WE’VE RIDDEN THE STARS // thundergleam

[STORMYWING]

// @THUNDERGLEAM

The forest is alive with birdsong, a gentle breeze rustling through the bare branches above as leaf-bare continues to rear its head. Despite the clear sky, the chill bites through Stormywing's fur, but she hardly notices. It's felt like moons since she's felt anything but the heavy weight of regret and shame pressing down on her chest.

But today is different.

It had taken some convincing, Thundergleam's gentle insistence chipping away at the barriers she'd thrown up around herself. The promise of a climb, of doing something that used to make her feel alive, was enough to drag her out of her brooding. The braided tabby pads toward a towering oak in the heart of the territory, her claws flexing instinctively at the sight of its sturdy branches. It's one of her favorites, with limbs wide enough to perch on and a trunk thick enough to challenge even the most agile climber.

"Alright," She calls over her shoulder as she stops at the base, her tail flicking behind her. Her voice is steadier than she expected, her muscles already itching to scale the rough bark. "What's the plan, Thundergleam? Are we just climbing, or are you finally ready to race me to the top?" A small, playful smirk tugs at her lips as she glances back at the ivory she-cat, the sight of her making her heart flutter. It's a joke, of course - she knows her friend still needs more practice up in the branches before she'd be comfortable enough in a speedy race. And she herself wouldn't feel even close to comfortable putting the amateur into that kind of danger.

She turns to fully face her, studying her expression. She always has a way of making things feel…easier. Thundergleam has been her rock through all of this, and she can't help but feel a pang of guilt for dragging her into her mess. Still, she's grateful she's here now. She needs this, even if she won't admit it out loud. "Come on, slowpoke," Stormywing teases, already crouching to spring after realizing she'd been staring. "Don't make me leave you in the dust."
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[THUNDERGLEAM]

Without the cover of the leaves, Thundergleam was nervous to face the harshness of the sun; she could not deny the nervous bob in her throat when she felt a delicate flicker of warmth beneath her fur. More than ever she wished to look her best... without reddened skin, or displaced tufts. In Stormywing's company, she was much more conscious of it... and there was pride there, when she faced her looking well.

And the sun was a gentle thing today. Despite a shared colour, it did not burn as viciously as Father's glare had. Not in this company, at least. For a moment... stolen moments, several... every pain could be flung downstream. She found Stormywing's side easily, and saw the gladness in her eyes- and there were no claws to be bared in the aid of her. It took only a word, only a request ... she could not hide her glee when Stormywing at last agreed. Allowed herself to feel something other than guilt, repentance. Was it selfish, that Thundergleam could forget her own too, in the face of her?

This face, though... it was hard to feel guilty in her regard.

The tree gazed kindly upon them, a thing to be conquered... Thundergleam could not deny her slight intimidation, the flicker of it in her pale gaze as she cast her attention to her friend. "If I ever hanker after breaking a bone, I shall ask you to race," Thundergleam joked lightly. Uncomplicated, there was a smile upon her face... not forced there, not wobbling. In fact she would have had to try to be rid of it. "You may show off if you wish." Twinkling tone. Oh, she would watch her streaking up the tree branch from anywhere... the bunch of her muscles, making it look as easy as running...

A huff of laughter left her- she leapt too, but did not make it as high as Stormywing. Blinking in the light, faced so suddenly by the harshness of the sky, it took her a few moments to get her bearings. "I would not dream of it," she insisted, though her voice was a little strained with effort. The trunk was gnarled, plenty of footholds ... logically, yes. But always, always was it harder than it looked- as she ascended, a front paw snagged and slipped. Her heart lurched suddenly into her ribcage. "Oh!"​

penned by pin ☾​

 

[STORMYWING]

Stormywing watches Thundergleam carefully as they ascend, her sharp golden eyes flicking between the branches above and the ivory she-cat's movements below. She knows her friend is still learning, but seeing her determination warms something deep in her chest. A small, proud smile tugs at her lips as she hears her light joke, and she peers back at her as she reaches a branch just a little way down. The sight of her climbing with such focus and grit makes her heart flutter with what she will now knowingly call attraction.

The peace is shattered the moment Thundergleam's paw slips.

The tabby's heart jumps into her throat at the sound of her friend's startled cry, and without hesitation, her body springs into action. "Hold on!" She barks sharply, but there is a steady confidence in it. She won't let her fall. Her movements are sharp with adrenaline as she launches herself downward. It is instinct more than thought that guides her as she drops onto the branch just beneath Thundergleam. Her claws grip the rough bark with ease, her small frame standing firm against the tree. In a heartbeat, her teeth are at the albino's scruff, hauling her sideways onto the branch before gravity can claim her. Stormywing's muscles strain with the effort, but she doesn't falter, not for a moment.

Once Thundergleam is safely perched on the branch, the she-cat releases her, panting slightly but managing to mostly keep her composure. "Hey," She trills softly, crouching next to her and nudging her shoulder gently with her nose. "You okay? That was a close one." She leans back to give her friend space, suddenly becoming all too aware of their close proximity against the tree trunk. Golden eyes scan her for any signs of injury as a light blush touches her face. There is no judgment in her gaze for a failed climb, only concern and the faintest glimmer of reassurance. "You're doing great," She adds in a rough, low tone. "That was just a slip. Happens to everyone." Her thick tail brushes lightly against the other warrior's side in a silent gesture of comfort. "We can keep going if you're up for it. Or we can take a break here for a bit. Your call." She offers her a small, crooked smile, appearing so confident that one wouldn't even know the panic she'd felt moments prior.
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[THUNDERGLEAM]

Oh, she would hold- keyholed her focus entirely upon it, that barked command. Not wolfish with anger, but bolstered with a protectiveness Thundergleam would, upon late reflection, find flattering. It was Stormywing's heart, of course, to be unwaveringly loyal- swooping hawk-like into heroics without a second thought. Nothing personal, nothing special... though she could not resist the warmth.

Scruffed and supportive, her own scrabbling paws aided the rescue- they were safe, she was safe, perched upon this limb. Blooming mist puffed from her jaws, an exhale of relief hanging visible in the frigid air. Anchored as suddenly as she had been slipping, Thundergleam sat in bewildered silence for a few moments. Through the veil of her lashes she watched her friend, for a few moments- watched Stormywing's breathing slow and nestle into a place of respite. At the touch of her nose, Thundergleam could have melted. Thoughtlessly, she swayed slightly into the touch.

At the distance, she ached. Even if it was inches, and even if it was borne of danger, she found she wanted after that thrilling warmth she had felt only moments ago. An ebbing feeling. Could she chase it? "I am alright," she assured her, mouth dry, nod of her head in chorus. "The forest is barren of leaves, and the light in my eyes, it..."

She angled her head upward, squinting at the sky. Even when she did not see the sun itself, the uncovered brightness rended her disorientated. Happens to everyone. Not simply a failure of the self, then. Thundergleam found her smile again- it won an easy battle against the furrowing of her brows. "Perhaps," she agreed, nod of the head ... though momentary composure faltered a little when Stormywing touched her, a brush of the tail. Pull of want in her throat, yet again. Thundergleam's eyes lifted to meet hers, bore piercingly into yellow eyes. She could find her smile to match that crooked one, yes...

She examined her face. "I may need a moment," she murmured, looking still. A soft smile continued to curve into unabashed glee, shock beginning to ebb away into unrelenting, comforting warmth. A starry-eyed purr began to roll from her lungs. "Yes, a moment. I feel I should admire my saviour," and her voice dipped low, into something swathed with sweetness and thrill. Just a little ... a ghostly form leaned forward. "I must reward you. Anything you want- prey, flowers, honey... I will endeavour to personally fetch it."​

penned by pin ☾​

 

[STORMYWING]

Stormywing lets out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, her golden eyes fixed on Thundergleam's pale form as she reassures her. Her ears flick at the soft tone - is it just her or do her words seem breathless? - and a sheepish grin works its way onto her face. "Well, I'm glad you're alright," She murmurs, brushing her paw along the bark beneath them to steady herself. Despite the lingering rush of adrenaline, there's a lightness to her now. She chalks it up to relief, but stars it's an aching feeling in her throat, isn't it?

But then Thundergleam looks at her. Really looks at her.

The intensity in those blush-colored eyes sends a jolt through the tabby's chest, and for a heartbeat she forgets where they are. High above the forest floor, branches swaying ever so slightly in the breeze…none of it registers as Thundergleam's soft, sweet words wrap around her like the warmth of greenleaf sun. Admire her? Reward her? Stormywing's tail flicks sharply behind her repeatedly in an effort to dispel the sudden heat rising beneath her fur. "Anything I want, huh?" She tilts her head, forcing her voice into something teasing, though it comes out just a touch uneven. "Careful with offers like that, Thundergleam. I might hold you to it." Her grin widens, but the spark in her eyes betrays her nerves as she struggles to hold onto her usual bravado when her heart feels like it's leaping out of her chest.

She glances away for a moment, pretending to scan the branches above them in an effort to compose herself. But in her peripherals, she sees her friend leaning closer, and it lures her gaze back. There is a small voice in the back of her head that screams at her to make a move! Gosh, the flurry of emotions in her chest will surely refuse to quiet down now. But no move comes - what if Thundergleam doesn't feel that way? What if it's not the right timing? The situation with her father is so fresh… "Alright," She finally says more softly now, her playful tone tempered with something genuine, forcing down the urge to lean forward, to meet her halfway. "How about this - you can owe me. We'll come back here once you've got the hang of climbing, and then we'll race. Deal?" Her grin turns lopsided as she reaches out with her paw, brushing it lightly against Thundergleam's own as if to seal the agreement. The warmth of her touch lingers even after she pulls away, her heart hammering so loud that she's pretty sure the other she-cat can hear it. "In the meantime," She adds, her tone growing more lighthearted again, "I'll take the admiring. I mean, I do look pretty amazing in action. Just try not to get distracted or I'll have to rescue you again." She smirks, and stars she even dares for a wink, though the teasing quip is more to mask her own nerves than anything else.
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[THUNDERGLEAM]

To waver for a moment wouldn't do. For so long she had obeyed the whims of StarClan... or even, as her Father's misbegotten facsimile of them. Was it a crime, then, to for once take what she wanted...? No ill omen had befallen her about Stormywing. No, never. In fact, every good omen seemed to be married to her- everything that lit the world pleasantly seemed to gleam from sun-hued eyes.

Could she not believe it? Anything she wanted ... yes, Thundergleam hummed an affirmation. Carefulness clasped her, for certain... as did intuition, though. There was nothing wrong here. No snakeskin, no eclipse, no early snowfall. Wariness was a thing forgotten. I might hold you to it, said Stormywing, and Thundergleam's happiness shone all the more deeply across every little muscle of her face. Rosy eyes held their connection, insistent, and indeed expecting Stormywing to do so.

No nose met her fur again, but a paw did, and Thundergleam would take what she was given eagerly in the brim of her smile and the steadiness of her eyes. The promise of a race? "Is that all?" Thundergleam asked. Not condescending, no... still sweetened, sighing in a way separate from prophecy-bolstered dreaminess. "Deal." It was easy.

I do look pretty amazing in action. Against her better judgement, a girlish giggle bubbled from within her.

Father lurked in the flare of the sun, but she could forget about it here. Solely in company that trusted her. And she had always thought Father had loved her, but his love had been scorching, blinding, like thie unveiled winter sun. It was no question of whether she loved him too... but that love had always been rooted in reverence, and not the trust that webbed her heart together so warmly, now.

Admiration without worship. Happiness without pretence. Unnamed thing, cottonmouthing her ... it was love, wasn't it?

And all of a sudden, her eyes grew more crescenting. Every insistent complication that could come from this was pushed away- the matter of Iciclefang, of her kits, of her Father's blood at her paws... of the near-miss that had been a starlit embrace, rather than a cut of the stomach. She would admire her, then... bathe in the sun-rays of her love and allow herself to feel it. "Mhmm... I am glad you are aware of it. It makes things quite difficult for me," she tittered. It could have been a joke, maybe... but she was looking, still. "You should streak to the very top, as fast as you can. I would like to know what I am up against."

Thinly veiled. She simply wished to gaze.​

penned by pin ☾​

 

[STORMYWING]

What if Stormywing was reading too much into the playful lilt in her voice and how her pale eyes seemed to sparkle like twin gemstones in the dappled sunlight? The uncertainty tangles her thoughts like brambles, leaving her frozen in place, stuck between her instinct to tease like the friends they are and the sudden, overwhelming urge to close the distance between them. But she forces herself to sit back a little, giving the other she-cat space to collect herself. Her heart is still racing, but being here with her feels like the first time in moons that she's allowed herself to simply be. It's comforting, it's easy, it's natural. Striped gray ears flick forward at Thundergleam's flustered giggle, her golden gaze locked onto the ivory warrior with an unreadable glint. The sound pulls yet another a grin from her. Is Thundergleam…flirting?

The realization gives her bolstered confidence and she can feel her scarred chest inflate with renewed bravado. "Difficult for you?" She echoes, voice laced with a light sarcasm intending to mask the quickening beat of her heart. "I think you're the only one here who's making things difficult, Tumblegleam." The playful nickname rolls off her tongue as easily as her grin grows wider. The ghostly she-cat instructs her to climb to the top then, just so she can watch, and all at once her fur feels like it catches ablaze. Her tail lashes once, the fire in her eyes unmistakable. With every fiber of her being she wants to impress her. Even if she is joking, Stormywing does not take it as such. She gets to her paws easily, eager for the chance to show Thundergleam all she can do, to woo her. She flashes as charming of a smile as she can muster, "Fine. Only because if I sit here too long, I might lose track of time admiring you instead." It's a daring leap, but she has done it. "Just don't blink, or you might miss me."

With that final, glittering look at her companion, she launches herself upward toward the trunk, soaring over Thundergleam's head. Her claws catch the bark in a flurry of movement. Climbing is her element, and every stretch of her limbs feels exhilarating, every leap affirming. This must impress her, right? She doesn't look back to check, though. Not until she reaches the top, when she can pause, look down, and meet those smiling eyes with the victorious smirk she usually wears when she knows she is winning. And she is more set on winning Thundergleam's heart than she has ever been before.
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[THUNDERGLEAM]

Between them, the rapport blazed bright- usually Stormywing's presence was an easy sunbeam, but this talk made her skin pulse with a new sort of heat, rolling warmth that pushed her words up her throat before she had much time to think about them. Tumblegleam - from any other mouth she'd take stark offence. The sort of misnomer a disparaging maw might dub her, an indication that she was not supposed to be here. There was humour in Stormywing's gilt gaze, though- laughter in her words. A trust unwavering that she knew to be there. In response, she could only give a purring laugh.

To Thundergleam's delight, brimming to an extent she could not wholly describe, Stormywing took her offer. Her smile quirked mischievous; ah, it had worked... confidence bolstered, so she might watch it shining from her, as fervent as starlight. As everlasting as the Truth up there too, she hoped. Admiring you, she said... another laugh, glimmering thing. Flutter of the heart. Did she burn just as bright, in Stormywing's regard? "My eyes shall sting from watching you, dear." No intention of blinking, not at all, and hardly one of breathing either.

Shared spark of a glance, and Stormywing was off. Speed incarnate, those thundering wingbeats she was named for... oh, she did look like she belonged among the oaks, swooping bird. All the while, she grinned as she watched her- craning her neck, the brightness of the sky did not bother her. There was a spot up there to match it; uncovered blue, bright and insistent, with a single cloud of tabby striped fur.

And oh, she smiled. Victorious, bright ... and triumph suited her well. Too much had she seen Stormywing downtrodden, without a lustre of championship about her. "I have my work cut out for me," she called, and swooned a little in the shared silence.

Getting to her paws, Thundergleam began her own journey after a few lingering moments. Not up, though... "But you have made a grave error," a purr, laden with humour. Descent was much easier than ascent, in her experience... hook of the claws, leaping into shaded undergrowth. Calling still up the trunk, she revealed Stormywing's hamartia- "You have given me the headstart back to ca-amp ♪ !" Teasing melody-

And she was off, giggling as she streaked along. It was Stormywing's turn to chase. ​

penned by pin ☾​

 

[STORMYWING]

For a long moment, perched high in the tree, Stormywing is lost in the warmth of Thundergleam's laughter echoing below. Her golden eyes gleam, as if reflecting the very sunlight spilling through the branches, her chest swelling with the satisfaction of hearing that laugh - her laugh. Triumph bursts in her chest, before the albino's next words reach her. She cocks her head at the teasing tone. Grave error? Her ears perk, then twist sharply backwards as Thundergleam's singsong proclamation hits her. She stiffens, realizing a beat too late what the ivory she-cat is plotting.

Oh, no you don't.

"Cheating, are we?!" The tabby calls after her, mock outrage thick in her voice, though the grin tugging at her lips is unmistakable. She doesn't wait for a reply. With an exhilarated laugh, she launches herself down the tree trunk, claws skimming the bark in controlled scrapes. Where others might take care to descend cautiously, Stormywing hurtles down with a daredevil's ease, her movements fluid and wild.

Her paws meet the ground with a soft thud, and she's off in an instant, tail streaming like a silver flag behind her as she races after Thundergleam's retreating figure. The thrill of the chase ignites her, and she seems to forget everything else - her duties, her shame, the complicated knot of her feelings. All that matters is this. "You better run faster than that, Tumblegleam!" She hollers the challenge, her voice ringing with delight. The nickname sticks, lighthearted. She weaves through the undergrowth, deftly leaping over roots and ducking under low branches.

Limbs fueled by the rush of adrenaline and the tantalizing promise of victory, she races to catch up, not bothering to think about what would happen if she did. Would her own courage hold long enough to say what's really been stirring in her chest all this time? It doesn't matter. Thoughtlessly, she barrels forward, laughing as her heart races as fast as her paws.
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