- Feb 6, 2024
- 72
- 9
- 8
Sneezeduck was never a stranger to being.. ostracized, and abnormal. As a kit, he was the quietest of the bunch; as an apprentice, he was the only empathetic soul around. As he grew into a warrior, he became tall and lanky, more akin to a WindClanner than the full-blooded (or so he always assumed) ShadowClanner he really was. These days, what sets him apart the most is grief, and an unwillingness to grow up and move on, as some cats say.
The origins of his father was never really in question for Sneezeduck. His mother, Duckshimmer, was all he really knew, so normal to a point that the very concept of a father was not in mind. It wasn't until her closeness with Chilledstar that he really questioned what it'd be like to have a full, normal family. He was happy for her, although it was odd to see her settling down. And Chilledstar was a good cat, a friendly leader, someone he grew to like after getting over his original fears. And - to have a leader as a parent figure, what young apprentice could ever want more?
The grief he felt after Chilledstar's final death was nothing he'd felt before. Sneezeduck remembers crumbling over the leader's bloody body, ignoring the blood that would have once sent him running. Begging them to come back, cursing the stars for taking them so soon after the pieces finally began to fall together. If he ever had to imagine the pain of losing a father, that very instance would be it. He ached for himself, for Chilledstar, and most importantly for his mother, who had seemingly fallen head-over-paws for them.
If she, if they all loved Chilledstar so much, then why is Sneezeduck the only cat who still mourns?
He was apprehensive towards Smogstar, quiet during his leadership. A little more accepting of Mirestar, for convenience over personal following. Everyone else has moved on, cheered for them and their future, forgotten the leader that raised them. As a rumor floats through the wind, he is certain that it is now truly everyone.
Sneezeduck saw it for himself, the way Ripplestream and Duckshimmer cozied up to each other as soon as the first frost hit. He had wrinkled his nose, turned it up. Once it became something harder to ignore, he saw to it to confront her - and that, he did.
" Haven't seen you try to share a nest with someone since Chilledstar, " Sneezeduck mumbles bluntly, skipping the introductions, as he approaches his mother. His heart aches and twists bitterly over the loss of their old leader, a cat he formally invited to be a part of their family. " So what, do you like.. love Ripplestream now? " Chilledstar's littermate, of all cats? I didn't ask him to be a part of our family, the boy reminds himself, narrowing his eyes as if he had spoken the thought aloud.
The origins of his father was never really in question for Sneezeduck. His mother, Duckshimmer, was all he really knew, so normal to a point that the very concept of a father was not in mind. It wasn't until her closeness with Chilledstar that he really questioned what it'd be like to have a full, normal family. He was happy for her, although it was odd to see her settling down. And Chilledstar was a good cat, a friendly leader, someone he grew to like after getting over his original fears. And - to have a leader as a parent figure, what young apprentice could ever want more?
The grief he felt after Chilledstar's final death was nothing he'd felt before. Sneezeduck remembers crumbling over the leader's bloody body, ignoring the blood that would have once sent him running. Begging them to come back, cursing the stars for taking them so soon after the pieces finally began to fall together. If he ever had to imagine the pain of losing a father, that very instance would be it. He ached for himself, for Chilledstar, and most importantly for his mother, who had seemingly fallen head-over-paws for them.
If she, if they all loved Chilledstar so much, then why is Sneezeduck the only cat who still mourns?
He was apprehensive towards Smogstar, quiet during his leadership. A little more accepting of Mirestar, for convenience over personal following. Everyone else has moved on, cheered for them and their future, forgotten the leader that raised them. As a rumor floats through the wind, he is certain that it is now truly everyone.
Sneezeduck saw it for himself, the way Ripplestream and Duckshimmer cozied up to each other as soon as the first frost hit. He had wrinkled his nose, turned it up. Once it became something harder to ignore, he saw to it to confront her - and that, he did.
" Haven't seen you try to share a nest with someone since Chilledstar, " Sneezeduck mumbles bluntly, skipping the introductions, as he approaches his mother. His heart aches and twists bitterly over the loss of their old leader, a cat he formally invited to be a part of their family. " So what, do you like.. love Ripplestream now? " Chilledstar's littermate, of all cats? I didn't ask him to be a part of our family, the boy reminds himself, narrowing his eyes as if he had spoken the thought aloud.
