camp Put Your Loving Hand Out, Baby || Giving Gifts

[Chickbloom]

// @butterflytuft but no need to wait!

// An anxious mind had been turning over Johnnyflame’s words since they’d spoke, inspecting each sentence like a cat looking for rancid prey. Chickbloom tentatively decided that their conversation helped, but the boy still walked away with a fair amount of confusion. He needed to flirt, that’s what toms did. But the idea of making passes at the object of his (imagined) affections made the milksop deeply uncomfortable.

Thankfully, that was one area where his mentor’s mate had made life easier. Johnnyflame had suggested giving gifts to show his love, which was something the whelp could get on board with. Unfortunately, the baby bird began to overthink the assignment.

If Chickbloom only gave a gift to Butterflytuft, that would look weird, right? Cats might start talking, poking fun and teasing behind the boy’s back, and the secret would be out. The coward would sooner leave Skyclan than see that happen, so he had to be smart about it.

Instead of giving one gift, what if he gave things to everyone? If Butterflytuft happened to pass by in the process, then there’d be nothing weird about it, right? (Was it even flirting at that point)? Folded ears flopped back and forth as Chickbloom shook the doubts away, opting for safety over suave actions or smooth talking.

It may have been more work, but the milksop didn’t mind. Shaky paws stilled somewhat as he collected odd trinkets, thankful to take his mind off of daily stresses. Yolk-stained socks were practically stone still when he began weaving, working with the sunset hues littering the forest floor instead of flowers, thanks to leaf-bare’s imminent arrival. It was only when making the final crown that fiery colors resembling Butterflytuft’s fur finally reminded the coward of his true goal, and the warrior began to feel sick.

Tossing away the half-finished item in frustration, Chickbloom stood up, examining the pile. Stones, feathers, a fair few crowns (though one less now), it should be enough for everyone. The skittish Scottish Fold sorted everything into a nice little display, feeling a bit like a jewelry store worker (if he knew what that was, anyway). Off to the side, though, was an item he hoped would go unnoticed until Butterflytuft appeared. A necklace made of weeds, with orange and yellow leaves woven on the edges. Tied to the center was the only flower the coward could find, single dandelion.

With a last look at the somewhat obvious special object, the coward cleared his throat before raising his voice. “Um, I m-made and - and collected some stuff for everyone! Come - Come g-get it, if you want…” The announcement reminded Chickbloom of when he’d done this once before, moons ago. He couldn’t be sure, but the boy could’ve sworn he was much quieter back then.​

 

[butterflytuft]

Butterflytuft's ears prick up at the sound of Chickbloom's stammered announcement, and a gentle smile tugs at her lips. She makes her way over, her pawsteps light and careful as she doesn’t want to startle the anxious tom. Her gaze flits admiringly over the various objects lovingly arranged around him. His effort and thoughtfulness is exceedingly clear and she can't help but feel touched.

"These are beautiful, Chickbloom," She mews sincerely as she stops beside him. “You put so much care into them." Her yellow eyes flick to the vibrant hues scattered throughout the trinkets, noticing the skilled artistry. Her gaze lingers on the autumn hues that exist in a woven ring - how lovely! "I'd love to have one, if that's all right," She adds softly, nodding to the collection. She looks to him with a warm smile and gives a friendly swish of her fluffy tail. Despite the hint of confusion about why he looks so nervous, the queen wants to make sure her gratitude is obvious. So, she trills, “It’s so sweet of you to think of everyone like this!”
​

 

[Florabreeze]

The act of gift giving is something that Florabreeze had found endearing. She is prone to collecting things around camp or on patrols, items that she thinks Ditto may find to be neat. So when Chickbloom announces that he has made and collected things for everyone she has to come check it out. The lead warrior can't help but wonder what had brought this on? Was he just feeling particularly cheerful or was he trying to lift some sombre mood? Concerned gaze flicks over to make sure his collar isn't amongst what is being given out, though she doesn't know why it would be since it was mostly things that he has made. "Oh that really compliments your eyes, Butterflytuft!" She trills with a grin as the queen picks up the woven ring.

Really it complimented a lot of her, what a funny coincidence that it matches so well! Her own paw hovers over a woven crown, one of many it seems. Has Ditto ever seen one of these before? She personally hadn't until she came to SkyClan but she never knows where her sibling wanders off to when she's not around. Maybe they go out of his way to specifically weave himself, so the chances are her dear sister would either find this to be really lame or really cool. It's a gamble that she's willing to take!

She settles her paw on the woven crown, glancing at Chickbloom "would it be okay for me to take this one?" She doesn't move further to take it until given confirmation that it was fine. Though she doesn't really understand why it wouldn't be since this was for everyone, right?

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Somethings coming ﻬ𖧧ﻬ So out of breath ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

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  FLORABREEZE 𖧧 She/her || Daylight Lead Warrior of SkyClan || 37 moons
  ❥ A large black tabby maine coon with low white and bright green eyes, always wearing her mushroom print collar if she can.
  ❥ Mentored by Sorrelsong ／Mentoring Jellypaw & Sfogliatella
  ❥ “Speech”, thoughts, attacking
  ❥ Penned by Juice ⏐ouijeejuice on discord {open to being dmed for plots}
  

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[Chickbloom]

Amber eyes flick about camp nervously, demeanor making it seem like he was expecting an ambush instead of amiable conversation. A part of Chickbloom hopes he’s ignored entirely, even as another part is desperate for a cat to come forwards. What was worse, total isolation or absolute embarrassment? Without something to distract the milksop, an anxious mind began to whir away like a quivering calculator, coming up with scenario after scenario to answer the depressing question.

Thankfully a life preserver lands (or rather, strikes him square in the face) in the form of Butterflytuft’s voice. Chickbloom is brought out of his silent walk to the gallows with a small yelp of surprise, stepping back as the she-cat’s words finally registered in the empty space between folded ears. “O-Oh! It’s- It’s nothing, r-really. Anyone could - y’know - do this, I just, they’re not that good, a-and-“ Perhaps the question needed rewording: what was worse, total isolation or taking a single compliment?

The baby bird ends his muttering with a cough, stepping back to try and give the queen some space (and not make it too obvious which one he wanted her to pick). Dinner-plate eyes survey the surroundings again, flashing with panic as he spotted Florabreeze padding forwards. Butterflytuft hadn’t picked yet! What if Florabreeze wanted the ring? Would he have to refuse? Would-

I'd love to have one, if that's all right.

Seeing his opportunity, Chickbloom barely restrained himself from bolting for the necklace. Settling on a strange sort of race-walk (and trying to ignore that the object of his affections had just used the ‘L’ word), quivering canines carefully grasped the ring before bringing it over, setting it on the ground in front of Butterflytuft. “I-I think you should have this one, i-if you want, of course…”

The warrior had barely dodged the queen’s compliment, giving an embarrassed bow of the head, when Florabreeze came in with her own volley. Saying it complimented the she-cat…Chickbloom was anything but prideful, but seeing the other take an interest in the colors he’d chosen made him want to elaborate just a bit, a rare grin appearing on yolk-stained features. “Y-Yeah, I’m happy you noticed! I was thinking of her f-fur and eyes when I made it. It was g-going to be a - a crown at first, but I got the idea for a necklace watching B-Bella, so-“

Mistake. Mistake. Massive mistake. Noticing his blunder a full sentence too late, Chickbloom nearly swore then and there to never speak again, but unfortunately the dimwit had to do damage control. Quickly retreating back into his shell, the Scottish Fold approached Florabreeze, pretending to inspect the crown while coming up with a plan.

“I - uh - I actually think this one - y’know - suits you better!” The baby bird chirped, pushing a similar crown forwards whilst cringing inside. “O-Only i-if you want, obviously - I just - I used a lot of my clanmates as i-inspiration - y’know - for c-colors and stuff…so…” He didn’t want to lie. He didn’t like lying, but the alternative might as well be death itself. ‘I actually was only thinking of Butterflytuft, and the rest of this was a half-assed cover story?’ Yeah, no chance.

Was he a bad person for lying? Come to think of it, wasn’t this whole operation questionable? Thinking he could pay for love with random trinkets, whilst throwing his clanmates under the bus, was he a bad person for this? How the hell did people flirt without getting heart attacks from stress or guilt?

Chickbloom was a terrible fighter, a good hunter, but in situations like this, he was an expert at making mountains out of molehills.​

 

[butterflytuft]

Butterflytuft watches Chickbloom anxiously scramble and stammer his way through the conversation with a softening expression. She tries to catch his eye in an effort to make it known he can relax, though she‘s not sure there’s really much of anything she can do to calm his nerves. He always seems so nervous, doesn’t he? When he offers her the necklace, she feels warmth rise in her chest. He had made this thinking of her? The thought makes her tail curl with happiness. “Oh my!” She takes it with delicate teeth and places it on the ground before her, taking a moment to admire its beauty. She works a gentle smile onto her muzzle before carefully shrugging it around her neck so that it sits atop her yellow bandana. Her pelt is practically glowing in the soft sunset hues of the leaves! “It's perfect, Chickbloom!" She purrs, her eyes lighting up with genuine delight. "I’m so honored that you thought of me while making it." Her smile grows a little brighter, as if she hopes to reassure him that his efforts were appreciated - and more than that, cherished.

Florabreeze's playful comment brings a small laugh from the queen and she dips her head bashfully as heat flushes her cheeks. "Thank you. I do feel quite elegant now!" She attempts to joke, though her soft, embarrassed voice makes it fall a bit flat. She flicks her fluffy tail in delight and lifts a paw towards the white and orange tom to change the subject. "Chickbloom, you really are talented.”
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[Jupiterpaw.]

THE SUN HAD DRAWN NEAR
AND THE SOUNDS WE COULD HEAR ​

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Jupiterpaw ♃ 10 moons ♃ demi-girl ♃ she/they ♃ skyclan apprentice

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Curiosity tugs at Jupiterpaw's heart - and paws, pulling herself to stand at Chickblooms call. There's interest gleaming in amber eyes as she carefully makes her way over, head tipping to the side in question as she speaks in quiet tones. " Is there anything I could take? " she might not be able to admire the beauty the same way others could - no comparing it to so-and-so's eyes, but the meaning of the gesture wasn't lost upon the patchwork molly, and paws itch to have something of her own to take home. A reminder of where her heart truly lay, even if paws carried her far away each night.

— were so sweet and so clear

• Actions && " Speech, " && ' Thoughts/Quotes '
  
  ooc: —
  tw/cw: —
  
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  ♃ — Jupiterpaw is blind, and therefore will not react or respond to visuals beyond some ability to differentiate light and shadows. Any visuals mentioned in her posts are meant for other roleplayers reference, and any events in roleplay that are disregarded are likely a purposeful choice due to her limitations. ​