A little talk [taxx]

A sunbeam had been an irresistible beckon for the old she-cat, and Seraph had thanked the stars that she could do this, instead of having to be awake and aware during the day, for whatever problems reared their heads within the colony. Settling down in the light that shone from the window, her black fur soaked up the warmth instantly, drawing a drowsy yawn from Seraph.

Her ears flicked and her eyes opened wide in the next moment, abruptly much more alert as a ginger-and-white head pressed itself to her chest as the chipper greeting rang in her ears. Both the voice and the fur were easily placed, and the old she-cat lifted a paw to rest on Amber’s shoulders, tugging her even closer and covering her head with loving licks. “Hello, Amber,” she replied, her voice full of warmth for her kit. “To what do I owe the honor of spending time with you? I thought Jackal would have you busy with your herbs today.”

Seraph hadn’t doubted for a moment that Amber had permission to be here; her daughter had never been the lazy sort, the kind to slip away when work needed to be done. She gladly accepted the visit, however long it would last, and waited for Amber to give the reason behind her seeking Seraph out. Tipping her head to one side, Seraph waited, shifting into a more comfortable position and patting the floor beside her, inviting Amber to stretch out and lie with her.

The news that Amber had met someone sparked just a split second of amusement- and then she revealed that it wasn’t a cat of Patria. On the border… of Viridity. While it didn’t completely ease Seraph’s immediate fear, knowing that it was a cat of another colony was more acceptable than it being a loner tom. Probably she would never lose her prejudice against them- and certainly not where her daughters- or sons- were concerned.

“The cats of Viridity don’t have a rank like we do; they only single out healing of the mind as a special rank, which they call a Shrink. Any cat of Viridity who wishes to learn to heal can do so.” Yellow eyes slitted, Seraph’s dark tail flicking in consideration. She understood what Amber was talking about, even though she had never felt that way about any cat; she had mated and then carried, birthed, and raised the kits on her own. But she had seen other she-cats chose toms for love, accepting the male’s aid in caring for kits, and she knew that that was what Amber was experiencing- perhaps not love, this soon, but certainly attraction.

“What is he like?” she asked, encouraging her daughter to speak more about the tom. “What’s his name? Is he big? Strong? Dark and handsome?” Purring again, Seraph rubbed her head against Amber’s, doing her best to hold her wariness at bay. Of course she worried, but she could not allow past horrors from directing her actions, and knowing that the tom was a healer- supposedly- was a point in his favor.