Tangled in Cinders

Retirement? I prefer ‘extended vacation with benefits.’
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Tangleloon stirred at the nuzzle, but instead of lifting his head like a normal cat, he went still. Both eyes peeked open to catch sight of her paws. He gurgled a faux sleepy response.

"A...fish...sent to wake me!" He inhaled sharply, ears flicking with alertness in the deputy's direction. Then in a flurry of curls and dramatic limb flailing, he sprang...or more accurately rolled onto his belly from his nest. Paws flew out in an exaggerated pounce, back end high while his plumed tail twitched.

"Mighty flipper fish!" His paw missed by several whisker lengths before his front half slapped onto the ground. Then...sheepishly, one green eye opened to peer up at her, allowing his antics to melt away.

"Hello Cinderwisp. You caught me at my most glamourous dream fishing!"

"Run. That is an order."

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When Tangleloon acted as if Cinderwisp were some giant cat the molly couldn't help but watch in amusement as her brother fell to the ground in an attempt to defend himself from 'a giant fish' or whatever it was. "Did I now?" the molly purred in amusement. "How was your dream? Did you catch a lot of fish?" Sitting herself down beside him, the she-cat looked over at him, as if offering for him to tell her more about his dream.

Retirement? I prefer ‘extended vacation with benefits.’
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Tangleloon blinked blearily, as though truly dredging himself back up from his dream river. His whiskers twitched and a grin crept over his muzzle, soft and crooked.

"Oh, I caught plenty..." He mewed, sweeping one paw through the air in an exaggerated arc. "All sorts of fish. Long silver ones, fat golden ones. Even a pink one with flower spots. I was piling them right into my nest, like I’d built myself a treasure hoard fit for StarClan's finest."

He paused, giving a snort of laughter as he pawed absently at his moss. "Woke up tryin’ to grab one, I think. Called me a sleepyhead."

Then he blinked slow, the humor settling into something more fond as he stared at his littermate. "Maybe my belly’s got more imagination than I do. Hungry dreams are vivid ones, eh?"His stomach gave a faint, perfectly timed grumble, and he glanced sidelong at her with a mischievous glint. "You wouldn’t happen to have a fish or two hidden in that curly deputy fur of yours, would you?"

"Run. That is an order."

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Cinderwisp felt calmest with her brother. It was as calming as a rainy day in her comfortable nest among all her warriors. But being with Tangleloon was different. Being with Tangleloon was love. Not that she would ever dare to say a word about her feelings. She couldn't be soft for goodness sake. She was RiverClan's deputy. She had to be strong.

"That's nice." The molly began softly, following each of Tangleloon's movement. "Seems like you had a successful hunt... I'm sure that you could make a fine warrior if you really, really wanted to. But I get that, that might not be the path for you and that's okay too. I suppose sometimes StarClan has other plans."

"How rude of the fish for calling you a sleepyhead though." The deputy joked.

"Ha! And why would I do that? If I want prey I can just grab it. No need to hid it under all this luxurious fur of ours."

Retirement? I prefer ‘extended vacation with benefits.’
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Tangleloon’s smile stayed for a few heartbeats longer then dimmed as if a cloud passed over the sun. "Ah… a fine warrior. If only it were as simple as wantin' it."

He let out a breath, slow and uneven, and his tail curled tighter around his side. "If I toppled over at predictable times...say, every half moon, or only when I eat trout - maybe I could train around it." He tried to laugh, but it came out more like a wheeze.

"Tried bargainin' with it but it doesn’t listen. It just takes when it wants to." He stretched out slowly letting his head rest against his nest again. "If I could choose the moments I fall… or if I could ask my own body to hold itself steady, even just a little… I'd follow you onto the battlefield without question!"

His luxurious plumed tail brushed against her as he acknowledged her. "But - I've made my peace with being RiverClan's most glamorous fainting stone."