[dionysus]

[ @Moonraven ]

“Ah, of course, my mistake.”

How silly of him to assume that she’d stick around after the coup she forced him to organize. No bother, he’d just go with her- the overthrown leader and the overthrower, what a happy pair.

Rushingmoor had never thought much about leaving the clan. He had no family to speak of and virtually no ties forcing him to stay, but he felt strangely connected to the place. Maybe it was the companionship- though that wasn’t the right word. Rushingmoor didn’t really fraternize much, nor did he bother with trying hard to make friends. He merely liked the presence of other cats while he was alone. He liked hearing life around him and having the potential to talk to someone even though he usually chose not to take it. In fact, Twilight was the first cat he’d talked to companionably in a while- and he hadn’t come to her seeking a stimulating conversation. How interesting that he’d found one.

Twi’s stipulations made him scoff and he teased,

“Mmhmm, and how are you going to make me do that? Maybe I’ll make you carry me! You won’t be in charge out there.”

He gave a toothy grin, remembering that in this scenario she’d be overthrown- no special treatment. Then again, he didn’t think he’d carry Twi for the sake of her tired little feetsies even now. That had to be an abuse of authority. Yet, Rushingmoor had to chuckle at the image of him carrying Twilightstar around like a piece of prey and he added his own stipulation.

“Or maybe I’ll carry you around sometimes but not on my back. If you wanna get carried, you’re getting carried like a limp rabbit.”

Still snickering from the image, he rolled his eyes when Twi still couldn’t figure out flowers. He listened attentively, though, to her description of love and shook his head,

“Ah, but it’s simple in that it is choosing to push through the complexities and choose your partner no matter what. I will agree that there are many kinds of love but cats falling in and out of love for each other isn’t complex. They just haven’t found their soulmate yet. Everything clicks when you find them.”

Rushingmoor’s voice had taken on an almost dreamy quality and he snapped himself out of his vision of true love, clearing his throat sheepishly. He wrinkled his nose and teased,

“Well, if I’m a hopeless romantic than you’re just hopeless! But don’t worry, I’ll help you find your soulmate.”

He winked goofily and thought about that prospect. What would Twilightstar look for in a soulmate? Definitely someone who challenged her- she was too smart to want a boring cat who agreed with everything and never teased her or told her when she was being crazy. Maybe someone energetic to balance out her slower tempo- but someone who could still enjoy a nice nap with her. Someone who could nonchalantly make sure she was eating and taking time for herself- a bodyguard to intercept the tailless when she needed rest. Someone who loved adventure- she wanted to explore and didn’t like being cooped in camp according to the trend of their conversation. Wow. He actually had a pretty good idea of what Twi’s soulmate should be like. Now he just had to find a cat who checked all of those boxes- that shouldn’t be hard in a clan of tailless! Oh well, he had time. Time to collect more information too!

A devious glint shone in his eyes but it was pushed to the back behind sheepish amusement. No cat was going to sweep him off his paws! He would be the one doing the paw-sweeping!

“I look forward to getting your blessing that they aren’t one of the tailless.”

The devious light returned to his eyes with the decision to try to embarrass Twilightstar by publicly giving her flowers and acting like he was trying to win her. She seemed nonchalant but once the tailless started to bombard her with questions about her love life she would see how devious his little plan had been!

“Just imagine all the tailless crowding around your den asking questions about that devastatingly handsome and incredibly charming warrior who constantly gives you flowers. You’ll grow to hate it, I assure you!”

His voice was nearly giddy with the joy of annoying Twilightstar and he let out an uproarious laugh when she cuffed him. He deserved that, he acquiesced. Rushingmoor also laughed when Twi scolded him for not planning her coup well enough and he shrugged in response to both that and her comparison of him and Coyotegrowl.

“Well I have no idea who to put in charge after you. I guess Brindlejaw could be leader but I feel like it wouldn’t be a real coup then. A real coup overthrows the whole regime- which means Brindle’s gotta go too. Poor guy. Maybe he can come be rogues with us- you can make him carry you.”

The discussion of the tournament forced him to pay attention a bit more and he listened with intention. Rushingmoor agreed that it was better that Twilight lead the tournament than any other cat- not that he had anything against Brindlejaw- he just figured it would be easiest to plan if him or her ran it since they were planning it and he certainly didn’t want to do it.

He nodded, eager to learn to tunnel- or any new skill- but wanted to tease Twilightstar some more and smirked. Infusing his tone with mock flirtatiousness, Rushingmoor winked and teased,

“Are you sure you don’t just want to spend more time with me? It’s ok, you don’t have to pretend you want to be safe, I won’t tell anyone!”