Welcome to Gaia! ::

Kiba: -glances around, looking for any sign of a recognizable place -- has found himself lost in the city and can't find his Master's apartment-

Achilles:: -was exploring the city, looking for his teacher Denali since he had some questions about the cards.- Oh, Denali. Where are you? -speaking to himself quietly but notices an interesting looking Exotic boy- O_o ...

Kiba: -lets out a soft mewling sound as he plops his rump down outside of a storefront, giving up- I'll never find him... -frustrated growl- Maybe if he wouldn't have put me outside, things wouldn't have gone wrong? What did I do? -mews-

Achilles:: -evesdrops on this little kitty's conversation with himself and finds him to be in trouble. Thinking it would be the right thing to help him Achilles stepped closer and closer.- Hey... are you... looking for somebody? -he was a little nervous it seemed but he did obviously want to help Kiba.-

Kiba: -looks up nervously, ears back- Uhh... Kinda...? My Master... He... -pauses, looking down at his hands- I don't know. I don't know the city all that well. I guess I'm lost.

Achilles:: Oh... um... I'm not an expert on this town either, but I could try to ... help. -looks in all directions, eyeing landmarks.- Do you have any idea of where your master might be?

Kiba: -pauses, thinking for a moment with a sigh of relief that someone was going to help him. So what if this new cat didn't seem as street savvy as Owen? He could still help!- He lives in an apartment complex. But I don't know. He put me outside, and...I waited for him, but he didn't let me back in... -looks up nervously- What do you think that means? -afraid to hear the answer-

Achilles:: He put you outside, but never let you back in? -that sounded terribly similar to his situation and the problem was, Achilles didn't want to tell the poor boy that he proabaly was never going to let him back in. At least, Achilles' owner never let him back in.- Hm... well perhaps he just went on vacation... and he didn't want you to be locked up all day. I'm sure when he gets back he'll let you in.

Kiba: -offers a hesitant smile- Vacation... -says weakly- That could be it. Of course... But, still, I need to find it. If I sit on the door long enough, surely he'll come back... Right? Could you...help me find the apartments? I seem to recall that they were blue? -head tilt, tail flicking behind him idly-

Achilles:: Right, of course I could help you look. -this was the most Achilles had spoken to a stranger so openly. Maybe now he was learning that strangers weren't so bad. They were potential friends.- Well, lets keep our eyes open for any blue buildings. -he began to walk up the sidewalk, staying slow for Kiba to follow-

Kiba: -pads after the other boy, hands stuffed in his pockets as he hurries along- Thanks. Um... I'm Kiba. -ducks his head a little- Sorry for the inconvienence... but thank you. -smiles and that smile lit up his green eyes-

Achilles:: Oh, I'm sorry. Heh, it's nice to meet you Kiba. People call me Achilles. -he smiled softly for the first time at this fluffy little cat- Inconvienence? Don't be dumb, I'd love to help you find your home. I had nothing else going on. -truly, Achilles was coming out of his shell more than ever around this boy. It was rare for him to be so talkative.- Oh, there's a blue building! Is that it? -he pointed at a sushi place-

Kiba: -smiles at the talkative male, feeling more and more at ease as Achilles spoke, feeling bolder now and not as worried about what was going to happen. He was going to find his master and go home and nothing was going to stop him now! Tail lashes back and forth for a moment as he followed Achilles' gaze to the sushi place- No... Not quite. Lighter blue. Lots of windows? -tries to be helpful as he scans the city-

Achilles:: Ah, got it... we'll find it soon. -scans for a more lighter shade of blue with lots of windows. Spots an office building and points- That has lots of windows and it's a bit lighter than the other building. Could that be it? -is trying his best to help the little one-

Kiba: -chuckles a little- No... but I think we're getting closer. I recognize a few of these buildings I think... -hopes he does, anyways- What about you? -brow raises a little- Do you have a Master?

Achilles:: Well, that's good! We'll have you home in no time! -wiggles his tail from how proud he is- Oh, um... I had a master... ya... -gets a bit more silent and reserved-

Kiba: -feels bad now, at the silence that springs between them like dread. Obviously, Achilles had lost his as well and didn't want to talk about it. Kiba stays quiet, hands in his pockets and giving a little shiver as the winter breeze picks up, the smell carrying snow- Sorry... I mean, that you're out here alone...

Achilles:: It's okay... I get to see Denali from time to time... and um... well, it's not that lonely once you get used to it. -tries to make it sound more positive than negative, but that was sort of hard to do- How long have you been without your owner now?

Kiba: -thinks, looking up at the sky and brushes his dark hair from his face- Almost a week... -says a bit ruefully- He put me out and I kinda...freaked out, so I ran, and then I ran into another cat who I stayed with for awhile, but we got separated and now... -groans softly- I just wanna go home... I miss my Master. -tugs on his collar a little-

Achilles:: Oh, you have never been outside before this? Wow, I would have been afraid too... -looks down a bit sorrowful from that story- But you met another cat. How did you get separated?

Kiba: No. Not really. I mean, to go to the Vets...but... -purses his lips- I don't know. We were together and then we weren't. Couldn't find him anywhere... But he was a nice cat. -smiles a little- Still, I'll be a happy kitten to just be home. Hey! -points to a shady blue building- I think that's it! -gives a little squeak of excitement- Hurry! -bounces away, heading across the road. Cars slam on their breaks with a squeal and Kiba freezes, then darts to safety, shaking as he reaches the doorstep of the apartment buildings. Yes, yes this was definitely it! Home!

Achilles:: -listens very carefully to this kitten before he bounds across a busy street- Wait! Kiba! -closes his eyes thinking the cars would hit him but peeks to find the cat actually made it to safety. Taking his time Achilles crossed the road and joined Kiba on the door step- This is it? Oh good! Heh, don't do that again though... -had a heart attack-

Kiba: -smiling, though his heart is still beating hard from nearly getting hit- S-Sorry... I just... -flushes and plops down on the doorstep- I'm going to wait here... Someone will let me in, I'm sure of it! Um... Thank you for keeping me company... And helping me find this place. -smiles broadly-

Achilles:: Oh... um... okay then. No problem. -looks around awkwardly- I guess, I'll get going then... -turns to leave, a bit sadly-

Kiba: -watches him for a moment, then stands again- Um. You could stay with me if you wanted? -head tilt- I mean...until my Master opens the door? -would offer Achilles a place in his home with him, but wasn't sure what Master would do since Achilles had no collar-

Achilles:: -smiles a bit and turns back around to stare at Kiba- THat's really sweet, but I don't think the'd be room in your house for a cat like ... me... -does happen to sit next to him on the door step- Sit down... I'd be happy to keep you company until your owner comes home.

Kiba: -sits down beside him, elbows on his knees- What makes you say that? I mean, surely someone would want a cat like you! -tail wiggles- I mean... -doesn't have a chance to explain because a man that Kiba recognized as Master's son swung the door open and said something under his breath. Kiba turns around with a meow, excitement rising in his throat when the man shooes them away and the door is shut promptly on his face. Ears flatten back, confused. Master's son had always liked him before...-

Achilles:: -smiles at Kiba's kind enthusiasm and shrugs. They were interupted by the man opening and quickly shutting the door at the sight of Kiba.- Oh no.... -Achilles muttered to himself, knowing exactly what that meant.- Kiba... m-maybe we should go...

Kiba: -frowns- That's Mike... He's my Master's son... He wouldn't just leave me... -gives a soft meow, scratching at the door and then giving up, plopping down on the doorstep- I don't...understand.

Achilles:: -looks down at the door mat and sighs- M-maybe they couldn't keep you anymore, and it's not that they don't ... want you... -finds it a very difficult subject to talk about and his eyes start to water slightly-

Kiba: -makes a keening noise in his throat...why couldn't they keep him? He'd never done anything wrong...but...- ? -reaches for the other boy, worry gleaming in his eyes- You okay, Achilles?

Achilles:: -quickly wipes at his eyes- Y-ya... why wouldn't I be? I'm fine... can we leave now? -doesn't want to stick around this misery any longer-

Kiba: -looks back up at the apartments, stricken for a moment. Leave? It was obvious that he wasn't getting back in, but leaving would mean... He was a stray... He bites his lip and nods, taking Achilles by the arm and leading him away from the one place he'd ever called home, a lump in his throat- Okay...

Achilles:: -notices how fragile the poor boy was now.- I am sorry, though.... but thank you... -he walks with Kiba down the street a ways before stopping and sighing- I'm sorry about that ... you know, it's not so bad being... on your own...

Kiba: -takes a deep breath and tries to be bold- It's...okay. I think. I hope. I just have to...work through this. Maybe I can find a family or a place where I won't be alone... -hair falls into his face, shielding his eyes and he wipes at them a little and clears his throat- I'll make it. -tugs at his collar a little- Probably don't need this anymore, though... -nibbles his lip nervously, afraid to unlatch it-

Achilles:: -widens his grey/blue eyes at the final words of Kiba- If you think you're ready for that step, Kiba. Don't push yourself... -reaches over and rubs his back softly, amazed at himself for having the courage to comfort him this way.- If you ever need somebody to talk to... or to just, be with... I can be there for you.

Kiba: -rubs his collar, then drops his hand, nodding- I'm not ready yet... but I will be. -forces a smile, looking up and meeting Achilles' eyes- Thank you... Um...if you don't mind me asking, how long ago did you become a full-fledged stray? -head tilt, ears flicking back for a moment-

Achilles:: -feels a bit insecure at the question but toughs it out and gives an answer- Uh, maybe .... a month after they locked me out of the house. I was really scared to take off my collar... I didn't want to be a stray. It just sort of happened...

Kiba: I...see... -watches his newfound friend for a moment- Do you have anyone close? A family, maybe a girlfriend? -his own cheeks reddened at the word- Or are you just duking it out on your own out here? I...don't really know the rules of the city yet. Owen taught me how to hunt rats, so I don't think I'll go hungry, though... -smiles-

Achilles:: -smirks at the mention of a girlfriend and blushes- Oh, no... I don't. I do have Denali, though. she's a real nice lady. She taught me how to play cards. It's a fun game. -bites his lip- Well, at least you know how to hunt now. I guess that Owen guy was good for something.

Kiba: -giggles, hand to his mouth- Cards? Like, poker? Or Tarot? And Owen was...a nice cat. -smiles and takes a breath- I think I'm going to find another Master. How hard could it be?

Achilles:: They're just .... uh... cards. I don't know the certain types. They have numbers and shapes on them. black and red. -tilts head- Find a new owner? Well, I guess you could try.... don't get yourself hurt though...

Kiba: I won't. -smiles- I mean...little kids love kitties, right? So maybe if I just found a park, with little kids, and put myself in a box titled 'free to good home'...don't you think I could find a place? -getting excited again and his tail wiggles-

Achilles:: Hey! That just might work! And I know exactly where a park is! It's my favorite place to hang out. -gets excited for the first time in a long time- Come on. I'll show you. -grabs his wrist bravely and pulls him in the direction of the park-

Kiba: -grins broadly and hurries after him, heart soaring. Even if Master wouldn't take him back, surely someone else would!- We gotta find a box, too. And a pen or something. Can you write?

Achilles:: A box will be easy to find... but a pen... uh... I don't know where to look for those. And I never learned how to write... hm... Maybe Denali can! We could ask her if you'd like. What do you say? She's so smart!

Kiba: -a little uncertain about meeting yet another cat, but he wants a home...so he nods- Sure! Lead the way, Achilles! You seem to know this town a little better than me anyway. -giggles softly and smiles, hoping his plan will work-

Achilles:: -links arms with Kiba, feeling very comfortable with the other kid now- Right, we'll have you in a new home in no time. You'll see. -he walks off with the black and white Exotic, hoping Denali will be nice enough to help Kiba-