Where the River Runs To (Fallen)

[fallenshadow]

Foxflame stopped shaking himself free of water. He didn't miss the sudden change in Shriek. How she went from joyful to fearful and worse yet Foxflame knew that that was his fault. He had been trying to make her laugh and smile and he had been succeeding and just like that it was destroyed. Padding over to her he sat beside her careful not to press his wet fur against her own. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to-" he stopped, "Are you okay?" a dumb question, it was obvious she wasn't.

"Maybe I want to help," he meowed, "Besides leaving you to hear the elders claw your ears off alone is just too cruel for my liking" he joked meekly.

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[.:Lion:.]

Shriek stared forward for a moment, trying to reign in the shivers, the spasms, the horrible memories that filled her as soon as the cool touch of water met her skin. She saw her brother's empty eyes staring at her, heard the voices arguing over whether drowning him had been a good idea. "It's much too quick!" One of them cried. "The poor heap of foxdung's pretty much wasted already." The other pointed out, staring in disdain at the kit's small, starved body. Shriek tried to pull herself away, tried not to listen to all the taunts, the threats, the horrible words that created images she'd rather forget. Finally she was able to shut away her thoughts, bringing her eyes around to look at the cat beside her. She wasn't quite sure why she said it - maybe because of the place her thoughts had just visited - but the words came nonetheless.

"I've had much worse than clawed ears. Pain doesn't phase me much anymore. It's the kindest sort of torture." Her eyes grew distant again, but she shook her head, trying to dislodge the thoughts. She stood and stiffly shook her pelt, trying to look normal again, but failing.

[fallenshadow]

Foxflame cursed. He just had to go fall into the water. He wanted to help Shriek, comfort her but as the sopping wet mess that he was, he couldn't. The ginger tom felt at a loss, torn between wanting to do something but be hindered in that he couldn't without causing more pain. It was obvious that the water caused this to happen and he didn't want to make it any worse. Shifting his head slightly Foxflame licked Shriek's cheek careful not have any wet fur touch her dry pelt.

"There's no such thing as a kind torture," he murmured softly not liking that she said pain didn't affect her. "Nothing will happen to you here, you're safe" he promised knowing he would make sure its words rang true.

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[.:Lion:.]

Shriek looked up at Foxflame, willing his words to be true. She wanted nothing more than to feel safe and loved again. She'd almost forgotten the feel of warmth and friendship. It had been a long time since fear had been absent in her heart. Yes, it is safe here, she thought. Safe from everything but my memories.

"I understand, Foxflame. I tell myself that every day. But sometimes there are things you can't forget. Feelings that haunt you." She looked down at her paws and clenched her jaws. She wished she could ignore the feelings in her heart.

[fallenshadow]

Foxflame turned his attention to the water's surface. Watching how the water flowed peacefully the blurry reflections of over hanging branches skimming the very top. "It's like that saying, 'Time heals all wounds'' he meowed giving his chest a few licks before looking back at Shriek, "A load of foxdung right?"

"Time doesn't heal wounds, neither physical or emotional," he paused, "The wounds remain over time, our minds while trying to protect our sanity covers them with scar tissue which lessens the pain. But it is never gone." he finished softly. With a small sigh, "Just because those feelings don't disappear doesn't mean that it won't get better,"

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[.:Lion:.]

Shriek pricked her ears and looked up at Foxflame as he spoke. She felt the tightness in her chest ease. As he spoke, she felt as though someone understood her pain in a way that she'd never thought any could. She smiled suddenly and tilted her head to one side, all thoughts of the past banished.

"Yes," she mewed quietly, "Circumstances can change." She stared at him for a moment and then looked away, a shy smile playing at the corner of her mouth. She hadn't felt so happy in a long time. She hoped Foxflame would be her first friend. She looked up at him hopefully.

"Still up for helping with that elder's den?"

[fallenshadow]

Another purr rumbled in his throat as all the negativeness seem to wash away from the she-cat. He didn't know what it was about this she-cat but seeing her upset or scared just seemed to drive a thorn into his heart. Seeing her smile Foxflame couldn't help but return the gesture, though his was a bit larger in comparison. Circumstances can always change he affirmed in his head.

"Of course," he purred, "I'll even check them for ticks," he joked. He didn't like the job but was willing to spare Shriek the experience. A sly grin danced across his face, "Wanna race there?" he asked.

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[.:Lion:.]

Shriek smiled slightly as he spoke. Then, at hearing his challenge, Shriek frowned a little. She turned her pretty head to the side, a thoughtful look flickering across her face.

"Oh, I don't know about that..." With a mischievous smirk she turned and took off for the elder's den, laughing happily as she did so.

OOC: Yeep! Sorry it's so short o.o