Cool Down [OPEN]

There was no denying it, as the brilliant light of the sun grew stronger and stronger, the beautiful yellow disc cruising to its peek position with no hint of cloud cover to soften its incredible heat, it was a super hot day. It wasn't the hottest day that the young lioness had ever seen, but it was still pretty unbearable. She wasn't even sure if the trip to the water hole was worth it, considering it took some precious minutes to walk there from the cold, cozy caves of pride rock. The sun was relentless and her dark red coat was simply drinking in the heat from its rays. Some part of her wanted to just turn back even just a little ways to a tree or an outcrop or just some kind of relief from the heat. But she pressed on anyway, her mouth dry as the grass on the plains surrounding them.

As she reached the water hole, she paused, standing some way above the actual water on an outcropping that gave her a decent view of the place. Sure enough, it was crowded as it always was during the dry season, hot and thirsty creatures clambering for a spot in the shallow water to drink or to soak themselves. Kishi made a face at this. She was not good with crowds and seeing so many animals in one place really tickled her survival instinct, perhaps spending the afternoon in the shade rather than the water was not the worst idea she'd ever had. But she paused, shook her head to clear it of her worries and her caution, and she slowly made her way down the rock face to the water's edge, sort of shuffling between two zebras to finally come to a rest with her paws in the shallows. As it always seemed to be, the water was beautiful, clean and glimmering in the brilliant sunshine, it was crystal clear and cool, being at the bottom of a small set of hills, which is why it never seemed to evaporate completely. The red lioness licked her lips briefly with her rough, flat tongue. But just as she ducked her head to take a drink, a wave of water came over her, completely drenching not just her but the zebras beside her, sending them racing from the water, only splashing the lioness more as they hastily retreated. Somehow, in the chaos, she had been kicked or dunked into the water because the next thing that she remembered was being completely under and she had to paddle her way back to the shallows somewhat frantically, to avoid any run ins with some poorly placed crocodiles. But she made it back to land safely, pausing to take a breather and collect herself again, slightly shook by the sudden intrusion.

That was when she heard it, the chipper greeting and the splashing of paws nearing her position. The red lioness paused, he back to the water hole, but after a moment of deliberation, she turned around to face the young cub with a noticeable lack of animosity in her expression. She did not appreciate being splashed but this was Simba's daughter, Kishi could tell just from her voice, so rather than potentially get herself in trouble for complaining, the older lioness put on her best smile.

"Princess." She said in acknowledgement, bowing her head to the younger feline respectfully. "Forgive me for intruding upon your um... swim time, I guess?"