The late autumn rays of sun beat down upon my exposed belly, the black fur soaking up every last bit of warmth that it could get. Lounging atop my driftwood pedestal, I was enjoying a mid-afternoon bask in the sunlight. That I would eventually outgrow this fine piece of furniture that I had claimed as my own was not beyond me, but for now the oddly curved portion of what was once the base of a tree curving out to its roots served me just fine. When that time came, I would just find another, more suitable perch. At this present moment, however, I lazed with my paws to the sky and my tail hanging off the side, its white tip just barely touching the sand of the beach.
An ear flicked to the side at the sound of approaching paw steps. Listening carefully, I recognized the first set with ease, glad to know that Lucille would be joining me on this fine afternoon. I was...less impressed with the fact that Apophis was tailing her. We may have all been born together, but Lucille was mine. I guess you could say dear brother Apo and I had had a bit of a rivalry since day one. But with a mother as callous as ours, and a father entirely absent from these first months of our lives, I suppose it made sense that we would compete with one another on some level. Since birth Apophis had always had an edge on me in size, something becoming a little more evident with each passing day as we grew, but I liked to think that brains combined with brawn could conquer brawn lacking brains. Plus, I'm damn good looking, which gives me an added edge.
Couldn't very well have my brother coming upon me with my abdomen exposed, though, so I rolled over onto my sternum and lifted my head, glancing inland to see Lucille descending onto the beach, and knowing Apophis wouldn't be far behind. What could I say? I was a born leader, it's probably some kind of magnetism that drew them to me, seeking my wisdom and guidance, no doubt. My white tipped tail waved back and forth in greeting to Lucille, feigning disinterest in Apophis' approach, though I remained constantly aware of his proximity to her and me.