[zoocyte]

on the eighth day of winter my true love gave to me... a shining star!

this lion remembers a time they were in need of guidance. can you tell me their tale?
(writing comp., 400 word minimum, 1000 word maximum) (may have 1 art piece as an extra)

edits: glowing nose, glowing eyes, antlers

Username: sapphirespirit
Lion Name:Zaahir-arabic meaning to shine
Lion Gender:male
Pride:Click
Pride Status:Royal Council Member

end date: december 31, cs rollover
have a holly jolly holiday season!

[justamindset]

Marrrrk I'm in love

[Sockjunkie]

Wow this is the coolest lion Ive seen

[Jantzi01]

Username: Jantzi01
Lion Name: Kiongozi (Swahili for leader, or guide)
Lion Gender: Male
Pride: The Ushirikiano Pride
Pride Status: Mage
Guidance:

Kiongozi was very weak. He had lived a long life, and he was fading quickly. As he looked up at the stars, his life starts to flash before his eyes. It didn't take long before the playlist going through his head stopped, and the last thing he remembers before he left the world, was the sight of the entire night sky shining down upon him. After some odd years of hanging around in the Netherworld, he was given a mission. A mission from Mwezi, goddess of the moon, to find something that symbolized all of what has happened since the world was made.

An angel returned, that night through the sky

He set to work quickly, soaring over the land, trying desperately to find something, anything, that he thought would please the goddess.

But time, it was short. He had to decide.

Kiongozi only had a few hours left to decide what he should bring back to her, but, as he looked towards the stars, they called out to him. He closed his eyes, and let them guide him, to what he thought was a symbol of everything that was, and everything that will be.

And so as he flew, back over the land

He quickly snatched it up, and flew as fast as he could, to try and deliver his gift on time.

A gift for his lord, was there in his hand.

The stars on his pelt would have seemed ethereal to anyone who had seen him.

It was the glow of a light.
It was the heart of a song.
It was the tear of a child, who had never belonged.

He looked back down at the lion he had taken the gift from, his pelt illuminated with the orange glow of a neon light. Tears slowly welled in his eyes as he remembered being like that cub when he was young. Quickly, he blinked them back, wondering if this is what he should actually give to Mwezi. As he looked back again, he knew in his heart that this was the right thing to do.

It was the wish of a soul, on an old neon light,
And the lord smiled at him, on that cold winter night.

As he flew away from the abandoned bar, back towards her, he could hear the stars sing to him, with soft twinkling voices that sounded like chimes.

Kyrie among nations.
Kyrie among nations.
Kyrie among nations.
Hear as we ring through the night

It was at this point in his journey, that he began to tire. The sound of quiet bells filled his ears, pushing him forward, and giving him energy.

Listen to the bells as they ring
Listen to the message they bring
Listen to the sound
As they sing as one voice in the night
Hoping that we'll all understand
Every dream is there in our hands
And for every bell
Let them ring on through the night

As he returned back to the sky, holding the gift, the music began to fade, until it was nothing more than just the breeze. He held out the gift, bowing as he did so. He heard a chuckle, and lifted his head. The starry goddess was looking down on him warmly, as she accepted the gift to examine it. He was relieved from duty, and was sent back to his home. He curled up on his bed, and slowly, sleep washed over him.
575 words
Extra:

[-Isabella-]

Mark!

[rab1es]

Username:
Lion Name:
Lion Gender:
Pride:
Pride Status:
Guidance:
Extra:

mark!

[minifun990]

Dropping, good luck everyone

[sapphirespirit]

Username: sapphirespirit
Lion Name:Zaahir-arabic meaning to shine
Lion Gender:male
Pride:Click
Pride Status:Royal Council Member
Guidance:

"Please..." a small voice squeaked, trembling in tandem with his chin.
"I don't understand!" Tears blurred his vision ,his tiny paw outstretched as he pleaded.His voice was lost in the frozen gusts, sucked from his chest and cast out into the storm. Towering over him, the dark figure said nothing,just watched him with Golden eyes that burned in the night.

"You will." He stumbled in the mud and snow,desperate to reach the other- just how could they do this! The shadow simply peered down at him - a regal, unsympathetic , statuesque void in all the twirling turmoil engulfing them. And then,just as silent and uncaring, backed a step and turned to leave- slipping from view.
"Wait! Please, Don't go! Don't GO!" His minute roar rasped out, pleading in vain and falling only on the scenery's deaf ears. Still he stumbled, aching and numb. His paws collected ice, his lungs burned as each breath he drew turned to icy shards. An angry snarl turned into a racking sob as he finally collapsed in the slush-utterly lost. Hopeless. He hadn't asked for any of this- not for the stubs that had started to grow from his skull, not for the glimmer that flickered in his nose and danced in his eyes. He didn't ask to be part of any of this Prah Fahcey his pride had spoke of, or what ever plans it had for him. He wasn't sure how long he lay there shivering and sulking, didn't notice the wind had ceased and the skies had cleared. Just a day ago his Father had set out with him. Had he known he'd be abandoned he wouldn't have been so eager to trod along after him. " Please..I don't know what to do!I don't know where to go! Great Spirits...father...anyone.. please guide me..." He squalled, lifting his head to seek the sky; as if someone would appear and carry him off. Instead, he saw stars. His Father and a few before him had earned the title- Star Gazer- a high regard in the pride. They were royalty to his folk. As he collected himself on his haunches, he noticed the brighter the stars seemed to shine- the further he could see. He, curious, no longer cared of the biting cold or his aching limbs.His curiosity drove his sight further in the heaven's depth. The amazement welling in him felt odd- undeserved. And there he sat, slack jawed and wide eyed. As he gazed, his eyes burned brighter, his nose twinkled with strength. Had anyone been watching from a far they would have noticed his small embers that scarcely shone in the dark, now illuminated golden rays around him- an odd umbrella of light cast round the young cub as he gazed still skyward. After a long moment he stood , his chest out and head high, and marched across the land of snow and ice, his eyes still locked above. Something about it was... familiar. Like he'd seen it all in his dreams. It felt like home. He paused, paw suspended mid-stride.
"Home..." He snuffled and sat again, tears re-streaming on his cheeks.
"Why are you crying?" A voice, smooth as the velvet on his stubs, warm as the summer sun,boomed above him. As it spoke, the stars seemed to twinkle and dim with the voice. Startled , the cub peered around, standing warily .
"I-I'm lost...My Father-"
"Lost?" the voice cut in."Where are you going?" He searched the white wastelands for any sign of life save for himself. and saw nothing.
"Where? It thundered, sounding closer. He was confused, and hadn't yet noticed how much he'd been glowing. With a soft rumble above his gems met the heavens, and to his bewilderment, there sauntering through the stars and gasses was an Etheral Fox, made out of the heavens itself it seemed. It watched him with a tilted head and a crouched stance.
"I don't know," He replied, his heart hammering from fear and amazement.
That is why you are lost." The Fox sat, peering down at him with shining quazars as eyes. "Or not." It seemed to give a soft laugh as it stood, turning to leave. "One can not change that which has happened. But one can Change what will be. "
Wait! Please, What do you mean? He followed the massive being's heavenly prints, struggling to keep up with his stride.
The fox seemed to pay his question no mind, and save for an occasional glance, did little else. "You seek understanding? You seek knowledge? Courage? Guidance? " The fox was running now, long graceful strides across the galaxies, and below him the cub ran too-fixated on the strangeness that he'd encountered. "Yes!"He called,thirsting for answers.
The fox slid to a halt, turning to face the Cub that skidded down the hill to meet him.
"Then go forth into the world, young Lion. Go forth, with faith in your heart and the light in your eyes.You can not have knowledge without the questions. Courage without Fear. Guidance without being lost along the way. Fear and strength go hand in hand young one. " The fox sat, his visions turned to below the whipping winds of the mountain top. Nestled in the dark was a strange and twisted land.
"There are those in the world who have known only darkness. Your journey, Star-Gazer, awaits." As he spoke he seemed to dissipate in the wind- his voice fading with him. Zaahir still wasn't sure what exactly had just happened, but he felt stronger somehow, confident. Still to this day he looks back on this memory- thankful for this Star Gazer of times past and it's guiding paw. He found his calling thanks to a terrible situation. And he wouldn't change it for the world.

Extra:Art

[nymx]

Username: sky--lines
Lion Name: orion
Lion Gender: male
Pride: the kingdom of highsun
Pride Status: advisor
Guidance:
Extra:

[Tiger♥Bear]

Username: Tiger♥Bear
Lion Name: Elewisa
Lion Gender: Male
Pride: Pekee Pamoja
Pride Status: Knight Captain
Guidance:

Elewisa squinted into the wind, a blizzard raging about him. Large flakes stuck to his mane and the chill could be felt from the tip of his tail to the tips of his antlers. The navy lion could easily be lost in the dark of night if it wasn't for his glowing eyes and nose. While there wasn't a glow to the golden constellation type markings, they did seem to have a sparkle to them- a natural effect of having a dark base. The snow underfoot had a slight crunch to it, the top already starting to harden in this weather. He was grateful it was snowflakes and not sleet or freezing rain. This particular storm was obscuring his vision and made his blood feel shot with liquid ice. But it was a regular occurrence at this time of year. Up in the snowy tundra was where he called home. His travels today differed very much from his usual walks about the frozen wasteland. Today was the day he left his home pride to find his own. Or make his own. Whichever would benefit him more.
It seemed hours had passed since he had left home, trudging against the harsh winds. The blizzard was slowly starting to fade and the sky was starting to lighten up as the clouds passed. Stars were twinkling faintly against the dark night sky. The moon was just a sliver high above the world, lighting the snow up with a soft glow. With a soft sigh, Elewisa looked up at the brilliant display. The stars often guided his way back home if he had wandered too far. He slowed until he halted completely, taking in his surroundings. These lands were foreign to him. He'd passed the borders of his home miles ago and didn't recognize anything. What was he doing? Should he really leave his home? It was the only one he knew. His parents were there. Brothers. Sisters. He shut his eyes, doubting.
"I can't do this..." The winds had died down but there was still a northern chill in the air. It was blowing his mane over his face, tickling his nose and making his eyelids flutter even in their closed state. "How could I leave my family behind? They need me." Just as he opened his eyes he turned around to head back. Was this really the right thing? After a few steps, he stopped again to look over his shoulder at his original destination. If anyone were around they would notice the literal flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. He sighed heavily and hung his head. How was he to choose? Part of him desperately wanted to sprint back to his home. To his family. The other part of him wanted to see what else there was for him. Find a pride. Perhaps find love. Elewisa lifted his head up to the starry sky. "What should I do, nyota ya kaskazini*?" His voice seemed to carry on in the still night air. "Please. I need your guidance more than ever. You've always shown me the right path."
It probably looked a bit odd for this dark lion to be talking at the vast snowy desert. Not only how it looked, but also the fact he had antlers, glowing eyes, and a glowing nose. Stranger still, the vicinity which was once at peace was now stirring with loose snowflakes swirling gently around him. Startled and bewildered, Elewisa watched completely transfixed. The wind blew, almost a whisper in his ear. A sweet, soft chorus of music tinkling delightfully. The snow seemed to be carrying the song. Turning with the gust, he felt awed. Such a display couldn't be a coincidence. It had to be the spirit of the northern star answering his call. The gentle swirl of snowflakes moved past him toward the south. He turned and exhaled heavily, a determined smile spreading on his face. As the strange wind settled it seemed as if it took a heavy burden from off his shoulders. Looking up at the stars once more, his eyes shone bright with a new sense of confidence. "Thank you, nyota ya kaskazini for your guidance. I will forever be thankful for it."
With his gratitude stated aloud to the sky and a renewed sense of purpose, Elewisa continued south. Away from his family. To find a new pride and discover what else the world had to offer him. He would also forever remember how the stars of the north never abandoned him even as he left his home.

*nyota ya kaskazini: Swahili for The Northern Star
(759 Words)
Extra: