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Kindness goes a long way, but don't mistake it for weakness.

✧･ﾟ: ✿ :ﾟﾟ･✧༄🦋༄✧･ﾟ: ✿ :ﾟﾟ･✧

Duchess padded lightly across the open field, her long black-and-white fur catching in the soft breeze as the crisp autumn air filled her lungs. She was about to set off on one of her usual ventures, the woods calling her name, when she caught sight of something unusual—a tom, lounging high up in the branches of an old oak tree. "Well now, who do we have here?" she murmured to herself, her hazel eyes narrowing with curiosity. She hadn’t seen this particular cat before, and it wasn’t often someone unfamiliar showed up this close to her territory.

Her paws, light and sure, carried her swiftly to the base of the tree. Glancing up, she could just make out his sleek fur, blending with the shadows, his form sprawled out as though he hadn’t a care in the world. With a tilt of her head and a flick of her tail, Duchess decided it wouldn’t hurt to introduce herself. After all, manners never failed her.

She leaped up, her paws finding the right holds on the sturdy bark as she climbed with ease. It didn’t take long before she was on the branch just beneath him. "Well, howdy there, stranger" she called up, her Southern accent as warm and smooth as a summer evening. "Didn’t expect to see anyone else enjoyin’ the view from up here."

Duchess flicked her ears forward, hazel eyes twinkling with curiosity as she offered a friendly smile. "Name’s Duchess. Don’t reckon I’ve seen you ‘round these parts before. You new to the area, or just passin’ through?" She sat down, her tail curling neatly around her paws, her posture relaxed but watchful, waiting to see how this stranger would respond.

Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
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Kosmo’s ear flicked at the sound of paws against bark, pulling him from the edge of sleep. His mismatched eyes blinked open slowly, narrowed just slightly in the golden afternoon light. The oak’s branch creaked under the weight of his uninvited guest as she settled on a lower branch, her voice breaking the quiet calm he’d been savoring.

He turned his head lazily to peer down at her, his body language relaxed though there was a guardedness in the way his muscles subtly tensed. The polite smile he wore didn’t quite reach his eyes as he considered the black-and-white she-cat below. His annoyance was faint but present, simmering beneath the surface.

“Hello.” He responded simply, his voice smooth but lacking warmth. Kosmo’s gaze lingered on her for a heartbeat before he let out a low, almost inaudible sigh. He stretched his limbs, making a show of adjusting his position on the branch, his tail curling and flicking idly as if her presence was of little consequence.

“New? No.” His empty smile remained as he met her eyes again, his tone light but with a hint of weariness. “The wind carries the woes and blessings of the forest if one but listens... So I've been busy.” He stretched his neck, taking in the view for a moment as if to emphasize his indifference.

“Do you live around here?” His words were polite enough, but there was an unmistakable edge to them.

“And are you always this eager to interrupt a cat’s nap or am I just lucky today?” His tone was almost playful, but his guardedness remained, the smile now more of a mask than anything genuine.

Kindness goes a long way, but don't mistake it for weakness.

✧･ﾟ: ✿ :ﾟﾟ･✧༄🦋༄✧･ﾟ: ✿ :ﾟﾟ･✧

Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
⋆｡°✩ ⭒ ──● 𓄿 ●── ⭒ ⋆｡°✩

Kosmo’s ear twitched again at Duchess’s easy, unwavering tone. Her words slid off him like water, smooth and warm with that Southern drawl, and though his irritation hadn’t vanished, he recognized that she wasn’t easily deterred.

His mismatched gaze flicking toward the distant farmhouse. His tail curled lazily around his paws as he considered her claim. Duchess wasn’t wrong - territory was important even for cats like him who wandered where they pleased. But there was no challenge in her words, no sharp edge to provoke a fight. Just... familiarity.

"I suppose I’ve been caught, then." He said with a quiet chuckle, though the sound lacked any real mirth. Kosmo shifted his weight on the branch again, letting himself relax a fraction more. "Every cat needs a moment to themselves now and then."

He wasn’t keen on letting his guard down, but something about her casual nature kept him from snapping back like he might with a more aggressive stranger.

"I can’t say I blame you for being curious..." His tone softened just a little, though the guardedness remained. "It’s not every day you see a new face in your territory." His gaze lingered on her, the polite smile tugging at the edges of his mouth.

"I’m not here to cause any trouble for you or your... mama. Just passing through. My own territory isn't far from here. It shares a border with you actually - to the east." His mismatched eyes studied her for a beat longer, the curiosity now mutual, though he didn’t allow it to show too plainly.

Kindness goes a long way, but don't mistake it for weakness.

✧･ﾟ: ✿ :ﾟﾟ･✧༄🦋༄✧･ﾟ: ✿ :ﾟﾟ･✧

Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
⋆｡°✩ ⭒ ──● 𓄿 ●── ⭒ ⋆｡°✩

Kosmo’s tail flicked thoughtfully as he listened to Duchess’s response, her easy warmth contrasting with the guardedness he held onto. He tilted his head slightly, observing the way she settled herself, her fur catching the light. There was a calmness in her demeanor that made it hard for him to maintain his usual distance.

"I suppose neighbors is a fair way to put it." His voice was still smooth but now carried a thread of genuine interest. She wasn't far off from the clans either. RiverClan specifically. The tension in his muscles eased further, though he remained perched with a casual wariness. Duchess’s words were simple, yet the underlying understanding behind them caught his attention. She wasn’t pushing for more than he was willing to offer, and that, in itself, earned her a tiny measure of respect.

His mismatched eyes flickered briefly toward the farmhouse again before returning to meet hers, this time with a softer, almost curious glint. Duchess didn’t seem to want anything from him, and that was rare. It was hard not to wonder if there was more to her than the friendly, easygoing façade.

"Good company is something I’m not too used to." His fang glinted down at her, but there was an undeniable shift in his demeanor - a steely curiosity that had replaced the cold aloofness from before.

"You’ve been here your whole life, then?" His voice was quieter, more reflective. "Must be nice to have roots like that." The admission was subtle, but it held a touch of vulnerability, as if the mention of home struck a chord somewhere deep within him. He let the silence hang for a moment, the gentle breeze rustling through the branches above them.

"Hmmh, I'll keep your offer in mind..." He added finally, the polite smile returning. "Maybe next time, I’ll stop by and say hello before climbing your tree." His tone was playful, almost teasing, as he tested the waters of this unexpected guest.

Kindness goes a long way, but don't mistake it for weakness.

✧･ﾟ: ✿ :ﾟﾟ･✧༄🦋༄✧･ﾟ: ✿ :ﾟﾟ･✧

Duchess let out a warm, low purr as she listened, her hazel eyes glinting with friendly mischief. She held Kosmo’s gaze, that easy smile of hers widening as his own walls softened a bit.

"Well now, sugar" she drawled, her voice as smooth as honey and carrying that soft Southern lilt, "You’re welcome up in my tree anytime you’d like. Ain’t no finer company than a cat who knows how to enjoy a good view." She stretched, settling her paws under her chest, her gaze still fixed on him with a gentle but discerning look.

At the mention of roots, she tilted her head thoughtfully, a touch of nostalgia flickering in her eyes. "Roots’re mighty nice, I reckon" she murmured, her voice softer. "But it ain’t just ‘bout where ya started, it’s ‘bout where the breeze takes ya, too. Some places you don’t leave behind, even if you wander a bit. No matter what, m'always brought back to my lil home" Her words held a warmth and a hint of wisdom, her Southern twang giving them an almost melodic quality.

With a gentle laugh, she flicked her tail. "And next time, darlin’, I’ll make sure there’s a little treat waitin’ for ya. Can’t let a guest go unwelcomed, now can I?" She winked, a sassy edge to her smile. "Just let me know first—wouldn’t want ya sneakin’ up on me before I’m decent." Her eyes twinkled with a mix of kindness and mischief, and she settled back with an easy sigh, clearly enjoying this unexpected company.

Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
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Kosmo’s ears flicked at the sound of her soft purr, the warmth in Duchess's gaze stirring something surprisingly pleasant in him. Her smooth, honeyed voice, coupled with that easy Southern charm, was disarming, like a gentle pull against his usual guardedness...She was good. His whiskers twitched in faint amusement as she invited him back, clearly unperturbed by his earlier distance.

“Not every day a tom like me gets such a generous offer.” He exaggerated the brow lift of his eyes. Her roots, despite her free spirit, seemed steady and unshakeable, an idea that made him pause. The hint of wisdom and ease she carried, as if she’d weathered her own storms, made him feel less like an intruder in her world and more like an old friend stopping by.

At her mention of a treat waiting for him next time, a grin flashed across his face, his fang glinting. “I’d hate to keep you unprepared.” He meowed, a mischievous edge entering his voice as he let himself lean into the banter. “So maybe I will give a heads-up next time. Maybe I could even expect a meal. He chuckled softly, settling himself more comfortably on the branch, as if he, too, were at home in this unexpected moment.

Kindness goes a long way, but don't mistake it for weakness.

✧･ﾟ: ✿ :ﾟﾟ･✧༄🦋༄✧･ﾟ: ✿ :ﾟﾟ･✧

Duchess tilted her head, a soft, knowing smile playing on her lips as she watched him settle in, catching on to that little hint of mischief in his tone. "Oh, honey, if you let me know, I’ll have the finest spread you ever laid eyes on. Might even throw in a fresh mouse or rabbit if you’re lucky" she teased, her drawl slow and syrupy. "But don’t you go getting used to bein’ spoiled, now" she added with a playful wink.

She stretched out a paw, claws flexing against the branch in a lazy, relaxed gesture of ease. "And I gotta say, you’re mighty welcome to stop by whenever the fancy strikes. We don’t get many passersby with that kinda charm 'round here." Duchess chuckled warmly, her voice dipping into a lighthearted tone, as if she could see right through him but wasn’t about to scare him off.

"Sometime I'll be catchin' a wild cat or two out there" She added, flicking her tail toward the territory of the clan known as RiverClan "Some get brave but they're a lil skittish 'bout what they ain't got the time to learn" a twitched flick of her whiskers portrayed the light hearted meaning behind her words and the subtle flick of her tail, her relaxed demeanor.

"Next time, though" she continued, noticing she had gotten a little sidetracked, glancing at him from the corner of her eye, "you might find me sittin' a little higher up, seein' if you can keep up with a cat raised climbin' the trees." She gave a small laugh, her gaze warm and inviting, ready to make him feel at home as long as he wanted to stay.

Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
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Kosmo’s whiskers twitched as he caught her playful remark, her teasing words laced with that signature southern charm. The idea of a "finest spread" made him chuckle, a glint of amusement in his mismatched eyes. "Well now, a feast and a fresh catch? You really know how to spoil a cat..."

He followed her subtle gesture toward the distant Clan territories, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “They do keep busy, those Clan cats." He flashed her a knowing look, a playful gleam in his eyes. "Guess we’re both lucky they’re not here to spoil our fun."

At her challenge, his grin widened, that competitive spark flashing briefly. "Oh, I don’t know, Duchess. A large cat like me find less staple branches the higher I go. I'd say you'd have an advantage.” His voice lightened, a faint purr of amusement coloring his words.

Kindness goes a long way, but don't mistake it for weakness.

✧･ﾟ: ✿ :ﾟﾟ･✧༄🦋༄✧･ﾟ: ✿ :ﾟﾟ･✧

The long furred black-and-white she-cat purred, letting out a soft, warm laugh. Her hazel eyes gleamed a little, twinkling with delight. Hospitality was one of her strong suits, so she would rather show it to anyone who would pay attention, or at least appreciate it, and some fine prey wandered into her farm house and even around it... not in leaf-bare of course, but they still wondered.

"Well, sugar, I don't mind spoilin' the right company now and then" she purred, her tail curling lazily as she watched him with a glimmer of mischief. "Hospitality is particularly hard 'round these parts with these blankets of snow though" she noted, her mischievious gleam in her eyes returning as the rogue continued on about the clans.

Before speaking, she parted her jaws in a short yawn "And as for them clan cats, busy they may be, but I reckon they'd miss out on the finer things in life worryin' all day long about borders and trespassers." She noted, letting her tail fall and rest limp beside the branch she had made herself comfortable on.

With a teasing flick of her tail tip, she gave the visiting rogue a sidelong glance. Duchess lifted her head and shut her eyes for a moment, letting the wind brush against her fur and let out a gentle purr, but quickly turned back to Kosmo "A big ol' tom like findin' trouble in the branched? Now, I'd say it sound like a challenge worth takin' on." she cooed teasingly, but there was no malice in her tone, simply a playful indignation

"But don't you fret, I'll keep an eye out for any wobbly branches" Duchess leaned her muzzle closer to Kosmo's ear with a conspiratorial whisper. "'Sides, if you all, I'll be right here to catch ya. Or at least laugh about it later" she purred, flicking her tail at Kosmo's nose playfully and let out a small chuckle.

She gave a little wink, her voice light with sass and sweetness. "So, you up for a little climbin’ adventure, or is this where the big tom backs out?"

Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
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Kosmo’s eyes narrowed a touch as Duchess leaned close, her breath warm against his ear as she murmured her teasing challenge. She made it sound like he was a kit struggling to keep up. His ears flicked back for just a beat, his voice smooth, even as his tail flicked with mild irritation.

"Well now, Duchess, I’m not sure whether to take your offer as support or… an excuse to laugh at my expense." He flashed a grin, though his eyes held a sharper glint. "I’m sure I’d manage just fine, thank you very much."

Kosmo stretched out his limbs, settling back into his previous lounging position, pointedly ignoring her playful look. He hadn’t come here to get dragged into tree-climbing challenges, especially if it meant risking a tumble under her amused gaze.

"Besides..." Came his smooth drawl, flicking a paw as if brushing off her offer. "Hate to ruin a perfectly good napping tree just for a bit of showmanship." Her closeness - vaguely - unsettled him, and eventually the movement of his muscles pushed him up on all four of his paws, claws extended to grip onto the bark. "I think I'll pass on your challenge for now. Hunger is a bit more pressing."

Kindness goes a long way, but don't mistake it for weakness.

✧･ﾟ: ✿ :ﾟﾟ･✧༄🦋༄✧･ﾟ: ✿ :ﾟﾟ･✧

Duchess tilted her head, a soft smile playing on her lips as she watched Kosmo’s tail flick. Her warm, honeyed voice floated out with a chuckle. She did notice his unsettled demeanor so she kept her voice as smooth and kind as possible, she at least wanted him to have a nice farewell before he went to catch some prey of his own "Oh, sugar, I wasn’t lookin’ to make fun of ya" she purred, amusement in her tone. "Just thought a little climbin’ might spice up that nap of yours. But I do see you’ve got priorities."

She made a more noticeable distance between them as he stretched, stepping back to give him a bit of space, her gaze holding a genuine warmth. Though she could understand how cats surrounded by such harsh surroundings would be unaccustomed to such continuous optimism and kindness. "Well, don’t you worry ‘bout provin’ nothin’ to me, darlin’. A good nap and a nice meal sound like a fine way to spend the day" she said with a little wink. "But don’t think I won’t hold you to it next time we meet — maybe I’ll even pack a bit of encouragement along for ya."

She dipped her head, her voice softening as she offered a friendly farewell. "Take care now, Kosmo. Safe travels, and I hope to see you ‘round these parts again real soon." She called out, stretching out her limbs for a moment, eyeing the lower branches to calculate a safe way to get down from the tree when she so wished. It was a nice but brief interaction with the tom, she quite enjoyed his company, but she was fine with such things is Kosmo was yet to feel the same, not all cats are always open to being friends after all.

Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
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Kosmo watched Duchess step back, her warm, honeyed tone lingering in the air between them. Her charm was unmistakable, and he couldn’t deny he was curious about her untroubled kindness which was a rare trait in the cats he typically encountered. He dipped his head in a slight nod, the ghost of a smile tugging at the edge of his mouth as he met her gaze.

"Well, I’ll keep your… encouragement in mind, Duchess.” He replied with a soft purr. The words were light, but a glint in his eyes hinted he’d almost take her up on it, if only to rise to her playful challenge.

Straightening, he gave his fur a final shake, his mismatched eyes catching the dappled sunlight as he began to turn away. “Safe climbing, Duchess...” With a nod, he left the branch, heading down between branches until he leaped to the ground.

With that, he padded off, his silhouette soon blending into the trees, the cinnamon tint of his fur flickering briefly in the shade before he disappeared entirely into the forest.