Chasing S H A D O W S

[osprey]

The darkness had increased to a point where an average human would never be able to pick out even the simplest of shapes amongst the gloom. The time was coming nearer and nearer to midnight, as a dark, charcoal figure weaved through the shadowy woods. Eyes narrowed with determination, Osprey lead the way through the forest. Thankfully, he wasn't an average human so his developed eyesight could guide him through these woods. Nevertheless, this spooky area required him to use all of his precise senses to simply navigate his way through the darkness. His ears stood upright, sensitive to any slight noise, or muffled sound. His eyes flicked from tree to bush to rock, trying to identify it as a landmark on the correct path. His mouth, open slightly, welcoming in the scents of the forest. His nose, partnered with the scent glands on the roof of his mouth, worked its magic. His paw pads felt the delicate surface beneath him, correctly informing him; was he stepping on leaves or grass or mud or stone?

Even with his senses working together to combat this journey, it wasn't easy to him. He'd only made this trip a couple of times before and that was in daylight. Osprey's lips curled into a small smile, as he began to identify subtle hints and scents that he was going in the right direction. The aroma, the majority of the time, was of him. His scents criss-crossed this area, where he usually hunted and gathered food. Any sensible unknown cat would probably turn back now - it was better to avoid his 'territory' and avoid a fight. Ozzy leaned his body backwards into a sitting position, and glanced over his shoulder, his pupils large and black in contrast to his bright amber eyes. He glanced over into the forest beyond. Into the wild cat's territories he'd avoided before, and the neutral areas where any cat could come and hunt and play.

But his focus was not on the woods, not at all. It was on the fluffy grey figure of another cat. Opal had been following him through the forest, after meeting him at Thorton's Stream. Not that he was certain that was its true name - rumours had been spreading, of course. The cat didn't seem so far away, so he shared a comforting smile and carried on. The muscled tom was determined not to let his mind stray to other subjects. Marigold, for example. It is better to have loved and lost, then to have never loved at all. Yeah, yeah, whatever. The saying seemed utter nonsense to Ozzy now, but his goal remained firmly fixed on finding his den. It wasn't a difficult task from here, and he soon discovered the DIY 'hut' thing, cloaked in leaves, branches and mud to hold it together. "It's not all that great, but it's home."

Completely forgetting his manners, he slipped right into the den without bothering to think of 'Ladies first'. Suddenly he realized how tired he was, and all he wanted to do was collapse into his nest. But he still had some manners, if not a lot, and shuffled some grasses, feathers and other bedding into a small bed for Opal. He flicked his tail at it to signal where she should sleep. He had moved it to the area where his den usually was - the warmest and most enclosed spot for extra comfort. Soon, he didn't think he could put up with his aching legs much longer and lay down swiftly onto his own pillow. He didn't relax totally though: maybe they could talk for a while first? Osprey shifted slightly, trying to find the comfiest position, before tucking his legs under his powerful figure and wrapping his fluffy tail around his side. "Do you like the night time, then?"

His question was followed by a long yawn. Now that he had reached his target (finding his den) he didn't really know what he was aiming for - which was bad. Osprey felt like he was chasing shadows. Utterly pointless and impossible, yet somehow satisfactory.

ooc:; Sorry I took so long. D:

[snowmist]

The fluffy tabby shuddered once, hurrying to catch up with Osprey. These woods were very freaky; the darkness made them creepier. Crooked trees looked like monsters, and bushes or shrubs looked like dogs or wolves, mouths watering. Opal was sure that a fearsome beast was about to spring out of the shadows, and, slobbering, throw itself onto Opal and Osprey. She almost expected bats to fly from the darkness and plunge its fangs into their throats. Oh, here I could have a horrible death..

Then, in front of her, she saw the biggest monster, mud and leaves cloaking it. It's pitch-black mouth was spread wide. Opal stared at Osprey calmly padding into it. How could he do that? He wants to kill himself so he's walking into a monster's mouth! Opal blinked and looked again, and the monster had transformed into a den. With a sigh of relief, she leapt inside to see Osprey tiredly gathering his bedding, raking it together before lying down on it, leaving a generous scrap for her.

Opal pawed and raked, stamping the moss into an acceptable nest. She circled it three times before lying down, nose touching her tail. Only her green eyes showed over that fluffy gray tail. She glanced back up at Ozzy, who seemed to be starting a conversation, and asking her if she liked nighttime, before yawning. He must be tired, It was then that she realized that she, herself, was also very tired. Yeah, during summer, spring, and autumn. In wintertime, night is FREEZING. she mewed softly, trying to conserve energy so she didn't fall asleep before the end of the conversation.

ooc: *is sorry for the late reply*

[osprey]

The shadows didn't really bother Osprey. He was quite a brave cat when it came to darkness, and other similar things other things different cats might class as 'spooky'. Sometimes that wasn't a good thing. Most of the time, yes. It had earned him a lot of prey, but he hadn't learned the dangers yet. Some cats were right to be naturally cautious - even with their night-time vision. Most murders, I'm guessing, happen at night. Two, round amber eyes glowed though the darkness, two tiny sparks of light against the shade. But they were not alone. Another cat was laying not far away. She was a grey tabby with green eyes, and Osprey glanced at her, forcing a smile onto his face. He wasn't really in such a good mood, he just had to prove that his recent heartbreak hadn't destroyed him completely. Which it hadn't. He was sure of it.

A small breeze had filtered though a gap in the wood, chilling Ozzy's fur to the bone. He rippled his pelt, warming it slightly. He'd be fine sleeping here tonight, he didn't regret his decision to allow Opal to sleep in the warmest part of the den. The black cat listened as she shared her opinion, and he nodded slowly. "I agree. It is getting pretty cold. Are you alright in here?" He decided to ask her - he was usually quite warm and comfortable in his den, but he'd die of embarrassment if she was cold. But what could he do if she was? For the first time, he noticed the weariness in her eyes and figure, she was obviously exhausted. Maybe it was a better idea just to get straight to sleep. Osprey thought it over for a while, before summing it up in one simple decision. "Do you want to go to sleep now? I can see you're tired." His question was calm and gentle, almost uncharacteristicly for the slightly bad tempered black tom.

He shifted slightly. He wasn't uncomfortable in his nest - it was just the situation he was having problems with. Part of him wanted to make friends with Opal - talk to her all night and become great companions. But the other half wanted to run away from his life; forgetting about Opal, Marigold, Twilight, Lily, Silver, Indigo... All the cats he had met in his travels. Perhaps if he left Nenbrook altogether, things would be better for him? Maybe. Maybe not. He'd only end up getting trapped by the humans, and shoved in that awful pound again. Or he might just run right into the same problems again, meeting cats who'd either want to kill him, or be his friends. He'd get close to someone, and then they'd hurt him, and then he'd flee from the situation, heartbroken. Then it would happen again. Just like a giant circle. The circle of pain.

ooc:; Sorry about the wait, shortness, ect. D: I've already done a reply today and I'm already museless, lol.

[snowmist]

The darkness clouded Opal's vision. She blinked a few times, but it didn't go away. It was confusing here - here in this dark forest, on the streets. Nobody seemed to care about anybody else - I'm all for myself, the she-cat reminded herself, but she knew she wasn't. That black cat curled up a little away from her was definitely number one on her list of who's life to save. How can I save myself if I can't see? she tried joking with herself, but it just didn't work. Nothing worked. She yawned, long pink tongue rolling out of her mouth and curling at the end, like a giant carpet. She didn't want to seem rude, but she was so tired her head was already spinning. Or maybe it was became of Marigold? Or what Marigold did to poor, dear Osprey. Or maybe a mix. Anyway, she didn't want to go to sleep because she could see the Osprey needed someone to talk to.

She smiled slightly at what Osprey said. Yes, It's almost winter. I can't imagine what it'll be like when it fully becomes winter. Snow. Lots of snow. Soaking wet. Freezing, icy ponds. The small tabby shivered, and curled up tighter. She had never been out in this weather, all because of Steve. But he left me now. He doesn't....he doesn't care. It felt hard to say this, but she knew it was true. Steve, who had sheltered her, done so much for her. He didn't care. He just sent her off to be a...a stray. She felt like growling so much that she bit her lip slightly. Her soft gray ears angled toward Osprey as he said something. Need to stay awake.... she reminded herself. She smiled a little bit again. No. I'm fine. she lied.

ooc: if we're doing sub-plot 2, then Ozzy and Marigold have to get back together somehow =]