Private Thread Ask to Join Mantle on the Lea

Grace is effortless when born into it.

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Laetitia had been resting on a low hanging branch that lay closer to the twoleg territory beyond the road that lead to stars knows where. Her eyes were shut while her body was sprawled elegantly across the branch like it was made for her, large, triangular ears twitching every now and again at the slightest of sounds.

Her nose quickly alerted her to a strange yet familiar scent as it passed and her eyes flicked open, following a blue, long-bodied smokey figure as he stepped near the tree she had proclaimed for her rest and tilted her head at his presence.

"Well well well" She called down from where she stood above the ShadowClan... apprentice? No... she wouldn't think so anymore he didn't look as... disproportional as he once had. Then again, neither did she, her legs and body were much more dainty and refined, something she now took a lot of pride in. "mais enfin! If it is not the most élusif of creatures, Duskpaw." she cheered before hopping down gracefully from the branch onto the grassy floor behind him.

Laetitia let out a mrrp in greeting, expecting Duskpaw... perhaps another name, to turn and greet her, though from their past encounter she wouldn't be surprised if he kept on walking. "You have most certainly grown into yourself now! Vraiment magnifique. It is… how you say… a delight to see you once again." She purred, surprisingly friendly and poised after their last meeting.

Tiptoe through the murk and mire
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Duskmantle’s ear twitched at the familiar lilt, and he slowed his pace, turning just enough to glance over. The faintest curve tugged at his whiskers, not quite a smile, but maybe something close. Perhaps more indulgent without a border to protect.

"Laetitia...And it's Duskmantle now." His tone carried no edge only a steady, even cadence. "Didn’t expect to hear that voice out here again."

He studied her for a heartbeat, taking in the sleek lines of her frame and the polish she wore so proudly. "Seems you’ve grown into yourself too. Less of a kit darting around where she shouldn’t and more… well, something else." A small huff escaped him, more amused than mocking.

For once there was little vigilance in his stance, no weight of ShadowClan law shadowing his words. Out here he was simply himself. He flicked his tail, gaze sweeping toward the scatter of rooftops and tree lines beyond.

"I may be chasing trouble… I’m looking for someone. My sire." Duskmantle’s cornflower eyes flicked back to hers, steady but not demanding. "If you’ve seen strangers pass through like me but clay and cream, or if you’d walk me through what’s out here it might save me some wanderin'..."

Grace is effortless when born into it.

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"Duskmantle? Ah, parfait!" She approved, speaking of him, of the name, as if she were a connoisseur admiring a fine specimen. "A name as sturdy as you yourself, most bien choisi, most fitting indeed." she added with a fond purr, embracing the name as if it were a part of the air she breathed, truly beautiful.

A smile graced her features as she heard Duskmantle compliment her features in return for her own compliment, offering him a twirl of herself to give him a view of her frame and what it would have to offer. "Why, thank you!" she cheered "It is, after all, part of the reason my genes are held in such reverence within my Cattery. Quelle réputation enviable!" she sounded proud, like whatever a cattery was is important to her, basking in her own prestige without any sharp arrogance.

Though her cheerful pride was paused when Duskmantle mentioned looking for his sire, a look of thoughtfulness followed in silence. "For… your sire? He is not present within your colony?" she asked, eyes narrowing in what seemed like a bit of thought, and a bit of suspicion but mostly curiosity. "Ah, well no… I have not seen any such cat, malheureusement. I do not believe he lingers anywhere near here." there was a bit of regret in her tone but it was still kept formal as ever.

After a moment, she nodded to him, ready to make an offer she was certain she would keep, "Would you like me, perhaps, to keep an eye out for him? Un service des plus gracieux, if it would ease your mind." she added, gracious and almost gallant, an offer dressed in noble courtesy. 

Tiptoe through the murk and mire
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Duskmantle listened as she spun herself with a flourish, words tumbling in foreign cadence, and his whiskers twitched dully. "Cattery…" He let the word roll off his tongue, flat and thoughtful, though there was no spark of recognition. The way she carried herself, dressed in pride and pedigree, felt almost alien to him and he had to remind himself she was from a different world entirely.

Still he didn’t press. Instead his gaze shifted back toward the horizon, watching the rooftops gather up the waning light. "If that’s what you value, then… guess it suits you." His tone was even, but his attention was already moving on chasing thoughts she couldn’t quite reach.

At her mention of his sire, though, his ears angled back for a heartbeat. He met her narrowed eyes without bristling. Simply steady. "No. Not in my colony. That’s why I’m out here."The answer was simple, blunt without bitterness. And when she admitted she hadn’t seen him, he only gave a low hum, accepting it like he might accept a shift in the wind. "Didn’t really expect you to. He seems to elude most."

He glanced back at her finally, cornflower eyes holding hers in the quiet that followed. "If you keep watch I’d be grateful. But don’t make it into some grand thing. He’s mine to find...or not. Still… I appreciate the offer. More than I would’ve guessed, last time we crossed paths."