Open to Join Sunhigh Birdsong

Even the smallest pebble can make ripples that change the course of the stream.

⋘ ──── ∙∙•🌑•∙∙ ──── ⋙

Greypebbles' ears folded back as Smallbird's voice cracked, each trembling word sinking into him like cold rain. He had grown used o reading her quiet moods, the little hesitations in her paws... but this, this outpour of hurt, made his heart twist until he felt almost sick with it.

He inched closer, slow and deliberate, making sure she had time to pull away if she needed to. When she didn't he settled beside her, their pelts brushing. Not crowding, just there. A steadying point. "Smallbird..." His voice was soft, quieter even than usual, yet sure. "You're not failing. You're... you're trying. Really trying. And that matters more than anything you think you're messing up."

He hesitated, claws flexing against the earth as if grounding himself before he continued. "I don't always know what I'm doing. I just... follow the cats I trust. And sometimes I mess up too. A lot. I've been scared of not fitting in since we were kits." His gaze flicked to Bravesong, then back to his sister. "But you never made me feel like I didn't belong. Not once."

Smallbird's wails threatened again, and Greypebbles instinctively leaned closer, touching his nose lightly to her shoulder, brief but full of sincerity.

"And you're not boring. Or useless. You're thoughtful. You care so much it hurts you. And cats do want to be around you, me and Spidertongue most of all." His voice wavered a fraction, but steadied. "You don't drain us. You don't burden us. You're our sister. We want you here."

He glanced towards the squirrel Bravesong nudged over, then back to Smallbird with a faint, encouraging flick of his bobbed tail. "You don't have to eat it if you can't. Just... stay. That's enough." A soft breath slipped from his, almost a shy laugh. "And you're worth the effort, Smallbird. Every whisker of it."

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished
✧ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ♖ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ✧

Bravesong listened to every word. He hadn't moved closer to respect Smallbird's space, but he hoped his warmth reached anyway.

"When did you become so wise, Greypebbles?" He purred, shaking his head as if he were staring into a pool and seeing a reflection of himself look back at him. The black and white tom, seemingly aged beyond his moons, continued.

"You might think you're failing because you care about doing things right. Cats who don’t care don’t worry like this. And they don’t try the way you do." He wasn't so sure about Greypebble's being so well liked. He liked to think his former apprentice was, but he'd seen the struggle and the pockets of cats that interacted most often from his nest.

"You haven't pushed us away. I’m here because I chose to be." He let that sit, plain and true. If he thought Smallbird dislikable or boring, he'd have gone to wander off for a nap already. "Not because you were alone, not because I felt obligated. It was because I like your company. You're a very thoughtful cat."