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Clean, Gen 6, 2BO
thank you to Cat🐈⬛ | Clean G4 Mudstone Member ID #474561 for the INCREDIBLE lore!!
OrchidMoon
As precious velveteen flower petals sway in the evening breeze, a peachy snout dips to inhale their sweet scent. The lioness, with fur the color of a seashell’s inner ear, lets her startling blue eyes slide shut in sheer bliss. The delicate silver crown upon her brow gleams in the fading ember glow. Daylight tiptoes gracefully into dusk as Queen OrchidMoon begins her stroll through the pridelands. She is greeted warmly by those around her, bowing her head gracefully with a bright smile. This pastel-hued monarch is known for her deep empathy. As a leader, she governs with gentleness, resolving to believe the best in others until proven otherwise. Cubs often play in circles at her feet. Elders feel her nurturing gaze whenever they need it the most. Even the snarkiest of felines are unable to resist her charms. Many long to bask in the brilliant rays of her adoration, but her heart belongs to one lion and one lion alone.
♔
Even as a young cub, OrchidMoon was shockingly patient with lions of all ages. Broodmothers claimed she “practically raised herself,” developing an unfaltering level of emotional intelligence that surpassed many of her elders. She took time out of her day to tend to the sick and injured. She treated the advice of the resident Grandpaw as something rare and precious. She rarely fought, and when she did, it was always in defense of another. These were the qualities that the former King, FuchsiaFur, noticed in her when he cast his eye upon the pride for an heir. He saw a lioness who exhibited the perfect balance of tranquility, humility, and compassion– three tenets that he felt were essential for any leader. As OrchidMoon’s generation matured, it became clear that she stood out from the rest as exemplary. Thus, once she was old enough, he took her aside and began to train her. She was deeply surprised and honored to be chosen for such a task. Every day, she would ask him if he was sure he’d made the right choice.
“Really, FuchsiaFur! There must be others who would be a better fit,” she insisted.
The great King shook his head firmly. “Do not let your humble nature transform into meekness. You have the heart of a Queen. Together, we will share it with the world.”
He was right, in the end. OrchidMoon still believes that she’ll never live up to her former mentor’s expectations, but she tries her best each day. She hopes he is proud of her. At night, when all the other lions have gone to sleep, she stares up into the heavens, the constellations reflected like a city in her eyes.
“Things are good, FuchsiaFur. I think… I think I’m doing well.”
Sometimes, the lights twinkle back at her. She wonders if it’s her wise old friend, reminding her to keep her head held high.
♔
Queen OrchidMoon is beloved by all, but no one loves her more than her precious mate, SunderRoot. The two of them met when they were very small. OrchidMoon was out gathering flowers early one morning when she heard a rustling nearby in the grass. Another cub appeared out of nowhere, tackling her to the ground with a proud smirk on her face.
“Ha! Gotcha,” she declared, emerald eyes glinting with glee.
“I suppose you did,” OrchidMoon sniffed demurely, dusting herself off with a frown.
SunderRoot cocked her head to one side, confused. “Um. Don’t you wanna play?”
The sunrise-pink feline before her shrugged. “Maybe later. I’m a bit busy right now.”
“You talk funny,” her new companion giggled. “I like it. My name is SunderRoot.”
“Mine’s OrchidMoon.”
Much to her bewilderment, the tan-colored cub followed her around for the rest of the day, asking a million and one questions about her strange habits.
“Why are you so quiet?” “You let me push you just now. Don’t you wanna push me back?” “There’s flowers over there. You don’t want those ones?” “What are you gonna do with all these, anyway?”
Eventually, OrchidMoon grew fond of the other’s company. They began to chat about their favorite subjects: plant identification for OrchidMoon and fighting stances for SunderRoot. Rambunctious and abrasive though she was, the stranger had a good heart, and soon, the two of them became friends.
Several decades later, their relationship transformed for the better when SunderRoot realized her protectiveness over OrchidMoon might not be as platonic as she had initially imagined. As it turned out, OrchidMoon had been pining after her best friend for ages, wondering if she’d ever work up the courage to tell her how she felt. The level-headed Queen admires her lover’s bold attitude. She wishes she could dive into decisions headfirst the way SunderRoot does. The two of them balance each other perfectly, which is just as well, seeing as they are nigh inseparable most days.
♔
There is plenty to love about OrchidMoon, but she would rather give adoration than receive it. She hopes to inspire her pridemates to treat each other with empathy and generosity so that together, they may nurture future generations into endless prosperity. Lofty as this goal may be, if anyone can achieve it, it’s Queen OrchidMoon.
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