Leander listens in carefully as his counterpart explains how she came to be living in the Mire -- the confusion emanating from whether she had joined willingly or if the male that she spoke of had claimed her into his home. @Ghyslaine did not speak with any negativity or resentment and thus the Miroslav assumes that all is well regardless of the circumstance. "It hurts your ego to think he claimed you?" the Miroslav quips, tongue in cheek as he now puts a light on her supposed sense of pride. She seeks to know more about the Oasis and Leander relinquishes: "His name is Seneca." And though perhaps he would share more with her, he too, has limited knowledge on the pride himself. Ghyslaine describes her new home as anything but pleasant -- dark and swampy. Why, no wonder she ventured to somewhere far more picturesque. "Who rules the Mire?" the Miroslav queries, hoping that she would share this information since he had been so forthcoming.

She wondered what others thought about her explanation about how she ended up in the Mire. It wasn't really her business, she guessed, what they thought- but she wondered none-the-less. When @Leander spoke, she tilted her head slightly to the side. "It doesn't hurt my ego, I don't think. I could have fought him- I just didn't want to, if that makes sense." She pauses. "My ego is still delightfully intact." She finishes with a grin.

Seneca She stores the name for her own reference later, and when he asks who leads the Mire she speaks. "His name is Alaric. I haven't really had any one on one time with him- I did however see him at a meeting." She explains. She didn't have an opinion on the pride leader yet- that was something best saved for when she got to know him some. "I'm slowly meeting everyone on a one to one basis- trying to get to know them all and where they fit in so I can find my own place." She paused. "I haven't been in the Mire very long." She offered by way of explanation.

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Again, @Ghyslaine spells out the importance of choice and how it had all been her decision. He supposed that she had a point -- force was objective and perceived.. most of the time. "Unfortunately for the rest of Amaryllis," the Miroslav jests as she speaks of her ego being entirely intact. Leander too, stores the name of the Mire High Sovereign for future use. What he did know so far was as such -- he had those in high ranks which indicated to Leander that perhaps the pride was one that thrived. Alaric also seemed at ease with the claiming of women. But perhaps there was still more learnings to come.

Ghyslaine too, craves more learning -- to meet more of her pride and to discover what she can about those that she calls her pride. "I am like you," he admits after a pause and a nod his blocky head, "I have not met many of the Oasis' inhabitants. i figure I will meet those I need to meet eventually." And hopefully avoid meeting any more of his brother's brat pack in the process -- there was little to no appeal in babysitting. "Do you have rank aspirations?" Did his counterpart hope for more power?

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He jests with her, and his comments make her laugh loudly this time. Her mouth forms a grin as she looks over at him, rolling her eyes at his comment. "Hah! Did you confuse me with yourself again, Sir Big-head?" She teases mischievously.

"Don't you need to meet them all to know whom may have your back during troubled times?" She poses that question. She wanted to meet the entire pride- to figure out each of them. "One day, I do." She confirms. "I don't ever want to lead a pride or anything- but I want to have a position where I contribute." She pauses. "I don't know if there is something within the pride for me- but I want to find you." Another pause. "And you? Do you have rank aspirations, @Leander?"

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"You could only dream of being this handsome," Leander retorts with a grunt, perhaps his best effort at a short cough of laughter as @Ghyslaine asks if she's managed to confuse himself with her. She asks about meeting the remainder of the pride -- actively seeking their company and perhaps figuring each one out -- their motives, their strengths and their weaknesses. This all sounded exhausting to someone who was a loud introvert, finding energy in being alone. "That is what family is for," he responds evenly, though at that moment, the Miroslav feels privileged to have that option.

He supposed that for others like his counterpart today, the other pride members were her source of support. Ghyslaine does not have aspirations to rule a pride one day and Leander can understand. Up until recently, he had perhaps been happy enough loitering in the sidelines. But since he had been spurred on by his sister to return to Amaryllis, a new desire to be successful had begun to burn in his chest -- fulfilling that buried desire to step out of his brother's shadow. "I would like to rule a pride of my own one day," he is honest -- something that surprises the secretive man who likes to hold his cards to his chest. "Perhaps you can join me when that eventuates," he suggests idly.

But if he wished to succeed, he would need sleep. Rising to his feet, Leander Miroslav gives a short stretch of his upper body, leaning down to feel the stretch down his spine. "It is time to return home. Good night," the Miroslav bids farewell to his late night company, not one for heartfelt farewells. Inwardly, he hoped that he might bump into the Mire woman in the future.

Exit Leander

The banter that had gone back and forth between the two, had been quite amusing thus far and as usual, Leander didn't disappoint her. "That's definitely my dream," she snorts sarcastically, though a smile is there on her jaws.

He comments about the purpose of families, and again there is a pain of longing in her chest. Perhaps the Mire will one day feel like a family, or maybe futuristically, she'll find a family of her own. He wants to lead, a comment she definitely notes- and when he suggests that perhaps she will join him when that happens- she merely nods thoughtfully. "I guess we will see where the world takes the both of us. Though I don't know if your head would fit a crown, as large at it is." Another taunt, as she grins at him. Her answer is neither a no or a yes- but a we will see.

As he rises to his feet, and bids her farewell- she realizes how late it is. With a nod, she speaks once more. "Good Night!" She would call at him as he exits, and she would haul herself back to her own feet. It was probably time to either head home or find somewhere to sleep for the night- for her as well.

As she walks away, she wonders if their paths will cross again, and she finds herself inwardly hoping they do.

@Leander

-Exit Ghyslaine-

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