[goddess of ducks]

Originally Posted by AbsurdJinx

Mumblenose shifted uneasily, casting his now-nervous gaze onto the ground. He watched the grass move below him, and his shadow dance with every single movement. His ears flicked frequently, a silent sign that he was thinking deeply. How would he answer Forestpaw's question without sounding like an awful cat? He couldn't. He closed his eyes tightly, almost like he could escape the question through his purposeful lack of eyesight. He would inhale heavily before exhaling shakily, and his forepaws fidgeted before him. Finally, Mumblenose looked up until he met Forestpaw's gaze. His eyes were flooded with sadness and regret.

He was aware that, eventually, the two of them would discuss their family history, but he didn't expect the topic to come up just yet. Mumblenose knew his history was quite dark, which was one of the reasons he was reluctant to relive it. He was not knowledgeable of Singe's soft side. After all, the two were on negative terms. However, he liked to believe that his son could find kindness - even for those outside his family tree. And when Singe became leader - a cruel one, at that - Mumblenose took it upon himself to show Singe what kindness was. He had hoped Singe could be a caring leader. Though it didn't go so well, and it was very appropriate to say Mumblenose failed.

The fact that Forestpaw was named after such a horrendous event seemed to shock Mumblenose. It was in that fire that WindClan was introduced to evil. And he mentally shivered at the idea that Forestpaw had the capability to become a leader like Singe. He didn't want his granddaughter to follow in his son's pawsteps.

``Do we need to discuss such a serious topic so soon?`` Mumblenose laughed nervously. In an effort to distract Forestpaw, he changed the conversation. ``How are you settling in? In WindClan, I mean.`` He adopted an uneasy smile, forcing his anxious movements to stop.

It bothered her, yes, that he was so quick to avoid and dodge the question. Forest didn't know why it was such a touchy topic of conversation for them, but she wanted to understand. Was their relationship worse than Mumblenose was letting on?

Or maybe it was just the fact he didn't want to loose her. If their relationship was so bad, he might not want to anger her. She was close to her father yes, as she got her fur bristled up at any harsh remark she heard about him. That could quite possibly be it, but there were so many things she didn't know, but that's what she wanted, was all the unknowns to become known. She liked being in the know and this wasn't helping.

But obediently, she obeyed his wishes. She would drop the subject, but that wouldn't make her stop from asking at another time. Settling in though? Jeez where did she even get started. There were so many different emotions that flooded her with that thought.

"Oh, it's alright I suppose. Coming back has its ups and downs." She said trying to sound nonchalant about it, but it just sounded forced. "Lots of cats see me with Brindle who looks more like Dad. They know her father so they know mine. Some have even gone as far as..." She trailed off, sentence left dangling. She didn't want to say it. Saying it aloud just kind of made it seem more real and she didn't want that for her life. She wanted to be like him, but not like him; if that made any sense to most. Her mood swung. The statement she had been about to make, it would only have torn herself down. If the Clan was tearing her down, what would she be if her own kind and body tore her down as well?