the ocean was a lot less welcoming in the winter months and even now, despite the rising temperatures. it still wasn't quite warm enough to go for a dip in the sea much to his disappointment, so imagine his enthusiasm when he stumbled across this little patch of heaven that ironically smelled like hell.

he'd been cautious at first, simply due to the fear he'd be burned by the obviously warm water. however, after mustering up a few seconds of courage and dipping his toes into the water, the inky ghoul realized the hot springs were no more dangerous than any other pond he'd taken a swim in. and so after a moment or two, he slipped himself into the relaxing waters and let his stress briefly melt away.

he'd been in the water for no more than a minute before he suddenly gained an audience. she was a pretty thing with porcelain fur and eyes that could burn a hole through your soul. her question was a valid one, but did little to make him worry. he'd been sprayed by a skunk before as a child and if that smell could eventually wash out, then anything could.

"my good looks will make up for the bad smell", he let out with a playful wink and toothy grin as he paddled to the edge she was closest to. "the water feels nice. you could join me and we could smell terrible together." he doubted she'd accept his offer but hey, maybe she'd surprise him.

and surprise him she did. it almost sounded like she wanted to join him in the hot spring, but still needed some persuasion in order to actually accept his offer. "you get to swim with a handsome stranger who doesn't care how bad you smell, and i get to make a new friend", he let out as he paddled away from the edge and swam back out to the center of the pool.

"it's a win-win for both of us." he was in search of company when she just happened to stumble by as the prefect solution to cure his for boredom. it would be a shame if she left so soon.

just when he thought he'd lost all hope of her joining him for a swim, she dipped a porcelain paw in to test the warmth of the water before completely submerging herself save for her head. he couldn't help the satisfied smile that tugged at the corner of his lips while his tail, although underwater, swayed happily behind creating ripples along the surface.

she questioned him, and he tilt his inky chin upwards in thought. "you got in the water with me didn't you? i'd say that's a pretty good start to any friendship", he answered back with a toothy grin. he assumed if she had no interest in getting to know him, she wouldn't have bothered to stop by in the first place.

he let the tension in his muscles melt away as the warm water began to soothe any aches and pains he might have gained from his life of constant travel. it felt nice, and he lowered his head so that his chin rest just about the water's surface. "i'm astaroth", he introduced.

the name of her pack was unfamiliar to him, and so he made sure to mentally mark it down somewhere that he might come and visit when he had more free time. "i live on an island not terribly far from here called yuèlóng. ever heard of it?" he was not yet well acquainted with all of the packs in the teekons, but perhaps she was.

aiolos - that was the redheaded man was it not? he was aware of the other male's existence but had yet to go out of his way and properly introduce himself, an issue he should probably get around to fixing. at this point he had more friends outside of his pack then he did within it, which wasn't exactly a bad thing he supposed.

"oh!? well if you ever need a sparring buddy just give a shout and i'll be happy to practice with you." given her choice of words, he assumed their packs were on good terms with each other and saw no harm in offering a helping hand should she need it. with that being said though, "can't promise i'll be very good. i'm more of a lover than a fighter if you couldn't tell."