IT'S NEVER THAT EASY [OPEN]

[LUCIA MARIE NEWMAN]

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Lucia knew that it was probably stupid to come out to the cliffedge in the middle of the night, alone. But who ever said that she needed to be smart all the time?

The slender blonde girl was perched on the edge of the cliff, legs dangling over the edge. A normal person probably would've stayed far away from the edge, but Lucia Newman wasn't a normal person by any standards. Sure, she wasn't eager to fall to her death in the water below, but what was life without a couple of risks? Plus, it wasn't like she was leaning over the edge or anything of the sort. But she needed some place, some escape, and this place, the edge of the land, seemed to suit her mood. Her emerald eyes were distant, not seeing the waves tossing below. Though she wore only a thin jacket over her jeans and t-shirt, she wasn't really cold, despite the wind tugging at her hair. She had always loved the nature, something her brother and her shared.

Zane.

Lucia groaned, flopping backwards on the ground so her legs were still dangling while the rest of her body lay flat. A card was held in her left hand, and she held it over her head again. It was always the same, the cards her missing brother sent her. His chicken scratch handwriting always said, Hope you're doing well. Love you, miss you, doing fine. That's it. Nothing more. Not where he was - it didn't matter even if there was a return address. They were always different, and everytime she tried to get in contact with him, the letter she sent always just came back. It was frustrating, to say the least. Lucia hadn't seen her brother since she was eleven, and she missed him. And she was angry. He had left her in the hands of an abusive father and and absent mother. What sort of brother did that to a little girl? It wasn't fair.

Her lips twitched. "Life's not fair. Get over it." She told herself quietly, shaking her head. She sat up and gazed down at the churning waves many feet below. "Doesn't mean I have to like it."

Lucia wasn't prone on dwelling on the past. If she did, she'd do a nosedive into depression, and that was a terrifying part. But not even she could be cheerful all the time. Lucia sighed once more and closed her eyes, wishing she could change the past.

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[PETER FREDERIC GERALD]

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The night air was fresh and seemed to have a minty quality to it. Pepper stood in front of his mirror, fully dressed with his red cape on. In his mouth, a dry towel. His room mate was fast asleep and aware that Pepper would be out for the night. Slowly and carefully, Pepper stood in the middle of the room and thought about lions. Lions and tigers and leopards and cheetahs. Soon he, felt his bones stretch and his skin grow lots and lots of hair. He screamed into the towel, as the process was still quite painful. A tail sprouted slowly from his backside. At first it was a hairless piece of bone and flesh, but it quickly developed a thick layer of hair. His normal long hair grew even longer and spread out as he grew his fully developed mane. However, the process was fast, and he could manage a the few moments he was under a stretching device.

As a lion, Pepper was fully grown and stocky. He commanded your attention with his fierce look and large size. In the mirror, Pepper saw a lion with a cape. How cute. Everyone will know its him with the cape on. Otherwise, they mistake him for a legitimate lion. Haha, just kidding. Pepper was the only lion shifter on the island. And for all he knew, in the whole world. Pepper sauntered himself out of the dorm, being gentle with the door and other things he may knock down. His paws were big and heavy and he tried to remain quiet for his room mate. With one last look back into his dorm, all he saw was a wet hand towel in the middle of the room, illuminated by a single desk light.

When he was clear of the dormitories, he bolted down the trail to the beach. It felt good to be an animal. Truly a predator when he was fully stretched and in full power. Pepper felt elemental, and nothing could ever bother him here. Not his homosexuality, not his fashion sense, not anything. While he was a lion, he was simply that. A powerful, magnificent and glorious lion which was a force to be reckoned with.

Pepper reached the cliff, where he spotted something odd on the ledge. His pace slowed to a walk, but he was still breathing heavily. It ... It was a girl. He stopped walking and contemplated whether or not he should go and approach her. She might be so shocked that she falls of the ledge. I mean, how many caped lions do you see running around on the island? Has she even heard of him? Pepper waited patiently until she heard him breathe or fidget or something. When it wasn't working, he took a step forward, breaking a branch that was on the ground. There, that would get her attention.

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[LUCIA MARIE NEWMAN]

]

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Now, Lucia loved animals. She was that girl who constantly brought home kittens and puppies and such. Her poor housekeeper had constantly had to buy animal food - the pet shop owners were certain that there was a farm on the Newman residence. But she couldn't help it. Every time she saw an adorable creature, she squealed and made a big deal of it. Her brother had told her she was impossible, and that she was going to grow old and be that creepy cat lady. Lucia had just rolled her eyes at him - there was nothing wrong with cats. And she didn't plan on marrying anyway, so there.

So, no, Lucia had nothing against animals. But she certain did not expect to see a lion prancing around in the middle of the night.

At first, she didn't notice him. Lucia's attention had been grabbed by the ocean below. Like previously stated, she wasn't the daredevil type, but part of her wondered what it'd be like to dive off this point. She was a great swimmer, since her father had insisted that they learn, him being a Marine and all. Plus, she adored the ocean. The salt absolutely killed her hair, but hey, there was a price for everything, right? And if she had to wash her hair a few bazillion times after it, oh well. Life sucks and then you die. Lucia planned on having fun before that time came. And then suddenly, she realized she was not alone. Her empathy - like a little alarm - picked up caution, patience. The girl half-turned, brushing a strand of damp hair out of her face.

A lion wearing a cape was standing there in the moonlight. To her credit, Lucia didn't freak out. Oh, she was shocked and alarmed, yes. Who wouldn't be, randomly seeing a lion in the middle of the night? Her green eyes widened in surprise and alarm, though, and she stared. She was fairly certain that lions were NOT native to Grace Island. So either this was a freak of nature, or another student. She eyed him warily. Lucia certainly didn't want to be eaten or anything of the sort, but it'd be rude to flee, wouldn't it? Trying to quell her nervousness - since the lion hadn't attacked her so far - she smiled. "I do believe you are the first lion I've seen that wears a cape. 'Course, I've never seen a lion before, so that might not mean much."

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[PETER FREDERIC GERALD]

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She turned her face and put away some damp hair. Pepper wasn't exactly sure of what she was doing out here, but he didn't question it. She was probably out here for the same reason he was, to relax and to think about his life. Pepper didn't really feel like shifting back into his regular form, where he would be indecent. He had lost all his clothes in the transformation ... and if he wanted to shift back he would be naked. Well, he had the cape, but that wouldn't exactly keep him warm.

Pepper was happy to see that she didn't freak out or fall off the cliff. That would have been terrible. In fact, if it had happened, Pepper was unsure of how he would live for the rest of his life. Alas, it didn't happen and Pepper slowly made his way toward her. He was still breathing heavy and his body pulsated with fast pumping blood.

He knew right away that he liked this girl. She seemed to be open to him already. Most people would just give him a weird look and walk away, unsure of what to do. Regardless of previous experience, he wanted to at leas recognize this girl. Perhaps she would talk to him, since he can understand ... but he can't talk as a lion. Rather, he began to purr softly and plopped himself on the ground beside her, making a thump noise.

The girl must be cold. She was wet and it was night time. He knew a boy that could manipulate light. Perhaps if he was here, he could make it day time and keep her warm.. but for now, he would have to keep her warm with his bundles of fur and large body. Pepper twisted his neck and bit some of his cape, which he tugged toward the girl, encouraging her to take it and do something with it. Anything. Just so she stays warm.

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