Artist Notes again
There isnt much to say about this one considering its mostly self explanatory But I just wanted to let ya'll know That Nia the cheetah cub Her name means Purpose. And That Ill have links to pics of what all the characters look like using bases soon x3
So Enjoy~
A Secret of Protection
He ears pricked over the soft mewing, she moved about to try to discover the source. Sniffing around, she realized what she hadn't realized earlier. Cheetahs had been in the area. She sniffed the ground and also picked up another scent…her pack mates…They must have chased them off, she thought to herself. She didn't particularly like Cheetahs, but they weren't much of a threat either unless they got near the cubs…they were small so tended not to pick a rather big fight with the lions when the lions out weighed them in muscle and size.
Another soft cry sent her ears forward again and she set out to track the source once more. As she got closer, she started to realize the the mewing was actually words..
"Mom," The voice called softly, sounding a little like it might cry. "Mommy!" it called a little louder
A Cub she realized…She hid in the brush for a moment, ducking low to see if anything would return. After 20 minutes, when no paw steps were to be heard. She went forward cautiously. Licking her nose and scenting the air, she appeared all around her trying to make sure she was not going to be ambushed. Instead she caught a small scent of blood. Is this cub injured? She thought to herself.
She wandered up to the cub, and it cowered down in fear. "You Hurt Mommy!" It cried out, "Mommy had to flee…she left me behind and she said she would be back…but she hasn't come back…" The little cub tried to get up and run away but Mira simple scooped one paw around her gently. She looked at her intently for a Moment. Deciding on what she should do with the cub. She obviously couldn't kill it, it was just defenseless. The Mother if injured more than likely wouldn't make it back, this cub needed shelter and protection. She nuzzled it gently, and it seemed to relax a bit. She knew an injured cheetah out there was good as dead…especially if one of the lionesses got a good bite out of her before she escaped…
Mira Picked the cub up by the scruff and crawled through the little boulder cave she hid away in from time to time. It looked up at her with pleading eyes, and she hated to disappoint the little cub but she deserved to know.
"What is your name little one?" Mira said softly, the cub perked up a bit and smiled at her.
"I'm Nia," The little cheetah squeaked out her eyes full of renewed curiosity since Mira did not seem to want to hurt her.
Mira smiled, a hesitant smile before continuing on. "Well, Nia how would you like it if I became your new mother…?: She said as softly as she could hinting that her mother would not make the journey back to her.
"But I already have a Mama…" she said sweetly…though her tone had an edge of fear to it.
"Well you see, Your mother, she…" Mira hesitated and sighed noticing the cub's eager expression. "She too far away to take care of you anymore…and" She struggled for words that would help the cub to understand as young as she is that it was okay to trust her and that she had to stay with her. Finally she came up with a reasonable excuse even if it was a lie. She would understand when she was older. "She asked me, to umm look after you."
"Oh Okay," She looked a little bit sad but she rested her head on her paw and yawned sleepily. Before she drifted off she looked up at the lion that would become your new mother. "waz your name" She yawned out sleepily.
Mira chuckled softly and nuzzled her. She really was cute…for a cheetah. "Mira, you may call me Mira." She whispered softly to the cub.
Nia smiled up at her sleepily and gently nuzzled into her a bit more. "you're very nice Mira…" she said right before she fell asleep.
Mira smiled at Nia, but inside her heart sank. She didn't know much about taking care of a cub yet alone a cheetah cub…if she showed her to the pride or Akiro, she would be killed instantly, seen as an enemy. But how could something so little be an enemy…she thought to herself. It just didn't seem possible. She was going to raise her as if she were her own, as if she was just a lion. She'd have to have sneak out constantly for her though…and she'd have to be careful she was not followed. She rest her head and decided to get some sleep she would join the pride again just before dusk. She closed her eyes and let herself fall into a nice deep sleep.
But as she slept she began to dream…a rather interesting dream of a cub from her past…when she was just a cub herself infact. She could almost remember those days by heart, and she remembered the way she felt every time she saw him. How happy they were playing together. And It all started right here in the Niche not too very long ago.
