In the Star Kingdom.

[eight_or_eleven]

She stood in the middle of a vast star field, speckled with stars and galaxies and nebulae of all kinds. It was strange, really. Here in the depths of space there was nothing to stand on. Rather, she looked like she was standing on something very invisible to the eyes of all

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[leominor]

At long last, after Star had departed, the figure of an enormous lioness came walking into view.

Padding. Upon some invisible tract only those of the Star Kingdom could see.

Welcome to the Star Kingdom, Leo Minor rumbles, her voice bouncing off of the stars. It's been a long time since you last walked this way.

[eight_or_eleven]

A smile as the lioness strides into view.

"Greetings oh Great Mother of the Stellar Savannah!" Strength says with the utmost respect. "How goes the hunting?"

[leominor]

Now that she's closer, it's abundantly clear that Leo Minor-despite her name-is huge. In fact she is the size of a large draught horse.

There is nothing "minor" about Leo Minor.

The hunting goes well, Strength of the Tarot, she rumbles. Her voice is now large and echoing. There is much game to be found in the Eagle Nebula.

She seats herself down upon a small spiral galaxy. Or appears to.

What brings you here today?

[eight_or_eleven]

"You are why I come here, Great Mother," Strength says, feeling that sense of awe she always feels when in the stellar lioness' presence.

"I come to tell you that my companion has chosen his name at last, and to see if you have had cubs, and to see how they fare."

[leominor]

Has he now? Leo Minor is pleased. Strength is quite old, as is her lion. That is good to hear. What is your name, oh bright one?

I am called "Shujaa" now, the smaller lion announces with great pride.

Shujaa. That is a good name.

The lioness then pauses. Strength's motivations are as clear as a super nova upon her face. The card has come looking to give her companion-Shujaa-company of his own.

You wish to obtain one of my cubs, Strength. To serve as companion to the one who serves as your companion.

[eight_or_eleven]

Strength nods. There is no lying to the Star People. They have a way about them that can see into anyone's heart.

"Yes. That is why I am here. To see if you would be willing to part with one of your cubs. To see if you agree to giving my companion someone of his own kind to spend time with."

There is a tension. An apprehension in Strength that she does not normally feel.

This is Leo Minor. And she alone decides what becomes of her cubs.

[leominor]

Leo Minor seems to sigh. It causes several galaxies to heave.

You know what you ask of me Strength. You know I do not normally give away my cubs to just anyone. Not even someone from the tarot.

She pauses.

Not even the gods are so fortunate, and they take precedence over all others.

Leo Minor looks to be in thought. It could take a second or a century for her to decide.

And she can see that Strength does not have a century to wait. Not when Duty has called.

With a rumble she calls forth four snow-white cubs. Each one is bigger than an Earthen lion cub of their approximate age.

Very well Strength of the tarot. I will part with my cubs. But I must ask you this. My cubs are destined to join the other stars once their time of growth is finished. She waits for an affirmation from Strength and gets it. You will raise them, and teach them in the ways of guiding the sentient beings of the multiverse. You and all the others of your kind-awoken and created that are willing to help you with your task. If you have fullfilled this task

[eight_or_eleven]

There is no hesitation in Strength's mind. Leo Minor has placed a duty upon her that, if agreed to, is almost as binding as her service to the sentient beings of the multiverse.

"The terms are agreed to, Great Mother Lioness. All of them."

[leominor]

Including my decision to take back all of the cubs if I feel that my conditions were not met to my satisfaction?

She gives a lion's grin. She knows that Strength agreed to those terms too.

Very well. They are yours until I believe that I am satisfied with your efforts, as well as the efforts of those willing to help you in your task.

The cubs crawl their way over to Strength and Shujaa, mewling in their [relatively] tiny voices.

I will be watching you, Strength of the tarot. To ensure that my cubs are raised well.

She gets up and begins to drift away.

Until the next time we meet...

[eight_or_eleven]

Strength scoops up the cubs, who, unlike real lion cubs, do not try to squirm and wriggle their way out of her grasp.

"Thank you Great Mother! And good hunting!"

...it was time to return to the bar, where the young man Draco waited...