Open to Join Beneath the Breezes [22TL20]

If ignorance is bliss, you must be the happiest cat on the planet
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 Barleyswipe had just returned from camp, their long coat ruffling slightly as long sinew brought the aging she-cat through camp. She had just returned from a casual little outing, enjoying the moors while napping in some secretive heather bushes. Nothing was carried back in their jaws. While they always teased that they'd be pleased if prey ever just walked into her jaws, the discovery of the green-death mush lodged in prey stomachs kept her from scavenging a freshly dead vole on their way back.

Barleyswipe took a long drink, and munched on some long green stalks in the fields before their slow paw falls brought them to stretch on over towards Beewhisker in passing. She didn't exactly seem preoccupied unless it was with merely cat watching, which was a fun enough passtime. One leg stretched out, shuddering a bit as she pulled the leg back underneath her long limbed body. Her pelt, a bit wind swept was also just a tad messy as usual, although now there were a couple burrs in her tail for her troubles.

Either way, first thing on the agenda was obtaining a meal. "Huh -? Whatcha sayin'?" Their ears had perked as the other she-cat spoke, her voice a rasped note lower than most of the she-cats in the clan. Not for the sake of yelling or being mean (not usually) but Barleyswipe was growing increasingly hard of hearing in her old age.

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Noticing a familiar scent waft into their nose, Beewhisker turned to see an apricot pelted elder, Beewhisker had recalled their mother saying that she was she sister of Barleyswipe's mother, despite Beewhisker never really knowing Claycinder at all, even if she had been alive when they were a kitten. But it wasn't really mattering to them either way. The large dappled feline gave their belly a clean then stretched out the front paws, their claws peeking out of the socket when their claws flexed.

"Oh it was nothing important" Beewhisker said, a little louder for the elder to hear, smiling at them and patting their tail beside them to invite the apricot and white she-cat to join them and possibly have a friendly, casual chat with them. Perhaps they could bring up Barelyswipe's kits. If they were going to have their own one day then they might benefit from an elder's point of view, especially one with kits herself. 

Their pale blue eyes glanced admirably at Barleyswipe, flicking one of their ears as their gaze fixed on her pelt and then her green eyes "Do you know how Heatherkit and Oatkit are doing? Are they healthy?" Beewhisker questioned, though it was only out of curiosity and their own love for kittens, and it still urked them that they weren't able to visit the litter yet. But they will one day, they were sure of that.

If ignorance is bliss, you must be the happiest cat on the planet
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 The edge of her furrow brow lifted expectantly at the much younger she-cat as she deflected, saying it wasn't anything important. Who knew though, maybe Barleyswipe just missed some outloud confession or moment of weakness now that she wouldn't be able to act upon. Not being in the know irritaed her, and her hearing loss made for a poor receiver of gossip unless the gossip was pointedly for her to hear - which it sometimes wasn't.

"Ah." She mouthed, lips pursing with some thoughtfulness at the invitation. The long limbed cat followed suit to her own desire, sliding onto her bony haunches somewhere close to her cousin, hairy silvered ear flicking towards Beewhisker in passing. Stretching the front half of her torso up, she leaned sideways to investigate the snag in her tail. Before she could even begin to work out the tangles Beewhisker spoke, and giving a distracted huff, Barleyswipe mewed.

"O' course, just yesterday. Little fluffballs gotta be... two weeks old now?" Tongue rasping along the length of the hairy strands before she got to the wad of burdock, and ganwed at it. Took more than a few moments to wrench it free, and she spit it onto the ground. Takinga breath, Barleyswipe let loose a purr, amusement in their voice as they spoke of their kits.

"They are both healthy, although... Oatkit's ears haven't unfolded yet. I wonder if they ever will seeing how Brightmaple's blood runs in 'im. Big blue eyes... Might change though, as kit eyes usually do. Some noises, no words yet. Still small. Ya' know, young kits." Barleyswipe was aware that they both shared some kinship. They wouldn't mind taking Beewhisker to see the kits sometime.

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Beewhisker was always infatuated when others spoke of their offspring, and soon enough, well... hopefully soon enough, Beewhisker would have a few kittens kneading at their belly. How gratifying that will be! But it was enough about themself, Barleyswipe was talking to them and who were they to be so rude to be distracted by their own thoughts rather than listening to their beloved clanmates and more importantly, their kin. So they pushed their ears towards Barleyswipe and their head turned to face her, pale blue eyes glancing into bright green.

"What do the little scamps look like? I haven't been able to see them so I have been going off of their names, which hasn't gotten me very far" Beewhisker asked, then admitted with a chuckle. Beewhisker had come to the conclusion that Oatkit was at least a tan pelted kit, though they weren't sure on Heatherkit, perhaps ginger or cream... but there was no harm in asking, well, Beewhisker didn't think that there was. 

At the prospect of actually seeing the kits, Beewhisker's body perked up in excitement, even if they didn't see the kits at this very moment, they knew that they'd see the kits with Barleyswipe, and surely she'd make sure the kittens were safe, and allowing Beewhisker to see them meant that Barleyswipe trusted Beewhisker, which meant more to them than many other things did, the trust of a clanmate was something Beewhisker tried to protect with their whole heart. They hoped that their future litter wouldn't destroy any trust. "I'd love to come to visit them if you'd take me"

If ignorance is bliss, you must be the happiest cat on the planet
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Barleyswipe’s whiskers twitched as she caught the eager gleam in Beewhisker’s eyes. There was something almost amusing in the younger cat’s wide-eyed interest. She had seen plenty of kits come and go in her time, and while she still cared for her own, the enthusiasm of new blood always made her smirk. Settling down beside Beewhisker, she gave her tail a lazy flick, knocking away the last remnants of burrs with a casual indifference.

“Well, you’ve got Oatkit pegged right,” Barleyswipe rasped, her voice carrying the weariness of her many moons. “He’s an apricot little tom, soft and round, like a well-fed vole. Best hear it from me first considering some of the nonsense that flies around this camp.” She paused, her green eyes narrowing slightly with a hint of dry humor. “And Heatherkit, she’s pinkish grey tortie - interesting lookin' face, half grey half cream."

Barleyswipe leaned in closer, her tone dropping to something more conspiratorial. “You know, kits like them could do with a bit of variety in their visitors. Keeps them sharp, gets them used to the idea that the world isn’t just their mother and a pile of moss.” Her lips curled into a smirk, her eyes glinting with the amusement of a cat who believed they had seen it all. 

"Give 'em a bit more time. I'll take you to see them when they start talkin'. Plus, it gives me someone else to gossip about when they start recognizing faces." The elder’s laugh was rough, but there was an underlying warmth to it, a subtle acknowledgment of the bond that could grow between them as kin, especially kin who seemed more than interested in getting to know their kits. "Have you considered mentoring, Beewhisker?"

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Beewhisker took enjoyment in hearing about the new arrivals to the clan, it was always interesting to hear about new kittens in the clan especially a bunch that Beewhisker now felt were quite adorable little kittens. The muscles along their back twitched, their ears swiveled towards Barleyswipe as she explained. They recalled her saying that Oatkit's ears haven't unfolded yet and their mind went to Fawnstar's ears, wondering if Oatkit's ears will be in a similar way to their leader's.

"Oatkit may have similar ears to Fawnstar, I don't think it would be impossible, Brightmaple is Fawnstar's mother after all" Beewhisker added with a purr, imagining the two growing into strong warriors and Oatkit's ears folding neatly around his head like Fawnstar. And Heatherkit's unique markings as well, even though Beewhisker hadn't seen either, they were sure that the both of them were more adorable then they could imagine.

It was not long after that Barleyswipe mentored Beewhisker mentoring, and it was something they hadn't really considered, it was more-a-less something they thought would happen naturally with time, if they were worthy they would have been given an apprentice. But if they were with kits, that would have to wait until their own kits were apprentices. "It never really crossed my mind, but if Fawnstar were to give me an apprentice at any time, I wouldn't object" They replied finally.

If ignorance is bliss, you must be the happiest cat on the planet
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Barleyswipe’s ears twitched at Beewhisker’s mention of Fawnstar, a smirk creeping onto her muzzle. The comparison between the little Oatkit and their noble leader wasn’t lost on her, though the idea of those awkwardly folded ears becoming a signature trait was almost too amusing to ignore.

“Oh, Fawnstar’s ears, Brightmaple’s blood - Oatkit’s in for a life of big expectations.” She rasped with a low chuckle, the sound deep and weathered. Barleyswipe leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, though it came out louder than intended—her own hearing was starting to betray her, and she couldn’t quite gauge her volume as she once did. "And Heatherkit, too, for that matter - split faced could mean a split personality, two sides of the same paw."

She shifted slightly, feeling the familiar creak in her joints but choosing to ignore it. Her gaze softened as she looked at Beewhisker, a rare moment of gentleness slipping through her usual guarded demeanor. “You’ve got the right mindset, Beewhisker. There’s no rush. When the time comes, you’ll either rise to the occasion - or you won’t. Might as well enjoy it while you can.”

Barleyswipe lifted a single paw, giving it a lick while her eyebrows rose expectantly towards the she-cat. "You seem to like kits quite a bunch, Beewhisker. Maybe you'd be more interested in kitting than mentoring."

Those who follow blindly will never learn to see the truth. ~Breezewing
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Wind ruffled and annoyed, Breezewing, an older dark grey tom padded through the camp entrance. His fur was damp and he smelled mildly of fish. Stopping to look around the camp he saw his old mentor Barleyswipe and Beewhisker sharing tongues across the clearing. He stomped toward them before flopping onto his side next to Barleyswipe with a loud grunt.

"You two seem awfully cheerful. Did I miss something good?" He ran his tongue over his muzzle before flicking his ears towards his mentor.

Barleyswipes' demeanor seemed to be a it calmer at the moment than usual and that had him curious. What could have put her in such a good mood? Extending one claw he scratched a deep rut into the ground in front of him.

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Beewhisker took in Barleyswipe's words with intrigue, flicking their tail and twitching their ears to ensure that their attention was fully kept on Barleyswipe and her words. Though, once Beewhisker heard Barleyswipe mention kitting, their brows furrowed for a fleeting moment, that if a cat blinked they would completely miss the expression. "I suppose it's something to think about" Beewhisker meowed, it was their goal to be purposely vague in order to keep their secret that they could possible already be expecting a litter, though right now would be far too early to tell.

Though, before they could say more or be asked to elaborate, Barleyswipe's former apprentice strode over, Beewhisker didn't know him very well, as he was already well into warriorhood when they had been born, now could be their chance to get to know Breezewing personally. Hopefully anyway. "Oh we were just talking about the most recent litter, Barleyswipe and Brightmaple's kittens! Have you met them?" They explained to the older tom with a wide grin. They adored kits and they wanted to know as much about them as possible, even though the two had barely begun their journey into life.

And soon, another, more familiar cat padded over, Beewhisker's ears perked up as Bayflower made his arrival and sat beside him, rubbing their pelt against the black warrior affectionately "Of course Bayflower! Only a mouse-brain would say no to that! The more the merrier!" They trilled, their tail swaying with content

If ignorance is bliss, you must be the happiest cat on the planet
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 Barleyswipe flicked her tail lazily, glancing at Breezewing as he flopped down beside her. "Cheerful?" She rasped with a dry chuckle, her green eyes narrowing with amusement. "Just enjoying a bit of sun and gossip, as usual." She leaned in slightly, aiming to give him a playful nudge with her shoulder.

Her attention then shifted to Bayflower, who had joined their little gathering. Barleyswipe raised an eyebrow at the younger warrior, her expression a mix of curiosity and mild surprise. "Four cats, eh? Looks like we're turning into a regular WindClan council meeting here." She snorted softly, though there was a hint of warmth in her tone. "Well, the more the merrier, I suppose. Just don’t expect me to keep track of too many voices at once—might end up gossiping about the wrong cat."

She let out a raspy purr, her gaze returning to Beewhisker. The younger cat’s vague response to her earlier comment about kitting didn’t escape her notice, but Barleyswipe wasn’t one to pry—at least not openly. There was something in the way Beewhisker had deflected the question, though, that piqued her curiosity. "Something to think about indeed." She mused, her tone almost too casual.

Barleyswipe then glanced at Breezewing and Bayflower, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. "And you two? You excited for the new litter - or are you here to just soak up the sun with the rest of us?" Her tone was light, but there was an underlying warmth in her words - Barleyswipe wasn’t just looking to gossip; she was genuinely interested in what her Clanmates had to say. And then she'd gossip!

Those who follow blindly will never learn to see the truth. ~Breezewing
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Looking up at the approaching cat Breezewing let out a humph of agreement while nodding to Bayflower. Returning his attention to his mentor he purred with amusement, "Ah yes a council, just what we need after everything that's happened of late."

He continued scoring deeper into the ground before replying about kits. He had never wanted any himself but he did love to see the little furballs run around the camp. They seemed to enjoy using his tail for hunting practice and he didn't mind. In fact he welcomed it. It was fun to see the kits practicing even if he was the prey. before he knew what was happening a loud purr escaped his throat , "The Clan can always use more kits," his head swiveled between the surrounding cats, "And these ones will be extra special given their familial bonds."

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"It's nothing Bayflower don't worry, you're always welcome to join us when I have anything to say about it" The Large dappled warrior replied, their voice as sweet and smooth as honey, thinking of Barleyswipe's question to the other two warriors but did not answer it, as the question wasn't directed to them. And it was no secret that Beewhisker was excited about the kits, especially their cousin's kits! So it wasn't exactly needed to ask Beewhisker that question, they much preferred hearing the other cats' responses to the question asked.

Breezewing wasn't wrong, Beewhisker felt very close to the kits regardless of their lack of meeting because of how they shared kinship with Barleyswipe, though it was not a direct connection of course, they still adored being around the elderly and having the occasional chat with her whenever they had the chance. "You're right Breezewing, I may end up visiting some day this moon, at least I would hope so" Beewhisker added, then listening closely to Bayflower's following response to the question.

Beewhisker felt like they were able to relate more to Bayflower's response, they knew having kits was a big responsibility and occasionally was a little stressful, so nothing would beat sunning together with your clanmates, despite how warm it may be, Beewhisker was sure it would cool down soon enough, because they were sure Leaf-Bare would be right around the corner. "Yeah, sunning is nice, especially this close to the end of Leaf-Fall" They added, stretching out their forepaws and parting their jaws to release a short yawn from their jaws, then tucking their white paws under their chest fur, snuggling comfortably into a loaf-like position.

If ignorance is bliss, you must be the happiest cat on the planet
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Barleyswipe let out a raspy purr, her green eyes glinting with a hint of mischief as she listened to the others speak. "A council, eh?" She mused, echoing Breezewing's earlier remark. "With all this chatter, we might as well start taking minutes." Her whiskers twitched in amusement, though there was a fondness in her gaze as she looked around at the gathered cats.

When Breezewing mentioned the Clan needing more kits, Barleyswipe's ears perked up. "More kits, more chaos." She chuckled, though her tone was warm. "We already got a nursery full of potential. Heh, but I'm sure more can't hurt. Keeps us old cats entertained, eh, Breezewing?"

She turned her attention to Bayflower, offering a nod of approval. "Nothing better than soaking up the sun. Enjoy these warm days while we can...Enjoy the insects and birds before my complaints get too loud during Leaf-Bare's chill." With an exaguarted wave of their paw, the elder coughed, clearing their rasping voice. Wouldn't be surprised if she hacked up some phlem while she was at it.

Settling more comfortably into her spot, Barleyswipe let out a contented sigh. "Won't be long before those hairy-frogs start hoppin' around camp and bothering us all..." She closed her eyes, her ears still twitching as she listened to the quiet murmurs of her Clanmates, a small smile lingering on her face. She wouldn't mind being bothered by her own kits. 

Those who follow blindly will never learn to see the truth. ~Breezewing
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Breezewing bristled slightly as Barleyswipe spoke, "Who are you calling old, flea-pelt." His tone was harsh but amusement filled his eyes. "I can keep up with even the youngest warriors still. This cats got a lot of fight left in him." He flicked his tail matter-of-factly.

He proceeded to stretch out his whole body, "I do have to agree though. These nice sunny days are amazing. At least with these we still have water to drink." His eyes flashed coldly as he remembered the drought from seasons past.

Shaking dark thoughts from his mind he purred loudly, "Oh please. You'll love the day those 'hairy-frogs' start wandering the camp."

Sometimes strength isn't just how you fight, it's about knowing how to stand firm and when to lend a hand. That's where real strength lies.

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More kits more chaos. How fun! Beewhisker thought to themself, flicking their tail with amusement as Barelyswipe mewed something of old age to Breezewing, she was sure one to talk, but Barleyswipe was a nice she-cat to speak to, even if Beewhisker didn't visit the elders' den as much anymore, Sunbear was rather grumbly when the spry warrior visited anyway, Beewhisker wondered how Sunbear could stand any kit coming into the nursery at all, maybe Fallkit was a tolerable kit to her, who knows!

:"Who knows, maybe one of the she-cats in the clan is planning on having kits sooner or later, you'll be in trouble then Breezewing" Beewhisker snorted lightly, sweeping their tail across the ground to betray their enjoyment and playfulness. But their gaze wasn't exactly facing anyone in particular, though, Beewhisker gave a wayward glance at Bayflower and flicked their damaged ear. 

It was then that Breezewing made the comment about water, they recalled the last leaf-bare, not water in sight, only ice and the rushing river, and they could only imagine how cold that would have been, they wouldn't dare risk drinking from there and loosing their footing, the clumsy warrior just wasn't build for the riverside they assumed. "All aspects of leaf-bare are hard, but my father said that it hardens us and prepares us for the green of new-leaf, so I suppose each season is used for one thing or another" 

"I would be worried Sunbear could snap at one of them and chase them away, she's quite..." Beewhisker narrowed their eyes, trying to find a word for Sunbear's grouchy and blunt, almost mean demeanor without trying to sound mean, but no matter what they said, Sunbear wouldn't really care either way as far as they knew "Unfriendly?"

If ignorance is bliss, you must be the happiest cat on the planet
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Barleyswipe’s eyes glinted with humor as Breezewing bristled at her teasing. "Flea-pelt, am I?" Her voice carrying a raspy purr. "Well, you can keep up with the young ones all you want, Breezewing, but some of us have earned the right to take things a bit slower." She flicked her tail with mock indignation.

She listened with interest as Beewhisker and Bayflower settled in, her ears twitching at the mention of leaf-bare. "Leaf-bare’s always a test but your sire had the right idea, Beewhisker. It’s the kits that need the most looking after during those moons. They’ll be relying on all of us to make sure they get through it."

Barleyswipe couldn’t help but chuckle at Beewhisker’s comment about Sunbear. "Unfriendly is one way to put it." The stretch of her sly grin tickled her whiskers at the thought of the cross-clanner. "But Sunbear’s just set in her ways. As long as the kits learn to steer clear when she’s in one of her moods, they’ll be fine."

Barleyswipe then stretched out, feeling the warmth of the sun seeping into her fur."For now, I’ll take this sunshine over any kit’s antics." She mused, her voice content, if a bit scratchy. "We’ve earned this moment of peace before the leaf-bare winds come howling through."

Those who follow blindly will never learn to see the truth. ~Breezewing
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Breezewing nodded along as Beewhisker spoke of their Sire before letting out a purr, "With how many leaf-bares we've lived through, I think its safe to say your father was right."

It was strange, sitting here with these cats Breezewing felt almost content. Even with Barleyswipes prodding, and the other two seeming to be fawning over every little thing a kit could do, it didn't matter. He cared for these cats, and even though they were not kin he was beginning to think of them as such.

His ears perked at the mention of Sunbear. Two many times he had been on the receiving end of one of her 'moods'. "I understand her agitation on one end." He gaze flicked over some of the younger cats in the clan, "Sometimes things... and cats can be very large... nuisances." He struggled to find the right words so as not to offend any cat here.

Sometimes strength isn't just how you fight, it's about knowing how to stand firm and when to lend a hand. That's where real strength lies.

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"Well I know I'd hate to be on the receiving end of one of those moods" Beewhisker mewed with a small laugh, their fangs peeking out from behind their pale lips. "Sunbear probably has a temper on her when she's in a moon like you're describing Barleyswipe" they purred, twitching their whiskers in amusement, they knew Sunbear wasn't a mean cat, but the certainly knew she was not a kind one either, perhaps a blurred line in between, yep! that was Sunbear!

Beewhisker simmered down and continued to keep their pelt in contact with Bayflower affectionately, wrapping their tail around their close friend and purring loudly. Not only at the contact with Bayflower, but being able to communicate with their clanmates, their clanmates are who they loved, no matter where they came from or who they were, if they don't betray the clan without reason, they're a good cat in Beewhisker's books.

In their thoughts, Beewhisker though about when they would really know if they were confirmed to be baring kits, would it just be a sudden realization? Or would that be something confirmed by the medicine cat. Surely more experienced queens would know more about this than Beewhisker would. But it wasn't much of a bother to them in any case, the bigger picture is that they may be bringing life into the clan! What could be better than that?

To drift the conversation away from themself, Beewhisker contemplated something for a moment, flicking their tail quickly and excitedly. "How about we all go on a walk around the territory sometime? Just the four of us, that's if you're still able to walk that far Barleyswipe" Beewhisker cooed jokingly, their whiskers twitching in amusement

If ignorance is bliss, you must be the happiest cat on the planet
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 Barleyswipe let out a rasping chuckle, her whiskers twitching with amusement at Breezewing’s careful choice of words. "Large nuisances, indeed." She echoed with a knowing look. "Oh, I’d wager you’re right about Sunbear. She’s not one to take nonsense."

At the mention of them all touring the territory without a care in the world, Barleyswipe chuffed, green eyes twinkling. "Still able to walk that far, am I? You’d better watch yourself, Beewhisker, or I’ll outpace you just to prove a point!" Her voice carried the familiar teasing tone, but there was a subtle determination behind it.

Barleyswipe gave a contented stretch, her limbs creaking slightly as she rose to her paws. "But as much as I’d love to put you all to shame on that walk, I think I’ll take my leave for now. This old flea-pelt could use a nap in the shade before I embarrass the lot of you later." She flicked her tail, amusement glinting in her eyes as she glanced at each of her clanmates.

She began to pad away, casting one last look over her shoulder, a purr of satisfaction vibrating in her throat as she moved toward the shade, her thoughts once again drifting towards the bundles of fluff that were their kits.

[BARLEYSWIPE EXIT]

Those who follow blindly will never learn to see the truth. ~Breezewing
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Breezewing glanced at Beewhisker as they playfully implied about Barleyswipes age, his whiskers twitching. "Careful young one. These two old cats can still put you in your place." He licked a paw and ran it over his ear, gold eyes shining with amusement.

As Barleyswipe stood to take her leave, Breezewing stood with her. He filled in the small rut he had made in the ground before nodding to the other cats, "I believe I shall take my leave as well. I feel the need to hunt."

With that, he padded towards to camp entrance. While his clan mates may annoy him greatly most of the time but these three cats were OK in his book. Maybe he could try to get to know the others a bit better instead of writing them off as nuisances.

[BREEZEWING EXITS]