𝐇𝐚𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬

Needs: x3 Marking Op Changers

Hibi/Ruff/Do/roy/BR+MR+NR

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The market was, of course, crowded. The early morning sun beat down upon the multitude of lions, the peace between them like steel under heat. Annoyance ran thick between those who bid and did not win, and hagglers seemed to be flourishing with the easy, already worn vendors. The brilliantly spotted cubs were skittering quietly behind their current Mane, too frightened by the new scents and noises to chatter amongst themselves. One such cub swallowed, their mouth as dry as the desert from which they hailed.

Their Mane paused, spoke to a trader, and then turned briefly to them. The cub winced; They knew why they were here. They were unsatisfactory. A leopon's cub, a treasured type of lion- Yet they didn't inherit the gene, only some of the coveted markings. They'd be traded for whatever price or item their Mane deemed fair, and could only hope that.. Well, they didn't know what to hope for. They sighed bitterly, turning their head away as their now former Mane grunted a goodbye and turned away.

---

"That one." They startled awake, poked by the staff their caretaker held, the older lioness offering a too-sharp smile before turning back to-

The lion they craned their head back to look at- Could it really be a lion? Or was it some sort of barbary beast? Leopard's spots dotted over their fur, which was as complex as the sunrise, extenuating how massive their limbs and chest really were. A thick yet short mane the shade of blood framed their angular face, sharp sunglow eyes trained against the cub's own pink-hued ones. Like the rest of them, their teeth were disproportionally large, and the cub felt their blood run cold. This lion, if they were a lion, looked like something their aunts would whisper of to make them go to sleep.

"Of course, of course! This little darling is- veni, puer, veni- one of our finest! I assure you, Kaïdes, if you wish for another three-ringed mark you will find one no better!" She thrilled, shoving the cub forward with her tail. They had come to realize the meaning of some of her words, as she seemed to prefer barking orders they best listen to in a strange tongue.

The massive brute- Kaïdes- huffed, taking a step closer. The Keeper had enough sense to back away, closing her mouth as the regal Mane sniffed at them. It took considerable effort not to shy away. He opened his mouth, and the cub froze once more, immediately wondering if this was their end- If they had been chosen for fodder. Squeezing their eyes shut, eons seemed to pass before a gentle pressure hoisted them up by the scruff.