[carpe] Closed to friends/family- It's that time again

[misborncat]

This time Asato was ready for it. The feelings of restlessness, of warmth, and of a desire to be around people was enough of a warning to send him out into the woods again. He was armed with his sword, blankets, a tent and enough supplies to last him a week just in case.

When he'd made camp, far away from everyone, it was already much too hot and he curled up on his blankets, shutting his eyes and curling up on himself.


It's spring and that means it's time for Asato and his heat. He'll be away from the Mansion for a little over a week and will not be friendly to strangers or people he doesn't totally trust.

Comments

[myrddin-wyllt.livejournal.com]

After a suitable amount of time has passed for Merlin to start worrying about Asato, the wizard sets out, looking for his friend into the woods.

It's spring, and he remembers - so he does have a fairly good idea of what's going on. He'll be quietly padding about, listening for signs of a rutting Ribika.

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

There's really not much in the way of rutting going on. Mostly just a rather pathetic sight of a black-furred cat curled up on himself, alternating between softly whimpering and panting from the fever.

[myrddin-wyllt.livejournal.com]

When he finally finds his friend, Merlin crouches, so as to be on his level. "Asato," he calls, quietly.

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

Ears flicking at the voice, Asato uncurls and looks up at Merlin. His cheeks are flushed from fever and embarrassment.

"Sorry..."

[myrddin-wyllt.livejournal.com]

"Don't apologize," Merlin replies gently. "May I come closer?"

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

Asato nods, shifting to give Merlin room to sit on his bedroll if he wants.

[myrddin-wyllt.livejournal.com]

Merlin wanders over and sits next to Asato, arms open to offer him a hug. "Come," he says gently.

[tomboy-22.livejournal.com]

As always when she's thinking and brooding, Anita slipped into her leopard skin. There's a large white cat stalking the woods, hunting for game, seeking to feed her hunger.

However, she may be found after a kill, sated and a touch sleepy, lounging under a tree, on a bed of humid moss.

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

Even in this state, Asato needs to eat and he's probably coming back from a hunt of his own to his little camp when he comes across Anita. It takes him a moment to recognize her through his own distraction, his fur bristling a bit in confusion.

When he does realize who it is, he relaxes slightly.

[tomboy-22.livejournal.com]

The big cat looks up at Asato, recognizing the scent. Her tail flicks, inviting him to come closer.

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

When she's in this form, Asato can't help but be hesitant and respectful at the same time. He bows his head and moves a bit closer, crouching far enough back to not intrude in her personal space.

[tomboy-22.livejournal.com]

Cat!Anita purrs, flicks her ears in recognition, and stretches. He's welcome to come and join kitty pile.

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

Kitty pile sounds good and Asato inches closer until he can actually touch her fur. He'll echo her purr with his own.

[silvereyedphage.livejournal.com]

The spring isn't being kind to Muraki, either, since the phage is in season, wanting to pass itself on to its host's heir. And thus he's wandering the woods, scrupulously avoiding female company. It's been a while since he last saw Asato, but he hasn't forgotten the young cat.

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

It has been a while and Asato isn't sure what to make of Muraki really.

So, when he comes too close to the area he's staked as his own, he rumbles a bit of a growl. He's not showing teeth or claws, it's more for show.

[silvereyedphage.livejournal.com]

He pauses, hearing that growl and asks, in as non-confrontational a voice as he can manage, "Is someone there?"

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

No violence is being offered on either side, and Asato doesn't want to give up his spot so...

The Ribika steps out of the brush enough to be seen. His ears are back, hidden in his hair, and his tail is flicking agitatedly behind him. "I am. What are you doing out here?"

[silvereyedphage.livejournal.com]

"I was going for a walk: the warm weather has left me restless, and I thought the walk would help settle my nerves," he says. "Did I disturb you? It wasn't my intention." There's a note of dismay in his tone and he shifts as if he might move on.

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

Asato shakes his head. "No," he says. "I... I'm not feeling well. I came out here to be alone."

Indeed, he does look flushed and a bit unsteady on his feet, as though he's in pain.

[killedthesnake.livejournal.com]

Neville was frankly worried. True, he and Asato didn't live in each other's pocket, so to speak, but they did make contact frequently enough that Neville noticed when his friend seemed to disappear. At first he thought the Ribika must simply be busy with something, but after another day he sought out Merlin considering he shared his cottage with Asato. Merlin wasn't particularly helpful, vague even, waving his hand that Asato was somewhere out there, doing something. Neville could only look at the dense wood with pursed lips and concern on his features.

He didn't press Merlin, finding his energy best used in searching for Asato himself. He patted his wand for his own reassurance before stepping into the forest, eyes and ears alert. He wasn't certain how long he'd been walking; neither was he certain he had any chance of finding his friend.

[ooc: Wil said it was okay to handwave Neville's unhelpful conversation with Merlin, so I hope this is okay with you as well?]

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

The Merlin can be unhelpful while still being perfectly helpful Asato has found. He tends to just go with it really, but he tends to go with a lot of things.

He's still sick enough though that while he does hear and smell Neville coming closer to him, he doesn't really put any effort into hiding so much as trying to not look like he's running a high fever and shivering. It doesn't really work well, but he does try.

I'm totally groovy with anything and everything. ^^

[killedthesnake.livejournal.com]

Neville might vaguely sense Asato's presence before he sees him, but he doesn't pause until the Ribika is actually in sight. His own widen with worry, noting the shiver and he moves closer to him. He doesn't think to hesitate, that Asato might want him to keep his distance. "Asato! What's wrong? Are you ill?"

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

Asato does want Neville to keep his distance, though only because this is embarrassing and he doesn't like to be weak around his friends.

He hisses without malice and shifts to press himself back against the tree he'd been resting under.

"It's fine," he says, voice a bit thready and soft. "I'll be better soon."

[killedthesnake.livejournal.com]

The hiss startles Neville; Asato has never made that noise at him, and it actually hurts his feelings a bit. Even so, his concern is more for his friend that himself. It's enough to make him pause in his tracks though, and bite his bottom lip. "But something is wrong? Asato -- I -- I just want to help. Can I help you return to Merlin's cottage? Or -- I know a few healing spells?"

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

Asato shakes his head. He didn't mean to hurt Neville's feelings, but he's had time to dwell on the things Muraki said and what he'd said in turn and he's not in the brightest of moods.

"I am sorry. I can't go back yet." Talking is okay. He can talk. "I'll be better soon. This ... this is something that happens to my ... kind."