[lone]

Originally Posted by Constellation

“No, it's fine.” Heavencloud said, blinking her eyes for a moment. Was it actually really fine? Heavencloud didn’t want to make the situation worse as it was getting awkward, so instead she thought keeping her mouth shut would make things a lot better. With her talking less...with him talking less. That...wouldn’t work out well. The she cat found herself looking at anything except her company. It was nothing wrong with him. He was an...odd tom. She couldn’t really pinpoint what she thought about him, but one thing for sure...he was serious about this idea of a nickname. She wanted to ask why was it so serious that he was given a nickname, but it left her as she heard his next words. Instead of being made, Heavencloud found it amusing. Was he slapping a label on Angelcloud?

‘’I mean--yeah, sure my sister is the kind who-’’ How was she suppose to word this? Heavencloud was lost for words for a second as she thought about what Jaywhisper said about her sibling. The she cat didn’t know what to say. She knew she couldn’t agree, yet she couldn’t disagree. ‘’She’s…She--She’s…’’ Heavencloud fumbled around for the right words until eventually a small giggle escaped her. ‘’She’s being herself.’’ Ah, yes--herself was good. Being yourself was a amazing. It counted for something. Angelcloud didn’t care what others thought of her because she was always that somewhat wild feline. ‘’It’s nothing wrong with being yourself, you know. Besides, don’t opposites attract?’’ Heavencloud didn’t know what was wrong with her. She found it very humorous that this tom didn’t take into her sister, but he did find her pretty. Which counted for something, right? It sounded as if she was trying to hook the two up on a date or something. Far from it. Heavencloud preferred to stay out the feline’s love life. ‘’But suit yourself!’’ She quickly added, twitching her nose. ‘’Not trying to--um--hook you two together or anything. I would make a terrible--um--matchmaker.’’ She rolled her eyes, looking away from the slate pelted tom and tried to find anything else that interested her. She was already making the situation a lot more awkward. How awkward could it get, if that was even possible?

She thanked Starclan when he changed the subj...oh, back to nicknames again. Heavencloud listened to him with a friendly ear, but she was quite tired of the entire nickname thing. She felt that she could hear him complaining about how he doesn’t have a nickname. And, that his brother did. Heavencloud nodded. ‘’I’m sure everyone gives her a new nickname.’’ Heavencloud flicked her tail, now sitting up as she was tired of laying down. She kept her undivided attention to the tom besides her, seeing his gaze. Oh, how he looked so...down? Was it simply because he didn’t have a nickname? Heavencloud found it weird--because she really didn’t care. Names were names, and she preferred that her real name was used instead of shortening up. It was quite lazy now that she thought about it.

‘’You’re really down on this whole nickname thing aren’t you?’’ Her voice was low, for he probably didn’t hear her, but she was wrong before. And, as she was deep in thought, trying to brainstorm any idea that would suit the tom. Any name that she felt would fit him. ‘’Your brother is literally out there. Literally. I mean...I don’t know him, but I bet a lot of felines like him! He looks like a great guy!’’ She says, slightly wrapping her tail around herself as she stared at the felines--at the time playing in the water. ‘’You have to put yourself out there. Get to know a few felines. And, you’d probably have double the nicknames than...umm...Cardinalflash was it?’’ She asked him, tilting her head as she looked at her companion. She was only being truthful. At least trying to make the situation a lot more...lighthearted.

Angelcloud heard the tom, and she threw her head back to give her a charming smile--added with a wink. Albeit, not truly returning his flirty habits. She was happy to get to know this slate pelted tom that was near her sister. She had circled him, almost as if she was checking him over. Was he good enough for Heavenly? Strong enough for her? Compatible for her? Angelcloud didn’t know a lot about romance...or, match making...she hardly even knew about crushes. Sure, she had a few of them back when they were only apprentices, but they hardly even lasted for more than two days! But, Angelcloud was interested...and Heavencloud was annoyed that their little moment was ruined. She had a chance at making a new friend, but her sister came forward, throwing herself at the slate pelted tom like a piece of prey.

Heavencloud inwardly groaned, but she didn’t say anything. Instead her eyes locked on the tom that was a few ways away from the group. She tilted her head, and quickly looked away from him as she realized he was coming over. She didn’t really get a good look at him, but now she felt him sitting down next to her. And, she tried to ignore him. ‘’Angie-’’ But her voice was cut off. The reddish colored tom was talking to her. Flirting with her?

Heavencloud tilted her head up to look at him, catching his charming smile. And, bashfully she had looked away. Truth be told, she wasn’t used to this attention, and she didn’t know how to handle it well. Her eyes had sought out Angelcloud for help, but the she cat was constantly circling around the darker pelted tom, sniffing him in any place she could to get a scent from him. It was weird, really. Seeing her doing that. Heavencloud felt flustered that her sister was acting like such a- a- a...wild vermin?! Something of the sort, and Heavencloud’s eyes landed on Jaywhisper. It was as if she was pleading; Help me. Or, what do I do? But, maybe they wouldn’t help her. She couldn’t even bring herself to look at the other tom, deciding to keep her head down, but a hidden smile on her face.

‘’He--Heavenly...it’s just a nick---nick--nickname.’’ She stuttered, swallowing in a large lump as she thought on. ‘’Nothing too beautiful about it.’’ She lightly giggled, which actually came out as more of a hushed one. She didn’t know how to react to the tom. Shouldn’t he be giving Angelcloud his attention. Now, Heavencloud just felt uncomfortable, and she was ready to leave whether her sister followed her out or not.

Angelcloud circled around the tom, giving him a smile. She leaned in a couple times--hoping to calculate a scent from him. Anything from him that either said he was good news or not. Who was this tom? Ah, of course. Cardinalflash had a brother. Angelcloud couldn’t recall early if he mentioned that he had a brother. The she cat turned her head, seeing the closeness that Cardinalflash was giving Heavencloud. She would had snapped at the tom, but she had other matters to deal with. Turning her head back as the darker pelted one began speaking.

Upon his words, she took a seat next to him, wrapping her tail around the other side of her slightly. ‘’You wanna talk? What do you wanna talk about?’’ She asked, her words jumbling together for a moment. Maybe talking would be nice. She didn’t know this tom, but she concluded that he was nice. ‘’You were talking to my sister.’’ She said, like it was the most amazing thing in the world. ‘’She never talks to anyone! How did you do it! It must be a sign from starclan-’’ She looked towards the sky---even if the sky was longed from the sparkling beauties, she couldn’t help, but believe that Starclan made it destined for the two to talk together.

Heavencloud could definitely hear her sister, and she rolled her eyes. ‘’You’re over-exaggerating, Angie-’’

‘’But!-’’ She was interrupted again. This time from the tom besides her. The she cat gave him a baffled stare, wondering what he was talking about. Heavencloud got everything she said, but she didn’t say anything. Instead, her eyes stayed glued to the ground. Angelcloud simply laughed. ‘’Attention,’’ she repeated, giggling lightly. ‘’Humor your brother?’’ She flicked her eyes towards the reddish pelted tom for a mere few seconds. ‘’He seems like he have enough attention to give to himself.’’ She says, almost proudly. Wasn’t it true? The tom looked arrogance. Conceited and for certain that he could get whatever he wanted. It was funny, and it humored the striped golden she cat for a moment, but she didn’t allow herself to think much on that. She preferred her odd interest in the slate colored tom.

Angelcloud found the tom quite...sweet. At least, she thought Jaywhisper was being sweet. He had complimented her. Told her his brother was into her. And, she still didn’t understand that, ‘’It seems like your brother is more into my sister.’’ She told him, her eyes becoming wide and innocent. How was that possible? Maybe Cardinalflash had more than one interest because he could never settle himself into having one. The golden striped she cat gazed at her sister, the golden spotted she cat stayed with her eyes planted to the ground like it was the only thing that would have her attention for a while. She’s so shy! It’s cute! Angelcloud thought, cooing at her sister for a moment. ‘’Ohhh! I see,’’ Angelcloud quickly swiveled her head to look at her new companion. ‘’You want some alone time with my sister, don’t you? I completely understand, no need to try and run us off!’’ Of course, this was something Angelcloud believed. What other reason would there be? Perhaps, Heavencloud would had corrected the she cat, but honestly the golden spotted cat was deep in thought, figuring out a good nickname that she could use on the slate pelted tom. So, Angelcloud hopped up from her spot, circling the tom once more, purring for a moment before she stopped and leaned close into his ear. ‘’Between you and I; Heavenly likes to play hard to get. She’s so picky.’’ The golden striped cat pulled away, giggling--and, throwing a quick glance at the clueless feline.

Heavenclod’s gaze shot up for a quick moment, catching a look in everybody’s eyes before she put her gaze back down, feeling uncomfortable with the intensity of the situation. Angelcloud glared at Cardinalflash. She padded towards him, a devious glint in her eye. ‘’I’m watching you. I don’t know what your plan is, but you best believe that I will--always--be there.’’ She whispered, then brushed past him, making sure to hit him purposely with her tail. It was not an act of flirting when it came from her. More so, a playful gesture, and a teasing-like one before she trotted to the other side of her sister, staring at the darker colored tom with pure interest. Now, plans were hatching in her mind. Sure, they had just met, but Angelcloud knew this was destiny! They were just...cute together! She felt herself gushing. Now, that it was established...she just had to form up a way to plan it all out. One thing that Angelcloud knew she hated? Making plans. But maybe...perhaps--and, she turned her gaze to look at Cardinalflash for a moment before turning them back on her former interest--she had a partner in crime.

"Nothing too beautiful? Why, you're an absolutely stunning cat! I'm surprised I don't see toms lining up to associate themselves with you!" And Cardinalflash was moving on to Minnowblossom, walking around the feline as though she were the most beautiful one he had seen. Swallowheather seemed to have been forgotten. Seemed to have been pushed aside in favor of this other cat. Granted, Minnowblossom was the less attractive of the two, but Cardinalflash was already having fun flirting with her. "Now what's a cute little nickname for you, hm?" He asked, giving Minnowblossom a flirtatious glance. Swallowheather didn't react like this! How come he couldn't get the same reaction out of both of them? While Cardinalflash no doubt would have preferred to be flirting with the more attractive of the two, she would do as a... a placeholder. A cat who would fill up his needs to be around females while he waited for Swallowheather to come around and admit her undying love for him. And then, the reddish tom could move on. He knew Jaywhisper would never try anything like that. The tom was always taking the safe side, being more cautious and calm and rarely raising his voice.

Oh, just once, Cardinalflash would have loved to hear his brother raise his voice. Though not around the she cats, he wanted them to be treated like delicate little angels. Butterflies. If Swallowheather was a beautiful angel, then Minnowblossom was a delicate butterfly. The differences between the two were immense. Yet in personality, Swallowheather would always win for Cardinalflash. She was so much fun! And she got the good end of the gene pool with appearances, she was gorgeous. Drop dead gorgeous, as in... the kind of feline that Cardinalflash was going to have to snap up quickly before things went downhill.

"Ah! How about Minnie, sweetheart? Little Minnieblossom?" It sounded as though he were almost teasing her now, as he lightly drew his tail over the tip of her ear. Right now, he was in his own world with Minnowblossom. He couldn't hear a word the other feline was saying. Though, had he looked up, surely he would have realized what the two were talking about. Oh, it was so much more fun to toy with Swallowheather's sister then her! The she cat seemed to have the best reactions. The type of reactions that every flirt dreamed of getting. It meant he was doing his job right, and what a job! What a job well done, he was doing it perfectly... the tom was so pleased with himself you could practically hear him purring at this point. Oh, he was thrilled. Absolutely thrilled. And it was showing in his expression, stance, and everything else. Though he knew he would lose her once the game was broken, for the moment, Cardinalflash was having the time of his life. Almost as good as swimming with Swallowheather. When you were with a pretty cat, nothing else mattered. The world seemed to fade away into the darkest nothingness and Cardinalflash never minded in the least.

Although it was all too obvious that Jaywhisper did mind. He could see the tom staring at him with an irritated expression... jealous much? Was the first thought that came to mind. But it was too early for the other tom to be jealous, and Cardinalflash was well aware of that. He knew that Jaywhisper wasn't going to fight to keep Minnowblossom. Which, he didn't really want her now anyways, so it didn't matter. When Swallowheather approached, he gave her a curious look as she spoke to him, hitting him with her tail. "Swall-" He began, but she was already walking away. And he followed her. One moment the grey and white cat had had all his attention, the next her more attractive sister had the ultimate prize. Which of course, was him. He was a prize, right? Obviously. He could draw attention wherever he went, certainly, he was a handsome tom. And Cardinalflash knew it. He liked to flash off his appearance, almost selling himself for just the slightest bit of attention.

Especially from a cat like Swallowheather. She seemed to be far too interested in getting Jaywhisper and Minnowblossom together, though... so perhaps if he helped her in this, then she would turn around and realize that he had been right there all along. That he was perfect for her! And he was, Cardinalflash was... perfect. He was the ideal tom in every relationship, was he not? At least, that was how he had come to think of himself. Had it not been for those few minor commitment issues, but those were things that could be sorted out! Easily. Very easily. Bright eyes searched Swallowheather's expression as he sat down next to her, curling his tail around her in a quite possessive manner and grinning at the attractive cat. Cardinalflash's previous center of attention seemed to be sitting with one side of her unguarded now. Ah, here was Jaywhisper's chance to get in! At least that was how Cardinalflash thought of it, but the grey and white tom remained unmoving. Watching them. Studying them. Hmm... Cardinalflash was going to have to think of a new plan. In the meantime, he would turn his charm back on Swallowheather.

"I gave your sister a sweet little nickname, darling. Shows I have kindness, right? She must want a cute little nickname from a dashing, handsome tom like myself, right?" He asked, glancing over at her as though he was expecting her to say yes, of course! Thanks so much, C-Flash! any second now. It wouldn't be too long before he got what he wanted. The thank you from the beautiful feline, and if he were lucky... a thank you nuzzle would come with it.

Jaywhisper gave the cat beside him a curious look, staring at her as though she were something out of a fairytale as she began sniffing him. And, he had to admit that she was pretty! As he had said - as far as looks went, Swallowheather had really gotten the good end of the gene pool. Not that Minnowblossom was lacking in charm, she was a great cat to hang out with! But, if Jaywhisper were going to pick a mate based off of appearances, he would choose the former over the latter. Luckily for her, he wasn't that type of a cat. And besides, it seemed that Cardinalflash had so much interest wrapped up in this single cat that if he were to show any sign of interest his brother's head would explode. Something that Jaywhisper most definitely did not want. That, and the fact that she was sniffing him kind of offput Jaywhisper from any thoughts about romance. There was one way to get rid of a potential suitor, she could just start doing that and they would all run for the hills. Nobody wanted a she cat who was going to act like that. Besides Cardinalflash, who Jaywhisper could almost see drooling at this point.

Again, what an idiot the tom was. He thought he was so cool, but he really wasn't... and Jaywhisper was honestly just waiting for him to be exposed. The day that a she cat shattered his brother's heart would be the day that he would grieve and celebrate. Grieve because he really didn't like seeing Cardinalflash hurt, and celebrate because the tom would not only have finally gotten a taste of his own medicine, but he might finally stop this stupid game knowing how badly it could hurt. Though Jaywhisper doubted his brother could even get his heart broken. He would just bounce back and act as though nothing would happened, which... in his opinion... made him stupid. But, the things that Swallowheather was saying made the tom want to laugh. Cardinalflash?

Into Minnowblossom? Nah, he had seen this game before and he knew it just about as well as the back of his paw. He knew what the tom was really up to, and if he was planning on making Swallowheather jealous through this, it wasn't working at all. Might as well give the she cat a heads-up. Not Minnowblossom - if she would believe those things, then she was naive and he'd have to let her know what an idiot Cardinalflash could be later.

"Yeah. He's an idiot, he'll be back."

Hm. Sounded like some jealousy had gotten into his voice there, what was with that? Nothing at all. Jaywhisper was just being stupid and he knew that given the chance, Cardinalflash would break a cat like Minnowblossom's heart. He heard the idiotic nickname that was given. Minnie? Are you kidding me, C-Flash? It was a nickname used more then the tom's actual name, and the reason why was unknown. Perhaps because Jaywhisper found it more fun to say, and to think about. It sounded cool and unique. He watched Minnowblossom, eyes narrowed as he wondered what she was thinking about while Cardinalflash put on his show. What an idiot. One of these days he's going to run into a she cat like a brick wall and smash his own heart. It was something that, admittedly, he was looking fowards to. Was it assumed that he liked seeing his idiot brother going around breaking hearts and getting fun out of it? Because that was most definitely not the case.

That's not - I wasn't - it wasn't what I wanted, I'm..." Jaywhisper was flustered. Funny, he wasn't normally flustered, but Swallowheather's words made him heat up and feel as though he had just done something very wrong. But he hadn't! He had done nothing wrong, had he? Jaywhisper swallowed again, trying to get a bearing on what had just happened. Whatever it had been, he didn't like it at all. Playing hard to get? Picky? But... but Jaywhisper wasn't interested! He was about to tell her so, too, before Swallowheather bounded away and his lovestruck brother followed. He didn't dare look at Minnowblossom, until he realized where they were going. It felt as though it were three against one in a battle or something. Might as well go. He thought, after sitting there for a while and feeling Cardinalflash's stare. Besides, he didn't want the she cat to feel like a third wheel. Slowly getting up, he moved over to Minnowblossom. The smallest gesture towards friendship, yet he had made it. With a monumental effort, it seemed that Jaywhisper was actually doing something that he didn't normally do.

Which meant he was out of his comfort zone. Which was... incredible. The smallest of smiles came onto his maw and he flashed it in Minnowblossom's direction, as though he expected one in return. He really couldn't expect anything from the she cat, but... what was the harm?