In the land of obscurity

Oddly enough, and possibly for the first time in a very long time, Starling wasn't afraid. He didn't feel fear in this stranger's presence, didn't feel like he should shy away or, more likely, run away. Perhaps he was growing up? Or getting braver? That was odd, wasn't it... if he was getting more brave, why was his stutter still as bad? Confidence? He hummed, visibly shaken from his thought process as he remembered where he was, why he was here, and that the very stranger that should be terrifying him was only causing embarrasment to flood through him. He lowered his head slightly, ears pinned back, avoiding the man's gaze. He didn't know what was going through the stranger's mind, or how much he seemed to be picking up just from appearance and...stutter alone. If he had known, Starling probably would have panicked and wondered if he really was such an open book! Instead, he remained ignorant and clueless to the thoughts in the other's mind.

So when Cathaoir spoke, Starling jolted and turned bright blue eyes up to him. He stayed silent, his breath caught in his throat. Just? His lips parted as he stared, brows furrowing slightly as the seconds ticked on before it...cleared. A small smile touched his lips, showing just the slightest bit of canine whites, as blue eyes shone just a tad in the light. He was nervous! More than that...he was awkward. Starling could understand, his stutter was directly related to his confidence in, well, everything. He often had a hard time speaking clearly, and as Cath shuffled, Starling just wanted to smile all the brighter. There was something oddly touching about seeing this tall gentleman fight with words in Starling's presence. And oh, he knew, he understood completely the embarasment that followed such a thing. It was only recently, as his confidence with himself and his craft grew, that he wasn't as embarrassed by his stutter as he used to be. He would wait, patiently, as the stranger tried to find the words, and oh...those words. Concerned? Something clicked inside of him, and oh, he would never be able to name it for the life of him. It was like a small wick of fire came to life in his chest, uncomfortable and soothing. And yet, it triggered something, that caused his paws to shuffle and his eyes to dart away. This was more coy, less embarrassed...this time there was fear, but it was not for his safety. "I-I'm s-sorry...I-I...m-made you c-concerned..." His soft voice stuttered before he licked his lips, shifting again as he tried to get comfortable in this sudden feeling. He would lift his eyes back up to Cath, a his lips twerking into a small smile before. "M-my name is S-starling.." He said softly, drawing out the silence as he waited, hoping the other boy would introduce himself. There was something deep inside...he almost needed to know the boy's name, as if his name would also name this strange...unknown thing.

"Burn Baby Burn" | "Italian"