A Built-In Buddy [P]

[Nixey]

Ibispaw | Shadowclan Apprentice | she/her | 41/100

The last mentor she had didn’t have a built-in buddy for her. The cat had been sweet, but they had never been around much. Then again, who was she to talk to? But she wasn’t referencing her previous mentor when talking about a built-in buddy; she was referring to Hawkbite’s other apprentice. Hollowpaw.

She had only just met the other at the last Shadowclan meeting, but Ibispaw supposed that if they were to train together, she might as well try to get to know the other. It’d make it easier for both of them if they were at least amicable, right? Besides, what cat minded talking after this boring ban of not leaving camp on your own was placed on Shadowclan.

Not that either of them could do that anyway.

That wasn’t the point.

Shouldering her way into the clearing, her eyes scanned the area around her. There was the usual hustle and bustle of Shadowclan, cats gliding around each other as they headed where they needed to go. Others were resting or eating in the clearing. Then her eyes landed on her target, and Ibispaw swept forward. She collected a mossball on her way.

Ibispaw rolled the mossball she had snatched towards Hollowpaw as if some bored kit. A smile was drawn to her maw as she rounded into the other's view. “Hollowpaw,” came a murmured greeting. Her eyes focus on the other, a rare thing for Ibispaw. “How has your morning been?”

Might as well start with the pleasantries.

@fade — Hollowpaw
[Finally got this up; sorry for the wait.]

[fade]

Hollowpaw
‘The Hauntress’

Shadow Fiend: Inactive
[ black and white cat, blue and amber eyes. face and shoulder scarring. | she/they ]
[ #VGCHollow ]

➢ Tired eyes wander the clearing with shallow intent, she was avoiding sleep, anything was worth it to avoid the nightmares of their missing siblings. This was clear enough on their face as a wave of exhaustion washed over them with a chill. The few thoughts floating around her brain as the shecat doesn't register that other cat in the clearing that was drawing near. Hollowpaw mumbles something that not even they remember, and that made it clearly not important.

Their head shoots to the side, sitting up, the pawtseps of the other Apprentice gaining her attention now. Ibispaw? Yes. The other Apprentice training under Hawkbite. Hollowpaw feels a flame of jealously spark alive that she quickly snuffs out. Emotions get in the way, they hurt her. The bi-colored cat stares with a blank expression, the mossball landing at her paws. An eyebrow raised in a questioning glance as it takes over her features.

'How was your morning'

What a joke. Even a dead mouse could see she slept little last night, Hollowpaw wasn't even sure how long she had been awake. The thought doesn't leave her mouth but instead a different one takes its place. Voice not expressing much emotion and holding a tone was 'not-just-right', clearly holding back key information. It was defensive if anything. "Fine. Why? Do I interest you, Ibispaw? If so, then I hate to inform you that I'm not much to figure out, I'm afraid.

[ @Nixey ]