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Eyebrows rose in surprise. There were always surprises in the darkness. Just not the kind one would normally expect. It was a formal greeting. One she had not seen used since before her grandmother had passed. The proper response eluded her so she improvised with respect.

"I accept your welcome, brother. Let us meet in peace, dwell in peace and part in peace in the fullness of time." She had not met many who followed the druid lines of being, so it was surprising to find one here of all places, and also turned. Lightly she ran her fingers over the bark of the oak tree.

" Birch wood in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.
Oak in the forest, towers with might in the fire it brings the God's insight.
Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.
Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.
Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning-adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.
Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.
But - Elder is the Lady's tree, burn it not or cursed you'll be. "

She recited from memory a Beltane blessing that described the trees. It was as Nana had told her, she could spent a lifetime trying to learn it all and barely scratch the surface, but then again, perhaps now she just might exist long enough to do so.

"I have rarely met your kind in the past, but was told the Romany could trust them if they met. Apparently they were right." she had a million questions about his way of viewing nature and the words beyond, but perhaps another day would be best for such things.

Her fingers began to trace softly along the lines of the transformed face, taking in the details of the beast. "When I was a child and saw the animals at the circus or the zoo, I wanted to pet them, as any child would, but dangerous it would be to do such a thing." she explained her actions. "When I was newly turned, a friend of mine allowed me this experience with her while in her animal form." her hands lifted one of the paws of the lion and looked it over. She pressed against the pad of his paw and just like it happened with her cat, the lion's claws extended into view. "Nature was most kind to the great cats. And the small ones too."

She knew they were being approached, but the voice surprised her. Now she knew why the name vada was familiar now. The mystic stood up and smiled while bowing her head. "I am always a teacher, if the ones who would be my students will listen, Klara." Zodiac then stepped aside to allow the pair time alone. It would be interesting to watch how these two interacted now.

He inwardly smiled at her words, such a beautiful gypsy and she knew the ancient sayings, maybe the gypsys were still alive and well.
He had longed to find someone else, the know the closeness of a family again, the flow of nature and the way the world seemed at peace, druids and gypsys together again. He let her move him about, he was always trusting of another lover of nature, besides he was still a lion so he was safe.

He let his eyes take her in, she was beautiful and kind, her heart betrayed her in that moment. She was a being that sought to help others even though she hadn't even met them before. He smelt Klara for a while now, surely she wasn't that bad of a huntress, or was it because of him being a lion now?

He listened to the exchange and smiled, so his Klara knew Mistress Zodiac too? He licked Zodias palm then launched at Klara and licked her face as he then nuzzled against her. His voice soft as he spoke in his mind. :: You know Klara? She is the single most beautiful woman in my life. You have a beautiful soul, you are someone I would like to call friend Zodiac.::

He nuzzled his mane into Klaras hand as he smirked softly. He wondered if he should of told Klara he had a new power, but finding out with her own eyes would be so much more fun. His tail slapping Klara lightly on her leg as he watched the 2 women. He would have to figure out how to change back, maybe he should ask Zodiac how she did it. The tome never explained that part, but he would figure it out, he loved puzzles after all.

Klara’s eyes were on the lion before her, the man she loved with her entire being, the surprise of this change was making her act unsure and odd. She was a little afraid, not sure if the natural instincts of the animal was there. So many questions needed to be answered. She knew so little about this power.

As her eyes took in vada, she smiled “Zo, you’re always too kind and take time to help others. I still don’t get this changing into an animal thing. To be honest it kind of scares me and always makes me wonder if anyone has ever gotten stuck.”

She began to feel the softness of his main in her hand, not sure what to do, she pet him like she would any house cat but not wanting to offend him but not sure how to act. She looked into his eyes and though they were different, she still saw him inside. She relaxed a bit, sat down on the ground and smiled at him. This was her man, though he was an animal and she prayed he could change back. She ran her hand down his mane and scratched him under the chin before reaching to hug his head, closing her eyes, her body trembling with her nervousness. Whispering she told him, “I love you vada.” She had to accept everything about this man and she did.

The meadow was quiet as the trio interacted with one another. Klara sat running her hands through his fur. “You’re beautiful.” She studied him some more “Stunning my love.” She loved him and if it meant she should get the power to be with him in this form she would. She kissed his snout and sat back studying him.

She had seen this scene before many times. In truth, mortal (or immortal) life does little to prepare one to see their significant other suddenly turning into some type of animal. The one still human suddenly felt their lives had been turned on their heads and some went overboard on the matter. "No one that I know of has ever gotten 'stuck' in their animal form. I know a couple who grew to prefer it and kept themselves in it by doing the spell every time it began to fade, but that was a choice." she sighed as she watched the woman trying to figure out what was going on. "If it makes you feel better, the spell lasts around 24 hours on the average, then vada will turn back into his human form. With time and practice he can learn to shift his form sooner than that."

The mystic was suddenly feeling like a 5th wheel. She took no resentment in that. Zodiac stepped closer to the two and bowed her head again. "Sadly, my time here is done. I have other things and people to attend to this eve, but if you have questions," With a flick of her wrist, a business card 'appeared' in her hand. "You may seek me out one evening." she offered the card to Klara, since vada had no hands or pockets at this moment in time.

"Thank you for your kind words, vada." she smiled at the big cat and rubbed his head gently. "And Klara? Insecurity accomplishes nothing. The world is too full of 'what ifs' without making more of them when they are not needed." It was no trick of the mind that lead her to this conclusion. In her dealings with people telling their fortunes, Zodiac had come to recognize expressions, looks, and qualities of her customer's eyes. Klara was nervous about what vada had accomplished for some reason and was imagining the worse already was the gypsy's best guess. "The differences is what makes us all unique, and we should embrace them in others especially those who hold claim to our hearts, rather than fear them. Find out if you have a reason to panic before actually panicking. I doubt vada is going to leave you and look for dates at the city zoo's lion house."

"Blessings of the night to you both, and don't forget your book, vada." She pointed to the tree as her thoughts purred while she spun about. A flash of teleporting flame flared for a second, and she was gone.

He smiled at Zodiac, she would be fun to talk to again and hopefully see her at work. He bowed at her words and watched her depart before he moved to collect his tome gently between his teeth. He offered it to Klara before he smirked slightly. He looked into her eyes and licked her palm before he moved behind her.

Even as a lion he had complete control of his mind, he understood the instincts screaming at him, but he seemed to comprehend it all on a human level. He slipped his head between Klaras legs as he moved forward and lifted her onto his back. His claws dug into the dirt underneath him before he bound forward with Klara on his back. The trees blurring past them as he kept a brisk pace, if he was going to sneak home he would need the sewers. The sun wasn't due for a few hours but already he heard the birds, dawn was coming and he would need sleep.

He took Klara closer to the city as his nose and ears confirmed no one was around, he was getting used to the increase in his senses, his golden eyes making it seem like it was midday, even though there was no moon out. Gently pawing at the manhole he wondered if she understood what he wanted her to do.

Klara took the card from Zodiac and slipped it into her pocket as the woman bestowed her wisdom on her. Her eyes widen as Zo hit upon her fear; a fear that had been instilled in her long ago by her sire. She bit her lip to keep from smiling realizing that she should have known that Zo would pick up on it, the woman always seemed to be able to read what was on a person’s mind. She nodded silently knowing she was right. “I will Zo, and thanks. I really needed to hear that.” Vada was not Simon and she could not put the sins of another on him and she would not.

Klara took the tome from Vada’s mouth and tucked it into her pack. Standing she ran her hand down his back watching him walk behind her, sliding her onto his back. “Are you sure I won’t hurt you?” Before she was even through speaking, he began to move. Her hands found his mane and held on tight like reigns. They began to fly through the woods and she began to laugh at the freedom she felt while riding him.

“Vada this is amazing!” she laughed into the wind. Too soon, they were in the city and she saw him paw at the manhole cover. Sliding off she opened it and waited for him to go down, hoping he would not fall and climbed in behind him. Once at the bottom she climbed back on him and let him lead the way.

He leapt into the dimly lit sewers and waited until she was back on him before he launched forward. His claws retracted as he made his way silently through the grime encrusted tunnels. His eyes let him see as if it was noon, every detail clearer then normal. He rounded a corner as he leapt over the running water and caught sight of a rat scamper away.

He was getting close to the exit when he heard the sounds of a gun and footsteps. He could smell the foot soldier before he was even close, but he kept on running, this was going to be fun. As he turned the corner he felt Klara's weight and compensated for it before letting his claws extend slowly. A soft tapping sound now coming from him as he launched at the wall and pounced around the corner.

The look of complete shock on the soldiers face was a wonderful thing to him, the way the mortals eyes widened in surprise made him laugh in his head. It only took a second to drag his claws down the soldiers torso before his teeth dug into the neck. He tossed the body up to land on his back infront of Klara before taking off.

He ran them back to the running water as he tried to shake the body into the stream to be washed out away from them, and to wash up after what he had done.

Klara clung to him, her hands fisted into his mane, her thighs squeezing tightly against his sides. He began to move through the sewer. She hated the sewer, hated that she had to resort being down here at times. It was a pleasure being on vada, letting him tread through the muck, grime and lord knew what else. She leaned forward, kissed the back of his neck, and nuzzled him, getting more used to him in this form. When the panic had begun to leave, she felt him fully once, his essence and it comforted her.

As she lay on him, her eyes closed when she felt the muscles against her thighs begin to bunch and knew he would jump. She crouched low to try and not throw off his balance. She screamed as she saw him lunge for the foot soldier. Not wanting to fall off she held tight to him and prayed that she wasn’t hurting him at all. Suddenly the dead man fell into her lap and she screamed again. Not from fright but from surprise.

They made it back to the river and she pushed the body off vada. She got off, walked to the river, and rinsed the blood from her as best she could. “Honey you’re covered in blood. You should wash off. I don’t think anyone will notice you here.”

She sat down on the bank of the river and watched him, a soft smile on her face as she watched him sniffing at the water. She knew if he needed something he would let her know somehow so she let him be while she sat and admired him.

He watched her as he leapt into the river and splashed about, it was interesting as a lion. The water over his fur, the sensation of the water splashing against him as he padded about. He swam out and stood beside Klara, what did animals do? He remembered and began to shake, it was odd to watch, as he tried to dry himself.

He licked Klara on the cheek before he let out a loud roar, finally coming to terms with his animalistic ways and voice. He nudged her as he knelt down to let her mount him easier before walking off down the tunnel. The mice took off as they stumbled towards the catacombs and he seemed to chuckle, must of been a wrong turn at the last pass.

He loved walking on all four paws as he carried Klara on his back, maybe he should get her a sword and a saddle for her. It would make a striking sight for anyone to see, but it would be funny. Maybe for Pi's new party, or he could pop up in her place with Klara on his back, that could be fun really, surprise both the women in his life with his new form and where they were.

Klara watched him leaving the water, his fur heaving as the water dripped off. He looked at her and suddenly began to shake. Screaming, she tried to get up and slipped falling back down on her rear. “Vada! You’re soaking me!”

She sat and wiped the water dripping down her face and glared at him, earning a lick on the check. His tongue was rough and he smelled like wet cat. “We’re going to blow dry you when we get home my dear.”

Looking at him she giggled as she looked at him and teased him “Are you litter trained?” She laughed knowing the look he would be giving her right her and hugged him tightly as he laid down. She crawled onto his back, her clothes no soaked through and laid down wrapping her arms around him and squeezed.

“I love you so much vada. This is just really weird to me but it’s still you and nothing will make me stop loving you, ever.”

She nuzzled the cat, feeling him stand, she stayed laid across the length of his back holding tight, wondering where they would go next.