Private RAINDROPS ON LOOPS / CICADABUZZ

[webpaw]

It was raining in ShadowClan. Fork spotted in kitchen. There would be a cacophony of frogs in the little pauses between the bursting clouds, a promise of the prey pile donning porous skin rather than meatier fur. Her tasks included... Well, Bluegale was busy with something else, and she was hiding in the shadows, trying not to be found and instructed. Maybe he would count it as stealth training, because so far, no pesky warrior had claimed her for random, meaningless work.

Except Webpaw was about to blow her cover, and her peace. Where the short trees had not allowed grass to grow, the most perfect mud accumulated. It had just started to pour again, making it not yet a puddle. She was shaping it into things, blueprints of mud-designs forming in her head as she tried to make a mouse, wondering if it would make it to the freshkill pile and trick someone, but it disintegrated as she rolled it out into the open rain. There were various, water-melted shapes around her, until she decided to form a humble ball. Impulsively, she scooped it up in her paw, looking into the middle of camp for an unsuspecting victim.

Deciding on a younger warrior within throwing range, she flicked the mud up into the air, watching it fly towards his turned back. Webpaw was never a mossball champion, so she was out of practice. It landed to the side of him, directly into the arms of familiar fur. Gulping, her sight followed the arms up towards the face of the medicine cat, instantly making awkward eye contact.

@cicadabuzz

⊹ ࣪ ˖͙͘͡

she/her; afab / any gendered terms / 6 months
shadowclan kit / mentored by bluegale
seal sepia with vitiligo / orange eyes

peaceful powerplay allowed, no perms needed
ask before hostile powerplay unless preplanned
always open to interaction in battle unless stated otherwise
ask before injuring !

 

[cicadabuzz]

CICADABUZZ, 28 moons / shc + med. cat
a SH cinnamon tabby/chocolate tortie chimera w/ black eyes
parent to deathberrykit, hemlockkit, mistletoekit ; mentor to magpiepaw
a reserved, pragmatic healer driven by duty rather than sentiment

Cicadabuzz's tail twitches as the sudden splash of mud against their fur leaves a cold, wet sensation creeping beneath their coat, soaking into carefully placed herbs and causing leaves to flutter to the ground. For a moment, they stand still, gaze narrowing in a quiet assessment. The chill of the rain seems almost irrelevant to them as the warmth of irritation swells, rising in place of the dampness soaking into their fur. The apprentice, now caught in their gaze, shifts uncomfortably, no doubt realizing the gravity of the moment. There is no immediate response. Cicadabuzz watches the apprentice, Webpaw, with the same impassive look they reserve for patients who do not heed advice or for those who tread too far into foolishness. It is a stare that speaks of silent judgment, the kind that can leave one squirming with discomfort. The rain continues to fall, the sound of it blurring with the tension in the air. Cicadabuzz's gaze flicks briefly to the other cats around them, their movements slowing as they sense the dissonance.

Webpaw seems to regret the action immediately. They can practically hear the apprentice's heart thudding in her chest, feel the shift in the energy around them. It is too late for regret. The action has been done, and now, there are consequences. Cicadabuzz does not spare words for meaningless apologies. Without a word, they step forward, their movements deliberate and measured, as though they are calculating something with each step. They fix their gaze on Webpaw, who stands too stiffly, the awkwardness of the moment gripping them tightly. Cicadabuzz's expression softens, not with warmth, but with a kind of quiet certainty. This is a lesson, and it must be learned in full.

"You have wasted the Clan's resources, and worse yet, you have wasted my work with your carelessness." Their voice is even, devoid of any trace of sympathy. "Do you think it is wise to ruin what I work for here?" Cicadabuzz does not soften, nor does their tone change. "You will assist me," they continue, their voice steady, "You will be solely responsible for removing ticks from those that need it for the next three days. And while you are at it, I expect you to learn how to respect the delicate balance of this Clan. The next time you choose to waste your time in childish games, remember that those around you are trying to serve a greater purpose." Cicadabuzz takes a step back, watching Webpaw with unwavering eyes. There is no room for argument, no softness left in Cicadabuzz's demeanor. They are a cat of duty, and they expect others to understand the importance of that. If Webpaw thinks that tossing mud at a fellow cat is the work of a cat worth anything to those around them, they have much to learn about the responsibility of being a part of the Clan.

"Do not waste my time again," Cicadabuzz finishes, their gaze cold and final. "The Clan cannot afford to tolerate distractions."

 

[webpaw]

If it were anyone else, Webpaw would've taken the chance to run. Luck was not on her side, though – she seemed to use all of it by happening across her siblings – and she knew her sentence was in the paws of a cold judge. The watery mud had splashed into herbs, droplets scattering the lightweight, delicate leaves, valuables she would surely pay for. She didn't look Cicadabuzz in the eyes again, because suddenly, her intentions of a prank easily washed by the rain had turned disastrous.

Webpaw could barely argue as Cicadabuzz stepped forwards, recoiling in response. She remembered the way the medic had pushed her away from the strange trinket they had found, offered her no answers. They were more formidable than any walls that she had been between. Numbness tingled in her chest, veins icy whereas her face was burning. Would this be the reason she finally saw more than irritation and judgement flash across their dark eyes?

Cicadabuzz held no anger in their voice, though. Their deadpan was neverchanging, emotionless and balanced in all directions. Their words became a drone in her head as Webpaw stared at them, trying to shoo the indignity clawing up her throat. She couldn't believe they could dole out punishments so easily. Her imagination superimposed any leading rank over their form, and found that she reckoned none of them would have the same reaction, as chilly as those cats could be.

After they determine her fate, the scent of mousebile already pricking at her nose, she stood dumbfounded, waiting for them to turn away. She couldn't believe three days of her life would be wasted on something as silly as mud. Disbelief was fading into panic, her mind stretching the hours ahead of her out like a mountain. ShadowClan was never in shortage of ticks, and she couldn't imagine it was quick work. Her teeth glinted in the cloudy light, unable to practice the same calm.

"What about my training?" Were they really doing this in a matter of seconds? Did they expect her to do this and practice her skills? Webpaw's gaze flickered from cat to cat, hoping her sight would land on Bluegale. "I'm trying to serve my greater purpose by doing that!"

Webpaw's rescue had been in her mind a debt to pay off. When it came to training, she had bowed her head, seeing everything she managed to catch as another payment slid towards whatever had landed her here. Distractions were everywhere, and she could not help but be drawn to them. Trouble that saved her from being picked on or belittled, kept her in a certain light. Cicadabuzz defined duty as something too complex for Webpaw, too refined for her rough edges. A box that couldn't fit fun or leniency. It got under her skin, and she let it show.

"At least let me do something to benefit the entire Clan," she said, grimacing at the idea of such a small task. Stupid mud. Stupid Cicadabuzz! "Don't we need everyone who can do stuff out there?!"

⊹ ࣪ ˖͙͘͡

she/her; afab / any gendered terms / 6 months
shadowclan kit / mentored by bluegale
seal sepia with vitiligo / orange eyes

peaceful powerplay allowed, no perms needed
ask before hostile powerplay unless preplanned
always open to interaction in battle unless stated otherwise
ask before injuring !