Closed Thread Celebrating the Here and Now

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished
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When the shape of a single eye fluttered open, he spotted a shape in the distance. From her movements he could have sworn it may be Brindlepaw, or maybe Larchpaw, but when he blinked the daze of sleep from himself he found it belonged to a warrior. Brows furrowing with concentration he recognized the agouti furred Sunstrike, her pelt catching in dawn's warming rays.

A good nap brought out the best in cats, and Bravesong was no different. Sunstrike shouldn't have to feel like it was an inconvenience to move about in camp and he knew just what to do. Lifting his front half into a vague laying, but now alert position, he lifted his head and mewed down towards the young warrior.

"Sunstrike! Why don't you pick out another mouse for me and come join me up on Highrock."

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished
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As an elder, Bravesong enjoyed a certain ease of life. Certainly not by choice, but circumstances be what they were, made it so he was much less active than he used to be. Either way, he doubted the simple place of where he took a nap came into contention. At this moment, he was eager to share his warm spot with just about anyone. Sunstrike kept busy as most youngers warriors did, but the suddenness of her attention caused the tom to blink, mewing with a certain somberness that seemed sincere at least.

"Sorry if I startled you." He started slowly, his tail wrapping around the snug of his body as he watched her ascend to his lofty perch, mice in tow. His good paw stretched out to inch the prey closer to him with some amount of focus, but remembered the she-cat beside him, and without trying to stretch any awkwardness, continued. "I thought you might want some cat to eat with. And honestly, this is one of the best places in camp to do so." Sharing a well-kept secret, Bravesong's purr was full of mirth.

He knew all too well how some could feel alienated for being a little different. His mouth began plucking the subtle fluff from the mouse's hide, pushing it from his lips in a small pile that he'd save for Tigerrush. "How have your warrior duties been treating you?" He was curious, perhaps, but more importantly, he might have been a tiny bit concerned. His own warriorhood wasn't the smoothest, and after his injuries he believed that nothing would ever be right again.

Starclan hadn't taken him for a reason and now wanted nothing more than to be a guiding foundation for his clan.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished
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From Highrock Bravesong felt his eye sweep over the clearing, proud of his vantage. he may not be a useful hunter or fighter anymore, but he had other ways to provide. Keeping his sights aimed to the sky for encroaching weather to listening for the slightest change in birdsong over the forest. Being this high up had its advantages.

"It's a lot of responsibility being a warrior. Protecting and providing for your clan is no easy feat - but working alongside your clanmates makes it all possible. Whether or not its bareable is up to you."

Serious for only a moment, the black and white hued tom purred, relishing in warm prey before he blinked up in warm candor.

He was proud of how quickly she seemed to be maturing.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished
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Nothing wrong with a bit of earth on your tongue. Mice were creature of dirt, after all, they scurried on top and beneath their tunnels and dens. Maybe he had just gotten used to the taste, but this just confirmed that Sunstrike's morsel was more 'kill' and less 'fresh'. Probably just cold. Nothing like biting into a tepid mouthful of something that's life had just slipped away. Bravesong spoke nothing of her comment, merely nodded giving her the acknowledgement that he was listening even as he ate.

"Goldstar must have seen something in him to make him his deputy. He seems a competent leader enough, although its still early. At least he seems to be keeping Brindlepaw on straight." Twitching his whiskers, the tom took another mouthful, wanting to enjoy his meal while it was more fresh and less dirt flavored.

The flash of his single hazel eye lifted to that of the younger she-cat when she addressed him directly. Lapping at the stain of red on his lips Bravesong listened in apt attention as an apprentice might to the lesson of their mentor. He seemed all the eager to offer an answer to her question, until...

He allowed his soft words to simmer, his appetite stiffened all at once, but forced himself another bite if only to mentally echo Sunstrike's earlier sentiment. Nothing should go to waste. Her intensity was mirrored as he looked back at her, the tips of his ears flattening against his skull.

A shadow of his former pessimistic self flickered but an instant, but when he finished, their was a calm finality to his smile, and he purred again.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished
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  Bravesong had plenty of time to think long and hard about what had happened to him, and what was still happening to him. No one should have to go through the trauma of recovering from something like that, but was he better for living through it? He still wasn't one hundred percent sure, but nothing could ever be a certainty.

His expression pursed, almost unreadable as he contemplated her response, unrealizing that his maw tipped open. He seemed to even forget of cleaning up the last morsels of his breakfast. He lay there, calmly entranced by her observation. Starclan, she seemed more keen than him at this moment, and showed a surprising sense of maturity. Bravesong punctuated the silence with a small purr, blinking gratefully.

"You're always welcome to share a meal with me. I'm glad I found myself, and I'll always be here, Starclan willing, to help others find themselves too. Mainly let's accept that life has its ups and downs and to not be afriad to do the things we want to do, because you never know if it'll be your last day."

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished
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Bravesong's long tongue lapped languidly at his paw once he fished himself from his now finished meal. Now time to pampering himself a bit and clean up the splotches of red on his black and white fur, between his claws, yet he still kept an ear out for her. Nothing would distract him long enough to hear the uncertain tones of her voice.

"What makes you think you're not approachable, Sunstrike? Perhaps other cats just see your paws deep into your duties and might not want to disturb you. I'm sure if you take a few breathes and slow down during your day you might surprise yourself."

Honestly, sound advice for any hardworking apprentice or busybody warrior, but it was something he only got recently acquainted with since his aspirations as an Elder. It really made you appreciate the small things in life.

"Well, I'd rather approach you over Savagefox or Wrentalon, capable as they may be. I'll keep that in mind." Grateful of her company, he sat up straight, eying camp from their shared vantage point, and began to pile up the remains. "Do you think you'd be able to stop by the medicine cat's den and see if Tigerrush can find a use for this mouse down?"

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished
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He wanted to reach a paw out to reassure her, but he felt that she needed some time for herself. Maybe a solo hunt to balance herself in the nature of their world. Either that or come back to share another meal with him. Maybe a sunning adventure towards sunning rocks when its a little cooler and the sun didn't beat down upon them so harshly. Bravesong watched with his one good eye as she dipped her head, showng her thanks, before taking the fluff to the medicine cats den. His tail flicked in a wave at her exit, his smile gentle.

It seemed like Bravesong was content to stay where he was, overlooking the camp.