Let's Talk? (Tagged)

[Lionhearted]

Tagged: ℓυиαя [Cedarfoot]

Thrushstar's gaze swept around the Clan, watching his Clanmates move about, feeling proud that they were his Clan now. However, there were a few cats he needed to talk to...

He scanned the clearing for one of the cats. "Is Cedarfoot here?" he called out, catching some passer-bys' attention. "If so, please see me in my den, Cedarfoot." He sat, with his tail wrapped nearly around his paws, waiting for the warrior to arrive.

[ℓυиαя]

Clan life at the moment was busier than ever with the announced disappearance of Fangstar and with Thrushstar stepping up to the position of leader. Cedarfoot for one was happy with the change in pace. It kept his body busy which meant less of his thoughts mutated and festered. Through the rush that was life, she was still there though - the positive memories, the ones brilliant in colour. 

Being busy filtered out the bad apples from the bunch.

Stepping into camp after an early training session with Duskpaw, Cedarfoot headed over to the freshkill pile, feeling heavy memories cling to his pelt as his paws slowed and his mind caught up.

"Is Cedarfoot here?" A familiar voice inquired from not far away. "If so, please see me in my den, Cedarfoot." 

Green eyes followed the voice to the cat and sure enough, Thrushstar sat in the clearing, watching the passers by for the dark tabby tom. Twitching an ear and wondering what the leader could possibly want with him, Cedarfoot padded over. "Yes, Thrushstar?" he asked, trying not to think about their last encounter and what they had spoken about.

[Lionhearted]

Thrushstar smiled politely at Cedarfoot, dipping his head slightly in a greeting. "Hello, Cedarfoot," he said pleasantly, standing up. "Let's go talk in my den." 

He padded deeper into the tangle of grass and branches, which still smelled of Fangstar. Melancholy washed over Thrushstar as he thought of the white tom, but he pushed the thought away and settled to sit down in his nest. "I hope all is well, Cedarfoot," said Thrushstar, flicking his tail at an incoming ladybug. "I'm afraid I didn't pay as much attention to my Clanmates as much as I should've when I was deputy. Now, I take it upon myself to check up on each cat once in a while. Our last talk was somewhat unpleasant, and I apologize partially for that. And now, I wish to ask you once more-- how are you?"

[ℓυиαя]

"Hello, Cedarfoot, let's go talk in my den." 

Looking around as the leader stood, Cedarfoot followed behind him into what had been Fangstar's den for many moons. The scent of the white tom still clung to the shelter, as if he was merely waiting around the corner. It was an unnerving feeling knowing that he was gone. Thrushstar yes had stepped upto the challenge - but he was also the only high position Whisperclan had. Flicking his tail, Cedarfoot continued foward until he stood a respectful distance from the new leader and his nest.

Why was Thrushstar wanting to meet with him now? Was this in fact about the situation of Whis-

"I hope all is well, Cedarfoot." Yeah well, things could be better. "...Our last talk was somewhat unpleasant, and I apologize partially for that. And now, I wish to ask you once more-- how are you?"

Right.

Of course.

What was it with Thrushstar insisting on helping? Whisperclan was in a precarious position and he was focusing on the dark thoughts of one lone warrior? Cedarfoot had to resist the urge to walk out of the den there and then, his body tensing and his tail coming to snap around his paws. He was fine. He didn't need special attention from this tom or any other for that matter. He only needed one cat, and she was forever eluding him.

She was never coming back.

Green eyes hardened and the tip of his tail flicked subtly along the ground. "I'm fine, Thrushstar. Whisperclan needs your concerns more than I do."

[Lionhearted]

I'm fine, Thrushstar. WhisperClan needs your concerns more than I do," said Cedarfoot, his gaze hard. 

Thrushstar bit back a sigh. That look was extremely familiar; it was the very look he'd use when he had lost Rosetail. "I agree," he said, nodding. "They probably do. but you're part of WhisperClan, Cedarfoot, and as I've said again, the Clan only functions if every individual does. I'm not saying that you aren't working hard. but you're letting this weigh you down. You're letting it get the better of you, Cedarfoot, and I know you've seen better days." 

Looking thoughtful for a moment, he flicked his tail. "Is this about a she-cat, Cedarfoot? Because I've lost my sister, and even though I didn't love in the same way, I can tell it's the same sadness you're going through. So I've found a she-cat I'd like to meet. Let me go grab her." 

He padded further into the camp, poking his head through the grass. Spotting the tortoiseshell she-cat lurking in the clearing, he approached her. "Lakepounce?" 

She jumped a little, then turned and smiled. "Oh, hey, Thrushstar." 

"Hello. Listen, remember Cedarfoot? That tom I told you about? He's in my den right now." 

"Oh-oh, okay." With a surprised look on her face, Lakepounce followed Thrushstar back into his den. He was slightly amused; was he really playing matchmaker for a tom he was feeling sorry for? Lakepounce was someone he trusted, and knew would cheer a gloomy tom like Cedarfoot up. At least they could become friends. She needs someone serious in her life, and I can't be there all the time. 

"Cedarfoot?" he said, smiling at both of them. "I'd like you to meet Lakepounce. You've probably seen her around camp, I take it?" 

"Hi," said Lakepounce, her face splitting into a grin. "You're Cedarfoot?" 

OOC: I feel like I'm talking to myself xP this is gonna get interesting :3

[ℓυиαя]

The leader said exactly what Cedarfoot expected him to say. He knew the leader had lost those dear to him, he had found that out last time they had spoken under oh so cheery circumstances. He didn't need this, not now and not from a tom he barely knew - regardless of whether it were his leader.

How much more effort did he need to put in to ensure that nobody noticed. He tried he did, but the crushing weight of it all was too much.

He was contemplating how to best brush this all off when Thrushstar spoke again. "So I've found a she-cat I'd like to meet. Let me go grab her." 

Wait, what?

Eyes that had been focused steadily on the other tom while he spoke widened as his leader made his way out of the den before he could tell him no. What on earth was Thrushstar doing trying to set him up with another? Did he really think that the best thing to do? He was fine, he was coping and he didn't need his leader feeling sorry for him. He did enough of that for himself. The last thing he needed was to replace her. She wounded him yes, put a limp in his stride but he wouldn't hope to remove the last of her from him.

"Cedarfoot? I'd like you to meet Lakepounce. You've probably seen her around camp, I take it?" Cedarfoot eyed the traitorous tom with hard green eyes, while the leader smiled between the two of them. He hoped she wouldn't be interested. He hoped she would shake her head and walk away. He hoped Thrushstar's plans would fail.

Of course, his wishing and hoping did nothing on the real world.

"Hi," the pretty she cat mewed. "You're Cedarfoot?" 

His posture didn't ease but he merely glared at Thrushstar for a heartbeat longer before turning his head to face her. "Yeah, I am," he said, not wanting to be rude, but not wanting this either. "Look," he said standing and turning his attention back to Thrushstar. "I appreciate you looking out for me, but I'm fine, really."

Did he wish to have a mate and not be in constant pain? Of course, just with someone taken too soon, someone now unattainable that he could only see each sunrise and sunset. He wanted it badly just not with her.

OOC: Man, I am so excited for this. He will be stubborn at the beginning but he will get there c:

[Lionhearted]

"Look," said Thrushstar wryly, edging closer. Lakepounce took the signal and moved out, standing at the entrance, striking up a chat with Buzzardheart. "I'm not asking you to be her mate. She's here as a friend; she loves meeting new cats. I don't want you to mope around all the time. You need someone to talk to, okay? So please don't be rude and give this a chance." 

Raising his head, Thrushstar turned back to Lakepounce. "I want you two on a patrol together. Go hunting; we always need more prey. Now, I'm going to visit my kits in the nursery. Please get out of my den, and go spend some time together." 

OOC: ℓυиαя sorry for the short post! ;_; I'm thinking we could end it here and start a private thread with Cedarfoot and Lakepounce?

[ℓυиαя]

OOC: So so sorry hun! Yes, I think a post between them would be lovely - see where it leads and it could be quite sweet along the way. Did you want to start it? Clearly I have not been very active lately but beginning to pick up again c:

"Look," the leader began as he edged closer. To his right, Cedarfoot noted the smaller she cat exit the den and he could hear her feminine tone greet another warmly. A part of him wished that he was like that, happy, carefree and able to turn his attentions elsewhere at a moments notice. He had once though hadn't he? In what seemed like almost another life time - the one cast in colour and where the emotion didn't rally against his ribcage and prod him with sharp pitchforks. An ear that had followed her out of the den, drew back to his leader from where his eyes had not strayed and his voice had not taken centre stage.

"I'm not asking you to be her mate. She's here as a friend; she loves meeting new cats. I don't want you to mope around all the time. You need someone to talk to, okay? So please don't be rude and give this a chance. I want you two on a patrol together. Go hunting; we always need more prey. Now, I'm going to visit my kits in the nursery. Please get out of my den, and go spend some time together." 

The tone in which Thrushstar spoke indicated he would not be arguing of the sort, which Cedarfoot would normally respect quietly if not for the nature of this 'discussion'. Ears flattened as he sensed Lakepounce near them once more, each word of the leader hitting his pelt like loose stones swept up by a strong wind.

This wasn't what he wanted.

This wasn't what he  c are a v e d.

but, perhaps; it was exactly what he needed.

The dismissal of his leader hit hard as green eyes clashed with those of the elder toms. For a long while, Cedarfoot stood there and it was unsure what he was thinking but then finally he turned tail and exited out into the camp - trying anything to escape the corner he had been backed into. Why was it so hard to just leave him alone? How were his inner thoughts, his never ending  p a I n  harming anyone? He carried out his duties, he trained Duskpaw to the best of his abilities. He just hurt and only asked to be left alone to nurse the pain that was inbuilt to his very frame.

Was that too much to ask for?