Once In A While [Skyy]

“Come on, just a bit further.”

He’d been saying the same words so often over the last few moons that it felt like just an afterthought. However, Seren never complained. The tiny tom just kept walking, or let himself get picked up depending on what the time period was. Right there and then, despite the exhaustion that clung to his limbs and eyes, his brother bounced through the grass, all the energy a kit should have. He didn’t deserve to be travelling, constantly forced to over with him. Yet, Cawnen couldn’t just leave him behind. Not after they’d lost Iris in early days. He swallowed with the memory, before giving his head a shake, and refocusing on his brother.

The tortoiseshell kit stopped suddenly, and immediately Cawnen's gaze moved to follow the kit’s, the silver cat on the fence for a moment making his heart jolt. After a beat, though, it passed, the striking image of his mother’s silvery gray pelt disappearing, instead fading to someone unfamiliar. Cawnen gestured with his tail for Seren to go down low, as he moved forward, alert and cautious. He didn’t want to interact with a stranger, least of all right there. But, they needed guidance.

“Oi, don’t suppose you know the best hunting grounds around here?” He called up, tail flicking, posture alert and ready, sharp blue eyes watching the cat’s every moment, in case she turned out to be hostile. The last thing he wanted was a fight.

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tagged: sybil

Bright blue eyes studied the she-cat with the upmost caution, as he straightened slightly, fighting the urge to straighten the fur across his chest. He didn’t like cats having the upper position on him, but, the situation called for tolerance of it. So, he stood tall on long legs, ears pricked straight and tabby pelt as flat as he could make it stay. At least, if things went the wrong way Seren was far enough back he was well and truly out of the firing line. That was what mattered in the end. However, the silver she-cat just offered a smile and answered his question, and Cawnen forced himself to relax slightly. Enough not to seem like he was threat in himself.

"The barn always has mice, but if you don't want to be around others the field back behind me with the big black and white animals also has them all over. It’s better than risking the forest." The tabby tom wrinkled his nose at the idea of being around others. No, it was the two of them, and as long as he could help it he wanted it to stay exactly that way. He wasn’t ready to forget all those he’d just lost quite yet. He glanced back toward the grass slightly, a brief flare of amusement blossoming in his chest at the tiny pair of amber eyes that peered over the grass from a tortoiseshell head. Seren had to keep an eye on things, didn’t he?

“Well, I can’t say a crowd is awfully appealing, but if cows are the only threat, I can take on a field.” He paused for a moment, before the she-cat’s words got to him, and immediately the tom’s ears were pricked again. “What’s in the forest that makes it a threat?” He didn’t bother highlighting he wasn’t from the area, no doubt his scent of mountains would give that well enough away. Cawnen took a few steps forward, before bunching his muscles, and leaping up onto the beam of the fence. It took him a moment to get his footing, one leg slipping off and claws digging into the woods as he straightened, drawing level with the she-cat. “Cawn, are you okay?” A tiny voice had him looking down, as he flicked his tail comfortingly toward Seren. “Yeah! Not a problem,” he meowed back, before turning his attention back to the she-cat in front of him, straightening. “Sorry, we're not familiar with the area,” he finally added.

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tagged: sybil

"Oh the cows are no threat, they look at you and if anything lick you." A twitch of a smirk twisted at the tom’s lips. “Well, a lick could be a threat if taken the wrong way,” he meowed, bobbing his head thoughtfully. Not that he intended to get all that close to a cow, and certainly not let Seren anywhere near one. Not, no matter, cows could wait, his curiosity was more toward the forest. There seemed to be scents of something living in there, but what was really the danger? He could take on a few strays looped together.

"Well, I was always told stories of cats in large groups, clans. Very territorial and will chase even the smallest kitten out viciously. We once lost one of our older kittens to that forest, haven't seen him sense."

Huh. The mere idea unsettled his pelt, and had Cawnen straightened slightly. Clans, huh? Well, that made things a little harder. The more groups of cats they could avoid the better, especially if they attacked without warning. His ears lowered slightly, whiskers twitching. Well, that was good to know ahead of time. Well, it seemed like the fields were the way to go! Maybe they could get some hunting practice in for Seren, grab a bite and continue away from the strange territories. "I can show you around and help out a bit. I haven't hunted much yet today either."

Wait, what? Cawnen’s ears pricked straight again, head tilting. That he wasn’t so sure on. His gaze flicked back to Seren, before to the she-cat. They didn’t really need to company, even if maybe his comment about being new in the area indicated it. But, then again, if they were going to avoid trouble, maybe getting a hand was the best way to go. “That would be brilliant!” He settled on, giving an enthusiastic bob of his head, and leaping back down off the fence. “Anything you’ve got to share would be greatly appreciated!’

He gave a bob of his head, and gestured for Seren to come forward with his tail, before looking to the she-cat. “My name’s Cawnen, by the way. This is Seren.”

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tagged: sybil