Closed Thread River's Weight

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
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Cottonbright’s paws carried her back toward camp with a steady rhythm, prey swinging lightly from her jaws. She’d meant to slip inside without much fanfare, but the faint silhouette by the entrance gave her pause. Goosesong.

She shifted the water vole in her mouth before padding closer, her lime green eyes studying the tom where he sat so still, like a statue set against the ground. His ears twitched but he didn’t call out. Typical.

Setting the water vole neatly aside, Cottonbright eased down beside him with a soft exhale. "You still as stone." She meowed softly, voicing an observation. For a heartbeat she only sat in companionable silence, gaze following his out toward the territory.

"Long patrol?" She asked finally, her tone gentle giving him the chance to speak or let it drift away if he wished.

What are you afraid of losing if nothing in the world actually belongs to you.

~･ﾟ: *~･ﾟ:* 🫧 *:･ﾟ~*:･ﾟ~

When Cottonbright approached, Goosesong shifted his gaze towards her, his face was that same old expression he held but there was a tiredness in his eyes that seemed to weigh on him like a boulder being pushed down onto his spine feeling like it could snap at any moment, but he held firm, same as he always did.

"No." He replied to her question with a simple, resigned word that felt near foreign in his mouth, tasting sour like he should have let it leave his mouth, but he wanted to be honest with his friend, one of the few he had in the clan after all. "Something a little more dire than that"

Goosesong stared ahead again, ears falling as if hearing something that brought back uncomfortable memories, but it was the memories themself that joined the two there tonight, something he couldn't keep forgetting anymore.

"A few moons ago, you comforted me about Reedpaw, that loss. I'm still carrying it" he stated, soft as a whisper, perhaps softer, the softest he's ever spoken in a while. "Stormpaw nearly drowned yesterday due to her own reckless ambition, she didn't listen and it almost got her killed. S'pose the catfish we brought back was worth two lives to her." he added, glancing down at his paws, as if they were still planted firmly at the river's edge pulling Stormpaw back to shore. Why couldn't this memory just leave him alone?

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
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Cottonbright’s ears tilted back at his words, the weight in his tone sinking into her chest like stones cast into water. She didn’t rush to fill the silence, only let it breathe between them, her lime eyes soft on him as he spoke. When he fell quiet, she gave a low sigh and shifted her tail to brush gently against his flank.

"As RiverClan cats we live s-so close to the thing that gives us life, and sometimes...death." She murmured, voice steady. "I-It’s no small thing, carrying that memory... Reedpaw, Stormpaw - it’s enough to make any cat feel like the river only takes and never gives." She tipped her chin toward him, studying the tired slope of his ears.

Her gaze slid back toward the camp, then out across the darkened stretch of land. "I know it doesn’t erase what happened or what was lost..." Her tail seemed to lower, feeling the vibe threaten to weight her down, and she was quite tired, but instead asked. "H-Have you visited Lilyriver and her kits yet?"

What are you afraid of losing if nothing in the world actually belongs to you.

~･ﾟ: *~･ﾟ:* 🫧 *:･ﾟ~*:･ﾟ~

He listened to Cottonbright but didn't respond, although he nodded his head in understanding. He also understood why she had changed the topic, it was a heavy situation for any cat and he didn't want to simply pass on his troubles to her without giving her a chance to chat with him. After all, he liked chatting with Cottonbright, perhaps the only cat he'd actively seek out if needed.

"Lilyriver's?" Goosesong twitched his ears, he had never been particularly close with Lilyriver, but it would have been impossible not to at least hear about the newest editions to the clans by now, especially now that they were up and walking. "Not really, I've seen them but haven't really visited, just... observed from a distance" he answered.

He wasn't sure what else to say really, Lilyriver was her own cat and it would be rather out of character for him to seek out to visit the kits of a she-cat he didn't really get the time to sit with while all his duties managed to leave it as an afterthought. "Have you visited them? Skykit and Galekit their names were right?" he asked, flicking his tail over his paws.

His gaze softened, even if it was just slightly, it seemed less tired and more intrigued in what Cottonbright had to say, her being there meant more that what Goosesong of all cats could say out loud. Maybe one day...

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
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Cottonbright’s whiskers twitched faintly at his question, her gaze dipping toward her paws. She kneaded the earth once, then let her claws sheath again as if weighing her answer.

"I… n-no, not really." She admitted softly, voice carrying the hesitation of a cat caught between wanting and fearing. "I’ve seen them in passing, but I haven’t - formally introduced myself." Her ears tipped back a little, embarrassed, though her eyes softened at the thought. "They’re so small still. I don’t ever want to intrude, or make Lilyriver think I’m hovering."

She glanced back up at him shyly, as though confessing a secret. "B-but… I’d like to. One day. When it feels right." Her tail curled neatly around her paws, and she let a small smile flicker at the edge of her muzzle.

What are you afraid of losing if nothing in the world actually belongs to you.

~･ﾟ: *~･ﾟ:* 🫧 *:･ﾟ~*:･ﾟ~

Goosesong's expression didn't really change, but the thoughtfulness in his eyes, now looking at Cottonbright with something more than just his even, stern look, something a little softer, but something without a name at least he didn't think there was a name for it.

"There's no rush really" Goosesong responded, flicking his tail to brush against Cottonbright's flank, a sign he was there, that he was real within any worries she might have. "Lilyriver's fierce, but I'm sure she's understanding, and judging from what I've seen, Skykit is friendly" Goosesong added, looking back out to the territory "Who knows, maybe they'll come up to you when they're ready." There was a certain softness that broke out beneath the stern, something that he rarely let break free, but it was there.

"Those kits have a beautiful bond Cottonbright, I've watched them. Reminds me a bit of..." He paused, then shook his head. "Nevermind." he decided talking to Cottonbright with a lighter atmosphere was nicer than lessening the calmness with grief, he's done that enough already. 

He thought furiously to find something to talk about, he wasn't much for gossip, and he didn't appreciate it, but the only thing that really flickered in his mind now was Lilyriver's litter "They look like their mother, don't they?"

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
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Cottonbright’s ears flicked at his words, the tension in her shoulders easing just a fraction when his tail brushed against her flank. The steadiness of the touch grounded her, and she found herself following his gaze out toward camp, her own thoughts trailing after his.

"They do." She agreed softly, whiskers curving with the ghost of a smile. "Like little white clouds."

Her gaze lingered a moment longer, then dropped with a more tentative note slipping into her voice. "Sometimes I wonder if… I ever looked the same, when I was small. Just another soft scrap of white fur." She gave a quiet, almost self deprecating laugh, shaking her head as though brushing off the thought. "Probably."

Her tail curled close against her flank, but her eyes had softened again, watching him carefully, as though weighing his reaction."Kits are n-nice...but they get underpaw and it seems even a small breeze can blow them down."

What are you afraid of losing if nothing in the world actually belongs to you.

~･ﾟ: *~･ﾟ:* 🫧 *:･ﾟ~*:･ﾟ~

Goosesong's gaze became fixed on Cottonbright as she went on about how she was as a kit, he had seen her in passing when she was a kit as well, he knew what she looked like. "In a way you were. Except for one thing," he began then pressed his nose to the brown spot on the back of her ear before pulling back "You have a little brown patch there, always have." Goosesong stated, a slight curled of his whiskers that lasted less then a blink of an eye.

He shrugged at Cottonbright's comments about kits before smoothing out some strands of fur that had been ruffled out of place and plucking out a leaf from his chest before turning his attention back to her, quiet but unwavering.

"I would be worried I'd knock them over, I'd have to have an escort with me so I don't step on them. The last thing any of us need is an angry Lilyriver." he admitted, though his tone was even as always, only a slight undercurrent of sincerity then caution.

He let the corner of his mouth twitch into a small grin as he let out a breath, not exactly a chuckle, but something that wasn't common for Goosesong. "I've not seen her angry and I hope I never do."

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
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Cottonbright’s ears twitched at the brush of his nose against her ear, and she blinked in quiet surprise before warmth crept through her chest. She hardly every thought about the patch of brown on her ear and it suddenly felt like a secret. Her whiskers gave the barest tremble of amusement.

"Y-You shouldn't need an escort, you just need to not be so quiet when you're around them. Not that they'd be able to miss a cat like you." She teased lightly, though her voice held a fondness beneath the humor.

Her gaze drifted outward again, toward the river that ran beyond the camp walls. "It won’t be long now, though. Can you believe it? Sturgeonpaw and the others… already so close to being warriors." Her chest lifted as she breathed out, soft excitement spilling into her words.

What are you afraid of losing if nothing in the world actually belongs to you.

~･ﾟ: *~･ﾟ:* 🫧 *:･ﾟ~*:･ﾟ~

He hadn't thought about being more... noticeable to the young cats of the clan, but perhaps it'd be best to at least talk to them before they accidentally skidded underpaw. Goosesong gave a soft shrug "We'll see how things pan out" he replied curling his tail over his paws.

Goosesong took kindly to her humor, a soft tremble in his shoulders and an amused shake of his head gave way to that. "I'm not that large, We have a couple of other silver tabbies here, not sure what would make me stand out" he stated, more serious then he meant it to be.

A twitch of his ear followed, as if he were flicking away the topic into the night as Cottonbright passed it back onto their apprentices. "They're all quite capable, have any assessments planned for Sturgeonpaw?" he asked, although didn't follow up with his own plans for Stormpaw, he's prefer to keep her out of conversation, at least for now.

"Any guesses on what Coldstar will be naming them?" He asked, not exactly sure what part of him pushed for it to be said, but it was there now. "Not that you'd know for sure, but there's no harm in having your guesses"

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
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Cottonbright tipped her head, as though weighing his words. "Mm, well...maybe not larger, but… you’ve a presence. Cats notice, even if you think they don’t."

At his question, her gaze shifted down toward her paws for a heartbeat before she lifted it again. "I’ve been meaning to - take Sturgeonpaw along the river, maybe. Test his hunting along the banks. He’s c-clever, but I want to see if he can think on his paws when there are many distractions." Her tail tip brushed against the ground, betraying a nervous little energy.

At his second question, she actually let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "Oh, stars - I wouldn’t dare guess...But… Sturgeonpaw does remind me of one of those cats who might get a steady, strong name." Her tone grew quieter...thoughtful. "He’s worked hard enough to deserve it."

Her ears angled toward Goosesong again, curiosity glinting in her green eyes. "Any guesses to what Coldstar might name Stormpaw?"

What are you afraid of losing if nothing in the world actually belongs to you.

~･ﾟ: *~･ﾟ:* 🫧 *:･ﾟ~*:･ﾟ~

"I suppose you've noticed then?" Goosesong tilted his head, mostly out of what was well guarded curiosity before he had become more comfortable with Cottonbright. He cocked a brow in suspicion, playful suspicion before mistakenly letting another fleeting smirk grace his otherwise rock solid features before looked back out to their territory.

For a moment, he sat, ears twitching as he listened to the world around him, Cottonbright included. He heard the faint rippling of the river, the scuffling on land prey and the occasional splash of a fish making a bold leap from the water, but what was most prominent? Cottonbright, she somehow felt more real than everything else that was there and in a way, she was.

Goosesong nodded at Cottonbright, a little bit of underlying mirth in his tone "Hunting is good, I think he'll do well" he stated, raising one of his paws to give it a few licks. "It does feel a bit... strange now, their training is coming to an end and they're just about ready for their ceremony at this point. We've done well Cottonbright" he added, the softest, nearly silent purr peeking through his voice. As much as Stormpaw frustrated him... worried him, she would make a fine warrior without a doubt.

"What Coldstar will name Stormpaw?" Goosesong repeated, steadying himself on the ground with a quick kneading of his paws. "Stormpaw knows what she wants, and I doubt there will be much to stand in her way when she wants it. Storm is a strong name in itself after all. Fitting" he explained, the tip of his tail flicking in thought, he'd never really given his apprentice this much thought, but once he started talking about her, it seemed he saw more potential than he gave off. "Perhaps Stormstrike, strong, like the strike of a roaring thunder"

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
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Cottonbright blinked at the faint smirk that slipped across his muzzle, her whiskers twitching faintly as if to catch the fleeting glimpse of it. It was rare, and for some reason it made her chest feel light.

At his quiet praise, she let out a soft breath and gave the smallest nod. "Y-Yes… we have." Her voice held a warm pride, though it was tempered by her usual shyness. "They’ll be good warriors...better than they know. Stormpaw seems to have the utmost confidence."

She listened closely as he spoke of Stormpaw, her ears angling toward him, the faintest smile tugging at her lips. "That does sound fitting."

Her lime eyes softened."Coldstar will see it too. I-I trust him to choose well." A small pause, then she tipped her head, studying Goosesong with quiet curiosity. "Do you think she’ll be ready? For the responsibility of being a warrior?"

What are you afraid of losing if nothing in the world actually belongs to you.

~･ﾟ: *~･ﾟ:* 🫧 *:･ﾟ~*:･ﾟ~

'Ready for the responsibility of a being a warrior' the words rang in his ears, the sound throbbing as he thought on it. Sure, Stormpaw seemed to argue against everything he seemed to say, but he would be mouse-brained if he said that she didn't deserve to be a warrior. 

"She has to, whether she likes it or not. It is our vow" Goosesong replied, not taking either side, simply stating what he thought to be true, and for the most part, it was "We vow to be loyal, to serve our clan at the cost of our lives. If Stormpaw can promise that then she will be ready for that responsibility"

Goosesong settled on his paws, lowering himself into a crouch, then a protective lay, his paws curled beneath his body and his tail wrapped around himself. "Nights like this..." Goosesong began, his voice wavered slightly but didn't dare falter after his smirk, one smirk was enough for a lifetime. "They're nice. You can just be without it rushing you, it's nice to have times like this, wouldn't you say Cottonbright?"

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
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Cottonbright tilted her head, her green eyes clouded with thought as his words lingered in the air. A vow… She kneaded the grass lightly beneath her paws as though turning the weight of that truth over in her mind as she remembered her own. "Y-Yes… that’s true. We all had to make that promise." She gave a nod. "Stormpaw will too. Even if she argues, I think… she fiercely believes in her clan."

As Goosesong lowered himself into his protective crouch, she blinked at him softened by the unexpected vulnerability in his words. For a moment she didn’t answer, only listened to the hush of the river and the faint stirring of wind through reeds. Then she nodded again, sincerity glowing through her gaze.

"I do think so." A soft purr rumbled through her. "The world feels… gentler, in moments like this. Sometimes I wonder if StarClan sends us nights like this… to remind us we can be ourselves too." Her whiskers twitched faintly, a nervous smile tugging at her muzzle.

What are you afraid of losing if nothing in the world actually belongs to you.

~･ﾟ: *~･ﾟ:* 🫧 *:･ﾟ~*:･ﾟ~

Goosesong didn't rush to speak, he let the words wander in the air as of he was waiting for them to find another cats' ears, but most would be asleep at this time, so he doubted the possibility. Instead, they met his ears with that same soft sincerity Cottonbright seemed to carry around with her. 

He shut his eyes for a moment, listening to what she had been, the rolling of the river and the rustling of the breeze that caught the reeds, and even the soft scuffling on the prey chewing on whatever seeds they could find. It was a moment that transcended words, as if there was only himself, the territory, an Cottonbright, existing together all at once without anything else following them.

Without opening his eyes, he spoke again, softer than normal but still holding that guarded, even lilt of his. "It's nice to think so, a reminder that we don't need to perform for anyone. We can just, exist as we are with nothing getting in the way of that" he replied, opening his eyes to a heavy half-lidded expression "It's a pleasant way to see things."

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
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Cottonbright let the silence linger a little longer, her purr softening into something closer to a hum, as if she was content to leave his words suspended there between them. She kneaded the earth again, the rhythm steady if delicate.

"Mm...It is pleasant."

After a beat, she rose to her paws, giving her chest fur a brisk lick before glancing at him again, green eyes soft but a little brighter now. "We should probably head into camp..." She meowed. "But… thank you, Goosesong. For sitting here with me."

Her tail tip flicked once, hesitant, before she turned toward camp, leaving the hush of the river to keep their words.