NOTE: I DID NOT MAKE THIS ART!!!

It was made by Rhyu.
You can find it here: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/13497002/

The character belongs to me.
Art by  rhyu.

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I stopped the car on the side of the road next to some hilly woods. A few cars passed from either direction, but traffic was slow. It had been raining most all afternoon, but it finally looked the like the front was passing just in time for the sun to set. Well, it seemed that way anyways, judging for the light in the sky.

I turned off the windshield wipers and just lets the light drops fall and splatter in piece. I leaned over the wheel until my muzzle was just about pressed up against the windshield. The sky was still overcast and grey. Of course it was, because it'd still be a while before the sun actually set. But I had this feeling on the fur on the back of my neck that this sunset would be special, much like the ones I saw over the water after rainstorms back in Florida. Even if it was a while before the sun set, it would be a while before I reached the true destination through the woods, so in reality, I got there just in time.

I stepped out of the car, set my paws down on the cool, wet earth and got out. I took in a breath of air, rich with the scent of a fresh rainstorm over. The air tasted good, and it brought back memories of childhood when I was just a little cheetah cub watching the rain. Feeling the air and ground, I knew I had to feel closer the nature I was about to enter. I left most of my things in my car, save for my keys so I could lock the car, and my phone just in case of emergencies. I even removed my shirt and tossed it in the car, leaving only my shorts on, just so I could feel more of the air in my fur. A gust of wind from the cold front blew by, brushing against my spotted and striped fur. My tail twitched a bit at the sensation. I loved that crisp feeling, and my fur keeping me more or less warm, and so with that I began my hike.

I knew where I was going through these trees. I've made this trip a few times before. I'd made note of a lake not too far away that I knew I had to visit on a day like today. If I was right, the trip out here would be well worth it. I took step by step through the small, tree lined path. I felt the wet dirt and grass beneath my paws, my claws digging into the ground with each step. I felt over the rough bark of the trees with a padded, paw like hand as I walked by. They were wet from the rain, and it matted down some of the fur on my hand paw.

It was still raining when I got out of the car before my hike, if you can call it rain. You could barely even call it a drizzle. It felt more like a mist, really. One or two small drops ever few seconds fell on my fur, but it wasn't bad. In the woods, the rain was being filtered through the canopy above, and so the falling drops grouped together and fell as one larger drop, falling onto my head or shoulders or tail or wherever. I liked that feeling though, of the small drizzle. A downpour would feel downright miserable, but a drizzle was more refreshing than anything. With with wet earth beneath my paws, and the rain and occasional breeze in my fur, I felt closer to nature than I had in a long time.

I looked up and saw the light through the leaves begin to change. It was getting closer to that time, but I knew I was almost to the lake. I was in no rush. How I got to the lake was almost as important as being there. So I continued on without a care, focusing more on the serenity of the woods I was walking though. I moved my ears about, listening to the sounds of the rain falling though the trees, that wonderful white noise of falling water on ground and leaf. I heard a few birds, making their voices heard to whomever might be listening. I heard the rustle of leaves as the wind blew past with its cool force, and I felt it in my fur. I shivered a bit, but it felt good and refreshing, just like the rain.

Before I knew it, I had reached my destination. It was a hilltop overviewing the lake with a large tree atop it. I gazed upon the dance of light that played atop the rippling water in the distance. Rose and orange light reflected from the bottom of the clouds as the sun sank beneath them on its decent towards the horizon. The hills in the distance glowed in the radiance in the warm, golden light. I gazed in awe, as the light twinkled on the water below.

I was at a loss for words. I was expecting something like this, but the scene still managed to surpass any expectations I held. I didn't even bother pulling out my phone to take a picture, because I knew whatever amateur skill I had would merely result in a poor imitation of what I saw with my own eyes. Such a photograph would be an insult the natural beauty I gazed upon.

A smile grew on my muzzle, as I reminisced once more upon my childhood memories. Ever sensation I felt seared this scene into my mind to go along with those I collected over the years of scenes like this. The feeling of wind and rain in my fur, of grass and dirt on my paws. I clenched my toes, let them dig into the moist earth. I held tight onto the tree next to me, claws pressing into the bark, and I felt the old tree in my hand paw. The sounds of distant splashing on the water and rustling trees and falling rain and chirping birds filled my ears as I closed my eyes, listening to the songs nature played for me. I took in a deep breath and tasted the cool, humid air. It was filled with that indescribable taste. Like fresh greens and fresh rain. Just, freshness. And that scent that filled the air after the rain. What was it called again? Petrichor. The smell of rain on parched earth.

With these sensations filling me, I opened my eyes once more to the splendor. The sky had grown darker in those few moments. The light always changes, especially at this time of day. The fire of the sunset at one side of the lake was in stark contrast to the darkness of the world to the east. Blues and purples dominated the sky and the sunlight left it, yet the ambient light still covered the land below. I'd call it a land of ice, but now I'm just getting too dramatic. Still, the scene was dramatic, and that contrast from the lingering cold front made it even more so.

However, with time, all things pass. The saturated colors of the sunset gave way to the dark as the evening fell. The wind grew colder as the last drops of rain fell, and even though my spotted fur kept the the cold at bay, I knew it was time for me to head back and leave this untarnished landscape until another day. I smiled once more, knowing that I'd keep this memory for a long time as walked back through the darkening woods.

I got to my car, and I just on the seat, my legs hanging out of the car with the door open as I gazed up into the ever darkening sky. There wouldn't be stars tonight, because there were still clouds, but I could imagine them starting to shine behind the overcast. I sighed, and I knew it was time to go. I slid my shirt back on and got fully in the car and closed the door, and I began to the leave that almost fantastical world behind me. However, I lowered my windows. I'd listen to wind as I drove by and feel it on my fur once more as I held onto that feeling. It was going to be a good night.

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Okay, wow. I really should have posted this commission months ago. I got it back in the spring time I think, and now it's almost Christmas. I'm sorry about the lack of uploads, but I get caught up with things, like school and work. But, hey, school is done for now, so that frees up time.

Also, I do apologize for that text wall above. I wanted to write a story for this, and before I knew it, I had written a tome. But, truth be told, I'm kinda proud of that little mini story. I wanted to write something to go along with just how awesome and epic this scene by Rhyu is. She did an amazing job with this.

Way back earlier this year, she had opened for some experimental environmental pictures. I jumped at the chance, because I loved her art style, and I love some awesome environmentals. So, I just asked for my cheetah to be in an environment I love: near the water around sunset after a rain. She nailed it. The whole scene with the lake and the sky and the colors perfectly conveys the sort of scene I love. I live by the water here in Florida, and this is so much like the sky after a rainstorm, and this picture managed to convey that so much better than any poor photograph I've tried taking of such scenes.

Rhyu did an amazing job with this. The scent is perfect. I love how Skips is standing there taking it all in. I love that she made it to show off his back stripes, because king cheetahs are awesome and so gotta show off those stripes. But have I mentioned how awesome that scene is? Yes. I have. But it's worth mentioning again. I love this picture so much.

Huge awesome huge thanks to Rhyu for this picture. I couldn't have asked for anything better.

And huge thanks to anyone reading and getting to this point. This is my longest text wall in a very long while, so I'm glad you didn't just go tl;dr. I hope this picture gets the attention it deserves, because this truly is one my favorites. Until next time, take care, everyone.