The vast majority of cats in the woods had vanished, waking up to the stranger land before her, Daylily had trucked on through the dangerous, eerie forests. Despite not knowing the way, hiding in trees and learning her paths seemed easier each waking hour. No friends, no one to talk to, no one except beasts she could almost begin to learn about. She was glad she was a skilled hunter, able to catch prey throughout her journey. Though, now she could settle in the outskirts of the red tree forest before her. It was almost as if it was enlightened by a forever autumn- And the fog was sure thick. She wouldn't step a tail length closer, not by herself. She was brave, not stupid.

It was a bright day, the sun gleaming down and warming the crisp morning air. She had just finished her morning meal as she started to make her way back to the old tree trunk den she had made home in for the past few nights. She paused at the smell of something more familiar to her than anything... The smell of other cats... She almost gasped as she trotted away from the little den, sniffing the ground and the air, opening her mouth to get a better scent. There were more cats here and she was determined to find them.

The old cat was basking against the roots of a large tree, mindlessly grooming herself. Her tongue lapping over long fur. She breathed slowly, taking in the scents around her. In the wintery blizzard it made it hard to sunbath. Hard to find prey, harder to find comfort.
Her son had set off to hunt, she trusted him. He was capable, had always soaked in everything she could teach him. He could hold his own, but still she was his mother. She remembered him tripping over his own paws. Worrying over him was second nature. She gave him until sundown to return, then she’d allow worry to creep in. She knew he was looking for somewhere more sheltered, the roots of this tree barely provided shelter. It was not a long term solution.
She stood, pressing her paws up. Her long fur blowing in the wind. She hopped down from the tree’s roots. Watching a few birds fly over her. Taunting her. Her lil curled some, hissing at them.
Blue jays, crows, vultures. All the same. Waiting for her to die, for the rest of her line to die. Her tail lashed behind her, tearing her gaze away. No curse would get her, or her son.

Daylily proceeded forwards, tracking the smell of more cats before pausing in her tracks when she noticed the she-cat before her. She crouched down quickly as to not spook the other, carefully making her way over. Each step brought a new anxiety... Was this cat friendly? Would she have to fight? Would they get along? Is she bait? Are there more? She couldn't keep her head quiet and to be fair, she felt like they were notable worries.

Nevertheless, the stout orange and grey she-cat crept closer to the tall and slender one. She slowly stood to show herself, are there more with you? She meowed softly, yet firmly. I don't want to cause any intrusion or harm, miss. She stated, flicking her tail cautiously.

Amusement washed over her as the stranger approached. It was easy to read. The cat was alone, scared in a way that was genuine. Soft’Willow stood taller. Towering over the other. She bent her head and approached.
“I’m not alone” she answered calmly “but, we’re not here to cause harm”
Her voice was gentle and warm. Not at all the voice of a threat.
“What’s your name?” She asked, something to break the ice and calm the girls nerves. “I’m Soft’Willow, my sons out hunting” her teal gaze swept out over the forest, like she was looking for someone out there. Likely the son she was just mentioning. Waiting for his return. Frankly, she was glad he wasn’t here. He could be so crude and off putting towards strangers. He didn’t trust others, his judgment was skewed.
He knew he was talking to someone, someone who put dangerous ideas and insecurity into his head. Made him distrustful, distracted. Love, however in the way that consumed him. There was nothing she could do for that. Support him, be there, obviously. However she knew if she pushed him too hard, she’d loose him to whoever was trying to take him.

Daylily's ears perked at the gentle tune of the other's voice, shocked at such kindness. She raised her brows and eyed her, Daylily. That's my name She stated sternly, It's been quite awhile since I've seen other felines my size. It's lonesome usually. She looked down at her paws before her gaze met Soft`Willow's again. Her tail swayed and the ruffled fur on her spine laid down again as she sat down. She got more comfortable, which to her, was a siren in her head telling her to quit it. But she ignored it. She was desperate almost to make some company... She wasn't used to being so stuck in the woods. She awkwardly tried to follow Soft`Willow's gaze, meeting nothing but the forest to one side and the small field before them. She noticed the area in which this she-cat and her supposed son have been resting and flicked her tail in distaste. Maybe... Just maybe she could share her small den she found. It would surely be warmer with such company of two more cats. But she wasn't just ready to throw all her dignity away and let some strangers stroll into her make-shift home. She wasn't that stupid- Right? She was already showing signs of friendliness, which was already dumb enough... Though this pretty cat in front of her also showed no signs of discomfort or threat. She studied her with a cold gaze.

“Daylily? Hm?” She asked, raising a brow at the name. She had a gentle smile across her maw. “That’s a really pretty name” she spoke with gentle admiration.
She climbed back onto the root of the tree, getting her paws out of the frigid snow . Her tail flicked, just the tip, a welcoming gesture for the other feline.
“Oh how I get that” she murmured in thought. “I grew up in a colony, a group of cats. A large family, we took care of each other” she gestured with her paws as she spoke, her gaze warm in remembrance. “My Pa always kept everyone in check”
Her head shook as she realized she was rambling away. “It’s just me and my son now, he’s that age that Toms usually start wondering off” although she was joking, there was a faint sadness in her tone. Being alone was wrong to her. It felt horrible.

Wandering off? She scoffed, out here? It's dangerous. Especially with the wolves and things I've seen. She stated simply, flicking her tail and running her tongue over her own whiskers. Are you waiting till your son gets back to eat or have you eaten anything today, ma'am? She asked as she stood and stretched out against the grass. She looked back towards the red woods, tilting her head in interest before veering her head back to look at Soft'Willow, Not that I'm offering to hunt for you. She scoffed, studying the beautiful oriental yet again, Do you usually stay near the red tree forest? Do you know what it's named, or what the locals call it? She asked softly.

She laughed at that, seemed to genuinely find it funny. “You’re not still with your folk, all young cats are like that at some point. Eager to go on their own. Discover their own life” she gestured with her paw. “He’s capable, I trained him myself. He knows what he’s doing, how to run and hide”
Despite her words, her brows creased with worry. A distant anxiety that she’d never know if he was safe or not.
“You know how Tom cats are” she added on in a joking tone. Her tail playfully hitting daylily’s shoulder.

“I’ve eaten, thank you dear, have you?” She asked, eyeing over Daylily before deciding herself. She squeezed down into the dug out nest under the roots. Retrieving the half eaten squirrel she hadn’t finished.
She laid it in front of the other’s paws.

“Eat hun, and rest. You look more exhausted then a mouse on a mountain” her tail rested over the cats back, offering her comfort. “Stay as long as you need” she leaned down, licking the back of her ears.

“This is ichorwoods, it’s been good to us. The trees provide easy escape from wolves, or the roots. We’re looking somewhere more permanent to settle until the snow passes”

Daylily looked confused as the other she-cat disappeared for a moment, then resurfaced with a half-eaten squirrel. She looked down at it and despite the fact she had just eaten her meal before meeting Soft`Willow, her stomach growled in yearning. No no no, I am NOT gonna be all buttered up by some pretty she-cat I barely know. You may play the kind act, but I know what happens with cats like you! She snarled, I'm not weak! I don't need to be mothered like a lousy brat! She hissed and shoved the squirrel away. She looked down, feeling rather shaky. She looked towards Ichorwood then pushed the oriental over, rushing into the foggy woods. This was not what she wanted, she was alone and she didn't need anyone's help. No cat was that kind and made it out alive, she would die in that she-cat's company.

Once she realized what she was doing, she froze, looking around the area... Fog, trees... Fog, more trees. She didn't know where she was. Her ears fell back against her head and her heartbeat rang in her ears. The fog and mist seemed to muffle any bird noises and the soft rustling of the trees, there could be anyone here. Anything...

The rejection left a sour look on her face. Side stepping the shove with furrowed brows. She pushed the squirrel back under the roots and stepped after the stranger. Her ears flattened with a sigh.
That tantrum hadn’t lasted long, hadn’t gotten her far. “Hey, take a deep breath” she sighed, keeping her distance this time. “My claws are sheathed, I am twice your size, I know these woods. Sweetheart I’m not here to hurt you” she approached slowly.

“I don’t know what you’ve been through, but I can promise you’re allowed to rest now. You’re safe in ichorwoods” her voice was gentle and calm, not babying daylily but talking to her like an adult. Calm and steady.

“Come back to the den with me, alright? Then we can talk” she suggested. There was genuine care in her tone, focused on the other.