[ToxicShadow]

Username: ToxicShadow
Coloring in: Myself
Is this your first lion? Nope
What are your lions celebrating?

All over the Celestial Heavens, the gods, deities, and immortals had been making preparations for the festival. Although, the one that had put in the most effort was none other than Zuka, the God of Nature. And that was because it was the fruits of his labor that was the traditionally served and celebrated meal for the festival. As the God of Nature, and with currently no deities or immortals with affinities similar to his own, he tended to the celestial peach trees without assistance from anyone else, thoughtfully tending to them day in and day out, harvesting, preparing, and storing them, as needed, for this festival, and other celebrations.

The celestial peaches were far from ordinary, each harboring divine energy that all within the heavens used for cultivation, which strengthened them and their powers. Eating a singular peach could equate to a year, or even several hundred years of strict cultivation.

"Zuka," it was Nero, the Demon King and leader, herself, that approached the individual that was most responsible for festival, to check in on him and the progress. "Thank you so much for all of your hard work again this year, and every year."

Everything had fallen into place, with the help of many. Although he spent all of his effort on caring for the peach trees and peaches, those that set up the majority of the decorations and props for the festival were not him. He instructed them, but it was still not possible without the help of others.

"Of course," he answered. "It is really my pleasure. Thank you for all of your help. I could not do it alone, truly."

---

It was not long before the celebration within the fields of blossoming peach trees was in full swing, beautiful pink petals covering the sky and many lions and lionfolk chatting, viewing the blossoms, or even merrily dancing away, with every member of the Celestial Heavens attending.

Fallyn, the Demon Princess, and Nero's adopted daughter, had long since volunteered to assist Zuka with this part, and others, of the festival. The dark lioness went around with a basket fully of thin wooden sticks, each with a number etched into them. As she went around to all of the guests, all of her very extended family, each one selected a stick blindly, at random, and, thus, were given a number.

Only once everyone had received their numbers did the God of Nature stand at the center table, where all of the divine peaches sat neatly on full display, facing the crowd of many. With a roar, he announced that it was time for the main event.

"Thank you everyone for your help this year, and attending this celebration with me. We will now begin the distribution of the peaches. Let's hope you all get lucky this year!"

One by one, all of the lions came up, in order of their randomly assigned numbers, to choose a peach for themselves, and discover how many years of cultivation they obtained.

First to go this year was Rasha, whom smiled in disbelief when she realized that she had somehow managed to pull out the stick with the number one, when she had almost always come last in the many, many celebrations prior. All the others cheered for her as she approached to choose the first peach.

[556]

[Clementine Cloud]

Username: Clementine Cloud
Coloring in: for myself
Is this your first lion? No
What are your lions celebrating? The Celebration of Dom's Visit to the Forgotten Vale