(Ping?)

Still here, my Mom had a skin cancer thing removed and couldn't use her arm for 6 weeks or the stitches might pop. So that means my work load has more than doubled. I will try to get on and post tomorrow. We had to rearrange things around today or I would have posted earlier. I kept thinking about my RPGs but things have been so crazy. Oh well you know what they say, when it rains it pours. I will try to get on tomorrow and try to catch up on all my posting.

(No worries! It's been a while, so I wanted to make sure everything was alright on your end. I'll be praying for you and your mom, but take all the time you need.)

Tigerstripes narrowed his eyes catching a faint shift in the shadows. He kept one ear cocked towards the direction he was fairly certain his observer lay hidden. The other ear twitched scanning the sounds for any potential attack in case the first was only a distraction. He spoke conversationally, "You know it's not polite to stare, or to sneak up on people for that matter. If you've something to say to anyone here best just up and say it. I'd prefer sooner rather than later as I've an early morning tomorrow and need to get some sleep soon." He kept his body posture relaxed. While ready to defend himself, he was not in the habit of attacking without reason. He waited to see what the mysterious watcher would do next.

Knuckles grimmaced in frusteration. He should've remembered that tactics that worked in rainforests weren't as effective in urban enviornments. Sound traveled further, light reflected off metal... Deciding he didn't have many options, he slipped out of the shadows, eyes narrowed in suspicion and fists clenched at his sides, ready to counter any sudden attacks. "Sorry to disappoint, but manners aren't all that useful where I'm from." He growled, bringing his gaze up to meet the feline's.

Tigerstripes shrugged unperturbed, "People from most places are generally unhappy with being stalked by the unknown. I'm one of the few to see why I'm being stalked before attacking. As long as you don't intend me harm then I've no quarrel with you." He turned to fully face the stranger. He took in the wary and ready for action stance. Keeping his voice casual he continued, " I saw you earlier with the blue hedgehog creature....Sonic his name is I believe. Never got the chance for introductions. Saw him fighting that Eggman character." He flicked one ear back comically, "I'm guessing that he causes a lot of trouble around here."

Knuckles scoffed at that. "Tch. Not just here. Causes trouble in places and in ways you wouldn't believe. Both of 'em." He remarked, cautiously. He wasn't going to spring yet, so he opted play along for now. "I saw you with Vanilla and Cream." He commented idly. He didn't stop moving, however; he contiuned to pace in a slow, wide circle around him. It'd probably look predatory if he wasn't visibly still in the process of deciding what exactly he planned to do now.

Tigerstripes stiffened hiding his look of alarm keeping tabs on the red creatures movements. After a brief moment of silence, his tail twitching, he finally continued, " You are very observant, not many people recognize me in both my forms, but yes Vanilla and Cream are my friends. I hope you mean no harm to them, for I would not be slow to defend them if the situation called for it." His eyes narrowed a bit and his tail lashed as he said the last part. Vanilla and her daughter had been very kind to him, and here he had few friends. It made him very protective of the ones he did have.

Knuckles paused breifly, his expression changing as he took in that last sentance.

For a moment, the echidna suspected this to be a trap of some sort. Not unusual, considering past experiances. Had the cat simply left it at "Vanilla and Cream are my friends," Knuckles probably would've gone with that instinct.

But then came the threat. Knuckles hadn't (Or at thr very least, thought he hadn't) implied that he meant them any sort of harm, but it came anyway. That made it seem a bit more genuine, somehow. He couldn't place why.

Knuckles shook his head briefly, the growl leaving his voice, though his eyes betrayed his skepticism. "No need for that, I wouldn't lay a hand on them."

Tigerstripes shoulders relaxed slightly though he remained wary, "Very well then. May I ask as to why you were spying on me? I chose to train here due to its isolation." He paused smiling with hint of amusement, "I am not one to have an audience while I practice new moves that might land me flat on my tail."