#earthrunes

the large lion slumbers in the garden on a patch of clover

A centauress stealthing is almost comical, yet Daria tries. Soft steps on the grass

She approaches Vince, and from a holster at her human waist, takes out the shears

Only for her hoof to hit a rock in the grass with a soft tap

but.. does the Lion wake?

The mighty beast shifts - does he awaken? A STREEETCH, massive claws extended from velvet paws, and then he settles once more, side rising and lowering with soft snores.

His tail flicks a bit... was it moving before? Still, all indication of a slumber.

A weem a way, a weem a way

A brow lifts, then a set jaw on the wilder cenntaur, annd she touches his mane, a soft section in a loose grip, as the shears grow closer

The large amber eyes OPEN, and he LEANS forward, jaws opening... for a massive tongue to come out and LICK across her cheek with a warm, rough rasp.

She drops the shears, then raises her fists "Fine I..." A blink as she licks "What the hell? YOu'rre.. domestticated?"

PURRRRR.

One paw moves to stand atop the shears, preventing them from being picked up by sheer (ha) weight.

"Well there's something wrong with this. If I get a lock of your mane I can use it as a fetish for lion power.. but if you're tame... I don't even.. "

"Could I have my shears back?" She blushes "I'm hoping for a lock of your mane so I can make a lion power fetish"

He sits, his tail swishing, and seems to consider the option. A paw raises, pointing towards her, and then brushing his mane. Then, pointing towards himself, and his eyes widen, questioning.

"Oh my gosh, you're intelligent?" Daria says "Well, I guess magic animals.. uhm.. what's in it for you? I donn't knonw. I could trade you some hairs from my tail?"

He ponders a while longer and then shakes his head. Padding away - is he leaving? No, he returns after picking something up! In his mouth he has... a brush? A lovely brush, the style that might befit a fancy lady's salon, or perhaps a fancier lad. Instead of long delicate hairs, it shows tufts of fur in the tines of the brush.

Setting it down, he leans in elegantly towards the hand that holds the shears, tilting his great round head so that the mane drifts forward into reach. She may have her lock, but then, she must groom the massive beast.

"This is so uncool" The woman protests offended, "I want to be a warrior. " A huff "Fine" And Daria takes up the brush and strokes with it along his mane

He LEANS into her, purring with a loud rumble.

"Ack.. everything I learnned from Lion King was a lie"

She gets a soft (but still substantial!) headbump if she pauses in brushing.

"Fine, Fine. " She brushes "I had this whole sneak, clip, and run.... instead... you caugght me and I thought I'd have to wrestle you like hercules... but here i am, pampering you" She eyes his mane "You do have a bit of a snag behind the left ear.. okay if I put some muscle into it?"

The purring continues.

"oh finne.." She does put some muscle into it 'Masochist" Oow ow.. aAHHH!

Eyes squint shut as she tugs... tugs... and then a ROAR as it's pulled free! Is that an earring that was tangled in there? A fancy looking one, too, styled in ruby and silver - Fiona colors.

"Oh hey.. here's the problem" She shows him

She grins "Andn you ROARED.. that's more like it"

"Not such a wussy pusssy after all"

"Mrrrrrrrowwwowowow." He mews, like a pathetic kitten, only several octaves deeper.

She looks over his mane for cuts of signns of blood, to make sure she didd' carve him with the ring

He licks a paw and washes his face, recomposing himself. Silly puss - not even a scratch, though pulling the tuft free may have stung a bit.

"Oh good grief. " She rubs the belly of the lion "there, I got some of your hair, and you're fine" Stroke stroke "I'm not sure your fur will make a ggood Fetish of strength after all... but thank you for leting me try"

He looks at her, and for a moment the amber eyes are those of a predator, gleaming and cool. A yawn, and mighty teeth, long and sharp, display as lips roll back from powerful jaw. Sweet as he may act, this is no kitten! Tame, perhaps, but not domesticated, and perhaps yet with some fierceness, should it be warranted.

And then he ruins the effect by blinking lazily at a butterfly that wafts past and lands on his nose. Cross-eyed, Blink BLINK

She gazes in admiration at the fierce look, the display of feral core... then he crosses his eyes and she breaks into a laugh

"I can't even..." She gets up...

And the mighty beast stretches once more, flexing long claws that leave furrows in the earth under strong paws... and flops over, rolling to expose his tummy to the sun.

"Oh, fair's fair" She brushes some hhairs out of her tail and sprinkles it on him

The tail swishes, and he snoozes once more.

And she trots off, leaving the ear ring on a bench

******

the figure enters the hold, a troll childling, here on a mission

He smoths his tiny tabard, of corn and wheat criss crossed and heads to the library

The library door is open.

And in he goes "Hail, Library Dragon, I bring tribute and his offering of alliance" He holds up the novevelisationnn of the Batman Killing Joke saga

SWOOP. "I. Am. Batman!"

"Thank you" A grin "I have a mission here... to learn about it. This would be a good place. I hope you don't mind keeping it secrett save to Miss Zara who will learn anyway"

"Learn about what, young DeBuke?" A whisper.