better luck next time [C]

Rookkit

Without Father to keep both of them occupied, Rookkit grew quickly bored. Larkkit was good company, and they were plenty content to spend most of their days following their brother wherever he wanted to go. But they could only spend so much time creeping through Fourtree's shadows, or bothering queens, or tailing there brother. There had to be more to do, to see, to keep their mind occupied. If their mind was not kept occupied, they would start to wonder more about where Father had gone and when he would be returning. And that, that they refused to entertain. It would only make them feel cold and sad, and that was no good at all. Regrettably, finding new things to do often meant talking to other cats. Rookkit did not want to talk to anyone except his brother. They were not worth his time. They were his Clanmates though, and supposedly that was important. He would have to talk to them sooner or later.

Brushing against Larkkit's side, they steered him away from the queens. Thankfully they were not undertaking this alone. Larkkit was not hard to convince-- they would do anything for each other, after all --but their brother was just as fond on speaking with others as they were. As they walked, Rookkit spotted the fiery pelt of one of the younger kits in the... "nursery." Rookkit had not bothered to remember his name, though he was hard to ignore. The kit always seemed to be racing about, intent on getting under the paws of anyone unfortunate enough to cross his path. Today was no different: now, it looked like he was trying to climb his way up the slope to Fourtrees, though he did not seem particularly successful in that venture. Rookkit's ears flicked curiously. Was the kit playing? Or trying to make his escape? Nudging their brother, Rookkit muttered, "You are better at talking than me... you should ask what he is doing. Maybe we might join him. We need someone to entertain us, after all."

Larkkit

Larkkit enjoyed Rookkit's company, and quite honestly, was content to not bother with anyone else. There was no reason to speak to other cats when their mother and father were both gone. By all accounts, Rookkit was the next catthat was going to disappear from Larkkit's life, and they were simply not going to let that happen; that meant spending a lot of time in their vicinity and ensuring that they were not left alone. Rookkit did not seem quite as satisfied with this kind of setup. They grew restless faster than Larkkit, and that was on full display now as their wandering eye caught sight of some pathetic red kit a few paces off. Larkkit had not even noticed his presence, and he felt annoyed to have his attention brought to it. Admittedly, he also could not remember the kit's name; most days it was a miracle if he remembered the name of any cat that was not Rookkit. But whoever he was, he was a cat that Rookkit had found an interest in, no matter how minute.

He withheld his annoyance and rose to his paws. "Very well," he replied. To call Larkkit the better socializer was most likely an exaggeration. He was not so much better at socializing as he was better at speaking in the way other cats enjoyed. Other cats didn't understand the subtle shifts in his sibling's eyes or the way a chin tilt a degree higher meant annoyance and a degree lower meant fury. It was rather annoying just how much he had to exaggerate his behavior and tune it to others. Well, at least he was good at it.

Larkkit approached the red kit and forced his expression to relax. His narrowed eyes opened a little wider, a little kinder, and when he spoke, it was in a warmer tone. “Hello there. I don’t believe I know your name. I am also curious as to what…exactly…you are trying to accomplish here.”