camp TELL ME TO FEEL // questions & intro

[cottonsprig]

Cottonkit's existence within the Clan isn't necessarily a silent one. Whilst the first moon or so of her life was largely left to the soft, feather-bound nest her mother made for her and her siblings, the lingering weeks in the in between were filled with each kitten growing into their paws. Even now, just breaching her second moon breathing on her own, the young kitten ventures closer towards the center of camp and further from the safety of her bedding. It's become easier since her steps are steadier - though all the same, the lingering snow and slush are still difficult to trudge through.

Regardless, she perseveres, a goal settled on her mind. She's met plenty of the apprentices - Smokepaw, her mother's loyal and dutiful apprentice, Firepaw, a loud rowdy one in the distance (though Cottonkit knows she hushes her voice when she and her siblings sleep,) and Icepaw, who seems to aid in little tasks but hardly lingers. There's also Snailpaw, and Rainpaw, and Sparkpaw, and Dazzlepaw, and - (she halts her own thoughts in trying to list each and every apprentice by name, if only because she knows she's more apt to forget them in the effort.) Cottonkit's had a grand idea, though unsure if it's all her own or one planted by another, and she sets forth with her tail held high. Regardless of who it is, she needs their input.

"Hey!" Cottonkit barks towards a small gathering of apprentices. Despite her listing them mentally moments prior, she takes no time in trying to decipher them now. She must focus, lest her thoughts run from her and she forgets all she's come this way for. "What do you guys do?" she pitches after. It'll only be a month until she's an apprentice, herself. The plush kitten hopes to be a tunneler (the caverns and caves just look so intriguing, though she's never entered them) but any path will do. At the end of the day, she simply wants to be prepared for her mentor - whoever that poor soul ends up being.​

 

[icebreath]

TAGS — They're grooming and quietly listening to the chatter of their fellow apprentices (the usual for them in most group settings) when a new arrival swiftly demands their attention. Hardly a moment passes before recognition blossoms in their gaze and they straighten up reflexively, sitting as tall as their underwhelming stature allows for. Youthfully casual as the little gray molly is, this is Cottonkit — practically royalty on these moors, and the ever dutiful Icepaw is always careful to act accordingly. They must be a good influence, someone she can look up to, both for Sootstar and Weaselclaw's sake as well as their own. And, privately, they also enjoy the idea of seeming cool in the eyes of the entire litter (something they rarely feel). "Hi, Cottonkit," the usually serious molly replies with more enthusiasm than most of their peers have ever seen from them in a non-work setting. It only intensifies in response to the following question. "I'm a tunneler." They speak proudly, a self-satisfied smile creeping onto their maw. "We do all of our hunting and patrolling underground! It's a really important job, especially during leafbare." They could go on and on, truthfully, but the presence of their peers and the feeling of their eyes on them stops them, for better or worse.
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[Firefang]

Firepaw may not like the nursery but she likes Sootstar and by extension her kits. She was never too close to her eldest and they were for the most part free of her teasing save for the occasional jab that became unheard of as they grew older and more competent; and of course left the apprentices to become warriors. She regrets now not trying to know them better, she could always try more now but they had warrior duties and she had duties of her own. Someone had to watch the other apprentices like a starving hawk, someone had to keep them in line to prevent them from following in Daisypaw’s or Coyotepaw’s paw steps. It disgusts her that she’d been unable to see their departures coming, she couldn’t let any of them flee into the dark night. Didn’t want to rip them apart like she’d torn into the traitorous warriors who defended Dandelionwish nor chase them like she’d chased Galeforce and Yewberry.

She didn’t trust many of the apprentices but she supposes she trusts Icepaw and knew when the time came these little runts of Sootstar’s could be trusted as well. She wanted to know them, to try and help out wherever she could with them just as many of her clanmates would do as well. Sure she wasn’t interested in kitsitting or the duties of a queen she supposed just hanging around them wouldn’t kill her. She wasn’t scared of kits or anything, they may be hard to like talk with but they were simple minded like many of her peers. It’d be easy to keep them entertained. Maybe it’d pay off in a moons time there was always a possibility Sootstar would make one of them her apprentice when the time came! It’d be an honor to train one of the leaders brats!

She’d look down at Cottonkit from where she sat not too far from Icepaw, she was the spitting image of her mother well if she was a fur ball with big buggy innocent eyes and a puny little mewl. Well maybe they weren’t all that alike save for fur color but regardless! She’d tilt her head thinking of her own response as Icepaw meowed her own, she wouldn’t make a jab at her she guesses it was fine enough for her to be explaining her duties to the kit. She actually was a decent Tunneler after all from what she gathers, so she’d spare her! That was her reasoning anyway why she lets the pretty molly free from her usual teasing. Once they finish Firepaw would puff her chest out ❝A lot of the time I’m out running’ through the moors enjoyin’ the wind in my fur and all that❞ she’d start pausing momentarily before a sharp grin pulls the sides of her maw upward ❝But sometimes I get to fight too! I get to beat the snot out of our enemies! Nothin’ greater then that kit you’ll see for yourself one day❞

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( PLACE ME IN MY CASKET TONIGHT ; BECAUSE IM ALREADY DYING INSIDE )

 

[Addervenom]

Life doesn't discriminate

Boredom lulls the tabby into trailing in behind Cottonkit, smoldering amber eyes washing over the group of apprentices as they immediately stood straight to address his sister. A smug grin nearly pulls across his muzzle at the sight of it, watching the hop to attention by their mere presence. But quiet he remains for now, listening to the duties of apprenticeship. Icepaw speaks of tunnelers and acknowledges the help they bring to the clan. Sootstar was a tunneler after all, of course his mother would have two of the most important jobs in the entire clan. Firepaw is next, speaking her piece about running the moor. However it is not the thought of wind whistling through his fur that intrigues him, but battle. A wicked grin splits the boy's lips, toothy and fanged as he finally begins to talk. "That's what I'm excited for. Nothing sounds better than bringing glory and honor to windclan by using tooth and claw." Adderkit voices as his own little claws flex and carve into the frostbitten ground below. ​

Between the sinners and the saints​

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[SUNFLOWERMASK]

( ❁ ) Sunflowerkit hovers near Cottonkit as she asks her question. It's nice to see the leader's kittens out of the nursery, though they wish that Cottonkit wasn't quite so loud. Well, it's a good thing they won't be in the nursery much longer. Sunflowerkit, too, is interested in what the apprentices have to say, though for different reasons. They know about Clan life, they just want to hear about apprenticeship from the apprentices themselves. It's exciting! They'll be joining the 'paws soon.

When Adderkit speaks, the older kit inclines their head towards him. They almost agree with what he's saying, he just uses strange words for it. Glory and Honor? Those sound like made-up things to Sunflowerkit. Well, no matter.

They pad a bit closer to the younger kits, excitement getting the better of them. Though their words are quiet, they are no less giddy. "I'll apprentice soon," they brag clumsily, not quite sure of the grammar. Still though, their chest is puffed out, speaking in an almost conspiratorial way as they inform the other kits of their impending achievement. Soon they'll be the one answering questions like this.​

 

[HARRIERSTRIPE]

Cottonkit never seemed to shut up! Harrierkit could just not handle it, always asking about this, always asking about that. He’s noticed the way Sootstar seems to love that about her, and any approval from mom or dad got Harrierkit jealous, very fast! Still, Cottonkit was tiny, a ”runt” he has used some cats describe her as- always around hushed tones. It didn’t sound like a term ma or da would privy hearing their daughter referred to as… but Harrierkit, in his brotherly ways, thought it was a fitting descriptor for her.

He’s glad he’s not a runt! He was going to grow up big and powerful, feared by all and adored by those worthy! He just knew it.

He is idle at the scene, saying nothing to his sister nor brother- or even Icepaw or Firepaw. He does turn and give Sunflowerkit his narrowed eyes (he does not have a past of disliking his nursery-mate, but as kits do, they bicker with one another from time to time). ”Oh yeah?” Harrierkit huffs, ”We will apprentice soon too!” competitively he finishes his retort. They are not special…​

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Spoiler: TAGS 🪶 02-16

( primary character / "speech" / ic opinions )​

╰ ჻ 001 GENERAL INFORMATION ,
· SOOTSTAR, male — he / him
╰ ‣ 2 moons . pisces. ages on the 14th
╰ ‣ windclan kit . believes in starclan

╰ ჻ 002 VISUALS & AESTHETICS ,
· DOMESTIC FELINE, smells of the earth and dry grass , status — 100%
╰ ‣ blue and brown chimera . average sized WindClanner . yellow eyes

╰ ჻ 003 MENTALITY & MANNERISMS ,
· ESTJ-A ❝ EXECTUTIVE ❞ , Slytherin, Chaotic neutral
╰ ‣ self-reliant, loyal, disciplined, direct, impatient, unsympathetic, judge mental
╰ ‣ finds moderate difficulty in relating to others . can be cruel, but typically displays mercy

╰ ჻ 004 INTERACTIONS & RELATIONSHIPS ,
· WEASELCLAW x SOOTSTAR, sister to Windstrider, Sootchaser, Moorkit, Adderkit, Bluekit & Cottonkit
╰ ‣ sexuality unknown
╰ ‣ apprentice to TBD
╰ ‣ poor fighter . poor hunter .
╰ ‣ will start fights . unlikely to flee .
╰ ‣ attack in underline . penned by user @ava.​

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[MOORBLOSSOM]

Cottonkit's inquisitive words creep into her ears, even with the camp's unending hustle and bustle. Ever so keen, the sooty-toned tot dawdles after her littermate's squeaky voice. Whatever conversations she was getting herself into, Moorkit must be a part of them—she can't possibly have any of her siblings learning more than her, now can she?

Bouncy pawsteps plough across the sandy hollow, her noggin held high as she combs through faces unfamiliar in search of her sister. Cottonkit's smoky tones heave into view as she plods along, and by the looks of it, she's accompanied by kits and big kids alike. Consider Moorkit's curiosity to be even more tickled. What is she talking to apprentices for?

She draws close enough to catch the answers that the apprentices gave. Accompanying them are assertions from the kits nearby, two of whom (woefully) belonging to Moorkit's litter. It's borderline pitiful to hear Adderkit and Harrierkit pretending they'll ever come close to matching her potential.

"Tunneling?" echoes the girl, extending an incredulous look to Icepaw. "What kind'a prey are ya suh-posed-a find undaground? Rocks? Dirt?" She scrunches up her eyes and breaks into a snicker. Tunneling... that sounds so stupid!

When her gaze eventually awakens, it rests upon Cottonkit. "Firepaw sounds cooler, duhn'she*?" asks Moorkit. At least she did real warrior things, like beating up SkyClan cats.

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* "doesn't she"

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[kingletpaw]

"Heh, WindClan'd be run into the ground without tunnelers. Nobody'd have any food around in leafbare, and we'd all starve to death. Y'should be glad that we're learning to do the job." Kingletpaw is rather proud of their work and the fact that they are a tunneler, and the disrespect towards the position irritates them. Yeah, sure, it's just a kit who doesn't know any better, but surely Sootstar would have mentioned it. With a huff, they look at the others, but their eyes eventually settle on Cottonkit, who started the whole conversation.

"You'd be a decent tunneler, I'm sure; look at you. Being that little, you're sure to be the right size for one, like myself and Icepaw over there. Think you'd be up for it?" Not everyone is up to the task, but with the enthusiasm that Cottonkit seems to have in day-to-day life, they're rather sure that she wouldn't be put off by the idea. "Course, y'could always be a boring old moor-runner like Firepaw there, but, eh, who'd want that?"

 

[icebreath]

TAGS — A whole pack of kits shadows Cottonkit, and most are equally important. Not that she disdains Sunflowerkit or anything, of course. Quite the opposite, in fact, as they aren't inherently stressful to be around like Sootstar's litter. They don't provide the same excitement or opportunity, either, however; they have no prestigious mother to put in a good word about Icepaw to. Then again, they are Vulturemask's little sibling, and it definitely can't hurt to try garnering his favor. He's an intimidating figure and, given the trend of treacherous medicine cats, it's definitely safer to stay on his good side in case he decides to start poisoning clanmates he dislikes or something.

When Firepaw speaks up, they expect her to start making fun of tunneling to make her own work seem more appealing. She doesn't, much to Icepaw's surprise. Sootstar herself is a tunneler, though; she can imagine their leader wouldn't appreciate her kits being fed stupid rhetoric about her own vocation, and Firepaw's probably aware of that as well.

Imagine her surprise when Moorkit does it instead! Blue eyes widen in response, dismay twisting her features. "What? Tunneling's cool!" she protests a little too passionately. Ugh, Firepaw's gonna be so annoying about this — more than she already is. She does not need the ego boost, especially from one of Sootstar's kin! Adderkit sides with her, too; his lust for combat is both impressive and stressful. Mainly because Icepaw's never been able to relate. Great, a kit's braver than I am, she muses, thinking back to all the times she's frozen up in battle with a bit of grief. Thank goodness tunnelers aren't expected to fight nearly as often as the moor-runners; Icepaw had only been involved out of necessity.

Kingletpaw's response is satisfying, and Icepaw shoots them a grateful look. "Exactly," they add on. "All the prey hides underground during leafbare, and we're the only cats able to catch them down there." She can sense the competitiveness sparking between Harrierkit and Sunflowerkit as they chatter in the background, and a similar sentiment is blossoming within Icepaw toward her own dark-furred peer, stimulated by Kingletpaw's jab at her. "Which would you guys wanna do?" she asks the pair who have yet to pick a side.
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[cottonsprig]

Cottonkit's innocent adventure accrues a posse of some sort, though in all honesty the grey kitten almost opts to pay no mind to them as the apprentices entertain her rather blunt and broad question. Icepaw's enthusiasm is infectious for little Cottonkit, her dagger sharp and determined stare softening as the other blooms with excitement to speak on her duties. Tunneling, as said prior, is the young she-kit's hope for her own future, and hearing the blue-point apprentice speak so highly of it only solidifies her own joy.

Firepaw is a moor runner apprentice - surely as important (her father is a moor runner, just as her mother is a tunneler. All jobs are important to a degree, she's learning) - though not as interesting. It doesn't take much of Firepaw's bragging to win over Moorkit and Adderkit, the former trying to convince her on how much cooler the dark furred apprentice is. She's sure, too, that Harrierkit would be just as enthralled with the idea of kicking butts and spilling blood, if he weren't so tied up with Sunflowerkit's bid to their eventual closer-than-soon apprenticeship. She feels alone for a second, in the sea of kittens, but doesn't dwell in it for too long. After all - like Kingletpaw and Icepaw reinforce, tunneling is a necessary and important job in itself. It'd be an honor for Cottonkit to be like them - like her mother, even.

"Mmm," Cottonkit hums to Moorkit, finally. She bumps the other playfully with her shoulder, "Y'just like Firepaw because she's got scars." Stories, too. Cottonkit would be more than curious to hear Firepaw jabber on about her journeys and successes, if not for Icepaw and Kingletpaw right there, with their own tales to tell. The question's not for her, but that doesn't stop her from answering - "I wanna be a tunneler!" It's simply put, eyes glittering with the idea.​

 

[SUNFLOWERMASK]

( ❁ ) "We will apprentice soon too!" Harrierkit's reply catches Sunflowerkit off-guard -- it's not quite the reaction they were expecting. The sudden competitiveness seems unearned to the older kit. When they said soon, they mean soon, as in any day now soon, as in not having to wait a whole moon soon. Maybe he just doesn't get it. "No," they respond slowly and simply, though without malice.

The attention from Icepaw surprises them as well; with as much interest as the kit has taken in the current apprentices, they never expect the feeling to be shared. Especially not from someone as old as Icepaw. Isn't he supposed to become a warrior soon? Probably. Anyway, not important.

Moor-runner or Tuneller... Sunflowerkit can't admit they've given it much thought. Kingletpaw said Cottonkit would be good at it because they're small, so maybe they'd make a nice tunneler, but they do like running... And they don't like the idea of being stuck underground, with no flowers or sky or other cats. A troubled look enters their eyes as they look down in thought. Tunnelers do sound cool though.. The only ones able to catch the hidden prey, it makes them feel a kind of special. Hm... "Dunno..." they mumble, lost in thought. With their apprenticeship coming so soon, surely they need to figure this out...​