IN TRANSIT }} lb

[IT staff]

The unfamiliar roar of the ocean pounding in your ears, you make your way down an old sandy path that's dappled with imprints from feet that had travelled down this trail long before you. You follow the other footprints, unsure if you should be grateful or terrified that you are not alone on this island, until you come to a rather large clearing. In this hollow is, of course, more sand, but also a fallen palm tree. You can tell from the green of its leaves that it had probably been knocked down in the very storm that had stranded you here. You pad over to it and hop up onto it as your eyes scan the area warily. Then a scent akin to that of cinnamon hits your olfactory gland and a voice smoother than velvet is purring in your ear. "Well, well, well, what do we have here?"

You leap up, eyes wide with shock, and whip around to find a russet-furred tom staring at you with glittering yellow eyes. His white-tipped tail flickering through the air, he chuckles at your reaction. "I do have you say you are perhaps one of the most intriguing cats to wash up here. I can tell you're going to do something great here. I have a bit of an eye for these things you see."

Slowly relaxing out of your defensive crouch, you stare at him and being to wonder what the devil he's rambling on about. Then you realize something. He's speaking as if you intend to stay, which is the furthest thing from what you had in mind. You proceed to tell him this and ask him what the easiest way off the island is.

A look of pain crosses his features as he gets up and slowly makes his way toward you. You tense as his spiced scent surrounds you and his long tail runs along your collarbone and shoulder as he circles you. Coming up on your other he stares at you sadly. "But if you leave, who will be here to keep me company?"

Assuring him that he will be just fine after you leave you repeat your question. He frowns slightly, "Am I too boring for you? If that’s the case I'm sure we can find something that interests you around the island. It's quite chaotic you know, with all the Clans running about. Ever since StarClan decided to bring RimeClan back things have gotten pretty intriguing."

His eyes turn hopeful and with a small sigh you latch onto the bait. The ginger tom instantly turns animated, "They're all fighting right now, actually. When RimeClan came back, they brought a whole new religion, which FrothClan and AlpineClan do not approve of. If it was just RimeClan they would obliterate this 'cult' without a problem, but for their own reasons CocoaClan has decided to support RimeClan. Cats are switching sides, mixing the Clans among each other, and nobody seems to have any control over it. Many are injured, held prisoner, or even worse."

Suddenly he pauses and a dark look crosses his handsome features. "Even death isn't a relief for these cats. Their ancestors are also fighting. Those who were against the return of RimeClan are angry about the war within the Clans and those who wished for their return refuse to take the blame…"

He trails off staring at you thoughtfully once more. Then he gets up and smiles a small smile at you, “Well, I suppose I shouldn’t be bothering you with this. I’m terribly sorry. I can take you to where most boats show up. You might have to wait a bit, but eventually one will come.” He makes his way down another path, gesturing with his tail. Then, suddenly, he stops and looks over his shoulder at you.

“There will always be a place for you here, so if you change your mind don’t hesitate to come find me. This isle can always use someone like you to add a bit of excitement to the chaos and I will always be here, waiting to see your smiling face again and to welcome you to your new home.”