Starry Meadow

[Tallstar]

Vinesmoke
11 Moons
He/Him
Vinesmoke stands frozen, the warmth from the sun making the snowy ground seem that much colder. He blinks rapidly, his paws a little stiff in the snow as he watches Redface—alive, but not quite. The sight of him emerging from the earth is both disturbing and strange, and Vinesmoke's heart pounds faster than he’d like to admit. He doesn't know how to respond, how to make this... right. He’s never been good at these kinds of moments, especially not with a cat who seems so much like a ghost. apologies are halting and rough, like each word is a burden. Vinesmoke’s ears flatten instinctively, a nervous flicker of his tail betraying the tightness in his chest. He’s a warrior now, but that doesn’t mean he’s learned how to handle situations like this—really handle them. He’s not good at small talk or people, and this is no exception. He’s trying not to make this weirder than it already is, but it’s hard not to feel the weight of Redface’s raggedness pulling at him, the way the tom keeps fighting to stay together, like a broken leaf on the wind. "I... uh... it’s okay," Vinesmoke says in a voice that cracks just a little, like it’s been unused. He clears his throat, his claws digging gently into the snow. “You don’t need to apologize. I’m just... not sure what’s going on, is all." His eyes flit nervously from Redface’s disheveled form to the grave that had caught the older cat’s attention. Owlpaw's grave. It’s a personal place for Vinesmoke, this spot. He’s been here before, in the quiet, the private thoughts that come when no one else is looking. He takes a careful step toward Redface, hesitant, but trying to seem more calm than he feels. The last thing he wants is to make the situation worse, especially when Redface’s disorientation is so clear. "I—I’m Vinesmoke." He forces the words out, but his voice is soft, more of a murmur than a greeting. He shifts awkwardly on his paws, unsure whether to move closer or give the other tom more space. Vinesmoke’s eyes flicker to the grave behind him again, and his tail flicks nervously behind him. It’s hard to hold his usual quiet composure, not when there’s an unfamiliar tom in a situation he’s not prepared for. "It’s... it’s okay. You’re not bothering me." His voice is too small, but he pushes through. "I didn’t think... I didn’t think I’d see you, of all cats, here... like this." He shakes his head quickly, as if trying to clear his thoughts. It’s an honest reaction. He’d never expected to be standing here with someone who had been... gone. There’s a brief, awkward pause as Vinesmoke tries to figure out what to say. His mouth feels dry, his paws cold and stiff. He’s good at following orders, good at tracking the paths of prey and delivering the right message to his clanmates, but this? This is new. And he can’t quite tell if he should be comforting Redface, or if Redface just wants to be left alone. If he were still an apprentice, he’d probably just run back to the safety of the tunnels and hide. But now, now he’s supposed to know how to handle things like this.
The quiet stretches, and Vinesmoke shuffles his paws nervously. “Um... you don’t have to explain, if you don’t want to," he adds, after a beat, his gaze flicking back to Redface’s filthy, disoriented figure. "But... do you need help?” It’s a simple question, but the anxiety in Vinesmoke’s voice is unmistakable. He doesn't know what he’s offering, exactly. Help with what? The earth still clings to Redface’s fur, the dead leaves hanging onto his coat like reminders of the past. Vinesmoke gives another nervous glance toward Owlpaw's grave, swallowing hard. His paws itch to dig, to go down, away from all this. But no. He’s not that cat anymore. He’s a warrior. And he’ll do his best to be one here, now, for Redface—whether the other tom wants it or not.

@nyme

[nyme]

I'M TOO SMOOTH, YOU NEVER SEE ME COMING
NEVER IN A HURRY, I'M JUST MOVIN' FAST

──

REDFACE . 28 MOONS . HE/HIM . WINDCLAN?

Redface follows Vinesmoke's uncomfortable glance back toward the other grave. He wants to ask about it, to invite Vinesmoke to share a happy memory with the one who rests there, to dwell on something nicer than the risen dead, but he doesn't. He hopes to someday but he can't right now; it feels selfish, cruel. Tell me who that is. Tell me how much you miss them, and I'll tell you that the only reason why they're not back here now is because they're not trying hard enough. Because they don't miss you enough. Obviously he doesn't know all that, obviously it doesn't have to be true, but he worries that could be a path that Vinesmoke's thoughts head toward if he starts asking about the other tom's lost one and then explains his own situation. He's not sure how to handle this, really. Hadn't planned this far ahead and what all he did have in mind is starting to feel flimsy now that he's realy made it. For instance he'd definitely envisioned more strutting, but now's probably not a great time for all that.

He doesn't elaborate on what's going on. Can't bring himself to do it now that he's gone and started worrying about Vinesmoke. Instead, what Redface offers is: "Ssss'beau—tiful. St-arclan." Vinesmoke's coming closer, now, so Redface washes his shoulders and chest up. He hopes he doesn't smell bad. "G—ood place t'be. Good, comp'ny." He whispers this assurance that Vinesmoke's loved one is in good company and then nods in acknowledgement of his name. Smoke, that was it. Vinesmoke. Redface nods again, comically exaggerated and oozing approval. Sick name, guy.

Ha. Didn't think he'd see Redface, of all cats. You and me both, bud. Redface really shouldn't be here and maybe a small part of him knows that. He hadn't expected to be cleared, not after the valid points raised against him. And the strange way that final vote had gone...

...You know what? Nah. He doesn't want to spend his second life twisted up in knots over a little detail like that. Second-guessing this incredible opportunity. It's too much like pouting, and Redface has a pretty strict policy, there. He got the okay and that's what matters. If they really didn't want his nobody self back here then they wouldn't've let him go, right? So there. No point chasing his tail over the what-ifs and the thorough dressing-down he'd gotten in the process; probably it's just their job to give cats a hard time like that. End of the day, those dead warden guys were totally picking up what he was putting down and decided to give him what he asked for because he asked all cute. And I am pretty cute.

"M'good." Maybe it's better to stick to short snippets but that'll take a lot of getting used to for a guy accustomed to talking as much as he darn well pleases. Hitting Vinesmoke with a paltry All Good, Man! feels a little lame, though; the guy's clearly nervous, maybe just by nature but certainly not helped by the situation, and it could be that having something to help with would help him feel a little better about this whole thing. So Redface thinks.

"Look'a'me. Face? Is hands—ome?" He asks, turning one cheek then the other to Vinesmoke for the younger cat's appraisal. It's all coming back to him now, though he'd really rather it didn't, and Redface is getting a sneaking suspicion as to why his vision's so wonky. But no matter what's been done to his face, it's still his. And besides: the prettiest thing in the whole world is a big, happy smile, isn't it? Redface goes for a purr and a big grin with that in mind. It's something worse than rusty, that purr—sputtering and painful and stop-and-go—, and his grin might not be the most charming considering the state he's in, but it's all heartfelt. The purring has to stop nearly as quickly as it starts for his own sake, but his grin remains. This is all a litte grim and awkward but it doesn't have to be, does it? It's a good thing! A miracle! Not one that anybody asked for but Redface, but a miracle nonetheless. Shouldn't that be cause for celebration?

"M'so h—appy, Vines-moke," he confesses, "s'good t'be back, an' swear, m'here—" Redface pauses, grimacing. That 'short snippets' thing really isn't happening any time soon. Wordless, he waves an explanatory paw at his throat. Silence settles before he pushes a quick breath in-out and continues: "M'ere t'help. Swear. S'gonna be good. Trust." He needs another breather, but he's already got more to say. More to work through his tight, aching throat. Another way for Vinesmoke to help. He's much quieter than before as he continues. "Needa favor. Small. Li'l—small—eeeeeeasy fav'r. Cool?"

@Tallstar ; VINESMOKE

[sleepysoldier]

Poppyheart
warrior, female, she/her, 21 moons

Poppyheart absentmindedly licked her paws as she bathed in the moonlight, laying on her stomach at the top of Starry Meadow, she was lost in her thoughts as she purred to herself. She had always enjoyed cold nights like these, they brought a strange comfort to her, one that she couldn't find elsewhere.

[grilledcheese]

Originally Posted by sleepysoldier

Poppyheart
warrior, female, she/her, 21 moons

Poppyheart absentmindedly licked her paws as she bathed in the moonlight, laying on her stomach at the top of Starry Meadow, she was lost in her thoughts as she purred to herself. She had always enjoyed cold nights like these, they brought a strange comfort to her, one that she couldn't find elsewhere.

Lavenderash
warrior, 26 moons || female, she/her || windclan



As the cool wind bristled through Lavenderash's fur, she let out an audible shiver. This certainly wasn't an easy travel, especially in leaf-bare. Her paws jerked instinctively, as if trying to shake the cold off while she continued up the hill.

Nearing the top, she was careful not to disturb the burials of her fallen friends. Lavenderash's whiskers suddenly twitched, the smell of another cat catching her off guard. It wasn't rare to see others up here, but in such freezing gloomy weather, she was surprised. Although she came up this way for solitude, the familiar scent reassured her. She was okay with sharing this spot as long as she was away from camp for a while.

Her gaze found the bright flower tucked behind the cat's ear, and she let out a pleasant purr. It was Poppyheart, a good friend, and a refreshing face to see. "Poppyheart?" she mewed softly, not wanting to startle her.

@sleepysoldier

[sleepysoldier]

Originally Posted by grilledcheese

Lavenderash
warrior, 26 moons || female, she/her || windclan



As the cool wind bristled through Lavenderash's fur, she let out an audible shiver. This certainly wasn't an easy travel, especially in leaf-bare. Her paws jerked instinctively, as if trying to shake the cold off while she continued up the hill.

Nearing the top, she was careful not to disturb the burials of her fallen friends. Lavenderash's whiskers suddenly twitched, the smell of another cat catching her off guard. It wasn't rare to see others up here, but in such freezing gloomy weather, she was surprised. Although she came up this way for solitude, the familiar scent reassured her. She was okay with sharing this spot as long as she was away from camp for a while.

Her gaze found the bright flower tucked behind the cat's ear, and she let out a pleasant purr. It was Poppyheart, a good friend, and a refreshing face to see. "Poppyheart?" she mewed softly, not wanting to startle her.

Poppyheart
warrior, female, she/her, 21 moons

Poppyheart stopped licking her paws as her ears twitched, listening to the sound of another cat approaching. She wasn't startled, at least, not until she turned her head to see who had just said her name. Within seconds, her ears straightened, and she quickly sat up.

Lavenderash, while definitely a great friend, was also someone Poppyheart harbored deep, deep feelings for. Internally, she scrambled for composure, "Lavenderash! What-- what are you doing here?" She asked, in a way that came out more accusatory than she had meant it to.

@grilledcheese

[grilledcheese]

Originally Posted by sleepysoldier

Poppyheart
warrior, female, she/her, 21 moons

Poppyheart stopped licking her paws as her ears twitched, listening to the sound of another cat approaching. She wasn't startled, at least, not until she turned her head to see who had just said her name. Within seconds, her ears straightened, and she quickly sat up.

Lavenderash, while definitely a great friend, was also someone Poppyheart harbored deep, deep feelings for. Internally, she scrambled for composure, "Lavenderash! What-- what are you doing here?" She asked, in a way that came out more accusatory than she had meant it to.

@grilledcheese

Lavenderash
warrior, 26 moons || female, she/her || windclan



Lavenderash's pupils shrank for a moment at Poppyheart's outburst, but her expression softened soon after. "That's not the greeting I expected," she chuckled, stepping closer. "Did I interrupt something?"

She found her way beside Poppyheart, tucking her paws under herself for warmth. "I'm only teasing," She added, breathing in deep. The bitter cold air left a sting in her throat. "It's been a stressful moon, hasn't it?" Lavenderash asked, clearly rhetorical. Leaf-bare was always a mess.

[Tallstar]

Vinesmoke
11 Moons
He/Him
Vinesmoke’s tail flicks as he watches Redface, the odd discomfort still hanging in the air between them. Redface’s effort to break the tension—turning his face this way and that, grinning like nothing’s wrong—isn't lost on him, but it only makes the silence feel thicker. He glances back at the grave again, unsure how to address the unspoken. There’s a hesitation in his chest, an unease he can’t quite shake, but Redface’s words offer him a strange kind of reassurance. “Yeah,” Vinesmoke finally says, his voice quieter, the words weighted with meaning. “Good company.” He lets his gaze linger on the grave for a moment longer, before turning back to Redface. “Owlpaws with Starclan and I... I’m glad she’s not alone.”

He can’t quite keep the sadness from his voice, but there’s a flicker of something warmer too. Redface’s words, awkward though they might be, help ease some of the weight on his chest. Vinesmoke takes a deep breath, then offers the tom a small, soft smile. “Thanks for that, Redface. Means more than you think.” The way Redface leans in to show off his face, his question hanging in the air, catches Vinesmoke off guard. He chuckles a little, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Yeah, you’ve got a face, alright,” he says with a wry grin. “Not sure ‘handsome’ is the right word, but, uh... you’ve definitely got something going for you.” Vinesmoke laughs, the sound light and genuine, trying to inject a little humor into the moment. There’s something in Redface’s struggle that makes him feel a little less alone. The tom’s awkwardness is strangely familiar—like they’re both trying to fit into a world that’s just a bit out of place. It makes Vinesmoke feel a little more grounded.

When Redface speaks again, asking for a favor, Vinesmoke’s attention sharpens. His expression softens, and he takes a step closer, careful not to crowd him. “A favor?” Vinesmoke echoes, his voice gentle, though the weight of the request still hangs there. He watches Redface closely, understanding that something’s off. The effort it’s taking for him to speak, to make the words come out, is not lost on him. “Of course, anything. Small or big, whatever you need, I’m here,” Vinesmoke says, his tone firm but not pushy. His ears flick, and he takes a step back, giving Redface the space he needs to find his words. “Just... take your time. You don’t have to rush it.” He offers the other tom a steady look, one that carries a promise, a quiet understanding. "I’m not going anywhere," Vinesmoke adds, his voice softer now, reassuring. "You’ve got my word."

@nyme

[sleepysoldier]

Originally Posted by grilledcheese

Lavenderash
warrior, 26 moons || female, she/her || windclan



Lavenderash's pupils shrank for a moment at Poppyheart's outburst, but her expression softened soon after. "That's not the greeting I expected," she chuckled, stepping closer. "Did I interrupt something?"

She found her way beside Poppyheart, tucking her paws under herself for warmth. "I'm only teasing," She added, breathing in deep. The bitter cold air left a sting in her throat. "It's been a stressful moon, hasn't it?" Lavenderash asked, clearly rhetorical. Leaf-bare was always a mess.

Poppyheart
warrior, female, she/her, 21 moons

Fortunately for Poppyheart, just Lavenderash's presence was enough to warm her up. She felt the tension that just moments ago filled her body begin to ease, and she allowed herself to relax beside Lavenderash.


Poppyheart nodded with a purr, "mhm," she gazed up at the stars, "it's good that you're okay though, right?"

[grilledcheese]

Originally Posted by sleepysoldier

Poppyheart
warrior, female, she/her, 21 moons

Fortunately for Poppyheart, just Lavenderash's presence was enough to warm her up. She felt the tension that just moments ago filled her body begin to ease, and she allowed herself to relax beside Lavenderash.


Poppyheart nodded with a purr, "mhm," she gazed up at the stars, "it's good that you're okay though, right?"

Lavenderash
warrior, 26 moons || female, she/her || windclan



"As okay as anyone could be at a time like this," she muttered softly, her eyes glimmering with an exhausted sadness. "with how much that has been stirring lately, it would be a miracle from StarClan for anyone to get a fulfilling rest this season."

"But hey," Lavenderash watched Poppyheart's body language, purring in contentment as she noticed her calm, "That's why we're here."

She couldn't even imagine how hard it must be for her friend to witness such violence at her young age, let alone endure it. Even though they aren't many moons apart, Poppyheart seemed so far ahead of her time. It was heart wrenching to see a friend who was once so lively, find their mind plagued.

"Do you remember, a moon before your apprenticeship, you'd be the first that I'd come crying to about how much I felt I didn't belong?" A smile tugged on her muzzle as she looked at Silverpelt above them. "You were just a kit, but you'd listen to every word I had to say."

Lavenderash left that thought linger for a moment before continuing. "I know things aren't simple anymore, but I've never been able to give that back to you."

"What I'm trying to say is," she purred, the stump of her tail brushing against Poppyheart as if it could curl around her, "I want you to talk to me, like I talked to you when we were younger."

"You don't have to now, but... I'm here for you when you're ready."

[kira]

fleetloaf by clamfish

[ this post takes place after Fleetsmoke's injury has healed! ]

Fleetsmoke padded softly along the edge of the burial grounds, her ears perked up and listening for even the slightest sounds of danger. The last time she had been here, she'd been saving Stumblekit from a buzzard---the same buzzard that had given her wound that had gotten infected so quickly after the battle.

------> [ @/open ]