I HEAR THE VOICES WHEN I'M DREAMING ♡ leafhusk

[Palefire]

It was a rarity for Thunderclan to have more than a moment of peace to settle, to reflect and recover. But it had been a few weeks now since the attacks from Shadowclan and Riverclan. They had mourned their dead, and taken Fourtrees as extra hunting grounds to help them get through leaf-bare. Things were quiet for once, however short this respite might last. And Palefire had been turning over a certain conversation in her mind for moons now, a debt that she had no way to repay. Yet, the very least she could do was acknowledge the deed that had been done on her behalf.

The young warrior had been graced by a particularly successful hunt that morning, returning to camp with a plump squirrel clutched between her jaws. The creature must've gotten fat off a hefty store of buried seeds, from the weight of it. Of course she made certain that the nursery and elder's den had been taken care of first, but as soon as a warm-pointed pelt stepped into view, she moved to intercept. Leafhusk had just left the warrior's den when Palefire sidled up to her, offering the lead warrior a smile around the prey still filling her mouth.

She placed the offering of food on the ground at her paws, gesturing at the empty space beside them with her tail, blue eyes gleaming with determination. "Leafhusk," she greeted warmly. "I was hoping you'd share this with me? I've been wanting a moment to talk to you." It sounded rather ominous when she put it like that, but hopefully the older molly would humor her request and join her. The lyx-point swiftly tucked her paws under her chest as she settled on the chilled ground, waiting until her companion had done the same before she nudged the squirrel over for her to enjoy first.

"I um..." Stars, this is awkward. Palefire cleared her throat softly, her normally confident gaze lowering almost shamefully. "I wanted to say this a while ago, but things have been a bit chaotic recently." More than a bit, really, but that wasn't the point. Spit it out. "I wanted to thank you. For what you did. You know, with Ivorypaw, all those moons ago..." She finally lifted her eyes to meet Leafhusk's, now shining with emotion she was always too hesitant to openly share. "She means a lot to me. And not being able to be there for her when you were all forced into exile, it felt... impossible. But you promised to take care of her, and you brought her back safe. So thank you. I owe you more than I can repay."

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‎‎ooc ♡ info

• [ @leafhusk <33 ]

• 

• 
  PALEFIRE ♡ she / her, warrior of thunderclan, 21 moons
  ⭃ lh lilac lynx point w/ low white and striking blue eyes
  ⭃ single, crushing on no one // npc x npc
  ⭃ mentoring meadowpaw & ivorypaw // mentored by nightbird
  ⭃ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted // all opinions ic
  ⭃ underline and tag when attacking
  ⭃ penned by limerence ↛ @limericks. on discord, dm for plots

 

[leafhusk]

leafhusk lingered in her nest for a few extra minutes, plucking bits of moss and feathers from the ends of her curls. eventually, she departs from the decently warm den into the bitter cold. almost immediately, her name is called—already?—she hopes it's not about someone bleeding out in a ditch. it's far too early and cold to do any lead warrior duties.

thunderclan warriors loved feeling like they were indebted to leafhusk, didn't they? first it was tigerwing gifting her the cardinal feather; now, palefire strides up to her with the fattest squirrel of the season. a homegrown warrior would hesitate to accept something like this, but a lead warrior who used to cozy up to twolegs… she'll accept. "thank you, palefire. i hope you're not apologizing for anything, your guilt might make this taste awkward."

she settles beside the plump squirrel, understanding the other molly's gesture and taking the first bite. a paw hovers over her muzzle as she chews. leafhusk's expression shifts as palefire trips on her own words, expecting a more coherent approach from nightbird's former apprentice. well, spit it out.

"oh." is what she starts with. it's inaudible, simply her finally realizing what this was about. the extra attention, loyalty she is given under her title of lead warrior is nice, but stars she struggles with accepting parts of the job. in truth, she enjoyed bossing everyone around but she hated the circumstances of it. she promised palefire to keep ivorypaw safe because if that had been her, she'd need the reassurance— and to remind herself the weight of what was to come. living in the wild, commanding her clanmates, eyeing the small kits so they wouldn't die. if anything had happened to ivorypaw, or coltkit… leafhusk would still be suffocating with grief.

"of course. i knew what was coming, and you didn't… so it was only fair to let you know she was going to be safe. i would've lost my head if my first apprentice was suddenly sent away." leafhusk never doubted the ability of her fellow ex-kittypets, she knew exactly who to put where and who needed extra eyes. "she's lucky to have you."

her paw flicks dismissively, "this massive squirrel is enough payment, thank you. don't feel indebted to me, you're what... barley a cycle old."

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