[o] if there's one thing i hang onto

[Slate Snowbreeze]

Jane used to love this season. She'd come home from her morning walk (during the time she could still leave the house) pick up Slate as he came to greet her and tell him how beautiful it was outside Then she'd continue on, describing every second of her walk, including a pretty pink flower she might have found, or a bird she saw in a birdbath on someone's lawn. Slate had always wanted to see it for himself, the Spring, and now he was. Only it had been different in his imagination--Jane had always been there with him.

Well, Jane was gone now. Someone took her away. He supposed he had been a little harsh on Alexandra, Jane's daughter, and Hannah, Jane's granddaughter, in running away. They were kind to him, Hannah was a sweet little girl, but he missed Jane. His Jane. In the while that he'd been wandering about, he still hadn't managed to find her.

Now, as the air started to warm against his short gray fur and he could see flowers starting to bloom and leaves growing on the trees, he felt closer to Jane than he had in a long time. Currently, he was making his way through Cheshire, a small town. It wasn't the exact town that Jane and Alexandra and Hannah lived in, but the brick walls that surrounded some houses soaked up heat like you wouldn't believe, and were quick comfortable to lay on. Slate was lying sprawled out on one such brick wall, blue eyes sparkling with excitement for the first time in a long time. The heat was making him lazy, and he figured he could be happy staying on that brick wall forever. As long as the sun kept shining, he's manage.

Slate turned to roll over, but then felt empty air beneath him. With a hiss, he went plummeting down into the garden below. Darn. There went his day of relaxation. Just as he was expecting, a woman came bolting out the from door, face angry as she yelled at him. "Get off my lawn, you stupid cat! Stop ruining my flowers!" Slate took one look at her red cheeks and leapt over the fence.

Well that sucked. Eh, at least he had the streets to walk along. Most people weren't as vicious as that woman was. He'd been verbally assaulted by her many times, but he couldn't help that her brick wall was the best.

Plus it was kind of fun to annoy her.

Slate licked his paw and swiped it over his ear a few times before continuing on to clean any dirt off of his pelt. Who wanted to look dirty? Just . . . no. He was remembering Jane, and Jane didn't like it when he wasn't clean. Not that his cleanliness was usually a problem--once upon a time he had been an "indoor cat."

When he was done licking his fur clean, Slate began to follow the curb of the street. It was still warm where he was walking, and he felt a purr begin to start in the back of his throat. Such a nice day . . .

[Tempest Moonshimmer]

She stared at the ground, looked at her suroundings. She couldn't forget anything, just incase she got lost. She set up little stone markings, so that she could know this was the way back. The familiar stench of humans flooded her senses. And with a huge shock, she looked up. This was the neiborhood. The very place in which she had been raised. She couldnt beleive her vibrant purple eyes. How could she have been so near this place without knowing? She skidded to a halt outside of the red bricked house. It had white trim, and an oak door. The grass that use to be a vivid green where now grown over, and fogotten. Tempest padded slowly up the walk, reaching the door. The catflap was sealed shut, and the lights inside were dim.

Tempest began to meow and scratch at the door. No answer. She scratched more. Why weren't they answering? She soon gave up, and walked around back. She jumped over the fence. There lied a gravestone. If there was any word Tempest could ever read, it was the one on the gravestone in front of her.Julia. The name of her old owner. Shock overcame Tempest. She had always thought that Julia had gone over to a friends house. Julia always spoke of her best friends. But now, everything made sense. Why Tempest was thrown out of the human's hospitality, why Julia never said good-bye to Tempest. Why no one answered the door. They had left. They left . They left..

She ran down the streets, tears streaming down her face. WHAM! She opened her eyes, dazed. Ugh. She had run into a brick wall. How idiotic! She stood up, but couldnt help noticing a gray cat close by. Curiously, she began to approach him. He was walking away, and looked like he had just washed. She sped up. She ran ahead, and skidded in front of him. "Now what is such a nice looking tom doing alone on such a beautiful Spring day?" She purred in greeting.

[Slate Snowbreeze]

He could still remember how the sun felt as it penetrated the clear glass and warmed his gray pelt . . . it had been very nice. But even that feeling had nothing on the great star as it's light reached him undisturbed. Slate sighed softly and closed his eyes, halting momentarily. Jane was still something that he missed from his life, but this was amazing. Unlike anything else. A slight breeze whispered through his thinning pelt, and Slate continued walking with a smile plastered on his face. Oh yes, this was wonderful. Not even that crazy woman could dim down his mood--and she was pretty talented at that. Unless, of course, he was irking her on purpose. Then it was just funny.

Suddenly, a blur of colour came whipping in front of Slate. The unanticipated movement shocked Slate, and he jumped a bit, a hiss on the edge of his tongue. The gray fur on the back of his neck was standing up, and his face was contorted into a snarl. Just as he prepared himself for a fight, ears flat to his head, he noticed that it was just another cat. He breathed out, happy that it wasn't a threat of any kind, and then smiled. The she-cat was a gray colour, like him, but her fur was tabby, not spotted. Her eyes were a pretty, vivid purple colour. Slate had never seen someone with eyes like that. "Now what is such a nice looking tom doing alone on such a beautiful Spring day?"

"Sorry," he said sheepishly. "I'm just walking. And what's a pretty-kitty like you doing out alone on such a beautiful Spring day?" His words were teasing, in a friendly way, and he smiled. Perhaps there was one way to make this day better--spending it with someone else. He'd always envisioned him spending a warm spring afternoon with Jane, but this she-cat would do just fine. She seemed friendly, and social, so there didn't appear to be a downside.

"I'm Slate," he clarified. "Slate Snowbreeze. And you are . . . ?" Okay, so maybe Slate wasn't exactly well-known among other cats, but he knew how to carry on a conversation. He'd learned from observing guests that Jane had over, and from watching other cats since he'd left Alexandra's house. In his opinion, he was quite knowledgeable--he just had yet to put that intelligence to use. This situation was perfect for trying to make a friend.

As he looked closer, there was a watery appearance to his new companion's eyes, and he tilted his head curiously. It looked as if she had been crying, but at this point she seemed cheerful enough. Some cat's could be deceiving, perhaps she didn't intend for him to notice. In that case, he'd keep his mouth shut. It would be pretty terrible to blurt out something that she didn't want noted by another. Instead, Slate opted for a friendly smile that almost certainly lit up his wide blue eyes. Now came the real challenge for him--making friends.

[Tempest Moonshimmer]

Making friends was Tempest's specialty. You didnt need to be outgoing to befriend Tempest. Her astonishing purple eyes wowed most humans, and they loved to pet her. Because of this, she developed a friendly personality. No cat can deny the fact that she is the friendliest cat around. It what she is known for. More like will be known for; i have only lived here for a month and i am developing a areputation! She chuckled.

"I'm just walking. And what's a pretty-kitty like you doing out alone on such a beautiful Spring day?"
She blushed. No cat had ever called her pretty. She knew it was in a friendly way, but it still made her feel fuzzy inside (lol). She looked down at her paws, extremely flattered and taken aback by the compliment. She always heard humans gasping about her beautiful eyes.. But a cat? A tom no less. "Oh well, you know, i havent lived in the wild very long. It is very hard to make lasting friendships out here. Always seems that the friendships end the moment you leave.. It's as simple as that." She smiled as she answered his question. She figured it was probably the same for this cat.

"I'm Slate,". "Slate Snowbreeze. And you are . . . ?"
She grinned. She had never heard this name before. The sound of his name made her smile. "I am Tempest. Tempest Moonshimmer. Born on a clear moon-lit night, that would soon be overcome by a storm" She always liked explaining the reason for her name. Some say she was name becuase her purple eyes resemble that of a storm cloud, but they are silly to think that. Her eyes weren't open yet when she was named.

She was glad that Slate hadnt commented on her eyes. Them being ready to burst into tears. Tempest never cried in front of another being. She didnt think that it was dignifying what-sp-ever. Maybe she would tell Slate why she had been so upset before meeting him, later, when they were better aquainted.

She gracefully walked ahead, and teasingly let her tail brush against his pelt, and under his chin. "So where were you headed to, Slate?" She mewed.

ooc: Tempest is such a flirt xD

[Slate Snowbreeze]

Slate remembered a lot from Jane's house. There was one day that stuck in his mind particularly well. It had been a sunny summer day, and he had been lounging happily in the sunlight that covered one of the couches in Jane's house. Slate was warm, content, life didn't seem like it could get much better.

Jane had a friend over that day, and the two were chatting away in the kitchen. Usually Slate would be over there with them, as he could quite often get some food out of them, but he didn't really feel like moving. Bits of their conversation were reaching his ears, Jane's friend was talking excitedly about an assignment--whatever that was--that her son had done on the words: "be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." He'd laughed at those words at first--what battle had he been facing? The battle of whether to sleep or not?--but now as he watched the pretty purple eyes of his new companion, he thought he could understand what they meant.

The only thing he couldn't quite understand was what his battle was. Getting over Jane? Finding Jane? He sure missed her. What about adjusting to life on the streets? Could that be it? It just didn't seem to click in his mind. Ah, well, why waste such a beautiful day with unnecessary thinking?

The she-cat blushed, and directed her pretty eyes to her paws. "Oh well, you know, I haven't lived in the wild very long. It is very hard to make lasting friendships out here. Always seems that the friendships end the moment you leave . . . It's as simple as that." Slate inclined his head. It was very true--the few others who he had spoken to rarely came to him mind anymore. Everyone was more concerned with survival than maintaining relationships. When he had been a housecat, he'd known all the neighbors pets, they were all friends. Well, except for the dog next-door. He was an idiot, though, and people tended to pick on him so it wasn't his fault he was so bitter and mean.

"Know what you mean," Slate grinned. "I haven't been a street-cat for very long, either. I guess I'm just here reminiscing. My owner used to love the Spring. We didn't live in this town, though, it was a different one."

After Slate introduced himself, the she-cat fired back her own name. "I am Tempest. Tempest Moonshimmer. Born on a clear moon-lit night, that would soon be overcome by a storm,"

[/b] Pretty name for a pretty cat. Tempest. It had an unusual ring to it, but not in a bad way. Her gray fur and purple eyes reminded him of a storm, the name was well chosen.

"So where were you headed to, Slate?" Tempest's tail ran smoothly along his side and then up under his chin as she elegantly padded ahead. Slate paused for half a second, and then he quickened his pace to keep up by her side. With a quick grin over to the gray she-cat, he padded ahead, flicking his own tail under her chin in an imitation of her previous actions. Then, he ran for a house that was about three houses down. The brick wall was not as nice as the one he had been on earlier, but it was also one of the best. After he leapt up, he licked the wind-blown fur on his chest down as it had been standing up.

"Nowhere in particular," he purred. "What about you?"
[/blockquote]

xD I read your post and I had a sudden image in my mind of Slate being like O.o with a deer-in-the-headlights look plastered on his face. :D It was really funny![/blockquote]

[Tempest Moonshimmer]

A burning feeling erupted in her stomach. But it wasn't painful, it was just different. Something she never felt before. She tried to shrug it off, but the twisted feeling became even stronger. She shook her head. She smiled, looking at her paws. She was acting just like Julia would when she talked on the phone with her friends when she was talking about a boy. Tempest blushed even harder when Slate repeated her, letting his tail brush against her flaming pelt, up and under her chin...
The twisted feeling got stronger.

It was nice to chat with a cat that knew how she felt. Knowing no cat at all, and being kicked out by there owners. 'I wonder what the fate of his pervious owner was..' She didn't dare ask. Tempest knew the greif that can clutch you when thinking of them. All of the love they gave, the fun moments. How they always cried, holding you. How your purr could comfort them, and your fur caught their tears..

She sprinted, tailing behind Slate. She was taken aback by him suddenly speeding up, but smiled in understanding as he lept up into the brick wall. It must be just like laying in front of a window, letting the sun's rays warm you and let the breeze softly ruffle your fur. She lept up beside him, and began to lick her own windswept fur, in slow strokes.
"Nowhere in particular," he purred. "What about you?"

Tempest smiled. "oh just exploring. I have only seen some hills, and the old road.." she mewed. "I came across here by chance.." She gulped. A deep lonley feeling stabbed her. She knew she would have to leave, so she could go get food. She looked at Slate. She had just met him, and didn't want to leave. However, the rumble in her tummy told her that it was time to eat. "I.." she didn't want to go.. She looked down at her paws once more. No prey would be lurking in this place. An idea sprung in her head.

"Since you have no where to go i was wondering.." She smiled. "Do you know where i could hunt? And if so, will you come with me?"

ooc:Just writing this RP gave me that twisty feeling in the tummy xD Oh and LOL that's how i would imagine any tom would react to Tempest doing that move xD LOL i can just imagine that look on Slate's face xD

[Slate Snowbreeze]

It wasn't usual for Slate to be in such a good mood. Usually he was pretty down, negative, bitter. He held onto memories that were practically ghosts. It was fairly obvious that no matter how much he hoped, Jane was not coming back. That didn't stop him from wishing, though, did it. And now, all the sadness because of the reminiscing had led him to this new potential friend--if they weren't already. Tempest was by far one of his favourite cats, ever.

Tempest followed Slate up onto the brick wall, and began to also tidy her wind-swept fur. When Slate had been a housecat, grooming himself had been more of a luxury than anything else. Now, living on the streets, it became a necessity. There was so many bad things that could get caught in your fur, dirt, mud, burs. None of them you particularly wanted in your fur, either. Slate had had pretty awful experiences with burs, experiences that he wasn't in much of a hurry to repeat.

"oh just exploring. I have only seen some hills, and the old road,"

[/i] Tempest smiled, and Slate paused in his licking to smile back before he resumed grooming himself. A low purr was growing in the back of his throat, he could hear it quietly. "I came across here by chance.."[/i] He heard Tempest gulp, and he immediately looked up. There was a loneliness, a vulnerability present in her beautiful eyes that alarmed Slate. Just moments ago she had been fine, now she didn't seem to be. His mind flashed back to the watery appearance of her eyes when they first encountered each other. He had no doubt in his mind that something was wrong.

Slate felt the urge to reach out and comfortingly lick her shoulder, but he didn't. They had just met, she probably wouldn't like it if he did. "Me too," he admitted. "Well, a while ago I did. I've been coming here lots since." Perhaps Tempest would be coming her often, too, and they could spend more time together! A smile came onto Slate's face at just the idea. Tempest, so far, was a lot of fun, and Slate had long decided that he liked her.

"I.."[/i] There was a slight rumble that came from Tempest's stomach, and Slate felt disappointed. She was hungry. She'd have to go off and hunt, now. That was . . . depressing. "Since you have no where to go i was wondering.." Tempest smiled, and Slate's ears flicked towards her in interest. "Do you know where i could hunt? And if so, will you come with me?"[/i] Slate's face lit up as he heard those words, and he nodded vigorously.

"Yes!" he exclaimed. "I know!" He paused for a moment, hoping to calm down. "There's a house on the edge of town," he flicked his ears in the direction, "the garden is pretty overgrown, full of rabbits and mice." He grinned, and he could almost envision how his deep blue eyes were sparkling. "Just over there," he repeated. "Lead the way!"
[/blockquote]

xD Yup! Oh, poor Slate. Slate----> O.o

Awesome post, by the way! ^^[/blockquote]

[Tempest Moonshimmer]

She knew too late that Slate had noticed her stab of loneliness 'i cant be showing my feelings so much!' she mewed to herself, silently. She had met so many cats, yet TEmpest felt such a strong connection to Slate.

"Me too," he admitted. "Well, a while ago I did. I've been coming here lots since."
She saw a hopeful glint in his eyes as he spoke these words. What was he thinking?

She noticed the dissapointment that fell upon face when her belly rumbled. Could a cat truly care anough to be sad if the other had to go? Obviously, becuase his excited response to her question come out quick and happily. She purred. She looked the way he was pointing. Yes, indeed, the grass was overgrown. Any mouse would be smart to live there. She jumped off the brick wall, and began to sprint toward the overgrown yard, flashing a grateful grin back at Slate.

She skidded to a halt at the house. She took a big wiff of air, and the smell of mouse overwhelmed her senses. Her mouth began to water just at the smell. She crouched down, stalking toward the bushes. She heard something move in the bushes, and a mouse was defiantly there. Before it could notice, she lept up, and landed heavily on the mouse. It squeeled, but only for a moment becuase she had banged it's head against the ground. Quick and painless. she moved out of the long grasses. The mouse was so plump, and juices flooded her mouth already. She was interested to see Slate's skill in hunting. So she settled herself down outside the yard, flicking her tail to tell Slate to go on in and catch his own prey.

ooc: Oh so pitiful xD Sorry... No muse..

[Slate Snowbreeze]

Tempest took off ahead of Slate, running in the direction he had indicated. He grinned quickly to himself, and then hopped off of the brick ledge. After a quick stretch, he started running after his purple-eyed companion, wind ruffling his short fur. She turned briefly, smiling at Slate, and then slid to a halt outside the house. The warm smell of prey was thick in the air, and Slate watched as Tempest breathed it in.

In smooth movements, Tempest crouched down, and began to slowly stalk forwards to some bushes. Slate, though farther away, could hear very faint scratching noises, a mouse, and his ears flicked a bit towards it. With one quick, flowing action that caused the muscles to ripple beneath her gray fur, Tempest leapt up and pounced on the mouse. There was a sharp, unpleasant squealing sound and Slate flinched. Stupid mouse. It was quickly silenced, though, as Tempest hit its head against a rock. She picked up her meal and carried it proudly out of the tall, green-and-yellowed grass. Slate nodded, smiling, she was very good at hunting.

As Tempest started to eat, she flicked her tail towards the yard, indicating that it was Slate’s turn to go find food. He grinned, and noiselessly stood. His tail whipped out behind him, lashing in excitement, and he had to take a moment to steady it. He silently padded around to the side of the yard where there was an overgrown garden. He stepped carefully into it, trying to avoid crunching his paws down on any dead plants. There was a mouse searching for its own food in the grass not far off, and Slate narrowed his blue eyes as he attempted to visually pinpoint it. There!

He got a glimpse of its light brown body through the blades of grass, and he crouched. His muscles were tense in anticipation, and he took one more moment before--caught it! He landed gracefully onto it, his claws sunk into the small body. The feeling wasn’t as satisfying as scraping his claws on wood, like a tree or something, but it still felt nice. Unfortunately, as his back paws landed, he tripped a bit and almost lost his balance. Thankfully he managed to keep upright as he sheepishly unhooked his claws and picked up the mouse in his mouth.

He winked at Tempest as he pranced over to where she was, and he lay down next to her as he began to eat his meal. He ate mouse often, but it seemed to taste better now that he had a friend to eat it with. “So how was that?” he questioned happily. “You’re really good at hunting,” he informed Tempest. He doubted that she didn’t know that, but friends were nice to each other. Slate liked being nice.

When he was done his mouse, he rolled over on his side towards Tempest. His stomach was up, and between the heat from the sun and the body heat from Tempest, he was in cat heaven. Slate’s blue eyes began to lazily blink shut, and he yawned a bit. “It’s so nice outside,” he murmured.

It wasn't pitiful at all! XD Or at least I don't think so. Tempest is pretty awesome, that's what I do think! I also think that Slate will end up looking like this --> O.o --> by some time in out thread

[Tempest Moonshimmer]

The warm sun beamed down on her gray fur, Her name mocking the sun's rays. She chuckled. Sure she was named Tempest, but she loved the sun dearly. IT was hard to beleive that only last night purple clouds had dominated teh skys and thunder had rolled.. A warm breeze ruffled her fur, and blew on the long grasses ahead of her. She examined Slate, as he dropped into a hunter's crouch. She watched him gracefully leap, and land on the mouse, sinking his claws into it's small body.

"So how was that?"

"Wonderful" she purred. She wondered if she was talking about the leap or the cat. 'no..no.. I only just met him..' but there was a feeling deep in her. She finnally understood why Julia had wanted a boyfriend so bad. She finnally understood all of the chick-flicks they would watch. She finnaly realized what those songs about kissing and hugging were about. What was that word? She knew it would come back to her. The feeling in her tummy mistified her. She only purred louder.

You’re really good at hunting,

Her heart gave a great leap at these words. Just a simple compliment, yet so important to Tempest. "You're pretty good yourself" she mewed happily.
She watched him prance over to her, and take his spot beside her. She finished her juicy and delicious mouse in a couple bites, and began to groom herself. She licked her paw and swiped it over her ear. She throughly washed her pads, getting all the grit out of the creases. Slate rolled over on his belly. She suppressed a laugh, and the urge to snuggle closer to him. That would seem a little bit awkward.. She sat there, her eyes closed...

Her eyes opened about 10 minutes later. Slate was still there. Even though they were threatening to close, his eyes were indeed open. the thought of having to leave cut her.. She thought of Julia, of the car driving away afte rthrowing out.

"Slate" she mewed. "I dont know if you have ever lost anyone" Her heart Ached, "but if you did, you would undertand this one request," she choked on her words, "please" Tears were gathering, "just dont" Her heart felt like it would rip in two with the idea of Julia walking away. The thought of her body.. no longer alive with laughter, her cheeks no longer pink. She remembered the look on her face as Tempest came out of the box wich she was wrapped in.. "dont... leave me like she did" A tear fell down her face. No way could she be crying. Why would she cry now? When it was one of the happier days she has had in months...

[Slate Snowbreeze]

“Wonderful,” Slate couldn’t help but purr at the praise. Although he had been being playful when he asked, the compliment was nice. “You’re pretty good yourself,”

[/i] Tempest mowed in response. Slate smiled at that. As Slate lay sprawled out on his back, he watched Tempest wash her pads quickly through slitted eyes, before she grew quiet as well.

Slate was starting to think that she was asleep, when she said his name. “Slate, I don’t know if you have ever lost anyone, but if you did, you would understand this one request,” this caught his attention, though his mind threatened to wander over to his Jane. A sigh escaped his mouth . . . Jane. He missed her. “Please, just don’t,” there were lots of pauses in her words, and Slate was starting to feel alarmed. In one quick movement, he flipped so he was lying on his stomach again, and he watched Tempest. “Don’t . . . Leave me like she did.”[/i]

Like who? Slate was going to ask, but he saw a tear run down her face and he jumped slightly. Shoot! What did you do when cats cried? “Shh,” he whispered, unsure. “Um, I’m not going anywhere.” How did you comfort others? With Jane, you just sat there and purred while she petted you, but he doubted that Tempest was going to do that. Instead, he opted to comfortingly lick her shoulder. “Like who?” he asked.

Maybe she had had an owner like he did, who just disappeared one day. Disappeared, and never come back. That would be terrible, he knew how awful it felt.[/blockquote]
Ah . . . I’m sorry. I am having issues writing today.[/blockquote]

[Tempest Moonshimmer]

No..no! What was she thinking! Tempest knew she wasnt a cry baby. She wouldnt act like this, especially not in front of Slate. Tempest blinked, and sniffed up the runny mucus in her nose. Her purple eyes flickered the ground in embarrassment. She could feel the desperation radiating off of Slate as he tried to figure out what to do. 'Great now i have upsetted him..'

“Um, I’m not going anywhere.”

he said these words uncertainly, like he was trying to figure out what to do.

“Like who?”

The question stabbed her. She was such an idiot! She would have no choice but to tell him! She stared at the ground, shaking her head. "Forget it.. No no it is alright, i was only pondering on things, let my emotions get the best of me," She wondered if she sounded as ignorant as she felt. Her eyes traced the landscape, and stopped at the slowly falling sun. She sighed. "We should find a place to spend the night, so we dont end up sleeping out here. Judging by last night, we wont want to be out."

She remembered the pounding rains, rushing winds, and rumbling thunder. The thought of curling up next to another, especially Slate, made her think that a storm wouldnt be all bad. 'Let's face it, I am named after storming weather..'

She licked her paw and swiped it over her eyes, rubbing away the tears. She couldnt beleive how stupid she had just been. 'And to a complete stranger!'

ooc: xD

[Slate Snowbreeze]

Jane.

Jane, Jane, Jane, Jane, Jane.

So much of what Slate was centered around that one human - the person who had started out by wanting a pet and ended up with a best friend. Him. Often times the humans would adopt fluffy little kittens, not understanding that one day they would wake up, and their precious little kitty would be an adult. Taller, wider, more muscular, not so tiny and adorable as before. People didn’t want cats. They wanted kittens. And that was why many cats ended up in shelters and on the streets. Jane hadn’t been anything like that, however. When she had seen Slate as a baby, she had thought he was cute, like everyone else. But as he grew up and became quite the handsome, though shy, tom, Jane still loved him. It didn’t matter to her that every day that passed he took up a little more room on her lap; he weighed a little more when he curled up next to her; he pressed a little harder with his paws when he was settling down for a nap. No, she didn’t mind. There was always a smile ready to greet him when he walked into the room she was in, a small bit of human food when he jumped onto the table during mealtimes, a caress when he fell asleep across her magazine or computer.

It was that touch that he thought of now as he watched the upset expression on his new friend’s face. Jane had always known exactly how to make him cheer up. They had spent so much time together that if one didn’t know that Jane and Slate could not communicate, you might think that they could read each other’s minds. Just a soft pet on the top of his head or right next to his ear would always make him feel a little better. It was also his best bet now. Slate hadn’t managed to make many friends while on the streets - he was quiet, under-confident and often emotional. Not exactly the perfect combination of personality traits, it would seem.

Except for this moment. This one time he had managed, or so it appeared, to start building a relationship with anyone. And now he was terrified that something had gone wrong. Wide, alarmed blue eyes reflected his distress as he carefully surveyed Tempest, wondering whether or not his idea was a good one. Tempest was staring intently at the ground so he couldn’t see her pretty purple eyes, shaking her head. ”Forget it … no no it is alright, I was only pondering on things, let my emotions get the best of me,” her voice sounded uncertain to his ears, and Slate’s mouth twitched. If he let the statement slide, would things be awkward between them? Or would it be more awkward if he did push her to tell him what was wrong?

”O-okay,” he mumbled. Slate ducked his head a bit, trying to get a glimpse of Tempest’s face. Perhaps her expression would tell him more than her words. He might find out if that was true, except he couldn’t see her. ”If … if you’re sure, then.” There. That left it completely up to her - if she wanted to talk about it … whatever “it” was … then they would, and if not, they didn’t have to.

”We should find a place to spend the night, so we don’t end up sleeping out here. Judging by last night, we won’t want to be out.” Slate silently nodded his agreement. The rains had been terrible, sending all sorts of animals, and people, he thought, running to shelter, praying that they wouldn’t get too wet or muddy. He had taken shelter up on some human’s porch, until one person had come out and shooed him away the next morning, much to his disappointment. The sun had been shining right on him, thank you very much.

Tempest ran her tongue along one of her paws, and then swiped it across her eyes. Slate lowered his gaze to the ground, to his own paws. He felt bad, somehow. Had it been his fault? He didn’t understand. Slate was, unfortunately for him, just wanted everyone to be happy. There wasn’t much the young tom would do to please others around him. His own welfare wasn’t even taken into account. Even at that moment, as he searched his mind for a possible place for the two of them to stay, he couldn’t come up with anything that was particularly comfortable. Then again, sleeping contentedly next to Tempest … how bad could it be? Still, just because he had no objections, it didn’t mean that his new friend wouldn’t, either. ”Mm …” he started, and then licked his lips and shifted his weight from one paw to another slowly. ”Yeah … I’m not … sure where, though …” He chose his words carefully, observing Tempest so that in case she should start crying again, he could hopefully pedal backwards in his memory and find out what he could possibly have said to upset her.

umm....
ily!!!! don'teatme. DD: PLZ.

hope this post is all good. [=

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[Tempest Moonshimmer]

Tempest lifted her purple yes to stare into Slate blue ones. She looked happily at him, feeling stupid and embarrassed as to what she had let herself say. She was greatful at him for not asking what was wrong. She really didnt want to explain. Slate was too shy. He needed to feel more confident. She knew he didnt want to hurt her, but he needed to stop acting as if Tempest couldnt take care of herself.

”O-okay, if … if you’re sure, then.

Tempest laughed. "of course i am. I never lie" She beamed at him a smile. ”Yeah … I’m not … sure where, though …”
Tempest looked around. she looked inside the abandoned house that they lay outside of. It was old, dark, and unwelcoming. However it had a roof above it, and no humans to shoo them away. Temepst lifted up off the gorund. "Howabout we pull some of the overgrown grass from this yard, and make beds inside the abandoned house? The only problem is finding a way inside." Tempest glanced at the house again. IT was bound to have a hole beg enough for them somewhere. "I was thinking in the morning that we should split off, hunt for ourselves, you know? And meet back here? I havent been here in Nenbrooke too long, and i want to explore around. Plus we both know where this is!" Tempest beamed. trotting into the yard. She clutched her jaws around a bunch of soft long grass and tugged furiously. It took a couple triees, but she finnally reasleased the blades from the earth. She continued, looking forward to sleeping beside Slate's warm body. ' i havent soent the night with another cat in my life. It would be nice to have a warm body to sleep next to.'

-sorry for the bad post, i have a lot of threads to reply to, and i am running low on muse.