PAFP Camp RiverClan bravery, if only just a little // pike

[Iciclepaw]

SPOOKY

Just close your eyes, the sun is going down... You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now

Pikestar had a shadow.

A small one.

Trailing behind him at a cautious distance, a light-colored kit with wide, sky-blue eyes crept along, each step hesitant, each movement full of untrained uncertainty. Spooky was trying to stalk, really, he was, but he wasn't a hunter. He wasn't much of anything yet. Nobody had taught him how to move unseen or how to blend into the world around him. All he knew was how to live off scraps, how to disappear when needed. But that wasn't an option anymore. He was part of something now. A Clan. RiverClan. And if he wanted to survive, he needed to be known.

That was why he was here. Following the leader. The cat who had stood tall that day and declared them RiverClan. Pikestar. Spooky had been gathering his courage for what felt like forever. And yet, he still wasn't quite there. His paws felt frozen, his voice caught in his throat, so he just... kept stalking, creeping after the newly appointed leader in silent hesitation. And then he made a mistake.

He brushed against someone—just barely—but the sudden contact sent a shock of terror through him. Before he could stop himself, he bolted forward with a startled cry, paws scrambling against the ground as he tumbled, headfirst, straight into Pikestar. The impact knocked the breath from him. He squeaked in alarm, limbs flailing as he scrambled upright, heart hammering wildly against his ribs. His ears flattened, eyes wide and brimming with barely contained panic as he stared up at Pikestar.

Run. Run. Runrunrunrun--

No.

STAND YOUR GROUND.

Spooky sucked in a shaky breath. His legs trembled beneath him, his fur puffed up in embarrassment, but somehow, some way, he managed to force the smallest, most fragile smile onto his face.

" H... H... Hello... "

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[PIKESTAR]

The sudden cry behind him, caused the fur running along his spine to bristle, as if he were a porcupine. It was rather disgraceful to see a cat who was supposed to be riverclan's leader be startled so easily. The high pitched yelp that left his maw as something rammed into him did him no favors either. Whatever it was, made him stumble and nearly fall to the ground. OWW, WHAT THE HECK?! With a grunt, he turns to see a familiar face. Hey, I know you. You're that kit who just appeared out of nowhere. I wasn't able to talk to you more, since Smokewreath practically shoved me to leave. And a couple of other cats too. I always wondered what happened to you. Looks like things have been okay. H-have... Have we figured out anything about you?

Watching the little kit tremble and puff up was... Puzzling. He wasn't scary, at least he was sure he wasn't. He did have a rather large scar across his nose and a nicked ear, but he wouldn't consider himself as gruff as Smoke or Adderfang. After all, he smiled most of the time and if he wasn't, then he was a nervous mess. Nothing that screamed terrifying.

"H-hi? Uhm, you don't uh, have to be scared. I'm not mad at you. A-accidents happen, so you, uhmm... Don't have to be scared, y'know?"

Indeed, he was not mad in the slightest. Although, his hind legs did hurt from the headbutt he received from the light colored kit. It could be worse and he knows it with his experience looking after kits. They... They could be ruthless. Some more than others.

This strange kit, however? He had no clue. They were practically a ghost. It dawned on him that one wrong move meant that the little one would turn tail and run away into the shadows. Still, he wanted to reassure them. That is way he slowly leaned his head down to meet the kits own, so he wouldn't need to crane his head up Pikestar smiles warmly as he cautiously moves one of his paws forward to the small trembling head. If he was allowed to do so, he would gently smooth the fur.

"Are you doing okay? Oh! Did you have anything to eat? If you haven't I can get you something. You're still growing, so you need to get something in your belly. Has? Has anybody been taking care of you here? Like, uhmm... Pine? Wavesong? Someone?"

 

[Iciclepaw]

SPOOKY

Just close your eyes, the sun is going down... You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now

Spooky's ears flattened against his head, his wide blue eyes locked on Pikestar. He's not mad? That was… good. Really good. He wasn't in trouble. He didn't have to be scared. But even with that reassurance, his throat felt tight, his voice refusing to come out. Pikestar was still looking at him, still asking gentle questions, was he okay? Had he eaten? Was someone taking care of him? Well… Not really.

Oh, wait, no. That wasn't true! That cat... the grumpy one, Russetfall... she'd been keeping an eye on him. And sometimes the storyteller checked in, too. " I... A l-lil bit… I mean--! " he squeaked, ears twitching in frustration. That wasn't enough. How would Pikestar even know what he meant? He squeezed his eyes shut and took a shaky breath. Be brave, be brave, be brave. Like the other kits. Like he wanted to be. Finally, he forced the words out, voice trembling.

" I-I'm Sp-Spooky… and I-I'm glad you're n-not mad at me… " His eyes flickered up to Pikestar, searching for any hint of disapproval before he rushed on. " R-Russetfall… she's been… she's been looking after me since… s-since the first meeting. A-and sometimes the storyteller checks on me, too… " His paws shuffled against the ground. " I-I don't really have anyone here. B-but I followed you guys b-because I didn't w-want to be alone in the shipyard… "

His breath hitched at the last part, and he curled in on himself slightly, as if bracing for a scolding.

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