Ask to Join A Cozy Nest

In youth we learn; in age we understand.

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“That’s right. We sleep here together now.” Ashcloud’s words were gentle. The poor little thing seemed so afraid. But after so long traveling with just one cat it wasn’t surprising at all. Having the space to themselves was for the best. Glowkit would have a private retreat when they needed it. “Why don’t you pick where you want to settle in. No one else is using the nursery right now, so it can be anywhere.”

Choice was good for a young cat, right? Room to feel some autonomy and begin to prepare for the Warrior’s life that was ahead of them. “If you’re tired and want to sleep right away, I can tell you a story about how ShadowClan and the other three Clans came to have our territories.”

I can go the distance

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Together? Is that what was meant when they said Ashcloud would be taking care of them? Like the Missionary and the vague memories he had of their parents? It was so.. enclosed here. They nodded at Ashcloud after the older cat asked her to find a spot. Every spot looked the same. 

Padding around the den his golden gaze shifted across the area. Moving further back in the den, exploring all the random alcoves and shape of the space, before going towards the entrance once more. Eventually he settled on a spot in a slight nook in the front corner of the den, near the entrance but somewhat hidden. "Here." She mewed at last, sitting down in the somewhat out of the way spot he chose in the otherwise empty den. 

"I'm not tired yet.." They started, the excitement of the day had been a lot. The adrenaline was still keeping her awake, at least for now. But curiosity about the story got the best of her, and she didn't really want to go back out to the prying eyes of the clan. "But can I hear the story anyways?" She asked, almost meekly as if she was scared to ask, as he lay down and tucked her paws underneath her body.

In youth we learn; in age we understand.

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Ashcloud watched little Glowkit explore the entire den before deciding on a place to build a nest. He followed sedately and settled himself next to the kit. They were still jumpy and uncomfortable, clearly not ready to share a single nest. Ashcloud figured that would come in time. They were old enough to have opinions, and he would try and respect them when possible.
“Yes.” A nod accompanied Ashcloud’s words. “Learning the history of the Four clans is very important!”
Ashcloud settled themselves more securely into the moss. “Before ShadowClan and the other three Clans were the Great Clans. These Clans were made up of giant, powerful cats called Lions, Tigers, Jaguars, and Cheetahs. But even these much larger and stronger cats had trouble with Twolegs and needed a place to live without the foul creatures who walk unnaturally balanced only on two legs.” This legend had been told for generations untold and was one of Ashcloud’s favorites. He hoped his love of the story came through in the telling as he continued. “StarClan, the Clan where all cats of the Clans join together when their time in their own clan comes to an end, was who the Leaders and Medicine Cats of the Great Clans decided to turn to.”
Ashcloud hoped this wouldn’t be too confusing for someone who hadn’t been told these stories since before their ears had opened. He paused to watch Glowkit’s expression. They might have questions before they got to the really good part…

I can go the distance

＊

Glowkit resisted the urge to slowly squirm themself away from Ashcloud, although the other cat wasn't right next to them it still felt weird to be laying so near another cat who wasn't the missionary. Still, he resisted that instinct and instead remained settled in the moss with her paws neatly tucked underneath their small body as the other cat began to tell the story of the clans.

Her golden eyes watched intently as Ashcloud explained the original four clans, fascinated by the idea of big cats. Then Ashcloud mentioned Starclan, the something-star cat had said it too although she hadn't paid attention to it then. This time Ashcloud explained it, and it didn't really make sense. "Starclan's just dead cats? How do you see them?" They didn't know much about what happened after cats died, it wasn't something brought up in their short lifetime, but wasn't it like when prey died? Didn't they just stop moving and leave? Then they realized there was another unfamiliar topic in Ashcloud's story. "And what's a medicine cat?"He added in quickly.