&&the very best of me

[Underworld]

ONE • THOUSAND • APOLOGIZES
Can't turn back time...

Tink…

Tink…

Tink.

What was that?

Rain.

It was raining.

Rain. Such a simple, eloquently put aspect of nature. Golden orbs slowly opened - the sight of those cold, broken orbs greeting the crying world.

Crying...like this mottled tabby was doing inside. Her exterior was a statue, cold and wet from the pouring rain falling upon her pelt like the tears she could not shed.

Silentbriar.

At the thought of the tom, the pretty fela’s heart twisted painfully. Her head turned, blinking the rainwater from her eyes, feeling ill from the heartbreak and suffering that she had gone through.

But she still lived.

But what was life without the only cat she had ever loved?

Life was an empty illusion, with no point. No purpose.

An assassin, or even and ex-assassin, needed a purpose.

Underworld was lying limply on the ground, those golden crystals empty and dulled by grief. The rain didn’t stir the pretty she-cat; she lay like a creature awaiting her end. She had staggered past the clan borders far earlier that day, her mind too lost and befuddled to care where her weary and torn paws were taking her.

[Featherstar]

Featherstar lifted her head and open her mouth to receive the raindrops. It had been a while since it had rained and the StoneClan leader welcomed it. Rain always seemed to wash away her troubles. But then she noticed the lump of fur lying off in the distance. She approached slowly and saw that the she-cat looked alright but just wasn't moving. Are you okay? she questioned, just to make sure.

[Underworld]

ONE • THOUSAND • APOLOGIZES
Can't turn back time...

What was that?

Who was there?

A…voice..?

One shell-curved ear twitched, oh so slightly, just barely. Golden crystals opened once again.

A voice? Yes, an unfamiliar one though.

Those orbs moved as her head turned as well, before they fell on the fae who had spoken. The owner of the voice. The cat did not scent of Underworld’s old home, her old clan – the scent not dangerous in the least, actually.

Rainwater dripped into the tabby’s beautiful, broken gaze, and that fae blinked. Her vision blurred, and for a brief moment where the she-cat stood, she haw him. She saw Silentbriar.

Her heart catching in her throat, Underworld actually gathered her remaining strength and lifted her weary figure to her feet, maw parted and ready to call his name. But when she blinked, the figure shifted, returning to the kind looking she-cat who had first stirred her.

Bone-tired and wet, the fae hung her head. She had hope so fervently that it had been him – that her mate had found a way to escape the jaws and claws of their clan mates, but then Underworld knew, then and there, that there was no hope.

He was gone.

Those golden orbs had watched, helpless, as their clan had turned on them. Watched as he had leaped towards them, yelling for her to run.

To live.

And she watched as they tore him apart, his blood staining the earth crimson beneath their paws.

And Underworld had been helpless to stop it.

The broken female blinked, knowing that she looked terrible in front of the other feline.

“I…”

Her voice was harsh – a little cold. Underworld visibly winched at its sound; it was hard to appear timid when she had been taught since birth to not be.

“I’m not..”

[Featherstar]

Featherstar cocked her head, surprised. Most cats, with all the pride that existed in the world, wouldn't let another cat know when they weren't all right. But this cat, obviously hurt in spirit even if not in body. Would you like to rest somewhere where the rain won't pelt you as hard? the she-cat asked when the droplets started falling harder and faster. The wind was picking up as well. I think a storm might be coming. You could come to the StoneClan camp, and rest, if you want. I'm Featherstar, leader of StoneClan, by the way.


//Stinky post, I know. But I didn't want you to feel I'd forgotten about you.

[Underworld]

ONE • THOUSAND • APOLOGIZES
Can't turn back time...

It’s so simple.

Yet so complicated.

Can I live on?

The fae blinked a few times, her movements slow, ever so slow. What had happened to the lightning fast killer she once was?

That part of her, that bloodied taint, would always cling to her silky pelt like an irritating flea. Golden shattered crystals looked directly to the stranger, her calling Featherstar as she had said. A…a leader? So her paws had drawn the broken fela to another’s territory?

So befuddled her mind had been, she hadn’t even noticed the scent markings.

“I was unaware…that this was your territory.”

She forced her head to lower in a show of respect, but it was clear her broken hear was not in it. The fae shivered, her pelt already soaked through by the down pouring rain, and she was clearly freezing.

Much longer of this treatment and she could fall ill. Much worse, die.

“My name is Underworld. I come….from far, far away.”

Pain misted her golden hues at the thought – something terrible had happened to her to shatter her thusly.

“That would be nice.”

[Featherstar]

Featherstar nodded, glad that the soaked fae had accepted her offer to stay awile. Good. However long you need to stay, you are welcome. If you'll follow me Underworld, I'll take you to the StoneClan camp. The rocks are very sheltered, I promise. Featherstar turned easily and quietly and faced the camp, she was ready to go.

[Underworld]

ONE • THOUSAND • APOLOGIZES
Can't turn back time...

This isn’t right.

I shouldn’t be here.

But how can I refuse?

“Th-thank you.”

One paw-step. Then another.

Underworld was hesitant, but she meekly followed the clan leader. There was much much healing that needed to be done to the female before she was back to the fela she once was.

…but did she want to be an assassin again? A murderer?

Not necessarily, but she wasn’t quite as she appeared to be. No, if she had not been shattered by the site of her mate’s massacre, then Featherstar would probably think twice about allowing one tainted as she into her clan’s camp.

Or maybe she wouldn’t. Who could say really? Underworld wasn’t an evil cat; she was a hard worker, loyal and trustworthy even if she wasn’t trusting of others herself/

[Featherstar]

You can go ahead and post with her at the camp.