- Feb 6, 2024
- 93
- 18
- 8
CW: mentions of death & illness
Grief was a unique phenomenon. It shapes cats. It changes cats.
For some, it brought anger; Sneezeduck thinks of Singeglare, the way he called out the medicine cat's bluff. For others, it brings sorrow, like little Gigglepaw mourning at her mother's side. In some, it brings a mixture of both, merging and warping into a desire for truth, for answers, for justice. In this, Sneezeduck sees himself.
Inevitably, some cats would give up on this search for answers and foretelling. They would turn their back on the only beings that could provide. Sneezeduck only strengthened in his resolve, desperation turning his gaze to places he hadn't considered in his youth. To the stars shining above, he raises his chin, and begins to speak aloud so that they may hear his pleas, and so others may pray with him.
"Times have become dark, StarClan," Sneezeduck begins, blinking the beginnings of tears away from his eyes. There is much to long for, much to wish. They have heard him before.. would they hear him again? "Please ensure Starlingheart arrives safely, and may look upon her friends and family comfortably."
For Marblepaw. For everyone she had left behind. For the deceased foxhearts that once wronged her. Sneezeduck swallows hard, and continues. "And.. look upon Marblepaw, so that her wound may heal. I pray that you.. guide them, with Starlingheart's paws. I don't think she will.. ever stop guiding them.." If he were a mentor, he would still make time to train with his apprentice, even amongst the stars. Like Siltcloud did with him - even though.. she was never his mentor.
His real mentor; would she still guide him, if she passed tonight? Would he visit him? Would he think more kindly of him under the stars' influence? His relationship with Sharpshadow was confusing, rocky at best - and yet, he feels his throat tighten at the thought of losing him. After every small quarrel, every disagreement, every time he looked at her and thought.. I am not good enough, even when they hardly speak these days; he still cannot bare to lose her.
Even Siltcloud could not truly replace Sharpshadow. There is no cat quite like him.
"A-and may Sharpshadow recover from his illness. I may not be an apprentice anymore, but she is still, in a way, my mentor. I - ShadowClan needs her." And - he cannot forget his manners. Sneezeduck draws in a deep breath, blinks away cold tears, and manages a small grateful smile. "Thank you."
Grief was a unique phenomenon. It shapes cats. It changes cats.
For some, it brought anger; Sneezeduck thinks of Singeglare, the way he called out the medicine cat's bluff. For others, it brings sorrow, like little Gigglepaw mourning at her mother's side. In some, it brings a mixture of both, merging and warping into a desire for truth, for answers, for justice. In this, Sneezeduck sees himself.
Inevitably, some cats would give up on this search for answers and foretelling. They would turn their back on the only beings that could provide. Sneezeduck only strengthened in his resolve, desperation turning his gaze to places he hadn't considered in his youth. To the stars shining above, he raises his chin, and begins to speak aloud so that they may hear his pleas, and so others may pray with him.
"Times have become dark, StarClan," Sneezeduck begins, blinking the beginnings of tears away from his eyes. There is much to long for, much to wish. They have heard him before.. would they hear him again? "Please ensure Starlingheart arrives safely, and may look upon her friends and family comfortably."
For Marblepaw. For everyone she had left behind. For the deceased foxhearts that once wronged her. Sneezeduck swallows hard, and continues. "And.. look upon Marblepaw, so that her wound may heal. I pray that you.. guide them, with Starlingheart's paws. I don't think she will.. ever stop guiding them.." If he were a mentor, he would still make time to train with his apprentice, even amongst the stars. Like Siltcloud did with him - even though.. she was never his mentor.
His real mentor; would she still guide him, if she passed tonight? Would he visit him? Would he think more kindly of him under the stars' influence? His relationship with Sharpshadow was confusing, rocky at best - and yet, he feels his throat tighten at the thought of losing him. After every small quarrel, every disagreement, every time he looked at her and thought.. I am not good enough, even when they hardly speak these days; he still cannot bare to lose her.
Even Siltcloud could not truly replace Sharpshadow. There is no cat quite like him.
"A-and may Sharpshadow recover from his illness. I may not be an apprentice anymore, but she is still, in a way, my mentor. I - ShadowClan needs her." And - he cannot forget his manners. Sneezeduck draws in a deep breath, blinks away cold tears, and manages a small grateful smile. "Thank you."
