pafp 992 GT3 ☀ PEP TALK

Please wait for @Cricketcry !

"Sometimes I wish I could read others' minds."

It is a bold way to start a conversation — bringing any recent thought into the spotlight —, but Dimmingsun is nothing if he is not bold. A switch in topics, a gentle sway into the right direction, a heartfelt amount of empathy where it is required; all three combined are a perfect base recipe for his extroverted nature, seeking out chatter during quiet moments or adding fuel to fire when he just so happens to be late to one.

Today, Cricketcry is his victim. A strong word, maybe, but Dimmingsun has a hunch about the ex-moor runner; that withdrawn personality does not suggest he likes to be roped into a conversation that might tiptoe around (or outside of) his comfort zone. All this will definitely make Cricketcry deem himself the victim here.

Dimminsgun does not plan on standing down even with that knowledge.

He is in the process of shedding old, unneeded moss — there might be dead leaves or twigs found in it that could be reused for something — while he talks. "'Cause I swear to StarClan, I can never figure out what you're thinking of. We barely hear your voice nowadays! What's weighing you down so much, hm?" Neither the declaration or question are spoken unkindly; Dimmigsun does not look to insult, but rather seek to lift one's spirits... but he will need some intel first to find the correct words that will leave enough of a mark, long past any discussion.
 
𓆧 Cricketcry was laying with his paws tucked beneath his feathery chest on his lonesome, as per usual, when Dimmingsun approached. He hears the tortie’s pawsteps before their remark and cracks open an eye, his eyes dilating in surprise when he realizes he is coming right towards him. After checking rapidly over his shoulder to make sure that there was not somebody more relevant that Dimmingsun was speaking to, he confirms that the tom was indeed directing his attention on himself. His dreary eyes narrow and he swallows, his mouth suddenly feeling dry. Cricketcry knew to avoid Dimmingsun.

Cricketcry attempts to flip through his mental lists of excuses he could use on Dimmingsun so that he may escape the conversation which he knows is inevitable if he remains. He slackens his maw a little as he begins to mew his quick goodbye but clicks it shut quickly as Dimmingsun continues his rambling. Cricketcry’s round face contorts in confusion at what Dimmingsun asks, his ears lowering towards his skull. He’s taken aback that the handsome tortie may be interested in his own personal affairs, and oddly... slightly offended. He clicks his tongue and shrugs, trying to find the right words to shoo the tom away but fails, the only sound that comes from within himself is a reluctant, quiet grunt– perhaps a signal he is surrendering and will entertain Dimmingsun’s inquiry.

The mottled tabby pushes upwards into a hunched sitting position and he remains silent for many heartbeats, watching Dimmingsun mess with the moss. He then mews hoarsely, “This is just how I am. And my voice?” Cricketcry takes a literal approach to this question, cocking his head in defiance. “W-well, it’s not the most beautiful thing to listen to, admittedly.” It is not as if Cricketcry is mad at Dimmingsun for his pestering, he is quite flattered honestly, but does not understand why the feline would be interested. Why does it matter if he does not socialize as much as Dimmingsun– that would be ridiculous. He purses his lips and adjusts slightly, his poor leg jutting out from beneath his himself. “If only I knew what you were thinking,” Cricketcry chirps, his face twisting into a smirk. He thought it was quite smart to flip the attention onto Dimmingsun.

  • @dimmingsun ——
  • CRICKETCRY —— Tunneler of Windclan 𓆧
    𓆧 AMAB / he/they / 28 ☾
    𓆧 petite, reclusive, timid, wistful
 
──ᨒ↟↟ᨒ↟ᨒ↟↟ᨒ── Taking a brief respite from herb-hunting and sorting, Wolfsong stretches out on his belly with a quiet huff. Slowly, painfully slowly, Sunstar has allowed Wolfsong back into his life. It is difficult to avoid him, after he had to spend so much time in the medicine den following the attack, but Sunstar could have ignored him if he wished. But he slept in Wolfsong's nest, the pair of them pressed closer than they had been since their son's death, and Wolfsong only hopes that he does not unmake this progress with another mistake.

Close by, he can hear Dimmingsun, speaking to Cricketcry. More accurately, despairing that Cricketcry does not. Speak, that is. He shuffles gradually to face the pair, watching Dimmingsun pry apart moss while Cricketcry redirects. Wolfsong hums and briefly closes his eye. "A voice does not need to be beautiful to be heard," he comments, tail flicking. "Would that the case, I would have never heard a single breath from Snakehiss, and perhaps I would find Sootspot's silence palatable."
78133981_OgqdbQiOYIHTMTk.png
WOLFSONG of WINDCLAN FORMER ROGUE TURNED MEDICINE CAT. 42 MOONS, HE/HIM, NPC X NPC. MATES WITH SUNSTAR (07/05/2023). BIOGRAPHY, PINTEREST, & PLAYLIST.
  • ★★★☆☆ WOUNDS: You're (mostly) in safe paws. You'll know if he's less experienced if he asks for your permission to try a treatment. No wound can scare him away from knowledge.
    ★★★☆☆ INFECTION: He can prevent most infections. If you feel feverish, let him know; he'll hum thoughtfully over herbs and sniff your wound before saying, "With your blessing..."
  • ★☆☆☆☆ ACHES & PAINS: If you complain to him of pain, he'll ask where. If it's a headache, you'll likely feel a bit better. For anything else, "Try this, if you'd like, and tell me how you feel."
    ★☆☆☆☆ BROKEN BONES: At best. he can ask you to remain lying down in the den. He may try to distract you with conversation while he considers what herb to feed you.
  • ★★★★★ TRAVELING HERBS: Going somewhere? No worries; Wolfsong knows just what you need to stay hale and healthy during your journey. The rest is up to you.
    ★★★☆☆ KITTING: Thanks to Starlingheart and his own pregnancy, he's better prepared for the arrival of kits, but any complications will need a little faith and a lot of luck.
  • ★☆☆☆☆ POISONS: It's best if you avoid eating anything unfamiliar to you— it's probably just as unfamiliar to Wolfsong. The best he can do is offer you yarrow and sit with you.
    ★★☆☆☆ ILLNESS: If it's white or greencough, you'll likely recover. Otherwise, prepare for odd concoctions and the usual request that you consent to a little trial-and-error.
 

"Ain't nothing wrong with that," he admits, knowing full well that certain individuals just prefer to be left alone. That doesn't necessarily stop Dimmingsun from trying to pester them every once in a while, but he knows when to call it quits — his friendship with Slateheart is proof of that, considering how that tom like to disappear every now and again. The admission, while sincere, is simultaneously a way to hide his amusement; he doesn't miss the signs that Cricketcry would rather be anywhere than here right now.

A quick frown pulls at his features, stopping the task at hand to really glower at Cricketcry; though it is not mean-spirited by any means, only meant to stop the self-deprecation before it can really snowball. "Don't say that. Everyone's way of being is so unique, there isn't one that is uglier than the other." The odd wisdom that spills out is frayed at the edges — the likes of traitors, murderers, and everything else that is not deemed morally correct is certainly not as pretty as the rest. But that is not here nor there... Cricketcry needs encouragement, as far as Dimmingsun is concerned. Getting into the details is not important right now.

The combination of Cricketcry's request — one cannot fault Dimmingsun for taking that as an invitation — as well as Wolfsong's joke cracks him up. "Me? I think even Wolfsong here can attest to how I can get too carried away saying what I think." Dimmingsun returns to his work, though he keeps most of his attention on the medicine cat, humming to avoid idleness. "Tunes and rhymes. Rhymes and tunes."

There is a delicate line to dance on now. Pressing Cricketcry too much would either end in huff and puff, or a shift into too awkward territory. Dimmingsun has to choose his words wisely, like a battle strategy; say the right things to get what you want, or be forever plagued by knowing you picked the wrong decision.

"Perhaps the tunnels made you quiet," Dimmingsun ponders, flicking another glance towards Cricketcry. The topic switching from him specifically to his work could ease some of the tension. "I know I wouldn't last a day in there without attracting some badger from Highstones themselves."
 
𓆧 Cricketcry's lips parts in discreet surprise as Wolfsong wonders over to be included in this very... one sided conversation. The stout tabby's brows are knitted upwards as he listens to Dimmingsun's slightly cheesy but heartfelt wisdom. Make no mistake, Cricketcry is listening, intently. He betrays only the smallest amount of amusement towards Wolfsong's banter about Snakehiss and Sootspot, his round face relaxing slightly.

He knows this is not an attack upon his character but a genuine probing into himself, which even then causes anxiety to bubble beneath his ribcage. Cricketcry's bites his lip and glances at a point between Wolfsong and Dimmingsun, unsure of how to continue. Should he use that voice of his and implore that he is just fine, that this is how he is? That he is not terrified of saying the wrong things, acting out of sorts, walking beneath the open sky... The list of his plights could go on and on until he ran out of voice and breath.

Cricketcry thought of how to proceed, but not for long, however; when Dimmingsun suggests that the tunnels may have made him this way. An unexpected guffaw bubbled from his small frame and his face brightened in amusement. His shoulders shook as he could not contain the humor he found in such a suggestion-- the tunnels were his sanctuary!

The tom straightened and abruptly stopped his uproar, embarassed by such an outward display of emotion. "Ehem. S-sorry. I am not laughing at you." Cricketcry adjusted his posture and shrugged. "I've been like this since I had an accident, happened as an apprentice to be a moor runner. Well, yeah, easily forgettable. I wasn't even an apprentice for a moon and decided to go explore the horseplace." Cricketcry casts a glance towards Wolfsong, having heard stories of the tom being brave enough to be on top of a horse. He clears his throat and continues, "I snuck out and it was dark out, I hardly knew which direction I was going in. I'm beyond the fence, watchin' those cloud things, s-sheep. Next thing I know, I'm sprawled out-" Cricketcry eccentuates sprawled, his attempt to put a humourous twist on his tale and flashes an unusual grin towards Dimmingsun-- "I didn't see one coming, I guess, and neither did they see me until it was too late. Got frightened, kicked me. I flew!"

He shrugs and swallows several times in quick succession, one of his nervous ticks. I said too much "Landed and the impact broke my leg. Never quite healed right. I was out there all night until a (npc) patrol spotted me from the border."
 
Hollyhockpurr gravitates towards the ghastly members of the Clan. Periwinklebreeze, Slateheart, Quietcrow, Cricketcry - anyone that didn't feel they fit in with the boisterous personalities of their Clanmates were often subject to her badgering. She'd thought she was doing them a favor - but she was making herself feel good, too. To be of service to those in need was her purpose.

But, it seems Dimmingsun beats her to it today. Not that it would stop her all-smiles approach anyway. She approaches to hear the start, and finds herself agreeing wholeheartedly with Dimmingsun, though she knew since her youth that Cricketcry was the quiet type. Perhaps there was more to it than meets the eye.

My voice is not the most beautiful thing, Cricketcry says, and Hollyhockpurr is quick to reply. "Nonsense! Nonsense! It's like music to my ears. Let me hear it some time," she purrs out in a sing-song voice, and means every word of it. She meets her old buddy with a friendly nudge to his shoulder, then settles down to listen in to the rest of the conversation.

She's a little familiar with Cricketcry's story - she remembers his uneasy transition into a tunneler apprentice, and their training together from then on. But.. she never knew how much of an impact it had on him. Empathy softens her gaze and small smile. "Well, lessons are to be learned somehow. I'd say you're pretty strong for surviving such a blow." The skinny legs of those things were nothing to be underestimated given how hard their rock-like paws were. Holly's smile grows again, reassuringly. "Well, hey. No pressure. Nothing wrong with being a little quiet. But know we're always eager to listen, right?"
  • hollyhockkit hollyhockpaw HOLLYHOCKPURR
    ━━ TUNNELER WARRIOR of WINDCLAN
    ━━ 24 MOONS,, ages every 1st
    ━━ NPC xx NPC
    ━━ MATE to none | PARENT to none
    ━━ MENTOR to NONE
    ━━ HEALTH ♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎ | generally healthy​
  • base credits to velvtreill on th
    hollyhockpurr.png

  • speech is #87B3E0