An ember of hope / smudge

[Flamerunner]

{$title} Let's get to know the kits aka Smudge!

FLAME OF SHADOWCLAN

Flame was a joker at heart, lighthearted with his words and quick to pull a prank or two. Not everyone appreciated his humor, especially the more grumpy cats, but beneath it all, he was a kind soul. His cheerful demeanor masked deeper worries, especially now. The kits who had lost their mother in the war weighed heavily on his mind. He couldn't help but feel sorry for them. And the war itself... Flame found himself questioning it more and more. Was this truly what Sablestar had wanted? So much blood spilled, so many lives shattered... It didn't sit right with him.

Shaking his head, the flame-point tom fluffed up his fur and padded toward where Smudgepaw was sitting. He carried a bundle of moss and feathers in his mouth, looking both comical and sincere. His words, muffled by the items, would have sounded something like, "To keep your nest nice and warm, Smudge!" though it was hard to be sure.

Setting the bundle down in front of her, Flame gave the young cat a long, thoughtful look before offering her a warm smile. " Hey, Smudge. Thought you could use some extra warmth. " he said, his voice light but kind. " I gathered a few feathers and moss. Think any of these might help? "

RUN BOY RUN ——･ﾟ✦​

･ﾟ✦ —— THE SUN WILL BE GUIDING YOU

 

[Smudgepaw]

Smudgepaw

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Smudgepaw sits quietly by herself, lost in thought — as the she-cat's mind wanders, the dull ache of grief lingers beneath it all. They keep telling her that life goes on, but that just makes it feel worse.

"Hey, Smudge."

Suddenly, her thoughts are interrupted by Flame's voice. Turning around, the she-cat's heart skips a beat. "Hey…!" Smudgepaw says; the usual spark in the she-cat's voice is missing. She looks more dishevelled than usual. Her eyes flicker to the flame-point's offering, and her tired gaze takes a moment to register what it is. She blinks, and then Smudge says, "Oh…yeah." Feeling uncharacteristically embarrassed. A twinge of awkwardness lingers in the she-cat's voice. The quiet gesture feels like a lifeline, even if it's small. "My nest has felt like a pile of mush. It's kind of weird…" The chill of leafbare — and the empty spot where her mother used to be — has made it difficult to sleep.​

 

[Flamerunner]

FLAME OF SHADOWCLAN

Flame watched the young cat in silence for a moment, a flicker of pain crossing his features. He knew that look all too well, it was something he recognized in himself, something he'd seen in Seal more times than he cared to admit. Smudge was alone. Flame could see it clear as day, Seal was alone too, surely... But Marble had shown to be there for her, taken custody over her in a sense.

" I get that. " he murmured softly, his whiskers twitching faintly as he glanced at the rough nest Smudge had been working on. It was a poor excuse for comfort, but it was hers. His gaze lingered for a moment before he spoke again. " I'm not much of a nest builder. " he admitted with a slight, self-deprecating smirk. " But I can give it a try, help you fix it up, maybe? " His blue eyes met hers with a curious glint, offering a tentative warmth.

For a moment, an idea danced on the edge of his mind, a simple offer, one that might make her nights just a little less cold, a little less lonely. He remembered all too well the ache of wanting someone beside him when he was her age. After losing his parents... then his sister... those nights had felt like an eternity. The thought of her going through that struck a nerve deep within him.

Still, he hesitated. Something held him back, just for a second. Maybe it was his own fear of offering too much, of crossing a line. But he shoved the hesitation aside as he padded closer, his voice low but gentle.

" You know... " he started, feigning a lightness that didn't quite match the depth of his thoughts. " Leafbare's been brutal. I don't know about you, but I haven't managed to stay warm, no matter what I do. " he told her, fluffing up his fur a bit with wide blue eyes. His attempt at humor was accompanied by a slightly comical scrunch of his face.

Then, his tone softened, sincerity threading through his words. " We could share a nest... every now and then, when the chill gets too much. Keep each other warm. " His gaze searched hers as he offered the suggestion, gentle but steady, hoping she'd see it for what it truly was, a small act of kindness, a way to ease the weight she was carrying, if only for a little while.

RUN BOY RUN ——･ﾟ✦​

･ﾟ✦ —— THE SUN WILL BE GUIDING YOU