{C}o<NF>usio[N] +

[rune]

Sing me a lullaby.

Rune wandered, an average-looking tom if you didn't count his bizarre, broken, heiroglyphic-like stripes or his stunning opal eyes.

He seemed nervous, skittish. He was used to doing things in groups: talking, eating, walking.

He had never been alone at home. Never alone.

But there was no home for him; they had tossed him out, like the bones of old prey.

Now he was here, in this land of endless trees, feeling fine at the moment but sure he would fall apart when he finally met a cat.

So here he was.

[Amberstar]

<sub>Concentration was writ upon her face as she studied the markings from an above tree. She was just out of sight, her tail layed down and swinging gently from side to side. A peculiar looking cat, the amber she-cat decided. But overall...

Lost.

She studied him one second longer before dropping down behind him, golden eyes upon him as she gave a polite mew, catching his attention.

It's not a good idea to be lost at this bad time of our lives, when death may be upon us. She gave a shifty look, half expecting Boneclan to leap at her.

She didn't fear them, no. She just wasn't prepared, shall we say.

What brings you to Treeclan, tom, and what be your alias?</sub>

[rune]

Sing me a lullaby.

Rune jumped and glanced wildly around, his opal eyes landing on Amberstar.

He relaxed and gave a shameful grin. "Eh, hello," he meowed awkwardly.

Could this be the Clan leader? "I don't know about death, but my name is Rune." He tried to sound sure and brave, but he feared he sounded more meek than anything.

"I'd like to join your tree-- er, your Clan," he amended rapidly, blinking. Sometimes the wrong words just tumbled out, and it was rather embarassing. He hoped the TreeClanner hadn't noticed.

[Amberstar]

<sub>She had noticed, but she paid no heed to it. She was the patient sort, only getting sharp when her clan was in danger. Her life mattered to her only because her clan needed her.

She gave a kind smile, almost a reassuring one. Do not fear me, nor my terra. Our borders are patrolled regularly; intruders are chased out. But you are not an intruder; you seek refuge, am I correct?

She gave a sage nod, watching him carefully. 'Tis a pleasure to meet you, Rune. You are welcome upon Treeclan if you seek a home with us.</sub>

[rune]

Sing me a lullaby.

Her words reassured him. "Thanks," he meowed earnestly. "I would very much like to stay here."

He wondered if the cats in this Clan would have a problem with his talking. Would they throw him out like his family did?
He began to feel faintly distressed just thinking about it, but tried to keep the expression from surfacing in his face.

"I, uh, am used to living around cats," he explained. "I lived almost my whole bright fly-- my whole life among my family, see, and they threw me out not long afish. Ago. They thought I was red mouse. Twirl didn't keep leaf to Clan their fresh."

He stopped suddenly, looking confused. He seemed to run what he had said through his head, frowning.

[Amberstar]

<sub>Even she looked a bit concerned, but said nothing on the matter. She translated it quickly.. Put it together.

They kicked him out.

I'm terribly sorry to hear that, Rune. It must be hard for your family to do such a thing like that. But you're safe from rejection here. Every cat is valued for their characteristics, good or bad. She gave a reassuring smile.</sub>

[rune]

Sing me a lullaby.

Rune seemed to reboot. The confusion left him, and he offered Amberstar a tentative smile.

"Thank you," he repeated, his anxiety departing with his confusion. "That's, eh, good, because I have a lot of bad characteristics," he meowed, something approaching amusement in his voice.

"So, where's camp?" he asked tentitively.

[Amberstar]

_{In the middle of the lands behind my pawsteps. Come, this way. She motioned her tail towards the lands, turning gracefully on her heels and marching purposefully away to lead him to her home, and soon to be his.}