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Nema stood outside the den, a small frown on her features. She knew what she was doing was probably a good idea, but she also knew Vanellope probably wasn't all that happy about it. She watched silently as Dhoru and Hana slipped away to the beach. It had been Dhoru's idea, but that didn't mean she thought it was the greatest. She knew he only wanted her to feel closer to her neice, but she didn't want to force herself at the cub. If she ever wanted to go to know Nema, she would come to her. Yet here she was, alone in the den with the cub. Who was now cowering in the corner, sporadically glancing over at the striped female.

"You poor little thing. Its ok, I won't hurt you. I only want to get to know you better!" Turning her attention to Vanellope, she slowly made her approach. Careful not to make any sudden movements. "Your Uncle Dhoru and I, both love you very much. We just wish you loved me the same way." Nema paused as she got close enough to Vanellope, who had now begun to shake. "Come on, tell me what's on your mind little one." Nema gently nudged the cub with her nose, hoping it would catch her attention. "OH! I have an idea, if you tell me what's on your mind ... i'll tell you my most secret of secrets!" This was a really big deal for the female, as she was very protective of her secret. But if it would help Vanellope to open up to her .. then by all means she was going to try!

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This was a bad idea! A bad idea indeed! Why would Uncle Dhoru do this to her? She didn't want to be left alone with Nema! She didn't even know her! What if Nema decided to be mean to her? Or worse! Ask her about her colors? The thoughts all made poor Vanellope want to cry, but she held them back as best she could. She wouldn't allow Nema to see her cry! As the large female stepped closer, Vanellope began to cower and shake. Why was she doing this? She just wanted to be left alone! The closer she got the more nervous she became, and then came her words. They struck at Vanellope's heart and made her feel guilty. She did feel the same way, honest she did! She was just so scared! As Nema reached out and nudged her, Vanellope wanted to nudge her back, but her body was frozen. That's when the deal came into play. Curiously, Vanellope's ears perked up and she finally looked up at the pretty lioness before her. "You're not tricking me ... are you?"

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Nema was a bit taken aback by Vanellope's question, but quickly answered it all the same. Offering a gentle smile, and a even softer voice. "Of course not Vanellope, cross my heart and hope to die." Lifting her paw from the ground she took a claw and crossed it over her heart promisingly.

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Vanellope watched with earnest as Nema crossed her paw over heart and swore herself to honesty. If she was so serious about her promise, then maybe she wasn't one of the bad lions after all? Taking in a deep breath, Vanellope turned her body to face Nema completely. Looking up, she tried her best to smile at Nema but she was just too nervous. "I'm so much different from my family, and I don't understand why! I'm just scared you're going to ask me about it. I don't want my feelings hurt." Hanging her head in shame, Vanellope went on. "Plus you're a big, strong lioness and i'm a little bitty cub!" Her head couldn't hang any lower and she felt like such a tiny speck compared to the larger female. "Uncle Dhoru told me you wouldn't hurt me, so I guess i'm not so scared about that anymore."

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With a small gasp, Nema couldn't contain her emotions anymore. In the blink of an eye she had Vanellope wrapped in her embrace as tightly as she could. "You are so adorable!" She nearly squealed the words as a free falling tear slid down her cheek. "I would never ask you why you're different from your family! Because looks don't matter!" Taking a paw, she lifted Vanellope's face to lock eyes with her. "And you shouldn't let anyone tell you any different either. If they do, you come find me and Uncle Dhoru ok?"

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As she was swooped into Nema's embrace, the young cub had little time to react. Instead she found herself no longer shivering, but instead wanting to hug the lioness right back. The lioness who seemed to be crying? Lifting a paw to her face, Vanellope wiped the tear from her Aunt's face with a smile. "Thank you ... Aunt Nema ..." And for the first time since they met, she allowed herself to smile.

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"You are very welcome Vanellope." Nema cooed the words, as she gently placed the cub back on solid ground. "Now! A deal is a deal, so its my turn to tell you my secret. Gulping harshly, Nema looked down at Vanellope, then back outside of the den. This was a secret she hadn't even shared with Dhoru yet ... but she would very soon. She just, hadn't found the perfect timing. Bending down to eye level with Vanellope, she lowered her voice and whispered into Vanellope's ear. "I can talk to the stars!" Her eyes widened with excitement as she admitted her secret, while at the same time gauging the cub's reaction. "But you can't tell Uncle Dhoru! I have a surprise for him, when I tell him."

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As Nema admitted her secret into the cub's ear, Vanellope had to admit she was skeptical. No one could talk to the stars! Stars didn't have mouths! How was that even possible? But then a talk with her Mother came wandering back to the front of her mind. Her Mother had been teaching them about the pride, and how a few members of the pride had 'muses'. Which enabled them to communicate with the muse freely, where no one else could. "Oohhh you have a muse?!" She asked excitedly. She had really enjoyed her Mother's lesson in muses, but she'd never thought she would meet someone who actually had one. Needless to say, the cub was super excited. "Do you think the stars would like to meet me someday?"

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The excitement that Vanellope began to show really threw Nema for a loop. She hadn't expected the cub to believe her, much less know what a muse was! But then she remembered who their parents were. Of course she would know about the muses. "Well .... I guess we'll have to ask them sometime won't we?" Giggling with happiness, Nema ruffled Vanellope's hair tuft gently.

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At her Aunt's words, the cub jumped into the air in excitement! "You mean it! OH I CAN'T WAIT!" Vanellope couldn't believe that Nema had agreed to take her so easily. She hadn't even asked her yet! And she was totally going to ask. The excitement building within her, had the cub running in circles thinking of all the possible things that could come of meeting the stars. This was going to be so much fun! She wanted to run out and tell everyone what had just happened, but then she remembered Aunt Nema's request, and her excitement waned slightly. She paused and looked up at her Aunt with pleading eyes.

"So when can we meet them?"

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