While it was sometimes easy enough sharing a conversation or casual moment in time with a perfect stranger, there was certainly a defined line between being comfortable with someone unfamiliar and trusting them. Many were quick to give their trust, and while this made for genuine people who were honestly few and far between, it was this very quality which made them like a breath of fresh air to the were-lion that often led to those good souls being put in a place of risk or danger that might have been avoidable had they been less quick to trust. There was a balance between kind and trusting which was difficult to find in every sense. Often, those who did not trust were cold or distant, aloof and hesitant to spend more than a fleeting moment or two with someone they didn't know. They lingered behind tall, thick, and reinforced walls out of wariness towards those beyond their comforts. It was hard to forge any sort of bond with these individuals determined to keep the world at an arm's length, warring against allowing anyone in - even if there was a part of themselves yearning to make an honest connect with another. On the other hand, those who trusted foreign faces in less than a breath were some of the warmest, brightest souls Roman has ever had the pleasure of meeting. Almost unbidden, the first one who comes to his mind when he thinks of someone with such a pure heart was the red panda he'd met in the forest growing on the outskirts of this very city. She hadn't fled from him, hadn't been wary in the least, merely sitting there with warm earthen eyes bright and awestruck. The lion could have easily harmed her, done with the small creature what he'd pleased. She'd had no walls between herself and the world. And, like many with such a spirit as her, Roman had been drawn to her. It was impossible not to think fondly of her, of how she allowed for her heart to lead her. How endearing it was, finding those like her who kept their minds and hearts open to any who might walk into their day.

And yet, should one have too much of either, there was always some degree of a disadvantage to be had. This was what the were has seen in his decades of drifting from one place to the next. There were many in the world that could not find a reasonable balance between the two. Many were either too jaded from moments in their past which made them believe that keeping everyone and everything out was the best way to live a fuller life only to be plagued by isolation and melancholy or they walked their life path with a heart so entirely open to everyone and everything that those with less-than-kind intentions could easily walk in to wreck havoc in an utterly devastating way and perhaps even bring with them threats of very real harm or life-altering trauma. Roman believes that he did well at maintaining a balance between warmth and quiet caution. He was hardly afraid to offer a kind smile or word to strangers, but just as he was inclined to show respect and a degree of friendliness, the man was known to be reserved when it came to certain things about himself. He guarded a vast majority of his more intimate memories from prying and all too curious eyes and spoke little of those who he'd come to care for and see as genuine friends out of innate protectiveness. He concerned himself with the safety of those who meant something to him, occupied a small piece of his soul in one way or another. So, while it was often content to share things about himself, he chose those "things" carefully. Very seldom would he share more than his likes and dislikes or general tidbits of places he's been to during his years of simply wandering the world. For the most part, he wasn't afraid of telling others about himself, the things that he's done or experienced... but he kept away from the world those specific details about his family. Not even those he'd come to befriend within this city when last he had been here knew of his family beyond the general fact that he had siblings he'd grown up with.

Perhaps one day, he might share that part of his world with another...
But today would not be that day.

So, in a way, the man was both understanding and happy to know that Miya was a reserved creature similar to himself. This is why it did little to bother him, seeing the way that she would fidget with whatever she had in her hands. If that was what helped her to ease tension, he was content to let it be. And, as she sits across the small table from him and begins to explain her work, Roman understands entirely why it was that the pretty woman held an air of tiredness over her in this moment. Intently, he listens with genuine interest as she speak of her shift from one field of work to another, intrigue flickering within his golden-hazel gaze as she talks about the research of vampire blood and the possible uses the hospital might have for it. Her next words are followed by a weighted sigh, and for a fleeting moment, Roman sees just a little more of the heavy exhaustion he'd caught only a glimpse of before. Although all this was perhaps overwhelming for someone who had no true understanding of what it was she was going through at work, or even just a general grasp on the demands of such an occupation, there was empathy there in his gaze. The flush returns to her cheeks again, the woman apologizing and Roman simply smiles warmly."No worries. It's clear to see that you are passionate about what you do. There's nothing to be embarrassed about", he assures her, deep baritones kind."After all, they say that passion is the fire that lights the way to one's purpose in life. And it is certainly a grand thing, being passionate about helping the ill or weak", he adds then, his words genuine. If anything, he found her seemingly apparent drive to help those unable to help themselves rather inspiring. The conversation shifts, and he can see her beginning to settle again as time goes on between them. In a world that had a tendency to promote selfishness and self-entitlement, it was those in the world like Miya that would truly make a difference in someone's life one way or another.

Then, and almost unexpectedly, the were-lion sees the embarrassment faltering as he speaks only briefly of the places that he'd journeyed through and settled temporarily, curiosity and something akin to bewilderment illuminating eyes of rich, dark chocolate. For a moment, he feels the unease in the air lift, and feels as though perhaps he could see more to the pretty woman he was sitting with than he had before. He chuckles softly at her sudden burst of curiosity after having taken another drink."Sadly, it isn't. Once upon a time, before poaching and the destruction of their homelands, it would have been true, though", he answers, a fleeting and subtle note of despondency touching his words. It is gone as quickly as it appears though as he offers her another kind smile."But, maybe someday, it may be true again", he adds with hopefulness, even despite knowing that the possibility of such a thing was nearly impossible. The world was known for changing in both good and bad ways, and a chance however small was still more than no chance at all. As Miya comments about the size of his family, remarking how she had been an only child, there is a wistfulness that finds the were-lion in that moment."When you spend pretty much your entire life moving from one place to another, it is always comforting to have others beside you. With them, there was hardly ever a dull moment", he replies, fond memories dancing within the back of his mind like scenes from a movie. It went without saying that Roman missed them each day, looked forward to any chance that he might be able to hear from them when they were able to call and share with him everything that he wasn't there to see for himself. Gently, he pushes those thoughts away. For a moment, he wanted to ask after her family and childhood, but he doesn't. Not now. Perhaps that was a conversation for another time, when they became more familiar.

Besides, she seemed more comfortable with him, for now at least.
The last thing he wanted was to change that.

He listens with keen interest when the conversation shifts to the subject of jobs, Miya assuring him with a soft smile upon her lips that finding one should hardly be a challenge for him. However, it was her stating that even she would hire him only to gesture towards the light bulb overhead. At this, Roman smiles broadly to the petite woman."I'd be happy to help wherever I can, although I'd change that bulb without any sort of fee", he offers in return. Who would charge for the simple changing of a light bulb? Hopefully no one she's had to ask for help from in the past. To him, that was unacceptable, especially considering it should take no more than a moment or two to do. When she mentions the situation regarding the residential complex, keen interest seizes his thoughts. That would certainly be better than searching newspaper ads for odd jobs throughout the city... although it was likely that he would still sift through those classified even with a job should he have time to help someone with a task that might need extra attention or something. Regardless, he would need to look into this possibility later should she accept him into her home. Miya then asks if he had any questions for her, the were-lion silent for a moment as his expression shifts to something contemplative."I suppose I should ask if there are certain rules I should be aware of, such as any restricted areas or items? Also, I didn't happen to see a door to a possible second bathroom... unless there's one in the master bedroom?", he asks Miya, wondering if perhaps these were normal questions to be asked during this sort of interview. Frankly, he hadn't the slightest idea what he should be asking..."And I should also probably ask how much you're needing for the room? I fully intend to afford my own essentials and groceries, should you approve me for the space, of course", he adds then, not wanting to seem as though he assumed anything. At all, she hadn't said one way or the other yet.