11. Unforgettable experiences

After my "friendly" conversation with the gems, time began to fly by. Days passed one another, week after week, time flew by without knowing where it was going. The events of the past month were many, especially for me.

The first thing I'll say is that I'm not alone now..... in a way.

-So, are you going to eat this? - I put a delicious, and most importantly expensive, steak up to his nose. - It cost me quite a bit of money, so you should definitely like it.

-Furh .furh....maaaaaaa. - he sniffed it a couple of times, yawned, and then laid back down pretending to sleep.

-Are you serious?! It's a delicious, colorful, greasy, expensive steak! And you really don't want to eat it?! Are you a predator or something? I don't want the big, fat body of a lion in my already small flat!

-Maaaaaah! - He opened his eyes and growled at me lightly.

-Okay, I'm sorry, the fat part was unnecessary. - I sighed and put the steak away in the freezer and lay down right on his soft fur. - That'll do for my supper, then don't complain or beg when you get a whiff of grilled meat. You won't get anything anyway!

-Frgh! - he blew into my face from his nostrils and dozed off.

-....and sometimes I wonder. -I scratched his mane. - Which one of us is the master of the other. You or me?

Yes, just don't be surprised, I got a lion..... I don't know how, just appeared. Or rather I know how, where and who gave it to me, though I am convinced that the lion came to me, but everything should be told in order.

I should probably start by telling you how I raised some money on the betting and was able to afford something better than a crummy hotel room. I was able to afford, a small flat, with some miserable looking furnishings, but it was already an improvement!

So, it's worth starting with how I raised that amount....

FLASHBACK!

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As usual while working at the car wash, I was washing the car of some teenagers from this town who were standing right next to me and talking about various topics. Naturally, I didn't listen to them, because why should I? Why should I listen to what other teenagers have to say. Why should I listen to other teenagers' opinions when I can ask myself? My mind is happy to answer any questions for me, except the appropriate ones.

It doesn't like the usual questions. TAKE IT!

Their conversation would be mundane, about cars, bouncers, school, grades, who hates who and so on down the list of problems of today's teenagers. And the conversation somehow quickly changed the subject when it came to....

-Subliminal fights? Are you serious? Could something like that exist in our town? I don't think so. And even if it did, it would be the most boring underground fights ever!

-I'm telling you, it's the real thing! There's a fight every night, in a ruined building on the beach. People bet there and either win or lose! I made some money there myself, I'm telling you, it's a real thing!

-Oh, come on, Kefir! I don't think you should say that in front of Buck. He's a daddy's boy, after all. He'll tell his daddy the mayor.

-Fuck you guys! I ain't no snitch! And stop calling me Daddy's boy! That nickname's getting old.

-Heh-heh-heh-heh. Whatever you say. -.... sonny!

-Kefir!

I didn't listen any further as I heard everything that interested me.

"Underground fights you say.... I think it would be a good alternative to my training. I'm getting a bit tired of all these experiments, it would be nice to get some rest for once."

And waiting for the night, I started looking for that ruined building on the beach, which was quite easy to find, as there was only one such building on the beach and the light inside was burning brightly, clearly showing that there was someone there.

Walking inside, with my hood over my face, I saw a crowd of people sitting in front of a makeshift ring and not far from it a commentator's table, who was the owner of Arcade in town, he was clearly not hiding his pleasure at being involved, judging by his happy smile...which he always wears, eerily!

-Ladies and gentlemen. Today we gather, for another match! Meet....The Lilac Bars! Please welcome the most hated wrestler in this ring!

-UUUUUUU!

-UUUUUUUU!

The commentator's line came to an end. As the buzz and wild expression of my dislike for the fighter began. I crossed my arms across my chest and waited for this fighter to come out. And when it came out I realised a few things.

First of all, there's still a lot I don't know about the gems.

Secondly, I didn't come here for nothing and the match is sure to be interesting!

-Yahoo! Hahahahahaha! - A purple giant entered the ring!

It was Amethyst, of that I had no doubt. Because another person with purple skin, I haven't seen yet. Only this time, she....ili in this context, he, looked different. He was taller, bigger and more muscular. He was wearing black fighting clothes that hid nothing but his crotch.

On his chest was a mop of grey hair that showed his jewel.

"I don't really understand what's going on here, but it's sure to be a fun evening! ". - I snatched up a packet of popcorn and some poor guy and started chewing. - "But I didn't expect na, to be like this! They can probably change their appearance, but it's not a very dangerous ability in our world. Because it won't be hard to figure out that there's a shape-shifting gem in front of you....it will be very easy."

-Also meet his partner, the Millionaire Tiger!

And next up on the scene was.... who would have thought, Steven! He was dressed in a silly suit with braces. A tie with a dollar on it, a cat mustache mask and a purple briefcase with the same dollar sign on it.

The evening began to look even more interesting.

"Oh God, I pray..... I pray he gets smeared on the floor! ". - I kept popping popcorn into my mouth. - "I want to see him get such bumps on his side that he won't get in trouble again. God, I'm begging you! ".

Although I didn't believe in God and knew he wouldn't answer, but there's no harm in dreaming, is there?

-Ladies and gentlemen, place your bets! Put your hard-earned money down and see if your fighter wins! Support our fighters morally and financially to help them win!

A man started walking around the room collecting money in a small betting box. I figured that the devil never kills, so I also bet on the two of them to win, as I knew they'd win for sure.

And guess what, they won! Not only did I get my money back, but I doubled it! Most people deliberately bet on them losing, I don't even know how much money you can raise here!

This couple, became my goldmine for a few days! I was betting bigger and bigger amounts and winning! The broker just didn't have that much money with him, and he had to give me part of the winnings in the next match.

I took full advantage of this opportunity, earning as much as I could. But as always, nothing lasts forever. The other two gems, Pearl and Garnet, came in and covered the stall, forcing Amethyst and Steven to walk away from the fight, but also losing on purpose.

Even so, I raised a huge amount of money that I wouldn't get anytime soon! I was swimming in money and decided to put it out wisely by moving into a new rented house. The rent was twice as much. But the expenses were being gutted by my salary and the money I had left over.

I had more space to myself, the flat was huge for the price. And since I just couldn't live alone, in such a big flat, fate decided to throw me a surprise.

A huge, pink surprise.

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-....

-....

-...

-...

-.... are you seriously in here or am I hallucinating, due to lack of sleep.

-RHAW!

-No, you're really here, standing in front of me..... this is already some new kind of insanity in this town.

One day, or rather night, I decided to practice and try something new for myself, but something happened that I couldn't have guessed or thought of in my head at all.

As soon as I opened the door, there was....lew standing on my doorstep.

A lively, disdainful-looking lion who was standing right in front of me, waiting for something. And yes, he was pink. Pink! Not only was there a lion in front of my house, it was also pink! Just.....aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

-So, let me get this straight. - I folded my arms and sighed. - Is this another joke or a problem for Stephen or those gems who live on the coast? Because there are no other options. I don't think there was a roving circus around here somewhere that you could have escaped or gotten lost from. Oh yes, you're also pink, which in itself is absurd!

-....

-And naturally you won't answer me, why am I even talking to you? - I put my hand over my face. - It's just crazy, sheer insanity, which I like but am starting to get bored of. I like crazy things, but if they're in the right proportion. But the lion, the LION! That's another facet of insanity.

-RUAR!

-Hey! Where are you going! No! NO! Sit down! Wait.....a, OK, why not? -I closed the door and went inside. - The lion's in my flat and I don't mind, just....class!

The lion went inside my new flat and immediately laid down on the floor and started sleeping. Not paying any attention to me, not making any signs, just came in, lay down and fell asleep.

-I don't even know what to think about it. - I took a chair and sat down in front of that carcass. - I kind of dreamed of having a cat, but not this big. What am I supposed to do with you? I don't touch animals, it's not their fault they're wild, it's in their nature. But something definitely needs to be done about you...

I scratched my cheek and decided to sort it all out tomorrow, but to watch him first. I stayed home and watched this cutie all night, but he was just lying there. Apparently I'm the only one who doesn't sleep at night.

When the sun had finally risen and I started to get ready for work, the beast woke up.

-So? - I crossed my arms over my chest and looked at him. - Are you going to keep following me around like this? What am I, your mother?

-RUUUUUUU!

As soon as I walked out of the flat. He woke up and stood behind me. And while I was walking to the car wash, he was walking next to me and doing it all as if he and I had known each other for a long time. And most importantly the look, like he had nothing to do with it.

We stopped halfway through, as I was tired of him following me. I am a person who loves solitude and privacy and right now, this mammal was violating that very boundary!

-Should I fly you home? To your native savannah? I don't have that kind of money though, and I'm afraid the poachers will let you in for a very nice and expensive trophy....

-.....

-.... I'm talking to a lion. I guess I haven't gotten that crazy yet. Although I read somewhere that animals help with mental herbs when communicating with them... maybe you are my lion psychologist? If so, I don't need your services, you can go away!

-Lion! There you are! I was so worried!

While I was trying to get rid of an unwanted employee, Steven appeared out of nowhere and crashed into the lion, hugging his mane and burying himself in it.

"Well now, it's all falling into place." - I thought, rolling up my sleeves. - "Where that kid is, there's always trouble. Even if he's not around."

-So this is your lion? - I walked over to him, a crinkle appeared on my forehead. - What was your pet doing in my house?! Do you know how I felt when I saw it outside my door? Right before I went to bed.

-It wasn't my fault! - he pouted and hugged the lion even harder. - He doesn't sit in one place and listen to me! I've tried to train him somehow, but he doesn't pay attention.

-And apparently not being able to stand you, he ran to me. - I looked at the lion and began to feel some kind of connection to him. - I know how you feel, I'd like to run away from here myself, but there's nowhere to go.

-I was so worried! Why did you leave?! Don't you like me anymore?! - Steven looked up at the lion and was almost on the verge of tears.

-....- the lion just looked at him and didn't say anything, though I'd be surprised if I could.

-apparently he just doesn't care where he is or who his master is. - I shrugged and moved on. - But as long as you're here, you can have that....x!

I felt a little nudge in my back. I turned around and saw a lion poking me in the back with its head and it had the same emotionless look in its eyes.

-...

-...

And just like that, I got a lion. Just.....just don't say anything. Let's just say I just couldn't resist the sight of him. He was too much.....aah, you wouldn't understand! You don't have a pet lion!

And basically, that was all that was unusual about me this month. There was also a minor incident in town. When I had to destroy a slot machine that I later paid for, no, because Garnet was too gambling and couldn't help the gems.

I was just passing by, with my tame lion, and accidentally helped them. No big deal, just an accidental coincidence.

-And yet, I'm beginning to get used to you. - I stroked his head. - I think you're the only creature in the whole galaxy so far who doesn't disgust me, a..... call that incomprehensible feeling in my chest, a nasty word, love.

-RUAR. - he growled and closed his eyes again.

-Yes, yes, I love you too, cat.

I lay down on his soft and pink fur and looked up. I didn't want to go out tonight, so I spent it lying on the lion.

It's much better than any bed or pillow, a hundred times better!

Much better than a bed.

Much better.