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This thread takes place inside the clan's camp.
I'm stuck in the moments I swore that we had
RiverClan
∘˙○˚.• EELBROOK 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 MY SON, I'M FINALLY HOME
——————— ∘˙○˚.•
Eelbrook knows they have done the right thing and they know they will do anything to keep Cicadakit safe. But they are no caregiver and have no experience with children, no idea what it takes to ensure a little one's well-being. And so they go to the one they know has a lot of experience - Wavesong.
The warrior is freshly out of the nursery and Eelbrook finds her near the edge of camp, resting. They hope they're not disturbing her, but they have a feeling this is something she will be glad they came to her for. "Hey, Wavesong?" they chirp as they approach her, tail raised in greeting. "I was just wondering... you see, little Cicadakit... I may have found him and it could end there, but I can't just leave him to fend for himself. I'm no caregiver, I can't be here for him all the time, but I.." they stop to catch their breath and gather their thoughts. "He's still mine."
Eelbrook isn't trying to replace the child's parents, they would never dare, but little Cicadakit is still theirs to protect and care for. From the moment they met, Eelbrook knew he would be their responsibility, if he let them. He just needs to learn how to do it best.
∘˙○˚.• —————————————————————————————————————— OOC: n/a
The ocean is in my soul,
And it's pulling me back to shore.
I'm letting go of the weight that's dragging me down.
.
There was the faintest of a twitch that came from her ear, a light tilt of her head though her eyes remained closed for now. " Eelbrook... " she purred out, voice a bit drowsy but warm. " Yer welcome t'sit with me. " She stretched, paws reaching forward, jaw parting in a yawn that showed the soft pink of her tongue before she blinked her blue eyes open at last. She watched the newly-made warrior with quiet interest, letting the other's words wash over her like the lap of the river against stone. Cicadakit. Brought here. Claimed in the heart if not in blood. Responsibility spoken like a vow, stumbled over but sincere.
There was a slow blink, then the faintest curl of a smile at her maw. " Ah, I see. " she murmured, shaking out her fur and sitting upright now, more present, more here. Eelbrook's question lingered between them, fragile as eggshell. How to be a caregiver. How to do something that had no rules and yet felt like walking a path lined with thorns. " First thing? " she said softly, leaning in a bit. " Ye don't need t'know everythin'... No cat does. Kits don't come with stories carved into'em tellin' ye what t'do. They come loud, needy, an' full o'feelin's bigger than their paws. That's normal. " Her tail tip brushed lightly against Eelbrook's, a small grounding touch.
" Show up. That's what matters. Even when yer tired, even when yer thinkin' yer not enough. Keep showin' up. Kits remember warm, not perfect. They remember the cat who came back again an' again, who stayed when it was stormy inside their little heads. "
Speech, thoughts/emphasis
42 MOONS
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RIVERCLANNER
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SONG
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bio
I'm stuck in the moments I swore that we had
RiverClan
∘˙○˚.• EELBROOK 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝
——————————————————— ∘˙○˚.•
As Wavesong speaks, Eelbrook realises they never actually asked the question. But the molly understood their intentions regardless, without them having to be spoken. The intention of being there for Cicadakit, protecting him like only kin does. Though they would never dare call themselves his kin, not when the kitten barely knows them.
The ringed cat nods as they settle down next to Wavesong, tail brushing against her soft fur. Show up, be there for him. They could do that, it's not like Eelbrook was planning on bringing little Cicada to camp and then not visiting them. But it is a good reminder that even on a bad day, even on a tired day, Eelbrook's priority should be to still be there for the little one.
"Thank you." they dip their head. "I don't intend to join the nursery as his caregiver, he's old enough to care for himself and I don't want to.. I don't want to limit him, make him feel pressured around me. I just want to be there for him, when he needs comfort and protection." It is what the kitten needs the most, Eelbrook thinks. From a life of instability and danger to one of safety and food. "I hope... I hope he doesn't mind."
∘˙○˚.• —————————————————————————————————————— OOC: n/a
The ocean is in my soul,
And it's pulling me back to shore.
I'm letting go of the weight that's dragging me down.
.
A smile touched at her maw as she looked at Eelbrook, dipping her head in a small nod. " Aye. Yer very welcome, friend. " she murmured, curling her plumey tail around herself to shield her paws from the chilly wind. For a breath she simply studied them, weighing their words, the worry beneath them. " Mmmh... Ye don't need t'turn yerself into somethin' yer not. " she said at last, voice thoughtful. " Ye don't need t'be perfect, or know every answer. Kits don't ask for heroes. They ask fer someone who is there. Who listens. Who stays. "
Her gaze grew gentle as she glanced toward Eelbrook. " Let'm talk, too. Listen when th'world feels too big fer them. Sit in it with'm. Ye don't have t'be grand or unbreakable... Just be there. " She lifted a paw and rested it against Eelbrook's shoulder, a reassuring gesture for the other. " An' if ye stumble, don't bolt off into th'current alone. Ask fer help. That's part o' lovin' as well. Stars know I've raised enough t'learn that lesson th'hard way. " A low laugh slipped from her, light but not careless, and she leaned back with her eyes closing briefly as if savoring the simple comfort of the moment. When she opened them again, her expression softened even further.
" Ye know... I can hear it in yer voice already, that ye care for Cicadakit. " Her whiskers twitched. " That's already a lot. More than half th'journey, really. Th'rest ye learn alongside'm, pawstep by pawstep. "
Speech, thoughts/emphasis
44 MOONS
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RIVERCLANNER
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SONG
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bio
