Post by Taxx on Jun 29, 2019 12:27:07 GMT -5
Ashpaw padded noiselessly among the rocks, moving quickly to keep the contact of his paws to a minimum. It was late, but the stones still held the sun's heat enough to burn his pads, if he left them still too long. It was a relief to hop off the last and feel grass under his feet again, and he stood still for a moment to let the prickling warmth fade away. Then he padded on again, heading for the den he, Flash and Tumble had found and claimed for themselves. It was a bit of a tight fit, but the three managed. It was only temporary, anyway. And it was a place to stay cool, which was important.
His ears pricked at a burst of laughter and his body relaxed. That was Tumble; Ashpaw had heard his laugh too often to mistake it. He'd never known a cat to be so easily amused- he wondered what it was this time. A minute later he was in sight of the den, and two sets of eyes darted to him and the falcon he carried. It was easy enough to revel in the praise and recount the story of his catch- maybe not nearly as impressive as he told it, since the falcon was only a fledgling and had all but fallen into his paws, but he'd still had to endure the screeches and the diving attacks of the angry parents.
They made short work of the bird, and in the cooler warmth of evening they sprawled together in front of the den, sharing tongues and relaxing. Flash was the first to spot the two unfamiliar cats, and Ashpaw followed his gaze. Two, a tortoiseshell and a gray-and-white, padding toward them at a slow walk. Ashpaw sat up, alert but calm, and waved his tail at the two. "Good evening. Are you friendly?" He had no quarrel with any cat and certainly didn't want to fight, but if he had to, he wouldn't hesitate. Still, it'd be foolish of them- two against three was poor odds.
His ears pricked at a burst of laughter and his body relaxed. That was Tumble; Ashpaw had heard his laugh too often to mistake it. He'd never known a cat to be so easily amused- he wondered what it was this time. A minute later he was in sight of the den, and two sets of eyes darted to him and the falcon he carried. It was easy enough to revel in the praise and recount the story of his catch- maybe not nearly as impressive as he told it, since the falcon was only a fledgling and had all but fallen into his paws, but he'd still had to endure the screeches and the diving attacks of the angry parents.
They made short work of the bird, and in the cooler warmth of evening they sprawled together in front of the den, sharing tongues and relaxing. Flash was the first to spot the two unfamiliar cats, and Ashpaw followed his gaze. Two, a tortoiseshell and a gray-and-white, padding toward them at a slow walk. Ashpaw sat up, alert but calm, and waved his tail at the two. "Good evening. Are you friendly?" He had no quarrel with any cat and certainly didn't want to fight, but if he had to, he wouldn't hesitate. Still, it'd be foolish of them- two against three was poor odds.