Camp WindClan when all those shadows almost killed your light ✿ — owlbear

[Meadowpaw]

Don't you dare look out your window
Darlin' everythings on fire

.

Meadowpaw moved slowly, careful not to let the bundle slip from her jaws. There were grasses, bits of fur and down, even a few tiny wildflowers, all pressed together into a manageable wad. It had taken her most of the morning to find pieces soft enough, but she was happy to busy her paws.

The nursery was quiet and dim, and she careful not to disturb that peace. The apprentice shuffled carefully through the entrance. The scent of milk still clung to the air like a fog. The warmth it reminded her of made her chest ache in ways she didn't understand. She glanced down at the bundle in her jaws and then in the direction of Owlbear's best.

Meadow hoped that she wasn't intruding in some way. Prying into what should've been private. Mama would have said so, but lately, Meadowpaw fought harder than ever before to shake the absent she-cats influence from her head. Even if Owlbear didn't want her help, the she-cat would have it in one way or another. She would keep her promise to Hoot no matter what.

Meadowpaw dipped her head as she shuffled closer to the resting mother. She set the bedding down and peered warily at the resting lump in the nest. "I brought some fresh bedding…" The apprentice mewed tentatively. "Um but if I'm bothering you I can come back later." Owlbear had every reason to be tired. She adored the kits with all her heart, but she wouldn't deny they were a pawful. Goosekit especially seemed to be a bottomless well of energy. If the molly wanted her out, she wouldn't argue.

@owlbear

Speech, thoughts/emphasis

8 MOONS

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WINDCLAN

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SONG

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bio

 

[owlbear]

Owlbear had a rare moment to herself, as the kits were out playing in the camp with her better half, Bushrunner, and had intended on taking a good long nap. The plans are quickly ruined, though, as a sweet mellow girl ducks into the den, carrying bedding materials. Maybe it's because she's just had her kits, but by Starclan... when she sees Meadowpaw, all Owl wants it to invite her into the nest with her, to comfort her shaky form. When Meadowpaw speaks, Owlbear shakes her head, smiling softly at her.

"You're never a bother darlin'," she purrs, tail sweeping over to touch the young molly's shoulder. "Especially when you bring such a generous gift." She pulls the little bundle closer, beginning to work it into her nest where she saw fit. "And how are you farin' sweetheart? You doin' alright?" Owl gives Meadow a playfully stern glance, her voice still soft. "And don't go lyin' to me– I'm a mother now, and my instinct for that sort of thing has only gotten better. Somethin' 's on your mind, ain't it?"

i can't look at the stars

they make me wonder where you are

• ooc: -
• 

  
  

  Owlbear, - 50 moons / windclan warrior
  peaceful powerplay allowed

  
  

 

[Meadowpaw]

Don't you dare look out your window
Darlin' everythings on fire

.

You're never a bother, darlin'.

Meadow's ears twitched and she gave a small, bashful nod, paws kneading the ground anxiously where she stood. "Good, I'm glad..." She murmured, watching as Owlbear worked the fresh materials into place. She could tell that the molly was tired, but at least she didn't seem upset about the intrusion.

Meadowpaw glanced up, caught off guard by the gentle look on the queen's face. Her instinct was to deny it, to pull on the same tired smile she'd worn all week and say she was fine.

But was she alright? Meadowpaw had gotten in the habit of giving the usual answer when someone asked her that—yes, of course she was okay—but somethin' about Owlbear made want to spill everything. How she felt that Mama did love her anymore because the molly hadn't talked to her since the fire. How useless she felt being stuck at camp, not able to hunt or protect the clan. How badly she missed all the cats they lost in the fire. How sometimes it still felt like she could move her leg even though it wasn't there anymore… How she couldn't tell any of that to Nugmeg or Pea because she was afraid of increasing their burden when they already did so much for her.

Meadow settled onto her haunches, "I'm okay…I-I mean I'm better than… I was." She said carefully, "It's still kind of hard getting around. I wish I could help more." Her voice softened even more, barely a whisper now. "Mama hasn't talked to me since the fire either. I know it's my fault. I didn't listen to her when we were escaping the fire, and I got hurt… I think maybe I made her not love me anymore."

It was out before she could stop it—and her eyes stung a little. A tight feeling jamming in her chest, attempting to crawl up her throat. Meadowpaw swallowed t as best she could and peeks up with a small, strained smile. "Sometimes I see how you are with your family and I'd be lyin' if I said I wasn't a little jealous. I never knew my Pa and Mama and Meggie don't get along." Her tail curled tightly around her side as she looked down at her paws. Meadowpaw supposed that she was being a bit greedy. Some cats lost a lot more than she did. At least her family survived. Realizing how that must sound, she straightened up. "I-I'm sorry! I know not right to say. I should be grateful for what I have." She added quickly, ears flattening.

Speech, thoughts/emphasis

8 MOONS

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WINDCLAN

⟢

SONG

⟢

bio

 

[owlbear]

She listens patiently, letting the words tumble from Meadowpaw's maw, whose whole body seems to be tight with anxiety. Though she wants to interrupt at times, especially when Meadow claims she made her mother not love her anymore, Owlbear bites her tongue and waits for her to get everything out before speaking. At the end of it, Meadowpaw adds a quick apology, but Owl shakes her head.

"Oh darlin', you got nothin' to be sorry for," Owl purrs, getting out of her nest and sitting down next to Meadowpaw, unable to hold herself back now from comforting her with more than just words. "You got the right to say whatever you please, especially when it's from the heart."

She curls her tail around her and looks down at her fondly. "You're doin' plenty to help, I know that well enough. There's more ways to help the clan than fightin' and huntin'. Gettin' me fresh beddin' is helpin', ain't it? And talkin' to folks helps too, whether it's to cheer them up or to comfort them. And 'sides, you're still just a kit in us grown folks eyes. We're supposed to be helpin' you, not the other way 'round."

She pauses for a moment, still looking at Meadowpaw with her golden eyes dripping honey. Internally, she is cursing Meadow's mother for leaving her kit afraid and lonely when she'd just lost her damn leg.

"I'm sure your mama loves you in her own way, even if it's hard to understand now. A mother's love is not so easy to shake. But everyone… Everyone reacts to tragedy differently, don't they? Some with fightin' and lashin' out, some with cryin', and some with silence." She flashes a soft smile. "And I'm always willin' to lend you an ear, a paw, or my words if you need 'em. Always, darlin', meanin' any time."

i can't look at the stars

they make me wonder where you are

• ooc: -
• 

  Owlbear, - 50 moons / windclan warrior
  peaceful powerplay allowed