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Lion’s Share The Wealth

“Again? Really? How?!” a frustrated Fiona shouted at her computer screen. The plastic game controller in her hand creaked as she twisted it after dying to the same player. Again. For the seventh time that match. Adding to the total racked up in previous matches where Fiona, despite her skill, was bested by one person. “Oh I’m gonna get you. That’s the last time you sneak up on me!” Fiona declared as she respawned yet again.

After a long, irritating day working as a waitress at a popular diner, Fiona just wanted to unwind. Her day started at five in the morning and ended, thanks to her manager’s poor schedule, at seven in the evening. It drained her of energy and left her full of angst she was desperate to burn off. That’s where her favorite fantasy twitch reaction video game Mythikombat II came in. Normally she could spend a few hours killing folks to burn off her day’s stress. Not tonight though, thanks to a player with the handle Maespropaws.

What was especially grating to Fiona was that Maespropaws was playing the same lion variant of the game’s anthropomorphic feline race as her. Him and his plush mane and that knightly silver armor were making Fiona come close to hating her favorite animal. It had her at the edge of the desk chair, leaning forward, eyes rarely blinking, and with her singular goal to get revenge on-

“Fuck! He killed me again! How does anyone react that fast? He’s not human! I’m this close to reporting this cheater! This close!” Fiona fumed while holding her two fingers up.

That proved the final straw for Fiona. She powered off her computer, tossed her controller down, and stomped off. As she lived alone in the best single bedroom apartment she could afford on her pay. So there was no one to see her grouse and grumble while she brushed her teeth, combed out her blonde hair, and prepared herself for bed. Fiona wanted to avoid going to bed angry since she never slept well when she did. She tried scrolling up her favorite true crime blog for a distraction but there were still no updates from its missing author, Riley. With that disappointment Fiona wound up going to bed pissed. And it was all Maespropaws’s fault as far as Fiona was concerned.

Sure enough that night the twenty seven year old slept awfully. Tossing, turning, and having bad dreams where she was constantly tripping over her own feet or sometimes a lion’s tail. When Fiona woke up on her day off she was in a surly mood. She was tall with a once thin body that had gained some pudge over the years. It gave her figure gentle curves that attracted extra tips from sleazy eyed customers along with unwanted comments. She was conventionally attractive, generally easy-going, prone to sardonic humor, and when not in customer service mode kept to herself.

Because of her introverted nature and unlikeable family that didn’t understand boundaries Fiona was on her own. It’s really how she preferred it, though she wouldn’t have minded a friends with benefits situation. Instead she had a few friends, mostly through gaming, and her coworkers. Quite a few plushies covered her bed. They helped calm her a little as she roused herself but Fiona’s lingering angst remained.

“Nothing a little coffee and mythical murder can’t solve,” Fiona reassured herself as she poured her morning cup. It was Saturday and despite the nice summer weather she planned to stay in. First and foremost was burning off leftover frustration with more Mythikombat II.

Within the hour Fiona was back to hollering and torturing her controller as Maespropaws preyed on her poor lioness avatar like the night before. He landed in her third game of the morning and after that dominated whatever team she was on. Fiona felt especially targeted. Maespropaws never missed an opportunity to kill her character. Once he knew she was there he’d go out of his way to do it. The way he’d bow and send simple smiling emojis after each game was salt in her wounds.

After a couple hours of this and finding herself getting angry, Fiona turned off her computer in the middle of another game that was going south thanks to her least favorite lion. That left her with more frustration than she woke up with and her favorite outlet wasn’t working. So Fiona paced around her living room a bit, working off steam, before plopping herself down on her couch and taking out her phone. Deciding maybe going out that day wouldn’t be a bad idea.

“Let’s see. Is there anything going on nearby that can be a good distraction? No good movies out, baseball is boring, nothing fun about a fun run, and- ohh, what’s this? Circus Vondeltrap? I haven’t been to the circus since… Damn, I’m not really sure. Tickets are pretty cheap too,” Fiona spoke to herself with piqued interest. Reading about the midway, games, attractions, shows, big top, and finally the range of animals, big cats in particular, that made the decision for her.

Fiona got dressed and put on a light coat of makeup with her mood improved by the time she locked her door and headed to her car. Her outfit was a loose summer skirt, wedge heels, tight v-neck, and some sunglasses. She was happy to put the previous day’s agitation and her gaming shellacking to enjoy some circus.

The forty minute drive out to the sports fields the circus had taken over was a pleasant one. Fiona arrived not long after the 11 AM opening time and there was already a good crowd of people there. The circus had been in town for two days already and was staying on until Monday. While Fiona had never heard of Circus Vondeltrap before that day judging by attendance and buzz it was a popular destination. For good reason as she would discover after getting her ticket.

This wasn’t a cheap, held together with glue and hope-type circus at all. All the booths, stands, rides, and big top itself were bright, shiny, and had a well-maintained aura. The workers and performers were full of energy and bravado from barkers to acrobats and the man collecting trash with a skip in his step. There were quality prizes to win, lots of food stalls, merchandise stands, rides with long lines, and all in a remarkably clean space. Fiona shed more of her anxiety with every step down the bright, loud midway. A smile grew on her face the whole way until she saw a sign that washed away any residual stress.

The colorfully painted sign read: ‘Come see Circus Vondeltrap’s newest additions! Black jaguar Mila and tiger Ella! Limited viewing times and space!’

Fiona was in the line to see the big cat kittens almost instantaneously. That wasn’t something she had any willpower to resist. She bought the pricey ticket- with all proceeds going to the care of the kittens- and hurried inside the tent with its plush red carpeting. The ambiance was very desert sheik with lots of rugs, large pillows, incense, and lounging couches. Separating half of the space down the middle was a row of shiny steel bars and a thin sheet of safety glass. The other side of it, laying leisurely amongst many pillows was a terrific looking adult male black jaguar with an adult tigress sprawled against him. Magnificent as they were, they weren’t getting the attention of the five month old black jaguar kitten and two month old tiger.

The ages of the adorable younglings was noted with a board setup on the cage that included everyone’s names. The jaguar was Kurt who was there with his daughter Mila while tigress Zara was the mother of the playful little tiger running around named Ella. Under the watchful eye of Kurt- Zara looked to be in a deep slumber, belly and limbs sticking out- the two young cats were pouncing after each other. Both had short attention spans but Ella shifted every few seconds between Mila, a pillow, the crowd, the camera flashes, her tail, and whatever else caught her eye. Fiona was one of those that couldn’t take enough pictures or videos of little ones.

From when Fiona was a child she’d had an affinity for felines. If her apartment allowed pets she’d have cats like when she was growing up so she had to settle for the next best thing. It was why her plushie collection was predominantly various cat species and characters. Also why her game avatars were felines if that was an option. She loved tigers and adored the black jaguars sleek, well-kept coat. Fiona wouldn’t have told either of the little ones that she was always partial to lions when it came to larger cats. Not that it stopped her taking well over a hundred pictures in the fifteen minutes she was allotted with her ticket.

As Fiona was escorted out with the others she saw a sign advertising the show the cats were attached to. Beast Tamer Helene and her Feline Friends was one of the big top shows which featured a gorgeous woman surrounded by tigers, black jaguars, and lions under the spotlight. The highly intelligent big cats would perform stunts, routines, and interact with the audience during the course of the show. There was also mention of Helene’s humane training methods and the luxurious accommodations the cats had to themselves. Fiona was sold from the start but she jumped at the chance at actual interaction since she might be able to check ‘nuzzling lion’s mane’ off her bucket list.

She filled the time before the first show wandering the many rows and aisles of the circus. The atmosphere was growing more lively with people continuing to arrive. The scents of fried dough, popcorn, sausages, and faint aromas of diesel fumes perfumed the air and enticed Fiona to grab a hotdog and cotton candy. Fiona also visited one of the merchandise booths, coming away with a pair of novelty lion ears, a lion plushie, and a Circus Vondeltrap tote bag. So when she entered the big top with a score of other folks Fiona was giddy with excitement. Something shared by others, mostly children.

Fiona was able to nab a seat in the front row thanks to her blue colored ticket. Putting her in the perfect center position of the three rings that made up the show area. The festival fanfare of brassy, drum heavy circus music was performed by a live band. While several clowns and an elephant kept the crowds filtering in entertained. Fiona flipped through the flier for the show that went over the various acts, including Helene and her Feline Friends. She was reading it when the lights began to dim and the excited audience clamored around her as the show got under way.

Just as the space went dark a single spotlight from on high lit up a man dressed in purple and gold ringmaster attire stood proudly in the center ring. The man was older but strikingly handsome, willow thin, and moved with grand, theatrical gestures. His styled quaff of silver hair and similarly styled mustache complimented gold cane and silvered tongue.

“Welcome big, welcome small, welcome one and all to the stupendously marvelous Circus Vondeltrap! I have the great pleasure to be your Ringmaster for the show to follow. Finnian is my name and I have such wonders that I want to show you all! We specialize in serene,surreal, and sensational entertainments which you can only have here, at Circus Vondeltrap! The program we have planned for you all has me itching to get started. To ensure both the performers and your fellow patrons of the circus the best environment, refrain from flash photography as well as any air horns, whistles, or other noise making devices. We’re all here to have fun so don’t go spoiling it for everyone! Or else you will be fed to the lions! And if not enough listen and the lions get full I’m sure the tigers, jaguars, and petting zoo goats would be happy to oblige!” joked Ringmaster Finnian in a boisterous voice that made his use of a lapel mic seem unnecessary. “To begin we have our Firestarter Dance Troupe! Their motto? When in doubt, more fire!”

A series of expertly executed, well choreographed acts followed over the next hour. Fire was followed by tightrope acrobats performing high above the floor. The band was next with a few tunes and some organized marching routines, then some elephants, and the Ringmaster Finnian did a few slight of hand magic tricks. Fiona took some pictures, bought popcorn from a wandering food seller, and generally had a good time. But it became a great time when Finnian introduced Beast Tamer Helene.

Again the place was dark with the Ringmaster the sole illuminated figure in the leftmost ring. “I now have the great honor and privilege to present a truly one of a kind show that only Circus Vondeltrap could provide! It’s by far our furriest, most fanciful and ferocious act under the big top, so without further dithering on my part may I introduce the beguiling, brilliant, and bemusing beauty of Vondeltrap, Beast Tamer Helene!” a highly Finnian declared. He directed the audience as well with his whole body towards a second spotlight that newly appeared near the rightmost ring.

Entering from the tunnel between sections of stadium seating, Beast Tamer Helene strutted out with her fair skinned chin held high and to the cheers from an enthusiastic crowd. She was tall, fit, blonde, with pale blue eyes, full chest, white teeth, narrow face, red cheeks, and undeniable swagger. Her outfit consisted of a blue and gold tux jacket, purple tophat, black lace corset, short shorts, gold heels, and dark blue fishnets over her milky pale legs. Helene waved to the audience as she made her way to the center ring and became the only spotlight. Upon reaching the center ring and taking a bow to all sides, Helene had the crowd quiet by merely grinning like the cat who caught the canary.

“Well aren’t you all a lively bunch! Has everyone been enjoying their time at Circus Vondeltrap?” Helene asked the crowd in a crisp, calm voice. The crowd predictably applauded. “That’s what I like to hear! My part here is to keep those good times going. Lucky for me I don’t have to do this all by my lonesome. A Beast Tamer is just an idiot in a skimpy outfit without a proper troupe. And folks I have assembled a properly proper ensemble of six of my finest feline friends to back me up today. Since I obviously do not have three tigers, two lions, and a black jaguar in my pocket, let me bring them out so we can have some furry fun!”

Six spotlights clicked on and found a large cat each atop the grandstands circling the three rings. Fiona had to swivel her head around to see them all. As she had seated herself in the middle of her section Fiona had cats, two elegant tigers, coming down left and right of her. The animals descended the central aisles, causing a mixture of shock and excitement from those who had no idea what to expect and those who did. There was another tiger, a black jaguar, and two lions coming down elsewhere. Catching Fiona’s attention most were the lions, the male in particular. His bushy, well-kept mane made him look regal and dashing. Giving way to the thought that lioness that descended with him, likely his mate by her bearing, must be proud.

When six big cats reached the bottom of the stairs then leapt the barrier to gasps from the crowd. They then made their way to Helene. Their mannerisms ranging from the male lion’s lively prance to the jaguar’s stalking movements. Fiona had never seen animals act with such emotive quality before and she was loving it.

“In no certain order may I introduce everyone to Sasha! She’s the absolutely sublime black jaguar who’s just rejoined the troupe after her well deserved maternity leave! You may have seen her daughter Mila out on our midway hanging with dad, Kurt. If you did you also got a look at our newest addition Ella and her sweetheart of a mother Zara. While they’re out there we have daddy Riley here along with grandparents Bruce and Tessa! We love our big tiger family! And last but anything but least we have our luxurious lions, Maestro and Vera! My Feline Friends, everyone!” Helene exclaimed joyously. Leading to even more cheers, with Fiona among them.

The first part of their expansive routine was a display of the cat’s agility and ability to follow Helene’s instructions. They then moved on to more choreographed dance numbers with music provided by the band. It was hard to not be impressed with how little direction or visible cues Helene had to give the troupe for them to do everything. The animals were delighted to show off and perform as very willing participants. No wonder Fiona and everyone was fully invested by the time they moved to the next routine.

Taking a break from physical displays the group paired down to Sasha and Riley flexing their deductive skills. Helene would give one of the two a simple word or phrase, like ‘pipes’, and with nothing else would go off and find someone wearing a shirt or hat for a plumbing company. They did this with increasingly esoteric or funny suggestions from Helene. Fiona was wishing she had worn something more special than a plain colored shirt and summer skirt to stick out.

Fiona would get her chance to participate when Helene called for volunteers for the next act which involved Maestro and Vera. She was competing with mostly children but it didn’t deter Fiona trying to stick out. It worked and Helene had, “the hyper blonde woman in the first row’ come to the center ring for another mind game.

Elated, Fiona chose to leap the barrier wall in front of her rather than take the longer ways. Earning some claps from the crowd and Helene herself. Fiona’s heart was racing but not from all the attention. Rather as she came up upon the center ring where the cats and Helene were waiting. The felines were so much bigger up close. Once she was close enough the Beast Tamer put her arm around Fiona to bring her close.

“Glad to have you with us! Mind sharing your name with me, the lions, and everyone else?” Helene asked boisterously.

“I’m Fiona,” she said with a shaky smile.

“Nice to meet you, Fiona! I hope you’re ready to see if you can stump our furry lion liar detectors here in a game of ‘Truth or Lion’!” Helene announced to more applause. “The rules are quite simple! I’ll ask you two questions and you’ll come up with three responses to each. Two of them lies and the remaining one is true. One question to a lion with it their task to decide which statement is the truthful one! If you’re able to stump our venerable lie-on detectors here you’ll earn a place in our post show meet and greet with the cats! Tell me, dear, are you a good liar?”

“I guess we’ll find out,” Fiona answered tentatively.

“Indeed we shall! And thank you again for being such a willing participant!” More applause rolled in and died down with Helene’s direction. “This first one will be for Vera and involves one of her favorite subjects: food! So Fiona, if you please, take a moment to think of one of your favorite meals along with two more than total fabrications. Then Vera will try to separate fact from fiction!”

With all the eyes and spotlight on her Fiona had to really concentrate to come up with good responses. She wanted to win that meet and greet prize. Fooling a pair of animals shouldn’t be too hard.

“I think I’m ready,” Fiona told Helene.

“Wonderful! So what are three candidate dishes for your favorite, Fiona?” asked Helene.

“I’ll say a meat lover's pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, and spicy pork ramen,” Fiona said carefully.

“Such a varied palette you purport to have, Fiona! I’m sure Vera can appreciate your clear appreciation for meat! So Vera, which of those three does Fiona actually love? Left paw for pizza, right for spaghetti, and roar for ramen!” Helene directed the lioness seated on her hind legs.

Vera was a full bodied, well-fed, and amber eyed lioness with a full, fuzzy coat. That coat was pristine and well tended but it was Vera’s eyes that Fiona was locked in contest with. As they traded looks, Fiona was struck by how thoughtful the lioness’s eyes and expressions were. There was something peculiar to Vera’s mannerism that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. Yet it stirred her heart to race when the lioness gave a passing come hither stare at the young woman. Disarming her at a glance.

The lioness feigned lifting her left paw before raising her right paw and wagging her tail.

“Vera has gone with spaghetti! Well Fiona, what was the truth?” asked Helene.

“The pizza, actually,” Fiona admitted.

“My word! Vera, Fiona stumped you!” Helene playfully bemoaned, slapping a hand to her forehead just as the lioness did the same. The crowd was predominantly disappointed with the outcome but many did clap for Vera. “Bad news for Vera but that does earn Fiona here her meet and greet! If she can stump both, I’ll throw in something extra as a reward! Now, let’s see if Maestro can do a better job or if Fiona here has a lion proof poker face! This question comes with no pressure at all. Tell us your favorite variety of large cat! I promise to protect you in case anyone takes offense to your answer!” she promised while eyeing all the cats. Earning some laughs.

“No pressure, huh?” Fiona managed to nervously joke. The right answer here was lion but that would be a rather obvious pick, given she was now staring at the regal Maestro. She did already earn the meet and greet but the promise of an added reward was tempting. But it would require lying to Maestro.

Looking every part the king of the circus, Maestro was a magnificent, almost too perfect to be real lion that Fiona had been taken with since a child. His mane was full and looked just as fluffy and huggable as in her dreams. He was sitting on his hindlegs too and with his mane and body stood taller than Vera. In his golden eyes she saw that same lively intelligence Vera possessed. It helped her recognize the familiarity she noticed was very human-like. A trait Fiona credited to Helene, since that’s the only reason she could imagine.

“Okay, I’ll say snow leopard, lion, and mountain lion,” Fiona stated, leaning closer to Helene.

Riley, Sasha, and Tessa all snarled in Fiona’s direction.

Helene laughed loudly. “Don’t mind them, Fiona. They’re just jealous they can’t add another fan to their ranks,” teased the Beast Tamer as she turned to the lion. “What say you, Maestro? Left, paw for puma, right for snow leopard, and give us a roar if she loves lions!”

While lion’s stature may have been regal his eyes were softer as they considered Fiona. It felt to Fiona she was being sized up and considered rather than studied for deceit. When Maestro finished he turned his head towards Vera, as if to confer something. The lioness appeared to wink before she snarled. Prompting Helene to snap her fingers at the lion pair.

“Hey! No cheating to you two! This is for Maestro to figure out by himself! He’s a big boy,” Helen politely reprimanded the lions, spurring giggles throughout the audience. Both lions feigned covering their faces with their palms in shame. “Come now, Maestro! What’s Fiona’s truth? We don’t want to start your routine off on the wrong paw!”

Maestro snorted and shook his head. He snarled and pretended to open his mouth for a roar. Just to pull it back and wave up his left paw.

“Pumas, huh? Tell us, Fiona, is that true?” Helene asked the young woman she was still hugging close.

“No, it was lions, actually. They’ve always been my favorite,” explained Fiona with a blush.

“My word, Maestro! She loves lions and you couldn’t tell! I sure hope that doesn’t rock your pride, Maestro! But my lion’s loss is Fiona’s gain! Let’s have another round of applause for Fiona! I wouldn’t try to out bluff this one, folks!” Helene was magnanimous in her praise of Fiona and encouraged her to bow to lions and the crowd. The lions bent their heads to Fiona respectively in return. Fiona was let go of Helene who presented her with two passes before having her return to her seat.

Fiona sat back down and watched in a daze as more volunteers were brought up. Never again did both lions get stumped. In all but two of the ten more brought up the lions caught both lies from the person. It made Fiona feel all the more special. Wasn’t until they moved to the next act with tigers jumping over or through various things that Fiona glanced at the passes she’d received. Both required her to report to a side entrance after a show time. The first was for after the current show while the second followed the very last show of the day. Entry time was quarter to nine, closing hour.

“Maybe that’s a mistake. Why give me two passes for the same thing?” Fiona wondered to herself. “Course that’s two opportunities to see the cats…” she reasoned further.

Beast Tamer Helene’s show ended with another tightly choreographed dance number that brought the crowd to a standing ovation. The cats exited and the rest of the show continued for another twenty minutes of mostly Ringmaster Finnian doing tricks and working the crowd to the flashing show tune finish. Fiona and everyone else left happy and chatty, filtering out of the big top from the three exits. Fiona made sure to find herself in the entryway mentioned in the pass. Where she saw a sign designating a gathering point for meet-and-greets. Others who earned passes, the two kids and their families who also tricked a lion and several who were handed passes by Sasha and Riley routine, assembled up around by the time the crowds filtered out fully.

A slim, bright eyed, shorter woman with curly dark hair and wearing a jumpsuit, glasses, and a wired headset around her neck came to greet the group. “Hey yo! I’m Bridget, the head tech for the show. Here to take ya’ll to your exclusive meet and greet. If you’ll please follow me and keep close I’ll take you back to meet a few of our performers up close,” she invited with a pleasant, albeit unsophisticated voice.

Brigette led the group of fifteen total and was led back into the big top where workers and some performers were busy resetting the show or rehearsing. There was a lot of busy activity carried out in perfect harmony with every person and animal at work. They snaked their way through it all and reached the same entryway many of the animals used when entering and exiting. They passed down a tunnel a short ways and emerged into a makeshift circle created by the backs of seven trailers.

Present in the center of the circle were Vera, Riley, Sasha, and Bruce. Each cat was spread out and was paired with a carnival worker serving as a steward. At the front of them all was the Beast Tamer herself, Helene. Currently without her hat, jacket, and wearing flip-flops, she was as disarming as ever.

“So happy you all came! For those with bad short term memory, I’m Helene and you’ve all earned a twenty minute meet and greet with me and some of my lovely felines. You can take pictures and interact with any or all of our feline performers. I just ask that you listen to the instructions of their handlers and remember to respect the animals most of all. Of course I’m always available if anyone would like to chat,” Helene introduced in a relaxed voice. Everyone, kids in the lead, made for one of the four felines. All of whom were eager and playful to receive guests. Fiona was the lone person to walk up to Helene, who recognized her immediately. “If it isn’t Fiona, Tamer of Lies and Lions. Love the hair, by the way- one blonde to another,” she complimented.

“You’re too kind, Helene. All I did was use the curling iron for five minutes this morning. Yours is professional work and an hour of it at least. Looks good on you,” Fiona replied, tapping into her waitress compliments. “I wanted to ask- well, I want to ask a few things, but the first one was where Maestro was hiding. I had been hoping to live out a lifelong dream of hugging a lion with a fluffy mane like his,” Fiona revealed modestly.

“Sorry to disappoint but Maestro is in his trailer over there having a power nap before the next show. Maybe missing your question with the lion taught him he needs to stop staying up so late and get a good night’s rest. Only cat I’ve ever met that doesn’t sleep enough,” Helene remarked while glancing at the largest of the trailers. “Tessa is also absent as she’s swapping out with her daughter Zara on baby Ella duty. Did you get a chance to see our family’s newest additions?”

“I sure did! That’s how I learned about your big top show actually. They were absolutely adorable. I’m sure their parents would rip me to shreds but I wanted to take one of them for myself. Such curious, fuzzy balls of cuteness. Shame about Maestro though. Will he be around later for the other meet and greet?” Fiona asked hopefully.

Helene smirked. “I’ll make sure that he is, dear. I wouldn’t want to deny you your lifelong dream just because he’s lazy. I’m sure when I tell him it’s you he’ll gladly make himself available. For now I’m sure Vera would love to meet you, sans mane,” she offered.

“Oh cool! Then I guess I’ll have to stick around until tonight then. Thanks so much, Helene. Your show really was amazing. You and the troupe,” Fiona complimented graciously.

“And thank you, Fiona. You can show that pass for the later meet and greet to any vendor or ticket sales person and they should give you a nice discount too. Should help those hours between now and then seem like minutes,” Helene was happy to say.

“A discount? I’m sold! Might check out a few more shows,” Fiona joked happily as she turned to meet the cats up close.

“Please do! We’d love to see more of you, Fiona,” responded Helene in parting.

Fiona unsurprisingly went to see Vera the lioness first. She was just getting done with a family of three and when she saw Fiona walking up Vera got up to greet her. The lioness was affectionate with her nuzzles and licks given to Fiona. In return Fiona had pets, scratches, and couldn’t resist taking a few selfies with the affable Vera. When Fiona tried to leave for some time with Sasha the lioness hugged her back for an unexpected snuggle that earned awwww’s from guest and handler alike.

When Fiona could break away Sasha was entertaining a pair of kids. Likewise the tigers were busy as was Vera now too. With Helene talking to some parents Fiona took it upon herself to wander a little bit to see the trailers. First checking out the shorter, custom one that appeared to be Helene’s personal trailer. It had a rustic, comfortable look to it that made it very inviting. The next trailer to get her attention was the largest and clearly newest of the cat’s trailers.

Longer and taller than any other trailer Fiona had never seen such extravagant traveling abode for an animal. The side she was walking up alongside had retractable sides with steel bars lining the exposed interior. The inside was large, clean, surprisingly well furnished in long couches in various states of being torn apart, and several televisions. One of those screens caught Fiona’s eye right away as it was the all too familiar flashy combat from Mythikombat II. When she looked for the person playing she was taken aback by the sight of Maestro the lion laying down on a couch, eyes trained on the screen while his front paws manipulated a strange looking controller. It took Fiona rubbing her eyes to be sure she was seeing straight.

“Is he playing the game?” she stammered to herself. Fiona came a little closer to get a better look at the gameplay and confirm what didn’t seem possible. That’s when she saw something that surprised her even more. “No, it can’t be! Maespropaws is… a real lion?”

At that the game paused and Maestro cocked his head towards Fiona to give her a goofy smile. A second later there was a hand on Fiona’s shoulder that startled her so badly she yelped. Only to breathe easier when it was just Bridget.

“Oh my gosh, you nearly scared me to death,” Fiona said, having to catch her breath.

“Whoops, didn’t mean to scare you that bad. Saw you wandered off and came to collect you. Meet and greet time is over and the performers need to prepare for the next show. Maestro too,” Bridget informed Fiona with urgency.

“Oh, sorry. I hadn’t realized. Sure, sure,” Fiona nodded while allowing Bridget to tug her back towards the big top. That didn’t give Fiona any time to process what she saw or ask Bridget if that lion was really playing a video game. She was brought back with the rest of the group who were saying their farewells to Helene and the cats and then led back out through the big top to the midway. There Fiona could finally think again but Bridget had already disappeared back into the tent. Leaving Fiona with nothing but burning questions.

Fiona wandered the midway and stalls going back and forth between being sure she saw what she thought she saw. She had a lot of trouble grasping the thought that a lion could understand and play a video game. Not just any game but her favorite. The cherry on top being Maestro being the lion who’d been tormenting her in game so much as of late. Was all too far fetched for her to truly believe it happened. So she’d doubt herself and, as the hours passed, she convinced herself that the lion may have just been watching a stream. Still strange but at least it didn’t require Maestro being a top tier gamer.

Some discount greasy, fried foods and a milkshake took Fiona’s mind off confusing matters and brought it back to the circus. She played some games, rode the bumper cars, watched a fire eater, and then found her way back to the big top for the mid-afternoon performance. Fiona intentionally found a seat near where she remembered the lions entering last time. Sure enough when Helene came out and brought down the cats here came Maestro with Fiona ready with an aisle seat. He walked right by without noticing Fiona behind one of the many phones filming him. Then she enjoyed the rest of the show, having to resist the urge to volunteer herself again when the chance came up.

When the next big top show cae around Fiona was in another aisle seat on Maestro’s path. Her thoughts had returned to questioning her memories as she waited for Helene’s act. It led to Fiona wanting to test the lion. So as he passed by her Fiona remarked, “Maespropaws sucks,” under her breath in Maestro’s direction. He didn’t turn his head but the way his ears wiggled gave Fiona hope that he had heard her and understood. Yet not enough to definitely satisfy her curiosity.

The show ended and Ringmaster Finnian announced it was the last of the night before inviting everyone back the next day. Fiona’s special pass entry time led her to think there would be another show whose winning attendees she would accompany. Yet as she exited and passed by the meeting point she knew for the passes the group of winner’s for the last show were already lining up. Making Fiona wonder if her pass was a misprint. So when she saw Bridget coming to collect the group she hurried ahead to check.

“Excuse me? Bridget?” Fiona asked politely.

“Yes? Oh, hello! It’s you! What can I help you with?” Bridget asked after recognizing who approached her.

“Good memory! I actually just wanted to see if there was a typo. Helene gave me this pass to attend another meet and greet but the time is in a couple hours? Am I actually supposed to be with this group or is there a later one?” Fiona asked quickly as she could. Not wanting to impose.

Bridget glanced at the ticket, smiled, and shook her head. “No mistake. Helene does a few special later slots for extra private shows. Dances she calls them, I think. Just show up here at that time and me or someone else will take care of you,” assured Bridget.

“Okay, thank you,” Fiona said graciously. Letting Bridge see the group while she wondered what was in store for her.

Fiona wandered the midway for a while, thinking about the lions and her private invitation to some sort of dance. Eventually she bought a large salted pretzel, a tall beer, and found an empty picnic table. She took her stuffed lion out and set it on the table with her for company as she ate and drank. Try and she might Fiona couldn’t shake thinking about Maestro. It did at least make the time go by faster. Until those last fifteen minutes when time slowed again. Anticipation mixed with genuine uncertainty as Fiona checked her phone for time every other minute until it was time for the short walk back to be big top.

There was no one, staff or other circus goers, at the meeting spot when Fiona arrived five minutes before the ticket time. Inside the big top was dimly lit and empty as far as Fiona could see. She waited and as she had suspected, with no show there were no other guests that showed. The starting time came and went with no sign of Bridget or any other worker. Fiona heard a voice over the loudspeaker about the circus closing in ten minutes and got a little nervous they’d forgotten about her.

She had her back turned towards the big top as she tried to listen to the added announcements from outside. So Fiona didn’t notice who was creeping up on her from the shadows.

Something fuzzy and substantial in size nudged against the back of Fiona’s legs. Fiona turned and almost had a heart attack when she saw it was lion Maestro trying to get her attention. It startled her enough that she jumped back, yelped, and almost knocked off her novelty cat ears. Meanwhile Maestro sat down on his hindquarters watching Fiona gather herself and catch her breath.

“You were this close to scaring the shit out of me! Did she really send you to collect me?” a flustered Fiona asked Maestro while fixing her ears and hair.

Maestro flopped his tail side to side gingerly and the lion appeared to enjoy having gotten the drop on her. He nodded to her question but was fine waiting on Fiona.

“Guess I’m just surprised you’re allowed to wander around by your lonesome. Expected Bridget or someone else on two legs, heh,” she tried to joke while calming down.

The lion leaned back, lifted his front paws, and balanced on his rear ones enough to stand for a few seconds. Then collapsed back to his seated position once he was she Fiona got the joke.

“I didn’t say my escort has to walk on two legs, just that I wasn’t expect- wait, why am I over explaining myself to a lion? Please, your majesty, lead the way,” invited Fiona with playful formality.

Maestro stood up and as he turned motioned for the woman to walk beside him. Fiona jumped at the chance. The pair headed into the big top and followed much the same path as the last meet-and-greet. It was an entirely new experience with a lion leading her on though. Those burning questions she had for him about what she saw him playing came to the forefront after the initial shock of seeing Maestro wore off. But Fiona couldn’t bring herself to ask knowing the lion couldn’t answer. She also wanted to hug him but held back thinking she would get the chance soon, without the risk of surprising the burly male- calm as he was.

They were headed into the tunnel that led to the trailers when Maestro cut in front of Fiona to stop her. Then sat down on his hindquarters and motioned with his paw for her to do the same.

“You want me to sit?” Fiona asked while already kneeling down. Maestro nodded and so she sat cross legged in front of the lion. “Are we not going in? Not about to eat me, right?” she joked timidly.

The lion opened his mouth, bearing his impressive fangs and rough tongue to the woman like a threat. Just for it to grow into a yawn that finished with Maestro blowing a raspberry at her.

“Never met a lion with a sense of humor before. Did we stop just for that or are- oh! You’re giving me some sniffs. Guess you smell the carnival food on me?” mused Fiona as Maestro rose to inspect her closely. He sniffed at her face and hair mostly, circling around her as he did. Coming back in front of her, Maestro decided to flop down on his side so that his head and some of his mane fell into her lap. “Oh wow, you’re cuddly for a king of the jungle, aren’t you?” she asked with a wide smile. Proceeding then to pet the affectionate lion.

‘This is so amazing! He’s letting me pet him! Today is officially the best day ever! Wish he wasn’t laying on my purse or I’d snap a picture. No one will believe me otherwise,’ thought Fiona of the perfect moment. Maestro’s thick, luxuriously fluffy mane was easy to get herself lost in. She had no idea that a big lion like him could be so friendly and affectionate like an overgrown housecat. ‘I wish I could take him home. Wonder if I could sneak him out in my purse…’

Maestro carefully licked the woman’s arm, rubbed his muzzle and whiskers against her, and sniffed Fiona closely. The subtle inspection passed under the woman’s radar. She was too busy enjoying herself to notice or care. He was just so snuggly. The closeness afforded her a closer look at the handmade thick leather collar Maestro wore. The leather was treated but not not dyed and was impressively inlay of citrine and pale ruby gemstones.

The pair lost track of time and awareness of their surroundings, as Helene had no trouble at all walking up on the pair without drawing attention to herself. “I knew I should have sent Vera to fetch you,” remarked a smirking Helene who stood with hands on her hips over them.

Fiona blushed when she saw Helene. She tried to get up to properly greet the beast tamer but Maestro wouldn’t budge. “I’m so sorry! This sweetheart demanded attention and I was powerless to resist,” a bashful Fiona explained.

“Oh don’t worry, dear. He’s definitely the one that’s bungled a simple command to bring you back. Lazy, lazy lions,” Helene stated as she shook her head at Maestro. “Time to get up. You’re putting the poor woman’s legs to sleep. We’ve also got a schedule to keep,” she told the lion.

Giving a disgruntled snort, Maestro rose slowly to his feet. Along the way he gave Fiona a nuzzle of approval then trotted off down the tunnel. Leaving Helene to help Fiona up to her own feet. “So happy to see you again, Fiona. You missed Maestro earlier so I figured seeing him would be a nice surprise. I hope he managed that at least,” chuckled Helene as she and Fiona followed the lion towards the trailers.

“He nearly scared me out of my heels. Surprise was achieved,” Fiona admitted with a laugh.

“Oh good. Maestro hasn’t lost his touch completely then. A lazy darling most of the time but he’s quite agile when he wants to be. Very good reactions too. So long as he’s not deep in a nap after a big meal,” Helene said with a nod. The beast tamer was out of her costume and into a pair of glossy black, tight leather pants, loose white tee, black rimmed glasses, and bare feet. Curiously, her makeup and hair were still done up for the show.

“Honestly you could say the same thing about me,” confided Fiona.

“Is that right? You’ve got a lot in common with lions I see,” noted Helene. They exited the tunnel and out to where the trailers were. There was a fire going in the center area that had tigers Bruce and Tessa basking together in the firelight. No sign of any other cat, much less Maestro.

“I do?” Fiona asked earnestly.

Helene started up the stairs to her trailer, waving for Fiona to follow. “Sure, you’ve got the ears of a lion and like Vera, our lioness, you love snuggling Maestro too. Come on in and I’d love to hear more about you, Fiona. Call it a super special meet and greet. Just be sure to take your shoes off before coming in,” she politely told Fiona before pushing through a thick curtain of leather straps.

Past the curtain Fiona entered into a cozy, plush carpeted interior that oozed relaxed comfort. She slid off her heels next to a sign reading ‘Bare feet and paws only. No shoes or boots.’ while Helene went to a small kitchenette area.

“Such a lovely little place you have. Is this where you live on the road?” Fiona asked.

“It’s small but it’s the home I love,” answered Helene wistfully. “Please, head back and find a space on whatever couch has it. Would you care for something to drink?”

“Coffee’s fine, if you have any.”

“I can brew some up. How do you take it?”

“Lots of sugar,” replied Fiona. She brushed aside a lace curtain to enter the lounging area and immediately got another shock when she saw Vera sprawled and waiting on the left couch with a red liquid dripping from her maw. “Oh, hello there,” Fiona greeted in a whimper. In the lioness’s curled front paws was a pink plastic bucket filled with a red ice slushy drink and garnished like a bloody mary.

“I hope you don’t mind Vera sitting in with us. She’s enjoying a well earned drink after a long day’s work,” Helene mentioned. “It’s a virgin bloody mary in case you thought I was letting my cats booze it up.”

“Heh, that’s good to know. A drunk lion sounds… dangerous,” Fiona said with a gulp. She carefully crept over to the opposite couch and took a seat between the pillows. Vera’s eyes followed Fiona the whole way and it struck her that this is what prey felt like.

“To themselves mostly. It’s worse if they get caffeine. One time Zara got in something she shouldn’t have and was wide awake for four days. Bruce and Tessa never had it so bad,” recalled Helene fondly.

“Yikes. A tiger on stimulants might be a new nightmare unlocked,” joked Fiona in an attempt to ignore Vera. Who continued to stare the guest down while lapping up more of her frosty red drink. Outside Fiona could hear the circus’s closing being announced over the loudspeaker. “So do you do these special meet and greets often? And how late do you think we’ll be? Only asking because I have work in the morning. Not that I want to rush this,” she reassured to not sound unappreciative.

“Nights like these happen whenever the stars align. Not an everyday type of thing for sure. I’ll do my best to not keep you too long. If you don’t mind my asking, what sort of work do you do, Fiona?” Helene asked amidst the clatter of her searching for a spoon.

“I’m a waitress at a local restaurant. Lots of long hours on my feet serving food and getting yelled at by entitled customers,” Fiona replied with considerable snark.

“I take it by your tone you don’t enjoy your job very much?”

“No, I can’t imagine who would. The pay is good and I’ve been there a few years so I get the hours I want, but that’s about it. I don’t have a lot of qualifications or familiar relations or, if I’m being honest, much ambition for anything more. I do it for the pay and come home to be away from it all,” Fiona shared just as Helene entered with their drinks. Fiona was handed her coffee in an oversized ceramic mug branded for Circus Vondeltrap. “Thank you so much. It smells delicious,” she complimented.

“Glad you like it. The guy who works the ferris wheel has a connection for the beans. Not sure where they’re from but it’s the only kind I drink. As for your work, that’s a real shame you don’t get to do something you love,” Helene judged while pausing pet Vera’s head. She poured a tall glass of tomato juice for herself and taken small sips so far. When Vera was satisfied with attention Helene took her seat in a cushy, plush recliner.

“Find me a job where I can get paid to lay around all day, eat, and play videogames and I’ll be in love,” Fiona could not say without laughing.

“Is that so?” an intrigued Helene genuinely asked. “I may know a position or two that would fit. Hard part is getting through the selection process.”

“Heh, if you’re serious then I’ll be happy to put my name into the lottery. Especially if they have good benefits,” Fiona smirked. She played along with what felt like a bit of theater, since she had to wait for her coffee to cool down anyway.

“Great benefits by all accounts. Remind me at the end of our little private meet and greet about the job offer and I’ll give you more details,” promised Fiona while crossing her legs.

“I’ll do my best to remember. Job like that would be a dream come true. Was being a beast tamer always your career goal? You definitely have a connection to animals. I’ve never seen big cats this docile or clearly thoughtful before. Lion’s share of the credit would be yours for that, I’m sure. Forgive the pun,” Fiona said respectfully.

“Don’t apologize, dear. I love a good cat pun. Even if Vera doesn’t,” Helene cheerfully remarked while the lioness could be seen rolling her eyes. “Anyway, yes and no to your question. I’ve always loved animals, wild ones in particular, since before I could walk. I didn’t know my profession was an option until my formative years, so it wasn’t a lifelong ambition. I fell into the role and I can’t see myself as anything else now. I live for the circus and my many animals. Considering how much my family of cats has grown in just the past year I believe I’ll be at this for many years to come.”

“Ohhh, do you mean the adorable tiger and jaguar kittens they had out? They were adorable,” swooned Fiona while cupping the coffee close to her chest.

“Yes, those little rugrats. I’m quite positive they won’t be the last. Just means I’ll have to rethink the show somewhat. In other words, a good problem,” smiled Helene.

“They’re going to have to give you your tent. And you’ll deserve it for sure. Your show is really a thing to see. Then see again,” Fiona chuckled. She blew at her coffee and took her first sip. “Mmm, it tastes better than it smells somehow. I might have to come back to the circus tomorrow just to visit the ferris wheel guy.”

“I knew you’d like it. Unfortunately, my hookup only works with fellow employees,” Helene confessed.

Fiona finished her second, longer sip before replying. “I think I may have to run away and join the circus,” she sarcastically announced.

The beast tamer and Vera share a knowing look. “No one here sees that as a bad option,” remarked Helene in passing. “Were you a fan of lions before you came to the show today? Or were you won over by the likes of Vera and Maestro?”

“Definitely before. I’ve been into felines of all sorts since I was kid. Lions were definitely ones I’d always admired and seen as these regal, proud, and gorgeous animals. Lions with their big manes like Maestro I could snuggle all day, And a lioness like Vera with her sleek fur just oozes majesty. Your show and these private events have only reaffirmed that. Not that the others aren’t stunning in their own rights,” Fiona was quick to amend.

“Everyone is allowed to have their favorites, dear. Vera definitely is in your corner now,” said Helene of her feline companion.

The lioness perked up at Fiona’s positive words, flopping her tail happily. The thick furry appendage slapping the couch loudly.

“See? She’d lick you if she wasn’t a mess right now,” Helene smiled.

Vera let out a small roar and returned to her frosty bucket drink.

“Vera doesn’t want to ruin your nice outfit. Such a considerate queen of the jungle,” observed Helene. “She’s like me and wants to get to know you better, Fiona. Not very often someone catches the eye of both my lions.”

Fiona blushed and tried to hide it behind another sip of coffee. “Isn’t normally bad if you catch a lion’s attention?” she asked timidly.

“Normally, yes. However the moment you stepped foot on circus grounds you said so long to normal. This is a place of wonder and magic where catching the gaze of a performer like Vera is a high honor. She won’t eat you, if that’s what you’re worried about. All of my felines are bred and trained so there is never a risk of any harm. I wouldn’t step on their tails though if I were you,” Helene ended humorously.

“Good to know she’s not thinking about me as a snack,” Fiona smiled at the lioness.

“Nonsense. I think Vera has taken quite the liking to you. As have I. We’re both intrigued by you and want to know more. I can tell from that twinkle in her eye,” noted Helene.

“I can tell you more but there's not a whole lot to tell. And none of it very interesting,” Fiona shrugged.

“Tell us all about you and we’ll decide for ourselves,” Helene told Fiona as she sat up in her recliner. “So go on and gush. It’s just us girls here.”

Fiona wasn’t normally one for candor when it came to herself. The atmosphere of the trailer, Helene’s charm, and the comfort Vera had in her presence made Fiona comfortable enough to share. Removing her novelty ears out of a strange sense of respect for Vera, she talked about most of her family passing away or becoming estranged over the years. The brief dalliances she’d have into relationships that never amounted to anything. Her work as a waitress was just that- work. The person Fiona was at home, she joked, was more like a lazy cat. Humor that got a big laugh out of Helene and wheezing, smile from Vera. Which Helene said was as close a lion could get to laughing.

While not as open about her past, Helene opened up about her life on the road, performing, and most of all her troupe of big cats. About how each had full, distinct personalities that made every day with them an adventure. There was sweet Bruce and playful Tessa, the oldest Tigers. Their daughter and new mother Zara was ever curious. A trait shared by her tenacious mate, Riley, and fluffball daughter Ella. As for the black jaguars, Kurt was a pragmatist and Sasha expressive and attached to her mate. Their daughter Mila had her father’s self-control and her mother’s emotive face. As Fiona could attest from her time with Vera and Maestro, these are very special animals that Helene took pride in not just as props or pets. But as loyal peers and confidants.

Hours passed. Helene refilled Fiona’s coffee three times while filling her own. She also made Vera a new ice bucket bloody mary as the night rolled on. Partway through their chat Riley plodded into the trailer, giving Fiona a fright and the rest a good laugh. Helene got up and took two glass bottles from the fridge which Riley took carefully in her mouth. The formulated milk was for Ella and came with rubber nipples on them. Helene admitted they were trying to wean the cub off the bottle but that was fussy about it. Again Fiona complimented Helene on how well trained and independent the cats were. And would continue to as they talked more.

It was close to midnight with the pair discussing Fiona’s affinity for lion’s following a remark from Helene’s headband and the lion plushy poking out of her tote bag. Fiona couldn’t pin her inclination’s origins other than some cartoons, movies, and watching nature documentaries as a child. Vera perked up as the conversation focused on lions. Fiona was her lone interest as she stared at the young woman while she waxed on about how lovely lions were.

Thinking that Vera’s interest was in the stuffed lion she had, Fiona decided to give the toy to the lioness as a gift. The lioness excitedly received the gift into her red stained mouth, shutting her eyes, smiling, and wagging her tail in gratitude. When Fiona tried to sit back down Vera gently pawed the woman close enough to give her a thank you lick on the cheek. So Fiona sat down with a red stain on the side of her face.

“I think you just made a friend for life,” a grinning Helene said of the exchange. Sparked by the moment, she sipped down the rest of her tomato juice and calmly asked a new question. “What would you do if you woke up one day, Fiona, and found yourself a lioness in Vera’s position? Trailer, How would you react? What would you do?”

Fiona blushed. “Woke up like Vera? Exactly like her?”

“Let’s not get too weird with it. You’re your own lioness. You’ve just woken up in her place. What goes through your mind?” Helene asked as she leaned forwards in Fiona’s direction.

“I guess being scared out of my mind. Going to sleep looking like me and waking up a lioness would have to send me into a total panic, right? Would have to rule out dreaming or some elaborate simulation being at play first. That while I presumably can’t talk, can’t leave the trailer, and I’ll be on all fours so it would be a lot. And that’s an understatement. Maybe once the initial shock has worn off I’d want to know what happened to me and why. That seems sensible to me,” reasoned Fiona after rambling through her response.

“So you’d react like most people would. That’s fair. The who’s and how’s aren’t important but if you were told you were chosen for your affinity for lions and desire for an easier life, would that ease your conscience? What if you knew there was no changing back to the person you are now? How would you react then?” Helene awaited the response along with an equally fascinated Vera.

“In that scenario? Hmmm,” a jittery Fiona murmured as she stalled to think. “If someone turned me into a lion because it matches who I am then, I dunno. It’s not that I’d hate the lion aspect as much as not having a say in it happening to begin with. Because if that’s going to be my new life then it would be nice if I was the one that made the decision. That doesn’t sit right with me. The actual living with being a lioness?” Fiona asked herself hesitantly. “I’d adapt and try to make the most of it. That’s what I’ve done all my life. Assuming the lioness is still me I’ve got every reason to think that’s how it’ll go. May even come to like it,” she admitted timidly.

The lioness and beast tamer nodded their heads as they listened. “Adaptable and open to the experience. That’s a good outlook to have in life, Fiona. Those qualities got me to where I am today. The same for Vera, Maestro, and so many of the others here. So you’re in good company,” remarked Helene with a sly smile. “Completely understandable about having it forced on you. Though, there are times in life when a person needs a push. Who knows, maybe life as a lioness suits you for a reason. It does raise a different question. If you had been given the choice to live as you are or be a lioness, would you choose the latter? Would you even be open to it?” she asked pointedly.

“I, uhhhh, I guess…Open to it maybe? Wait, no. What am I saying? I couldn’t just, you know, give up being a person,” Fiona anxiously responded.

“In this case you could just give it up. You’d still be Fiona where it matters in your head. You simply swap the body and the, what did you call it? Your ‘floating around aimless’ life? You can trade both for a life that matches your tempo and temperament, dear. Is that such a horrible thing?” Helene said with a hefty dose of insinuation.

“It’s… a lot to think about. What would it say about a person who says yes to that sort of life?” asked Fiona while shifting awkwardly in her seat. Conversation had been light until Helene started down her line of questions. She felt that for the first time all night her answers were being judged.

“Does it matter what others would say if you were happy?” challenged Helene. “In this scenario no one knows about the choice. They see a lioness, they admire and respect it. They don’t question how it came to be. Trust me when I say, people assume a lion was always a lion. Or that a tiger was always a tiger. Jaguar always jaguar. The only one who decides what to think about it is you, Fiona. You’re the one who would live with it.

“In this hypothetical situation that is, right?” Fiona suggested to Helene, who said nothing. Just waited, like Vera, for a proper answer. Their eyes hiding some intent that Fiona couldn’t discern. Somehow she knew they’d know if she was anything but heartfelt. “Depends on the day. Some days I’d say no in an instant. Other days, well, it would be a… tempting choice,” she confessed.

Soon as she answered there was a twinkle in Helene’s eye. “A woman open to temptation. I like that. What about you, Vera?” Helene turned and asked the lioness.

Vera cocked her to one side and then the other as she continued to size Fiona. Finally huffing and giving a restrained roar that still shook the curtains.

“Can’t get more unequivocal than that,” Helene interrupted with a short laugh as she stood up. “Fiona, I’d like to extend you an exclusive invitation to one of my troupe’s private dance lessons. Just you, me, and cats under the big top for a private show. One time only. What do you say?”

“Private dance lesson? Wait, like, tonight?” asked Fiona. Only now thinking of checking the time. She gasped when she saw how late it was. “Gosh, I’m not sure I can stay. I hadn’t realized how late it was. I have work tomorrow and I don’t think I can spare much time.”

“I think you can,” asserted Helene as she helped Fiona to her feet. “You have a choice. Fiona. If you’d like to head home then I hope I see that wonderful smile of yours in the audience some day. But if today is one of those days that you’re open to temptation, I would rather see you in the center ring, in about fifteen minutes. Make whatever choice you feel you can live with, since you’re the one who ultimately will. Now if you don’t mind, I’ll need some privacy to get changed one way or another. Follow Vera out and go where your heart takes you.”

Fiona shook the beast tamer’s hand. “Thank you,” was all she could manage in parting. Vera got up from the couch, stretched, and exited the trailer with Fiona following up the doorway. In her head debating if Helene was trying to make some kind of job offer or feed her to the lions. It did make her remember something she’d nearly forgotten. “Oh, Helene! I had a question about Maestro that completely slipped my mind, but if I don’t ask it’ll bug me no matter what,” she called towards the back of the trailer while putting her shoes back on.

Helene was cleaning up when she heard Fiona. “Yes, dear?” she asked pleasantly.

“Earlier today at that meet-and-greet, after we talked and wandered around, I could have sworn I saw Maestro, your lion, playing a video game. It could have been a video someone put on or maybe I was confused because I don’t even think you could train a lion to play a competitive online video game. No offense,” Fiona added. Already prepared to be told she was mistaken.

“None taken. But about Maestro you’re right. I couldn’t have trained him to play a video game,” Helene conceded amicably. “Not when I’m the one being trounced every time he guilts me into playing a few matches. No, that’s a skill he had long before he had paws,” recalled Helene.

The fears in Fiona’s brain turned. “But… how?” she puzzled.

“Because he was open to temptation, dear. They all were,” Helene told Fiona from across the trailer. She flashed her wily smile and disappeared into her room.

“Wait, who’s ‘they’? Helene?,” Fiona tried asking but it was too late. Somehow she was more confused than when she asked her question. Vera had to tug the hem of Fiona’s skirt to get the woman to exit. “Sorry, Vera. I’m coming.”

Fiona left the trailer with a vexed expression as she grappled with what Helene had said. If what she thought the beast tamer was suggesting, impossible as felt to Fiona, could be true. Just entertaining the implication made her shiver. She didn’t want to believe it. Even tried looking at Vera to reassure herself the lioness lacked that human spark. But Vera had gone. Walked off and by chance Fiona caught a glimpse of her tail disappearing behind the lion’s trailer. The chance to walk away was right there. Fiona knew that she should get home and put this silliness behind her. Yet something in her made her hesitate. So she pursued the lioness to find out why she hesitated.

As she came up on the lion’s trailer she heard the victory sounds of winning round Mythikombat 2. Sure enough there was Maestro stretching his front paws out around his special controller. He turned his head and when he saw Fiona the lion roared into a brimming grin. Seeing him made the woman’s race from something other than fear for a change. Vera appeared behind Maestro, licking him casually, to Fiona’s surprise.

“How’d you get in there so fast?” Fiona asked the lioness.

Vera motioned with her head towards the opposite end of the trailer then returned to bathing Maestro. Fiona couldn’t see what it was but could assume.

“Some kind of hidden or trap door makes sense. That does mean that you, and I guess any of the others, could escape any time they wanted. Instead you stay,” pondered Fiona as the lions started mutually cleaning the other. Laying so that they could both still see Fiona biting her nails in thought. Her eyes fixed on Maestro, Fiona decided to pretend as If Helene’s insulation was true; that he and the other cats were once human. “So are you really Maespropaws? The bane of my existence as of late? You, a simple circus lion in a trailer?” she challenged briskly.

The lion stopped mid-lick to nod and then continued.

Again Fiona’s heart raced and she had to steady her nerves if she wanted to be sure. “You may remember me then. I play a lioness character in game, handle of ChilliOnGirl? You spent last and this morning killing me. Put me off so bad I had to cheer myself up by coming to the circus. Crazy, huh?”

Maestro stopped licking Vera to roll onto his back, eyes fixed on Fiona, where he clasped his right paw to his left breast. Then brought in the other paw to his chest before stretching them through the bars. The gestures conveyed a tenderheartedness almost as much as the doting eyes of Maestro. Fighting her instinct wasn’t easy but Fiona overcame it to move her head into his paws. Which he took gently his paws to hold where he could carefully lick her. Vera too.

Emotions bubbled up fast for Fiona. She broke out in a happy, ugly crying that the lions tried to soothe with more licking. All the pieces and clues clicked together at last for Fiona and it overwhelmed her. Fiona didn’t know the how or all the whys yet. What she knew without misgivings anymore was that Maestro and Vera- and perhaps all of the troupe- were once human. However it happened, they retained their minds and appeared content with what they were and their lives. Those pointed questions from Helene fell under that new lens. None more than the biggest question of all.

Fiona only had to nudge her head back for Maestro to release the young woman. She wiped some of the tears away while sporting a trembling smile because she had to know for sure. There was no room for misunderstanding when it was the rest of her life on the line. “Is she- Is Helene actually really, truly offering to make me a lion like you two? Is that how it happened for you two?”

Either lion nodded before separately breaking off into chuffs, snarls, and growls trying to speak their own minds. Vera batted at Maestro to get him to stop while he kicked his legs for her to stop. Making Fiona giggle despite trying to stay serious.

“That’s on me. I don’t speak lion like Helene,” chuckled Fiona. “You two are cute and truly happy with things. Am I right?” The lions nodded, licked the other’s nose, and Vera pounced upon Maestro’s stomach. “Yeah, I thought so. And you’re happy here? Living and performing at a circus?” They nodded again. Fiona’s serious tone faltered as she asked, “And do you think I should agree like you did and, and join you in that trailer?”

The lions didn’t nod. Fiona’s fluttering heart sank at what felt like rejection. Vera crawled off Maestro and trotted away while he whirled around on his feet again. He approached the bars and reached a paw out to Fiona for comfort.

“I’m confused, do you want me and she doesn’t? She isn’t, like, jealous, right? I promise I was asking both that question. Not just you or, or, or… Wait, am I considering this? Being a, a lion? This should be easy to decide, shouldn’t it? Who wouldn’t want to be human?” she anxiously asked herself without accepting Maestro’s paw this time. “I should go. Before I stay too long and I second guess myself into doing something… drastic.”

Fiona hemmed and hawed in place trying to push herself to leave but a temptation in her heart kept her anchored. That’s when Vera appeared from under the trailer in clear view of Fiona so she wouldn’t be surprised. The woman was relieved that Vera hadn’t been giving her the cold shoulder. The lioness lovingly rubbed against the woman’s legs to allay any doubts she welcomed Fiona. Before she could thank Vera the lioness bit the hem of Fiona’s skirt and led her under the trailer.

Taking the hint, Fiona took off her shoes and got down on her hands and knees to crawl after the lioness. Fiona’s mind was racing with possibilities and paid no mind to mudding her skirt or getting grease on her top. Vera led her towards the rear of the trailer and to a specially configured latch that could be opened with her mouth. Through this and a second hatch Fiona climbed up until she found herself standing inside the lion trailer.

“Oh wow. There’s a lot of space in here. Really clean too. Kinda cozy,” Fiona said as she took her tentative first steps in. “Do I get the free tour?” she asked the two lions circling her.

To Fiona’s surprise a tour is exactly what she got. Maestro and Vera showered her around the entire space including a second level sleeping area that was nothing but plush pillows and soft bedding. They had every accommodation Fiona could think of and more. Seeing Maestro’s gaming setup may have been the most impressive. It certainly had the biggest impact on the burning decision Fiona had to resolve. Maestro had his games. Vera had headphones for audiobooks. They had everything they needed, were cared for, had each other, a larger family, and did it all as lions. She allowed herself to imagine what it would be like if she chose temptation.

The tour ended with both lions nudging Fiona up into the loft bed. She crawled in since the roof was too low to stand and was turning around when the lions herd her between them. Next thing Fiona knew she was cuddled between the pair and unable to move. Not that she wanted to. Maestro’s mane made a good pillow and Vera a cozy blanket. With fur, warmth, and feeling the love, that pressing choice Fiona had to make could suddenly wait.

Helene cleared her throat loud enough to stir the sleeping trio. She wasn’t sure how much time passed when Fiona saw Helene, streaks of black makeup under her eyes and mouth, smirking under a wide, upturned brim of a large black leather witch’s hat. “Sorry to trouble you, dears. I hate to break up the cuddle puddle but I'm all dressed up and the others are ready to go. We’re only missing our lions and our special guest. And here you all,” remarked Helene.

“Oh, Helene. H-Hey. That’s an interesting outfit you’re wearing,” Fiona said as she tried sitting up and saw Helene decked out in polished black leather. Other than a bare stomach, Helene handmade leather attire fit her snugly except for the shoulders where it was curled back for style. That and her makeup had turned beast tamer into modern shaman.

“It’s traditional attire for private, late night dance lessons under the big top,” the ever gracious Helene responded. “So let’s not keep everyone waiting, hmm? Come on, lazy lions,” she said while clapping loudly.

That stirred Vera awake and slowly was coming around as well. Meanwhile Fiona saw Helene leaving and hurried to wiggle free of her furry confines. Barely freeing herself in time to stumble down the stairs on her two feet. “W-Wait! Helene!” she shouted fearfully. Fiona had gotten so comfortable she’d forgotten her quandary and Helene had the wrong impression.

Helene stopped halfway out the proper door at the front. “Yes, dear?”

“The, the, the- I mean your offer you made. Erm, suggested. I never actually got a chance to really decide to take you up on your, umm, offer,” Fiona confessed with urgency.

Bemused, Helene demurred. “I think you did, dear. I didn’t find you pacing around in the parking lot, did I?”

As Fiona’s cheeks turned bashfully red. “I… I…” she started but couldn’t finish.

The lions chuffed with laughter as they rubbed Fiona approvingly on their way down from the loft to greet Helene. Who was waiting with hands outstretched for them to slide their chins into her palms to be stroked.

“I’ll forgo an escort and give you ten minutes to find us in the center ring. If you’d rather find your car and drive away, that’s your choice. Choose what you can live with, dear,” Helene counseled earnestly before departing.

When the lions went to leave they hesitated to flash Fiona hopeful grins and adoring eyes. They flick their heads for her to come with. Fiona resisted the urge and let them trot off expectantly. Regretting it once she was alone with her decision.

“Ten minutes isn’t enough,” Fiona opined from the stairs to the loft.

Barely five minutes on Fiona was making her way down the tunnel towards the big top. Somehow her heavy feet were working and her heart hadn’t exploded out of her chest. She’d made the extraordinary choice to walk away from her life and into something she couldn’t have imagined when she woke up that morning. Which felt so long ago now as she entered the dark, cavernous big top from between the stands.

Two spotlights from opposite high rigs lit the center ring. There the troupe of cats formed a circle around a Helene in her umber attire. A third spotlight clicked on and shined down on Fiona. She shielded her eyes from the white light and had to blink spots from her vision. It cleared just as he could see that all eyes were on her. There were Maestro and Vera, Bruce and Tessa, Kurt and Sasha that she could see. When Fiona was closer she spied young Mila pressed to her father’s side also in attendance.

Fiona set foot into the circle between Tessa and Vera, her spotlight joining the others. “There she is, the woman of the late hour! We’ve all been waiting for you, and a lot longer than forty minutes. You’re where you belong, Fiona. With us,” Helene welcomed with a restrained warmth.

The young woman found it hard to not sound sheepish. “Thank you, I think. I can’t believe I’m doing this. A voice in my head thinks this is going to be some elaborate prank on me. I honestly don’t know if that’s more probable than… turning into a lion,” Fiona finished coyly.

“Does it ease you to know they all had those doubts?” she said of the felines around her. Just then Riley trotted out from the dark to fill in behind Fiona. “Some of them, like Kurt or Riley, who was your personal spotlight operator and the last to join, needed to be helped to their decision. I recall Riley being especially skeptical after having followed a trail of missing folks to my doorstep and yet chose to join their ranks after being shown how well she fit in. The likes of Maestro made the choice for you, but it doesn’t erase the unknowns and uncertainty. However they made the jump, none here regret where they landed. They’re all here to support you and show that they always will. You’re part of our troupe now, Fiona. This is also Mila’s first one of these so it’s doubly special tonight. Without further monologuing from me, may I present your only required attire for our private lesson.”

Helene pulled out from her back a leather collar that bore a near identical inlays of ruby and citrine to Maestro and Vera’s. Of the others only Mila was without a collar which could only mean she, Ella, and Zara were naturally born to their bodies. She held it with reverence and let Fiona touch it without giving it to her.

“So this is where the magic comes from,” Fiona said as she ran her fingers over the gemstones.

“In a manner of speaking,” Helene purred. “Could you lift your hair for me, dear? It’s time for the plunge, Fiona.”

Fiona nodded and complied wordlessly; lifting her hair as Helene brought the collar to the woman’s palpitating throat. As it was clipped on her neck Fiona closed her eyes. She remained tense until Helene backed away and the collar was on. Letting her hair fall and eyes open, Fiona wasn’t sure what to expect.

“Another perfect fit. That collar and you were made for each other, dear,” Helene gushed in admiration.

“Th-Thanks. I think,” a flush faced Fiona nervously stuttered. “What happens next?”

“Next you’ll feel a warmth come over you in addition to some shakes, aches, dizziness, and a healthy sweat in the coming minutes. Then the physical transformation begins and in a little less than an hour we’ll have a new lioness amongst us,” Helene explained carefully while approaching Fiona. Caressing the young woman’s cheek, Helene was candid. “There will be pain and discomfort until the end, but it’s important to remember that it will end. After that you’ll wonder how you lived on two legs for so long.”

“Warmth and aches you said? I’m feeling some of those. Could also be these spotlights,” remarked Fiona as she wiped her sweaty brow. The aches started in her feet, in her shoulders, ears, and chest but rapidly cropped up everywhere. Meanwhile the heat hit her in the face before it leached through the rest of Fiona’s body. In under a minute she’d come over ill and tried to remove her shirt. Helene was there to stop her.

“No need for that, dear. It’s another tradition for your fellow felines to take those off. We’re creatures of habit here,” Helene stated. Her satisfaction at Fiona’s progressing state made her very happy.

Fiona wasn’t sure if he was dying or changing. Her brain and senses were going haywire. Standing up straight got difficult for Fiona and at her first stumble a tan flash appeared to steady her. She leaned right and Vera stopped her from falling. To the left Maestro and his mane were reassurance Fiona was safe. When the aching turned to cramping in her feet and Fiona needed to sit down the lions made sure she didn’t hurt herself in the process. Fiona breathing had gotten ragged, her eyes bloodshot, and most of all her toes throbbed.

“Thank you,” Fiona credited Maestro and Vera. The two lions' nuzzles and licks helped with focus but not the wrongness in her feet.

“Those two have been wanting a third for a while. Well worth the wait, I’d wager,” touted Helene as she watched Maestro and Vera tails wagging up a storm.

“A third? M-M-Me?” shivered Fiona. Each of her toes were swelling up like grapes while their undersides and the balls of her feet grew rough with discolored, rough skin. She had to move her skirt to see all this and her elongated, yellowed, and jagged sharp toenails. Fiona shuddered as any doubts about Helene’s magic left her body.

“You’re not the first girl or guy to get that special invite to a private meet-and-greet with me and Vera. You are the first to get all three nods from Maestro, Vera, and myself. Takes a special soul to belong here,” Helene expounded as she departed the center ring.

A lengthening tug stretched Fiona’s feet and distracted her from the beast tamer’s exit until she was out of the limelight. “Wait! H-Helene! Where are you… going? Aren’t you s-s-staying?” she called out in between intense hot flashes.

“My part has been played, dear. The others will take it from here but I’ll see you in the morning,” promised Helene from the edge of the dark. “Welcome to the family, Fiona.”

“I… thank you,” Fiona said with a grateful sigh.

As Helene saw herself out, the circle of cats arose to descend upon Fiona- teeth first. The changes were accelerating into Fiona’s ankles, swelling up more of her legs. Increasingly frequent moist pops and cracks rung out as her feet become more feline. Recognizing the resemblance herself got Fiona excited enough to smile through the pain. Shrinking big toes and trickles of blood from her nails becoming claws were a promise of bigger things coming. Fiona laid onto her back content to let it happen.

The troupe surrounded the woman, licking their chops and peering down like Fiona was turning into a buffet. Their fangs discreetly and methodically proceeded to remove the young woman's clothing. It tore off her like wet paper. Young Mila, encouraged by her parents, joined in and ripped some holes in her skirt. She and the others stripped Fiona bare without so much as a cut on her.

“Thanks everyone. I guess clothes aren’t required anymore, huh?” Fiona joked through gritting teeth. The changes tingled up through her knees while hips twinged with as muscles and ligaments were altered as easy skin and bone had proven to be.

The cats took it in turns to licking Fiona’s face as she lay there. Like never before Fiona could see the person behind the eyes of each one. Almost hearing their voices congratulating and comforting her. All but Maestro and Vera reformed the circle around Fiona. The lions stayed to steward Fiona through the transformation to come. When Fiona saw it was them she pushed herself to sit up for a brief but satisfying hug of the lions either side of her.

“Can’t say I’m not scared, but not of you two. I hope I make a good lio- ah! Ah!” Fiona cried out from a sudden sting of pain. It emanated from her tailbone as it forced a bulge out at the base of her spine. Newly formed bones pushed down from her spine into wriggling, tender flesh. The pain forced Fiona to roll onto her stomach with Maestro’s help. He and Vera delighted at the barely five centimeters of squirming tail that had grown already. Adding their roars as the tail continued to lengthen. “Is it a tail?” she asked while trying and failing to look over her shoulder.

Vera approvingly nodded and growled in a reply Fiona understood.

“C-Cool. I have a tail,” Fiona told herself. Getting her smiling while she waited for some ability to move her new appendage.

It was a good distraction from the profoundly uncomfortable transformation happening to her pelvis. Fiona got her arms folded under her and tried to do the same with her knees. However they didn’t move or bend the same way and made her scrabble onto her barely formed paws. The darkening pads of both were still sensitive themselves. As were the four toes and their soft claws. She bore the pangs of hurt and adjusted her stance because she had to. Whenever Vera circled in front or let Fiona lean against her she saw her future figure. And when Maestro braced Fiona’s begs against falling and nuzzled her cheek she saw a future mate.

Those first furtive glances at Maestro that stirred yearning in Fiona’s loins alerted her of a feline subtle feline instinct. Their origins are not hard to surmise as her heart fluttered from just a peek between Maestro’s swaying legs. With her tail, hips, and butt transfiguring human to lion Fiona’s genitals were another step. Fiona had considered what having the genitals of lioness would affect her brain.

“Things are really adjusting down there. It’s making my head feel… funny,” Fiona huffed and moaned. The area around her slit was puffing while the sides felt squeezed. All of it felt like an invisible force was tugging back and up her crack. Made all the more vexing by her growing tail, transforming haunches, realigning physiology, and pin pricking spread of fur. “Is it getting hot in here or is that just me changing?” she remarked,

In response Vera and then Maestro, both behind Fiona at the time, brought their tongues out and licked her trembling legs. Mopping up the sweat that coated and dripped off her. In some places the short, hazel colored fur was dense enough for the lions to use the rougher portions of their tongue. Fiona shivered a little with every lick, some more than others. It took her mind away from the moments of disquieting pain. In another sign of her new body influencing thought, feeling them tending to her so affectionately brought her emotionally closer to them. Not just lions or friends, but a family.

Eighteen minutes from her collar being put on Fiona’s hindquarters had the shape, thickness, and bearing of a lioness. She could bend and move her legs in ways that caught the woman off guard. Her sixty centimeter tail whipped about under her partial control in an attempt to keep her paws under her. Much like how her claws kept retracting and coming out whenever she so much as tensed her feet too much. The new pads being moist with sweat caused some slipping on the padded dirt floor. Here again her fellow lions step in to help. Vera came alongside Fiona again to show how to position her legs. Whereas Maestro chomped her furless tail, tugged it up until Fiona could coordinate herself and could let go.

“You two are too great. Thank you so much,” Fiona praised as she found her new balance.

Vera nuzzled Fiona’s cheek as she rubbed against her on her way to flopping in front of the woman. Her counterpart Maestro was showing his affection in nuzzles and licks around Fiona’s haunches. There was a thin layer of tan brown fur covering Fiona from waist to toes. Thicker tufts tickled against her inner thighs and up her belly. The fur here was lighter in color with some white hairs present around Fiona’s more intimate areas. Her tail broke out all at once in more tan brown fur except at the tip where longer, darker hairs formed a tuft. A perfect compliment to the fully feline cunt that was tucked beneath it and her puckered anus. The sight and smell of it being too much for the male lion to not indulge his newly aroused interest.

“Think my tits are shrinking? I guess that makes sense. So long girls,” Fiona said with her eyes downcast to her diminishing chest. She could feel the spreading magic rolling up her torso. If her breasts were shrinking that meant the four sore nubs that had popped on her belly were her teats. Suddenly feeling a hot breath against her pussy, Fiona glimpsed Maestro behind her. “Ohhh, Maestro what are- oooooooOOOOoo Mmmmmrrrrrrrrr!”

Fiona’s words turned into a moaning growl as Maestro’s tongue lapped at her feline slit. Those instincts she felt before were more intense this time. Her claws worked in unison for the first time, digging into the dirt as her toes curled in pleasure. Also curling was her tail as it wrapped back around Maestro’s mane. His practiced tongue knew all the ways a lioness could be licked that would drive her wild. Getting her weak in the legs at a time where her legs were already like jelly. The pleasure was more than she could stand so she dropped both furry knees and sprawled forward with her arms. This position was a lot easier on her and had the benefits of lifting her ass and tail in the air. So Maestro never had to stop lapping at her cunt.

“MMRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, he’s an artist with that tongue of his,” professed Fiona while chewing her lower lip.

Vera wiggled her brow and winked at Fiona as she agreed to the male’s expertise. The lioness rolled over onto her back, stretched all her limbs, and then laid there head watching Fiona. Her attention to show off her furry belly and chest to the woman so she could know what to expect as the same areas were shifting.

The barreling of Fiona’s rib cage was growing in sync with her spine and scapula. Fiona didn’t have a choice but to get her hands under her and push herself up onto all fours. Not easy to maintain with so much still in flux. The one constant being Maestro’s loving attention to Fiona’s sopping wet lion cunt. Unsettling cracks and pops from her ribs, shoulders, and most unnerving, the spine, were truly fleeting pains. Maestro’s tongue never left her so that fleeting pains were soothed by Maestro’s tongue never leaving her backside. Hurt would be dulled and then overtaken by a pleasure she was getting drunk on. Making all the hurts more of a dull, acceptable soreness from then on.

“Oohhh, oof. Things are really- is that my voice? I sound like I have a snake in my throat,” huffed Fiona in a deeper, raspy voice. Newer lungs and a stiff neck were partially to blame for her fraying speech. “Feels good. Feels rrrrRRRRRREEEal good!” she let herself growl.

“Myroooorrrrr,” agreed Vera.

Maestro showed his approval by licking harder and nuzzling her sex with a forceful love.

“He rrrrrreally gets eagerrrr, doesn’t he?” Fiona chuckled to Vera. The lioness rolled her eyes into a suggestive wink. An already red faced Fiona blush a little harder as the discomfort was dipping into either arm. A few seconds on it reached her hands. Causing fingers to cramp and bulge while cramping fingers and aching cuticles had Fiona choosing to sit on her hindquarters. “Nyah, can’t stand anymorrrrrrre,” she excused while clumsily getting down. “Much betterrrrrrrrr. Oh- sorrrrry, Maestrrrrrro.”

Fiona had sat down mid-lick and left the lion briefly upset. It passed and he came around to the front to lay with Vera but nearer to Fiona’s outstretched arms. Some of the surrounding felines were also intently watching the transformation reach the woman’s upper body. All of them knew the cramping, cracking, stretching, and hurt on a personal level. Just as well as they knew and loved the paws they now had. They spread their toes apart and brought out their claws in solidarity.

Dark pads took shape on Fiona’s palm in the form of thick blisters that melded gradually into a singular, distinct print. Pads were also present at the end of each finger tip which themselves pushed out thick, jagged yellow nails. Fiona managed to smile through frequent grimaces of pain seeing her hands get fittingly feline. Her fingers plumped while her fingers appeared to elongate and her thumb shrink when it was actually her hand swelling and stretching itself. Bones in her fingers and up her arms were cracking and popping nearly constantly. The sounds weren’t so hard to take when Fiona could see the results taking shape right in front of her.

As Fiona’s paws and arms thickened her shoulders were near to realigning to fit a four legged feline like her. The trouble she was having breathing eased after her rib cage and organs were situated inside her. Fur was covering up her belly, sides, and back right up to the base of her neck. Already muscles in her neck were aching and her nose and ears twitched from the early stages of change.

“Won’t be able to-to-to… do worrrrrdsss much longerrrrrr,” Fiona said with difficulty moving her lower jaw. “Want to say thank, rrrorrrr, thank you both. I hope this… isn’t a missstake,” she gasped followed by her hacking up spittle.

The two lions reached a paw out each to one of Fiona’s trembling, furless paws and touched her. her paws looked so much like theirs at least in shape helped smooth those last lingering nerves out.

“How do I… look so, so… so farrrr?” she asked Vera and Maestro.

Roars of approval came in from the whole troupe, not just the lions, in response.

“Thank… you. Happy to be the… second prettiest lionesssss,” Fiona joked as best she could.

Vera stuck her tongue out at Fiona and blew a raspberry.

“Not m-my fault you’rrrrre gorrrrgeous,” complimented Fiona.

The lioness was not beyond flattery as she wagged her tail and simply shook her head.

Meanwhile Maestro sprawled on his side with head cocked to gaze expectantly at his newest lioness. When he had her eye on him, Maestro lifted his one leg up in a stretch that was anything but casual. His underbelly of white fur made his rigid, thorny red penis easy to see. And notice Fiona did. The woman was new to feline instincts but knew a presentation and invitation when she saw one. It brought back those lurid needs and reminded Fiona of her swollen feline cunt’s needs.

“Marrrrrrrrrewwwwww. Maestrrrro apprrrroves of me, mmmmmm,” Fiona remarked positively. She grinned as her mouth stretched of its own accord. Two of Fiona’s top front teeth popped free just then. Her sore, swelling gums ejected more teeth like her scalp was balding her old hair. “Ooooorrrrrrrow! This is… it. I want… thissshhh-” she gratefully hissed as her last words. Followed by coughing out more of her teeth until her mouth was empty.

Vera was there to clean away the teeth, the hair, and the drool. The lioness nuzzled Fiona’s head up and licked her as more encouragement.

“Nnrrrrrrfffhhh!” Fiona chuffed when trying to speak again. She let out a short annoyance and was ready to mourn her speech when she heard Vera and Maestro and the rest of the troupe roaring in celebration. Fiona’s human brain figured they were laughing at her but instinct picked up on their exults being a celebration. It struck her they weren’t teasing her last words but praising her first as a feline. So she tried a roar herself but it was not to be as her mandible swelled outward and forward, choking breathy gasps of air instead.

As the forty minute mark passed the transformation truly set to work on her face. Fiona was most aware of her upper lip getting pulled up gradually to her flaring, widening nostrils and nose. A subtle puffing up of her blackening upper lips was enhanced by her skull pushing forward like her jaw was. That widened the bridge of her nose and caused her brow to flatten and eye sockets to shift. Putting Fiona’s senses out of whack at the same time they were being tuned like a lion’s.

Her eyes were watering terribly so Fiona shut her eyes and tried to ride out the worst of it. Growing a muzzle felt a lot like getting punched in the nose, Fiona thought of the pain. Right down to the throbbing eye pain and buzzing in her head. Having survived this far and surrounded by success stories, Fiona wanted to grit her teeth and push through. But she hadn’t much more than a few sharp tips poking out of her gums for teeth and her tongue was lagging behind the rest of her elongating skull. It did make it easy for her to feel how much bigger her mouth was getting.

During this time she’d lost every strand of her blonde hair. It remained furless while her arms and broadening neck were getting the most of it. It itched under her collar which itself grew to fit and never choke her neck. The one exception to where fur was growing were tufts of white fuzz that emerged from her ears. They were another part that had, like her tongue and the bed of whiskers, not changed at the same rate. The edges were puffy and the lobes of her ears merged with her head but not much else. Dark hairs joined the dark and led to the ears growing larger and more pronounced. As her ears stretched into a lion’s rounded there were periods of ringing followed by partial deafness. The back and forth of this added to her headache and kept her throbbing eyes shut.

It was a comfort to Fiona that she could lean forward during her duress on paws that had filled out and arms that could support her heftier weight. She stretched her claws for the first time of her own accord and found it alleviated a good deal of stress. So she got up onto all fours for the first real time and pushed all her claws out. That shook loose a spasm that assuaged so many of her tender nerves and more sensitive areas. She also curled her fully furred and grown tail with a sublime pleasure that she could control it so naturally. As did so much of the rest of her. In those places the pain was down to the dull ache of fur filling out. Fiona very much wanted to see it.

Opening her eyes proved more difficult than Fiona thought. She could crack her eyelids a little but the slightest light reflexively shut them again. Fiona shook her head to see if that did anything and must have concerned her sponsors as Maestro and Vera braced her from either side so she did not fall. And would stay there for the duration just to be sure.

Human Fiona would have cried and thanked the pair for being there without her having to ask. She opted to let her eyes open when they were ready, which she hoped would be very soon. Fiona was beginning to get a feel of her longer and more dangerous face with her tongue growing into a lion’s. All her time that day and evening under a lion’s tongue made Fiona excited to have one of her own. When it was long enough she stuck it out to pant but mostly show off. Wobbling whiskers and tufts of fur under her chin hinted to Fiona’s imagination of how she must look.

Long gone was the woman who considered going home and waking up the next day for the same old grind. Fiona was willing and fully committed like she’d never had before in her life. Even if she could never open her eyes, Fiona would very likely pick the life of a blind lioness to the full color monotony of her old life. Mercifully the sensitivity of Fiona’s eyes went down and she opened them again but also for the first time.

Fiona’s eyes had turned an amber-gold somewhere between Maestro and Vera’s own. There were more greens and blues in the world that were beyond her lightly furred muzzle that was her new point of view. Her heart fluttered as she peered down at her front paws that moved when she moved them- they were really hers. Nuzzles from left and right meant the next things Fiona saw were Maestro and Vera. Their faces were much easier for her to read and feel the absolute love they had for her already. She nuzzled right back, hiding lots of happy tears,

A few of the tears were caused by the unpleasant growing of all her new teeth. With so little pain elsewhere Fiona could really feel all thirty teeth pushing itself out. There was a faint taste of blood in her mouth that tasted so much richer on her tongue from a few drops. She licked around her mouth for more, feeling the fresh spines on her tongue and her impressive new canines. Not to be outdone, her black nostrils were drawing in the aromas around her which smelled so rich, had depth and fragrance that her human nose never could. The dirt, the sweat, the blood, the feline dander, and subsequently every individual member of the troupe. Fiona wasn’t sure who belonged to what smell for most in the air. For Maestro and Vera, so close by, their scents were instantly seared into Fiona’s mind. They were her family now.

Fur broke out in patches rather than spreading from Fiona’s neck until there wasn’t a bare spot other than her twitching nose. Not that it did not take a full ten minutes for tans, dark and light browns, white, and dark circles on the backs of her ears. The transformation of her skull brought welcome relief from the headache and ringing in her ears. As her mind cleared of noise and stimuli Fiona’s understanding of how her body was influencing her brain. Her appetite, capabilities, and sexual tastes were unabashedly lioness. Some of it was easier to grasp and accept but none felt wrong. Fiona did double check her humanity by recalling her playlist and remembering that she owed Maespropaws a little revenge.

That would have to wait as the completion of her transformation- signaled to the troupe by Vera giving her most impressive roar; filling the whole of the big top. The jaguars and tigers rose and approached. Little Mila bounded ahead of her parents and was first to reach Fiona. The adolescent black jaguar sniffed Fiona cautiously while she nervously found herself awaiting approval. Thankfully Mila needed only a few seconds to lick Fiona’s nose. Then Mila pounced up on her hind legs so she could come down on the new lioness’s face for a happy tongue bath.

Kurt had to pull the cub off by the nape of her neck to give the rest space to properly introduce themselves. Which the cats took in turn to do. There was a lot of sniffing, head to tail, focus on the rump, and then into nuzzles and licks from each. Fiona’s head was spinning by the end from being showered with so much respect, love, and adoration from a troupe of special felines she didn’t know existed days before. Now she didn’t want to be anywhere else.

One after the other the cats would acquaint themselves with Fiona. After which they’d exit the big top while Fiona greeted the next one. She only realized they had gone when only Maestro and Vera remained with her under the spotlights. They began circling her very closely, rubbing, nuzzling, licking, and nipping at Fiona exuberantly. What Helene had said about the couple searching for a third was plain to see in their elation at their waiting being over. So many pent up emotions flooded out and Fiona was down for all of it.

As the initial shock of the transformation wore off and Fiona came into her feline senses the radiating need from her cunt was back at the forefront of her thought. Maestro and Vera had noticed as much and moved to the next chapter of Fiona’s indoctrination. Vera moved to the front while Maestro followed his nose back to Fiona’s still moist and swollen pussy. The lionesses pushed their noses together as licked the other tenderly. At the back Maestro’s nose pushed Fiona’s tail up so his tongue could lick her backside again. Causing Fiona to shutter and close her eyes at times when the feelings were intense. With Vera cuddled so close she could really relish the woman’s pleasure through her. She readily awaited what Maestro was planning as he lined himself up.

Fiona was awash with a deep yearning for instinctual gratification through being bred by a virile male. She knew there was no better specimen than the one there with her. Her body had unconsciously lowered it close to the ground and moved her tail to the side. Maestro climbed atop her slowly. Fiona’s heart was thumping hard and she could feel Maestro’s doing the same. His hot breath raised the hairs up as she fell under his shadow. He nuzzled and nipped playfully at the back of her neck and ears while lining his barbed lion cock to her cunt. A single thrust and Maestro was inside her. Fiona threw her head back and joined him in a throaty, lusty roar. One Vera was all too happy to join in on.

Maestro’s passionate thrusting was relentless for what felt like minutes to the lioness under him in the throes of passion. Her anticipation had been building for so long that Maestro entering her was enough to trigger an orgasm and then again after several thrusts. She’d never known this level of satisfaction with a partner and would have let Maestro take ages breeding her if that’s what it took. In less than fifty seconds Maestro climaxed following a powerful thrust and roar like a proper lion. Fiona roared as well until she had to stop to catch her ragged breath and lowered herself down completely. Her body was beyond spent and satisfied. Maestro moved down with her gently and bathed Fiona’s neck and head with long licks of his tongue.

As Fiona came out of her post-coitus haze some twenty minutes after Maestro had pulled she found herself in a familiar position. She was lovingly squeezed between a hugging Vera and Maestro. With Fiona a lioness they didn’t have to be careful with their strength or tongues. Fiona was in love with them both and that was reciprocated twofold. It was like she found some missing piece to her life she had no idea she needed so badly.

The lions cuddled idly for a while and were satisfied basking in the glow of the spotlights. When they did stir it wasn’t to head back to the trailer for the night. Passions were rekindled quickly and before Fiona could think she was under Maestro again being fucked to the edge of senselessness and back again. Fiona was quickly enamored with the frequency of Maestro’s orgasms and her own body’s ability to cherish each experience like it was the first. It made for several lost hours of fun well into the night.

It was close to four in the morning and stinking of sex when Vera got up and went around the standings turning off the spotlights. Then she and Maestro escorted Fiona back through the tunnel towards their trailer. Fiona was looking forward to seeing her new living space and a good, long nap. Never thinking once of her shift the next day or what would become of her car and possessions. Along the way they detoured to greet Zara and Ella who were out with Riley by the fire. It took all of Fiona’s willpower to resist staying and playing with the adorably cute cub and her stuffed black jaguar toy. She’d have plenty of opportunities to play now that she was a part of the troupe.

They headed under the trailer and went in one after the other with Fiona the last one in. She was shown and encouraged to drink some water before it was up to the loft for their well earned rest. Vera brought the stuffed lion toy given to her by Fiona that evening to bed. It got nestled in amongst the three of them as they huddled close. Fiona was at the center of the pile where she naturally gravitated as a lioness. Wrapped in her lovers’ paws, their furry bodies pressed to hers, and an overwhelming sense that she was truly treasured made it easy for Fiona to slip into a deep, abiding, feline slumber.

When Fiona awoke the next day it was late in the afternoon and only Vera was snuggled up with her, still sleeping. Her ears picked up on the cheering crowds, sounds of the midway, and overlapping voices. What she could see and smell and feel were vastly changed and would remain so. This was Fiona’s new life. She awoke slowly to the fact the previous night hadn’t been a fever dream or bizarre nightmare. The enormity of what Fiona had chosen to do sunk in and would take a few days to settle but Fiona had no regrets. There were unknowns but none that she would have to face alone.

Fiona lay there awake thinking for long enough for Maestro to return smelling of the big top crowds. She got to see his face light up at the sight of the two beautiful lionesses he had to himself. Seeing that Fiona was awake he came over and laid down nose to nose. His devoted expression told her everything she needed about how thrilled he was to have her there. It made getting out of bed really difficult.

The smell of meat was enough to lure all three lions down from their loft. Helene, in costume minus her hat, had three bowls of cubed steak, chicken, and veggies waiting. When the beast tamer saw Fiona in full for the first time it was her face’s turn to light up.

“Look at you! You turned out so well! I knew that collar belonged to you,” Helene gloated as she rubbed between Fiona’s ears. Then stepped out of the lioness’s way. “Well go on, eat up. Changing species burns a ton of calories so I know you're a hungry, hungry lion.”

The starved lioness showed Helene appreciation and then went about filling her belly. While the lions ate Helene found a seat on the stairs to the loft to rest her feet.

“The troupe’s performances today have all been really energized by your arrival, Fiona. You’re the first we’ve had that wasn’t a birth like Ella and Mila. Plus they all knew how much and how long Maestro and Vera were looking for their perfect lioness. They couldn’t have done better than you, dear. The only one not smiling about your arrival was my boss when I told him we had another mouth to feed,” Helene revealed to her own amusement. “The money they got selling your car and personal effects helps in the short term. You’ll more than earn your stay here when you’re ready to join in on the performances. And don’t worry, I won’t put you out there until you’re ready. But if the likes of Kurt and Riley can learn to dance, I’m sure you can handle it.”

Fiona listened as she ate. Twitching her ears and flicking her tail to let Helene know she was following along.

“There’s one last show tonight which will require me to borrow my two experienced lions for an hour or so. I’m letting Riley get some time with their daughter and Vera will be filling in that spot. I won’t be leaving you alone though, Fiona. I gave Bridget off for the evening so she could pay you a visit. Maestro knows what I’m talking about,” Helene remarked with a smirk. One Fiona caught Maestro sharing right after.

Helene left Fiona in suspense about what Bridget was coming for and filled the rest of her time there going over her new life. Covering meals, day to day schedules, expectations, what rules there were, things to watch out for, and where she was allowed. Fiona listened carefully and found not disagreeable until the end when Helene informed her that, lioness or not, she was required to attend several safety seminars which were held by circus management for the onboarding process. Helene promised it was painless but would cost her twenty hours of her life she’d never get back.

When showtime arrived Helene left with her two performers to gather with the readying troupe. Fiona let her voracious appetite off the leash when alone; devouring her bowl and the scraps the other two had left behind. The bowls clean, Fiona lapped up some water with relative ease and then found a comfy place to lounge while she waited for Bridget. It was no coincidence she chose a place and position that mirrored Maestro’s when he played their favorite game. Putting his unique controller at the tips of her paws. She carefully placed her paws into the machined grooves of the device. Hers were smaller than Maestro’s but the weird button layout and alien shape made perfect sense if you have lion’s paws.

“Guess Helene wasn’t lying when she said you were the gaming type,” Bridget laughed from the doorway behind Fiona.

The startled lioness popped up and snarled. Then seeing who it was Fiona bashfully lowered her ears and came over to greet Bridget.

“She also wasn’t underselling how drop dead gorgeous you came out! Never ceases to amaze me what Helene can do. Fiona the lion just hits your ear right, doesn’t it?” Bridget pointed out while scratching Fiona’s head. “One of the perks of this job is having giant house cats around to snuggle whenever you’ve had a long day. Ain’t the only reason I came over. I’m here to take some measurements and get an outline of those mitts of yours. Miss Bridget is going to build you your own controller, darlin! I’m also going to get another television in here for you and another system so you and Maestro don’t have to share. Sound good to you?”

Fiona barely let the woman finish when she pounced up trying to hug and lick her face. She forgot about her new strength until it brought Bridget down onto her back. Thankfully Bridget found it funny and was no worse for wear. Her own body had been tempered by years in the circus so she could shrug it off and laugh about it. She just got back on her feet, got a pencil and paper pad out and got to work eyeballing measurements.

“Helene tells me you and Maestro have actually crossed paths before in your game. Is that right?” Bridget asked as she scribbled her notes.

Fiona nodded.

“And is it true he beat you so badly the other day it's what led you to us?”

Fiona nodded reluctantly and huffed.

“Well then this might cheer you up a little. You know this is the twelfth game controller I’ve built for a lion? The last eleven were all for Maestro and of those, four were design upgrades I made to improve things. The other seven? Died as the result of what happens when the king of the jungle rage quits,” she revealed with a giggle. “I do hope you're more gentle in defeat than he is.”

By all accounts Fiona was a worse loser than Maestro but the lioness didn’t have the heart- or ability- to tell Bridget that. So she nuzzled and kept close to Bridget while she made plans and gossiped freely.

******

3 Weeks Later

Circus Vondeltrap arrived on the outskirts of the second largest city in the region earlier in the day. Within a few hours much of the midway was taking shape and the big top tent was just going up. Workers and performers were everywhere setting up and getting things ready for opening the next day. Few had the luxury or audacity to sit around playing video games at a time like that, but the lions never got any complaints. Folks would pass their trailer where they played openly. Workers would stop and stare but would keep on walking. Leaving them to their fun.

Curled alongside each other, the feline duo avatars Maespropaws and FiownaRoar laid waste to yet another unassuming group of random players. No matter the odds or tactics used against them, the felines proved an indomitable force whenever they played. Their ranks soared in the process as no one ever had the answer for their combined reactions. They were reported to no avail for being bots and not real players. Not that they ever held a grudge or responded to angry messages with anything other than smiling emojis with whiskers.

While the two played their game Vera watched from her new favorite spot: sprawled over Fiona with Maestro’s mane her pillow. The lion plushie Fiona gave her under her chin for added support. She had no interest in playing herself but loved that they got so invested in it. A part of her also loved watching them hunt down other players and take them apart. It wasn’t exactly stalking prey on the savannah but it scratched the same instinct they all had as lions.

In the short time the trio had been together they had bonded tightly together. Vera and Maestro had chosen wisely and Helene’s eye for feline talent continued its unbeaten streak. They spent every hour together, never leaving each other alone for anything but food, relieving themselves, or doing a performance. In the latter’s case Fiona was allowed to watch from a safe distance to learn the ins and outs of the show. The entire troupe had welcomed Fiona and shared what they knew to ease her transition. When she thought of her old- something she was doing less and less of these days- it was to compare how much better things were now. She’d never been happier than as a lioness in this circus trailer.

Strolling up outside the bars was Helene in jeans, a jacket, and a grease on her face. “Knock, knock. How are my lion murder hobos settling in? Are you keeping them in line Vera?” Helene asked her lions.

Vera flicked her tail and was the only one to turn her head to see Helene’s. The other two heard Helene were in the heat of a match and couldn’t spare their attention for a second.

“That’s my girl. Can you make sure these two wrap up and make themselves presentable in about thirty minutes? I want to get an hour or so of rehearsal in while we can before supper. Fiona is showing a real knack for it and this weekend she might be ready to make her debut. If she’s comfortable, of course,” Helene instructed Vera loudly.

That did get a reaction from Fiona as she huffed and snorted.

“You think I would lie to you, Fiona? You picked it up a lot faster than Kurt ever did. Or Maestro,” she teased, but Maestro didn’t take the bait. “Well, thirty minutes. I know you all heard me coming so I know you heard me say wrap it up too. Don’t make me turn off the router.”

Fiona and Maestro roared their displeasure until Vera bapped either on the head with her paw. Getting them to reluctantly nod as they refocused on their match. Helene said nothing and left them to it. Already prepared for them to emerge from their trailer ten minutes later with Vera nipping at the other two’s heels.

Behind the reluctance Fiona showed she genuinely looked forward to rehearsal and a chance to perform. She got a chance to show off herself and be around the only ones she wanted to be with. In the back of her mind she also knew that she would get more time to play while laid up on maternity leave. Fiona knew it would drive him crazy that she could play more than him. A small measure of payback owed from before she ran away to the circus and never came back.