Mally laughed again, a sweet mysterious sound that kyera couldn't help but chuckle at . "You know me too well Ky . " it sounded like a compliment . Mally began steeping the leaves in the kettle, filling the room with a gentle aroma of calm and healing . Kyera breathed deeply letting the sensations of the scent flood over her .
"Well I should . At any rate… this gathering party just went hunting squirrels . " The tigress chuckled and the leopardess nodded . Her face got slightly more serious as she poured tea for them both .
"Well, I need to explain the Garden a bit . This could take a while . " Mally warned her and Kyera nodded sitting down on the edge of the platform .
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"I got time . " she replied with a shrug of her good shoulder . Mally took a seat by her .
"So there are 3 categories of creatures here, 4 if you count the fresh blood . " Mally began pausing to collect her thoughts a bit . She was literally trying to condense down 5 years of learning to a single bite sized chunk . It wasn't the easiest thing to do .
"First of course, are the Wild Ones . They are kinda basic of the basic like back home . Just animal forms, simple intelligence and most of them have grown dependant on the beauties who feed and groom them . " Mally began with the easiest and Kyera frowned . The look on her face between confusion and surprise .
"Groom?" Kyera's single word response gained a slow nod .
"Yea, i know perhaps Domestic ones is a better word, but… it sounds insulting . " Mally replied shrugging both shoulders . "Anyway, second tier is the Domestic Shifters . " the irony of this title did not escape Kyera's notice . It was a blatant contradiction at that point . "We intended it to sound insulting . These are the shifters who obey the third group . "
"The third we call the Royal Pains . They are the Shifters who have snuggled up to the humans and try to force all of us to obey . They get the best food, best care, and work as a group to torment anyone who doesn't fall in line . " Mally explained yet again, her voice filled with hatred and disgust . Kyera waited patiently, continuing to drink the soothing tea . "We have tiger shifters and rabbit shifters obeying A lion! A lion Kyera . " her pain and anger was clear as day in her voice . The hairs on the back of Kyera's neck stood on end .
"What?" Kyera's voice was sharper than she had intended it to be . Much sharper . Mally nodded .
"What's worse is they try to make us behave like lions . Hunting in packs, offering our kill to the head lion and lionesses first then eating leftovers… it is ridiculous . If you refuse things get bloody . " Mally continued to voice her grievances for several long minutes . The tea having been long gone from their cups, Kyera poured them both more, which they threw back like shots of calming rather than tea .
"Alright, before we go any further what's the last group, you said four?" Kyera asked keeping her head . Something didn't seem quite right . With all the powerful animals she had scented in this place, why would Lions rule?
While she mulled that over Mally took several deep breaths till she felt calm . Followed by ten more full breaths to make sure, before continuing on . "The last topic is the Rebellion . We do not obey their rules . And have found ways to fight them . " Mally's voice was filled with pride . "You see we make our kills and return here . To our hidden base while those Royal Pains all stay close to the human gardens . Leor tried to kill me, but I am too close to the prince . If i die human, then he will be put down!" the excitement and triumph in Mally's voice made Kyera grin . There was a slyness to that plan that screamed that the jungle wasn't dead in this woman .
This was the Leopardess
Who faced down her elders and protected her friends from poachers . The first to sell wares in the Bazaar . The little hellcat that Kyera couldn't help but love .
"I managed to get most of us places among the palace staff . We hide out here when we are off work, and since we all have to do with tending the gardens… we help each other cover and prove our 'abilities' . " Mally began laying out the intricate details of her plan and how each member of the rebellion could protect themselves . Kyera smiled, this was something worth doing .
Chapter end
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