- Dec 30, 2022
- 153
- 64
- 28
Strawmoon had looked like a kicked puppy when Mintshade discouraged them from seeking out decorations for their next. It had invoked all sorts of emotion in the older apprentice, rather glumly, they recognised one such feeling as smugness. Just days earlier, they'd predicted in a conversation with a RiverClanner that their clanmates would consider the arts as a waste of time, sure enough, they were right. Their heart yearned to let the calico know that there was nothing wrong with seeking out the mundane, that beauty could be just as worthwhile of a pursuit as hunting or fighting. Deep down, Snailpaw think they knew that still, they just feared to express it in front of such militant clanmates - it was an anxiety well understood by the sensitive tabby. Rebellion had taken over their thoughts when they'd gone out on patrol that day, slipping away from the 'main' hunting party to follow the direction the owl had last been spotted flying in. They'd predicted it would've rested in the crooks of the Horseplace trees and had scouted the ground as close to they could to it. Actually finding something was like trying to find a needle in a camp-sized haystack, but, sure enough, Snailpaw had returned to camp with something between their teeth.
Not a piece of prey, but a brown feather, its barbs striped like a tabby cat and a shock of white piercing from where the quill sat in pristine condition. Carrying it with all the care of a mother, they slipped towards Strawmoon's nest, identifiable from the rabble by the wildflowers lined by Sunflowerpaw just a day prior. They placed the feather atop the nest, deciding that if Strawmoon was not allowed to choose what feathers lined their nest, they could at least choose where to put the ones that were given. A weak smile beamed down at the solitary quill, the feline's head slightly dipped as they began a silent prayer. 'Let us make our own paths in life. Free from the expectations of others.' They lost track of how long they thought. They imagined themselves collecting more and more feathers until they had enough to weave together a set of wings to take to the sky and feel the real liberty that the wild had promised them. Would Strawmoon like that too? Sapphire eyes slowly opened and the tabby looked over their shoulder, eyes locking onto a calico not too far away.
"Heeeey Strawy! There's something weird here in your nest, you should check it out!" Snailpaw called with a knowing grin. Sure enough, if they'd attracted Strawmoon's attention, the other would not an owl feather, but a large kestrel feather, sitting atop its mossy cushion like a crown waiting for its lucky monarch. "Happy promotion day!"
[ @strawmoon ]
Not a piece of prey, but a brown feather, its barbs striped like a tabby cat and a shock of white piercing from where the quill sat in pristine condition. Carrying it with all the care of a mother, they slipped towards Strawmoon's nest, identifiable from the rabble by the wildflowers lined by Sunflowerpaw just a day prior. They placed the feather atop the nest, deciding that if Strawmoon was not allowed to choose what feathers lined their nest, they could at least choose where to put the ones that were given. A weak smile beamed down at the solitary quill, the feline's head slightly dipped as they began a silent prayer. 'Let us make our own paths in life. Free from the expectations of others.' They lost track of how long they thought. They imagined themselves collecting more and more feathers until they had enough to weave together a set of wings to take to the sky and feel the real liberty that the wild had promised them. Would Strawmoon like that too? Sapphire eyes slowly opened and the tabby looked over their shoulder, eyes locking onto a calico not too far away.
"Heeeey Strawy! There's something weird here in your nest, you should check it out!" Snailpaw called with a knowing grin. Sure enough, if they'd attracted Strawmoon's attention, the other would not an owl feather, but a large kestrel feather, sitting atop its mossy cushion like a crown waiting for its lucky monarch. "Happy promotion day!"
[ @strawmoon ]
