[lone]

Originally Posted by AbsurdJinx

Calia couldn't help but flinch at his cold tone. He had been so cheerful just a moment before... She had caused him negativity; his change of attitude was on her - what right did she have to warn him to `chill`? She could only nod in response. She didn't know what could make him blow, and she wasn't yet ready to experience the mysterious, dark-pelted tomcat's temper. From there on out, she came to the conclusion that she'd best step carefully around Obsidian. He was still a stranger to her however much she may not see him as one. She didn't know him, just as he didn't know her. Calia could learn a thing or two from him, starting with how to act around strangers.

See, at first sight Calia tends to see the good in others. For example, in Obsidian, she saw a young traveler just trying to live life. She didn't see a troubling past behind his eyes, or a caged heart in his chest. Now, though... she still didn't see anything bad in him. He was young and confused, and simply did not know what to do. So she helped him. After all... she was a caretaker.

She wound the final stalks into the nest, and she then stepped back to observe her work. A proud smile could be found on Calia's face as she looked at the fresh nest. ``There we go! All done! Feel free to try it out - there really isn't much to do anyway,`` She chirped cheerfully, happy she succeeded in finishing the nest. Calia then scooped up the remaining stalks and trotted over to her own nest with them. She dropped them by her bed, sat down, and began to freshen up her own nest. She hadn't changed her nest in quite some time; it was getting quite ratty.

Then her mind, after the brief distraction caused by the nest, drifted back to their previous topic. Obsidian was clearly determined to visit the Dusk Syndicate no matter what she said. She discovered he was a rather stubborn tomcat which she swiftly accepted. However, worry continued to nip at her paws, creating a nervous fidget. How would she live with herself, knowing she let an innocent tomcat join the Dusk Syndicate, possibly leading to his death? He himself claimed that killing took place in the Syndicate, and what if he were to become a victim to some murderers' evil scheme? She tensed at the thought, her claws that bound the stalks together getting tangled as she let herself lose focus. With a huff of annoyance, Calia narrowed her eyes and tore her unsheathed claws from the bundle. She got to work once more.

``Just be careful,`` Calia breathed softly, almost to herself. She didn't want Obsidian to die. She probably would never see him again, not if he died nor lived, and she most likely wouldn't even know if he died or not... but, still, it was in her nature to care and worry. Her tail-tip flicked anxiously for her guest. She still didn't look at him, acknowledging the fact that nervous cats became even much more anxious beneath watching eyes.

She cleared her throat, and picked up on a new topic. She didn't see their current conversation going anywhere good, actually. ``Do you have any family? I mean - don't feel like you need to answer that. Just, I guess... trying to start conversation... Hey, know what? Here's an easier question. What's your favorite prey?`` Calia's tone was brighter now as she rambled.

Obsidian wasn't used to cats really caring what happened to him. He'd always been a pawn; just standing by, not really doing much. He'd never had the chance to really do much. And unfortunately for him, because of that, his self-worth had gone down a lot in his mind. He wasn't really worth much more then the Dusk Syndicate. They might be a bloodthirsty band of outlaw-like cats, but he was ready to join them because he thought that was all he was good for. To go to someplace where a misfit would be able to belong. As long as he stayed out of the deadly ones' way? He would be fine. She didn't need to worry. The tom's yellow hues fixed themselves on Calia, for a moment he looked over her before turning his gaze back down to his own dark paws.
What did it matter whether he lived or died? Either way, nothing good was going to come of it. The tip of the ebony pelted feline's tail began to twitch-- in a way that was somewhat more violent then he would have preferred. Despite the feline being a little too worried and friendly for Obsidian's liking, he was still thankful that she had invited him to stay. Though if things continued along this path, he might just leave before he was prepared to. It was awfully nice here-- he could see why she stayed. But Obsidian was a wanderer, and he didn't stay in one place for long. Not over a week or so. The longest amount of time he had stayed in a place since leaving the 'softer life' behind was half a moon. Not too long, but he was happy to have done so.
It didn't matter that he had left staying in one place behind along with his previous life. He should have taken on a new name, too-- but he hadn't wanted to. Obsidian had found the thought of that...unpleasant. Who wanted a new name when their own was just fine? Hopefully no one, the tom thought with a snort. That was another thing about the Clans-- they changed their names! Who would want to do that? No, from what Obsidian had heard, the Dusk Syndicate was a much better place if he wanted to get away from something like that. They didn't change their names. And, while the tom wasn't a killer-- he was definitely a fighter.
At heart, anyways. He knew how to get things done, he knew how to fight, and he would certainly be able to defend himself. Against some ragtag outlaw, at least that was his hope. Ragtag outlaws. Was that who he was going to? A band of outlaws? Hopefully they were at least intelligent, if they were stupid Obsidian would most certainly not be going to them. But the Clans were worse. No, he would rather stay as a loner forever. Not here-- he could never stay here. At least in the Syndicate he wouldn't be getting attached. The cats there were the type he wouldn't want to associate himself with, and yet here he was-- about to go associate himself with these outlaws. Dangerous, dangerous cats. Was this just some sort of a stupid thing to do?
At Calia's half-chirping words, the tom looked up in something resembling surprise. Done? Now? A moment later he stepped into the nest himself, cautiously, testing it out. "Thank...you." The words felt odd, he hadn't really had to thank other cats before. And no one had thanked him for anything. So, naturally those words were foreign to him. But they felt good to say, like a sudden weight had been taken from his mind and body. He felt like he had done something that he'd been meaning to for a long time, but had never had the time before. Something special, unique...delicate, too. A mixture of things that made him feel at home.
Just moments after that, he heard the softest whisper of words as though they were just the sound of the wind blowing, or, if he was going to think like that; the sound of soft pawsteps entering his own territory, or the brush of fur against some object. The words were inaudible to him-- but from the way she was speaking, he had a pretty good guess. Not necessarily one that he liked very much, either. Careful? Of course I'll be careful! He wanted to scoff, but instead kept silent. He understood her worry. He was worried himself, but that didn't mean she needed to be. He'd just met the feline earlier that day, and now the sun was getting lower...
Soon it would be dark. And that would leave only a couple more days for Obsidian to stay with the ginger female. Not long enough to get attached at all. At her question about family, his eyes darkened and he was thankful she moved on. Because there had been no way he would answer that question. "Um-m... I'd say sparrow. Harder to catch for me, but it's worth it." He mewed with a definite nod. Obsidian could remember hunting sparrows, it had been fun...interesting...different, honestly. But it was the kind of different that made him feel wonderful. "What about you?" He found himself asking. No, no, no! Conversation leads to bonding. Bonding leads to friendship. And friendship leads to ties that you don't want to break. Don't ever let yourself do that again, Obsidian. He told himself sternly, his hues darkening slightly as he did so. It was true. All of it was true. And the one thing Obsidian didn't want were bonds that couldn't be broken. Or-- that wouldn't be broken.