It was a cloudy morning, the gray clouds casting a dull shade on the normally bright Pridelands, but at least it wasn't storming. Not yet, anyway. There was a chance that that would change eventually.
Regardless, though, the white and purple ball of fluff curled up beneath a makeshift den didn't seem to care. No, she was out cold, soft snores emerging from her cocoon of fur. This early in the morning, the adolescent didn't really notice things like "weather" or "danger". It would probably come back to bite her eventually.
As it stood, a certain pink lioness was making her way down one of the paths that wound towards the watering hole. She loved mornings, but... this was a rather dreary one, and if she wasn't aiming to hunt something, she probably would have stayed curled up in the den. Awake, probably grouchy at having to stay inside, but still more comfortable than this.
Mei sighed, ears pulled down to match the gray day. She would grab a quick drink and then make her way towards where the herds were. Hopefully she could catch something fairly easily and then head back.
But then an unfamiliar scent rolled towards her. Freezing, she narrowed her eyes and focused in on a nearby... hovel? It wasn't the most impressive den she'd ever seen, made up of a grand total of two sticks, a log and... was that grass? How had they even managed that?
Approaching carefully, Mei gazed down at the strange ball of fur. Curled up as they were, she couldn't tell if they were lion, leopard or otherwise.
But... she couldn't just leave them out here. This was a terrible shelter. They'd get rained on immediately once it started.
She raised a paw and rapped lightly against what she assumed was their side once, twice, another two times, before moving back cautiously. She didn't want to be too close in case they turned out to be hostile.
The ball of fluff seemed to twitch under that prodding, before a bleary green eye peered out. Who was.... what time was it? Cloudy days like this always left her feeling particularly exhausted.
Finally, the pink form in front of her came into focus, and Meera yawned as she uncurled herself to stretch out her long legs. Ugh, she just wanted to keep sleeping. It may not have been the warmest spot, but this was more than comfortable. A good sleeping spot.
Clucking her tongue against the top of her mouth, the cheeton squinted at the lioness, "Hmmwat?"
There was a moment of silence as Mei weighed the other up. Then, she snorted and allowed herself to untense. She'd met a few hybrids in her life, cheetons - a cheetan and lion mix - included, and most cheetons weren't all that aggressive. On the contrary, they were typically very passive or timid around lions, given how easily they could lose in a fight. Additionally, this one still seemed young. Certainly coming out of adolescence, given her size, but the lack of significant muscle or course fur showed her youth.
So she deemed it safe for the moment. And chose to let her motherly instincts kick in.
"You should find better shelter." She cringed slightly as she looked over the hovel in front of her, "This won't be sufficient for the upcoming storm."
Meera blinked and glanced around at her den, "What's wrong with this?"
And then, as if it was just waiting for that question to be asked, a breeze blew by and with a groan and creak, one of the sticks fell over, taking the rest of the shelter down with it. The cheeton stared out at the lioness with wide eyes as she was suddenly covered in a blanket of grass and twigs, looking a bit like she was wearing someone's hide over her.
Which... ended up being the thing that broke Mei's nervousness, judging by the soft chuckles that grew into full-blown laughter at the sight of her.
Meera huffed, and tried to shake herself out. "Okay, okay. Maybe you have a point...." She sighed, "I don't know where to go though."
As her laughter died down to small giggles, Mei shook her head. She didn't think there'd be any harm in this one being close to Pride Rock, and while she wouldn't be allowed in the main dens, there were areas that visitors could stay.
"Come on. Pride Rock has a few extra dens, and it's better than being out in the rain, wouldn't you say?"
What she hadn't expected though, was the bashful look that came over the youth.
It had occurred to her to ask her dad about that - of course it had. But... "I, um..." She scuffed a paw against the ground, "I don't want to impose." After all, she wasn't planning on staying here. What right did she have to do so?
Plus... she didn't say it aloud, but a little part of her was nervous at the thought of sleeping by so many other people. The most she'd ever been around was her siblings and mother. A pride full of people... that was a whole other ball game.
Mei blinked, before an understanding smile grew on her face. "It's no trouble, really. We have some spare areas that are further from the others, and I can stick around, if it will make you feel better." Plus, she could get out of hunting duty for the moment.
She chuckled, "It'll be fun. Rather like a sleepover."
Meera bite at her lip, before giving a tentative smile back. "... Alright." She perked up a little more at the mention of it being fun. She wasn't one to turn away from that.
Plus, her current shelter wasn't... exactly usable now anyway. She needed to learn how to make or find good shelter in the future. Definitely something to work on.
This lioness certainly seemed friendly too, and she had a feeling she'd enjoy getting to know her. No harm in making friends, after all! It just meant that she would have someone else to visit when she stopped by again.
"Lead the way."
The pridelander nodded and then, motioning with her head, began walking away, the two chatting between each other as they walked.