mysterykitten
Junior Member
Roleplayer of Zahara and Marshall West
Posts: 98
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Post by mysterykitten on Jul 5, 2012 16:18:33 GMT -5
( Time of day - Late Morning/Nearly Noon )
ORDER
-Marshall -Oshe
Marshall sat lazily in an open area of the field, slightly away from all of the tents and activities, though he was still close enough to watch everyone practice and perform. It was quite fun to be just a watcher, seeing all the dancers perfect their moves and whatnot. The gray and black tom wasn't all too keen on joining the big activities in the festival this year, but he's still have some fun with his friends.
To the tom's right, was his large two-handed sword, there was no way he could've sat down with that on his back. Smiling at the thought, Marshall leaned back so he was lying down, watching the clouds in the sky roll by through the hole in the roof of the cave. Life is good.
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Post by icyreflections on Jul 5, 2012 17:03:43 GMT -5
“Oh d-d-dear,” Oshe uttered in a panicked tone as he stumbled through the shops selling special, ‘limited-time-only’ goods for the festival. He had no intention of participating in the festival- it was far too loud and busy for the young tomcat but he was curious if there were any rare spell books being sold during the festivities and decided to take a look. He realized that waiting until the crowds died down wasn’t an option, they only seemed to expand the later the day became and as the days passed, more and more cats seemed to appear out of nowhere to join in the fun and they were more excitable and rowdy than the cats that appeared before them. Another factor to consider was: rare spell books sold quickly so if there were any to be found, it was best that Oshe looked for it on the first day of the festivities. He knew it would be more expensive during this event- and on the first day no doubt (shopkeepers usually dropped their prices as the days passed)- but Oshe had no intention of coming back. It was just too loud and frightening.
He walked through the hoards of cats that were moving about on drunken legs and spilling over with glee. He did everything in his power not to get stepped on or walk into anyone but he had no luck. Though Oshe was quite tall for his age, he was very skinny and puny looking which seemed to invite every rambunctious feline and his brother to walk right in Oshe’s path and shoulder him out of their way. Oshe was knocked around so many times that he was actually further from his goal than when he first snuck into the crowd fifteen minutes ago. His arms were sore and surely he would bruise from all the roughhousing. He was near the entrance now, the farthest location away from his goal and he hunched his back dejectedly. He pursed his lips sadly and let out a heavy sigh, “m-maybe I s-s-should j-just g-g-go h-h-home.”
Who knew? Maybe his mentor, Francis, would come by here later and find something worth reading and he might be able to borrow it. He began to turn away from the crowd and head for the decorative archway that marked the enterance to the festival field when a new wave of cats began to flood in and trapped the poor Siamese tom in the center of a huge group of strangers. This wasn’t what he wanted at all… It was scary. He didn’t know any of these cats and he just wanted to leave. He looked for a break in the tide and noticed that there was a hill overlooking the field. It looked like it was going to be his only way out- Oshe twisted and turned through the crowd, getting stepped on a few times in the process until he was finally at the edge of the mass and began to scurry up the hill to safety.
He began to pant as he hiked up the incline and once he neared the top, he flopped down onto the grass, his pink cloak billowing all around him like a huge fan. He was finally alone. He was going to be alright. He looked up at the sky and watched the clouds rolling by peacefully. This was much better than the busy festival. Then, he heard something to his right and he turned his head- and there sitting a few feet away was another tomcat.
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mysterykitten
Junior Member
Roleplayer of Zahara and Marshall West
Posts: 98
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Post by mysterykitten on Jul 5, 2012 17:24:51 GMT -5
Marshall had seen the distressed looking tom walk all the way over through the corner of his eye, and when he flopped down a few feet away from him, and noticed his presence, that's when the soldier decided to talk to him. Repositioning himself so that he was supporting himself with his elbows, he turned and looked at Oshe. "Somethin' the matter kid?" the tom asked, raising a brow.
"You look a little stressed out." Marshall had never seen a cat look like this. It seemed as if the soldier even tapped him on the shoulder he would explode with nervousness and/or stress
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Post by icyreflections on Jul 5, 2012 17:54:29 GMT -5
Oshe’s eyes grew wide with fear as the stranger spoke to him. He looked around frantically, hoping that maybe there was another cat nearby that he was talking to but when his hopes were vanquished he stammered, “oh, u-uh… I-I’m o-o-okay, s-s-sir. I-it’s just a-awfully b-b-busy d-down th-there, is a-all.” Oshe didn’t get out much, which was obvious by the way he interacted with others and accepted defeat so easily but he didn’t like to appear rude so he felt it was only right he at least answer the guard sitting beside him.
He wasn’t sure if he should talk about his hopes that the festival inspired shopkeepers to sell their more expensive and illusive goods and the prospect of his finding a rare book. Why would the stranger care? He’d probably only laugh at him if he went into detail about getting pushed around so easily only to get his paws on a grubby old books full of spells and magic that probably didn’t exist anymore.
Oshe diverted his gaze from the other cat, ashamed and sat up. He was probably disturbing this cat. He was sitting on the hill first and probably wanted to be alone. Maybe it was best if he left. He got up to leave but he still felt a little tired and shaken from his journey through the crowds and up the hill. He decided it would be best on his body if he sat for a moment. He tensed and warily eyed the stranger.
‘I hope he doesn’t mind me sitting here,’ Oshe thought to himself. ‘I hope he doesn’t try to talk to me again. I probably sound like a fool to him.’ He eyed the large sword sitting beside the other cat and shuddered. It was a frightening looking weapon and he didn’t want to anger this cat in the slightest. As soon as he felt up to it, he was leaving as quickly as possible.
‘I couldn’t even begin to try to lift a sword of that size,’ Oshe thought to himself pathetically and he turned his attention away from the weapons to the city below.
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mysterykitten
Junior Member
Roleplayer of Zahara and Marshall West
Posts: 98
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Post by mysterykitten on Jul 5, 2012 18:49:08 GMT -5
"Ah, yes, the hustle and bustle of the Summer Festival, the activity never seems to die down." Marshall smiled to the younger tom. "This is a pretty big one, with the crowning and all, the events are pretty cool as well." The soldier sat all the way up so he could see the tents properly, before looking over to Oshe. "My name's Marshall, by the way, Marshall West." he said, holding out a paw for him to shake. Might as well be friendly with this new cat, he seemed quite scared-to-death. 'Maybe it's my sword...' the soldier thought, casting a glance over his shoulder to the large blade.
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Post by icyreflections on Jul 6, 2012 8:05:58 GMT -5
Oshe involuntarily flinched as the other tom began to speak up. He didn’t really know what to do or say so he just sat on the hill beside him and nodded his head politely. He followed the other cat’s gaze to the tents and shops set up below. The field looked so alive and beautiful from up here but Oshe shuddered as he thought about what it was REALLY like. There were cats everywhere and they didn’t care who they had to shove and push to get to the games or shops they eagerly pined for. He absently wrung his paws as he nervously thought about his experience. He never wanted to go back down there. As much as he wanted to see the new artifacts and watch the crowning, he didn’t want to be lost in public again. He was only a year old and in that time, he had never really gotten out of the house because his father felt Oshe made the family look poorly. He kept Oshe away from the prying eyes of the high society that they lived in and when he was around six months, he have him to a sage to teach and deal with.
Oshe had only recently begun walking around the city alone and interacting with others. He was quite shy due to his time spent in private isolation and his father constantly telling him that he was a disappointment because he couldn’t speak properly, look strangers in the eye, or stop twitching anxiously. His father always had to apologize to the rich and wealthy for his son being so awkward and Oshe soon developed a complex that everything he did was inappropriate and he had to apologize for every questionable act he performed.
He looked nervously in Marshall’s direction and eyed his extended paw. He held his gaze upon the kind gesture for a moment before hesitantly slipping on of his own paws out from beneath the comfort and security of his large pink cloak and shakily taking the other cat’s paw in his light grasp. He shook it and without a second thought, pulled his paw back into his cloak. He looked down at his feet and twiddled his toes together and then placed them upon the grassy surface and he felt the thin blades against his paw pads for a moment before quietly uttering in a hardly audible whisper, “I’m O-o-oshe…”
He looked sideways from his toes in the grass to the other cat, his ears were flattened shyly against his head but they twitched upwards ever so slightly- not much, maybe a few centimeters- and he cracked the smallest smile imaginable. He wasn’t one to speak to strangers but this cat was being so nice and polite to him... He might as well return the favor.
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mysterykitten
Junior Member
Roleplayer of Zahara and Marshall West
Posts: 98
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Post by mysterykitten on Jul 6, 2012 8:58:11 GMT -5
Marshall really had to strain his ears, but he caught what the tom's name was, and even by the pawshake he could tell that Oshe was /really/ insecure. "Nice to meet you Oshe!" he said with a grin. Looking back to the tents, the soldier tried to keep the conversation going. "So," he began. "Do you plan on being in any of the events?" It was obvious to Marshall that this tom needed more exposure to other cats. If the small tom said he wasn't going to, (most likely out of fear) the soldier would show him how much fun the Summer Festival really is.
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Post by icyreflections on Jul 6, 2012 9:53:59 GMT -5
“I-it n-nice t-t-to m-m-meet you t-too, s-sir.” Oshe stuttered in his soft voice and looked back to the festival. He was beginning to wonder if he should get up and leave but Marshall’s voice once again rang out and held him in place.
He squirmed uncomfortably under their other tom’s gaze and felt worried by the question. It was hard enough for him to talk to a stranger one on one in a private area. What made him think that he’d be able to actually compete in front of a group of many, many cats? The thought of all the eyes staring at him made the Siamese cat quiver with fear. He fidgeted uncomfortably and he lowered his ears again. He imagined himself as a kit again and saw the towering forms of the city’s most elite and powerful cats bearing down on him. His father was proud to finally have a son to carry the family’s name with honor and was expectantly showing off his heir to all his rich chums. Oshe was always uncomfortable around strangers. His mother was always so kind and caring and seemed to understand him but better than his father. She never stepped in though and stopped his father from putting him on the spot. She was always there to catch Oshe when he fell but never took the time to stop the fear from taking hold of him. Oshe loved his mother very much and never blamed her for his disappointing his father- but still, he was forever frightened of the public. He didn’t like being paraded around town only to be laughed at for his stutter and humiliated when his father shoved him behind his leg, out of view, and yelled at him later for not being perfect.
He didn’t see how it was possible for him to participate in the festival at all. He was lucky he even chanced shopping. Now that he had confirmed that it was too difficult to break through the crowd and too scary to stand up to others and assert himself, he decided it was best he just not try again and keep to himself and his studies.
Looking at his toes (which he was quietly digging into the soil out of nervousness) he said in a quiet but polite tone, “I d-d-don’t th-think so, s-sir. I-it’s n-not f-f-for m-me.” He sighed sadly and muttered under his breath, “I c-can’t even s-shop f-f-for a b-b-book w-without g-g-getting t-trampled. I’d b-b-be the l-laughing s-stock of the ent-t-tire e-event if I e-even t-t-tried t-t-to j-j-join.”
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mysterykitten
Junior Member
Roleplayer of Zahara and Marshall West
Posts: 98
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Post by mysterykitten on Jul 6, 2012 10:23:08 GMT -5
Marshall frowned as he looked to the festival tents, but then he got an idea. "Hey," he began, looking to Oshe. "Maybe I can help you get your book or whatever else you need." the soldier hoped that Oshe would accept the offer, people rarely even dare to trample the soldiers. "You can follow my lead and you won't be the 'laughing stock.' If anything, I'll be the laughing stock before you are." This was true, Marshall would probably do something idiotic before anyone. He'd probably knock something or someone over.
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Post by icyreflections on Jul 6, 2012 18:34:19 GMT -5
Oshe was startled by Marshall’s sudden spark of inspiration and jumped to his feet. He looked timidly towards the guard as he listened carefully to his idea. For a moment his large ears perked upwards almost excitedly. Marshall wanted to help him? That was unexpected. Oshe never had anyone who was willing to do something for him. It was a nice feeling, although somewhere in the back of the young cat’s mind there was an uneasy thought gnawing at the back of his brain. Why would a stranger want to help HIM of all cats- and without being asked? Oshe couldn’t comprehend the fact that there was such a thing as good strangers. Cats he didn’t know were mysterious and untrustworthy- always ready to judge him and laugh at him. He of course, greatly disliked meeting new cats but he never let these feelings stand in the way of his manners. As careful he was around new cats, he always tried to be polite.
Maybe he should try giving this cat the benefit of the doubt? He seemed friendly enough and wasn’t he a guard? They are supposed to be helpful and protective… Maybe it was just the thing Oshe needed. He felt a little silly, needing an official escort around the festival. A part of him wanted to refuse his help and scurry home but when he thought of the possibility of discovering a new book or scroll, he fidgeted with nervousness and excitement.
“I-I s-s-suppose i-if y-you w-w-went w-with m-me th-th-they’d b-b-be m-more c-careful..” He eyed Marshall’s large sword and inwardly smiled at the thought of the two of them traveling through the festival together with it attached to his back. He pictured the throngs of cats moving aside to create room for the cat with the large weapon and he couldn’t help but feel a little bit happier- maybe he could get his book after all!
An enthusiastic light gleamed in his eyes and he shyly smiled. “Um, o-okay. I-if y-y-you insist. I-I’d like that very m-much. Th-thank you, s-sir.” He bowed respectfully to the older cat and padded over to him and patiently waited for him at his side to lead the way to the festival below.
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mysterykitten
Junior Member
Roleplayer of Zahara and Marshall West
Posts: 98
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Post by mysterykitten on Jul 6, 2012 19:40:37 GMT -5
"Alright!" Marshall grinned as he picked up his large sword and placed it on his back. "Let's head down then!" The soldier walked down the hill, casting a sideways glance every once and awhile to make sure that Oshe was still following. Once they finally got to the tent-filled area, it was no surprise that the other cats stayed out of his and the little tom's way. Pausing, he looked to Oshe. "Okay," Marshall began. "Where would you like to go? Just lead the way, I'll be right next to you the whole time." The soldier waited for Oshe to respond, and head in the direction he wanted to go.
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Post by icyreflections on Jul 7, 2012 12:35:09 GMT -5
Oshe padded quietly beside Marshall, wringing his paws nervously together underneath his cloak the entire way. As they reached the designated area, Oshe began to feel even more anxious than he did before. He suddenly began to have second thoughts about entering the festival fields again and was about to beg Marshall to go in without him. He closed his eyes, trying to block out all the sounds and scary cats as he entered alongside the guard. He waited for the impact of several festival-goers to bump into his shoulder and knock him around but to his surprise, it never happened. He opened one eye cautiously and examined the area. The tension of his muscles slowly began to ebb and he opened the other eye as he realized there was quiet a bit of room for him and Marshall to make their way through the gathering. It was like they had some strange illness that no one wanted to catch and the other cats stayed a few feet away from the duo at all times.
Oshe couldn’t help but feel a mixture of pleasant emotions- he was surprised at how affective having Marshall with him was and he was extremely pleased and grateful the kind tom offered to help him in the first place. He looked up at him enthusiastically, now with an expression like a puppy that wished to be let off his leash and run in the open fields before him. “Th-thank you M-marshall, s-s-sir,” Oshe said, dipping his head curtly and then taking a tentative step forward. As he lightly padded through the square, he kept his eyes peeled for a merchant with a set of books or scrolls for sale. It was much easer to move and browse now that he didn’t have to contend with being pushed every which way.
As the two padded together, Oshe looked up to Marshall and quietly asked him, “uh sir, d-do you h-happen t-to see a b-b-book or scroll vendor anywhere?” Oshe wasn’t paying particular attention to the other shops or games- he had one purpose to be here and that was to see if there was a book here that he hadn’t read already. He didn’t want to waste Marshall’s time, especially with him being so understanding and hospitable. The sooner they could find the book seller, the sooner Oshe could let Marshall be on his way.
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mysterykitten
Junior Member
Roleplayer of Zahara and Marshall West
Posts: 98
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Post by mysterykitten on Jul 7, 2012 14:46:46 GMT -5
"It's not a problem, I wish to see that everyone enjoys the festival equally." Marshall meowed, still smiling. When the small tom asked about the vendors, he used his height to advantage. Looking over the busy crowd, he searched for a book seller, perking his ears to catch what some of the vendors were saying, as well as reading the signs of the tents. Finally, he heard what he wanted to hear.
"Get the newest and finest books and scrolls here!"
"Perfect," the soldier purred, and then looked to Oshe, motioning for him to follow.
"This way Oshe, I think I found what you're looking for."
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Post by icyreflections on Jul 11, 2012 14:34:36 GMT -5
Oshe followed after Marshall, looking wearily around as he padded through the festival behind him. Though the young tom was tall and lanky, he couldn’t see over the crowd and look at the stand that they were heading to. He began to feel excited- but anxious as well. He looked forward to finding the shop he risked life and limb for and was interested in seeing the vendor’s wares. On the other paw, he didn’t want to get there and be disappointed with his findings. What if there wasn’t anything new? What if he everything he went through today was for nothing? He gulped nervously and looked up to Marshall with his ears pinned to his head. Would Marshall be mad at him for being a kit and needing his assistance to walk through the square for no reason? Oshe began to breath heavily as his nerves scrambled his thoughts. What was he going to do? Maybe he could pay Marshall for his services- maybe that would be enough to make up for the misunderstanding. He would have to deal with his father later for using the monthly allowance he sent him on such frivolous tips but Oshe didn’t care… He eyed Marshall’s sword and decided that it was best that he didn’t get maimed. That would ruin everyone’s fun... Except, maybe his father’s. He might actually like it if Oshe was killed- then he wouldn’t have to deal with his screw-ups anymore.
The flicker of happiness that Oshe once felt in the pit of his stomach was trampled upon by his doubt. He suddenly felt very small and weak. He looked around at the crowds that once were so far away and they suddenly seemed to be suffocatingly close. He felt trapped and there was nowhere to run. He once felt so safe and protected beside Marshall with his large sword, but now he couldn’t help but think he was being lead to his death sentence. He was traveling his final march and he wanted to leave. But the crowds prevented him from doing so and their judging eyes bore into his skin and burned into his flesh. What was he going to do?
As they neared the shops, a lump formed in the Siamese’s throat and his stomach lurched uncomfortably. He it came. The moment of truth. He padded up to the books spread out on a table before the merchant, who eyed Oshe carefully. Oshe did his best to ignore the staring salesperson, keeping his blue eyes fixed on the covers of the scrolls and books before him, but he trembled uncontrolled as he felt the eyes upon him. All the books laid out looked very familiar to the tomcat and he felt a panic overtake his mind. His worst fears seemed to be confirmed in a single moment- we wasted Marshall’s time and now he’d have to use the money his father gave him to tide him over for the month and walk through the festival alone and with nothing. He began to slip his paws into the pocket sewn to the inside of his robes to retrieve his sack of gold when he noticed a flicker of light in the corner of his eye.
Oshe looked at the books again and there, sitting to the far right was a large blue book with a golden plated binder and gold stars shimmering on the cover. Oshe’s paws slipped out of his cloak as he retrieved the book and flipped through it. Francis would love this book! It spoke of the sky and the stars- what the were, how far away they were, all the constellations, all the stories they told… It had everything that anyone could need to know about the sky. Oshe closed the book’s cover and ran a paw down the front cover. He could sense there was some sort of spell on it- the cover was enchanted to change its appearance to match the sky. Oshe looked up and sure enough, the sky was a darkening blue, with stars beginning to viably blink above. Oshe had to get this book for his mentor.
He looked to the salesperson and asked how much it was and then forked over 250 schillings for his purchase and turned away from a very happy storeowner, clutching his book to his chest. He rushed over to Marshall and could help but smile and do an excited hop. “I got m-my b-b-book!” He beamed, “th-thank you so m-m-much, M-marshall. I c-couldn’t h-have d-done it w-w-without you!”
He held it up for the other tom to see it and flipped through its pages. “Isn’t it f-f-fascinating? F-francis w-will l-l-love it.” And to think, he got it for 250 schillings! Oshe was so excited. He was given an allowance of 450 every month and he usually only spent about half of it because he lived alone, didn’t eat lavishly, and didn’t go out much. It felt nice to have gotten something for his mentor that he knew that he’d greatly appreciate.
He was about to ask Marshall if he should pay him for escorting him- he was much happier about doing it now than he was when he first arrived at the festival- when a force charged into him and his book slipped out from his paws. Oshe managed to put out a paw and brace himself against the ground while his other paw was tangled in his large cloak and clutched his coin purse. He looked around and noticed someone picked up his book and offered to help him up with an outstretched paw. Oshe refused it, he was cautious of strangers, and stood up on his own. He suddenly had a feeling that something terrible just happened and he started to fidget nervously.
“Um,” he said to the cat holding his book. “Thank you for picking that up for me,” he reached out a paw to retrieve it.”
The murky brown tom before him smirked. “I don’t think so, kid. This book looks expensive. I’m not just handing it over without a little compensation- if you get my drift.” He waved the book with one paw in front of Oshe, who trembled under the thieves’ eyes. He needed to get his book back!
“H-how m-much compensation?” Oshe inquired timidly.
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mysterykitten
Junior Member
Roleplayer of Zahara and Marshall West
Posts: 98
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Post by mysterykitten on Jul 13, 2012 16:30:03 GMT -5
"You're quite welcome." Marshall meowed with a smile at the sight of Oshe finally getting what he wanted. The tom felt good when he made others happy, it was like one of the things he worked for.
When Oshe dropped his book and the stranger picked it up, asking for compensation, Marshall frowned. "Woah woah woah, hold up." he growled, and angry glint appearing in his sapphire-blue eyes. "Oshe's not going to be paying you any compensation, just give the book back, and get lost elsewhere in the festival."
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