the gentleman won't say a word 𓆧 DIMMINGSUN

[Cricketcry]

It is as though a tornado keeps touching down in the center of Windclan's camp, forcing everyone to reap the consequences. The residuals of each touchdown imparts Windclan with more debris to cope with, or in Cricketcry's case, hide from. A plague which dug its cruel fangs into Wolfsong, the return of Bluefrost with a traitor as company (a traitor who remains in their midst), the subsequent return of Cottonsprig... all fallout from a tornado's wreckage. In the midst of all this, an interrogation of Cricketcry done by Sootspot.

All of this has sent Cricketcry into a tizzy, the tabby's presence is even scarcer than prior. He's gone as far as moving his nest away from the mass of warriors he would have reluctantly slept by. Thankfully, Sootspot is sequestered to the Nursery along with Bluefrost and her dear traitor. There's no purpose for him to visit that place. Or that's what Cricketcry tells himself before he casts a final glance over his shoulder before exiting the camp to scurry into the nearest tunnel. He can leave camp only after he ensures the golden tortie guards the nursery, Dimmingsun's hulking figure is enough to reassure Cricketcry he will not return from his duties to more destruction.

-

His friend's presence is missed, however. He can't help but favor Dimmingsun for his endless devotion to ensuring the clan remains safe during this turbulent time. Cricketcry does not consider many to be his friend, not when he feels as though he does not deserve their attention and effectively cuts them off. Dimmingsun's friendship feels different though, Cricketcry does not mind the surprisingly pleasant scrutiny he faces when he finally decides to come around once more. Stoatspot and Dimmingsun are the two he does not mind this attention from, not when he knows he has an equally vested interest in their lives. It is only that the tabby has a peculiar way of showing it: staring from afar or longingly wondering how to engage in any sort of conversation. He reckons food could be the best way to strike up some sort of conversation and not seem too eager.

"F-for you," his disjointed voice mumbles after he sets a rabbit down at Dimmingsun's paws. The limp creature's warmness remains, Cricketcry caught it as he exited the tunnels and couldn't help but immediately think of the one who deserved it the most. His fur is still littered with soil, as he immediately beelined from the place of the kill to camp so that Dimmingsun could enjoy the freshest meal. Tensely, Cricketcry sits down in front of Dimmingsun, olive eyes anxiously flitting over Dimmingsun's shoulder towards the entrance of the nursery. It reeked of the scent of Sootstar's kin, he could do nothing to stop the way he shrunk as he thought of her kin, and the defector, hidden in that dimness. A stained paw slides the rabbit closer to the tom, bossily even. "Eat." Cricketcry's frown twitches slightly, a hint of amusement at his own sternness.

WHITE NOISE, WHAT AN AWFUL SOUND

• OOC—@dimmingsun
  
• CRICKETCRY —— Tunneler of Windclan
  𓆧 he/him /
  𓆧 timid, cynical & wistful
  𓆧 has a slight limp
  𓆧 petite lh chocolate tabby/fawn chimera

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[DIMMINGSUN]

Dimmingsun has not seen many visitors come and go. It is unusual for the nursery's traffic to get this low — but then again, it is not often the nursery shelters traitors. (And Sootspot.)

Perhaps it is for the best. Perhaps it is for the worst, because dutiful as Dimmingsun might be, he would much rather talk someone's ears off than do this in silence for one more day. He could convince Sunstar to assign him a 'helper', just to keep Dimmingsun alert and lively... it's not like Sunstar has been seen much at all lately. It is a concern — but there is little one can do when strapped to one place.

So he does what he does best. Watch.

And when the opportunity presents itself in the shape of none other than Cricketcry, Dimmingsun revels in it. The soft-spoken tom does not change the trajectory of his steps... for all intents and purposes, he's come to visit Dimmingsun.

"When d'you get this assertive? I look away for one second..." It is impossible for him not to crack a joke. A lone eye travels down, all the way to the rabbit, and he would not be able to reject it even to mess with Cricketcry. Dimmingsun's stomach positively rumbles at the sight, and he dives right in.

It is only between mouthfuls that he remembers to be nice. "Thanks, Cricket." And just for brownie points, he reminds himself of proper etiquette, and pushes the rabbit towards Cricketcry — a silent inquiry of wanna share?

"How's outside life like? I'm starting to forget how it feels to run. Maybe you'll have to teach me."
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[Cricketcry]

Dimmingsun's joke falls on uncharacteristically pricked ears. Cricketcry gifts Dimmingsun a wheezy chuckle, so breathless that it could hardly be categorized as an expression of humor; but its genuine, in his own way. It feels nice to loosen up- albeit not much, his eyes continuously flick just off to the side of Dimmingsun- and actually speak to someone other than his apprentice. He shrugs coyly and says gaily, "Guess you just d-duh-don't know me that well."

Despite his best efforts, the tabby could not prevent his smile from widening when Dimmingsun accepts the prey and begins to eat. He feels a swell of gratification, pride even, that he'd been able to catch the rabbit (on his own, even) and now it can in turn sustain one of Windclan's best. Cricketcry sits and quietly watches as Dimmingsun speedily devours the meal. He pays no attention to what could be seen as a lack of manners as in truth, there was not many others Cricketcry could honestly say deserved such a bountiful meal.

He does not remember the last time he shared a meal with anyone. He's not the kind to, he eats hastily in a corner of camp, his back facing the clearing like the stripes along his back are snakes that'll hiss at any who come too close. Cricketcry begins to decline the offer to share, accidentally touching a golden paw as he attempts to press the meal back to the tom. He flinches his own paw back and faces the lone eye of Dimmingsun with a firm expression: Fine.

As he begins to nibble on the meal, Dimmingsun asks him how it has been outside. With a furious look past Dimmingsun as he swallows, he surmises that he may not be the best to ask. 'Oh well, you know... the usual! I was unjustly and rudely interrogated by Sootspot. But it's okay, it's really okay...' Though he wouldn't blabber as such, his line of thinking is interrupted by another one of the tom's jokes.

"Teach! Teach you?" He throws his head back dramatically, a hoarse and hearty laugh cascading from his maw. "Sure, sure... D-d-dimmin'... I think I should squeeze you into a t-tuh-tunnel! You'll learn a thing or two from me there." The tabby's tail swishes in the sand excitedly as he leans forward, nodding. "When you're done here, you should teach me. Like..." He clacks his tongue, ears tipping back in embarrassment. "Give m-me some pointers in fighting?" Cricketcry stares earnestly at Dimmingsun for a few long moments with wide eyes before tearing his olive hues away.

"You have the rest. You deserve it."

WHITE NOISE, WHAT AN AWFUL SOUND

• OOC—
  
• CRICKETCRY —— Tunneler of Windclan
  𓆧 he/him / 28 ☾
  𓆧 timid, cynical & wistful
  𓆧 has a slight limp
  𓆧 petite lh chocolate tabby/fawn chimera

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