Citrine

Bloody Beginnings [TW: death]

“Over there!” the patrol car swerved to get a better view of the scene while another voice chimed in, “That’s a lot of blood.” The caretakers muttered and sighed at the sight of a gruesome lioness that lay strewn in front of them, limbs folding in ways they shouldn't be. A small rustle came from the far side of the lifeless golden fur, revealing a smaller bundle of fur. “That must be her cub! Quick, grab it before Tito comes back!” They jumped out of the car, only hesitating slightly when they saw the cub’s black marks, before gently grabbing and wrapping it in a warm towel. A roar shook the team as they ran back to the car after deeming the mother unsavable. Tito, the aforementioned lion that seemed to love murder, stepped out from the brush and started to run after them, continuing to roar like thunder. The mewling of the cub was drowned out from the yelling of the caretakers piling into the patrol car. Tito picked up his pace and ended up swiping one of the taillights as the car accelerated away. The caretaker that was holding the lion cub suddenly burst into laughter, only joined by a couple others while the rest stared at them in terror, “You’re crazy to laugh at this, Ma'am. Tito could have killed us all.” Patricia cleared her throat, as the others who laughed averted their eyes, "*ahem*, my apologies, it's how I dispel nerves. We can talk about what to do with Tito later."

The patrol car drove safely back to the facility as they all admired the cub’s half black and half gold pelt. “Awwe, it’s a little girl! She doesn’t even have any scratches on her.” Patricia cuddled the small body, “You’re lucky little one, we even have a new momma for you.” Conversations continued, and the caretakers eventually parked and went inside. The mood between them became anxious when they saw the cheetah to be the cub’s “new momma", who had just lost her cubs, pacing within her holding pen. Patricia looked at them cautiously but warmly, “It’s their best chance, we have to try.” The others nodded in agreement and started to set up for the meeting between the cheetah and the strange colored lion cub.

The lioness perked up as they placed the cub in the holding cell, adjacent to the cheetah's cage. She came to the bars separating her and the cub, growling softly. The caretakers held their breath as the cheetah suddenly stopped growling and stared at the cub for a moment. Then she started rubbing her head and body against the bars, and pawing in concern, trying to get to the cub. Patricia loosed her breath, "Open the gate, she'll be fine." Only a few of the others relaxed, but an assistant pressed the button to open the gate remotely. The cheetah squeezed through the gate and immediately went to the cub, licking her a little roughly, but clearly with love. Eventually, everyone else relaxed, some briefly became teary eyed.