♪♪ [Ambrosia] by Eastern Sage & Geminite

Radiance Embrace, Her Secret Space

Ever so carefully, Dexter's ears cradle the colorful notes of some of his favorite songs. Familiar tunes eliciting a range of emotions that bring him inner peace and understanding. Perfect to go alongside the incredible view of his serene surroundings, these realms reflecting off his golden irises. A special treasure hidden high above the forest floor, that bathes in an even richer flavor of gold from the sun's rays piercing the canopy. Pillars of gold that dance and shimmer as the ocean of leaves higher up flows, influenced by a comforting light breeze. Dexter's gaze had just shifted to a pair of birds that seem to be having a delightful conversation, chirping happily at each other, when he lets out an involuntary giggle. Feeling a slight tickle from small paws probing at his legs before resting against his golden fur. Dexter stirs suddenly with a slight wiggle as he glances down, capturing the curious gaze of a squirrel staring back up at him with a tilted head.

The squirrel backs up a bit, a natural reaction to Dexter's abrupt shifting, before darting further down the branch rather quickly. Not skipping a beat, the squirrel leaps onto another branch and then scurries up the narrow trunk of a nearby tree. Only to leap off onto the branch of yet another tree. An impressive flurry of precise movements and sudden directional shifts, appearing almost like a blur to even Dexter's sharp feline eyes. All the while maintaining perfect balance. Quite the change of pace from the calm atmosphere Dex had spent the past few hours meshing with, but he can't deny his amazement at the sight. Seconds later, this amazement instantly washes away as the cold rain of disappointment hits him. Leaping off another tree, the squirrel nails a perfect landing onto a narrow branch then disappears into its home. A small hole where that branch emerges from a tall tree's trunk.

Dexter sighs, his disappointment evident by his flattened ears, not meaning to scare away the squirrel. But figuring the squirrel may come back if he waits around, he settles to remain here for a good while longer. Additionally, wishing to embrace more of the forest's incredible beauty and not wanting to wake the bird resting on his head. At least he figures the bird is asleep. Still feeling the bird's gentle form resting in his silky-smooth mane, having long ceased the energetic chirping that amused Dexter right after landing on him some time ago. Dexter takes a deep breath then slowly exhales to relax after watching the thrilling performance that managed to spark twinges of adrenaline within him. He then leans back slowly until his back presses against the sturdy tree trunk behind him. "Hmmmmm..." a slight pause. Dexter then starts doing a little side-to-side motion with his back, coaxing out a deep purr as the rough bark gives him a much-needed back scratch. His eyes begin to lid out of pure enjoyment, loving the little massage so much he tunes out the environment briefly. At least until his eyes flash back open fully, shoving aside the forest's beauty as his eyes lock onto that hole again. Dexter's back-scratching motion subsiding slightly, catching the familiar gaze of the squirrel curiously observing him from afar.

"What? It's not weird. You'll enjoy it if you try it!" Dexter shouts with a humorous tone, shrugging with a smile at the squirrel. The squirrel shifts around a bit, still half inside the safe confines of its cozy home. Dexter then cranks things up a notch, getting a bit more dramatic with his side-to-side movements. Unable to control the giggling at himself thinking how ridiculous he must look. To not only the squirrel, but surely numerous other forest residents observing from various distances. Dexter's ears perk up suddenly, noticing the squirrel fully emerging from the hole. Slow and cautious, but progress, he thinks to himself. That bushy tail flicking energetically back, forth and side to side, all the while keeping its gaze focused on Dex for a few seconds more. Then Dexter lets out a hearty chuckle, a flurry of excitement and amusement as the squirrel mimics his silly movements. "That's it! Get you a nice massage going!" Dexter shouts with a bit more laughter. By now he was practically dancing against the tree, not even caring how out of place he looks. Only focusing on having fun, figuring the squirrel was too as more of his back-scratching movements are replicated.

Dexter's dance-ish self-massaging stops abruptly as the bird resting atop his head begins to chirp again. Musical chirps easily heard over the music playing in his ears. That soon flatten again, but this time from embarrassment having woken the bird with his playful antics. Or at the very least interrupting the bird's resting. He props up and leans forward to let out lighter chuckles, apologizing to the bird. "Sorry, guess I got a bit carried away there heheh." He then carefully reaches up, placing a finger on the bird's feathery back to give a soft stroking motion. "You can get a little massage too." The bird then stands, small feet like stilts barely able to lift the feathery belly above his mane fur. Dexter pulls his hand back to give space in case the bird decides to take off. But thankfully the bird doesn't. Only taking a few awkward steps around then settling right back down in a comfortable spot. Dexter gives a few more rubs and a soft pat before letting out another relaxed sigh.

With Dexter's back resting against the trunk once again, he begins to hum the tune of a song playing through his earphones. Glancing back up to the squirrel, who by now was further out on the branch outside of the hole. Tail flicking all the while staring at him. Dexter takes a moment to remove the earphones from his ears, exposing them to the natural symphony of forest sounds meshing so perfectly. Normally, Dexter would focus on this. A song unique to this space with its own flavor of beauty. Very much distinct from other places he'd settle down to embrace the outdoors. But his attention remains held by the squirrel. Hoping the little fuzzball would him.

The two sit staring at each other for a good 15 minutes. Dexter's gaze only shifting away to trace the path of birds expertly maneuvering between the tight collection of trees. Presenting a wide variety of colors from so many feathered species, briefly illuminating as their majestic forms through the scattered pillars of sunlight streaming down. Beautiful, yet always returning to the curious squirrel. Dexter gives a few light pats to the side of his leg with a warm inviting smile. But the squirrel remains still. He then says in a tone he knows the squirrel can't hear given the distance. "Ya know, if these branches were strong enough, I'd happily walk over to you." Dexter laughs to himself, "I'd even you in your little squirrel home too if you'd invite me in." Of course fully aware of the absurdity of his big self in that small hole, but he can't help it. Imagining a perfectly furnished small home with a range of cute little trinkets. Expertly crafted from the husks of acorns, remnants of pinecone, and various other forest elements. All set up in a layout resembling a kiddo's miniaturized toy house. Not complete without the cherry on top, another squirrel mate sharing the space. "Dawwwww!" Dexter thinks as he yanks himself out of his imagination. He then glances back towards the squirrel and... "Gone? Oh!" Losing sight of the squirrel briefly, soon noticing the squirrel navigating the obstacle course of branches and tree trunks. At a much slower pace than before yet still quite impressive. A few times Dexter catches himself ten as the squirrel makes a sudden leap, then making a hmmmfff-ing sound at himself for doing so. A self reminder the squirrel was a natural acrobat and could likely pull off feats and maneuvers even more incredible than what he'd seen so far. He figures all of this was practically just a chill Sunday stroll for the squirrel.

The process was much slower. Lacking the panic from earlier yet carrying heavy flavorings of caution as Dexter expects. From one branch and one tree to another the squirrel continues closer and closer. Every so often pausing to stare at Dex, then continuing. Right up until that one final leap, landing at the end of the sturdy branch that Dexter sits on. A few seconds by, both staring at each other sitting perfectly still. Or Dexter tried as his frame begins to vibrate from a soft giggling, unable to resist how adorable the squirrel looks. Facing slightly away and sitting in that classic squirrel pose. Propped up slightly with forepaws tucked against the small puff of chest fur. Dexter slowly reaches his hand out towards his knee, then gives a slight patting motion. The squirrel recoils ever so slightly, sitting lower then back higher. Looking left, looking right, then back at Dexter. "You're a curious little fuzzball arencha?" Dexter says in a soft voice. In response, the squirrel cautiously lowers until all four paws grasp the branch again. Soon approaching the much larger foreign being, closing the remaining distance with much less caution and a lot more curiosity.

"There ya go!" Dexter says with a smile, the familiar feeling of those small paws resting against his leg once again. He then carefully lifts his hand, placing it on the squirrel's head to give a comforting, reassuring rub. The squirrel seems to relax quite a bit more afterward, climbing up onto his leg without much worry. Giving a few flicks with that bushy tail as the ball of fluff curiously examines him. Dexter gives a few more gentle pets, "You have quite the beautiful home you know that?" The squirrel starts to make some faint chattering sounds, looking back out to the surroundings then beginning to play with Dex's hand. He can tell the squirrel was amused by the vast difference in size. "Heh what these hands have in size they certainly lack in Dexterity." Dexter laughs at his pun. Then brings his other hand to rub behind his head, slightly embarrassed at the thought of his clumsy lion self attempting to traverse this space higher up in the trees. "I think I'll just leave it to the pros." He says, smirking as he gently bumps a finger against the squirrel's hands that were tucked against the critter's chest again.

"Ya know, I really wish I could stay here forever. Many of the places I've explored have their own particular beauty. And while it's tough to say which is my favorite, this spot is definitely up there." Dexter says with a colorful tone, again complimenting the squirrel who continues to go from scanning the surroundings and ing birds, to playing with his larger lion hand. Dexter still finds this amusing, but with that amusement comes an ever-increasing blanket of sadness that begins to grip him. He doesn't want to it it, but he knows the gradually fading vibrance of those golden sunshine pillars are a sign the day is just hours away from coming to a close. He'd parted ways with animals he'd befriended countless times before, yet never found it any easier each time he had to. Wishing he could stay with each and every one of them, or bring them back home with him. But he knew that wasn't much of a possibility.

"I'll have to go soon ya little fuzzball. But before I go, let me share something with you." Dexter then reaches into his pocket carefully, pulling out a handful of seeds. The squirrel begins to make some delightful jittery movements, bushy tail flicking energetically at the sight. The squirrel's excitement helping ease some of his sadness, still not wanting to go but he can't help smiling as the squirrel grasps some of the seeds to nibble. "As if you couldn't get any more adorable", he says. "BUT! Looking at the bright side I'll be back. I don't know when, but you can count on that." At that moment, the bird resting in his mane fur starts to chirp again. He uses his other hand to grasp at more seeds in his pocket, holding them up for the bird to peck at. His ears twitch as the bird manages to miss a few times and peck his hand pads. "I'll be back to see you too birby. And for the both of you, next time I come I'll bring something special from my home." He doesn't quite know what just yet, but for the time being he just focuses on enjoying the rest of his time with them. Even pulling his earphones from his music device, allowing his songs to play out loud. After all, Mother Nature was so gracious as to share her song with him. He feels the least he can do is share a few of his tunes back...Incredibly beautiful nature-y illustration done by artist  salanchu! They have spectacular art talents and highly encourage checking them out! Also at [@Salanchu_] and 🟦☁️ [Salanchu _@Bsky] Original artist post here: [With the Nature]
Lion enjoying nature and making friends with the locals as usual belongs to me  DexterLion! Accompanying writing too! Also on Twitter [@DexChillViber] and 🟦☁️ [DexChillViber@Bsky]