"What do you know of the Forest, girl? You were born in this Garden, do not deny it. You reek of it." Kyera replied turning to glance at Mally, who had joined her on the bank. The man scratched his chin looking her over.
"I may have been born here, but at least I know my place." The lioness replied and Kyera laughed at her.
"Place? That would be more impressive coming from the head lioness rather than her pet." Kyera replied turning to face the Lioness beside her that had remained silent till now. "Care to speak your distaste yourself?" Kyera asked having seen the small ques she had given the younger lioness.
She blurred like softened clay and a woman stood crouched where the lioness had been. Long golden hair and pale skin, bright eyes of a middle aged woman took the place of fur and tail. She folded her arms across her chest and looked Kyera over disapprovingly.
"A surprising lack of Manners but expected of a Forest Born." She purred, her crimson lips curling.
"Zala, I suggest you remember who disrespected who first." Mally spoke clearly still at Kyera's back. There was a hint of warning there that made Kyera dislike the lioness more.
"I refused to go to their council its true, so perhaps I disrespected them with this in mind." Kyera admitted, making a counter point. The lioness nodded, smirking but Kyera smiled wider. "The only problem is, a visiting Princess isn't invited by a citizen she's invited by a dignitary. Since I was slighted, I saw no reason to be polite." Kyera replied as she shifted form to stand before them. Her white and silver fur catching the autumn sun and shimmered. Her golden eyes glittering with power. The stone from her earpiece standing out in vibrant purple on the white backing.
The lion changed as well, walking forward to look her over in tiger form. His curiosity peaked when the fur on his.neck stood on end at the site of the silver beauty. Instantly he wanted her. Her body was filled with power in both forms, but the tigress was not only powerful but commanded the throne of the forest. He bowed slightly to her, having been born in the forest he knew of Kyera Shade of the Moon, even though his mates didn't.
"Why are you bowing, King of the Forest?" the Lioness who spoke originally seemed horrified by this turn of events. Kyera chuffed a laugh.
"He knows the rules of self preservation." Kyera replied with a soft nod of respect for him. She was careful to show him the same respect he gave her. As he stood and sat, she did the same, her body larger than his in this form and more muscled from her rigorous routines.
"Never anger one you wish to work with." he stated aloud and his lioness nodded. "And show respect for those above and at Your station."
"As is the Law of the Forest." The lionesses spoke in tandem after he had finished and Kyera raised an eyebrow. Something so trivial would never be decided by the Laws. It took several moments for it to click.
"You are meaning 'All life deserves respect above and below your place on the food chain. Predator must show mercy if not for the feed, and Prey must understand the way it was meant to be.'" Kyera recited the laws as they had been taught to her. Though his words were technically true, they were not the same. His bastardization was frustrating for her.
"The laws were adapted for the garden." he explained coolly, but Kyera was unwilling to understand. She stood again and squared herself off to him. Her eyes traced his expression, wondering if he knew how damning his words were in her eyes. Was he innocent and unaware or was he the one who led them astray for his own use? Either way, she knew she did not have the patience for this man.