It replayed again and again. They had a mouse they were going to share. It was over a mouse. She screamed as they fought over the prey, unheard amidst the chaos. The rouge was big. Bigger than her mama. Stronger despite his hunger. He didn't care if Quartz saw, what happened to her. What happened to mama. He was hungry. She'd tried to stop the blood. She didn't care about the mouse. When she realized she couldn't fix it, she ran. She had to find help. She had to.
The wind cut through her short fur, slicing through her like the claws of that rouge on her mother. Quartz stumbled through the snow, the red staining her fur making her more visible. "Help! My mama!" the wail was broken up by sobs. She felt like she'd been trudging for hours, though it was likely more akin to minutes. Her own tracks behind her were the only thing telling her where she was. Her mother had never really taken her this way. The sight of her mother, beautiful despite the ichor that spilled from her, burned in her mind.
Quartz tripped over a rock in the snow, hitting her chin. A sharp "Ow!" leapt from her mouth against her will. As she lay in the snow, staining it in her mother's blood, she cried. "Mama... I'm sorry, mama..." Her toes felt numb at that point. The sound of footsteps barely registered to her. It didn't matter without mama.
//quartz can be found by whoever, she's somewhere near the border, mostly in the open
Pebbledream trails along through the snow-laden ground, a trail of pawprints left behind, much to their annoyance. Snow is so inconvenient; there's no sense of security, and certainly no sense of warmth. Pebbledream is already waiting with baited breath for newleaf to fall upon the forest.
Today there is a surprise waiting for them that is unlike any other. Though they check the border routinely, they've never come across something as startling as the sound of a kitten's cries in the wind. Pebbledream quickens their pace only to find what they had hoped the least to see - a lone kit crying for her mother, her pelt stained with blood.
Pebbledream approaches slowly but swiftly, wanting to make sure that the kitten is not gravely injured or actively bleeding. "Hello, young one. Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you." They're not exactly the best at handling others' emotions, and they can only hope their blunt commentary is enough to make the kitten understand that they are safe. "My name is Pebbledream. I live here with many other cats, and we can keep you safe. Are you hurt? Is something coming after you?" They move to stand with a paw hovering over the little one's form, ready to hide her away should a predator or an enemy cat come rushing out to seek more bloodshed. No sign of the mother, either… Pebbledream feels a pit in their stomach, feeling as though the universe is playing some cruel joke on them. They remember all too well the day that their pops had found them in the shipyard, a situation uncomfortably similar to this. Though perhaps this is StarClan's way of providing this kitten with someone who understands her situation? Either way, this kit needs someone to protect them - Pebbledream can take a patrol with them to search for her mother after she's safe within the confines of RiverClan's camp.
Quartz lifted her head in a sharp motion upon hearing this strange cat's voice. Her heart leapt up into her throat for a moment. Could the rogue be back? Their attempt to comfort her goes only so far. At least enough to allow her to speak, despite her fear and exhaustion. "My mama... she wouldn't get up after, um, after that mean guy..." the words spilled out amidst the sniffles and shivering. "He hurt her for our mouse, and it's just a mouse, I don't even really like mouse that much..."
Her small voice trailed off after that. Denial was a strong force, but she wasn't stupid. There'd been a lot of blood. And it was really cold out. But just maybe her mama had held on, right? Maybe she was just resting. Tired after fighting him. The whole thing felt so pointless. "Why couldn't she just give him the mouse?" she asked, dark blue eyes round and wet with tears.
"I… see."
Pebbledream blinks slowly as the kitten explains what happened - it seems that even as young as she is, she understands the permanence of death. What a horrible thing for someone so young to have to see. "I'm sure your mother thought only of protecting you, of keeping you safe and fed in this prey-scarce season. Unfortunately there are many cruel souls who don't consider the needs of others… those who only think of themselves."
Pebbledream's brow furrows slightly when the kitten's eyes fill with tears, and they gently move to lick her forehead in a comforting gesture. "I will bring some other warriors out with me to search for your mother once you are safe - you have my word. For now, let's get you to camp. There's food there if you're hungry, and in the nursery the queens can keep you warm… do you have a name, little one?" There's a hint of gentleness to Pebbledream's voice that is very rarely heard - they've always had a soft spot for kittens, especially when they're in a state of vulnerability. At the very least, the mother could be granted a proper burial here in RiverClan territory… her spirit can rest amongst the reeds to watch over her kit.
Whalewatcher had never been fond of children, for children got in the way of his mission, his very way of life. Mewling, drooling little things... He likened them to fishes out of water, flopping and flailing and flying all about. Fish were better, in his opinion, for they did not cry and shriek at any given chance. A much more worthwhile investment, to the man who held nothing else dear to his coldly-beating heart. Despite his ardor towards other pursuits, his father still insisted on finding the perfect mate for him, and that would surely follow with a brood of children. The mere thought made his stomach churn as viciously as a roiling tide.
If it were up to him, he would not continue the bloodline himself. He was damned, a blemished branch of the tree. Beyond salvation, even.
Trailing behind Pebbledream with owl-feather pawsteps, molten-yellow eyes stared intently at the light-grey pelt of the lone kitten, almost like a shadow-clad wolf stalking a bleating lamb. To the child, he must have appeared as the same force that felled her mother, an unflinching and rigid shadow. Still, he only cautiously approached the two, whiskers twitching idly in the frost-bitten air. "Bring her to camp. It is cold out here." The dark-colored tabby only muttered to his fellow warrior, and visibly winced at the saccharine and sap-laden words that they uttered, as though the bewailing of some mother whale who lost her calf in the vast blue. It was far too silken for his tastes, too sanitized and almost sorrowful. The child did not need reassurance, not at this moment. Words did not keep oneself warm. He beckoned for them to start to walk briskly with him to camp, with a curt tilt of his head in its direction.
—— He/Him / Only tolerates masculine terms / Unknown sexuality
—— Warrior of Riverclan / Brother to Guppysplash
—— A lithe black tabby with a scarred, lame leg and piercing yellow eyes. He walks slowly, and talks with a drawling and deep voice. Most who know him regard him with reservation and caution.
—— A strange and obsessive tomcat who cares for naught aside from his own odd passions. Whalewatcher is a dissonant yet not wholly evil or maligned presence, though he does mostly keep to himself, to the relief of those around him.
—— Contact on Discord (naruk4mi) for plots and threads.
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