✧–lambpaw;

he/him → a small, pale, curly-furred tom.

So. This was their… new home.

Lambpaw hadn't come to accept it just yet as he curled up in his nest. The fact that he had lost his old home less than half a year into his life was awful. Heart-wrenching, even, but surely it would make him stronger, and that's what mattered, right? Would Foxflurry tell him to be sure? Lambpaw wasn't sure. He'd only been an apprentice for a week or two. He didn't know his mentor all that well yet, but–forcing a smile one his face–he'd make sure to get to know them.

After thoroughly "reflecting" and determining that he'd spent enough time sulking in his nest, Lambpaw pushed himself up with a content groan, stretching out his limbs and smacking his lips. He blinked the dreariness out of icy-blue eyes, the blurriness beginning to ebb away from the corners of his vision. Sunlight filtered into the cracks between the brambles and brackens and leaves that made the apprentices den, though it was not unwelcome. Too much darkness would only make him paranoid, Lambpaw thought.

Sitting his rump right back down on his mossen nest, the boy begun to swipe his thorny tongue over his ivory pelt, getting himself cleaned up for the day. If he was going to be an amazing warrior, he had to first win the battle that was unknotting the matted fur that had somehow so violently criss-crossed in his slumber that one attempted was not enough to get rid of the mess. Ah, damn this mercilessly difficult-to-deal-with curly hair!!

[open]
post: #1

✧–lambpaw;

he/him → a small, pale, curly-furred tom.

With a few more raspy licks, the knot finally became undone, his curly pelt returning to its natural state as he finished grooming his fur. A small figure entering the Apprentice Den caught his attention, and his glacier-hued gaze fluttered upwards to the approaching cat; a… kit? Their eyes beamed at the older apprentice, and Lambpaw couldn't help but smile.

Sorrelkit, she introduced herself as, before asking if he'd like to be friends with her. “I'd love to,” he nodded, before moving onto his main point of concern. “–But aren't you quite little? You shouldn't be in this den. Do you have someone in the nursery to be brought back to?” Not everyone had parents, he knew that, but maybe there was a queen watching over this little kit. However…

“Hmm… If not, I suppose you can stay with me for a little while…” The apprentice hummed thoughtfully, head tilting as he awaited an answer.

post: #2

✧–lambpaw;

he/him → a small, pale, curly-furred tom.

Ah–so she wasn't too awfully young. She'd be able to survive without constant supervision, right? Surely Lambpaw wouldn't get into too much trouble in case he was the one that was at fault for a kit being in the apprentice den. What confused him was that she didn't have a caretaker, though he supposed that he didn't either. Although, he wasn't a kit in the nursery, so did he really need one? No. He didn't think so. "No stress," he nodded at her gratitude, smiling.

Sorrelkit's question, however, caught him off guard. "Of course I have other friends," Lambpaw chuckled. The entire apprentice cohort were friends, he liked to believe. He was a rowdy kit, so he usually scared away any potential companions, so he didn't really get the chance to become an apprentice with anyone he was close with. He just had to hope he'd make some close pals in his apprenticeship, so then he'd have some buddies for warriorhood.

"Don't worry, I'll be here when you get apprenticed." That'd be in, what, two moons? Yeah. So he'd be eight moons, surely still an apprentice. It felt weird to have a younger cat look up to him–but it made him feel like he had a purpose. Lambpaw… liked it? No. Liked was the wrong word. It was still weird, but it made him feel… useful. It was a nice feeling. "Why are you in here, anyway, kid? Why the apprentice den of all dens?" Blinking, the boy smiled. "Knew I was in here or something?" He joked.

post: #3

✧–lambpaw;

he/him → a small, pale, curly-furred tom.

Even just watching the little kit, he could see that she would make a fine warrior. Was that too wisdom-y? He wasn't a senior warrior, nor the deputy or elder, so he wasn't sure if he could really make that call, but nonetheless… this kid had some potential. Yeah. “So, you just plan to do whatever you want?” He chuckled, giving his paw a lick and swiping it over his ear as he shook his head playfully. “You're gonna be a trouble-maker.”

At her sudden exclamation, however, Lambpaw relaxed onto his side. His expression was humorous, though he appreciated the kits words. “We'll be best-friends,” he repeated with a nod. Would they? Maybe not best friends, but this kid was fun. He liked her. “–If you don't get your apprenticeship pushed back for sneaking around the apprentice's den.” Lambpaw joked, sticking his paw out and aiming to boop the girl on the nose.

“Mrs. Bumble-leader might not like young kits slinking around whichever den they like,” He said, tone only half serious. Lambpaw wasn't going to scold a kit that just wanted to have some fun! “–But don't worry, I'll hide you in case she comes looking.”

post: #5

This was all just stupid. Stupid, ridiculous, and Flightpaw was furious. She stalked into the apprentice's den with her fur fluffed and tail lashing behind her. Green eyes were narrowed to slits and low growls could be heard as the dark tabby made her way towards the back. Her nest was back here, but also... this new den wasn't all that solid. Newly built, made from brambles and sticks and whatever else. For a long time she stared at the back of it, wondering... thinking. It would get her in trouble, that's for sure, but at least trouble meant being paid attention to. It meant not being forgotten.

With a last snarl Flightpaw unsheathed her claws and began to rake them down across the back of the den, tearing away at the newly built den wall. She kept at it, drawing large gouges and removing chunks of foliage and mud. With every cat out at the meeting, the den was practically empty. There was no other cat in here, which was perfect because there was no one to see her leave.

A final tug with her claws and at long last the sight of... a dark brown wall faced her. Mouse-dung! She lashed her tail in annoyance and looked around, reassured by the fact that no other cat seemed to be around. There was no way she would be able to break through an entire wall as sturdy as that. It seemed the plan here had come to a dead end, but there was one other way she could leave. Snarling in disgust the dark tabby whipped around and stalked out of the den, pointedly ignoring the continuation of the meeting in favor of ducking out of the dirt-place tunnel. There would be nothing suspicious about this, and no cat would likely follow her. Good.