Private Thread Tea at Tree-Cut

Retirement? I prefer ‘extended vacation with benefits.’
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Tangleloon had, quite unintentionally made himself late... His curls were particularily tight, unruly as he woke from his many naps in the morning. If he was indeed meeting with Laetitia, who seemed composed in ways only StarClan intended, then he couldn't arrive as if he wrestled a reedbed.

After a long grooming session, he sought out Nettleplume in a fit of inspiration...As if he was consulting an oracle, he asked the grand cat where a lavender patch may be. Nettleplume was less than enthused, but reasoned to answer quickly and in all honesty.

So Tangleloon now carried the calming aroma of lavender, but the cost of looking like he flailed after a bush. Purplish petals clung to his curls as he stumbled out into the meeting place at Tree-Cut. "Have I kept Lady Laetitia Von Noon waiting?" He called out with a loose grin.

The tom flurished into a bow, nearly tipping himself onto his nose. "My sincerest apologies!"

Grace is effortless when born into it.

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Laetitia's face lite up with Tangleloon's presence and a purr rose in her collared throat immediately as she met the chocolate curly coated tom half way, she smelt him before she arrived to rub against his cheek with affection, lavender, was he trying to impress her? She purred at the thought.

"Mon ami Tangleloon! How I have yearned for your presence!" She hummed softly, purr ringing loud and clear like the dinner bell that called her to dine with her kin. But if she were to be true to herself, she would much rather dine with Tangleloon. At his claim of making her wait, Laetitia shook her had before plucking few petals from the curls framing his face. "A gentleman of your caliber would never permit a lady to languish in tedium." she replied, flicking the tip of her tail, the plume draping over her like silk. "I would always find delight in awaiting your arrival."

With another tentative sniff of Tangleloon's fur she rubbed herself across his fragrant fur, perhaps to transfer the lovely scent onto herself. "You are redolent of a most exquisite fragrance today, lavender becomes you most admirablement." she trilled, letting the compliment sit, as much as she knew her words would find empty ears on most cats, she trusted Tangleloon to figure the compliment one way or another.

Once enough time had passed, Laetitia moved towards a stone that was by far one of the cleaner of the natural elements in the Tree-Cut place, not near the twoleg structure, but not exactly dirty, if she were to go back to her manor today, she would not want it to look like she was rolling around in petrichor all day. It was unbecoming of a lady of her stature... as much as she wanted to ignore her reputation. "How have you fared, amidst your clan and all that entails? Is there any news of note?"

Retirement? I prefer ‘extended vacation with benefits.’
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Tangleloon's heart nearly forgot its beat the moment Laetitia crossed the distance between them and brushed her cheek against his. All he could focus on was the sweet rumble of her purr and the elegance she pulled the petals from his curls. He seemed positivly enchanted.

She had even noticed the scent, which seemed rather obvious when he carried the blooms in his fur. He instinctively ducked his head, blinking his two uneven eyes even as a laugh bubbled out of him.

"I... may have consulted an expert." His grin betrayed him immediately. With a hop he followed after her, settling beside it as he fiddled with the curls on his shoulder. "The rougue is gone..."

"So..." He meowed with a dramatic lit. "I am pleased - immensely pleased - to report that you are now visiting a considerably safer forest!" His whiskers twitched mischievously as he gestured to his curls. "You may have me and my floral experimentation all you like." A purr rolled from his muzzle and then he simply looked at her.

"I'm glad you came." He admitted, almost bashfully. "I just wish you could stay with...me!"

Grace is effortless when born into it.

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Laetitia let out a soft purr at Tangleloon proclamation, she was no stranger to the murder in the forest, her companion, Duskmantle had once told her when they were only young, hardly older than kittens, but old enough that Laetitia should have known better. But it seemed with the right words from the right cat, Laetitia went right back to her blissful adoration.

"I am delighted that you have vanquished that odieuse murderer, and it brings me great solace to learn that you are secure within your clan." She spoke with her usual woven words, but they were genuine as they always had been. Well-woven, but spoken from the heart. 

At the mention of 'floral experimentation' the lady of Von Noon couldn't help but let herself giggle at the words, floral experimentation! How charming! "Your botanical pursuits are exquisitely charming, mon ami!" she cheered for him with a loud purr that vibrated her throat as she spoke, her mews humming with soft rumbles, she'd like to think it was becoming of her to sound happy to be around others, especially when it was genuine. "I would indeed cherish the privilege of having you entirely to myself, yet I acknowledge that your allegiance lies with your clan." She added, slightly down-hearted, but still smiling, trying not to lessen the mood.

For a moment, silence clouded the small clearing as Tangleloon spoke of his wish that she could stay with him, she wished for the same, but his life was with the clans, she wasn't adverse to leaving cattery life behind for him, but... she was sure there was a process to these things. Perhaps... with enough convincing, the leader of the Clan may consider. "However... I fervently desire that our encounters need not be shrouded in secrecy, I yearn to be in your presence more frequently, Tangleloon." she added, another breath in the silence, then...

"If only some means might be found."

Retirement? I prefer ‘extended vacation with benefits.’
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Tangleloon was quiet for longer than was typical of him as the cogs in his head whirled. Usually the words tumbled from him like a river but now they seemed to gather somewhere behind his smile... as if waiting for courage instead of comedy.

"...Perhaps there is." The curly coated tom giggled. Not because anything was particularly funny but due to the belief that the idea itself felt so impossibly bold. "What if...What if you simply did? Leave it all behind, I mean...?"

One pupil was large with curiosity while the other remained its usual small pinprick. Instead of waiting long enough for his brave suggestion to fail him, he continued. "I know, I know - it's a terribly reckless thought! Very un elderly advice." He surrendered a paw into the air. "Your maner, your family...you duties! But every time you speak of them...I hear all the things you're expected to become."

With a pointed stare, he gave her a huff and tossed his chin up into the air. "I don't seem to hear what Laetitia wants." A breeze wandered between them, carrying the lingering fragrance from his curls as his eyes lifted towards the dappled sky of Tree Cut Place. "Coldstar might squint at me funny for suggesting it...But if there's a place you truly wish to belong... I think you should choose it yourself."

With a swooning sigh, he collapsed dramatically into a curly pile in front of her, utterly spent by the mere adacity. He wouldn't blame her if she left him there to rot.

Grace is effortless when born into it.

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The silence was unusual, especially for Tangleloon, but it wasn't heavy, not to Laetitia, it simply held firm with the motion of thoughts. And then, the bold offer came surprising as it was, the extend of the visible surprise was a raise of her brows and a soft perk in her large, triangular ears. "Mon ami..." She murmured to herself, trying to find words to respond with, then he spoke more, about choice and her ears flicked softly, then she lowered her head. Part of her knew that deep down, there was never real choice in living in a cattery, the lifestyle was all so organized and very much... not Laetitia.

"I have seldom, if ever, been afforded the luxury of a choice." She replied finally, brushing her tail against the stone beneath her, then rolling her eyes and hopping down from the stone onto the dusty floor. All her life, she had aimed to be poised and presentable, one to be admired, but no cat seemed to ask what she wanted, until Tangleloon. Oh, sweet Tangleloon. "I believe... I feel cognizant enough of the fact... Laetitia desires to forge her own path in life." she added, now glancing over to Tangleloon with a soft smile. one plagued by how much she lived in vain.

For a moment, there was a silence that washed over her, a little heavier with thought, as if she were weighing her options. But when she looked at Tangleloon, she knew what her choice would be. But certainly part of her will miss her family, her steward, her position. But this is what she preferred. "Tangleloon, I wish to dwell alongside you, to stand by your side in the company of your clanmates. To remain ever near you."

Her voice was determined, as if the thought was not just a spur of the moment, and in truth, it wasn't entirely, Laetitia had never felt truly at home in her cattery, much preferring to traverse the lands of the forest. This was something she wanted... but. "Yet there is one matter..." She began glancing down at the collar, a tapestry of fabrics and jewelry on her neck, a calling card to the servants. "My collar, should my attendants discover it upon me, they shall reclaim me. It shall not serve my purpose when I depart with you..." She hoped to find a solution, but she had never truly been able to remove it herself, not even sure if anyone could really. All she had was hope, and now, it was the first time she prayed to StarClan that it would not lead her wrong, if Tangleloon was right about StarClan, then hopefully they'd give her a chance.

Retirement? I prefer ‘extended vacation with benefits.’
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Tangleloon remained where he'd dramatically collapsed, melted into the grass until her voice brought him back. Instantly as his head shot up. Each of his eyes spread wide as they followed her. "You...You mean it?" he had suspected he may have had to try to convince her harder, but she surrendered with ease.

He pushed himself to his paws in an instant, curls bouncing wildyly as he paced back and forth. "Then what are we waiting for? Coldstar! I'll go to speak to Coldstar immediately - I'll tell him everything! He's kin - so, he'll understand!' He didn't imagine he'd understand how much more he enjoyed existing with her aorund.

His grin beamed. "I'll tell him who you are...and how you're brave enough to leave comfort behind for something uncertain and that you've treated every Clan cat you've met with respect! And...Oh! We'll figure that out." He blinked at her elaborate collar, fancy fabrics that hugged her neck and experimentally stretched out a paw towards her.

"I've absolutely no idea how those contraptions work... But RiverClan is clever. Surely we can work out one measly collar."

Grace is effortless when born into it.

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"I am quite assured of it, Tangleloon." She purred with amusement at the excitement in Tangleloon's new posture, but in truth, she was barely hiding that same excitement as she glanced over at him with the softest of smiles, the corners of her mouth twitching as they dared to widen her grin into something almost palpable. "I shall rest amongst the RiverClanners. If Coldstar so permits."

As Tangleloon went on about what he would say to his leader, barer of the star, Laetitia begun to reflect on what she had been given from the house of Von Noon. It had been everything and nothing all at once, it had given her life, food and companionship, but had deprived her of the freedom to choose her own path, that was something she wished to have more than anything. But that didn't mean she wouldn't miss the company. "Peut-être..."

Her voice trailed ever so slightly, but not in the sense that she had rethought his offer entirely, she still craved a home in RiverClan, a home beyond the limits of her garden, but there was something she needed to ask first. "I ought to linger a while longer within my manor, for there are cherished belongings I shall hold dear, and I wish to bestow upon them a few final moments of my presence." She admitted softly with a smooth upward curl of her silky tail. "If I could be so bold as to request such a thing."

For a moment, she glanced at the clean rock she was once perched upon, but then to her own paws, pressed against the dirt, she purred at the sensation of something feeling real beneath her paws, gritty and unclean, but real. "You may convey this tidings to Coldstar concerning me; should he embrace the opportunity, you are well aware of my whereabouts, Mon ami."

And finally, her collar, the bane of her choice to join the clans, perhaps... if her mind allowed, she would be able to outsmart her servants in order to remove it, perhaps not, but she shall see. "If I have not yet shed this collar by the time our paths cross again, we shall devise a solution, as... clanmates." and then with a pause, an urge to stay, she made a sudden offer. "Until that hour, perhaps you might regale me with further tales of RiverClan, of your kin. I am certain there are other cats to be mindful of, or to approach with caution, pray, tell me of them"

Retirement? I prefer ‘extended vacation with benefits.’
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Tangleloon nodded so enthusiastically his curls bounced over his eyes. "Oh yes, there is many cats to be aware of if RiverClan is to be your new home! And you should say goodbye the way you wish to." The idea of calling her a clanmate earned another grin, expression brightening with theatrical importance.

"Now then... every good story has its colorful characters. Starting with it's...less than pleasant ones. Bloomfire. You'll have to watch yourself when you're near her.... Fierce enough to frighten a fisher if she put her mind to it..." His mismatched eyes sideswept to the brush as he gave his flower pelted coat a shake.

"Lilyriver...She's more reserved; be on your best behavior around her! She can seem difficult to read at first but she's kind beneath it all... Oh, on the topic of cold...Coldstar!" He bounced around on his toes, all four feet springing him into the air as he bounded up and down like a rabbit.

"He's my cousin - His mother was my mother's sister! And I have other kin too - Cinderwisp! She's real nice. Best sister ever. Annnnd she's the Clan's deputy. Basically the Clan's second in command..." He purred through the words, his eyes losing focus and wandering around the area as his mind buzzed with thoughts that barely made their way to words to tumble out of his maw.

Grace is effortless when born into it.

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Laetitia let Tangleloon's words tumble from his muzzle with the grace of a drenched mouse, but the charm was still there, the excitement was charm enough for her, after all, she was leaving all she knew because of this, a promise of something new where she could make her own decisions... to a certain extent.

Triangular ears perked at the mention of the two names, almost one in the same, and yet the opposites of one another. Fascinating. "Lilyriver and Bloomfire both bear the semblance of a blossom and an elemental force; might Lilyriver evoke the gentle flow of a stream, whereas Bloomfire embodies the relentless fervor of an ever-burning flame?" She asked, perhaps more wordy than a clan cat would prefer, but this was how she always spoke, she would have to return to kithood to recall a time she spoke with any less grace and flare.

And then came the introduction of Coldstar, even if it were only his connection to Tangleloon, anything was helpful enough to spark interest in her pale green eyes. "Coldstar, from your description, appears most fitting to his appellation." She spoke in almost a murmur to both herself and her theatrical conversation partner as he then spoke of his sister, Cinderwisp. "I likewise anticipate the acquaintance of Cinderwisp." she added with a soft hum.

But now that the cats she should be more aware of were covered, she wished to know more, the cats of interest and beyond, she shuffled a few kitsteps closer to Tangleloon, curiosity and intrigue in her eyes as they widened with innocent enthusiasm. "Mon Ami, You have enumerated those felines of less amiable disposition, but what of the more benevolent among them? Might I also be granted knowledge of their names and natures?"

Retirement? I prefer ‘extended vacation with benefits.’
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Tangleloon looked positively delighted that she wanted to know more. Nothing warned him against allowing more information to spill from him...She could have been pressuring for weaknesses and he'd reveal the world as the excited tom continued. "Well...RiverClan has plenty of good souls..! Just as fun to talk about them as the grumpy ones."

"Cottonbright is a shy white ball of sunshine...even if she doesn't like to be caught dead in a sunbeam. And of course...how could I forget noble Goosesong! He's a stalwart loyal cat even if he is a bit serious. Okay...a lot serious!" He exagurrated, but honestly the grey senior warrior was stoic.

"Mintwhisker is a quiet warrior, one that Cottonbright taught! He's much like her...actually. Nettleplume is his brother - He's our glorious medicine cat! He's...not much for chatting but he's the best medicine cat in the forest!" High praise from Tangleloon. Nettleplume was taking his own affliction into consideration. There may be a day when he could return to warrior duties.

"Otterwhisker is the oldest cat in the Clan...She's basically RiverClan's dame. She's raised six cats to warriorhood at once - the nicest of hers are Merryaster, Ravenbloom, Mistydawn, and Sturgeonwhisker." He paused to catch his breath, taking a moment to scrub his tongue over a paw before flicking it towards her.

"Oh...and the kits! We have two kits in the den right now! Beetlekit and Cricketkit! One timid one bold. Can you guess which ones?'

Grace is effortless when born into it.

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Laetitia sat and leaned her head forward to get a better listen of the kinder souls in RiverClan, Cottonbright, Goosesong, Mintwhisker, Nettleplume, Otterwhisker, Merryaster, Ravenbloom, Mistydawn and Sturgeonwhisker, so many names that she wished to know more about. It felt like such a full clan and part of her was sure that he hadn't even covered all of it. A purr vibrated in her throat as he spoke. Until she spoke herself.

"So many exquisite felines, Mon ami. I eagerly anticipate the pleasure of becoming acquainted with each and every one of them." She purred fondly and she nuzzled against the lavender coated tom, letting the raw scent rub off on her own long, soft fur. But when he mentioned kits she perked up immediately.

RiverClan had kittens! Quickly, a beaming smile crossed Laetitia's maw, she adored kittens, in spite of not wanting any as of yes anyway. "Oh! Kits! How utterly precious, such tender young souls." she swooned, her purr thickening as she thought about what the tiny balls of fur would look like. But then came Tangleloon's question and Laetitia forced calm upon herself. "Hmm... if you were to speak in sequence, I would presume Beetlekit to be the more reserved of the pair? Perhaps Cricketkit is the most audacious of the litter?" she answered, a little uncertain, but simply happy to speak with Tangleloon once again.

Once the long fured she-cat calmed herself from thee joy of kits as a whole, she looked towards Tangleloon, softened eyes as she placed a paw on his, forward, but if he moved his paw, she would heed to his wish. "Oh, Tangleloon, I wish I could converse with you for an eternity."

Retirement? I prefer ‘extended vacation with benefits.’
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Tangleloon's face lit up with animate triumph and expressed his joy with a slow, plauful paw swipe. "Exactly! Beetlekit worries enough for both of them and Cricketkit spends enough courage for three." The plume of his curly tail swished joyfully as another laugh escaped him.

"They might balance themselves out one day." When Laetitia placed her paw gently atop his, however, the laughter dwindled into something softer. The lids of his eyes narrowed, sinking with fondness as he looked at her. "Wouldn't that be honestly grand?" She might have indeed found a bossom conversation companion that could hope to keep up with her. There were a few cats he knew that probably woudln't find her as endearing as he did...

He slowly rested his own paw more comfortably beneath hers. "I'm not sure that would be enough! We've gone through most of the introductions...We could simply start introducing ourselves all over again?" To demonstrate his point, he cleared his throat.

"I am Tangleloon, renound through all four clans as a stone stacker, floral enthusiast, and undefeated warrior of arriving fashionably late." He bowed from where he sat, nearly tipping onto his shoulder and falling onto Laetitia in the process. He wasn't sure exactly what he should call her once she was accepted into the Clan...She'd get a new name then.

With a delicate huff, he mimicked her posture and spoke in a cracking, feminine facsmile of her voice. " Oh, Monsieur Tangleloon...! I have heard whispers of your remarkable reputation among the flowers and pebbles!" He winced softly at his rendition - it wasn't his most perfect performance and admitted.

"I think I prefer hearing you talk...What kind of name would you want to be called once you live with us?"

Grace is effortless when born into it.

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Laetitia perked her ears as Tangleloon reiterated an introduction and cocked her head to the side curiously, listening and narrowing her eyes with a soft affection until he spoke an impression of herself. She flicked her tail in amusement. He would prefer she speak? That could be arranged. 

"Ah, what a fortuitous encounter, monsieur Tangleloon! I am the exquisite and refined Palesky of RiverClan, once born amidst the tranquil outskirts of Duchy Von Noon! A cat of esteemed lineage and noble bearing within RiverClan. Honored to count myself among the friends of the theatrical and flamboyant, none other than RiverClan’s singular Tangleloon." She spoke with her usual grandeur, placing a pale paw to her chest as if serenading any cat passing by.

Laetitia's eyes softened ever so slightly at the company of Tangleloon, she had never experienced such company, such a beautiful connection, with a clan cat before. And now she was about to leave her home and join him without hesitation. She has thought about leaving the cattery behind several times in the past, but the clans seems so prestigious, unlike the savages that Ahryndae made them out to be. Not as high in prestige as the Von Noon estate, but enough to peak her curiosity.

"Tangleloon... pray, when might I anticipate the pleasure of your company once more, after I depart this day? I shall find myself bereft, for I cannot bear to be parted from you for such an interminable stretch." She admitted, deep down, she could not wait to leave cattery life behind and run away with Tangleloon to clan life, but it wouldn't be as easy as that, she knew, so she settled herself where she was for now. "I am, however, most delighted that I shall not endure your absence for much longer. Should Coldstar grant his gracious permission, of course." She hummed softly, simply happy to be in Tangleloon's presence more than anything beyond that.

Retirement? I prefer ‘extended vacation with benefits.’
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"I like Palesky!" It seemed to suit her and all those elegant words she used. Meeting again was already fresh in his mind. "Soon!" Declared the tom, a bit loud and too sudden.

"I'm going to speak with Coldstar the moment I get the chance! And once I've spoken to him..." His grin stretched wide. "I'll come find you. Here, just like always." He sighed pleasantly, half purr half sigh of relief and he bounced on his toes again as intrusive thoughts pecked at his brain.

"Then you won't have to keep sneaking away from your manor - you'll simply come home!" To RiverClan. To me!

Grace is effortless when born into it.

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Tangleloon's met her ears and travelled to a resonating place within her heart as he continued on about how soon that they would meet again and gave a tentative nod to the offer, while Tangleloon didn't necessarily give her a specific time, it wasn't unlikely that she would be able to visit Tree-cut daily to wait for him, at least for a while, if he didn't show up until much later, she would wait until then.

"Here, as ever it is." She responded to him with a coutious bow as she then rose to her paws. As much as she craved Tangleloon's company, she could not just run towards his home with him, not just yet and not in such a rush. She had some things she wanted to say goodbye to first. But the idea of calling RiverClan her home didn't feel bad either. "Oui, Mon ami! It would be a profound honor to discover a dwelling that resonates with my true essence, a sanctuary beside thee, Tangleloon." she hummed as the purr she was holding still vibrated in her throat.

However, things are not forever just yet, so she pressed her nose warmly to his cheek in a soft and farewell gesture. "Until that auspicious hour, I shall take my leave, returning to Von Noon Manor, and may they soon harbor one fewer she-cat." she murmured quietly, as if the two could have been watched on their little rendezvous.

With little more drawback, Laetitia turned to the way she had come, taking a few pawsteps to return to Duchy Von Noon, as temporary as it might be. But she turned her head to meet his gaze again and gave a soft purr in a goodbye. "Fare thee well, Tangleloon! Until our paths cross once more!"

And with that, she fled, not quickly, she was in no rush, but it was until they met again where her speed would be most evident. She was in no rush to get home, but she was in a rush to see Tangleloon again. One of these days.