A HAUNTING FACE [ coalfoot ]

[SNAILSTRIDE]

Head sickness, the combination of words was acrid when the apprentice thought about it. One clanmate had called it that when Snailpaw had fallen and now it was a description that spread like wildfire when the marbled tabby had finished their lackadaisical spar with Weaselclaw. Their paws were normally quick when they darted around camp, defying the cramps that oversleeping in the cold gave them, however today the pace was near frantic as if searching for a precious object they'd lost. It was something they'd never done an excellent job of hiding, the spells were sporadic and Snailpaw couldn't predict what triggers they'd face on any given day. The apprentices had been confused but left it be, their mentor hadn't understood it and treated them like they were just sleep deprived, but the lead warrior's reaction had stuck with Snailpaw. Head sickness, they repeat to themselves again as they scout the camp, disliking how angry it made them feel. They'd never been open with the warriors, yet it still stung for them not to understand... all except one. Snailpaw's hasty search ended when they spotted a bicoloured figure moving about camp, eyes widening as if they'd spotted a ghost.

"Coalfoot!" They called to the tom without hesitation, bounding from the other edge of camp towards him. The greencough outbreak had prevented them from speaking to the other before, then it had been the nervousness of talking about something so personal that prevented a conversation. Now, Snailpaw felt backed into a corner, they needed to learn what they could from the other about their shared condition before the entire clan believed them to be a danger. Coming to a stop a length or so away from Coalfoot, the tabby flashed him an uneasy grin, wishing there could've been more sincerity behind the gesture. Though a discussion had evaded the pair, they'd heard good things about the warrior, that he was kind and creative - Snailpaw's kind of cat. It was painful that their excitement to finally chat with the black-and-white figure was overshadowed by Snailpaw's spar. "Heeey buddy hey pal hey guy um... so quick question about... are you free to talk about...." They tilted their head, trying to make sense of their own lexicon past the combination of brain fog and racing thoughts. They laughed nervously and raised a paw up, a request to be excused as they tried to compose a question.

Breathing in and out slowly, Snailpaw eventually found the composure to speak, their dynamic voice notably quieter than usual. "I was hoping you'd have some time to talk about your... our thing. You know, the uh? Sleep spells." They waited for an answer, rocking impatiently on their white-tipped paws.

@coalfoot
​

 

[coalfoot]

———————————————【 coalfoot | windclan | male 】——————————————

【◈】It had been a rather nice day so far, as far as Coalfoot was concerned. Cold aside, he felt pretty good. It was a nice change to slogging around and pushing past drowsiness that had no reason nor purpose. It was something he wasn't sure he would ever understand.

It was just something he would have to shoulder, he supposed. His Clanmates never seemed to have the same problem, some even accusing him of laziness or faking it. Juniperfrost's words burned in his mind more than he'd care to admit. Dandelionwish didn't know how to help him, either. Nobody knew what it was. Even still, when he felt alone, he had to remind himself that he wasn't. His father had always told him to just keep trekking on, even when things got rough. He had friends, Clanmates who cared about him. He wasn't ever truly alone, even if he did sometimes feel... afraid.

So if today was a brief reprieve from it all, even if only for a few moments, he would relish the possibility of feeling normal. It was visible on his face, the slight smile plastered there and the brightness returned to his eyes after the bout of sickness that had kept him down for so long. He maintained that bright expression, even when a voice unexpectedly called his name, the marbled tom turning to locate the source.

It was Snailpaw, his ears perked expectantly as they bounded over and came to a halt before him. They looked uneasy, almost nervous, and his smile faltered, if only a little. In the face of their slight hesitation, it faltered just a little more. "What's wrong?" he asked.

They seemed to struggle to find their words, his stare falling into vague concern with each passing moment. When Snailpaw finally managed to get it out, however, it was his turn to hesitate. His thing. Their thing. The sleep thing.

"...Oh," Coalfoot said at last. Green eyes flickered past the apprentice, taking in the cats that milled around the camp before returning to the tabby. "Uh... Yeah, sure. Is something the matter?" Brushing his tail along their flank, he began to guide them away to a more remote corner of camp before taking a seat.

When he'd come to the realization that Snailpaw seemed to experience the same problem as him, he hadn't found it relieving that there was someone who understood and felt the same way, not in the slightest. He'd only felt poorly for them. He felt bad that they likely knew, that they too felt the same struggle day in and out. That their Clanmates subject them to the taunts and accusations as well. They didn't deserve it. Nobody did.

Based on how upset and nervous they seemed, Coalfoot briefly wondered if something had happened. Should he have talked to them sooner? A pang of guilt tugged at his heart, but he sat patiently until they found their words.

[penned by its_oliverr].

​