I Ish Hollister (9:00:52 PM): The grey cat was slightly out of breath, the little bagpack he'd sewn for himself was full and pushing at the seems. He'd just stolen a bunch of paints to use in painting the walls in his new territory. He'd heard rumors of the others leaving but it didn't really do anything for him, he likes Tempo and his mate but he wasn't about to lose his life getting caught by someone who'd stick a needle in him and hurt him. He thought it was a better decision to stay in town and start working on the ruins. He dropped the bagpack on the ground and bent over, panting heavily as he tried to regain his breath. He was close to collapsing, he had to run from the shop owner who'd caught him, he'd have to sneak in and out better. He made a mental note to remember that next time.
LykosEcho (9:16:59 PM): He wandered through town looking a little awestruck and alot amazed. Wow. This place was just...massive. Shops everywhere you turned! He'd always been a country cat, himself. He'd spent all of his life in the barn of his Lady's place, usually stretched out on the workbench or on one of the horses' backs. Seph was good at letting him snooze on the indent of her back. In return, he kept her butt warm in the winter, nuzzled among her seasonal dark coat. But this. This was just...wow. There was a knapsack slung over his shoulder, arms dangling at his sides as he walked. His thick tail swayed back and forth behind him as he walked. Then, to his surprise, he saw someone across the road at a full blown run. His ears pricked and with a small grin, he padded stealthily after him. It wasn't until the stranger was bent over at the knees, panting for breath, that Impulse made his appearance. "Hello there..." he said, his voice soft and almost melodious.
I Ish Hollister (9:22:32 PM): Marshall jumped at the voice he hadn't been expecting and looked over to see a gorgeous male. The other taking his breath away slightly, not that he'd actually caught it in the first place he cleared his throat, " Heya." He muttered his eyes sliding up and down the other, his eyes touching on his dark fur and the rainbow color of his hair, then the striped armwarmers he wore, and finally resting on the knapsake. " New to town?" He asked his voice picking up an octive as he tried to stay calm. He hated being nervous, his voice spikes and he never could speak with out stuttering, not only was he worried the other might say something about hsi stolen goods, but he was taken aback by the way he looked. Marshall had seen other good looking males enter the city, but this one had him enchanted, " Name's Marshall." He said slowly holding his hand out for the other to shake. His heaert was pounding in his head, this was against his rules, but he had to introuduce himself to find out the others name.
LykosEcho (9:27:05 PM): Impulse was just as taken. He watched the stranger with a smile so wide it almost could've passed for fake -- but it wasn't. He was just always smiling. His ear, weighed down with the earrings, gave a twitch, but that was the only sign of discomfort coming from the young male. He felt the boy's gaze roam acrossed him, taking him in, and Impulse found his breath hitched in his throat. He forced himself to take another breath, grin stretching just a little more. "Uh...actually..." He was completely new to town. "I've been a country cat my entire life. This place is just...amazing..." All the smells were getting to him. His stomach gave a little growl. "I'm Impulse. I know, strange name... Gotta love the people who name you, right?" he rambled. Mentally, he screeched at himself to shut his trap. A flush settled across his cheeks and he tried to hide under his rainbow streaked bangs. He took Marshall's hand and shook it, but just the touch of the other male sent a tingle down his spine. "And you?" He motioned to the sack Marshall was carrying, bulging at the seams.
I Ish Hollister (9:31:24 PM): Marshall laughed lightly as he slipped his hand back into his pocket, it was tingling from the other male. " I'm a painter... and Well, WE can't just waltz into a store and buy things." The other male dipped his head and kicked a stray rock, suddenly feeling horrible for the things he'd done lately. " I have to take things that I want.... Steal would be a better work, but If I showed you my work, you'd under stand why." He said to cover up why he stole things. His ears strained to hear the faint rumble in the other's stomach. " Sounds like your hungry Impulse, What do you say we get us something to eat? There's a cat friendly coffee shop around here, its a pretty long walk." He admitted drawing in a long deep breath, " But It'd be good for you know know where it is... then you wouldn't starve." He said picking his head up and smiling brightly at the other, " I'll tell you, its easy to do."
LykosEcho (9:38:08 PM): Painter? Impulse perked up. His Lady had painted...but only the barn. He'd dipped his tail in the stuff and almost never got it out! He'd had to wash and wash. But it'd been fun. The paint had flung around that day and Impulse had left stains on the outsides of Seph's legs. "Could you show me how, sometime? How to paint, I mean..." Nosy, as always. Here they were, strangers, and Impulse was already inviting himself over! "I mean, you don't have to if you don't want to, I totally understand--" His ears flattened back and he stuffed hands into his pockets. He was about to open his mouth and ramble on, but Marshall cut him off. Food... Yes, food sounded good. "I'd like that," he said, a little shyly. "I don't mind the walk..." He cut himself off before he could say the lovestruck words 'as long as it's with you'. Get ahold of yourself, man, he grumbled inwardly. But he couldn't douse the flames that had risen in his soul. His blue eyes glittered and he grinned goofily back at the other male.
I Ish Hollister (9:44:16 PM): Marshall's smile grew as the other male smiled and he let out a sigh as he dipped down to pick up his bag, " This way." He muttered taking a few steps forward and passing Impulse, his tail lightly brushing the other's as he did. His heart pounding in his chest as he sucked his liprings into his mouth and collected himself. " I'd be happy to show you how to paint, I don't think Tempo would mind you coming in and watching me, Or I could just sneak you in while he's gone... he's off rescuing his children." He laughed lightly and blushed as he pulled his lip back into his mouth it was the little nervous tick he'd picked up. REaching up Marshall brushed his bangs out of his hair and began to walk towards the other male, " So umm..." He tried to make small talk but he wasn't sure what to say, Did he talk about himself or the other male, his brain was racing and he was feeling like an idiot for not knowing what to say, " Tell me about youself." He blurted out his cheeks tinting deep pink as he nbbled on his lip, it would be raw by the time they got to the coffee shop. " you have to be more interesting than me." He said to cover up his slip earlier, he didn't want to seem pushy or over egar.
LykosEcho (9:52:23 PM): Impulse felt a chill as the Russian Blue's tail brushed over him. His own hair had fallen into his face, but he blew it out again with a big puff of breath. As he fell into step beside Marshall, his mind raced. All of this in one day. Who was Tempo and why would he mind? It wasn't like they were having sex on the couch or something! Impulse's face flushed crimson at the thought and he tried to run it out of his mind. He blushed again and prayed Marshall hadn't noticed. They walked in silence for a little bit. "Me? Well..." He giggled softly. "I was raised in a barn, but I wasn't born there, I promise! I was the son of a show cat's litter. I'm a pedigreed Ragdoll." He beamed, as if this was some big thing. Rushing on, he added, "Not that my Lady cared about that. She got me as a pet, but she was allergic, so I moved out to the barn with the horses. Pretty solitary life, I think. She did get a second cat later on, Holle, but she was a bit of a snob. She didn't like to be touched." He wrinkled his nose a little. "So I slept alone or on one of the horses' backs." He shifted his knapsack. "My Lady got sick and people took the property. I was stripped from my collar and put in the shelter. Wasn't a great place, but I didn't stay long. Another woman picked me up and I got away..." He didn't add in the fact that he'd clawed her to do so. He was ashamed of that fact. "And you?" An eyebrow rose.
I Ish Hollister (9:58:46 PM): Marshall laughed lightly, " I was part of a littler of 15, I was a birthday present for my girl." He smiled slightly at the thought, " She got sick and her boyfriend locked me up in the bathroom and left me there for months to die, I got out when someone new bought the house." He shrugged, figuring his story was lame and slipped his hands into the pockets of his skinny jeans. " I got rid of my collar and started a life here... started painting and living on my own. Then I decided to join Tempo and the other's at the ruins, since Alice like hates me or something and I can't stay at the university." He laughed and smiled over at the other because he thought it would make him laugh, and then he remembered the other had no idea who alice was. " I told you I was lame." he said scrunching up his nose.
LykosEcho (10:02:25 PM): Impulse listened eagerly, letting all the details lap over him like warm water. He was actually getting to know someone that wasn't the horses...or Holle, but she didn't really count. What a stick in the mud. "Would you've chosen to take off your collar before your...um...abandonment?" The question was most certainly nosy. He knew he himself wouldn't have given up his life with his Lady for anything; he'd loved that barn and the warm pets she'd give him. His tail flicked to and fro. He glanced down, shrugging his shoulders a little. "Not lame." With a small smile, he stuck his tongue out at the other male, and flushed again. "Who's Tempo?" He asked, changing the subject. "And what're the ruins?" And would it be someplace he could stay...? Sure, it was daytime now, but sleeping in this city sounded terrifying.
I Ish Hollister (10:08:45 PM): Marshall laughed nervously, " I never would have chosen this." He mumbled Taking a step away from the male and shrugged. " Tempo is the leader of the territory I live in, which is the ruins. You could stay with me while he's away. He and his mate had kittens and the humans scooped them up and toted them off to a test facility." He said trying to get the other up to speed on the people around here, since he'd be here for a long time. " Even if i wouldn't have chosen this for myself, I wouldn't give it up. Life is really great like this." He said smiling again. " The only thing that sucks is getting your own food." He said reaching for the door of the coffee shop and opening it. " Because well, You have to steal everything." He said smiling again, "Well... everything but the stuff here." He said nodding
LykosEcho (10:13:14 PM): Impulse noted the fact that Marshal stepped further away from him, and he wasn't sure how to take that. As nerves? His head tilted to one side, continuing to listen. Tempo was a leader? Did that mean the cats lived in a giant troup, sleeping together and keeping each other safe? Like a family? Impulse didn't remember his feline-family. Just the Lady and Seph and Holle... What an odd family. He smiled at the offer, but raised his hands, pausing in midstride. "I'd like that, but...I wouldn't want to impose or anything," he murmured quickly, but the idea was tempting. "Especially if you've already got a family." His ears pinned back in worry for a moment at the idea of being chased off. He watched as Marshall opened the door to the coffeeshop, and hurried in after him, ducking under his arm. His tail curled around his waist and he bit back a nervous giggle. "What makes this place so much different?"
I Ish Hollister (10:19:23 PM): Marshall laughed at the family remark, " I have one sister, her name is Belle. But she wouldn't mind if you stayed with me." He said smiling softly. " This place is different." He muttered as he walked into the shop behind the white haired male, " Because people like us run it." He said waving to the barista and pulling a chair out for the other. He smiled and said hello to the tall female who walked up to they're table. " I'll take a black coffee and one of those yummy pumpkin scones." He told the dark haired woman. He smiled as Impulse sat down and walked around the table and sat down sitting his bag by him. "anything for you Imp?" He asked his blue green eyes shimmering slightly, as he folded his hands on the table in front of him. He sighed softly trying to calm himself knowing the coffee would help, He ducked his head taking a deep breath to relax some.
LykosEcho (10:26:17 PM): "I have no sisters," he chuckled. "I'm glad you have family..." A cat needed family, whether it be human or feline variety. He took in the sights as he followed behind Marshall, who pulled a chair out. How gentlemanly... Impulse blushed and perched atop the stool, hooking his legs together underneath it. His knapsack slid to the floor with a jingle, temporarily forgotten. He beamed at Marshall, beaming at the nickname. Imp... Sure, he'd been called that before, but...not by such a pretty face. "Water," he quipped. "And something...not baked or fried. How about vegetables? Celery?" He gazed up at the waitress. As she walked away, he turned to face Marshall. "You don't have to, you know, be friendly. I'm just a stranger..." he said, a little softly. "I don't want to push myself into your life if you don't want me."
I Ish Hollister (10:32:51 PM): Marshall laughed at the other male as he told him, he didn't have to have to push in his life. " Your not pushing believe me." He said shrugging. " I'd like to have you in it." He blushed deeply and looked away clearing his throat, " you know... everyone needs friends." He said his cheeks burning with the blush, he hadn't meant have it slip like that. He felt like he was begging to keep the other here. "Celery?" He asked changing the subject. " that is slightly different for someone like us to ask for." He muttered smiling at the other, leaning down he dug some wet wipes out of his bag and sitting them next to him, he'd be getting sticky in a while and he wasn't excited for it. He liked eating the sweet treat but it meant getting sticky and gross. " Why not sushi or something sweet?" He mused folding his hands together on the table.
LykosEcho (10:37:55 PM): Impulse gave a small sigh of relief; relief that he wasn't intruding. He covered his mouth with a laugh, his own face heating up. "I'd like that. Friends..." He repeated, settling himself and the nerves bouncing around in his stomach. And maybe... Maybe someday, more than friends? He would remain hopeful. But friends was good enough for now. "Ah, true." He grinned. "I'm sure you've never heard of a Vegan cat before, eh? My Lady raised me on vegetables and lean meats. It's just kinda...habit, I guess? Except for the junk they fed at the shelter, I've eaten healthy all my life. You shoulda seen what she fed those horses." He rolled his shoulders and chuckled, watching Marshall pull out wet wipes and curiosity piquing. "Sweets?" His head tilted. "You mean like, multigrain muffin-sweet?"
I Ish Hollister (10:41:40 PM): Marshall laughed slightly, A vegan cat. That was something very different but he found it incredibly cute. " More like... amazing pumpkin scone." He said smiling at the tall female came back and sat they're food on the table, The brown haired male smiling at the coffee and picking it up, taking a quick sip. " Its like a pumpkin pie... but way better." He told the other with a small nod. " If you need a place to stay, that's warm and comfy, I'm pretty sure you could stay with me." He told The other male absent mindedly playing with the cup of coffee in front of him, both hands wrapped around it to warm them up. He regretted not having gloves for the winter that was coming, " It gets rather cold at night... I don't think anyone would want you getting sick."
LykosEcho (10:47:23 PM): Pumpkin scones? He'd never heard of scones, but sure, pumpkin pies he had. Organic ones, anyway. The Lady had let the cats lick her plate last Thanksgiving. His heart gave a pang, realizing that this would be his first Thanksgiving away from home. Away from his Lady... His tail flicked, curling around him and keeping him warm, although the shop wasn't that cold. He watched the way Marshall wrapped his hands around his cup and admired the way the steam rose up in the air. He smiled. "I'd...like that," he admitted softly, almost sheepishly. "I mean...sure, I've found a nice box, but it's hardly warm and homey." He gave a small snort of laughter, remembering his box in a back alley that smelled of cat urine. Why did some cats think they had to mark everything? "I've never been sick before..." This came out musing. He played with a celery stick, then crunched down on it. Stringy. Definitely not organic. Damn, he was spoiled. He wondered if now, that he was away from home, if his diet would turn fattening. He thought that he'd miss his veggies a little if they just disappeared... "Hmmm. I like you," he said, still musing but not realizing he'd said it aloud.
I Ish Hollister (10:52:36 PM): Marshall's heart jumped into his throat as he heard the other male speak. " Are talking to me or the celery?" He asked his voice shaking as he asked it. He bowed his face over the cup and took in a deep breath of the coffee. no one had ever been so blunt with him, He wasn't too sure how to react to the other's exclamation. He reached over and broke part of his scone off and stuck it into his mouth and eating it, He had to do it to keep his mouth shut. He was sweating some as he waited for the answer. He wanted to know but he couldn't rush the other. Taking a sip of the coffee he tried to relax some more.
Impulse glanced up, suddenly freezing, celery halfway to his mouth. He focused on swallowing his mouthful, realizing that he'd spoken that aloud. He blushed and looked down, mumbling something incoherant. He waited for several minutes, the quiet creeping by between them although the sounds of the coffeehouse made a pleasant backdrop. Realizing that Marshall expected a reply, he gave another equally sheepish smile and lifted his head. "Both of you...but you especially." With that, he popped another bite. "Does that bother you?" His chest tightened at the idea of scaring the other male off.
I Ish Hollister (11:03:03 PM): Marshall sucked in a breath as if something had punched him in the stomach, He hadn't expected this male to care for him. He bit his lip and nodded at the male as he let the information soak into his soul. " It dosen't bother me at all." He muttered his blue green eyes watching the dark liquid that sat in his cup. " I.." He began his voice shaking as he started to confess to the other that he liked him also, " I... like you." He said nodding slowly and starting to nibble on his scone again. He had to do something to distract him, His heart was pounding in his cheast, he could barely breathe. He didn't know that he wasn't breathing till he took in another deep breath. He didn't know why this had him freaking out like this... he never got this nervous around someone. Even when he'd meet Aiden he hadn't felt like this.
LykosEcho (11:10:42 PM): Impulse watched him, concerned for the other male. His ears tipped forwards, focusing on Marshall and he leaned across the table, reaching for him, then thinking better of it and pulling back with a small chuckle. What Marshall told him, however, made him beam with delight, even if it was spoken almost...hesitantly. He wondered, briefly, if someone had hurt Marshall in the past. He frowned, eyes creasing a little at the corners. "So how'about this? You can take me home; we'll sneak past that Tempo guy and you can show me how you paint..." He paused for a moment, a finger on his lips. "I'll stay for a day or two...and then we'll decide where I go. Howabout that?" He grinned.
I Ish Hollister (11:18:00 PM): A smile pulled up the corners of marshall's lips till they nearly touched his blue green eyes, " That sounds like a good plan to me." He said looking up from the coffee and nodding at the other male, "If your intrested I have some old canvas and brushes back at my room and you can try your hand at painting." He told the other with a nod. He couldn't help but want the other to paint. He loved teaching others to paint. He was going to teach Belle and he figured that it would be something they could bond over. " I'm painting an ocean view on the walls that are left of the third floor. I already painted everything white, so they'res nothing more that you can really do." he muttered feeling bad for the judgment he'd just passed down on teh other, but he couldn't have anyone else painting for fear that Tempo would be mad. " Maybe another time after we see what skills you have we can paint my room together." He said with a nod smiling back at the other.
LykosEcho (11:22:27 PM): Impulse clasped his hands together, almost like a child would. He hugged his tail against him, smiling the entire time. "Sounds like a plan then!" He paused, listening to Marshall's voice and feeling his belly give a flip. "I...don't know if I'm good at painting. I mean there was this one time at the barn..." Where he'd gotten covered. Yeah, that didn't show his expertise. He giggled. "Don't worry about it. I wouldn't trust me with a paintbrush either!" Not on pristinely white walls anyways. "I have a feeling they'd turn out rainbow splattered," he mused and began to chomp on another celery stick. "But I'd like that." Finishing his food with a lick of his lips, he glanced across the table to Marshall and picked up his knapsack. With a deep breath, he asked, "Ready to go then?" He was half eager to see these ruins, but half afraid too. He smiled meekly
I Ish Hollister (11:26:36 PM): Marshall nodded downing the rest of his coffee and the little bite he had left of the scone. " Totally ready." He said wiping his hands on the wet nap, he wrapped it up and picked up his bag pack. " Lets go." He said walking to the door and dropping it in the trash, Pushing the door open with his back he smiled widely at the other, the smile still touching his eyes. " I think your gunna like it at the ruins."He said walking towards where he lived.