Camp WindClan What's worth saving is never worth letting go to waste || Talon

[Merrystalk Merrystalk]

—————————————— Dreaming along in a pace you'll understand. ✦

Merrystalk had learned his lesson, judging the loners brought into the clan so harshly, especially considering how well Dimmingsun had slotted into clan life. He had grown all too defensive of the clan since losing the barn; it only came naturally since being given a place of power amongst them all, he sought to use it for good. But in the end, it drove him to look down on cats that once he would have brought into the barn without a moment's hesitation.

That's how he ended up plucking a fat rabbit from the prey pile and approaching that youngster brought into the clan and under the medicine cat's watchful eyes. He seemed nervous- no, more than that, scared. Merry saw how he launched that mossball Finchy had launched at him (albeit accidentally). That burst of strength and the almost wild look in his eyes, he knew it all too well.

The gale guard was like it once, terrified and distrustful of every cat, and he probably hadn't been helping Talon's nervousness. Watching from afar, treating him like a danger, like he had to most other loners brought into the clan. But knowing Starclan welcomed these cats into the clan like any other, he knew he needed to change his ways.

He approached with a warm smile and relaxed posture; the last thing he wanted was for the kid to think he was here to cause issues. Placing the rabbit before Talon and sitting nearby, he greeted the young tom with a polite nod. "Thought ya' would like somethin' fresh, ya' need somethin' rich to help ya' heal up." Nudging the thing closer, wanting him to know it was just for him, food aggression was a nasty thing, and he didn't know how Talon had dealt with food (or the lack thereof) in the past.

Merrystalk settled on his haunches, trying to select his wording carefully. "I just wanted to... Check on ya', I know our medicine cats 're takin' good care've ya' but thought I'd see how yer feelin'. I noticed yer a bit... on edge." He chuckled, trying to keep the conversation light for the sake of the little fellas well-being.

— And it's harder than you think,

Telling dreams from one another. —

• Tagging @Talon :3
• 
  Merrystalk
  ✦—Windclan Gale Guard | 31 Moons
  ✦—He/Him
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✦—A skinny, tortoiseshell cat with bright green eyes and pelt speckled with hay.
  #9D6E46

 

[Talon Talon]

He had begun to ignore the burning stare of the muddy brown cat, the green eyes watching after his small fit of frenzy. He didn't care that they stared- they knew nothing of him, and he knew nothing of them. He was an outsider- he didn't belong, and yet, they still welcomed him in their camp. He was small, he supposed, the idea tugging his lips momentarily before pulling back to normal. The kid and older fella had seemed to let him go back to his peace- or perhaps he had bored them. He didn't quite mind either way.

Blue gaze flickered as soon as the warriors steps headed in his direction with a rabbit in jaw. His jaw set, but remained quiet as he lowered his head in front of his shoulders again. The warm smile and posture made his single eye blink, cautious. But he offered the rabbit, nudging it closer, and Talons lips fell back to a frown. Then he continued, wanting to check on him- noticing the wording, and the chuckle and his ears flattened back.

The younger ones were easier to talk to. Fidgetkit, morningpaw, meadowpaw... But the rest made him more on edge. It wasn't easy to trust them- and he couldn't blame them. "I won't eat all o' it." He said, blinking. The last rabbit brought to him, he took a few bites, and left it- someone else had to have grabbed it as it wasn't there later. He didn't mind. He understood they all shared here. Some would eat side by side, talking and cleaning each other as the sun set high in the sky. He was not interested in that, however. But the tom had brought him food, and something he had begun to pick up slipped from his jaws. "Thank you."

Now how he was? The fact he was indeed on edge- the fact his nerves only rose with the other here, flower- the one he felt as if his brain was being prodded from afar- he rolled his tongue in his mouth, words carefully thought out in the bears that passed. " 'm fine. Meadowpaw has started takin' me with her, an' I'm learnin' things t' help y' guys out 'n return." He responded. He didn't know this member, but carefully, he continued. "Thinkin' 'm gonna ask Dustystar t' help y' all out 'n the mornin' durin' this leafbare." Only because Meadowpaw had asked him to stay a bit.
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[Merrystalk Merrystalk]

—————————————— Dreaming along in a pace you'll understand. ✦

The young cat was clearly on edge, which he really couldn't fault him for. From afar, he seemed to get along with Meadowpaw and spoke gently to the kittens of the clan, but sent wary glances back to almost any warrior.

He knew that behaviour all too well; it was the same challenges Goldy faced when raising him, and while Merry knew better than to subject Talon to him more than he was comfortable with, at least being a presence Talon could turn to in a desperate measure was enough to dispel Merry's worries for the young.

Talon spoke bluntly back to the gale guard, whom he only met with a nod and understanding. "That's fine if ya' don't, I'd rather ya' leave some than think ya' gotta go hungry." Though the tom did surprise him, with a quiet gratitude for the gesture. Merry made a point not to point it out, but a smile tugged at his maw. Meadow, the ever-leading presence, always made an impact on the cats around her.

It's why he hadn't been surprised that Meadow had been teaching him. "Herbs 'nd remedies, 'm assumin'? Good fer folks to know their way bout plants." He nodded gently, hearing the tom's plans to stay until leafbare, he didn't pry why, or if he wanted to stay after, that was a decision he would make in his own time. "It's a noble thing to help folks ya' only just met, but thank ya' fer the kindness, ya' got a good head on yer shoulders."

There was a moment's quiet, as something else dawned on the tom. "Aye, where 're my manners, lad, m' name's Merrystalk." He gave a sheepish chuckle. Even when he tried to be as put together as he could for the sake of a young fellow brought into the clan, he was still needed to work on it.

— And it's harder than you think,

Telling dreams from one another. —

• 
  Merrystalk
  ✦—Windclan Gale Guard | 31 Moons
  ✦—He/Him
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✦—A skinny, tortoiseshell cat with bright green eyes and pelt speckled with hay.
  #9D6E46

 

[Talon Talon]

A part of him wondered if this other was reading him like he was trying to read the other. He had already been approached as if they needed to be careful, by the older fellow with greys on his muzzle. He didn't blame them, it wasn't exactly like he was extremely forthcoming and welcoming. Even meadowpaw treated him with caution, sometimes. He saw that too, how she analyzed and tried to learn him. He tried to not let it bug him, because he only let others know what he wanted them to know. And he's grown trust with Meadowpaw that he'd never thought he'd have. She knew too much, but he trusted she wouldn't share it. Nor keep looking at him like he was a ticking bomb. That she could understand better.

He turned his good eye to the other though, bowing his head a bit to crunch teeth into the pelt of the rabbit, and chewing slowly as he listened and watched the corner of his lips curl in a soft smile. It had to have been something positive, however, he wasn't certain. Smiles could be deceiving, and he still wasn't sure about this tom. The meat slid down his throat, and he'd give a response finally. "Sure, some. But, been watchin' how th' kids show off what they learned. Y' wake up early, get sent t' 'patrol', come back. When the sun is high, y' eat. Y' talk. Y' clean each other and share th' prey. That's usually when th' kids come back too." He explained. And when the kids came back, they were eager to show off, and that is what he liked to watch. That is what he was learning, besides what he heard in Dimmingsun's and Meadowpaw's den.

He didn't understand what the other meant. Good head on his shoulders? It was scarred, deep with memories and from the raccoon. But nonetheless, he did what he had to do. What, cause he was learning about the clan? Doing what they did and returning gestures he didn't fully grasp? Perhaps, he wasn't sure. It was all confusing. He was just trying his best to make sure that he could help Dustystar and Meadowpaw as they helped him. Because it was only fair.

He stayed quiet, unsure what to say, and the other filled the silence. Merrystalk. He was sure the other knew his name, and part of him didn't want to repeat it when it was obvious. He said with a blink. His tongue rolled in his mouth, and he thought carefully. Owlbear. Ravenmask. Merrystalk. Dustystar. Dimmingsun. Morningpaw. The names rolled in his mind, the few he actually heard. Categorized from kit, to a paw- weird double names. "Talon." He finally introduced, dipping his head as he noted others did as well.

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