PAFP Territory 𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊 ── .✦ watching the fireflies

[DUSKPOOL]

DUSKPOOL​

Mangled ears flickered, crickets singin' low beneath the open pines, havin' settled within a clearin' beyond SkyClan's camp. When was the last time he sat out here, not to run from memories or grief too strong for sons and daughters he'd lost, but to simply enjoy it? A molten iris drifted to Chrysalisgaze, someone he considered like a daughter despite havin' little blood relation, and maybe, just maybe, things won't turn out the same way with a kid in the ground and a gapin' hoe where his blackened heart lived.

Hummin' faintly, the senior warrior glanced at the pulsin' lights, remindin' him of tiny stars, here for a moment, and gone the next. Somethin' he used to do with his adoptive son all those moons ago when the kid had been alive and well, naive-minded and bright. He still did, even after the youngster's death, nestled beside an empty mound, body left behind to rot in rat-infested lands.

Duskpool's heavy frame remained unmoving, the only indicator was the slow rise and fall of his flank, wooly fur dusted silver by the moonlight. It was a peaceful night, one not for guilt and grief, somethin' that followed the older tom wherever he went, unfortunately, but it ain't like he'd always been healthy when it came to takin' care of himself, not like he was when it came to his family and clanmates. Ain't like that's gonna stop any time soon. A low-soundin' snort escaped the other, tippin' his head back to stare at the night-brushed skies, takin' in the stillness of it all save for the pulsin' brightness of the stars and fireflies buzzin' around 'em.

They've made it this far, despite everythin' bein' tossed their way. Stars above, I didn't think we would've. Nothin' more than a pessimistic man, Duskpool ain't got too much hope or optimism left in this too-battered body. His gaze flickered to Chrysalisgaze, gently bumpin' a weary shoulder against her, "Reckon a lot's changed since we've moved, eh? Suppose we ain't got too much to complain, starvin' to death back then." He mused lowly, settlin' his gaze on the flickerin' stars with a hum. He's changed. That much was obvious, though he doubted SkyClan would have noticed all that much, not when he joined in his late 40s.

But to him? Duskpool doubted anyone in his kitten days would recognize the old fool. Covered in scars and moons worth of bottled grief. He ain't much of a pretty sight, doubt he'd ever been anythin' close to 'handsome'. Huffin' a slow laugh, the Sun Guard settled down, legs outstretched in front of him, the senior warrior found a decent enough position where it ain't gonna give him backaches in the mornin'.

"Yer kiddos are gettin' bigger, ain't they?" He remarked at last, twistin' a bulky helm in Chrysalisgaze's direction, "Can't believe they'll be apprentices. Makes ya wish they stayed little forever." He chuffed affectionately, molten gaze softenin' at the thought of tiny youngsters runnin' around. He still couldn't believe his own kids were apprentices now and on their way to becomin' warriors.

"But how have ya been doin, squirt?" He remarked slowly, glancin' at the other through his peripheral vision.

we're only haunted by the things we refuse to accept

ooc

information

main ref

• please wait for @Chrysalisgaze !
• 

  DUSKPOOL stands like a storm given flesh, broad-shouldered and unyielding. His frame was built from the bloodlines of a Norwegian Forest and Maine Coon, every inch steeped in the weight of a life hard-lived. His pelt is a wooly black smoke mantle, thick as winter fog and marked with faint mackerel stripes. Old scars score his flanks and shoulders like lightning carved into the night sky, with each one telling a story that was paid for in blood.
  
  One molten-copper eye burns fierce and unblinking, sharp enough to cut through lies, while the other is nothing but a hollowed ruin. A sunken relic of a battle he walked away from when he shouldn't have. His tail is a heavy, swaying banner of shadow, and his paws are silent despite their size, measured by someone who's learned patience the hard way.
  
  He carries himself with the gravity of an old war-chief, regular in ruin, yet brutal in beauty. His very presence is a warning that some storms don't pass. They wait. And they return.
  
  

  "there's two kinds of cats in this world. those who learn from others' mistakes, and those who are the mistake."​

  
  senior sun guard of skyclan during coffeestar and hawkstar's reign (mentor to sweetpaw)
  eighty-four moons; ages on the 1st of every month
  brother to outlawbite & thistlestrike; half-brother to flowercloud; father to almondpaw & cinderpaw (wolfstorm & lostmoon)
  his voice is a low, gravel-rough baritone, measured and deliberate, carrying the weight of old battles and unspoken truths
  his scent is a deep grounding mix of cedarwood and patchouli, laced with the sharpness of pine and a lingering curl of smoke
  pinterest | playlist | theme song
  speech thought action
  peaceful/healing powerplay permitted
• ​

 

[Chrysalisgaze]

♡

𓆦 𖢥 𓆨 𓆣 𐀔 Chrysalisgaze 𐀔 𓆣 𓆨 𖢥 𓆦

The lights flickered on and off in front of her eyes, the tiny bugs flying around and above her head. She missed quiet nights like these, spent with her family. And yeah, Duskpool was her family, the old fool couldn't get rid of her that easily. He was a great mentor, like a second father to her, always there for her when she needed.
And in turn, she was there for him. Oftentimes too proud to admit he needed help, but Chrysalisgaze knew him - who wouldn't know what the one that raised them was thinking? She would offer her shoulder whenever it was needed, lent her ears whenever Duskpool's sorrows flooded out. Life had not been easy on him, but Chrysalisgaze hoped her presence made it all at least a little easier.
And now she was a mother. "I'm glad the children can get their bellies full and round without worrying about when they would get to eat next." she murmured. This land has provided the much-needed safety they so desperately needed and she was glad to have her kits here, with Starlingtrail.
But Chrysalisgaze had to chuckle at Duskpool's following words. "They're not apprentice age just yet!" It was true her children were getting bigger and bigger every day, but she still had two more moons to enjoy time with them, before they were to be given off to their new mentors. "Let me spoil them just a little longer..." she sighed lovingly.
Life was so much better now, not just the change of territory, the safer forest and neighbouring clans, StarClan watching over them. She had a family now - a beautiful mate and adorable children. She watched as one firefly landed on a stone, its rear lit up. "What else could I ask for? My kits are healthy and I get to be here." she nuzzled the older tom. "With you."