Back to the Wall

[Cloud]

OOC: Darkfur's too stupid to give up. Or something.


BiC: Well, this was...interesting. And also a pleasant change of pace. Someone was actually asking him what he wanted! Although with a hostile stance and a not-so-friendly look on her face...but still! Any cat who actually paid him attention got points in Darkfur's book. The striped tom looked at the white tom briefly. He seemed to be...involved somehow with the gray she-cat. Comforting her, it seemed. He might investigate the whole...emotional...affair later when he'd found out what had happened and had dispensed information himself.

"What do I want?" He repeated as if it took time to sort out in his head. He thought it over quickly, and saw no reason to lie. No one liked a dishonest cat.

Especially one with horrendous marketing techniques . "I want to know what happened, and see what I can do." In essence, this was true-though he wasn't referring to helping the gray tabby. Oh, he might if he could-but it wasn't as important as actually doing something vital. He really wanted to see what he could do with his words and thoughts.

[duckyaisha]

Noticing a subtle change in Frozenheart's position, Rainstripe looked up. Really, it was the new part of her that noticed this. For some reason, it made her more focused and alert. She didn't find herself drifting off into space as often as she used to. It was interesting, because she had thought it was a terrible thing, though maybe there were some advantages. Perhaps it was because her new side was more battle-ready, and so more conscious of what was going on around her.

Despite her height, she couldn't see over the top of his head, and settled for peering out around his shoulder. This meant breaking the connection with Frozenheart, which was something she really didn't want to do. He was kind and comforting, but she needed to see what was going on. Before her encounter with Grimykit, she would've been content to stay out of harm's way behind Frozenheart, but now a part of her wanted in on the action. Claws itched to be unsheathed.

As she took a look at what was going on, she saw that newcomer again. He was standing near Speckledclaw and Frozenheart, and she just managed to catch his words. Somehow, they made her feel angry. Who was he to ask for such private information? Why should she tell a complete stranger about the event that had changed her forever? She stalked out from behind Frozenheart, her legs unfamiliar with the movement. Luckily, she didn't trip, which would've been mortifying.

"Why should I tell you?" she snapped at the newcomer, and the sharpness of her own tone scared her. It was as if something had taken over her mind for a few seconds to blurt out those words, then retreated, leaving only her, quivering, scared of herself, of her own voice. But it wasn't her voice. It belonged to that new part of her, the one she still hadn't thought of a name for, because nothing seemed to fit. Despite the help it gave her, she did not want this thing in her brain any longer. Unfortunately, it didn't seem like there was a way to get rid of it.

[Cloud]

How dull. Both of these she-cats seemed so temperamental, just like his mother and sister. His yellowish-green gaze as cool and bored, playing the part of the dispassionate observer who only wants the facts of the event. It wasn't one he'd taken on often, but found the mood suited him well on the outside.

Innerly it was different story. Why was she so upset? Did the white tom and the other she-cat know the cause? Why, why, why? But most importantly, could it support his ideas somehow? "I only want to know the event. I'm not trying to pry. Someone can else can tell me, if you like." He figured it was polite enough to show a certain degree of courtesy, but assertive enough so that somecat - it didn't really matter who - would tell him what he wanted to know.

[Darky [Megan]]

"That's her decision," Speckledclaw snapped, "And it's rather evident that she don't appreciate your questions." She slightly startled that Rainstripe had come out and talked back to the tom. It seemed that the whole ordeal had been traumatic, but she'd come out with a new, much stronger spine. Seeing as she broke down not too long ago however, it was quite possible that she might become a little reckless. Speckledclaw personally intended to keep watch on Rainstripe for the next two days.

"There's not much you can do, seein' as you're simply a stranger. A lot's been going on, lately. This whole affair is rather personal." She wanted to continue and tell the tom off, but for some reason she felt that Rainstripe ought to do it. She remained standing, however, in case anything should go wrong.

[Cloud]

Hmph. Few ever did appreciate questions here, it seemed. How tiresome, when you wanted to learn something. Simply a stranger...while it was true, he also felt slightly offended without knowing why. He spoke once more, hoping to get something out of this irritable she-cat.

"Fine. She doesn't have to appreciate my questions, though it would be nice if somecat answered them. If they did, I might leave. And yes, this whole affair might be personal, and I repsect that-" He didn't respect it too much, really, but enough to leave it alone."-but you mentioned that 'lots' of stuff is going on lately. I'd be greatly thankful if you could tell me some of the other stuff, please." Darkfur sat. He intended to stay here until he got the information he wanted and hopefully gave out some of his own, snippy she-cats or no.

[duckyaisha]

Rainstripe glared at him. "None of this is any of your business," she said frostily, the normal, kindhearted part of her disappearing as the new part of her mind completely took over. "If I wanted to tell you, I would've already. In fact, if I wanted you here, I would've called you here personally or welcomed you when you arrived. Seeing as I did neither, you can assume you aren't wanted here."

[Cloud]

Rainstripe was playing the wrong tune. Saying he wasn't wanted was hardly likely to make the tabby tom leave, he merely sighed and licked a paw. Wanted. He was never wanted. That was the problem with the enlcosure cats in general - they were so caught up in their little lives they were so opposed to listening to anything unrelated to what they were doing. But, he told himself, one who has a mission of cheesy marketing good intent will not give up.

"Wanted is not the same as need, stranger. I am needed here, to gather information to help all. You don't understand." He raised his head in an arrogant manner, looking up with eyes half-closed. While this might prove to do more harm than good, never let it be said that Darkfur the businessman idealist gave up in the face of mere hostility to the way of the future.

[duckyaisha]

Rainstripe was starting to scare herself. It wasn't like her to be so intimidating, so harsh towards other cats. Focusing intently, she managed to bring herself back in control. "I'm sorry," she meowed sadly, pleading for forgiveness. "I just- something terrible- something traumatic happened to me and it's hard for me to talk about. But if there's something you want, feel free to ask." There were no promises about granting his wish, but she was glad she sounded more like herself again. That new part of her could sneak up without warning. She had to be careful to keep it in check, or it might overpower her for good.

[Cloud]

How curious. Darkfur had never encountered such a quick change of feeling in any cat he'd ever met. He decided to tread cautiously, since the tabby hadn't dealt with this kind of thing much.

"It's fine, really. I see that you're in distress, and I respect that enough to leave it alone. If you want to tell me, it's your choice. I just want something to work with here. It's maddening, you know, that something important seems to have happened and it's being kept from me. But my thanks for understanding."

Unlike your companion here, he thought. But the long-limbed tom felt it unwise to comment on that.

[duckyaisha]

Rainstripe felt guilty for yelling at the tom before. She just hadn't been in full control of herself back then. Now she wanted to make amends, though she had to work to keep the other side of her from coming out to terrorize him. "It was a murder!" she blurted out, almost without realizing it. But maybe he would have some good ideas as well.