it's the end of the world [as we know it] ~Smiff~

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[atrb=background,http://i41.tinypic.com/30iyl1z.jpg,true] "Speech." The day was horrid. Truly horrid. If Denim didn't know any better, he'd think this was the end of the world. He had woken to black skies looming over the city. It had begun to sleet before he'd even left his shelter. The temperature had plummeted over night and his paws were nearly frozen as he walked along the icy plaza. He was not accustomed to such weather. He was supposed to be living in the plains of Africa right now! Shivering, Denim shook his rugged mane free of the sleet that was making him cold. The mane wasn't much in the way for warmth. He had no winter coat for the rest of the body, chilling him completely. Closing his eyes, Denim let in a deep, icy breath, before exhaling. His stomach was empty. Natiri had taken Take to teach him how to hunt elsewhere. It would only confuse the puppy to show him the techniques of a lion. Dogs didn't have the razor sharp claws like felines did. Instead, Denim had gone separate ways in hope to find something to eat in the city. He had only been walking an hour, and already wanted to go back to their shelter and sleep in the warmth of his family. He couldn't cope with much more of this winter. The plaza was void of any life. As he scanned his surroundings, he saw nothing but iced snow and empty buildings. The best Denim could find here would be a few, starving rats. Crunching through the snow, a shiver ascended up the lion's spine. He had seen very little life all morning. Perhaps everyone had taken the hint that the weather wasn't going to let up and decided to stay in their dens. It was almost impossible to see in such foggy conditions. There was a breeze in the air, and Denim could almost feel the electricity of a storm approaching. He inwardly groaned. That was something the city could do without. Denim had seen storms lasting a few days before. Lightning and thunder was a confusing and scary aspect for many animals. He had even seen lightning strike a tree down when he had been younger. He gazed up at the dark sky. There was no hope today. He would have to double his efforts tomorrow and just hope that Iri and Take had better luck. The lion turned around just as the sleet began to fall harder. Wincing as the sleet slapped his skin, Denim decided to take shelter in one of the old restaurants whilst he waited for it to let up. He walked towards the old building. There were still rusted, metal tables with rotten table cloths outside. The red and white checkers had long since faded. He poked his nose through the broken door. A few windows were smashed, but other than that the room was in a good condition. He entered quietly, sniffing the air cautiously. He didn't want to interrupt someone's shelter. Once Denim was satisfied that nobody lived here, he jumped up onto the counter and lay down. He rested his head on his paws, feeling a lot more comfortable. There was only a slight breeze from the wind outside. The room wasn't much warmer, but it gave him more of a shelter. Closing his eyes, he just listened to the pitter-patter of the sleet against the glass, hoping it would let up soon.

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[SMIFFAGRIFF]

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[atrb=background,http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx34/Kitten_Lovour/brooketable1middle.png] Even in a storm like this, Brooke wouldn't rest for a moment. Not until every mouth in her pack was well fed and had shelter. And that was what she was doing out this morning - was it even morning? Brooke couldn't tell day from night any more these days. The winter was brutal and dragging on and on. Or perhaps it was her age finally setting in. Perhaps she was finally reaching her limit. It was a crunch in the snow nearby that brought her out of her solemn thoughts. Narrowing her eyes ahead of her, she caught sight of a large silhouette in the snow. Just the way it was walking was enough to tell her that it was a large cat. Perhaps with the storm, she could attack it with the element of surprise. While she had no desire to fight and cause a ruckus among the warring packs while the winter was in full force, a large beast like that would feed most of the mouths waiting for her to return. Trudging after the feline, Brooke tried to calculate just how she could pull this off. It was most likely a death wish without the help of at least a few other members of the pack... but what could she do? The plague was already weakening many of the dogs in Tempest, among them her friends. She had to keep them fed and healthy if it was the last thing she did. However, as she drew closer, she recognized the large creature as Denim. Lip curling up, she almost charged at him right then and there... however, the memory of him warding off his own pride while she rescued two members of her pack flashed in the back of her mind. She paused, her fur laying flat along her neck as she watched the lion go inside an old, run down, human building. "... Damn it all," she murmured, but she couldn't even hear her own voice over the howling of the winds. Looking behind her, all she could see was sleet, and the roar of the wind and oncoming thunderstorm rang loud in her eyes. Resigning herself, she decided that shelter was a smarter idea than attempting to hunt... for now. Or at least, that was what she told herself as she followed the lion into the restaurant. At first, she just watched him. He was atop the counter, resting away until the storm ceased. Perhaps she should just leave... let him be... but there were so many questions she just had to ask. This was her one opportunity... "Denim... that is your name... right? she spoke, breaking the muffled, but somehow tranquil sounds of the storm outside. Her voice was rough, almost emotionless if it weren't for the slight bite that Brooke always spoke with. Tail lifted high and confident, she felt the need to assert her authority, even if she stood no real chance against a lion.

[♥Picasso]

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[atrb=background,http://i41.tinypic.com/30iyl1z.jpg,true] Denim hadn't noticed that someone else had entered immediately. He had been quietly snoozing, legs dangling over the edge of the counter, eyes tightly shut. It was only when a voice broke through the silence, he startled awake. Denim immediately got to his paws when he recognised who it was that was confronting him. Denim would never forget her voice, nor her face. Immediately distrusting her, he kept facing towards her, in case she tried to attack. She would be stupid to try and kill him, however. Denim was huge, and although he couldn't attack, he could try and crush her. However, as Denim's bleary eyes focused on the Tempest Leader, he saw that she was not here for a fight. Glancing around, Denim made sure that there were no other canines ready to ambush him. He really didn't want to have the same fate as his mother. Narrowing his eyes, Denim stepped towards her, feeling engulfed in her strong scent. "I'm surprised you'd remember a cat's name." Denim sneered, wondering what on Earth she wanted. Why would she want to even try and speak to him? She had made it extremely clear that she didn't like him and that she was never going to give up Tempest for a peace treaty. He had only met Brooke several times, and he thought back to the last day he had seen her. Denim was about to leave the Iris Pride for good, and he wanted to do one last favour for the dogs in the Slaughterhouse. Unfortunately, with all the guards, he had only been able to rescue two of the prisoners there. Ryu. Denim remembered him fondly. He had guts, despite being cooped up in the pen for so long. His heart sank as he remembered the death of the Akita, who had been so desperate to rescue a canine that she had died doing so. Denim wondered what had happened to her body after Denim had left her on the Tempest border. Realisation dawned on Denim's features. Brooke had been there at the slaughterhouse and had witnessed Denim trying desperately to rescue Ryu and the other female, whilst also trying to distract the guards. Was she coming here to thank him? Denim's eyes twinkled in anticipation. Of course, Denim wasn't happy that Ryu was part of the Tempest, and was probably keen to get back into another battle with the cats, but it was better than being tortured by them. He wondered whether Ryu had changed the way he had thought about cats after the rescue. Perhaps he would think twice before ripping a cat's neck open. Finally, Denim broke the silence, "How is Ryu?" He didn't ask about the other canine they had rescued. Denim hadn't been part of that, and he didn't even know her name. However, Denim had been thinking of the other canine for many months, hoping he had recovered well.

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[SMIFFAGRIFF]

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[atrb=background,http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx34/Kitten_Lovour/brooketable1middle.png] Brooke gave the lion an incredulous look. Did he really think she was stupid enough to take him on in such a small space? Sure, she had thought about hunting him earlier, but that was in the cover of a storm. This was much different. There was nowhere to run if he turned on her with unsheathed claws... and she was not about to lose a second litter by the hands of a damn lion. "Calm down. I'm not here looking for a fight," she growled lowly. "And they say to keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. Don't act so flattered." Yes, some things would never change. Brooke would never treat a cat, let alone a child of Florence, with kindness. Just because he had helped Ryu and Estelle didn't mean he was off the hook. He was, after all, still a cat. She let a thick silence fall between them, debating if she should just turn around and leave. She didn't have to do this. But there was a feeling of gratitude somewhere, deep down inside her. Brooke was just reluctant to show it. There was, however, something slightly familiar about Denim. Something that at first, she hadn't been able to place. Now she knew: he reminded her of Addia. Too much. It was uncanny. His question broke her out of her trance, and with a tilt of her head, she stared at him. Ryu had told the lion his name? She supposed it was a simple mistake. The dog had been locked up with Iris for so long, she would cut him some slack. She hoped he hadn't let any other information slip out. Brooke didn't fully trust Denim, though she doubted he'd be dumb enough to attack Tempest alone. It was the other listening ears in the Iris Pride she was worried about. Alex and Kira particularly. "Ryu is doing well. As is Estelle, the other dog you helped rescue," she responded, calm, a small hint of relief in her voice. She could tell by the glint in his eye that he already knew what she was here for, "We could not have done it without you. You have... my gratitude." The last words left a bitter taste on her tongue - but this wasn't the first time she had said this to a feline. There was another, many months ago already. The snow leopard who had sold his Pride out to warn Tempest of an attack. She had told him the same words she was about to tell the lion before her, "If you are in need of help, seek me out. I will settle my debt to you." Idly, Brooke wondered if the lion had perhaps seen her daughter. Maybe they were even... friends. Something between a smile and a scowl worked its way onto the Mistress's face at the idea. She didn't dare voice her thoughts though - not yet - but her eyes grew distant, and waves of regret washed over her. Suddenly, Brooke felt very old and tired again, and with a long sigh, she found a spot on the farthest corner of the room from Denim and settled. It wouldn't be wise to trek home in this weather.