Posts by Omen H.

[fancypost borderwidth=0px][justify][size=7pt]Blythe was literally exhausted and it was her first day. She has gone from chasing down rabbits to being chased by a wolf, she even had an injury to prove it, a rather nasty scratch on her flank from where it's teeth grazed her. But she was fast, incredibly fast at that, and the feral creature didn't have a chance standing up against her speed. If she had been any slower, though, she would have been fresh meat, a thought in which she wasn't so eager to think about. So, instead of dwelling on it, she sought out a distraction to keep her time, which meant venturing back out into the woods and finding something to entertain herself with. After all, this was Solsticeclan. Something juicy was bound to happen.

And she was right. As the vixen traipsed through the woods she stumbled upon what happened to be a particularly interesting conversation between Kate and an unfamiliar canine. From the corner of her eye she witnessed a small child backing away, so it had to be heated. Her dark gaze slid from the bristling Kate, wary and aggressive, onto the other dog, Castiel, who was appearing to be either injured or sick or both, and looking at her with equal parts worry and fear. What was this? She managed to pick up Kate's words to the dog. If this is a trick, Leviathan, than it will not work. Leviathan? She felt her mouth settle into a nervous and confused frown and she decided to sit casually at a safe distance. She figured it would be inappropriate to say anything in this clearly personal conversation.

[fancypost borderwidth=0px][justify][size=7pt]Solsticeclan gather for a meeting! Blythe supposed she counted as Solsticeclan, so over she came, bouncing away as a squirrel darted up a tree. She cursed under her breath- she was becoming jumper than usual since she wasn't used to her surroundings in the least. Licking her muzzle and trying to calm herself, the fiery red vixen pricked her ears and seated herself, listening curiously to the announcements that Kate had in store for them. Phantomclan and Imperialclan... who were they? The Mortem easily discarded that information with a flick of her tail, yawning and sitting down. Blizzardclan were now their allies, and once again she hadn't a clue who they were. She didn't know who many clans were, honestly- living on a farm did that to you.

Gift baskets? Sounded fun, though she hadn't a clue what to store it with. Back on the farm gratitude was expressed by not eating one another, so she figured this would be fairly uncomfortable. But that certainly didn't mean the fiery vixen wasn't willing to try, and so the pixie-like fem lifted her head and announced quietly, "Rushingclan." She wasn't one to speak much and when she did it was short and to the point, if not choppy. She loathed her voice, it was raspy and hoarse all the time and usually disused so also gravelly. Perhaps she would simply drop the basket off and leave, but that seemed rude. She found herself also adding a little quickly, "An-And the Arcane...." It seemed most were taking two, even the kitten, so why not take two herself? She shuffled her cream paws under her fur uncomfortably and ducked her head, hoping she hadn't taken a Clan somebody else wanted. She would easily give it up, but she seemed so flustered now speaking in front of the whole group. But they moved on quickly.

Valeria, she had seen her death, so gruesome. Murder was always violent, and when it wasn't it only scared her more. Blythe was afraid that she would be slaughtered too so gorily and she was only petrified to think of it as the moment of silence stretched on, her heart pounding as she imagined being ripped away and murdered just as Valeria and having the same silence for herself. But what if they never noticed? Finally the silence ended and Kate began again, but she was so consumed by fear that she barely listened. Maybe she should hire a bodyguard or four, like the huge muscled ones that could kill bears, or better yet, were bears. Except Blythe was deathly scared of bears and was in no mood to be guarded by animals that would surely eat her. She swallowed hard.

[fancypost borderwidth=0px][justify][size=7pt](lmk if you need more invites sent out!)

Oh, dear god, not social interactions. She wasn't even slightly prepared. She had come thinking this was a small event and she had not expected every single ally to arrive, she had assumed maybe just a few commoners like Kate and Early and Euphoric and Castiel. But now there were a bunch of strangers, strangers who most certainly had interests in eating her. The vixen, who had been a few feet from joining the party, felt her paws sink hard into the soil as anxiety swelled in her chest and panic set in. Some of them like Asterion seemed capable of swallowing her whole and it made her flinch at the thought. They all were strangers and they were all horrifying. She started to back away. Slowly. Perhaps it would be better if she just ran.

(mobile sorry!)

[fancypost borderwidth=0px][justify][size=7pt]She had been taken captive, treated like garbage, like a pet. Her captors had frequently done to other innocent girls what they did to her, stealing her innocence and giving her reasons to hate people. She had spent hours cleaning and being a slave, doing as they said and being treated horribly, and they had defiled her as well. She was clearly exhausted, malnourished, and dehydrated when she collapsed on the border. It had all gone wrong when she had been promoted- they had instantly made her a target, but she hadn't connected the dots yet.

"I-I-I..." the canine could hardly croak that syllable before she collapsed, tears pouring from her eyes and her claws gripping the soul to keep herself from falling apart. She was broken, totally broken. Her body covered in lashes and her foreleg shattered, she had been discarded like old leftovers. She was useless to them now. She was so broken she couldn't even speak, she could hardly move, it was a miracle she ever got here. And now, well, she was nothing but a vague memory of her old self, broken beyond repair.

[fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 450px][justify]"Misao, this is Takumi Ozaki. Treat him kindly." She remembered meeting her best friend like it was yesterday. They had both been small children, she only two months old and he four. And yet he seemed so much older, standing soaked in blood and rain as it poured down, shivering but standing tall, his eyes lifeless. He seemed strong, wise, powerful. Because he was. Her mother had brought him into their home with open arms, and Misao had been instructed to do the same.

"Hey, brat! Get your stinky paws off of my garden," her three-month old self snapped at Takumi as she found him digging in her plants. She had been so awfully rude, it embarrassed her to think about sometimes. She had disliked the notion of anybody else receiving mother's love, and when she saw how kindly she treated Takumi she was instantly jealous, and acted like she child she was. He was always messing with her things, too. Takumi had just turned back to her and rolled his eyes before bounding off. She still remembered how he had weeds stuck to his fur - he had been weeding her garden!

She had hunted him down later that day and interrogated him as to why he had been weeding her garden. He had looked at her with a mischeivous glint in his eyes and said boldly, "Because it's my garden now!" She had been so furious she had immediately lunged for him, and sent them both rolling down a hill into the pond, soaking both of them to the bone. He fought back and pummeled her with his own paws, and yet in the end the brawl had become play fighting, and she remembered having thrown fish at him and pretending to be a sea monster. Just like that, a friendship bloomed between the two, and even now at sixteen and eighteen months old they were nearly always next to each other.

"Takumi... is this it?" Misao was exhausted and she attempted to lean against the older cat for support, her pale fur looking unkempt and dull. Darkness hung over her like a cloud. The brightness that had tinted their childhood had all but disappeared. Memories flashed before her eyes - fire, Takumi shoving her awake and screaming to run while he choked on smoke. Realizing her mother was still in there, trying to chase after her, and Takumi grabbing her by the scruff and holding her back just as the barn door collapsed in flame. Her mother, she had waited with Takumi for days outside the barn even after the rain came and smoldered the fire until it was just ash, waited for her mother to miraculously appear and tell her everything was okay. But she hadn't come, and it had been Takumi that made her tear herself away from the barn. "I know where we can go. It's safe, I promise." She had hit him and the claw marks were still fresh on his cheeks. "No! I'm not leaving mother. I'm staying!" Takumi had not hesitated to hit her back, but his paws were sheathed and it only made her stumble a little, it was still gentle. "Mother is gone, Misao. Waiting for her will only make her hurt. She would want us to move somewhere safe."

It seemed now everything was a daze. For most of the trip she had not even been conscious, and Takumi had carrier her. The elder tom was much stronger than her and twice her size. She was bird like in structure, small and flighty, she hated that about herself but he always said that she might fly away sometime which was why he had to be big, to keep her on the ground, which made her laugh. Now it just made her heart ache. She burrowed her face in the toms shoulder, as if crying, but she had no more tears to shed. Instead she just sat there and leaned against her only friend and shut her eyes, the previous day's hitting her like a cannonball. She had always wanted to be stronger than Takumi, but now she could hardly get the energy to open her eyes. [b]"I... want to go home. To mother."

[fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 450px][justify]Of course, just like any normal clueless girl, she went completely oblivious to his feelings for her. If questioned, she would respond that he was like family to her, inseparable. She would never leave his side. Not once had she ever thought of him as attractive in a romantic way, and perhaps it was because she was simply young at heart. She had never been exposed to love. On the farm, all that had existed was mother, Takumi, and the fields. Romance... it had never been of importance. It had never been considered. However, if you asked her if she loved Takumi, her answer would be yes. But in love? I'm sorry, but I'm afraid she doesn't know what that means. She was just... hopeless.

Feeling his warmth was enough to comfort her for the time being. Being able to hear his breath beneath her was enough to lull her into a brief moment of peace. This is home. She let herself believe it. She pretended that this massive beachfront was actually the barn, and that mother was standing on the shore with her eyes bright and kind as she waved to them, her pure coat shining under the sunlight. Except there was no light, it was so dark and terrifying. She felt Takumi shift beneath her and for a moment she felt warmth beside her face, but when she turned her head and opened her eyes there was nothing there. Emptiness flooded her again as she returned to pressing her muzzle into Takumi's blond fur and mumbling something under her breath. Humming quietly to herself, a song that her mother had taught her. "The birds can fly and the grass can grow, and the sky can have clouds, and the crickets can sing because of music, Misao. Music is the heart of life. As long as you carry it with you, you will be invincible."

"Takumi-" she whispered into his fur as he called out, her nearly soundless melody screeching to a halt as she pulled away from him briefly. Something seemed pained about him. It was as if agony had surrounded him. Was it because of mother? She stared at him for a moment, trying to catch his gaze, but he wouldn't even look at her. Had she said something? Or was he afraid to show his pain? She lowered her gaze, deciding that figuring out would be pointless. Instead she lay down in a hunched position beside Takumi, missing the warmth of his body. Everything was so cold. She shuffled nearer to him and closed her eyes again, inhaling. It smelled nothing like home.

(I CAN'T HELP IT SHE'S ADORABLE)

[fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 450px][justify]The beach. She had never been to the beach. The way the water moved was entirely different from how it moved at the pond at home. It seemed to be engaged, captured, thrashing relentlessly, whereas the pond always seemed to tremble and waver like a dream. She had been bounding behind Takumi, but seeing the water made her paws fill with lead, so much that she came to a still. She had wanted to see the beach since she was little, and mother would always tell her and Takumi stories. But there was something profoundly wrong about seeing it without her.

"Um..." she whispered, her resolve fading. She hated acting this pathetic in front of Takumi, he was strong, why couldn't she be? She clenched her teeth and shook her head, flicking the tear away that had formed in the corner of her vision. She padded up beside him, giggling as he flinched at the water. Takumi hated the water, she knew that. Her paws moved on their own accord as she attempted to push his butt with her head, attempting to shove him into the waves head first. Regardless she went into the sea water afterwards with a splash, and the coldness of it was surprising, but not too much so. It rocked beneath her and she stood, shocked at the feeling, before giggling at him. "I already caught one!" She lifted her paw and exposed a small fish between her claws, flapping madly.

[fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 450px][justify]"Hey!" She squealed in protest as she was splashed. She returned it easily, before bending down and narrowing her eyes at him. She launched forward and tried to barrel him over into the water, scooping up a lawful of wet sand and dumping it on his face with a boisterous laugh. "Eat dirt, Takumi! You're talking annoys me." She giggled warmly. Somehow playing with Takumi so light-heartedly managed to ease some of her pain, just a little, it was able to snip away some strings that tore at her heart and released the binding pressure. He had always been there to cheer her up and be strong for her.

[fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 450px][justify]Her watery gaze lifted towards Takumi for a moment as he apologized, a worried expression flitting across her features. He seemed so lost. So vulnerable, and yet strong as well, like a boulder. She wished that he would share his pain with her, but maybe it was because she was too weak to handle even her own pain? She was stunned into silence as she stared at the golden tabby, at a loss for words. She wanted to be strong, she had tried to prove it...! But the truth was, she was too frail, and it frustrated her. Mother had always told her that her strength was inside of her, but Misao knew better. She was not strong at all.

Phantom's growl made her flinch in surprise, and subconsciously she moved towards Takumi, hoping for protection just as she always did. Ashamed of her pitiful antics she lifted herself into a sitting position, desperately attempting to be strong, to prove to Takumi she was able to handle the weight that seemed to crush her. The world spun and she stumbled slightly, but held her ground, it was so cold. She seemed lightheaded as her unfocused yellow gaze lifted towards the stranger and pin on that area specifically. She seemed angry, but perhaps Misao was just over sensitive. "I-I... My name is... Misao and this is my friend T-Takumi," she stuttered out, her stomach clenching from the pang of hunger. When had she sat eaten? Takumi had given her food but she couldn't hold it in... had he eaten any himself? Worry strung at her mind. "We... We need a home. I... Our home... I-it...." Her voice came out strangled as she cut her sentence off, closing her eyes to hide the tears that brewed in them, [i]Our home is gone.

[fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 450px][justify]They were nice to her, Cain and Phantom and Mistdream. They offered a home, medicine, food... things she didn't even have to ask for. Her wide eyes followed them cautiously, and when the poppyseed came towards her she nearly took it before Takumi abruptly stood up and pushed it away, protecting her from these kind strangers. He was right, they couldn't really trust them anyways. But... Misao wanted to trust them. She wanted somebody who she could believe in aside from Takumi... how selfish of her. She bit down on her tongue before reaching out and tugging on Takumi's leg.

"I-It's okay, Takumi. You... don't have to protect me." She knew that he was being tough for her and it made her happy, but right now she was tired and weak and dizzy. She wanted a warm place to sleep before thinking about anything like who she could trust. But when Takumi started talking about Aisenma, her body froze slightly. She had never heard of him, why was he saying that? Had mother told him something? The blond tomcat seemed pretty certain of himself and she let go of his leg, her ears falling back worriedly. They could trust him? Did this mean that Takumi knew more about mother than he let on? So many questions bubbled in her head but she remained quiet, paws kneading the dirt uncertainly.

[fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 450px][justify]Misao was exhausted. One day after she had arrived and she already felt like she was dying. She wanted to go home, she wanted to go back to the barn and find mother standing there with a kind smile on her face and to feel her soft fur as she embraced her. But all of it was just a dream. Misao had to shake herself hard to clear the fog in her head, pacing just outside of the beachfront mansion looking a little lost. Her gaze shifted and she noticed a small group forming, and curious, she wandered over and looked at the stranger.

"Um... hello," she greeted uncertainly, before she let a warm smile fit into her features. It came naturally to her, now, smiling. She was able to fake such silly things as if they were natural. Something about this tom seemed lost just like her. Oh well, it was probably her imagination. She racked her head for something else to add. [b]"I'm Misao, it's wonderful to meet you, Matt. Are you new to Sunclan?"

[fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 450px][justify]"I'll drown you! You can't talk underwater anyways!" she teased, leaping after him as he dove underwater. Her body easily slid through the water as she swam after him, her chest burning after only a second or two. When she lifted her head she was greeted by a huge wave that easily swallowed her frail body, and even though she fought she was slammed into the water. The pressure was insane, it seemed to swallow her whole. She desperately searched for footing, but the water continued to move around her and she couldn't see a thing. Darkness spotted in her vision as she choked on the salty water, her lungs burning madly. Takumi, she begged desperately, as if she could reach him with her mind. She was so weak and defenseless... she hated it.

[fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 450px][justify]"Don't eat it! It's defenseless, poor thing." Snapped out of her reverie, Misao quickly padded over by Phantom and Cain where they spoke of actually eating this animal. She could never, she was practically the same size as it! Her eyes widened as she stepped forward, tilting her head cautiously. "Do you have a name? You seem lost. I'm Misao!"

/ninjad

[fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 450px][justify]Kate seemed like a nice and kind person, and so Misao decided that she could rely on her for now. It wasn't quite trust but... it was something like that. Her warm atmosphere reminded her of mother's, so much it was almost painful. Her yellow gaze followed Kate's to fix on the weary-looking traveller in front of her. Interest piqued, she quietly padded over and sat behind Kate, not speaking upon her arrival as the canine seemed to have covered most of it. There was something... awfully reserved about him that she couldn't place, so she decided to just let him speak for himself. She wrapped her tail around her paws to keep them warm and angled her head curiously at Tsukki. [b]"Hello."

[fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 450px][justify]"Congratulations...?" Misao's voice rose a little as a question at the end as she slowly picked her way over next to the Silverblood. Even though she was an apprentice, she didn't know what that meant. She supposed it was something to be proud of? After all, Kate acted as if it were a happy thing. As she mentioned a mentor, Misao straightened up with surprise. She needed a mentor? What would they teach her? Did she have to have a mentor? She glanced at the canine warily before looking back to Blurrypaw and offering a small smile. [b]"You'll do good as an apprentice!"

[fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 450px][justify]"It is cute!" she agreed eagerly, tail whisking behind her. As Flower introduced themself she tilted her head and gave a kind smile. Flowers... that reminded her of the garden back at home, she had always sung to her flowers in order to help them grow. It sounded silly, but maybe the same when for Flower! Even though they were so big already... she was a little nervous! She didn't show it though, dipping her head respectfully. "It's nice to meet you, Flower! Your name is cute, too."

As Phantom spoke to her, she quickly ducked her head apologetically. "I'm sorry for shouting. I was just worried," she purred with a little bit of amusement. "Besides, some people have strange appetites!" On the matter of her overprotective boyfriend, she was certain Takumi was lurking around somewhere, but she was a little worried about him. He always acted so strong, she worried his exterior would dissolve.

[justify][fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 450px][justify]"Welcome, Tsukishima," Misao greeted with a small smile, trying to put her heart into it. This concept of being kind to strangers was new to her, and it made her feel odd to be surrounded by so many people. It was like moths attracted to a light, really, and the presence of just these few made her feel slightly light-headed. Her friendly expression seemed to falter as she stood up and respectfully dipped her head to Tsukishima, her gaze unfocused. "It was nice to meet you but I... have somewhere to be." Aware of how incredibly rude she sounded, she quickly bounded off, ears flattening to her head as the world spun around her. So many people... made her feel locked up.

[fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 450px][justify]Misao couldn't sleep. She had hardly slept at all since she came here. The first night she had been able to sleep ought of pure exhaustion and the fact that Takumi had stayed there to protect her, and then she had slept at the beach. However, she had slept very little otherwise. She yearned for sleep to drag her down and bury her, like a blanket, but that just felt like wishful thinking. She had felt an indescribable need to be near Takumi, because he was her warmth, her safety. The only person he could trust. But oddly, he wasn't in his room. She searched the castle grounds and then outside of it, but came up empty-handed. A voice outside cut into her worry. Takumi...?

Her pace quickened as she bolted outside and into the cold, the wind tearing at her fur. She flinched and squinted against it, seeing Takumi's skinny form standing against the moonlight like a lonely statue. She frowned, stepping forward, only to fall short when he began to yell. "She needs you! I need you!" Of course. She had been stupid and naive to think that he was strong enough to face this alone and not need support. She had selfishly been taking all his support, stealing it from him, and now he couldn't even support himself. She lowered her eyes guiltily, before snapping her head up in shock as he clawed at the rock. Her eyes widened and she burst forward, attempting to wrap her arms around his neck and hug him tightly, forcing herself to be strong for him.

"It's okay, Takumi," she whispered, tears falling down her face. She hated seeing him so hurt. Was this her fault? Was she the one who injured him like this? Her face buried into his shoulder as she tightened her grip, supporting both herself and him as she forced her words out. She was being a hypocrite and she knew it, but she had to, for Takumi. She loosened her tight hold slightly to brush away her tears angrily. [b]"It's okay to be weak sometimes."

[fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 450px][justify]"I... I know a few." Misao's voice seemed quieter than usual as she looked on from beside a tree, seeming rather uncertain. Jericho was being swallowed up by such a large crowd that her voice was nearly a whisper only able to be heard if right next to her mouth, like a secret of sorts. Truthfully, she wanted to go and explore, but she was slightly afraid of the huge group. She quickly disappeared behind the tree, making up her mind. She would follow along to learn as they spoke and not make a scene of herself.

The memories of her garden at home were crystal clear. Mother had taught her a special song to sing to the flowers, and she always sang it day and night, but never when Takumi was around. The song that set the sun to bed and woke it up every morning, mother called it. It gave the plants light and love. Thinking about that song made her heart ache and she out her paw against her chest for a moment before letting it drop, staring at the small blade of grass by her paws that shine with morning dew. It seemed to collapse under the weight of the small raindrop. So fragile, like her.

[fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 450px][justify]The darkness seemed to overwhelm her, like a cage closing in against her spine. The small light she could see was fading rapidly. She felt that it was almost relaxing, and in the darkness she felt an unmistakable presence. She reached out to it, her eyes welling with tears, her body and soul crying out desperately. Mother... don't leave. The presence faded quickly, and she began to panic, climbing further into the descent of darkness. Please! Take me with you! The darkness' rapid approach seemed to slow minimally and she froze, fear pouring through her veins so much that it paralyzed her. "You feel it, don't you, Misao? The fear of dying?" It was her! Misao froze as she listened to her late mother speak. "If you come with me, that is all you will ever feel. Endless fear." Misao shook her head. I don't care! I want nothing more than to be with you. Her mother's presence came close and felt a tail brush under her eyes, catching a tear as it fell. Gentle just like mother's touch. "You're wrong, my beloved Misao. Perhaps your grief has blinded you. There is something irreplaceable standing with you in the living world now, something that always has and always will be beside you. Return to it, because you are what keeps it strong. Hold it and never let it go."

She awoke with a pained gasp, the pressure of Takumi's paws on her chest causing an upheaval of water to come pouring from her mouth. She turned her head in time to retch water and saliva and a little blood mixed in as well, dying it an unsightly pink. She lay, shivering and wet, desperate to catch her breath. The presence of something warm broke through her fear and when she turned her head, she saw Takumi standing over her with the worst, most pained expression she had ever seen him wear. Was it her that had made him make such a terrible face? The sorrow and grief all welled up at once and she threw her arms around his neck and buried her face in his fur, too weak to do anything other than sob into his fur and seek the comfort he always brought her. This was her precious thing, wasn't it? The one thing that had always stayed by her side.