[ti]Private[/ti]Gaining Allies

[ladyspectral]

Honeyheart hated the monster camp. Twolegs constantly buzzed around her, and the air was thick with smoke that made it hard to breathe. But, other cats hated it as well and liked to stay far away from the terrible place. It was the perfect place for an injured she cat to rest without worry of being attacked. She licked at her paws, thankfully free from the tooth reinforcements she often shoved into the sheaths. An infection was brewing in her tender toes, it was time to set them aside for a while and play nice with any cats she may meet.

The bustle had somewhat calmed, so she sat out in the open against the odd twoleg den that twolegs often swarmed into and out of. She remained focused on licking her wounds inflicted in her last few fights against the cats of the forests.

LupTacco

[LupTacco]

Bluebird did not enjoy the constant noise, the tremble of the ground when a monster squealed in, or the occasional rude twoleg kit pulling her tail. She loathed the ducking under the few dry places and weaving between twolegs when it rained, and absolutely hated the reek of smoke and rotting trash that lingered. But it was home, and it had treated her well enough. She could hunt, she could hide, and her scent was all but lost from any encroaching toms or rivals by the mingling aroma of oil and ash. It also made her own nose fairly keen to subtle differences- or to cats who smelled nothing like the area. Finishing her meal, she padded over from under the bushes to the strange new she-cat. 

Flicking small feathers from her muzzle, she observed the outsider- her paws seemed a little swollen, the claw slits almost red in color- before speaking. "Hey new kid. You step in something?" 

[ladyspectral]

At first Honeyheart didn't hear Bluebird, her ears still ringing from the last massive monster that screeched as it came to a stop. Her head turned, inhaling sharply in surprise and lowering her paw. Her green eyes darted over the blue gray she cat. She could barely smell anything in this awful place... But she supposed it was a good thing as well, that meant other cats would have a hard time recognizing her scent. She was sure that the clans were quite angry with her by this point. Something about stepping in something? She hesitated before she responded.

"I suppose I did." She meowed in reply, thinking back to the teeth she had shoved over her natural claws. She hated those things, but they made fighting easier.

[LupTacco]

The blue-grey rogue nodded. "I dunno much about medicine but I know sick when I see it," her voice was almost a purr as she sat down, wrapping her tail around her front paws. Staring thoughtfully at the ginger and white cat, she blinked to casually break contact, looking out at the train tracks. "If you happen to know anything about herbs, I could certainly show you where what you needed was," she meowed coolly, watching the twolegs strut to and fro on their own business. "As long as you can also tell me just what you can offer me in return..." a saccharine note tinged her voice as she slowly turned her gaze away from a plump raven back to Honeyheart. Though she had a collected and calculated countenance, her eyes were sharply focused.

[ladyspectral]

"I can't say I know much about herbs, but I can probably figure something out given I had the proper ones." She replied, looking over to Bluebird thoughtfully. "I'm sure I can find something you're interested in. I'm a she cat of many talents. What are you interested in most? We can work from there, maybe." She suggested, looking her over. "Unless you wish to leave me guessing?"

She raised her paw up off the bench, licking at the tender and clearly infected skin. While she normally just rest for a few days, she had to admit that her paws hadn't become quite so severe before. Or at least not in a very long time. Long enough to forget the discomfort and pained walking.

[LupTacco]

Bluebird blinked, thinking for a bit as she considered the she-cat, staring thoughtfully at Honeyheart. "Hmm. Do you know the cats of the forest?" she asked eventually, flicking her tail towards where the woods were visible across the tracks.

"Even as a kitten I wanted to be one of them, but it's been far too long; if you could either get me into their little groups or help me rake my claws across their pelts, I'd consider that plenty payment," a certain gleam entered her eyes; this was an exciting opportunity for her, one she had never considered would happen so easily. Had it taken moons longer than she wanted it to? Had she lost interest in joining forces with the wild cats? Yes, maybe so- but this was a deal so much sweeter, and so much less dependent on the will of some pompous old cat. Here it was just two rogues with complimentary needs and services.

[ladyspectral]

Honeyheart's heart sunk as Bluebird mentioned wishing to join the clans. Great, another wannabe clan cat... "Yes, unfortunately I haven't had the best experiences with them." She meowed, looking over to the forest. "I assisted one of their kits and them when they lost their territory, yet they drove me out because I wasn't one of them. I was recently rejected a second time, even with a clan cat's assistance. They won't accept you, of that I'm certain." She explained, looking over Bluebird's expression.

"Though, I have an alternative suggestion. Myself and a group of other cats, six of us so far, have formed an group. The Alliance, we want revenge on the clans for how they've treated outsiders for so long. You'd be welcome, as long as you're able to provide something in return for safety and food. We even have another healer among our ranks, Aster." The spotted rogue meowed, falling silent to let the other she cat reply.

[LupTacco]

A prick of anger twisted at her heart- how dare they! Bluebird was certain she was as fierce as this rogue if not more, she knew the wild coursed through her blood- who did those many half-starved forest cats think they were? Her ears twitched, and her eyes narrowed as she focused on keeping them upright against her fury. A low growl entered her voice as she responded, "I see..."

"An alliance?" She paused, looking Honeyheart over. It wasn't quite a clan, but it was certainly something. And it just might get her out od her rut in life. For suspense, and to feel in control again, she pregrnded to mull it over more. "I'm interested- where are these other cats of yours?" she purred eventually.