into the open air || intro

R

ruddy !

Guest
Greenleaf had always been Ruddy's favorite season. Prey was plentiful and stupid, which meant the group wasn't in danger of starving. Plus, this Greenleaf season was special. A moon ago, he had met a pretty molly. She was a loner, and while she had expressed an interest in joining the Pine Group, Ruddy was determined to keep things the way they were. He was rather fond of his current life, the one he'd had since he was born, and didn't want things to change. No one needed to know about Oxbow, but they could continue having fun together. After meeting with her that sunrise, he made sure to hunt on his way back to the group.

During his hunt, he had managed to catch a fatty squirrel. The squirrel had been enough, but he stumbled across a blue bird with an injured wing. He didn't hesitate to kill it as well.

With great effort, Ruddy carried both of his prey items back to camp, tossing them into the clearing. "Jus' caught some fresh prey if anyone is hungry!"​
 
in character out of character overview
  • Is it hunger or nausea twisting Petal's gut? Hunger, because ae hasn't eaten all day, because ae had pushed aerself too far the previous day and woke up only moments before Ruddy's return. Nausea, because walking too fast and too long—despite never once stepping a paw outside of camp—leaves aer exhausted and unable to concentrate, and the sight of fresh prey reminds aer that ae may never hunt again. Hunt, or fight, or...climb. Not when a slip could prove disastrous. Ruddy and Petal hold drastically differing opinions of one moon ago: his is sweetened by a memory of a happy encounter, and aers is bitter with an illness that ae can't seem to shake. Every breath ae draws into aer lungs also draws attention to the tightness in aer chest, and aer limbs wade through air as if through water.

    Uncertainly, Petal hovers a short distance away from the fresh prey, aer rumbling stomach warring with the dryness in the back of aer throat.
  • Petal is a dilute calico tabby shorthair with pale-green eyes. Once a brash and athletic adolescent capable of climbing to the tops of the pines, inactivity has softened aer figure into gentle curves. Ae is a wallflower and has withdrawn further into aerself since aer sickness, timid toward all but the closest of loved ones. Though easily fatigued and taken ill, ae tries to divert from feelings of deficiency by completing random tasks for others, small as they may be. Those who remember aer as a self-willed daredevil may find the transformation into a spiritless waif, desperately clinging to hope, disquieting.
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Fresh prey was always exemplary! He was surprised that Ruddy was willing to share, but the tom was strange. Wouldn't it be better to keep it all for yourself? Sharing? Kinda dumb. Whatever the case he bounded over, who was he to pass down an offer of free food? Not a fool for sure and boy did this save him from going out to hunt later on. He does notice Petal, yet he decides it's not his place to say anything. He does spare her a glance before running over to one of the items Ruddy has offered. To not be a total Jerkwad, he turns his attention to Ruddy. "Wow Ruddy! Mind teaching me some tricks? Can't let you feed the entire clan all by yourself now!" In truth he was lying and this was all a matter of formality. Coughs, to be a little suck up and win some brownie points with Ruddy. If it didn't work oh well, but hey. Ruddy couldn't say he was rude as he snatched the prey that Petal may have been eyeing. ​
 
Ruddy has brought not one, but two decent pieces of prey into the camp. Char gives a small nod to the tom, who has had a lightness to his step in the past few moons. The tabby does not pretend to know about the other's personal life, but he is no stranger to love and what it brings to one's existence. He flicks scarred ears and turns to the shy, skittish feline hovering near the prey. Char doesn't know Petal, but he recognizes hunger... it's another thing one comes to learn the signs of after a long life.

The tabby is about to rise and allow Petal to have a bite when a kitten-sized white tom comes between them and the food. Silk wastes no time in congratulating Ruddy and taking a piece of prey for himself.

Char scowls. From what he knows of Petal, the feline hasn't been well, and has trouble feeding themselves. Of course, no one is obligated to hunt for others, but to see the greed in Silk's face... he goes to the other tom and gives him a dark look. "I know you wanted to share with Petal," he says pointedly. "Come 'ere, Petal. Which piece do ya like better? I'll make sure you get to taste some." He flicks his striped tail towards the quiet feline.
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in character out of character overview
  • Petal startles back at Silkworm's abrupt approach. Embarrassment heats aer ears—ae should have thought to thank Ruddy on his hunt! Ae always liked how others would praise aer after a successful patrol. Hunting was the best way ae could provide for the group, and shy pleasure bloomed in aer chest every time ae watched them eat well of aer catch. The struggles of the past moon left aer forgetful and easily confused, but that's no excuse to not express gratitude. Even if it reminds aer of what ae cannot have.

    Ae flinches again, hearing aer name spoken and expecting to be scolded. Others can say the right things so easily, but the skill has never come naturally to aer; ae doesn't even need to speak to put aer paw in aer mouth. But instead, Char gestures kindly toward aer. "Oh." Petal ducks aer head, avoiding eye contact as ae draws a little closer. "I don't mind...Thank you, Ruddy," ae says quickly. Then, before timidity can get the better of aer, ae adds to Char, "And—thank you."
  • quick note: Petal is nonbinary with ae/aer pronouns! 😊
  • Petal is a dilute calico tabby shorthair with pale-green eyes. Once a brash and athletic adolescent capable of climbing to the tops of the pines, inactivity has softened aer figure into gentle curves. Ae is a wallflower and has withdrawn further into aerself since aer sickness, timid toward all but the closest of loved ones. Though easily fatigued and taken ill, ae tries to divert from feelings of deficiency by completing random tasks for others, small as they may be. Those who remember aer as a self-willed daredevil may find the transformation into a spiritless waif, desperately clinging to hope, disquieting.
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