The two predators circle each other, each mind grasping the situation differently.

Culann stays in a low crouch, almost kneeling, while the lioness circles low, nearly on her haunches, muscles bunched and corded, ready to pounce on the Brehyrion...

Culann's voice comes soft and low, his bass tone rumbling like a purr...

Come, sweet girl...yes...you're beautiful, aren't you...good...a little closer? Yes, I think so...pretty girl...

The beast circles more, eyes never wavering from the man. She growls low...and Culann returns the growl, sounding for all the world like an animal, more than a man...

...enough to fool the lioness for only a second. She stops circling. What manner of prey is this?

Culann stops his circling as well, dropping to his haunches, looking the beast-queen directly in her soft, watery brown eyes. There is a familiarity between the two. Beast recognizes beast, predator sees predator...and strangely, there is respect between them.

The lioness sits back on her powerful legs, sizing up the man. The man does the same to the lioness. Culann's growl turns to a half-whimper, and finally into a deep, resonant purr. He drops to his back, arms and legs in the air, scartching hisa back on the ground, rolling like an animal. The lioness responds in kind...

Culann remains on the ground as the lioness gets up and moves towards him, her snout twitching, drinking in the man's scent. His scent is fresh and natural, like the l;and...not the heavy, artificial stench of a city-dweller...She purrs deeply as her muzzle finds the man's throat...and licks his sinewy neck gently.

For half an hour, the two roll and play in the preserve, committing each others' scents to memory, wrestling playfully, nipping and snarling, then purring.

And then, the Brehyrion gets up and starts to walk towards the entry point. The beast follows...not obediently, but as an equal...