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You were my very first Leopon, the start of my downward spiral
When Cherry was born, King Portishead raised an eyebrow. The cub, with her pink-tinged fur and suspiciously leopard-like features, was a strange sight to behold even considering the perplexing proclivity of his pride's lionesses for producing cubs with the most bizarre mutations. The other queens regarded Cherry warily, whispering among themselves. Portishead called for everyone to settle down. "Very well. As this cub has come to our pride, so we must raise her as one of our own." A wave of barely-contained whispers swept across the pride. Portishead raised his voice. "That is my final word. Jean?" The pale dwarf broodmother weaved through the pride and made her way to the cub. "She's your responsibility now," commanded Portishead. "She's in good hands," purred the lioness, resting a protective paw on the curled-up cub. "But what will her name be?" Portishead's brows furrowed for a moment as the pride held its breath. "From this moment on, she shall be named Cherry ." A second later, chortling broke out among members of the pride. "That's even sillier than my name!" laughed Ventolin.
"Cherry? Cherry!" Redruth roared impatiently. It was time for the party to head out for a quick hunt, but Cherry was nowhere in sight for her training. "You there!" Redruth blocked the path of a passing cub with her paw. "Have you seen Cherry?" The cub quivered under the Redruth's fierce glare. "I saw her heading out onto the plains awhile ago." he squeaked with fright. Redruth shoved the cub aside with a roar of impatience, bounding out onto the plains. Cherry was resting in a patch of tall grass, gazing dreamily up at the purple night sky. Her tail waved merrily as her eyes took in the endless expanse of stars. Lost in her reverie, she jumped in shock when Redruth pounced on her. "Cherry! I've been yelling for you the last half hour!" "Oh!" breathed Cherry in surprise. "I forgot, I'm sorry!" She scrambled to her feet from under Redruth's weight. "I swear to Apedemak, you are hopeless!" snarled Redruth. "Months I've been taking you along with our hunts, and you..." her voice trailed off as she made her way back to the hunting party, keeping up a furious tirade along the way. Cherry gave one last longing look at the sky, let out a content purr, and followed behind her elders.
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