camp pinned to an evening road ♡ confession [pafp]

[edenberry ?!]

𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊 〰 Okay... they'd done it. The one big thing they needed out of the way had been accomplished- the overwhelming sense of dogged failure was a little lighter, they could sit a little straighter. No collar... a dead squirrel... finally, they were starting to look more and more like a proper warrior. Like the kind their friends looked like. Fussing over the wild tangles of fur at their chest, the black-striped cat waits in horrendous anticipation... She'd be back any time now and they'd have to just... blurt it out! If they hesitated, her eyes might become a distraction... her delicate coat might make them shy. It'd been on the tip of their tongue for ages now but sheer embarrassment (she was so far out of their league) had kept it a baited breath secret.

The undergrowth rustles and they are on their feet in a near-instant jump of excitement, claws kneaded so far into the dirt anyone could see the gouges aligned with their paws.

"Heyyy Cherryyyyypawwww," they chirp, trying not to get too overwhelmed by the anxious butterflies in their belly. Plodding up to her as if the world were unchanged, that things were easy and breezy as the coming new leaf air... Cheesy subconscious imaginings of strawberry-dappled fur tucked under their chin with the flowers in full bloom are shaken from their head with a very much physical effort.

Gesturing towards the fresh-kill pile, the daylight apprentice gives a small summary of their great success- "I managed to catch a mouse today!" In the heart of winter no less... maybe they weren't such a soft-pawed ninny after all. Tiny improvements unfolded themselves in slow time, as if their high spirits were being snuffed by intentional delay. It wouldn't stop them, as they moved head long into rambling.

"I was just thinking... about how we're gonna be warriors super soon...." Teeth drawn into a practiced smile, a summer-green gaze searching hers for recognition. "We've been friends a long time now huh? Like... not as long as you've known Lupinepaw obviously but.... nearly our whole lives! And uh..."

Don't stop! Run! The shrill cry of their own hesitation demands that the tongue keep moving, presses insistently to get to the good part, stop stalling, quit stating obvious facts. Squeezing their eyes shut, they scrunch up their nose as if preparing to have their ears cuffed by deft paws, "I really like you Cherrypaw! Like... a lot!! And not in just the 'we're best friends' kind of way I...."

Their mouth runs dry, already humiliated by the most profoundly unromantic way of admitting their desires. Nervously, they squint to peek at her again, begging for more than a face of discomfort or horror. "Is.... it okay? If we try it....?"

@Cherrypaw​

 

[Cherryblossom]

Cherrypaw stifles a yawn as she ducks through the spare underground, careful not to let much of it snag on her snow-white coat. A few snags were inevitable, and perhaps even a blessing, because then they became little excuses to share tongues with her friends. But even if she were armed to the teeth in debris, twigs quilling every which way out of her pelt like a porcupine's, her friends still might not be able to spare the time to help her out. Falconpaw was constantly draining Lupinepaw of their time together, of course, and Edenpaw was apparently getting more serious about being a warrior. They had made their lauded first catch recently. Perhaps their elder-lover of a mentor had more to her than she let on.

Either way, she doesn't expect such an enthusiastic homecoming. "Heyyyy," she trills, covering up the remainder of her surprise with an open grin. "Wow," she purrs, privately somewhat unimpressed by the news but happy for her friend nonetheless. More fresh-kill was always a good thing, especially seeing as her return had been empty-jawed (sounds like something her mother would say).

She takes a few steps forwards, a silent invitation for Edenpaw to follow somewhere where they weren't blocking the main corridor to camp. Edenpaw would chatter on as they always do, and Cherrypaw licks her chest between steps, keeping mismatched ears angled towards them. "Uh huh..." Edenpaw's Greenleaf stare is warm on her cheek, but she delays her returned glance for a moment too long. Did they have to mention Lupinepaw? She hadn't told them...yet...but eventually word would spread. "Mmhmm, I know..." "Nearly a whole life" wasn't that long when neither of them had lived for four seasons yet.

Edenpaw is silent for a moment, long enough to make Cherrypaw wonder where they were going with this. It wasn't like she disliked having them as a friend, because why would she be friends with someone she didn't enjoy being around? It was just, put into comparison with Lupinepaw...they fall short in a myriad of little, hidden ways. And try as they might in this moment to rise above the station Cherrypaw's mind had shunted them into, she can't help the worm of unease crawling beneath her shock, markedly different from the butterflies that had bloomed from Lupinepaw.

Their eyes are shut; she allows herself a heartbeat to let her eyes fly wide and mouth slacken. An ear twitches to the background clamor of camp, noticed only with the sudden quiet that seemed to have invaded the area around them. "Oh, Edenpaw..." Affection is pity is strangling her heart. Cherrypaw takes a precipitous step towards them, and when they fully open their eyes, they'd find her nose close enough to theirs to feel the restrained breaths floating from it. "Yeah, it's okay," she murmurs, blinking down the pale bridge of her nose into the field of their gaze.

The weight of the moment thrums in her ears—what is she doing? Whatever other options she had drift away in the wintry breeze like scraps of ripped paper. Even now, possessed by a sudden longing for the one who actually wants her, she thinks of Lupinepaw. The implication of Scorchpaw instead of Edenpaw is not lost on her, but she doesn't mind this outcome. She wants to see the look on her face—no, no, she should be looking at Edenpaw.

She grants them another smile, uncharacteristically tender. "Let's...get away from here, hmm?" Her head is swimming with something. It couldn't be love; she'd already decided that was reserved for Lupinepaw. But looking at Edenpaw, she wonders if she could love two at once: the one who desired her and the one she desired. Maybe that wasn't fair, but Edenpaw would never have to know. And, in time, maybe she would come to look at them they way they looked at her. For now, she simply basks in it.​

 

[Glimmersun]

Avoiding Cherrypaw was a skill that Glimmerpaw has developed well over time. It’s not like they hate her, as that’s their sister, but even still. If they stick around her too long, it just tends to rile them up in a way they actually do hate, so they just mind their own business. Avoiding things is something they’re great at, after all.

They only see Edenpaw at first, and they want to stroll over and talk to one of the only cats they truly see as a friend. But then Cherrypaw shows up, and they take a step back, hoping they weren’t noticed. A jealous ping rings true, and they don’t attempt to shove it down this time as they watch intently, eyes narrowed.

It’s just a casual conversation, at first. Edenpaw successfully catching prey finally, and they want to yell how proud they are of them, to interrupt the two. But they don’t. Morbid curiosity freezes them in place, a pit in their stomach forming as they almost expect things to go wrong, how stagnant the conversation is.

And it does. In a move surprising them to their very core, Edenpaw admits that they have feelings for Cherrypaw. What? They like her? How come they never noticed before? Were they really that absorbed into their friendship that they were this blind? …And why her? Why does everyone love her?

Once again, Cherrypaw gets everything. The one thing they ever wanted, taken from them as she accepts the confession. As they go off on their own, Glimmerpaw don’t make any moves to follow. They’ll never amount to anything, anyways. They don’t pay attention to where they’re going, leaving in silent tears.

// OOC : In and out!​

 

[Springshine]

Springpaw is no stranger to love, as a matter of fact she thinks that she may be an expert in it. She had seen it before, in her parents eyes, has felt it so freely for the small things in life. The way the sky looked at dawn when the world was just waking up, the birds singing in the trees overhead, small bugs and insects that are living their own lives completely separate from theirs, from hers.

Edenpaw's confession is very public, which is okay! Love should not be a private thing hidden away in her eyes but rather displayed openly. If that is how you feel then why waste precious moments not saying it? "Awww you guys are sooooo cute!" she pipes up, ignoring Glimmerpaw and the sour look that crosses their face. She doesn't know what has their tail in the twist but she, for one, is happy for Cherrypaw and Edenpaw. "One day, when I grow up, I hope someone reeealllyy likes me the way those two reeeaalllyy like each other" she tells whoever was closest to her, her eyes shining and a wide smile on her face.

( ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ ) my heart I surrender

• 
  
  
• 
  SPRINGPAW SKYCLAN APPRENTICE ; SHE / HER ; SISTER TO PUMPKINPAW
  

  A small she-cat with fluffy black and white fur and bright blue eyes

  ✦ Easy in battle + has little to no formal battle training
  

​

 

[BLAZINGHEART]

YOU TELL ME THAT YOU NEED ME — Unfortunately for Springpaw, the closest cat happens to be Blazingpaw as he watches everything unfold between Edenpaw and Cherrypaw. A feathered ear flicking carelessly only to make a face as the bridge of his nose scrunches up watching the two cats walk away from the scene and Glimmerpaw is quick to make an exit as well, he can't help but watch as they walk off and he frowns with confusion. This love stuff seemed stupid and overrated, sure, his parents loved each other very much and had him along with his siblings but it seemed so... Weird to him. Familial love is something he's more acquainted with and he hopes that one day he doesn't turn into some lovestruck dimwitted fool when he's older, he would never confess such a thing publicly either. What if Edenpaw had been rejected for all the clan to see? How embarrassing. He'd much rather eat a rock than ever do something so... Reckless. And most importantly dumb. The bicolored molly next to him mentions how she wishes that someone liked her as much as Edenpaw liked Cherrypaw and he can't help but scowl in the slightest. The clan crybaby? Oh boy, he couldn't imagine who'd be squirrelbrained enough to love such a cat like Springpaw.

He remembers when he had made her cry over a beetle and how boogers crusted her dark nose while fat, salty tears rolled down fuzzy kitten cheeks. Springpaw's chances were looking rather slim, in his opinion, and Blazingpaw thinks over what he should say in this situation. If he says the wrong thing to sensitive little Springpaw, she would bawl in public again and make him appear awful again. "I guess. I mean, they'd have to have a loooooot of patience." The russet apprentice begins to reply to her with a rather blunt voice and uncaring shrug of his shoulders, "And hope that you don't wipe your snot and tears all over em." The sides of his mouth twitch as if a smile threatened to appear on his maw and this was the closest the tabbied tom was getting to being playful or humorous around the molly. "They'd have to rename your future mate something like... Snotfur or Wetpelt." A red paw lifts to stifle a giggle and he rises to his paws slowly, he casts her one last look with a thoughtful furrow of his brows "Or call you Runningeyes." For how much she tended to cry as a kit though he allows her to process this and flicks his feathery tail deciding to dismiss himself.

That would definitely be quite the day... When Springpaw had someone padding after her. How funny. He stands up on his paws and pads off.

/ in & out

YOU TELL ME THAT YOU LOVE ME 𓆩✧𓆪 AND I KNOW THAT IM RIGHT

• 

• 
  ✧ longhaired red tabby tom with green eyes
  ✧ 5 moons old; ages the 28th every month
  ✧ sexuality unknown; too young
  ✧ son of coyotecrest and howlfire
  ✧ brother to wolfpaw and hawkpaw
  ✧ currently being mentored by bobbie
  ✧ easy to befriend ; oftentimes quick to anger
  ✧ "speech", thoughts, attacking
  ✧ peaceful powerplay allowed

​

 

[edenberry ?!]

𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊 〰 When their eyes meet it is a mimicry of summer horizons setting over fresh meadows... she is so captivating, Edenpaw can not drag their gaze away, finds only a hitch in their breath as she presses closer. There is an eternal sunrise in her measured stare and a softness to her gaze that is unfamiliar- it is one reserved for quiet moments, for special ones... and it belongs to them. A nervous smile stretches across their face, listening with attention-forward ears as Cherrypaw says their name with such tenderness.

They never put too much thought in the way their name sounded before now. But it seems alike windchimes now, gentle and twinkling.. those decorative clattering things behind the houses they lived around. It is a moment that will be committed to memory, the moment she accepts. The shiver that runs down their spine... The way her fur is tugged softly by a chilling breeze.

They hope their breath doesn't smell like mouse blood... or dirt from the time they'd missed. Hopes their messy fur doesn't stick out like pine needles on a bristling tree.

"Let's get away from here.."

And like a dog they follow her thoughtlessly, a soundless nod followed by a voice-cracked, "Y-yeah! Let's go... where ever you want." Their tail curls itself into a tiny knot, paws antsy and impatient as they trot in excessive delight towards the boundary of camp, oblivious to onlookers when their eyes fixate on Cherrypaw's face.

Maybe StarClan had finally found Edenpaw under their gaze! Would protect them, nurture them, send good things their way... Finally... finally.​

 

[APPLEFROST]

Applefrost is perhaps a poor mind to place romance into perspective. She had tried in the past, being courted and accepting the affections of another. Had thought it was what she was supposed to do, find a mate and start a family. It hadn't ended very well in the end, though.

Applefrost doesn't look at this the same way, though. Cherrypaw was her niece and Edenpaw, well, she found them energetic in their journey to become a warrior. Maybe it would be a good match and if not, it was only young love, right? "Wherever you're going, make sure your mentors know." The flame point purred as she watched them trot away.

"Speech"​

---

I KNOW SHE LIES ALONE, SHE'S MY CALLER​

​

 

[LUPINESONG]

❀‿ She's there only by happenstance, not even lingering close enough to be called a bystander, she only just catches the exchange from her side of camp, though whatever sadistic forces that were at work above her sharpen her hearing and carry their voices easily into her pricked ears.

'Poor Edenpaw...' is her first thought as she stands frozen through their enthusiastic, chirpy confession. Poor Edenpaw didn't know that surely Cherrypaw wouldn't like to be confronted so ... brazenly with a confession of feelings. In public, too... She figured the thing gripping her lungs was secondhand embarrassment. Edenpaw should've asked her before pulling this stunt so Lupinepaw could at least let them know that Cherrypaw wouldn't have wanted to be confessed to in such an... uncontrollable environment. Anyways, Cherrypaw didn't even like them like that, they were just another friend to her, obviously, like... Lupinepaw was.

Or. She was mistaken?

It's like a cold breeze washes over her pelt, her shoulders prickling with a chill upon her spine. Did she really not know anything about her friends anymore? Cherrypaw is offering the bicolored apprentice a smile, and even from here, she recognizes that elusive warmth in her full-moon gaze. Her own stare is as green as they come, claw-sharp and digging into the visage of her two friends' private moment like a deeply-dug thorn. This was... unexpected. Though, not really. Or, it shouldn't have been. It was Cherrypaw herself who revealed to her that she had someone she was interested in, coolly delivered after Lupinepaw's belated news-sharing. She... didn't know why she was so surprised still. Obviously, Cherrypaw was just waiting for Edenpaw's confession then, and here it had arrived... at last. How long had they been into each other...?

They leave together, without a care in the world, and Lupinepaw is standing in her little corner, feeling so oddly like she's completely alone. That... wasn't true. She had Falconpaw, who allowed her to throw all of her affection onto him with a willing smile. And... she had her brother, who despite everything still put up with her. Her eyes twitch away from where they burned a hole into where Edenpaw and Cherrypaw were standing, and she sees Glimmerpaw, whirling away like they were upset... And then the younger apprentices are chirping at each other, and she thinks that Blazingpaw was perhaps a bit too rude, and then Applefrost is chiding her niece to not wander off too far with her ... partner.

She inhales sharply, and suddenly she feels the soft thing beneath her white-socked paw, her claws digging thoughtlessly into its green sponginess. It's a moss ball, probably kicked out of the nursery by a spirited game had by one of its residents. She should return it to its owner (probably one of her mentor's lively batch of fluff-balls.) Maybe she should check on her mother while she was at it. Or perhaps not... she recalls her clipped, tolerating replies, and figures she shouldn't bother her if she's still... unwanted.

Still, the mossball needed delivering. Lupinepaw grabs the errant plaything and whisks off with an urgent stride. She would congratulate the two of them later, probably.

CHANGE, LIKE THE SKY, ⊹₊°❀‿ LIKE THE LEAVES, LIKE A BUTTERFLY.

• OOC:
• 
• 
  — lupinekit . lupinepaw
  — trans she/her. 10mo apprentice of skyclan. mentored by dandelionwish, padding after falconpaw
  — bobbie x duke. littermate to crowpaw & drowsypaw
  — a tall, pretty, long-haired black smoke with low white and green eyes
  — smells like sweet lupine flowers and young pine needles
  — "speech", thoughts, attack
  — fullbody by pikaihao and funnyguy by pin
  — penned by eezy

​

 

[falcongaze]

❝ STATUES AND EMPIRES✧°.☀ ————————————
A lot happened in a short period of time. Perhaps he had been saying something to Lupinepaw, murmured softly, but her vision grew distracted, and fast. His eyes blinked once, curiously turning towards Cherrypaw as Edenpaw approached. His interest looked nearly... estranged, at the entirety of what was happening.

Cherrypaw, the person who he had considered a bully, who had watched over his shoulder for, was getting confessed to. His eyes blinked as he looked on, at how enthusiastic Edenpaw was (who he silently cheered for, as a cat Falconpaw once felt responsible for), at how confused Cherrypaw looked at first. But as his eyes flicked back towards Lupinepaw, his stomach twisted. Her mouth was slightly parted, surprise and tenseness running across her features. "Lupinepaw?" Falconpaw asked softly, his ears slowly lowering. She may have looked at him, but it was like a car wreck.

It was like a car-wreck, across I-95, that you couldn't take your eyes off of, but it was terrible and awful to watch anyways. The longer he looked on from what felt like he was standing on the opposite side of the road, looking at someone sitting two tables down from the lovers getting engaged, in which that person was the roommate-who-was-too-close-to-just-be-roommates kind of friend. Lupinepaw's paw had curled down upon the mossball she was standing on, claws digging into it. Sharp eyes dropped down to her paw, then back to her face.

Why wouldn't she be happy? His thoughts whispered. Cherrypaw was going to have someone, wasn't that a good thing? The only reason... his brain was suddenly going at at thousand miles per hour. It felt like staring at a monster on the Thunderpath, a crashing realization hurtling towards him that he couldn't imagine feeling until it impacted him. He watched as his interest was suddenly stepping off, her long legs carrying her quickly at a pace that he even had issues keeping up with. He was deaf to those who spoke otherwise- the younger apprentices, Applefrost, Glimmerpaw running off.

Why wouldn't she be happy? She wasn't happy. She had been shocked, frozen, hell-frozen-cold. Her claws had punctured the moss. Falconpaw gently bit down on his own tongue, unfocused vision turning towards the dirt. Falconpaw couldn't bear to keep watching, to watch the accident, to watch the lovers get engaged, to feel that monster impact.

"SPEECH"

[penned by dallas - ☀]

———————————— ☀.°✧ ALL AT YOUR PAWS ❞ ​

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