It's a Small World Afterall

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

This water...it was...too much. I had never been an intolerant feline, but I was getting there with this rain. Hell, I enjoyed swimming, but I wanted to be dry on occassion, too. If I wasn't careful, this rain would block my senses from noticing a Folami. I shuddered at the thought, images of my brother tearing through my mind. I could not afford to grieve, not here. Not ever. Depression didn't suit me. I would turn a blind eye to the fact that my brother, otherwise known as my best friend, was torn to pieces right in front of me and I didn't do a damn thing to stop it because I am a coward.

Damn it.

I dropped my head below my shoulders and lowered my tail. I let my brother die because I was too afraid to move. Well, never again. Next time someone is in danger, I will throw myself into the heat of battle. I had to. I had to prove to the world that I was not a terrible monster. I'm a good cat. Honest. Yet here I came crossing over pride-line borders. I could just barely smell it on the tufts of brambles that sit scattered in these drowning vallies, the faint, washed away smells of a single feline. A female, from what I could gather. If I was a good cat, I would sit on the border and wait for the alphess to come by and welcome me onto her turf. But, alas, I knew there would be few border patrols in these heavy rains...especially so close to a dangerous river such as that only feet away from me now. I curved my direction to follow it, though keeping several feet between us, knowing rains such as this would loosen its edges. Now all I could do was walk by the egde and wait to meet up with somebody, or pass on through unchallenged.

Somewhere, deeper than I dared to delve in my mind, I beckoned forward a stranger that can help me remember that I was good once.

OOC//: What is this shit!? Sorry, Kuna, I just hate opening posts so much. I fail so miserably. -.- I need dialogue, haha.

[elledontyoudare]

Wet paws, dirt, mud. fuck this mud seriously, what does a cat have to do to get into some dry land. I mean i almost miss dust, I cant even believe I'm admitting that. I rounded the corner with my rout coming at full speed, I wasn't Kite, I wasn't a natural born runner, but we do have similar ancestors so why the hell not.

I glided across the, ecky muddy earth, my ears flat against the back of my head, my tail far behind me, when I saw it.

A small figure in the distant, and by what I could make out, it was feline? I kept speed as I dove towards him, mud spraying in every direction.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

It was only a moment's time of following the river before I began to hear the faint sound of something other than its roar. Splashing, aside from the rain pattering on the muddy earth, traveled softly, getting louder as its source, supposedly grew closer. I narrowed my eyes and stopped, scanning that which surronded me. Before long I could make out the murky shape of a creature bursting at me at a high speed through the rain. My back arched as my back legs burned to dash away in alarm, fur unable to spread out to appear large, due to the rain matting it down. Every instinct shouted that I was in danger. Then it hit me.

This was was in danger, too.

"Woah, slow it down! The river!" I bellowed it as loudly as my vocals permitted, hoping it would echo off the rain to be caught by this cat. It was a decent bit larger than I; if he did not notice this river edge that dropped into the churching waters a few feet lower, and he fell in, what the hell would I be able to but run around aimlessly searching for larger help? By that time, it would be too late. I knew I had to do something more--so I charged at this cat with ears flat back and tail stiff lengthed behind me. I could do little more than try to surprise this feline into stopping before he was too close to keep from slipping over the edge.

Oh, but I was so afraid.

[elledontyoudare]

I dug my claws deep into the mud, but mud was mud, and it had no traction. I was slowing down but not fast enough. The poor feline in front of me was, I'm sure deathly scared. He back arched "Hello." I managed to call out before i smacked straight into him.

again mud flew everywhere. I wasn't to sure were we landed or what happened but I was covered in.

mud.

what i was running to try and avoid. I Had just groomed myself too, but no! Who cares if little ole' me just got a bath,, send Tux out for the next run. I growled under my breath remembering just how much I hated being out her in the sticks.

Fuck this place, it can just go to hell for all I care. Its wet, and its cold. and I miss my fuzzy warm bed. I glanced down at my collar hoping it didn't get to dirty for the impact, before glancing over to where I thought the head was to my fellow friend

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

The impact--I should have expected it. What caught me off guard more so than the impact, however, was the hello given right before it. I landed a foot away, but slid in the wet terrain until I was a couple feet away from this animal. Dripping with filth, I was quick to get back to my feet. My terror watched from the sidelines, but I let concern stand in the frontline. "Are-are you okay? Sorry, I was afraid you'd fall in that river over yonder." I lifted a paw to point in the general direction of the river's roar, before turning back to this mud-painted man. "Gee, dude, I am real sorry about that." I moved closer and dared to reach out and brush some mud from his side, ignoring that I was also dripping in the gook. Judging by his hello before impact, I took this man to be one who would not act aggressivly towards me for colliding with him.

But one can never really know.

"Uh, no hard feelings?" My voice was shaky as I questioned him, forcing myself to meet his eyes despite wanting to look everywhere but. In all reality, I still wanted to flee the scene...but my cowardice had murdered my brother. I would not let it murder my chance at keeping from having an enemy, too. I did not sit down, despite the ache in my joints from the chill of the mud and rain. I had to be prepared for anger, should it come. This cat, though not a large breed, was still bigger than I by a good deal. When one is a house-cat sized coward in a world of monster sized warriors, you have to accept that running is the very best thing to do.

[elledontyoudare]

"Oh sorry, sometimes I forget how slipper this shit is." I lifted my paw, making a unpleasant expression on my face as I watched the goo dipped off it. "And its cool, sorry for crashing into yah, I'd hate to fall into that river bed."

I stood up trying to shake the mud off as much as possible without hitting the poor guy. "So uh, new around here? I don't think I know you." I tilted my head a bitch staring him into the eyes. I wonder what breed he is, he is awfully small. I ignored my fur, it was cold and I was wet, and I was sure it looked horrible, which sucks. Looking like a complete mess for this new guy. So there went good impressions out the door. I frowned.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

I relaxed, letting the burn of apprehension leave. This tom seemed nice enough, even apologizing to me, despite there being no fault to place on him. I sat down, accepting that I was covered in mud, thus not being bothered by the feel of it beneath my rump. My tail wove its way neatly around my paws, pushing up a small hill of mud and burying them in the process.

Ah, there it was. "Yeah, I am not from around here. The name's Geronimo, friend." I did not ask for his name, knowing he would give it if he were comfortable doing so. "I apologize for crossing onto your pridelands--I assume you are part of the pride I scented, yes?" That I would push for, my tone slightly curved in eagerness. I had heard of the insanity in Ende, the sorrow in Zonta, and the militant...ness of Akando....but what was here on these lands? Something new? And by the impression this cat was leaving on me,it was something good.

You just don't find good things much anymore.

[elledontyoudare]

I waved over to go sit under one of the near by brush, no need ot carry out a conversation in this mess. sitting down. "Ah yeah, Names Tuxedo, but my friends just call me Tux. Nice to meet yah mo." I smiled a pearly white smile, at least i wasnt the only one here with mess up fur. "Yeah I was just on patrol, You a loner or something? Some guys out here could eat yah alive, and I know some of them." I chuckled a bit. "But no worries I'm here now, and nothing going to eat yah with me here." I joked like I was actual protection. I tilted my head at the other, the tip of my tail wagging a bit.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

This was Tux, and I am Mo. I could live with that...if allowed. I eyed him curiously, smirking at his protection comment, despite how it all made me uneasy. Was he being serious that there were characters here that'd eat me had I run into them instead of him? Thoughts of folami flashed across my mind briefly, but I threw the ideas out, realizing no pride would ever allow a folami. Perhaps he was just speaking of size-wise with a bit of an attitude? Perhaps some cats were defensive, asked questions later? I couldn't figure it out, but I cleared my mind. He had answered my question, so the least I could do was answer his.

"Well...yeah, I am a loner." Would I be too pushy to go as far as to request consideration for this pride? It occurred to me then that I had already decided this pride had to be new, seeing as I knew nothing about it besides what I could gather from this tom right now. They would be eager for new members, if I was correct. "But, I have to be honest, I am more social than I thought originally." I paused, looking downwards at the inner side of my right foreleg. The mud covered my scar, and I began to notice it cover the one on my stomach, too. Perhaps all the scars were hidden. I couldn't suppress a small sigh of relief. I was not ready to tell these cats of my origin. Telling them would lead to me having to admit that my brother died because I was a coward. No one wants a coward in their pride.

Flicking back my ears to hide the tears and scars on left one, I met eyes with this tom once more. "Would you have any reservation against bringing me to your alphess, Tux? I--" I managed a smile. "I am curious about this pride and I may have an interest in joining, if you'd allow." Would this man deny me, even after the kindness he has given? I would accept it graciously.

I was too much a coward not to.

[elledontyoudare]

I smiled again. "Sure thing, hon." I stood, scratching that annoying itch right behind my ear. "And you seem like a interesting fella, it would be nice to have you around." I shook my fur out again. "Alright care to a company me for the end of my run? I'm almost done actually."

I stared down at my collar, it jingled a bit before starting to walk away in the same direction i was going.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

I nodded in pleasure, smiling at the 'interesting fella' remark. "I would say the same for you." I declared in a friendly manner, curving my tone into a purr towards the end of it. It had been far too long since I had had a friend, or even someone to talk to. The occasional words exchanged here and there, but not a single solid relationship since Ferdinand's passing. Look at me, now, Brother. I couldn't help but gloat a little to my confident brother's ghost, if it were even there watching over me. He had always been so sure of himself, so able to befriend anyone...while I sat in the corner of shadows, only speaking to him, the popular one, being hindered by my pitiful butt. He would be proud of me now, showing some social grace.

I began a trot, a silent acceptance to the run. I was not long-limbed like this cat, thus not built for such speed, but I would do my best to tag along. "Don't let me slow you down. I can follow scent if need be." I offered the words kindly, meaning them. This cat deserved to have his time to run without my small butt dragging him to my own pace. Everyone has their 'things'. I was more of a swimmer. In these times I had to put such a pleasure on hold because every body of water is now either mud that will eat you, or a river with a current that is too strong. But Tux deserved his running pleasure if it is still possible. "Lead the way, Soldier." I paused briefly as I paced my trot to a comfortable speed. "By the way, before you go racing, what is the name of this pride? And your alphess? Seems like useful info to have ahead of time." I managed a chuckle.

[elledontyoudare]

"Oh, well, what I met by run, I met my route, gotta finish the job." I chuckled a little to try and help the guy loosen up a bit. "And we are Pride Essen, Our lovely alphess is named Kunabee." I fell into a trot beside the other my longer limbs kept my speed a bit more then his by default but I was used to it. "So what kind of hobbies you have, Mo? You are ok with me calling you Mo?" I had to be sure, there were some who didn't take to kindly to my nicknames, grant it, most of them were angry snobs, so I called them by given nick name anyways.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Ah, yes, of course. I was being foolish in not seeing that was what he meant. I cursed myself without altering my calm expression. I could not let this cat know so soon how much utter hatred I felt for myself. Prides were not looking for members that were so terrible a person they couldn't even love themselves. I merely nodded and kept at a pace a whisker behind this long-limbed feline. My tail dropped a little lower, supposedly in submission for being on this cat's territory, but really out of admittance that I was nothing more than dirt.

"Hobbies? Um, I don't really have any." There was step one to these cats discovering I was useless. Then my expression brightened. "Well, actually, I do find some pleasure in swimming. I can fish." Good boy, Geronimo, point out the single positive you have so this group can be tricked into accepting you, caring for you and trusting you, and then having you run with your tail between your legs at the first hint of danger. How pathetic and absolutely barbaric. "Yeah, you can call me whatever you want." I meant the tone to keep its kind confidence, but it wavered slightly to drop into a hint of defeat.

"W-what about you, Tux? Running your only hobby?" I tried to chuckle to poke fun at the earlier catastrophe tied into the beast's running, but only my smile was able to be pushed forward.

[elledontyoudare]

I chuckled. at the smaller. My nerves spiking at the thought of water. "Does, uh, sleeping count?" This guy probably thought I was a interesting person, ha, I'm was probably the most boring out of the whole pride. I looked over to the other. "Fishing aye? Well that's good, we need more water lovers, I know I love fish." We rounded a corner coming to the home stretch, and this rain was not letting up.

oh what I wouldn't give to get into some simulated heating and be in the arms of my human, and watching reruns of out favorite TV shows. I tried to keep my face up, not letting the other know I was remembering my life I would never get back. "So where do you hale, Mo? Trying to keep good positive convo.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

"Ha ha, sure can!" I laughed casually at his sleeping remark. It was no Olympic sport, but it could certainly be a hobby. The honesty of this feline astounded me, forcing me to loosen my tensed muscles. I immediately re-tensed at his next question, though. Where I haled from lead to my past, which opened the door to discovery of my cowardly nature. I valued honesty greatly, but my stomach churned at the thought of telling this cat.

Slowing my pace, I dropped my ears back. I tried to keep my smile on, but it ran and hid behind a blank expression. "I, uh, hale from a folami compound." I shrugged it off nonchalantly, again thanking the mud for covering my scars. With my ears back against my skull, the shredded ear was also hidden. Without missing a beat, I quickly aimed to switch the topic back onto Tuxedo. "And you? Have a nice home to keep your memories pleasant?" I hoped he did. We need more happy stories for felines. There was so much abuse and agony behind the hearts of wildcats, it would be nice to know someone with a history they don't feel pain when sharing.