::TGB:: Kronk | Fadri [CH.1 Unlikely Friends] 1

[ Blue-Fire | Kronk | Fisher’s Outlook ]

Kronk woke early that morning, stretching his forepaws in his nest. Ink was still asleep beside him, clinging and drooling away like she always did to him. ”Ugh Ink… come on…” He had to shake his face and wipe the drool from his face with a paw… every night his sister curls up with him and every day he wakes with drool on his face… He pushed his sister off him, and even with a light thud, the she-cat didn’t stir in her sleep… feeling bad though, he nosed Ink back in her nest before he slipped out of the den. The morning sun was just rising beyond the horizon, promising a good day ahead. Cats were starting to wake and the morning patrol had just left. ’I better hurry if I wanna get away before Ink and my mentor wakes up..’ Kronk thought as he shook out the sand from his fur, grabbed what was left of last night’s kill, which was just a old mouse, then quickly slipped away without anyone noticing. He was going to explore farther of the neutral territory, so he wanted to fill his belly just a bit before leaving. No one would notice an old mouse anyways, and the hunting patrol would catch more for dinner. Once he left camp, he settled to eat, had a drink of water then set out on a new route.

Kronk had skirted around the borders of Light Tribe, from crossing the birch tree, he didn’t want to meet anymore Light cats, and be questioned why he was passing through. The sun was reaching its peak when he finally found a new patch of land he recognized from the edge of Pheasant forest. Looking over The Waters of Ezrael, to a bunch of rocks and such near Earth Tribe. This must be Fisher’s Outlook that he heard about from the others. He was never fond of fishing or swimming, but as a self-claimed explorer, this place was on his ’Must visit’ list, much like every other landmark and area. It was quite far and he was even able to catch a mouse or two on his way. Which he buried to collect later on his way back. Kronk took in the fresh lake air as he hopped on a flat rock, enjoying the sun that shone brightly in the sky~ It felt like autumn and he wondered when the snow would get here~ Would be be as cold as he mother described it to be? He had thick fur, so he shouldn’t be too cold.. right? ”I wonder how cats catch fish…” the young dark tabby mewed softly to himself as he peeked into the water, instantly seeing fish swim away from a moving shadow… ‘Hmmm...’

[ Green-Earth | Fadri | Fisher’s Outlook ]

Camp was boring.
The mines were interesting, but Woody was a pain in the ass and if he was gonna go mining, he’d probably need to take his apprentice with him. Tch. Apprentice. The red-furred tom’s tail twitched irritably at the thought of the little brown cat. What in Nandryx had been going through Alcina’s head - giving him an apprentice? Fadri would do his duty, for some unknown reason he actually wanted to stay in these drab tribes, but dear spirits he wasn’t going to enjoy it. Perhaps, if Woody had been a bit different of a cat, if he’d been more susceptible to pranks or if he’d had a mind as wonderfully intelligent as Artemis had had, Fadri may have been more eager to train. As it was, though, the kit was slowly and stubborn, and, worst of all, Woody could read Fadri. That was not appreciated in the slightest  - in fact, it quite pissed the green-earth off.

Camp was boring. The mines were not somewhere he was going to stay. Hell, Fadri wasn’t going to keep his paws in Earth-Tribe territory, not when being out of it meant there was far less of a chance of running into the blue-earth. Complete avoidance was always the best method, right? Leaping down from the crook in the branch in which Fadri had made his nest - sleeping in camp was so boring - the tabby’s paws hit the ground at a steady lope.

He didn’t much like running, to be honest. Walking was where it at, or racing through the tree tops.  Racing along the ground was alright, but it didn’t have the same thrill, and thrill was what the Green-Earth lived for.

Out of earth-tribe territory, into the neutral lands, and farther. The lake was stretching before him now, and he slowed his pace to a steady walk, azure eyes grinning down at the water. He loved water. There was a bit of a chill in the air now, sure, and that meant the water was going to be cold as well, but he loved it all the same. Tapping the surface of the lake with a dark-toed paw, the Earth-Triber’s whiskers twitched at the ripples. Out of camp, out of the territory. Perhaps he’d run into a friend? He only had one of those really. Scanning the area, though, a different pelt caught his eye.  Who was that? Grin stretching wide and then vanishing completely as his face became an emotionless mask, Fadri dropped into a crouch and pulled himself forwards, sneaking around the rocks until he stood on a few just behind the younger tom. ”Boo!”

[ Blue-Fire | Kronk | Fisher’s Outlook ]

Of course Kronk didn’t hear anything or anyone sneaking up on him, his thoughts concentrated on the water below, his unmoving shadow made the fish relax and return into what they thought was safety. When finally he heard a sudden BOO! He didn’t even react or move! ”Nice try Ink…” Yes, he was used to being snuck up on, or getting a surprise thanks to his sister. She did a number on him and he had grown resistance to such attacks. Though realizing he left his sister back at camp, his fur fluffed out in a sudden fright!! Call that a late... reaction if you will. He slowly turned his to look behind him to see a young brown and cream tom-cat, he blinked twice… ’Boo? Was this cat some little kit??’ Kronk thought as an unamused expression was plastered on his face and he straightened up. ”Hmph, got nothing better to do but sneak around like a mouse?” he mocked him, his fur starting to lay flat again.

What was with these cats? Everywhere he went, no one could just approach him normally, cats would sneak around or crash into him like idiots! Ugh! Its like living in a group with a lot of Inkies!! So annoying! Kronk glared at the tom.

[ Green-Earth | Fadri | Fisher’s Outlook ]

Though the reaction may have been a bit delayed, the end result was enough to please Fadri greatly. Such a fluffed up little kit! A bemused smirk lightly etched itself onto his features as the blue-fire turned to face him. Aha! He seemed to be running into a lot of fire-tribers lately. Charley, Sorne, and now this cat. He knew more cats from that tribe than he did his own! ”Sneak around like a mouse? Why, I’m honored that you think I’m so stealthy~” He grinned, winking a little. ”Ink, huh? I don’t think that’s my name but I suppose it’ll do. What are you doing out here little Fire-Triber. Got lost and can’t find your way home?” Fadri’s azure eyes watched the younger cat carefully, curious gaze hidden behind amused eyes.

He enjoyed meeting up with cats, seeing what made them tick. Even more fun was having adventures with them, though. What sort-of a cat would this one be? A Blue-Fire of the same nature as his own apprentice, or one more like Charley? The latter would be much more welcome, Fadri decided. Something in between the two could be interesting as well, though.

[ Blue-Fire | Kronk | Fisher’s Outlook ]

Kronk huffed through his nose in annoyance. ”Yes and you’re apparently mouse-brained too,” he muttered under his breath, but loud enough for the older tom-cat to hear him. He turned away and faced the water again, crouching lower to peer into the surface. ”That’s my sister’s name Green-Earth.” he said in a not so friendly tone. Thinking this tom-cat was a real idiot, but its only because he didn’t like him already. While he haven’t met an Earth-Triber yet, he could tell from his tattoo as they resembled leaves like the ones in his mother’s stories. And he knew he was near their territory as well… he couldn’t be warned enough not to trespass after all.

”I don’t get lost, I know my way around,” Kronk answered him. He was a good explorer and he knows how to mark the routes he take when he enters a different area. Nothing like marking borders or anything of the sort, but his own way to guide his paws back home. Like how Hansel and Gretel would leave bread crumbs, Kronk would place something somewhere that only he could tell is different from everything else. Be it moss, leaves, berries… anything really. Unlike Fadri, this grumpy cat prefered to not meet any more of these strange cats… He sighed… ’Why must it always be me…’

[ Green-Earth | Fadri | Fisher’s Outlook ]

This time, the red tom couldn’t contain his smirk. Jumping up onto the rock that the blue-fire was standing on, Fadri drew himself a few steps closer to the little cat and plopped his haunches down in front of him. ” Mouse-brained? Hmmm. Thats an interesting comment. Can’t really say I’ve been called that before. Not too interested in making little mice babies, after all. OR eating seeds. I prefer to make things grow out of them.” He knew that the comment hadn’t been meant literally, but it was always fun to see how cats would react to him taking them as such. And this tom just seemed overall irritated. ”Sister, huh? I’ve got one of those too. In your tribe, actually. I don’t really think I’d like to be called her name. Inky works. So does Green-Earth. Or Rowan, or Fadri. Take your pick but don’t wear it out.”

Leaning to the side a little bit, the tom grinned down at his distorted reflection on the water. The swimming would be excellent today, he decided. ”Good. Won’t have to lead you back to where you belong then.” He mewed, absently. ”Do you like to swim? The water’s great for it.” A little chilly, maybe, but what was the fun if it wasn’t?

[ Blue-Fire | Kronk | Fisher’s Outlook ]

Kronk let out a sigh… this tom-cat was annoyingly stupid, probably more so than his sister, but at least his sister didn’t know she was an idiot for now. He didn’t even bother to comment any further about the mouse talk, it was not even worth it.

Inky was his sister’s kit name and he rather jump into the lake and swim now than to call this cat Inky. He moved away from Rowan. ”I’m Shade,” he mewed after all the talking, thinking all the while Fadri spoke too much… It was almost exhausting to him. ”And you never stop talking do you?” he commented, and even though it was a question, it was rhetorical. He shook his head and stepped away from the water’s edge, walking behind the tom-cat, ”I don’t like to get wet if I can help it … Rowan,” the young tom mewed, deciding to pick the easier name to say, ”But you can go ahead and get in without me,” and with that, he purposely bumped against Rowan, pushing him towards the water.

[ Green-Earth | Fadri | Fisher’s Outlook ]

Oh, he liked this tom. Somewhat bitter comments, snarky attitude. Fadri grinned, his blue eyes calculating as the smaller cat walked behind him, bumping at him with a force that made the tom take a few steps forwards. his front paws resting precariously on the edge of the overhang.

”Pleasure, Shade. I’ll admit, I do like swimming.” He smirked, turning suddenly so that he could face the smaller blue-fire once more. ”But it is always far more fun swimming with someone else!” Stretching out in a quick, snake-like movement, the red tom aimed to wrap his paws around the younger cat’s legs as his hind paws pushed backwards, thawing him off of the rock in reverse.

With a joyful, screeching cry, the tom fell through the air and landed with a splash in the still-shallow area of the water, kicking his paws out to swim even deeper and shivering with joy as the cold waves lapped at his fur and chilled his bones.

[ Blue-Fire | Kronk | Fisher’s Outlook ]

Shade has rolled his eyes, ignoring the tom-cat and continued walking along Fisher’s Outlook--or so he thought until the stones disappeared under his legs, getting pulled into the air and falling downwards into the water! His eyes widen in panic! His tail lashed, forcing his body to twist midair before landing on all four paws into the shallow water below, causing a great splash!

Once the water settled around him, leaving him looking wet and spiked, he was frozen for a moment… as though wondering what in the spirits just happened… Then it slowly all sinked in, the water was over his shoulders… any deeper and he would have drowned! ”Y-You…” the angered tom glared after Rowan! ”Are you freaking crazy! Get your tail back here, I’m going to kill you!!” obviously not literally kill him, he wasn’t that type of cat but he was PISSED OFF! Without thinking he kicked his paws towards the older tom, instantly reaching deeper waters and he couldn’t feel the ground anymore, but he was kicking so fast and he was so angry, he didn’t notice he was already swimming. His big paws pulled him forward, and his body helped him float. ”Grrr!!”

[ Green-Earth | Fadri | Fisher’s Outlook ]

The laugh continued to echo out of the Green-earth’s parted jaws as he paddled further into the lake, azure eyes glancing over his shoulder to watch the kit. ”Lookit you!” He called back, smirking. ”For a cat who doesn’t like being wet, you sure can swim!” This was entertaining. This was almost fun, even, and far, far better than anything he could have possibly done with his apprentice, the red tabby concluded.

Snorting at the other cat’s threat, Fadri dove under the surface, breaking the still calmness that seemed to be everywhere under the water with the thrashing of his cream-colored paws in a manner that uncoordinated bur propelled him deeper, deeper, deeper, until he felt his kings were going to burst and black spots danced across his eyes. Then, with a sudden kick, he propelled himself upwards, breaking the surface with a gasp for air and grinning pleasantly back at the blue-fire. ”Well, c’mon then! If you’re gonna kill me, better do it today!”

[ Blue-Fire | Kronk | Fisher’s Outlook ]

Shade pushed on tirelessly forward… that was of course… until he got exhausted from swimming, it took more energy to swim, and he was more used to running and climbing… eventually when Rowan dived under water, he decided to swim back to shore. Panting as he pulled himself out.. he himself couldn’t believe he could swim!! It must be thanks to his Water-Tribe mother, he only knew she was water-tribe when he himself got his tattoo and saw the grey tattoo on his mother for the first time. Once on shore, he collapsed on his stomach, looking out at the water in time to spot Rowan mock him. He just huffed and started to mutter to himself of how annoying the older tom-cat was! His eyes filled with a fiery hatred for him.

”Whatever, I will get him next time…” he grumbled quietly, his claws scraping the warm stone underneath him.

[ Green-Earth | Fadri | Fisher’s Outlook ]

The sight of the retreating cat made Fadri’s laugh grow louder, his tone catching a playful mocking-ness. ”What, giving up so easily, Smoky?” The nickname seemed apt enough, with his darker fur and fire-tribe tattoo. Splashing around in the lake some more, the red tabby let the gentle waves wash him back to shore, a large grin upon his features as his paws met warm rocks and he shook out his fur. ”Now, tell me that wasn’t just the refreshment you needed.“ The tom rolled his eyes and jumped back up to the over hang, his front legs dangling off of it once he’d settled down, claws unscathed as if hoping to catch a fish, though nothing but minnows swam in such shallow waters. Ah, well, they were good fun to play with, at least, until he got bored - which would be only moments later; there was only so much one could do with fish. It wasn’t like drowning or jumping from a tall height, there was only so much fun that could come with fish.

[ Blue-Fire | Kronk | Fisher’s Outlook ]

’Smoky?’ Shade thought… that would be the fourth name now, at least it wasn’t as bad as Scruffy, whatever. He just flicked his tail at the name, acknowledging it but also not liking it entirely. He decided not to bother talking to the tom anymore, he was so mad, he just scowled angrily--this would be giving him the silent treatment, he should be bored soon and just… go away soon enough.

Instead he just tried to rest his muscles, swimming was exhausting! Not refreshing at all! His thick fur felt so heavy thanks to the water and it made him feel hot and sticky rather than anything else.. He preferred dry fur… dry and clean… ugh. He sneezed! Great! Now he might even be sick later on… He huffed.

[ Green-Earth | Fadri | Fisher’s Outlook ]

Ah, so the little tom was giving Fadri a silent treatment. Grin growing, the tom let himself slide off of the over hang and splash into the very shallow waves that lapped lightly against the rocks, kicking up as much water as he possibly could and eyeing the Blue-Fire. ”What, Kitten got your tongue? Man. I knew tribe-cats were soft, but I didn’t even think the kits were as weak as you.”

Catching one of the minnows as they raced through his paws, the Green-Earth splashed it up and flung it at the younger cat. ”Maybe you’re just hungry, though. That’s probably enough for a little spit like you!” He teased again, blue eyes glinting.

[ Blue-Fire | Kronk | Fisher’s Outlook ]

Shade simply let out a yawn as Fadri went on, not reacting even when he called him weak. It did make his eye twitch though but he stood his ground… until the water splashed on him again and he had to stand up to keep his paws from getting wet again since he was laying close to the edge of the lapping waters. He huffed angrily as he glared at Rowan, and when the little minnow came flying [weeee/shot] he opened his jaws and caught the little fish in a perfect score! Chewing it in 2 bites before he swallowed. He looked un-amused as he did so though. He continued to glare… a moment of silence dragged on before them, his big paws lifted off the ground… then… then… SNEEZE! He ended up being pushed back from the force and he slowly.. almost comically fell backwards onto his back with a ‘plop’ sound. ”Ugh, you’re so annoying…” he mewed, unmoving like this was normal… maybe he was playing it cool?

[ Green-Earth | Fadri | Fisher’s Outlook ]

The Green-Earth’s eyes flickered wide in a brief moment of surprise as Smoky caught the little creature between his jaws, before grinning slyly at the other cat. ”Nice catch!” He offered, sitting down in the shallows and letting the cool water tug at his fur and float his fluffy tail back and forth. A small snort of amusement left the red tom as the smaller one fell backwards, a twitch of his whiskers indicating his slight amusement at the other cats words. ”Nah, you’re just boring.” He mewed in response, flicking another minnow in the tom’s direction. I wonder if he can catch them lying down. Maybe this would be a more interesting encounter than he’d thought. Still leagues better than training Woody. Not nearly as fun as hanging out with Charley, though.

[ Blue-Fire | Kronk | Fisher’s Outlook ]

Shade took another moment to relax and calm down… he felt so pissed off but now was just feeling tired and exhausted… so much so, he couldn’t bother anymore. He was just about to get up when he noticed a fish was flying his way, he opened his jaws and jerked forward to catch it before it hit his face and he chewed it in two bites. Once done, he got back onto his paws and shook out his heavy fur quite roughly before he settled on his side and started to groom, he wanted to dry himself and rest before making the trek back home. ”Whatever,” Kronk mewed with an annoyed flick of his tail.

[ Green-Earth | Fadri | Fisher’s Outlook ]

”Impressive, Smoky.” Fadri mewed, blinking at the tom, a new going in his eye. Scooping another paw, the miner tossed a pair of fish at the other this time, shifting so he could sit on his haunches. The minnows were easy prey - they might be fast, but he was faster, and they were far too many and too stupid for him to completely miss. ”But can you do more?” He snorted. ”Unless you’re too lazy to try or don’t want to smell like one of the Fish-Breathed Water-Tribers. No judging there.” He hated the smell of fish. And the taste of them, really, favoring Hawks far more than anything.

[ Blue-Fire | Kronk | Fisher’s Outlook ]

”Its too small to really taste like anything,” He huffed, he didn’t like fish much either but to him food was food. Its not good to waste and you should eat if its easy prey. You never know when the next time you’d go to bed hungry or starve to near death. He never actually had to go hungry before, but the stories he heard was less than delightful. So when the next two fishes came flying at him, he glared at Fadri and used his front paws to slam on the ground, backing his head slightly and catching the tiny fish in his jaws, he just swallowed them this time, and sat up. ”Do you mind? I’m trying to dry myself here,” he huffed, shaking again as droplets started to fly. But he was starting to taste the fish now, so he padded over to the edge for a quick drink, then walked away, finding a nice hot spot where the sun shined, and continued grooming his fur dry.

[ Green-Earth | Fadri | Fisher’s Outlook ]

“Doesn’t mean it doesn’t smell~” The red tom retorted, eyes sparkling. This tom was a good catcher! That was something atleast, Stretching luxuriously with his paws still in the cool water, Fadri shrugged at the words. ”Can’t you just set yourself on fire to do that? It’d dry you off plenty quickly.” Snorting the tom jumped back up onto the rock, bored once more. The neutral-lands need more trees. Maybe he ought to nap. It wasn’t really what he’d expected to do for the day, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea, he didn’t think. Maybe if he napped here for long enough someone interesting would wander by who he could convince to go off cavorting with him.

[ Blue-Fire | Kronk | Fisher’s Outlook ]

Shade huffed, whatever. Then he rolled his eyes at the tom. ”I’m of a secondary nature, we don’t light things on fire… at least I don’t think so,” he shrugged. ”If my mentor would even take a second of her day to teach me, I would be farther along,” he got up, eyes flaring with utter annoyance. ”Only shows I have to do everything by myself,” he looked over to Rowan and padded towards him. Tempted to give him a nick but he decided not to. It wouldn’t be smart to start a fight. ”I heard your tribe are miners? Is that right?” he asked, a little out of character to approach the Earth triber, but he had been curious for a long while now. Since he would leave soon, he might as well ask and see if he could get some ores to turn into usable metal.

[ Green-Earth | Fadri | Fisher’s Outlook ]

Secondary nature? Tilting his head a little, the tom let his mind wander. What had he learned of Fire-Tribers? Primaries, like Charley, lit themselves on fire, he knew. What did Secondaries do? Sheilds. The notion came to him suddenly and he nodded. ”Pah.” He mewed, rolling his eyes a little. ”If apprentices can’t learn anything by themselves whats a mentor gonna teach them.” Kirkwood, at least, seemed to know something. Not much, and his intelligence wasn’t anything to brag about, but, hey, something was better than not at all, and even though the cat Alcina had entrusted to him was far from one he liked, he was doing his duty at least. ”Sure is. Smiths can’t do shit without the stuff we mine.” He mewed, smirking.

[ Blue-Fire | Kronk | Fisher’s Outlook ]

Shade gave him a tiring look, ”If we didn’t need mentors, there wouldn’t be anything to teach,” he shook his head, but it didn’t matter anymore, he would just do fine on his own if his mentor was too busy to train him. He couldn’t even be bothered, he learned a lot more just watching the other smiths work.

He blinked as Rowan said what he did. Pft, he smirked, ”Its not like you can do anything with the stuff you mine, its just rocks and only smiths can turn them into usable metal,” he mewed matter of fact. Then shrugged, ”Are you a miner? Or do you know one I can meet?” he asked, sitting upright and looking at Rowan with expectant eyes.

[ Green-Earth | Fadri | Fisher’s Outlook ]

”Wasn’t sayin’ that.” The red-furred tom mewed, leaning up onto the rock that hung over the shore and stretching out to let the sun dry his fur, head nestled on his paws. ”I said, If you can’t learn anything by yourself, how will a mentor teach you anything.” It was quite the conundrum. Those who couldn’t learn by their own would be impossible to teach.

”It’s a mutual need.” The green-earth mewed, nodding agreement. Accessories didn’t have much use other than being sentimental or interesting to look at, though, unless a Light-Triber got to them. Twitching his tail a bit, a mischievous grin flickered onto the tom’s face once more. ”That I am. Gotta find someone to supply you with something? I know stuff wayyy better than bits of metal, though, if you do.”

[ Blue-Fire | Kronk | Fisher’s Outlook ]

”Yeah, I would be better off learning on my own anyways,” the young tom grumbled under his breath, whatever. Who needed a mentor that was too busy anyways, not him that’s for sure.

Shade nodded agreement, he supposed that’s how the Tribe keeps up with the daily news, coming over every other day to sell or trade. ”Yeah! I’m a smith, so I need some supplies to practice on,” he said, ”I don’t have anything to offer but when I am off my apprenticeship, I can make you whatever you want?” he said, unless there was something Rowan wanted that he could go and find. His eyes sparked interest, ”Like what?”