~Mistheart~

Finally. A relatively pleasant day.

Skittering through the underbrush, the small grey molly poked her head into the clearing near the willow with a few quick sniffs. The scent of freshly turned dirt and a fading smell of iron was on the air, but no cat seemed to be around. She didn't want to disturb anyone here to mourn.

Grey eyes scanned her surroundings and after deeming it safe she padded in. There was tidying up to do, and a certain cat she wished to visit. Careful steps pulled her towards a pair of gravesites near the edge of the clearing, and the small she-cat took a seat in front of both before dipping her head in greeting to the mounds of earth.

"Hi Cloudy," she murmured, tail flicking over to brush across the permanent nest of her sister. "I hope you a-and Brightpath are... happy up there... Please keep an eye out for Rainhound and Bushtuft... I miss them..."

A deep breath huffed out of her muzzle as she let her eyes close for a few moments and simply listened to the soothing sounds of the forest around her. This was a nice place to be. Very quiet. Probably the quietest place in the territory.

Grey eyes blinked back open, and a crooked half-smile cracked across her face. Cloudy was safe here, so she'd best be getting to work.

Pushing up to her paws, Mistheart began to brush a few stray bits of forest debris that had fallen onto her littermate's grave before moving onto Brightpath's (they were family, so of course she'd take care of them first). Once they were sufficiently cleared, the grey molly moved around the clearing to take care of the rest; brushing off debris, clearing away old gifts that were beginning to mold, and taking brief stops to wish the forever sleeping cats below her well in their new homes.

Now covered in bits of leaves and dirt, the grey molly moved up to the willow tree itself and began to inspect the odd crevice's around the roots and trunk. They had just gained new medicine cats... Perhaps she could bring a gift in to help them out...

Finally spotting her target, Mistheart let out a short and pleased 'mrrp' before eagerly snatching up a small twig and jamming it into an opening under one of the roots. Eagerly, she twisted it around a few times before pulling out a now cobweb-wrapped stick. Continuing to poke around, the grey cat found 2 more cobweb stashes that she quickly added to the stick before happily skittering out of the clearing.

"Mye Cloufdy..." she hummed around her stick as she moved back towards camp, hoping against hope that her words had made it all the way up to the stars.

~Lioncrest~

Steady footsteps led the way to his clan's burial ground with his sacred charge held gently in his jaws.

His tail still rested gently atop the queen's back, and the large golden tom made sure to keep his pace matching her own so Dovefluff wouldn't feel rushed in any way. Burying the ones you cared for was no easy task, and he imagined the grief of burying one's kits was even more heart-rending.

The forest was still; peaceful and serene considering the season. As Willow's Rose came into view, Lioncrest gently placed his charge on the ground before turning to look towards Dovefluff.

"Where would you like them to sleep?" he rumbled, voice low as he glanced around the clearing. She had no ancestors in this clan, but that merely meant more choice in this queen's paws. "You may take your time to choose; I will guard them here."

[ @jupiter :heartbounce: ]

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by jupiter (Post 1436873) Dovefluff The molly numbly followed Lioncrest, eyes locked on Echokit, forcing herself not to collapse or use the large warrior as a crutch, stumbling forward on her own. The molly let out a hoarse whimper, nodding and padding around the clearing, being careful not to step on a grave. On unstable paws and with soft sobs of disbelief that she was picking a grave for her daughter, it took a while before the molly picked out a spot where she imagined a deep root of the willow to be. So her daughter would be connected to the rest of the forest she had spent her short life in. Then, she shuffles to the edge of the clearing where small red flowers bloomed, plucking them with a nip, grabbing a bundle and padding over to the selected spot, staring at the kit in her friend's jaws with a wave of nauseated grief. "Here." She choked out, nodding downwards. ( @Jayvines sorry for the short post, on mobile)

~Lioncrest~

Amber eyes dutifully watched the clearing as Dovefluff stumbled forward to complete her task. The light chirping of birds and stillness of the woods around them provided a certain blanket of softness to this moment... A softness that was sorely needed during such a time as this.

Careful pawsteps brought the larger tom over to the area that the queen had indicated. It was a good location; close to the willow of their ancestors and secluded enough to be private if necessary. Gently, Lioncrest laid Echokit at the paws of her mother before stepping over to the unmarred ground.

"I will make her a suitable nest," he murmured, unsheathing his claws and beginning to scoop large pawfuls of dirt from Dovefluff's chosen spot in a steady rhythm. "She will be safe here, I promise you that."

Lapsing into a concentrated silence, the golden tom worked as swiftly as he could. Paws scrapped and scooped until he deemed the grave deep enough that predators wouldn't scent out an easy meal; a tragic consideration, but one that was necessary to make in their territory. Stepping back from his task, Lioncrest turned to give a solemn nod to his companion.

"You may take all the time you need Dovefluff," he rumbled, hoping to convey a sense of comfort with his words and presence. "I will not leave you here alone. Whatever you need from me, whether it be comfort, silence, or action, simply say the word and it will be done."

Settling back onto his haunches, the large golden tom resumed his sentry-like pose to protect his charges and fulfill whatever needs were requested of him.