Stargazer Lily, Mystic gifted in communicating with the spirits and listening to the whispers of the stars.
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Out for a late night drink, Stargazer brushed through the grass gently as she made her way down to the lake. She looked out over the water, and checked that everything was safe before leaning down to take a drink. As she did, she suddenly noticed the way that the ripples she created made the stars dance on the water, and she pulled away for a moment, transfixed. She stayed like this for a moment, before suddenly sensing a soundless presence near her, and turned in fear.
"Relax, child, it is only me," an old lioness spoke as she came up beside her. Astonished, Stargazer bowed respectfully to the Mystic, the most revered (and highly aloof) lioness in the pride before the king. Stargazer realized she had never actually spoken to her, and felt a bit guilty. Dark Night Lilac merely smiled, and gestured for her to get up. They sat for a moment, staring out over the water. "The stars have captivated you, have they not?"
"I do like to look at them... over the water," she began shyly. A gentle touch under her chin moved her gaze upwards, to see the stars above, shining brightly over the valley. A shooting star shot overhead, its trail staying etched in the sky for only a moment before disappearing. Though not a rare sight in the pridelands, it surprised her, and it was as if the icy coldness of the star had pierced right though the sky and shot straight into her heart. The air smelled of the chill of the coming winter, but also of something else; like cold, wet stone, and the clearest water, even clearer than that of the lake. The feeling ruffled her fur as it passed through her, and faintly, she thought she heard whispers in the air, though not well enough to make out. She was aware of Lilac by her side, however it was if the valley with its frosted, browning flowers had all but disappeared; all that was left was the sky, and the stars and moon seemed closer than ever, as if she could reach out and touch them in only a few paces, and it felt as if it would shatter with the lightest breath.
"Stargazer, I believe you name was not coincidental," came the gentle voice beside her, not rousing her from her vision. "I have seen the signs, in the whisper of the moonlight, in the babble of the water that flows, in the bobbing of the flowers in the wind. I was unsure at first, but now I know. You have the gift of starsight, child, as I do. The stars have chosen you, and you may choose to accept them if you so wish." Turning to look at the revered lioness beside her, Stargazer expected the vision to fade, but it didn't, only getting stronger. Wisps of light moved through the air - or was it the wind? Suddenly, she felt other pelts brushing hers, feeling of the same icy coldness, and heard the whispers again, louder this time, but too many to discern. Scarcely daring to breathe, she lifted her head to meet Lilac's deep green gaze.
"You... y-you are asking me to be your apprentice t-then," she whispered in understanding. Lilac nodded, and she understood all that was being asked of her. Lilac was very old, and would not have a lot of time to teach her the ways of the stars, and also that she was chosen well after apprentices usually were. However, there was no doubt in her eyes. After a moment, she blinked slower, forcing her voice to come out stronger. "Then... I accept," and suddenly words starting becoming clearer in hear ears, and she knew exactly what to say. "I, Stargazer Lily, born into Flora in the third season of the 29th year, accept apprenticeship to you, Dark Night Lilac. When the stars whisper, I will listen, when the moonlight shows me the way, I will follow. I will do all that I can to serve my pride for as long as there is breath in my body."
Rising, the old, lilac coated lioness stepped forward, and touched her nose to Stargazer's. Without warning, it felt like she were being struck by lightning, the coldest lightening shooting through her veins, and straight through her core. Frozen to the spot, she felt it as it lanced through every limb, and it seemed to be filling her and expanding, until she felt bigger than the Earth, and then the energy - with the energy to run for days, weeks even. The whispers were clear now, and she felt the cold wisps that she was sure were spirits now flit around her. "Welcome, Stargazer Lily," "Listen to the stars," "Trust in your heart," "You are one of us now;" the voices rang around, growing stronger, and she began trembling, until at last the feeling began to fade, as did the vision, and soon they were back beside the lake, a light breeze stirring the water. Letting her recover a moment, Lilac turned stern.
"You may never speak of this to any other living creature. You walk a different path now, different than most, and at times it may seem lonely and impossible. But remember that there is nothing you cannot do, and you have now gained the companionship of not just lions, but of all living things; you no longer have enemies. The hyenas are your friends just as much as the meerkats are, and just as much as the flowers and the trees. I am entrusting Flora to you, young one, and I am confident you will do well." Purring, Stargazer affectionately pressed her head into her cheek, and the lioness nuzzled her in return. Stargazer had never known, consciously, that this is what she wanted; but she always felt like something was missing, that she was supposed to be doing something else, and she knew now with absolute certainty that this was it. It took her no time at all to decide, and she knew that her life was now vastly changed, but would be remembered forever, etched in the earth and told in the stars until the end of time.
Mystic"
Mystic"
