[ti]Open[/ti]Baby, It's Cold Outside

[indie]

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        The chill of leaf-bare was in full swing. The cold felt like teeth raking against her thinly coated pelt. She had been alone now, for a moon. Clinging to what little aspects of her former life she could keep. The herbs that she managed to save with her mother were tucked underneath the exposed roots of the massive oak she took shelter against. Evergreen shrubs, with thick scraggly limbs, held up the brush that had died during leaf-fall. Clearly, the two-legs didn't pay much attention to caring for the landscapes when it got this cold outside. And it was the best they had managed. Granted, it didn't completely shield her from the strongest winds, but it was certainly better than nothing. And it still smelled like mother.

        Though just to avoid becoming one with the ground, she'd gather the courage to venture out into the open park. Stretching her legs before the night fell and it became too cold to even move. And as she stirred, her stomach would growl, reminding her just how long it had been since her last meal. Every now and then a squirrel would get brave enough to come and root around on the ground, but as of now, it appeared as if she would receive no such luck today. So instead, she'd venture forward. Wandering through the park in which she had seen countless times before.

Mama LupTacco

[LupTacco]

Another breezy, unpleasant winter day. Bluebird, grown tired of constantly being shooed from the most sheltered spaces at the train station by twolegs, had decided to try her luck in the town once again. It wasn't as noisy as it usually was- seemed that the twolegs weren't too fond of the cold, either. She traced the edges of their homes, balancing on the fence posts as she made a meandering trip to the park. As if the general chill in the air weren't enough, a gust of wind flung itself at her flank, nearly toppling her into the yard. This was truly the worst season. No doubt her father was back at the station waiting expectantly for some twoleg to decide halfway through that they were done with their meal. He was never fond of the hunt, preferring to "conserve energy" and "gather smarter, not harder." He had no respect for the essence of hunting- it wasn't just survival, to her, it was a statement. She hated relying on the twoleg's environment, but then she couldn't seem to escape it. 

In any case, the park was much more sheltered and much less busy than either the rest of town or the station. Somewhere relatively quiet to bat at the dumber mice and birds that still nested there for some indiscernible reason. Her nose twitched as she rounded the edge of the final fence, catching so many cat scents it was almost overwhelming. Most were pretty stale, suggesting that they hadn't been here yet today, but one or two fresh trails were present. Leaping down, Bluebird prowled low, peering around the trimmed bushes and seasonally defiant flowers to spot a rather melancholy-looking pale cat. Something about messing with someone sad had never sat with her too well, if she was honest with herself. Better to improve their mood before pulling her usual tricks. "I haven't seen you before, ...?" she sat back in a relaxed pose, trailing her statement off to silently ask the other cat's name. 

[Mama]

With the harsh winter, Moonshine had taken it upon herself to try and trade around for more bedding. She was returning from a successful bargain with a snooty kittypet, a large bit of extra food and some info on another cat or two, for a worn down blanket. Not very much, but she'd take it.
Her tail curled over her back as she crossed yet another street, the machines not as busy as usual.. most likely due to the layer of frost over the road. She had seen one or two run off and into piles of snow with loud yowling, but it seemed they had started to learn.

With the blanket in her jaws, she made the hike to her den, flickering through alleys and under bridges. Finally, the reek of urine and maggots made her look up to see her cozy but rather rotting den. Moonshine gave a small purr from under the blanket, and with a huff she pulled it into the den. Already there was a large collection of torn fabrics laying in a small cardboard box, and with a heave she dropped the new sheet into the stack before glancing around. She was used to the smell, and it kept animals from coming into her den.. though the wood was a bit of a concern. Moonshine didn't have time to ponder her life, as she wanted to scour the train station for some warm twoleg food... yesterday, she got this delicious piece of meat from a warm sandwich.

Padding back out, she made the trek to the place, making sure her pelt looked fluffy and was very clean. No twoleg would treat an ugly cat, would they? After a long walk through the snow, she finally arrived at her destination, and followed right into the place.

This time, there seemed to be other cats begging, a larger tom and... a kitten? Oh dear, that wasn't too good. Padding towards the duo, she glanced up and down at them. "What's a little one like you doing here? Where's your housefolk, or your mother?"

[indie]

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        Though there was something different today. A strange scent seemed like it had touched the wind. But she was inexperienced in her craft, and could barely hunt to feed herself. Let alone did she recognize the near presence of other felines in the general area. No, it wasn't until she heard an older feminine voice did her muscles tense in recognition of the presence of another. It had been a long while since she had talked to another, so when she spun on her paws 180 degrees to see who had approached her, it left her in surprise. Not really knowing what else she should expect. Prim would right herself on stumbling paws. Taking in the blue tabby she-cat with a widened gaze. But there was no aggression to be seen in her posture. So that helped comfort Prim ... a little.

       Slowly she'd start to relax for herself, reclining to her haunches, and curling her tail around her paws as she thought of an answer. "I-I pretty well just stick to myself." The girl finally managed. Hoping that answer would suffice. But before she could get a question on for herself, a steady movement would catch her attention nearby. Another she-cat was approaching them, and she couldn't help but wonder if they knew each other or were traveling together. At the edge of a conversational distance, the thicker-furred white she-cat spoke up. Questions directed at herself. At first, she didn't understand. Never really coming in contact with house-cats, she had no idea what a housefolk was. "My wha-" The girl started to ask, but before she could get it out, she was asked about her mother. Something she really didn't want to talk about, but decided to answer it instead. "She's not here anymore. But I can take care of myself." Prim said, a defensive tone clear on her voice. She didn't want to seem weak in front of the older cats.

    A quick glance back to the first she-cat who approached, she couldn't help but wonder what their intentions were.

Mama LupTacco

[LupTacco]

A twitch of amusement shook her whiskers as the young feline whirled around on her paws, nearly stumbling over herself. "Suit yourself, kitten," Bluebird purred, but before she could really decide whether bothering this timid little thing more was worth it or not, she caught another new scent. It seemed feline at first, but it was also oddly sour- as if whoever it was lived in a sewer. Flicking her gaze upwards, she spotted a pale, long-furred feline- much sleeker and well-kempt than the smell she carried would have suggested. She's either a kittypet who rolls in some nasty twoleg perfume, or.... Bluebird's tail-tip twitched subtly with keen, joyous curiosity, she's a clever one. Her own machinations for testing the extent of their wit were interrupted by the defensive response of the little lost cat to the newcomer's question. 

Bluebird's heart fell a little. She didn't genuinely empathize with many others' plights- sympathy perhaps, and a hidden inner smile at not being this or that poor sod, but a mother lost hit a little closer to home. Their attempt to seem brave and independent were all too relatable, but even more pitiful than her own youth- this kitten seemed entirely alone now, where Bluebird had had at least one cat to lean on for support until she could strike out on her own. "Can you actually feed yourself yet?" she asked with genuine concern, before casting a side glance at the larger loner. "I don't think I've ever encountered your... specific scent before. Don't come to town often myself, though," she addressed Moonshine, making a halfway effort at both a greeting and an insult- it wasn't intentional really, slipping out with the words she'd meant to allow. Between the faintest odor of urea and the sad little situation in front of her, her usual smooth control over her speech was a little off this morning. 

[Mama]

Moonshine watched the kit with honest concern, she could easily tell this cat was hardly surviving... not living like a kit her age should be. “Sweetie, you look like some of the rats I see on the streets, you need a little plumping up!” The rogue exclaimed, her ears perking up.

Turning her head towards the other cat, the huge shecat faced over her with a bit of intrest. Instead of being offended by the way she shriveled up towards her smell and even questioned it, Moonshive gave a deep and amused chuckle. “Oh, I’m all around anywhere with two legs and housecats, especially ones with food! Don’t worry, I’m not going to eat you, the smell just keeps me from leaving too much of a trail and keeping two legs, if they grab me, from keeping me. Or dogs, I don’t mind them but the smell usually deters them of cat.” She explained, with a warm grin before glancing back towards Prim. “Now, if you don’t mind, what’s your name? I’m Moonshine.” The white colorpoint asked, her fur fluffing up slightly. “If you want, I could get you some food, your small enough to look like a kit and I could pretend to be your mother. You look cute and hungry enough for no twoleg to resist helping!”

Glancing back towards Bluebird, her tail twirled once or twice. “I can find something for you too, or we can check the dumpsters. You’ll be surprised what’s in there.”

[indie]

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        It wasn't aggression or hostility that she was meant with by the blue tabby. Instead, the amusement was what prevailed across her expression, and the younger she-cat couldn't tell if that was worse or not. She wasn't sure if the few words spoke to her directly were meant to be condescending or not. But after a few more moments of thought, she decided that she wouldn't let it get to her, at least, not yet. But something else quickly stole her attention. Prim's untrained senses couldn't pick out the sour stench until she realized she was standing face to face with her. How odd. But it was something she was easily able to move past, as the white she-cat spoke too. Commenting on her size. Which had never really bothered her.

        In the time she had spent questioning the white she-cat's well-kept appearance and strange scent. She felt the other loner's gaze shifting back to herself. Can you even feed yourself yet? On a reflex, she felt her chest puffing out a little bit, a little irritated that she was thought to be so incompetent. "I can manage." She would say, quick to be defensive. She could hunt enough to keep herself from starving. Her abilities just weren't ... consistent. At least, not quite.

        The blue tabby she-cat, however, pointed out the strange scent that the white she-cat wore. Something that Prim was interested to know for herself. Slowly, she'd settle back down into a more relaxed posture, as her pale green gaze shifted to the oldest she-cat. Listening to her words with intent, as they rolled off her tongue. As it turned out, there were a lot of valuable reasons to carry such an awful stench with you. She'd have to remember that.

        Moonshine, as she introduced herself, attention realigned with her own. Asking her to share her own identity. And of course, she would hesitate. Not really sure if it were a good idea or not. But after a heartbeat or two, she'd finally gather her nerve. "Prim." A lighter tone coated her voice as she spoke this time, her pale green orbs casting a glance in the other she-cat's direction. Quietly wondering to herself if she was going to introduce herself as well. Though, it was a look that didn't last long. Moonshine's voice would call for her focus. Quickly running through things on how she could help. That she could pretend to be her mother. That two-legs couldn't resist helping.

        Of course, all was meant well. But she didn't want to be a burden. She didn't want to be dead weight. So finally, when there was a gap of silence to speak after Moonshine had mentioned something about dumpsters to the blue tabby she-cat, she'd draw her own voice. "I don't need to be coddled." She would say, somewhat defensively. But she was quick to ease off. Her expression to soften as she spoke her next words. "But, I would be greatly appreciative if you showed me, instead ... so I could learn for myself ... " So she could take care of herself more efficiently. And that would be a far better gift than a single meal.

Mama LupTacco