adjusting to the new territory had been easy in terms of conditions. the sun still was hot as ever. nights were cold enough to make his paws numb. water was still out of fuck nowhere into the desert that the distance between the fort and where cacti began to grow more bountifully was exhausting in itself.

benny had a drive to survive through it, though. he pushed himself to his limits daily. collecting cacti to bring back to the fort. patrolling almost dawn to dusk for trespassers or even bodies that couldn't handle the heat to bring back for a night's dinner. it was morbid, and sometimes benny wasn't sure what the point of it was but he had a purpose in place here. get his shit done and he'll live. he couldn't run off because it was tough. he wouldn't. even when yes man led, and there was large suspicion over benny's intentions here, it was cowardly, and there were... other commitments keeping him here.

during one of benny's journey's through the new desert he had come across an oasis. it was partially surrounded by a canyon, with flora and fauna growing between the cracks of the walls and overgrown at the base. cactus flowers and lilies floated along the surface of the water, and it was pleasantly quite. a few mice scattered by to take advantage of the vacant water before scurrying back into their homes between the canyon walls. the fox had just discovered it, originally calling forth a search team for a water source before deciding to go on his own. it wasn't the smartest thing to go by himself, but he had stated where he was going at least before departing the fort.

the water was cool as refreshing, and he practically dunked his entire head below the surface before jerking back up and shaking the water out of his ears. benny relieved a pleasant sigh and laid onto his body, resting his head down onto the water with just his nose up so he could still breathe. finally, somewhere actually cold that couldn't kill him.

[member=2048]COSETTE[/member]

benny felt as though he might as well stay submerged forever. it was relaxing; the cool temperatures washing away the tension in his shoulders and melting away the burning heat from his body. he knew it couldn't last long, unfortunately. at the end of the day he would return to his duties as a warlord and continue on his day. perhaps take scattered visits back to this pleasant pond.

he opened his eyes, feeling a disturbed wave as someone had jumped in. he couldn't quite tell who it was, only being able to see their skewed legs underwater. he lifted his head, shaking some water from his face and looked up. baby blue eyes widened as he saw cosette looking down at him. his expression quickly turned up to a soft smile.

"we oughta quit meetin' up like this, doll. the people are gonna talk." benny chuckled and rose to a stand. "what's gotcha all the way out here? hear about my little adventure? did you come to check up on me?" he continued to tease lightly. there was nothing more entertaining than seeing her blush. well, maybe there was, but at the moment he couldn't think of anything else.

the pure fact she found relief in seeing him over someone else brought butterflies to his stomach. he wasn't sure if it was making him feel sick, light, euphoric, or all the above. he just knew cosette made him happy when she was around. the savannah was on his mind, maybe a bit too much for him to ignore. it was a strange feeling that sparked in his chest when he saw her. thought about her... some nights he hated it for making his sleep more restless than it already was.

she was soft. he couldn't have her even if he wanted to. not until she could handle it. his rough nature and less-than-innocent habits with his romantic interests.

benny noticed her gaze wandering and chuckled to himself. "well doll, I came out here t' explore, mostly. would you like to join me? I think this is a pretty sweet gig for a date, you dig?" not being together officially didn't mean he couldn't still flirt, right? hopefully not. at least not until she said something first... the last thing benny would want it to corner her, or make her feel like she was obligated to agree to commitment. knowing vaguely of her background and how she acted, he wouldn't be a hundred percent sure.


the fox flicked his tail over cosette's nose and began to wade through the water, turning his head to look at her. "c'mon cutiepie, think there's somethin' cool 'round here?" he swept up a white waterlily in his paw, shaking off some of the droplets before placing it behind her ear with a gentle smile.

such a mockery to the emotions they held that they misunderstood them for something else. a tragic joke that neither would make sense of it quick enough. that they weren't capable, or thought to be capable of feeling such emotion before. had benny been given the proper love as a child. the opportunity to find it, and be taught how to treat the hearts he stole in the past, he may have been able to guide cosette. instead they were both running in circles around each other. becoming shy at each other's advancements or directing the romantic attention elsewhere.

at least not today, finally. benny wanted to at least prove, or experiment with the idea that he could be a lover. something with cosette made him soft, there was no doubt but it made him feel... uneasy. as if he were falling for something that wasn't there; his general fear of love and commitment betraying him making him turn away. at least today... today he could try.

the fox cocked his head at her question, a chuckle escaping him. he couldn't contain it. "a date? It's uh... well, it's when a guy takes a girl for a little hey-hey. have a good time. They go for a swing, all those good digs." the fox vaguely explained in his own sort of language that he seemed to understand entirely. benny tipped his head low, trying to make eye contact with her again. "you up for it?"