As much as how things are now displeased the large beast, he still found enough will to venture out from home. There was a time he would spend his days on a trek from one side of Amaryllis to another before the path had become muddied by outsiders. Now he was content to spend time within his pride land. It was a comfort to be near his queen and mates that he had come to know.

Strangers brought change with them and often times then not, it was not with good intention. Already they claimed pieces of land like they had a right to do so. The brute snorted at his own thoughts. He had entered the thicket a short time ago. Paws careful to maneuver around the roots and fallen trees. He was on the look for things to take back. Perhaps a useful plant or a half-eaten carcass. Even bones or hide would suffice for his trip out today.

Mallory was just a tad breathless. Carefully around the trees she wove, her slight body sliding between rocks and roots and bark. The thicket had that damp smell of decay that often came with the flourishing of life. Moss seemed to cover every surface, giving the world here an eerie green hue. The little light that worked its way through the thick foliage above illuminated many a spider-weaves.

The silken creations gripped onto the bark, the rocks, and the moss. Mallory drew closer to one, smiling gently at the petite arachnid that called it home. A tale of giant, 8-legged monsters came to remembrance. A family who lived in a cave system had told her on one of the dark dark nights of the story. Sinister creatures with malice in their hearts and poison on their wicked fangs.

Nothing close to this small being. The woman scooped the spider onto her paw, holding it close to her face and examining it with a smile. A song came forth from her lips, laced with a quiet giggle.

"Lazy Lob and crazy Cob
are weaving webs to wind me.
I am far more sweet than other meat,
but still they cannot find me!

Here am I, naughty little fly;
you are fat and lazy.
You cannot trap me, though you try,
in your cobwebs - Oh! Hello!"

The woman's song was slashed short by her own snap of attention to the lion. His own spotted body seemed to near reflect her own, though of course she suited the freckled look better!

The trunks of the trees that still stood became closer together and harder for the brute to maneuver through. When finally he had squeeze between two to the other side, he was greeted with the sight of a lioness in full song. He paused and it would seem, even held his breath to keep from interrupting. He was lost in her voice as word by word it dripped past her lips. Mesmerized by the sultry lull it had.

However, just as it had ended, so had his fascination. He brought in a heavy breath and with it came the obvious scent of someone foreign to his homeland. He was tempted to back a step and begone from the area at first notice- but he was caught. Her words at the end were aimed at him as he found eyes that lifted. Lips formed a tight line as he decided on his next step. With silent, inward regret he stepped forward and placed on a mask of something more... approachable at the least.

At least if he didn't want a reputation of the enormous asshole. "Eve." He greeted her with a court, single word as he dropped his sight to settle on the spider that roamed the paw of the stranger. Gross.

@Mallory

Mallory - spider-holding paw still held up near her face - focused upon the man. Spots and stripes. Maybe he was a strange mash-up of a tiger and a leopard! Wouldnt that be a funny combination! The brief musings of the lioness were brought to a close at the mans words.

'eve'.

"Man of few words, huh?" She simply noted, turning her attention back to the little black spider wandering between her toes. "Go on, lil dude. Off ya go..." Her paw went back down to the web, a small stream of breath encouraging the small beast back to its home.

Though he wasn't excited to converse with an outsider, he still waited as he gave his greeting. Her words found his ears and pulled them forward on top of his cranium. Eyes roam over her once again. She was an odd combination of colors, but they worked well together across her pelt. "Sometimes." He answered without missing a moment after she commented. He kept his rather neutral expression as he watched her lower the critter back to the web and try to ease it away with a breath of air.

"Why play with it?" He found no use to bother insects in their natural home. It had not intended for them to do so. Why not just let it be and observe from afar?

@Mallory

Mallory merely raised a monochrome brow at his words, echoing with a borderline judgemental "Sometimes..." Strangers were no fun unless they actually wanted to chat. She rolled her shoulders, turning her head to look fully at him. She regarded him again, filing away his appearance in the deep tunnels of her mind.

His question, in all fairness, was a good one. She shrugged, looking back at the cobweb. "Why not? Hes a funny little guy, I just wanted a closer look." Mallory leaned closer, her breath shaking the web. "Wanna see?"

She caused him to grow more curious of her ways. Especially when she pinned with a lingering gaze before she drifted it back down to the spider. His own eyes followed the path and watched it a moment as it studied itself on the web. Her shrug did little to answer his question, nor did her actual response. "I rather not." He did not mean to offend the lioness and hoped that he surely did not. "Perhaps, we can find something else of interest." He posed the suggestion in hopes to remove them from the creepy little crawler.

@Mallory

The copper femme couldnt help the little bit of pity for the man. Not want to look at a funky little 6-legged dude? "Your loss..." She shrugged, wriggling her toes. At the very least he offered a search of more interesting items. "A treasure hunt? A quest! Yes!" The lioness practically sprung to her feet. "This place seems like the perfect setting for a daring adventure, don't ya think?" Mallory flourished a bright grin, taking a few bold steps towards him.

He watched as her interest in the spider soon faded and was replaced with excitement over the idea he had voiced. But alas, she seemed far more eager than he had expected. Enough so that his head rose a fraction as he watched her in a curious manner. Her own words caused his ears to pull forward before they fell back once again. "I had meant a hunt, but an adventure sounds... interesting." And cub-like if he was completely honest. However, he would not deny her the 'quest' she wanted to go after. "Do you have anything in mind then?" He would ask as a single brow rose. His toes dug a bit further into the soil of the thicket as he waited with patience that had been formed over the years of his lifetime.

@Mallory