In his time of absolute brokenheartedness, in his lengthy period crestfallen dreams, in his long-lasting state of sorrow, Leo certainly needs some signs of hope, remnants of reassurance that life isn't terrible and that life will most certainly get better.

'Course in his silent search for solace and peace in the heart, he hadn't expected consoling to appear in the form of a rather exotic and spooky-looking forest creature to spontaneously spring on him as he ventured deep into the woods one evening!

The tall Greater Wysper looked down at the startled lion, staring at him with curiosity, sensing his strong, hurt feelings in his darkened aura. Wanting to help the poor ninja lion, Ghost wrapped her arms around him, staring into his brown eyes with her own dark, sunken-in, almost-soulless eyes with a look of empathy for the creature unknown to her whom she'd only want to be friends with. Her warm smile radiated underneath her half-skull mask, carefully running her sharp claws through his auburn mane soft in volume as if to try and help put his mind at ease.

"W h o a r e y o u , c a t m a n ?" Ghost asked softly.

The lion, more petrified then sad at this point (and is now fighting between both emotions in his mind and heart), widened his eyes till they were that of saucers, smiling rather nervously and unsure of how to react around this new... friend of his.

"U-um... Leo???" he replied, smiling with intrigue towards this new creature yet otherwise fighting to not scream or cry.

"T h e r e , t h e r e . . ." whispered the Wysper. "C h e e r u p , L e o ~"

Ghost whined softly and almost melodically in their gentle yet however-forced embrace, whilst Leo just took in the hug with a kind smile and battled numerous emotions of fear, sorrow, confusion, friendliness, and politeness internally all at once. Yet only one word popped up in his mind under the moonlit night in the forest.

H... Help.

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Ghost ©

Leo Nekozuki ©

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Around the beginning of this January in her Discord group, surprised some lucky peeps with warmup sketches featuring some of their characters including her own! And I must say that this was a very sweet surprise! It certainly brought a smile to my face!

Good job getting the overall pose concepts with those sketch lines showcasing both furs together; hugs are rather complex to draw in general, and it's pulled off here nicely! That's pretty cute having Leo being consoled by Ghost only to have him having second thoughts about being in the grasp of that character given their demonic-looking speech bubble!

I love this sketch warmup gift, ! Thank you so much!

GO SHOW SOME LOVE TODAY, AND TELL HER LEO SENT YOU!