Ask to Join A Lute is a Loot

The world's too big to stay in one place.

⋘ ──── ∙∙•🦊•∙∙ ──── ⋙

Whitehart never failed to surprise him, it was quite a cat friendly neighborhood, he appreciated that, but he did hear the odd barking or yapping of a dog every now and again when he visited. Never for very long, and never slept there, he preferred the wilderness, no matter how many feisty clan cats he ran into, the thrill was half of it!

Fox's ears perked at the sound of chirping and noticed a bird pecking at a bit of grass, likely seeds that were placed there. The bird wasn't facing him, good. He fell quietly into a hunting crouch, his form fluid and smooth from repeated action as he crept forward.

He narrowed his lime eyes and leapt forward, teeth bared and claws unsheathed as he hooked the sparrow's wing, pulling it to him before it could flap away and dispatching it with a swift bite to the next, but it wasn't without a terrified screech that send the others fluttering away to hide, even if it was temporary.

Fox shook out his ginger striped fur his massive size catching a shadow of the dead bird when he stood before he picked up his catch and turned to trot away to eat his fill.

Ring around the rosy.
✧ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ❦ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ✧

Lute’s ears flicked sharply at the screech, their tail tip lashing as the garden chorus shattered into silence. The sparrows that had filled the air moments before were now nothing but fading wings and frightened shadows. "Really?" They called out, their voice lilting with mock offense as they leaned forward over the fence rail. Blue eyes narrowed, but there was more pout than anger in their expression. "I was enjoying that show! You can’t just go stomping in, claws first, and scatter my entertainment. Some of us like to savor the build up, you know."

They gave an exaggerated sigh, flopping down along the fence with one paw dangling, chin resting atop it. Their whiskers twitched, eyes fixed on the ginger striped tom as he shook out his pelt. "Don’t get me wrong, nice leap and all - " They added with a teasing grin, voice sing song. "But couldn’t you have waited just a little? I hadn’t even picked my favorite yet." Their tail gave a lazy flick as if punctuating their point, though curiosity tugged at their gaze as they licked at their white toes.

The world's too big to stay in one place.

⋘ ──── ∙∙•🦊•∙∙ ──── ⋙

Fox had the sparrow neatly held up in his jaw, its last flutters already stilled. He dropped the bird and bent down to pull at the feathers, ready to savor his prize before the silence of the garden made him pause. The only sound now was the rustle of leaves and the faint creak of the fence, then came a voice, playful and sing-song, drifting down like birdsong itself.

He straightened, ears flicking and lime eyes found a chocolate tortoiseshell sprawled across the fence. For a heartbeat he considered just walking on, but the mock offence in their tone pulled a wry chuckle from his throat. With an easy grin tugging at the corner of his mouth, he turned back, the sparrow, missing a few feathers, was moved in front of him, he placed a paw against it to stop anyone or anything from stealing it.

"Well, excuse me for ruining the performance." Fox said warmly, amusement thick in his voice. "I must've missed the sign saying 'No Hunting Until The Tortoiseshell's Done Picking Favorites.' You'll have to forgive me, rogues like me don't get the luxury of curtain calls." His tail flicked in light-hearted rhythm as he tilted his head, studying them with unabashed curiosity.

"But hey," he added, sharp with glinting behind his easy tone, "if it helps, you can call this one your favorite." He nudged the sparrow toward the fence with his paw, generosity slipping in as naturally as his humor. "Consider it my apology for cutting the show short. You can watch me chase butterflies next if you're still craving entertainment." His eyes shone with mischief as he waited to see if they'd take the bait, either the bird or the joke.

Ring around the rosy.
✧ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ❦ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ✧

Lute’s whiskers twitched as the tom nudged the limp sparrow closer, their head tilting in mock consideration. For a moment they tapped the fence with one paw like they were truly weighing his offer, then wrinkled their nose with a soft laugh.

"Mmm, nah." They mused, voice dripping with exaggerated sweetness. "I wasn’t exactly starving. I only wanted the drama." Their paw flicked dismissively toward the sparrow, as though it were no more than a dropped leaf. "The moment’s gone now, all thanks to you."

Still curiosity sparkled in their eyes as they rose from their perch. With a brief stretch, they pushed up onto their toes before springing down from the fence, landing light as a feather just a few fox length away. Their tail curled behind them in a slow deliberate sway, confidence written in every movement.

"Your performance wasn't bad." Lute loosed a throaty purr, padding closer. "Most cats skulk off with their prize, but you’ve got jokes, hm? And here I thought rogues were all brooding and scars." They paused, crouching low to peer at him with an echoed mischievous grin. "Nah, butterflies are too easy. Plus...they don't even make sounds when you catch them. Nice to look at, though, especially those big orange ones..."

Blue eyes crinkled with mirth, leaving the tom to wonder if they meant the butterflies or himself of which they wouldn't reveal. "I'm Lute."