"Speech." Kallista didn't say anything for some time as they introduced themselves. She watched the lion, Mercurius, as he seemingly summoned a ball of light and brought it closer to her. It was pretty, she admitted, and distantly thought to herself that Todd probably would've liked it.

When it disappeared, she turned her attention back to Mercurius, eye narrowed, as she tried to put the thought of Todd behind. She flicked an ear, but answered his question, albeit a bit hesitantly. "My name...is Kallista." She glanced at the falcon briefly before looking at Pride. Storytelling...She'd never been one for such a thing. But perhaps it could be fun? Only one way to find out, she supposed. She decided she would stay, and seemed to relax slightly, sitting down.

@Pride @Mercurius @Gea

Pride followed Mercurius along at a more sedate pace, a regal step that allowed him time to glance over Kallista more closely. He, like the lion, took note of the scars. He wondered what had happened to her. We all bear our own scars, though, do we not? Even if they cannot be seen. Mercy himself lay in the forefront of Pride's mind as he thought this--battered, bruised, world-weary. Yet beneath it, or rather above it, the lion was kindly and serene.

Scars, he thought. This was what he would use.

As for violence--he suspected that he held more than Mercurius. He did not like to fight, but he found himself forced into it often and he certainly held his own; but there was no reason, in light of the cat's fear, to mention this. Instead, he inclined his head gently.

"It is good to meet you--Kallista, Gea. I will offer a piece of story--and perhaps we can tell it together." He looked off toward where Mercy's light had blinked away, and then off over the sea of Fornax, with its gently-churning waters. He thought over the cool power of it, the impossible strength the mass of water held. He thought over scars.

"There was a serpent, long ago," he began, his tone melodic and slowly, softly thoughtful. "When the waters were shallow, and still."

He looked to the bird, the falcon--her bright energy evident. He took a cue from this. "It was young, then--not yet scarred, as it became--and innocent. Bright, and curious. It sought friendship in the depths, but it found only dark water. It sought companionship on the shore, but no one ever came to the water's edge. It was empty, still, and quiet; there were no storms, and no rain. There was only dim light, never-changing. He would turn and circle incessantly, his emerald scales shimmering beneath that faint orb-light just as the reflection of the near-still water danced upon the rock high above."

Pride looked toward Mercurius, bowing his head for a beat--indicating that he was relinquishing the story to the lion's control.

@Mercurius

The peregrine falcon was eager, most certainly young. Her --- Gea, as she introduced herself --- attitude was unmarred by the struggles of life and the futility it seemingly held, at times. That was good. Then, the wary striped cat introduced herself in a hesitating tone before sitting down, making herself a little more relaxed. Mercurius rumbled softly at the two of them, nodding in acknowledgement. "Gea, Kallista! It is a pleasure to meet you both. I hope that we will become good friends."

Then, the storytelling began. Pride offered forth a humble beginning, taking pieces of those present and weaving them into the tale. With a gentle tilt of silver tines, the proverbial torch was passed to Mercurius. His moonlit gaze trailed over to the water's surface, marveling over its small, lilting waves. He closed his eyes for a moment, relishing in the warmth of the lights above. Then, with a flourish, he opened his eyes and tilted his crown toward Kallista. "The serpent was small, yet. But, with each of his motions, the waves brewed at the water's surface. They were small, glossy smooth like the ones we see now, but waves nonetheless. As time in solitude passed and marched forwards, he grew. His fins began to scrape against each rock, each isle, and tear under their will. The shallows were no longer enough. The sheer cliffs mocked him and the silence was overwhelming."

"One day, the serpent descended into the dark waters, as deep as he could possibly go. It was cold and..." the pale lion laughed softly, "well, it was dark. He could not see further than his own nose in the darkness." Feeling this was a good place to end off his part, lest he ramble on and on, Mercurius nodded toward the peregrine falcon, beckoning for her to try.

@Gea