Open Camp A ghost in the reeds [INTRO]

[Reedsplash]

WE DIVE THROUGH CRYSTAL WATERS, PERFECT OCEANS

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It was to the first sounds of birds stirring from their nests that Reedsplash rose from theirs. They said nothing to their fellows, not that they ever really spoke anyhow, and instead crept from their den with a quiet grace. Small paws padded towards the edge of camp; headed for the reeds in the shallows of the stream despite the light drizzle that fell lazily from the sky. With the light misting of rain, and the morning breeze, they had to admit it was a bit chilly to seek out the water, but they'd always been drawn to it. It was how they wound up with these cats. With this name. It had been an odd whirlwind of a time since they'd joined Riverclan, full of new cats, new names, and new duties. But, despite whatever else they felt, there was a lingering sense of safety. At least in their opinion.

What one cat alone couldn't do, many together could. From hunting to make sure everyone was fed, to denning together to stay safe it was... well, it was home. They smiled, just a bit, at the thought of finally having a solid place to call home. But, as their paws hit the edge of the water, and they settled into a little patch of reeds, they refocused. They'd come this way for a reason, silly as it was. "Reed... splash. My name is... Reedsplash." They looked at their reflection in the water, distorted as it was by the raindrops, taking a moment to connect their new name to themself. They'd not really had much of a name before they came here. They'd just been a wanderer, a ghost among their own kind. But now... they had a home and a name... "I... like it."

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but no one told me not to breathe.

 

[lichentuft]

lichentuft

The trilling of songbirds is a gentle wake up call... one almost as soft as the petrichor smell that wafts through the woven dens as thin rains pelt the sandy earth. Others stir as the lazy sun crawls out from its hiding place, ready to warm away some of the chill of the dripping skies... Tangled limbs unravel themselves from the warmth of softly sleeping fog-curls, planting a quick lick between her ears before picking over the sleeping figure of shadow and light.

There, a silhouette by the riverside; coming to understand a new self just like the rest of them. Restructuring their identities under this new moniker. Lichentuft can relate to the strangeness... the unwelcomeness of change... but the comfort of stability. They would not have to beg the sea for bounty anymore... they would be secure here. She approaches with round ears set forward, listening to the murmuring that barely rises above the din of the rainfall.

"Strange, isn't it?" Sharp, icy eyes skim over her clan-mate. "Good thing Pikestar's creative, hmm? I can tolerate Lichentuft... You're Reedsplash right? You must be good at swimming then..." Hopefully.. otherwise it just seemed kind of like a mockery, right?

 

[Reedsplash]

WE DIVE THROUGH CRYSTAL WATERS, PERFECT OCEANS

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Large ears swivel at the sound of a voice, tufts heavy with the weight of rainwater, bending the tips of their ears down ever so slightly. Their head follows, eyes briefly widening in surprise that anyone else was up, let alone interested in them. "Y-yeah. Strange." It... was strange. Lichentuft was right about that. The corners of their mouth upturned in a small smile, and they nodded in agreement. Pikestar was crerative. "I-it must be hard. To.... name us all." They murmured, glancing back at their distorted, watery reflection for a heartbeat before fully turning to face Lichentuft.

They nodded again at their name, paws shuffling slightly as they wondered if they should ask their clanmate a question in turn. "I like to think I'm a good swimmer... Always did like water. And you? Lichentuft, for the uh-" they raised a paw to their cheeks, patting their own face in the place that she had tufts of fur. Oh this was gonna be awkward if they were wrong. "O-or! Um. Is there another reason? I um. I'm not... creative." Their ears flicked back, somewhat embarrassed. This... was why they didn't talk to many other cats. They were pretty sure they were bad at it.

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but no one told me not to breathe.