Snowypaw
At Berrypaw's earlier, almost monotone response, Snowypaw had felt his fur prickle uncomfortably. Had he said the wrong thing? Maybe he shouldn't have reassured her that he remembered her? But then... wouldn't that mean that he had thought so little of her, he couldn't be bothered to recall her name? This and other thoughts had in part coaxed the large tom to break the silence that had fallen between them.
Seeing Berrypaw's anxiety rise at what he had hoped was a light hearted comment, Snowypaw couldn't help but flinch as if he had been struck.
Oh no... Not the wrong thing again... Should he have stayed quiet? He should have stayed quiet. Guilt was rapidly spreading down to his toes as he opened his maw, ready to profusely apologize for stepping out of line not once, but twice. In a row! How rude could he be?! He was interrupted before he could utter a single word, however, by Berrypaw's next musing. Closing his mouth, Snowypaw let out a sigh of relief as his shoulders untensed, thanking StarClan that she at least saw something good with what he had said.
About to turn back to Breezerock, Snowypaw's ears flattened slightly at Berrypaw's next question, shame rushing through him, replacing the guilt that had encompassed him mere moments before. Shaking his pelt thoroughly as he tried to think of at least one positive thing to say about his training - that did not involve gushing on how cool Deadmoon was - the gentle giant remained quiet for a moment. It was true that Deadmoon seemed to be avoiding him now, but she
had praised him on numerous occasions. Recalling one such instance, his ears perked up as his posture became a little taller - the closest the tom ever really came to looking proud - as he turned back to Berrypaw, one massive paw taping his nose as he spoke.
"Deadmoon says I have a good nose. It's good for tracking prey... bad for border patrols," he mewed gently, sticking his tongue out in disgust at the mention of border patrols before covering his muzzle bashfully with his paw.
"N-not that I am anything special! J-just adequate enough..." he added as his front paws flailed in front of him, as if trying to erase what he had just said. The apprentice had realized that he had no doubt sounded awfully smug just then, and the last thing he wanted was for Berrypaw to assume he had been gloating in any way. He certainly had nothing to gloat about.
"Definitely... d-definitely not good at anything else," Snowypaw finished, his ears drooping a little in sadness at this as he tucked his paws under him once more.
Realizing he had been doing nothing but speaking about himself, Snowypaw opened his maw once more, about to ask Berrypaw how her own training was going, when Lilypaw's warrior ceremony began proper, forcing him to shut up and turn his full attention back towards Breezerock. Unable to stop himself, the patched tom's eyes shone with excitement, his paws restless on the sand beneath them as Lilypaw... no, Lily
heart was named.
"Lilyheart!" Snowypaw whispered, his voice no more disruptive than the breeze as he called out his former denmate's name along with the rest of the clan.
His good mood was quickly shattered as he heard the news that Redspeckle, Ravencloud and Rosepaw had been found dead. It seemed like only yesterday he had participated in the race that Redspeckle had hosted, and the warrior had seemed so healthy then, too! Rosepaw's death had come as just a bit a shock, remembering her from the race as well. He had not been in her team or really interacted with her, but from what he remembered, she had certainly seemed to be having fun. Dropping his head respectfully, he gave his three fallen clanmates a moment of silence, sending an unvoiced prayer up to StarClan, hoping they would find themselves welcomed warmly there. Perhaps Redspeckle would be happier now... reunited with their fallen son.
Assuming this had been the end of the meeting, Twilightstar remained for one last piece of news. News of... bullying? He had assumed maybe some kits had gotten out of paw at the nursery. They could sometimes get a bit restless, although never enough to announce it as a problem in a clan meeting? Tilting his head to the side curiously, it wasn't until he heard Frostpaw's and Tulippaw's names being mentioned that he realized it wasn't a kit problem at all. Snowypaw's mouth opened lightly in a soundless
oh, shocked that two of the more proper apprentices in the clan - as far as he was aware - would be called on such tomfoolery.
Maybe it had been a mistake? Maybe something had been taken out of context? Or perhaps there had been a misunderstanding of some sort? Surely those two would have nothing to gain from bullying... well... anyone. And who would they bully, anyways? To the extent of his knowledge, there was not a single WindClan apprentice who could deserve such petty ire and ridicule. Well... perhaps him... but he had certainly not been bullied by them.
Willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, Snowypaw decided to withhold judgement until he knew more of the situation... until Frostpaw spoke. The molly's voice rang out clear as she challenged Twilightstar's words. Wait? Was that right? Was Frostpaw challenging Twilightstar's warning... and calling out Badgerpaw as the bullying victim as well?! Wincing in secondhand embarrassment as Frostpaw stood there, he shook himself lightly, still refusing to pass any sort of judgement, but noticing it was becoming mildly harder to remain impartial.
If anything... he couldn't help but search for Badgerpaw amongst the crowd, sending a sympathetic smile his way. No matter what he thought, it was clear that there was some sort of problem concerning the apprentice who had joined the clan the day of his own apprentice ceremony. He knew he wasn't close to the tom, but he hoped that the black and white apprentice would at least feel comfortable approaching him if he ever needed to talk or just needed a friendly face.
-
@
Katlike
// So um... I was going to have Snowypaw respond to Berrypaw after the ceremony... but realized that this post had already been way longer than I intended it to be.
I'm so sorry! \\
@
SpiritedWarrior
// Had Snowypaw send a friendly gesture to Badgerpaw. Don't think Badgerpaw is facing him, but giving you a mention in case he is or if you want Badgerpaw to notice.
\\
Re: WindClan Nursery
