Private Backwritten Camp My voice might break at times, but never my will || Checking up on Rain

[Chrysalisgaze]

This takes place after Rain joins SkyClan but before Chrysalisgaze gets gravely injured!

OOC: Tagging @Rain

♡

Chrysalisgaze
𐀔 𓆣 𓆨 𖢥 𓆦
Like murals of ancient gods, standing silent and still

The rain that day had been relentless, soaking her pelt through, making water drip, drip, drip out of her coat. It had made hunting and patroling difficult, for the constant rain falling against the leaves and ground scared away the prey, hid its scent and made it harder to hear anything. Yet Chrysalisgaze didn't stray from her duties nor did she complain.
With all her responsibilities done, she approached the soggy fresh-kill pile. If Chrysalisgaze was correct, and it was difficult to tell with the heavy clouds obscuring the sun, it was just around the time when her mate and kits were asleep, taking their afternoon nap. But they were no longer the only residents of the nursery she wanted to look after - the young Rain, all alone, was someone Chrysalisgaze felt she needed to protect like her own. They barely knew each other, but Chrysalisgaze already felt overprotective of the young queen.
And so she picked out a pair of voles from the fresh-kill pile and brought them to the nursery. Rain was awake and so Chrysalisgaze approached her quietly, so as to not disturb the other residents. "I don't know if you've eaten already," she spoke softly. "but in case you haven't, I brought you this. Don't want you going out into the rain and catch a cold, if I can prevent it." she smiled at the young cat, hoping it didn't come off as arrogant, but as caring instead. For that's all she ever tried to be. "How have you been settling in?"

 

[Rain Rain]

R A I N
​ what a shame we all became ​

Rain yawned widely. In the few days since she had joined Skyclan's nursery, she'd slept. She almost felt bad for her denmates and new clanmates, like she should have been contributing somehow, but she didn't realize just how bone-deep her exhaustion was. She'd never known a tiredness like that, only waking to eat, make dirt, and circle in her nest. Not even the wriggling kits in her belly could keep her awake. Not even her desire to be a good clanmate.

Then, of course, the one day she awoke in the morning feeling more alive than she had in days... It was raining. She'd ventured out once, just to try and stretch her legs, but it was raining so hard that hardly anyone was out, and there wasn't much to see anyway. So, already soaking wet, she'd waddled back to the nursery and set about drying herself off. She thought one of the caretakers might have laughed at her, but she was too embarrassed to say anything. So she'd given herself a good groom, which was overdue anyway, and then found herself laying in her nest gazing out into the rainy camp and letting her mind wander.

She perked up immediately as a familiar face appeared at the nursery entrance. She hadn't gotten to speak much with Chrysalisgaze since she'd first arrived at camp, between her sleep marathon and the warrior's duties keeping her busy. She approached carrying two tasty-looking voles, and Rain was surprised to see her bringing them towards... her. She dipped her head, grateful but also feeling a bit sheepish.

"Oh, thank you,"

she purred softly. She certainly wasn't going to tell Crysalisgaze that she'd already tried wandering around in the rain, and it had been miserable. Her namesake was beautiful, but unpleasant to walk around in.

"I'm settling in well, I think,"

she grinned, shrugging.

"I've mostly been sleeping. But it's been nice, I feel comfortable and safe, and everyone has been very kind so far. The kits are sweet,"

she peered around the nursery, her gaze warm. She had a soft spot especially for Berrykit, one of Crysalisgaze's kits.

"I'm very grateful to be here. Thank you, again."

such fragile

✦

broken things

• OOC: i love u chrysalisgaze
• KEY:
  

  "speech"

  
  

  'thoughts'

  
  attempted action
  

  "other character's speech"

  
  
• 
  

  sleek grey she-cat with white paws, tailtip, face, and chin
  she/her
  loner
  15 moons
  pregnant!
  
  

 

[Chrysalisgaze]

♡

𓆦 𖢥 𓆨 𓆣 𐀔 Chrysalisgaze 𐀔 𓆣 𓆨 𖢥 𓆦

The young queen did seem exhausted, Chrysalisgaze wondered how much longer until her kits arrived. She couldn't wait to meet them and she was sure Rain would make a fine mother. And shall anything prove difficult, her and Starlingtrail would always be there to lend their paws.
"I am very grateful you found us, Rain." she purred at the queen. She couldn't imagine the young cat's fate, should her paws have led her elsewhere. "And if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to let us know."
She felt glad her own kits have been kind to Rain, (they better, for Starlingtrail and her have raised them to be so), and that they haven't been too much for her. Berrykit could sometimes have too much energy on his paws, but Chrysalisgaze knew he meant well - and he was understanding. She purred as she looked over at her own family, sleeping safely. "I heard Berrykit likes you too."
Chrysalisgaze hoped she didn't come off too strong, too intimidating. To wander alone with only your kits in your belly and then to be thrust into the busy camp, surrounded by countless strangers... it could have been nauseating to the queen. And, even though she promised she would be there for Rain, her own duties had made that a difficult task. "I'm sorry I haven't been around as much as I'd like to... but know that shall you need me, I will be here. I'm not going anywhere." Chrysalisgaze smiled reassuringly at Rain, looking into her tired eyes.
No matter her duties and responsibilities, she always found the time to wander into the nursery, to be with her mate and her children. Now, she just needed to add one more young cat to the family meetings.

OOC: We call that foreshadowing :(​

 

[Rain Rain]

R A I N
​ what a shame we all became ​

Rain ducked her head sheepishly.

"Berrykit is a good kit,"

she mewed with a smile.

"He must be the sweetest little guy I've ever met."

Not that she actually spent much time around kits, but she could guess.

"I'm glad he doesn't mind me taking up space in his nursery."

She reflected upon how welcoming all the caretakers had been. She couldn't believe how lucky she was to have been accepted with truly open paws.

Suddenly, Chrysalisgaze seemed to grow more serious, meeting her gaze and speaking earnestly. Rain could only nod. Something about the sincerity in her eyes knocked her off-kilter. There was some protective, almost maternal, about it. It felt... nice, but strange. She wasn't used to anyone looking after her like that - not even her former mate.

"Th-thank you,"

she finally managed. While part of her wanted to lean into the love and support Chrysalisgaze was offering, another part of her wanted to pull away. Could she trust this cat, someone she barely knew, to truly be there for her and her kits? When even their own father had abandoned them? She'd learned from a young age that she was always going to be her own best support system, and that was a hard lesson to unlearn.

Her gaze drifted past to black and white molly towards where Starlingtrail lay with their kits. Of course she could trust Chrysalisgaze. No cat could be as wretched as Jet and raise a son like Berrykit. She shoved her doubts as far back in her mind as she could, then turned her attention back to her companion.

"Shall we eat?"

She nudged a vole closer to Chrysalisgaze.

such fragile

✦

broken things

• OOC: wow good thing nothing bad will ever happen to chrys
• KEY:
  

  "speech"

  
  

  'thoughts'

  
  attempted action
  

  "other character's speech"

  
  
• 
  

  sleek grey she-cat with white paws, tailtip, face, and chin
  she/her
  loner
  15 moons
  pregnant!
  
  

 

[Chrysalisgaze]

♡

𓆦 𖢥 𓆨 𓆣 𐀔 Chrysalisgaze 𐀔 𓆣 𓆨 𖢥 𓆦

For a moment Chrysalisgaze feared she had said too much - been too much for the young cat. Of course, having grown up and lived by herself most of her life must have taken its toll - Chrysalisgaze has always been surrounded by her clanmates, never truly alone, so she couldn't understand how Rain must feel.
Luckily, Rain seemed to make up her mind on how she felt about Chrysalisgaze in the moment and she felt glad for it. "Right, yeah, of course." Chrysalisgaze murmured as she crouched down next to Rain, ready to eat. After a bit of silence filled only by their eating, she murmured, "You're going to be a great mother, by the way. I know it." hoping to reassure her. Stars, she knew she had felt nervous before her own kits arrived, even though she knew most of the caretaking would fall onto Starlingtrail's shoulders. Still, becoming a mother is no easy task, definitely not for the mind. "My kits already love you."
Then she averted her gaze, hoping she didn't overstep, staring instead at her food she had been gnawing on. Chrysalisgaze hoped Rain liked it well enough in SkyClan to stay, for she liked the young cat already, felt like she had to protect her. Of course she would understand if Rain chose to leave, but it would make her sad - she'd miss the young queen, her bright smile a welcome sight for sore eyes.

 

[Rain Rain]

R A I N
​ what a shame we all became ​

Rain dipped her head to tear into her meal. She hopped Chrysalisgaze hadn't been able to see her internal conflict, though she supposed it would be hard to miss. She busied her mind and body with eating, nurturing her body and in turn her kits'. She didn't mind the silence that fell over them as they chewed. It wasn't awkward, like it could be with some cats. She was grateful.

Chrysalisgaze's next comment caught her off-guard.

"I really hope you're right,"

Rain smiled softly.

"I never really thought of myself as being somecat's mother. I'm so excited to meet them, but..."

She paused, torn between dumping all of her fears onto her new friend, and keeping them locked up, deeply hidden away.

"I just hope I do well by them. That's all I want,"

she mewed, a compromise with herself.

"What was it like for you and Starlingtrail before yours were born? Were you nervous?"

such fragile

✦

broken things

• OOC:
• KEY:
  

  "speech"

  
  

  'thoughts'

  
  attempted action
  

  "other character's speech"

  
  
• 
  

  sleek grey she-cat with white paws, tailtip, face, and chin
  she/her
  loner
  15 moons
  pregnant!
  
  

 

[Chrysalisgaze]

♡

𓆦 𖢥 𓆨 𓆣 𐀔 Chrysalisgaze 𐀔 𓆣 𓆨 𖢥 𓆦

It was clear to Chrysalisgaze that Rain was anxious about the kittens. It was understandable, she was so young, with no support system, no one to tell her it would be okay. Until now. Chrysalisgaze was determined to be that someone for her.
"Of course you will. You're their mother." Chrysalisgaze bumped her head against Rain's forehead gently. "We were nervous also." she recalled, chuckling to herself. "I grew up with only one father, but he did an exceptional job raising Swarmswirl and me. I was worried I wouldn't be able to be as understanding as him."
Then she glanced at her children, sleeping soundly curled against their mother. "But they're perfect." she purred "Of course I'm not like my father. I'm me and I had Starlingtrail."
Then she looked up into Rain's eyes, smiling at her softly. "You will be a great mother, because you're you, Rain. You're gentle and caring and worried. It's so important to be worried, because the alternative is being overconfident. Your kittens will be a challenge, of that there is no doubt - all kittens are. But as long as you love them, you'll be okay."
And, if anything should prove difficult, Chrysalisgaze and Starlingtrail would be there to help. Or Swallowbreeze, Hawkstar and any one of their clanmates. They were all Rain's family now.
"You've got this, Rain."