‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ 𝓡𝓮𝓲𝓴𝓲 ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
You wake from your afternoon nap to the sound of many tiny paws skittering across the floor of your pride's den. You reach out with a lazy paw, eyes still bleary with sleep, and snag a particularly small one from the pack.
"Little one," you soothe, planting an affectionate lick on her forehead. "What's this all about?"
"Auntie Reiki is going to tell a story!" The cub squeaks, squirming out of your grasp to rejoin her littermates.
Reiki? Storytelling? You think, your tail flicking with intrigue. While not entirely unaffectionate, Reiki was also not typically the type to entertain the cubs. This I have to see.
☾ ☽
"Is this everyone, then?" Reiki asks sharply from her perch atop the sunning stone. Her eyes find yours, and she shoots you a glare. You smile cheerily back at her, settling in amidst the cubs.
"Seems I'll be storytelling for both cubs and cubs-at-heart," she grumbles. "Hush now, young ones. Today I will be telling you the story of the cursed golden lioness."
The cubs tittered excitedly. Several settle in between your paws, their tiny heads brushing up against your chin.
"Many suns ago, a great and evil lioness wandered these lands," Reiki started. "The lioness was known for her ferocity, and for her golden fur, which glowed hot like the sun. Although she was feared by all, she was not content with the life she led, and longed for more."
"One day, as the lioness was wandering through the jungle, she stumbled upon an old panther. His black coat was covered in ugly red scars, and his eyes were milky white, like the moon. He told the lioness that, in exchange for her golden fur, he could grant her one wish."
"Her fur?" A cub pipes. "Lions can't take off their fur."
"Hush, child," Reiki snaps. The cub yips, burrowing her head into your side. You barely suppress a chuckle.
"Where was I?" Reiki mumbles to herself. "Ah, yes. The lioness felt conflicted, for her golden fur was her most prized possession. But the thought of having a wish granted was too tempting to resist, and so she agreed to the panther's terms. The panther spoke a few ancient words, and in a flash his scarred, old coat was replaced with a golden one. The lioness rushed to a puddle, only to gasp when she saw her reflection. She now bore the marked, black pelt of the old panther."
"The panther only laughed at her. "This is your punishment, wicked lioness," he said, before disappearing. He had lied — there would be no granting of wishes."
Gasps rose from several cubs. Even the ones that had only been half-listening while chasing your tail stopped in their tracks, suddenly enthralled with the story. Reiki glanced at you, a satisfied smirk on her face.
"As the years passed, the cursed lioness became bitter. She blamed the panther for her misfortune and swore revenge against her. One day, as she was wandering through the jungle, she stumbled upon a group of young panther cubs."
Reiki's grin twisted into something more sinister. The cub curled at your side shuddered. Your face suddenly falls, and you consider putting a stop to the story. Before you can say anything, though, Reiki continues.
"The lioness approached the panther cubs, her blood red claws drawn. They looked up at her with innocent curiosity. Then... the lioness realized she had a choice to make. She could either continue down the path of bitterness and anger, or she could choose to embrace love and compassion."
"In that moment, the cursed lioness made her decision. She chose to show love and kindness to the cubs — things that she had never been offered herself. From that day forward the cursed lioness became a different creature altogether. She no longer sought revenge or power, but instead became a protector of the jungle, and was loved and respected by all."
"Auntie Reiki!" Yet another cub calls. Reiki, apparently finished with her story, nods at the cub to continue.
"Is this story about you, Auntie Reiki?" He asks. "Because you're a black lion!"
Reiki is still for a moment, save for her tail swishing mischievously. "Foolish child. It is but a story. Now then, back to your mothers, all of you."
She turns to you. "Especially you."
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ 𝓫𝓵𝓸𝓸𝓭 𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓪 𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓷𝓮 ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
