That thing happens again.

It's this...thing, where Cuckookit could swear he went to sleep snuggled in his nest, nose to moss, but then he wakes with cold paws, standing, blinking out into the opwn where he knows he hadn't been when he'd closed his eyes before.

It happens again, and today he's no wiser than he's ever been. He just...moves, sometimes. That must be it, and it must be normal, because it's happening to him and Cuckookit can't think of a normaler cat than himself. The pale tom wobbles, disoriented and seepy, and casts a look over one white shoulder. Hw can still see the warm, open mouth of the nursery. He hadn't walked far in his sleep, but he had walked. Again.

A chill crawls up the little tom's spine. Snow is less prevalent now than it had been the last time he was out here, but the cold is still bitter, still seeps into his kitten-down like something mean. Something noxious.

Cuckookit sneezes and turns his foggy blue eyes forward. It's dark, out. Late, out. His world is grey and black shapes, not even the glow of starlight to guide him. He wonders how other cats move in a world so hazy and dimly-lit. The understanding that his sight is failing him is not one that he's had, yet. Something warm teases his nose and urges him forward, a tempting scent settling in his belly. Prey-scent.

Cuckookit meanders over to the freshkill pile, squinting through the darkness. He hasn't had much experience with prey, but day by day it wets his appetite better than anything else. Coaxed, the kitten noses at what all's on offer, rooting through older cats' successful hunts in search of something that might suit a little thing like himself. The sleepwalking is nearly forgotten by now. He doesn't know any better; likely won't, for a good long while.

[ OPEN ]

Pinekit felt content with the quiet he could feel in his head for once. It had shut up and he was happy with it. It hadn't messed something up again. He could see eyes from across the clearing, those of another kit's. They looked younger than him, that would be easy peasy. See? Back on track. With confidence and an attempt to be cool and important sounding, as well as friendly, "Hi! I'm Pinekit. And I'm much better than all the rest of the kits. But you can be cool too, wanna be friends? Wanna play a game?"