Now this place was not fun.

Leander Miroslav had ventured into the Cactus Farm although all of the alarm bells in his head had warned him otherwise. Large frame finds it exceedingly difficult to find enough room amongst the thorny plants as he attempts to manoeuvre his way to safety. Under his breath, the Miroslav swears bloody murder, his mood soured by his less than ideal predicament. He had ventured far too deep and now had the fun task of picking his way back. But since turning around was not an option, the patched figure lumbered through the prickly maze in hopes of finding another path where he may be able to find his way back home. Through gritted teeth and with small but stinging lacerations on his limbs, Leander continues on his way, displeased.

@Elswyth

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Elsie, unlike @Leander, was endlessly amused. An odd perception to have when you were surrounded by thousands of prickly needles, but the buoyant girl had turned it in to a game. Sure she wore the consequences of that game, but she was determined not to let it totally ruin her game. So, even though she had a few needles stuck beneath her skin, she was giggling as she bounced along.

There were a few narrow paths through the cacti (mostly used for small game, she imagined) and she was all but frolicking along one of them. It was warmer, here, as if summer was not willing to let go, and she was determined to make use of the lingering heat.

Oblivious to the grumpier presence she was nose to the ground, tracking some random skittering creature, bright-eyed and oozing excitement.

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He could not imagine how anyone would find this place delightful though Leander Miroslav would soon come to realise that it was indeed possible. There, blocking his path, is a petite lioness, shrouded a most curious lavender shade. She is skipping and giggling -- the sound strange and rather irritating to the Miroslav who is at the other end of the spectrum of emotions. She is headed his way and he, her way -- at one point, their paths would cross and Leander would not be able to go any further without somehow overcoming this live obstacle. When the pair find themselves within a comfortable speaking distance, the patched male cannot help but remark on her lively spirit: "You are enjoying yourself?" he asks, doubtful. @Elswyth was either unhinged or simply unbothered.

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almost too late she is aware of him, skidding to a stop mid-stride and staring up at the male. elswyth was a tiny creature and he was much bigger than her, but this did not seem to bother the sprite. she flashes him her usual megawatt grin, and then flops on to her bottom and lifts a hind leg to scratch at her shoulder where one needle worms its way in deeper.

"oh yes! there's something hiding in here, and i'd like to find out what it is." elswyth gestured at the trail she had been following, little more than uniform scuffs in the sand. likely formed by a snake, though she had no idea the danger that might bring. "are you not?" a tip of her head, flop-ears bouncing, as she looked questioningly at the stranger.

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He studies her carefully then -- noting the dapples that lanced her haunches and shoulders, the drooping of her ears. She was peculiar in appearance and behaviour -- spritely and almost ethereal. Leander was not sure if he could handle such a woman. But here he was -- stuck. Mismatched gaze eyes a thorn that has latched eagerly onto her hide, the pointy end only being pushed deeper as she idly scratched at it. If not removed, the Miroslav was certain that it may lead to painful infection.

Perhaps he too, had many under his skin -- the thought adding to his many worries as he stands uncomfortably, doing his best to deflate his bulky frame. "Is it anything of value?" he asks, though he knows very well that value is subjective. Leander is merely curious to find out what mattered so much to @Elswyth. A low grumble escapes parted jowls as he motions about him -- his movements restricted of course: "I fear I am too large for such tight confinements." His mane was snagged and Leander was certain that it would take days to tidy up after his escape.

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elswyth giggles again -- "everything has value if you decide that it does!" and if that wasn't her life motto, well, i don't know what was. after all, the spritely girl was very good at placing value on all things, even those that most would turn their noses up at.

"i'm not too sure what it is, though. it must be small to be hiding in here..." she glanced around, as if she might see the culprit appearing from behind a cactus. she didn't of course, and looked back at him as he spoke again.

"oh!" of course he was! this was definitely one of those times that she didn't mind being small. "well come on then, let's get you out of here!" a wave of her paw as she led the way, glancing back only once to see if he followed as she did her best to pick the largest trails through the tangle of cacti.

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And there it was -- everything you thought valuable was valuable. Leander felt that there should be a disclaimer of sorts on that ideal but he wasn't about to spend any time debating ideology with the stranger in the middle of a throng of cacti. From the manner with which @Elswyth describes this thing of value, it may be a small rat or something along those lines -- in the Miroslav's eyes, nothing to write home about and certainly not worth risking death via cactus. Strangely enough, the sprite is happy to help him find his way out, turning on her heels and leading him down a wider path. He follows as quick as his large bulky frame would allow, lumbering paws picking their way as carefully as they could. He is slow and mismatched gaze flits up every now and again to confirm that he hadn't lost sight of his tour guide.

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almost as if she had forgotten that he was following she bounces along, stopping every so often to sniff at a flowering cacti or admire a wandering bug. she would remember herself, and him, with little starts, peering back with a sheepish smile before trudging on again.

it didn't take long, but it might have felt an eternity to one following the distractable girl. finally, though, they are free of the worst of it, reaching the edge of the farm where the cacti grow further apart. here she flops down to scratch again at that needle, finding the barbed thing rather irritating despite her assurances that they were no bother.

still she finds a sunshine-smile for him -- "what were you doing here, anyway?" -- as she scratches away.

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Following behind her, Leander finds himself thinking about whether or not @Elswyth was unhinged or not. Was she a smiling assassin? Would he find himself out of the cactus maze and in another predicament? Why would she offer to help a complete stranger? What could she possibly gain from helping him? It certainly would not bring her closer to whatever she had been tracking. Finally, they are out of the worst of it, Leander allowing the tight muscles in his body to relax.

The woman asks what he had been doing amongst the prickly flora and he gives a shrug of broad shoulders, "Exploring." He certainly wouldn't make the same mistake ever again.

His attention turns to the thorn caught at her shoulder, the large male lumbering closer without warning or permission, uttering a simple: "Stop." He wishes for her to stop scratching at the prickle so that he may retrieve it safely.

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Elsie perks at the word, visibly brightening as she recognizes the glimpse of a kindred spirit in the lumbering male. "Oh, that's my very favorite thing to do!" Once given the freedom from the expectations she had been raised with Elswyth had almost never stopped exploring. Much to the frustration of those that lingered in her company. Her friends, most of whom had disappeared, were often waylaid because of her random adventures.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Her paw dropped to the ground with a thud, sheepish grin lifted his way. Clearly she had annoyed him with her incessant scratching, and she does her best to ignore the way it pokes and prickles at her even now. "I think that one just got a little deep!"

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