Inciting Incident [C]

While Sunflower had gotten some sense of an idea on what he wanted to do since SkyClan had denied his return, that didn't mean that he had any clue in the world on how to go about this newly made decision. Was it even the right decision? How did he know? Yes, talking with Peach had brought some clarity to things and she'd been more than helpful, but the lengthy tom was still a worrywart and so here he was, still in his twoleg box in the dark alleyway. The few nights he'd spent there had been more than terrifying and he knew that he should probably find a new hiding spot, but that would mean leaving this somewhat safe space that he'd managed to claim. At least no rogues had tried to fight him yet...

One moment he was curled up semi-peacefully, or as “peaceful” as he could get in the box, and the next it was as if he’d been hit by stampede of squirrels, or something horrifying like that. Tumbling around in the box and not knowing which way was up for a solid few moments, he let out a yowl of fear. The box finally stopped moving and the short-furred tom’s heart raced as he laid awkwardly upside down with his head spinning and abnormally large ears scrunched under him. What in the world had just happened?

Before he was able to continue wondering what just took place, he thought he heard a voice from outside the space that he’d almost called safe. Well, so much for finding any comfort in this dreary place, though he probably should’ve known better than to take camp in such a frightening area.

He hadn’t quite heard what exactly the ominous stranger and possibly his demise had said, if they’d really said anything at all. Were they a rogue scouting the area for cats like him to beat up and teach a lesson? Or maybe he just thought he’d heard a voice, but it was actually a dog looking for a snack. Whoever was standing outside the box had certainly put Sunflower’s thoughts into a frenzy. In these moments that might very well be his last, he wasn’t quite sure what to do except for his default approach to things; which was to plead.

”Pl-please don’t eat me,” Sunflower stuttered shakily, his voice sounding more like honk that the usual meow. ’Please StarClan, please have them realize I wouldn’t be tasty,’ he thought to himself squinting his eyes shut hard, which in turn made the tears that had begun to form flow down his cheeks even faster. It wasn’t like he even had much meat on him, maybe they’d just overlook his scrawny form and find a better meal.

A housecat? So he was a kittypet, well that was a little less terrifying, but that didn’t mean that all kittypets were nice and friendly, so he’d have to make sure to keep his guard up. Turning over so that he wasn’t belly-up anymore while he listened to the tortie tom, he was glad to hear that he wouldn’t be eaten, for now at least. While he wasn’t big on eye contact himself, he couldn’t help but notice that the stranger never seemed to meet his gaze, not even a little. Moving his head down so that he could see under one of the flaps of the box, he noticed the tom’s eyes seemed foggier than usual. Was this kittypet blind? And exploring a frightful area such as this? He must’ve had some guts, that was for sure. Or… he had rogue friends that guided him around and when cats let their guard down thinking he was a kittypet, they [attacked. It’s not like this cat had a very shiny or groomed pelt like most kittypets did…

Upon his question, the lengthy tom’s large ears perked up. A reason for why he was he hiding? Clearly this cat had never been around this part of the twolegplace, nor had he seen the things that Sunflower had seen. If he was really blind it’d make perfect sense, he supposed. ”It… it’s scary out there… have n-no where to g-go. No home, no c-clan,” he honked softly, pinning his ears back as he remembered how alone he’d been in the many moments before this tom had wandered over to him. Wasn’t he the least bit scared of what lurked in the shadows, especially if he was blind?

Bombarded with a slough of questions, Sunflower began to regret mentioning more than needed. This cat really wanted to know about the clans... were they really that interesting to non clan cats? Having been a clan cat for most of his life, it was just a part of him, but he supposed not everyone had such knowledge of them.

"Y-yes," Sunflower began, shuffling his paws under him as he tried to remember all of the things that the stranger had just rambled off to him. And who was this Bessie? He guessed he'd figure out later, for now he needed to focus on the daunting task at paw. "Not exiled, th-they didn't l-let me back," he sniffled, trying not to dwell on the recent memories of being denied back into his own clan. "S-sunflower... who's B-bessie?" he finished, deciding he'd might as well ask since they were on the subject of names. And stay with him and protect him? He'd certainly appreciate any sort of protection, but from this blind cat... could he really help him in a time of need? But who was Sunflower kidding; blind or not, this cat was probably ten times better at living, fighting, and hunting than he'd ever been in his many moons of being alive.

(ooc: edited post btw <3)

Before he was able to answer Harvey’s initial question, the cloudy-eyed tom began to walk away from him. In that moment, it was evident that he truly was blind, seeing as though he used the rough stone walls to guide him. So it wasn’t a lie, that was a relief.

Sunflower continued to sit in the box, thinking about everything. The chat he’d had with Peach about not going back to his twolegs, now this cat offering to be a source of protection and even a friend…Lost once more in his anxiety-filled thoughts, it suddenly hit him like an apprentice learning to battle; the more that the thought about his decision, the farther Harvey continued to walk.

Standing up inside the box, he looked out at the scruffy cat, his large ears pinned against his head.
Was he going to follow him? Could he follow him? What in StarClan’s name would become of him if he followed after a kittypet?


Further…


Taking a step forward, Sunflower stopped out of hesitation, a shiver running down his spine.
This tom, though small, was confident and had a fire in him; most likely to learn about the clans. Who knew, maybe he even wanted to join one at some point and that was be his ticket into a clan like he’d hoped… but could he be for sure, having just met him?


Further…


Sunflower took another step, then another, until he found himself following after the cat, his long legs easily catching up to his new acquaintance until he was about a fox-length behind him.
Anywhere was better than here, that was for sure. He didn’t know where they were going, but something drew him to the tuxedo and seemed to push away any initial fears he had held towards him. Maybe it was his attitude and assertiveness, or just that he was so confident and curious. Either way, though he didn’t know quite why, Sunflower wanted to stay by his side. Maybe it was because he hadn’t had anyone to lean on for however many moons, he wasn’t quite sure.

Padding after Harvey, his ears perked at his words. He was glad he liked his name, but who was this Bessie he kept mentioning? Wait no, Beechtooth… who was that? Stopping in his tracks, he remembered; Beechfang. Had she been exiled and was hanging around kittypets now? No… it couldn’t have been the same cat. Shaking his head, he continued on.

”Th-thank you,” he honked softly as he followed Harvey. He wasn’t quite sure why he’d said that, but he supposed he had many things to thank him for after such an inciting incident.