[PRP] Coral Connections (Whispers from the Midnight Waves x Reef Stalker)

[lilacfishie]

[imgleft]https://matope-swamp.com/images/corn/wh ... uncert.png[/imgleft]
Whispers from the Midnight Waves was rarely in the mood to go hunting, but when he was, he wanted to have fun doing it. Trotting to the water's edge, he looked over the clear and calm expanse. After giving his body a good shake to dismiss the nerves, he gently slunk into the water's edge. Not wanting to disturb the waters too much, he slowly made his way in, the water getting deeper and deeper until he was completely submerged. Making use of his tail fin, Whispers swam down to the coral reefs below. He'd find somewhere nice to settle and wait for a prize to swim by.

@Jynk

[Jynk]

[imgright]https://www.matope-swamp.com/images/max ... uncert.png[/imgright]Reef Stalker swam among the coral, chasing the small school of darting fish before him. His long tail swished back and forth, allowing him to glide through the water gracefully after his quarry. He snapped at the fish, catching and swallowing a few and parts of others. Not stopping to enjoy the small morsels, Reef Stalker rounded the largest clump of coral in the reef and spotted something larger coming toward the reef. He moved his head fins in thought, trying to decide what the large creature might be and if it was dangerous (or possibly food!) before turning his attention back to the school of fish. A few quick swishes of his tail and he was caught up to the fish, snapping after them again.

@lilacfishie

[lilacfishie]

[imgleft]https://matope-swamp.com/images/corn/wh ... uncert.png[/imgleft]
Whispers from the Midnight Waves touched down gently onto the ocean floor, being mindful of any stray rocks that might startle the nearby fish. Making his way behind the larger pieces of coral, he kept his eye on his surroundings to try and find a good spot to wait for some tasty fish to come by. He knew the set up for this hunt was almost as important as the strike itself. Ears flattened with focus, the acha didn't even register the larger shape behind the coral as well. The small buck continued taking careful steps forward behind the largest piece of coral. Before he could stop himself, he felt himself collide with something large.

Snapping his eyes up, Whispers was shocked to see he was nose to nose with a rather bright kimeti. Letting out a small yelp in surprise, the acha took a step back.

@Jynk

[Jynk]

[imgright]https://www.matope-swamp.com/images/max ... uncert.png[/imgright]Snapping at the school of fish, Reef Stalked clamped down onto... not a fish. He stared into the surprised eyes of another brightly colored kin, mouth still around the other's muzzle, the school of fish forgotten as they dispersed and disappeared. He swam back, letting go, and blinked, then darted to the surface, powerful tail swishing behind him.

@lilacfishie

[lilacfishie]

[imgleft]https://matope-swamp.com/images/corn/wh ... uncert.png[/imgleft]
Still startled from the clamp onto his snout, Whispers from the Midnight Waves watched in stunned silence as the large kimeti registered what happened and then kicked off to the surface. Shaking his head, he snapped out of his daze and kicked off to follow. This was far more interesting than his hunt. He could take care of that later.

@Jynk

[Jynk]

[imgright]https://www.matope-swamp.com/images/max ... uncert.png[/imgright]Breaking the surface, Reef Stalker took in a large breath of air before looking down, peering back into the depths below. He was not at all territorial about his hunting grounds. There were plenty of fish, after all. However, he'd never seen another kin around this particular reef before and was curious about the acha. Hopefully he hadn't hurt the smaller kin in his haste of trying to catch the fish. Reef Stalker bobbed along in the water, tail swishing rhythmically to keep his head above the waves, and waited to see if the acha also surfaced.

@lilacfishie

[lilacfishie]

[imgleft]https://matope-swamp.com/images/corn/wh ... uncert.png[/imgleft]
There was no way Whispers would be able to close the gap between the two kin, especially with the large kimeti having a head start. Keeping his eyes on the surface and the lights peeking through, he caught sight of the larger kin...waiting at the surface? A little bit of unease crept up the acha's spine. He'd never encountered another kin down in the depths like this, let alone a kin that was like this one. After what felt like an age, he finally breached the surface. Shaking his head to clear the water from his ears, Whispers turned to the kimeti.

"Hello, I'm sorry for running into you down there. I guess I wasn't watching where I was going..." he trailed off, ears pinning a little in embarrassment.

@Jynk

[Jynk]

[imgright]https://www.matope-swamp.com/images/max ... uncert.png[/imgright]"Neither was I," Reef Stalker replied, giving a wry smile. "I was too interested in catching a meal and not used to other kin around the reef. Were you hunting as well?"

The kimeti tilted his head, long spine-like fins moving a little, as he studied the smaller kin. He was actually amazed that, although not as fast as himself, how quick the acha moved in water with such a short tail. "I thought most acha lived in the desert," he mused out loud.

@lilacfishie

[lilacfishie]

[imgleft]https://matope-swamp.com/images/corn/wh ... uncert.png[/imgleft]
Whispers from the Midnight Waves glanced down to the coral below at the question. He could barely see some of the larger fish flitting about amongst the corals. How had he not noticed the large kimeti now at his side when they were down there? Camouflage was a wonderful and confusing thing. "Yeah, it's a great spot for fishing. Especially if you can blend in with the coral," he explained. The acha's attention was brought back to the kimeti at his following comment. Flicking his ears and giving a small smile, Whispers let out a chuckle. "That's what I keep hearing, though all I've ever known is the swamp and the ocean." Feeling a little self conscious about the focus being on him, he switched the topic, "So, how was the hunt going before you caught a fish bigger than you planned?" he asked with another laugh.

@Jynk

[Jynk]

[imgright]https://www.matope-swamp.com/images/max ... uncert.png[/imgright]Reef Stalker nodded at the acha's words, letting the current move him about, but keeping his position with lazy movements of his tail. "I guess it helps to be colored like the coral, sure," he answered, "and I suppose I do fit in more here than the swamp. I'd probably be utterly lost in the desert. Or just the opposite, actually, standing out like a rainbow in a clear sky." He chuckled a bit at his own joke, a little awkward. At the other's question, he just nodded, starting to head slowly to shore, keeping a pace the acha could match. "It was mostly small fish. Granted, the big 'fish' was tastier, but I think I'd be better off with the smaller ones. Can't talk to a bigger fish if it's eaten."

@lilacfishie

[lilacfishie]

[imgleft]https://matope-swamp.com/images/corn/wh ... uncert.png[/imgleft]
Following the kimeti's lead, Whispers from the Midnight Waves swished his little tailfin quickly to keep up with him. For just a moment, he flicked his eyes to the large tail fin the kimeti was sporting and his eyes softened a bit with admiration. When the other buck spoke again, he quickly redirected his gaze, feeling a blush rise on his snout. Letting out a flustered laugh, Whispers turned his focus to the shore they were headed. "I'd be pretty lost in the desert too, probably. It seems like such a barren place. I'm drawn to things a bit more," he paused, then added as he looked to the kimeti, "colorful."

Once the two reached the shoreline, Whispers from the Midnight Waves took a step or two away from the kimeti to give his body a good shake, dismissing a good portion of the water in his fur and scales. Turning back to the other buck, he spoke again, his tone light. "I tend to go for the smaller fish a lot too, it makes the hunt more fun. Though bigger fish can definitely be more interesting, especially in conversation."

@Jynk

[Jynk]

[imgright]https://www.matope-swamp.com/images/max ... uncert.png[/imgright]Reef Stalker shook himself as well, head fins flopping a bit, and then gave his tail a quick whip to get the water off. "I suppose the ocean would be the best place for finding colors, then," he said, shrugging one shoulder. "Certainly more than a barren desert or a dreary swamp. The ocean is more fun, anyway."

He glanced over at the acha, noticing the way the smaller kin was looking at him, and arched a brow. Ah, he understood now. "I've never thought much about small fish, but I suppose they could be more fun to chase." He gave a grin that seemed unreadable.

@lilacfishie

[lilacfishie]

[imgleft]https://matope-swamp.com/images/corn/wh ... uncert.png[/imgleft]
Whispers from the Midnight Waves returned the kimeti's enigmatic smile with a smirk of his own. The more time he spent with this buck, the more he liked talking with him. How had they never crossed paths before? "I suppose that would be an interesting encounter," he started, beginning to walk along the shore and hoping the larger buck would follow. "I'm surprised we've never crossed paths before, though I'm glad we have now. What is your name?"

@Jynk

[Jynk]

[imgright]https://www.matope-swamp.com/images/max ... uncert.png[/imgright]The kimeti chuckled, following along with the acha. "I do keep to myself quite a bit. More food and less aggravation that way. Lonely sometimes, though." He tilted his head, the long fins laying back against his skull. "I'm called Reef Stalker. What should I call you?"

@lilacfishie

[lilacfishie]

[imgleft]https://matope-swamp.com/images/corn/wh ... uncert.png[/imgleft]
Whispers from the Midnight Waves could relate to the feeling of loneliness. He spent most days on his own, which wasn't so bad all the time. This new encounter felt refreshing, though. Perking up at the question, he replies, "I'm called Whispers from the Midnight Waves. A mouthful, I know. Whispers is just fine."

@Jynk