smoke & mirrors (hiatus)

.: chapter fourteen :.

.: ♕ :.

AND so, the three cats sat behind bars. Oakstripe let out a sigh as the world outside them sank into darkness as the sun set.

But then, a rustle in the bushes. A quick set of paws trotting up to the prison. "Hey," meowed a quick, quiet, muffled voice. "I'm here to break you out. Don't tell my dad."

And there was Princess Stormfreckle with the jail's key in her jaws.

One would argue she was the most beautiful cat in the entirety of the Brook Kingdom. But her face was where the aesthetic-based beauty stopped. Scars from battles long past raked her pelt and neck. One fresher wound was marked in her neck. Oakstripe thought the scars made Stormfreckle even more pretty, like her whole body had a story to tell.

Dewleap frowned immediately. "What's that scratch on your neck from?" Oakstripe rolled her eyes. Of all the things you could possibly mention, that's what you say? Not even a 'thank you'?

Stormfreckle paused. She looked down. "Being openly gay doesn't go over well in my family."

Dewleap said nothing, but Oakstripe caught the look on Heronskip's face. "You— you mean your own family does that to you?" he meowed nervously.

"Yeah. Mainly my sisters. But my father likes to help them," the princess said, shrugging. "No big deal. Anyways, I've got to get you guys outta there."

"Thank you so much!" Heronskip whispered happily. Princess Stormfreckle unlocked the cell and let the three prisoners out. Oakstripe bowed, as did Heronskip and Dewleap.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Heronskip meowed again. "What could we possibly do to repay you?"

"Find a cat called Dreamweaver. She's shorter than me— calico. Real pretty. Tell her I love her, and if I don't see her again, I'm sorry," Stormfreckle said sadly. Then she whisked around the corner and disappeared.