything different. It would make her sound less than confident.

It also seemed that this guy was intent on calling her special, he did it again and started giggling about it. To which the bearlioness responded by licking out her tongue and saying, "Fine then! You wanna say I'm special, then I'm special. I'm the most special grizzly lion this side of the caves! Happy?"

Get something out of her eyes? Well, she supposed it could be used for that as well. She peered at the young pup in front of her and couldn't help but laugh when he attempted to copy her. "You're tryin' too hard! If you're going to roll your eyes you just gotta let it be natural!" Should she really be tutoring him on such a thing? It could be a rather rude action and here she was influencing the youth in being rude to others... Ah well! She trusted he'd only use it when necessary.

She stopped laughing when he mentioned that she was "old" and she couldn't help but wrinkle her snout in displeasure. "Hey! I'm not that old, I just meant I was too old for my parents to tell me what to do now!" To be fair, she had given a very poor choice in words and now she was paying for it. Old? Her? No way... Or was she? How old was she anyway? It seemed like all of the cycles had just blended together and she'd lost track of how many she'd been around for.

When the canine dropped down into a play bow she moved to mirror him, it was an awkward action for the feline and ursine parts of her but she knew what it meant in canine language. Her own blue eyes narrowed as she wiggled her rump back and forth like a cat ready to pounce. "Oh yeah? And how are you gonna stop me, eh? What're you gonna do, kiddo?" She grinned mischievously at him wondering if he would pounce her or try to "attack" after she issued her little challenge. She wouldn't mind a little wrestling match, it had been ages since she'd gotten to stretch her muscles.

---

442 | notes | @Kyorai

"Talking!"
Thinking...

wake up from your reverie a light year from reality Grin crossed his face when company admitted to being "special". A small part of him knew if he remained constant with the label, she would accept it sooner or later. Though hearing what they were made him give a puzzled look, intrigued with what her kind of species was called. Honestly, it should not be much of a bother. Such was not up there in what one would call "a flying fox" from previous encounter. At least this made more sense than that. Shifting his bow slightly, he snorted when she pointed that it would be best if rolling one's eyes came natural. How such a thing would come naturally was a mystery to him, but body could likely find reason for it in the cycles to roll by. Suspect was it to hear a correcting for how old she was. He would believe the hybrid was up there in age until he heard a specific number. Even so, as young as he was, anything outside of his group, self would always consider her old. Witnessing the other get down in a bow as well, a light growl sounded from him with a wag of his tail, using paw to smack the water surrounding. It seemed company was not objecting his little act, ears unsure how to react to the situation. She was larger than him and surely weighed more. Likewise, the pup could be squished which was not the most pleasant of thoughts. There was the option of backing out but he did gear up this whole thing and he was not one to start something and leave it right after. Pondering for the moment, mind finally drew to the decision to go forth with this. Thoughts worked around what to aim for that would not result in him being downed immediately. Noting her tail, it seemed to be the best thing to go for, now wondering how to get around to it. After a few seconds of thinking, the pup decided to run for her tail, looking to grab a hold of it. However, it appeared his quick action brought about a consequence, slipping onto chest before even reaching the back half of the hybrid. Well, this was certainly a perfect start. Trying to figure out something else quickly, since he was near one of her paws, he would try to wrap forelegs around her limb instead. "That was suppose to happen just to scare ya!" OOC: Also, figured this wouldn't call for a battle format, but let me know otherwise as I was unsure. uwu; "Kyo Speaks"

@Cadence

---


Cadence wondered briefly if her company would go through with what he was thinking. She could read it all over his face that he wanted to come at her, to do something. The rowdy bearlion could feel the adrenaline in her gut and the playfulness that she hadn't gotten to go through with since she was a cub begging to be let out. Come on... do it! She goaded him silently while she waited for him to make a move.

After a moment of deliberation... He did! However, it was a poorly thought out one as he tried to circle around her and get at her stubby tail but ultimately ended up with his chest smashing into the water while her tail was left unaffected. Cadence sat up just in time to see his last ditch effort to do something. The pup reached for her leg which she allowed him to do and once he had a grip the hybrid would lift the limb upwards in an attempt to raise him bodily from the ground in a show of her strength. "Oh, I'm absolutely shaking in my fur." Said with a straight face before she burst out laughing, tongue lolling from her mouth in a show of her humor.

After she'd gotten her giggles out she lowered her paw back to the ground and if he'd clung on would allow him to get back to his paws. Now, she lowered down to the ground in a crouch with her tail wiggling to-and-fro in pent-up excitement. "Haven't you ever wrestled before? If you're gonna fight someone bigger than you go for the back! Get where they can't get you or else... you're gonna be worm-chow." With that she let out a little roar as suddenly reached out with one of her paws, aiming to catch him --very lightly-- with her right paw on the side of his head. As she did so she yelled out, "Think fast, kid!"

---

327 | nah, i don't reckon this is an actual fight or official match XD just a little wrestling match, if that. also i can't roll twice so it's up to you whether she gets him with that hit or not lol. | @Kyorai

"Talking!"
Thinking...

wake up from your reverie a light year from reality Having his forelegs around her, he went in to bite but stopped self as it was likely unfair to do such a thing. At least not yet. Even so, nose was squished up against her limb with trying to nibble at skin. Though action was stopped short when lifted off the ground, resorting to his dewclaws to keep rump from hitting the ground. He snorted at her response to his excuse from before, looking to get onto back but ultimately failing when she put her paw down while considering the action. Flopping onto side once on the ground again, he immediately rolled onto all fours in his own little crouch. The pup listened to the advice she gave, rumbling along pondering his next move. Rump wiggled in the air as he found something else to target upon his opponent. Although it was setback slightly when seeing a paw coming toward him. Mind went awry for the second as Cadence warned him, staggering back but not quick enough to avoid having her bop his nose during the attack. A sneeze came from him, shivering from it. With hit out of the way, he would give one stride before leaping up to their head. Going in from the left side, he got up onto her neck, though lower half was dangling from partially being up on the hybrid. He tried to have hind leg reach ground and help push him up, but he did not want to risk sliding off because of it. Instead, he aimed to grab her ear to which he was close to—perhaps using it as a way to get fully onto her back. "Heh, see if you can get me down now!" he exclaimed, attempting to somewhat get his right hind leg onto her left shoulder. "Kyo Speaks"

@Cadence

---


Her paw flew true and ended up gently bopping him on the nose, causing the young pup to sneeze. Cadence stifled a giggle at the sudden --and relatively cute-- noise he made. Of course, in the moment she was distracted Kyorai bounded towards her and in an instant had sprung upwards and onto her back just as she bade him to.... well... not exactly all the way there and partially on her head which she let out a sharp, "Hey! Watch those claws! You're gonna poke my eyes out!" But there was no venom behind the words and it was more of a mild complaint as he used her as a stepping stone. Although with a bit more wriggling and climbing about he managed to get fully onto her back which she had to admit to herself she was proud of.

Fast learner! She thought to herself with a pleased smirk. With him fully on top of her the lionbear rose fully to her paws and let out a playfully roar. "Not gonna lie, you did alright getting up there... but can you stay on when I do this?" With that she kicked up with her forelegs and rose to a standing position with her hind like a bear would typically do. She didn't wiggle around or try to buck him yet, she would wait to see how he fared against her first move. "Gotta be prepared for whatever someone throws atcha!"

---

242 | --- | @Kyorai

"Talking!"
Thinking...

wake up from your reverie a light year from reality As leg was able to find placement upon her shoulder blade, he pushed himself onto back. Huffing at her complaint, self was not sure what to do with untreated claws. They were just there so, there was nothing within his ability to rid of them or make them less of a burden. Thoughts aside, form was able to center itself on the hybrid's spine, now having a bit of balance. Though he could not help but imagine roaming around on company like this, chuckling while thinking of it. Lost in his mind for the moment, he yelped when Cadence reared up, trying to use claws to hold on but still found himself slipping off. "Ah! N-no!" Even teeth were failing him, unable able to grip skin and was only pulling out bits of fur. Before hitting the ground, maw aimed to nip her tail to at least get something out of the progress in getting onto the hybrid. Now that rump was met with the chilling water below, he got onto paws once more and curiously looked at the other. How she was able to stand like that fell into a mix of amazing and odd. Pushing away amazement, since Kyorai was on the ground, he figured it would be best to bring opponent down as well. Going into his frequent action, he sprinted toward the lionbear, looking to ram into her leg or thigh. "Kyo Speaks"

@Cadence

---


When she reared upwards she could feel the smaller gembound scrambling to try to keep his hold. "C'mon, you better hold on!" But alas, it was not to be. Kyorai gradually fell away and tumbled from her back but not before plucking away bits of her fur and yanking on her stub tail. "Ow..." She complained briefly before dropping back down to all fours and turning around to look at him.

In the next moment he was charging right at her, aiming to throw his weight at her and try to topple her over she assumed. Cadence let out a little grow as s he crouched down, claws unsheathing to help her dig into the wet earth while her bent legs helped spread out her weight. In this way she aimed to let him charge into her but completely stand her ground so that he couldn't get her on the ground.

His charge was met with the tensed muscles of the hybrid as he rammed into her foreleg, not knocking her down and barely earning more than a grunt from her as she stood her ground. "Word to the wise, if someone is bigger than you... might not be a great idea to try and knock them over, eh? Use your head, or," One wet paw raised, dripping with water as she attempted to boop his nose again. "Lose it!"

---

230 | -coughs- forgot to do the roll note but... she's just trying to crouch down and not fall over from his charge... | @Kyorai

"Talking!"
Thinking...