The river Peril would hardly sound like the ideal destination for a casual visit. But on a lazy afternoon like this, with the sun sparkling crystal-bright off the deceptively inviting meltwater, it was... well... Halcyon. A place to contemplate the simple grandeur of nature, to philosophize about Life, the Universe, and Everything --
Or, if one happens to be a particular Foundling with more fluff than brain, for something very stupid.
The oranges-and-cream swirl of Lawley's sleek form paced down the bank, deep violet eyes glittering with mischief. He paused at the very edge, leaning out as far as he could to contemplate the broken reflection in the rambling waters, hesitated, stepped back, approached again. He knew, of course, why the river had earned its name. But he'd never visited in person before. Weight shifted to one forepaw, he lifted the other, then almost delicately outstretched it, to full extension over the river's surface. He paused, briefly: the hesitation of a child on the seashore, anxiously skittering back from each encroaching wave, unwilling to get their feet wet for the first time. But like the child, in a few seconds' time Lawley would work up the courage.
