[Insidious]

It was not to say that he was in a rush to become a father, but rather that he saw no reason to wait. Starlingcry had accepted his offer, and he was pleased to know she wanted the same things for the clan as he did, but there was still much to be talked about. The two of them could not venture into parenthood blindly. He wanted to know what she would take away from mothering his kits, and what she would expect from him as the father. On top of that, he wanted to ensure he was welcome to care for her throughout the pregnancy. It was essential for him to guarantee her health. He intended to give their young the best possible chance.

He heard movement outside of his den, and inclined his head in response. "Starlingcry," she was right on time, and he ushered her inside with a curt, "please come in." Their relationship was not a secret to him, so it was of little relevance whether or not anyone spied her entering his den at this hour of the night. She was a perfectly suitable candidate for the role of his mate, and after their discussion, which he hoped would prove successful, they could move on to the next step as long as she was ready.

"I want to make sure that we're on the same page. If we're to bring kittens into NightClan, we need to expect the same things from the arrangement." He assumed she would agree, but paused so she might say her piece. "You are free to ask me anything that comes to your mind, but let me begin by asking you this, Starlingcry: What kind of mother do you see yourself being to our young, and how open are you to my visitations and overall involvement?"

Hellion
leafbare twenty-six

[Hellion]

Starlingcry
I paced around for hours, on empty
I jumped at the slightest of sounds

---

Unlike her mother, Starlingcry hadn't sought out a mate to fall in love with. Despite that she still held her mother's wisdom in high regards and sought out dark coated mother. She noted the expanses of grey fur and tired to ignore the obvious expression of age.

Their conversation was brief. Gracklefire told her daughter that it would be important to refrain from border patrols once she started to show. Hunting was a safer action. Gracklefire softly toward her eldest born about her first litter, too many moons ago. Starlingcry was shocked to learn that her mother had another mate before her father. Their conversation ended with Gracklefire comforting her daughter, ensuring her that what she was doing was good despite her own history.

Dimstar's scent caught her attention. He asked if she would visit him in the night. She polite agreed and glanced toward her mother who gave her a small smile.

-----

Starlingcry picked her away toward his den and paused just for a moment before being invited in. The darkness of the evening was a comfort to her. The cool night air made her feel even more alive. His words were inviting but not in the romantic way. She entered and stood before him. There was a shred of hesitation on her part. Would they be affectionate to each other? She wouldn't be opposed to it. To greet the leader of NightClan with a nuzzle would further her self proclaimed status. It would also likely help her kits to be somewhat adjusted despite their parent's being out of love. It would remain a conflict for Starlingcry but not one she would outwardly express.

She listened with her ears forward and eyes focused on the grey colored leader. Despite his stoic nature he was a comfort to her, in his own way. He was providing her a pass to ask all sorts of questions, bare themselves to each other.

"I like to think I would be a firm and loving mother. I believe that my own mother is a prime example of a NightClan Queen." paused before replying to his second question.

"I would like our future kits to be aware that you are their father. Your involvement is entirely up to you. I won't force you to be large part of their life."She met his gaze for a moment before forming her own question.

"I know that love isn't in our relationship but I feel that mutual affection would be beneficence for our soon to be bloodline. I'm not asking that you show me special treatment but I am asking to be viewed as your mate among the Clan." She kept her question sharp and her attention on him. She knew that mates came and went, especially in the Clan. She didn't need to be loved by him but she needed to be valued by him.

---

I'm colder than this home
I'm meaner than my demons

Insidious | leafbare 26

[Insidious]

She was straightforward, and wasted no time on getting to the point. He was positive about her sense of professionalism; with each meeting, it seemed, he had less and less reason to doubt the choice he had made in asking her over any other she-cat. While he could respect a cat's admiration for its own mother, it was not something that Dimstar, himself, had ever felt, and his thoughts on Gracklefire hung precariously on a fence. Her sense of duty, and her loyalty to the clan, were unquestionable, and that alone was enough for him to value her. However, she had also been among those who went behind his back, if not the organizer of the group, that hunted on RainClan territory and further restrained theirs and NightClan's relationship. He did not necessarily disagree with the course of action, but he would have preferred to be consulted beforehand. He was still new to leadership, and his clan was in the midst of adjusting; he would not think to rush the process, but he was not above making an example of those who needed it in order to show his clanmates that he was serious about his rise to power.

"I would also like for our young to know that I am their father. I plan to be as involved in their lives as any parent should be. I will be with you as frequently as I am needed throughout the pregnancy and afterwards. We will make all of our decisions together." It was like he was analyzing a chart, and stating points that he observed upon it. When she finally offered up a question of her own, though it was more of a command, which he found interesting, he was ready with an answer. "I agree that it would be beneficial for our young to grow up under the circumstances of an ordinary relationship. I am not opposed to the affection. It will be good for them to see common interactions." He paused a moment, holding her eyes. "I had every intention of announcing you as my mate. It is what you are." They would not be like other mates in the clan - giddy and in love - but he was dedicated to her just the same, and did not wish for his clan to see him as another available suitor when he was frankly so far from it.

"Once you are ready to commence the next step of our arrangement, we can do so." It did not have to be tonight, but just as well, he would not be opposed to if it she was similarly prepared. He had an intuition, an itch on the back of his brain, that she would be as soon as possible. He chose her, after all, because he believed they had a lot in common despite their differences. It would not be romantic, nor would it be heartfelt, but he would be at her side at all times as if it was romantic and heartfelt. He understood the basics behind the role of a father, and he intended to fit the description, and to meet the requirements, so that their young could grow up in a stable environment and with the best chance of success.

Hellion

[Hellion]

Starlingcry
I paced around for hours, on empty
I jumped at the slightest of sounds

---

Starlingcry was pleased to hear what he had to say about being a present father. It was an added comfort. Her own father had been around as often as he could, considering he was the deputy before his death. The added knowledge that she wouldn't be alone also ease the nervousness the young queen-to-be had. Bringing kits into the world was no easy task and quite scary for a first time mother. Starlingcry knew her own mother would be present, but having her kit's father there was added security.

He continued on to answer her question and she was pleased with his answer. Having been seen a very loving relationship had giving Starlingcry and ideal image of a perfect mated-pair. It wasn't until her father's death did she realize she'd never want that heart-ache. She saw what it did to her mother and she didn't want that.

The confirmation that she would be indeed seen as his mate to the Clan was pleasing to her ear. She silent vowed that she would be the most respectable mate. She'd provide Dimstar with kits to carry on his bloodline. She'd be there to support if needed and would be the most loyal cat to him and the whole of NightClan.

She was prepared for him to be straightforward and a hint of a purr left her maw. She rose to her paws and slowly came closer to him, crowding into his space. Starlingcry carefully nudged his chin and nuzzled him softly. It was a start of her showing him affection and a start to their new relationship.


--- Fin ---

---

I'm colder than this home
I'm meaner than my demons

Insidious | date