.
credit to nat of adoxography

Boulder wasn't used to being alone. And it was rare that he was, as he was usually accompanied by his sister, but today, she'd wanted to nap through the afternoon, having found a spot to bask in the sun. The grey tom hadn't felt in any mood to sleep, especially when it was such a nice day, so he'd opted to go off on his own. At first, he'd figured he'd hunt, but he'd realized very quickly that he wasn't hungry.

Instead he'd decided to wander, realizing he hadn't really explored much on his own. He usually followed his sister's lead, which he was happy to do, but she tended to only go in areas they'd already gone to before, being precautious not to venture too far where danger could be lurking. But Boulder was curious, and so he'd followed along the water's edge, the soft bird melodies filling the air.

It wasn't long into his wandering that he got the whiff of another cat close by, and instantly tensed, unsure whether to turn back now or continue forth. He knew some cats around these parts could be territorial and might even chase him out if provoked, but after another thorough sniff, there was no evidence of any scent markers claiming this land at someone else's, so he calmed slightly, deciding that he would remain on his guard as he continued on his trek.

Not long after, he caught sight of the cat he'd smelled earlier; a grey tabby she-cat sitting along the stream's edge. She seemed lost in thought, showing no signs that she'd noticed his presence, and Boulder instantly relaxed, deciding to go around her so as not to disturb her. But as he watched her, he unconsciously began to slow, realizing that something seemed wrong. Even though he could not get a good look at her face, she seemed sad, what with her face downcast, and eyes unmoving from the water's surface.

He wasn't sure when, but he'd stopped, unable to take his eyes off the she-cat. It was almost as if his body was stuck in place, and he felt unable to leave without at least making sure that the other was okay. With a long breath, Boulder made his way forward, attempting to make a little bit of noise so as not to spook her suddenly. "Uh, are you okay?" he asked softly, having stopped a little more than a tail length away, so as to give her some space.

pick the stars in the sky

& hold your wish, following through the wind to you

The unexpected voice cutting through the tentative silence received a slight gasp in return. Pawprints in the mud turned into clawed scores as the sudden interruption caused the she-cat to go into full alert mode. She had been too preoccupied with her thoughts to notice someone had managed to sneak up on her until it was too late.

'Has no one taught you to not sneak up on others like that!?' Sour thoughts raced through her head, though Dahlia was more cross with herself for being so easily caught off-guard than by anything the unknown tom had done himself. But even if she was irked by the stranger's appearance, she gave no hint to it by facial expression alone. She only kept that blank look she'd been busy growing familiar with in the water's burbling reflection – somewhat aloof, somewhat melancholic, somewhat avoidant of emotion altogether. The only thing to really give away the fact he'd genuinely managed to surprise the grey molly was the harried fur along her spine, currently smoothing back down the more she eyed the newcomer. Detecting threats was something Dahlia had quickly learned for herself; so unless the tom was an excellent actor, she could at least tell that he meant her no harm... for now.

Now that she got a better look at the newcomer, she felt some of her usual spark flickering down to simmering ashes. The soft tone he'd spoken with, the grey tabby coat, even the fact that he'd be just around the same age, too... As much as she wanted to snap at him and tell him to mind his own business elsewhere, any poison used for defense died on her tongue as the phantom of her estranged brother floated through her mind. Why did this tom have to remind her of Hyacinth the moment she'd been missing him the most? Suddenly, it became almost a little too painful to have to look at the stranger; so instead, she let her green gaze fall back to the flowing stream, silently hoping it would carry the prickles of sorrow down along with it.

"Yes," She finally responded properly to his inquiry after a few passing heartbeats, "The river makes good company on days like this. I was just distracted."

But she had no interest in speaking more on herself. Her thoughts were kept private for a reason. Rather, she turned the attention onto the tom as she spared a quick glance his way, "You must be a wanderer, too..." Dahlia murmured. What she meant by that unknown, but at the very least, her posture and tone suggested she wasn't hostile.

438 WORDS , TAG @boulder