BACKTRACKING...
With the wintry mix of light snow and rain coming down, when exactly sunrise that gray December morning in Moon Lake occurred was questionable at best, so whether or not a certain werelioness was in violation of the public were laws as she entered the back door of the Talbot residence was debatable.
"You're late daughter," said Leon Talbot calmly, while facing her in the kitchen. Only in Moon Lake could you see a werelion wearing just an apron in the privacy of his own kitchen, cooking eggs and bacon in a frying pan while the coffee maker perked and the toast was cooking.
"No one saw me father. I stayed on the forest trails all the way home," swore Jean Talbot, moving to get a mug from the cupboard to pour herself a hot cup of Joe.
"Perhaps you're right," he agreed, while looking out the kitchen window at the dreary weather. "But if you're not, my position on the Elders' Council cannot prevent the sanction you'd face for violating the law," he pointed out.
"True," agreed his daughter. "As you have always told me and Peter, no one is above the law. Yet I do have a good excuse for being out overnight. I have spent the night with the man I believe one day might be my future husband."
That comment stopped Leon Talbot in his tracks. He knew and accepted the fact his only daughter was bi, but the fact that she said husband and not wife gave him new hope that there might still be grandchildren in his future, for his only son Peter was still having difficulty finding someone who would love him for him, and not for his position as Moon Lake's "Lion Prince" to his own as its "Lion King".*
"If I may ask, who is it? Do I know him?" wondered her father, for any identifiable trace scent of the man had been removed from his daughter's fur by the weather on her way home. All Leon's werelion senses could say for sure was that Jean had been with a man, and that they had sex overnight.
"His name is Nathaniel Anderson, and he is currently a 16 year old Junior at Moon Lake High," answered Jean, looking over her coffee cup to see what her father's response might be.
"Anderson. Anderson," repeated Leon, mulling over the name. "I do not recall an Anderson amongst the werelion prides."
"That is because Nathaniel is a werewolf," calmly revealed Jean, as she reached over for a slice of recently popped toast from the toaster.
"I see," was all her father said, thinking things over. "From the way you talk, I assume it is still early in any potential relationship?"
"True. The sex is great between us. Nate is a kind and gentle, yet very energetic lover. While it will take time to see if anything actually develops between me and him, let alone something that the foundations of a more complete relationship can be built upon, I would not be uninterested if it did."
"I see. And what of Liv Robertson and any other ladies you have been with?" wondered Leon.
"A woman's touch is different than that of a man's. She will have a more tender paw, with greater knowledge of the intimate places only a woman can. Until the day I do accept someone's marriage proposal, I shall sleep with whoever my heart or libido dictates. Yet in the end, nature has decided long before I was born that it takes both genders to create children, and while they are not within my immediate plans, cubs are something I still hope for in the future," revealed Jean.
Leon Talbot thought about that for a moment before replying. "I will be the first to admit that I do not fully understand the ways of today's youth. Yet if you are happy, that is all a father can hope for. Now, will you join me for breakfast? As the werelion representative of the Elders' Council, I have to be at the courthouse by 9 to witness the trial of Julie Stovall," he said, noticing that the kitchen wall clock's display was approaching 7 AM.
"Would it be permissible for me to attend as well?" asked Jean, while grabbing dishes and silverware. "I know you hope that someday I shall assume your place on the Council, but besides wanting to witness actual court proceedings first hand as a future lawyer, Nate's younger brother Eric was one of Julie's potential targets of her actions."
Leon Talbot thought the request over before looking at the werelioness before him and saying, "As long as you are showered and properly dressed by the time I am ready to leave," as he served breakfast.
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*Obviously on Earth 2, Peter Talbot has yet to meet Karen Yuletide, or whoever his mate in this continuity is destined to be.—tmw.