An Unexpected Visitor [ Private ]

[vellichor]

Originally Posted by .:Blue Wishes:.

Ocean found himself squirming under Moon’s gaze, unsure of how to react. It was going good, he found himself breathing evenly, that was always good. Now it was all up to if he could stay that calm. There were millions of possibilities running through his mind, every one worse then the last. This really wasn’t helping his mind remain calm. Meeting this cat could be the end of him! Why was he thinking this way? He didn’t know. It was instinct to always assume the worst for him. Bad thoughts aside, it was wonderful to see another cat for the first time in ages, even if they were both really awkward.
“Ah, okay,” he said in a soft voice, “I-I’d have to admit i-it’s nice to see someone as well,” great, now he was stammering. He watched Moon, and saw that it also seemed like she was being pretty harsh on herself mentally, something that the tom was used to. He ended up just standing there, shifting uneasily from one paw to the other. He was still trying to take everything in. Sure, it was just another cat, but it has still been awhile, and he couldn’t deny that. Now the silence just seemed to stretch out, and Ocean didn’t know how to fill it, just standing there, dead silent.

The silence seemed to stretch on forever. It was only a few moments before she said something, but it seemed like an eternity. Moon took a step closer to Ocean and cleared her throat. It seemed the tension was leaving her body, which was good, but it left only to be replaced by the all-familiar feeling of not knowing what to say. Social awkwardness. Her worst enemy. Well, besides foxes and badgers.
“...Yeah.” Moon lowered her head and stared at her paws for a minute, thinking. The conversation wasn’t going anywhere. At all. All it pretty much was was awkward, awkward and more awkward. “I’m, ah, going to hunt. Since you’re hunting, want to... uh, help each other?” Better. Perhaps the hunting would distract her from the awkwardness between them. Plus, that was what she had come out for, right? She looked back up and stole glances at the forest beyond. Small creatures were really starting to scurry around now, and the woods were teeming with life. The scents made her mouth water. No, she had to focus on the cat in front of her.

[ oof hopefully this will help ]

[:blue:]

Originally Posted by Aurora Borealis

The silence seemed to stretch on forever. It was only a few moments before she said something, but it seemed like an eternity. Moon took a step closer to Ocean and cleared her throat. It seemed the tension was leaving her body, which was good, but it left only to be replaced by the all-familiar feeling of not knowing what to say. Social awkwardness. Her worst enemy. Well, besides foxes and badgers.
“...Yeah.” Moon lowered her head and stared at her paws for a minute, thinking. The conversation wasn’t going anywhere. At all. All it pretty much was was awkward, awkward and more awkward. “I’m, ah, going to hunt. Since you’re hunting, want to... uh, help each other?” Better. Perhaps the hunting would distract her from the awkwardness between them. Plus, that was what she had come out for, right? She looked back up and stole glances at the forest beyond. Small creatures were really starting to scurry around now, and the woods were teeming with life. The scents made her mouth water. No, she had to focus on the cat in front of her.

[ oof hopefully this will help ]

Ocean quietly stood there, tempted to flinch back when Moon took a step forward, but he held his ground. Thankfully, she didn’t take another step, which helped him a lot. Moon seemed just as awkward, which helped Ocean feel a little more comfortable with himself, but not as much as he would have desired. He could breathe. Okay. That was a good point to start at. The conversation was getting nowhere, and that wasn’t a good sign. If things didn’t pick up soon, he probably would have to leave, which he wouldn’t like, since that would mean he had to be alone again.
Thankfully, Moon opened her mouth, and Ocean nodded when she asked her question. “That would be nice,” Maybe something would come out of that lie he had said. Sure, now he was hunting, but when he had said it, he had been lying. “Where do you prefer to hunt?” he asked, “The river or the woods?” it was easy for Ocean to forget that not everyone hunted in the river like he did, which he could understand. The river was wet, and if you had a thick pelt, it wasn’t very nice. But Ocean wasn’t like those cats, small and sleek, that’s what he was. He looked at Moon quietly, waiting for her answer.

[vellichor]

Originally Posted by .:Blue Wishes:.

Ocean quietly stood there, tempted to flinch back when Moon took a step forward, but he held his ground. Thankfully, she didn’t take another step, which helped him a lot. Moon seemed just as awkward, which helped Ocean feel a little more comfortable with himself, but not as much as he would have desired. He could breathe. Okay. That was a good point to start at. The conversation was getting nowhere, and that wasn’t a good sign. If things didn’t pick up soon, he probably would have to leave, which he wouldn’t like, since that would mean he had to be alone again.
Thankfully, Moon opened her mouth, and Ocean nodded when she asked her question. “That would be nice,” Maybe something would come out of that lie he had said. Sure, now he was hunting, but when he had said it, he had been lying. “Where do you prefer to hunt?” he asked, “The river or the woods?” it was easy for Ocean to forget that not everyone hunted in the river like he did, which he could understand. The river was wet, and if you had a thick pelt, it wasn’t very nice. But Ocean wasn’t like those cats, small and sleek, that’s what he was. He looked at Moon quietly, waiting for her answer.

Moon tilted her head to the side. She's never tried hunting in the river, as it wasn't usually brought up as an option for hunting. With that, Moon could take an educated guess at where Ocean wanted to hunt. "Let's try the river," she said. Perhaps she could learn something new, perhaps push through the veil of awkwardness and become acquaintances. Until, of course, Ocean moved on. But perhaps the skills she'd learn would benefit her in the future. Plus, it was already decided. She said she'd go, and there was no going back.
With a curt not, Moon started toward the nearest river. It wasn't too far; on the contrary, it was where she got all of her water. She didn't think she's have much of an issue hunting. Sure, she'd never caught a fish, but she actually enjoyed swimming around a bit. and her pelt was sleek and thin; the water didn't weigh her down. It would be a challenge, she decided. And she was going to accept it. As she walked, she could hear the familiar trickle of water. It was a slow-moving river, thankfully. She didn't know how to handle a rushing river (though it did flood occasionally when it rained hard). She looked back to see if Ocean was following.

[:blue:]

Originally Posted by Aurora Borealis

Moon tilted her head to the side. She's never tried hunting in the river, as it wasn't usually brought up as an option for hunting. With that, Moon could take an educated guess at where Ocean wanted to hunt. "Let's try the river," she said. Perhaps she could learn something new, perhaps push through the veil of awkwardness and become acquaintances. Until, of course, Ocean moved on. But perhaps the skills she'd learn would benefit her in the future. Plus, it was already decided. She said she'd go, and there was no going back.
With a curt not, Moon started toward the nearest river. It wasn't too far; on the contrary, it was where she got all of her water. She didn't think she's have much of an issue hunting. Sure, she'd never caught a fish, but she actually enjoyed swimming around a bit. and her pelt was sleek and thin; the water didn't weigh her down. It would be a challenge, she decided. And she was going to accept it. As she walked, she could hear the familiar trickle of water. It was a slow-moving river, thankfully. She didn't know how to handle a rushing river (though it did flood occasionally when it rained hard). She looked back to see if Ocean was following.

Ocean blinked, it was the first time someone had told him that they had wanted to hunt in the river instead. It was a wonderful feeling, knowing that someone wanted to do something he wanted to. Usually he went into the woods, he kind of had to. But in the small grotto he lived in, sometimes he would go fishing, and he was significantly better at it. It was a nice way to try and bond, he supposed, even if it was just so they became acquainted with each other.
Looking at Moon, he tilted his head slightly, “Do you often hunt in the river?” he asked in a small voice, not wanting to assume anything. He was so experienced when it came to hunting in the river, he often forgot that others couldn’t. That had happened several times, and none of them had been very pleasant for him or the other cat. But Moon had said that she had wanted to hunt in the river, so that gave him the okay, but he just had to make sure he wasn’t pressuring her into anything by accident.

[vellichor]

Originally Posted by .:Blue Wishes:.

Ocean blinked, it was the first time someone had told him that they had wanted to hunt in the river instead. It was a wonderful feeling, knowing that someone wanted to do something he wanted to. Usually he went into the woods, he kind of had to. But in the small grotto he lived in, sometimes he would go fishing, and he was significantly better at it. It was a nice way to try and bond, he supposed, even if it was just so they became acquainted with each other.
Looking at Moon, he tilted his head slightly, “Do you often hunt in the river?” he asked in a small voice, not wanting to assume anything. He was so experienced when it came to hunting in the river, he often forgot that others couldn’t. That had happened several times, and none of them had been very pleasant for him or the other cat. But Moon had said that she had wanted to hunt in the river, so that gave him the okay, but he just had to make sure he wasn’t pressuring her into anything by accident.

Moon was silent. Ocean seemed happy they were hunting at the river, which made her want to lie. But then, that'd end up making her look like a fool when she failed. She decided to tell the truth. “...no, but why not learn?” she wanted to seem positive and upbeat, because she wanted to make the cat feel comfortable. It’d be a good replacement to hunting alone in her comfort zone. Besides, it would help her if all the land prey was hiding. Really, there were always fish in the water, right? This could do her some good in the intense heat of greenleaf, or the beginning of leaf-bare. Of course, when the river froze over, the skill would be useless.
”Do you like to hunt in the river?” Well, duh. But it wouldn’t be rude to ask. The answer was obvious, but she hoped she didn’t come off as blunt or rude. That would be one of the worst things to happen.

[:blue:]

Originally Posted by Aurora Borealis

Moon was silent. Ocean seemed happy they were hunting at the river, which made her want to lie. But then, that'd end up making her look like a fool when she failed. She decided to tell the truth. “...no, but why not learn?” she wanted to seem positive and upbeat, because she wanted to make the cat feel comfortable. It’d be a good replacement to hunting alone in her comfort zone. Besides, it would help her if all the land prey was hiding. Really, there were always fish in the water, right? This could do her some good in the intense heat of greenleaf, or the beginning of leaf-bare. Of course, when the river froze over, the skill would be useless.
”Do you like to hunt in the river?” Well, duh. But it wouldn’t be rude to ask. The answer was obvious, but she hoped she didn’t come off as blunt or rude. That would be one of the worst things to happen.

Ocean watched Moon, blinking when she answered. Wouldn't that mean that she had never done it before? Why would she have said that she wanted to? It didn't make any sense to him, but he went through with it. She seemed upbeat about it, so it made sense to him. She just wanted to learn,
that seemed reasonable. Fishing was a good alternative to have, especially when it snowed. He often had to find a way to break the ice, but it worked for him.
He nodded at her question. "Yup!" he smiled. "It's how I get most of my food actually," he admitted in a small voice, smiling awkwardly. He had thought it had been kind of obvious, but maybe it hadn't. He just stood there now, letting the silence stretch out.

[vellichor]

Originally Posted by .:Blue Wishes:.

Ocean watched Moon, blinking when she answered. Wouldn't that mean that she had never done it before? Why would she have said that she wanted to? It didn't make any sense to him, but he went through with it. She seemed upbeat about it, so it made sense to him. She just wanted to learn,
that seemed reasonable. Fishing was a good alternative to have, especially when it snowed. He often had to find a way to break the ice, but it worked for him.
He nodded at her question. "Yup!" he smiled. "It's how I get most of my food actually," he admitted in a small voice, smiling awkwardly. He had thought it had been kind of obvious, but maybe it hadn't. He just stood there now, letting the silence stretch out.

[ *awkward intensifies* ]

Moon nodded. Oh, man, the conversation was growing more and more awkward as it went on. It was enough to make one go insane. Well, more insane than she already was. The smaller cat seemed confused, but went along with what she was saying. She was spared from having to continue, for she had arrived at the river. She racked her memory, trying to think of any time she had seen or been taught fishing. One fuzzy memory came to her, of when she watched a she-cat fish. Moon was only a kit, and was interested in fishing. But then, she’d been taught how to hunt land prey, and lost interest in the water prey.
She recalled the she-cat sitting with a paw up, ready to strike. That’s all she could find. Maybe she could apply some land hunting techniques. Fish couldn’t smell them - she didn’t think - so she didn’t have to sit downwind. Patience was key, though. “So, we... ah, wait?”

[:blue:]

Originally Posted by Aurora Borealis

[ *awkward intensifies* ]

Moon nodded. Oh, man, the conversation was growing more and more awkward as it went on. It was enough to make one go insane. Well, more insane than she already was. The smaller cat seemed confused, but went along with what she was saying. She was spared from having to continue, for she had arrived at the river. She racked her memory, trying to think of any time she had seen or been taught fishing. One fuzzy memory came to her, of when she watched a she-cat fish. Moon was only a kit, and was interested in fishing. But then, she’d been taught how to hunt land prey, and lost interest in the water prey.
She recalled the she-cat sitting with a paw up, ready to strike. That’s all she could find. Maybe she could apply some land hunting techniques. Fish couldn’t smell them - she didn’t think - so she didn’t have to sit downwind. Patience was key, though. “So, we... ah, wait?”

Ocean was slowly feeling more and more as though he shouldn’t leave. However, he remained where he was, his ear flicking nervously. Once he saw the river, he was happy to see it wasn’t frozen over. That, of course, meant they could fish. Looking at the water, he saw some fish further upstream, and there might have been some under the rocks near them, but he didn’t know. “Yeah, basically,” he said, his blue orbs watching the water. “You have to make sure your shadow isn’t over the water,” he added, barely looking up. Now he was in fishing mode, a mode where he had to think about hunting, or he messed up. However, trying to help Moon, he was able to mutter the one tip of fishing. “Then you just...” he narrowed his eyes as he focused, reaching in and clawing a fish that had squirmed its way out, “...catch it!” he smiled, looking at Moon excitedly.

[vellichor]

Originally Posted by .:Blue Wishes:.

Ocean was slowly feeling more and more as though he shouldn’t leave. However, he remained where he was, his ear flicking nervously. Once he saw the river, he was happy to see it wasn’t frozen over. That, of course, meant they could fish. Looking at the water, he saw some fish further upstream, and there might have been some under the rocks near them, but he didn’t know. “Yeah, basically,” he said, his blue orbs watching the water. “You have to make sure your shadow isn’t over the water,” he added, barely looking up. Now he was in fishing mode, a mode where he had to think about hunting, or he messed up. However, trying to help Moon, he was able to mutter the one tip of fishing. “Then you just...” he narrowed his eyes as he focused, reaching in and clawing a fish that had squirmed its way out, “...catch it!” he smiled, looking at Moon excitedly.

Moon looked curiously at the fish. It looked a bit slimy and wet - well, duh, it was wet. It was a fish. With a small shake of her sleek head, the she-cat stood poised above the water, mimicking Ocean. Her shadow didn’t hit the water; she made sure of that. She watched the water for a hint that a fish was swimming by. It wasn’t long before a silver flash alerted her that a fish was beneath her. Moon nearly leapt at the fish. She’s extended her front paws out to catch it, leaving her to balance only on her hind legs. But just as she was about to catch the silvery fish, her left hind paw slipped, and, unbalanced, she fell into the river. She saw the fish dart away, as well as a few more. Flustered, Moon tried to clamber out of the river. She wasn’t upset, in fact, Moon was laughing. She laughed so hard she almost fell into the river once more. “Well, I think you should do the fishing. Maybe I’ll try again when I’m dry,” she told Ocean, smiling. She shook out her thin fur, and started to straighten it. Thankfully, it wouldn’t take long for her white fur to dry.

[:blue:]

Originally Posted by Aurora Borealis

Moon looked curiously at the fish. It looked a bit slimy and wet - well, duh, it was wet. It was a fish. With a small shake of her sleek head, the she-cat stood poised above the water, mimicking Ocean. Her shadow didn’t hit the water; she made sure of that. She watched the water for a hint that a fish was swimming by. It wasn’t long before a silver flash alerted her that a fish was beneath her. Moon nearly leapt at the fish. She’s extended her front paws out to catch it, leaving her to balance only on her hind legs. But just as she was about to catch the silvery fish, her left hind paw slipped, and, unbalanced, she fell into the river. She saw the fish dart away, as well as a few more. Flustered, Moon tried to clamber out of the river. She wasn’t upset, in fact, Moon was laughing. She laughed so hard she almost fell into the river once more. “Well, I think you should do the fishing. Maybe I’ll try again when I’m dry,” she told Ocean, smiling. She shook out her thin fur, and started to straighten it. Thankfully, it wouldn’t take long for her white fur to dry.

Ocean looked at the fish he had caught. He had caught bigger, but this was perfectly sufficient if nothing else. One cat could have a feast, and two could have plenty, at least, that was how he viewed it as a cat that hadn’t eaten in ages. Taking his eyes off the wriggling mess, he looked at Moon, waiting to see how she would do. There were plenty of fish in the stream, she was bound to catch one, right? His assumptions turned out to be wrong as she fell into the stream, and he panicked for a minute, worried she had fallen and hurt herself. Watching Moon, and replaying the moment in his head, he caught himself before he started laughing, going in to help Moon get out. ”That doesn’t sound like a horrible idea,” he smiled, looking over at her. “You alright?” he asked worriedly, smiling awkwardly.