Why Hate Never Dies...

Jay listens with full attention. He just thought that Cougra was someone that had always been middle-class and well off financially. It was learned that the girl went from the rich life, to a dirt poor hardship, and had started from there to become that middle-class. Her 'friends' had left her because she was poor. Had that happened to Jay, he would have went after them all and made them pay for lying to him.

She fought in the streets. Hating that he had to ask, Jay did so anyway... "And how did fighting in the streets go? Im sure that it was hard because I assume you didn't know how to fight beforehand." He crosses his arms and awaited the next response.

(Hope you had a great 4th of July!)

Cougra would heave a big sigh as she crossed her arms and said, "Yeah, well I didn't have any professional fighting experience. All I did was use my arms and legs to try and land a decent hit before taking the money and running. It has worked on some occasions and others, not so very much." She turned her head away in shame for it was quite difficult to say anything else.

Jay's look of intent-filled listening did not really change. He sighs when Cougra finishes. "I try to find some sort of connectin t the people I meet. No matter how small or trivial. With you.... We both knew not of how to fight for a while, before becoming stronger than we may possibly have dreamed of..." The lion's tail flickers a bit. "We've both suffered tradgedy, and that adds to our strength."

Cougra couldn't help but chuckle as she heard how similar Jay is to her in regards to their pasts. "I guess that makes two of us, huh? I'm surprised that was even so." She scratched the back of her head to relieve her blushing so that it wouldn't overtake her appearance. Then she asked, "Say, about Anampo, she would need help to prove herself worthy to you. Are you going to help her with that?"

"I've traveled far, and learned a lot. I'll be honest with you. I'm not smart; an eighth grade education." He looks down, as if he was a bit ashamed. "Not smart like that damn dog." He was referring to Nick. Jay and Nick were at two ends of the spectrum. Opposite ends. The lion looks at her, seeing her blushing. He didn't understand what it meant. And was confused.

"And Anampo? I'll keep an eye on her. I have no intentions of helping her. It would ruin her self-growth if I were to intervine"

"Well, I do not think you are that dumb as you say you are," says Cougra with a small reassuring smile. "Even though you've learned up to 8th grade, you can still do a lot of things. You just need to know your strengths and weaknesses and make the most of what you can do."

When it came to Anampo, the cat would nod and say, "I agree. She must prove herself on her own, but I believe she can do it."

She said he wasn't dumb....Jay liked that. She said he could d a lot.

"Not many people have said that before....Thanks. And Anampo will surely prove herself..." He put his hands in his pckets. "Um, wanna like....Do something?" It was odd of Jay to ask something like that, but he had nothing to do. And Cougra would get the chance to know him more. "Anything is fine."

Cougra nodded and smiled as she was glad that Jay was in for expecting Anampo to go far. She then giggled a little when Jay, the one who's usually tough and merciless, was more calm in asking her if she wanted to do anything else. She would hug him and say, "Oh, I most certainly would! You know, there is this ice cream parlor that's close to this area. We can eat over there and talk some more. Is that fine with you?"

He gasps a bit hen he was hugged. Jay just had to ask her when she was done.... "w-What was that for? Why did you hug me? I....I don't deserve it." He looked away. Jay didn't feel he deserved it, at least. The lion takes a few steps forward to try and make an attempt to cover up a light blush. It was a weak attempt. Jay knew nthing in a field like friendships or things like that.

"Um....Come on. Let's go..."

Cougra giggled again as she slowly broke from the hug, seeing the light blush on Jay's face. She would then say, "Maybe not, Jay. But the way I see it, you are now a friend to me because you managed to open up and tell me about who you are and why. And I'll do whatever I can to help you."

With a nod, she would motion for Jay to come as she added, "Follow me, Jay! No time to waste."