[iliri]

• Springpaw •
long-furred, oriental-shaped, gray-and-orange calico molly with blue eyes; torn right ear
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Well, it had seemed that both her and the fluffy molly were on the same page. They both were mortified by the horrors that they witnessed at the horrific events of the battle and they both were badly shaken up. At least, Springpaw could suppose that the older warrior was in the same state. It wasn’t that hard to figure it out anyways that her mother was severely shaken up. Even if it wasn’t shown physically, it was easily shown both mentally or emotionally. Springpaw stood still for the most part while Dovefluff trailed her paws through her fur for any injuries, quite comfortable to allow the older molly to be sure that the nine moon old molly wasn’t harmed in any way. That was something that Springpaw didn’t have to worry about as much anymore and she was glad about it. Ever since Dovefluff became her legal guardian and stepped up to become her mother, it had been much easier to let go of any unwanted baggage that had been carried on the apprentice’s shoulders for far too long. That was something that Springpaw could mentally appreciate the gray feline for.

Another thing that Springpaw could easily take for granted was for the fact that Dovefluff was always open when it came to closed-in discussions like these. Even if they were currently in front of the Stormcrest, and there were many cats all around them, they still had space where they could be… well themselves. As no one would intrude in their personal bubble without any consent for doing so. That was at least the most of something that most of her clan-mates can do, and Springpaw felt entirely grateful for that. Ah, and another thing that Springpaw still felt iffy about, but was slowly growing accustomed towards, was physical contact. Of course, this was her mother, so it wasn’t like Springpaw was going to push her away or anything close to that. She just accepted the gesture and raised up her own paws to wrap around the much older molly’s gray shoulders, gently rubbing them along the areas of her shoulder blades. “I know mom,” Springpaw spoke finally, slowly nodding her head as she gently patted Dovefluff’s shoulders, being as gentle as she could be without causing any sort of possible discomfort, “I’ll be sure to find you in case I get too stressed out.”

Gee, ‘stressed’ was really becoming a rather frequent word of the day, wasn’t it? It was always one thing after another, and usually the ‘another thing’ was always more stress-giving than the rest. Springpaw would honestly do anything for a simple break. A break away from stress and a day that was practically filled with peace and quiet. Unfortunately, not all things can come true now, can they? She was currently sitting inside of a clearing, cats all around her smeared in their own blood and spit that they had gained from fighting so tremendously for her clan. It felt quite wrong to think about, but it was rather true, unfortunately. Her clan was built up of mainly warriors who were trained to fight to protect a clan that they had lived in for most of their very lives, and Springpaw had only been born here. Her life had only begun in hell and she had wished to never think of those dreadful times again. All they caused was a vast reign of forgotten pain and suffering that she had endured long ago.

Her thoughts were quickly dismantled by Dovefluff’s words, the apprentice’s shifting into her direction as oriental-shaped ears angled into her direction. Well, her words seemed… rather far-fetched at most. It wasn’t like Springpaw could easily do much about the situation, but she could easily feel a heavy frown begin to grow across her lips. Her mother’s words held a much deeper meaning behind them than what Springpaw wanted to think about. It was indeed true that the older molly did look tired. It’s been a common occurrence that the medicine cat apprentice had noticed, and it was practically written all over her face. It could easily have been from the bitter fact that her kits were gone and Dovefluff wouldn’t be able to see them again. Truth was, Springpaw knew the feeling far too well. Abandonment by her own family was something that had left a heavy burden in the calico’s heart. Her own siblings being gone without even saying a word about their disappearance, and her old mentor going down the same path as they did left only a more grave stain in her sore heart. All of these compacted emotions made the apprentice feel the same way as her mother did. Just… tired.

“Well, in case if you wanna talk… I’m always open. I’ll listen to what’s on your mind, and you’ll do the same for me. I don’t want to see my mother suffering anymore. No would want to see their mother suffering anymore.” Springpaw had to practically force the words out of her throat, a bitter itch almost hung at the back of her throat. Were those the right words to say? It felt like it, but was it truly? Whatever it was, it felt right to get it off her chest. Dovefluff needed someone to talk with. Someone that would listen to her problems and gladly take them away. Springpaw would be willing to do so, even if the molly was young for her age. She would still help anyone whenever she needed to.

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@jupiter [ love these two sm]