[williams]

» BRIARTHROAT

The air had a gentle crispness to it, not the crisp air of leaf-bare, but the suggestion of a season change. Watching his clan melt under the heat, Briarthroat knew the temperature change would be welcomed full-heartedly. The lanky tom had gotten up early in the morning, not due to being on patrol, though the action would've given his mind a break from itself. In the past few days, a lot of change had occurred. Good change, mind you. Two adopted loner kits became apprentices, apprentice names shouted to the tree tops with joy. Pride for his clan's growth had swelled in the tom's chest, but Briarthroat had still sought out Applewhisker in the crowd. She looked proud, he remembered, but a certain sadness could be found in her eyes too. His thoughts couldn't get that look out of his mind.

As he hunted, the thoughts kept pace with his steps, rolling across like storm clouds. It must be difficult for a queen to raise the kits so closely, he thought, then send them off to be apprenticed, to become warriors. While the clan had a hand of course in caring for the young ones, very few could provide what a kit needed to grow. Their mother would be all they knew for the first part of their lives. Then they would be off into the world. The world itself was not necessarily a kind one either. Death was common on the battlefield for the Valley's clans unfortunately. Accidents occurred as well, reminders that the clans had to fight the land for its respect. Yet, strength was found in their numbers. First the discovery of new life, then small little bundles, that tottered around with wide eyes, or loud mouths, then became rolling, leaping, running bundles that became lean from training. The glow in a young warrior's eyes as they received said warrior name. The comfort of working alongside a warrior as they aged. This journey played in Briarthroat's mind as he hunted, paw-steps sure among the small pools of his territory. He wasn't necessarily an old cat by clan standard, but he was one of the senior warriors. He had yet to have an apprentice, offering his support to all those who needed it instead. Torn from his thoughts by a scratching sound, Briarthroat leaped on a unaware mouse, dispatching it quickly. Focus, the tom scolded himself, covering the catch with a thin layer of dirt to keep it from sight. Perhaps Applewhisker is feeling this loneliness now that her kits are off to become warriors, he thought, eyes scanning for more prey. I bet she would appreciate that mouse, and perhaps a nice chat to distract her.

With a decision made, Briarthroat trotted back to camp, dropping off his other catch at the pile. Even distracted in his thoughts, he still managed to catch a shrew as well. "Applewhisker?" He called into the den after setting down his offering. "I brought you something to eat, and an ear to listen if you so desire. I'd love to hear about your lovely kits." His voice was soft to match the feeling the den gave him, sleeping with comfort and protection against a mother's side. Everything said was full of kindness, an offering to the queen to take if she felt like it.

notes: n/a
words: 553
@poptart

[Deleted]

Briarthroat was nothing if not astute it seemed, and his musings were indeed in the beginning stages of of assessing Applewhiskers' condition. The biggest discrepancy came from the assumptions made in his hypothesis however, the situation was being viewed in terms that were much too general. Applewhisker was in no way a typical she-cat, and had to fight to keep herself from being lost to the expectations of her peers. Obviously Applewhisker was saddened by the lack of kits presence in the nursery, and she feared for their safety in an unforgiving world. It was so much more than that for her however, Applewhisker was afraid that her life was finished. Having fought so long to find her place in Nightclan it seemed as if her dream of becoming a mother would never come true, but by what she could only consider a miracle from Starclan she had. It had been the most wonderful experience of her life, but in what seemed like a flash it was over. There was hardly any chance she would have such an opportunity again, and Applewhisker was all too aware. As the tom announced his presence and brought an offering of food Applewhisker was relieved to be distracted from her lamenting if only for a moment. His kind words brought a smile to her lips and food was always welcome as well. "It's feeling a bit stuffy in here, why not take this somewhere a bit more scenic?" She asked before picking up the food offering and leading the way out of camp into Nightclan territory.

williams

[williams]

» BRIARTHROAT

"Of course," He agreed full-heartedly, following her out into the territory. He loved the landscape of Nightclan's chosen territory. It was the best place, he had decided as a young apprentice, and the thought still remained. Nothing was more comforting than the pines and the chorus of croaking of that appeared as night came.  

As they padded out, Briarthroat caught up to his companion, using his long legs to easily keep stride. He didn't glance over often, only to check that their pace was still moving without rushing. Pushing a conversation about something probably deeper than he knew would be a sure was to make it an awkward one.

With a place found, and the two cats settled, the tom kept his ears up in interest. He was willing, possibly more so than others, to hear what his clanmates were going through. Applewhisker was a special case, which wasn't her fault, but it did require a little extra nudge. Briarthroat didn't mind being that extra nudge. "How are you faring?" He asked, prompting the start of either an in-depth conversation, or something light and distracting.

notes: n/a
words: 194
@poptart

[Deleted]

Applewhisker was pleased that the tom had followed her without hesitance, obviously he was here for her but she could never shake the feeling that many of her clan mates were still wary around her. This caution was something she could never seem to understand, what about her slender fluffy frame could seem even slightly dangerous? Apparently conviction was a trait that wasn't rewarded with praise these days, something Applewhisker knew all too well. Time seemed to fly as negative thoughts clouded Applewhiskers' mind and in what seemed not but a flick of a tail they were at their destination. Wasting no time getting comfortable Applewhisker lowered herself to the ground and began to sniff at the prey her company had brought. Although she heard Briarthroats question before tucking into the mouse she made the decision to answer after a bite, which upon tasting decided she would answer after two. Forcing herself to cease consumption of the delectable mouse she pushed it has way as an offering before finally answering his question. "I have been better Briarthroat, Scrap-paw and Snakepaw have been my entire world." A world that quickly seems to be crumbling around me Applewhisker thought to herself. "I do not know where I go from here..."

williams

[williams]

» BRIARTHROAT

It was hard to suppress a purr at seeing how quickly the mouse was enjoyed. He had picked correctly it seemed, his own stomach not yet hungry enough for the pair to eat together. While he waited, Briarthroat cleaned his ears, still able to give his attention without just, staring at his clanmate.

"I have been better Briarthroat, Scrap-paw and Snakepaw have been my entire world. I do not know where I go from here..." His features turned soft with sadness at the response. Truly they had been her world, but why couldn't the world continue? They had left the den yes, but her kits would still be there and would want a mother's support.

"I will bring Scrap-paw often to you, so you can see her progress." He mused aloud, finding an answer for the first half of Applewhisker's reply. "Perhaps you could join us, or join Honeywhisker with Snakepaw on training days! I'm sure she too would appreciate your support." Briarthroat nodded to himself in a reminder to ask his friend if the two of them could train together, and bring Applewhisker along. The queen before him was just that, a dedicated queen. There were no kits now though they needed her support. As he waited for a response, he thought of who else could get help. Did elders need support? Probably not, they were cranky from creaking joints and preferred napping more than conversation. Perhaps the medicine cats would prefer another paw to help, though no one was currently sick. Hmm.

notes: n/a
words: 261
@poptart