NOTE: I DID NOT MAKE THIS ART!!!

It was made by Kippurable.
The original can be found here: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/14596944/.

The character belongs to me.
Art by  kippurable.

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The cheetah climbed up the large tree with purpose. It was actions like these where his claws truly were useful. The pads on his paws and hands pressed against the bark, as his claws dug into the tree. He pulled himself up to his most favorite branch. The trees weren't the domain the cheetahs. They belonged more to the leopards and apes who oft times resided up in the branches, or even constructing whole villages.

But this cheetah wasn't like most cheetahs you'd find running about the grassy savanna. This one, while ornamented in the traditional way of his tribe, with rings and feathers of various colors, also carried items familiar more the foreign traders and settlers that seem to want to make the coastal lands their new home. The other cheetahs didn't want to mingle with them, but the tribe didn't have the rigid structure and rules as, say, the lions who outnumbered and were much stronger than the cheetahs. And so while this cheetah was seemingly an outlier amongst his people, individuality and independence was a common trait for the cheetahs, and his mingling with the foreigners and the technology he acquired from them didn't make him an outcast, despite the general distrust of the settlers.

This cheetah, made it to his most favorite branch. The one large enough for him to sprawl out comfortable. The one the has the sunlight filtered through the canopy of the leaves. The one where he can rest his tired paws in peace. The cheetah sat down on the large branch, letting one leg dangle down. He leaned back against the trunk of the tree. He feels the rifle press against his back. It's the most valuable item he acquired from the foreigners, because it is the item that has meant the difference between going hungry or having a meal.

But right now wasn't the time for hunting. He pulled out of a pouch on his waist a cup. It was more like a little ceramic bowl to be honest. He reached his paw-like hand into the pouch one more, and he pulled out a large pinch of dry leaves. These leaves, they were so valuable to the foreigners. To his people, the leaves were just used to make a drink. Something to keep the hunters and the watchers alert. But to the foreigners, it was practically salt and gold. That's how this cheetah acquired his rifle, trading these leaves to the merchants. The cheetah placed these leaves in his little sack and placed it in the bowl, and he pulled out a water skin filled with hot water. He filled the cup with the water, and the hot water and the leaves slowly turned to tea, as the foreigners liked to call it.

The cheetah relaxes in his branch as the aroma of the leaves grew stronger. His tail flicked in anticipation. He picked up the warm bowl, and smelled the aroma coming off of the drink. He had closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The smell and appreciation of tea is one of the simple pleasures in his life, and he savored the moment. He stretched out his paws and twitched his toes happily. The tea was ready. He pulled the little sack of leaves, and he set it aside. At first, he lapped up some of the tea to test the heat. He purred quietly to himself, and the cheetah began to sip at his tea.

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Yay! I finally get to post this commission! I'm always excited to post more Tribal Skips. I especially love this one, because Tribal Skips has so far always been depicted as being on the hunt. But his life is more than just hunting. And I wanted to show a quieter moment in his life or daily habits.

So, a year back or so, I had found the artist Kippurable. She's this artist that had been making extremely awesome art, for an extremely good price. And she seemed like a perfect fit to do a Tribal Skips picture. So, when she opened up for commissions after I found her art, I definitely jumped on the opportunity.

Unfortunately, I didn't quite have a solid idea at the time. I just knew I wanted to do something a bit different. But, suddenly, inspiration came to me. I was trying to figure out backstory for Tribal Skips, and I figured I'd explain he got his rifle by selling tea (which I'm just going to say is an abundant resource where Tribal Skips is). So, I thought, why not a picture of Skips enjoying tea?

Kippu liked the idea, and it definitely showed in the finished product. I absolutely love the picture, because it perfectly captures what I was wanting. Skips just quietly admiring the tea's aroma just before he takes a sip. And it's a brilliant picture. I love his expression. And I love all the details in the picture. I love the fur details and the stretched out town on his dangling paw. I love all the trees and the sunlight filtering down. I just love this so much.

Unfortunately, since that time Kippu opened up for commissions where I commissioned this picture, I don't think she's opened up again since then. I think she's busy with life or a job or something, but I shouldn't assume. But if you're looking to commission her as well, I don't know if you'd be able to any time soon. She still posts art every now and then, so at least it's good to know she's alive.

Super huge thanks to Kippurable for making this amazing picture. You rock at the art stuff, Kippu.