p | neon signs above integrity

[narcissus]

- b a n e -
chill of death ▵ shadow fiend ▵ mind reader ▵ dreamwalker

before, she'd been silver.

silverpaw.

she'd watched her home turn to filth and ruin. the plague of her existence - dimwits, slackers, fools. she hated to think of them. they'd been nothing more than ungrateful minnows with their brains scooped out by the gleaming talon of a hawk of idiot insecurities and desperation for a place they could never hope to earn. to know they were failing now, she didn't have to return. to bear witness to it - she won't.

so she shed her iridescent, naive name for something that pleased her tongue better to say. bane.

wherever the dandelion fuzz blew, she followed. those wisps settled on dewy grass in the mornings and pointed out the path she should take. the seasons changed. her frame filled out. she matured. her fur grew out, and she shed it when the warmer days came.

her faith in the earth never swayed; she believed her loyalty to it brought her here now: across an undeniably familiar scent she could never forget after all these moons. it'd changed in some ways. Bane supposed her own has, as well. but this was no ship of theseus for her to philosophize: certainly, she'd stumbled across Tansypaw.

in a sea of cretins, Tansy had stood out like a pink-bellied salmon swimming upstream no matter how hard the rest had beat her down into the current. in that cesspool of helpless barnacles, she'd been a shimmering pearl. Bane remembered how she'd admired the former medicine cat, how she'd been desperate to appease her, in some way.

she felt eons older now, detached from her juvenile self in every capacity. she presumed Tansy, too, would differ greatly from that young she-cat she'd been the fateful day she left the horde of bumbling, headless salamanders.

Bane prepared herself for this change as she tracked down the other's scent trail through the long grasses at a leisurely, ambling pace. neither of them, she assumed, were in any hurry. she could move at the moon's snail's pace and still find the patience within her to wait even longer.

eventually, however, as the sun dipped below the horizon, a mottled, tortoiseshell pelt greeted her green gaze. Bane made no effort to sneak up on her former clanmate, though she could very well do so.

"good evening," she called out in a disaffected tone, her expression neutral and devoid of any indication of her inner monologue.

she flicked her ears forward and held her position there, on the crest of a small knoll to look down upon the other cat. closing the distance would ultimately be Tansy's choice - Bane wanted to afford her some respect in her recluse lifestyle.

@silver.

[silver.]

wither
she/her // 18 moons // outsider
agatha kitty - just a scratch - herbal knowledge t2

---

At this point she's convinced that she was doomed to live a life of solitude. Doomed to never enjoy the company of another ever again. Springburst visited every so often and for that she was grateful. But her nest was still cold, even in the hot Greenleaf evenings. And she was sick and tired of it. Tired of waking up to the empty sun beating down on her face, forcing her awake. Tired of hunting for her own food, and hers alone. Tired. Tired, tired, tired. She was always tired. Always have been, always will be.

As of late she had taken to venturing out into the world. Exploring the nooks and crannies of what she claimed as hers in hopes that she would stumble across some other pitiful soul seeking company. Tonight she's collecting herbs. Why? Not even she knows. Perhaps she hoped to one day be a beacon of hope for wayward traveler in need of healing. Or perhaps the more realistic reason was the desire for a shred of normalcy again.

Tonight she's seated before a small patch of dandelions. Chin atop her white paws she stares dully forward at the way they idly sway in the summer breeze. Their scent comforts her. Reminds her of the past that she so desperately longs to return to. Even if it was torture. Even if every day was a nightmare she was forced to relive. At least she had a purpose.

'Good evening.'

The vaguely familiar voice draws her from her stupor. It wasn't the first time she had been taken off guard like this, off in her own little world. Silently she wishes it could have been the last. But no, when she turns she finds another familiar face. One she had never anticipated on seeing again.

"Silverpaw..?"

Just like she, the other molly had aged. Through time or hardship she couldn't tell but something had definitely changed her. Rising to her paws steadily, she tilts her head, as if the figure standing above her, shielding her eyes from the setting sun, was some kind of apparition. Her mind just playing tricks on her, knowing how the loneliness was beginning to drive her mad. But even so she was grateful. Even if it wasn't real. Even if she was still alone in a desolate field of dandelions and other wild flowers.

For a moment she thinks to what Springburst had told her. That Riverclan was no more. So she can only assume that this was something her brain had conjured up to punish her. But maybe... Just maybe... That shred of hope continued beat alongside her heart in her chest.

"Is that really you? What are you... Why are you here?"

bane | @narcissus

[narcissus]

- b a n e -
chill of death ▵ shadow fiend ▵ mind reader ▵ dreamwalker

curiously, she tilted her head to the side at Tansy's words. "it is me," she replied calmly. "though you might call me Bane."

she noticed that, fittingly, in the setting sunlight, the other's pelt looked like molten tree sap, or perhaps its fossilized amber. the many hues of browns and reds and oranges bled together.

Bane tore her gaze from Tansy's fur to respond to her question, finally. "a seagull will change the bays it roosts at," she cryptically explained. "for whatever reason you may choose." it was in her beliefs that she had left for a reason similar to Tansy's, and so she would allow her to make any assumptions she liked.

her eyes strayed down to the dandelions at her paws. like splintered bones, the pieces unscattered and fit together; her mind was in harmony. Bane was satisfied knowing she had picked the right flowers to guide her, though now she has spied a new one to take after.

"i could ask the same of you, Tansypaw," Bane directed at her companion, seeking whatever reason she might give back to her for confirmation.

@silver.

[silver.]

wither
she/her // 18 moons // outsider
agatha kitty - just a scratch - herbal knowledge t2

---

It had been so long since she had heard that name. The sound of it is foreign, unfamiliar to rounded ears. Yet at the same time it stung like the poison of a viper, fire in her veins. Swallowing back the searing pain that threatened her throat she tears her gaze away to also settle on the dandelions at her paws. So Silverpaw, too, went by something else nowadays? Can't suppose she could blame her. Leaving an old life behind was like shedding your skin. Part of it stayed there.

"Wither." She corrects, chocolate hues slowly returning to the other molly's face. "My name is Wither."

To her Tansypaw was dead. It was easier that way. Leaving Riverclan and her identity behind was easier said than done but at this point she had moons to perfect doing so. Wither had no need for the likes of 'Tansypaw', anymore. The cowardly little girl that she was. Though, try as she might to throw her away parts of her still lived within the hardened tortie. And she hated it more than anything. Sighing to herself, escaping her thoughts as best she could, she leans down to bite through the stems of the dandelions one by one, collecting them in her maw to bring back home. Without turning her attention to Bane again she turns and begins back from whence she came, ears alert to catch any movement to follow.

"Hunted earlier if you're hungry. Dunno how long ya been walkin'. If yer paw pads are in rough shape I can take'a look at 'em for ya."

bane | @narcissus

[narcissus]

- b a n e -
chill of death ▵ shadow fiend ▵ mind reader ▵ dreamwalker

a solemn nod responds to Wither's correction. Bane had not been the only one to abandon her old identity. she carefully noted not to use Wither's old moniker; if she could, Bane would prefer to burn her memory of it into a smoky haze. that, of course, remained a practice unbeknownst to her, so she settled to mark well the she-cat's preferences.

she watched Wither turn and stalk away. her ears picked up her words, and Bane quickly interpreted them as an invitation to come along. after the mottled cat had moved a few paces away, Bane herself picked her way through the grass and followed Wither.

"i have become detached from my worldly self, though i would not object to your administrations, if you'd like. my gratitude-" she cut off, whiskers twitching. her heart had begun doing a peculiar thudding thing when she'd padded too close to the other. Bane sharply ignored the sensation and continued: "-goes to you."

letting a beat of silence pass, she added, "as for sustenance...i would be thankful for whatever you can share." as much as she tried to transcend the finicky requirements of being mortal, she could not ignore the hollow hunger deep within. after all, she is but a mere cat.

"to where do you head now? with what purpose?" she enquired. she tried to maintain her polite, monotone aura despite her growing curiosity. it had been a while since she'd been able to sit back and observe; her prediction skills were dusty and admittedly out of practice.

@silver.

[silver.]

wither
she/her // 18 moons // outsider
agatha kitty - just a scratch - herbal knowledge t2

---

So much time apart made it easy to forget just who was who from her previous home. In this time she had forgotten just how polite this cat had been. Understanding, true to her manners... Riverclan needed more cats like Bane. It was a shame neither of them called it home any longer. But these things happen for a reason. That was what she had told herself.

Padding along the familiar path back to her den, she glances over to the other to make sure she was still there. Still following her with an earthly presence and not that of the stars. Sometimes her mind liked to play tricks on her. She wouldn't realize she was dreaming until it was too late and would awake with sullen loneliness.

"My den. Where I've been livin' for a while, anyway. It ain't all that big but it can fit two. I've taken in a cat or two in my time away that needed some help and some food."

Despite it all she couldn't cleanse herself of her caring nature. A cat in need, regardless of who they were, deserved her expertise if they were kind enough. Sure she had her share of aggressive rogues picking a fight for the hell of it but more often than not she ran into souls desperate for a dry place to rest and someone to tend to their wounds.

"You can stay as long as ya want. Not often friends come by. Sometimes Springburst comes t'a visit but otherwise it seems Riverclan has forgotten about me."

And to her home they arrive. It's quaint but it's hers. The scent of herbs and fresh kill emanate from the inside the turned over twoleg device, once used for moving dirt and stone. A rock keeps it propped up and time had granted the abandoned vehicle bushes as additional shelter over time, only allowing for a small empty space as an entrance. She couldn't say it wasn't pleasant. Nights where the rain dampened everything outside were the best. The sound of the drops hitting the roof was a comfort to her as she drifted off to sleep or organized her small supply as she used to in her herb den.

With a small smile and a gesture of her tail, she ducks inside. Her makeshift nest is the only thing above ground, everything else she keeps in dug out channels to help preserve them longer.

"Home sweet home." She jokes, glancing over her shoulder at the other.

bane | @narcissus

[narcissus]

- b a n e -
chill of death ▵ shadow fiend ▵ mind reader ▵ dreamwalker

she is not surprised that Wither has been taking other stray wanderers in. long ago, she had been made a medicine cat for a reason; perhaps on account of her prowess, but also because she simply gave two mice about others. that's not common; she's realized that now.

Bane's ear flicked with interest at the mention of Springburst. the...old enforcer? the she-cat believes she must've left before her, though she's not surprised by that, either. she wondered what must have happened for Spring to have left her clan, or if it was the same reason as she and Wither had.

"maybe for the better," Bane mused aloud carefully. with more ease, she pried, "what news?" maybe Spring had shared something with Wither, and Bane was naturally nosy.

her green gaze swept over the den. it's an odd contraption. unnatural. if she were still picky, she would have turned her nose up at the twoleg atrocity. even so, she finds certain aspects of it pleasing. it's only right that the thing has become overgrown. it appears to be well-protected, and well-stocked, too.

bane follows her company inside, struck by how homely it feels. it's been a while since she's settled down, and she refuses to acknowledge the homesickness rearing its head now. "i would be honored to stay for some time," she decidedly informed Wither. she kept her confession neutral. she didn't want to make it sound like she was committed.

that's simply not her style.

@silver.

[silver.]

wither
she/her // 18 moons // outsider
agatha kitty - just a scratch - herbal knowledge t2

---

'maybe for the better'.

Maybe it was. But she knew better than that. Just because they didn't speak her name anymore didn't mean they forgot what she had done. The crimes she had committed to those undeserving of her kindness. If only the clan would forget those things instead of the good that she had done. Clicking her tongue in response, she moves toward one of the channels to procure a rabbit. It wasn't exactly large but it was something to share. Not often did she have pleasant company like Bane. And not often was she treated to something as delicate as rabbit meat. A rabbit would be something lovely to share with someone she viewed as a friend. The Stars must have seen her coming and granted her this meal in retrospect.

Setting the fresh kill down at both their paws, she gestures with one for the other to begin to eat. She, too, would indulge in such a sweet supper once she was finished speaking.

"So ya haven't been back there in some time either, huh? Don't blame ya..." There's a pause in her words as she idly bats at the rabbit's fluffy tail before her, eyes downcast. "From what Springburst told me Riverclan ain't around anymore. Not where they used t'a be, anyway. Serves 'em right. Glad they finally got what they deserved."

A curt laugh and her attention returns to the silver feline, appetite forgotten as she gets a bit too caught up in sharing information.

"Ya know I tried to go back? Met with their new leader. Fadingsun. Real piece of work." Scowling to herself, her claws extend to dig into the fur she was idly playing with, eyes narrowed... Maliciously. "Told me I was too selfish to go back t'a Riverclan. All because I wanted a bit'a recognition. Can ya believe that?"

bane | @narcissus

[narcissus]

- b a n e -
chill of death ▵ shadow fiend ▵ mind reader ▵ dreamwalker

she took a small bite from the rabbit and chewed slowly. the taste of the meat, savory and lean, was savored carefully by her. she hadn't had the pleasure of any hare-related prey before; it was overall delicious.

Bane glanced up through her eyelashes at Wither as the other spoke. an ear flicked attentively. "i'm not surprised," she replied dryly. she briefly wondered where RiverClan could have gone, but found herself disinterested. they certainly weren't her problem. a weak clan shouldn't be sought out, anyway.

leaning back and sitting up, Bane languidly blinked at her companion. what Wither was saying held her attention more than the food. her eyebrows drew together in a rare semblance of an expression, concerned and disgruntled.

"Fadingsun... i don't remember him. must not have been important, before." gingerly, Bane tilted her head side to side to stretch her neck muscles. she licked the juices from her whiskers and continued. "i can't say i'm in disbelief. perhaps irritated at this - what's his name? Foulsour? - cat's audacity. i pity how the clan must fare under him, if that's how he thinks." she shook her head with contempt.

after clearing her throat, she nudged the rabbit a bit closer to Wither. "eat," she compelled her.

@silver.