A new life .:OPEN:.

[Cyan]

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[atrb=background,http://www.iaza.com/work/121105C/iaza11521990279400.png] The caramel colored she-cat stretched her stiff limbs, a wide yawn parting her jaws. The street cobbles she had slept upon the night before already growing cold; the warmth from her body heat leeching away into the air. Anise had never slept on the streets before, but it was inevitable now - she simply didn't have the schillings to buy a house yet, however small the house was. She must have looked a wreck, a groggy she-cat standing in an abandoned alleyway, the sleep not quite rubbed from her eyes, fur sticking out this way and that in large clumps! Anise didn't mind though, it was more interesting than the life she had before: endless days of sewing that were so similar they blended together. Wasting no time, Anise sized up the buildings whose walls formed the alley. One's deteriorating mortar had caused many a brick to fall from its wall, the perfect handholds. Anise hooked her curving yellow claws into the holes in the wall, scooting herself up a handhold at a time. Upon reaching the shingled roof, she dragged herself onto the building and sat down to rest for just a moment. Life on the streets was hard, and Anise had only been at it for a day. Avoiding the authorities who'd stick her in the orphanage, finding food and a place to rest, it was all so much! Quietly, using her dancer's stealth and grace, Anise lighted across the rooftops. She was careful to use her long Elite's tail to brush autumn leaves out of her way, not wanting to alert the cats below to her presence. Finally, the tawny she-cat reached the hot springs. Scrabbling down the building, Anise eased herself into the water. The warm water lifted the layer of street grime from her fur, and Anise eased the tangles from her wet fur with her claws. For the first time since Anise had journeyed out onto the streets, she felt good.

[Riv]

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[atrb=background,http://i.imgur.com/MDv4p.png] Jensen strolled down the Eastern streets, his cape open and fluttering behind him as he stepped along the dusty path. It was cold that morning, but not as bitterly cold as it had been some days leading into autumn, nor as cold as Jensen knew it would be once winter really set in. He wasn't exactly looking forward to winter. Though his house was warm compared to outside, and it was quite nice if empty, the boarded fireplace would not heat the inside. But he'd make it through, he thought optimistically. He was always thinking optimistically. He wasn't about to die from the cold when he had a shelter of his own, and it was his own fault that he wasn't going to use the fireplace. Besides, he'd probably be out patrolling and working within the ranks of the Legionnaires more often than he would be sitting at home. Patrolling was hard, it took time and energy, but the constant movement would warm him up nicely even if it was cold. Running after the occasional criminal would give him more than enough heat to cloak himself in. Besides, he'd be guarding the palace as well, and the palace was generally quite warm. But speaking of warmth, he should find something that he could do when the nights were too bitter even for cloaks and occupations to keep away. He supposed he could hang around in the tavern, but he wasn't sure he'd feel comfortable there with all the rambunctious cats. Besides, even off-duty, he would still be a Legionnaire. He had heard of the hot springs and their natural heat that had nothing to do with actual fire. He decided that he would go take a look, since he had a few hours before he was supposed to report to the Legion. He put a hand on the hilt of his sword casually, subconsciously checking to make sure it was still there, still in place, still in reach. Not that he really expected to run into trouble. But his paw slid over the hilt and back down to his side as he entered the hot springs.

[Cyan]

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[atrb=background,http://www.iaza.com/work/121105C/iaza11521990279400.png] Anise heard the clatter of claws on cobblestone long before she saw the other cat approach. She had been enjoying the solitude of the hot springs, no other cat in sight, when she heard them. Quickly she stood, turning around to see whom it could be. Anise's sodden and dripping fur clinging to her wiry frame. Though the cat Anise saw could be no older than herself, he carried a gallant air about him - the very one only Legionnaires seemed capable of pulling off. Anise doubted the cat was here on business, but still she stayed wary, wincing visibly at the thought of being dragged to an orphanage -- like all underage street cats were once caught. Anise caught herself staring at the large scarred cat, and shook her head as if to clear it of the negative thoughts. Relaxing just slightly, Anise climbed back into the springs, small bursts of steam causing the ends of her fur to slightly curl. He would leave her alone, right? She came to the Hot Springs sometimes when she lived with her mother, so it wasn't an indication of her streets dwelling. Maybe she was making a mountain out of a molehill - maybe this tom-cat wasn't even a Legionnaire with the power to lock her up.

[halfkat101]

Raac was so excited to visit the hot spring, as they where a whole brand new idea to him. that the gods could bless us mere mortals with water so hot without forcing us to do the work of heating the water themselves. It was a sure treat, water heated by the gods~ he couldn't help but purr himself a little happy tune as he trotted there, slipping right in before he noticed another cat was already there.

[Cyan]

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[atrb=background,http://www.iaza.com/work/121105C/iaza11521990279400.png] Anise relaxed in the hot water, the worries she had fretted over moments ago set aside. She cupped her paws together, scooping some water out of the spring. Anise poured it over her face, which she then began cleaning. Methodically, Anise licked her already-wet paws and then used them to brush and clean her face-fur. Some droplets of water splattered Anise's tawny fur as a small splash could be heard. She turned quickly, ears pricking forward. A small black and white patched cat wearing an eye-patch of all things had slipped in right next to her. Anise was surprised she hadn't heard him approach, as he had been humming a quick little tune. "Oh my, if I had known there would be so many cats here I wouldn't have come," She mewed, scooting backwards as if to exit the springs. [I'm sorry, this is a rather short post Dx]

[Riv]

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[atrb=background,http://i.imgur.com/MDv4p.png] Jensen felt the rising, shimmering steam blow its warmth across his fur, and the bare skin that covered the side of his face. He glanced up only to see a very young she-cat with tawny fur already relaxing. It was good not to be alone, he thought. That was one of the many things he liked about the Kingdom as opposed to wandering, living in isolation. Even if you didn't know any cats near you, you were never really alone. Jensen stepped to the side as he saw Raac also enter the hot springs. The black-and-white cat wore and eyepatch, and there was something incredibly familiar about him. He'd been one of the cats running from the barrels that Leif had set off, that night before Hallows Eve. He himself had scampered away from those barrels, up a rooftop where he'd met Leif himself, along with a rather minx-like she-cat named Charity. Shaking thoughts of Charity and the backwards way that HE was the one uneasy around HER, Jensen gave Raac a nod and smiling lightly over at Anise. Both looked like decent cats, and it wasn't his place to judge them. Not right now, at least. Even if his posture and standing gave him away as a soldier (something that he could not help and did subconsciously), he wasn't on duty, and therefore--just a normal cat. The same way a blacksmith was just a civilian when he left his forge, or a dancer could just be another she-cat taking a walk when she was not preforming. By his logic, at least. It was a shame no one else seemed to see it that way. a soldier was always a soldier, even off-duty. And there was undeniable truth to that. Jensen's sword still strapped to his waist under his cloak was proof.

[halfkat101]

Raac looked to the she cat and dipped his head apologetically to her as well as to the tom. They didn't want him hear and if he was a burden to either of them the gods would surely punish him and eh couldn't risk that on the path to redemption for his whole family.
"I-I'm so sorry. I'll just leave- if you want. But- But I can be fun! I can- I can be really good at guessing names. really- I'll show you. Think of something?" He meowed, then turned to the tom.
"And you have to think about something other than being a soldier- because that's an easy guess and your off duty- so your not a soldier right now~"

[Cyan]

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[atrb=background,http://www.iaza.com/work/121105C/iaza11521990279400.png] As soon as the words left her mouth, Anise regretted them.  She hadn't meant to come off as cross or uppity.  If something of the sort had been said to her, she'd likely be upset.  Probably more than the patched Tom.  Quickly, she apologized, "Oh, no no no.  That's not what I meant." Her furry face flushed a scarlet color, and Anise absently ran a claw through her head fur.  "It's just, I'm no good when comes to being with other cats.  I always embarrass myself or someone else.  I'm sure you two are very good company, sorry." The Tom had mentioned being rather good at guessing names.  Anise, puzzled, furrowed her brow.  How could one be gifted at knowing other's names?  Anise then remembered, some cats were gifted with the ability to read the minds of others.  She herself was able to influence and manipulate dreams.  Playing alongside the Tom's game, Anise conjured up an image of the beautiful purple flower she had been named for: Star Anise. She felt calm, almost as if she had done something right when it came to being social.  Then Anise's positive thoughts were squandered.  The eye-patch wearing Tom turned to the scarred Tom, saying not to think about being a soldier anymore.  "You're... a Legionnaire?" Anise breathed, eyes widening, breath hitched in the back of her throat.

[Riv]

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[atrb=background,http://i.imgur.com/MDv4p.png] Jensen ran his paw over the long fur that grew back from his forehead, shrugging apologetically. "It seems that I'm not as subtle as I'd hoped to be," he said. Drat. It seemed that he'd never really be able to walk anonymously around other cats. He fit the soldier role so well--the way he talked, the way he held himself. And of course, his scar. They all gave him away. He supposed he would have to stop being surprised whenever someone realized what his profession was, though he didn't think that he could ever quite get over the distrust--even fear--that some cats showed to him when they found out that he was a soldier. His ears went back slightly, and he looked at Anise with kind green eyes. "It's no trouble for you, miss," he said, bowing to her. No, he really didn't like that reaction, that initial suspicion. The black and white cat with the eyepatch hadn't seemed to show it at all--at least he'd even seemed to understand. That he wasn't a soldier now, not while off-duty. And Jensen supposed he was right, even though he was a little bit wrong too. Jensen would still be bound by oath to intervene if there was real and direct danger to civilians. But he didn't think anything like that would happen now--surely a short trip to the hot springs wouldn't end with disaster, would it? Jensen supposed that he should go--if his presence here only made cats uncomfortable, afraid, even, it would be best. He didn't want to ruin whatever peace they might be able to find in these springs, and his expression conveyed that apology to the little wet-furred she-cat. He wondered what she did in life--obviously not anything prestigious, if he as a soldier made her nervous. No, it wasn't going to work. Not really. There'd always be that underlying truth that he was the one who put criminals in prison. And it was where they belonged, really. Jensen would apprehend any cat who broke a major law, who caused discomfort to others who were unfortunate. There was no getting around the fact that he'd never be able to really turn a blind eye. There had been one cat, though. The dancer Jet Marrow. She'd been one who hadn't been wary or his profession, and had even seemed pleased to see him. He had liked the way she'd responded to him--it was not to have someone, at least, who wasn't afraid of him for something that he couldn't change. But before he left, he turned to Raac and nodded to him. "I will go, then," he said. "But... you said you're good at guessing names? What about mine, then?" He was curious to know whether the patched cat would know the answer--and even more so, how he knew it? He could be someone who was very, very good at picking up rumors and gossip. Or... there was always the possibility that he could use magic.

[Cyan]

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[atrb=background,http://www.iaza.com/work/121105C/iaza11521990279400.png] Anise only had to look at the scarred Tom to know that once again her actions had gone too far.  Meekly, she whispered, "This is what I meant.  I've made you both upset, something I seem to do naturally." What did the eye-patch wearing Tom think of her?  That she was a snooty cat who scorned the company of others?  And the scarred Tom... did he think her a jumpy criminal.  Both judgements were wrong - all she wanted was to be able to say what she meant without it coming out wrong and upsetting someone. If Anise were to set things right with these two Toms, she'd have to do something she vowed she'd never do, not while she lived on the streets.  Anise was going to tell her story, hoping to salvage the tatters of the image she tried to uphold.  Sighing, Anise began, "I'm truly sorry.  All I've ever wanted to do was dance, but it seems the only thing I'm gifted at is making others uncomfortable." She laughed weakly at that remark and continued, "I've been avoiding soldiers, like yourself, because I'm a runaway.  I'm scared I'll be stuck in an orphanage, or worse, returned back to my oppressive family.  I just wanted to live out my dream, but it's harder than I thought it would be." Anise exhaled loudly through her mouth, tying and untying her satin ribbon around her tail without realizing it. "I can understand why I might estrange you.  I mean here I am, a perfect stranger, coming to you two with my problems.  I just hope I haven't made you dislike me..."

[Cyan]

I'm sorry that this rp died, would any of you be willing to set another up with me? :3

[Owl-flight]

darn, I was about to jump in too, I'd love to rp if you want to start a new one

[Riv]

(I was kinda waiting for halfkat to reply. We could keep going without Raac, perhaps?)