Open to Join Lazy Daze

Tiptoe through the murk and mire
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 Murkkit was just about to take the first quiet steps outside of the nursery before a small voice interrupted his train of thought. Like popping a bubble of concentration. Wide eyed with kitty brows expectant, he rounded back at Dazzlekit. There was some annoyance in his voice, but perhaps it was just over the fact that he had used the 'cute' name he had given him. How embarrassing!

"I'm nearly an apprentice. I'm just going to walk about camp!" He whisper hissed, tail flagging out above his back. He was about to settle his pelt and invite the red tom to join him but was interrupted as movement controlled his attention. Not Clovershine too!

"Nothin'." He was quick to chime in as he shuffled his paws away from the entrance, all the while stealing a side glance outside. Whatever hopes of exploring with his siblings seemed dashed as Clovershine's paw beckoned. He wasn't sure if Dazzlekit would protest, but Murkkit knew the action for what it was.

Maybe once his wash was over his mother could be persuaded to let him loose a bit. It wasn't like he didn't enjoy a good cleaning, but he was restless. All the better to try and appeal to her good graces. Murkkit approached, perhaps a bit shyly, before pushing his head forward to bump into the she-cat. "Alllllright."

Like a ray from the dazzling sun
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Dazzlekit looked a little heartbroken as his brother turned around with a gaze of annoyance, but he did his best to move on. Dazzlekit stepped on his tail just a little harder in retaliation. 'I was just asking!' he hissed back, but there was no hostility in his voice, it was more out of defense. Dazzlekit's face frowned a little before it looked like Murkkit was about to speak again, but both kits were interrupted by the rustling of Clovershine. 

'No, I'm clean! Super clean!' He squeaked, quickly dodging his mother's paw. He loved to snuggle with Clovershine, but what he did not like was being groomed by her. He was nearly an apprentice! He could do it himself! 

He watched as Murkkit was taken into the paws of his mother, eyes widening as his brother was dragged away. 'No, you can't take him!' he giggled, pouncing onto Clovershine's closest paw and giving it a tussle. Clovershine had managed to get a few licks at Murkkit's pelt, but Dazzlekit was pretty sure he had just ruined any of her efforts with his sudden attack. 

It didn't take Dazzlekit long to realise he was being quite loud, and turned his round eyes over to the sleeping Redkit. 'Oh, I'm sorry. I'll be more quiet!' he whispered, taking an awkward step back from his mother and siblings, looking a little ashamed. He sat down, curling his tail around his paws with a frown on his face. 

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Clovershine let out a gentle warning huff to the squabbling kittens and flared her nostrils, she did not appreciate any fighting, especially with her kits. "That is no way to treat one another, I expect an apology to each other the both of you" She scolded, her voice soft but stern, as she didn't want to frighten her dear kits, but enough to let them know that it wasn't right to shout at one another in such a scornful way.

"Oh you can clean yourself can you?" Clovershine let out a purr of amusement as she pulled Dazzlekit towards her once more, cleaning up his messy fur with the rasping of her pink tongue over his red tabby fur. "And who is going to make you look all nice when you have your apprentice ceremony? I'm sure you'd be to excited to think about such a thing" She added, finishing the cleaning of the messier, more ragged of her kits. 

The lynx pointed queen let out a gentle purr, before releasing Dazzlekit from her grasp "My mother did the same to me before I became an apprentice, even Palestar got a good grooming once" Clovershine twitched her whiskers in amusement as Dazzlekit noticed his sleeping brother, the queen let out a relieved sigh, happy that her son showed sympathy for his brother. "Thank you Dazzlekit, Murkkit, make sure you don't make too much noise either, let your little brother sleep" She added with a gentle nod of her head. Though she could tell that both of her awakened kits were rather restless, so she had to think on her paws.

"Say, How would you two like to hear a story" A story! Perfect! She thought to herself, nodding to a comfortable sodden nest in front of her for her kittens to lay. "Sit down sweet boys and I will tell you a story if you'd like"

Tiptoe through the murk and mire
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 Despite Clovershine gentle tone, her word no doubt took him aback. In his eyes he hadn't exactly done anything wrong, merely scolded his brother for catching him before he was sneaking out for some fun. "I didn't mean it..." He muttered softly, a paw kicking out at a lingering ball of moss nearby his nest. Such injustice left the kit a little crestfallen.

Murkkit was silent as Dazzlekit and Clovershine shared a moment in keeping sure Redkit wouldn't wake from their antics. With a stiff nod, he fell back onto his haunches, giving wordless indication that he had heard Clovershine, his adopted mother. A story would be fine... he'd accept a story to settle his restlessness, but he kept the quiet thoughts to himself. The thought that she couldn't really tell him what to do or how to act because she wasn't mama.

"I don't mind a story. What kind of story do you wanna tell? A story about being a warrior?" Maybe then he'd understand what the big deal was about. Maybe they'd have their own run in with dangerous cats or incredible animals... What about that hawk that stole Hickorystorms sight?

Like a ray from the dazzling sun
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As his mother scolded him, Dazzlekit looked to the ground with a little shame. They hadn't really done anything wrong. Siblings squabbled all the time, right? He wasn't even mad at Murkkit, he was just defending himself against his brothers words! He wouldn't let anyone hiss at him, not even his brother.

'Of course I can clean myself, look how big I am now! And I already look nice! I might even get to become an apprentice early because I'm so strong already'. Who or what had put this idea into Dazzlekit's mind, we will never know. He had given into Clovershine's attempt at grooming, as he wasn't really looking to fight with his mother. He loved her, held nothing against her and wanted to keep her happy, so he sat there with a sour face as she rasped her tongue over his red tabby fur. 

At the mention of a story, Dazzlekit turned to face his mother curiously. He usually only heard stories from the elders, so this was new! 'Yes, tell us one! Will it be about you? Or Palestar? Or some old dead cat? Tell us a really really good one, or your favourite one. I don't mind!' he asked, gazing up at Clovershine is awe. Story time!

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Clovershine watched with love as her kits gathered around her to hear a story and her mind raced to conjure up one that the kits would like or at least one that would be inspiring to the kittens. "Did I even tell you kits what happened to my leg?" Clovershine asked, looking at her stiff and odd angled leg with her pink nose, there was a few scars across it but seemed to have healed in a way that made it rather difficult to use, and something that would make life as a warrior difficult as a whole. 

At her kits' curiosity, she let out a soft chuckle, giving her front paws a few dutiful licks before turning her gaze back to Dazzlekit and Murkkit, using her tail to dampen the noise over Redkit so he didn't get woken up by her storytelling, especially with such an engaging story in her opinion. The injury itself was far from preferable but it would shore make a good story for many moons to come, even when she one day retires to the elder's den.

"Though, it is a little scary, I wonder if you two will be able to handle it" She mewed, a joking, playful notch to her tone of voice, making the idea of the story a little more endearing for the kits who have already agreed. Perhaps she wished to make it more entertaining for them, but she certainly wasn't opposed to telling the tale of how Palestar saved her as an apprentice, it would be good to paint an image of someone her kits can look up to, someone like her dearest sister.

Tiptoe through the murk and mire
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 Murkkit little kitty brows pursed together as he waited for Clovershine to speak. Then she had the nerve to ask if he'd get scared from one little story. Impatience wasn't a very attractive trait for a kit so young. "Not as scary as hunting a snake-worm!" Half mew, half whispered the smoke mink tom, but his eyes were still expectant as he waited some more. "I can handle it."

Like a ray from the dazzling sun
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'Your leg? Nope! It looks a little funny. Did you get attacked? Fight someone? Save someone?' he asked, shuffling in closer to Clovershine so that now he was pressing into her fur. 

Dazzlekit nodded at his brother, a proud look on his face. 'We caught an entire worm-snake. Nothing can scare us!' He looked up at Clovershine expectantly, before looking back at her stiff, odd angled leg. Funny looking, but cool. Proved she was a real warrior! 'Ok, tell us now pleaseeeee!'

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Clovershine's amused purr at both her kits' bravery shone through what brave warriors they will become she thought to herself before clearing her throat "My mistake, of course such brave kits that caught a worm-snake would be able to handle this story" She purred, keeping her tail gentle resting over her remaining, sleeping kitten's ears in order to prevent or at least muffle any noise to reach his ears and potentially wake him. 

"Well this all happened when Palestar and I were only apprentices." Clovershine began, thinking back to when she had been an apprentice, she wasn't as close to Palestar then as she was now, and it was rather natural to drift away from loved ones if the relationship was not meant to last, bur the real relationships will stick like warm honey and feel as warm and loving as such.

Clovershine took a breath before continuing "Palestar and I were not as close as we are now, and our mentors wished to bring us closer with a hunting patrol for the both of us" Clovershine explained, keeping an eye on her kits to make sure the two were paying attention, after all, what is the point of a story if it isn't heard by any cat, it would be forgotten with time, and Clovershine wanted her kits to hold as much respect for Palestar as the next cat. "Though on the patrol, we drifted apart and while I was alone, something began to grip at my leg, lifting me off of the ground and the my weight pulling me down and the claws of the hawk that picked me up was quite painful, and I thought that I would be the hawk's next feast" the lynx pointed queen added, her voice with a dynamic edge to make the story sound a little more enticing and interesting.

"Just as I felt I was going to join StarClan early, then came my sister, she pounced at the hawk and brought it to the ground, she saved my life that day. I can't recall a lot after that, but what I do remember is that she fought like the leader she is today, even if she was only an apprentice. It is thanks to her that I am here to love you kits without condition" Clovershine purred, nuzzling both awoken kits lovingly, not cleaning up their pelts as she had already given them a grooming "I hope one day you both and Redkit will be as brave and loyal as Palestar is" She added, her voice filled with a love that only a littermate could feel for another, she loved her sister to mouse dust and she didn't intend to stop now. 

Tiptoe through the murk and mire
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 Murkkit made himself comfortable, gathering a bunch of moss balls and piling it underneath his torso like a makeshift pillow as he bunkered down in the tickle of nesting material. Nevermind he may have to make his nest afterwards. It was rare that Clovershine told a story, and he seemed fixated at every word. It was about time he got to hear just how great the cats of the clan were, starting with Palestar herself, apparently.

He learned from when he could barely teeter on his toes that it wasn't very polite to interrupt a story. Belladonna had taken on creatures many times her size for her kits, and he felt that Palestar would be a good match if he should be partnered with her as an apprentice. Murkkit turned to Dazzlekit, while side eying Redkit as he still slept. Too bad. He was missing a good story.

"Already got the brave part down!" He winked at his brother. Loyalty would be a different matter. "Are you going to go back to being a warrior after we become apprentices?" He mewed quietly at Clovershine as she got close, glancing down at her oddly angled leg.

Like a ray from the dazzling sun
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With his chin resting on Clovershine's front leg, Dazzlekit half buried himself into her fur while he perked his ears up, ready to listen.

So.. she had gotten this injury when she was an apprentice.. and still mananged to become a warrior! She must be a really good warrior then to be able to hunt and fight with her funny leg. He looked up to his mother in awe, maybe with a hint of proudness to, that he was the child of Clovershine and no other. 

The story was set in a group hunting patrol, something that Dazzlekit hoped that when he was an apprentice he would get to do with his brothers. Dazzlepaw, Murkpaw and Redpaw would be no match for the puny prey of ShadowClan's forest!

He gasped quietly as he was told that it was none other than a hawk that had injured her leg, and that she could have been taken away. 'What if it had gotten you? Who would have taken care of us?' he said squeaked sadly, his ears flattened a little. He wasn't scared, but didn't exactly understand that without Palestar, Clovershine and her kits wouldn't be here today at all. 

'Palestar is so cool! And we are related to her! Clovershine, do you think she could be my mentor? Can you ask? I would be really really good I promise!' he begged his mother, not understanding that Palestar herself was the one to choose the mentors, and that while Clovershine could recommend, her input meant nothing. 

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Clovershine looked back at her sons with a deep love, letting a loud purr slip out of her throat. She had such good kits, though they were certainly filled with questions a lot of the time. Since Murkkit's question came first however, Clovershine chose to answer it first before getting to Dazzlekit's words.

"I sure hope I will be, I can't see much of a reason why I wouldn't" She stated, giving her own chest fur a quick grooming, her alert ears flicking around the nursery, but there was not a sound to bother the queen and her kittens. "My leg had tried to stop me from becoming a warrior, but I wouldn't let that happen. It will take a lot more than a hawk to bring your mother down kits" she added, lifting her chin with a certain pride than any warrior would have in their own strength and loyalty, perhaps the hawk had swooped her to test Clovershine and Palestar's resilience, if that was what StarClan had wished to happen, Clovershine was thankful for the experience.

And now Clovershine recalled all of Dazzlekit's questions, the queen heard some as innocent squeals and let out a gentle purr of relaxation before answering each one to the best of her ability. The first, a question of who would take care of them if the hawk had taken her, she knew it was silly to assume that Dazzlekit and Redkit would have even been born, but it was nice to encourage a kit's imagination, though reality had to be pressed into their pelts at some stage. "Well Dazzlekit, you wouldn't be my kits if the hawk had flown away with me, you'd be with another queen other than myself" She meowed

Despite her wording, she knew she spoke from what she felt was true, if these precious kits weren't born to herself and Cloudflare, they would be the brood of another she-cat, they wouldn't be likely to look the same, but these kits had spirit that was unrivaled by any other kit she had come across. Then Dazzlekit's final questions came into play, well it was rather a statement and a question. "Palestar is quite cool isn't she. I can't choose your mentor for you Dazzlekit, but I could certainly put in a good word for you"

Clovershine then lay her head on her front forearms, her eyes softening with the love she had for her kits. She couldn't be more happy to have this litter all to herself. 

Tiptoe through the murk and mire
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 Typical of a strong cat like Clovershine. A twisted leg wouldn't slow her down, at least enough to warrant her becoming an elder afterwards. That meant she'd be close again with her sister, hunting... walking around the territory. Probably tell each others secrets and what not - maybe recommend mentors. Murkkit's eyes shined with the prospect of gaining the confidence of a cat who had Palestar's ear. Maybe one day he could even...

Dazzlekit, however, beat him to the paw swipe. "Could you put in a good word for me too?" He took a few steps closer as the she-cat put down her head. If he wasn't mindful of his sleeping brother, he might have taken it as an invitation for a pounce. "Could Palestar mentor both of us - if she's as cool as you say?" Surely she could have more than one apprentice. Murkkit didn't understand that Palestar already had an apprentice, or if she wanted to take a break from mentoring afterwards. Still, it couldn't hurt to ask.

Like a ray from the dazzling sun
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Dazzlekit hoped his mother would return to being a warrior. He was excited to be able to go on patrols with her, and show her what he learned as an apprentice, but if she retire to the elders den it would become much harder to do so. 'Yes, you can't retire. you are too strong for that!' he mewed, gently kneading his small paws into his mothers leg in enthusiasm. 

As Clovershine explained what would happen if she wasn't there, Dazzlekit frowned, scrunching his nose. 'But I don't want a different mama, only you.' he complained, despite knowing that he very much did have Clovershine as his mother. He buried his face within her fur and grumbled something, but there was a playful tone laced in his voice. 

Murkkit then had a wonderful idea in response to his request of having Palestar as a mentor. 'Yes we can share her, pleaseeeee. Training with Palestar and Murkit would be the bestest thing ever. Maybe I'll go ask her myself!' Despite being close kin to the leader, Palestar has a busy life so the two didn't interact much, but that wouldn't stop Dazzlekit from asking. He wasn't scared!

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As the kits were so engaged with what Clovershine had to say, she couldn't help but purr at the sight. Dazzlekit and Murkkit being so chattery at the idea of being mentored by her sister was a sweet sight to the lynx point queen. The idea of patrolling with her kits in about two moons seemed like such a brilliant idea and she wouldn't miss that for the world. "I'll be looking forward to going on patrols with all of you, I wouldn't miss that even if StarClan tried to stop me themselves" She meowed, giving Dazzlekit and Murkkit a short, loving lick between their ears each.

"It's a good thing you all have me then isn't it Dazzlekit my dear" Clovershine cooed, comforting Dazzlekit by curling one of her paws around the little red tabby tom and rubbing her paw pad against his back while he grumbled into her chest fur. Her purr was undeniable in her throat as she watched both of the kits with a keen eye, she was glad that Palestar had already made such a good impression on the kits and Clovershine hadn't even told the kits of her deeds as a warrior and deputy.

With a chuckle at the two kits she gave a nod to Murkkit's request for her to place a good word in for him as well "It will be up to Palestar to decide who will mentor you, I'll always be rooting for all three of you, especially when you start your training" Clovershine added, tucking Murkkit closer toward her and pulling him into her fur, sure he might be getting a little old for her snuggling, but once the kits hit five moons, she would let them all decide if they wished to continue to snuggle with her in her nest or if they wish to take their own nest in preparation for their apprenticeship, either way, she knew she would miss moment like these.

Tiptoe through the murk and mire
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 Murkkit meandered over to the nest, and closer to the cuddled pair. Perhaps he was feeling a little lonely and in need of some affection, but he wasn't exactly one to ask for it. He made a tough show, side stepping nonchalantly as he listened to them speak, maybe just a tad jealous as Dazzlekit cozied up to her. He didn't have to wait long as Clovershine pulled him closer, and just for a moment he basked in the warmth of the family made for him here. Sure, he still missed his original family and he still wanted to try and find his sire to ask him to join Shadowclan, but this moment was precious.

"I suppose you could even mentor one of us - or Heronsong! She's pretty cool too, I think." Mainly for not rating him out for sneaking out that first time. Anyone who let him get away with stuff like that was on his good list. He nuzzled into the side of her flank alongside his brothers, and for all he knew Redkit was still napping. "I wonder what kind of warrior name I'll get someday... Probably something tough like Murkbite!" And to illustrate why he could be named as such, he tried to take a baby chomp out of Dazzlekit's tail.

Like a ray from the dazzling sun
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The red mackerel kit let out a soft purr as Murkkit came over and joined the cuddle, doing his best to squish into both cats. He wriggled happily, kneading his paws into whatever was closest, which still happened to be Clovershine.

The precious moment soon turned to a playfully fierce one as Dazzlekit could feel as his brother's teeth gently sink into his tail as he queried about his name. He let out a surprised mew before swiftly turning to face Murkkit. He reached out a sheathed paw to cuff his ear before pouncing on him. Well, maybe charging would be a better word. He ran right into him, attempting to bowl the blue mink kit over. He wanted to tussle after Murkkit's attempt at his tail. 

'Well, I'm Dazzlepounce then. I never miss my pounces no matter what and you are now stuck under my claws!' he giggled while repeatedly attempting to kick Murkkit's stomach with his hind legs. It was gentle enough not to hurt him, but he still tried to put a little strength into it. A tiny, playful growl could be heard rumbling from the depths of his throat as he did his best to get a grip on his brother.