warmth has faded (p)

[Unity]

The nights had become ridiculously cold as the snow seasons began to set in. Unity had seen a few flurries here and there but the whole onslaught had not yet begun... although she had already begun preparing. She had searched through the surrounding territory for the most active game trails and gathering places such as the creek and the river as main water sources. The creek was bound to freeze over but at this point the river was most likely going to stay free flowing. So the canyon was one of her last resorts. The relentless sky, providing there was sun, would be a great source of heat for the brisker days.

But not only had she looked for prey areas but had also surveyed for shelter. Anything from caves to crevices under the trees. Somewhere she could get away from the wind and the snow. So at this point in her preparations she was doing quite well up until the loner crossed paths with another cat. Raising her multicolored tail high she mewed, "I'm just passing through." Keeping her silver gaze fixed upon the other female.

(for ;; @nyara

[Deleted]

my hands, they're strong

but my knees were far too weak

too stand in your arms,

without falling to your feet

The snow fell like an icy demon, swallowing the luscious plains and covering them in a fine, frozen white powder. The days had been drawing to an end almost before they began. And chilled breaths of wind stirred up flurries of snow and tossed them across the landscape. Every living creature dreaded the coming of leafbare, freezing water sources and stopping prey, as well as causing unnecessary deaths amongst the young and old. Nyara knew this well, as her youngest kitten had been killed due to a hungry fox who's hunting grounds had been ravaged by the dreadful season. Her other three she had ordered to run, so they'd fled the scene, probably presuming her to be dead.

Now the ghostly white she-cat prowled across the frozen plains, making no sound at all. Her pawsteps were light and dainty, doing nothing to dent the crisp landscape her ears prick with slight caution as she spots a darker shape downwind of her. Her rib by form lowers into the snow and she stills her tail, allowing herself to blend in. Due to the steady breeze, Nyara failed to catch the other's scent, though they appeared to be young, maybe six or seven moons old, and also unaware of her presence. The she-cat's silver lilac eyes gaze upon the other with a neutral perspective before straitening as the other had clearly caught sight of her. It was probably the waning milk scent, or maybe her twitching ears that gave her away. As the other spoke, she offered a nod to show she was of no harm.

"Anyone may walk here. It is free land" she flicked her ringed tail slightly, this was not the first time she'd spoken these words. Once with her three little ones, they had come across a kittypet. Her kits had begun to hiss, and she had been forced to scold them, pointing out that this was not in fact their territory, and she was the only one of the five that needed to eat fresh kill. 'You must remember children. Alliances can help us. We must keep in mind that this is a place in which cats may hunt in peace. Do not make enemies where you can make friends.' The four had taken her words to heart and rushed after the kittypet in order to apologise. Nyara had purred proudly as each earned a lick on the head in turn. Now as she gazed upon this younger cat, she portrayed no sign of this memory, her face held no emotion and she sat still and calm, yet not quite relaxed. She was never relaxed anymore, as she always seemed to be fleeing.

Unity

► kaigra ◄

[Unity]

Unity's ears perked at the sound of the other cat's voice, and she listened in. Making sure she didn't miss even the slightest tone of anger or annoyance for she had no intention of getting into a tussle with the female. "Uh, thanks." She mewed, her silver gaze still trained upon this loner. If there was one thing a cat had to look out for it was themselves. Which was why Unity had never been one to make friends. The more friends she had, the more backs she had to look out for. So at this point, Unity was only looking out for her own.

"Thought you'd wanna... claw my ears off or something." The loner mewed, cracking a small smile which quickly faded as she stared into the blank gaze of the other.