Bumblebreak let her eyes close for a moment before she pulled away. No, she couldn't rest. She still had things to do, dens to check on, a clearing to clean up, cats to look over. But Gentledoe was already leading her along, and she found that she didn't have much strength in her to resist. With a grunt of protest, she settled down next to Gentledoe and curled her tail around herself, her muscles groaning in relief.
"Feels like I'm the only one doing anything around here," she muttered, eyes already closing again. "Thrushstar has done nothing at all, Cinderpaw just apparently doesn't care about things that need caring about, and half the Clan's been reduced to slugs."
Picking up the slack was exhausted. She let her head slump against Gentledoe's shoulder. "Jaystride's gone, I'm so damn tired, but stuff needs to get done and I... I can't sit down for long or it'll never get done."
GENTLEDOE
messy-furred brown she-cat with heterochromia. she/her
She curled her tail around Bumblebreak, resting her nose on the she-cat's head where it lay against her shoulder. It was heartbreaking to see the she-cat having to work herself to death to keep their Clan alive. Gentledoe allowed her gaze to pass over the camp, seeking out any sign of Thrushstar or Cinderpaw. Nothing. It was... rather concerning, yes. ThunderClan was simply stuck in a loop of, well, nothing. No changes. A routine of nothingness. They couldn't get better, become more stable, actually fix anything if the Clan was stuck in a constant state of instability.
Change. It needed to be made.
Gentledoe gave a small, sad smile in Bumblebreak's direction, tilting her head to the side. "Regardless of everything, you are allowed to rest, love. Please, I do not wish for you to exhaust yourself too much. You have already done more than enough for ThunderClan to deserve to relax for just a little while, she purred, "Although the state of the Clan is quite concerning, you do have others who will stand by you and help. Like, well, me. I'll be here for you and all of the rest of ThunderClan no matter what, darling. So please, do allow yourself a rest once in a while. I would hate to see our lovely deputy in the medicine den from overworking herself." The last part was said with a giggle, though a small glint shone in the she-cat's eyes. Her words held a promise, one she never thought she'd make.
Gentledoe had always been lazy. Sitting back, preferring to nap instead of hunt. Having to drag herself to patrols and barely being an active presence regardless. For the last twenty-seven moons of her life, she had watched ThunderClan go by in a mess of everything and nothing all at once.
He caught her!! Wolfkit beamed up at Bumblebreak, just happy to be in her presence. "Help! Bumba!" He chirped back to her, leaning on her leg as he pawed up toward her face.
Hawkshade spoke, and Wolfkit tuned into the sight of the blue jay feather. Intrigued by its bright colors and intriguing texture, Wolfkit's baby cat instincts kick in, and he can't help but pull from Bumblebreak slightly to chew on the feather.
As he gnaws on the delicate quill, Wolfkit discovered that the feather is surprisingly resilient. Its feathery barbs tickle his gums, and he's captivated by the sensation. The taste is bitter and unfamiliar, unlike anything he has experienced before. The unique flavor, coupled with the feather's pleasant texture, keeps him engaged in his playful exploration.
Sharpeye kept one eye on the little Wolfkit as made a cry and tried to pounce on him. He looked over at the kit as he caught dirt instead of his tail. The young Caretaker moved closer and put his tail in front of Wolfkit. "Try again! You got this! You are a mighty warrior!" The black tom again encouraged the kit.
Wolfkit shook the dust from his pelt, narrowed gaze fixated on Sharpeye's tail as it was set in front of him. This time, he couldn't miss.
Taking a deep breath, Wolfkit gathered his focus. She crouched low once again, her muscles coiling like springs ready to launch. With a surge of energy, he propelled himself forward with a SQUEAK, his tiny body soaring through the air a whole half-a-tail-length.
As if the world had slowed down, Wolfkit's eyes locked onto his target, paws reaching out to grasp Sharpeye's tail. Time seemed to stretch, his heart pounding in his chest as he closed the distance between them.
Wolfkit shook the dust from his pelt, narrowed gaze fixated on Sharpeye's tail as it was set in front of him. This time, he couldn't miss.
Taking a deep breath, Wolfkit gathered his focus. She crouched low once again, her muscles coiling like springs ready to launch. With a surge of energy, he propelled himself forward with a SQUEAK, his tiny body soaring through the air a whole half-a-tail-length.
As if the world had slowed down, Wolfkit's eyes locked onto his target, paws reaching out to grasp Sharpeye's tail. Time seemed to stretch, his heart pounding in his chest as he closed the distance between them.
~~Sharpeye~~
Sharpeye watched Wolfkit sail through the air, aiming for his tail. He looked away and felt a sharp pain in his tail. He looked over at his tail. "Congratulations! You caught my tail!" The caretaker said happily.
At Gentledoe's call, Bumblebreak lifted her head to blink. And then her eyes narrowed in concern at the marks on the she-cat's face, and she immediately scrambled to her paws to hurry over. The report didn't make her feel much better, and she leaned in close to sniff anxiously at the claw marks before leaning back again and trying to look her over.
"Stars... yeah, absolutely will do. Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere else?"
GENTLEDOE
messy-furred brown she-cat with heterochromia. she/her
As Bumblebreak fretted over her, Gentledoe offered a (hopefully) reassuring smile and shook her head.
"No, no. This is all that there is, love. I am fine, I promise. Just a few wee little scratches, nothing much," she responded, looking down at herself to assess the damage. Really, the other guy was worse than she was. At least she was, well, alive. That much was good to be glad about, right?
"Thank you, darling. I do appreciate it. The Clan's safety is the greatest of my concerns, after all," Gentledoe finished with a chuckle, looking toward the deputy with grateful eyes.
Wolfkit had found a hiding place in undergrowth near the nursery, his eyes gleaming with mischief. He had been planning this ambush the second he spied Frogkit on top of the den, and he couldn't wait to see the look on Frogkit's face when they sprung their trap. He let out a low, barely audible purr as he called over to Fireflykit and Lightningkit, voice broken squeaks. "Help-" what was the word? "a-bush Frogkit!" He'd never know what hit him!
Butterflykiss blanked slightly, blinking a few times as she listened to Lioncrest. Quickly, she tried to clarify, blushing slightly. "Oh, I'm not speaking ill of my abilities at all, I'm sure they would... excel. I just can't imagine a child of mine being that bold and... successful in a loud and obvious way, though there's nothing wrong with that at all, I just think mine would be on the... quieter side." No one in her family had really been extroverted. She was proud to say that she was the most social of her kin as far as she knew.
"I'm sure your kits would do wonderful." She agreed. Perhaps he wasn't the humblest, but confidence was good! Better than being a stuttery, unconfident mess like.... someone she knew. Good for him!
[ @Jayvines - so sorry for the shorter post, just trying to knock out a good 20 replies and also trying to not pull an all nighter haha. i apologize for the wait and for the fact that the post might be a bit crappy, I'm just.... very overwhelmed and feeling the sting of burnout! Hope you're doing well ♥ ]
Bumblebreak stared. For a moment this cat's words went in one ear and out the other, before they looped back around again and finally stuck.
"...Buzzkit."
The name was familiar, if only vaguely. She let her hackles fall and the snarl fall away from her muzzle, now glancing the cat over with less hostility. If she thought hard enough, she could drag vague images out of the very back of her mind, although they were fuzzy and the face within them was smeared.
"I... Houndspirit? I sort of remember you, I guess. Yeah, things have... they've changed, yeah. So, you- I mean- Sister. Right?" A pause, then hurriedly, "Or maybe not, sorry, I know I'm- yeah, I'm not what you remember, I don't wanna assume. Sorry."
Stars, this was awkward. Nothing like any family reunion she'd ever thought she'd have, if any at all.
The more Bumblebreak spoke the more the rigorous tail thumping was back to a degree where it was probably a weird thing to see out of a cat. Mudhound couldnt help it though nor the wide grin as these odd slightly disconcerting learned behaviors vented the energy that wouldve otherwise prevented the cat from sitting still. Bumble was beginning to get it now and while it wasnt quite at the affection filled squishing contest the dream reunion was between Houndspirit and Mudhound it was good enough to start. The large cat could get what they wanted later and if Icey and Grizzly were here now they'd probably be screaming for their sister to run because that twitch of a leg stump said Mudhound was planning forceful cuddles for you and it was going to be heavy to say the least.
Less forethought and more current-thought however drew a giggle from the grown cat as their golden eyes crinkled at the corners. "Mmmm just a sibling now I think. All that gender nonsense was not my style turns out but that happened.... after we parted so its no problem! Dont stress it!
You like the gender nonsense just to check? I heard you like the girl side more, I dont get it but congrats! Im super excited to know Ive got a surprise sister!"
For a moment the warrior pondered if they could possibly have surprise sisters in another way, what if mom or whoever their littermates dad was had another litter? Wouldnt that mean they could have more surprise sisters? Hoe would Mudhound even feel about that? Happy they suppose it- WAIT NO STAY ON TOPIC!
"Its crazy Ive missed that! Have I missed other things, I really need to catch up~ Houndy sis told me Ive got niblings from here but do you have kittens? Oooh if you do can I meet them? Eeeee this is all so exciting I cant believe Im back can you believe it?"
If there was any awkwardness (there was.) Mudhound was completely missing it (they were.) barging forward possibly with little tact (read none.) missing the elephant in the room (a bright pink one too). They'd just popped out of nowhere coming back to a sibling they'd unintentionally abandoned expecting little to have changed and should be thanking their lucky stars Bumblebreak was taking it well so far.
__________________
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GENTLEDOE
messy-furred brown she-cat with heterochromia. she/her
She curled her tail around Bumblebreak, resting her nose on the she-cat's head where it lay against her shoulder. It was heartbreaking to see the she-cat having to work herself to death to keep their Clan alive. Gentledoe allowed her gaze to pass over the camp, seeking out any sign of Thrushstar or Cinderpaw. Nothing. It was... rather concerning, yes. ThunderClan was simply stuck in a loop of, well, nothing. No changes. A routine of nothingness. They couldn't get better, become more stable, actually fix anything if the Clan was stuck in a constant state of instability.
Change. It needed to be made.
Gentledoe gave a small, sad smile in Bumblebreak's direction, tilting her head to the side. "Regardless of everything, you are allowed to rest, love. Please, I do not wish for you to exhaust yourself too much. You have already done more than enough for ThunderClan to deserve to relax for just a little while, she purred, "Although the state of the Clan is quite concerning, you do have others who will stand by you and help. Like, well, me. I'll be here for you and all of the rest of ThunderClan no matter what, darling. So please, do allow yourself a rest once in a while. I would hate to see our lovely deputy in the medicine den from overworking herself." The last part was said with a giggle, though a small glint shone in the she-cat's eyes. Her words held a promise, one she never thought she'd make.
Gentledoe had always been lazy. Sitting back, preferring to nap instead of hunt. Having to drag herself to patrols and barely being an active presence regardless. For the last twenty-seven moons of her life, she had watched ThunderClan go by in a mess of everything and nothing all at once.
Change had never really been her thing...
...but now it was time for that to change.
bumblebreak === >
Rest. Bumblebreak grumbled something under her breath. She didn't need rest, she needed to keep things moving so that ThunderClan didn't fall flat on its face over and over again. Why couldn't more cats see that?
She was quiet after Gentledoe spoke, just resting her eyes and letting the words make rounds in her head. She could trust the she-cat, couldn't she? To actually be present, and get the river rushing again. After a long moment, she inhaled and exhaled softly, before turning her head somewhat so that she could blink up at the brown tabby.
"How would you feel about being a Keeper?" she asked. "There's only one right now, and I have my eye on a couple other cats who I think would do well with it, but I need one more to fill out all the vacant spots, and... y'know, I trust you. I think you'd do good."
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