Molewhisker

[Rolo]

Footsteps light, a young warrior moved leisurely through the dark trees. His pitiful form was held with a surprising confidence, one that did not fit his form in any shape or form. No, a cat with such an image should not hold their body in such a way. It seems unnatural, almost like seeing a rabbit bearing it's teeth at a fox. Though it is a strong move, turning and fighting against something inevitable takes some bravery, it seems almost as weak as it is mighty. Maybe it's because it comes from such a small and helpless thing, or perhaps it is because in the end they will never beat it, it just doesn't seem right at all.

Beings like him were supposed to show they despised themselves. They weren't meant to seem comfortable, even in the slightest. They were supposed to hold their heads low, succumb to their disorder.

Was he comfortable in his own skin? Indeed he was but he wasn't. He didn't think about his situation so he was neither bothered or happy. His confidence was heavily practiced and held a falseness that was both hard and easy to see. Some cats are like that, you just can't work them out.

"Ah, what a day it is, inquisitive Molewhisker!" He chanted to himself, letting his gaze sweep across the surroundings.

What a day indeed! It was grey, dull and notably chilly. Leaf-bare was most definitely on the way, how he could rejoice knowing that fact. He could already feel his itching beginning to fade with the cold weather, it was becoming more bareable now. His curse was fading just in time for him to starve and be miserable in the harsh weather. How happy his life was!

Moving into the centre of a large clearing, he sat down with a wide grin. His thoughts were already turning towards better times, times when he could go and speak to cats, occasionally, without risking gaining pitying looks.

So he smiled, his face looking less lost and afraid and more comfortable.

[Cloud of Diamonds]

The spotted MeadowClanner was strolling along in the grassy field, her attention happily darting from one thing to the next, until she saw him. Molewhisker. She shuddered, but tried not to let it show. She listened as she spoke, him seeming to not notice her. Maybe he was crazy, another reason to avoid him. Perhaps she could escape his notice if she...."Oof!" Her paw slid down into a rabbit hole. So much for not being noticed. Her paw seemed to have been swallowed by the ground as she vainly tried to pull it out. Stupid holes in a still-somewhat-unfamiliar territory. What was wrong with living under trees? You felt safe and protected and...not falling into dumb holes. She looked around wildly. Maybe Molewhisker wouldn't pay her any attention, if she was lucky. Yeah, right.

[Rolo]

Molewhisker's smile drooped slightly, a look of concern crossing his face briefly, before it returned in a rather more vibrant form. Instead of a slight, content smile, it became a well-practiced and fixed tool. It was instinct.

His heart felt as if it was sinking into the floor, a feeling of pure nakedness and a pure hatred stinging in his veins. It made him want to close his eyes and die on the spot.

Yet, being the cat he was, he could not do that. He was a clan member, was he not? Had he not sworn to put his solitary ways behind him? Despite the mortification that coursed through his veins he would stand proud. After all, it was the cat inside that made the ultimate impression, not the outside one... however ugly it may be. Wasn't it?

"Aha!" He mewed aloud, a large sheepish grin set upon his face. His entire body moved with enthusiasm with the expulsion of his exclamation. "Lowly Molewhisker wonders what sneaking cat lurks among the trees! He laughs, quite innocently, I assure you, at the mere idea that such a cat of stealthiness be caught by ignorant me!"

His speech was quick, laced with an innocent and good natured humor. He spoke quickly, his tongue rolling over the words in a natural way, as if this was indeed his normal way of speaking. Yet, at the same time, it was strange. It was more like a perfected talent than an act or a natural thing, it was a blend of many things in one. What was it's purpose? No cat knows. Not even he knew. He just spoke like that and that was that.

He chuckled, remaining exactly where he was. He was vainly hoping that this conversation could continue with both the cats seperated by trees. He could be comfortable then, he could be his winter self or another cat entirely. The second was prefered.

"This cat wonders, who be this mysterious cat within the trees? He requests tentatively that he knows. Dear cat-of-quick-feet, enlighten me, if you so please."

[Cloud of Diamonds]

Oh, StarClan. He really was insane, or so it appeared. Well, Palepaw, pull yourself together, because standing here silently won't help you. "It's just me, Palepaw, to the right of you." She called. "And I'm not in the trees, I'm stuck in this stupid hole. Would you please be so kind as to help me get out of it?" Though somewhat repulsed at the thought of having to have that weird, freaky cat near her, she knew that if she wanted to get out of the rabbit hole that he was her best hope. She didn't think his condition was contagious, and she certainly hoped not. She loved her pelt of long, soft fur. The MeadowClan apprentice puzzled over what Molewhisker had said. He talked in a funny way, she thought. And he didn't use I or me, she noted. Stranger and stranger. At least it should be quick, she thought.

[Rolo]

Molewhisker was glad that the she-cat could not see him, for the amount of hesitation and unwillingness that passed over his face the instant she spoke was frankly embarrassing. Although his form remained rock solid, giving no hint of emotion, his face held an awkward quality that, though well concealed, gave away how horror-filled he felt this situation to be.

Forcing himself not to move about in his usual jumpy, over-enthusiastic way, he let a chuckle leave his lips, filling the silence, which he was sure had gone on way too long.

He knew instantly that he absolutely couldn't reveal himself to that cat, let alone actually touch them. That could spell numerous horrific consequences... but how was he going to get out of it.

Grudgingly, Molewhisker realised that there was only one thing for it.

"Ah, frustrated Palepaw," His tone was low and filled with regret, "as much as this cat here would love to aid your current situation, he is afraid to inform you that he is in a somewhat irksome situation himself."

He paused for effect, grinning wildly in the way he always did as a form of further reassurance, before realising that the cat couldn't actually see him.

"He himself is stuck in a rather badly-placed rabbit hole and, though fabulously well-made and a probable source of great pleasure for our hopping friends, it is causing him great annoyance. Moving from his present spot would be quite impossible just now."

He hoped this would be convincing enough to get Palepaw off his back... but it was a vain hope.

[Cloud of Diamonds]

Well, this was just great. Just so fabulously wonderful in every way. Was what the MeadowClan apprentice was thinking sarcastically as she listened to the odd tom speak. A beetle in the dirt caught her attention for a moment, and she watched its progress across the grass for a few moments. But as it disappeared into a hole she remembered her problem, which was not made any easier by what Molewhisker had said. "Well, I'm sorry you're stuck too." Was all she said, not feeling the need to say anymore, since her time would be better spent trying to get out herself. Now, how to get out by herself....Palepaw tugged her leg experimentally. Stuck. She tugged harder. Only a slight shifting of soil. Wait....what if she tried to use her other paw to dig her leg out? It might work. The light-furred she-cat slowly moved her other leg to the hole, and began to scrape at the soil around it.

[Rolo]

Molewhisker couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt as he heard the she-cat's sigh. What a tormenting thing it was, to wish so much to help her yet not be allowed to. Molewhisker had not denied her plea for help through selfishness or a cold heart, indeed, it had hurt him to refuse her. He was not unkind, he heard all kinds of silent begging in many of the cats he saw, and he wished to help them all.

But how could a sir such as he, feeble and diseased of body, be of any use? Once again, he would have to resort to words, dreaded words, to aid this cat... and how much could words do to help her in this situation?

Molewhisker, with a chuckle, found out the answer easily. The answer to his question, the one that lurked in his head. Why feel unhappy about being able to use his tongue? It was a quite worthy tool in many situations, having more flexablity than a cat's body and perhaps more effect than claws. Why should he feel annoyed that that was the only thing he could do? At least he could do something.

"Ah, don't fear morose miss!" He spoke clearly in his sugary voice, warmth coating his words, "There is hope yet. This cat is sure of it, completely certain! Indignant madam and I just need to be patient and not rush to find a conclusion to this sorry ordeal."

[Cloud of Diamonds]

Well, the cat might be odd, but now sounded cheerful and hopeful, she thought. It's not like he offered any solutions, though I guess I can't complain, thought Palepaw. But digging my leg out is going to take forever and there are so many other things to look at....her short attention span was caught by a worm poking itself out the ground of the rabbit hole. How funny it is, she thought, that worms can actually move through the earth! Like running, except...suddenly, the soppted apprentice longed to be out of this rabbit hole and running acroos the wide, free spaces of her territory. Oh, if only! She yearned. However, some gritty dirt touching her skin reminded her of what she needed to do. She groaned. For all Molewhisker's fancy words, he probably wasn't making any more progress than her getting out of where he was stuck. But hey...maybe she should check. It was possible that the weird-looking tom might be know a faster, more efficient method. The light gray MeadowClanner meowed, "Um, Molewhisker? Have you had any luck in getting yourself unstuck from the rabbit hole you're in? Y'see, I'm getting nowhere fast in mine and was wondering if you might have a few pointers for me, being a warrior and all.

[Rolo]

Molewhisker felt a pang of guilt nagging at him again. The young she-cat was correct. He was indeed a warrior. It had been so long since he had acted as one, he had almost forgotten that he had a clan at all. He had spent all his time alone, since green-leaf set in, deliberately avoiding his clanmates like they were foes. He wouldn't have been surprised if they thought him dead or had forgotten he existed altogether.

He frowned. Perhaps... perhaps it was time to act like he was supposed to. His clan... he had joined it to finally put his solitary life behind him, to have a place in the world. He would get no where if he did not give cats a chance to know him.

He sighed. He knew in that moment that he had to reveal himself, to stop this silly charade and do his utmost to help a cat in need.

He gave himself only time to place a wide grin upon his face before pushing through the foliage to meet this apprentice head on. Any more time, and he'd lose the willpower to do it. Smiling wildly, he sat down before the little apprentice.

"Good miss," He chuckled, "Molewhisker is not sure that warrior training gives a cat apt skills to get out of rabbit dwellings."

He bowed, dipping his head so much it almost touched the ground, "But as frustrated madam can see, Molewhisker managed well enough anyway."

His whiskers twitched with amusement, as he recoiled slightly to sit a little way away. Despite his wretched form and nerves, he still managed to keep a great amount of confidence and dignity in the way he sat. Self-concious he was, but that he would not show.

He let himself frown deliberately, "However, imprisoned Palepaw, Molewhisker deems himself to be more useful at giving pointers than helping you with his claws."

[Cloud of Diamonds]

The look on Palepaw's face was relieved. "So you got out? Great!" And she meant it. Weird-looking though he might be, it was no small thing if a Clanmate was stuck. And plus, now he could help her! Yes, what he said made sense...she thought as she listened as he talked further. She looked away for a moment, as he passed in front of her. It was instinctive. She felt a bit ashamed, though. This tom who wanted to help her, and she was being rude to him! What kind of cat was she? She wanted to say she was sorry, but...would it be too awkward?

The light-furred MeadowClanner tried to focus on something else for a moment. That tuft of grass...why was it green? Why not yellow or blue?

Why...Why wasn't she trying to focus on what would help her get out of here.

She contented herself with a muttered "Thanks. I appreciate it." And the spotted she-cat went back to trying to free her leg. Squirming slightly, she managed to lift her leg out another half inch or so. Well, she was making progress. And Molewhisker would help her, right? Oh, StarClan she really did hope he wouldn’t have to touch her at least. What if he was contagious? Well, at least he seems to know it, that’s why he’s backed off a bit. But still, he was nice enough to come aid her.