mr. blue sky [o]

A morning like every other, perfect azure sky spattered with silky clouds, reminder of the stormy night that had preceded. He was watching from beyond transparent confinement, nose pressed against the smooth, impassable wall. He'd tried to breach it, but with no success. Outside, neat grass framed by a tall, wooden fence, though not tall enough for himself, Oakley mused, confidently. And beyond, the forest. Creepy place, brimming with danger and life and those awful, awful smelling ferals, the reason why half the time he never slept outside.

He waited for the Twolegs. No, not his Twolegs. He'd never had one, lest two of them, kindly feeding him and keeping him in one of the rooms until the raging weather passed. His belly was full, thanks to them. They had their own cat, though they were kept apart. Fear of conflict, perhaps? Oakley didn't have it in him to challenge a stranger, but if the stranger was foolish enough to challenge him, he'd much rather avoid scarring the poor kittypet. Ears up, the thumping footfalls of a Twoleg sounded, approaching. Purring, the loner shot up from his curled position, tilting his head and watching with interested eyes as one of his two keepers stepped inside the room. A male, he smelled sleepy. He looked sleepy, too. Not concerned with his state, the tom waited patiently, staring through the glass door again.

And indeed, as if commanded by Oakley himself, the man moved towards him, outstretching his weird, long paws towards the door, and effortlessly pulled the barrier away, letting in a rush of fresh air. Wet grass, leaves and dirt. Without hesitation, the loner shot out, casting no looks behind himself, scrambling over the fence and dropping down without a trace. It was never too good to let the Twolegs get comfortable with him. If he came back to this house too soon or lingered for too long, they'd think he wanted to stay. 'Idiots.' he mumbled, his paws ever-so-slightly sticking to the soil as he padded away, following the line of fences. The presence behind him bothered him, but he ignored it coldly for a solid minute. It wouldn't go, it was following. The loner spat over his shoulder, then turned fully, looking the other cat sheepishly in the eye.

"What might your concern be with me?"

Even Loaf, the feared leader of the Regime himself, needed a break from the difficult job of leading his cats. Sometimes, he would get overwhelmed and needed to get as far as quickly as possible. He figured that nighttime was the best time to slip away, as no one would be watching intently. But today, he couldn't bare to sit around and wait. The camp oddly felt crowded to him and he desperately wanted to escape. Besides, who would dare question him, unless they wanted their throat ripped out? The ginger tabby flicked his tail as he climbed down from the tree he had been perched in, his amber eyes glowing brightly as he padded towards the exit of their makeshift camp. It wasn't really the best place, but it was well hidden by overgrown grass and bushes. Carefully, the large tom slipped through the foliage, shaking his fur out to free it from any debris. Twigs and leaves often got tangled up in his long pelt, making it annoying to maneuver through Skyclan territory. Giving his flank a few licks to free a stubborn stick, he continued on, twitching his whiskers as he the scent of damp grass hit his nose.

Soon enough, his paws and legs were coated with mud. Not that it bothered him so much; you get used to such things when your fur is long and prone to picking up just about anything. He was just content to be away, with his own thoughts. Now that he was in the presence of no one, he could crumble back his heroic and strong disposition, to truly relax for just a second. Loaf breathed deeply, his nostrils relishing the scent of wet foliage. For a while, he just kept walking; he had no idea where he was going, he simply let his paws carry him. Eventually, housefolk dens came into view, setting light on how much he had traveled. Now realizing how far out he had gone, he looked down at his paws. As expected, they were caked with mud, and sinking with each step he took. For a second, he was tempted to lie down and allow it to cool him down and potentially help him relax further. Giving into his wants, he fell over in the mud, a deep, raspy purr rumbling from his throat. The ginger tabby's pelt was soon covered in damp soil, and for a moment, he remained still, allowing the mud to relax his muscles. After lying there for a few moments longe, he stood up, shaking it free from his fur. He groomed himself to what he thought was decent enough and continued trudging along, approaching the fences that protected the yards of the housefolk. 

Of all the smells in the air, this one piqued his interest. It was another, perhaps ordinary cat. He had no idea why he was drawn to it; he was just...curious. Loaf, not wanting to waste the opportunity to learn more about this cat, quickly leaped onto the fence, watching as it hurried away. After slight distance was put between them, he leaped down and followed it, eyes narrowed and tail twitching. Suddenly, it stopped, and his breath caught in his throat. He was frozen in place as the cat turned around and spoke to him, annoyance evident in its gaze. For the first time in sunrises, the usually fierce tom was struck dumb, unable to speak or move. He just stared, unable to tear his eyes away from the cat. He didn't know why he couldn't. He just...couldn't.

Finally, Loaf found the will to respond, "I...I don't know. I just saw you and decided to follow. I..I'm sorry." What was happening to him? He had killed several cats before and hadn't felt an ounce of regret. But now, here he was, following a cat and feeling apologetic for doing so. What was this stranger doing to him?

Through faded green eyes, he sized up the tom. Strongly built and fluffy, he would truly be an intimidating foe, if it came to it. But his eyes... oh those round, sandy-brown orbs betrayed too much. Vulnerability, perhaps? Matted in dirt, even Oakley couldn't have maintained full pride. It bemused him to watch this cat gather his words, and he waited, intrigued. Patient, holding his stare mercilessly, challenging the stranger to look away. He'd enchanted him in a battle of wits.

His apology wasn't particularly meaningful. Absurd and amusing would be the right way to describe it, but he kept those words to himself. This rogue had something about him, something that entertained Oakley. Beyond this apparent moment's weakness, he was definitely... something. Maybe even someone.

"Well, then." he rumbled shortly, and finally broke his stare. The thickness of the air eased, and the old tom took a deep breath, savoring the breeze. Air in that Twoleg den was just so unbearable. "Move along, won't you?" he continued after a pause, twitching his whiskers with a half-smirk. Oakley turned after once gain holding Loaf's stare pointedly, and continued his (now) deliberately slow trot.

A part of him desperately wanted to obey, maybe even please him. It wanted to turn tail and never return, to leave it like this. But another part of him didn't want to go. There was something...captivating about this cat. The air around him screamed danger and yet, he was still drawn to him. It was like the stranger had caught him in some kind of spiderweb. Loaf stood there, petrified as the two parts of his mind battled for dominance inside his head. Which would he listen to? Blinking his sand-colored eyes a few times, the ginger tabby came to a decision. No, he wanted to know more. He wasn't going to let this cat slip right through his paws. This was going to be his only chance, and he wasn't giving it up so soon.

Swallowing any fears that had risen, he spoke up once more, trying his best to mask any emotion as he mentally prepared what to say. He saw the way the loner had looked at him, into his eyes; he had seen him in a moment of vulnerability. Loaf was determined to never let him see that again. Eyes icing over again, he quickly padded after him, and stopped him before he could go any further. Tail lashing, he said in a defiant tone, "No. I'm not leaving just yet."

ooc ;; eheh sorry for the shortness

His boldness became equal parts amusing and irritating, the sort of attitude that would get his ears shred off with any cat, but not with the lenient loner. Perhaps his own willingness to be peaceful was encouraging this sort of behavior? Oakley huffed almost inaudibly when the other had the guts to cut him off, but not face once again showed no emotion. The slightest hint of mockery in his courteous demeanor, he dipped his head, never breaking his stare with the tom.

"Is this what we are playing? What you might call, 'cat and stupid mouse that won't quit'?" was his only remark, before he pushed past once again, fluttering his fluffy tail and knocking the tip gently against Loaf's muzzle. Indifference of a side births the aggression of another, he reminded himself, sounding congratulatory in his own head. With unchanged laziness, the tomcat padded away again.

ooc; it's quite alright :D i'm just happy to be roleplaying with you ^^

ic;
Loaf twitched his tail in agitation, watching as the cat shoved past him and continued on. It was oddly amusing to him; if any other cat did so to him, he'd probably rip their ears off. He squeaked in surprise when his tail came in contact with his muzzle, eyes widening slightly. Ah, he wasn't expecting him to do that. But he was only momentarily caught off guard. Quickly regaining his composure, he moved to follow him, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He wanted to stop, so desperately leave this behind him and never think about it, either. But, a part of him wanted to know more. And whether they both liked it or not, he was going to. The ginger tabby tried to mimic the other tom's lazy walk, but he couldn't help but feel a little tense as he began to pad alongside him. He could literally strike out at any moment, and kill him. He flexed his claws absentmindedly, occasionally glancing at the cat's face to try and read him. Another emotion he usually refused to show; anxiety. 

"I'm going to assume that I'm the stupid mouse that won't quit. Enlighten me, why am I stupid?" Loaf retorted, confusion briefly flashing through his amber eyes. The cat looked relatively harmless; it faintly smelled like housefolk, so it had to have come in contact with one at a point or another. Still, twolegplace in general smelled like housefolk, so that argument was invalid.

Ah, so the mouse was getting daring? Interesting.

He went on with his walk, stiff, not from being uncomfortable, but rather from the sheer annoyance that was beginning to boil in the back of his head. No need to lash at the undoubtedly younger tom, though. Keeping calm would only be more entertaining and less bloody. Twolegs never took him in if he was caked with blood, and washing himself in a dirty puddle was bellow him, so he'd much rather keep himself clean and fluffy as always. Oakley passed his dusty-pink tongue over his similarly shaded nose, not giving Loaf any visual contact when he responded. Perhaps that would relieve him. He was shamefully easy to read at this point, and even his scent gave away subtle cues regarding his swinging mood.

"The game is simple. The mouse is trying to get away from the cat, but the cat would continue to entertain itself by not letting it leave." he explained unnecessarily, squinting at the fluttering of leaves above their head. Even so close to Twoleg Place, the trees of the forest reached ever so close to the homes. It was definitely better than having to live deep within, where there was nothing but dens, the growling of monster and rough black stone as far as you could see. A glimpse of that flashed before his eyes, leaving him off-beat for a moment. Where could he remember that from?

"Well, naturally, the mouse is always afraid of the cat. But the stupid mouse..." he paused, picking his words carefully. Oakley snapped his head into place to stare at Loaf as they walked, smiling genuinely. "It thinks it can toy with the cat. That the cat is too weak to catch it and tear it apart. But the cat is amused itself, because the mouse will always be, no matter how much it tries..."

"Its little toy."

Their eyes met and Oakley's smile did nothing but grow, almost menacingly. But he didn't hold it for long, and instead turned his round head away to glance ahead, ignoring the other tom again. The path they were walking was serene, bright fences on one side and crisp-smelling woodland on the other. Definitely out of beat with the unsettling discussion they were having. The loner couldn't help but be amused by it, but he kept his mouth pressed shut with that quizzical smile of his. Silence dwelt for a while, and even the dark-brown tabby was annoyed by it.

"Well..." he was broken off by the sight of the other, his expression morphing into one of displeasure. He stopped and circled around Loaf, a worryingly genuine look of pity on his face, until he stopped right in front of him. "Kid, stop it." Oakley growled, narrowing his eyes. The eyes again, even more unguarded than before. It was laughable, yet oddly it didn't satisfy him to see the tom break down so quickly. He was unexpectedly weak.

Loaf seemed startled for a second, eyes widening slightly once he realized he was in the presence of another. He probably looked pathetic to him; he half expected to see pure delight shining in the other's eyes, seeing him like this. Instead, he was met with genuine concern. Only for a moment, though; his eyes were quickly guarded once more. He remained speechless, simply staring into the other tom's round face as he growled at him, commanded him to stop. He wanted to, so desperately wanted to obey him, please him, but he couldn't. Why was he like this? Why did he feel inclined to obey, yet disobey this cat at this time? It was conflicting and making his head hurt. Perhaps he was curious as to what would happen to him if he said no? He liked the reaction he received the first time. Maybe his subconscious craved it again? Yeah, maybe...

He sniffled, turning his head away as more tears trickled down his cheeks, "I...I can't. I can't." He hated this vulnerable side to him. Was he this open before everything went wrong? Was he this emotional? If he was he was glad they died. He'd never turn into the cat he was today. Well, was a few minutes ago. Loaf chuckled sadly, his eyes filled with so many emotions, "Why do you even care, anyway? I'm just your little toy, right? Toys don't feel anything. They shouldn't feel anything. Why are you looking out for me...why-" He looked up at the tom, his form shaking slightly. 

Oakley laughed bitterly, pulling back from being right up in the other tom's face, resuming his dainty circling. This one was definitely a handful, but the only thing that annoyed him in particular (all cats, to some degree, begin to annoy a tom that has reached his considerable age) was peculiar. Something tugged at his memory, perhaps it was his mannerism? Was he reminding him of someone? Either the other one was battling with this strange sensation too, or he was just that alarmingly weak. The old tom shook his head to himself, muttering obscenities.

"I don't care about how you're feeling kid. You're just being strange. And it's unpleasant." he retorted carelessly, rolling his eyes with what sounded like a tired sigh. "Do all cats upset you like I do? I don't even understand how you've stayed alive this long, with this attitude." he went on, staring up ahead.

If he didn't calm down soon, he could do something he would regret. Or die, considering that the other's patience was being tested by his breakdown. Hah, he was stupid to think that he cared. It was strange but felt nice, to think for a second that someone harbored concern for him. Turns out the stranger only cared for himself. That's how it was in the world (as he so cruelly learned), you only fend for yourself and no one else. Meeting his gaze for a moment, the ginger tabby murmured softly, "O-Ok..." Forcefully, Loaf closed his eyes and took in a slow, shuddering breath, his tail protectively wrapped around his body as he tried to pull himself together. He tried to will the thoughts away, buzzing around in his mind. He tried to will the fear, the sadness, all of it away, to just forget and go back to being numb and uncaring. His only goal is to kill as many cats as possible. He attempted to remind himself of his place in the world; not to survive, not to feel, just to cause as much havoc before he was gone. To etch his name into the earth with his claws so his memory would last forever. His family was dead. Everything he cared about was dead, and they would stay that way. There was nothing that would bring them back; no tears, no regret, no anything. Sitting here, crying, being useless and vulnerable wouldn't do anything. There was nothing he could've done then, but now, he had his chance to avenge them. To watch the forest cats writhe and beg for mercy underneath his claws until they would bleed out onto the ground and die. 

"Do not throw away your shot. You got a second chance, don't waste it," The voice at the back of his head hissed as his eyes opened once more, as cold as ice itself. Loaf glared at the other, his questions coming back to mind, "Strangely enough, no. You are the only cat that has elicited such a reaction from me. Don't worry, it won't happen again." A part of him felt like he was lying to himself. As long as he remained by the stranger's side, these...sudden bursts of emotion would continue. He shoved his doubts down, and continued walking, mimicking what he had down earlier and flicking the tip of his tail across the other's nose. The amber-eyed tom glanced back at him from over his shoulder, something strange glinting in his eyes, but as fast as it had come it was gone. He opened his mouth to respond to the second question but decided against it at the last moment, instead continuing to walk along the path.