A kits hidden home. ((OPEN))

[Streamtail]

 

Originally Posted by Luna16

Cricket let out a snort at the kit's question. "Because your mother has a reputation to uphold." She answered simply. "If I start showing my vulnerabilities in front of others, it makes me look weak. And I can't have that." She had a feeling he'd probably press her as to why, but ultimately decided to wait and see. If he didn't ask, she wasn't going to try and explain it. Because she didn't know if she really could in a way that was appropriate for a little kid to hear.

 

The large tabby tom instinctively put his paw out to catch the kit when she came crashing into view, letting out a sigh when she seemed to catch herself. "Yes, I did." He replied, tilting his head when he noticed the prey. "Did you...catch those yourself?" He asked, his whiskers twitching. "Impressive." He showed a grin, it was impressive. The kit did mention before she was on her own, but here was a display of the skills she'd been able to learn to survive.

"Come on." He meowed, turning and flicking his tail for her to follow. "Let's go back to the tunnel."

Freckle

Freckle grins at the praise, happily trailing behind him as he beckons her to follow. She's a little off-balance from the extra weight, but she manages. After a little while of walking, Freckle decides that she is bored of the silence, opening her mouth in an attempt to make conversation. However, she closes her maw again as she thinks of something better than a plain ol' conversation starter, a question.

"Hey, what shwould I call ya?" She asks, picking up her pace a little to catch up with Notch's long strides.

She offers Notch a little smile, her tail pointing to the sky as she scrambles to keep up with him.

[Luna16]

 

Originally Posted by Red'fur

(( Cardinal ))

* He smiled and bounced around. He stopped and looked back up at Cricket. *
" So when otwhers awound me have to call you Cwiket? "
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@Luna16 @Streamtail

Cricket thought about it a moment but shook her head. "In front of Notch and Freckle it's fine to call me whatever you want. But if we run into anycat else, call me Cricket. Okay?"

 

Originally Posted by Streamtail

 

Freckle

Freckle grins at the praise, happily trailing behind him as he beckons her to follow. She's a little off-balance from the extra weight, but she manages. After a little while of walking, Freckle decides that she is bored of the silence, opening her mouth in an attempt to make conversation. However, she closes her maw again as she thinks of something better than a plain ol' conversation starter, a question.

"Hey, what shwould I call ya?" She asks, picking up her pace a little to catch up with Notch's long strides.

She offers Notch a little smile, her tail pointing to the sky as she scrambles to keep up with him.

Notch glanced down at the young cat, twitching an ear thoughtfully. "My name is Notch." He answered. Originally, he had planned on letting Freckle carrying her catch all the way back. But seeing her stumble, he felt like she might need help. "Need some help?" He offered, nodding at the prey.

[Red'fur]

(( Cardinal ))

* He nodded and smiled. He bounced around and then nuzzled against Cricket's chest. He purred lightly. *
" love wou Mama! "
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@Luna16 @Streamtail

[Streamtail]

Freckle

Freckle shakes her head, her little paws quickening their pace to prove that she can handle it. However... perhaps she has a bit too much confidence in herself, because she trips and falls face first into the ground.
With a huff, she sits up, shaking the dust from her pelt. She's unharmed with the exception of her pride, but gives Notch a sheepish grin. Freckle sighs as she looks down at the prey, now lying on the ground, gathering them up in her jaws before heaving herself onto her feet.

"Don' worry I gowt dis," She meows determindly, proceeding to make her way ahead of Notch as if she never fell in the first place.


@Red'fur / @Luna16

[Luna16]

 

Originally Posted by Red'fur

(( Cardinal ))

* He nodded and smiled. He bounced around and then nuzzled against Cricket's chest. He purred lightly. *
" love wou Mama! "
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@Luna16 @Streamtail

A raspy sound, like the creaking of bones that haven't been used in a long time, erupted from Cricket. She may not have returned the "I love you" out loud with words, but this was pretty much her way of reciprocating. She licked the top of his head between his ears, then pressed her forehead against his. "Please, for the love of all that is holy...eat your food more slowly!" She meowed in. a hushed voice, her tone serious though a playful smirk crossed her maw. "Seriously, I don't want to go through you choking on things or eating poisonous things anymore. I can't take it."

 

Originally Posted by Streamtail

Freckle

Freckle shakes her head, her little paws quickening their pace to prove that she can handle it. However... perhaps she has a bit too much confidence in herself, because she trips and falls face first into the ground.
With a huff, she sits up, shaking the dust from her pelt. She's unharmed with the exception of her pride, but gives Notch a sheepish grin. Freckle sighs as she looks down at the prey, now lying on the ground, gathering them up in her jaws before heaving herself onto her feet.

"Don' worry I gowt dis," She meows determindly, proceeding to make her way ahead of Notch as if she never fell in the first place.


@Red'fur / @Luna16

Notch tried to catch Freckle before she felt but was largely unsuccessful. He chuckled softly as she shook herself off. He nodded, his whiskers twitching in amusement. "A strong independent young cat like yourself? I know you do!" He meowed, purring with amusement. "By the way, Freckle, you said you've been on your own for a while now right?" He asked, glancing down at her as they walked. "Where's your family? Or...your group or whatever." He stumbled on his words, realizing that not every cat travels with family - case and point, Cardinal, Cricket, and himself.

[Red'fur]

(( Cardinal ))

* He purred and nuzzled against her chest. His eyes closed and nodded his head. *
" Otay Mama. I eat carful now on. "
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@Luna16 @Streamtail

[Streamtail]

Freckle

Freckle looks back at Notch, pausing mid-step. Family... the word triggers a faintly-familiar memory, that lady. Who was she again? She came by every once and a while, she used to say they were that word, family. She doesn't know what it means though, she would just nod along so she could get to the part with the free food, she always brought food with her. Then she stopped coming... how long ago? Well, it's not like she can count. She got a little sad when she ceased her visits, but she spent most of her life on her own anyway, so it didn't make too much of a difference, life just got a bit more lonely.

"Well... I don' know. I kinda always been on my own, why?" She responds, hesitating another moment before speaking again, "There was dis lady, but she left me a lowng time ago, she used to say dat word."

"Family..." She mumbles to herself, her tail trailing along the forest floor before she snaps out of it, taking on a more cheerful tone, "Whassa family?"


@Red'fur / @Luna16 (I'm so sorry for the late post, I thought I replied already!)

[Luna16]

 

Originally Posted by Red'fur

(( Cardinal ))

* He purred and nuzzled against her chest. His eyes closed and nodded his head. *
" Otay Mama. I eat carful now on. "
__________________________________________________ ______________________
@Luna16 @Streamtail

Cricket allowed herself to wrap around the kit, tail and body, purring her raspy purr. "See that you do." She murmured. Really. She had enough of the near-death experiences with eating for a lifetime. Although, issues with food is preferable to issues with other cats. Cricket paused for a moment, wondering if maybe Cardinal would be safer in a larger group...but then she only held him tighter. She didn't want to let him go off to a clan or tribe or whatever, because she wouldn't be able to follow him. And she didn't want to leave his safety in some other cat's paws.

 

Originally Posted by Streamtail

Freckle

Freckle looks back at Notch, pausing mid-step. Family... the word triggers a faintly-familiar memory, that lady. Who was she again? She came by every once and a while, she used to say they were that word, family. She doesn't know what it means though, she would just nod along so she could get to the part with the free food, she always brought food with her. Then she stopped coming... how long ago? Well, it's not like she can count. She got a little sad when she ceased her visits, but she spent most of her life on her own anyway, so it didn't make too much of a difference, life just got a bit more lonely.

"Well... I don' know. I kinda always been on my own, why?" She responds, hesitating another moment before speaking again, "There was dis lady, but she left me a lowng time ago, she used to say dat word."

"Family..." She mumbles to herself, her tail trailing along the forest floor before she snaps out of it, taking on a more cheerful tone, "Whassa family?"


@Red'fur / @Luna16 (I'm so sorry for the late post, I thought I replied already!)

Notch's good ear flicked thoughtfully. Sounds like her mother either died or abandoned her. He glanced down at Freckle, trying to think of how to answer her question. "A family is..." He paused, searching for the words. The only face that came to mind when he thought of a family anymore was Cricket's. "A family is like a group that looks out for each other." He explained, lifting his thick tail confidently. He looked down at Freckle with a warm smile. "Sometimes they're related to you, but not always. Cricket and I are a family, but we're not related." He wasn't sure if Freckle would understand, but at least this was a good place to start. "Cardinal is probably part of our family now too now that I think about it..." His gaze turned back to the path ahead.

Notch carefully picked up Freckle, prey and all, to lift her over a large, exposed tree root. He leapt it easily and set her down again before continuing. "You could be part of our family too if you wanted." He offered, touching his nose to the little one's forehead.

[OOC: You never have to apologize!]

[Red'fur]

(( Cardinal ))

* He purred lightly and nuzzled into Cricket. He loved his new family. *
" I's tired Mama. Night night. "
* He mewed as he nuzzled into her closing his eyes and drifting off into a dreamless slumber. *
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@Luna16 @Streamtail