[Rowan]

• she/her • 17 moons • riverclan/apprentice •
the collector
—> this character may express themes of depression, grieving, ptsd, and self-hate

CrowPaw startled a little at the sound of her name—though it hadn’t even been said, really, just dear. Still, her ears flicked toward IrisDream, and she turned, blinking wide-eyed at the queen. Her paws shuffled uncertainly for a heartbeat before she gave a small, quick nod. IrisDream showed her kindness in the past—Crows was sure she could feel safe with the queen.

“Y-yes! I— I can h-help, of course.” Her voice was hushed, and a little rushed with nerves, but she padded forward carefully, taking care not to step too close to any wriggling kits.

Her tail brushed low to the ground behind her, paws light as she stepped around the edge of the nest. “I-I’ll be gentle. I mean—careful. I-I mean…” she trailed off with a breath that nearly became a stammered laugh, eyes downcast but touched with warmth.

As she began nosing out the old moss, her claws working quietly to fluff and press in the new bedding, she glanced up once, her expression uncertain. “Th-thank you. For… trusting me t-to help.” The words were quiet enough that they might’ve gone unheard beneath the rustle of moss, but they were genuine and laced with that soft, aching hope to still be useful. To still be good for something.

“Uh-uhm…your kits…are a-all so cute…you’re g-going t-t-to be an…amazing…m-mother.”

└> . . . @Luna16