+5 Practice speed or strength (0/2) It was one of those wonderful summer days. The one day of the week when you did NOT feel like a tragic cherry(ish) flavored popsicle, left to melt on the baking asphalt. FOR ALL ETERNITY! Yes, today was a fine day! At least in Eric’s eyes. Airy, shape-less clouds populated the skies, see-through like gossamer. So that the sun shone, sickly, down at the world below. It was still hot in the fields. But not unbearably so. On a scale from “ooh, cozy” to “PLEASE JUST KILL ME NOW”, it was a decent “does anyone want a lemonade?” You know, if lions could have lemonade. After taking a moment to rest under one of the many trees that surrounding the clearing, Eric waddled out into the ocean of grass. His expression still groggy with sleep, it was nothing short of a miracle he didn’t trip over some rock or run straight into a poisonous adder. Though I bet, I could’ve written a hell of a eulogy! After all, some artists are just simply more appreciated in death. Perhaps all you really need to be loved is to, well, die. Alright, that was depressing, on with the stretching montage! First, he cracked his neck most expertly and then he shook out each foot as if he’d gotten them wet. Not too far off, actually. The air was rampant with static, heavy with humidity. What would a race be without a victory lap in the glorious rain? @Asteria But "Sentimental Boy" is my nom de plume Art by Swan, Code by Swan (fixed by Cala)

it would seem that asteria didn't really know how to stay in one place. even as a tiny(er) cub she had been hard to pin down, no doubt causing her beloved father a few grey hairs in the process. being plunked down in this new world meant that there was a lot to discover, and the sheer determination of the small child led her to want to discover it all.

the forest was her favorite - especially deep in the forest where the shadows were thick and hid her well - but the fields were pretty enough. boring, truly, if you asked asteria, but perhaps there was fun to be found.

perhaps that big ol' lion out there in the grass? a less brave cub might have avoided the FULL GROWN LION, but asteria wasn't exactly known for being a chicken. instead the ebony marked child crouched low in to the grasses, wishing for the first time that she wasn't stark black. while the grasses had some shadow they did not mask her like the trees did, and as she crept forward (her stalking and pouncing needed work, after all) she tried to move extra quietly to make up for it.

realistically, though, she was a three month old cub and not exactly pure grace. @Eric would likely know she was there by the time she burst from the grasses with paws (but not claws) outstretched in an attempt to pin the tip of his tail to the ground.

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Contrary to popular belief, Eric’s great with kids. I mean, come on! He only dropped a cub that one time*! Totally great paternal instincts. But first, where were we? Ah, yes…the stretching montage. It was around the time when he’d finished jogging in place, that our dear Eric Björklund noticed a particular noise. It was the sound of rustling grass. Accompanied by what appeared to be the clumsy footfalls of especially tiny feet. And when he looked back, he was ASSAULTED!! Oh, and by a most fearsome creature. The terror of the savannah! The three-month-old female cub. I’ve got shivers just thinking about it. “Whoa, sweetie.” Eric laughed as he looked down at her, a lopsided smirk already on his lips. “I know I’m a catch, but shouldn’t you at least take me on a date first?” You know, cause he’s a literal CATCH! *le wink* Ok, I’ll see myself out. The supposedly full grown lion gave his tail the tiniest shake, not enough dislodge the cub, but working rather as an incentive. “Come on, I gotta practice my racing.” Eric pretended to examine her, teal eyes alight with mirth. “You look like you’re up for a challenge. Think you can beat me?” And then his smirk grew wider. “I gotta warn you though, I’m in the best shape of my life!” Just…try not to trample her. I think Amaryllis has got enough drama. *Interaction with Eric may result in the following side-effects: uncontrollable laughter, mild headache, questioning of one’s sexuality, a renewed interest in the Twilight franchise, a penchant for leather jackets, and minor injuries because of his incompetent ass @Asteria But "Sentimental Boy" is my nom de plume Art by Swan, Code by Swan (fixed by Cala)

success! well, sort of. no sooner had she the tail between her paws it twitched away. asteria half attempted to trap ut beneath one paw, but her attention had moved up to the boisterous make in front of her.

the teasing was a little over her head and the cub scowled in an attempt to hide the fact that she had no idea what he was talking about. honestly she didn’t even know what the heck a date was - probably something to do with being abandoned young and all that. asteria had learned more about fighting than any of that icky love stuff.

but she didn’t think too long on that, attention piqued by the fact that he issued a challenge in the next moment. ok, realistically? she was pathetically small compared to the adult male, but when had that ever stopped asteria? you guessed it… never!

“you gonna lose!” a smirk crossed her lips with the words and her chest puffed out in bravado. a thought occurred to her though and she tipped her head to the side. “what kinda challenge?”

@Eric

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You don’t wanna know, kid. You don’t wanna know. Scratch that, actually. She’ll probably be fine with all that icky love stuff! I mean, she’s a warrior princess and a total fire sign (we’re irresistible, ya know?). It wasn’t hard to get the kid on board, obviously she hadn’t had the talk with her parents yet. You know, the talk? Look both ways when you cross the zebra migration route, don’t talk to stranger, and brush your teeth with bamboo every night or they’re all gonna fall off! To be honest, Eric wasn’t quite as unpleasant as a pack of migrating zebras. Or all your teeth falling. But you know, he’s an acquired taste. “Oh, am I? That’s a lot of big talk for lil’ squirt.” I mean, her milk teeth hadn’t even fallen off! “Look over there,” Eric motioned with his head towards a spot a short distance away, in the thick of the grasses. “Do you see that rock?” It’s a pretty large rock, man. “I bet that I can run to that rock and back here faster than you.” His teal eyes moved back down to her face, his expression devious. “And whoever loses has to catch the winner a meal, a la carté.” Eric grinned down at the wee beastie. “Whatever suits their fancy.” And so, he crouched down in a runner’s stance. “Are you in? Or are you chicken?” @Asteria But "Sentimental Boy" is my nom de plume Art by Swan, Code by Swan (fixed by Cala)

really, she stood no chance. but don't tell her that. asteria crouched down with a serious serious face. she looked to the rock and then back to @Eric and nodded just once.

okay, so she didn't know what a la carte meant, and she sure as heck knew she couldn't catch him much more than a bug or maybe a mouse, but that didn't matter. especially since SHE would win.

but hey! no need for name calling! asteria snarled up at the male (yeesh, she was going to get herself in trouble one day with all of that!) "not chicken! you chicken!
she giggled, then, and crouched down low before blasting off, giving herself just a little bit of a headstart. again, its not like he couldnt catch up with a single bound. "c'mon slowpoke!" she called back over her shoulder before kicking it in to the highest gear she had, focusing hard on not stumbling over her own paws.

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Ah, the chicken line. Works every time! Whether you’re a lion, or a time traveling teenager. After a passionate retort, the cub took off, leaving Eric in her tiny cloud of feathers *cough* I mean, dust. He snorted, shaking his head in that almost pensive manner of his, and let his limbs spring him forth. The child, of course, had gotten a bit of a head start. But he was the one with advantage. Or at least, the longer legs. Celosia Fields was alive with the sound of crunching grass and laughter, as Eric came to trot comfortably beside Asteria. “Who’s the slowpoke now?” He grinned. “Last one there is a rotten egg!” Again, with the bird theme! I’m getting a bit insulted here. The blond bounded forwards towards the rock, and as he looked back, mouth open to taunt her, a small procession of quails decided to make their crossing. Perhaps it was the mother’s screech, the flurry of feathers, or a mixture of both that sent Eric face first into the grass and somersaulting past the race’s marker. Damn you plot-device quails! Maybe Eric Björklund wasn’t quite as rotten as others thought him to be, but he was definitely scrambled. @Asteria But "Sentimental Boy" is my nom de plume Art by Swan, Code by Swan (fixed by Cala)

well she was just pleased as punch. for all of thirty seconds.

it didn't take much more than that for the lion to catch up to her - duh - and asteria's eyes to narrow in concentration. in fact if you looked close enough you might even see the tip of her tongue poking between her lips as she focused extra hard.

he taunted her and she would have taunted him back, except she really had no ammo. that is until he went arse over teakettle. now that was a sight to see.

asteria laughed - full out laughed - as she raced up to the rock and tapped it with her paw before turning around. "see yous at the finish" she called back as she scrambled as fast as her little legs could carry her back towards where they had started. i mean really he could still quite easily win their little race - unless his head really was scrambled - but at least she could pretend for a second that she had a fighting chance!

as long as no other convenient plot devices poked their heads up.

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Oh, this is looking like a real nail bitter! Will Asteria manage to make it to the finish line before Eric gets his wits about him? Or will the handsome viking/vampire take the prize? Is that really Amelia, Teresa’s long lost twin sister, come back to take revenge on her for stealing away her husband? Find out. In this episode of- ♪ My Little Lion: Racing is Magic ♪ Eric was, I must admit, a little woozy after the quail incident. There was dirt all over his face in his mouth, ew. And pieces of grass were sticking out ornamentally from nearly every part of him. Trust me, it was look. You will definitely see it in next month’s lion version of Vogue. But for now, he had a race to win! Or at least a reputation to haphazardly save. The little cub’s laughter rattled in his hears, his head felt like a baby rattle. As Eric got up and blinked, looking like he’d either just woken up from the best night of his life or the worst, he spit out a mixture of pebbles, grass and blood. “Oh no, you don’t!” And so, he was up on his feet and stumbling after her best he could. A shaky start definitely, but he was making progress. Soon enough he was head to head with the baby lioness. WHO. WILL. WIN. Find out on the next episode of- *static noises* @Asteria But "Sentimental Boy" is my nom de plume Art by Swan, Code by Swan (fixed by Cala)

asteria might have won. she might have been successful in this latest endeavor if two things hadn't happened. first off she was distracted by the fact that eric seemed a little more stunned than he should have been. was he okay? had he fallen harder than she thought? the small cub slowed for just a moment to make sure he got up and followed - hesitating as he seemed woozy at first. but as soon as he chased after she scrambled to move again.

enter plot device number two.

remember the clumsy cub paws? remember the grassy field that had rocks in it?

well. put them together and what do you have? asteria mimicking the actions of the larger lion and tumbled head over foot when she tripped on one of those dang rocks.

how fun.

the small cub landed in a rather ungraceful puddle just before the unmarked finish line, a tiny "oof" escaping her lips. by the time she shook her head clear it would be too late, and the determination in her expression would be replaced by a very clear pout. "no fair!"

yep, full on whiny cub.

@Eric

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