camp Well here we are again || Moving into the nursery

[Frostbite]

It's weird setting foot in the nursery again. It's like Frostbite hasn't quite registered that he's carrying kits yet. He reminds himself often enough, maybe now it will actually settle in. This time will be different, he tells himself. This time, he's not full of grief, stress, and anxiety. He knows what to expect. He hopes that.... He doesn't almost die this time. Remembering the pain of birth makes him shudder. It's perhaps the only thing giving him apprehension, and thats fine. Because that's normal.

With fresh moss in his mouth he begins to make his nest. He feels under the weather again today, too tired to make anything fancy. He is simply patting the moss down and then plans to lay down and not move for the rest of the day. He even gets to take the same spot he was in last time. His shoddy nest making is done with little effort and he settles onto his side and peers out the entrance of the nursery.

This is....It, then. There's nothing else he can do. He just has to lay right here..... By himself.......Yes, Needledrift is in here too....

But it's not the same!

He bites his lip and covers his face with his paws. In his fake privacy, he wallows in not being able to share a nest with Skunktail for the duration of his time in here. This sudden, nagging feeling of clinginess is eating him alive and he wasn't ready for it at all. So.... Instead of denying himself and laying here fighting a losing battle against the symptoms of pregnancy, he gets up again and shuffles out of the nursery, tucking his paws underneath him and assuming the loaf position.... And waits for Skunktail to Notice Him.

(( @Skunktail but no need to wait! ))​

 

[ONYXPAW]

I WISH YOU COULD SEE THE WICKED TRUTH — These days, the nursery was honestly sort of a mystery to Onyxpaw. It had already been several moons since she had last seen it as a kit, and with both of her parents now once again taking up residence in the warriors' den, she only ever saw the inside when she was bringing food to queens and kits alike. Those trips were often short unless she got caught by one of the little ones that was desperate for a playmate outside of their own litter. Slugkit immediately came to mind, though her reactions often ranged from a desperation to play, to outright snoring right on through the apprentice bringing prey in. Those were the ones that always made her laugh, impressed by just how much the other could doze the day away.

The last time she had gone to a delivery trip to the nursery, Frostbite hadn't been one of the cats making their home in a scattered nest. Though it seemed that he wasn't making a home of one even now, considering the way he came shuffling right back out only moments after settling. Onyxpaw couldn't help but watch in confusion, dropping the last of her deliveries off at Eggskip's nest before heading out after the pure white lead warrior. "Frostbite? Uhm, is there something wrong with the nursery?" She didn't realize how her words might sound until they left her muzzle, immediately causing her to recoil as she hastily moved on. "Not... I mean. Obviously you can be outside of the nursery, you're not trapped in there or anything. I just noticed you get up real fast and was wondering if maybe there was something I could help with." The chimera's words came out in a frantic ramble, hoping that Frostbite wasn't insulted by her asking in the first place.

Oh Starclan, what if she was being nosy?

CAUGHT UP IN A RUSH ✦ IT IS KILLING YOU

• 

• 
  ✧ shorthaired tortoiseshell point and chocolate point chimera with blue eyes
  ✧ 7 moons old; ages the 1st every month
  ✧ bisexual; crushing on yellowpaw
  ✧ daughter of monarchroot and sleetjaw
  ✧ shadowclan born; silently loyal to her home
  ✧ difficult to befriend; shy to most except yellowpaw
  ✧ "speech", thoughts, attacking
  ✧ peaceful powerplay allowed

​

 

[Duckshimmer]

*+:｡.｡ Duckshimmer's time in the nursery had been spent mostly in a blissful state of disassociation. She liked to think of those two moons as meditation practice. Simply resting on a cloud, enjoying the attention when it came, and carefully riding out the sickness when that, too, came knocking. For someone who went through it all on her own, she could confidently say that it was a much easier process than what Frostbite seemed to be dealing with. Duckshimmer may not understand feeling lonely for another's company, but she knew attention-seeking when she saw it.

A smile filled her maw, bright and mischievous as she padded over to stand beside Onyxpaw. Resting her tail delicately on the tortie-point's back, Duckshimmer would purr, "Easy there, sweetie, I believe you're spot on with your assumption" Periwinkle eyes glow as she turned her focus onto Frostbite. "It's quite the sweet bonding experience for mates to help make the first nursery nest together, almost an unspoken tradition, no?" She makes a dramatic show of looking around, before lightly tapping her chin, "Odd. Is Skunktail running late? Might I fetch him for you?"

She wondered what kept Frostbite from asking his mate to help him in the first place. What kept him from frolicking after his love like the pout in those eyes of his so clearly conveyed? Duckshimmer, unfortunately, could understand the tug-of-war that was the battle between love and pride. If Frostbite suffered the same...well, Duckshimmer was eager to tease him over it.

*+:｡.｡ Updated 12/15/23

• 
  
  
• 
  
  
  GENERAL:
  ⚜ Duckshimmer
  ⚜ DFAB— She/Her — Bisexual
  ⚜ 30 moons — Ages 1 moon every month real-time
  ⚜ Mother to Singepaw, Swallowpaw and Sneezepaw
  ⚜ Shadowclan — Warrior
  
  
  
  
  
  COMBAT:
  ⚜Physically hard | mentally hard
  ⚜ Attack in bold #ffa98f
  injuries: None currently

​

 

[mapletail]

Mapletail was on her way to the nursery when she spotted Frostbite hesitating at the front of the nursery in loaf formation, her head tilting for a moment in confusion. What was the lead warrior here for- oh! She had forgotten that he was now carrying and would be joining the queens and the others in the nursery, a sheepish smile coming to her lips. "Hey Frostbite," she would meow in greeting as she waved her tail at the other two females. "Are you hungry or anything? I can get you something while you wait for Skunktail."

Her sunshine yellow eyes sparkled in anticipation as she stared at the ivory lead warrior, paws ready to dart her to the freshkill or to go hunt for the male if he needed anything. More kit to join the fray eventually! How exciting was that? There was nothing that made your day better than having a kitten want to be your friends and stare at you with big ol' round eyes that sparkle to hear stories, play and more.
​

"speech", thoughts, attacking

 

[Gigglepaw]

"What're you doin' in here?" Gigglekit asked as soon as she woke up to find a new addition to the nursery. She was used to it just being Needledrift and her brothers, and her cousins Marblekit and Sycamorekit, and now someone new had decided to show up? Of course she was curious! She watched Frostbite from a cautious distance, remembering that her mother had told her that he was one of her uncle's mate.

She carefully tracked Frostbite's every move, following him at a distance as he assumed a loaf position outside of the nursery. A lot of others seemed to have taken an interest in Frostbite and his new move to the nursery, and Gigglekit isn't quite sure what all that is about, but she enjoys when the nursery gets lively - and lively is it today, with something new just on the horizon. Settling in near the nursery's entrance, Gigglekit examined Frostbite closely before mimicking his loaf position to settle in and see what happened.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎OOC ᓚ₍ ^. .^₎ .ᐟ.ᐟ INFO ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

• !
  

• 

• GIGGLEKIT ✩ kit of shadowclan, one moon
  → blinks incessantly & uncontrollably.
  → peaceful and healing powerplay permitted.
  → penned by Archivist → .archivist on discord.
  

​

 

[MARBLEPAW]

Round green eyes blink in surprise as a blinding white flash of fur settles in amongst the empty nests in the nursery and then exits in a snow-flurry of haste. Frostbite—she remembers him from when he’d introduced himself to herself and Sycamorekit. She remembers him being kind enough, though her tiny eyelashes flutter in confusion as he enters and leaves so quickly. What’s he doing in the nursery, though? Her thoughts echo her denmate’s questions.

Marblekit scrambles to her paws, following Gigglekit toward the mouth of the nursery. Gigglekit assumes the same tucked-paw position that Frostbite does, whereas Marblekit only lingers, her eyes glassy with curiosity. “Are you gonna live in here now, too?” She stares at him with an unnerving green gaze. “With Needledrift? And us?”

『 out of character. 』 ✧･ﾟ:* 『 about. 』

• ooc: —
• 
• Marblekit, she/they w/ feminine and non-gendered terms.
  — “speech”, thoughts, attack
  — 3 moons old, ages realistically on the 1st.
  — mentored by n/a ; mentoring n/a ; previously mentored n/a
  — shadowclan kit, formerly a rogue. siltcloud x lilacfur, gen 3.
  — currently mated to n/a.
  — penned by Marquette.
  
  
  sh fawn tabby with dull green eyes. bossy, brazen, outgoing, conniving, mischievous, skeptical, spiteful.
  
  

​

 

[MORELPAW]

✧ . Though the nursery gets plenty of visitors, but not quite like this. Frostbite carries moss, like what he and his littermates sleep in with their mother. Was it for them? Sometimes their moss gets changed when it gets too dry and scratchy, right?

Wrong, apparently. Frostbite sets the moss down, crafts it into something livable. And then… he lays in it. Huh?

Behind Gigglekit and Marblekit’s rising paws, Morelkit approaches, a head tilting at the stark-white face that settles into the nursery as the duo asks their questions first. What are you doing here? Gigglekit asks. Are you gonna live in here now too? Marblekit follows.

“ Why’s you livin’ in here? “ Morelkit adds to the barrage of questions. The nursery was only for kits and thier mothers, wasn’t it? Just as the apprentice den was for apprentices, the warrior den for warriors. “ Don’t… Don’t y’wanna be in the big den? “ Maybe it’s quieter here, than in Frostbite’s old den — with all those warriors, it must be louder. ​

✦ ABOUT

• MORELKIT ✦ AMAB. He / Him. Kit of ShadowClan.
  ✧ . A blue tabby and white tom with pale, blue-gray eyes.
  ✧ . Needledrift x Chittertongue ; Adoptive son to Ferndance
  ✧ . Mentor to be determined
  ✧ . Peaceful and healing powerplay permitted!
  ✧ . Penned by Abri ‣ @_abri_ on discord, feel free to dm for plots!
  ✧ . " Speech " ; Attack
  

​

 

[Starlingheart]

The nursery. So much of Starlingheart's job was found in the small day to day tasks but by far this one was her favorite. She loved checking in on the kits and the queens of the clan, loved seeing all those little faces peering up at her excitedly asking for more honey, or a story, or whatever else their little minds could come up with for the day. She loved watching the look on a queens face when she pressed her paws against their stomachs and told them that she could feel their kits kicking, that they were strong and healthy and that everything was going just fine.

Excitement is in her steps today as she nears the nursery for her daily rounds. She had seen her friend moving his nest in not that long ago. He was to be a father again, and this time the sire was none other than her own brother. More kits were to be born into her already abundant family and Starlingheart couldn't be happier at the prospect.

When she pokes her head in the den though, she takes note of the downcast look on his face, of the cats offering their help, of the kits asking why he was here and not in the warriors den like usual. Letting Duckshimmer and Mapletail take care of Frostbite for now, Starlingheart decides to answer the youth questions. She makes a sweeping motion with her tail to beckon the kits closer to her "Frostbite is in here because s-soon he will- he'll have kits of his own. He'll be staying in here until- until th-they're apprentices, just like with you guys and your-your parents" she reaches out and playfully flicks one of the kits on the nose when she speaks, a warm smile taking over her features when she interacts with the younger generation.

( ‧₊˚❀༉‧₊˚. ) fly me up on a silver wing

• 
  
  
• 
  STARLINGHEART SHADOWCLAN MEDICINE CAT; SHE / HER ; SISTER TO PITCHSTAR, CHITTERTONGUE, NIGHTSWARM, SKUNKTAIL, AND LILACFUR. MOTHER TO NETTLEPAW, FLINTPAW AND GHOSTPAW.
  

  A skinny she cat with short black and white fur littered with scars and one singular green eye.

  ✦ Easy in battle + has little to no formal battle training
  

​

 

[Frostbite]

Ah... He should have known he'd garner attention. He gives Onyxpaw a soft smile as she rambles. "There's nothing wrong with the nursery, I promise. I'm just....."

Sitting here waiting for attention from Skunktail? Yearning? Wishing that Skunktail wasn't out on patrol? Yeah. That's what he's doing. It's a near overwhelming feeling that he can only attibute to his condition and yet pride prevents him from admitting it.

His gaze switches to Duckshimmer and he immediately takes note of her mischievous grin. He knows exactly what that means he's in for and in his mind, he's hiding his face. She is going to torment him....

"I hadn't known that, actually.... Perhaps his nest making skills are better than mine." He comments. He wouldn't know about any couple traditions... Had the other couples made their nests together? He never paid attention before. Maybe he should pay more attention to what other couples do. You know. For reasons.

"You don't have to fetch him... He'll be here when he gets here, it's not like I'm going anywhere." He says. Part of him wants to say yes, go find him. But he wont... He will weather this horrible storm of emotions being forced on him by pregnancy. Besides! Skunktail has important things to do and sitting here with him is not one of them!

Mapletail joins them and is a welcome distraction. "I'm not hungry at the moment, no." He answers her. "Thank you for asking, though."

Naturally, the kits are curious. He smiles at Gigglekit who imitates his pose and at Marblekit who lingers nearby. Morelkit is also curious. Such innocence, so untainted by the cruelties of life, he wishes he could protect them forever. He'll have to do his best to make sure the light in their hearts and eyes doesn't fade, even Siltcloud's kit who stares at him with a gaze that reminds him of her mother.

But she is not her mother, and Frostbite cannot judge her for crimes she wasn't even in existence for.

Starlingheart arrives before he can reply to the kits, and he's thankful for her explanation. She's excellent with them.... He finds himself wishing she got to experience motherhood with a mate who wasn't a monster.

"Starlingheart is right, I'm here because I'll be having my own kits soon. I get to stay in here with you guys in the meantime." He says with a smile. "I wont take up too much space though, don't worry."

He hopes, at least. What if he has a big litter? Then he'll take up more space. But there's nothing he can do about that, so whatever happens happens. He doesn't think it will be too big a deal.​

 

[jaggedpath !]

―|―――――――――――――――――|⤙‹ (( ☽ )) ›⤚|―――――――――――――――――|―

Frostbite had an interesting knack for gathering the attention of their Clanmates. Whether he was chowing down on some prey, collecting moss or... from what it looks like now simply lounging out in the sunshine, his Clan flocked to him like algae to water. Jaggedpath wondered what made the Lead such good company to be around like that, to lure in so many folk. He was truly kind, yes, and had a great sense of humor.

Perhaps it was because he was a lead, as well? Did his status make their Clanmates want him to like them? He might have believed that if it weren't for the fact he seldom saw the same for Sharpshadow and Forestshade. Hmm...

"Back in the ol' hollow, sure look." He chattered on quickly, watching the kittens in their confusion. Funny, they must believe the nursery was all for Needledrift.

"You'll get m'finest froggies. Unless you don't got the taste for'em, never quite liked the buggers m'self." And his muzzle curled a bit just thinking of the slimy things. All rubber and crunch- blegh. "Well, uh, congrats then, fella! Shame I've got to be th' sorry sack that sticks out all alone now. Gonna be in bits missin' ya out there." At least it may not be forever. Hopefully, until there's another puffball trying to hunt in the shadows.

​

―|――――――――――――――|⤙‹ (( ☽ )).....

☾⤙‹ (( ooc -☽- info )) ›⤚☽

• // OOC​
• image here optional
• ― (( jaggedpath )) fluffy white tom with black speckles on his muzzle and bright blue eyes
  ↳ shadowclan, warrior, cismale he/him
  ― easy to make friends with | bad at romance | good at teaching | bad with kits​

 

[MORELPAW]

✧ . Kitten-blue eyes light up at Starlingheart’s arrival, a spark that simmers into confusion at her words. “ Kits..? “ he echoes. Frostbite was having kits? “ Like us…? “

He isn’t sure how to feel about that — the nursery would be different then, wouldn’t it? It already is, now that Frostbite lives here too. It would be like the big den. Loud, and not quiet, unless the warrior’s kits were more like Marblekit and Sycamorekit.

For a moment, the kit is lost for questions as he silently ponders the news. He likes his siblings. He likes his cousins too. So why wouldn’t he like Frostbite’s kits?

“ They'll be nice? “ he slowly asks — the white warrior would know for sure whether or not his own kits would be nice. Another second of silence passes, before he speaks again. “ Can… Can we play with ‘em? All of ‘em? “ Their games will be bigger when they arrive. More chances for tag, and I Spy, and mossball… maybe Morelkit doesn’t mind the news after all? ​

✦ ABOUT

• MORELKIT ✦ AMAB. He / Him. Kit of ShadowClan.
  ✧ . A blue tabby and white tom with pale, blue-gray eyes.
  ✧ . Needledrift x Chittertongue ; Adoptive son to Ferndance
  ✧ . Mentor to be determined
  ✧ . Peaceful and healing powerplay permitted!
  ✧ . Penned by Abri ‣ @_abri_ on discord, feel free to dm for plots!
  ✧ . " Speech " ; Attack
  

​