slipping through dreamland | forestshade

[orchidbloom]

Theres a small beetle in the rare sunbeams in camp, obviously just trying to soak up the spring warmth. And to make it better, it's peaceful out, and no birdsong hangs heavily over camp like last time- this means Orchid is out and about, but mainly sticking by the nursery. Mama resides within, but she had tried to coax her out with Tulipkit who had happily obliged, darting off without even waiting for them. They'd been near crying until Mama had prodded her and told her that Raggedkit would probably be out in camp somewhere by now. And now Orchid sits, watching the beetle.l

And where the beetle scuttled, Orchid trailed their eyes on it until their curiosity got the better of them. Their body drops in to a sloppily made hunters crouch, a poor imitation of what she had heard described, and she slinks forwards. Her pawsteps are silent, not quiet, afraid of making any noise that would alert the beetle AND other cats to her location. Born out of sheer anxiety, Orchid is able to get close enough to the beetle where they can finally pounce. And they do spring, and the only alert to their location is the muted thump when they land wrong, but they get the beetle anyways beneath their paws.

Slight pride courses through her, a temporary relief from her worries, until she turns around to see a certain tortoiseshell warrior just... Standing there. Shame, and also fear, reignites. "Uhm.. I'm s-sorry, i'll get out of your- your way!" cheeks heat up but she makes no move to leave. Anxiety grounds her to her spot, waiting for what Miss Forestshade had to say.

// @FORESTSHADE

"speech"​

​

 

[FORESTSHADE]

Forestshade, as a cat without sight, has gotten quite used to navigating the world using her other senses. Her ears, for example, are sensitive, well-trained to pick up any and all sounds surrounding her. She sits now, lounging somewhere near the nursery and letting the rare sunlight soak into her pelt. Idly, her ears swivel about, picking up the chatter of some warriors by the fresh-kill pile, some apprentices practicing battle moves on the other side of camp, an amused chortle of a queen…and a sudden thump right next to her. Forestshade scrambles to her paws in surprise, unseeing eyes growing wide as she faces the direction of the sound. It’s a kit - Orchidkit, she can tell by her scent. How did she not hear her coming? Nothing catches the perceptive warrior off-guard!

Her stalking must have been absolutely silent for the torbie to not have heard her.
Her brows lift, realization hitting her. She pads forward and comes to a stop by the she-kit, fluffy tail flicking thoughtfully behind her. “Color me impressed,” Forestshade comments downwards, voice lifting to show she’s sincere if not a little dry. “I didn’t even hear you coming, kid.” With an ability like that, Orchidkit has the makings to be a fine hunter - no, a fantastic one. Already, the gears are turning in her head as she sits back down directly in front of her. “Do you practice that a lot, pouncing and stuff?” ​