Open PAFP Camp The self is not so weightless, nor whole and unbroken | Welcome home Rain

[Chrysalisgaze]

♡

Chrysalisgaze 𐀔 𓆣 𓆨 𖢥 𓆦 Remember the Pact of our Youth

The forest opened up into SkyClan's vast camp as Chrysalisgaze led the young Rain towards safety. She didn't even want to imagine what this she-cat must have gone through to end up alone, tired and terrified at their border, on the verge of kitting. That was a discussion for another day and for ears Rain deemed trustworthy enough. If that was going to be Chrysalisgaze, she would be glad, but if not, she would understand and respect that.
"I'm not going to overwhelm you by explaining everything." she assured the molly. Clan life was busy, the camp vast, surely too much for an exhausted newcomer. She flicked her tail towards the fresh-kill pile. "I will only show you the two most important things for you right now - that over there is where you can grab food. Grab only what you need, but don't be afraid to take more than others - you're eating for the little ones as well." Her gaze fell towards a den lined with the scents of herbs and care. "That den is where the medicine cat resides. She is our healer and she will be the one mainly taking care of you through the kitting process. But now, you need to rest."
Chrysalisgaze led Rain towards the nursery, making sure she didn't lose her footing. Inside, it was quieter, calmer, and Chrysalisgaze chirped a greeting to alert Starlingtrail of their arrival. She nuzzled her mate and quickly introduced Rain, explaining the situation. An empty nest was found and Rain was gently nudged to lay down on it. "Please, you may relax here. Welcome home, dear."

OOC: Wait for @Rain and @Starlingtrail to reply!​

 

[Rain Rain]

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

Rain's head was spinning. Dragging her weary body through the woods was enough on its own, but she could hardly believe she'd agreed to join this group of wild cats. Sure, they seemed nice enough... She glanced at Chrysalisgaze who trotted along beside her. Something about her set Rain at ease. She couldn't explain why, but she trusted her. Teaselfeather, too, had joined them on their trip back toward the Skyclan camp. Her heart swelled at the thought of their inexplicable kindness. She would have to find a way to thank them - all of them. But first, all she could focus on was putting one paw in front of the other.

The intense catscent she'd been surrounded by intensified, bit by bit, until she knew they must be approaching the camp. There was the soft chatter of many cats, as well as the mingling of dozens of different scents. She tried to shake her head to clear it, but it didn't help. Chrysalisgaze assured her that she wouldn't overwhelm her with information, which Rain was grateful for, but she was already feeling extremely overwhelmed. She could feel curious gazes following her through the clearing, making her pelt prickle anxiously.

It's okay, I'm safe here,

she tried to remind herself.

She could only nod as the she-cat gave her a brief rundown about the prey pile and the healer's den. Her mouth watered at the idea of a nice meal, but Chrysalisgaze had already continued on towards the nursery. Ducking in, Rain inhaled deeply as a gently, milky scent washed over her. She let out a soft breath. The den was warm and quiet, with soft nests and a queen - Starlingtrail - and her kits. She could hardly believe that would be her - and soon. The thought almost knocked her from her paws. To think the little bodies inside of her would soon be tumbling kits... It felt impossible. Rain followed Chrysalisgaze's instruction and gently lowered herself into an empty nest. The bedding wasn't as fresh as that in Starlingtrail's, but she supposed that was to be expected for a group that were not expecting guests. A long sigh escaped her as she allowed her body to relax.

"Thank you,"

she murmured. Then, dipping her head to Starlingtrail, she smiled weakly.

"It's nice to meet you, thank you for letting me join you here."

such fragile

✦

broken things

• OOC: welcome home rain!!!!
• 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!
  
  

 

[Starlingtrail Starlingtrail]

As the molly did day by day, she was dutifully caring for her kits; she had just barely gotten the scraps of fur to rest, curled up at her belly, snoring quietly. Starling gave a quiet sigh. They were a handful, but the best thing to ever happen to her, besides Chrysalis, of course.

Just as her mate crossed her mind, Starling's ears perked up, hearing the voice of the other just outside the nursery. Warmly, she greeted her lovely Chrysie, though she faltered a little as another cat tailed her. A rather young molly, one who swayed a little in her steps, but just as evidently she was pregnant. Before she could breathe to speak, her mate filled her in on the woes of the soon-to-be mother. Starling's gaze softened, giving Rain a warm smile. "Oh, sweetheart, come along and settle down." She flicked her tail, motioning to rest nearby. "You must be exhausted, how Starclan has blessed you to bring you to our borders, you are safe in our midsts."

If her own kittens weren't tucked at her side, asleep, she would have stood to help the other to a nest. She watched with a softness for the young mother, though her heart ached to realise she was alone. Her own kitting wasn't easy, even with her Chrysie at her side; how cruel it would have been if she had to kit all by herself.

"My name's Starlingtrail, though I'm sure Chrysalisgaze told you as much already. I'm not as experienced as some of the other caretakers, but I will still be here if you ever need support, Rain." Starling smiled, warmly. Rain had been given such a poor start in her life, and Skyclan was sure to turn that around for her, just as they had for many of their other joining members. "The pleasure is all ours, dear, you just worry about resting and eating your fill." Her gaze flickered back to her mate, a silent request to bring their guest a meal; she had no idea when poor Rain had last eaten.

˗`, ˖ ݁ .✶ ݁₊ . . ݁₊ ✶. ݁ ˖ˎˊ˗

​

STARLINGTRAIL she/her, Skyclan caretaker 34 moons old.
A short-haired black and white molly with soft, blue eyes.
mentored by none // mentoring none
littermate to none
Larkvine x Greyduck / mother to Berrykit, Ducklingkit and TBNkit / mated to Chrysalisgaze
"SPEECH" // "THOUGHTS" // ATTACK
penned by Pheo ↛ phoenixwashere on discord, feel free to dm for plots.

 

[SWALLOWBREEZE]

it's common for skyclan patrols to return with an extra cat, one who's ready to work and learn their ways. chrysalisgaze shuffling in a skinny, grey molly with a swollen belly is enough to make the usual camp chatter turn to hushed whispers. her stomach twisted, hoping this poor molly was just heavily pregnant and needed a home to live in. she was decent enough when it came to caretakers and their possible aliments.

caretakers deserve to rest and not be disturbed. unfortunately, swallowbreeze's job is to bug the cats before they can do that. she makes her way over carefully, hoping her herbal scent is enough to show she's not here to gawk or gossip (even though she was staring a few moments ago). she silently glances at chrysalisgaze, then the belly of skyclan's newest caretaker. there's a prolonged silence before she realizes she can just ask the question herself. oops.

"sorry, hi. i'm the healer... swallowbreeze, i just wanted to see if you needed, uh, anything. or didn't feel well." she grins sheepishly at rain, standing near the entrance of the den so it didn't feel overcrowded. they have a sizeable amount of litters occupying the nursery, hopefully rain doesn't feel too overwhelmed.

 

[Berrykit]

BERRYKIT

Berrykit stirred in his sleep - something around him shifted, moved, waking him up. He opened his eyes slowly and stared. "Who are you?" he murmured sleepily, unaware of anyone else talking. The grey cat in front of him was someone he had never seen before, but she lay in the nest next to momma... and she was so pretty!

Berrykit opened his mouth to speak, to ask more questions, but Swallowbreeze's voice made him shut his maw again. That was the medicine cat and he didn't want to interrupt. But he was still so curious! Getting up on his clumsy paws, he stretched and approached the molly, sniffing at her fur. She smelled of nothing he had ever smelled before. A faint trace of SkyClan and his mom lingered on the she-cat, but everything else was unfamiliar to the young kitten.

He looked up at his mothers, but they were both relaxed, their eyes kind and welcoming - if his mothers trusted this cat, so did he! He laid down next to the cat, noticing bits of leaves and moss in her fur and started picking them out, grooming her fur. Every member of the nursery was given the Berry-cleaning treatment at one point and this newcomer was no exception! He would make sure her fur was clean and neat, her pelt shining.

SkyClan | Kitten

 

[Rain Rain]

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

Rain dipped her head appreciatively to Starlingtrail. She turned the word 'caretaker' over in her head. She could hardly imagine a life where it was one's duty to... caretake. What a wonderful thing. Though, she noted with a pang a sort of pity in the molly's gaze. She'd seen it on the faces of some of the other cats she'd encountered as well. She tried to brush it off. She did feel rather pitiable at the moment. She couldn't wait to be well rested and fed - then she could show these strangers that she wasn't just some helpless kit.

"Who are you?"

A small, sleepy voice asked. Rain blinked and followed the sound to one of Starlingtrail's kits. She could see he was about to say something else, when another cat lurking in the entrance to the den caught their attention. Her pelt carried a sharp tang, like sap and leaves and flowers in a strange combination Rain had never encountered. She said she was a healer. So they had healers and caretakers? She was feeling more and more confident about her decision with each new piece of information.

"Oh, thank you,"

she smiled softly. She hesitated for a moment. Was she unwell at all? She could feel the exhaustion in her body, and mind, and heart. She could feel the gnawing teeth of her hungry belly. She could feel the ache in her paws from carrying her so far. "I think-" she flinched at the touch of something against her fur. She was immediately ready to leap to her paws, to fight off whatever dared get near her and her kits. Her gaze landed on the small kit, lapping at her dirty fur and picking out bits of debris, and she let out a small breath of relief. As she watched him groom her in earnest she felt her heart begin to swell in her chest. She purred her thanks and reached to offer a few laps on the top of his head in return.

Turning her attention back to the healer, she dipped her head.

"I'm feeling well enough. I think right now what I need more than anything is sleep,"

she paused, feeling her belly rumble with hunger.

"And maybe something to eat,"

she mewed sheepishly. She hated feeling so helpless, but at that moment, it was all she could do to keep her head held up.

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 seemed no one else was going to do it, and honestly, she was well capable on her own. Leaving Rain in the care of Swallowbreeze and her darling Starlingtrail, Chrysalisgaze walked out of the nursery to fetch the young queen some food to eat. Poor thing must have gone without proper food for a long time.
Ignoring the glances, or in some cases outright stares, of her clanmates, she walked to the fresh-kill pile with steady pawsteps and picked out a bird - not the biggest one, but big enough to satisfy the young Rain and the lives growing within her. Good thing the forest was still plentiful with prey, soon the season would become colder and prey scarcer. Her own kits were big enough to not have to rely on Starlingtrail's milk and Chrysalisgaze pitied Rain for having young ones before such a harsh season. At least they found her, or more accurately, she found them - now they will take care of her and her babies as their own.
Chrysalisgaze brought the bird back to the nursery, "Here, a thrush." she dropped it next to Rain. "I hope this is enough, but do let me know if you need more." The young cat looked exhausted, as if she had been carrying the whole world on her shoulder - and maybe she has.
Chrysalisgaze ushered her own child away from the tired queen. "Let her rest, little one. You can get to know her when she has regained her strength." Berrykit back at Starlingtrail's side, Chrysalisgaze sighed. She hoped Rain would be welcomed by everyone, not ostracized or questioned. Something in the young cat's eyes told her she has been through enough already, what she needed now was some care and love. Chrysalisgaze was determined to give that to her, to make Rain feel a part of family. To let her know she's cared for and loved.

 

[YOLKKIT YOLKKIT]

A shift in the air and a rustling at the nursery's entrance stir Yolkkit from his slumber. Bleary blues blink as the golden boy sits up from the comfort of his nest, sleep-laden confusion guiding his head in craning forward to get a view of just what's going on.

He sees Chrysalisgaze, her night-dark fur familiar in her typical visits to the nursery to visit her children. Yolkkit might've deemed the nursery safe, then — might've curled back into his own mother's side — had he not heard his friend's voice. Who are you?

It's then that he catches sight of her, all gray and white, settling into a nest that wasn't occupied when the boy had been called back to the nursery for bedtime. Or... any time before that, actually. And, while it's not a new idea to Yolkkit, he startles at the sight. Someone can move in here at any time, and that would — more often than not — mean he'd soon have new friends. But... aren't the cats that move in here supposed to be cats he knows? Clanmates he's seen in his ventures outside of the nursery? So... who is this? An intruder?

" I don't know you, " Yolkkit points out, kitten-tufts bristling against his spine despite the groggied edge to his voice, " Go away. Or... Or... I'll get you! "

If this is an intruder — if this is an enemy — shouldn't Yolkkit be the brave warrior he's destined to be and ward her off? Berrykit moves before he does, and maybe his friend shares the same idea. But, suddenly, the black and white kit is plopped down beside her, cleaning her fur like he's known her all his life! And then... and then Starlingtrail's greeting her, and Swallowbreeze is visiting, and then... and then Chrysalisgaze disappears, only to return with prey for the intruder! SkyClan's prey!

And, okay... maybe she's not anyone bad if everyone's being nice to her, but why is she here? Why has she shown up now to wake him and Berrykit (and probably everyone else!) up? Couldn't she have waited until he was awake enough to truly appreciate the opportunity to witness something — someone — new? This would've been cooler then, and less scary! Chrysalisgaze ushers his friend back to his nest, a promise that he'll get to know the new caregiver when she's stronger. Yolkkit watches as his peer departs from the newcomer's side and back into his own nest, but the sun-tipped boy doesn't settle back into slumber just yet. He assesses the situation, kitten-blues darting from Chrysalisgaze, at Swallowbreeze, at her.

" Is she... staying for good...? For forever and ever? " he slowly asks. Suddenly, he's reflecting on his startled behavior from only moments before, a twinge in his chest reminiscent of when he gets into trouble. Maybe he was too mean...? He blinks at the gray-furred molly, paws shifting beneath him. " ... I'm Yolkkit. " It's a peace offering, his name held out to her in a sheepish squeak.

 

[SWALLOWBREEZE]

hungry... right... [right! swallowbreeze internally chides herself for not grabbing some prey on her way over, but chrysalisgaze has already wandered off by the time rain finishes her request. she watches as berrykit toddles forward, silently greeting his new denmate like she's already been a member of the clan, starlingtrail and her mate have done a good job raising their kits.

"yes– of course– well, if you need anything my den is um... over there. don't hesitate. every caretaker becomes my patient." she steps to the side so chrysalisgaze can more easily hand the thrush over, and so she doesn't feel like she's crowding the entrance too much.

her eyes wandered to yolk-kit, proudly marching up and asking a simple question. swallowbreeze frowns slightly, "you know skyclan never denies a caretaker seeking shelter." skyclan has always valued the position of caretakers, their importance in the clan, so forth.

"why don't you berrykit and i um... uh... gather some things for your new denmate's nest? moss, feathers... trinkets. you can show her after she's rested." she shuffles her paws, glancing at berrykit's mothers for silent permission to take him off their paws for a bit. rain doesn't seem bothered by the kittens loitering by her heels, but swallowbreeze would like to ensure the molly gets her belly filled and some sleep. a pregnant loner wandering for so long makes her a prime target for a leaf-fall cold.

 

[Rain Rain]

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

What Yolkkit said didn't register until the small golden kit pads up to her . He would get her? She stifled a small laugh. Fierce already and still so small! She hoped her own kits had half the bravery and care that Berrykit and Yolkkit already showed. She turned her attention back towards the healer with another appreciative nod.

"I'm grateful to have someone experienced by my side for my kitting..."

She thought, a pit opening up in her belly, about what she would have done if she'd still been on her own, wandering the wilderness. Would she have even survived to meet her kits? She found herself curling her tail protectively around her belly again. It was amazing the things her body just seemed to know.

She was pulled from her thoughts before they could get too existential by Chrysalisgaze offering her a thrush.

"Oh, this is more than enough, thank you,"

Rain mewed softly, her belly growling in anticipation as she watched the mother usher her kit away so she could eat. She then, with as much grace and poise as she could muster, bent her neck to begin plucking away feathers, but paused when she realized Yolkkit was still staring at her. He squeaked out his name, and she could only smile.

"It's very nice to meet you, Yolkkit,"

she purred.

"I'm Rain."

She made a mental note to ask if all the kits' names had to end in 'kit.' None of the older cats seemed to have matching names.

Swallowbreeze tactfully suggested taking the kits out for a bit and she could have wept. It wasn't so much that the kits were bothering her, but that the healer had seen a small way to make her transition into the Skyclan nursery a bit more comfortable. She blinked at Swallowbreeze, hoping to convey the depth of her appreciation. She really would have to find a way to thank her, along with Chrysalisgaze. They'd shown her kindness she couldn't have ever imagined.

Then, finally, she tore into her meal. She didn't think she'd ever tasted something so delicious. Of course she'd had thrush before, but after such a long and taxing journey - both physically and mentally - she could feel the life returning to her with each bite. It felt like only heartbeats passed and her meal had been reduced to nothing but scattered feathers and bones, and she began to halfheartedly wash her gritty paws. She was warm and comfortable and surrounded by kindness, and her eyes grew heavier and heavier. She didn't even notice the slow bob of her head falling towards the bedding of her nest. Then, all at once, she was asleep.

such fragile

✦

broken things

• OOC: adding swallowbreeze to rains roster of new besties
• 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!