Username: Isabella45
Lion Name: Sinopa (Name meaning 'fox', also similar to Sinopia, 'a reddish brown color')
Lion Gender: Female/Lioness
Pride: xxXxx Pride Status: Guard
Animal Trait Story: Soft laughter filled the cave where Sinopa stood, gazing upon her mentor. He was unusually large but she was used to that and unafraid. His fur was grizzled but you could still see it was tan with slightly darker stripes. He'd come from a land far away he said, born from a lion mother with no small percentage of tiger blood. He had found Sinopa when she was young and raised her, training her to fight like the warriors of his tribe had in days of old. She was grateful for his help and for the lessons he taught her. Now her training had come to an end and as he had told her would be the case, it was time for her to leave this place and find her own way.
"I am ready," she declared, lifting her head, her eyes glinting in the faint light that came into the cave.
"You are my best yet," he said, his voice rough. "My finest trained warrior. Now, sit down. Before you go, there is a story I wish to tell you. You asked me long ago what I thought your Spirit Animal was, and now I believe I have chosen."
At his words Sinopa felt a rush of excitement. Knowing the significance of Spirit Animals in the land where he had come from, as guides who led you and guided your pawsteps all your life to what you were meant to find and where you were meant to go. She had asked him when she was young what hers was, and he had told her he would tell her when the time was right. Now she wondered, if it might be a bear for strength, or a fox for cunning and wit, perhaps a wolf for devotion. She tended to doubt devotion was an appropriate thing for her, however. Her mentor knew all too well what a loner she was.
"Once, on a sunny day when all seemed right with the world, an insect flew through a field of lovely flowers, finding their beauty captivating. He longed to find the loveliest of all to sleep on that night before continuing his travels. Finally he picked out one, unique and distinct among the rest. Surely the best of the lot.
He flew to it, confident he had chosen wisely, and just as he was about to land found himself caught in the jaws of the flower.
You see back in my land ,there is a bug. A Mantis. This Mantis is not like those you have here, it is beautifully colored. Like a flower. It seems so lovely and draws other bugs in as if they're entranced. They don't realize what a deadly thing it is until it is too late." He paused a moment, glancing at Sinopa with something unusual, almost gentle in his gaze.
"You and this Mantis have something in common. You both have the ability to draw others in and make yourselves appealing. But you're also deadly and not to be underestimated. And that is why I think this Mantis would be a fitting Spirit Animal." He paused there and Sinopa felt a little surge of pride at his appraisal of her.
"You don't need me anymore, and I have confidence you'll be fine on your own."
"I appreciate all you've taught me," she told him, meaning every word.
"It's been my pleasure," he murmured. "Farewell."
Sinopa didn't know what else to say so just hugged him briefly then turned and left, heading down the path and wondering what might be waiting for her. As she headed down the path, she noticed something sitting on a leaf on the side of the path. To her surprise, and delight, it was a Mantis. Plain, unlike those her mentor had spoken of, but nonetheless she chose to take it as a sign. A sign that she was on the right path with nothing but good things to come.
(659/750 words)
