Originally Posted by Lonestar23 (Post 438684) The silver Bengal felt like she had been walking for moons. Anything to get away from the Dusk Syndicate and their cruelty. Now that she was out of it, she didn't know where to go. She had come across this area - it was nice looking, with a brook running through it and trees everywhere. It was a place to hide. A place to feel safe for the moment, even though Tori wasn't sure if it was going to turn out okay. Her tail twitched uncomfortably, soft blue eyes glancing down at the ground as she settled under one of the trees. Another cat could be anywhere. Tori hadn't had a lot of friends in the Syndicate, mainly bullies. She had been a little too shy and sweet for their standards. Even her parents and siblings had been ashamed of her. What had happened to them, Tori didn't know. She most likely would never see them again. The leaves above her rustled as wind blew through them, and even though it wasn't cold, her pelt was thin enough that it did send a chill through her. Not to mention that she was nervous enough already. Her tail was curled around her like a blanket, though it wasn't anywhere near fluffy enough to shield her, but it made Tori feel more comfortable anyways. Being outside of the Dusk Syndicate, at least she didn't have to worry about being attacked when she was doing nothing but sitting now. However, she wasn't sure how much better it was being outside of it when she didn't know what to expect. Right now, she was totally unguarded. There, she had at least had one or two friends; enough so that she felt semi-protected. But now? Tori wasn't sure if she would be able to protect herself at all. @Deranged Llama

Originally Posted by Lonestar23 (Post 438740) The fur on the back of the feline's neck had just settled when she saw another cat. But she remained crouched on the ground, in a submissive and terrified position. Calm, calm, calm, stay calm, calm, calm... She repeated over and over in her head, trying to do what she remembered working before, but somehow this time - it just wasn't working for her. It felt like she was suffocating, unable to breathe or move or do anything properly. It felt like she was about to drown in a sea of fear. "To... Tori," She mewed anxiously, doing her best to remain still. That, surprisingly, wasn't too much of a problem. Her body was shaking too much for her to get up right. She had thought she was safe here. Her only condolence was that this strange tom didn't carry the scent of the Dusk Syndicate with him. That scent was beginning to fade from her pelt, but she still carried it wherever she went, a reminder that she might never be able to fully seperate herself from her past. The other tom didn't look like he would attack her without warning. He seemed to be more honorable then that. And yet, Tori was used to being teased and tormented without warning - cats could appear beside her, torment her to their heart's content, and then walk away without another word. "Wh - who are... who are you?" The words sounded shaky, unsure, unconfident. Those were some of the things that summed Tori up pretty nicely. She was nearly backed against the tree now, doing her best to try and gather the last bit of her courage so that she could fight back if she needed to. She had never been the best at fighting, and she certainly had never been good at standing up for herself. Neither of those things were going to change now that she was on her own... in fact, it seemed she was more nervous without cats around her. Tori hadn't minded the crowds of the Dusk Syndicate because she could blend in. But here? She stood out, being the only one. Maybe Toren would see just how frightened she was and take pity on her...

Originally Posted by Lonestar23 (Post 439216) Toren? It sounded like a masculine version of her own name, or maybe hers was a feminine version of that - either way, their names were similar and it surprised Tori. She honestly hadn't been expecting that. "I - I like... your, um, your name..." She mewed with a self-concious note entering her voice. Toren didn't act like the type of cat who got a lot of compliments. And besides, maybe he would stop looking so hostile and act more friendly, and at least give Tori some peace of mind. Comfort didn't seem to be his type of thing either, but a girl could always hope, couldn't she? She was still pressed against the tree, like she thought it might be her saving grace - perhaps one of her friends from the Dusk Syndicate would magically appear if she wished them here hard enough, and protect her from any hostile attacks. And then they would leave, and Tori would be alone again - in blissful silence and solitude. That sounded amazing, however, her fantasy was impossible. Her friend would probably stay there even if one of them did come, to make sure she was alright and all, and even if they did leave, she was in a spot where more travelers were likely to pass through. Probably not the mess territory Tori could have picked, to be honest. A glint of appreciation passed through her own features as Toren moved away, the hostility disappearing, but he did continue to watch her. Smile or no smile, the silver Bengal did her best to keep from feeling like she was being judged by the tom and focus on the conversation at hand. Perhaps she desperately needed a conversation, it had been so long since she had talked - like really gotten to talk - to another feline. She thought about the tom's question for a minute, trying to piece the words together in her mind so they'd be easier to say. Except she knew they wouldn't come out perfectly, in the neat way they were set together. They would come out jumbled and messy and rough, and the illusion of the cat now having it more together would fade away. It always did. Perhaps when she was comfortable with the other tom, she would be able to keep that illusion up. Doubtful; it would take a while before she was comfortable enough, anyways. "I, um... I was from the - the Dusk Syndicate, and I - uh - it kind of, well, fell apart... so - so I, I left and, and went as far as I could... far away as I could... ended up here." She shifted her weight again, but she had come off of the tree, and her own fur had flattened down in a more friendly manner as well. Tori even attempted a smile, mirroring the one that Toren had on his own face, but found it to be harder then she thought and ended up stopping after a minute. "What, uh... what about - about you?" She asked, stumbling over the words blindly, but managing to do okay in the end.

Originally Posted by Lonestar23 (Post 444437) The she cat shrugged, thinking about what he had said. Her Mother might have named her, but in her opinion the name had been given to her - it belonged to her, which meant everything that came along with it. That was probably why cats complimented each other on their names, not each other's parents. However, she wouldn't comment on that... instead she gave a small smile and nodded. Toren did sound right, too, even if Tori didn't completely agree, though that may have had something to do with the way that he spoke. It was elegant, refined, and she loved the sound of it. It flowed almost perfectly, and coming from his mouth, it sounded right. He was a stranger, perhaps one from far away, one who didn't have the same experiences and customs of the Dusk Syndicate, so no wonder he spoke strangely. Tori had rarely spoken there, and was still getting used to this freedom she had to speak. She still wasn't comfortable speaking her mind, though she never had been. Being born and raised in the Dusk Syndicate, Tori had soon learned that if she wanted to survive, she was going to have to keep her head down and her mouth shut. She didn't have it as rough as some... meaning the poor cats she had seen bullied simply because they weren't members of the Syndicate, or at least they hadn't been born there. Tori didn't agree with treating other cats like that, not that she was allowed to have that opinion... all she was allowed to do was sit still and watch and hope that she wouldn't be next. She never had been, she was always bullied off to the side when she was on her own, by one or two cats... mercilessly, yes, but at least it wasn't as public. Though that might have had something to do with her parents, scarier cats who took good care of her... or at least, they had. Tori had no idea where her parents or siblings were now, and she was hoping that they were okay. Even the siblings who had been cruel to her were still family, and Tori was determined to treat them as such. Perhaps she would run into them later on, there was no way of knowing who all was out here, after all. "I... I like the way you, uh, the way you talk..." Tori's mew came through shyly, still unsure whether or not it was okay to say something like that. She hadn't been socially apt back in the Syndicate, and it seemed even out here, where there was only herself and Toren for... miles, most likely, she still wasn't able to pull herself together. Then again, Tori hadn't been very good with change, either. As horrible as that place was, she had almost been tempted to stay in the broken-down territory, where there would be a few other loyal members skulking around, probably... but hopefully she would be fine. "Oh - oh no, they're... they're true." She mewed with a stammer, a shiver going down her spine and making it almost buzz with all the anxiety she was holding in her small body. Tori was still sitting near the tree, though when he began speaking again, telling her of his backstory - or at least part of it - she listened, intrigued. Her ears pricked up as she leaned partly forward, listening to the almost musical flow of his voice. If only she could speak like that, she was sure she wouldn't have been so shy and nervous. Who would ever make fun of words like those? She felt bland, boring next to him and his words and the tale that he spun - what made it even better was that it was a true tale. Tori had heard many stories over her young lifetime, but this one was more impressive to her. "Well, uh, I hope it... it continues to be for the - for the better here, and... and I hope you find whatever it is you're - you're looking for, uh, if - if you are looking for... for something." That last part was added on more quickly, as Tori realized he had never specifically said that he was looking for something. But unless this home he spoke of was like the Syndicate, or the Clans, and had fallen apart, what other reason could he possibly have to leave? Perhaps he had been mistreated, or something? Tori wasn't going to go into all of that, though... she thought it would be rude.

Originally Posted by Lonestar23 (Post 456933) The way the tom spoke fascinated Tori. In the Dusk Syndicate, not many cats spoke with such fluent, elegant language. Sure, there was the occasional "oddball" who would speak like that for a little while - but not quite in this way. His words were like music, and Tori wished that her own speech could flow from her maw as elegantly. "Thank you," The she cat mewed in an awkward, almost jerking motion as she tried to figure out how to best make her voice sound like that. Perhaps Toren could... hang around for a little while, teach her how to speak like that? Of course, Tori would be careful. Strangers were dangerous. But a stranger who spoke so beautifully... the she cat might not be as willing to trust, but she was guillible. Tricking her was not hard. Had Toren meant to hurt her, he would have been able to do so quite easily - she was fascinated by him, and she was weak from the recent disbanding of the Syndicate. Tori's position was more relaxed now, less ready to run away, as she faced the other tom. One of the good things about being out here on her own again was the laziness of it all... she didn't have to worry about training, working, rushing around like crazy. She could be lazy if she felt like it, hunt when she felt like it, and there was no training. Tori was going to have to stick with the training she had recieved before. That wasn't a fully good or bad thing, it was just... something new. And new was exciting. The tom's question made her blue eyes shadow over a little, however, and she shook her head. "It's a bad place. Very dark. There are not many nice cats there." Again, she tried to copy his odd way of speech, her voice jerking some. At least she didn't stutter this time - it was part of her new attempts. She was basically mimicking his tone, which was helping some - hopefully Toren wouldn't take it the wrong way.

Originally Posted by Lonestar23 (Post 461549) The she cat nodded as he spoke, listening to the flow of his words. It was so pretty... maybe... he could teach her to speak like that? Tori was pretty sure he meant her no harm. After all, if he wanted to, he could have hurt her already. The she cat was weak - she wasn't very muscular right now, and she was tired. She had never been a good fighter. It was a problem in the Syndicate, especially with all the stronger cats who would treat her like trash because she wasn't "good enough." Tori was hoping that Toren would be better then that, and so far, he seemed to be! He seemed to be a great cat. He could easily run her off if he wanted to, so she was hoping that just for once, she had run into a very nice young tom. "Oh... oh I, uh, I can't be - be sure," She mewed uncomfortably, shifting her weight a little. She didn't want to be too grounded with a final home, because she'd thought her last one would be forever and she had been wrong... and she didn't want to be too "up in the air" about it either, because that would be a stupid thing to do. She had to figure out if she was going to move on soon or not. "What... what about you, where are... where are you planning on going?" She asked, cocking her head to the side and giving the tom a semi-friendly smile. At least, as friendly of a smile as she could manage to give, given her personality.

Originally Posted by Lonestar23 (Post 470466) Traveling together? The white Bengal wasn’t quite sure whether or not she liked the idea of that. Her eyes looked around uncertainly, and then she glanced around with an uncomfortable air. ”I, uh… I mean, maybe we could, but I’m not - not used to traveling with - with … with others,” She stammered, the words coming out of her mouth almost painfully. How Tori wished that she could speak in the elegant, fascinating way that Toren himself spoke… how she wished she could find herself holding others’ attention the way he held hers. And yet, that wasn’t possible. What a shame that the she cat who wanted this so badly wouldn’t be able to have it. ”But if - if you wanted, um… we could always - always give it a, a try.” She mewed shyly, looking down at her paws while she waited for his response. She was half expecting to be laughed at. To be ridiculed, because after all, who would want her to travel with them? Like, for real… actually having the little Bengal along, with her nervous speech and her little quirks and her anxiety… Tori was more of a burden than anything. The Dusk Syndicate must have pitied her quite a bit to have taken her in, because she was a wreck. A real wreck of a cat. The she cat wondered if there would ever be a day when she would be better than this. And the conclusion she came to? No. There wouldn’t.

Originally Posted by Lonestar23 (Post 473905) Oh! Hunting! Um... Tori looked around for an area that looked like it would be good for hunting - she didn’t want to seem illiterate about her own territory, though she hadn’t had it for long - and probably wouldn’t have it for long. ”There’s… there’s a good area, um… over, uh… over there.” Flicking her tail in the direction of some taller grasses, and hoping that she was right. Tori wouldn’t want to look like a fool in front of her company… especially if he was trying to decide whether he would be staying or not. Now, she was not a needy cat - she didn’t really have much to do with other cats, but she was happy thinking about Toren staying. He could teach her how to speak in such an eloquent manner… and he could definitely make her feel more at ease. Tori had often felt that, if only she had someone who was stronger than she was, who was on her side, she wouldn’t be such a coward all the time. Perhaps Toren was the answer to her prayers. A little guardian angel, so to speak. Now wasn’t that just the greatest thought?

Originally Posted by Lonestar23 (Post 479254) Oh, Tori wasn’t sure about hunting… it had never been her strength. Then again, neither was fighting - her strengths seemed to be running and hiding. A shame for a former Dusk Syndicate cat, and an embarrassment to everyone in her family, but an embarrassment who was still alive - thank goodness. ”Oh, I, um… I think - I mean maybe - sure?” Her words came out as a question, as the Bengal got to her paws, her tail-tip twitching uneasily back and forth. Avoiding making eye contact was the surest way to draw attention to her insecurity, but Tori couldn’t help it - she had always been the type of cat to do something stupid like that. Was it any wonder that she embarrassed her family, that she was not “perfect” at things like this? Tori glanced around at her surroundings, guessing that the grasses were the perfect place - that’s what she had thought before, anyways. Please, please, if there are any outside forces at work here, I’m begging you… please let me get this right. Tori had heard stories of cats who lived among the stars, dead cats, but they watched over everyone… whether those stories were true or not, she didn’t know. All she knew was that she hoped they were.

If Tori had been a good hunter, she probably would have done better in the Syndicate. She was… utterly lacking in pretty much everything. With very little physical strength, very little hunting skill, a poor memory and problems in social situations, Tori definitely had hit the motherload of poor personalities. Tori felt bad for herself, really… she didn’t like doing it, but it was hard not to. She pitied herself. And she would not want to be friends with a cat like herself. Surviving on her own had been easier than she had thought before… she was a better hunter when she wasn’t being watched. Toren wasn’t judging her. Toren seemed to like her, which Tori appreciated. She needed someone to support her. Perhaps this was that very cat. She doubted it, however… eventually he would move on as well. Anxiously, moving as though she wasn’t quite sure, Tori moved through the territory, a half-puzzled expression on her maw as Toren pointed towards something in the grass. Does he… want me to go over there? Am - am I… is there something there? Or am I doing something wrong? The most probable thing was that she was doing something wrong. Tori was always doing something wrong, it was why cats didn’t like her… but Toren’s expression was so friendly and he wasn’t scowling at her, so she supposed he could mean for her to move in that direction. Uneasily, Tori took a couple of steps to the right - her paws settling nervously, limbs even shaking a little as she tried to move quicker. Is this what you wanted? The she cat didn’t dare to speak, she was barely daring to breathe as she awaited Toren’s response. Was she doing good, or not? Tori didn’t often do something right, but every once in a while… she surprised even herself.

Originally Posted by Lonestar23 (Post 483603) If Tori had been a good hunter, she probably would have done better in the Syndicate. She was… utterly lacking in pretty much everything. With very little physical strength, very little hunting skill, a poor memory and problems in social situations, Tori definitely had hit the motherload of poor personalities. Tori felt bad for herself, really… she didn’t like doing it, but it was hard not to. She pitied herself. And she would not want to be friends with a cat like herself. Surviving on her own had been easier than she had thought before… she was a better hunter when she wasn’t being watched. Toren wasn’t judging her. Toren seemed to like her, which Tori appreciated. She needed someone to support her. Perhaps this was that very cat. She doubted it, however… eventually he would move on as well. Anxiously, moving as though she wasn’t quite sure, Tori moved through the territory, a half-puzzled expression on her maw as Toren pointed towards something in the grass. Does he… want me to go over there? Am - am I… is there something there? Or am I doing something wrong? The most probable thing was that she was doing something wrong. Tori was always doing something wrong, it was why cats didn’t like her… but Toren’s expression was so friendly and he wasn’t scowling at her, so she supposed he could mean for her to move in that direction. Uneasily, Tori took a couple of steps to the right - her paws settling nervously, limbs even shaking a little as she tried to move quicker. Is this what you wanted? The she cat didn’t dare to speak, she was barely daring to breathe as she awaited Toren’s response. Was she doing good, or not? Tori didn’t often do something right, but every once in a while… she surprised even herself.

Originally Posted by Lonestar23 (Post 492127) The sound that came from Toren’s throat momentarily froze the silver Bengal to the spot. Her eyes widened, the tip of her tail twitching, her eyes darting from side to side - the she cat was unsure whether to panic and dart or stay where she was and risk getting hurt. Luckily for her, it was just a hunting cry… Tori was perfectly safe, whether she had known that or not. Her relief was short-lived as the terrified hare came hurtling towards her. Now, for most cats, this would have looked normal - they would have known exactly what to do. For Tori? Well, she was still young and rather small, and the hare looked frightening as it headed towards her. The she cat unsheathed her claws, trembling like a leaf as she lashed out blindly at it, aiming to cut its throat or anywhere else she could reach. By some miracle (certainly not skill) Tori’s claws met their mark and the hare fell - fatally wounded, but not yet dead. The she cat shuffled backwards a few steps, her ears pinned back to her head. ”Oh no! Oh no, I didn’t kill it all the way… oh, I’m sorry Toren, I didn’t mean to - oh no, oh no…” Tori didn’t like seeing things suffer. The poor hare! Maybe it would die soon, and it would all be over… maybe it wasn’t in that much pain… she could only hope both of those things were true.