Private Camp in the wake of loss / serpent

[Copperstorm]

COPPER OF THUNDERCLAN

The large brown tabby paced back and forth near the nursery, his mind heavy with restless thoughts. He had refused to seek out Serpent after the battle, focusing instead on tending to his own wounds, cleaning and tending to himself. But despite his efforts, his mind continued to churn, haunted by Serpent and Water Snake-- No, Snakeblink now... the names tangled in his mind. He had scented the tom on his brother's body, piecing the truth together with painful clarity. The only thing he couldn't comprehend was why they had killed Flint.

Flint, who had always been the gentle one, the one who had tried to hold them together. It clung to his heart, pulling him into the depths of grief and confusion.

He knew that if he dwelled too long on it, things would shift inside him... his trust, his faith. He didn't want to become bitter, to carry the same anger that plagued his father. But still, he couldn't escape the hurt. The pain felt endless, and he wasn't sure if there was any understanding to be found.

That day had been chaos, filled with loss and unanswered questions.

Closing his eyes tightly, he took a deep breath, lifting his gaze to the stars, as though searching for answers that had yet to come. As if Flint himself, in some star-touched form, might appear, offer guidance, or stand by his side. But no answers came. Only silence.

With a sigh, he finally broke away from the sky, padding silently toward the den that Serpent occupied. His paws felt heavy with reluctance, but he knew there was no escaping this.

" Serpent...? " His voice was soft, almost hesitant. " Could we... Could we talk? "

you walk along the edge of danger ——･ﾟ✦​

･ﾟ✦ —— AND IT WILL CHANGE YOU

@serpentberry

 

[serpentberry]

She's sent Rowan away. The girl would rather be cooped up in this den than explore the new lands, or even the camp - giving her duty and a mission is all the molly can do to get some alone time. She can't blame the youth; after all, shortly before everything fell apart... she asked to be Rowan's mother.

She tore one family apart; she played a role in stealing Flint from many. And as if she can fulfill a sense of retribution, she acted on impulse, and assumed a position in someone else's tumultuous life.

Perhaps there is something to say about fate, then. That her lover is torn from her instead, the very night that her children are born.

She is alone; alone with three small bodies who know no difference in their lives. They wake and they sleep. They eat and they don't. Sometimes, they'll sidle closer to whoever is quieter in conversation, as if their folded ears cannot take even a morsel of noise. They cannot talk with her, reassure her that she is doing enough - that her crimes simply aren't for there are no rules in survival, only that you must.

A soft voice chimes from the entrance of her den. Not meek, but nervous... Serpent flicks her poison green gaze to Copper, and for a long, painful moment, she stares. She knows that something like this may be inevitable; that the tom her brother murdered would have vengeful family to attend to. He's quiet, through. Uncertain. She doesn't think he could lay a claw on her, with or without the littlelings that cling to her belly. She tenses her jaw and affords him a short nod.

"I have time," Serpent says in equal softness, though her tone betrays the notion that she is alert and careful nonetheless. "I... is this about...?" she trails, as if saying his name would summon a ghoul and not a benevolent spirit.

 

[Copperstorm]

COPPER OF THUNDERCLAN

The large tabby stepped inside with careful, measured steps. His golden eyes lingered for a moment on the mother and then drifted to the young kits at her belly. A subtle twitch of his ear as he studied them, the storm within his gaze softening slightly. A faint flicker of warmth glimmered in his eyes before he let out a slow breath. He didn't want to harm her, or her children, or her family. Even though a part of him had yearned for revenge... had screamed, clawed, and begged... he knew it wouldn't bring his brother back or mend the wounds of the past.

It wouldn't solve anything.

Golden hues returned to Serpent as she cut herself short, her question hanging in the air unspoken. Yes, he thought, it was about his brother. And he deserved to know.

" Yes. " he said simply, the word carrying neither malice nor anger. His gaze remained steady as he looked at her, a faint sadness lingering beneath the surface. " Yes, it is. " A soft sigh escaped him as his shoulders sagged.

" Your scent… your brother's scent was heavy on his body. " he murmured, his voice carrying a trace of sadness. " I… I want to know. I want to know what happened, what could have happened, to lead to this outcome. " His frown deepened. " Flint wasn't a fighter. Nor was he part of Sable's crew. So why? "

you walk along the edge of danger ——･ﾟ✦​

･ﾟ✦ —— AND IT WILL CHANGE YOU