It’s the peak of spring and Dexter’s out on one of his usual forest hikes. Taking the entire day to embrace the beaming vibrant green of the forest, filled with the many bright and colorful treasure of blossoming flowers scattered about. But at one point while he’s lost in his enjoyment, things take quite a sudden turn when a dark grayish tint overtakes the environment from fast-moving clouds rolling across the sky. Dexter shook his head out of disappointment, figuring it’d be best to head to the nearest shelter but knew he'd have to travel quite a distance to reach. With that he began heading back down the trail, a bit of relief washing over him thinking he might have a good while before any rain began to fall; considering the skies transformation was so recent. But just as he was about to open his maw to vocalize this thought, a few cool drops spattered against his forehead which managed to spur a slight chuckle from Dex despite its implications “Heh yep, of course...” pushing himself into a fast-paced jog.
It doesn't take long for the occasional tapping of raindrops to progress to a drizzle, then to a steady light rainfall as Dexter presses on. His jog becoming increasingly difficult as the firm dirt path became loose and unstable, dotted with more and more small puddles; along with gusts of wind that fought his balance and blew large branches across the trail. Despite his urgency and still having plenty of energy to burst into a full-on sprint, Dexter remains focused on the numerous obstacles along the uneven trail threatening to topple him over; keeping his eyes darting from the path ahead to his surroundings as he sought out any place that could offer any protection from the intensifying rain. But unfortunately, there didn't seem to be any with the nearly endless narrow pine trees and flat forest floor that stretched for miles around. As the rain's intensity steadily increased, Dexter couldn't help but feel sparks of frustration, amplified by the low rumbles of thunder that were becoming louder. "There's got to be something around here, I just need one place to hunker down for a bit..." Dexter thought to himself as more thunder rumbles across the land and rattles his fur, making him momentarily burst into a sprint before leaping over a large puddle.
Mid jump, Dexter's eyes shifted slightly to the right as he detects sudden movement. Catching sight of two rather large rabbits emerging from a patch of grass, seeming to cautiously attempt to cross the rough trail. The rabbit pair's sudden appearance throwing Dexter off guard, causing him to stumble a bit as he lands and makes a rather dramatic skidding to a halt. Dexter lets out a deep sigh, bending over to take a moment to compose himself and catch his breath for a few seconds. But after a very brief rest, he glances over to see the rabbits have retreated some, partially buried back in the patch of wet grass as they looked up at him rather frightened. Dexter took a moment to look around and see if their home might be nearby, figuring they were just trying to escape the sudden downpour as well but he couldn't find anything even for them. "Luck... you are really not working with me today are you?" Dexter said before glancing back to the rabbits who were still staring up at him, shaking some. He was almost about to ask them where their home was in a friendly manner, knowing they couldn't respond but figuring any friendly gesture would help calm them a bit; but another rumbling of thunder reminded him of the urgent situation. He then carefully extends a paw to them, though just as he expected they took a few more steps back.
Dexter lowers himself a bit, keeping his paw extended as he smiles some and resists the urge to shake some of the water off his wet mane; doing everything he can to appear as least threatening as possible. He had no idea how much further it was to where he'd originally set off, which would've offered plenty of food, shelter, and warmth for all of them. But he wasn't willing to risk the trek that would've had the rabbits soaked in his arms; nor was he willing to abandon them now. "Ahhh screw it" Dexter says, dropping his plans to return and instead at least offer the rabbits some protection from the rain on his own. He slowly and cautiously approached the rabbits, who took another few steps back as he closed the short distance. But once Dexter got within reaching distance, the rabbits froze, ears drooping down. Dexter didn't know if this was out of accepting him or fear, but he knew this might be his only chance to get close without them bolting off. "There ya go," Dexter said in a calming voice, his smile growing just a bit as he positioned himself so that his body shielded them from the rain a bit. "This'll work just fine. Just hang tight and I'll protect you two, I purrrromise" Dexter said emphasizing his pun to add a bit of light to the situation, but also in an even lower voice so as not to frighten them anymore given the circumstances. Once a few moments passed, hoping that the two rabbits would trust him at least some, Dexter made his next move. Gently and carefully grabbing both rabbits, then using his arms as a cradle to tuck them against his chest. Once settled against him, Dexter begins a cautious walk to a nearby tree, not wasting any time to get settled at the base of its trunk. He then lets out another light sigh as he makes himself somewhat comfortable, then rests the rabbits in his lap before hunching over just enough to keep them for the most part dry.
Dexter sat as still as he could for a short while, a few shivers vibrating his body from the constant bombardment of cool rain against his mane and down his back. But he soon realized the rabbits themselves were also shivering. Causing a bit of worry to well up in him. He understood the combination of the cool temperatures, being held by practically a giant to them, and the occasional cracks of thunder roaring nearby; could be stressing them. So Dexter shifts himself a bit, taking extra care as he gave them a warming squeeze of reassurance against his frame; allowing his soft purrs to help relax them while they waited out the storm together. For Dexter, despite his own situation, he seemed to forget the elements he was enduring. Finding comfort in sharing his own warmth and keeping these forest critters safe. Even finding himself singing a soft tune every so often to try and help keep them at ease.
To Dexter's delight, the rabbits seemed to have settled after a good while, finding some peace and comfort in his presence despite Dexter’s massive size in comparison. In fact, he now bore another smile, entertaining the thought of taking the rabbits with him on some future adventures through the forest, getting to experience the beauty of nature in proper fashion as opposed to the current situation. "Heheh maybe one day if we meet again you little fuzzballs" Dexter says softly to them, glancing down and rubbing at each of their foreheads just as their ears perked up. “But for now, let’s get through this first ey?” He whispered, giving another gentle squeeze to the rabbits. All the while his eyes drifted shut, passing the time as he let his mind drift to the people and things in his life that brought him peace and happiness. For as much warmth as he offered these rabbits now, he knew he was just as if not more grateful for those that brought him joy and comfort while he faced his own life storms...
Lovely forest adventure illustration done by artist FortunataFox! Also at [@FortunataFox] Original artist post here: [Rainy Day In The Forest]
Lion doing a protecc for some forest critters belongs to me DexterLion also at [@DexChillViber]
It doesn't take long for the occasional tapping of raindrops to progress to a drizzle, then to a steady light rainfall as Dexter presses on. His jog becoming increasingly difficult as the firm dirt path became loose and unstable, dotted with more and more small puddles; along with gusts of wind that fought his balance and blew large branches across the trail. Despite his urgency and still having plenty of energy to burst into a full-on sprint, Dexter remains focused on the numerous obstacles along the uneven trail threatening to topple him over; keeping his eyes darting from the path ahead to his surroundings as he sought out any place that could offer any protection from the intensifying rain. But unfortunately, there didn't seem to be any with the nearly endless narrow pine trees and flat forest floor that stretched for miles around. As the rain's intensity steadily increased, Dexter couldn't help but feel sparks of frustration, amplified by the low rumbles of thunder that were becoming louder. "There's got to be something around here, I just need one place to hunker down for a bit..." Dexter thought to himself as more thunder rumbles across the land and rattles his fur, making him momentarily burst into a sprint before leaping over a large puddle.
Mid jump, Dexter's eyes shifted slightly to the right as he detects sudden movement. Catching sight of two rather large rabbits emerging from a patch of grass, seeming to cautiously attempt to cross the rough trail. The rabbit pair's sudden appearance throwing Dexter off guard, causing him to stumble a bit as he lands and makes a rather dramatic skidding to a halt. Dexter lets out a deep sigh, bending over to take a moment to compose himself and catch his breath for a few seconds. But after a very brief rest, he glances over to see the rabbits have retreated some, partially buried back in the patch of wet grass as they looked up at him rather frightened. Dexter took a moment to look around and see if their home might be nearby, figuring they were just trying to escape the sudden downpour as well but he couldn't find anything even for them. "Luck... you are really not working with me today are you?" Dexter said before glancing back to the rabbits who were still staring up at him, shaking some. He was almost about to ask them where their home was in a friendly manner, knowing they couldn't respond but figuring any friendly gesture would help calm them a bit; but another rumbling of thunder reminded him of the urgent situation. He then carefully extends a paw to them, though just as he expected they took a few more steps back.
Dexter lowers himself a bit, keeping his paw extended as he smiles some and resists the urge to shake some of the water off his wet mane; doing everything he can to appear as least threatening as possible. He had no idea how much further it was to where he'd originally set off, which would've offered plenty of food, shelter, and warmth for all of them. But he wasn't willing to risk the trek that would've had the rabbits soaked in his arms; nor was he willing to abandon them now. "Ahhh screw it" Dexter says, dropping his plans to return and instead at least offer the rabbits some protection from the rain on his own. He slowly and cautiously approached the rabbits, who took another few steps back as he closed the short distance. But once Dexter got within reaching distance, the rabbits froze, ears drooping down. Dexter didn't know if this was out of accepting him or fear, but he knew this might be his only chance to get close without them bolting off. "There ya go," Dexter said in a calming voice, his smile growing just a bit as he positioned himself so that his body shielded them from the rain a bit. "This'll work just fine. Just hang tight and I'll protect you two, I purrrromise" Dexter said emphasizing his pun to add a bit of light to the situation, but also in an even lower voice so as not to frighten them anymore given the circumstances. Once a few moments passed, hoping that the two rabbits would trust him at least some, Dexter made his next move. Gently and carefully grabbing both rabbits, then using his arms as a cradle to tuck them against his chest. Once settled against him, Dexter begins a cautious walk to a nearby tree, not wasting any time to get settled at the base of its trunk. He then lets out another light sigh as he makes himself somewhat comfortable, then rests the rabbits in his lap before hunching over just enough to keep them for the most part dry.
Dexter sat as still as he could for a short while, a few shivers vibrating his body from the constant bombardment of cool rain against his mane and down his back. But he soon realized the rabbits themselves were also shivering. Causing a bit of worry to well up in him. He understood the combination of the cool temperatures, being held by practically a giant to them, and the occasional cracks of thunder roaring nearby; could be stressing them. So Dexter shifts himself a bit, taking extra care as he gave them a warming squeeze of reassurance against his frame; allowing his soft purrs to help relax them while they waited out the storm together. For Dexter, despite his own situation, he seemed to forget the elements he was enduring. Finding comfort in sharing his own warmth and keeping these forest critters safe. Even finding himself singing a soft tune every so often to try and help keep them at ease.
To Dexter's delight, the rabbits seemed to have settled after a good while, finding some peace and comfort in his presence despite Dexter’s massive size in comparison. In fact, he now bore another smile, entertaining the thought of taking the rabbits with him on some future adventures through the forest, getting to experience the beauty of nature in proper fashion as opposed to the current situation. "Heheh maybe one day if we meet again you little fuzzballs" Dexter says softly to them, glancing down and rubbing at each of their foreheads just as their ears perked up. “But for now, let’s get through this first ey?” He whispered, giving another gentle squeeze to the rabbits. All the while his eyes drifted shut, passing the time as he let his mind drift to the people and things in his life that brought him peace and happiness. For as much warmth as he offered these rabbits now, he knew he was just as if not more grateful for those that brought him joy and comfort while he faced his own life storms...
Lovely forest adventure illustration done by artist FortunataFox! Also at [@FortunataFox] Original artist post here: [Rainy Day In The Forest]
Lion doing a protecc for some forest critters belongs to me DexterLion also at [@DexChillViber]
Category Artwork (Digital) / All
Species Lion
Gender Male
Size 1280 x 910px
Listed in Folders
A wonderful story combined with a beautiful picture. Dexter, you are a relaxing storyteller and have taken us on an amazing journey. Seriously, I could see you as a fabulous writer and here's the evidence. Sending applause and big hugs.💖⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🙌👍👍👍
Haha, this super cute. I love the short story you made to go with it.
How long did that storm last for? You must have been soaked to the skin
Awwwww what a beautiful story and piece of art to complement it! Dexy's got a huuuuuge golden heart <3
That style so reminds me of The Secret of Kells: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9_3k4U08Yc
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