Oriole's Perch (Open! Literate Only)

[Aquarius]

Oriole looked out over her yard, her mottled tail flicking wildly as she sat perched on the side of her owner's fence. Her claws dug into the soft wood, being careful not to send the strong-scented shards flying beneath her paws. Her green eyes sparkled as she leapt down, her collar bell jangling as she did so. She clumsily hit the ground, but she didn't look fazed, and got up quickly. She shook out her fluffy fur, padding forward, wondering when her Twoleg would come home. She always lets me out when she's leaving, Oriole thought fondly, purring to herself. The calico molly rolled on the green grass, stretching as if she didn't have a care in the world. The scent of the garden flowers filled her nostrils, and she couldn't scent anything out of the ordinary. The kittypet purred, standing up and flicking her tail. She often got bored out here, and would end up frolicking with the flowers or chasing a beetle. She was quite young, only 8 moons, but was used to being alone. She had never known any parents or siblings, but she was friends with some of the nextdoor cats. Content, Oriole sat down and started lapping at the fur on her paw, and then continuing to drag it over her ear to give herself a neat appearance.

[bobtail]

Originally Posted by Aquarius

Oriole looked out over her yard, her mottled tail flicking wildly as she sat perched on the side of her owner's fence. Her claws dug into the soft wood, being careful not to send the strong-scented shards flying beneath her paws. Her green eyes sparkled as she leapt down, her collar bell jangling as she did so. She clumsily hit the ground, but she didn't look fazed, and got up quickly. She shook out her fluffy fur, padding forward, wondering when her Twoleg would come home. She always lets me out when she's leaving, Oriole thought fondly, purring to herself. The calico molly rolled on the green grass, stretching as if she didn't have a care in the world. The scent of the garden flowers filled her nostrils, and she couldn't scent anything out of the ordinary. The kittypet purred, standing up and flicking her tail. She often got bored out here, and would end up frolicking with the flowers or chasing a beetle. She was quite young, only 8 moons, but was used to being alone. She had never known any parents or siblings, but she was friends with some of the nextdoor cats. Content, Oriole sat down and started lapping at the fur on her paw, and then continuing to drag it over her ear to give herself a neat appearance.

There was a rustle in the bushes beside the treeline before a small black head poked out, followed by a sleek body and a white-tipped tail. The cat looked around in concern, her green eyes dim with grief and alight with fear. Her whiskers twitched nervously as she padded towards the Twoleg nest on soft white paws, halting beside the fence and staring up at it with cautious curiosity. She glanced over her shoulder once before turning back to the fence and crouching, tensing her muscles and taking off with a leap that a SkyClan cat would be proud of. The dark she-cat landed gracefully atop the fence and turned to stare out at the forest. With a sigh, she leant down and straightened the single tuft of white fur on her chest. She twitched her tail once before looking to the Twoleg nest with a thoughtful frown. Could this be it? The she-cat was about to jump down into the fenced-off patch of grass when she noticed a calico down below her. A quick sniff revealed that it was a she-cat, and... ugh, a kittypet.

[Aquarius]

Originally Posted by SamCats

There was a rustle in the bushes beside the treeline before a small black head poked out, followed by a sleek body and a white-tipped tail. The cat looked around in concern, her green eyes dim with grief and alight with fear. Her whiskers twitched nervously as she padded towards the Twoleg nest on soft white paws, halting beside the fence and staring up at it with cautious curiosity. She glanced over her shoulder once before turning back to the fence and crouching, tensing her muscles and taking off with a leap that a SkyClan cat would be proud of. The dark she-cat landed gracefully atop the fence and turned to stare out at the forest. With a sigh, she leant down and straightened the single tuft of white fur on her chest. She twitched her tail once before looking to the Twoleg nest with a thoughtful frown. Could this be it? The she-cat was about to jump down into the fenced-off patch of grass when she noticed a calico down below her. A quick sniff revealed that it was a she-cat, and... ugh, a kittypet.

The molly sniffed the violets her owners had planted a season ago, their sickly sweet scent filling her nose. She opened her mouth slightly to scent them and drew in a deep breath, the flower hitting her right in her face. She jumped backwards, coughing and spitting at the sticky yellow substance dusted on her muzzle. She sneezed and wiped it off as much as she could, coughing and spluttering all the way. When she was sufficiently clean she huffed, her collar jingling and making a large racket. She heard something from behind her and jumped around, bristling, her soul filling with glee, thinking it was her TwoLeg. She almost began to purr, but when she saw the strange black molly, her voice died and she tilted her head. A new cat? Oriole thought, growing excited. Oh, how she loved meeting the new housecats. Giving a little energetic bounce on her paws, Oriole bounded forward, the young cat looking up at the molly with gleaming eyes. She skidded short of her and stopped.
"Hello!" Greeted Oriole, her tail curled over her back. At a closer inspection, she thought it was weird that the cat didn't seem to have a collar. Oriole often thought it was irresponsible when a TwoLeg didn't let their cat have a collar. What if they got lost? What if this cat was lost? "My name is Oriole," she introduced herself, although the strange cat was clearly older and larger than her. "What's your name?" She purred, hoping she was going to make a new friend. The more friends she had, the happier she was.

[bobtail]

Originally Posted by Aquarius

The molly sniffed the violets her owners had planted a season ago, their sickly sweet scent filling her nose. She opened her mouth slightly to scent them and drew in a deep breath, the flower hitting her right in her face. She jumped backwards, coughing and spitting at the sticky yellow substance dusted on her muzzle. She sneezed and wiped it off as much as she could, coughing and spluttering all the way. When she was sufficiently clean she huffed, her collar jingling and making a large racket. She heard something from behind her and jumped around, bristling, her soul filling with glee, thinking it was her TwoLeg. She almost began to purr, but when she saw the strange black molly, her voice died and she tilted her head. A new cat? Oriole thought, growing excited. Oh, how she loved meeting the new housecats. Giving a little energetic bounce on her paws, Oriole bounded forward, the young cat looking up at the molly with gleaming eyes. She skidded short of her and stopped.
"Hello!" Greeted Oriole, her tail curled over her back. At a closer inspection, she thought it was weird that the cat didn't seem to have a collar. Oriole often thought it was irresponsible when a TwoLeg didn't let their cat have a collar. What if they got lost? What if this cat was lost? "My name is Oriole," she introduced herself, although the strange cat was clearly older and larger than her. "What's your name?" She purred, hoping she was going to make a new friend. The more friends she had, the happier she was.

The she-cat watched the kittypet cautiously; domesticated cats were generally lazy and not too eager to fight, but she'd heard stories that some could give you a nasty scratch if you annoyed them. What annoyed kittypets, anyway? Not being fed? She shook her head to clear it, not wanting to forget why she was really here. You have a mission, Ravenwing! You can't forget it because of some silly Twoleg pet!

Ravenwing bristled slightly as the kittypet noticed her and started towards the fence, expecting her to jump up. She was pleasantly surprised when she stayed on the ground; she had the advantage as long as she was higher than her opponent. Every ThunderClan apprentice was taught this, as climbbing trees was a part of who they were. The warrior listened curiously as the kittypet spoke, doing her best to hide her contempt for her and her kind. Oriole, huh? Do all kittypets have weird names? She mused over her response for a moment. There was a chance that Oriole could help her, but weren't kittypets scared of Clan cats? Would she have to pretend to be a kittypet? "My name... is Raven." She meowed, hoping that that name was at least somewhat believable.

[Aquarius]

Originally Posted by SamCats

The she-cat watched the kittypet cautiously; domesticated cats were generally lazy and not too eager to fight, but she'd heard stories that some could give you a nasty scratch if you annoyed them. What annoyed kittypets, anyway? Not being fed? She shook her head to clear it, not wanting to forget why she was really here. You have a mission, Ravenwing! You can't forget it because of some silly Twoleg pet!

Ravenwing bristled slightly as the kittypet noticed her and started towards the fence, expecting her to jump up. She was pleasantly surprised when she stayed on the ground; she had the advantage as long as she was higher than her opponent. Every ThunderClan apprentice was taught this, as climbbing trees was a part of who they were. The warrior listened curiously as the kittypet spoke, doing her best to hide her contempt for her and her kind. Oriole, huh? Do all kittypets have weird names? She mused over her response for a moment. There was a chance that Oriole could help her, but weren't kittypets scared of Clan cats? Would she have to pretend to be a kittypet? "My name... is Raven." She meowed, hoping that that name was at least somewhat believable.

Oriole saw the she-cat bristle but ignored it, keeping her gaze on the cat above her, hoping the strange cat wasn't leaving too deep clawmarks in her TwoLegs fence. She sat down neatly, her calico fur perfectly groomed since she had been brushed this morning. She smelled something weird on the cat's pelt, kind of like the food her TwoLeg gave her but more.... raw. It smelled weird, and she almost recoiled. So many scents were clinging to this cat's pelt and she couldn't sort them out, so she didn't bother trying. She purred at the cat, hoping she seemed welcoming. She wondered when the cat would come off the fence, and she flicked her ears cheerfully.
Raven, thought Oriole, wondering what a cool name that was. So many thoughts ran through her mind, and she felt herself getting giddy with excitement. This cat was much older and maybe could teach her some things! "Raven! That's awesome!" She purred, her gaze glittering with naive wonder like usual. "Where's your TwoLegs? Are you lost?" She asked worriedly, wondering if maybe she needed help getting back to her house. If she did, what a fun adventure that would be! "I noticed you don't have a collar. Can you not find your yard?" She offered, really wanting to help this cat. She liked impressing those older than her, and Raven seemed generally nice so far, even if she was a little standoffish.

[bobtail]

Originally Posted by Aquarius

Oriole saw the she-cat bristle but ignored it, keeping her gaze on the cat above her, hoping the strange cat wasn't leaving too deep clawmarks in her TwoLegs fence. She sat down neatly, her calico fur perfectly groomed since she had been brushed this morning. She smelled something weird on the cat's pelt, kind of like the food her TwoLeg gave her but more.... raw. It smelled weird, and she almost recoiled. So many scents were clinging to this cat's pelt and she couldn't sort them out, so she didn't bother trying. She purred at the cat, hoping she seemed welcoming. She wondered when the cat would come off the fence, and she flicked her ears cheerfully.
Raven, thought Oriole, wondering what a cool name that was. So many thoughts ran through her mind, and she felt herself getting giddy with excitement. This cat was much older and maybe could teach her some things! "Raven! That's awesome!" She purred, her gaze glittering with naive wonder like usual. "Where's your TwoLegs? Are you lost?" She asked worriedly, wondering if maybe she needed help getting back to her house. If she did, what a fun adventure that would be! "I noticed you don't have a collar. Can you not find your yard?" She offered, really wanting to help this cat. She liked impressing those older than her, and Raven seemed generally nice so far, even if she was a little standoffish.

Ravenwing couldn't help but feel put out when she noticed what perfect condition Oriole was in: well groomed pelt, lack of scars, ears without a single nick... and here she sat, with black fur that she used as an excuse not to wash as often as should, scars across her flanks and a considerable chunk taken out of one ear. She turned her head slightly to hide the torn ear and silently thanked StarClan that her thick pelt hid most of her scars. They'd be dead giveaways as to what she really was.

The warrior was rather surprised by Oriole's response, her emerald eyes widening slightly. Her name was... awesome? Well, the first half, anyway. Still, it felt nice to be complimented for something other than her sharp claws or powerful nose. The black she-cat dipped her head in embarrassment and licked at the small patch of white fur on her chest. That, as well as her paws and tail tip, were the only parts of her pelt that she tried to take good care of, because, when she did, they looked like patches of fresh snow on her dark fur. She snapped out of her narcissistic stupor when Oriole continued speaking, perking her ears to make sure she hadn't missed anything. She frowned at the questions, suddenly wondering if this was really worth it. You mouse-brain, of course it is!

Shaking off her own self-doubt, she called upon her very mediocre improvisation skills and meowed, "I'm not sure where my Twolegs are. I was exploring and now I can't find my way back." There. That was believable, right? Kittypets could be adventurous. Maybe...

[Aquarius]

Originally Posted by SamCats

Ravenwing couldn't help but feel put out when she noticed what perfect condition Oriole was in: well groomed pelt, lack of scars, ears without a single nick... and here she sat, with black fur that she used as an excuse not to wash as often as should, scars across her flanks and a considerable chunk taken out of one ear. She turned her head slightly to hide the torn ear and silently thanked StarClan that her thick pelt hid most of her scars. They'd be dead giveaways as to what she really was.

The warrior was rather surprised by Oriole's response, her emerald eyes widening slightly. Her name was... awesome? Well, the first half, anyway. Still, it felt nice to be complimented for something other than her sharp claws or powerful nose. The black she-cat dipped her head in embarrassment and licked at the small patch of white fur on her chest. That, as well as her paws and tail tip, were the only parts of her pelt that she tried to take good care of, because, when she did, they looked like patches of fresh snow on her dark fur. She snapped out of her narcissistic stupor when Oriole continued speaking, perking her ears to make sure she hadn't missed anything. She frowned at the questions, suddenly wondering if this was really worth it. You mouse-brain, of course it is!

Shaking off her own self-doubt, she called upon her very mediocre improvisation skills and meowed, "I'm not sure where my Twolegs are. I was exploring and now I can't find my way back." There. That was believable, right? Kittypets could be adventurous. Maybe...

Oriole’s ears flattened slightly, her pelt pricking with sympathy for the older cat. She had never ventured far, and therefore had never been separated from her TwoLeg, but she imagined it was awful. It must be pretty scary, she thought, padding up to the fence. The molly dug her stubby claws in and clumsily clawed her way up, finally perching on the tip of the fence next to Raven, who she assumed to be her new friend. She perked up at the thought of possibly helping the cat find her way back to her owners, and somehow be a younger support to this cat, even if they barely knew each other.

Still, a question pricked at the back of her mind. Naive as Oriole was, she wasn’t completely stupid. If this cat was a kitty pet - well, what reason would she have to lie? - why did her pelt smell so weird? As Oriole sat next to her, she forced out a purr. “Oh, that must be terrible!” She fretted, digging her claws into the wood and trying not to recoil at the She-cats scent. The scent of animals and plants and bugs and food clung to her pelt, but not a single trace of TwoLeg scent was on her. Even so, Oriole made sure that her reaction was subtle so that Raven wouldn’t notice it. The calico flicked her little tail against Raven’s flank comfortingly, though Raven was balancing much more easily on the fence than Oriole was.

“I can help you get back!” Oriole quickly offered, energized at the prospect of having an adventure. She felt bad for her lost kittypet friend, and really wanted to help, although she had never really ventured outside her own yard. Even so, she was determined to help this strange cat.

[bobtail]

Originally Posted by Aquarius

Oriole’s ears flattened slightly, her pelt pricking with sympathy for the older cat. She had never ventured far, and therefore had never been separated from her TwoLeg, but she imagined it was awful. It must be pretty scary, she thought, padding up to the fence. The molly dug her stubby claws in and clumsily clawed her way up, finally perching on the tip of the fence next to Raven, who she assumed to be her new friend. She perked up at the thought of possibly helping the cat find her way back to her owners, and somehow be a younger support to this cat, even if they barely knew each other.

Still, a question pricked at the back of her mind. Naive as Oriole was, she wasn’t completely stupid. If this cat was a kitty pet - well, what reason would she have to lie? - why did her pelt smell so weird? As Oriole sat next to her, she forced out a purr. “Oh, that must be terrible!” She fretted, digging her claws into the wood and trying not to recoil at the She-cats scent. The scent of animals and plants and bugs and food clung to her pelt, but not a single trace of TwoLeg scent was on her. Even so, Oriole made sure that her reaction was subtle so that Raven wouldn’t notice it. The calico flicked her little tail against Raven’s flank comfortingly, though Raven was balancing much more easily on the fence than Oriole was.

“I can help you get back!” Oriole quickly offered, energized at the prospect of having an adventure. She felt bad for her lost kittypet friend, and really wanted to help, although she had never really ventured outside her own yard. Even so, she was determined to help this strange cat.

Ravenwing watched cautiously as Oriole approached the fence; she shuffled backwards slightly as the kittypet climbed up beside her, trying not to show her satisfaction in the fact that she appeared to have better balance. Only now that she was beside Oriole did the black she-cat realise how different they were, even without the finer details. She was taller than the kittypet, which made since she was probably older, and was more muscular and thin. Oriole definitely wasn't fat, but she was plump enough to show that she ate well each day. Like... a RiverClan cat that wasn't waterproof.

She had to force herself not to gag as Oriole meowed again, her words meaning truly nothing more than dirt to Ravenwing. The kittypet seemed nice enough, but she was just a means of finding her goal. Her green gaze finally settled on the calico and she noticed some sort of... uncertainty, almost, as if Oriole were curious about something but didn't want to ask. Ravenwing's confusion was quickly swept away when she felt a tail tip brush her flank. She flinched away slightly, shifting once again just in case the fur had been disturbed, which would reveal the scars on her haunches. She tried to hide the action by hurriedly responding to Oriole's offer. "That would be great, thank you!" She meowed a little too quickly. Mouse-brain!

[Aquarius]

Originally Posted by SamCats

Ravenwing watched cautiously as Oriole approached the fence; she shuffled backwards slightly as the kittypet climbed up beside her, trying not to show her satisfaction in the fact that she appeared to have better balance. Only now that she was beside Oriole did the black she-cat realise how different they were, even without the finer details. She was taller than the kittypet, which made since she was probably older, and was more muscular and thin. Oriole definitely wasn't fat, but she was plump enough to show that she ate well each day. Like... a RiverClan cat that wasn't waterproof.

She had to force herself not to gag as Oriole meowed again, her words meaning truly nothing more than dirt to Ravenwing. The kittypet seemed nice enough, but she was just a means of finding her goal. Her green gaze finally settled on the calico and she noticed some sort of... uncertainty, almost, as if Oriole were curious about something but didn't want to ask. Ravenwing's confusion was quickly swept away when she felt a tail tip brush her flank. She flinched away slightly, shifting once again just in case the fur had been disturbed, which would reveal the scars on her haunches. She tried to hide the action by hurriedly responding to Oriole's offer. "That would be great, thank you!" She meowed a little too quickly. Mouse-brain!

When Raven shuffled away and seemed repulsed by her, Oriole also drew back, wondering if she had done something wrong. Maybe she shouldn't have offered. The molly wondered if she had just lost her strange new friend, and she winced, more at herself than the actions of Raven. She opened her mouth to say something, seeing something flash on Raven's haunches. When the strange she-cat spoke, Oriole opened her mouth to respond, but suddenly her calico fur grew ruffled. Her ears pricked erect, and she opened her mouth slightly as if to scent something. Her gaze whipped towards Oriole, her green eyes flashing with concern. A sound came from the driveway in the front of the house, like a monster pulling into the driveway.

"Come on!" Hurriedly whispered Oriole, hopping off the fence. She stumbled, never having been on this side many times before. Since she hadn't planned well, her paw snagged on a root, and she did a messy tumble onto the ground before pulling herself up. Grass littered her pelt but she looked up expectantly at Raven, as if Raven should know what was going on. But when no answer availed, Oriole heard a TwoLeg shout from the driveway, she urged Raven to jump off quickly and hide behind the fence like she was. "My TwoLeg doesn't like strange cats in her yard!" She warned, her eyes flicking from her house to Raven and back.

[bobtail]

Originally Posted by Aquarius

When Raven shuffled away and seemed repulsed by her, Oriole also drew back, wondering if she had done something wrong. Maybe she shouldn't have offered. The molly wondered if she had just lost her strange new friend, and she winced, more at herself than the actions of Raven. She opened her mouth to say something, seeing something flash on Raven's haunches. When the strange she-cat spoke, Oriole opened her mouth to respond, but suddenly her calico fur grew ruffled. Her ears pricked erect, and she opened her mouth slightly as if to scent something. Her gaze whipped towards Oriole, her green eyes flashing with concern. A sound came from the driveway in the front of the house, like a monster pulling into the driveway.

"Come on!" Hurriedly whispered Oriole, hopping off the fence. She stumbled, never having been on this side many times before. Since she hadn't planned well, her paw snagged on a root, and she did a messy tumble onto the ground before pulling herself up. Grass littered her pelt but she looked up expectantly at Raven, as if Raven should know what was going on. But when no answer availed, Oriole heard a TwoLeg shout from the driveway, she urged Raven to jump off quickly and hide behind the fence like she was. "My TwoLeg doesn't like strange cats in her yard!" She warned, her eyes flicking from her house to Raven and back.

Ravenwing's ear twitched and she looked up in alarm. That sounded like a monster! The black she-cat glanced back to Oriole, only to realise that the kittypet had leapt from the fence and landed rather ungracefully on the ground below. The warrior quickly followed, hitting the ground without missing a step and ducking against the bottom of the fence where the calico waited. She took a moment to feel smug about how much more used to the uneven ground here she was, and how easily she crossed it compared to Oriole. In the kittypet's defense, she seemed quite young, so she might get more experience on this side of her fence in the future.

She tensed slightly when she heard a Twoleg yelling. Of course, you mouse-brain! Kittypets have Twolegs! Ravenwing pressed harder against the fence, curling her tail to hide her exposed flank, not wanting to let her fear of these creatures ruin her mission. She flicked her ear at Oriole's words, not really sure whether to be offended or happy. I'm not that strange! Although I guess I don't look much like a kittypet... She shook her head to clear the thought and stared up at the top of the fence, as if she expected a Twoleg's face to pop over the top any second, for its giant hairless paw to reach down and grab her and tie one of those horrid collars around her throat. How did kittypets even breathe with those things on?

@Aquarius