He hadn't seen her in awhile, so his worry had begun to set in. Despite only having just met her before, he'd run into the small, watercolor lioness a few times since. Each interaction piqued the beasts interest, dragging him closer and closer to the Mire, but not quite there. Instead, he had decided to linger here at the tidepools, where there was plenty of fish to gather.

Where he could hopefully feed her if she was hungry and encourage her on how to do it herself. From their first meeting, Alexander's impression of the woman had been rather specific. A creature so used to being under the heavy paw of servitude, she barely knew how to do anything else.

Something that could be rectified. Of course, he had no wish to fix her, only teach and if she had no desire to learn, there would be no forcing it. Settling along side a rather active pool, the crimson beast makes a tentative call for @Patchouli, hoping she would recognize it.

Hoping she would even show up.

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Patchouli had encountered @Alexander ♔ on a few occasions now, not actually speaking to him, but observing the challenges he partook in or watched himself. She had come to the conclusion that he had quite a following of supporters behind him. Perhaps they were family, some might be lovers. It wasn't really her business. In the end she simply went about her days, not expecting or even hoping for another encounter with him, even as sweet as he had been. It was all she could do just to focus on getting through the day, there was no time for idle daydreams about some happy family life in some quiet and beautiful place.

That he would call for her was both surprising and concerning. Was he in need of a healer? She didn't have enough plants to treat him with if there were the case. Her stored were either used or dried up and she was struggling to go out in search of fresh stock. The heat made it hard to want to do much of anything.

She would eventually find the beast, her pace slow and conservative. For a moment she would only stare at him as he crouched over a small pool of water. He didn't look unwell so at least she wouldn't have to worry about herbs just now. "Did you call for me Sir Alexander? If not, I would not wish to disturb you." She was prepared to leave if necessary. That he might call for her if all lionesses could very well have been all in her imagination.

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As she arrived, Alexander's blue eyes lit up and he lets out a soft rumble of sound. "Hello, @Patchouli," The Savante begins, beckoning her over with a large paw, his features softening a bit. Ever polite and formal, he wondered what she would be like if that obedience that seems to have been drilled into her were tempered. "I called you, I wanted to give you something. And teach you something, if you would like?" He offers, brows raising curiously. Alexander didn't want to offend her at all, but she seemed very reliant on those around her and it was obvious they were failing her. Independence was the first step toward confidence and the beast thought she was sorely in need of some.

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She was not accustomed to such an exuberant greeting, of someone truly happy to see her. Perhaps Alaric had in the beginning, but anymore it felt like he was always expecting the worst if she came looking for him. @Alexander ♔'s warmth and energy might even be infectious were she not as worn down and gloomy as she was. At the very least it would afford him a brief smile, the fatigue not fully leaving her face. She envied him his energy, the fleeting glimpse of sparkle and life in his eyes.

Why he was looking for her specifically though was quite the mystery. She imagined a lion like him must have many lionesses to occupy his time, each one more beautiful and lively than the next. Instead he was here with a miniature and stained skeleton that could barely muster a smile in her reduced state. "You wish to give me something? You don't have to do that for me." She said quietly, drawing a bit closer in her curiosity. Perhaps he had found something strange in the water? As for teaching her something, she would wait to see what that might be before deciding if she had the energy or ability.

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His heart squeezed as she drew nearer, watching her strained movements due to the fatigue that dominated that tiny body. Brows furrow softly, but he did not want to show sadness — or pity. No, @Patchouli could not learn anything if all he reflected within his gaze was pity. "Here..." He murmurs warmly, grabbing a small sea fish and dragging it toward her carefully.

It wasn't a large meal — from experience Alexander knew attempting to feed someone who was malnourished a large meal would make them sick. So, they could start small. "It will help, fish is light, but filling." And, in this particular space, it was easy to catch them. Whether or not she would be up to retrieve fish would have to wait until after her meal.

From there they could go — Mother, he could only hope she would indulge him and perhaps learn something this day. Alexander was uncertain if she was entirely reliant on her pride, but he feared asking and offending her. Making her think he thought less of her. Instead, he offers an encouraging look, "Unless...you do not like fish?" The Savante suddenly asks, blinking, features a bit uncertain.

He hadn't accounted for that possibility.

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The lion would dip his paw in the pool, and before she knew it, he would hook himself a silver gleaming fish in an almost effortless fashion. Of all the hunting for food she did, fishing for her had always been the most difficult for her. They were quick moving and incredibly slippery.

The lion would give it to her, the painted lioness sitting there in silent contemplation for a moment. It would be rude to reject it, and she knew he would not accept something in exchange for it. A gift she reminded herself, was not always given in expectation of receiving something in return. Sometimes it was a token of fondness that would only sadden the one that offered it if not well received. The whole concept of gifts was strange to her, given the manner in which she was raised.

@Alexander ♔ would invade her indecisive daydream, as her eyes bore into the fish with a strange intensity. "Oh.. sorry sir, my mind was elsewhere. I was thinking of home, and how strange a custom it is to offer gifts to those of lower standing. I will accept your gift." She offered kindly, attempting to keep it still, strangely delicate in her hold as fangs would seek the quickest of killing blows. "Thank you." She said, seemingly both to Alexander and to the little fish, as if it had made a most heroic sacrifice for her.

She would eat it carefully, ever delicate and refined when it would have been easier to simply devour it whole.

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Quietly does the beast watch @Patchouli, keen on the little movements she made, how her face changed when she was deep in thought. Little, subtle details that made her unique - even if she didn't think so.

The words she spoke, well, he didn't think he'd ever get used to her referring to herself as lower, or undeserving. Stepping closer, but still not wanting to overwhelm her with his presence, he looks to the pool for a moment - thoughtful.

"Where I am from, women are held at a higher standing than most men. It is odd to hear that anyone thinks you below them, when all I wish to do is worship you." He hums softly, offering her a slow, languid tilt of his head. A smile tugs his lips as she begins to eat, watching to ensure she didn't choke. It was good she wasn't eating the whole thing - Alexander knew from experience that could backfire if you had an empty stomach.

"I wanted to teach you how to get fish from this pool. Often there are unfortunate souls that get caught in this tiny area when the tide rises. They often perish when the water recedes, so they go to waste. They are slower here as a result, and easier to catch." The Savante explains. If her physical form was any indication, it was clear that she was not a hunger - or fisher for that matter. Which was ultimately fine, Alexander was a fine provider.

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They were from two separate worlds, so much so that it would be difficult for her to ever understand him, his way of thinking. With Alaric, the deep fissure that separated them was peace and war. With Alexander, a complete shift in what she had been taught in subservience. She was supposed to serve, to be compliant and meek in the presence of males. She would look at him awkwardly, cheeks feeling suddenly warm as she offered what might pass for an apologetic smile. "I.. could never ask you to do such a thing." She commented. If that was what he wanted to do it was his right she supposed, but she would never ask for such treatment.

She would draw near the pool as he spoke of teaching her to fish. Eyes would settle on the small fish caught within the small pocket of water, but even trapped within such a small space, she doubted she would be able to catch anything, lacking in what she needed to find success where such slippery prey was concerned.

She frowned, deciding she should explain her shortcomings to him. Was it just an excuse? She had tried many times to hunt regardless and it had always ended in failure. "Sir @Alexander ♔.. I am truly grateful, but there are things you should know before you consider teaching me. I was bred with intentional traits, ones meant to make me defenseless and force me to rely on those I served." She explained, voice surprisingly vacant of any hatred or hurt towards those that had owned her life, that had controlled her very nature before she was even conceived.

A single paw would be lifted towards him as she explained, flexing them as if kneading the air in front of her. notably missing in the motion was the appearance of claws, for she had been born without any. Her size, her soft fur, the lack of claws.. all of it had been intended to make her both look appealing and to keep her from causing trouble if she were to forget her place.

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Alexander felt emboldened by her little smile, even if it didn't quite meet her eyes. In this moment, more than anything, he wanted so badly to hear her laugh - to see those delicate features light up with amusement - for him. "Only someone who knows they are not worth worship, will ask - no demand, worship." He muses, turning to focus his attention on the pool of water beside them for a moment.

The Savante was so used to arrogant, overly confident women who assumed they were above others. He could appraise confidence, as it enhanced beauty, but there were differing levels as well.

Suddenly @Patchouli frowned and Alexander's first instinct was to nuzzle her, get closer - to touch. It was how he expressed himself, even without further intimacy. Yet, he stayed his paw and quietly watched and listened. Brows knit together intently, blue eyes narrowing in on that paw as it rose. Despite himself, the beast inched closer, lowering his skull to get a closer look.

Shifting his weight back on his hind end, Alexander's forepaws rose to gently pull her own closer for further inspection. Tilting his head slowly, he hums in a thoughtful manner before those icy eyes shift back to her features, meeting her eyes expectantly. "First, would you call me Alexander? Just Alexander." It was a request, not a command. Another choice.

"Secondly, I have never seen such a thing, but your toes are quite cute, I must say." He rumbles, a low laugh vibrating his chest. For a moment his touch stills, toes pressing against her own in a tentative manner. Boldy the beast leans forward to press a gentle kiss to the back of her forepaw, lingering to revel in her scent before he lowers his paws and allows her own to as well if she wishes. Inhaling deep, Alexander peers down at her with a knowing look.

"Finally, you still have a weapon at your disposal. Can you guess what it is?"

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Patchouli could not find a comment in response to his comment, unable to wrap her head around the concept of worship, at least in her general direction. The only lionesses that was regarded with such love and praise were those born into the role of royalty. Patchouli could never hope to be raised to such a position herself, always the obedient and meek little mistress to some lion wishing brief reprieve from his proper mate.

@Alexander ♔ would take hold of her paw, to her surprise. She had not expected he might wish for a closer inspection, merely to him to dismiss her concerns entirely. A mere shrug, a change of subject. Her thoughts were interrupted by his insistence she call him by his name, seeking her gaze in the process. She would blink rapidly when she realized she was looking back, taken in by the pallid blue eyes set against the vibrancy of red and cream fur. She would merely nod in understanding as she shifted her gaze to her paw as he held it. She would try and call him by his name, but it would be a difficult thing, she may even revert back to calling him 'sir' on occasion.

Heat radiated in her cheeks as he declared that she had cute toes of all things. She should not be disarmed by such a simple thing, but she rarely received a compliment of any kind. Then, to top it all off, he would plant a small kiss on her paw, her body going rigid for a moment as she watched. Why had he done that? Her mind raced, wondering if it was simply in his nature, despite having not offered her such a kiss in their prior meeting. Pessimism would not allow her to believe it was out of fondness for her specifically. She was nothing, however much he might protest this fact.

She would lower it slowly to the ground as he withdrew, fidgeting nervously as he asked her a question. "Um.. I.. cannot say that I know." She admitted honestly, sneaking a glance toward his face, looking to see what sort of reaction he had to this. She still felt in a daze, her paw still tingling from his kiss, was still warm from his hold of it.

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