[vellichor]

Beanpaw nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard a voice beside him, embarrassed that he hadn’t even realized some cat was talking to him. And not just some cat — Sootflare! Beanpaw listened to the deputy with surprise. Surprised that some cat was saying this to him (besides Grizzlybug, he didn’t know too many other cats) and surprised that Soot had gone out of his way to say it. There wasn’t much time to say anything, but the apprentice replied with a small smile and a genuine "Thanks." He watched the RiverClanner pad away and join the others under the big rock. That small interaction had changed his mindset just a little.

Maybe this wouldn’t be that bad.

@wnder [still open for any non-riverclanner]