camp mountain rain // fortifying nursery

[butterflytuft]

The morning sun is nothing more than a pale ghost, struggling to push its light through the thick, iron-gray clouds above. The air bites sharper than Butterflytuft remembers for this time of year, each breath puffing from her muzzle in thin streams of mist. She shivers, her tortoiseshell fur fluffed against the cold as she nudges an errant bramble back into place near the nursery's entrance. It's early - too early, she thinks with a pang of worry - for this kind of frost to settle across the camp.

The queen steps back, surveying her work. The holly bush that shelters the nursery has kept them safe through many leaf-bares, but even the strongest dens need reinforcement. Her dandelion eyes narrow with determination as she considers what more can be done. The kits depend on these walls to keep them warm and safe, and she won't let them down. "I wish leaf-fall wasn't in such a hurry to leave this season," She murmurs, almost to herself, but the words drift out on a frosty breeze. Turning, she scans the camp for any warriors or apprentices who might be willing to help. There's no time to waste. She'll need bracken, moss, pine needles, and more branches if she wants to fully shield the den from the wind's bite.

But oh, she hates to impede! Her brow knits together as she looks around, finally forcing out a pitiful, "A-anyone free to help, um…fortify the nursery?" Maybe that was too quiet. She swallows hard and flicks her tail nervously behind her. She tries again, her ever-soft voice only slightly louder (which still is quite quiet), "The kits would…um, appreciate the extra warmth."
​

 

[Howlfire]

"I don't mind lending a paw!" Howlfire responded cheerfully, when she heard Butterflytuft's request for help. With all the work she had been doing in camp as of late, Howlfire hadn't really had much chance to stop by the nursery. A shame really, because she enjoyed spending time with the young of the clan, and catching up with Bitterflytuft who she considered a dear friend after their shared time in the nursery together.

Howlfire padded towards the nursery, walking a little ways inside and trying to gauge what needed to be done and what she needed to make said repairs."Let me see if I can find some moss," She mewed, stepping back out to speak with Bitterflytuft. Howlfire was about to go marching off, when she paused and turned back, suddenly realising she didn't know if Butterflytuft had any materials to use herself. "Actually, what do you have Butterflytuft? I think the walls could probably do with some more branches to make them sturdier, but do you have any moss at all? Or anything spare we could use?"​

 

[Uranuskit]

"BRRR!! Butterfly - why is it so cold?" Usually they would've head back to their two-legs by now. Usually they would be all warm and stuff and petted (groomed?) by their two-legs but Uranuskit had insisted on going out. She was a big strong warrior after all! Or was gonna be. And to do that she had to face all the hardships that being a not-kittypet had! but why did it have to be so cold?.
"Why is leaf-fall leaving? Did we scare it off? Are we that good of hunters?" A note of pride in her voice as she continued her interrogation, "I speak for all kits saying we would like some extra warmth! But why don't we build a big ol' thing over camp? Like - Hi Howlfire! How are you? - like a giant den over the whole camp? Why don't we do that? And why can't I use some of my fur to pad the den's walls? Why is that a thing? Or not a thing?"
Remembering her manners way to late, she frowns and closes her maw, hoping she didn't speak completely over Howlfire. She shoots the warrior a facial expression that screams 'sorry! Please don't tell my mom that I was rude!' before looking at Butterflytuft, awaiting answers from the permaqueen.

✧ ~~

•  
• she/her 2 moons Peaceful & healing powerplay allowed

 

[Chickbloom]

For once, the baby bird's arrival would be signaled by chattering teeth instead of a strangled, stuttered greeting (though that would certainly come later). Chickbloom knew he had a tendency to overthink and assume the worst, but the pessimistic milksop could swear it was colder than it was at the the same time last cycle. Maybe he was just misremembering. this time last year, Chickbloom was still a full-time kittypet, near-constantly stuck inside. Maybe he just didn't have a good sense for the weather? yes, that must be it.

The weepy warrior successfully tethered himself for a grand total of five seconds until Butterflytuft's request reached folded ears. Her quiet voice, laced with both self-consciousness and concern, sent the Scottish Fold forwards (while at the same time convincing him they were all about to freeze to death). since camp was clearly about to be hit by a blizzard, Chickbloom would spend these last moments helping the object of his (imagined) affections. That was romantic, right?

"I - I wish I s-saved those weeds...walls are more - y'know - more u-useful than crowns or necklaces..." He muttered to the queen with a huff, as if dry humor was a replacement for warmth. Skilled paws had no materials to work with, though, so instead he had to make do with words. crouching down, dinnerplate eyes focused on Uranuskit and their cavalcade of questions. The shy boy was easily overwhelmed, though, and only managed to sputter out a single response. "Well if you - if you use your fur, you won't have it when you leave, and you'll - y'know - you'll get cold on the walk home, so..." Chickbloom trailed off for a moment before realizing what way that could be taken. "T-That goes for every cat, too. d-don't try to pull out any fur, please..."​

 

[morningkit]

There is a lot of bustling around being done in the nursery today... Butterflytuft evacuates the warm insulation to gab with some other huge cats that Morningkit is not familiar with. One of her den-mates hares after them to investigate whatever is being proposed and though the tortoiseshell holds a small glimmer of curiosity, there is an unshakable tiredness that clings to her and demands rest. She curls up tightly against her parent, peeking baby-blue eyes in the direction of those who set to work on reinforcing the nursery. It would be extra cozy soon... and she wouldn't have to mewl in frustration about every strong headwind anymore, if their efforts were successful.

A snot bubble pops from her nose, earning it a disdained swipe of a wipe to get the goop off of her face before ultimately having to groom her now sticky paw. Salty... not nearly as satisfying as the sweetness of milk. Icky...

holding onto a love ˗ˏˋ ´ˎ˗ they keep wanting

• crowsight x oddgleam x owlheart
  pearlkit - cuckookit - morningkit​ - brightkit - ravenkit​

​

 

[butterflytuft]

Butterflytuft's eyes light up with relief as Howlfire's cheerful voice cuts through the morning air. A small, grateful smile tugs at her lips as she watches her friend approach, warmth blooming in her chest at the sight of a familiar face. "Oh, Howlfire, thank you," She mews softly, her voice tinged with genuine appreciation. "I'm worried this frost will seep right through, and I'd rather not take any chances with the little ones." Tail flicking nervously, she gestures with her paw toward the gaps in the holly bush and the thinning layers of bracken already showing signs of wear.

"I've been gathering what I can, but we'll need more bracken and pine needles," The tortoiseshell explains, stepping aside to let the lead warrior take a closer look. "And if we can find any extra moss for insulation, that would help too." Her sunflower-yellow eyes meet Howlfire's hazel, silently conveying her gratitude once more. "With you here, I'm sure we'll have this nursery fortified in no time!" There's a rare note of confidence in her voice.

She looks up as Chickbloom approaches and purrs a greeting. His stammered response to Uranuskit draws an amused mrrp from her as her eyes squeeze shut briefly in laughter. "Don't worry. We're making sure the nursery is as cozy as a rabbit's burrow before the cold decides to settle in for good. No need to use your own fur," She trills, sweeping her tail over the kit's back playfully.

​

 

[Howlfire]

She is pleased when her offer of help is not declined, smiling at her friend, as the queen accepted her help and admitted her worries about the frost getting in. "Don't worry, I'm sure we'll be able to fortify it before something like that could happen," Howlfire assured her, hopeful that their efforts today would prevent any such frost from getting in. It was already looking to be a harsh leafbare, they didn't need the kits and queens getting a chill or worse on top of that. After Butterflytuft gave her some suggestions for materials to gather, Howlfire turned her gaze to Uranuskit, who proceeded to suggest making a giant nest in camp.

"That would be a good idea, Uranuskit, if only we had the resources for such a task," She mewed, giving a little fake dramatic sigh. "I think even with the addition of some of Chickbloom's weed, we wouldn't have enough." She gave the jittery tom a playful nudge with her shoulder before slipping outside, leaving him to deal with the kits, whilst she went in search of some further insulation. Howlfire was gone for a short while before she returned, dragging a clump of moss, and a precariously held pine needles. She set the materials down gently, mindful not to let any of the kits stray too close to the pine needles, lest they accidentally poke themselves. "Couldn't find any bracken, but I hope this will suffice for now."​

 

[budkit]

Her usual exuberance is subdued with the cold front rolling in, bulldozing the warmth Budkit once bathed in. Her thin pelt puffs meager against the chill as the point kitten watches her mother work on the nursery entrance. Part of her selfishly wants Butterflytuft to come back to the nest and warm her once more – though the maturing portion of the older kit's mind knows that that would be a short term comfort and ultimately they'd all end up cold once more.

Howlfire and Chickbloom come to the monarch hued queen's aid, and Budkit all but fazes out the conversation as Uranuskit begins prattling off words as fast as she used to. It's the subtle movement from the corner of her eye that claims her attention. A clumsy swipe of goop from Morningkit's nose followed by the little kit trying to clean her paw of the…

Budkit's nose scrunches in disgust.

"Morningkit, just wipe it on the moss. Your nest moss. Don't… Don't lick it!" The kitten instructs loudly once the initial roil of her tummy ceases and is replaced by… some kind of concern for the younger kit.​

[ penned by kerms ]​

 

[BRIGHTKIT]

✦ — Brightkit blinks her own baby-blues at the sound of movement though the small kitten stays where she is and that's nestled beside the rest of her littermates next to their parent. The two-toned kitten is about ready to fall asleep until the loud instructing voice of Budkit seems to ruin that for her and she can't help but make an angry face towards the older kit or attempted to make one. There isn't a lot of angry faces to go off from within the nursery though her attention shifts to Morningkit licking up her own snot that she swiped away with a paw and blinks her eyes at the movement. Her gaze snaps over to Budkit once more as she quietly notes the way that the other's nose is wrinkled with... what was it? Disgust?

She isn't certain but it makes Budkit look awfully funny and it causes a shrill giggle to leave Brightkit only to turn to Morningkit once more and wrinkles her snout at her sister "EEEEEEEE! EEEEWWWW!" She seems to squeal and shakes her head at her sister but for a brief heartbeat, she stops and her head tilts to the side with a bit of wondering. What did her sister's nasty little goopy goo-sludge taste like? Maybe she'd sneak a taste when Budkit's judgemental gaze goes elsewhere... Yes, that's a good idea.

A WHOLE GARDEN ON FLOWERS -`✦´- AND MY NAME ETCHED ON A ROCK

• ooc —

• 

• 
  ✦ a vibrant, curly furred blue torbie with high white and olive-green eyes
  ✦ much like her name given to her by her parents, she's a bright individual with an overly imaginative mind that comes into play ever day in her life. she's very childish and has a very colorful vocabulary, brightkit can oftentimes come off as quite blunt or sharp-tongued later on in life. all opinions are IC only
  ✦ ages realistically; born 10.12.24
  ✦ sexuality unknown; too young to consider love
  ✦ child of oddgleam, owlheart, and crowsight
  ✦ sister to pearlkit, morningkit, cuckookit, and ravenkit
  ✦ relatively easy to befriend and make your enemy ; will start fights always
  ✦ "speech", thoughts, attacking
  ✦ peaceful powerplay allowed

​

 

[SATURNKIT]

Even with his coat of thick kitten-fluff, Saturnkit feels the edge of discomfort seeping through. He's never been so cold, and he's never had much reason to be, he supposes. Their twolegplace den is always much warmer than this is, much more comfortable than the nursery his blabbering littermate keeps them within.

But Uranuskit insists they stay in the forest longer, and Saturnkit isn't going to leave a sibling behind, is he? Of course not. Instead, the boy has to suffer, has to listen to Uranuskit ask all her questions to the queens and watch the younger kits blow snot bubbles. His face twists in disgust at Morningkit and he finds himself shifting away from her and closer to Uranuskit as the other kits squeal at the icky tortoiseshell.

Gross.

" Can we… go home now? " he asks his littermate, silently hoping their mother will override any protest she might give to Saturnkit and just take them all home.
​