So the falls were a temporary base at least, so the fat cat could rest and recover. His paws still felt a bit sore from all the traveling he’d done with his mate. He huffed softly, following a mouse on the top part of the falls. It was a shame, he kind of liked mice, but hey, a cat had to eat… and if his pudgy body said anything about his relationship with food, it was that the tomcat loved food. He wiggled his rump in the air as he watched it, his hazel eyes growing wide before he bounded forward. Excitement flooded through the cat as he managed to catch the little squeaker and, in a moment, it was all over. Beau never cared much for the killing blow, wanting it over swiftly for the prey as much as for himself. Satisfied with what he caught, however, he settled in the snow and prepared to eat. "Talk," 'Think.'

Birna moves silently through the snow, taking in the cold air through her nostrils and sighing in relief. The cool weather provided a much needed change after her trek through the southern part of Boreas. The heat of summer there had been almost unbearable and she wondered if she could even make the journey fully back into Auster. Alas there was only one narrow way in and out so she took it.

Clouds were starting to move in though there was no sign of snow yet. However, there was a sign that she wasn't alone. She saw a set of small feline footprints and curiosity got the better of her. She'd seen far more canines then felines and pursued the prints til she came upon a small, round, tom cat. "Hello there, are you new to the Falls?"


Speech

The meal was good, small, but good enough for the rotund tom who had settled with his prey. It was eaten a bit too fast though, not that Beau minded as he licked his lips and set about to neatly clean his paws. Despite being a bit of a pudgy critter, Beau could not stand the thought of looking unkempt or unclean. He didn’t even mind water, well, when there was warm water to be found anyway. Cold water sucked a lot and given his mate’s preference on where they lived throughout the year, he didn’t exactly get the choice to use anything else very often. But for Zakuma Beau had decided to brave the cold. It made him a little cranky, but ever since meeting the fox he’d been happier. Lighter. At least overall. A shift in the air brought a scent to him. Beau blinked large hazel eyes, lifting his gaze to see the approach of a feline, one who was much larger than he himself was. She had to be easily almost four times his size. Beau shivered a little, looking up at her. He was a little uncertain of those bigger than himself, especially since cats and foxes, despite also being predators, could wind up the prey of some bigger creatures. She didn’t seem aggressive, however, and knowing how their kind hunted, this did bring a little bit of peace to the smaller cat’s mind. “Hello...” He lifted his ears up at her greeting, the small, rounded appendages twitching ever so slightly. “I am, yes. My mate and I just arrived here a couple of days ago. Um, I don’t know if you would, be he’s an arctic fox, so try not to eat him?” Beau offered a bit of a sheepish smile. “We’re not very family with the territories of Auster and Boreas, though I’ve gotten some word from travelers. We’ll be here until the seasons change. Zakuma doesn’t do well with the heat at all… something I’m sure you’re familiar with as well, given your species.” Which was better than being like Beau. He was thick-furred but cold and miserable in this weather… and he didn’t exactly do well when it got hot either. Ah well, better cold than hot he guessed. “Do you live here? We didn’t notice any immediate scent borders of the area but it could be that we missed something… oh dear…” "Talk," 'Think.'

Birna cocked her head to the side as the cat stated that his mate was an arctic fox. She had never heard of a cross species relationship before but it was not in her nature to judge that sort of thing. Instead she chuckled at the idea that she would ever eat a fox. She shook her head. "No, no, rest your worries. In accordance with my beliefs I do not eat other predators, regardless of size unless they are fish or birds." It was believed eating other mammalian predators would create a dark sickness in the soul and in the mind. It was simply not done, even if it meant starving to death.

Birna nodded at the mention of the taxing heat of certain seasons. "I agree completely. I have been shifting between Boreas and Auster, following the winter as best I'm able. One day I hope to have a small reindeer herd and knowing how the seasons shift may change my movements but much like me I do not think they would do so well in the height of summer heat."

"You should be fine. I live here only temporarily and I do not guard territory as fiercely as a wolf pack. There are no packs here as of yet but that could always change. Packs these days seem to rise and fall like the tide."


Speech

Beau was relieved as the larger feline said she wouldn’t eat Zakuma. It seemed her beliefs would steer her away from eating other predators with the exception of fish or birds. Beau wrinkled his nose at the mention of fish. “You’re welcome to all the fish you can catch. I personally can’t stand them.” The tomcat twitched his whiskers with disgust. The conversation shifted and Beau eyed the snow leopard curiously. “So you migrate too?” That was pretty cool that they weren’t the only ones migrating with the colder seasons. She even mentioned her hopes of having a herd of reindeer someday. Beau’s hazel eyes shimmered with intrigue at this. “That sounds like it’d be fun to be part of! I’ve seen reindeer before, but I’ve never been up close with one.” The tomcat rumbled. She went on to say that they should be fine here, though she warned with how wolves were with how their packs rose and fell the land might not always be available to live in. This was still a relief to the smaller feline. “Wolves are very strange beings. They seem to come and go like the cycles of day and night. So long as we avoid them if they come, they should leave us be.” He gave a thoughtful lick to his right forepaw. “My name is Beau, by the way. Would you be alright with sharing yours?” He asked, ears perking forward as he continued to look up at the snow leopard. "Talk," 'Think.'

Birna chuckled at the smaller cats disdain for fish. That wasn't an opinion she often ran into with her kind though many would admit the trials to catch one and dealing with all the bones made them a less efficient prey than birds or mammals. She much preferred larger mammals when she could catch them. "That is fair. I would much prefer red meat when I can get it."

She nodded as the cat inquired if she migrated. It was not the most common practice for her kind but between the ever changing climate and her desire to explore it had become a part of her life. Her round ears twitched as the tom cat mentioned that was something he'd like to be a part of. "Oh? Well, you would be most welcome to join me. I should like to find a small band to travel with and join me on this journey. My name is Birna, its a pleasure to meet you Beau."


Speech

It seemed she was of a similar mindset to the tomcat. Red meat was definitely preferred though for the smaller feline it could be harder to get it. At times that meant he had to get creative in order to outsmart his prey, including working on traps or snares just to ensure he got properly fed. The cat might not have looked it but he was pretty intelligent, and there was a reason he was able to keep his pudgy physique. Besides, sometimes the journey of getting the prey was more rewarding than actually eating it. The snow leopard would introduce herself next, as Birna, and extend the offer of joining her when she got things up and running. Beau’s hazel eyes lit up at this. “For sure! I’m sure that Zakuma wouldn’t mind it either. It’ll be good to have some allies and like-minded individuals around.” Beau rumbled. “How soon do you intend on trying to make this band a reality? Is it something you intend to work on soon? Or, if not, how should Zakuma and I find you when the time is right?” He tilted his head to the side. He’d hate to miss out on making a friend and an ally! "Talk," 'Think.'

Birna nodded, grateful for a potential band mate. She knew far better than to underestimate small predators. Intelligence was not determinant upon size. "As soon as I am able to gather a few members I hope to start. There are a number of caribou herds up in the north and one of the smaller ones I've been getting used to my presence. They reside in the Marble Wash." A number of times she would approach near the herd and perch upon a rock our outcropping near where they grazed so they could see and get used to her. In order not to frighten them she'd set her hunting expeditions toward other prey. Slowly they were becoming accustomed to her.

"That is where I plan to start the band and you and Zakuma are welcome to accompany me there. I should like to get going in early winter before the season becomes to harsh." Of course she'd have to see how many members she could recruit by then but things were looking good so far.

Speech

She needed to gather a few more members for the band, but she was hoping to start soon. It seemed that there was a number of caribou herds in the North, in lands that Zakuma had told him he would be comfortable with, up there. One land, in particular, was one he made a mental note of. The Marble Wash. It was likely that when the time came he and Zakuma could find Birna there. That would be the start of the band, and, from there? Who knew? Beau gave an eager nod, understanding Birna’s wish to get moving before the seasons here became harsh. “That sounds like a plan. I’ll gather up Zakuma then and meet you there!” The chubby feline flicked his tail. “We’ve never been to the Wash, but I’m sure it can’t be too hard to find.” There was a sparkle in hazel eyes as he got to his paws. “Until next time, Birna~” He told the snow leopard, scurrying off into the distance as he went to find his mate. /End "Talk," 'Think.'