Posts by Nicotine.

Nico noticed the girl, alongside a few npcs, pulling the raft onto shore and bounded over. He'd missed her a lot, though most of his time had been spent working on logs and journals so his mind had been kept busy. Still, he'd felt exhausted with worry even after a few days, so it was lovely seeing her again safe and sound.

"Xylia, you're back! How'd it go?" Nico asked as he trotted up to the raft. "Do you need any help unpacking?"

//ugh shitty reply i apologize

Nico trotted up behind the already large crowd gathering to welcome the newcomer in. The tom looked at the tiger uncertainly; they did seem nice, though the sheer size difference between him and York was more then enough to unnerve Nico. Still, he put on a welcoming smile and sat down next to Sel, his ears twitching uncomfortably in Ryan's presence. It was no secret that the two were rivals, though that'd been heavily influenced by an outside force's manipulation.

"I'm Nicotine, but most call me Nico." The tom said warmly. "We should probably go find your boat - that is, if you came here by sea - and bring it in." Nico said; after all, how else would the tiger get here? He knew shapeshifting existed though, so perhaps they flew.

Nico darted over, even as Sel started leading them away. "Wait! I'm coming as well." Nico said as he skidded to a stop beside the leader. He stayed a step behind her, a trait he'd picked up from his first mentor back before he'd joined the Skulls. He flicked his tail, knowing that if they did need to evacuate he'd probably be put on a separate boat then Sel; keeping the trained healers spread out increased the likelihood at least one would survive, but it was still a thought he dreaded.

The tom tried not to acknowledge Ryan, knowing that there was only pain down that path. Still, he couldn't help twitching in a mix of anger and irritation as Ryan referred to Sel as "baby"; gods, when would he let up and get a clue?

  Ryan B.  

The feeling of being watched had never left him, not since Trudy had taken his life and revived him. It was exhausting, being tense and fearful all the time; not knowing what'd happen if she came back, not knowing if she'd hurt other people to get to him. Was this was Sel felt like? Being constantly terrified that her own demons would drag her away, kicking and screaming, under the guise of love?

The tom shut his eyes at the thought as his entire body shook for a few moments until the fear passed. He glanced around the underbelly of the smaller vessel that he'd been working on stocking; it was for the evacuation, if it ever did happen. He aimlessly sorted through the herbs, constantly having to remind himself of their uses to keep himself grounded. Why did he feel like Trudy was clinging to every shadow, her glowing eyes watching him with a cold, ruthless wanting.

He set the last of the herbs down into its pile and stood up, stretching his slightly too long legs and flexing his dark claws. He'd never get the comfort of his own body again, but at least he was adjusting. He'd never get used to the smokey, irritated feeling in his throat though; he knew Morins had Elementals and could breath fire, but he never knew it was so painful.

He climbed to the deck, the sun setting on the horizon in an explosion of gorgeous reds and oranges. He yawned leaped onto the railing, before curling up. He kept his eyes glued on the ocean and sky, the rocking of the sea calming him down.

Nico jolted as the boat rocked in a particularly violent manner. He dug his claws into the hard wood to avoid getting flung into the water, He turned towards the deck as he heard a crashing noise and saw a familiar face sprawled in the barrels.

Nico watched with a mix of concern and amusement, and made no move to belittle or help the other. Trudy's manipulation had dictated his part in their rivalry; he hadn't been in control of himself, and he'd taken it out on Ryan. Ryan deserved it, but that didn't mean Nico was going to continue making an ass of himself for no reason.

"Did you sprain anything?" Nico asked, ignoring the crawling sensation that came whenever he felt watched, which had become a constant feeling in his life. He was probably overreacting. And though he didn't care for Ryan's presence, talking or even arguing might take his mind off of it.

//shoosh it is fine

Nico pressed his ears back as Ryan spat at him. It was comforting in a way, to be treated like he wasn't made of glass; he'd sort of missed that. But.. He didn't want what Trudy had turned him into to be the only thing his clanmates knew, even the shittiest of them.

"I'm not going to fight with you on this." Nico said as he smoothed down his chest fur. "You shouldn't have to suffer because of our past." Nico said, his amber eyes avoiding looking directly at the tom. Gods, what was wrong with him? Trying to make up with his enemy, someone who he knew deserved as much pain as life could dole out?

Nico was awoken by the sound of a conflict, the sound of hissing and the deep rumbling of anger. The tom stood up, his fur bristling in uncertainty as he darted up to the deck, only to see Sel with her sword at Ryan's throat, Blair and Xylia watching.

No, nononono- He didn't know what made him panic, but he did. His emotions snapped and he had to dig his claws into the floor to avoid stumbling. He couldn't let Sel kill Ryan, not now; he didn't know what was happening but she couldn't kill him now, not in front of Xylia. He raced over and aimed to roughly push himself in front of Ryan, to block the larger tom from Sel's wraith.

"Stop! Sel, you aren't thinking, you need to calm down." Nico said, trying to keep his tone calm but his voice wavered. He'd been betrayed by Trudy, what was stopping Sel from attacking him to get to Ryan? Nothing but a flimsy sense of kinship, he supposed.

Nico arrived in a quiet track post.

//my d aughter no
//track for when i have muse to properly reply