~
♪ please don't call I need another hour
three more girls are piling in the shower
don't call you know I can't answer
getting pussy like Pink Panther
CW: strong language, unhealthy relationship (age gap, treated as bad in-story), domestic abuse in-line with Lioden canon, allusions to drug/alcohol use (minor), cheating, implied sexual content (VERY LIGHT, nowhere near as bad as February event)
A few lines are taken directly from the July event for immersion but 99% of the work is my own ^^
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“Stars, I need to lay off the fermented marula fruit.”
Sunlight filtered in through the den. It was far past sunhigh; she had clearly overslept. Groaning, she lifted a paw to her face and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She felt a figure stir next to her and glanced over at the lioness she had apparently spent the night with. Her gaze trailed across the lioness’ form, admiring the soft curves and striking patterns. At least that went well for me last night.
She got to her paws, trying not to disturb the sleeping feline next to her. She leaned over and licked her companion’s ear affectionately before turning towards the entrance to the den. She let the sunlight wash over her for a moment, sitting to groom her sleep-messy fur.
“Are you leaving so soon, Scene Queen?” A drowsy voice called from behind her.
“I’m sorry, Aurura. You know I can never stay for long.” She turned her gaze from the horizon to meet the deep green eyes of her lover.
The lioness rolled onto her back, exposing her brightly spotted belly invitingly. “Are you sure you can’t come back for a few more minutes?” She purred.
It didn’t take long for Scene Queen to make up her mind. What’s a few more minutes for a beautiful lioness?
~~
When she awoke again, she couldn’t feel her paws. Or the rest of her body, for that matter. “Fuck, the marula fruit again?” She groaned as she opened her eyes, only to gasp. She wasn’t in Aurura’s den anymore; she wasn’t in any den anymore.
Around her glowed swirls of colors, pink and purple and blue and shades in between that she didn’t even have names for. The air was heavy, as if smoke was closing around from all sides, but when she breathed it was cool like mist. She seemed to be floating, suspended in the air with no weight pulling her down and no ground in sight. She felt her belly lurch as she looked down and saw nothing but endless sky, and snapped her head up as she tried not to heave. Don’t look down.
As she drifted, she saw ahead of her a lioness the color of the setting sun that was gazing at her imploringly. Her eyes glowed blue, unnaturally blue, and even as Scene Queen stared at her it seemed as if she was flickering in and out of existence. Only her luminous eyes remained solid– the rest of her figure was as wispy as the clouds surrounding them. Her brows were knit in fear, almost terror, and a sticky substance the same color as her eyes leaked from a wound in her throat
“Please,” Her voice sounded as if it were coming from everywhere at once, but when she spoke her lips moved strangely, as if her voice was out of sync with her body. “Please, Scene Queen, you must help me.”
“I– who are you? What’s happening?” It occurred to Scene Queen that she had never told this lioness her name, but with bright blue fluid leaking from the bite marks on her throat she figured there were more important things going on.
“Please,” She said again. “He’s going to kill me. I’m already dying.”
“Who’s going to kill you? What’s going on?”
The lioness moved her lips again like she was speaking, but no sounds came out. Her body was quickly dissipating into the clouds that hung around them. Even her eyes were beginning to flicker. Scene Queen thrust her paws in front of her, trying to grab her before she was gone, but her paws swung uselessly through her as if she were trying to grasp the wind.
“Tell me how I can help you!” She cried out, but the lioness just gazed sadly at her as she vanished from sight, leaving her alone in the brightly colored void.
“No!” She awoke with a start, gasping for air. She felt gentle paws wrap around her torso, and as her eyes adjusted to the dim den she turned to see Aurura gazing at her with soft eyes.
“Bad dream?” She whispered.
“Er- yes. A bad dream.” She said hoarsely and turned away. “I have to go.”
Aurura playfully fluttered her eyelashes at her. “Are you sure you can’t stay one more time?”
But Scene Queen was far too distracted by her thoughts of the strange lioness to be pulled into yet another cuddle session. “No, I’m sorry. I’ll see you again.” She wasn’t even sure if that was true, but it was nice to say it. She didn’t hear the reply as she shouldered her way out of the cave.
~~
Scene Queen didn’t stop walking for a week. She didn’t even know where to start, but she followed the sun across the sky. The same sun that guided her also hindered her, the oppressive heat slowing her pace to a crawl. But she never faltered as she followed the blazing star above her.
She searched endlessly for the lioness. Days stretched into moons. She had traveled since two wet seasons ago, only stopping to drink at watering holes and to scavenge from a hyena or leopard’s kill. Her pads had grown dry and cracked, and her pelt had lost its well-maintained gloss. Still she traveled onwards. Every hill could be the last obstacle between her and the strange lioness from her dream.
She felt as if she could go no further. Her paws dragged in the dirt, her tail hung low enough to become dirty, and she couldn’t remember the last time she had seen a watering hole. It couldn’t have been that long ago, right?
As the ground rose to meet her, she realized maybe it was that long ago.
~~
She awoke to the feeling of her fur being groomed, her body warmed on both sides, and a pounding headache. She lifted her head.
“Oh, you’re finally awake!” A voice to her left, seeming entirely too loud, startled her.
“Stars, did I die? Is this the afterlife?” She groaned, burying her head under her paws.
There was a gentle chuckle from her right. “No, at least I don’t think so.”
“We found you a few nights ago, all passed out on the grasslands!” The loud voice to her left butted in again. “You’re lucky we were out that night!”
“Casper, not so loud.” The voice from her right chided gently. “She must have been through a lot.”
She finally opened her eyes to regard her saviors. The lioness to her left was white with charcoal-gray limbs and stripes on her legs. When she turned to her right, she was startled slightly upon seeing the dragon-like spines and horns on the beautiful lioness. It was odd, but she looked elegant, and had entrancing eyes as black as night.
The unusual lioness calmly gazed back at her. “I am Queen Esnathia. What is your name?”
“...I’m Scene Queen.”
“What were you doing out there all alone?” Casper inquired.
“I was… searching for someone.” She hesitated, not sure how much she wanted to reveal.
“Obviously you didn’t find them.” Esnathia’s whiskers twitched in amusement. “You look as if you’ve been searching for awhile. When was the last time you had a proper meal?”
As if on cue, her belly growled. “...Awhile.” She admitted.
Esnathia nodded to Casper. “Get her something to eat, won’t you?” As the pale lioness nodded and disappeared beyond the cave entrance, she turned back to Scene Queen. “Your fur looked like it hadn’t been groomed in moons. We did what we could, but we didn’t want to disturb you, so we only managed what we could reach.”
Scene Queen felt her pelt burn with shame. Here she was, chatting with two lovely ladies, and she looked as if she had lost a fight with a mongoose. “I promise you, I usually take much better care of myself. I’m not always this scruffy.”
Esnathia chuckled lowly, her dark eyes flashing. “Oh, I know. Even if your pelt was uncleaned, I can still tell how… muscular you are under all that.” She purred, leaning closer as she ran a paw along Scene Queen’s foreleg.
Oh. It had been a long time since she had been flirted with so openly, and it felt good to be appreciated by a beautiful lioness again. She hadn’t spent the night with someone since she had left Aurura’s cave all those moons ago. Esnathia awaited her response calmly, making her intentions clear but leaving the choice to Scene Queen. She felt herself leaning into the warm presence.
“I won’t be staying, you know.” She warned.
“I won’t ask you to.” Esnathia promised.
Scene Queen smiled. “In that case,” She rolled onto her side and purred. “Would you like to help me finish cleaning my pelt?”
~~
She blinked the sleep out of her eyes. She felt a presence in front of her, and opened her jaws. “Esnathia, I thank you for your hospitality. I had a truly wonderful night, but I have to go–” She stopped suddenly when the lioness in front of her came into focus. It wasn’t the dragon-like feline at all, but the lioness whose fur gleamed like the sun. The bite marks in her throat oozed with the same blue liquid as before, the same color that clouded her eyes.
“Scene Queen, please. I can’t stay long. I’ve cast a spell so that I can speak to you but my life force is fading fast. You have to help me, please.”
“I will, I promise. What- what can I do?” This was what she had been waiting for since she had last seen the lioness. She didn’t know why she felt such a strong connection to her, but she knew in her heart that she needed to see this through.
“Just– please, don’t trust him. Whatever he says. You can’t trust him.” Her form began flickering, and Scene Queen knew that time was running out.
“Wait!” Scene Queen cried. “When will I see you again?”
The lioness just gave her a sad smile and disappeared.
~~
Moons had passed since she had last dreamed of the strange lioness. She had traveled far, and met many beautiful lionesses, but never found the one with the colors of the sunset. She had even met the goddess Bast and her consort Solanio, but neither of them had seen this lioness of the dusk. She was beginning to think she would never see her again.
She was interrupted from her thoughts by a sharp pain in her pawpad. “Fuck!” She hissed, inspecting the now-bleeding cut on her pad. She looked back down at the ground. A sharp piece of debris poked from the ground, as black as night and as smooth as glass. Pain forgotten, she poked at the shard with a claw. Something about it… seemed important. It was a pretty rock, that was for sure. If she didn’t find some use for it, then she could always sell it. She delicately wrapped the shard in a leaf to prevent it from piercing anything else and slipped it into her hoard.
Above her, the sky was turning mauve. The sun was setting. A hill rose above her, dusky in the fading light.
The setting sun bathed the rock in warmth and a soft glow, making it stand out enough for her to notice a lioness resting on the cliff. Curiously, she climbed to get closer, and the view took her breath away.
It was the lioness. The one she met in her dreams, in front of her in the flesh. Only now, instead of eerily glowing blue, her eyes were the color of the morning sky, soft and inviting, and she held no obvious wounds. From the way her eyes widened, it was clear that she recognized her too.
“It’s you! I know you. You’re– you’re Scene Queen.”
She could do nothing but gape as she nodded wordlessly.
“Why do I know you? I’m quite certain we’ve never met, have we? But I know you.” The lioness had gotten to her paws, drawing closer to her. She gingerly pressed a paw against Scene Queen’s cheek, as if she was surprised that she was solid.
She felt her heart hammer in her chest at the touch and leaned into it without thinking. She felt disappointed when the lioness pulled her paw away after a moment.
“Oh, but I’m getting ahead of myself, aren’t I? My name is Tefnut.”
Tefnut. She repeated to herself, marveling at the lioness in front of her. She had known she was beautiful from the dream, but she looked so… relaxed. The only time she had ever seen her, she had been terrified. And that wound on her neck… Scene Queen peered closer, but there was no scar. Not a single hair was out of place. How can that be?
She realized that she hadn’t said anything yet and shook herself from her thoughts. “How– how do you know me?” Her voice came out squeakier than she had intended.
“You’ve been in my dreams.”
~~
The two became fast friends. Tefnut was here on vacation with her husband, from a far away land called the Celestial Kingdom. Her husband, Apedemak, seemed polite enough. Scene Queen had been disappointed by the existence of a husband, but it didn’t stop her from developing a friendship with her. She could keep her own feelings for the lioness to herself and protect her all the same, just as she had promised.
Scene Queen had been surprised to learn that she had also appeared in Tefnut’s dreams. But they didn’t sound like her own– instead, Tefnut had dreamed of seeing Scene Queen, not in that strange dream void but in Scene Queen’s own home. She had never been able to talk to Scene Queen in her dreams, and she had never heard the same dire warning that Scene Queen had.
When is it going to happen? Who was it that was going to hurt Tefnut? Will that brute Apollyon take the Celestial Kingdom by force? Was it… Was it Apedemak? She hadn’t talked much with the lion, but something about him made her uncomfortable. That piercing stare with those strange eyes that swirled with stars… It sent a shiver down her spine. She could see a darkness in him, as deep as the depths of the night sky.
This was on Scene Queen’s mind as the two walked through the meadow. She turned towards Tefnut. “Your husband, Apedemak, how did you two meet?”
“Ah, I was betrothed to him at quite a young age. He was already nearly a grown lion, a king in his own right, when we first met. I was just barely out of the nursery.” She chuckled.
Scene Queen halted. “Oh, I’m- I’m sorry to hear that. Do you want to talk about it?”
“Talk about what?” Tefnut blinked at her.
“Uh, the fact that he was already an adult when you met? That you didn’t get a choice? What do you like about him?” She pressed.
Tefnut paused. “Well, he’s strong, and he obviously cares about me. He wouldn’t be so protective of me if he didn’t. And I mean, it was expected of me to marry him. I’ve never really given it much thought. That’s just the way it is, where we’re from.”
“You deserve better than that.” Scene Queen spoke. “You should have the freedom to pick your own mate, because you like them. Menhit, too,” She added, as she thought of the dilemma that Tefnut’s own daughter was in between her father and Apollyon. “It’s… It wasn’t right that you were so young. You didn’t get a choice. Do you even like him?”
Tefnut stared at her for a second, as if staring right through Scene Queen, before she turned away with a cough. “Of course I like him! He’s my husband, after all. Come on, we’re not going to get there before sunset at this pace.” She sped up ahead of Scene Queen, nearly stumbling over her own paws.
Scene Queen sighed and continued to follow her. Tefnut had promised to take her to the most beautiful waterfall in the area for a picnic. They had been walking for quite some time, but Tefnut had told her that the view would be worth it.
”You can see every single star in the sky, reflected in the pool!” Tefnut had been buzzing with excitement as she explained her idea to Scene Queen. She hoped that it really was going to be worth the trouble of walking all this way.
“I only hope Apedemak doesn’t get too mad that we’re out here.” Tefnut said absentmindedly.
“Does he get mad like that often? Wait– does he not know we’re out here?” Scene Queen halted.
She could tell that Tefnut was blushing a little. “No, I told him that I was going on my own to visit one of my cousins. And he doesn’t get mad often! Just– just if I interrupt him during his projects, or do something to upset him. Oh, we’re here!”
They had stopped in front of a dense thicket. Scene Queen didn’t get the chance to press further about the previous subject, as they had to crawl on their bellies through a gap barely big enough to squeeze through– she was pretty sure that she had left half of her pelt behind on the thorns. Once they were through, she stood awkwardly as she craned her head to look at the scratches covering her body that were trickling blood.
“Oh you poor thing!” Tefnut cried. “Come here, come lay in the sun with me. We’ll wait for the stars to come out.” Tefnut led her forward, towards the sound of rushing water.
They stepped out on a rocky overhang that was flooded with late evening sunlight. It cast a dreamy orange glow across their surroundings. As Scene Queen stepped forward, she saw where the sound of water had come from. The precipice was overlooking a beautiful waterfall that tumbled down gracefully, stretching taller than even a giraffe. She gasped.
“Isn’t it beautiful? I had hoped you’d like it.” Tefnut’s voice was soft, bashful.
Scene Queen turned towards her. “It’s– it’s amazing.” She whispered.
Tefnut nudged her along gently. “Come on, over here. This is where the view is the best.” She instructed her to lay a few tail-lengths away from the edge of the cliff, laying invitingly on her side. “The rocks are nice and warm.” She purred.
As Scene Queen laid down next to her, she felt the soft strokes of Tefnut’s tongue soothing over her scratches. She sighed in relief and closed her eyes as she enjoyed the grooming. Soon the two had settled into a puddle of limbs, half-asleep in the late sun.
Tefnut reached out towards Scene Queen’s face and turned her towards herself. “The light, it- it makes your pelt so pretty.” She whispered. Scene Queen felt as if her face were on fire. “You’re so beautiful, you know.” Tefnut continued softly, her breath tickling Scene Queen’s whiskers. “The way the sun makes your pelt glow, like… Like you’re my little sunspot.” She chuckled softly, but her eyes didn’t leave Scene Queen’s.
Scene Queen swallowed. She felt as if her tongue were as dry as a desert. “You’re– you’re beautiful too.” She whispered. Scene Queen had been complimented before, countless times even, but the way Tefnut spoke with such soft reverence shook her and left her breathless. “I think you might be the most beautiful lioness I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
Tefnut looked away, blushing fiercely. “Apedemak never says such sweet things.”
Scene Queen leaned closer, brushing her muzzle against Tefnut’s jaw. “He should.”
They didn’t see much of the stars that night.
~~
They spent many long days and longer nights together. Scene Queen was reluctant to leave her side. She had traveled for so long to meet her, after all, and the warning from her dreams still haunted her. She felt as if the threat could be around any corner, and the image of Tefnut bleeding that horrible blue liquid made her heart clench.
The two of them were on a walk together now, though Tefnut was silent. This was unusual for the normally talkative lioness. Tefnut kept glancing behind them, as if she were afraid they were being followed.
“I have to talk to you.” Tefnut blurted out as they arrived.
Tefnut had wanted to go back to the waterfall, nearly insisted, but Scene Queen didn’t think she had such a long trek in her. Instead they were in a sheltered glen, where short flowers with soft petals crowded the banks of a tiny trickling stream. Scene Queen had just leaned down to drink some of the water, and froze with her tongue hanging out foolishly. Tefnut had sounded serious.
“Did something happen?” Scene Queen turned towards her companion.
“No. I mean, yes, but–” She hesitated. “I’ve thought about what you said. About– about Apedemak. He doesn’t make me feel even half the way you do. You’re so thoughtful, and kind, and,” She trailed off. Her paws scuffed the ground and she avoided her gaze. “Scene Queen, I–” She started, but stumbled over her words. She took a deep breath, blushing. “I think I’ve fallen in love with you, just a bit. Maybe more than a bit. Maybe a lot.” She gazed into Scene Queen’s eyes. “But my husband, Apedemak… He is a jealous lion. Already he grows distrustful of you. I worry for your safety.”
Scene Queen’s heart hammered in her chest. She knew already that she felt the same, had known that since the first time she gazed into the true color of Tefnut’s eyes; a beautiful pale lavender as crisp as the morning sky, and not that terrible terrible blue. She had never thought that Tefnut would feel the same way. “Then come away with me. I’ll keep you safe, always.” I made that promise..
“I- I can’t. You know I can’t. I can’t leave my dear Menhit.”
“She can come too. Please, come with me Tefnut. I love you too.” It was the truth. It was the first time she had ever said it to someone since she was a cub, but it was somehow the easiest thing in the world. She knew it as deeply as she knew herself. “I love you too much to lose you.”
There was hesitance in Tefnut’s gaze, but also hope. “Please, let me think on it. I can’t possibly leave tonight. I’ll go to Menhit and talk to her, and I will give you my answer at sunset tomorrow.”
“Wait! I, uhm,” Scene Queen felt her ears warm in embarrassment. “I found this the day that we met. Face to face, that is. It reminds me of you. I’d like you to have it.” She finished with a whisper, pushing the leaf-wrapped shard towards Tefnut.
The dusky lioness carefully unwrapped it. Recognition flashed in her gaze, but she didn’t share her thoughts. “Thank you, my sweet sunspot.” She purred, moving forward to rub her muzzle along Scene Queen’s jaw. “Now let’s not think any more on the future. Let’s just enjoy tonight.”
~~
“I brought you this.” Scene Queen whispered encouragingly as she delicately placed the magenta flower behind Tefnut’s ear. “It’s going to be okay. Tonight we’ll be far away from here.” She promised.
Tefnut tried to return her smile, but Scene Queen could see it waver. She opened her jaws to inquire, but Tefnut was already speaking.
“I’ve already told Menhit where to meet us. She had no desire to say goodbye to Apedemak.” She turned to Scene Queen. “I know it’s silly to say goodbye to him, but… We have spent so long together. And he has taken care of me,” She trailed off, her eyes looking troubled.
Scene Queen nudged her cheek. “It’s alright. I understand. I’ll wait here for you.”
Tefnut flashed her a grateful smile and turned towards the entrance. She stood there for a moment, gazing at Scene Queen, who gave her an encouraging nod.
She turned and drew herself to her full posture before stepping into the cave. Scene Queen could tell she was trying to appear confident, but she saw the tremble in her paws.
…
As she waited on the cliff nearby Apedemak's cave, she heard a loud shriek, followed by a roar, and then... silence. Something wasn’t right. She darted around the stalagmites and made her way into the cave, the smell of blood becoming stronger as she went.
“She was useless! She wasted my time!” Apedemak’s snarl echoed through the cavern. At his paws lay Tefnut’s still-struggling form. Blood dripped from his jaws. He whirled around and met Scene Queen’s gaze. “You! How dare you! Get out of my sight! You don’t belong here!”
Scene Queen felt her heart stop. She shoved Apedemak to the side without so much as a second thought and dropped to the ground beside Tefnut. “No! No, please,” She sobbed as she pressed her paws to Tefnut’s throat, but the blood was coming too fast. It bubbled out from beneath her paws, staining her paws crimson. “Please, don’t go. I love you. I tried to save you. Please, stay with me.”
Tefnut tried to speak, but her mouth was filling with blood. “Scene Queen, it’s going to be alright. Please don’t cry.”
An unnatural blue glow caught Scene Queen’s attention. The shard that she had given Tefnut was glowing, glowing that same blue color that made her stomach lurch. As she watched, understanding dawned in Tefnut’s eyes as she pawed the shard closer to herself and whispered something to it that Scene Queen didn’t catch.
Tefnut turned her gaze back to Scene Queen, love filling her pastel eyes once more. “Don’t fret, my little sunspot. It’s going to be alright.” She blinked once more before they slipped closed and didn’t open again.
Scene Queen wailed her grief to the sky.
~~
It had been moons. Seasons. She could barely remember Tefnut’s sweet scent, could no longer hear her voice in her ear. Still, she dreamed of her often. Sometimes it was the two of them together, frolicking in the meadow as before. Sometimes it was her blood bubbling up from underneath Scene Queen’s paws. Mostly, though, it was just Tefnut staring at her, with that eerie blue glow in her eyes.
She had tried to find solace in the grasp of another lioness. Multiple lionesses, in fact. Many. But none of them made her heart flutter the way Tefnut did, and she never stayed for a second night. She couldn’t bring herself to wake up next to someone that wasn’t Tefnut.
Scene Queen hadn’t even realized where she had been going until her paws had already taken her there. Bile rose in her throat as she stared up at the cliff in front of her. She knew its shape like the back of her paw, had seen it even in her dreams. She was back where she had first met Tefnut.
The sun was beginning to set, casting the sky into the same hue as Tefnut’s silky fur. Even the memory of her made her heart clench.
She was just about to turn away when she heard a voice that she had never thought she would hear again.
“Wait!” A figure skidded down from the cliff, racing towards her.
Scene Queen could do nothing but stare, utterly shellshocked.
“It’s you! I know you. You’re– you’re Scene Queen.” The dusky-furred lioness in front of her chirped.
Scene Queen stared at her in shock. It didn’t sound as if Tefnut really recognized her, not the way Scene Queen did. She felt her heart plummet to her feet and grow cold.
“Why do I know you? I’m quite certain we’ve never met, have we? But I know you.” The lioness had continued, drawing closer to her. She pressed a paw against Scene Queen’s cheek.
“You… you haven’t met me?” Scene Queen whispered. She closed her eyes as she leaned into the touch.
Tefnut drew her paw away and shook her head apologetically. “No, I’m quite sure we’ve never met. Not really. But I know you. You’ve been in my dreams.”
I’ll try again. I’ll get it right this time.
 
--
IF YOU REALLY READ ALL OF THIS PLEASE LET ME KNOW I THRIVE ON VALIDATION AND ATTENTION
♪ girl on girl, on girls, on me
legs on necks and lips on teeth
girl on girl, on girls, on me
kitties and titties, just give 'em to me ♥
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11/17/24 Kinged @1572
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