Camp Territory ShadowClan Field of Flowers // Stoat

[Marbleshine]

In the morning when I wake and the sun is coming through
Oh, you fill my lungs with sweetness and you fill my head with you

.

Marbleshine sat quietly, her tail curled around her paws, one ear twitching as her gaze drifted over the clearing. Something tugged at her, a thread of unease she couldn't quite place. It wasn't just the dull ache that lingered in her shoulder, the reminder of the wound that had never quite gone away, it was something deeper. An off feeling in her soul, a sense that things were shifting and she hadn't yet caught up. She could live with the pain. She had learned to move with the limp, to adjust her balance, to hide the wince when it flared. But this… this quiet distance from her clanmates? That was harder.

Her eyes landed on a familiar shape, Stoatpaw, and her frown deepened just a touch. Fleafire had received her warrior name. But Stoatpaw… not yet. She wondered how he felt, what thoughts he might be turning over in that bright mind of hers. She'd always seemed so thoughtful, so curious. And maybe she hadn't noticed as much lately, maybe she'd let herself drift too far from everyone in the wake of it all. With a quiet breath, Marbleshine pushed to her paws. Her walk was uneven, the limp visible, but she walked with a gentle determination as she made her way over. Without hesitation, she leaned in to lightly bump her shoulder to Stoatpaw's in greeting, her voice warm and easy.

" Hey, Stoat. " she murmured with a small smile. " I've been dying to get out of camp for a bit… but I don't really want to go alone. I wouldn't feel safe, not yet. " She blinked at her with quiet affection, eyes soft. " Would you mind coming with me? I think my mind would feel a lot more at ease if we went together. " There was a playful tone to her voice . " We could collect some flowers, see if there are any late blooms hiding out there. " She knew how much she liked flowers, and she hoped the offer would spark a bit of brightness in his eyes.

" Or maybe we could try a bit of hunting. " she added gently. " I... I need to get back into it. Just a little. Ease myself into training again, you know? After everything. " she purred softly before a small laugh escaped her, a twinkle in her eyes. " Or we could talk about boys, do you have an eye on anyone yet? "

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6 MOONS

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[Stoatpaw Stoatpaw]

——————————————— Together, we'll make our way home ✦

She was distracted more than anything, absently watching the clouds as she tried to suffocate the frustration that had seemed to cloud her mind. She refused to let it fester but without any permission to do anything but wander the pocosin or be stuck in camp that was basically impossible. Her tail flicked, watching birds overhead fly away, there was an ache in her chest at the sight...

Though she was quickly shocked to attention, the gentle nudge at her side initially made her blood run cold, only to relax at at sight of Marbleshine. A smile tugged at her lips, for all her lamenting, she would never not be happy to see the kindly warrior about. But, she was a little nervous to see her up, surely her wounds would still be sore?

As the apprentice breathed to speak, the words faltered on her tongue before melding into a smile. "Yeah, I can come with you." Stoatpaw nodded gently, it felt rare anyone asked for her company other than Tickpaw nowadays, so it was even moreso a surprise for one of the warriors to seek her company.

Though it wasn't unwelcome, other than maybe Mirepurr, Marbleshine seemed one of the few gentler cats of the pocosin. Not a pushover by any means, any cat who fought a fox and lived wasn't a strength to be scoffed at, but unlike the sharp, harsh expressions of most cats, there was a warmth to Marbleshine she admittadly missed having gotten older and having far less time to lounge with cats who once treated her so affectionately as a kitten.

Her eyes lit up with the mention of flowers, her smile widening. "I can help you find some nice flowers for your nest and put some in your fur if you'd like!" The warmth in her eyes was betrayed in her voice too, as much as she moped about lately, it was hard to suffocate the joy as she did her sorrows. And.. Well... It felt nice to share what she enjoyed rather than making cats shoulder her woes.

She clicked her tongue at the suggestion of hunting, wondering absently what would be easiest on healing bones. "Well... There would be a lot of younger birds year the barrens, right? It's the time of year they leave the nest and haven't had time to learn to run from cats, it'd be easier to hunt those than skinny little rodents."

She tried to be calculated in her suggestions, wary of making Marbleshine feel feeble, but trying to adjust her ideas to what the warrior could handle here and now. Plus, the barrens had fewer hiding spots for anything to sneak up on them and wouldn't leave the warrior nervous for anything trying to attack her again. She nodded emphatically at the plan, it was sound and-

Her face burned hot at what Marbleshine slid into the conversation just as she managed to get into the groove of what she had been plotting. She knew cats her age usually had crushes or something, but that had never crossed her mind, and she was utterly mortified at the sudden prying, maybe even more than she had frankly never found the appeal of a mate thus far. "No, I don't!" She squeaked, flustered at the much more personal intrusion. "Have you seen the boys, they're all rude and awful, I'll stick to my flowers, thank you!" She stuck out her tongue, playfully more than anything. Instead, trotting ahead and motioning Marbleshine to follow, hoping her rambling about flowers would promptly change the subject.

---

"-and well, I don't know what daisies are used for in medicine, but they do make nice filler flowers in nests." She rambled, absently, tilting her head towards Marbleshine, making sure she hadn't walked off too far and left her behind. But, instead, something else caught her eye. "Oh, a dandelion! These are my favourites." Her eyes glittered, scampering a little off the beaten track and motioning to the thing. "They're not good for nests like this, but... Did you know you can make a wish if you blow all the seeds away?" She wasn't so sure if it was a kitten's tale or real flower magic, but if they were strong enough to save someone's life, she was sure they had to be just a little magic.

——— While you were sleeping,

Everything changed at once. ———

• 
  Stoatpaw
  ✦—Shadowclan apprentice | 10 Moons
  ✦—She/Her
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK, PAWSPEAK
  ✦—A slender white cat with faint lilac markings and blue eyes.
  #96d5f1/#50BBF0
  
  ⤷ Written by Phoenix ​

 

[Marbleshine]

In the morning when I wake and the sun is coming through
Oh, you fill my lungs with sweetness and you fill my head with you

.

Marbleshine had walked alongside Stoatpaw with a soft laugh lingering on her lips and a warm gleam shining in her eyes. The conversation had drifted easily, from the silliness of camp gossip to musings about the world beyond the thorns, and somewhere along the way, she'd brushed off the talk of boys with a breezy flick of her tail. She'd admitted she felt much the same, none of them truly sparked anything in her. They could be charming, sure, but there was always a disconnect, something missing. She sometimes wondered if there was something wrong with her, some piece that didn't quite fit the way it was supposed to. Or maybe… maybe this was just who she was. Soft, steady. A creature of kindness before anything else.

Still, the walk with Stoatpaw was a welcome comfort. He didn't poke or prod, didn't make her feel like she had to shrink or defend the gentleness she wore like a second pelt. He was better company than Jadethorn's sharpness, though there was something about that fire that still intrigued her... And certainly more relaxing than Wolfpack's ever-watching protectiveness. She loved her best friend, dearly. But he carried his own storms. She longed sometimes for something quieter. Something like this.

As Stoatpaw chattered about flowers and herbs, Marbleshine nodded along, listening with the patient wonder she always held for the world. " Oh, that's sweet though! " she chirped, thoughtful. " I think the leaves are more useful than the petals, for daisies. As far as I remember. " She frowned slightly, tilting her head. " I don't remember what for anymore… But I know they help with something. " Her whiskers twitched as she nodded, as if sheer determination might summon the memory.

When Stoatpaw suddenly skittered off with a spark of excitement, Marbleshine could only blink fondly after them, her heart swelling a little. There was something so joyful in their movements, like the world still held a kind of magic just waiting to be touched. She limped after them, slower but content, coming up beside the apprentice just as they cradled the dandelion like it was some sacred treasure. " Wishes? " she echoed, ears twitching in curiosity as her gaze landed on the delicate fluff. Her voice dropped to something soft and gentle. " I… I didn't know that. Is that really true? " The wind stirred lightly, ruffling the downy seeds, and her expression softened with wonder. " That's beautiful... " she whispered.

Speech, thoughts/emphasis

6 MOONS

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[Stoatpaw Stoatpaw]

——————————————— Together, we'll make our way home ✦

Admittedly, Stoatpaw felt a little foolish now. Not for her actions, no, but having not spent more time with Marbleshine in the past. Always chasing the need to be seen as strong or brave, she wasn't so used to her gentleness being unapologetically facilitated with another cat who enjoyed the smaller joys in life. For a moment, maybe she didn't need to be strong; she just had to be her.

She nodded as Marbleshine pointed out that daisy leaves were better used than the flowers, making her a little sheepish about the stark green leaf tucked in her fur. But then again, it was a gift from Tickpaw; she would have been remiss to deny something so kind from one of her best friends. But at least she knew now. The uses themselves... Well, maybe she could ask Serpentberry when her punishment was over, maybe once she would have asked Cicadabuzz, but, well, not anymore. Oh, though maybe Magpie knew something! Stoatpaw took a mental note to lightly interrogate the apprentice at some point.

Though she watched the softness in Marbleshine's face that mirrored her own. For a moment, she dreaded the idea of her silly little belief being laughed at or mocked, but then again, this was Marbleshine! Stoatpaw nodded with a smile. "Mmhm! Like wishing on a shooting star, but you're helping more dandelions grow too!" She smiled, looking down at the fuzzy thing set between the two of them. "I know they're supposed to be weeds, but those are just plants that haven't found where they're meant to belong. But I don't think any plant should be a weed cause they're all pretty in their own way." Her tail swayed absently, her eyes trained on the thing as it was clear she was considering something.

"You have the wish, you didn't know they could do that, so... You deserve it more." Her eyes glittered; she didn't quite know what the warrior would wish for. Her wounds to heal a little faster, maybe a little peace for once, she didn't really know what a warrior would want. There were a lot of things Stoat wanted to wish for, but she had been dealing with them all herself already, and she was strong enough to carry on anyway. Marbleshine deserved things to go a little better for her, Stoatpaw had decided. The apprentice tenderly plucked the stem and held it up to the warrior, saving her from stooping over and causing herself any more pain than she likely already was in.

——— While you were sleeping,

Everything changed at once. ———

• 
  Stoatpaw
  ✦—Shadowclan apprentice | 10 Moons
  ✦—She/Her
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK, PAWSPEAK
  ✦—A slender white cat with faint lilac markings and blue eyes.
  #96d5f1/#50BBF0
  
  ⤷ Written by Phoenix ​

 

[Marbleshine]

In the morning when I wake and the sun is coming through
Oh, you fill my lungs with sweetness and you fill my head with you

.

" That's great! I... I think maybe I once heard Thistle talk about that... " Marbleshine murmured with a soft breath of laughter, her voice light with nostalgia. " But I don't know... It's been such a long time, and everything from the colony feels like a blur now. " Her laugh turned sheepish, brushing past the ache the memory stirred.

She glanced at Stoatpaw with gentle eyes, her thoughts drifting somewhere unspoken. She often wondered about Stoatpaw's mother, where she had gone, what had happened, but she never dared to ask. Some silences were sacred, and Marbleshine understood the weight of missing pieces all too well. At least Stoatpaw had her father. Timberfrost adored his kit; anyone could see it. There was no doubt there.

She... She thought her real father had adored them too... Coalstrike... Coalstrike hadn't been like that. A flicker crossed her features, an echo of a moment long ago, when she'd tried to call him dad. The memory hit like a thorn. The way the word had fallen flat. The fear that followed. Her smile faltered for the briefest heartbeat, a soft tremor in her expression, before she drew it back up again and turned her focus on Stoatpaw.

" We're helping nature grow. Hmmm... I like that. No flower should be considered a weed, I think. Everything has their own place in this world... From the smallest to the largest... From the pretty to what some perceive as ugly. " she said, gently nudging her shoulder against Stoatpaw's. Her voice took on a note of dreamy awe, as her gaze landed on the soft white puff of the dandelion between them. It felt like something out of a story, a quiet little miracle in a world often too loud.

A wish. The thought made her pause. What could she even wish for? Peace? But that was such a grand, impossible thing. There were so many cracks in the world that needed mending. Her mind filled with fragments, Wolfpack's tired eyes, Fleafire's fire and scars, Possumgrin's restlessness, Sealpaw's hope… herself, trying so hard to be good enough for a place that still didn't fully feel like hers. Then Stoatpaw's voice broke through those thoughts, offering the wish to her.

" M... Me? " she breathed, blinking at them, surprised. Her blue eyes widened, then softened, landing on the dandelion like it was something precious. A wish... for her. Her gaze lifted back to Stoatpaw. So bright. So curious. So full of potential. A small, genuine smile began to curl at the edges of her lips, warm and wistful.

" I know what I'll wish for... " she whispered. And with a soft breath, she leaned forward and blew. The seeds danced away on the wind, light, fragile things carried into the world with hope stitched into their fibers.

I wish for Stoatpaw to have a happy future.

She didn't say it aloud. But her heart said it loud enough.

Speech, thoughts/emphasis

6 MOONS

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