behind the eyes [closed]

[Captain]

RUMBLEWOLF

> Deep down, way deep down within the regions of his soul, the dark-gray tomcat knew Ripplewhisker was right. However, despite it all, it wouldn’t be for a long time yet that he would admit it outloud. All the back-breaking hard work he did every single day was exhausting and the ShadowClan warrior often felt like he would do it for nothing at all. He was still a social outcast, even if he won clanwide events, or did his work on time. Cats only approached him to prove a point, or if they were commanded to. This was no life. And maybe it was his own fault for allowing it to get this bad. Maybe he should’ve tried harder, and actually attempted to be more of, well, himself. But instead, Rumblewolf simply wore this mask of blank emotion and stone toughness. He had done that to fit in, to blend in with his ruffian clanmates, and not be a disappointment. And yet, he still became one in a way. Or at least it felt like that. Every time someone talked to him, it felt like they were annoyed or bored or off-put. Nobody tried to get to know him, or care about him. Would they even notice if he just left the clans someday?

His mother was dead, his sister was dead, his brother had run off to join the fishcats and be with someone he loved, his father hardly even tried to converse with him anymore. And cats that he had grown up with barely noticed his existence. Maybe there were a few here and there that did care about Rumblewolf, but the young tomcat certainly didn’t feel it. Did he truly have to live like this? Was what Ripplewhisker was saying actually true? Could it be that simple of a fix? All these questions hurt his head, and made him want to go back to sleep. His tufted ears drooped and he even felt the prickle of tears in the corners of his eyes, all the terrible and cruel realizations of his life hitting him at once.

“...Let me sleep some more. I… I can’t remember the last time I was able to sleep this well…” Rumblewolf whispered, knowing if he even tried to speak any more clearer that his voice would break and stutter. And he didn’t want that, not even now. Part of him wished he'd stay here though. Away from reality, away from ShadowClan, away from everything that he had believed was a lie and a harsh dreary life.

[Captain]

RIPPLEWHISKER

> Watching the young tomcat closely, he had a feeling that something had changed within him, and maybe, just maybe, that was a good start to everything. Was it enough to save this kid, who had yet to truly destroy his life past the point of no return? Perhaps. Only time would tell though and Ripplewhisker knew that now was the time to end this conversation. Rumblewolf was trying so desperately to hide it, but he could sense all the overwhelming thoughts and feelings consuming the ShadowClan warrior. He didn’t want to give the poor kid a panic attack. That was surely not the goal of their meeting. Sweeping his bushy tail off of the massive dark-gray cat, the starbathed maine coon dipped his head to his simple, but meaningful request. “Of course. Get some rest, Rumblewolf.” Ripplewhisker said, his tone ever soft and gentle, “May we both meet again someday, in much better circumstances. And for what it's worth, I'm proud of you.” With that, the dreamworld around them would melt away into black and the silver-furred tomcat would fade away into nothing, allowing the ShadowClan warrior to sink back into a deep sleep that would last until the morning's first light. Ripplewhisker could only hope these words would stick closer to Rumblewolf.


>>> END OF ROLEPLAY.