carpe_ho_ras [for Anita, Merlin, also open to anyone]

[misborncat]

OOC: Please read the note I've put in the ooc comm before tagging or at least let me know what you'd like to do. As I said, this post is for Anita and Merlin, but anyone is welcome to tag in. Thank you!




It was much too hot. That was his first clue and what first had him seeking a place in the forest for himself. Asato never had claimed a room of his own (he hadn't even considered the idea that he was allowed) and so had no place to lock himself into when it started.

The heat was followed by pain and need and restless energy as it always was. There were no other Ribika here he would or could seek out and even if they're were, they wouldn't have been Konoe.

So, Asato would have to content himself with the makeshift shelter he'd made in the forest. A simple canopy over a collection of blankets he'd taken from the cupboards inside with a few objects of interest. He was trying to distract himself from the discomfort with a book, but eventually he could even focus on that and just lay down, curled up on himself, and tried not to cry.

even MORE ooc notes: He's in pain, and might be a bit more tense and snippy than is normal for him, but he's still Asato and still friendly.

Comments

[myrddin-wyllt.livejournal.com]

He ventures a little bit closer. "Son, you look ill," he tells him gently. "--- let me help you?"

He's -- trying to piece it out. And not sure what he can do, if mating is what the cat needs.

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

Asato's ears fold back and he shies away a bit. "I'm ... I'm okay. Really."

There's a bit of fear there, though it's not directed at Merlin personally. Asato just doesn't know what to expect from non-Ribika when he's like this.

[myrddin-wyllt.livejournal.com]

"No, son, you are not," he replies quietly. "I shan't hurt you - I'm your friend, and I want to help you. Let me?"

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

He unfolds a bit, though he's still got his hands over his stomach and his tail curled around his waist.

"But ... you're not Ribika. Can you help?"

[myrddin-wyllt.livejournal.com]

"I can try. Do you know what --" a beat. "-- but you are male -- do male Ribika also have their heat?"

Tense? We need no tense here.

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

Asato flushes again, this time in embarrassment, and nods. To have a stranger pick out the problem so neatly was embarrassing.

"Yes. Both males and females do."

Ffff, tenses are optional. ^^

[myrddin-wyllt.livejournal.com]

Poor you, Merlin thinks. And he sighs. "I suppose I can do my best to help you cope," he says, and might mutter inaudibly something about being too old for this, but he opens his arms. "Come here?"

^^

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

He still shies back a bit, uncertain. "You ... You don't have t-to do anything," he says. "I-I'm used to being alone."

The only cat he's been with was Konoe and that was born of a similar situation and a mutual desire for comfort.

<3 <3 <3

[myrddin-wyllt.livejournal.com]

"As I am, lad," he replies. "It seems though that the situation calls for -- different measures."

A beat. "Would it help if I -- were Ribika?"

I adore Merlin. Really.

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

Asato blinks, his surprise plain, and shakes his head. "I don't ... I don't know. You don't have t-to though. Really. I'm okay."

Says the cat with damp hair, flushed cheeks, and all huddled in on himself. He's never been good at lying.

Merlin is happy to be adored. He says you can make him an offering of tea. ^^

[myrddin-wyllt.livejournal.com]

"Nonsense. Now now, close your eyes, lad?"

He's going to try not to freak him out with the shapeshifting - he's never done it in a form that isn't in Britain's fauna, and he's guessing it might be a bit slower.

Only has peppermint and catnip tea at the moment, but ...*offers*

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

Because Asato trusts Merlin totally, he does as asked and shuts his eyes tight. He's not sure what to expect and shies back a bit more our of habit than out of any real fear.

Merlin considers this acceptable, apparently. ^^

[myrddin-wyllt.livejournal.com]

It takes longer than it should, but when Merlin speaks again, he is... well... as close to Ribika as he could manage, a middle-aged man-cat with big whiskers and fur that's beige and white.

His eyes are the same, though.

"Better, lad?"

Huzzah!

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

Asato just has to stare a moment. Part of him is amazed that Merlin was able to do this. The rest of him, who hasn't seen another of his kind in what feels like ages, wants to just move to cling to him and purr.

"I ... You have very nice fur." Really clever there Asato.

Aw. The same color fur as Konoe.

Now if only I had an appropriate icon...

[myrddin-wyllt.livejournal.com]

Hm. Yes. And that's a bit odd for Merlin too, make no mistake, but he's also clear that he wants to help this one, as much as he's able to.

"Thank you," he replies. "--- I'm afraid I'm not exactly sure how to proceed..."

Which is odd, considering who he is. But. He's there, and he won't say no to cuddles.

>.> We hope that's alright. Tried to go with his hair color etc. Er.

It would be epic.

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

Asato blinks again and looks down. He doesn't want to ... do that. Well, he does, but that instinct and he's stronger than that he hopes, so he'll edge closer until he can gently butt his head against Merlin's shoulder.


No, it works out fine. ^^ It was just kind of funny.

It would indeed be epic - though a cursory google search proved unhelpful, alas.

[myrddin-wyllt.livejournal.com]

Alright - so far, so good, and Merlin tentatively puts an arm around the cat's shoulders, trying to be, er, reassuring. Or soothing. Or something.

Let's face it, aside from Nimue, he's never really been attracted to anyone in his whole life. And that's a very long time.

^^ Excellent. Hopefully, Merlin can help poor Asato.

Aw. Hmm...

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

They're in a similar boat then, as the only cat Asato feels that strongly for is Konoe and he has a mate anyway. Still, the comfort is nice and he sighs. He's still running a fever and shaking slightly, but this is okay to him. He can handle this.

He's sweet for wanting to help.

*snork*

[myrddin-wyllt.livejournal.com]

After a moment, Merlin reaches, to gently wipe the sweat off Asato's brow. He does gather him a little more in his arms, protectively.

*innocent*

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

Asato shifts a bit to be closer and closes his eyes. A low purr starts in his chest and his tail comes up to wrap loosly around Merlin's waist.

"Thank you," he mumbles.

^^

[myrddin-wyllt.livejournal.com]

Merlin tries not to be a bit surprised by that, and just brushes his back a little. "You're welcome, lad," he murmurs. "You shouldn't have to deal with this alone."

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

"I was always alone," he says. Asato isn't looking for pity or anything, just relaying information. "Then Konoe came and I wasn't alone anymore. He's mated, but we are friends still. He was my only friend from before."

There's a slight rolling accent to his words as he purrs and speaks at the same time, but he's still understandable.

[myrddin-wyllt.livejournal.com]

Merlin listens, he nods, and with these words, feels the desire to do something, so his hand gently rubs his back, soothingly. "Well, you don't have to be alone anymore, lad," he murmurs. "You have friends, now - and those are sometimes as good as a family."

[misborncat.livejournal.com]

Asato nods against Merlin, keeping it from turning into a rubbing or scent marking by force of will alone.

"I ... I have lots of friends here. I miss my own kind though." His ears lower out of shame for admitting that. He should be happy. He has more friends here than he ever thought he'd have. He was well fed, and safe. But ... He missed other cats. "I'm sorry."

[myrddin-wyllt.livejournal.com]

"Hush, it's alright," Merlin replies patiently. "It's nothing to apologize for, and a completely normal feeling," he tells him. "Of course, I could tell you that I miss my own kind, but it would demand that I know what it is..."