Daddy's Little Girl

[Silver ❤]

Evangeline

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About eight weeks since their birth, the four kittens had grown exceptionally bigger and stronger. Their eyes had opened and their true colors were showing. Their kitten fur was still fluffy and soft like duck down, not providing too much protection yet from the cold. So they stuck close to their mother's belly, suckling when hungry even though they had started to eat rabbit and field mice as well.
Nestled between her mother's paws, the small calico kitten blinked open her light green eyes. She opened her pink mouth in a wide yawn and scrambled out from between Briella's paws, landing in the soft and sweet smelling hay. Light was beginning to seep in from between the closed barn doors, making her whiskers tickle in excitement. She hadn't been allowed outside by herself yet, and while everyone else was asleep, this was her chance!
Evie tiptoed over to the door and sniffed them curiously. She had never seen her mother, father, or sister go out this way. Only the humans were strong enough to open the doors. After plopping down on her haunches, she thought about how she and her family had gotten out before. She sniffed around until her paw slipped and she tumbled into a sort of hole. Fresh air blasted her face and her tiny mouth widened into a smile. I found the tunnel! She exclaimed in her head. It wasn't really a tunnel, but a hole big enough for her parents to scramble through, but to this small kitten, it was the tunnel of adventure. She wriggled through until her paws met grass and her nose tingled with cold.
Outside, the world was covered in a thin fog and the sky was gray. Her parents had not been lying when they said autumn had come, and her paws her already growing numb from the cold. But she was out, alone, and ready to explore!

OOC: n/a
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[Jay]

I c a r u s

Icarus had been sleeping soundly, nestled up next to his mate and kits when somewhere his mind noted a sudden absence - a brief chill where a kit had once been. Immediately the tom-cat was awake. His pale green eyes were briefly clouded with sleep before they cleared, locking onto the form of a small body leaving through the entrance and exit of their hope.

Careful not to disturb his mate and remaning kits, Icarus stood and very briefly stretched before following his son or daughter outside. The dark grey tom smiled faintly when he saw that the escapee was none other than his youngest - Evangeline. Icarus was silent as he watched as Evangeline explored the outside - the weather was getting chillier, leaves beginning to change colors and prey starting to become harder to find. It had been hard for he and Briella to care for Hope, how were they going to care for several more mouths? He could attempt to travel back to the city but ... he was loathe to leave Briella and his little ones behind. They'd find a way.

"Enjoying yourself?" The tom-cat's voice was soft, hints of amusement coloring it as he padded beside his daughter. Icarus lightly licked the top of Evangeline's head, glancing down to meet green eyes that were a replica of his. The tom protectively wrapped his tail around Evangeline, knowing that the morning air was likely chilly to her still kit-soft fur.

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[Silver ❤]

Evangeline

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Evie jumped slightly, not aware that her father was behind her. "Uh oh... I'm in trouble aren't I?" She mewed, crouching down into her father's fluffy tail, enjoying the heat that was radiating from it, her green eyes growing wide. She had hoped no one would wake up, since she wasn't yet allowed outside... but apparently her father was a lighter sleep than she though. She lifted a feathery leg and pawed at Icarus' gray and white fur. "I'm sorry, daddy. I just wanted to go outside alone. I wanted to see what autumn looked like." She apologized, her big green eyes wide, pleading for forgiveness. It was a look many cats would find hard to resist. She snuggled against Icarus' side, her paws still tingling and numb from the cold weather.

OOC: kinda short, sorry /: but Evie is so cute <3
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[Jay]

I c a r u s

Icarus couldn't help but chuckle softly at his daughter's question. With affection and care evident in his gaze, the gray and white tom leaned down and gently nuzzled the she-kit. "Of course you aren't in trouble, little one. But you should've woken you mother, Hope or I up. Something bad could've happened to you and we wouldn't have been none the wiser." Half-way through his speech, Icarus' eyes grew worried and his tone more strained. He didn't know what he would do if something happened to Evangeline - hell, if something happened to any of his kits. He already knew he was going to loose Hope - the aging tom-cat didn't know if he would be able to stand another loss.

Shaking the depressing thoughts from his mind, Icarus glanced down at his youngest once again, smiling at her words. "Well how about you and I go for a walk then? Just the two of us and, if you're good, I'll even tell a story along the way." Icarus brushed noses with his daughter, nuzzling into her neck affectionately before he drew back and waited for her response.

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[Silver ❤]

Evangeline

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The little kit bounced up, her cold paws suddenly forgotten. "Really?" She squeaked, her eyes as wide at the moon. "Yes, yes, yes!" She scrambled over her father's fluffy tail and scampered ahead, her eyes trying to see through the fog that was beginning to burn off as the weak sun climbed into the air.
"Come on then, daddy!" She waved her tail, excited to finally get some alone time with her father. With three other siblings, plus Hope, it was difficult sometimes to get some one on one time with her parents. But now she had Icarus all to herself, and she was going to enjoy it! She wrapped herself between his legs, rubbing her cheek against his fur and purring loudly, her tail slightly tickling her chin.
"Can you tell me about the city? Or aunt Rhea?" She asked, her voice as sweet as honey. She blinked those bright green eyes as she got tangled up in her father's legs, but only giggling when she tripped over his paws. She liked being close to him, he was big and strong and fluffy! What kind of kit didn't like fluffy things?

OOC: I know you don't rp Rhea here, but Icarus was close to her, so he must talk about her, right?
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[Jay]

I c a r u s

Icarus felt a burst of happiness and pride flow from his heart. He'd helped to make this little bouncy, playful she-kit possible. It was amazing to think that a year ago he hadn't even know he had a daughter in the first place. Now he had three and two sons. He couldn't have been happier.

The tom-cat padded steadily behind his bouncing daughter and when she hurried back and entwined herself between his legs a loud purr rumbled in his chest. Though this did have it's downsides - as the tom-cat was constantly tripping due to trying not to trample the young she-kit. For a moment a hint of sadness reflected in his eyes at the mention of his sister. They'd parted ways months ago, but Icarus still felt her absence deeply. A lot had happened with Rhea after they parted - the she-cat having met a charming city tom, becoming mates and shortly having their first litter. They'd be close to seven moons now, Icarus wished dearly that he could see his nieces and nephews.

Letting out a barely audible sigh Icarus cleared his throat before he began his story. "When Rhea and I were just a few moons older than you were, we snuck away from our parents and went on what seemed like a grand adventure. It was a little further in Autumn than it is now and the country was beautiful - the leaves were just starting to change colors and were various shades of reds and oranges and yellows. It was absolutely beautiful."

So Rhea and I travelled what felt like a good distance and we ran into a flock of chickens. Now, we'd seen chickens before and of course our parents had always told us 'never chase chickens' but, well, we were young and didn't listen. Pretty soon Rhea and I were racing through the flock, causing all kinds of mayhem. Then, out of nowhere the rooster of the flock came out and started running towards us. The rooster was considerably larger than both of us and with his fearsome beak and flapping feathers he seemed to be the size of a cow to us. The rooster ran at us - all wings, beak and talons - and pecked at our backsides as we ran home. Rhea and I had fur missing from our rear-ends for moons and our brothers, Adonis and Ajax took no pity on us with name calling. Our parents tried to be stern but we could tell they were deeply amused. Rhea and I have avoided chickens ever since." Icarus finished his story, his tail flicking over one of the spots the rooster had pecked at - feeling the phantom baldness from many moons ago.

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[Silver ❤]

Evangeline

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Evie tilted her head, listening intently to her father's story, giggling when acceptable.
"You and Mama always tell me and Athena, and Dion, and Dae not the chase chickens! You and Aunt Rhea were bad kits!" She mewed, throwing her head back laughing with childish glee. "Did your Mama and Daddy punish you? Mama always tells me if I disobey her, she's going to make me live with the cows and drink cow milk. And I heard cow milk tastes really yucky." The little kit stuck out her tongue in disgust. "Did your Mama make you drink cow milk?" She asked innocently, bouncing ahead to try to warm her paws. The ground was so much colder than in the barn!
"Burrr!" She shivered, sitting down to let Icarus catch up to her. "Daddy, is autumn always so c-cold?" Evie snuggled into Icarus' fur again, thankful for its warmth. Even though the outside was really pretty, it made sense why her parents were making the kittens stay inside. This weather really wasn't the best for their thin kitten-soft coats!

OOC: n/a
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[Jay]

I c a r u s

Icarus grinned at Evangeline's words. "You're right, Auntie Rhea and I were bad kits. But our parents loved us anyway. As for punishment ... I think they decided that the bald spots on our rumps were punishment enough." Icarus gently flicked his tail across Evangeline's head.

"Don't let Briella fool you, cows milk is delicious, especially if warm. Our mom didn't make us drink cow milk but she did make sure we knew never to mess with chickens again - as if we needed to be told." The words were accompanied with yet another chuckle, memories flickering across Icarus' pale eyes before he drew his attention back to his daughter.

The white patched tom curled his tail around his daughter, before he ultimately just laid down and curled around her so that their noses were touching. "I think we've walked far enough for today, little one. And to answer your question, yes, autumn gets colder the later it gets. Soon there will be snow on the ground and you and your siblings will have to stay close to the barn until your kit-fur is gone. Winter is dangerous for little ones like you and your siblings." Icarus tried to keep the worry from his voice but a hint of it still shone through. He and Briella had chosen a bad time to have a new litter - and though the kits were several weeks old, they were still young. Not nearly old enough to be able to survive in the harshness of the winter.

The prospect of trying to find prey to fill several hungry mouths hung heavy on Icarus' shoulders, and for a brief moment the tom felt overwhelmed. He knew Briella was a good hunter but he didn't want to risk his mate getting sick either. Oh how he wished there was another tom around, or that he at least had friends who could help.

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[Silver ❤]

Evangeline

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When her father laid down with her, curling around her, Evie flipped over on her back, resting against his fluffy belly and purring. Her father was so warm and cuddly. She nuzzle into his pelt, blinking her green eyes.
"Would you take me to try cow milk sometime, Daddy?" She asked. If Icarus said cow milk was good, then it must be good. Briella was probably just telling her that to make her think so. Just like how she told her if she peed in a pond, the water would glow. And how toms, besides her brothers and father, had cooties, and if she touched them she would get cooties too. Evie giggled at the thought of it. Oh, the funny stories her Mama told! Too bad Evie usually didn't believe them... for too long anyway.
Evie rolled back over onto her belly, the frozen grass tickling her. "If autumn gets colder and colder, does it ever get warmer?" She tilted her head, curiosity reflected in her gaze. "Will we ever get to go outside again?" What if it just got colder and colder and the sun never got hot again, and she was stuck inside for the rest of her life? Evie trembled at the thought of it. She loved fresh air way too much to be cooped outside for too long. And once her adult fur came in, she would be braving the cold weather to frolic in the snowflakes that her parents had told her about.

OOC: n/a
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[Jay]

I c a r u s

Icarus was drawn from his worrying by the sweet voice of his daughter and the tom smiled at her innocent question. With a grin the tom-cat nuzzled his daughter's stomach. "Of course, little one. It'll be someday soon, just you and I again. It'll be our secret." His voice got lower as he began whispering, his green eyes glittering with amusement. He loved all of his kits, but he had a soft spot the size of the world for Evangeline.

The white patched tom-cat ran a soothing tongue over the young she-kit's head. "Of course you'll be able to go out; just not for very long. Until you get a little older and get your winter coat you're liable to get sick. It shouldn't be but a few more weeks, little one. I promise. Icarus glanced down at Evangeline and offered her a small smile before he looked across the country side, ears flicking back and forth for any potential threats in the quiet of the early morning. For a moment the tom didn't see anything but out of the corner of his eye a movement alerted him. There was someone - no, it looked like a group of cats, coming his way.

With as much calm as he could muster with Icarus stood, very slowly. His green eyes locked on the forms, hackles bristling ever-so-slightly. Normally, Icarus wouldn't care if there were strangers but with his youngest here ... the tom was significantly less careless. "Evie, I want you to stand behind me. Whatever you do, don't move." The tom's voice had gone from soft and loving to cold and hard.

As the cats drew closer ... closer .... closer ... Icarus stood a little straighter, his features going from agressive to confused. Surely it couldn't be ... The tom narrowed his eyes and looked harder. It looked like .... No, she was in the city! But as the group of cats drew closer there was no denying who the tom saw. His beloved, beloved Rhea. "Rhea!" Icarus exclaimed in surprise, a loving, kit-like expression flickering across his face.

Rhea's head lifted as she broke off what she was talking to Chase about - light green-brown eyes widening in surprise. She had been on her way to see her brother but hadn't expected to run into him yet. A loving smile crossed the she-cat's face and after a glance to her mate she bounding towards the tom. "Car, it's so good to see you." She meowed, purring deeply as she brushed her muzzle against the tom's. "And who would this be? The she-cat inquired, spotting Evangeline hiding behind Icarus' hind legs.

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[Silver ❤]

Evangeline & Chase

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Evie nodded in response to her father. Good, she wouldn't have to stay inside forever. Once her adult fur came in, she could go outside whenever she wanted. And she would be so fluffy either, she would look like Hope, with sleek dappled fur. Evie smiled at the thought. She hoped she would be as pretty as her older sister.
She was startled though when Icarus ordered her behind him. "What's going on, daddy?" She asked, cowering between his legs. Was there a monster? Were they going to be attacked. Then she saw them, a group of cats walking toward them. They were just cats, like them... but what if they weren't nice like them? What if they were mean? Evie ducked down and crawled forward until she was right underneath Icarus' belly, his long stomach fur covering her head and body. She would feel his rigid muscles, ready for attack, but then they relaxed. She peered out from between his legs as the cats got nearer. There were five... it looked like a mate and their litter of kits. The kittens were a lot bigger than Evie though, even bigger than her brothers. They must be at least a couple months older.

She stayed between Icarus' legs, even as he recognized the cats. She heard him call out the female's name, and she was shocked. Rhea? Aunt Rhea? Her father had just told her a story about his beloved sister, but he and the whole family had believed she was still in the city. He had chosen her mother and Hope over his sister because they needed him a lot more than she did. So... why was she here?
When Rhea asked about her, Evie scrambled backward between Icarus' back legs, her green eyes wide. Even if this was her aunt, she didn't know her. Evie was painfully shy when it came to cats she didn't know, always afraid they weren't going to like her.

Chase came up beside Rhea from where he had been hanging back. He made the kittens stay beside him and their mother, just in case this cat wasn't his mate's dear brother. But the longer they stayed there, the more certain he was they weren't in any danger.
"So this here is the brother you're always talkin' about, Rhea?" He asked, his southern accent strong. He took a step forward and gave Icarus a sniff. "He doesn't look much like ya." He chuckled, flicking his fluffy tail.
"Well, it's nice to meet ya, Icarus. I'm Chase, Rhea's mate." He bumped foreheads with Icarus in a friendly gesture, then looked down at Evie. "Why ya asking about this little gal, Rhea. She's obviously his daughter. Just look at 'em eyes. Same as his." It was true, the little calico between Icarus' legs had his exact same eye color. There was so doubt the two were related. However, Rhea told him he had left several seasons ago to be with his mate and daughter. This little kitten was far too small to be around two years old, so he must have had another litter, which meant he probably had a family. And if he had a family, they probably had a barn. Which meant he would have a place for Chase and Rhea, plus their little ones, to rest. They had been walking for a while and all the kittens were tired and hungry.

OOC: n/a
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[Jay]

I c a r u s & R h e a

Icarus stroked his youngest's side with his tail in a comforting gesture, "It's ok, Evie. It's only Auntie Rhea." He meowed softly, looking down to where his daughter was hiding before turning his attention back to his sister. "Sorry, she's still shy around strangers. I'm sure she'll warm up to you in no time."

The dark grey and white patched tom diverted his attention from Rhea to the cinnamon hued tom with a thick country accent. For a second confusion and a hint of suspicion glittered in Icarus' green eyes before it flittered away when Rhea leaned into the tom. The love written on her face was clear for all to see. "That it is, Chase." A soft laugh fell from Rhea's lips and she lightly flicked her mate's side. "That's because he takes after our father, silly."

Icarus looked back and forth between this tom and his sister, confusion now evident on his face, quickly replaced by surprise when Chase bumped his head against his own. At the tom's next words everything made sense; "Chase, good to finally meet you." The tom meowed with a slight smile. His eyes then moved from the tom in front of him to the three kits lingering behind their parents. "And these must be your kits. Hello, little ones." Icarus' voice was soft as he looked at his nephews and niece. He looked back up at Chase and Rhea, a smile on his lips. "They're beautiful. You must be tired. How about you come back to the barn. I'm sure Briella and Evie's siblings are going to be thrilled to meet you."

Rhea nodded at her brother's words - someplace warm to rest for a bit would be most welcome. She knew her kits were likely hungry and tired as well as Chase. "Come on, young ones. We're gonna follow your uncle to warmth and food." A soft smile curled on Rhea's lips as she nuzzled her sons and daughter, gently nudging them in the direction that Icarus had begun walking in.

One of the kits, a little tom with his father's fur bounced ahead and up to his cousin. "Hiya! I'm Eros, what's your name?" The tom's voice held traces of a country accent - one that promised to get stronger as he got older. His beautiful amber-green eyes still held a hint of blue to them but it was obvious that he wasn't a kitten anymore. That didn't mean he still didn't have enthusiasm like one though, especially around his kin.

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[Silver ❤]

Evangeline & Chase

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Chase grinned. "Thank you so much, Car." He said. He followed behind Icarus, keeping in perfect stride with Rhea. He leaned over and licked her cheek several times, purring loudly.
"I've really missed the country, love. I'm glad we decided to come back, ya know. The kids are gonna love it." He looked on as he watched his oldest, Eros, run up to introduce himself to his cousin. He smiled lovingly at his handsome son, so similar to himself in appearance. "Looks like our boy is a'ready making friends with his cousin. I hope they get along."

Evie walked close to her father, almost tangling herself in his feet. These cats may be her family, but she didn't know them and she was nervous... she had never met any other cats besides her siblings. When Eros came up beside her, she jumped and lowered her head, flattening her ears.
"Oh... um..." She looked down at her paws, whispering. "I'm Evangeline..." She mumbled. She wanted to talk to him... but what if he didn't like her? What if he thought she was weird? She gave him a sideways glance, stumbling over her over-sized paws that she still hadn't grown into.

OOC: n/a
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[Jay]

I c a r u s & R h e a

Rhea couldn't help but let out a contented purr - she was back in the country with her brother and had her mates and kits with her as well. Things couldn't get better than this, she was with all of the cats she loved and held dear. The she-cat's light green eyes sparkled at Chase's words and she nuzzled the tom's cheek briefly. "That they will; though there isn't quite as much to do here as there is in the city I think the freedom and calm will do them, and us, good." Rhea's voice was soft as she followed behind her brother, green eyes flickering to the form of her oldest son, Eros, as he trotted up to his cousin.

"I'm sure they will after they warm up to each other a little bit. From what I understand Evie is a bit shy at first. That won't stop Eros though; that boy could charm the horns off of a bull." A laugh fell from Rhea's lips at the image of her son talking to a cow. It was true though, Eros, like his father, was proving to be rather charismatic to some extents.

Icarus had to watch where he stepped, with his daughter weaving in and out of his paws so closely. A few times he almost squished his daughter and was grateful when his nephew came up and started chatting with Evie. A soft smile formed on the tom's lips as he listed to Eros talk, the young tom reminded him of well, himself when he was his age.

Eros smiled brightly once his cousin finally spoke "Nice to meet you! So, how old are you? Do you have a lot of siblings? Do you like it here in the country?" Eros couldn't hide his excitement about meeting his cousins; he loved his brother and sister but sometimes he grew bored because he already knew them. Evangeline and her siblings were a completely different story, however.

Icarus called the small band of cats to a halt when they reached the barn, his green eyes glancing around the territory briefly before he scrambled through the hole that served as both an entrance and exit. Softly, the muscular tom padded to his mate, nuzzling her gently. "Briella, there's someone I'd like you to meet." He meowed, looking away from his mate for a second to watch as the rest of the band of cats scrambled through the entrance.

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[Silver ❤]

Evangeline & Chase

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Chase laughed, shaking his head. "That boy is gonna be quite the lady's man." He said with a chuckle, looking at his boy. Eros was great with his words, but he couldn't help but cast a worrying glace at his other son. Little Morpheus had never spoken a word in his life... Chase still longed for the day he could hear his son's voice, listen to how the words flowed off his tongue. But as the days went by, the less hopeful Chase became.
When he looked up, he was happy when he saw then approaching the barn. Finally, somewhere to rest his aching paws.

Evie took a while to reply. She was still stumbling, but she stopped tangling herself in her father's paws, not wanting to make him trip and fall... probably on her. But she still stayed close, so close her fluffy fur was pressed against his legs.
"...I don't know... maybe eight weeks..." She mumbled. Her mother and father probably knew better than her. She didn't keep track of her age all that much. She still didn't quite understand how long a week even was. But she remembers her mother mentioning something about them being eight weeks, so that was probably how old she was. "I have two brothers and a sister." She answered, forcing her words out. She bit her lip, hoping she didn't sound rude or blunt or weird or... something. "And yeah... it's nice and calm... even though we can't really go outside much." She shrugged, remembering how, once she went back into the barn, she would probably be stuck there for days. But she still couldn't help, once they were close enough, quickening her step. She couldn't wait to get back into her warm nest and snuggle up in her mom's feathery fur.

Briella had woken up, feeling the absence of Evie from between her paws. At first she had been frantic, but when she noticed Icarus was also gone, she figured he had either gone off with her or at least had found her. After all, she couldn't go far on his stubby legs.
The other three had woken up soon after, and they were nursing when Icarus came in. Her milk was still coming in strong and she didn't see a point of stopping just yet, especially when the thick milk was adding on the extra pounds they needed during this season. She was a bit embarrassed when her mate walked in with five cats she had never seen before, and she quickly shooed the little one again and stood up, licking her fluffed up chest fur. She was happy, though, when she saw Evie scurry into the barn and run between her mom's legs.
"Thank goodness you found her. Who else did you happen to find?" She asked, tilting her head as she stared at the newcomers. They appeared to be mates, which meant the three little kittens must be their children. They were older than her own, probably about five moons by their sizes. Obviously Icarus knew then, otherwise he wouldn't have allowed them to come into their home.

OOC: I figure they still probably nurse occasionally, especially cause they need the extra milk during winter.
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