There was such a rise in the din, a wave of sound that most didn't notice the fragile mew of a newborn within the borders of the marsh land. Under a fluttering rapid crescendo heartbeat- erratically trying to escape from the tentative rib cage that wrapped around it like vines. Soft tawny fur soaked to the bone. The smell of fresh rain, careful rot, and vibrant vegitation- there was an absence of the needed milk.

She was born and left at the border.

It could be inferred- left to rot along with the sunken wood. Yet the kit had stumbled deeper into the territory on stumbling legs. Instincts driving the kit further towards an unknown civilization where lingering rouge scent- mother looped before trailing back towards the end of the border. Along with it the scent of milk-home

Moss was caught up in their fur, clumps of it dribbling down the left side where an ear should have been. Pathetic cries rising in the sound of cicadas and the rumble of a crocodile nearby rumbling with the contentedness of a good hunt.

A crimson point feline wade into a puddle that reached their chest. They were only weeks after their ear had poped, and brilliant sky blue eyes looked out- searching. Ravenous frame begging for food, shelter- and eyes filling with tears at the frustration.

[align=center][sup][glow=#FF3030,2,300]where is moma?[/glow][/sup]

Scars flicker like warning lights along an absent flank of white. Deep red hidden behind a light shade of black. The larger - so much larger than them - feline's lilt of tone makes the kitten quiver, suddenly aware of the chill creeping under their fur like an infection. Aware of the moss- just how ragged they looked. They looked up, light blue eyes like fresh spun glass blink up to meet the small tooth along their hung neck.

everything about this person screams danger- but sweet- naivete as they are, they sway closer. Wide teary eyes blinking past the feeling of wanting to trust the soft voice hidden behind clever- oh so clever fangs. Needle like teeth feel like dagger's in their own, and their tongue feels for them as they meow back pathetically- hopeful, earnest. "mama." the kitten chokes on their own tears. Trying hard to be strong- brave and solem like mama.

"didn't mean to..." leave me here. It sits like a stone in their throat- the truth they try to swallow around as the lies babel out like rainwater in soft spring. The unnamed kitten looks up hopeful, placing such an open trust in a stranger. "'said to follow, said to wait here" They knew that they did,. they learned to sit still- sit quiet, but it was taking so long and they were tired. They wanted home, wanted mama. but neither were here- just a stranger.

A stranger they didn't know the name of.

and suddenly it felt like something else pushed into them. Those same blue eyes looked down- into the murky water their paws and kicked up. Shy like, and the situation forgotten. "'n i don' know you" The kitten tells, the facts making their mind calm, when the information shouldn't. "m' Sur'na"

yellow of a brilliant hue cut's into sea-foam occularies. Looking down- looking lost the kitten startles at the sight- returning their gaze back up to meet another blue shade and the disguised anger feeling swimming into them. A staggering step back as wet hackles rise in more shock than any fear or anger. Too young to reason out - to know the meaning of a clan- or group. Not knowing the border that they passed beyond the following scent of lingering rouge in the air that didn't belong to them.

"no" Sur'na mutters, her town tampered down at the sight of the two larger felines- only grateful for the help even with how shy they feel. Butterflies bubbling in her throat in a way they weren't used to. Tail curled along their back leg in a sense of meager comfort.

" said to stay, said to wait" she didn't say she would come back. The thought struck them and suddenly whatever emotion beyond the fear- the curiosity of strangers dropping as a mourning replaced their features.

"didn't say she'd.... come back"