Since having joined the Lagoon, Leander had spent minimal time within the borders. He had instead, lingered by the Oasis to gain information -- biding his time until he would one day challenge for Andal once more. But on this day, he decides that it's about time to he does the rounds around his new home, large paws and a steady stride taking him around the Lagoon. They are surrounded by water though none of it drinkable, Leander lowering his blocky head to inspect the sea water. With a huff, the patched male retreats back to the trees and finds a large spot of shade to lie in. There, he allows himself to drift in and out of sleep, tired from restless nights embroiled in his thoughts and guilt.

code // art // do not use without permission

Unbeknownst to Leander, the newcomer had been being observed as he meandered along the beach. Eyes of deepest blue watched from a hiding place among the foliage at the edge of the tree line, low growing tropical palms obscuring the form of Prince Orson. He did not recognize the stranger, though recent talk in the family den had spoken of a newcomer to their home. Conversation that once would have been completely disregarded by the youngster now caught his attention more and more the older he got. At 6 months old Orson was no longer a chubby little cubling with stars in his eyes but a lanky kid who was beginning to round out his view of the world and all its happenings.

Orson stayed tucked into the shadows as Leander sought a place to rest in the shade. And once the older lion seemed to settle for a nap, he began to creep closer. He moved fairly quietly, used to traversing the sandy terrain of Scilla, the sand helping to silence his paw steps. He was wary around the male, who was yet a stranger to him, though his scent seemed to already hint of his belonging. He wanted to see how close he could approach, to get a better look of the oddly patched, fiery maned man.

CODE BY CORVUS

Though he yearned to sleep with little to no inhibitions to the outside world, Leander Miroslav knew better than to do so -- especially when he was a newcomer to these parts. So he dozes in and out, ears flickering to pick up any external noise and though very subtle, the gargantuan male does catch glimpse of something or someone nearby. He doesn't respond immediately, eyes opening just a crack for the briefest of moments to see if he could catch glimpse his visitor. He picks up the shape of a youthful figure though feline in species. He figures it is a child and though relatively gentle and relaxed in nature, Leander decides that he will do his best to continue to pretend he was asleep. He had minimal interaction with children and he wasn't sure how best to proceed. Maybe @Orson would leave him be if he didn't move.

code // art // do not use without permission

Orson froze at the flickering of Leander’s ears, suspended in motion with one paw lifted in the air. He did not catch the subtle cracking of the eyes that afforded the older male a glimpse of the little stalker, and thus Orson incorrectly assumed he had remained undetected. After a moment the boy resumed his approach, slinking ever closer with paw steps muffled by the sand. Emboldened, he was now determined to get near enough to fully investigate. His body was tense and poised, his tail held out behind him motionless except for an occasional little twitch. Orson fancied himself an accomplished hunter, sneaking up on his prey as he had observed his parents doing many times before. He was so close now…

Orson leaned forward, whiskers brushing fur as he gave Leander’s nearest extremity an investigative sniff.

CODE BY CORVUS

Ears flicker as the young child continues his approach, perhaps not having seen one of Leander's mismatched gaze open for a small moment. Unfortunately his plan of pretending to be asleep to draw off the youth has backfired and the Miroslav man now finds himself the subject of thorough investigation. Perhaps unbeknownst to @Orson, Leander ha now opened both his eyes to inspect the boy closer. He smells of Alizabeth but the patched male supposed that this could just be mere coincidence. "It is unwise to creep up on sleeping lions," he states matter of factly though he remains relaxed, lying on his belly. He feels awkward but does his best to disguise it.

code // art // do not use without permission

With his eyes focused on the hind foot that he was sniffing, Orson once again did not notice the gaze that was now fully fixated on him. And so, when the man's voice broke the silence it was quite a shock. Orson's head flew up, his lanky pre-teen cub legs launching his whole body upwards, air born for a moment before landing with a spray of sand. A hiss escaped his lips and his back arched in a "halloween cat" fashion, fur all standing on end, especially in a ridge along his spine. He turned his body sideways, his blue eyes wild as he stared at @Leander for a moment, awaiting an attack that never came.

After a few tense moments it became apparent that the stranger was making no move to pursue or advance upon him at all. A mismatched gaze looked upon him curiously, with a demeanor that suggested no ill-will. Slowly, the extreme curve in Olson's back relaxed, as did his prickly fur. Feeling foolish, Orson regarded Leander's words with a bit of a frown. "Yeah... well..." He retorted. "It's unwise to sleep in someone else's pride. Especially Scilla Lagoon. My mama, King Alizabeth, might come along and kick your ass." And there it was; Alizabeth's notoriously foul mouth was being passed along to her children.

CODE BY CORVUS

He does not expect @Orson to get such a fright though after a small pause, Leander inwardly does accept that he had been so silent with the aim of making the child jump. Though not to the extremes that did happen. He does not openly laugh for he knows that he had never much liked having adults laugh at his expense. His mismatched gaze, however, carries a gleam of amusement as the child begins to spout a threat, wielding his mother no less. He had no doubt Alizabeth could kick his ass -- she had always been an able warrior, skilled enough to put even his brother in place. The child's potty mouth is enough to affirm that he is indeed, the King's own offspring -- a prince, if you will. "What about you? You cannot kick my ass?" the Miroslav proposes, lifting his large blocky head but remaining in his relaxed lounge position. His tone is light but holds some judgment, wishing to test the boy and his mettle.

code // art // do not use without permission

Leander's reply put Orson at a loss. While he was aware of the fact that his mother, as well as both of his fathers, were quite a formidable force indeed, he had not considered his own abilities. When it came to fighting Orson was quite a greenhorn indeed. While he may have fancied himself a tough guy thanks to the strength of his family and enjoyed the perks that came with his station as prince, he had never faced a scenario where he had to put his money where his mouth was. A now he was faced with quite a conundrum indeed.

Orson's tail lashed irritably. He knew very well that he could not take on this lion on his own; Leander was much larger than he and likely far more experienced. And though Orson would one day grow into a colossal behemoth like his father, at that current moment Leander could squish him like a bug. However, he knew his parents were nearby and he need only call for them and this stranger would find himself in trouble. Did that mean that, in effect, if Orson called for Alizabeth or Ransom to come do some ass-kicking, that it was he who was responsible for said ass-kicking? The boy tried to reason this out in his mind for although he had inherited a certain spicy attitude from his mother, he did not like to speak untruths.

After much consideration, Orson replied. "Not on my own. Not yet. But you'd be sorry for messing with me if that's what yer askin."

CODE BY CORVUS

Leander is torn between being amused by @Orson's confidence and wanting to send him flying twenty metres away with a swift backhand. He reminds himself that the latter would certainly not be looked upon kindly by Alizabeth and so he decides to settle on the former. The kid appears to understand that he is no match for him though the lengthy pause perhaps indicates that Orson required a fair bit of time to come to that decision. "Have your parents taught you how to fight?" No doubt Orson and his siblings would have come out of the womb fighting but it was still worth asking. "I could teach you a few moves," the Miroslav offers after a small pause, slowly easing up to sit on muscular haunches.

code // art // do not use without permission

Orson was prepared to continue being defensive and copping his tough attitude. But Leander's response took him aback. For a moment he was at a loss for words; had he heard him correctly? Mistrust for the stranger was replaced by a sudden surge of excitement. In truth, Orson had not had any former battle training. His recent spar with his brother had been a harsh reminder of that. He still had several scabs beneath, complements of Lyle's claws and teeth, that stung. And he remembered how Lyle's attack had caught him completely by surprise and left him fumbling. He'd also been woefully left out of the action at the pride challenge when his brother had snuck off to bear witness to it, something that had left Orson positively green with envy.

Orson's gaze slid towards the ground, and his scuffed his paw on the sand. "No... not not really." He admitted, abashed. But his demeanor brightened at Leander's offer, though he tried not to seem too overly excited, wanted to show this male that he was mature, a warrior-to-be. "Yeah!" He exclaimed, before measuring himself, "I mean... I would like to learn from you mister. Are you some kind of warrior?"

CODE BY CORVUS