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 Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 8:36 pm
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Spending such a large amount of time with cats his own age, it somehow reminded the black cat that he was still semi-in charge of one youth. This thought led to another: it would be best to find him peers to compete with, to get his mind off of the girl. All he needed was to cut Aki from her; he was sure once she was out of the way, the boy would easily be moldable. Already he had begun to implant visions of a better future in the youth, but that would only take him so far . . . As it was, he was close to bringing the boy completely into his grasp; and BC was not a cat who would remain satisfied with "close".
But where to scout out angsting youth? The park had been a fruitless search, and after his encounter with Siam and Amaranth near the garbage disposals, there was no way he was interested in going near such areas. Seemingly aimless for now, he kept his hands in the pockets of his pants and strolled along, whistling the melody to an a capella song he once heard.
Fate had been providing for him handsomely up until now. He supposed if it seemed he had hit a dead end, it would be best to just leave it in Her capable paws and see what happens. And if nothing did, well, he got his daily excersize. Simple as that! Thigns were going along swimmingly enough to where being set back a few days at a time no longer bothered him as it might have in the past. His nose twitched with the smell of sushi from nearby restaurants.
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 9:41 pm
 Glancing back at his sister, Barayas sighed, a frown on his face. She had been complaining with greater frequency for about the past half hour, wearing on his nerves. While it was quite true that this was the farthest either of them had ever walked at one time, he didn’t need to be constantly reminded of that fact. Nor did he have much of an idea where they were going to end up, but that was at least somewhat of a given. Currently, Barayas was following his following his nose, heading more and more towards the smells of food coming from a restaurant district. True, he was hungry himself but, silent as his sister was outspoken, she had been the first to pipe up, voicing loudly that they should stop for food.
He figured that eventually they’d be far enough to run into another territory, one where he could be away from his mother and anyone that knew her. That ruled out the territories they had heard of so far. The map they had stolen from the student union area of the University had proven useful enough in helping them avoid particular areas, but they were far enough from the nearest one that Barayas wasn’t worried.
Presently he turned his attention away from his sister and scanned the area around him. Through his sister’s complaining he had thought he had heard whistling. His eyes flicked from side to side, looking for the source of the noise.
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Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 3:52 pm
"Dear brother, do tell me we're going to be finding a place to rest soon!" A rather shrill voice rang out from some distance behind a young Somali tom, "I swear, it feels like we've simply been strolling about carelessly for hours now!" A young female, her fiery orange pelt a perfect match to the tom's paused for a moment to scrunch up her dainty face in the most displeased expression she could muster. "Damnit, Barayas! Are you even listening to me anymore?" Giving a lash of her luxuriously silken tail, the femme bounded up to stand before her brother with hands on her hips, "My paws hurt, Brother! I'm tired of walking and my stomach has been empty for the better part of the last 3 hours, what part of these things are you finding difficulty in comprehending? Are we going to find a place to rest or aren't we?!" Releasing an irritated huff, the girl blew a ringlet out of her face and straightened to look around. Her wrinkled nose smoothed quickly until her expression was just one of displeased exhaustion. Raising her nose a bit, she sniffed delicately at the air currents, trying to discern food from human from cat from anything else that was in the area. As she was still largely unfamiliar with human foods and all their variety, the only scent that stuck out to the prissy she-cat was the fresh smell of fish. "I think there's a place where we can get food near here. We should rest." Although worded like a suggestion, Iukinia's tone was more decisive as she walked away from her younger brother a few steps to try and figure out which way the fish smell was coming from. She was totally oblivious to the whistling and wouldn't have cared about it's source even if she had caught it.
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Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 5:50 pm
Speaking of restless children.
It was hard to not hear the girl's complaints, even with the background of the city to muffle some of her words. Thankfully the tom had not had to deal with such a prissy personality yet. His group consisted currently of only Lila, she who would rather murder a newborn than hear whining; Aki, the promising lad if he got over his objects of affection; and Pixie, the young new recruit who was relatively quiet thus far. Counting his allies Amaranth, Siam, and Tempo as well, he had had a very nice streak about not having to deal with terribly annoying personalities. Good fortune indeed for the fledgling "rebel force" as he so lovingly thought of it.
BC passed a cursory glance at the two as he walked and whistled, usually not caring who was near him when he had an agenda. The only thing that made him stop was the resemblance the two had to that one she-cat Tempo had mentioned . . . the one who had been at the karaoke event on his brother's arm, both nearing drunken levels.
"My my. What are two of Alice's children doing by their lonesome?" he mused loud enough to be heard, and paused in step. "Runaways, perhaps?"
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Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 8:12 pm
Barayas’s ears flattened, giving up observing his surroundings as his sister’s voice cut through his senses like a prissy bullwhip. Sighing, he regained composure, perking his ears to give the impression that yes, sister; of course I’m listening to you. No, of course I haven’t forgotten that you’re hungry and tired. Now shut up and let me think! The corner of his eye twitched slightly. If she had been anyone else, he wouldn’t have stood for it. But blood is thicker than water, and longer lasting than hunger and sore paws. Exhaling through his nose, he let his irritation sink back under, watching her move away a few steps while he remained in the same place. At least she had had stopped complaining for the moment. It would be easier to handle her with food in both their stomachs. He would follow for now.
But first, who was whistling? It sounded close. There, half blending into the darkness was a pure black cat walking past them and whistling. Barayas watched him as he passed, face impassive. He glanced at them and Barayas distinctly heard the word “Alice.” s**t. The young Somali cursed. He knows mother. Then again, how many people don’t? The question was, would he tell her where they were? Barayas looked the black cat up and down, trying to judge the older tom’s demeanor. He seemed… preoccupied. Barayas glanced over at Iukinia before staring intently back at the black cat, tensing quietly for whatever the next few moments would bring.
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Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 9:44 pm
Her luxurious tail swaying at an unsettled pace, Iukinia continued trying to track down the scent of fish emanating from somewhere within the human market. She kept one impatient ear turned in her brother's direction and dared not stray too far from him, she just wished he'd hurry it up. Growing more and more frustrated with her lack of skills with anything related to providing for herself, the girl turned her head to fix her golden gaze on her younger brother again; fully intending on unleashing round two on him for his dawdling. It was then that she noticed, barely, the flicker of life in the shadows nearby and the glance Barayas sent her way. At first, the hackles at the back of her neck spiked a bit, alarmed at being confronted by a strange tom, one much older than the two of them; however, she quickly swallowed the rise of panic and smoothed her fur down before returning to stand at the other Somali's side. Barayas would act as her shield should this tomcat decide to do anything rash, after all.
With a guarded expression, eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion and lips pursed, Iukinia regarded the black cat standing before them for a moment. She hadn't caught what he had said before and was yet unaware that he knew their mother; all she knew was that this conspicuous fellow seemed to be holding up their already late lunch, and it wasn't sitting well with her. Although not much time passed, it seemed like the silence was stretching for far too long, and as the young lady's stomach growled for what seemed like the millionth time, she flicked her tail rapidly a few times and drew in an impatient breath.
"Well...?" Began the Somali 'princess' in a haughty, clipped tone, "Were you in need of some assistance from the two of us, or are you intentionally wasting our time, standing there like that?" The young orange female cocked her hip to one side and rested her hand on it as she stared into his gaze defiantly. The older cat standing before them didn't look like the most fearsome tom she had ever seen, but he didn't look entirely harmless either. Well, in the end it didn't matter because she had complete confidence in her brother, but that didn't stop her from shifting a precautionary step or two closer to Barayas as she spoke.
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Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 11:38 pm
Unsurprisingly the youths were wary of his presence; it gave him a small sense of pleasure. Never let a black cat cross your path, they said. Things tended to happen around this one, both instigated and arranged by Fate. Currently he was sure Fate was not intending him to have a few short fantasies of fixing that prissy tone from the girl - two of which involved letting Lila simply be with her in a room - but really: even a gentleman like himself was not perfect in thought, even as he strove for it in mannerisms.
"Are you really two of Alice's children?" BC asked, this time actually aiming a question at them. "I recognize her features in you. Or at least they match Tempo's description of the woman."
Now what would two kittens be doing outside the territory? The more obvious reasons came to mind. "I suppose her territory, the . . . University, was it? The University holds no more secrets to investigate, I assume." It was possible; kittens wandering about curiously weren't exactly rare. "I couldn't help but overhear something about being hungry? I'm visiting several associates if you wish to accompany for free food. Cliff makes excellent burgers."
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Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 12:48 pm
Barayas flicked an ear towards Iukinia, quietly feeling her tension as she came to stand by his side. Maintaining his impassive face, he continued to wait for something to happen, but it seemed like as usual, Iukinia would be the first to speak up, spurred on by another growl of her stomach. Hearing an intake of breath mere moments after he smirked, more noticeable in the gleam of his eyes than in twitch of his mouth, knowing what was imminently approaching. Whoever this was had surely heard his sister’s complaints earlier. Barayas would be quite surprised if anyone within a half-block radius hadn’t heard the yowling. Nevertheless, it would be a nice change from the past hour to hear it directed at someone else.
Barayas ignored the first two comments about his mother and Tempo. Both currently held his contempt, and the young Somali would say nothing to this stranger about that. But free food, you say? Well at least they wouldn’t have to keep searching, and it would get Iukinia to shut up. But what would this black tom want in exchange? Barayas felt that one should always assume that everyone was in it for their own gain. After all, he was. That way you would always be prepared for malicious intentions. And if for some reason they weren’t, well then it would make things all that much easier.
Again Barayas glanced at his older sister, then back at the stranger. He had been holding his tongue too much lately, and despite several responses that came to mind at this stranger’s words, at the moment it felt easier to remain silent and watchful. Besides, why deny Iukinia the pleasure of commanding someone else?
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Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 12:30 pm
Iukinia's bratty demeanor faltered a bit when this strange cat uttered the word 'Alice.' Her hand fell from her hip and she rocked it back so that she was centered over both feet again, pressing slightly closer to her brother in the process. How had he known? And it wasn't only their mother, but that queer Tempo was also associated with this cat as well? Luckily for the Somali, her face didn't quite betray the sudden flutter of panic and resentment she was feeling, although it had fallen from it's previous superior expression.
Amidst her sudden shock, the girl managed to lift her ears in time to catch the rest of what he was saying, and she managed to calm down a bit more. It didn't seem as if he intended to cart them home or tell their parents. "If there ever were any secrets to that place we certainly wouldn't have been free to discover them." She murmured at last, finding her voice again. The tom's sudden offer of food, however unfamiliar it sounded to her, was tempting to the girl, but she still felt wary. This cat had secrets of his own, and there was no telling how much he knew or how many people... or even what his true intentions were with the two of them. "And what would a fellow like you get out of taking around a couple of runaway kits, then?" Golden eyes narrowed slightly as she asked the question, ignoring another rumble from her stomach, "You know our mother, so what is it that you intend to do with us once you've finished visiting? I'll have you know that we've no desire to return to that place, so Barayas will shred you if the notion even crosses your mind." Hanging low behind her, the lady's tail began lashing at a slow and random pace, her unease about the situation becoming visible as anticipation of his response heightened. What exactly would this cat do?
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Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 1:00 pm
He chuckled at the very image of a kitten "shredding" him. Oh, the irony! But he didn't feel as if implying retaliating violence would be the best to mention; although clearly the young girl didn't understand the difference of age and experience between himself and her brother.
BC's brow quirked up slightly. "'Runaways', hmm? I suppose you mother might be having a search party for you then." Odd to see that a territory leader's own children were already rebelling against her at such a young age - the black cat wondered just how Alice treated them. No abuse marks, yet there was hints of distaste. "Now I don't know Alice personally, but I believe I'd rather hear some explanation of this escape after we're all fed, if you don't mind. Though . . ." He tilted his head curiously, expression falling into confusion. "You would deny a free meal? Cliff I understand wants more patrons and enjoys socializing from what I understand, but there's nothing I personally want to gain from this other than to lighten my wallet in exchange for excellent food and companionship." He gave a small shrug. "Isn't that why anyone would go out to eat?
"It isn't far from here either, a few minutes' walking in fact," BC continued, gesturing further down the street. "If it makes you feel any more comfortable, there's a somali that works there by the name of Ian; he's a tad older than you and, with that pretty face, might give a free meal."
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Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 7:50 pm
Barayas snorted, his tail flicking once in agitation, wordlessly agreeing with Iukinia’s murmured statement. As if they’d been allowed to go anywhere. Not the Queen of the University’s precious miracle babies. And there goes dear sister again… You know, I should just keep her around for her questions. Barayas mused to himself. That way she can ask and I can watch. No need to put myself out recklessly. She seemed to be asking every question on his mind, probing for answers he wanted to know. He was doubtful she’d get them, but a reaction is a reaction.
His thoughts returned to the present situation just as Iukinia threatened the stranger with “being shredded”. Shredded by him, no less. Barayas felt the need to glare at her, but not wanting to betray himself he continued to gaze at the older tom. When it appeared that the black cat was done speaking, the young Somali turned to his sibling. “Be not so bold, Iukinia." He murmured. "Patience. If Mother drags us back there’s nothing to stop us from leaving again. Nothing can hold a determined cat forever.” He grasped her arm gently, gazing intently into her eyes. Number one he may be to himself, but blood is blood and Iukinia was the only family who truly knew how he felt, and agreed. There was something to be said for that. He was not entirely heartless.
Giving her one last meaningful look he let go of her arm and turned around, putting on a pleasant smile. “You must forgive my sister.” Barayas said smoothly. “We’ve been walking for quite a distance and her temper is rather short at the moment.” He smiled slightly, inclining his head a fraction. “We gratefully accept the meal you offer, but…” Barayas laughed softly, “I’m curious. This… explanation, that you wish to hear… Will that be the price of this meal?” He smiled courteously, a slight glint reflecting in his eye. “Oh, and one other thing.” He added. “This Somali…Ian, was it?” Another delicate laugh. “Is he Pure?”
An innocent question. Of no real value. Barayas smiled at the black cat expectantly.
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Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 2:25 pm
Iukinia's fur bristled when her brother suddenly seized her and addressed her in a low tone. Golden eyes searched his gaze and the outraged sneer that had curled at her lip relaxed. The tone of his voice was even and his grip on her arm wasn't so tight that it hurt, but both of those in conjunction with the expression in his eyes held a gentle warning that she was all to familiar with. She had let her words get away from her and crossed a line again. Keeping her ears upright in her own stubborn, defiant manner as she held his gaze, the young lady merely nodded and stepped back as she was released. Although she understood him, that didn't stop the displeased, sulking frown from tugging at her lips when he turned from her and addressed the black cat. Her time to talk was over now, and as she turned to watch Barayas's back, her tail tip gave a few disdained flicks.
She was not so mired, however, that she would remove herself completely from the conversation, for she had just as much interest in knowing these answers as her kin. Barayas would pick up the interrogation where she left off and proceed to get some answers out of this stranger; in a sense, their minds worked like one at times such as this. One question that sprang from the Somali tom's mouth caught her attention in particular, and she hadn't thought to ask it herself. It was true this black cat had said his friend was a Somali... but that didn't necessarily mean he wasn't really a Somali-halfbreed, after all.
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Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 5:35 pm
Oh. Oh my. His tail flicked a little, but in great amusement.
"He is." Ah how delightful - second generation kits with a bias towards purebreeds! That wasn't something he would come across every day. Delightfully devious it was . . . But how to make the most of this little meeting? "Your sister has done me no offense; I understand an empty stomach and tired paws make someone rather irate," BC agreed with a slight nod, returning the boy's smile. "If it makes any difference, Cliff is thoroughly a maine coon as well. As for the explanation, well, is a story too high of a price for your stomach?" It was a genuinely asked question this go around, rather than say something that implied dry humor.
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Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 12:20 pm
Barayas opened his mouth to speak but paused, a satisfied smirk curling up at the corner of his mouth. He could feel Iukinia’s irritation and drew a small sense of vindictive pleasure from it as a small payment for the past hour of complaining. He had not been harsh, and they both knew it. It had been fairly gentle, considering the inner workings of Barayas’s mind; but he relished in the action of establishing himself and seizing some control in this situation. He smiled in slight mirth at the tom in front of him who seemed vaguely amused as well.
Barayas allowed this moment of truth to shine through his smooth demeanor for a second longer before pulling it back under. He nodded in acknowledgment; his face becoming smooth again polite again as it came up, but didn’t pursue the subject of purity any further, even though the black tom had volunteered further information about another associate’s purity. This showed the stranger didn’t mind the bias, which pleased Barayas. Pity the tom wasn’t a Somali himself, but he did have a good taste in ties. The young Somali gazed at the other for a few moments longer. Barayas valued his secrets, and had rarely spoken his full mind to anyone other than to Iukinia, and even then there were things he only kept to himself. But this stranger wasn’t asking for everything, just a few whys. Well maybe they could get a few from him in return.
“Indeed.” He replied quietly, nodding again and turning back to his older sister. His stomach and paws, quietly insistent but secondary to his thoughts and irritation had just reminded him that he was indeed tired and hungry and this stranger had offered them food in exchange for a few words, and no one had said they even needed to be true. He felt quite exhausted for a moment and looked up at Iukinia earnestly. “Well I for one am hungry and quite ready to stop walking around for a while. What say we take this stranger up on his offer, dear sister?” He looked at her, in that instant just a kit, a little arrogant, but mostly tired, hungry and ready to go inside.
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Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 5:57 pm
Iukinia watched the Black cat keenly, noticing with a flick of her ear, the smile painting his lips. Was he laughing at them on the inside? Surely he was thinking how silly the two of them looked, pampered brats of the infamous Alice, running away from home and proclaiming themselves grown. The young lady snorted inwardly at her perceived impudence and shot him a small glare. The look was fleeting as her attention was snagged by the expression on her brother's face when he turned to face her, and for a moment it was replaced with slight surprise. It was rare to see such an honest face on her younger sibling, but whatever tender emotion it stirred within her was quickly squashed when he opened his mouth.
"You complete moron," She muttered in a flat tone, crossing her arms over her chest with a huff and striding past him, in the stranger's direction, before pausing to tip her head back and glance at him again, "if you were feeling hungry and tired as well, then we should have taken a rest earlier. Honestly, must you be so stubborn, little brother?" Iukinia smirked a bit, despite her feelings and words and let the tip of her tongue poke out between her teeth at him before turning to address the older cat with a scowl. She may have been irritated to learn that Barayas was dragging out her misery for no reason, but she couldn't erase the expression on his face from the moment before.
"It is decided, then, we two shall accompany you to your meeting," the girl proclaimed, lashing her tail a couple times, "however, I think it's best that we make proper introductions first. You've most likely already learned both of ours simply from listening to our conversation. Therefore, I think it's only fair that we be offered the name of the cat who wishes to be let in on our... 'story,' don't you, Brother?" Her stomach rumbled quietly in irritation, insisting that such pointless questions wait until after food, but Iukinia was stubborn in her own right as well.
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