The Commotion [Open/Tagged]

[Deleted]

Eh, I didn't have any better title.
Random Tags: Twix, Babylonranger, Lionhearted, Skiv, @lilykit, Specklebird, Ferretpaw, @scarlett, Anya, ~éluros

The crispy leaf fall morning did not betray the events of only a few sunrises ago. The nursery seemed peaceful without kits to occupy it. Some she-cats, pregnant, were laying contently in it, however. The nests were soft and cozy and the den itself was warm. However, despite this, one queen was both tense and restless. She had a calm solemn look but there was a sense of something wrog in those amber eyes. Nutflower's sober mood told of her growing concern for her former apprentice. Nutflower visited the nursery often but never as much as she was doing so now. Nutflower had previously refused to sleep in the nursery after she became pregnant. but now, with her apprentice also pregnant, the chocolate queen decided to sleep in the nursery after all. She was vigilant for Silvershade's safety.

[Skiv]

Roseflame, the large dark ginger she-cat pulled her way into camp. He long thick fur always stuck to the edges of the camp entrance and she just didn't even realize anymore about her fur getting stuck. It was a normal thing. The warrior just took a few steps into camp and then looked back at her apprentice she just the nodded dismissing the young cat for the day. They had a good training session, the apprentice hunting skills were surpassing Roseflame's each day. The large she-cat wasn't the best hunter in the world though so it made sense. Gazing around camp she sighed, it was leaf fall now. Which was Roseflame's favorite time of year. Because thats when the leaves changed and the she-cat just liked to watch as the leaves would fall off the trees. She also liked that it was cooler out. In Green Leaf the large warrior tended to get hot with all the fur she had on her body. She padded to farther into camp. She watched as Nutflower headed towards the nursery, Roseflame blinked her brown eyes and set off after the queen. She seemed down, Roseflame wanted to just talk to someone. Get to know more of her clan mates. She just called out, "Hello Nutflower!"

[Deleted]

Nutflower had quickly become comfortable in the warm den. The brown she-cat was half asleep very soon. Nutflower's peaceful thoughts drifted towards her kithood, when she was only a couple moons old. She smiled dreamily at her memories which were hazy but present. Happiness seemed to sweep Nutflower away into another world, mysterious and secluded. A faraway look upon Nutflower's face appeared and signaled the pleasantness in which she was experiencing. It disappeared, however, with the coming of a familiar, unrelated expression. She rebuked herself from almost falling asleep.

Nutflower lifted her head and her attention from Silvershade and directed it to the source of a call. Nutflower was not feeling very social at the moment but she kept a pleasant expression to her face and greeted the she-cat with a simple hello. Nutflower stayed planted to her nest, however and resumed back to Silvershade.

[Deleted]

Dewpetal yawned, licking her fur before padding up to the two. Really, she had nothing else to do, so she guessed she could talk to other cats. She came up from behind Roseflame, eyeing Nutflower. Something was definitely.... wrong. She looked concern, her eyes clouding with worry. She flicked her ears in greeting before she need softly, "Greetigs fellow clan members.... Nutflower... is something troubling you?"

Occ;; Sorry for the short post xD

[Deleted]

Eh, don't worry about it. It's not like I ever have long posts.

Nutflower licked her fur gently, trying to ignore the presence of an extra cat. Her ears flicked, detecting small movements from her belly. She mumbled under her breath, cursing as a kit or two kicked inside of her. "The kits are only restless," She thought, soothing herself. Nutflower wondered how one sealed with kits. She worried about how good of a parent she might be. The chocolate queen began doubting herself, worrying that she would be a horrible mother. Nutflower firmly told herself to stop worrying and get a hold of herself before she went into a frenzy. With a gracious gesture, she invited the two cats into the tight spaced nursery, as it seemed a bit chilly out, due to leafbare approaching so rapidly.

Nutflower felt like ignoring the next cat who spoke. Her politeness and patients was ebbing away, as the queen only wanted some peace from every else cat except Silvershade. Nutflower, however, forced herself to continue with a bright little smile upon her face. Nutflower impatiently waited for Dewpetal to finish her message. "Yes, yes, everything is perfectly fine," Nutflower snapped. Now, with the queen's patients totally diminished, her gracious behavior had also disappeared. She glared at both cats, annoyed.

[Twix]

It seemed as if Silvershade's life had completely turned upside-down in a matter of days. She had been on top of the world at the news of her kits. Oh, her lovely, innocent kits. They didn't deserve any of this. but her world, along with their future ones, had crumbled before anyone could expect anything. That was when her met, Shadegorse, had died during a badger attack. When the silver she-cat first heard the news.. she honestly couldn't believe it. She denied it for at least the first day or two, before the realization finally sunk in- the black tom she had fallen in love with wasn't coming back. She was raising these kits on her own. His kits. They would grow up fatherless. The thought of it still broke her heart, but there was nothing she could do.

She had moved to the nursery very recently. This was thanks to Nutflower, her old mentor's pestering, and Sleekwhisper. The tom seemed keen on keeping an eye on her after his brother had died, and the same went for Nutflower. It was as if any cat who paid close enough attention could see just how broken Silvershade had become. It didn't exactly help that Sleekwhisper looked exactly like Shadegorse. His black pelt and green eyes reminded her of her dead mate everytime she saw him, and it seemed to cause the thorn in her heart to drive a litter deeper each time. Why did Starclan have to take him from me? but in the end, she was at least grateful for their company and their care. It would make getting through it a little easier. This especially goes for Nutflower, who rarely seemed to leave her side now. Then again that was also because she was sleeping in the nursery now as well, expecting a litter of kittens of her own. The thought of their kits playing together inside the nursery brightened her mood, at least somewhat.

Silvershade hadn't exactly been paying attention when two other she-cats had padded up to her and Nutflower laying just barely outside of the nursery. The air inside the walls of the small place seemed stale compared to that of the chilly air outside, which managed to keep the silver she-cat just barely in the realms of reality. The cold sting in her lungs reminded her that she was still here, even if Shadegorse wasn't. Even though she hadn't listened to exactly what was being said, her attention still managed to focus when the sound of a snappy reply from Nutflower was heard. It seemed to be directed towards Dewpetal. Silvershade didn't know much about this cat besides her name, but she knew she didn't really deserve Nutflower's natural harshness. The silver she-cat gave Dewpetal a sympathetic look before mewing softly, "Everything's okay, Dewpetal. Nutflower has just been worried about me is all. A little too worried, in my opinion, but the thought is nice." She shot her old mentor a small smile. She knew the brown she-cat meant well.

[OoC: Tagging (Flight of the Thunderbird) to bring in Sleekwhisper. They can interact in this thread for the first time instead of something rushed in the beginnings of the birthing thread.]

[Deleted]

Her face showed pure hatred for what happened in the past. Her legs were trembling with trepidation. Eyes had become wide as images of her brother dying at his own sibling's paws flashed in front of her then the clear memory of meeting her former mate at the border... it hurt young Nutflower terribly. She still couldn't imagine anything more relieving than to see Oscar alive. Yet, it also brought so much of those memories from the past back. It was a bittersweet memory which lingered strongly in her mind. Try as she might, it clung defiantly inside of her. When she least expected it, it would pop up, bringing all those sweet and bitter memories with it.

Nutflower didn't see, to want to be calmed by any cat. It seemed as if she savored her memories. but no. This was not so. Nutflower couldn't pull herself away from the memories and they would not leave her. She tried to focus herself back into the real world but memories still flew, hanging on tight to Nutflower.

She faintly heard Silvershade's voice. A calmer look on Nutflower's face appeared. The fresh, tranquil memories of her times with her apprentice filled her mind. A small smile appeared. Her body relaxed and loosened as happy memories of delightful times appeared everywhere.

Trickle -- I think you may need to get Badgerclaw.

[Trickle]

A large, heavy set Tom strode in to the clearing. His thick fur stirred in the brisk breeze that swept through the camp suddenly. In his jaws was a good sized squirrel and small bird that had been injured, making it easy to catch. Badgerclaw had spent a good amount of his time hunting now. That and training with Blackpaw. but he took care not to do anything risky. There was a lot of tragedy of late, and he knew he needed to stay well. He had a beautiful maye, Nutflower, who needed him with her. The thought of her brought up only happiness. Especially since she was carrying their kits. Excitement and nerves had twitched through his paws whenever he thought of it. He was going to be a father! The tom pledge to be a better father than his own.

Anyways, the warrior dropped off his catch in the fresh kill pile and then grabbed a good sized mouse for Nutflower. The queen needed to eat and he would see to it that she did. Plus, he wanted to visit her. Badgerclaw had been guilty of not seeing her as often as he should. And now, seeing that she had just now decided to move to the nursery, he would have to make more of an effort. The handsome fellow held fast to the mouse and padded to the nursery, where he almost immediately spotted that familiar chocolate brown fur. As he has approached, the sounds of the other queens reached his ears and the scent of the nursery beat even the scent of the mouse he was carrying. A small smile tugged at his feline lips.

"Hello, love." He addressed her lightly after setting down the mouse in front of her. Nutflower seemed oddly relaxed. Perhaps it was because she was just happy. "I brought you something to eat." Badgerclaw let himself settle in to a comfortable position near her and then peered in to the nursery, "Hello ladies." He greeted calmly.

Ooc: sorry if it's short, I'm on mobile haha

[Deleted]

Nutflower's thoughts diminished like the wind after hearing her mate. She snapped back into reality, her expression hardening again, unsurprisingly. She felt uncomfortable with all these cats in the nursery. The chocolate she-cat backed up nervously, a little intimidated by all the cats. A guilty look passed by her face as she remembered her thoughts about Oscar. Nutflower inwardly told herself to ignore these thoughts. She was perfectly happy with Badgerclaw, Nutflower firmly told herself. Yet, a hunt of doubt appeared out of the blue. Trying to keep her cool, in a quivering voice, Nutflower thanked her mate, though not without eyeing Dewpetal and Roseflame, wondering why they were even here. She mewed more gently, "I thank you for the concern, Dewpetal, Roseflame, but I am quite fine."

[Anya]

Doveflight rustled through the opening; her green eyes held a warm but detached look. She carried fresh moss with her. Behind her her son Jaypaw and daughter Wrenpaw follow. The two apprentices were missing Bristlepaw who had been leaving more often nowadays. Doveflight made a mental note to check up on him soon. His own mother seemed to not have the slightest care for her son.

"Good day to you all," she placed the moss down at her feet and signaled for her children to leave the moss and be on their way; the nursery would feel stuffy if too many cats stayed in. "This won't take long, soon you'll have fresh nests-" her eyes caught hold of Nutflower. Evidently conflicted and uneasy; though the watchful eyes of Doveflight could not see the reason she decided to intervene. The former queen addressed the other cats; "Give Nutflower and Silvershade some space now," she smiled. "Queens get a little snappy of they're troubled too much." her voice was gentle as she began replacing the moss of nests that were currently vacant.

She would know; Mistyeyes was by far the most ill-tempered queen Doveflight had encountered. No matter how hard Doveflight tried the other queen would have nothing to do with her son. It had been difficult just keeping her in the nursery long enough.

[Flight of the Thunderbird]

Sleekwhisper just had returned from a single hunting party, two mice and a vole hanging and swaying from his mouth, when he saw a bunch of she cats all gathered up and talking. In the midst of everything, he saw Silvershade, his brothers former mate. Just thinking about him made hia heart hurt. He really didn't need to go so soon, not so soon.. Then he spotted Badgerclaw also there, with Nutflower, who seemed to be in some type of distress. Well, at least I won't be the only tom. Pushing all thought of Shadegorse away, he marched towarda the little meeting.
"Hey everyone. Any particular thing going on?" he asked. He nudged a mouse towards Silvershade. "Here. Take this. Eat. You don't look well. Are you okay? he asked, concern in his voice.
OOC: My post is so short compared to all of yours T^T
Twix

[Twix]

Silvershade's eyes brightened, if only slightly, when she recognized Sleekwhisper approaching. She would have confused him with Shadegorse if she hadn't finally come to the realization that he was gone. He was gone and wasn't coming back. but his brother.. was basically a reflection of him. At least seeing him seemed to make the pain sway. It ebbed and grew stronger all at once. His image reminded her of her dear, dead mate, but Sleekwhisper, as his own person.. gave her the comfort she so desperately needed in these times. So did Nutflower, honestly, but not in the same way he did.

The silver she-cat finally lifted her head and her ears perked as he spoke. Finally she was returning to the conversation, to the simple fact that reality was going on around her as she sat there and merely drifted in her own, depressing thoughts. but Sleekwhisper managed to pull her back to what was going on around her. "Hello Sleekwhisper. We've just been chatting." She gave a simple answer because really, she had no idea what had been going on. Only until now had she noticed that Badgerclaw had joined them, Nutflower's mate, but something seemed to be wrong. She didn't question it though. Silvershade couldn't handle her own problems, let alone someone else's.

Then the black tom dropped a mouse at his paws and scooted it over towards her. At the scent of the freshly killed mouse, her stomach growled and twisted with pain. Pain from hunger. She hadn't.. exactly been taking good care of herself lately. This was evident by the few patches of fur that clung together, and her now growling stomach. She knew she should be eating more, but.. but she couldn't bring herself too. Especially since prey has been scarce during leaf-fall. She just hoped Sleekwhisper wouldn't notice how poorly she was taking care of herself, knowing he would be furious with her. Understandably so. Shadegorse and her kits depended on her, and she was failing them with the way she was acting. She smiled gratefully at him before devouring the mouse in a few rapid bites. The food managed to settle her growling stomach, but it wasn't enough to fill it. She wouldn't mention this though, of course. Something was better than nothing. There was no reason to bother him for anymore. "Thank you", she purred softly.

And then the question hit her. Hit her hard, as if he had just raked his claws along her pelt. You don't look well. Are you okay? Was she going to tell him the truth? How could she? She didn't need another cat worrying about her. It seemed like she had enough of them doing that already. but if she lied, she would have to hope he didn't notice how poor of a state she was in. but what could he really do? She just needs to move on.. and she would, eventually, when she was ready. Wouldn't she? Slowly her mouth moved to make a reply. Anything instead of silence. "Oh, yes, I'm fine.." A lie after all. She had to hope it would work. It had to.