1x1 between Alpha* and Daisy!

[Lemon Tea Rain]

Ice took a deep breath, before abandoning the food and curling around Fallenrains. He didn't know what words he could offer, but he just wanted to provide comfort - he didn't want him to be alone in this. He found himself grooming Fallen again, careful to either avoid or be extra gentle with scarred, scabbed and tender parts, which he soon found Fallenrains was littered with. It didn't matter to Ice.

He just wanted to soothe the other's pain.

[Alpha*]

FallenRains quakes; hes expecting pain - expecting hurt. He hadn't answered properly, and hadn't... he hadnt...

Hadn't what?

The warmth the other provides soon makes his shaking end, although he doesn't unfurl, untense. "I dont want to hurt you. " is whispered, covering his nose with his paw - "they say that I will... they said so."

They say that he will turn on everyone he comes to care about; they will pay the price for the sins which he doesn't remember committing. Despite himself, he finds that he IS being comforted.

The color of summer skies and Robin's eggs slowly bleeds into the empty grayness of his eyes - the way that ink on paper does, or as smoke. Like the paper behind a half shattered mirror - "Im.. I'm so sorry. " is said, expecting the other to be disgusted and push him away. (So he doesn't look at Ice from Frozen River as he timidly places his head on his side and prays he wont be rebuked.)

"All I am... all I am is what Rolyuk made of me." Nothing more than that. He wants to explain. After all, isnt he his friend, hadn't he said so? And isnt he right here, caring?

Fallens' heart slams against his ribs and he tenses all over again. He really should just go. He should.

I dont want too.

"Ice... i... I'll... im.. I dont remember. And THEY say that I'll hurt you. Like I can hurt others and i.." he isn't sure that he can handle that. Please dont send me away.. he swallows again, hearing a queen begin to sing a lullaby to her kits. Like his Bird used to do..

Did he even... and Ice is here.. and... he focuses on the song and the rasp of a warm tongue and falls asleep.

[Lemon Tea Rain]

Ice listened with sympathetic ears to the words spoken to him, and tried to make sense of them, tried to find the story behind them. Fallenrains seemed to be a broken cat - of course, Ice knew this by now, but what could he do but comfort him? He had to find the right words eventually, and..

And he was asleep.

Ice let out a gentle sigh, making himself more comfortable so he could stay there for longer. He would get up eventually, he told himself, but there was no need to leave him exposed in front of everyone in camp. He would move soon.. there was just enough time to rest his eyes...

Ice fell asleep, and didn't move or wake until morning.

[Alpha*]

He awakens slowly, sleep having seated itself in his eyes... and comfort. Warmth.

He doesn't move to stretch or yawn, instead it's slow and steady. He inhales the scent of a cat, their fur tickling his nose and is content.

Safe. Wanted... loved?

FallenRains wakens in darkness (of course that isnt a problem, he can see) and there is only three cats around- two cave guards and... and... who's this? Who is his nest companion? He can hear their heartbeats.

He blinks, shocked, willing himself to remember. Ah, yes... Ice from Frozen River. He doesn't lift his head, noting that the kill they had started to eat had been removed. Guilt claws it's way into his chest; what is this hecat doing here with him? Surely hed be ostracized!

Still, he doesn't move, even when a pair of blue eyes that rival his own open and look at him.

[Lemon Tea Rain]

I've awoke rather suddenly in the morning, his eyes opening quickly as they adjusted to his surroundings, feeling terribly exposed. He couldn't quite recall where he was - not his nest, that was for sure - or who he was laid with, nor why. It took him a few moments of blankly staring at the other tom for the realization to hit him, and he let out an uncertain "Good morning?" As he began to recall the previous night.

Oh dear. Had he slept here the entire night? At least - not everyone would have seen, apart from the cycle of cave guards throughout the night..

And it didn't matter anyway.

Ice wasn't hesitant in getting to his paws and shaking away the warm grip sleep had on him. After a long, wide yawn, he sat down and began to groom himself.

They had work to do.

[Alpha*]

(Welcome back! How are you? I missed you!)

He moves and FallenRains is loathe to follow. Still... "good morning. " is whispered, voice rough. He runs his tongue over his ruffled chest fur and then stretches his legs - wincing and a soft groan.

"Shall we go?" Is asked softly, and he gets to his paws, headed out at the beckoning of a dead tortoiselle she-cat.

What has he done? Ice surely hates him now. Surely.

And he is sooo so so sorry. (Hes ruined his friendship... ) he pauses, picking up a pair of small mice. After, he takes the kills over to the other (they should eat first, he thinks. )

Is Ice mad at him?

FallenRains offers a shy smile, not certain about what had happened last night. "I umm... I'm at a loss? " is said, sitting beside the hecat. "I umm... thanks for staying?" Is spoken softly, uncertainly. "I... I think you have questions?"

[Lemon Tea Rain]

(hey! Life's been quite hectic, but I'm good, thank you! I'm glad to get to talk/rp with you again~)

Ice shook his head after a moment, swiping his paw one last time over his ear before returning his attention to Fallenrains. He smiled back, though he looked a little distant. "No, it's fine. I was just a little confused when I woke up, is all.." he bent down and took a bite of the mouse.

"I didn't intend to stick with you the whole night - just long enough to make you comfortable, you know? Still, I'm not unhappy."

[Alpha*]

FallenRains

He eats quietly for a minute, "I didn't mean to make things harder for you. " is responded quietly, "with your Pack." He clears his throat, "your Tribe I mean. "

The silver cat bends, taking another bite of his mouse, blue eyes leaving the Tom-cat. Hes not unhappy? But...

But he has to be.

Guilt clogs his throat, but he swallows down the meal quickly- hardly chewing. In record time he is ready to go, instinctively (or habbitually) reaching for the red cloth that should be in his nest... (and isnt.) Again he is dissatisfied and again he turns, ready to leave. "Are you ready?" Is asked - remembering that the wolves had caught him and he had only escaped because of that cloth. Where is it now? He nonchalantly drags his paw across his whiskers and waits, tail coiled around his hind leg, sitting with his face towards the entrance.

He doesn't remember much of the night before, only that he was afraid. Of Ice? No, that doesn't seem right... but definitely afraid of something. He remembers being cold... and there was an order... Orders.

His brow is furrowed, hes desperately trying to remember. I see, I hear, I obey.. sir... of course sir.. his voice isnt his own in his head - too monotonous. Mechanical and empty. (The silver cat winces, as if he is physically in pain.)

Oh no. He knows. Ice knows.

He knows something is wrong with him. Something... terribly wrong with FallenRains. Something that he.. he cant hide. Cant escape. He doesn't think its fixable, it must be incurable; and Ice had pitied him and stayed and he was - is - a burden. Taken care of like a kit. (Pathetic). Undesirable. Unwanted. Monster.

"Please no." his mouth moves almost soundlessly. "I'm more than that."

Isnt he?

He had escaped, hadn't he? Killed Rolyuk. Killed and killed and killed... murdered, shedding blood wherever he goes (for healing too - healers have to cut after all). Lost so much.

And now Ice wont like him. Wouldn't look at him the same. Wont...

One ear pins to his skull: "You.. you dont have to come." Is said, "I can do this on my own."

He doesn't want to see the pity and horror in the others' eyes. (But even more he doesn't want to go alone. To be alone. Again.)

[Lemon Tea Rain]

Ice looked puzzled, tipping his head lightly to the side. "I'd much rather come with you, even if you don't need me." He meowed, his tail flicking. "I know that you don't intend to stay - you keep saying you'll leave - but I like having you around. You company is like no other." His warm gaze takes in the sight before him, concerned at the body language he was observing.

Fallenrains was still hurting.

Getting to his paws, Ice padded along and brushed up against his side. "Let's take this journey at a steadier pace, yeah? He uh.." who were they looking for, again..? Oh, right, Stoneteller. Of course, how could he forget? "Stoneteller can't have gone particularly far."

[Alpha*]

FallenRains

He offers a slow nod, almost hesitant in the action. "Of course... I'll try."

.... he likes having him around? Enjoys his company? A broken sound that's meant to be a purr leaves his throat at the physical contact. "I enjoy your company too." Is responded with genuine pleasure, "i... I dont want to leave... but I dont have a choice." With that he trots from the caves - looking into the snow that has begun falling from his beloved heavens and waits a long second.

It doesn't take long for the dead to direct him on his way. He flicks his tail and follows the tortoiselle she-cats directions; feeling dirty for doing so. Can Ice see the dead too?

He has to wonder: Snowbird did.

Blinking blue eyes at the hecat beside him. "We must head to the east," he intones - knowing that they would have more direction when that time comes. Again, he shivers; outside of the nest where he had curled beside Ice.... would he ever be warm again?