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Post by dualisticblue on May 5, 2013 20:26:00 GMT -5
Wandering around the Parisian park at a idle stroll and sniffing the air delicately, Ivy vaguely considered the golden dusk that made the sky iridescent. She always loved the heavy feel of the air before nightfall, when she felt most active. Right now she was searching for a bit of cheese for her supper, but kept getting distracted by odd details like the color of the sky. As her stomach growled grumpily at her Ivy returned her attention to the imperative task at hand; getting her silver paws onto a lovely morsel of mozzarella. Though usually she could find none, today she had a gut feeling that the yummy fantasy wasn’t too far from reality. At a swift change in the breeze, she followed her nose and padded near the park path (but never on, because humans were unpredictable) and headed straight toward the luminescent orb hanging low in the sky.
Approaching the iron-fenced boundary of the park she spotted an old man—a regular in the park—tossing a little less than half of a sandwich onto the heaping trash can. Yes! This particular old man usually left sandwich behind, sometimes with spicy gouda and chicken, other times turkey and mozzarella. Seeing her chance, Ivy bounded out from behind her vantage point and made a beeline for the sandwich. Once upon her prize, she seized the precious object gingerly and scaled a nearby beech tree. Hidden amongst its wide leaves, she took time to savor the sandwich, which was, indeed, mozzarella and turkey. Mozzerella, she thought, is well worth scavenging trash like a dirty rat. The bread she flung indiscriminately down, having no taste for such junk food. Ivy had some high standards for food, considering she was only a street cat. Relaxing in her perch, feeling self satisfied in acquiring an unusually fine meal, Ivy didn’t notice she was slipping off the tree limb until it was too late.
Her less-than-graceful landing was accompanied by astonished screeching of a pigeon and sharp pecks on her sensitive paw pads. Hissing and spitting, Ivy batted at the unintelligent bird, claws extended. Unfortunately, the dumb pigeon took off before she could teach it a lesson for pecking at her! Glancing around in the growing darkness, she noted the crumbs of bread. Ugh. It was eating the bread I dropped. Feeling embarrassed, and hoping no other cat saw her clumsy descent, she licked off a few crumbs that ensnared themselves in her fur with feathers. Giving up, on the pretense that her fur was always a mess no matter what, she began to walk towards the city dwellings, swaying a couple steps before regaining a semblance of balance. Normally Ivy would sleep under a rose bush in a small, warm ditch, but tonight the pigeon spoiled her preference for a night in the park. She’d find elsewhere to sleep, hopefully a spot without any irritating fowl…
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Post by bright on May 5, 2013 20:40:33 GMT -5
Frost stalked through the park warily, her ears prickled for even the slightest noise. She didn't appreciate this human trap too much, what with its lovely trees stacked behind menacing black bars of a gate. She didn't like it one bit, in fact she hated it almost as much as she hated humans herself. Even so, those ridiculous humans were a main attraction for even a dumber animal, the pigeon. The scrawny cat would do anything for a juicy morsel of bird meat, even if it meant spitting feathers out for a whole day. Noticing a lone man across the park she slowly made her way over there, carefully crossing the human pathway, the feeling of concrete rough beneath her pads.
She held her breath, excites at the prospect of pigeons as they fluttered carelessly about onto the floor, picking up what looked like bread. Inch by inch, the light colored female moved her way forward towards her next meal, tail stilled and almost trembling in excitement. She had never been this lucky before, and she would be sleeping well tonight. Holding her breath, she bunched her muscles in preparation to pounce, when suddenly an object fell from the tree.
Startled, like the pigeons, Frost jumped slightly, and stumbled backwards. Was that a cat? She would have thought it funny any other day that a cat fell out of a tree, but at this point she was beyond furious that this stupid furball scared away her next meal. Hissing under her breath, Frost stalked her way over to the cat, a low growl rumbling in her throat.
"What was that!" She spat at the other feline, unable to control her rage, eyes narrowing to slits as she waited for an answer. "You just scared away all of those pigeons, what were you even doing?" She demanded authoritatively, tail lashing back and forth, ears flattened against her head. This wouldn't have happened to any other cat but her, obviously. It was just her luck!
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Post by dualisticblue on May 6, 2013 16:36:27 GMT -5
Whiring around unsteadily, Ivy came face to face with a spitting mad feline. Even in the dimming light Ivy could see that she was a pearly white and would have made a pretty picture if it wasn’t obvious she was ready to skin her on the spot. Ivy gave a little sigh of exasperation, because not only did she just tumble from the tree in front of another cat, she managed to infuriate an obviously volatile one in one fell swoop! Sometimes Ivy had a hard time believing she was really a cat; she was just too maladroit. At the rate she was going, nine lives wouldn’t last for very long.
Taking a hesitant step back, she apologetically mewed, “I-I’m sorry. I just, uh, lost my balance. I ate this lovely cheese and I guess I got distracted. I didn’t mean to scare away your food.” At this, the white cat seemed to grow larger in her increasing anger, clearly about to go postal. Looking down at the ground instead of the feisty cat in front of her it suddenly occurred to Ivy that she looked familiar… like an old memory, but not quite.
Glancing up and taking a sharp sniff, the scent tickled at her mind although she could not think of how she could have met such a character and not remember her immediately. Sinking onto her haunches, she flicked her tail in confusion and tried to get a better look. “If it’s really that much of a problem, I suppose I could help you find something else to eat tonight.” And figure out who this cat was. If there was anything that bothered Ivy more than rotten cheese, it was having to admit she didn’t know something. I’m such a bird-brain. It’s a wonder I even find food for myself.
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Post by bright on May 6, 2013 17:03:27 GMT -5
The white she-cat's anger seemed to heighten to unbelievable proportions at the dark grey cat's lame excuse. She just fell out of a tree? She had never met a cat as clumsy as her. The irony in a cat falling out of a tree onto birds of all things. So engrossed in her thoughts, Frost barely heard the comment about cheese. She immediately gave her a puzzles look. Cheese? Human food was never as good as a freshly killed sparrow or rat. Well, maybe it was, but Frost vehemently hates humans and thus anything to do with them.
"You're..You're..," Frost started lip curling as she prepared herself to attack before ceasing her aggressive stance altogether. Did she just offer to help her catch food? Frost's heart practically leaped sky high at this statement. There was hope at last. Maybe she could make amends with this feline and tell her about her ideas. She was alright, the white feline finally concluded.
"I would really appreciate that." Frost meowed back tail flicking about. Now that she was calmer, she felt an unceasing pestering of her emotions. She couldn't quite place her claw on it, but there was something about her.
"I know a good rat place. Then you'll actually get a real taste of food, and not human weirdness!" Without another word Frost bounded off, expecting the other cat to follow her. What would she do? Introduce herself and tell the fluffy gray cat about her plans for this place? What if she didn't like her idea? Or better yet, what if she liked her idea? Her head was swimming in the possibilities, and she hadn't even remembered to ask her name.
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Post by dualisticblue on May 6, 2013 17:35:36 GMT -5
When the light female’s expression flattened from dangerously on edge to eager, Ivy twitched her whiskers in slight suspicion. But she was immediately relieved to see the white cat’s anger had ceased so abruptly, so Ivy relaxed her tense position. That is, before she took a second to give it some thought and decided she didn’t yet trust this cat, especially with seemingly rapid-changing demeanors. It was probably foolish of her to offer to go hunting with this unknown she-cat. It wasn’t as though she was adept in defending herself should something set her off again. Probably another mishap with a pigeon. Though she was now positive she knew this cat from somewhere, she wasn’t certain they had met in a confrontational manner. And the face she had made about her cheesey, heavenly dinner? No. Any cat who didn’t like cheese definitely wasn’t a cat she’d normally associate with—not that she usually associated herself with other cats. Noting that she seemed less than fond of humans, Ivy set off after her, keeping pace but watching her a tad warily as they trod through the cool grass. “What did you say your name was?”
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Post by bright on May 6, 2013 17:48:36 GMT -5
Frost noted the suspicion written clearly across her companions face, and she couldn't blame her. Who could trust a cat in a world like this? But she was determined to show this feline her view points and she had a good feeling about it. Most cats just blew her off and went along on their selfish, self preserving path. But it didn't have to be that way. With an almost fiery determination, Frost was certain she was going to change it. Of course, she might need to give her explosive behavior some thought.
She checked behind her to see if the cat was actually following her. She didn't look quite content with the situation she had gotten herself into and Frost flicked her tail. "The names Frost. And don't sweat it, I'm not going to claw your ears off or anything." She laughed, whiskers twitching briefly. In the others defense, she had just been on the attack a few brief minutes ago. She seemed a little offended about her cheese comment and Frost couldn't help find amusement in it. Cheese? Really? Rounding a corner out of the park she briefly paused at the edge of a sidewalk, waiting for the other to catch up so they could cross the street and run into the safety of the alley behind it. She could almost hear the mice skittering around the garbage back there. Ears prickled and intent her brown eyes focused before the road in front of her.
"I'm sorry about earlier." She apologizes once the other had caught up, looking towards her. Such a familiar face. "What's your name?"
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Post by dualisticblue on May 6, 2013 18:05:37 GMT -5
Catching more whiffs of the cat and nearing the street, Ivy felt that her name and how they knew each other was right on the tip of her rough tongue. When her hunting partner stopped and declared her name to be Frost, Ivy dug her claws into loamy, rich soil, shocked into a stop. Surely her keen ears had deceived her. “Frost?” Scoffing a bit, she continued. There was no way that could be the Frost she had known, that’d be way too unlikely. “I’m not too convinced you won’t get your fur in a twist again.”
Padding toward Frost she peered at her curiously before answering, ears perked and eyes sharp, as the white cat turned her intense gaze away from the grubby alleyway. “Call me Ivy.” Was that surprise that flitted across Frost’s face? She couldn’t be certain. This cat was getting kind of unnerving. Hopefully she could help her catch something quick and go back to her less unsettling and more solitary routine. Live prey wasn’t a preference of hers either. This was shaping up to be an extraordinary evening.
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Post by bright on May 6, 2013 18:55:15 GMT -5
Frost was curious as to why her female companion suddenly tensed up at the declaration of her name. She was slightly offended, thinking she had been disgusted with her name. "Yea, Frost." She repeated, a little warily. She was fond of the name her mother had given her. What burrs were stuck in her flank? "Fair enough, I suppose." She grumbled quietly. She was almost disappointed in the way the she-cat was reacting to her now. Flattening her ears, she took a step onto the sticky, dark pavement of the road looking around for those rumbling horrors. Seeing nome, she shouted to her companion to cross and bolted across as fast as her paws would take her until she was safely in the alley.
Did she say her name was Ivy? She turned on her heels quickly, ears prickled curiously. Was that it? Could it really be? "Ivy, huh." She muttered to herself, large tail sweeping from side to sode. Pushing these thoughts aside, she declared," Lets get to work."
She dropped into a hunting crouch, slowly creeping forward, quietly. Her dark eyes scanned her equally dark surroundings, patiently waiting to hear a scuffle, or spot a rat scurrying across the floor. And there it was. Ears swiveling f orward, she took a tentative step towards it. The dark gray eat was busy eating at something concealed in a plastic covering, and thus was distracted. How perfect for her. Taking one, two more steps forward she bunched her muscles up and pounced on it, delivering a death blow before it could squeal. Proud, she picked her kill up, and dropped it in the clearing, mouth almost watering.
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Post by dualisticblue on May 6, 2013 19:22:02 GMT -5
Frost was all business after darting across the pavement. Ivy shadowed her, heard the discontented grumble she uttered. Internally sighing, she resigned herself to acting a bit more cordially. For it was she who had lost the fowl (more like foul; birds are generally unsanitary) dinner, so she should be nicer and helpful. It’s not like it was Frost’s fault she was about as clumsy as a two week old kitten.
Safe in the comforting shadows of the alley, she observed the cat’s practiced movements and kill. Wrinkling her nose, Ivy told herself to stop idling about. Moving into a stealthy crouch, she crept through the alley as Frost proudly flashed her catch. Determined to show Frost she wasn’t a good-for-nothing klutz, she spotted a greasy looking rat scuttling in a corner near pungent trash bins. Perfect! She inched closer, hardly breathing, and leaped. With a loud clatter, Ivy seized the plump rat with razor sharp canines, severing the flow of sweet, if slightly smelly lifeblood and simultaneously rammed her head into the cold metal.
Turning back to Frost, she saw the glimmer of contained amusement in Frost’s eyes. Spitting the freshly caught prey at her feet and flicking her tail irritatedly, Ivy scowled. “Go ahead and laugh. I guess I deserve it. That wasn’t exactly suave.” Frost burst out into loud, exuberant guffaws almost before she could finish her statement. Begrudgingly, Ivy let her expression soften as the contagious laughter filled the air. “Here’s your rat. I hope you’re satisfied with yourself. I think dinner and a show more than makes up for one scrawny bird,” she teased. “You got lucky tonight, Frost”
Maybe she would make friends with this peculiar cat. She was definitely turning out to be a change from what Ivy saw as normal out on the streets. Yes, Frost seemed a bit unpredictable, but her manner seemed more… approachable? No. The she cat wasn’t just that. She was entertaining, maybe even trustworthy. Ivy thought she might stick around and see if her postulate turned out to be correct.
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Post by bright on May 6, 2013 19:38:39 GMT -5
Sitting down on her haunches and relaxing, Frost watched the other drop into a rather amusing hunting crouch. She could tell that Ivy was a cat that relied heavily on humans for food. Her assumption was quickly proved correct, as she diced headfirst into a garbage can. She snickered quietly to herself, noting the look on her companions face. "Im so sorry," said, with no remorse in her voice before she broke out laughing again. She really was a site to behold. Dork.
"Come over here, lets share a meal." Frost offered, beckoning to her with a flick of her tail. She bent down and began eating promptly, extremely hungry as it was already.
"So, do you travel with anyone?" Frost questioned. Whiskers twitching. Might as well mention her idea to the other while she was here and willing to listen. Well maybe not willing to listen, but here so she would have to hear her put. Ivy seemed reasonable and level headed, and might actually be her relative. Frost was willing to give her a shot. There was no harm in it either, everyone was welcome as long as they could provide. "Because, if you're willing, you could come with me. I have big plans for this city."
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Post by dualisticblue on May 8, 2013 22:35:57 GMT -5
Ivy watched Frost crouch over the rat, tearing into its side quickly and voraciously. Though not a fanatic of fresh rat, Ivy couldn’t deny that this was a meal she wouldn’t have to track down. So, she might as well eat with this strange cat. Nose twitching, she made her way from the corner over to Frost and dug in. Through her full mouth she answered the ivory she-cat’s nonchalant question. “I don’t travel much. Nor do I usually keep company with other cats,” she remarked casually. Watching Frost, she got the sense that her “big plans” weren’t idle thoughts. Earlier she thought she’d seen something strangely eager and hopeful in this feline’s brown eyes.
“Tell me about these plans of yours. What is it you wanted to accomplish?” Ivy settled down and ran her rough tongue over the bloody streaks on her paws. Why, she wondered, does she want me to join her? Frost didn’t seem like the type of cat who would keep company with her. What could she need her for? Maybe she—but it’s so improbable—she was her sister, and had the same inkling that they had found each other through sheer dumb luck.
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Post by bright on May 9, 2013 18:41:07 GMT -5
Frost savored the rat she was eating, sighing softly before finishing it up and swiping her tongue over her mouth. She always enjoyed a nice piece of prey, especially when you could find food this quick. She normally wouldn't give out one of her good rat spots, but if Ivy were to join her, then it would be okay, right? Although, Ivy didn't strike her as a cat who hung around other cats, but hardly any cat in this city did that. She would be quite disappointed if Ivy decided not to join her, there was so much she wanted to talk about.
For instance, Ivy may be her sister. In fact, she had to be her sister. There was no way she would one day come across a cat who looked like the kitten from her past, and had her name. It had to be her, she would throw herself into a river if it wasn't, because she was sure as the moon was round it was her. She never expected to see her again, ever for that matter after she left. She didn't know if Ivy realized she was family, and maybe Frost was just wrong. Because what if she was? What if she just got her hopes up for nothing? About everything? Not just her plans, but the fact that she would actually not have something to bond with. Sure, she could find someone else, but a chance like this, well she couldn't let it slip past her paws. It would be awful, and she wouldn't live with herself.
Clearing her throat, Frost started, "Well, for starters, I wanted to start a sisterhood. Brotherhood, whatever, it doesn't matter." Frost grinned at Ivy, trying not to seem to nervous. This was the first cat she had pitched this to that she thought she might actually have a chance with. "It'd be to everyone's benefit, we would watch each other's backs, make sure we're fed and defend ourselves. We would have company. We could trust other cats." She sighed wistfully. "We wouldn't be alone. It would be nice to be able to relax around here, and not be tense all the time. We could zone out a territory and be safe in it, and have food all the time." Frost continued, a little more confident and she leaned in, ears perked forward intently. "And lastly..well I think I know you from somewhere."
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Post by dualisticblue on May 9, 2013 20:06:31 GMT -5
Ivy took a moment to just stare at Frost. Did she hit her head a smidge too hard on that trash bin? There was no way she’d heard right. The words echoed through her head. She shook herself out, sending a bit of grey fluff down on to the pavement. “Hold on,” she mewed. “Give me a second to think.” Before you get all huffy and impatient. Trying to process all of what Frost said….Sisterhood… watch each other’s backs… food all the time…
Well. There was food involved, which meant that this was at least a half-baked idea. Cocking her head, Ivy ventured, “Tell me more about this, um, sisterhood.” Ha. That was an entertaining notion, her and Frost, sisters, beginning to form a sisterhood with other cats. She would just have to sit on the long lost sibling idea. It was just too much at one time. It was no longer the question of whether or not Frost was her sister (for her mannerisms, looks and name were either the same or nearly identical). The qualm Ivy was struggling with was how she was expected to behave with Frost.
“Let’s walk and talk. I want to find a good place to sleep tonight.” Ivy stretched out her forelimbs, took a glance at Frost, and swished her tail questioningly.
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Post by bright on May 10, 2013 20:34:17 GMT -5
"Lead the way," Frost meowed at her, getting up and shaking herself off before stepping towards her, waiting to lead her. Should she really trust her not to take her somewhere dangerous? Honestly, Frost didn't really know, but Ivy was interested in what she was saying, so she couldn't just ditch now because she was scared. No, she wasn't scared, she was brave, and this wasn't going to get her tense. Ivy was a cat she was going to come to trust, and they will get along!
"I just think that too many cats don't trust each other around these parts." Frost sighed, with a small flick of her tail. "Like you and me. I'm sure you're not entirely comfortable with my presence, and that's a bad thing, because what if we just parted ways and continued on struggling?" She continued,"But, here's the thing. What if we didn't? What if we learned to trust each other? And teamed up, and divided the work so it'd be easier on both of us, and we'd have a permanent place to sleep, and a good food source, and maybe, when the group gets bigger, a territory of our own where we will be safe. We'll have integrity and we could rule with the fear of our power, and we'll be well fed." Frost purred, thinking about how scrawny both her and Ivy probably were under these long, thick pelts.
"Think about it," Frost sighed once more, shooting a smile at Ivy as they rounded a corner. "What do you think, hm?"
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Post by dualisticblue on May 11, 2013 19:11:26 GMT -5
Ivy listened to Frost’s spiel intently as she meandered haphazardly down the paths. Her eyes wandered to the starlit sky, dimmed to a small splendor by city lights, as what seemed to be Frost’s dream unraveled about her. The silky threads of thought wrapped enticingly around Ivy’s mind. She found the idea to be attractive, though she felt her companion’s plan was a bit lofty (integrity, and rule with the fear of our power, pshh). So maybe the white she-cat had a bit too much catnip or something, but it was an appealing sort of feline loopiness. Not many cats would even venture to attempt a group of the size she described.
How often had Ivy entered into tussles with older, fiercer, more coordinated cats for a scrap of food that was justly hers, or a comfy sleeping spot and come out worse for the wear, with nothing to show for it but angry scarlet abrasions and hurt pride? The streets were not a forgiving place, not for Ivy. This dream of Frost’s could mean days of safety, days of comfort and familiarity with others like her. Others like her…. Since her days as a kit, in that miniscule and irrelevant room she had not spent more than a few hours at a time with another cat. She treasured her freedom, the independence she had developed and the challenges she put to her mind. This was inviting, but it would mean maintaining cordial contact with many cats. It was interdependence. It was a network of trust. It was strange, and maybe risky.
Turning a corner, Frost shot her a near smug smile, asking her opinion. She paused before replying. Frost knew what she wanted to hear, and seemed to believe she would be hearing it. Ivy could imagine the self satisfaction, and decided she wanted Frost to sweat it out before she gave it to her. She answered the question with one of her own. “Are you my sister?” Her question sounded nonchalant, but her perked ears gave away her curiosity.
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