Sometimes I call them salt and pepper. They are a funny pair, though they are rarely this affectionate anymore. Henry is more than twice her size, but she's the one always starting shit for some reason.
Yeah they are both getting close to the double digit mark. Henry is a year older and is definitely in his old cat phase of just wanting to sit in the tower all day, only coming down for meals or belly rubs. He is way more friendly to strangers too.
Yeah I don't think they need to have a black base to be a tortie, as far as I know. I never had pets growing up and these are my first two fur babies, so I'm not an expert.
But they definitely seem to have a unique temperament compared to other cats I have met. At least this one, lol.