Rook
__________

Here it was, the legendary haunted house of the twolegplace. Well, perhaps not quite legendary and probably not haunted but certainly the talk among the kittypets in the area. It was hard to make your way through the neighborhood without hearing something or other about the old house, especially when there had been a recent 'sighting'. The peeling paint, rotting wood, and overgrown vegetation weren't terribly intimidating during the day but at night they could certainly instill fear in the hearts, and curiosity, of sheltered kittypets. It was easy to see how such stories might emerge from such a place.

That was what brought Rook here - curiosity. The small tom felt an unnatural amount of anxiety standing at the end of the pathway and staring up at the old building. He didn't believe the stories, necessarily, but he hesitated all the same before continuing up the cobblestone walk.

(sorry about the abrupt ending, brain shut down but i wanted to post it anyway a a a @vermin)

Rook
__________

Hearing a strangled screech rang out from the house, Rook echoed with his own cry of bewilderment and terror. The small tom practically tripped over himself as he scrambled back down the pathway by a few tail lengths. Breathing heavily, golden eyes scanned the area for any apparent source of the sound but found no difference in the surroundings. He flinched, ears flat against his head, when two haunting moans emerged from the building.

Every second spent in the overgrown yard felt like an eternity as Rook stared up at the old, weather-beaten structure, debating fleeing this place. The air already held a chill but the area seemed to radiate cold, sending a shiver down his spine. He wasn't one to believe in ghost stories but it seemed entirely possible that this local legend held a bit of truth. And yet, he shook his head and took a few steps up the pathway once more, followed by a couple more. It wasn't long before he stood on the front stoop.

'A kittypet once told me,' he thought,'That that these old twolegs houses start groaning when they get old.'

'But can houses screech?' He quickly pushed the thought out of his mind. He didn't want to think too hard about it. The door sat slightly ajar and he peered in cautiously, prepared to bolt if need be.

[ @vermin ]

Rook
__________

Coming face to face with a fluffy white feline was the last thing Rook expected as he peered around the door into the front hallway. Some old twoleg things, overgrown vines maybe. Certainly not a cat. Already sufficiently freaked out, the tom took a second and merely stood there and stared back, his brain reaching the point of disconnect and disbelief that the immediate response was not to flee. The fact that this rogue seemed just as frightened of him did not seem to register with Rook and, after trying to blink away the ghost in front of him and subsequently failing, he let out a deep sigh,"I do believe I have either gone insane or there is a real, bonafide ghost standing here in front of me," he meowed, to nobody in particular,"In either case, my day certainly can't get any more interesting than this."

Even with ears unwittingly flattened against his head and fur standing on end, Rook wasn't a particularly intimidating figure. Only 9 moons of age, he still had growing to do, even if he did tend to hold himself with the dignity of somecat much older. Shaking out his pelt, he plopped himself down into a sitting position and continued to stare back and try to comprehend the feline across the way,"Can you answer that for me?" he asked, voice shaking ever so slightly as it does after a rush of adrenaline,"Am I insane or are you a ghost?"

[ @vermin I dont know how coherent this is right about now put im posting it anyway pfft]

Rook
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The continued terror expressed by the other feline calmed Rook's own nerves and assured him that there was no threat present in this ghostly-looking entity. Of course, he claimed not to be a ghost but whether or not a ghost would admit to being such a thing was unknown to him. He had to stifle a laugh as the tom fell through a floorboard of the stairs, however, he didn't move forward to help. Rook recognized that advancing would only startle this cat further. The black and white body shifted only slightly in an attempt to make himself look smaller - unassuming.

"I... I don't mean you any harm. I don't want your.. things." he replied gently,"I don't- know who this Mastoff is, I'm afraid. Or anyone associated, as far as I'm away."

[ @vermin ]

Rook
__________

Startled by the tom's erratic behavior, Rook couldn't help but take a step back. The growing pile of things was off-putting, to say the least. He gently pushed it away with a single paw,"No, I- uh. I'm not terribly familiar with the area or its residents. I don't usually... I don't tend to stay in one place for long. I don't want-... I'm not here to take anything from you."

He sighed, glancing around the room quickly. This cat was interesting but seemingly a lost cause. He wasn't quite sure if it was worth the effort to try and gain his trust. Some cats just weren't worth the time. He opened his mouth, either to try and introduce himself or make an excuse for a quick exit - he hadn't quite decided yet, but quickly snapped it shut as the white tom spoke up again. He, too, caught the scent of the other felines and his body stiffened as Fig appeared at the doorway. Perhaps it was time to go.

"I'm afraid these aren't felines of my acquaintance." he meowed, taking a step away from Casper and Fig each.

[ @vermin @wren @Morningstar ]

Rook
__________

Rook felt as overwhelmed as this.. Casper seemed to be. However, now that the fluffy white tom seemed to be calming down a bit he was much more pleasant. A little less eccentric and all over the place. He glanced around as each of the felines introduced themselves in turn. Casper, Fig, Axel and Gen- that one would just have to stay Gen.

"My name is Rook." he meowed gently, turning his attention solely to Casper. He would make acquaintance with each other felines in time but for now, Casper was his main point of interest. He appreciated the welcome and carefully followed up the stairs - making sure he was the first behind him. Parts of this house were... claustrophobic to the small black loner. His yellow eyes darted around - tracing the walls, the peeling paint and old decor. Fresh air would be nice. This twoleg device Casper showed them startled Rook and he couldn't help but jump slightly as it came to life.

"What... even is that?"

[ @vermin @Morningstar @FlameQueen @wren ]