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Post by Fawn on Aug 9, 2016 16:44:18 GMT -5
Appleshade was a voracious flirt. It wasn't so much to boost her own butterfly-winged ego as it was to enjoy flirting for the sake of it. She loved social interaction. Loved being around so many others; Clan life was perfect for her in that regard.
Given how she flitted from cat to cat like a hummingbird in a hydrangea, never dwelling on one tom for long--it meant something when she couldn't get one in particular out of her thoughts.
She hadn't recognized it for what it was at first; she always felt a thrill in her heart and a shiver under her pelt when given the chance to have a fun conversation with a handsome tom. Why should it be any different with Whiteclaw?
Oh but it wasn't just when they spoke (which was never as often as she liked) that she felt her heart skip a beat, it was whenever she saw him too. Going on patrol, returning from a hunting trip, even stretching in the sunlight when he first stepped out of the warriors den. Just little things. Her heart would bumble and buzz like a bee, and she suddenly forgot all the other toms, the rest whom she had looked upon so fondly were now just Clanmates, not 'fun' with different names.
It had taken a moon to realize her feelings, and another to figure out how best to approach him. Floating more than walking, Appleshade at last had her chance when the dark -furred warrior began asking around camp for a hunting partner.
"I'm going out by the great maple. Thornstrike says he saw a few mice there. Anyone want to go?"
"Mind if I tag along~?"
She met Whiteclaw's serious gaze with a soft, enticing look of her own, whiskers fluttering in the slight breeze.
He shook his head, no he didn't mind.
That's my Whiteclaw. Always the strong silent type. True, he wasn't as exotic or charming as Whiteshade, but she felt an attraction to him nevertheless, a pull only the strongest cat could ignore.
Walking alongside him, her heart reduced to bubbles that popped and reformed with each step, Appleshade stole a fond glance at the warrior. So this is what Sprucefur feels like everyday? How ridiculous! Its much easier just to confess one's feelings than walking around like an inside out cloud.
After today, she would really have to let her brother have it for taking so long to tell Feathercloud the truth. What was he so afraid of?
"I'll take the east side, you take the west." Mewed Whiteclaw, preparing to walk away.
It was a good strategy for flushing out mice, but it was a terrible plan when your intentions were to clear the air, speak from the heart, not hunt in this weather.
"Wouldn't you rather hunt nearer each other?" It was worth a try to ask.
Whiteclaw looked at her, his expression puzzled. "Er..."
He's so shy. Never mind~ I'll give him some time to collect himself. "West, you said? See you in a little bit, then. " She segued easily into a brief parting, her feathery pale tail held high like a peacock's plume as she waltzed to the west of the Great Maple.
I'll do all the talking, at the right moment. Despite having a clear plan in mind, Appleshade found it hard to concentrate on her hunting well enough to catch more than one mouse and a couple of mousy-looking leaves. Disregarding the plants and carrying her prize by the tail, she let out a happy trill as she saw Whiteclaw adding another mouse to his small cache of three.
"There's something I want to say to you, Whiteclaw. Are you listening?" Deep breaths. Deep breaths, Appleshade. Oooh but just think, by this time tomorrow you'll have a tomfriend of your very own... SHould we name one after Sprucefur? Fur... Firkit. Hmmm we'll see if Whiteclaw likes that name.
Whiteclaw stared at her, the tip of his tail twitching nervously. "Yes, I'm listening."
"Good, because I would like you to know that you're one of the bravest, sweetest toms I've ever met. I admire you, Whiteclaw, and not just because you're a much better hunter than me." Her soft laugh was underscored by nervousness, though she held on to her sense of poise, gesturing to his cache of mice in case she wasn't clear enough.
Whiteclaw's ears twitched, the tom awkwardly glancing between her and the mice. "I don't think its a good idea to eat before we feed the rest of the Clan, Appleshade."
Appleshade tsk'd her tongue three times, taking a bold step closer, a purr in her throat as she muzzled her cheek into his chest. "I don't care about the mice silly, I care about you. Very much. More than any tom ever before."
She mistook his petrified gulp for nervousness, her own heart pounding like hummingbird wings, faster than she could possibly keep up with.
The warrior was quiet for a few heartbeats, and then he cleared his throat, and Appleshade knew by his tone (apologetic at best) that she had made a terrible mistake.
"A-Appleshade?"
"Yes, my love~?"
Whiteclaw winced, taking a step back. "I'm... I'm sorry, I don't feel the same way."
Appleshade froze, her stomach dropping with mounting horror. It was like watching a forest fire in slow motion. "Pardon?"
Whiteclaw backed up further, his tail tip twitching. "I don't feel that way about you, Appleshade."
She stared at him as if he'd sprouted a second head on his shoulder. "What? Why not?!" Why wouldn't he? Was there something wrong with her? Did he like someone else? Did he like toms? Had she missed all the signs?
Appleshade felt dizzy.
"You're nice, and very b-beautiful but..."
"...but?" Why was there a but?
His next words were mumbled so lowly she had to step closer just to catch them, her eyes wide and her tail fluffed from the emotional upheaval.
"My reputation? What reputation?"
What in StarClan's name did that mean? She didn't have a reputation unless it was that she was known for being fun and flirty and kind and sympathetic to others. Appleshade's heart caught fire, scorched feelings showing in her eyes.
Whiteclae looked as if he wanted to join the mice in the cache. "Sorry, Appleshade... I just... can't take you seriously."
Appleshade's hind legs folded, and she sat on the dry, crunchy grass, feeling the greenleaf sun through the trees, but somehow her body was colder than the chilliest day in leafbare.
Whiteclaw apologized a few more times, but she couldn't hear it; ears flat, whiskers still, her normal animations halted by that horrible encounter, Appleshade felt the sky come crashing down on all sides.
How could he have thought that... why hadn't he given her a chance? Why? Why wasn't she good enough for him as she was? Why wouldn't he get to know her, get to know that her reputation wasn't so true?
Sorry Appleshade. I just can't take you seriously.
The she-cat let out a wail, and made a frantic run for the open woods; she did not want anyone at camp to see her breaking apart. For once in her life, being the center of attention, being the focal point of the conversation was the last thing Appleshade wanted.
She ran through tear-blurred vision, whiskers shaking as she struggled to breathe normally. Appleshade chokes out a bitter half-laugh, half-sob. So this was why Sprucefur wouldn't tell Feathercloud the truth.
Sometimes the truth wasn't good enough. |
Word Count: 1250 Words Tags: BlooRey DVD , @dreamer , Insidious Notes: xD for Feathercloud, Lichenfrost & Cloudpool. Song Inspiration: One & Only by Adele
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