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Vinesmoke
16 Moons
He/Him
Tunneler
Vinesmoke quickly gave himself a good groom It was a very special day for him, and well, showing up a mess wasn't the image he wanted for himself, or at least not today. Finally, when he got most of the grime off, he padded into Twilightstar's den happily he felt a lot better than he had in previous moons. He had finally proved himself and now maybe others would respect him more, or at least think him capable. As much as he respected Leechscar, he couldn't help but want to give him the paw finger, though that would be rude, so he'd save it... He'd like his body intact and, hopefully, be allowed to speak to Owlpaw. The bitter badger had told her not to speak to him, and he respected the order. "Miss Twilightstar, I have very good news!.. Windpaw has passed her tunneler assessment"
Twilightstar stifled her laughter as Fleetpaw worked on catching his balance. The WindClan leader was by no means big, so he must not have been expecting the bump if it threw him off balance like that. The scarred feline blinked her eye slowly as he mentioned the rabbit was mostly for her. Twilightstar doesn't think she's ever finished a whole rabbit by herself, even when she was in her lazier moons. It was hard not to find it funny when cats bring her big gifts like this and expect her to eat it alone.
The soft rumbles of a purr vibrated through her body as she got comfy and took a bite of the rabbit's flank. The aged leader continued eating while he worked through his anxiety to speak. She wasn't impatient or felt any negative emotions towards him as he stopped and started throughout his sentences. If she felt he wasn't getting anywhere, she might have prompted him to take a breath or two, but he was working through it fine without her.
She met his eyes when he looked at her and canted her head. When he finally said his piece. She almost choked on the piece of rabbit she was chewing. She swallowed while beaming at the tom with enough warmth to rival the sun's rays. He merely wanted to tell her how he was doing with his training and praise his mentor. He was so precious at times like this.
"You're so cute." She trilled while leaning in to give the apprentice's forehead a lick. She knew the older apprentices didn't like being called cute, but Fleetpaw was utterly adorable.
"I'm delighted knowing you've taken such a shine to Dustbunny and are improving with your training." There is a tenderness in her words. Twilightstar had never doubted Dustbunny's skills as a tunneler or mentor, and had never thought twice about Fleetpaw walking the path of a tunneler instead of a warrior. But it was reassuring to know that the two were working hard and getting along together. Dustbunny's quieter nature tended to take a back seat to Crowtooth's and now Vinesmoke's more outgoing personalities.
The molly literally preferred dirt to cats, so Twilightstar always wondered how well she got along with her apprentices. But as she's given her three now and they all seem to love her in their own ways, it seemed her worries were for nothing.
"I've never thought of you as much of a tunneler. You've always been quick on your paws, and I never thought that you'd have much of an interest in digging." She mused thoughtfully for a moment.
"But I'm glad you've found something you're passionate about. Since you're training is going so well, I hope this means I'll be seeing you for your ceremony soon." It'd be nice if Fleetpaw and Littlepaw could have their ceremonies together.
CW: this character often experiences symptoms of PTSD and anxiety.
Fleetpaw’s sharp ears detected a sound like…air trying to escape from Twilightstar and he instinctively felt his ears grow hot. Had he done something wrong? Or foolish? But his mind was comforted as she began to eat. She ate quietly, patiently waiting for him to sort himself out. He always appreciated that about her. He met his leader’s gaze steadily, waiting for her response or reaction, but he could never in his wildest dreams have been prepared for what it was. Concern lit up his face when she choked, and he instinctively lifted a paw to do…what exactly? Move closer? Make sure she didn’t die on something he brought to her?? Oh skies, he’d never forgive himself. But she was okay, praise! Praise…something. Whatever!
He blinked at the warmth in her expression, now feeling confused. Was she not well? He was utterly behind in his training! He was even more startled when she called him cute, and gave his forehead an affectionate lick. He didn’t dislike being called cute, it felt…maternal in a way. And he couldn’t help his purr from rising in his chest. But he was still…very confused. She wasn’t mad? Wait…he was cute? He couldn’t help but shuffle his paws anxiously under glowing praise, he could only hope to live up to the way she saw him.
He nodded excitedly when Twilightstar said she was glad he had found his footing in the tunnels. “Y-Yes!” He chirped, feeling more comfortable now that the hard part was out of the way. “I-I c-can’t…explain it.” He confessed, taking a bite from the neck of the rabbit. “Wh-When I’m…i-in the tunnels…i-it’s like…b-being in my own nest.” He didn’t know how else to explain it. It was as though the tunnels were something he knew as well as the territory. As well as himself.
Fleetpaw shuffled his paws timidly as the talk shifted to his ceremony. “I-I hope so…Littlepaw m-might be f-first.” He looked up briefly at Twilightstar, blinking apologetically, hoping beyond hope she wouldn’t be disappointed in him. “B-But that…reminds me.” He murmured, his gaze shifting from Twilightstar, to his paws, then back. “Dustbunny w-will…b-be conducting my assessment soon. S-So I’ve been th-thinking…a-about my…m-my warrior name.” It was something he had never really given much thought to, for he never truly thought this day would come. Yet it was coming, staring him down, and his name would change forever.
It was strange. He still didn’t know what his original name was, the one given to him by his mother. But…he did know something. “I-I don’t…know exactly wh-what I want it to b-be. B-But…I-I want it to…t-to represent…m-my journey somehow.” Did that make sense? He looked up at Twilightstar with rounded amber eyes. “WindClan…you…y-you saved me. I-I thought about…b-being named after Dustbunny…b-but that doesn’t honor you l-like I would w-want to.” His tone was serious, and he reached over - not up, skies he’d gotten tall - to touch his nose to Twilightstar’s in a display of affection as much as it was respect.
“Y-You’ve…a-al-always been…like a m-mother to me. A-And I want…I want my name…t-to tell my story.” Phew. That was hard to say. Not because he didn’t mean it, the conviction in his voice gave away his sincerity, but because it had always gone unspoken. Fleetpaw had never told Twilightstar how he felt, too fearful of her rejection. But now was not the time to let his fear stop him. He wasn’t sure exactly what his name would be, there were many things he had considered, Fleethare being one when he was thinking of requesting to be named after Dustbunny. Or taking the name -oath to represent his commitment to the clan and to Twilightstar. But Fleetoath made it sound like his commitment was…well fleeting.
He could easily be named for his speed - Fleetrunner, Fleetsprint, Fleetfoot, speed names were easy to think of - or tunneling - Fleetshadow, Fleetdust - or even perhaps his hearing - Fleetsight, Fleetshriek? Ugh! Nothing he could think of felt right. Fleetpath perhaps? Or -sky to represent hope? Ah but wait, then he’d share a name with Fallensky, that would be odd. He shook his head to clear it, blinking apologetically at Twilightstar. “I-I’m sorry…I kn-know it’s…a big ask and…v-very vague…” But, he trusted Twilightstar completely. He smiled at her warmly. “Wh-Whatever name y-you give me…I-I will wear with pride.” Because ultimately, no matter what Twilightstar chose to name him, the name would be coming from her. And that’s what mattered most to him in this world.
He didn’t know what his birth mother originally named him, that name was lost to him many, many moons ago. And his current name was given to him by cruel cats he escaped in the wild. Twilightstar and Dustbunny have allowed him to take new ownership of the name Fleet, and the way Fallensky speaks his name with such affection…he no longer feels haunted by being Fleet. But this next part of his name will come completely from Twilightstar, and that…well…that was more meaningful to him than he could possibly express.
{ @/Moonraven - Twilightstar - sorry for the delay! My original post was eaten. :’> }
Re: WindClan Leader's Den
