Somehow, someway, he had come to tolerate the heat within the waste — at least just enough to not pass out several times a day. Rain showers still passed the lands every now and then, but the intense heat of the sun quickly dried it up. It was one thing the bard had come to appreciate here, even if the journey was quite unbearable.

Though he managed to find something quite unexpected in his travels through red sand dunes and dehydrated grass fields — the smell of salt water. The wayfarer picked up his pace, heading directly towards the sound of the ocean and before he knew it, he was here. What he sought was right before him.

—and he wasted no time plunging himself beneath it's depths.

The cool ocean water felt like euphoric kisses against his skin, and his practiced limbs kicked and swan to the surface of the waters, using his forelimbs to lift himself from the sea and walk against blackened rocks. Shaking his pelt out.

And he laughed — for the first time during this miserable journey, he'd laughed to himself….

He was not alone, and that surprised him. Yoshi wasn’t aware he had company watching him act a fool in the water, and under normal circumstances, the bard would’ve been embarrassed. However these were not normal circumstances at all – as they were in literal hell. Or what it felt like for the past couple of days since he’d begun scouting these lands.

Disgracing himself in front of a stranger aside, the man didn’t mind the unexpected company at all. In fact, he welcomed it, turning to him after he was done gathering himself. ”Why stranger, this is the best fun I’d ever had in these past couple of days! The sun cannot scorn me under the shield of sea water! Don’t you agree?" Did he look stupid? His coat was damp with sea water and ungroomed, so probably.

The boy before him was notably young – not a child, but rarely an adult. He wondered if he lived here, as he clearly didn’t seem as bothered by the weather as Yoshiro did...

The boy was practically in disbelief on how Yoshi could’ve possibly been enjoying himself right about now. He did not blame him – as the noble was acting like he’d found pandora’s box – but that’s exactly what it felt like right now. He flashed them a toothy, cheeky grin from the veil of his lips.

Ah, you must not be from the sea! He proclaimed, raising his brows. I’ll have you know I was born around the scent of seaweed and deadfish! It’s an acquired smell to visitors, though the sweet smell of Fuji blossoms always helps. Yet the island of queens rest seems to be the only place in this world that had them, so he doubted the boy knew what he referred to.

He steps closer, a tassel slowly swaying over his hips.

If it interests you, I could show you the joys of the sea myself. If you aren’t too skittish, that is…