TGB: Firo - Relationships

Zaeli

[Former leader] [Gray-Earth]

"The Silver-Earth is phenomenal. I know a lot of cats might say that about their leader, but I can't imagine any cat better suited to her position. She's smart, strong, and dedicated. I can't think of any cat with a sharper mind than hers. I'll always be loyal to her."

"..."

Rey

[Former leader] [Deceased]

"I can't resent the new Silver-Earth. He was a good deputy, and I think he'll follow through with the new responsibilities. ... But I don't think anyone will ever be able to fill the void Zaeli left. No one can contend with her. I shouldn't let that cloud my judgement of Rey, but I can't help it, and I feel guilty for that. I'll be as loyal to him as I ever was, though. Nothing will change that."

"Rey has... been a great leader. I feel like he respects everyone in the tribe, myself included. Letting me go on that venture to explore the bog made me feel like he appreciated what I could contribute. It was fortunate that I was able to go at that time, or else we may not have found out about - about the caimans. H-haha, it's odd that I'd consider such a thing fortunate...
But even when I came back, wrecked that I was, he didn't doubt me when I implored him to abandon our territory. Such a massive request to make of him, but he trusted my judgment. He's a great leader, and he's earned my respect countless times over."

"..."

Soren

[Best friend - Former crush - Former leader] [Gray-Earth]

"The new Yellow-Earth came straight from exile, so I don't know him well. He looks pretty untamed, with that necklace and that piercing-- no, it's not those things. His pelt just looks so... wild. And his eyes-- ahh."

"He confronted me one night when I returned from-- from visiting Kehri. I'd been spending so much time with Kehri that I was starting to lose track... Having my deputy notice kind of shook me; I was so worried he would smell it on me. He didn't, though, just let me go. It made me realize I should be working harder, rather than spending as much time as I could with my-- my friend. Especially since Kehri's been seeing that she-cat..."

"AUGH. I can't stop staring at him! His pelt, his eyes, just the way he carries himself, the way he moves... I'm hopeless. And he's noticed me looking so many times, I know it's inevitable before he gets fed up with catching me. Why do I keep staring? Why can't I stop looking at him? Augh..."

"Guess it wasn't really a mystery in the end, anyway. But, still... just hunting with him that one time made me-- I still watch him, but now because I know him better, it doesn't feel so bad. I like him. I-- no, I mean--... hhh. I guess I do like him. I just like spending time with him, though. He's become such a great friend. Maybe I'll actually tell him sometime, haha... But even if I don't, I... I'm just glad to call him my friend."

"Ahah, it was a little embarrassing at that time to be so infatuated with him. I'm glad that I didn't say anything-- he's such a wonderful friend... I look forward to his visits so often, and we always talk or just relax together. At first I was really nervous with how affectionate he was, because of my feelings, but when I calmed down it was really nice. I appreciate him being so patient when I was skittish, and I've relaxed a lot. I don't think I've ever had a friend like him. It almost feels like it could be more, but... I'm really happy how we are. I don't think I'd change anything."

"I can't believe he's become leader! It's taken me a... a little while to get used to seeing the silver tattoo on him. And Rey--...
Soren will be an incredible leader. I believe in him now as much as ever, and I'll always be here for him."

"Soren, I'm--... I've never understood why anyone leaves. I could never. But I'll never resent them for it. Not Kyle, and not Kehri... and not Soren now. Please, be happy..."

Shibui

[Best friend] [Orange-Earth]

"This Pink-Orange-Earth is... shy. Very shy. New to the tribes, and I've barely seen her interact with anyone. I hope it isn't that she's intimidated by the new surroundings. I'll try and talk to her, but I'm not sure how successful I'll be. Ah, I hope that she isn't frightened..."

"The more I get to know Shibui, the more I'm convinced that I... I love her. Not like I've loved anyone before, though - it's so hard to explain. I want her to trust me, and part of me knows that she does. I feel it, her faith in me, and it makes me happy, makes me want to ensure nothing ever compromises her trust. And I want to protect her, I always want to be there to keep her safe and happy. I want her to feel safe. I don't know what happened in her past, but I can feel her - I feel like she hasn't felt safe in a long time. I want her to feel safe, I want to be the reason she feels safe. I want her to come to me if she needs someone, and I'll be there for her.
And... and I feel safe around her. No matter how I'm feeling, she just - she seems to know. No, more than that - she understands. I've been trying for such a long time to communicate better, to express my thoughts and feelings to others, that I... I hadn't thought anyone would be able to understand me like she does. I don't have to scramble for words or try to choke back anxiety to try and explain. The way she looks at me, she's looking right at... whatever's inside of me, what makes me who I am. And she sees what I'm feeling, she feels it, and - and...
I would have gone mad if it weren't for her. Returning to Earth Tribe territory - it's been a nightmare. I don't want to say something like that about my home, but I'm so scared. Like caimans are still waiting to - to rip me apart, to drag me back--
She's so... comforting. Just sitting next to her, eating with her, grooming together, walking. I can do it all without anxiety or trepidation, just because she's there. Like the Spirits themselves are soothing my very soul. I can't express just how much I appreciate her."

"My... better half. The part of my soul that I've always needed. And always will need."

Mar

[Friend - Friend - Friend <3333] [Green-Earth]

"However little I may know about him...
... only makes me want to learn more."

"It's not easy for me to surmise him. Or how I feel about him, for that matter. My shyness, my awkwardness, seems to fall away around him. It makes no sense, honestly-- he's so abrasive and harsh. But as intense as his criticism is, I... don't take it to heart. I get the sense that, when I ask certain questions, he doesn't know himself. Doesn't know how to answer. Doesn't... understand my questions. Or me. Maybe that'll make him angry one day. I can see him reacting that way. But-- I won't stop talking to him. I want to. I want to know him, spend time with him. Learn about him, see what's inside. It won't be very soft-- those thorns are a part of him, even if they aren't as inherent to his being as he thinks. But there's more to him than just the thistles. Maybe that name is more accurate than he thinks. Every thistle has a flower. And whatever shape, or colour, or texture it is... however many thorns or pricks await me-- I want to see his flower. And he can protect it-- no, he can pretend it doesn't exist, all he likes. But I'll make him see it. And I'll make him see that it doesn't make him weak.
... I care about him more than I thought. I want to see him grow. Learn. To... understand himself. All of himself. Even the parts he rather think aren't there. Those are important, too. Ugh, I'm rambling now. He just... makes me think so much."

"Mm... ..... *Little smile.*"

Kehri

[Best friend - Former crush] [Gray-Light]

"We met when I first came to these lands, ahead of the tribes. He was... a good tour guide. I didn't expect to form a relationship with him, but we're pretty close now, I-I suppose."

"I sometimes wonder what would have become of me if I'd never met Sky, and I never follow through with the thought. I can't. It's more than just knowing him; after he showed up, everything-- everything-- got better. He made me better. I'm more comfortable with myself because of him. It's making my life so much easier to live. It's not hard for me to be happy anymore. I'll never be able to thank him enough.
Sky, though... I've never trusted anyone like I trust him. For a while, I was ashamed to say I trusted him more than my own tribe-- and sadly, in some ways, my own leader. More than anyone I'd ever known. There were things I just... couldn't talk about. But for some reason I opened up to him, and I never regret it-- he never gave me a reason to. I can't imagine keeping anything from him. He's my best friend. I'd do anything for him."

"Sometimes I don't know what to do with him. He's far from perfect and, great Spirits, sometimes I just want to knock his head off.
Maybe it's best that--... maybe it's best. By no fault of his, either. I don't think I could have...
I don't know if this is just me trying to stifle my own feelings. But I'm happy for him, no matter what. I... I'm honored that he asked me. He asked me, if it was alright. Something he has to get permission for from his leader, her leader-- the Spirits... He asked me first.
Of course I would've said yes! If the Silver-Light hadn't come in. I thought that shoving him at her would've gotten the point across, but, afterwards, he still came. To double check. To make sure. It means so much to me that-- that I mean so much to him, I guess. If I didn't know any better, I would've thought long ago that he loved me, like... like I loved him.
... But I knew better.
I'm glad they're finally together."

"Oh, good grief. What the hell am I going to do with this guy?"

"... Nothing... I guess..."

Algernon

[Friend - Former crush] [Green-Light]

"I only met him briefly. He, um, startled very easily. With all that fur, and the temperature... I couldn't just leave him like that. I escorted him back to Light Tribe territory. He-- haha-- he swore really angrily at me, but apologized in the end. I guess he was just surprised. I hope I get to see him again."

"I bumped into him in the woods, collecting herbs. He's really good at what he does-- collecting herbs and the sort is harder than it seems. You have to be careful with them. I helped wrap some bundles, and it was pretty difficulty. I guess I did well though, he didn't chastise me for messing anything up haha.
I, ah, found out he doesn't know how to hunt. At first I was surprised, but I mean, I guess it makes sense. When the healers were a part of the tribes, they didn't have any need to learn to hunt. Now that they're on their own, though-- I wonder how well they're doing? I offered to teach him, and he seemed interested. His tail, great Spirits that tail will be the downfall of him. I think he's more fit for chasing down rabbits than stalking mice.
... He's very sweet. He-- he's careful, but even if he's attractive and dainty and, um... all that... he's still pretty tough? I'm not sure how to describe it. It seems like he wouldn't let anyone do whatever they like. He's strong in his own way."

"It was bad enough before, but now that I'm staying in Light Tribe. I don't want to ask him to not visit, but-- it's getting harder. And it just hurts more! Because I know-- mnh..."

"Hahah, he brought me some prey. Hunted it himself, and-- well, wanted to thank me, I guess. He's tough, even as pretty as he is, so I won't underestimate him, but he's sweet too.
... I've calmed down a bit, since back then. Since I first moved in with Light Tribe. My chest ached a lot, seeing him, but not so much anymore. I guess I'm finally learning how to love someone from afar, eheh..."

"I haven't seen him in so long-- I wish I had more time to go and visit Light Tribe. I... I miss him. I want to know how he's doing."

Baldr

[Friend - Former crush] [Green-Light]

"The Silver-Light sent him to help heal my wounds one morning-- when, um, she was making Kehri work elsewhere. She got a little exasperated with how protective he was getting, I suppose, haha... But, uh, y-yeah, he was really nice. Shy. New to the tribes; he thought I was, too, but I explained that I don't really know whether I would be a tribe-born cat or not... I'm not an exile, so the question is complicated. At first I was too irritated to say all that, but it didn't feel right just saying I was a tribe cat. He was nervous, and tired-- even healers' powers drain them, I guess-- so we talked for a while."

"T-timid, haha. Shy, but-- but it's really cute."

"I wish I could visit Light Tribe more. Sometimes I forget how many friends I have there. I wonder how Baldr is doing sometimes-- how he's taken to his new powers. I don't know how he must feel... he seemed so at home as a healer. Maybe I should go see him..."

"He left Light Tribe. I... feel like I should have expected something like this. But I supposed I'm still so sheltered about the idea of cats renouncing their tribes. I hope I'll bump into him sometime. I wouldn't mind being someone he could talk to-- if he needs it."

Name

[Relationship] [Tattoo]

""

Sylvester

[Brother - No contact] [Gray-Air]

Maika

[Good friend] [Deceased]

"Oh, Spirits. Maika.
I almost blew it. Recognizing her so suddenly, even when I'd never met her-- she got mad. I guess a lot of cats dislike her, and she assumed I was one of them. In all honesty, I didn't know what to think. Kehri talks about her all the time, so I had gotten a vague image of her. In the end, meeting her shattered whatever I thought I knew about her. Jeez, Kehri can really gloss over the harsher details.
She's really talkative, which I don't mind, but she expects me to keep up with her! I-- augh. I'd never had someone point out so quickly or carelessly how quiet I can be. It was a little disconcerting, honestly. She started calling me Shy-Cat.
... I don't dislike her, though. Maika is eccentric, loud, and presumptuous, but she's not all the sharp edges and rough surfaces that she makes herself out to be.
I guess I'm relieved I met Kehri's girlfriend friend. Girlfriend. He may not call her that, but at this point... he's just being dense."

"She's nervous around water. I honestly didn't expect that. Actually, I didn't expect her to show nervousness at all-- I guess I just imagined she'd coop it up and brush it off. She seems so insistent on being strong that seeing her uncomfortable was almost surreal. I don't know her well enough to go quite that far, but almost.
Somehow, I managed to coax her into the water. I even got her to try some crayfish-- haha, and then we played with the shell for a little while. I don't know if I quite convinced her that there's no lake monsters, but there's time--... I guess I expect to see her again, don't I? I'm so used to being alone that these days, just spending a little time with someone makes me want to see them again.
Could I somehow become friends with this girl..? Even though... mnh..."

"I wasn't sure at first. But now, I know she's a good friend of mine. If-- if it weren't for her, I... I wouldn't have survived. I almost turned her away, because of my own stupid stubbornness. But she taught me how to climb trees. Without her, I never would've-- those monsters would have--...
I-I'm glad-- I'm glad Kehri finally did it. The bracelet is beautiful. And it suits her; she's beautiful. I'm happy to call her my friend, and I'm happy they're finally together."

"Whatever's between them now, I don't care. Maika's my friend in her own rights, and that isn't going to change. Her-- damn it, her kittens cal me Aunt Firo, and ooh I wonder who's to blame for that. But... I don't mind. I'm glad I can be a part of their lives. I love them all, and I'll be there if they ever need me. And the same goes for Maika."

"Idiot. Idiot. You were... better than that."

Jensen

[Brother - No contact] [Gray-Fire]

Arcis

[Enemy] [Gray-Fire]

"(No comment.)"

"(She left the tribes. ... For once, I'm happy about that kind of news.)"

Kena

[Acquaintance - Former crush] [Gray-Shadow]

"I-I don't know what to make of this she-cat. That - ah, when we met... ... No, n-nevermind."

"(No thoughts.)"

Emlyn

[Adopted Nephew - Little Aven] [Deceased]

"I was honored when Maika and Kehri named a kitten after me. And, when I got along so well with him, it... made me really happy. I love Little Aven a lot, and it makes my heart swell to be his Big Aven."

"(No comment.)"