private THE LOVERS, THE DREAMERS, AND ME — butterflytuft

[LIONPAW]

Exhaustion is worn on the chocolate torbie point's features, from the tip of his scruffy tail to his heavy eyes. Today's training had commenced with a grueling sparring session only to be followed by a hunt afterward. Lionpaw truly did not mind, as he felt better about himself when he was actively contributing to the clan. Still, the tom finds himself frazzled-looking as he dips through SkyClan's camp entrance with a limp mouse in his jaws. A catch such as a squirrel or a mid-sized bird would have been more substantial, surely, but it was better than nothing.

Blue eyes gently land upon the nursery, and within moments, Lionpaw pads over and peeks his head into the entrance. The familiar form of Butterflytuft greets him; she has always been a constant presence in the den. He misses her sometimes, even if he doesn't necessarily show it. The queen had never failed to console him or even be his playmate when his littermates were off doing whatever else. Now she had her paws full with a new array of nursery residents; it seems that Lionpaw is growing up quicker than he realized.

The long-furred trainee approaches the tortoiseshell she-cat on dirtied paws, depositing the fresh-kill at her paws before meowing, "Here y'go, Butterflytuft." Exhaustion crests his voice though it does not overtake it entirely. Dim blue eyes flicker, managing a ghost of a smile before inquiring hoarsely, "How're you 'n Budkit doin'?"

𝐈𝐌 𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 ✹ . + 　 　˚ 　　　　 · 　 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍 𝐈 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐃𝐈𝐃

• @butterflytuft

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  an apprentice of skyclan, lionpaw is eight moons and is mentored by crowsight. he is the son of doeblaze and blazestar. an amalgamation of his parents, lionpaw exhibits splashes of ginger and chocolate tabby patterns against a thick, longhaired cream pelt.　✦

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[butterflytuft]

As Lionpaw enters the nursery, Butterflytuft looks up from her grooming, her eyes immediately softening at the sight of him. She notices the weariness etched into his young features and feels a pang of sympathy. He's growing so quickly, and she's proud of the cat he's becoming, but she also sees the exhaustion weighing down every muddied step. "Thank you, Lionpaw," She purrs warmly, gently nudging the mouse with her nose. The gesture is more than just a simple offering of fresh-kill. To her, it’s more like a visit from a cherished friend. Even though he’s older and not even her kit, they share a bond, one forged in the nursery and strengthened by the care she always gave him when his mother could not (not through any fault of Doeblaze’s, though!). She remembers the days when he was just a tiny kit at her friend’s side, and she can't help but feel a deep sense of affection for him even now. Her gaze softens further as she studies him, noting the fatigue in his eyes. "You've been working so hard," She murmurs, pride and concern mingling in her tone. "Have you been taking care of yourself?" She reaches out to gently touch his cheek with her nose, a motherly gesture that she hopes brings him some comfort.

At his question, Butterflytuft glances down at the tiny bundle of fur curled up beside her, sound asleep. "Budkit and I are doing well," The tortoiseshell replies, her voice lightening a bit as she talks about her daughter. There is a fondness that twinkles in sunflower eyes as she gazes down at her. "She’s growing strong. You should visit more often - I’m sure she’d love a playmate,” She goes on to playfully mew with a smile.

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[LIONPAW]

The vibrant tortoiseshell naturally dives into a motherly state, one that she cannot help as she exhibits this maternal affection and concern for nearly all current and former nursery residents. Butterflytuft was sweet, a certain warmth radiating from her ( one that Doeblaze had often lacked, though he does not think lesser of his mother because of this ). When she touches her nose to his cheek, Lionpaw cannot help the rise in temperature in his ears. In an attempt to casually brush off his embarrassed and bashful reaction, the chocolate torbie point answers quickly and almost without thinking, "Sure, yeah." They clear their throat.

A sense of relief washes over Lionpaw when Butterflytuft moves on, talking about little Budkit and how her growth is progressing. The apprentice manages a sheepish grin, small, when the she-cat suggests visiting more often to play with the youngster. "Heh, I think she'd find Candorpaw and Hollypaw more fun. I was never great at playin'." Or... at least in the way that everybody else liked. In the nursery days, others like Sangriapaw and Ricepaw always tended to flock toward his littermates because of their whimsy nature and ability to illustrate grandiose fables off the top of their heads. As much as Lionpaw tried to join in on their games, they always ended up running off somewhere without him as Hollynose and Candorflight. Lionpaw always preferred to live in the present as opposed to escaping reality.

The slumbering form of Budkit reminds Lionpaw that he should leave the pair to rest; he has more duties to attend to himself. "Well uh, if there's nothin' else, I should get ready for dusk patrol." The chocolate torbie point announces his other obligations as politely as he could muster, his head dipping respectfully to Butterflytuft. Lionpaw truly misses seeing her every day, but he is nearly a warrior now. Things would never be the same again. He and the other trainees were the future protectors and providers of SkyClan. "Nice seein' you, Butterflytuft." Lionpaw mewed gently before turning and dipping out of the nursery.

𝐌𝐘 𝐁𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐄 ✹ . + 　 　˚ 　　　　 · 　 𝐀 𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐘

• horrifically late ragh

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  — lionpaw / 9 moons / he/they pronouns
  — skyclan apprentice / mentored by crowsight
  — doeblaze x blazestar / hover for immediate kin
  — lh chocolate torbie point w/ blue eyes, diagonal scar across face
  — click for full tags

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[butterflytuft]

Butterflytuft watches Lionpaw with gentle eyes as he tries to brush off her affection, his bashful response drawing a soft purr from her. She knows he's growing older, becoming a strong and capable cat, but to her, he'll always be that little kit who used to seek comfort in the nursery. "You've always been good company, Lionpaw," She assures him softly. "You don't need to be the best at playing to be someone worth spending time with."

As he mentions his duties and politely excuses himself, Butterflytuft gives him a warm smile, dipping her head in return. “I won’t keep you, then. Do your best on patrol, okay?" There's a hint of pride in her voice, a quiet acknowledgment of the responsibility he's taken on and how much he's grown. "Don’t be a stranger," She adds fondly as he turns to leave. "It was good seeing you too."

As he disappears from view, the queen’s yellow gaze lingers on the nursery entrance for a moment longer, a quiet sense of nostalgia settling over her. Things were changing, and though she knew it was the natural way of things, it didn't stop her from missing the days when all her little ones, and those she'd cared for, were still kits under her watchful eye. She lets out a soft sigh, leaning down to nuzzle Budkit, who stirs briefly before settling back into sleep. The nursery was still full, but it was different. Each day, the kits here grew a little more independent, and just like the others she will watch them leave one day to sleep in a nest that isn’t hers.
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