private SUNSHINE SEASON ♪ reed

[CASCADESONG]

A whistle slips past pursed lips, sweet and high-pitched. He's impressed, enamored by the forest and the density of the brush it brought with it — the hollow he dipped into alongside his companion. It almost seemed to be a well-trodden path, perhaps crafted for that purpose as well. It was somewhere several cats would be able to stand comfortably. Then there were the four winding oaks acting as a centerpiece, framed around a great stone, dappled with the soft light any leaves allowed to shine through.

Who knew all this was beyond the river? And even more still stretched ahead of him. Droves of wild land was clearly visible behind the head of his friend. His friend who was... staring straight at him, brows pinched together in something like confusion.

Mahi blinks out of his stupor, a blank, wide-eyed look instantly shifting into something friendly. He offers him a lopsided grin. A slightly-damp tail waves to them in a warm 'hello!' His ear twitches, content once Reed turns away from him.

Compared to them, he feels light on his feet. A hop, skip, and a jump— "This place is sweet, huh?" he remarks with a purr. It's not much more than idle chatter, but any time with Reed is well-spent, in his eyes. His words are honest. It almost seems like a wonder of nature, that a place like this could exist. All that was peculiar was its distinct smell. A tang of something metallic. It weighs heavy in the air. "What made you travel out here in the first place, anyways? I mean, 'm glad you did!"​

 

[REEDRUNNER]

( ⚘ )The taste of river water still clung to the back of their throat, a bitter reminder of the clot of the stuff that Reed swallowed on their swim over. Thankfully, their companion provided the perfect distraction. Mahi's jubilant whistles set their spirit afloat, help in letting the slim-framed feline forget about their lacklustre abilities.

Oak wreathed and bright, the clearing was much prettier than it had been during Reed's previous excursion. The threat of unforeseen encounters still lingered, the sun pulling long shadows from every patch of foliage they passed. Concerned glances thrown back to Mahi were frequent, the fur of their shoulder brushed by their narrow chin so often it had matted slightly. Only the mirthful twist of the apricot tom's tail could sway them from their vigilance. A wide gaze froze in bafflement before Mahi's grin washed up a dose of awareness. Reed dipped their head down sharply in embarrassment.

Willowy, teak ears swivelled to listen to the mellow chatter behind them. Nerves, ever pulled taut, loosed a stride. The river dweller always put them at ease. Reed fruitlessly tried to follow his example, the lazy poise he exhibited was enviable. "Uhm, well y'know all the shouts and arguing I told you about? I tracked down where they were coming from. Which, is uh, here." Their speech was a quiet trill as nervous happiness bled into their tone. They were glad Mahi was enjoying himself- they had genuine fears the trip would be a waste of time. "Seems to be a spot where those cat colonies have bumped into each other. I er- actually bumped into one of them earlier. His name was Mud. He was nice." Disbelief piqued their final words. The, surprisingly safe, encounter had been surreal.

​

( WALK 'TIL YOU'RE RESTLESS, SLEEP 'TIL YOU'RE TIRED )

 

[CASCADESONG]

His smile would drop into something more thoughtful at the answer he's given. Perked ears flicker in acknowledgment, a curious gaze drags across the ground trodden ground, contemplating what spats may've happened on this very soil. "Arguing, huh? The neighbors don't like each other?"

Now that he pays attention, he can feel it more clearly. The scuffs in the ground, unfamiliar, lingering scents. They weren't the first to discover this place, for sure. He couldn't imagine why these mystery cats would be arguing with each other, though. This place was teeming with prey, enough for everyone to share, surely?

At the mention of meeting one of these mysterious colony cats, his gaze would snap back to Reed, eyes glittering with unhidden interest. For some time now, its only been Reed and him out by the river, at least that's what its felt like. There'd be a few passersbys. The sweet, pointed fur of Nettle and masked face of Raccoon come to mind. Close, and yet distant. Anyone else around, it was always news to him. And a fabled wildcat, no less!

He quickens his pace, trotting alongside his friend before offering a friendly bump with his tail. "Well? What'd he say? Did you have to knock some sense into m' before he fell victim to his wildcat ways, or whatever?" Sea-green eyes glitter with amusement at the question. Of course he doesn't actually believe that stuff. Well, sorta. Reed seemed to insist that they were scary. What was he meant to do with all that conflicting info?​

 

[REEDRUNNER]

( ⚘ ) "Apparently n-not"The images of fierce wild cats, tension oozing from their words and claws unsheathed made them nervous. Moons spent alone on the river bank before meeting Mahi, avoiding all contact with the unknown, had made Reed paranoid. The scourged earth beneath them was proof enough that it wasn't all fantasy.

The curiosity on Mahi's sun-striped face worried them for no good reason. After all, that same drive led them to come face to face with one of the mystery cats to begin with. At his insinuation of Reed 'knocking some sense' into Mud, a blunt snort of unbridled surprise and amusement shot out. Stunned, for the noise had erupted so unexpectantly, they stared down their snout at the perpetrator of the odd sound. "Woah- uh sorry that was loud. No, I er definitely didn't have to do that. Couldn't if I tried." Small, thinly-furred paws led them closer to the central rock.

"I thought they'd be very uh, aggressive what with all the fighting going on but I met a pinecat. He was chill. Still, dunno why they are tearing each other up so much though- didn't think to ask" The final sentence was accompanied by an apologetic tilt of their head. You really should have, Reed chastised themself.

"Do you, y'know, want to join them?" Insecurity slipped into their words, propelling the intrusive query into the air. Immediately their nose wrinkled, muzzle creased to reveal the tips of white teeth. The frustration wasn't directed at their companion, only at their own feather-brain. It was a common, quick riot of emotion that brushed across their face. They hadn't meant to ask that, for it was both a silly question and truthfully Reed didn't want to know the answer. If Mahi did want to leave for a larger group the feline didn't know what they'd do.

( WALK 'TIL YOU'RE RESTLESS, SLEEP 'TIL YOU'RE TIRED ) ​

​