child, i'm afraid for your soul // joining

[Pinepaw]

"nothing but pain on the edge of a knife"​

He'd been following the river, skittering between bushes and looking over his shoulder. The scrape across his nose stung, still deep despite his best attempts to clean it. Stupid brambles, he thought, paws dragging through the frosted mud by the river's edge. When was the last time he had slept? The tabby's eyes drooped, and he stuck his paw in the river in the hopes that the cold would keep him awake. He could smell something strange now, but the tabby assumed it was his exhausted state playing tricks on him. It wouldn't be the first time he had mistaken a slimy puddle for a predator or cat.

His paws dragged a little more, leaving indents in the half-frozen mud.

The small tabby, barely out of kithood, knew he couldn't wander forever. That patch of scrub is a good space to rest. It will give some shelter from the wind. Before he could finish the thought, his paws had carried him to the spot and he was huddled inside the grasses. He only hoped that nothing would find him as his eyes fluttered shut.​

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(ooc: please find him and wake him up, he does not know what's good for him)​

 

[BUCKGAIT.]

MY NAME IS BRUTUS AND MY NAME MEANS HEAVY ✧​

a child alone in this cold has little chance, it is all the woman thinks about as she tries to nudge the child awake with her muzzle, hoping that he won't be too tired for further travel. she is less tolerant to those older, those who know they should not be here. the outsiders in camp already pain her, but they seem to avoid her well enough. a smart maneuver on their part, buck had been increasingly irritable come the leaf-barren season. "come now," her voice is soft, reserved for the innocent youth as she attempts to awaken the child further. "i'm sure you'd like someplace warmer. we can get that cut on your nose looked at too." melodic and luring, a plead to trust her.

it had been a while since abandoned or lost children had shown up, she was almost hopeful. yet the deputy still seems to find them wherever she may wander. the woman's frame attempts to shield the chestnut-furred kit further from the biting chill. he really shouldn't be out here alone, but she can ask him about it further. first, he needs to be taken care of.
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[Pinepaw]

"nothing but pain on the edge of a knife"​

The nudge wakes him up and instinctually he scrambles backwards. The brown she-cat looming above him causes his ears to flatten against his skull. He squints at the offer of a warmer bed and care for his nose. As much as the tabby doesn't want to follow her, he's not sure if he can survive another night out in the cold. "Who are you," he mews cautiously, "and why are you offering to help me?" He waits for a response, suspicious.​

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bad formatting from mobile, sorry

 

[BUCKGAIT.]

MY NAME IS BRUTUS AND MY NAME MEANS HEAVY ✧​

a smile graces her scarred features, happy to see life in the boy. a good spirit, a flame come back to life. "i am buck," she offers him her name, ignoring the clan-given one that cicada had forced upon her. "deputy of riverclan. i take care of many cats, some even smaller than you." she neglects to tell him how she cares for them, but she does. she swears she does. she does not spend her nights and days, desperate to feed them, for no reason. she fears her love is shown in less ideal ways to those older. the woman lets her head rise, allowing the child to look upon her. "and no child deserves to be alone, not in this cold."

she steps back, head cocked in the direction of camp. she'll feed him, and offer him home. it will be up to him if he wishes to become a riverclanner, buck would not force him. not as someone had done to her. "will you come with me?" children do not like to be forced, so she offers him the choice. he may stay here, though they both know he will freeze. or he could survive.
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[Pinepaw]

"nothing but pain on the edge of a knife"​

Though her terms are foreign to him, the tabby gathers that Buck is in a position of power. I'll go for the night, he thinks. Then I can leave before they decide to make me. "I will come with you," he says quietly, looking down and away from Buck's eyes so that he doesn't anger her. "Whatever you would like me to do in return for the space, I shall do." He waits, anxious that she will turn him away. He is unsure what a "river clan" is, but he is sure that another mouth--especially his--would drain much needed resources. Resources he does not deserve.​

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[BONERIPPLE]

She stands in the background like a deadly banshee, eyes of fire watching the both of them. Although she knows she doesn't look too threatening especially with how round she looks now. Her eyes are watching them. Gaze shifting over the scene with a soft sigh parting her muzzle. A small child out here in the cold alone is never a good idea. But it makes her think of Starlingpaw. Yet she has a whole clan to help her while this one does not have that benefit. With a soft frown the molly shifts and steps forward with a glance to Buck whom she does not know much about. "Well, I suppose we should get going then. I'm sure Cicadastar won't mind given the situation." Her eyes then glance to the child then and she gives a small smile, a beckoning tail as she turns away from them both. She isn't the type to be too warm and this shows as she glances over her shoulder.

At least the child will be warmer and perhaps get something to eat. Perhaps. Though she isn't too sure with prey dwindling and what more the river is rising. She wishes she could go on that patrol but unfortunately her pregnancy doesn't allow for it.​

 

[Pinepaw]

"nothing but pain on the edge of a knife"​

He jumps as another she-cat appears, stomach round with kits. He drops his head, keeping his eyes on her paws. Cicadastar must be the leader of this group. A shudder goes through the tabby's spine. He hopes that this leader will be.... He realizes he's not sure what he hopes this will be like. Mostly, he wants a warm place to stay for the night. Still keeping his eyes down, he follows the she-cats to their shelter.​

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