[minifun990]

“Hey, hey its alright. We’re going to go have some fun okay?” The cub stops sniffling so much, but the cubs are all far too quiet. Maybe they were told not to talk to the scary stranger. Neto sighs and indicates for them to follow him.

They dont walk for long, until they come to a hollow. And when they look inside each of the cubs mouths fall open. They gasp, and wow and ooh and aah.

Before them lies a cubs paradise. On the mundane side feathers and leaves and bundles of wool hang of branches and ledges. The previously hard compacted dirt is covered with moss as a soft landing. Almost none of the cubs notice this though.

Their eyes are drawn to lazer pointers, strange zigzaging lights that dart across, did that one have a face? Down on the moss a creature lays, similar to those they've seen before, equine shaped. But it glows and has a long horn from its head. It beckons the cubs close and they finally feel safe.

Some of them don't even wait for the leopard to allow them into the hollow. They jump down on ungainly youthful legs, laughing in delight. One by one all the cubs follow until just one is left by the strangers side.

The lion looks down and knows this cub is one he came for. Her eyes are dark, weighed down by years and fears she shouldn't have. Her shoulders are slumped as if the weight of the life she's lead has already started to crush her.

“What's wrong little one?” The cub shuffled her paws, her eyes downcast.

“My father said I shouldn't play with the others.” Neto sat down, looked into her eyes. He gently turned her face back as she looked away.

“Listen to me Acia,” The cub stood still, “let me tell you the truth.” If Acia was scared she didn't show it any longer.

“Your father isn't blessed, he isn’t infallible, he can be wrong, very wrong.” Acia pulled back as if to defend the lion that hurt her, that played with her mind. Neto had seen it all, growing angrier and sadder the longer he watched the pride. He had watched for weeks doing recon, as he had times before but this was the first time he had insisted on borrowing the cubs.

The truth was sinking into Acia. It was a truth helped along by the magic of his eyes. But unlike the lions from before it didn't tear her apart. Neto could see it pulled her together, glueing together what her father had tried to break. Neto could see she would be a strong leader one day, or at least a proud lioness.

She hopped down into the hollow, joined some other cubs. Her posture was still submissive and small but now her spirit could regain strength.

The lion d followed her in, spoke to other cubs with stories like hers. Told another cub of the harm his words did to others, taught one humility, another honesty.
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