Too much to bare. Naz reluctantly nodded agreement. It would be. They felt confident they could survive alone, be physically safe. But it would not be a world Nazonal thrived in, a world she wanted to live in. Not when feeling safe and secure with friends around felt so good. The silence of being alone was deafening, the starvation of touch unable to be satisfiable.

You'd leave the Oasis? Is something wrong there? There was a line between wish and willing to have them. There was no part of her that minded if he and his family should want to relocate here, especially if the Oasis was not working out. But did she wish it? The jury was still out. They leaned back into him and let their body relax up against his, feeling strength, warmth, support, off of him. They wouldn't have minded if he was closer and around a bit more often. Selfish thoughts. To visit or to stay. You and yours are welcome. We are not large like the prides but this is our home. The door is open for many. We have space here for anyone who needs some where to stay, some company, some family and- They lightly aimed a soft, playful, nip at his chest. -I'll insist you at least stop by a bit no matter what. She felt a bit of pressure in her throat, a tightening in her chest. In case I need this comfort. They couldn't find a way to get the words up out of their chest and they lodged in their throat instead until she swallowed them back down. Naz wasn't ready to jump back into thinking about how she'd been feeling before @Alexander ♔'s brilliant and brief therapy.

Often times Alexander was overwhelmed by the company of others, but there was still something breathtakingly lonely about it. Surrounded by others who loved and cared, but never finding any fulfillment in them. Not that he did not care, or love them back - but the Savage warrior had yet to find the light to his darkness, and so the world was still ever so dull in color, in meaning, without them.

Glancing down to the small wildcat pressing against him, a rumbling sound vibrates his chest as he chuckles. "No, but it is not home. We have not decided if we wish to stay yet or not." The beast pauses, listening quietly to her request. The nip to his chest is a surprise, but a welcome one. Lips quiver slightly, flashing his fangs playfully to them. There was something they weren't saying, but Alexander was not one to push, no, he knew it would come in time. A limb rose once more to wrap around her chocolate form, toes curling into her forelimb just slightly, kneading with the tips of his talons tenderly.

"You will see me again, kessake." As he had promised before, he would be there for her whenever she wished it. All they need do is make the call. The Savage Patriarch had no idea why he felt so inclined to offer this young feline so much upon their first meeting, but as a beast who was compelled by superstition and the old ways, he did not often question it, leaving it as fate. There was more he wanted from her, but there was a squeeze in his chest that made him reluctant to take.

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They experience relief at the answer he gave. It was not such a simple thing but no drastic worries brought up either that Nazonal could help resolve.Home is a hard thing to find. It wasn't so much a place, an Oasis, a jungle. It was also who was there with you. Nazonal had seen her fathers build a family, build a home. Brick by brick it was the lions who came and what stories and skills they brought with them. @Alexander ♔ had his family. So long as nothing drastic happened then anywhere could become home to he and whoever he had with him.

Naz's chest suddenly rumbles with a little pleased growl as they feel his claws press against her skin rythmical. Far from painful, they found the sensation quite comforting. Gentle smile widened on their face even while the muscles of their foreleg tensed under his touch. She walked that threshold of pleasure and pain, the one that blurred so readily for her. What is your favorite meal? I'll have some ready the next time you visit, to thank you for the comfort you've given me today.

@Alexander ♔

Alexander would give it some time in the Oasis, see how the life there was and if @Nazonal could come to terms with wanting the Savage beast around more permanently, he would perhaps be willing to indulge her desires. After all, he had made it known he would abide her wishes. However, call it greedy or selfish, but he wanted them to say it out loud - no, he wanted them to ask them to stay. Not just visit.

She seemed to fall in naturally to his attentions, the form of her body melding perfectly against the larger warmth of his own. The growl she offered in response to his touch was welcomed and greeted with his own, though he had already made it well known he was a creature that communicated quite a bit with such primal vocalizations. There was something, however, that flagged to the beast in her response, and it drew him in for more. Momentarily he is blinded and wishes nothing more to test the boundaries, but her question pulls him from such temptation.

Or rather, gives him an opportunity to speak upon it. "I have no real traditional meal that tempts me, my tastes are a bit more exotic." He muses warmly, allowing his muzzle to travel down to touch the top of her head before lowering it down along the left side of her neck. Lips peel back slowly, elongated teeth flash before those fangs prick the flesh there, but dare not break the skin. Shortly after he offers a gentle lick, as if to reassure them that he would do nothing to harm her in his own quiet manner.

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Nothing traditional? She's about to ask what he meant by that when have their answer, or what she suspects he's pursuing. Suppose technically cannibalism was not off the table but it was not what Nazonal's mind jumps to.

They're used to, they crave, such teases and temptations before diving into longing. And for a moment Naz really wants to lose herself in it, briefly their head shifts offering greater access to her dark plush neck. Tingling and alight with the pricks of his teeth and smooth kiss of his tongue over the very same spot. But they stop themselves, they grow rigid and firm in his embrace. They turn their head back, attempting to block him from reaching back in and Naz shakes her head I'm sorry, I can't. Amidst the delight and warm feelings he brought they find something new, something hard and restraining her. It was too familiar, too good. And it's quickly taking her back to memories they want to forget.

There was someone... It didn't work out. They briefly explained, less apologetic and now growing withdrawn as they looked away with a down turned face. It all still feels raw to me. He might have been able to summise some of it already from the conversations they'd had already. And it seemed whatever had been still had some kind of hold, some piece of their mind enraptured and many more far from healing. Far from making this encounter feel safe through no fault of his own. Despite his given word Naz does not know for sure he'll come back. Part of what had made his presence so comforting was how little he knew her. The same novelty now gave them pause. They didn't know him. And she feared him only inevitably adding to the lonely pain, the worst case scenario jumping to mind as the only possible outcome. It wasn't fair, it wasn't logic bound, it was defensive.

@Alexander ♔

She is receptive, oh so receptive and Alexander nearly loses himself as she tilts her neck to the side and invites him in. Every muscle in his body trembles, his breath coming out in a slow, heavy heat against her flesh. It took every ounce of his control to withdraw as she pulls away, the ache to sink his teeth in almost too much to bear. A breathy growl expels from his jaws then as the words, I can't are heard.

What kept him from taking what he wanted? Who had hurt her? A monster roared inside of him for retribution.

Gritting his teeth, the beast pulls away from her slowly, not abruptly or roughly - no, his movements are gentle and his touch even more so. Would delving too deep ruin the illusion of comfort and safety for her? He wondered if he should simply leave and come when she called - it was all too tempting to stay and push the boundaries they so carefully pulled up to block him. Shoulders roll slowly, summoning every bit of patience he could muster.

"I understand, kessake." He murmurs warmly, giving her some space - as it was likely they both needed some space to settle - at least he did. Tongue slithers out to wet his lips, they quiver a moment as he contemplates his next words. Alexander had no promises of love or commitment here, even if Fate had brought them together - for now they were still strangers. Kneading the earth beneath his toes, the beast hums softly.

"I wish to taste you, in multiple ways, but first we must erase the doubt from your mind. That," Alexander coos softly, standing and turning to leave, his lengthy tail sweeping behind him, "Will take time." And he was a damn patient man. In the end he wanted her to come to him, whatever this turned into - Alexander would accept it as it was no longer in his control - the Mother had better ideas, it seemed.

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As @Alexander ♔ unwrapped from her the cold settled in. First down their spine, their shoulders, felt the absence of his strength. And then Naz recognized the feeling of his mane pulling across her body, falling away into space and leaving her tingling. Damn it. They didn't entirely regret putting a stop to.. wherever this was going (taste in more than one way?) but they felt an innate anger, a feeling not unlike grief, that she'd had to stop. That she just quite simply couldn't handle it... it was weakening, it left her with longing and for a moment a desire to throw caution into the wind. Hope that something more, something that was rough and hurt might blind her to that reel of memories her mind was desperate to play.

Naz steadied her brown gaze on the tips of her toes, wriggling out her claws to prick at the dirt below. You know, I'm not sure if I'm glad I met you now when I needed some comfort or if I'm upset we didn't meet sooner. When Naz didn't have to complicate every damn thing they tried to do. Because I'll admit, "taste in multiple ways" has me curious. She too stood up, stretching her limbs out ahead of her with a little grunt as the tightness in their muscles was loosened.

Alexander resisted the urge to pull her back in against him, knowing that a moment was needed for his instincts to calm and settle down. Lips quivered still, his teeth aching as she sat in thought, quiet. His own mind whirled, wondering just why he was being so polite. It was in his nature to express manners, however, when it came to this particular thing - his patience was a bit worse than that of his brothers - as was his temper. Blue eyes flick toward them as they speak, features unreadable for the moment. Each and every being in this world used others to benefit themselves, even if it did not seem that way.

Regardless of whether it was intended or not. Alexander was not an ignorant beast, the comfort of his touch, his warmth - the Savage had known it was likely only welcome because @Nazonal needed it in that moment. However, it did not stop the irritation from bubbling in his chest. Suppressing that feeling quickly, however, he manages a soft chuckle, "Our paths crossed at exactly the time they needed, kessake. You will learn of my tastes soon enough, I assure you." Oh, that was a promise. There was no way he was going to let them slip from his grasp, not when he had come so close.

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Exactly when needed. In the web of fate, in the face of the gods, Naz could not question if that was true or not. Or what would come more of their meeting. There was every real chance after this she'd never see him again. How many lions had she run into once and then no more? How many of great significance to her had left just the same? For her own curiousity they hoped to find out what more he meant... It was too easy to believe this was exactly when they needed to meet. With her empty heart and need to fill it.

Hmm- well. In time then. I'll be patient. They said with a little shrug. Relenting to the waiting, to the fact time must pass. It hurt, realizing and seeing just how hard the world hit her. Just a step back and they could see how hard the impact was.

Alexander had no intention of letting this creature escape his grasp. The darkness of her past haunted her and while he could certainly relate - there was a saying that his kind spoke often. Standing, he moved to slip away from them, his nose brushing along her neck in the process. A whisper escapes those devilish lips, as if reading their mind, "Do not waste your time stepping back, you are not going that way." It sounded much nicer in his Native tongue, of course, but it was the most simple way he could translate it. With that, the Savage male slips into the distance - his mind drifting with thoughts of their next meeting.

/exit Alexander

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