[Brilliance]

Originally Posted by Beam

Fennec tensed when he felt Timid's head nuzzling his shoulder. Really, the only people he had really voluntarily curled up with was his siblings, and even then it was mostly from trembling in fear in the shadow of their mother. So the other feline's head was like a numb feeling spreading through his shoulder, to which he didn't know how to react. He only squeaked out the words "Thank You." to Timid, but what he really wanted to say was I could tell you everything...if you wanted me to.. He took a deep breath of the dull forest air and listened to her words, he never knew how much they had in common and how wistful the little golden cat was.

Fennec reviewed his thoughts again, but again, nothing but family popped up. His thoughts were too crowded with the visions of glinting, matte, and pearly claws slashing towards his face. The one time he was pressed against the ground and he felt the sharp claw digging into his foreleg. Although the pain was too great to be there in person, it hurt more to relive it over and over and over again. The hurt must’ve shown everywhere on him, because then he heard Timid talking to him. He let out a tiny laugh, shaking his shoulders. As Timid bumped him, he touched his feathery tail tip on Timid’s pelt in a friendly gesture. “Fenny? Is that my name now?” he teased, a grin engraving itself on his maw. Any sign of a sad demeanor was erased, even the melancholy glint in his eyes was sparkling with laughter at Timid’s fun nickname for him. “Then I guess I’ll call you..Timmy. Heard that one before?” he teased, watching her saying how life was too short to be sad any day. He relaxed his posture, if Timid could find happiness of the black hole of the Syndicate, then he could find happiness with his past behind him.

But could he find it with a grieving heart?

At that, his smile faded and was replaced by a fake one. And the glint in his eyes was violently stamped out like a broken firework. Grieving. He had forgot. His heart was still stone for Swift, buried somewhere in the forest; tucked into the dirt by his cream paws and his sister’s black paws. But then to add on to the rockslide, Holly was caught in the accident: and then there was Fennec. But his short sprint after Timid definitely helped his depressed case.

Fennec watched her stretch on her back in the grass for a moment, and suddenly felt the urge to stretch himself. After his muscles being warmed up by the run, he hadn’t stretched out since he woke up. A jolt of surprise shocked him like lightning when her green eyes landed on him. They were such a pretty color, compared to his dark honey colored orbs. ”Pfft! You wish!”he joked after her remark, rolling his eyes dramatically as he caught his breath.

His tail curled as her voice rang out in the wilderness, talking about the danger of bears. He smiled when she cooed at the grey little animals that were not koalo bears, but Koala bears. He tilted his head as she went on. “Wait, they’re not actually bears?” he exclaimed at her fact then taking in the carrying the young in the pouch part into his head for logic. “aren’t those types of animals called marsupials?” he questioned, remembering the fact, but not how he knew it. He shot his gaze strongly back at Timid as she mentioned a thing called a ‘kangaroo’, at first he was confused, but realized that he knew it. Where did he hear that term? ”I think I know what they are.. Can I get a refresher?” he asked.

Fennec hid his smiled as she watched Timid get to her paws and flatten her ears to a head, in a way, it looked like she was blushing to him. He listened carefully as she talked about knowing species. Personally, Fennec had never thought of cats as a whole species, or they had a whole entire vibe. He had only thought of animals that way: like spiders evil, birds unintellegent, dogs aggressive. But there was seemingly much more to it than that.

He shrugged at her words after that. ”I guess I do. Not as much as you, though.” he felt a blush rising to his cheeks, making his ears angle backwards.Only, it disappeared as he heard Timid talk about there was always something there to hunt you. He breathed deeply, his jaw clenching slightly.

The circle of life. Sure, he would talk about the circle of life forever. But the circle of life always seemed unfair to him. Sure, things died. But was that natural, or the world totally against every move you make? He pushed the thought to the side to unbury later.

Fennec, now slightly annoyed, made his tail rise above him and followed after Timid, her words skipping over his ears as the image of the day Swift was knocked backwards by the blow. There was no harm done then...yet. He cleared his face and tried to focus on what Timid had said, which he only half-heard. “Pretty...yeah.” he mumbled after her. Deciding to focus on the present.

At her excuse, he gave another little laugh, this time it came from his heart. He rolled his eyes in a mocking way after her. When she bumped her head on his shoulder, he flinched again. It was hard to find out how to react so casually to a simple form of interaction. He gave another small chuckle, a smirk on his face. He never really thought of moving, but it was worth it, he met Timid, and spotted a deer.

He was relieved when Timid showed interest in it by crouching and creeping forward slowly. Fennec chose to sit where he was, observing the scene unfolding round him with every flap of a butterfly’s wings. His ears were perked at full max, reaching out to drain any action from the deer and aspen clearing. He tilted his head as she spoke again, flashing a small smile as Timid glanced back at him. ”Yeah.” he nodded in agreement, “I can also walk outside and tell that stupid song bird that wakes me up every morning to shut up and let me sleep.” he kept a level voice at his joke, hoping it would make Timid laugh.

The surprised, jolted feeling of numbness entered him again when Timid stepped back and positioned herself under his fuzzy chin. Each time Fennec felt her against his fur, a prickle of what felt like electricity shot through him. Not again- how could he respond to this? He was just standing there like a tree! In attempt to make this less awkward, he took his tail and rested it next to Timid, close enough for it to brush against her.

A joyful feeling spread through him when Timid spoke again, finalizing her decision to his offer- which he had spaced out on completely. “Of course I don’t mind! I’m glad you're away from that Syndicate place.” He mused, leaning his head back so he didn’t hit Timid’s forehead with his jaw. His eyes searched to see if they could find hers momentarily.

While in this slightly awkward position, Fennec recalled what Timid had said. The Life Cycle. Right, he had his thoughts about that. But what did it really mean. After a life of living something just died at the end? It didn’t matter if they were just born or the oldest cat alive, they died. It was so unfair. Swift had died, Holly had died, and all at the merciless paws of ‘The Life Cycle’. He never really knew what happened to Thomas or Birch, but he knew for a fact: all dead. His eyes misted and his jaw clenched angrily. Anyone he’d ever grown close to had suffered a dark ending around him. Maybe life would keep that wheel spinning: taking it out on Timid just for him to feel all the pain. Could he handle all of that? Slowly, he began to stand. His eyes tearful and down-casted and angry, a faraway look to him as he stood and took two pawsteps backward. He didn't look at Timid’s expression immediately, all he could think of was the one thing in his head: he was bad luck, pure and simple. Who was to say that his bad luck was everybody getting caught in rockslides and being murdered by so-called “family”? If he was really bad luck, then what did that make Timid?

(Oh yes, especially in the Wintertime)

Timid giggled at the tom. “It certainly does fit you,” She smiled. “Fennec...Fenny...I’d imagine that it gets lonely here. And, nicknames must be a rare occurrence for you.” She almost felt bad for him! Timid was pretty extroverted. She was outgoing, easy to approach and start a conversation with. It was easy for her to make friends. With more of the friendlier cats that enjoys her presence, obviously. Not everyone could make it into the tough and daring squad of the syndicate. Her best chances were hunting or being...executed. But, Fennec was hardly around any cats. Who did he talk to? Did he not go crazy while staying in this place? Though, it was gorgeous. Without anyone she could talk to? Timid would never love in such a place. She flicked her ears upon the name Fennec called her, and a purr escaped her maw. “Timmy...I like it.” She tilted her head up towards the sky for a moment. “Fenny and Timmy...it has a ring to it doesn't it? It sounds like it would be perfect together.” She put her head down to stare at the ground, using a claw to unconsciously pick at the dirt.

The young golden cat knew Fennec was hiding something, but she wouldn't push him. Oh no. Never! Timid was not a forceful cat, and she tried her best to respect others spaces. Yet, she longed for him to trust her. Trust was a start to a good friendship. Timid knew she would never lie to him. Sometime she told too much than she should had. Like about the Syndicate. Or, about how she's constantly afraid of things. One thing Timid remember learning as a kit, would be that if another cat knew your fears or weaknesses, they would eventually use it against you. At a tender young age, Timid was influenced that the outside world-- outside your clan-- is filled with cats you can never trust. However, Fennec didn’t look harmful. And, Timid always viewed the world as a happy place. What’s the worst that could happen?

The small golden cat stared at her companion, she wanted to giggle at him. Add some lightning sparks to this dim litted situation. Maybe, he was in a deep thought. What was he thinking about? Who was he thinking about? Is he thinking about me? Timid looked away bashfully, a slight tinge coming under her fur. It wasn’t in a good way. More so, she thought he was thinking differently of her. Like he didn’t want her around. Maybe, she would cause too much conflict. Maybe, he thought he didn’t want her here. Maybe, it was best if she left back to the syndicate. Her nose twitched, indicating that she was becoming deep in thought herself. But, at his words, she kept her inner negativity away. It was a foxbrained way to think that he was...changing his mind. Yet, it wasn’t impossible. At his words, she purred once more, hoping that it sounded normal than what her thoughts contrasted to. ‘’Good. So, you wouldn’t mind going another round?’’ She circled around him, flicking him with her tail in the process. ‘’Maybe, I could chase you this time!’’ She hopped in front of him, throwing herself into a hunting crouch as her rump stayed in the air, adding a little shake to her playful nature. Maybe playing would get their minds off...other things. The sad things. The depressing things.

Timid stared up at her companion, twitching her nose once more. She tilted her head to look up at him. ‘’What, you didn’t know?’’ She asked, rather stunned. Though, she didn’t know why she had to be so surprised. Yet, she had expected Fennec would know a lot about the different animals. Share her knowledge. Give her more. He lived in this open with a variety of animals. ‘’They’re not bears because they carry their young in a pouch. Which is like this large opening where-’’ She stopped, hearing the exact word she was thinking about. Marsupials. Yes, that was what they were. ‘’Yup! Marsupials. Which are animals-- specifically mothers-- who carry their young in a pouch that is connected to their bodies.’’ She felt her ears twitch. It meant she was enjoying this. Giving him knowledge, or even testing his knowledge. He was so smart! And, she felt a type of joy settle within her that he was actually...interested in knowing about wildlife. Looking away from the tom once more, she held a hidden smile. ‘’Oh, well, you know,’’ She started, feeling herself become bashful. ‘’Those large animals with great big paws--almost like a bunny. And, very large bunny ears too! They kinda look like an oversized rabbit! They hop too.’’ She stared at him once more. ‘’They have very powerful legs. You do not want to get hit by those things,’’ She giggled.

Timid stared at the deer once more, knowing that she would never bother it. Watching the process of nature was the best thing of all. She heard Fennec’s compliment, but she didn’t know what to say. So, she only nodded, and a tiny smile graced her maw. Upon his next words, Timid gave the tom a devious smirk, shaking her head and rolling her eyes. ‘’Birds are a blessing,’’ She crowed, more playfully. ‘’You have to learn how to respect them.’’ Besides that, birds were more of a...rare occurrence within the Syndicate. Timid never truly got to hear them sing. She figured they would only sing in the much happier of places. And, the Syndicate? Long from a happy place. Though, she wouldn’t tell Fennec this. Especially since she decided to leave the syndicate behind.

Timid never minded being close to anyone. She was actually, a very affectionate cat. Only in the Syndicate, she hardly got to show her affectionate side. This was because the Syndicate was filled with so many cats that just wanted vengeance. That didn’t know what love was. That was ruthless until their dying days. Timid knew what love was, and on a daily she tried to give it out. Obviously, it was frowned upon. And, it was rejected. Timid knew that Fennec must not have been...so sure. He was frozen. Unmoving as she pulled herself against him. Maybe, she was too close in his comfort zone?

Timid was almost surprised. Shocked, to see him step back. She squinted her eyes, wondering what was wrong with her friend. First, they were being playful-- was it something I said? Timid pinned her ears flat to her head, almost whimpering in a sense. Of course, it was something I said. It’s always something I do. The small golden cat, looked away for a moment, contemplating the decision she just made.

She chose to stay.
Stay here with him.
She chose to live her.
Experience a new side of life.

But, what if now, he didn’t want her here? Timid thought she could see anger filling him. And, she didn’t know whether or not she should talk to him or leave him alone. Maybe, it was best for her to go back. Or, maybe she was moving too fast. It could had been anything, really. After much thinking, Timid finally made her decision. She got up, her tail lowly swishing, before she turned to walk away. ‘’I’m guessing you changed your mind?’’ Her voice was quiet, but her ears stayed perk. ‘’I don’t have to stay if you don’t want me to!’’ Because, you look like you don’t want me to. Maybe, she was being rash. But, she was young. She was scared. And, she just wanted to...belong somewhere. But, whatever the reason it was, Timid knew it was her fault in the first place. Everything was always her fault. Before, he could even say anything, she bounded away. From this gorgeous place.
Perhaps, the Syndicate was where she was born.
And, every chance she had to get away from it.
It had her running back to what she dreaded.

(Ooooh, if it’s not cold in the wintertime, I’M MOVING THERE. )