There was much about the pretty woman he sat with that he found endearing, admirable even. If first impressions were to speak of another's nature, he would say that Miya seemed like the soul who would wear her heart and feelings on figurative sleeves. Although she seemed careful and relatively timid in this moment, there was something about the warmth within her milk chocolate eyes that bespoke of someone who was generous and kind, someone who cared more than her words would express. Somehow, he could not help but feel as though he was only seeing but a glimpse of the soul she harbored, and it was hard for the man to not wonder what more he might see in her if time would allow him a fleeting glance. Despite knowing only the most basic things about her thus far into their meeting, the were was entirely certain that he would not forget her face and the kindness hidden beneath the uncertainty in her gaze. Regardless of what the outcome of this encounter would be, Roman was not likely to forget her. He, too, only showed what seemed appropriate for the time being because, like Miya, he was a creature of courteous caution. he answered her questions honestly, albeit withholding those more intimate details for the time being. And yet, the longer that he lingered in her presence, sitting at that small table and sharing casual yet purposed conversation, the more he felt a small part of himself wanting to show her more of who he was. Of course, it was far too early for serious consideration of such things, especially considering the petite woman had yet to determine - at least aloud to him - if she was satisfied with their interview and saw him worthy of the spare room she was offering for rent.

It was hard for him to stifle the soft smile as he watched her seemingly open up, her curiosity vanquishing the earlier nervousness and uncertainty. As he watches subtle tinge of sadness flicker across her expression, his fondness for the petite woman deepens ever so slightly as he further confirms that the gentleness and compassion he'd seen in her earlier was likely only just a small peek of the pure heart which surely beat there within her chest. They share that somewhat solemn moment as they contemplate the fragility of mother nature as humanity claimed more and more of the wilderness that had once been bountiful and more than enough to sustain vast and varied ecosystems."Indeed it is", he agrees with her murmured remark. And yet, all was not entirely lost... So long as there were people in this world willing and determined to do what they could to heal and help the creatures who suffered most at the hands of mankind, there was always hope that the damage done could be potentially stopped or at least slowed drastically, if not reversed entirely. Her next words return the soft smile upon his lips, chasing away the subtly sullen moment."I hope that you get the chance to go at some point. You would likely enjoy the Amboseli national park. It's a beautiful place northwest of Mount Kilimanjaro. You'll likely never see a sunset quite as breathtaking", he remarks, a somewhat affectionate tone painting his words then. In all his travels across the world, Roman has never seen a sight nearly as serene and majestic, although perhaps there was a small sense of bias there within the lion. It was where his life began, and if he could have changed anything about his life, perhaps it would have been his family needing to leave that part of the world.

Her smile is gentle when the man tells her about his family in the briefest sense, hardly finding the petite woman intrusive in any sense whatsoever. It was natural, he supposed, for an acquaintance to ask after the family and upbringing of the other. He felt a similar curiosity towards Miya, wondering what it had been like for her to grow up without a brother or sister, if she might have wanted a sibling as a child or if she had been content being the center of her parents' world. And yet, he refrains from asking for the time being. It was one thing for her to ask such a question, considering that it was Miya who was the interview and he merely the interviewee, but for one reason or another, the man felt as though returning this question was maybe a bit too personal for what this conversation primarily was. Should they have the chance to get to know one another more, he might ask if she did not speak of her childhood beforehand. Her next questions were almost expected, Miya likely having seem the wistfulness flickering across his golden-hazel gaze for a moment."They didn't", he answers simply at her inquiry."And, as for why, I suppose you could say that I felt it was just my time to set out on my own", he adds then, having decided that she hardly deserved any sort of lie and yet hesitant all the same to offer more than the very surface to why it was they were not with him now."They reach out to me when they can. I miss them every day, though", he continues, an ever so slight note of melancholy betraying little more than the metaphorical tip of just how deeply he cared for them and the lengths that he went to ensure that their safety was the last thing he would ever need to worry about more than was needed or could be helped.

As their conversation this time towards his work, the petite woman expressing that interest in paying for his services to fix a few things around the apartment, the were-lion was inclined to say that there was hardly any need for payment on some of the simplest things. Changing a light bulb would take him hardly more than five minutes, after all. Besides, should she see fit to offer him the room officially, would this not just be part of the deal, even if it was not mentioned? She's quick to refuse his offer, though, and again he can't help but feel fond of her. She was determined that such a deed be returned, in the form of a meal if not currency, and although he was still keen on refusing anything in return for something so very small, Roman didn't want to appear haughty. And, when she feels as though clarification was needed, the man smiles warmly. How truly charming that timid nature of hers was."Well, I suppose if remission is required, I'd be happy to accept food. It's been a long time since I've had anything homemade", he replies thoughtfully. When had he last had a home-cooked meal or treat? Many of the local diners, bistros, or food trucks would always claim that their meals were entirely like those prepared on an oven or stove in one's own home, but he often wonders if it was genuine. The closest to cooking for himself would be over a campfire, and although he was never the sort to complain about where his next warm meal would come from, Roman certainly not being a picky eater in any sense, it was still a far cry from the dishes that his mother would make for the family. There so much more comfort when his mother would place a plate of food in front of him than he would ever be able to find at any local eatery.

Her earlier moment of seeming flustered seems to fade away as he asks about the room, the man content to keep the conversation on a professional note that seemed more comfortable for Miya than those personal subjects. He nods as she tells him that there were no real restrictions or rules beyond what he thought was naturally to be expected. No entry to her personal space and no parties. He chuckles softly."You most certainly don't have to worry about that. I'm well past those days of young bachelor rascality", he remarks, subtle humor within his deep baritones. In the wilderness with no one around, there were some known occasions where he would allow the beast within, let loose those more primitive reflexes and instincts... but beyond that, Roman would like to say that he was almost as calm and collected as his eldest brother was."Nonetheless, both things are perfectly reasonable. I, too, would like for my own bedroom to be restricted, if that's alright", he adds then, certain that his request was in turn viewed as perfectly acceptable. After all, they weren't an intimate pair, so it made sense... Allowing that moment to pass, he listens intently as she explains that there was only the one bathroom, and what's more, that there was a door from each bedroom into that shared space. The man nods in agreement as she makes the suggestion of locking those doors to ensure that neither had their space intruded upon."Yes, that would be ideal I think", he says then as he glances momentarily over to the bathroom door before looking back to Miya. It was an entirely new experience for him, sharing space with another. Now, not only was he potentially going to be sharing space with someone else, but that someone else was a woman.

She continues on after a fleeting moment of silence, explaining to him now the price for the room and utilities. The were-lion blinks in surprise at how little she was asking for, knowing full well that he paid more for a small handful of nights in a hotel room than she was asking for an entire month's worth of occupancy. Still, he does not question her, though. If that was what she wanted, then he would agree to it."That sounds more than reasonable", he remarks simply, keeping those thoughts to himself for fear that he would again seem haughty or something else. Her words reach him once more, and this time he recognizes them as words of approval. As she stands up from her chair, so too does Roman, a grateful smile upon his chiseled features now as he follows her out of the kitchen."I'm glad that you approve, Miya. And, yes, I think that I can. It'll certainly be a new experience, but maybe it's one that I need", he says in calm, gracious baritones. He would have liked to tell her that he enjoyed her company, but he hesitates, not wanting to make her uncomfortable and already having a relative understanding that she might be unsettled by such a compliment. When in doubt, keep things casual and proper. This was what his mother would tell him when it came to Roman speaking with others. The petite woman then offers him a more detailed tour of the living space and Roman nods in turn."Sure, if you have the time, of course. I can show myself around if you need to rest before your shift or something", he replies politely, not wanting to refuse her invitation but also aware of the tiredness he'd seen in her earlier. And, now that he knew what she did for a career, he could imagine that she took advantage of any down time that she could.