song_princess | AU for tanksforthememory

The evening had been a whirlwind of activity. Lea hadn't liked that he'd been asked to leave Leanna alone so soon after arriving, but went with the bouncer after she reassured him that she'd be alright. As for the fitting itself? He hadn't known it was possible to make such a simple thing as clothing so complicated. Or something as flexible as fabric feel so stiff. At least there were a few pet people who worked there, so they had some pants that had a discrete hole in the for his tail, but he constantly had to resist fidgeting with the garments, especially the tie. Maybe it would be better when he had a suit that was actually made to fit him, but the borrowed one only made him feel more awkward.

And there was plenty to feel awkward about once he actually got to the little table where he was to sit while Leanne performed. Not only was he confronted with more silverware than he normally used in a day, the place was chock full of sights, sounds, and scents that begged to be investigated. Waiters passed by him with trays of food that smelled delicious, but he wasn't sure if he, as a pet, would be allowed to eat there. And even if he were allowed, should he? Would Leanne, as his owner, be billed for anything he ate or drank? With Leanne on stage, he wasn't sure who to ask, or even if he should. So he ended up just sipping a glass of water, trying to keep an eye on the room without actually looking anyone in the eye.

It was painfully clear to him that he didn't belong there. But it was equally clear that Leanne did. She fit into this place of well-dressed humans, fancy food, and polished silver and glass as if she was born to be there. And listening to her sing made all the awkwardness of the evening worth it.

Still it was a relief when the lounge began to empty out, and Lea was escorted to Leanne's dressing room. He very much did want to check up on her, both to reassure himself that she was alright and to get away from the crowd of well dressed strangers. He gave the bouncer a nod of thanks, then knocked on Leanne's door. "Leanne?", he said. "It's Lea. Can I come in?"

That is what tomorrow's adventures will bring, taking him out to get a suit that is tailored made for him. Leanne felt a little bad about leaving him to his own devices when it came to getting used to the place but her vacation was over and she had to get to work.

But for now, she hears the knocking and then the sound of her sweet lion's voice. "Of course you can come in!"

She was sitting down by a table with a drink and some snacks, wearing a robe to prevent her dress from getting dirty. "Come sit, have something to eat, Lea." She offers, a smile on her face.

"How was it? My performance...." She fidgets a little, suddenly feeling a little embarrassed. "And you can order food and drink while you are at the table.... I get a discount off of the food since I work here."

Lea came in and gave a bit of a relieved smile as he was finally sure there was only one pair of eyes on him. With the door closed behind him he had no qualms about loosening his tie a little and removing the suit jacket to drape it over the back of a chair. He then stretched a bit, glad to be able to move and breathe a little more easily for awhile before taking the offered seat.

"Thanks," he said, gladly helping himself to some of the snacks. There were a few he couldn't immediately identify either by sight of smell, but everything he tried was delicious. Unsurprising for such an obviously high end place, but still very welcome after hold himself back thusfar. "I wasn't sure about that, or who to ask while you were busy, so it's good to know. Just hope my table manners are up to this place's standards." Privately he also resolved to not overuse Leanne's discount though, at least at first. Ordering the most expensive things on the menu or going overboard on the amount of food he got wasn't exactly the way to make a good impression on those he was going to have to work beside.

"And your performance was great," he said. "Your singing is beautiful, and you really look like you belong here." Unlike him.

"I really hope your dress is more comfortable than my suit though, because I had to stop myself from fidgeting with it the whole time I was sitting there. And everything is just so... fancy. Like it should be in a display case or something instead of being used." And of course, all the well dressed patrons who he couldn't help feeling were staring at him. He'd never had that many human eyes on him at once before, and it was... unnerving. He really should have expected it, give that lions and other exotic pets were bound to attract attention, but... He sighed, the end of his tail twitching a bit and his ears lowering slightly. He'd just have to learn to deal with it, he supposed.

Edited 2020-04-11 23:38 (UTC)

She let's out a small giggle as he relaxes a little. "Tomorrow we will have to get you some tailored suits to wear. You will be more comfortable then."

She watches him helping himself to the snacks and listening to his concerns and nods. "I am glad that you liked my singing. If you like, I can teach you how to eat properly here. But you should be fine as like as you dont eat like an animal." She jokes a little.

She goes to let out a small sigh and shakes her head. "It is itchy in some spots. It takes a while to get used to everything. You can always come back in here if you start to get overwhelmed."

She goes to sigh again. "You will get used to it. But if it helps, I only perform 3 shows and 3 nights per week."

"I hope so," Lea said popping something that proved to be a bite-sized bit of fish in a spicy sauce into his mouth. He found that he particularly liked it, and made a mental note to try and find it on the menu later. "I didn't know it was possible to make clothing so complicated. I mean, I always figured getting the right appendages through the right holes was all that was really required, but apparently there's a lot more to it."

"And I'd appreciate some lessons," he said. "There was more silverware than I usually use in a day there, and well... I'd like to make a good impression, you know?" On those they'd be working with as well as on the patrons. After all, what he did could easily reflect on Leanne.

And besides, his awkwardness in the situation stung his pride more than he liked to admit. After all, he was a lion; he was supposed to be confident, regal. The title 'King of Beasts' came with expectations, after all. He needed to at least be able to look like he belonged there as much as anyone. And ideally, more than some. He needed to be able to walk around anywhere as if he owned the place. All of which was, of course, much easier said than done.

At the suggestion of retreating to the dressing room though, he shook his head. "No," he said. "The point of my being here is to protect you. I can't be much of a protector if I'm hiding away in a dressing room. I'll just have to deal with it."

After a moment he did ask though, "Was it hard for you, at first? Having everyone's eyes on you while you performed?"

"I know you will. They will take some time to get used to. The tailor we will be going to came highly recommended so I am sure that they will come up with something." She spoke as she was writing down the names of the dishes that he seemed to like. "In a place like this, it would almost be considered a miracle to be fully ready in 3 hours." Which is why she is trying her best to avoid messing up her hair or makeup.

A warm smile at his response to her offering and nods her head. "That can be easy to teach." She gets up to go to her door to order a meal with two sets of silverware. "I ordered some more food so you can get practice. What would be the best way for you to learn?"

A part of her knew that this whole evening was hitting his pride and moves to give him a small hug and kiss on the cheek. "Perhaps on my next shift we can arrive even earlier so you will have the chance to familiarize yourself with everything better."

At his question, she pauses a moment to think before nodding her head. "Yes, it was. The first few times were the hardest for me. I remember during my first shift, I kept throwing up after every show due to my nerves."

"I'm finding that out," Lea said with bit of a wry smile. True, he didn't really have make up to worry about, but his mane and tail had been given a very thorough combing and brushing, with some sort of product added to the former in hopes of making look a bit smoother and less spiky. In contrast to the suit, he found he rather enjoyed the brushing for the most part, and the fruity smell of the hair product wasn't as overpowering or artificial as he feared it would be, fading pleasantly into the background as it was rubbed and brushed in. He'd have to try and get a look at the bottle next time to see if they could pick up some for use at home.

He was mildly surprised that she wanted to practice right then and there, but considered her question. "I guess we could start telling me which piece of silverware is for which purpose," he said. "I mean, I know how to use them in general, but with more than one of each thing there..."

And he was relieved when she offered to arrive earlier. "I was just considering asking about that," he said, "so thank you. And yes, that would be good; I'd like to get a look around the place when it's not full of people. Learn my way around, get used to the normal sights, sounds, and scents of the place... Not just for my comfort, but to make it easier to protect you; if I know what's normal, it'll be easier to spot something or someone out of place."

He couldn't help a brief sympathetic wince and flattening of his ears at hearing about her first shift. "Mrr... That does sound rough," he said. "But I'm glad you pushed through it. You really are a wonderful singer; it's well worth all the craziness to get to hear you perform." And if she could get through something like that, he certainly had no excuse not to tough it out til he got the hang of it.

She chuckles and nods her head to him. "At least we wont have to prepare at home." She goes now to study him. "And you are looking rather handsome tonight. A suit definitely fits you, we just need to find the right one for you."

She gets up and around to stand behind him in order to reach around him and hold his hands to properly guide him. "It is easy to learn once you get the hang of it." She coos before moving his hands to show him how to use each piece, explaining what each one did.

She moves to give him a kiss on the cheek, leaving some of her lipstick on his cheek. "I figured that you wanted it, I know that lions prefer to know the turf they are in charge of."

She blushes a little at his words and nods her head. "It wasn't easy but I am glad as well.... Even with the downsides I am glad." She sighs a little and goes to freely eat and drink now that her lipstick wasn't perfect. "That table that you were placed at will always be your table. It is the best one to not only here but to keep an eye on me while I am on stage."

Another sigh as she does get a semi-serious expression on her face. "I have a stalker who seems to get up close pictures of me and then deface my dressing room, no matter how many I changed."

Lea looked down at himself briefly, then smiled a bit. "I guess," he said. "It's not something I'd choose if it wasn't required; too much of a fuss just to get dressed. But they did actually manage to get my mane to look at least somewhat presentable, which is quite an achievement." Ever since he was a cub, his mane had been notorious for resisting all attempts to tame it, so as Leanne would find out if she ever tried it herself, making it look anything but wild was quite a task.

He did his best to pay attention and not resist as she guided his hands through the motions of using the multiple utensils, nodding a bit where appropriate to show he was paying attention. It felt a little like he was a cub again and just learning how to use them for the first time, but he wasn't about to let that deter him. Luckily he was a quick learner, and in fairly short order at least knew the basics of each of them and their purpose.

He blinked in surprise at the kiss, though, and of the feel of the lipstick mark on his cheek. True, they'd already done much more, but that had been... different. He smiled though and relaxed back into his seat; he'd have to clean the mark off before he went back out, but for now he decided to leave it.

He made a thoughtful noise, nodding a bit as she told him about the table, then frowned as she mentioned the stalker. This, then was probably why she needed him. "I might be able to track them, once I get used to the scents of people who are supposed to be here," he said. "But that might take a while. Are the pictures of you here, or at home, or just out doing other things?"

She goes to giggle at the smile and his words. "Of course, even though you are quite handsome, at home I would rather have you wear something you are more comfortable in." She hasn't tried to tame his mane yet herself but couldn't help but to laugh a little. "The hair and makeup team here are quite determined."

Leanne smiles as he was a quick learner and couldn't help but to praise him as such, as well as enduring such a silly way to learn how to use each one. "It took me longer how to use each one." She just idly remarks and hopefully he will understand why she had easy simple foods back home.

That time when they became much more even just that one single deed. It was a time that she would never forget. Her heart still needed to heal just a little bit more from it but, it did allow her to be more affectionate with him. It was freeing in a way.

Though when he brought up what type of pictures he has been taking of her, she pales a little and looks away. "The first part might be hard as he seems to blend in with everyone who is supposed to be here. He... He is very cunning like that and..." All she could feel was shame. "Everywhere, home... here... shopping... there doesn't seem to be a place where I feel safe from him."

"That they are," Lea said, still smiling. "And whatever sorts of hair products they use don't have an overpowering smell. I don't know whether that's on purpose out of respect for the pets working here or not, but it's always appreciated."

When it came to the more serious matter of the pictures though, his frown deepened. "Well, I can tell you that nobody but you and me has been in the house for a week or two at least," he said. "I've been all through it, and the only two people's scents there are yours and mine. And once I learn the scents around here better, I can try to match them to any that might also be around outside the house, since we know the stalker has been both places, and I doubt that can be said of too many who work here."

"And you don't need to feel ashamed," he said. Her body language was quite clear. "You've done nothing wrong. It's the one who's doing this to you who should be ashamed. And they'll be more than that if I catch up to them." The last statement ended in a bit of a growl; clearly Lea was Not Pleased with this person and intended to make sure they knew it.

Leanne smiles wistfully and nods her head. "That is due to the quality of the products they use. The owners, even though they are stingy with some things you will come to learn, they also like to get high quality products."

She goes to slowly nod her head and look away, idly rubbing her upper arm as they continued on the subject of her stalker. "That... Is a relief to hear. That he hasn't be around during that time." She then goes to look back towards him with a more timid look on her face. "I am counting on you for that part, Lea. I shall pray that you will find him soon."

At his words, she couldn't help but to let out a forced giggle. "Thank you, Lea... For your kind words." The sound of his growl causes her to blink before relaxing a little. "I shall put my life in your hands then."

Lea nodded as well. "I thought that might be it," he said. "It certainly fits with everything else I've seen since I got here. Wonder if we could get some for at home, or if it'd be too expensive?"

He reined himself in slightly at her reaction tho his growl though, settling into a more thoughtful expression. "Are you reasonably sure they're a male?", he asked. Better to focus on potentially helpful details, rather than what he'd like to do to them. "And is there anyone you know of that might have reason to do something like this to you out of something like revenge or jealousy?"

Leanne goes to ponder for a moment. "I can always ask. Perhaps we can see if we can get a bulk discount."

She goes to give him a small smile when she can see him reining himself in due to her reaction. "Positive.... Lets just say... He left proof of his gender on a couple of photos and a letter." She shudders a little reliving that memory. "No... No one I can think of. The only people I can possibly think of are those I beat out to get this job." She then forces a small giggle. "I still don't know how I got it, the others were better singers and were far prettier than I."

"We wouldn't need that much for just the two of us," Lea said. "But I'd appreciate you asking."

The news of the proof of the stalker's gender though, had him biting back another growl. But he couldn't stop himself from bristling angrily for a moment at the thought of it. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself, smoothing his mane and the fur of his tail back into their places as he continued. It was a bit less effective with his mane, but it still looked somewhat tamed at least.

"Obviously your boss doesn't share your opinion of the others," he said. "Or you wouldn't be here. You got the job because you deserved it." True, he didn't know anything about the other candidates, whoever they had been, but he knew that Leanne was a wonderful singer. And very beautiful.

She giggles a little and winks at him. "Are you sure~ Your mane is rather full." A small light-hearted tease.

His reaction to revealing the gender of the stalker. A lion was definitely not one to mess with. She almost pitied her stalker. Almost. He had been terrorizing her for so long so having Lea here was a huge relief.

She lets out a soft chuckle and smiles. "I suppose so, but I am glad for it still. Without this job, I wouldn't have been able to find you and do my best to spoil you." She reaches over with both hands to ruffle his hair. "I can only pray that one day, you will get used to being here."

Lea gave a little smirk and sat a bit straighter at Leanne's comment about his mane. Did she know that a lion's mane was a point of pride and usually at least mild vanity? Maybe not, but it certainly helped smooth over his feelings.

And the near pity was warranted. For all that many of the more 'exotic' pets had been part of the Great Domestication, the wild would always run much closer to the surface in them than it did in the likes of the average cat or dog. And even in modern times, there were remote parts of the world where wild lions still stalked, tigers still prowled, and wolves still hunted. Making sure humanity never got too comfortable in their position atop the food chain.

He gave a slight smile back, somewhat torn between leaning into the ruffling and smoothing his mane back into place. "I'll get used to it, don't worry," he said. "It's just... a lot all at once. We've both had quite a busy weekend, after all." And the smile got definitely toothier and more than a bit more amused. 'Busy' was probably the politest way of referring to their weekend.

She didnt know but seeing his reaction, him gaining a swagger in his posture? Yeah, she can tell that his mane is a source of pride. She gives it a few more ruffles and slightly shakes her head. Not gonna tell just how sexy he is looking right now. Don't need anymore misunderstandings between the two of them.

Yes, it was pity. That man... should Lea ever find him.... she knows that he would not live to see the next day. What little she knows of lions is that the male lion is protective of his pride, a fact that Lean told her that she was a part of because of their weekend... "activites".

"I will believe in you then. If it helps, on a day off, we can do or go to someplace that you will like to do." And then the reminder of the weekend causes her to give him a shove. A light one but a shove nonetheless. "Now shush about that! Especially when we are in public!" She chastise a little. "I don't want him to find out either... in case he starts getting worse."

Yes, which was why, when the time came, it would be wise to not let Lea confront the man alone. Justified or not, there would be serious consequences for both of them if Lea killed anyone. Someone would likely need to be there to call him off when the time came.

But for now, that was all too far in the future to really predict much about. And that shove made him chuckle. "Alright," he said. He could understand her concerns there, at least. "Though, somewhere I'd want to go. Hmm... I'd have to think about that. Up til now, where I go and when has mostly been decided for me, you know?"

Leanne will try her best to be there when the time comes. She would not want a death on her hands no matter how much she may desire it.

She smiles at his chuckle and lets out a small sigh. "There will be no rush for you to pick. We are in this together so you can pick just as much as I do. You have rescued me as much as I have rescued you."

"Heh, well, I don't know about that," Lea said. "But thanks."

He thought for a long moment, though about where he might want to go. "I'd say the park, but I wouldn't be allowed off leash there unless I was chipped, which kinda defeats the purpose of why I'd want to go there. Maybe a movie?" He paused. "Are there any theaters around here that allow pet people?"

She moves back behind him and starts to run her fingers through his hair.

"Hnnn, maybe we can sneak into the park so you can be off leash." She giggles out, pausing in her finger combing to give a small scalp massage. "I am sure that there is one out there. I will have to look online and see."

Lea relaxed and leaned into the fingers running through his hair almost without thought. A soft rumble that had too much depth to be called a purr came up from his chest as he enjoyed the touches.

"Nah...", he said. "I wouldn't want you to get in trouble when just waiting a bit will fix the problem." She'd have to get him chipped eventually anyway, so really it was only a matter of time. "And thanks; I appreciate it."

Leanne hears that rumble and keeps up with her affection so he can relax and enjoy his surroundings better.

"Hnnn, I am sure that there is a place where you can roam free without the need for a chip or leash." She sighs out before smiling and nodding softly. "It is no problem."

She goes to look up at the clock and sighs. "It looks like it is almost time for my next performance. Just three more until we are done for the night."

"Probably somewhere," Lea agreed lazily. "But not in the city. Heard a couple humans at the shelter talking about it; exotic pets are too much of a liability or something otherwise." Which had been another strike against his odds of finding a home, and one reason why he was so grateful to have been adopted by Leanne.

...Though right at that moment, the way she was running her fingers through his mane was also pretty high on that list of reasons. He sighed and gave the clock a mildly irritated look. How dare it interrupt such relaxing scritches? "Alright," he said, reluctantly sitting up straight again, adjusting his tie and smoothing his mane mostly back into place. "Want me to escort you back out?" They'd been whisked away separately for primping and fitting the first time around, but with that all done...

A small sigh leaves her as she never stops her petting and finger-combing his mane. "I can see how a lion roaming around would cause some concern." And okay, she goes to add in some head messaging. "Probably find a ranch or farm that will allow you to roam, even just for a couple of hours. It can't be good for you to be cooped up indoors all day."

She lets out a small chuckle as she notices the look he was giving the clock. Silly lion. She removes her hands so he can regain his composure and straighten himself properly. "That would be good... Escorting me to the stage and then you can head to your table. And you don't have to hold back on ordering food."

"Maybe," Lea said, wishing he could just close his eyes and enjoy the scritching and massaging. "You can look it up later, if you want. But once I'm chipped, I'll be allowed to run around most parks too." She was right about it not being good for him to stay indoors all the time. Male lions tended to be lazy when they were allowed to be, and too much time without real exercise could lead to him being out of shape. Even the shelter had had volunteers to take the pets there on regular walks to avoid that.

He nodded and stood up, slipping his borrowed jacket back on, then moved to open the door for her, smiling slightly. "After you, then."

Perhaps later, she can just spend a long time just giving him all the scritching and massaging he could want. She remembers the last time he was left all cooped up... Granted he was in heat but still. It felt wrong to give him a chip or collar but, if it will allow him freedom, then it will be worth it. Perhaps tomorrow they will go and get him either a good collar or a chip.

She smiles back and nods. "Of course." She gets up, quickly fixing her appearance before heading out the door. She will wait for him to leave before hooking a hand around his elbow. It was soon time for another performance.

Getting chipped would mean a trip to the vet, but it would be a quick one. And Lea would gladly take it if it meant greater freedom for himself and an easier time of things for Leanne.

Once Leanne was out the door, stepped through himself, pausing briefly to flick off the light switch, and closed the door behind them. He crooked his arm for Leanne to take, and the two of them headed back out to her next performance.

AU for tanksforthememory

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Good place to start wrapping up this thread?

Sounds good! :D

And wrapped! TY for the thred!