[InfernoFlicker]

Originally Posted by bad company

Larkmark smiled as she gave a reply, taking no note to her coldness. "I remember Dapplestar's loyal deputy." he said with a sly smile. "So, Infernosky, I see you have returned. Such a shame for the death of Dapplestar, but Blazingstar has been a very loyal and wonderful leader in her place." he said, and looked at her. "Why so surprised? Because I am young? No much older than you, in fact. Though many would think in other ways." he said, giving a chuckle. His voice was a deepish, smooth sound, and his blue orbs had a content, kind look. Sure, she seemed closed, cut-off sort of. Nothing he couldn't handle of course. He liked her already.

He moved to sit next to her, smiling kindly. "So, is it like you remember? Except our relocation..." he said, his voice going slightly away from his happy tone into a slightly saddened one. The fires destroyed the clan. And even destroyed the warriors. Putting a smile back on his face he layed down. "Also, I know it isn't any of my business, but I'm curious..." he started, and rolled until he was on his back looking up at her. "Why leave in the first place?"

A wave of relief washed over the red tabby's shank when the tom spoke. So someone did remember her! That was relief, and she could use this tom as proof for Shrikecall or Blazingstar if ever something were to become, well, uncertain. "Well, I just," She didn't want to say that she didn't remember him when she had been deputy, "I just assumed everyone had forgotten about me." Perhaps he was one of the many apprentices during that time? He said he wasn't much older--so he had to have been a warrior. Odd. Though she found it hard to admit, she never really spent time getting to know the warriors that she had bossed around all day. She probably never gave this cat a second look. Part of her felt bad for that.

The tom's effortless progression into a small and casual conversation somewhat comforted her; it made her feel normal, like she really belonged here again. She noticed her friends across the way sitting down, perhaps for a nap. They seemed they would be alright in Obsidiansky's care for just a few more minutes, so she took the opportunity to talk to this cat, "It's very different, I will admit...I don't recognize any of these new and young warriors. It's not the same having Dapplestar and my old friends around. However, the busy clan atmosphere is still the same, and as wonderful as ever." Yes, despite the difference in company the clan consisted of, the social atmosphere was still thriving. The former deputy took this moment to ask the warrior a significant question, "Oh, I never asked your name?"

The brutes last question somewhat made Infernosky feel a little exasperated--this would be the third time today that she told her tale--but she expected it was an obligation, as she would expect that the clan members would want an explanation. So she conformed, and once again launched into a brief overview of her predicament. She began with the tunnel rouge attack and the tunnel collapse, to being captured by the rouges, to being trapped by twolegs, being taken to a strange place called New York City, as her friends called it, to escaping the 'pound', meeting Russel and Jitter, and traveling all the way back home.

As she spoke, she took note of the fellow warrior's attributes; his features, his voice, his eyes, his fur. A lot of his mannerisms reminded Infernosky of the raggedy tom that had originally captured her; Hickory. Much like him, this tom had that same type of coolness about him, a type of swagger, and a bit of...flirt? That notion both agitated and amused Inferno.