The Lion King: KMCCMC
Incitement: Kill My
For the umpteenth time that day, she looked at the clock, and for the umpteenth time that day, she groaned. Inwardly, mostly, but her frustration must have showed on her face. Either that, or she'd been working there for way too long.
"Something wrong, kid?" Nala said. That was her manager, a blonde lionness who didn't take nonsense from anyone, shutting the register after tallying up the bills and coins in its trays. She was friendly, sure, until you got on her bad side. Then, in her words, she'd rip your fucking throat out.
"Nah, boss, it's just a Wednesday after three thirty," Kiara said. "You know, the dot on the "i" in Jeremy Bearimy. Time has officially stopped."
Nala laughed. Leaned against the countertop, facing the younger lionness, shaking her head.
"Funny," she said. "But judging by the look on your face, it's obvious you're not in any kind of a good place."
"Hell no," Kiara said. "I haven't been since... you know."
The two lionnessse shared a knowing look. Nala stood, as if to make her way toward Kiara, to put a gentle hand on her shoulder-but she thought better of it when Kiara faced away and ran a hand through her own hair. She half-smiled, looking off into the distance, in such a way that her angular African features highlighted the dimple that appeared in one cheek. Only one.
"Look, kid, you have to get over it," Nala said. "What happened, happened. It's in the past... you've got to put it behind you."
"Easy for you to say," Kiara laughed, without a hint of humor in her voice. "It didn't happen to you. And it wasn't fucking fair," she said. "I know I should get it out of my head, and I know you're tired of hearing about it, but it's just... I just can't believe they did it, and that they got away with it."
"I know," Nala sighed. "Sometimes, I really do want to rip someone's fucking throat out. Especially now."
Kiara tilted her head.
Nala shrugged. "Do whatever you want to me. I don't care-I can take it. But if someone I care about gets hurt..." her voice sharpened. She shook her head. Then she managed a smile, looking at Kiara again.
"And that's why you need to put it behind you. So I don't have to rip anyone's fucking throat out."
Kiara actually, naturally laughed, for the first time in far too long. And for some time afterwards, she smiled, too.
The shop was nearly empty, the only patrons were juggling their smartphones and their notes and trying to reconcile what was available with what was needed. Which was hard out here, with its poor reception. It was almost funny to watch-and almost sad.
"Just find a new hobby or something," Nala said. "How about-how about scuba diving?"
"Already got my advanced license, remember?" Kiara said. "I just quit, because all the fish and the reefs are dying, and now they're charging eighty bucks a dive-without tanks or equipment, mind you. The Hell with that."
"Okay, how about dancing?" Nala suggested. "You used to love that, right? And it'd get you back into shape, if nothing else."
Kiara looked up at that. Finally, a reaction-Nala pressed her advantage.
"Seriously, girl." Now she approached Kiara, nodding at her chest in a way that was sure to get her fired and #MeToo'd if she were male. "You carry them in all the right places, but you've put on a few extra pounds." She reached around behind Kiara and gave her ass a smack that made the younger lionness jump.
"Quite the jiggle," Nala said, as Kiara sputtered a response. "At least if you jiggle right, you might be able to get some attention. Come on, you're way too young to be single. Unless you're not?"
"Bechdel Test, failed," Kiara said, adjusting her shirt, composing herself. "And we were doing so well."
Nala laughed. "We failed it the moment we started talking, girl," she said. "At least, if you read the subtext."
Kiara rolled her eyes. But she couldn't suppress a smile. Nala had a point, and besides, she had a way with words. TAlking to her was challenging, irritating at times, but vitally, functionally energizing. And she could use that-after this year and a half, she could use that. Just simple, normal, chit chat with someone who was actually kind to her. Who actually liked her.
"Hey, boss," Kiara said. "I... appreciate you, you know," she said. "Yeah, you get on my nerves sometimes. But there's no one I'd rather work with. Especially on a Wednesday after three thirty."
The two lionesses shared a compassionate, silent moment.
And that was when he entered.