Hey Kitty

As Queen watched her daughter inch closer to the ominous creature, panic surged within her. With a voice trembling from a mix of urgency and fear, she shouted, "Azara, come back to me, dear! Don't go near them!" Her words hung in the air, desperate and pleading. Yet, Azara seemed oblivious, caught in some otherworldly trance, her eyes fixed on the mesmerizing sight before her.

The feral black tigress, a magnificent and fearsome figure, stood poised with striking red orbs that glowed like embers in the dim light. In its powerful jaws, it held her younger sister, a vulnerable figure that only heightened the mother's terror. Time seemed to slow as Azara drew closer, utterly enraptured by the dangerous beauty of the beast.

Once, Azara found herself just a step away from a formidable creature, its imposing form towering over her. With a heart full of determination, she reached out to gently caress the tigress's massive paws, projecting an air of innocence. The air was thick with tension, but Azara's calm demeanor radiated a sense of peace. "You don't have to be defensive; they won't hurt you," she murmured softly, her voice laced with sincerity. "I know you were trying to protect her." Each word flowed from her lips like a soothing balm, wrapping around the feral creature.

Gradually, the tigress's fierce posture relaxed, its eyes softening as if it were beginning to comprehend the empathy in Azara's gentle tone. The atmosphere shifted, and for a moment, the boundary between human and beast seemed to blur, united by an understanding that transcended words.

As the unusual scene unfolded before King Arik and Queen Aroha, an air of disbelief enveloped them. Their eyes widened in shock, mirroring the stunned silence that fell over those gathered around them.

It was a moment so surreal that it rendered everyone breathless, struggling to grasp the reality of what they were witnessing. In a soft, trembling voice, King Arik leaned closer to his daughter, Azara, his concern palpable. "Child, can you communicate with it?" His words were laced with urgency.

Azara looked up at him, her big eyes filled with determination, and nodded slowly as she continued to gently stroke the creature's injured paws, her touch both soothing and tender. With a hint of desperation in his voice, King Arik asked, "My sweet child, can you please tell it to release your sister from its sharp jaws?"

The weight of his plea hung in the air. Azara met her father's gaze, understanding the gravity of the situation, and nodded once more. She focused on the creature, words forming in her heart. "Hey, cute kitty," she began, her voice soft and melodic, "can you please let my sister go? She's scared." Her words, filled with compassion, seemed to reach the heart of the wild creature. "I promise you, no one will hurt you," she added, her sincerity glowing like a beacon.

In a moment that felt suspended in time, the creature appeared to sense Azara's kindness. It hesitated, then slowly lowered itself onto all fours, a gentle trust forming between them. With careful grace, it relinquished its hold, allowing the little girl to slip free from its powerful jaws. The tension in the air dissipated, replaced by a fragile sense of hope.

The moment the creature gently released the little girl from its powerful hold, Queen Aroha surged forward like a wave, her heart swelling with relief as she enveloped her child in a tender embrace.

The air around them seemed to lighten as the anxious crowd exhaled collectively, feeling the weight of fear lift. Meanwhile, King Arik's gaze was drawn to his elder daughter, who was seated beside the creature, her tiny fingers intertwining playfully with its furry ears. The creature responded with a deep, soothing purr, its massive form relaxing under her gentle touch. It was a mesmerizing scene, for it appeared that his daughter held a rare gift—The extraordinary ability to tame any beast and soothe any storm around her.

Azara turned to her father with wide, pleading eyes, her voice trembling with urgency as she said, "Father, please, can you treat the wounds of this injured giant kitty? It's been hurt so badly."

King Arik's expression wavered; he hesitated, conflicted about granting his daughter's request. The creature before him still appeared dangerous and unpredictable. Noticing her father's hesitation, Azara took a deep breath and continued, "I spoke with her. She explained that while she was passing by, she heard Saija's desperate cries. Curious and concerned, she followed the sound, eventually finding Saija perched helplessly on the garden bench, terror etched across her face as a fierce eagle swooped down, poised to strike. To defend Saija, the brave giant kitty jumped into action. With fierce determination, she scooped Saija up in her jaws and sprinted toward the gate, desperately escaping the clutches of the menacing eagle. The kitty's courage is remarkable, Father; she deserves our help."

As King Arik listened to Azara's explanation, a wave of concern washed over him, mingling with confusion. He struggled with his doubts—could he truly believe his daughter's words? After all, she was still a child, and it was all too easy to assume that this was merely another one of her imaginative playthings. What if the creature suddenly turned hostile again? Yet, as he watched his daughter, her small hands gently caressing the creature's scaly hide, he noticed how it leaned into her touch, responding to her every word with an almost instinctual trust.

The tender bond between them melted away his worries, replacing them with a fragile hope. Resolute in his decision to trust his daughter, King Arik summoned one of the royal guards with a wave of his hand, his voice firm yet gentle as he commanded, "Go and find the court physician. We need to treat this creature's wounds at once."

As Azara listened to her father's comforting words, a warm glow of happiness spread through her. With a bright and cheerful voice, she addressed the giant creature before her. "Don't worry, dear kitty. Soon your wounds will be treated, and you will be healthy again." Her encouraging words seemed to resonate with the creature, and in response, its eyes began to shimmer, transforming from a deep, troubling red to a radiant shade of pink. It was as if the fiery hue had been touched by a serene wash of white light, casting a beautiful, peaceful reflection of pink that danced in the creature's gaze. 

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"When is a monster not a monster? Oh, when you love it."

- By Caitlyn Siehl