[lone]

Originally Posted by Clover

She breathed. It is was deep and her lungs fill with frosty air, waking her up. The clearing is empty; no one wants to be out in this weather, no matter how desperate they are for air. Of course, she is not anyone. She is the insane reincarnation of the warrior Cloverpetal. Of course, she hasn't told anyone; who would believe her? Maybe she could convince Russetstar, or one of the elders. Maybe she could've convinced Cinderwalk. Ahh. That still hurts her. She missed the old man too much. She still wishes she knew where he went.

He was like a father.

Cloversplash winced, letting out her breath sharply, her sides contracting and her eyes squeezing shut. Cinderwalk. He had been with her twice; once as Cloverpetal, then as Cloverkit, paw, and splash. And now he was nowhere in site; his loss had been quiet. No one in the clan had noticed his departure except it, and it gnawed deep in her stomach. The memory of him brought back the sharp slice of death, black and impermanent for her. She cried softly, and then layed down on the dirt, sobbing and sobbing, missing him desperately.

It was a cold day. Normally the type of day that would have everyone finding warmer areas, trying to discover a sheltered place where they would be safe and have company, so there would be a conversation going on as well. But the ebony tom didn't want company. It had never been a strong point with him. And it never would be. He had a few close friend, scattered friends, but as far as walking up to someone and just saying 'hello, how are you, my name's Jasperpelt' went-- no way. Not unless he could sense that they might need some help... or company.

The dreaded seven letter word that seemed to haunt his mind.

One cat was nearby... the only one that he could see out at the moment. Wait-- was she crying? Don't. That was the first thought that entered his mind, 'don't.' Don't. Again, like a soft whisper or a cricket chirping, it spoke. DO NOT. That was louder. And yet, in the end, his drive to help overpowered his desire to stay away, knowing it probably wouldn't end well for either one. "I don't, um... I don't mean to bother you... but, uh, is there... is there some way I can help you? You seem really... really upset...." There. A full sentence.

And now it was time to see what she had to say about that.