A winter wonderland [MistyxMole]

[Whiskers]

Mistystream loved the snow. The look of it, the feel of it, everything. When it had first started to fall from the sky, like petals from a flower, she had danced around like a kit, swatting at each flake as it spiraled down. While most of her other clanmates had groaned and grumbled, she had only laughed and laughed. She understood that it brought new complications for her beloved clans, but she couldn’t help herself. The snow reminded her of her kithood and how she had tumbled around in the fluffy, magical substance with her sisters and their two-legs. It was such a distant memory, but one that Mistystream would always treasure.

The snow had stopped falling many days ago, but it had coated the entire forest—as well as the fields. It was why she was out here now; she had wanted to see what her beloved Meadowclan looked like. Her eyes were wide with excitement as she stared out at the flat sheet of white in front of her. It was a whole new world, one that had been transformed over night, by innocent little snowflakes falling from the sky. If that was not magic, than Mistystream did not know what was.

Mistystream pushed herself forward, her strong legs moving easily through the thick snow. It was lucky that she was a tall cat, or else she would have a much harder time. In fact, Mistystream figured she should give hunting a go. Her clan always needed the prey, and since she was already out, why not?

She assumed the correct hunting position—a perfectly balanced crouch that Mistystream was especially proud of—and she focused her senses, sifting through the air for some type of scent. A mouse, a rabbit, anything.

Instead, she smelled a cat.

“But…I thought I was alone,” Mistystream murmured to herself and she stood up straight again. “Hello? Whoever you are, stop hiding. I can smell you… and you do not smell of rogue or…ah… two-leg cat,” she had forgotten the word the clan cats use for house cats, but that would do, “…so I can assume we are friends, yes? Come out; let me see who you are. Please.”

[Rolo]

Molewhisker had been wandering along quite happily, alone and moderately-carefree, when he had both scented and heard the silvery she-cat approaching. Panic had spread through his entire body, and he had frozen under the pressure. Looking from left to right in a hurried manner, he had repeatedly asked himself what he should do. Stay or hide? Hide here or there? Run that way or this way? However, soon the cat was within sight, and he knew he could do nothing but hide hastily.

Diving behind a large tree, he slowed his breathing down until it was almost silent. Hopefully this cat, pleasant though it probably was, would pass him by without noticing him. He'd very much adore it if that happened... although it was winter, his fur had taken an excessive amount of time growing back... and he couldn't yet risk being seen by anycat. None at all. If they knew he had this curse, what would happen then? Poor old Molewhisker would be alone again, with no hope of companionship. Alone and lost again, having gained nothing.

However, as he should have forseen, considering his poor luck (he was cursed, after all), the cat did not skip merrily past... she, he knew she was a she now, had done the worst thing and demanded to see him. Why did Starclan torment him so? Molewhisker had had to do everything he could not to cringe at the sound of her voice, pretty though it was.

Well, he knew one thing; she couldn't see him. Absolutely could not. He would have to get round this another way.

"Ah, cat who speaks in wonderous tones." Molewhisker spoke clearly and cheerily, "Hello! Molewhisker be here, and he can ascertain that he is both loyal friend and dutiful clan-cat even without revealing himself to authoritative Missus. Curious she should not trouble herself over seeing him, for he can tell you that you can learn alot from voice alone. From the tones of this female's voice, Molewhisker can gather that she is of top form, probably very pretty and a cat of desirable company."

[Whiskers]

Mistystream's ears perked and she caught Molewhisker's words as they traveled to her by the wind. He had not come out. He had stayed tucked away in his secret hiding spot as he had talked. The gray she-cat frowned as she processed his words. She didn't quite understand...

"Wait... you...aren't coming out then? Why wouldn't you...why wouldn't you come out?" Mistystream's frown deepened and she found herself at a loss.

Why wasn't he going to come out to greet her properly? Mistystream felt a rush of feelings, all at once. She felt annoyed. Confused. A little intrigued and slightly charmed, but only because of the way the strange cat talked. But overall, she was mostly very, very, very confused. After all...why wouldn't he want to show himself, if they were both clan cats? She wasn't going to hurt him! They were clanmates for cripes sake!

And that was why she was annoyed at this Molewhisker-- clanmates did not hide from other clanmates. As it is, if he was a warrior-- and his name told Mistystream that he was-- then wasn't he supposed to be bold and courageous? Those were warrior-like characteristics, and to be anything less would be shameful.

And she was not a scary cat anyway. She was skinny, she was silver, and she looked like a kittypet, what with her long, soft fur. She was the opposite of "scary." Mistystream even recalled a time when she was playfighting with her brother, and he had told her that he could not take her seriously, because she was a girl and she wasn't intimidating enough.

So if he was not scared of her, why would he insist on hiding?

The wind shifted and as the chill of the gust hit her, so did the answer. He didn't want to come out because she had been rude! Mistystream gasped at the revelation. Oh no, oh no! Hadn't her grandmother always told her to act like a lady and fight like a tom? She had acted like a brat, and...and now he wouldn't come out to say hello! She had been too demanding, too mean, too cold. Cold like the snow between her toes.

"Oh! I have offended you!" She exclaimed in a worried voice, though if she was actually speaking to herself or to Molewhisker was debatable. "Oh no, oh no, I did not mean to-- I am sorry Molewhisker!"

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[Rolo]

A shot of alarm bolted through Molewhisker.

"No no, Miss!" Molewhisker replied immediately, "Polite missus hasn't offended this cat, he promises! Don't apologise, darling madam. He never wanted to sadden you."

A feeling of complete misery slowly dampened his mood. He didn't want to upset anyone, he realy did not. It's why he hid. But this she-cat... she'd taken his hiding the wrong way... she'd believed she was the problem, not him. That was incorrect. He was the problem... he was the coward, the cursed one.

Well, he'd have to fix this quickly.

Allowing himself no thought before acting, he pushed through the leaves to reveal himself to the female.

Stepping out behind the tree, he instantly felt bare and vulnerable. The female was... undeniably pretty, and here he was with his pelt hanging off, nose crusty and eyes watering. How must he seem to such a beauty? Pitiful, weak... repulsive. Besides her, he looked no nicer than a rat.

Molewhisker forced a smile to remain on his face.

"There we are, madam! Despair no more! Wretched Molewhisker has revealed himself to you, through his own will. He had not wanted to startle you before, he had not wanted to..."

He trailed off, unsure what else to say.

"Anyway, behold! Scrawny cat Molewhisker may be, but he is still he!"

He avoided her eyes, unable to take the look of disgust he was sure would cross her face.

[Whiskers]

Mistystream was about to call out an apology again, if she had to, in order to mend the damage done by her stupid, brash attitude. But as she began to apologize, he cut her off with protestations abounding and he told her that she had not offended him and that she should not apologize. Why, this only increased her confusion tenfold!

Mistystream was at a loss of what to do, so she began to ask Molewhisker what was the matter, "If I have not offended you, Molewhisker, than please tell me wh--"

She did not get to finish.

The rustle of leaves and the falling of snow disturbed Misystream's comment. She watched as the leaves on a tree shook back and forth and she realized the cat was hiding there! She took a step forward, and she was going to go find the cat herself, when Molewhisker exited the tree, once again stopping her in mid-action.

And she gasped at what she saw.

There was no nice way to put it-- Molewhisker was gross. Her nose wrinkled and she ducked her head, but the image of the cat traveled with her, even though her eyes had left the sight. She saw, in her mind's eye, the ratty, half-furless creature and it was...urgh, it sent shivers up her spine!

But the wind whipped cruelly at that moment and Mistystream felt the claws of her grandmother sink into her. Stop being so rude, Anka! This creature cannot help the way that he looks! Would you shy away from a kit with half a leg, mewing for your help? Of course you would not!

Mistystream nodded to herself (secretly to her grandmother's voice), and then raised her head and looked at Molewhisker once again. She took in his entire appearance, from head to toe, before finally settling on his eyes. They were amber and very warm. If she looked at only his eyes, than the bite of the cold did not touch her. His eyes were beautiful, even if he was not.

She lowered her gaze for a second time, but now it was because she was embarrassed at her own reaction. What to say to him? How could she make him feel...better, after what she had just done to him?

"Oh Molewhisker...

I am so sorry, she could say. I did not mean it, she could say. But these words meant nothing, not really. And she found herself abandoning those things, and her thoughts just began to spill out of her mouth.

"So this is why I did not recognize your scent and this is why I have not met you in the Meadowclan camp," Mistystream talked to herself as her head raised and her eyes looked upon the form of Molewhisker again. She was curious. "You do not live in camp because of...this? How you look, I mean. That is not a way to live though, Molewhisker, that is not the life of a warrior..." She stopped. Her thoughts could run on, like water in a stream, but if she went on, she might offend him. She often spoke too much.

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