[Brilliance]

Originally Posted by Beam

Fennec frowned, knowing that Timid was right. He didn't understand the Syndicate, why should he be asking? All he imagine din his head were dark, showing trees and a red and black misty gloom cast over a tumble of brambles bordering a clearing. The cats, well, he imagined torn ears and scars and missing eyes. One person ordering everyone around and forcing Timid to hunt for them. He shivered at the thought, if Fennec were to ever step foot in that place, he felt like he wouldn't last a day without getting punished or whatnot, more of his temper than his strength. He was just one of the lucky ones living in the forest.

Well, not entirely lucky. His childhood was rough. Watching his mother grow into something evil after what she did. Fennec would've forgiven his mom for her sudden outburst that started it all, but she was like a pebble and a mountainside, one little fleck of a rock ca cascade down and knock bigger ricks down until the whole mountain was a thundering avalanche. Where was Fennec in the middle of that avalanche, though? he was buried underneath, very shallow though, and the rocks shifted of him to move out. That was lucky: he had a clear escape. But still, the scars were still there and the memories were still fresh.

When Timid spoke again, he felt a sense of empathy. Anyone was scared to leave a place they called home. Including him. He was speechless for this matter, he couldn't say 'you shouldn't be scared', because he was getting fear of the Syndicate just by verbally hearing about it, Timid should be scared. But that didn't hep. He couldn't say 'then don't leave', because timid deserved mor ethen to be bosses around by an evil leader. Instead, he just nodded, "I understand."

Fennec's ears perked up when Timid's voice hung in the air again. His tail curled when she complimented him. He beamed at the smile she gave him, and returned it back to her, trying to look genuinely happy and friendly. His smile came more naturally when Timid wished she lived here: that gave her a perfect reason to accept his hospitality. Fennec didn't know why, but because Timid needed a home, he practically handed her his whole shelter. His tail Then suddenly fell flat again when she commented on how lucky he was.

Like he had thought of before: he wasn't really lucky. He had stumbled upon this place. It seemed heavenly, and he usually took the views for granted. Yes, it was a place to live, but why he was there: he had left his past behind him. Though every night he saw the faces of his family happy and smiling, until he got to the point in his train of thought that they were grimacing, or shouting in pain, or scared, or frightening. Luck was a delicate thing, sometimes karma counted as luck, sometime people were just lucky, others were just not. He had a bad past, he got to live here without anything but his mind to remind him of his family. Some cats got everything. They were perfect. Others, for some reason, they were just at the wrong place at the wrong time and became miserable. With all these counters in his head, Fennec just declared himself normal. His younger ages were unlucky, yet his older were looking towards a silver lining. Neutrally Facing All The Bad Luck.

Fennec felt his blushing feeling return when Timid responded to his prompt. Fennec kept calm, nodding when he needed to. His hopes started to slowly build up every time Timid paused and spoke. The more timid stared at him with her green irises the more nervous he got; as well as eager for the answer. His hoped dropped a few levels when Timid answered, "Oh. Okay.." He trailed off awkwardly. He had no idea of how to continue the conversation without looking like a total fool, so he stayed silent after that. He placed a regular, welcoming, and ambiguous expression on his face, even though he felt a little disappointed, Timid still could say yes to him.

He bit his lip. Why was he so desperate for Timid to stay with him? Evidently, he was doing a deed for a cat in need. Yet he felt desperate, why did he want Timid to stay with him so badly? He inhaled, he had no idea why. He would just leave it at that.

"It such a big area, Timid."He replied. Did he want this place all to himself? He twitch this whiskers and peered at Timid welcomingly, his eyes relaxed and his tail tip curling, "I don't want it all to myself, all the other cats around should have a piece too."he paused for a moment, taking in the sunlit pine trees and the almost glowing flora around him. Timid was right, this place was beautiful. Fennec had a jolt of surprise as Timid's eyes found his for a second; his ears perked up and he felt his tail wave.

"Of course ill show you around." he purred, maybe if she saw the territory, she'd want to stay and accept his hospitality offer, "You'll love it." He stood on his four paws, his tail sweeping behind him as he started to slowly walk in the direction of the aspen trees that were commonly littered around the territory. He watched Timid for her next response. It could be just this tour of the territory that could convince her to leave the syndicate. This small thing could make her life better, like the flap of a butterfly's wings could cause or cease a hurricane. It was possibly the small things that could affect Timid's life, and Fennec wanted it to be a positive event.

Timid hopped on her paws to scramble after him. She did want to see this territory, and no way did she want to be left behind. Timid didn't like being alone. She always feared that something might jump out at her or snatch her up. Anything worse that could happen. Timid was an extreme sweetheart--never would even hurt a fly, though this contradicts with her prey hunting. Since she proved to be excelled in hunting. The she cat hates taking life from creatures, and every time she was successful at catching something, she prayed to thank for the food. Now, the Syndicate did not believe in Starclan, but Timid liked to believe that there was a higher power. She wanted to believe in Starclan because Starclan, or whatever greater power had kept her alive when she could had died so many times. Under the glare of that strong fighter, in the jaws of that ungrateful queen, or even minor hunting accidents when she sprained her hind paw one time. As far as Timid knew, she was blessed. “I'm excited to see this place!” She managed to walk slowly next to him, making sure to follow him, but her eyes never left the scenery. The beautiful scenery that laid around them.

The she cat flicked her tail, continuing to walk alongside Fennec. She found every aspect of the sun’s light to be beautiful as it hit their surroundings. She found everything to be simply stunning, and she wished she held this piece to her life. But, if I stayed, surely someone would be looking for me? That's what she was scared about. Timid didn't want anyone hurt, and Syndicate cats looking for her was never good. Timid knew how to stay out of trouble. And, if she were in the inevitable trouble, she would know how to hide from it. It was a big area. That was something she could see clearly. “All this territory and you would want to sure this place?” Her voice was squealing, on a high pitched note than her original sounding, but she always got like that when she was excited. “I would never share this!” She exclaimed, which had been the actual truth. She did not notice the enthusiasm in her voice for the hostile indication. Possibly, she sounded rude. “I suppose that's the Syndicate talking in me,” she shook her head vigorously. “Those cats don't like to share. At all. No food. No nest. No anything, unless its claws, and they're swiping it against your face. That's the only thing they would share. The drama and the violence.” Unconsciously, the small cat unsheathed her claws. They were dull at the moment, not very sharp, so she relied on the softness of her paws to lock her prey and catch it. A Timid thought about sharpening them against a tree, but she was afraid they would hurt.

Shaking her head once more to rid her thoughts, the feline bounced forward, her small paws keeping at a trot. Greenery lands, the sun shining in just the right places, and as she continued walking, a strong scent of squirrel flared upon her, and the feline tensed up for a moment. Squirrel would be the perfect meal to bring back to the Syndicate--truly another piece of luxury the Syndicate hardly ever had. On the other hand, Timid felt that she didn't want to go back, yet she still was not convinced. She was confused. Very indecisive, and always feared for the worst. It was contradicting how this feline wanted to be a brightness for everyone, yet she carried a high pessimistic nature to her. Usually coming from her frightened state, and being raised in the Syndicate. She was taught to never think for herself, and simply hunt. Or, when the time came, to be taken in as a mate to bear future hunters or fighters in the Syndicate. The thought repulsed Timid. She hardly thought about the future, whether it would come to be. She tried to stay focused on the present because this was where her time landed. Time that would be wasted when thinking of the future. Or, even the past.

“How, did you ever even find this place?” She asked, turning to look at him. She was a curious cat, wanting to learn much about her new friend. He was kind. She liked him. He wasn't hounding her down, or being bossy with her, or even nipping at her when she did something wrong. He was showing her his home--the home he'd been willing to share. “Where do you even sleep? And, how is the weather here? Does it snow?” She shivered, her voice light. Timid didn't like the cold. Whenever the snow did come she would bury herself deep in a hole to maintain warmth. Another thing that the syndicate cats never shared. “Do twolegs come around here? Other cats?” Now, she was rambling, asking every question that erupted in her mind. And, it was getting closer to one question that she was begging to ask him: Where do you come from?

Timid wondered what was his backstory. He was young, living on his own. She figured at his age that he would have parents nearby, but she didn't see anyone. As far as she knew, they were the only two here. She was positive that she would be able to scent another cat if they were nearby, but nope. She was still near Fennec, lightly brushing her pelt against his. Even in a place as gorgeous as this, she was still quite...Timid. “Are there anything we should be worried about? Like sicknesses or diseases? Predators?” Her voice was shaky, her shivering state more heavy, as she leaned in closer to him. Her gaze caught sight of every movement, hearing the sound of the birds callings, or the insects croaking. “You don't have healers here. How do you even get better without someone helping you?” Back in the Syndicate, her own friend was a healer. Ryker was a young one, learning still. Not that much older than this tom beside her, actually. “Ryker is a healer. He's very kind to me, and he always helped me feel better whenever I was sick.” She softly, said. “I always hung out with him whenever I wasn't sent to hunt, and learned a few things from observing him.” She smiled at the fond memories. Ryker was literally the only cat that she would find herself next to, believing that he could be the one to protect her. Yet, Ryker had one eye and duties to tend to than play bodyguard to a scaredy cat.

“It must be lonely out here for you, right?” He was the only cat she came across, no hint or scent of a passerby. She wrinkled her nose, maybe that was why he invited her to stay with him. Well, apart of it. He thought she was a nice cat to be living in the Syndicate. And, it still made the young she cat’s heart flutter slightly. She never really received compliments within the Syndicate. Nice compliments, that is. Though there were the multiple occasionally flirting crew that loved to tease her. Something that Timid hated, yet she was afraid of them. Of course, they were fighters, so she never did anything to taunt them or ignore them. That would only make them even more angry, and as for Timid? She preferred to walk away without the bruises. Yet, this tom was showing her utter kindness, and it made her happy that she could feel appreciated. And, she thanked him for that, thinking that she should live with him. Live with him until it was discovered that she was gone. She could live with him and grow a deep friendship. Maybe, that was something they both could like. One less lonely cat…

Yet, there were always something to worry about. And, what they thought would be a cloudless blue day, anything could strike. A rain storm like no other. Timid was afraid of what could happen, or the consequences that would follow. And, here she was. Still debating on what she wanted to do.