TGB: Not Alone, not Letting Go -Piper and Damon-

~ (Lime)Green > FireTribe | Character: Damon | Area: The Fallen Birch| Season: Winter ~

    It was a bright and peaceful afternoon of Nandryx, an ebony and white figure walking the stream/river of The Fallen Birch. Who was this cat? A simple Fire Triber named Damon. Looking across stream/river, Damon sat upon a stray rock. Black tail hanging and touching the brown-deceased grass below him, watching Light Tribe territory. “Piper… Please be okay. I just want to at least know you’re doing alright, and found someone who can replace me.” Damon spoke with a sigh and continued talking to himself, or so he thinks. “I’m stupid to break our friendship, but like its meant to be. I need to be with my Tribe. Knowing that my tribe is important to me as it is to your’s… Oh Piper…” Damon let out a low snarl of annoyance, annoyed at himself for being stupid. Ever since they last talk, Damon couldn’t forget about Piper and worries for her every hour of the day. Hoping she is alright, hoping someone is taking care of her. The Lime Green/Green-Fire tried to stay to his tribe and only think about their own health, but somehow Piper managed to crawl into his mind… Somehow...

    Thinking about Piper’s hurt look, Damon let out a low snarl, tattoo glowing bright and fire the size of his body surrounding him in aggression. “The hell have I done?! This is like that damn fox attack all over again!” Paws slammed the rock below him, claws clenching the cold stone, but slowly heating it up to a boiling point. Soon the flames died out as he remembered that everything is deceased around him, it could easily catch fire. Laying down in annoyance, Damon played with the small flame in front of him, ears bent back in sorrow. “Just want to see your face one last time, Piper… I just want to know you’re alright… I just want to know…” The sigh of Damon made the flame go out as his tattoo went back to its normal color of lime green. I just wasn’t ready… I was too stressed the last time, and I took it out on you, I just want to at least properly say goodbye. The ebony and white tom thought to himself, the wind silent and causing the water to ripple, so was his reflection rippling.

~ Orange/Pink > LightTribe | Character: Piper | Area: The Fallen Birch| Season: Winter ~

    Piper padded along the side of the stream her paws moving slow and steady. Her mind was fuzzy, clouded with worries and fears. The nightmares were getting worse and more vivid. Every morning Piper with a heavier heart, and a worse temper. She couldn’t bare to hurt anyone, it was baffling. It was as if she wasn’t able to control her emotions, they were so strong. Even Tarek, who was always so kind and affectionate towards her, got onto Piper’s nerves. Was there something wrong with her? Grief still hung to her chest, she’d lost so much, almost to much. She was losing it.

    Suddenly Piper saw a vast fire go up on the other side of the river. It burned for a moment, engulfing the figure that was controlling it. Piper was horrified for a moment, as the fire deluged the rock. The sparks of the licking flames flew into the sky, and ashes sprinkled down like rain. The fire then burned out, and revealed an ebony and ivory figure, his tattoo glowing a bright lime green. He flopped onto the warm rock, and stared into the flowing river. Piper glazed at the dark tom for a second, his pelt was so sable almost… starless. It was Damon!

    Piper darted to the birch, the cold ground rolling beneath her paws as she pushed herself faster and faster. Overwhelming joy hit her like a cool breeze, it warmed her chest like warm prey. She leaped onto the Fallen Birch, and memories flooded over her mind. When she’d challenged Damon after he refused to let her see Levina. It was a gloomy memory, though Piper pushed it into the back of her mind as she jumped onto the ground. She forgot about the burning in her legs as she ran as fast as possible towards the dark tom.

    Energy flowed through her body, it was almost magical. Her eyes glimmered

excitement and joy as she got closer and closer. She spotted the tall rock where Damon was sitting, and a sudden burst of doubt hit Piper’s chest. He’d told her that they needed distance, and time. But it had been nearly half a moon since she’d seen him. Wasn’t that enough time? Piper slowed her pace, gathering her thoughts. Maybe Damon didn’t want to see her. Maybe he would despise her for coming back. Worry and fears took over Piper as a little douce of terror flooded her mind. She stopped as she was about to leap beside Damon. Piper closed her eyes, her horror overtaking her senses. Nothing was going through her mind. Blank, blurry images crossed her eyes. “I’m sorry.” she whispered to herself. It was the same words that had fallen from her lips during her conversation with Levina. She was sorry for some much, and so little. Piper hated pity more than anything, and she knew that the ebony Fire-Triber was sorry for Piper. She looked up at the blank sky, it was as blank as her mind.

~ (Lime)Green > FireTribe | Character: Damon | Area: The Fallen Birch| Season: Winter ~

     A lonesome gust of wind passed by, carrying the sweet scent of Piper’s. Not daring to look up at Piper, he kept looking down at his reflection. The tattoo no longer glowing but light/ice blue gaze full of pain and regret… “You know your scent is very clear, if you aren’t too careful on sneaking up on something. You need to be more downwind.” At that, Damon gave in to looking at Piper’s face. There was a scar on her cheek, and the Green-Fire still entirely pissed on what happened to her, but even more mad at himself for what he has done to her… Hurt her feelings. Standing up, Damon made his way to the fallen tree that was a mere bridge from one side of the river/stream to the other. Standing on it, he was facing Piper with light ice blue gaze looking into her blue gaze, simply meeting. “Piper…” Tone was soft, but yet calm. The ebony and white tom trying his best not to give into weakness that is trying to overcome him, he wanted to assure Piper that everything is alright, that nothing has changed… But it has, oh it just has…

    Minutes have passed and Damon soon just bent his head down, necklace hanging low from his neck. Forehead to forehead. “I’m terribly sorry on what I said. I was just too stressed, and I took it out on you… I shouldn’t have done that. Giving us a break was very stupid of me, and I couldn’t get you out of my mind since. I was worrying nonstop about you, even when I tried to get you out of my head. But somehow, just somehow you crawled back in. I wasn’t ready to let go just yet, I wanted to put it down properly… But I think I just won’t let go… You remind too much of my little sister.” Damon closed his light ice blue gaze, letting the wind blow ever so slightly and the temperature around them settling down from his previous outburst of rage at himself. With eyes closed and forehead to forehead, and necklace chiming in the wind. It was pure silence between the two cats, not moving an inch. His tense body soon relaxed as his breaths became slow and relaxed. “I’m sorry…” Is all he managed to say, such a pitiful tone that was full of pain and regret, but he had to say it.

~ Orange/Pink > LightTribe | Character: Piper | Area: The Fallen Birch| Season: Winter ~

    Piper listened carefully as Damon’s words flowed from his tongue. She couldn’t believe her ears. He wasn’t mad at her? Relief spread through her body as if she’d dove into a pool of frigid water. Everything was going to be okay. She looked into the Green-Fire’s eyes, his gaze was calming, comforting. Piper had been too caught up to bother with the direction of her scent, but she was flattered Damon still recognized it. She could see a weak emotion in Damon’s body language, it was almost relief, but also a thirst for forgiveness. She tried to stay still, though a grin spread across her face as overpowering euphoria beat in her heart. The pleasure was so strong Piper trembled. His words were full of meaning, and she indulged every one of them. As she processed his remarks, there was an awkward silence. Piper hoped Damon wasn’t taking it as a sign of hatred, and spoke as soon as she could control her trembling. “There’s no need to be sorry. I know you didn’t mean it. At the moment it was truly devastating, I mean, it was like losing a part of my soul. You were the first cat I met, the first cat I made a friend of. And when I lost you it seemed like the end of the world.” Piper spluttered. But there was more she had to say. “And I know that surely there were other things on your mind that day. There were for me to. I was having nightmares, I mean, they still happen, but…” it would be a lie if Piper said they’d gone away. She paused, thinking of how to break it to Damon. If she didn’t tell Damon that she dreamt of death, who would she tell? Piper took a deep breath then opened her arid mouth to speak. “Recently, I had a dream that I’d killed Levina. I didn’t know why, but it was just there in my head. Levina’s corpse was lying there, her eyes so blank and her body so cold. I was scared as hell, but couldn’t move. My eyes were fixed on Levina’s figure. Then it just ended. I woke up, and I was safe and all. But I was still transfixed with the same terror and I haven’t been able to shake it off since.” Piper felt as if a rock had lifted from her chest. She glanced a little into Damon’s icy blue eyes, afraid of his reaction.

~ (Lime)Green > FireTribe | Character: Damon | Area: The Fallen Birch| Season: Winter ~

Silence was soon broken when Piper spoke, relieved that she doesn't hate him or rejected his apology. So relieved... The Green-Fire's eyes soon opened as he heard about nightmares, such dreams can cause trouble to a cat. In the past, Damon had none stop nightmares about a fox attack, but it soon gone away when Tacita- his friend helped him get rid of them, she ensured him that he wasn't the only one. Tacita...

'I had a dream that I'd killed Levina.' that one sentence seem to stuck out than all the others. Being calm about it, Damon backed up to see Piper's facial expression, she was hurt and afraid. "Piper, they're just dreams. There is no meaning behind them, I promise you that. Sometimes dreams can hold emotion in them: love, hate, lust, sorrow, ambition, and fear. Maybe you and Levina got into a fight with that, you were probably still mad when you went to sleep and dreamt about such things. I promise you that won't even happen and I will make sure it won't happen. Why? Because Levina is a fellow Tribe member, but also she is your sister and you won't do such things without being provoked to such an extent." Silence was in the air but it was soon broken when the ebony and white tom spoke again, "Piper, you don't have to worry about that. You still love your sister, right? That is all that matters, and what matters most is now- present time." Looking up at the clear afternoon sky above, Damon turned around at the other side of The Fallen Birch, beckoning Piper to come at the other side as well.

Being at the other side, Damon laid down on the deceased grass below him. Pawing his necklace onto his right forepaw, he looked at it and smiled at Piper. "You know I treasure this metal necklace, right? I also treasure the gift it came along with it, the day of the storm we were trapped together. I treasure it so much, it might become something I will pass down to my kits or my last apprentice before I retire to being an elder. Hopefully, they'll pass it down to their kits or their last apprentice- to generation to generation." A gust of wind rippled the water of the river/stream in front of the two cats, the leafless tree branches shaking as the wind passed by. Smiling at his necklace, Damon spoke once again but with a more softer tone, "I sure missed you Piper. There wasn't a day that gone by that you weren't on my mind, me being the kind of cat that worries for loved ones and friends." A smile edged across his lips, giving Piper a nudge on the shoulder with his muzzle. "I must know this before we depart once again. Not soon, but I need to know. Is life in Light Tribe going alright? You do have somebody that is taking care of you, and worries for you- like I do?" Ice blue gaze relaxed, but still have a few hints of seriousness. Looking at Piper, the Green-Fire could see a bit of his little sister; Maria within her- oh how he missed his litter sister.

~ Orange/Pink > LightTribe | Character: Piper | Area: The Fallen Birch| Season: Winter ~

Piper’s relief was calming her as Damon continued to speak. True, they were only dreams. Even though they may seem so vivid, they are only scenes played out in her imagination. She still loved Levina more than any cat, even Damon she had to admit. She watched as Damon’s expression rapidly changed as his words continued on. But Piper wasn’t sure that she couldn’t be provoked to such an extent. She’d attacked a cat once. Out of fear, a little dose of ambition and sudden anger. Piper hated being so temperamental, but it was so hard for her to control. Maybe one day she could master her aggressive demeanor, but for the moment she was stuck with who she was.

She was touched that Damon would pass down his necklace. It was symbolic to Piper. Even though she had once insulted it, now that Piper thought about it, there was a certain grace in the beauty of the object. But as Damon ended his talk, Piper was prepared to speak. “You’re on my mind to. I miss you, and life seemed like nothing without you. I was misinterpreting my emotions for anger, and then it just went downhill from then. And life is… okay I guess in the Light Tribe. Not much is happening, I mean, I’ve made some friends, which is a start.” Making friends had been a large accomplishment for Piper. She was insecure talking to the cats of her Tribe, for no apparent reason, it baffled her.

~ (Lime)Green > Fire Tribe | Character: Damon | Area: The Fallen Birch| Season: Winter ~

    Damon smiled, the fact that Piper is making friends put the Green-Fire at ease. “I’m glad you’re making friends, Piper. Look at it this way, if you’re ever chosen to lead the tribe in the future, you already know all your tribe members. Also to add that you can show them that they can trust you.” Rolling over on his side, Damon looked up at Piper. “The world of Nandryx is a mysterious place. So many things that hide within the near future…” Deciding to roll back onto his stomach, the Green-Fire decided to change the subject. “So Piper, who do you know in Light Tribe? Mind telling me about them? I’m quite curious on what its like in Light Tribe, and I’ll tell you what its like in Fire Tribe and some of the members in there too. Well, maybe some…” Damon managed to give out a grin as he thinks about Phoebe and Tacita… Phoebe on the other hand will be like a whole story, but as for Tacita… Well yeah.

~ Orange/Pink > Light Tribe | Character: Piper | Area: The Fallen Birch| Season: Winter ~

    Piper let out the last of her nervous tension left her. Piper lay down beside him, her front paws tucked under her fleecy chest. The ground was cold, and a question Piper was nervous to ask Damon hung at the edge of her tongue. It was what Damon did best. Fire. But she knew it could be a burden, after all he’d just lit a fire in his anger. Piper pushed the thought back, then listened more carefully, her mind was wavering more than ever, and it was difficult to concentrate. She’d broken her focus after ‘I’m glad you’re making friends.’ She guiltily sat blankly as Damon’s mouth opened and closed, she was no longer processing his words, until she was sucked back into the cold reality. She’d only caught a glimpse of his last few words, but she quickly got to replying. “Well, I met Zarya, an Orange-Light who was very kind to me. And Chisuzu, a diviner. We went hunting together, and I caught the raven that gave me my scar.” Piper brought her cheek to the light for Damon to see. “Then there’s Tarek.” Piper took a deep breath, she had so much to say about the sable Siamese tom. “He took me to Fisher’s Outlook, and made me this necklace.” She fiddled with her clover leaf necklace around her neck. So crude, so simple. Piper blushed a little, with just the thought of Tarek. He’d been the kindest to her by far, doing so much for her even though all Piper had done for him was take a walk. But a guilt hit Piper’s heart. She’d snapped at him the other day. Piper had been angry, flustered, tired that day. She normally indulged his affection, but that day, the nightmare had been so vivid, it was uncanny. The sudden sin forced Piper to plaster a fake smile onto her erring face. She didn’t dare look at Damon, the shame was too strong.

~ (Lime)Green > Fire Tribe | Character: Damon | Area: The Fallen Birch| Season: Winter ~

    Damon managed to catch a small part of the grass on fire(the size of his paw), concentrating on the flame to make sure it doesn't become a wildfire. At the same time, he listened to Piper tell him about her life in Light Tribe, it seemed all happy and free. But for Damon, Fire Tribe has been all about work, work, work no free time. Well hardly any free time. The flame soon grew bigger and the Green-Fire heard a smile cross Piper's face, looking towards her in interest. "So this Tarek fellow. You like him?" Damon put up a: Oooh Piper, you lovebird kind of face. Piper is young and she deserves to have love, but as for Damon on the other hand is growing into an old fellow sort of, basically planning his whole life on his own Tribe. Ambitious much Damon? "That is a beautiful necklace, this Tarek fellow sure has a taste for items or accessories. Whatever." Slamming his paw on the burning grass in front of him, the flames covered his paws almost all the way.

     His attention soon turned back towards the river/stream, his tail lashing against the deceased grass below. Damon managed to see a slight reflection of Piper's face, knowing that smile anywhere. What kind of smile? Something that holds pain and regret, a smile that Damon himself occasional times puts up himself... Like Phoebe for example. Oh great Spirits, she is way too hyper! Damon is forced to play along with her little game, but there are times the tough Green-Fire does have fun. "So is that all you have to tell me Piper? Everything is all rainbows and sunshine in Light Tribe?"

~ Orange/Pink > Light Tribe | Character: Piper | Area: The Fallen Birch| Season: Winter

Friendly panic spread through Piper’s mind as he asked if she liked Tarek. “Well… I wouldn’t exactly call it liking… but… I guess not really…” Piper trailed off and thanked the stars as Damon switched the topic to her necklace. She missed his teasing and cunningness, and gathered herself together to enjoy the moment. “He isn’t quite a Smith or Bone Crafter but he sure does have his ways with elements of nature.” Piper whispered. She kept her tone flat, not wanting Damon to think she had a little crush on the Siamese tom. “I wouldn’t say rainbows and sunshine. As an adolescent, I don’t hear of the internal problems within the higher ranking in the Light Tribe. I mean, I’ve never spoken to Basil or Niamh, I just look up to them as my leader and deputy. But I guess you could call it… almost boring for myself. I have conflicts of my own, but they could be nothing compared to what’s really happening in the higher ranks of the tribes.” It was true, it was so peaceful in the Light Tribe. As a Poisoner, there wasn’t much to do in the Winter, besides hunting, but Piper had a feeling in her gut that it was only the calm before the storm.

~ (Lime)Green > Fire Tribe | Character: Damon | Area: The Fallen Birch| Season: Winter ~

    The flame soon died down as Piper explained about her relationship with Tarek and Light Tribe events... Well not much of events, just daily things. "I really wouldn't compare your problems to the higher ranks. They have the same problems like we all do. It may seem a bit more extreme and serious, but its the same old same old stuff." Licking his left white forepaw, Damon's ears flicked as there was a lonesome gust of wind passing by. "I'm interested into knowing this Tarek fellow. He seems quite interesting if he knows how to control the elements of nature. Unlike me, I nearly burned down the area around me just because of my anger. No wonder why you like him so much." With a slight grin, Damon was teasing the Pink/Orange-Light about the relationship thing between her and Tarek. "Well, either way it goes. Love or not, he better have the claws and strength to take care of you in my place. Because after this, sadly. I really need to tend to Fire Tribe... Speaking of Fire Tribe! I have yet to tell you about it." Damon soon set up another flame to represent him and Fire Tribe. "Fire Tribe has been quite a hassle for me lately, rogues here and there. Also the terrain is very hard to patrol since there is so many hills and mountains- sort of. On hot days, its unbearable! But for the good side..." There was a long silence as Damon looked into the flame, "You could say there are a couple of cats that I would die for to protect. Like this one apprentice named Inky. I have my doubts that is her true name, but its not my place to judge. She is something else, gets on my good side. This other cat, her name is Tacita and you could say her history is almost similar to mine... Almost... Her brother is kind of gone and she blames herself for what happened to him, but as her friend. I have this sense to protect her and reassure her whenever she has those episodes, like I do with you when you have your troubled times." Laying his head on his forepaws, Damon let out a sigh. "Add onto that, I need to protect Fire Tribe from left to right. There are times I see couples being all lovey dovey. I wonder what that is like since its been like a while, but when I think hard about it. This belief I have is quite something else. I really don't need love to protect my tribe or to keep me going. I have enough fire and tranquility to keep me going. To put it short: Tribe first, Love last."

     Sitting up, his lime green tattoo soon faded into its normal color as the flames died down. "Stupid belief, I know. But its something that keeps me going to protect my Tribe- to die for them, and I don't have to worry about choosing." Repositioning himself, Damon looked down at Piper and spoke. "What about you? What is your belief?"

~ Orange/Pink > Light Tribe | Character: Piper | Area: The Fallen Birch| Season: Winter

Piper moved closer to the small flame, inhaling the scent of the ashes. It seemed like Damon really meant it this time. A certain tone in his voice told Piper that he was passionate about his beliefs. She respected his opinion, but deep down it hurt her gut. It was unfair almost. The Light Tribe was so peaceful, calm, but the Fire Tribe was full of problems with rogues and a horrible terrain. Was every Tribe like this? It was as if the Light Tribe was an oasis from all those dreadful problems. Why should the Light Tribe be so protected? They had Poisoners for defence and the Healers could work their magic in the case of an attack. Piper had to admit she was a little jealous of all the action. She patiently waited for her first real battle. Her little scrap with Neuro didn’t count, it was almost civil. The Tribes of Nandryx were almost like one.

    A little bit of embarrassment shot up Piper’s chest as Damon mentioned the lovey dovey couples. But it also angered Piper. Even though Fire Tribe problems weren’t  hers, they agitated the creamy and russet she-cat. They had so much to do, so much to protect, but they were selfish enough to put aside precious time to cuddle. It was all so stupid. On the inside she knew that she truly agreed with Damon, his values were based off experience and his reactions. But Piper knew she hadn't collected nearly as much practical knowledge as the ebony tom. She looked up to him like a big brother more than anything. “My belief? Well I guess since I’m only an adolescent, I don’t really know where to go. What path to follow, whether to take the lead or not, and who I should affiliate with. Zarya, the tabby cat I was talking about earlier, well she told me so much about the Tribes. About the caimans, and being deputy and ambition. It made me feel… almost stupid. I know so little even though it seems like I have the world in my paws.” Piper looked down at her paws, which she had unconsciously untucked from under her chest. Her claws flexed as retracted as she pondered what her belief was. Life seemed almost too simple to have a point in life. “I mean, there are no conflicts like the Fire Tribe’s problem with rogues in the Light Tribe. After all, we are in the centre of the territory. And truthfully, me belief hasn’t come clear to me yet. I’m young, and I know I can’t control my fate, but I am aware that I’ve gotta protect my Tribe before anything else. But I care about so many other cats, like you and Levina, who aren’t in my Tribe. I miss you both constantly, I just can’t get it out of my head. On the outside, I pretend to believe that my Tribe comes before my Loved Ones, but my gut is always screaming for me to protect my Loved Ones, to hear their voice and taste their scent.” Piper was ashamed of her belief, it was more gut instinct than control of your emotions. She looked at her paws, with her unsheathed claws. Piper had been scratching the cold ground, and noticed a snowy white flake in between her paws. She admired it’s simplicity, and smiled a bit. “But then I see the beauty of the world around me. It has no opinion, no Tribe, no duties. I enjoy the woods, where I have nothing to think about. It brings me an emotion I’ve never had. It’s a happy feeling, but at the same time I feel envious of their carefree life. I know, it’s stupid to admire trees and plants, but I guess that’s my belief. Follow your heart.”

Piper looked at Damon, her eyes met his. She missed his gentle gaze, which at first was intimidating, but now it was comforting.

~ (Lime)Green > Fire Tribe | Character: Damon | Area: The Fallen Birch| Season: Winter ~  

Sitting before Piper, she finally gave her response. But was it boring to hear it all? No, Damon was quite interested on her outlook on beliefs and stuff. "Carefree life... Hmm, better than mine. I'm a bit ambitious so mine seems a bit more violent, you could say. But to help you decide, and yes. You're still young and haven't chose your right path just yet. So here is a test-" There was a long silence as Damon's personality trait in a second, voice deepening in a lover or romantic kind of way, "How would you react if I confessed an undying love towards you? Will you be loyal to your tribe or to me? Loyalty means everything to love and tribe. But you have to make a choice on one thing." Silence was soon in the air, but it went away just as fast as it came. "I for example would rather choose one thing and stay to it for eternity. I don't remember which one, but because of my stupid decisions, I got a scar. So in result of that, I'm staying loyal to my Tribe only, not wanting to take a risk of such things." Eyes met and Damon couldn't help but give a smile. "Sometimes I think you're my little sister reincarnated." With a light huff, Damon laid back down next to Piper. "Surprising on how things can be nostalgic." Looking back at Piper, his memories flashed back before his very eyes, but it soon ended when it started. "Carefree life..." That one belief seemed to stick to Damon's thought, wondering what its like to not worry about anything in the world.

~ Orange/Pink > Light Tribe | Character: Piper | Area: The Fallen Birch| Season: Winter

Piper knew the answer Damon would want to hear, based on his belief. To stay loyal to the Light Tribe. But being so young, Piper knew she would’ve chosen to be loyal towards Damon. “Well, I know that being me I would choose to be loyal towards you. I mean, I can’t control how I feel about another cat, but I know that I control what I do about it. Sadly, I am aware that I would waver from my duties, and dedicate my loyalty towards the cat that cares about me. I know that my Tribe cares about me, but I prefer having personal attention. I know it sounds selfish but I can’t change the truth.”

    Catching the raven hadn’t been a stupid mistake, but it had left her with an everlasting scar. At first she was proud of her accomplishment, but now she was ashamed. Piper hadn’t done anything to special besides kill a raven. She was too proud. Piper then thought of Maria, Damon’s sister he had mentioned. She’d never met Damon’s little sister, but she was flattered that Damon saw his family within her. But then again, Maria was dead. It pained Piper to think of the death of Damon’s whole family. It had been hard enough just losing Leif. She felt pity for Damon, and saw a flash of horror illuminate in his eyes, as if memories were flooding back in. “I’m glad you think of me like your little sister Maria. I don’t mean to be a replacement, I’ll never be family. But I’m glad there’s someone out there that cares about me.” Piper sat up a little to be at Damon’s eye level. She didn’t want to hurt the ebony tom, but she had to say what was on her mind.

~ (Lime)Green > Fire Tribe | Character: Damon | Area: The Fallen Birch| Season: Winter ~

Laying down, eyes half closed as the wind carried the leftover embers going up in the afternoon sky. ‘But I’m glad there’s someone out there that cares about me’. That one sentence made him look towards Piper, “Piper, you know I’m not the only one that cares about you. This Tarek fellow does and so does your friends.” The Green-Fire gave Piper a lick on her scarred half of her cheek, “You’re family not matter what you say. No matter how mad I get or different Tribe you’re in, you’re family and always will be.” Looking up to the afternoon sky once again, his ice blue gaze reflected the clear sky’s light and he let out a sigh. “I really need to head back to Fire Tribe.” Getting up, his tall and lean body towered over Piper. “Tell this Tarek guy to be kind to you, if not. I’ll claw his ears off.” Once done, Damon turned around towards Fire Tribe territory, but stopped and forgot to do something. Giving Piper a sort of goodbye nuzzle, he whispered to her as he did so: “Take care of yourself Piper, and be a good Light Triber… For me.. Alright?”

~ Orange/Pink > Light Tribe | Character: Piper | Area: The Fallen Birch| Season: Winter

Piper shook her head. “N-N-No. N-No. No. No.” she whispered. Piper clenched her teeth together, she didn’t want Damon to leave. She knew her actions were kitten-like, but her grief was going to be just too strong. Her breathing was quickening, along with her heart. Piper’s muscles tensed up, she didn’t want Damon to leave. She shook her head, only slightly, from one side to another. “Please Damon. I’ve barely said hello.” she begged. This was one of the only times Piper had truly begged. She hated pleading for something, but that thought was passed. Her panic and sorrow was overwhelming, and her emotions boiling up in her chest, along with a batch of hot, salty tears. Piper held back her emotions as best as she could, but they ached in her chest and pounded in her head. She closed her eyes, trying to shut them out. But they kept coming back. Memories flooded through her shut eyes. Memories of fun, laughter. Which all made her envious, her current situation was just so damn unfair. She couldn’t. Piper had to let it all out, before it was too late.

“Damon please. I can’t live without you. I’ve been so miserable, so desperate to see you. I know it makes no sense that I have so much affection for you, I mean I think of you as a brother. I have to be honest, I feel just as protective over you as I do over Levina. You are both family to me. I can’t be separated this long. I just wasn’t the me I wanted to be. I was the snappy, temperamental Piper I am when I’m in grief. I can’t stand myself, it’s just so horrible living like this.” she let a few streams of tears fall from her eyes, which glimmered and sparkled in the dim light. Piper was embarrassed, she didn’t normally cry around others, except Levina. But they were getting hot and heavy at the base of her eyes, pooling up like her emotions had been. “I’m sorry. I just, don’t want to go back to being the pithy cat I was. I don’t mean to hurt others, but it just happens. It’s out of my control.” Piper looked down, a cloud of shame hung over her head. But why was she so ashamed of what she’d done to Tarek. I guess she really did care about the Siamese. She hated herself for loving someone so much, but was a little happy for herself too.

    “Damon. Even if you have to leave now. I’m glad you made it clear that I’m like family too you.” Piper confessed. She leaned forwards and buried her wet face into Damon’s chest. Her tears had stopped flowing, only leaving the wet stains on her cheeks. “I hate you.” she teased.

~ (Lime)Green > Fire Tribe | Character: Damon | Area: The Fallen Birch| Season: Winter ~

    ‘No! I’ve been so miserable without you!’ Many other words pained Damon for leaving her, but still there, his head over her shoulders. The Green-Fire let out a sigh, but eyes closed. The wind soon came by which was a lonely feeling. Pained that he had to leave Piper. Backing up to face Piper, his eyes were full of hurt. “It pains me to leave you, but if you’re lonely. You can just picture me right beside you, I’m always here for you Piper even if I’m not. I’m always here for you. Even if you’re at your weakest, think to yourself this: Is this what Damon will be happy about? And Levina? Will they be happy or disappointed in me if I ever did this? Always think about that.” With a weak smile. Damon touched foreheads with Piper and just as he did, she spoke: ‘I hate you’, but it was in a teasing manner. With a grin, Damon spoke “I hate you too… With a passion.” Looking down at Piper, his tall lean body caused a shadow over her. I really don’t want to leave you Piper. But I have to take care of my Tribe like you have to do to your’s. “Remember to not let go to those you love most, I know I’ve said that my belief overcomes me, but I won’t let go of you no matter what. Even consciously, you’ll be everywhere I go and I will be with you wherever you’re at the same time, just keep looking up at the sky and I promise you I’ll be looking up as well. From there, you’ll see me and my expression and I’ll see you. You’re never ever alone, Piper.” With eyes that met her turquoise blue eyes, “You’re never alone- not alone. I promise you that.”