Closed Thread Into The Lion's Den

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished
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Bravesong padded awkwardly back toward the elders' den, a thin mouse dangling from his jaws from the freshkill pile. The crisp air bit at his nose, but the sun’s weak rays offered just enough warmth to make the trip pleasant.

As he approached the den, he slowed, spotting a small bundle of mostly white fur perched at the entrance. The soft ginger and black patches of Robinkit’s pelt were the only reason she didn’t entirely blend into the chilled backdrop. She sat neatly, her expression almost too serious for a kit her age, and Bravesong couldn’t help but smile around the mouse.

He set his prey down a few steps away, his voice warm and amused. “Excuse me, what's this? A little bird perched at my dennstep?” He flicked his tail as he approached, his single eye glinting with gentle mirth. "Come on in, little bird." He bent over to pick up the mouse, its tail dangling solumnly from his jaws as he waited for the young she-cat to make way for him.

I may be small, but I’m braver than I look.

✦･ﾟ: *✦･ﾟ:* 🐦 *:･ﾟ✦*:･ﾟ✦

Robinkit's single unfolded ear twitched at the sound of a new voice, the sound breaking through the quiet stillness she's wrapped herself in. Her yellow eyes flicked upward, cautious but curious as she studied the older tom. His smile and the warmth in his tone eased some of the tension that always lingered in her tiny frame. She quickly noticed that the tom only had one cry, similarly to Wildcry, but he seemed a lot more friendly then she was. But her response was still hesitant, her voice no louder than a breeze stirring the leaves.

"I'm not a bird" she said softly, yet still matter-of-factly, her words deliberate as she tilted her head slightly, her ears twitching with the effort to explain herself to the stranger, she flicked her tail slightly before adding, "I'm a kit. I'm just named after a bird"

Robinkit straightened up her posture a little, her tail wrapping snugly around her paws as if bracing herself for his reaction. She hoped he didn't shout at her like Wildcry once did so she braced herself just in case. There was a certain weight to her words, a seriousness that seemed too big for her small body. Her gaze shifted momentarily to the mouse dangling from his jaws, the slight droop of it's dangling tail holding her attention for a moment before she looked back up at him.

"I... I just wanted to sit here" she added after a pause, her voice even quieter this time. "Finchkit and Rimekit are sleeping and it's warmer near the sun" She shuffled back a few steps to give him room, her movements careful, as if afraid she might get in the way. so she was cautious when she stepped into the elder's den after Bravesong.

Her wide eyes flickered between him and the mossy floor, curiosity battling her usual hesitance. "Do you think... Do you think elder's like it when kits visit?" she asked suddenly, her voice soft but laden with genuine thoughtfulness, as if she wasn't sure if her presence would be welcome, especially from last time she remembered coming to the elder's den.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished
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Bravesong let out a soft chuckle, the sound low and warm as he stepped aside to give Robinkit a bit more space to move into the den. He placed the mouse down neatly on the mossy floor before turning his full attention to her, his single eye glimmering with amusement. Her seriousness was endearing - so much weight in such a small body, like she was trying to carry the whole world on those tiny paws.

“Oh - sorry about that! A kit! My eye must be going!” Bravesong admitted, settling down on his haunches so he wasn’t towering over her. He tapped his tail gently against the floor, his tone light but sincere. “Well, let me tell you something... Elders like when anyone visits, so long as they come with good manners and a little curiosity. And you, Robinkit, seem to have plenty of both.”

He stretched out a forepaw, lazily flicking a bit of moss out of the way before gesturing to the den. “Come on, find yourself a warm spot. The sun reaches the den sometimes, especially on days like this, and it’s always nicer to share a meal with company."

He rose from his haunches and moved to his nest that was close by, nestled in a corner crook and meshed with moss. When he stepped inside, he sighed, before carefully lowering himself down. He leaned back slightly, giving her space to settle in or speak as she liked, his relaxed demeanor and steady warmth an open invitation to feel at ease.

I may be small, but I’m braver than I look.

✦･ﾟ: *✦･ﾟ:* 🐦 *:･ﾟ✦*:･ﾟ✦

Robinkit hesitated at the den's entrance, her wide eyes darting around nervously as if unsure whether she truly belonged here. Her tiny paws shuffled awkwardly on the mossy ground, and she kept glancing at Bravesong as though trying to gauge if he truly meant what he said. His warm, encouraging tone helped ease her nerves, and after a moment, she took a cautious step forward.

"Um... thank you, Bravesong" she mewed softly, her voice barely above a whisper. She paused, glancing back toward the camp as if she suddenly might change her mind, but then her gaze settled on the elder's relaxed expression and the gentle invitation in his single eye. Taking a deep breath, she finally padded inside, her movements careful and deliberate.

Robinkit approached the patch of moss that Bravesong had pointed out, sitting down and curling her short-furred tail neatly around her paws. She glanced at the mouse he'd brought in, then up at him, her little ears flicking shyly. "It's... really nice in here" she murmured, her gaze darting around the cozy den. "The only other time I was here is when Wildcry brought me... at she shouted at me" she frowned, but decided it wasn't worth bringing up further.

Her small paws kneaded the ground nervously as she tried to think of what to say next. "Do... do you get lonely in here? Without a lot of other cats around all the time?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity and just a hint of concern. She peeked up at him, her timid demeanor softening as she began to feel a little braver, maybe that's why he was called Bravesong.. "I can visit more if you want"

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished
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Bravesong’s whiskers twitched at Robinkit’s question, and his gaze softened, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his features. He rested his chin lightly on his paws, his tail curling comfortably around his frame as he watched the little she-kit. She had a way of asking things that felt bigger than her small form, as though she carried an old soul in her tiny chest.

"Sometimes. It’s quiet in here some days, and quiet can feel lonely if you let it. But I’ve learned something over the seasons, Robinkit - life leaves wounds on all of us. Some you can see..." He gestured (awkwardly, with his twisted paw) toward his missing eye with a faint, amused huff. "-and some you can’t. But not everyone lives with them the same way."

He straightened a little, his single eye glinting thoughtfully. "...Wildcry, for example. She’s sharp-tongued and tough because that’s how she’s chosen to live with her wounds. But me?” His voice warmed again, a grin tugging at his lips. "Life is kind of like a song, and every scar or story just adds a new note to it. Sometimes it’s a sad tune, sometimes it’s a joyful one, but either way, it’s worth singing."

With a small, sliding motion of his paw, he encouraged her. "You’re welcome anytime, Robinkit. Come on, share this mouse with me. Prey tends to taste best when its shared with clanmates!”

I may be small, but I’m braver than I look.

✦･ﾟ: *✦･ﾟ:* 🐦 *:･ﾟ✦*:･ﾟ✦

"If I get any scars, I wanna be like you. I wanna hear life's song with all the good and happy notes. And understand the bad notes and consider what they do to my song" The small kitten explained, flicking her tail as she noticed Bravesong gesture to the prey in front of him, a sign for her to share it with him. Robinkit was hesitant, that was Bravesong's prey and she didn't want to take any from him, especially if he needed it more than she did. At least she thought he needed it more.

With eyes full of thought and her paws slow with hesitation, Robinkit padded over to Bravesong her soft, pink paw pads pressing against the leaves and moss that made up the nests of the elders before taking her place next to Bravesong, but still keeping her stillness that almost make her seem awkwardly stiff as she sat beside the bi-colored elder. He seemed so wise, far beyond Robinkit's moons, which was understandable since he was beyond her moons

After hearing Bravesong's words, Robinkit flicked her unfolded ear and turned her gaze up to Bravesong, despite still not taking a bite of the mouse, she wanted to be sure that Bravesong was full before she ate, that's what she had seen her father do, and every other warrior she had watched really. "Is that why you're called Bravesong? Because you've mastered your song and made it worth listening to?" she asked, trying her best to match his insight with her words, not entirely sure if she had failed at doing so or not. Regardless, she watched Bravesong attentively, as if asking him to eat first.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished
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Bravesong let out a low, rumbling chuckle at Robinkit’s words, the sound rich with warmth and genuine amusement. "Scars - whether they’re from battle, mistakes, or life itself - aren’t something to wish for. They come when they come. If you ever do get them, Robinkit, I hope they teach you something good. That’s the trick to learn from them. Even if it takes time."

He shifted slightly, leaning on his uninjured side as he bent down and took the first bite at her invitation. "I don’t think I’d say I’ve mastered my song. Your song is always changing, always growing..."

Robinkit’s question about his name made him pause, his expression softening further. He took another small bite, careful to leave a few bites for the growing kit when she decided to join him."Bravesong seems to fit, doesn’t it? But being brave doesn’t mean you’re never afraid. It just means you keep going, even when the bad notes try to drown out the good ones.... How have you been spending your time now that you're a little older?"

I may be small, but I’m braver than I look.

✦･ﾟ: *✦･ﾟ:* 🐦 *:･ﾟ✦*:･ﾟ✦

Robinkit's little yellow eyes gazed almost unblinking at Bravesong as he spoke, fascinated by his words. Of course she didn't wish for scars like Bravesong's or scars as a whole, she simply wanted to deal with them like Bravesong has. Though maybe he didn't hear that pat of what she said... she could try re-explaining what she said, but it was as if, all of a sudden, she lost her words. Instead, she just snuggled up beside the black and white elder and took a nibble from the mouse in front of the both of them.

As if the bite had healed her vocal cords, Robinkit figured out what words to say "I don't want to have scars" she said rather plainly and flatly but still with a sense of kit-like charm hidden within. "But if i get them I want to heal from them like you have" she corrected herself, glancing up at Bravesong as he asked what she had been doing recently, and Robinkit couldn't really think of all that much, only her new endevours with collecting bits and pieces of 'herbs' to sort in her home made nest. So that was the only thing she could think of telling Bravesong about.

"I've been sorting herbs" she stated, flicking the tip of her dappled tail "I find some lying round around camp and place them in little piles in a nest I made for m'self" she explained, glancing back at the mouse for a moment but then back to the elder "I never take em out of the medicine den though, and I always ask mama if I can keep em to help heal her and daddy when daddy comes to visit" she added, her voice filled with a strange conviction that made her seem almost confident and even proud of herself.

"I know they aren't real herbs though, I gotta make sure I remember that because I'm not a medicine cat" she added, a somewhat sad sigh leaving her mouth "Because I didn't train to be one"

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished
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Bravesong tilted his head as he listened, his single eye glinting with interest. He leaned into her words, his body language open and welcoming as the little kit nestled beside him. Her correction about scars earned her a soft, approving rumble as he aimed a soft, reassuring rasp between her ears.

As she described her newfound hobby, a flicker of delight crossed Bravesong’s face, his whiskers twitching in quiet amusement."Sounds like you’re building your own little medicine den. I think that’s wonderful, Robinkit. It’s good to have something that makes you feel useful, even if it’s just for fun." Who knew, maybe she had the makings of a medicine cat, herself.

"It’s kind of you to think of helping them. A cat doesn't need to train as a medicine cat to show care and kindness. What you’re doing now? That’s just as important."

Taking another small bite of the mouse, he glanced at her again, his tone shifting to something a little more curious and lighthearted. "Do you have a favorite herb yet - or flower, leaf? Or maybe one you think smells the best? Even the medicine cats probably have their favorites, though they might not admit it."

I may be small, but I’m braver than I look.

✦･ﾟ: *✦･ﾟ:* 🐦 *:･ﾟ✦*:･ﾟ✦

Robinkit seemed strangely attentive and observant to Bravesong's words, listening as closely as a kit her age could, or even listening as if she was much older than she was - she sure had a habit of doing that. "It's not a den, it's just a nest, but I don't like when Rimekit touches them without asking. I like the stuff I pick up and I don't wanna lose it" The corners of Robinkit curled down into a small frown as she patted the moss of Bravesong's nest down with her paws.

Favourite herb? Robinkit thought the question over a little, she hadn't really learnt much about real herbs but she was certain that Bravesong would be upset if not given a real answer, so she wanted to give the answer that she lightly recalled hearing in the medicine den when Tigerrush had healed her kittencough when she had been one moon old, thankfully it had been a mild case but she still remembered how fascinated she had been with how efficiently Tigerrush had treated her, and how quickly as well.

"Tansy or honey" Robinkit responded, not too quickly though as she spent a considerable amount of time thinking about her choice in herbs that she had seen. "Tigerrush said that the tansy petals help with coughs and honey eases the throat and makes bitter herbs taste sweeter" she recalled with a genuine interest and a certain sense of pride in her voice that she remembered the name and meaning of the herbs. "I like the color of the flowers" she added, looking to Bravesong's single eyes for a moment "It's like your eye" she concluded. "But I like how honey tastes, its sweet but it was a bit sticky"

"I like little green buds with little pink petals hidden inside them from my nest too, sometimes they drop into the nursery and I pick 'em up, I think they look pretty"

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished
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Bravesong's eye lit up with admiration as he listened to Robinkit’s thoughtful answer, his tail curling neatly over his paws. Her keen attention to detail and effort to recall the herbs clearly delighted him. "Honey is delicious - and useful to get some nasty things down. You’ve got a sharp memory... Tigerrush would be impressed, I think."

Her observation about tansy flowers being the same color as his eye drew a soft laugh from the elder. "I appreciate the comparison, but I think tansy are prettier than my scarred muzzle."

He tilted his head slightly at her description of the little green buds with pink petals, curiosity sparking in his expression. a kit with an eye for detail and an appreciation for the smaller things in life was a balm on his soul. "Hmm, those sound like rosebuds, maybe. Or something close to it. It’s good that you notice the small things, Robinkit. The world’s full of little wonders if you take the time to look for them...The world can always use more cats who appreciate it."

He leaned down to nudge the mouse closer to her with his nose. "And don’t let Rimekit ruin your nest - make sure you try to get her to understand how much it upsets you. "

I may be small, but I’m braver than I look.

✦･ﾟ: *✦･ﾟ:* 🐦 *:･ﾟ✦*:･ﾟ✦

"Do you really think it will impress Tigerrush? I like spending time with Tigerrush, I’m thinking of giving her something from my nest to help her with her storage, or maybe even just a gift" Robinkit thought aloud, her voice sparked with a little bit of hopefulness that was not often seen in the introspective kit’s face when she spoke, she flicked her unfolded ear for a moment glancing back over at Bravesong.

Robinkit was quick to notice Bravesong nudging the mouse over towards her, clearly encouraging her to eat some more of it. So she headed the encouragement and took another mouthful of the mouse, before nestling closer into Bravesong’s fur, feeling solace in the warmth of the elder beside her. "I can bring you one of them, so you can see if they’re rosebuds or not" she offered looking up at Bravesong with wide eyes

After hearing Bravesong’s perspective on Rimekit ruining her nest, Robinkit narrowed her eyes in thought, glancing down at the ground for a moment before turning her gaze back to the scarred elder "What could I say to her if she messes up my nest again, I don’t want Wildcry to shout at me again" she said, letting a discouraged whimper at the idea of Wildcry shouting at her again

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished
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"I think Tigerrush would be honored by a gift from you." The scarred tom said with a gentle rumble. "Something that shows you were thinking of her. That’s the best kind of gift. It sounds like you’ve already got some great ideas.”

He let out a low purr as she nestled closer into his fur, the elder’s presence steady and reassuring. Her offer to bring him one of the little buds made him chuckle lightly. "I’d like that. Bring me one sometime."

When Robinkit brought up Rimekit and her worry about Wildcry’s scolding, he let out a soft hum, considering her dilemma. "Hmm... well, if Rimekit messes up your nest again, you could try telling her how much work you put into it and how it makes you feel when it’s ruined. She might not understand right away, but sometimes cats just need things explained to them."

He paused, his voice growing more gentle. “And if Wildcry gets upset, don’t let it scare you. Adults make mistakes too, and sometimes we say things the wrong way when we’re trying to help. If Wildcry shouts, maybe just say you were trying your best to solve the problem on your own. I don't think she'll be angry at you for wanting to protect something you care about." He purred as he leaned down and gave Robinkit’s ear another comforting rasp.

I may be small, but I’m braver than I look.

✦･ﾟ: *✦･ﾟ:* 🐦 *:･ﾟ✦*:･ﾟ✦

"I didn't know adults could make mistakes too, but I guess because there's so many of them, at least one of them is bound to make one" Robinkit nodded along with Bravesong's words about Wildcry and what to do when she would inevitably scold her for something or the other. Bravesong's suggestions seemed like very solid ones and she nodded in agreement, nudging the mouse back over to the elder as she opened her jaws in a yawn, relaxed by Bravesong's comforting rasps.

She then laid her head against Bravesong's short but soft fur, her eyes soon began to grow heavy and fluttered shut, however she forced them back open to look at Bravesong. She didn't want to go to sleep in the middle of the conversation! That would be rude! But she was SOOOO tired... With a dramatic and rather upset sigh, and glanced back over to Bravesong's yellow eye, trying her hardest to keep her eyes open.

Robinkit slowly blinked before she spoke "Bravesong..." she said, her voice nothing but a tired murmur "I'm sleepy... can I sleep in here until mama comes to pick me up please? You're warm and I don't want to leave here" she said, as if trying to make some sort of sleepy plead to the older tom, her eyes would have been wide with begging if her lids weren't so heavy. "Pretty please with a tasty mouse on top?"

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished
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Bravesong chuckled softly, his scarred face crinkling with warmth as he gazed down at the tired little kit. "Of course, Robinkit..." He rumbled, his voice as gentle as a whispering breeze. "You don’t have to leave if you don’t want to. You’re welcome to stay here and rest as long as you need. I’ll keep you warm until Sunstrike comes to get you.”

As Robinkit’s eyelids grew heavier, Bravesong curled his tail around her small frame protectively, his yellow eye glinting with soft affection."Sweet dreams, Robinkit."