pafp counting the days — question

[GRAVELSNAP]

Gravelpaw has got to stop allowing himself to be attacked by kits. First the child who took it upon themself to leap onto his tail, and now the annoying little prince who seems to think he’s better than Gravelpaw. They’re sick and tired of all the irritating pests who won’t leave them alone. Hopefully once the clan’s abundance of kits reach the age of apprenticeship, they’ll be less unbearable.

The black-patched apprentice can usually be found lounging around the camp in their free time, but Sootstar’s latest litter have seemingly taken it upon themselves to destroy Gravelpaw’s peace and quiet. They recall a golden-furred warrior telling them that Sunstride knows of particularly quiet places in the territory, and with that their mind is made up.

Actually finding the sunny tom is easier said than done, but after a while Gravelpaw finally spots him just as he’s about to leave camp. They move quickly to catch up to him, pale paws slowing to match pace with the taller cat. "Sunstride," they greet the older cat as amicably as they can muster. "Your… Wolfsong suggested that you know of quiet places. To relax." Hazel eyes narrow as they look up to him, appraising. He doesn’t seem an unreasonable warrior, but Lynxtooth also isn’t unreasonable, and Gravelpaw is well aware of just how violent their father can be.

// pls wait for @SUNSTRIDE
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[ DEATH OF A DREAM ]​

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[SUNNVAR]

He has never found himself eager for fatherhood. Though they do not irritate him the way that they seem to irritate Gravelpaw, his father had near pleaded (as much as one such as him could ever plead for anything) to no avail. He did not find them unbearable, but the totality of them is certainly...overwhelming, to say the least. He enjoys it at times. As a friend, or a visitor. To know it all the time must surely drive their parents mad; he can imagine what it would do to Gravelpaw, who is neither parent nor willing visitor. It had amused him at first, to know that he too was harassed from so many angles. Now, however, his sympathy has outpaced mirth. Were it only so easy as to tell them to stop. A certain bubble has formed around the leader's litter. Though neither parent seems wholly opposed to learning their lessons throughout camp, it is difficult not to fear retribution.

Had the others worried similarly of him? The leader's son, constantly underfoot. This, then, must be his penance. Saving others from much the same.

Startled by the apprentice's voice, though settling quickly with the near-friendly tone of it, he halts in his path to allow an explanation. His tail curls in silent amusement at your Wolfsong, though another part of his mind cannot help but wonder after its meaning. His what, exactly? The other warrior was far from his charge. "He must think well of you, to say that much." Typically, Wolfsong is far more reluctant to share details of where he might be found at his most relaxed. Not that any in WindClan might harm him in such a way. He still pauses to think, tail still swishing. "Come, then. You are just in luck– I was bound towards one such spot already. Perhaps you will find some peace there."

﹥ˏˋ〘  OOC NOTES INFORMATION 〙ˊˎ﹤

• ooc: so SO sorry this is late oh gosh
• SUNSTRIDE. named for his coloration and his bold chasing of fate.
  —— cis male, uses he - him. thirty-four moons old. warrior of windclan and former rogue.
  —— cautious of clan life, but an apt learner. encourages close bonds between clanmates.
  —— loyalty uncertain, cares for those surrounding him. undoubtedly closest to wolfsong.
  
  sunstride is broad and bold– a creature standing above most of windclan, though not a beast beyond its borders, with fur that flames red at its base and deepens to a burnt amber with every whorl and stripe. his eyes, in comparison, are a pale summer's blue, still as bold as the rest of him.
• "speech"

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[WINDSTRIDER]

Windstrider was becoming so used to the noise that quiet was more a luxury than something to break. It was a static in their ears, a constant reminder, humming, and their stress was thrashing when they allowed it to be more than just a buzzing in their ear. Caught between exasperation and love, they struggled to find the middle ground, wanting to be a good sibling (the most favourite) and wanting nothing more than to leave camp.

So, it was only natural that relax carried them like the scent of fresh meat, practically floating on the idea. Oh, they hadn't worked so hard today. No catches for the pile. And they hadn't nearly ran as much as they'd liked. Windstrider couldn't relax until it was fulfilled, a selfimposed task drilled into their mind. Blinking tired eyes, the smoke droned, "I'll come with. If you'll have me." Their mere face-shape may have reminded Gravelpaw too much of the nuisances plaguing their daily life now, and Windstrider couldn't just declare their accompanyment no matter what with Sunstride there.

Angled towards an easy exit, and acutely studying their two clanmates' faces for any sign of rejection, their mind withered under the idea of a quiet, relaxing time. And yet they craved it. Maybe they could stay for just an hour or so...​

 

[GRAVELSNAP]

Sunstride doesn’t seem to resent being bothered, thankfully. He looks surprised at first, to be spoken to, but quickly offers Gravelpaw a response. Their gaze remains firmly on the older WindClanner’s face, eyes dull but interested in what the warrior is saying. "I sure hope he does," they reply to his first statement, an admission that they do not make lightly. Wolfsong ranks among their favorite warriors in the clan, so the remark that he must think highly of them is reassuring.

They glance around at the camp, hoping to spot any of their calmer clanmates who may want to join them—not that they want another cat to join, but they’ve grown to enjoy the quieter cats of the clan, so perhaps they wouldn’t mind having another come with them, only if they swear to keep the location a secret. And as if they’d felt Gravelpaw’s searching, their favorite of Sootstar’s brood makes their way over, asking to join them. "Yeah, come on, as long as you can keep up," they say in a dry voice, the only betrayal of their joking being the quirk of a black brow. Then Gravelpaw turns back to Sunstride, questioning, "Where is the spot we’re going to, anyway?" They could just be patient and wait for the lead warrior to take them there, but they’re eager to get out of camp.
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[ DEATH OF A DREAM ]​

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