Ask to Join Rime Frosted Dawn - 25LN

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

✦･ﾟ: *✦･ﾟ:* 🐦 *:･ﾟ✦*:･ﾟ✦

After her little spat toward Wildcry almost over a moon ago, Robinkit had definitely eased off a little, and her frame had gradually become more steady, she was soon able to walk with an even gait and was no longer toddling around like a concussed mouse. Adding to that, she had developed her speech and was speaking as any warrior would now, well, a warrior with a kitten's intelligence that is.

Peeking into the nursery, she noticed a tiny silver-caramel body nestled into the spare den in the nursery, not the one that Robinkit had been sorting out blades of grass, mouse fuzz and other soft materials as if making a small den of her own, though she was far from leaving the comfort of Sunstrike just yet. She then glanced over to Wildcry, her eyes glinted with an apologetic glance as she stepped into the nursery, moving towards the lilac she-cat.

"Wildcry, I've come to see the new kit, is that okay? I heard the rustling stop and smelt milk, so I assumed they were here" Robinkit greeted quietly before settling down next to Wildcry, wrapping her dappled and striped tail around herself the best she could, she glanced up at Wildcry, her eyes an almost even mix of a peek of yellow and the almost colorless blue that she had when she had opened her eyes. "I also wanted to say sorry for shouting at you, you just spooked me" she added, flicking her unfolded ear as she glanced towards the tiny peaceful kit nuzzled up to Wildcry's belly, is that was Robinkit looked like, was that how tiny she was? wow.. she'd never be that size again 

Bloodlines of strength ignite fierce souls
──●◎●──

Wildcry's ear flicked as she heard the soft shuffle of paws entering the nursery. She cracked her eye open, her amber gaze fixing on Robinkit as the young she-cat padded closer. There was a moment of silence before Wildcry let out a low grunt, her voice heavy with exhaustion but tinged with her usual gruffness.

"You're always sticking your nose into things, aren't you, Robinkit?" She muttered, though her tone was softer than usual, perhaps dulled by the long night she’d endured. Her tail instinctively curled tighter around Rimekit, shielding the newborn from the sudden disturbance.

Wildcry gave Robinkit a sidelong glance, her gaze narrowing slightly at the kit's apology. "Hmph." Came her grunt, her tone edged with a familiar exasperation. "But if you're sorry, I’ll accept it."

Her gaze then shifted to Rimekit, who remained tucked against her belly, completely unaware of the conversation taking place. "You can look, but don’t get too close."

For a brief moment, her hard expression softened as she glanced at Robinkit again, noticing how much the young kit had grown since their last encounter. "You were that size once too." Murmuring slightly more to herself than to the older kit. "But you're not so little anymore."

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

✦･ﾟ: *✦･ﾟ:* 🐦 *:･ﾟ✦*:･ﾟ✦

Sticking her nose into things? Robinkit hadn’t been doing that, or if she had she wasn’t aware of it. At Wildcry’s instruction to keep her distance, Robinkit obeyed, glancing over at the tiny bundle of fur sleeping at Wildcry’s belly. She looked at the tiny kit with a fascination but nothing that was breaking any of the boundaries set by Wildcry in the moment. She gave the kit a hesitant sniff. Drawing her head back slowly afterwards. She smelt so clean and milky, while Robinkit’s milky scent was fading as she got used to more solids.

"Not sniffing around, I could smell the kit from outside of the nursery" Robinkit replied softly, still gazing at the kit, her an Finchkit would have been nestled at Sunstrike’s belly when they were that little. Robinkit kept her distance though, as to not invoke any harsh words from Wildcry that she had done before she could properly speak. "What’s their name?" Robinkit asked, pointing her muzzle to the tiny ball of fluff nestled into Wildcry’s belly.

Robinkit was more than relieved that her apology had been accepted, even though it was not entirely her fault for lack of understanding, it wasn’t wise of her to speak up about it so loudly or make a ruckus because Wildcry made a few rude retorts, the older she-cat would be staying in the nursery now, so Robinkit would have to get more accustomed to her company. "Mama says that me and Finchkit are growing into ourselves, whatever that is supposed to mean" Robinkit replied to Wildcry’s last remark, though the small caliby kitten wasn’t fully able to grasp the concept just yet, she was sure as StarClan able to know that she was growing, and it seemed like it was in the blink of an eye

Bloodlines of strength ignite fierce souls
──●◎●──

Wildcry’s ear flicked as Robinkit spoke, her amber gaze sliding toward the curious kit. Her paws shifted slightly, adjusting the weight between herself and her newborn as one paw crossed over the other. She let out a low, tired grunt, her voice still edged with the gruffness that came naturally as she let the kit in on her little secret. Even Moosestar didn't know yet.

"Her name is Rimekit." The milk scent was a comfort and the older she-cat almost smirked as the name rumbled from her lips. "She was born just a few hours ago."

Her eye narrowed slightly as she took in Robinkit’s words about growing into herself. The younger kit’s enthusiasm was almost amusing, but Wildcry wasn’t in the mood for amusement. What she really wanted to do was rest, but figured if she were to stay in the nursery, might as well continue the conversation.

"Growing into yourselves, huh?" As if she were sharing a secret between adults. "That’s what mothers always say when they don’t know how else to explain the chaos their kits bring." She shot Robinkit a pointed look, her sharp gaze softening ever so slightly as she added. "In a few moons you'll become an apprentice. I wonder who might mentor you..."

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

✦･ﾟ: *✦･ﾟ:* 🐦 *:･ﾟ✦*:･ﾟ✦

Robinkit’s ears twitched at the name. "Rimekit?" she repeated softly, her wide, innocent eyes blinking curiously as she peered over at the tiny bundle nestled next to Wildcry. The newborn was so small, so fragile-looking, it made her feel even quieter than usual. She shuffled her paws, trying to be as gentle as possible with her steps, like her presence alone could disturb the peace in the nursery.

"She’s so little…" Robinkit whispered, her voice barely more than a breath. The scent of milk and warmth filled the air, and it made Robinkit feel safe, even if Wildcry's words held that sharpness she wasn't used to. Still, the older she-cat's tone wasn’t harsh, not like when they had been nestled in the elder's den, and that made Robinkit relax a bit more.

When Wildcry mentioned becoming an apprentice, Robinkit felt a nervous flutter in her chest. "Apprentice?" she echoed, her tail flicking nervously behind her. "Do… do you think I’ll be ready?" She ducked her head slightly, her soft voice tinged with worry. "I don’t wanna make a mistake. What if my mentor gets mad at me?"

She shuffled her paws, her gaze darting between Wildcry and the newborn kit. "Mama says I'll get braver when I’m bigger, but… what if I’m still scared?" Her eyes flicked toward the sleeping form of Rimekit, her own worries momentarily forgotten. "She’s gonna be so brave, huh? Like you."

Bloodlines of strength ignite fierce souls
──●◎●──

Wildcry let out a quiet sigh, her gaze softening slightly as she watched Robinkit shuffle nervously. For all her boldness, the little kit still had that uncertainty, that wide-eyed innocence of youth. It wasn’t something Wildcry would mock - she’d been a kit once, too, though it felt like a lifetime ago.

"Every kit is little when they’re born." Wildcry glanced down at Rimekit curled up at her belly. "But they grow, just like you did. She’ll grow, and one day she’ll face the world like the rest of us."

When Robinkit spoke of her fears about becoming an apprentice, Wildcry’s ear flicked, and for a moment, she was silent. The sharp edges of her gaze softened, just a little, as she considered the young kit's worries.

"Hmph. Apprentices make mistakes. It’s part of learning. Your mentor might get mad, but that's because they want you to be better. You think I never made mistakes? I’ve made plenty, and I turned out fine." Murmured with a matter-of-fact tone, there was a roughness in her voice, but it carried a strange sort of comfort - the kind that came with experience rather than sympathy.

Wildcry shifted slightly, feeling connected through the electricity between the touch of pelt. "Fear doesn’t go away just because you get older. It’s what you do with it that matters."

At Robinkit’s last words, Wildcry huffed softly although a smirk was clear on her maw. "If her lineage is anything to go by, I suspect she will be." She muttered, her voice dropping as she grazed a comforting tongue between Rimekit's ears.

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

✦･ﾟ: *✦･ﾟ:* 🐦 *:･ﾟ✦*:･ﾟ✦

Robinkit shuffled her paws, her ears twitching nervously as she listened to Wildcry. The older she-cat's words were gruff, but there was a strange sort of comfort in them. Robinkit’s almost yellow eyes flickered between Wildcry and the tiny form of Rimekit, who was curled up snugly against her mother’s belly.

"She’s so small now" Robinkit mewed softly, her voice filled with wonder as she watched the newborn kitten breathe gently. "But... if she grows like me, maybe she’ll be strong and brave like a true warrior." Her tail twitched with a shy excitement, though a flicker of doubt crossed her mind as she thought about her own upcoming apprenticeship even if they date was oh so far away. "I don’t... I don’t want to mess up" Robinkit whispered, her voice quieter now. "What if I make too many mistakes, and my mentor gets mad? I don’t wanna disappoint anyone..." Her eyes darted up to Wildcry, wide with the uncertainties only a kit could carry, but there was a hint of hope in her gaze, as if Wildcry’s words could chase away the fears that lingered in her chest.

When Wildcry spoke of fear and mistakes, Robinkit blinked in surprise, a tiny, unsure smile tugging at her mouth. "You made mistakes too?" She asked softly, her voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and relief. If a warrior like Wildcry had made mistakes and still turned out strong and capable, maybe... maybe it was okay for her to stumble a little, too.

Robinkit shifted closer, her fur brushing against Wildcry's in a small, timid gesture of comfort. "I hope Rimekit grows up strong" she mewed quietly, her voice a bit more confident now. "And... I’ll try to be brave when I’m an apprentice. Even if I make mistakes." She glanced back at Wildcry, the spark of determination in her small frame barely hiding her lingering nerves. Wildcry’s smirk, though subtle, gave Robinkit the push she needed. "Maybe... maybe one day, I can be as brave as you."

Bloodlines of strength ignite fierce souls
──●◎●──

Wildcry’s ears flicked again at Robinkit’s soft, worried tone. The kit’s insecurities were painfully familiar, a reminder of a time when Wildcry herself had once felt - and was - so small.

"You don’t have to be strong or brave the moment you’re an apprentice, Robinkit." Wildcry rumbled, her voice low and steady. "You’ll make mistakes - every cat does. What matters is how you learn from them." Her words came with a hint of her usual gruffness, but there was something more to them now.

Wildcry paused, eyeing Robinkit as she inched closer, her fur brushing softly against her own. The older she-cat didn’t shy away from the contact, though it wasn’t her instinct to offer overt comfort. Instead, she allowed the moment to linger, a quiet sense of solidarity forming between them.

"Rimekit will grow strong, and so will you. Don’t waste your time worrying about what hasn’t happened yet."

Her amber gaze fixed on Robinkit, her expression softening just a touch. "Bravery doesn’t mean you’re never afraid. It means you face your fears, even when they make your fur stand on end." She gave a rough chuckle, shaking her head slightly. "And you will mess up. That’s part of it. But you get back up every time."

Wildcry’s tail twitched, her eyes briefly flicking to Rimekit before settling back on Robinkit. "Those are big paw prints to fill." She admitted with a wink. Few cats, in her eyes, were as bold or as brave.

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

✦･ﾟ: *✦･ﾟ:* 🐦 *:･ﾟ✦*:･ﾟ✦

Robinkit’s eyes gleamed with a spark of determination as Wildcry’s words sank in. She shuffled closer, drawing strength from the older she-cat’s steady presence. "I’ll make sure I learn from every mistake, like you said" she mewed, her voice carrying more confidence now. "And I won’t be afraid to make them, ‘cause I know that’s how I’ll get better."

The small kit’s fur puffed up as she imagined herself as an apprentice, her heart swelling with pride at the thought. "When I’m an apprentice, I’ll be brave, no matter what challenges I face!" She lifted her chin, trying to mimic the way the warriors stood tall when they spoke. "I won’t let anything stop me—not even my fears. If I fall, I’ll get back up every time. Just like you said. I’ll keep going."

Robinkit’s gaze flicked to the sleeping Rimekit, her smile softening as warmth filled her chest. "Rimekit’s gonna grow strong too. I’ll be there to help her, just like how my mentor will help me." The thought of guiding Rimekit in the future gave her a deep sense of responsibility, one she was eager to live up to. Her tiny paws shifted as excitement bubbled up inside her. "I know I have big paw prints to fill, but that doesn’t scare me anymore." She glanced at Wildcry, her amber eyes shining with admiration. "I want to be as brave and strong as you one day. I’ll work hard to make you proud."

Robinkit’s tail swayed behind her, her earlier worries completely gone. "I’m ready for anything now. Even if it’s hard, I’ll keep going." She gave a determined nod, her voice carrying the conviction of someone who had made up their mind. "I can’t wait to see what’s ahead! I’ll be the best warrior I can be, and I’ll make sure Rimekit grows into the best warrior too." She nestled closer to Wildcry, feeling a deep connection with the older she-cat, as if this moment had ignited something within her. "Thank you, Wildcry" she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude.

Bloodlines of strength ignite fierce souls
──●◎●──

A quiet sense of satisfaction flickered in Wildcry’s chest as she watched the young one puff up with confidence, ready to face the world in a way that reminded her of her own youthful ambitions.

"Good." Wildcry grunted, her voice still rough but touched with a rare hint of approval. "That’s the spirit."

The older she-cat leaned back slightly, feeling the warmth of Robinkit’s small form nestled close to her. The bond between them was subtle but undeniable, forged through the shared moment of honesty and trust.

"You’ve got a lot of potential. Just remember, strength and bravery come in many forms. Sometimes, the strongest thing you can do is admit when you’re scared and keep going anyway."

With that, she gave Robinkit a small nod, her smirk returning. "Keep that fire in your belly, but don’t burn yourself out."

For a moment, the nursery was filled with a comfortable silence, broken only by the soft, rhythmic breaths of the kits around them. Wildcry allowed herself to rest a little deeper into her nest, her eyes half-closing as she added in a low, gruff murmur. "You’ll make me proud if you remember that."