- Jun 7, 2022
- 796
- 238
- 43
// prompt : newly bloomed flowers
Soft alabaster paws carried the lean molly from the mouth of the Warrior's den. Sleep still tickled her eyelids, and she pulled her jaws back in a long yawn. A breeze swept through the camp, ruffling her fur. She would lift her chin and close her eyes, enjoying the teasing Greenleaf air. The night before she had told her apprentices that she would take them out hunting after sun high, so she had some time to herself for now. Her sleep had been slightly troubled last night, so she had woken up earlier than everyone else it seemed. She glanced around the camp, before spotting an NPC. Last time she had slipped away without telling anyone, her kits had panicked, even though they were apprentices now. So, she would trot over to Nightclaw and inform him that she was going out for a little while.
As she emerged through the camp's tunnel, she let out a peaceful sigh as the forest welcomed her. She felt so at home here. ThunderClan had become more of a home than she had ever imagined. When she was a kit, she had never really had a true home, her mother moved them around quite often. It was nice to be settled, and have a set camp, with clanmates that were always there. After she joined, she wondered if being in a clan would ever feel normal, and now she couldn't imagine living as a loner again.
The undergrowth hugged her pelt as she wandered off the well formed path that her clanmates normally walked down. She padded into a small clearing, that was littered with freshly bloomed spring flowers. They were very pretty, and Flamewhisker gazed at them with awe. She would have to bring some of these back for the kits in the nursery, they would love them. But she didn't want to go back right now, so she would sit down to enjoy the quiet sounds of the wilderness. Her gaze lifted to the sky, she could only see parts of it through the coverage of the trees. Right about now, Flycatcher would be assigning the daily patrols. Her pelt prickled at the thought, but she shook it away.
Her mate meant the world to her. He was her rock, he was her best friend, she couldn't imagine life without him. But...ever since Emberstar had promoted her to a Lead Warrior, a spark had ignited in her that she had never felt before. No matter what, she would protect and defend her clan with her life, but she wanted more. She wanted to be the cat that everyone looked up to, a cat that's name was passed down to in stories for many generations for being a hero...she wanted to be like Emberstar and Howlingstar.
She had daydreamed of becoming leader one day, but there was one tragic thing that always came to mind. Of course, she would be heartbroken when Howlingstar passed...but there was something that would hurt worse than her. In every situation that she considered, something would always happen to Flycatcher. If she was his deputy, the only way she would become leader was if he died. She could become Howlingstar's deputy, but if Flycatcher died...she wouldn't be able to function. The likelihood of her rising to the greatness of Emberstar or Howlingstar was very, very small, and she had to accept that. Her pelt burned with shame towards herself. Why couldn't she just be a supportive mate? There were plenty of others who were content with simple life...why couldn't she just be normal? Flycatcher is the better choice anyways. He doesn't wake up from nightmares like I do...He is more level headed than I am....and he wouldn't be sitting out here thinking like this. Her shoulders slumped, and she felt like crying. "I'm a horrible mate." she whispered, truly hating herself in this moment.
It wasn't quite sun high yet, but she had been out here for quite some time. Flamewhisker stood up, and picked some of the flowers from the clearing. When she had set out that morning, she had planned on catching herself some breakfast, but the shame that burned within her stomped out any hunger. No tears ever fell, she was determined to bottle herself up. Nobody could know how she was feeling right now, especially not her mate or kits. If they ever found out, she would be even more ashamed of herself.
She hesitated outside the camp's tunnel. Look cheery...look cheery. she told herself, before shaking her pelt out and forcing a light into her eyes. As she emerged, there would be no evidence of her looking off, despite the burning hole that she was trying to swallow down. She carried herself lightly, and trotted straight towards the nursery. "I brought you guys some flowers! I thought you all may enjoy them."
[₊⋆]
