Ask to Join A Day Out

I’d rather bear the weight of others than let others carry pain alone.

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How could Basilflame have failed at doing her job properly... as a mentor. Cedarpaw had been gone for a few sunrises now, there had be no sign of them, not from Emberdawn, not from anyone, the last cat to have seen her was Berrypaw and he spoke of... twolegs. Part of her wanted to scout all of twolegplace for her, but the other... more realistic part of Basilflame knew she was gone, monsters swallow cats, they could either spit them out somewhere close or further than any cat could imagine walking to. However, Basilflame felt much worse for Beewhisker, who was hardly hanging on when on patrol. Oh StarClan... why did it need to be Cedarpaw.

However, Basilflame couldn't let grief cloud her senses, if she failed at mentoring, perhaps she would be able to succeed in hunting. She would make good on her promise to Boldclaw today, hopefully she's be able to do something that would benefit her clan. Something that wouldn't be stolen by twolegs... at least. And plus, Boldclaw can't be seeing her so mopey, not now, not ever, he'd think she was weak, probably. 

With Aspenberry gone as well, everything seemed so drastically different. Emberdawn was making good of his position, but nothing would change the marks left behind, even if cats tried to believe it otherwise. Regardless, it was time for the hunt.

She found Boldclaw in the last place she thought he would be in, but she didn't do much to take mention of it, simply padded over and offered him a smile that didn't quite move her whiskers, compelling enough is what she hoped. "Having a good day?" She asked softly, not taking the time to sit. "I thought I'd finally make good on my offer to you. Would you be happy to leave now?" she asked, preparing herself for either answer and more, for right now, she wasn't sure if Boldclaw had even remembered, since he had been avoiding her recently. It was best she just asked regardless, if he forgot, she would remind him well enough. Maybe hunting could take her mind off of things to. This should be nice.

I’m still a Warrior no matter what you say!
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Boldclaw opened his eyes at the sound of pawsteps approaching him and tried not to look like a rabbit caught between two cats. He had avoided Basilflame since she promised to take him on a hunt, not because of the promise but because of the misery a particular kit had caused him only days later. Not to mention he had been working hard on fortifying the camp and enjoying bossing apprentices around when they weren’t hiding from him. When the creamy tom looked at Basilflame, however, he settled and pity flooded his heart, making him feel awkward. He wasn’t entirely sure what was keeping her from the normally cheerful attitude that she carried. Perhaps she felt bad over the disappearance of that apprentice?

“I’d rather continue working on the camp, but since the apprentices are all seemingly busy, maybe a hunt would be good,” Boldclaw replied somewhat gruffly. He pulled himself to his paws, trying to appear relaxed and unbothered, but truthfully the tom was mildly freaking out. It had been moons upon moons since he had last left the camp to hunt and he hadn’t had the opportunity to practice his skills. Fear of looking like a fool before Basilflame caused his pelt to prickle and the seal point tom pulled a strained face as he tried to settle his fur.

“Where were you thinking of hunting?” Boldclaw asked after a moment, trying not to look like an apprentice seeing the gorge for the first time and utterly failing. As much as he tried to not look afraid, fear and worry was painted all over his face and pelt. “It’s been so long since I’ve been out that I hardly have any idea of where is best to be hunting spots are now.” Misery settled like a weight on Boldclaw’s shoulders. The combination of so many powerful emotions had him looking frail and old, as though he truly belonged in the elders’ den as opposed to the warriors’.

I’d rather bear the weight of others than let others carry pain alone.

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Boldclaw's preference to do his camp chores didn't dishearten or surprise Basilflame, as she had seen how happy he was when assigned the duties around camp, Emberdawn was doing a good job with giving Boldclaw things to do in camp. Boldclaw had seemed much more content with his life as of recently and Basilflame was glad for it, though she was still a little achy at the lack of news on Cedarpaw. But however much of a failure she was, she would at least not fail as a friend to Boldclaw. Never that.

"I heard the prey is running well at the The Steppe this time of year." She answered him, it was all heresy but Basilflame trusted the judgement of her clanmates, especially when it came to serving her clanmates and furthering the survival of the clan... however small it was getting... "Its very lush in Green-Leaf." she purred, smiling at him with good intention. 

Basilflame shook out her mostly creamy colored fur and cleaned her ginger paws before looking over to the camp entrance, then back to Boldclaw an encouraging smile pulling at the corners of her mouth "Should we get going now, before it gets too hot?"

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
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Heatherpaw had just diverted herself from outside camp, smelling slightly of fresh moss. After clearing out the old or soiled bedding from the elder's den as part of her morning chores, the mottled apprentice was ready for more adventurous tasks. Her eyes brightened when she spotted Boldclaw and Basilflame looking ready to step out of camp, or at least that's what she assumed.

"Hello, Boldclaw...Basilflame!" She greeted with a pleasant trill despite the hard work. Maybe Brightmaple and Barleyswipe would appreciate some fresh kill. "Are you both going out? I don't wanna intrude...but if you need a third cat I could be that cat."The words seemed to spill out of her, hoping it wouldn't dissuade the pair.

I’m still a Warrior no matter what you say!
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“Then that’s where we go,” Boldclaw meowed without much hesitation or outright enthusiasm. He was honestly quite worried that he wouldn’t be able to catch anything. Or worse, that he would fall asleep while out and just prove Fawnstar right about him needing to stay in camp. Anxiety welled in the tom’s heart and he shoved it down forcefully. He was brave, bold and skilled, this silly sleep condition shouldn’t be rendering him useless in camp. He wasn’t useless, after all, and he was going to take Basilflame’s offer to hunt as a way to prove it.

Boldclaw merely shrugged at Basilflame’s comment that The Steppe was very lush during greenleaf. He honestly felt like he couldn’t remember what the outside of the camp looked like. “Hot weather won’t stop me, but yes, let’s not tarry,” the cream-coloured tom meowed. He pulled himself to his paws, trying to look brave and eager while anxiety kept poking at his heart. He could do this. He knew he could. In fact, he was going to catch Basilflame a rabbit to prove it!

The idea of racing after a rabbit and the look of admiration that Basilflame would surely have when he proved himself still more than capable of hunting after moons of inactivity, spurred Boldclaw on. Where before he appeared somewhat hesitant and unsure, he now lifted his tail and strode proudly toward the camp entrance, eager to show off his skills to the pretty she-cat. A part of Boldclaw really hoped to impress Basilflame, while another simply wanted a way to show that he was grateful to her for her encouragement and help. He would never admit it, but the pointed tom wasn’t entirely sure whether he would have accepted Emberdawn’s offer to let him do duties around the camp if Basilflame hadn’t been a voice in his life, telling him he was still capable, when the rest of the clan seemed to think otherwise. He might have just seen the gesture from his blood-kin to be one of pity and a way to show that he now had the upper paw, if not for the she-cat’s positivity.

Boldclaw started, jumping slightly, at the sound of Heatherpaw’s voice. He frowned at the she-cat’s appearance. Another pair of eyes to watch and judge him if he failed. But he wouldn’t fail. He couldn’t. He was Boldclaw! The clan’s greatest warrior and blessed with dreams from Starclan that he could never remember. “Whatever Basilflame wants, I guess,” the sturdy tom meowed with a shrug. What did he actually care about the presence of an apprentice? Despite his deliberately driven thoughts, a small part of Boldclaw wilted at the idea that he wasn’t getting alone time with Basilflame. Another part questioned why it was a problem and he chose to ignore it. There was no way he liked Basilflame in particular. Yes she was helpful, but she wasn’t amazing like him. The thought rang hollow and Boldclaw found himself watching Basilflame carefully to see what she decided.

I’d rather bear the weight of others than let others carry pain alone.

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Basilflame was about to respond to Boldclaw's talk of the hot weather not being able to stop him with a purr but another voice perked her ears. "Oh, Heatherpaw!" Basilflame greeted her with a soft nod before taking a glance at Boldclaw, perhaps a group hunting session would be good for him, more proof that he is as capable as she believes he is. With one more glance at Boldclaw, making sure it was fine, she turned her gaze to Heatherpaw again. "We're going hunting out at The Steppe, you're welcome to join us." she offered.

Basilflame then turned back to Boldclaw, rasping her tongue across the fur on his face, internally praying to StarClan that she wasn't overstepping with the affection, she hoped it would be encouraging at the least. and at most, would push him to a purr, but she kept her expectations lower, just in case. After all the worst he could do is snap at her, and she was a grown cat, she could handle sharp words.

"If the both of you are ready, we can go." She meowed, flicking her tail towards the camp opening in preparation for the three to go for a hunt outside of the camp. Perhaps Boldclaw would come back feeling refreshed and invigorated, at best, it could show that he was still capable to the clan's higher ups. However, the hope that was usually in Basilflame's spirit was lessened a little by Cedarpaw still being missing.

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖

Heatherpaw's ears perked immediately when Basilflame welcomed her along even though Boldclaw seemed less than enthused. Relief fluttered in her chest, though she tried not to show just how eager she was. Hunting with two older cats felt far more important than hauling moss and cleaning nests.

"I'd like that." Heatherpaw meowed, falling into step beside them. She didn't want to stare too long at the burly tom, but to her she couldn't help but feel he was moving a bit stiffly. Not wanting to make things awkward the apprentice turned her attention toward the camp entrance instead.

"The Steppe's nice this time of year." She offered quietly, mostly to fill the silence. "Bayflower took me there not long ago. The grass is high enough to hide in, but not so high to trip over your own paws. I've done that...maybe once. Or twice."

She continued with a pleasant trill. "And there were loads of rabbit trails." She coudln't really think of an unpleasant memory when it came to their mentor, Bayflower, who had been doing their best in training them. Testing her merit to become a warrior.

"Three cats will make for a pretty good hunting patrol."

I’m still a Warrior no matter what you say!
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Boldclaw’s heart sank somewhat when Basilflame agreed to allow Heatherpaw to join. He didn’t want some snivelling apprentice laughing at his mistakes or showing him up. The cream coloured tom tried not to show his dismay, silently arguing with himself that it would be good experience. After all, once he had proven himself still capable of warrior duties, he would be reinstated as a warrior and then an apprentice could be in the future. That would lead to the respect he deserved. The train of thought bolstered the tom’s mood once more and he held his head and tail high again. He had no real clue how to mentor, but surely it wasn’t too dis-similar to what he had been doing with the apprentices and the camp? Or was that more like the deputy bossing warriors around?

At Basilflame’s action of licking his face, Boldclaw couldn’t help but step back and stare at her in shock and confusion. “W-what was that for?” the pointed tom spluttered. There was no hostility in his tone, just sheer confusion. No cat had given him such an affectionate gesture since his mother had passed. At least as far as he remembered. It left Boldclaw feeling completely unbalanced and unsure of what to say or do. As such, he simply stood, blinking at her like a kit who’d just opened their eyes for the first time.

“Uh, yes, let’s… uh… go…” Boldclaw awkwardly agreed and trotted after Basilflame. His gaze regularly flicked to the she-cat, still in shock about her affectionate gesture. He puzzled over what it could mean and why she would do it. The Windclan elder tried to remember if he had seen other cats in the clan be affectionate in any way that was similar, only to frown as he couldn’t recall. Not because it hadn’t happened, but because he realised that he paid such little attention to others that he simply couldn’t remember anything that happened between others. Was it possible that Basilflame’s gesture had been a completely normal one? If so, then why hadn’t any other cat licked him like that since Lilacwing had passed away? He didn’t remember his sire showing affection like that either but he also didn’t feel certain that Lichenstorm had never done the same to Lilacwing.

Boldclaw grunted in reply to Heatherpaw’s chattering, too busy with his own thoughts to really listen or pay attention to what was going on. “Uh huh,” he muttered as the younger she-cat continued. A light breeze blew nearly forgotten scents across the pointed tom’s face and he paused, blinking and staring around him. It was a pleasant shock to have found himself just outside the camp entrance. Boldclaw stared across the waves of grass and heather that made up the moor, a wistful look appearing on the tom’s face. For a moment he felt the urge to sit and just watch the wind blow across the grass, but he resisted and remained standing. The sight was one of the most beautiful that he had seen in a long time and for one reason or another, he felt he gaze drawn back toward Basilflame. A sense of gratitude welled in Boldclaw’s heart. She was the one who had allowed him to see the moor once more, and he would never be able to thank her properly.

I’d rather bear the weight of others than let others carry pain alone.

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The tom's sputtering softened Basilflame's expression only slightly as she let a smile widen on her face. It wasn't common where she had seen a vulnerability like this in Boldclaw, and she felt like it was improvement. A step in the right direction... so to speak. "You haven't shared tongues recently?" She questioned softly, flicking the tip of her flame colored tail, it wasn't judgemental of Boldclaw in any way, just innocent curiosity if nothing else. "If it isn't something you'd like me to do, I'll stop." She assured him before turning her gaze to the chattering apprentice with a soft smile. In the future... perhaps she would have progeny to witness the apprenticeship of. Whether from the living world, or from StarClan.

"Rooknose took me to The Steppe when I was young as well, you aren't wrong about the grass." She chirped to the younger she-cat, she would be due for her warrior ceremony soon, there was not much left to teach her. Funny, how time passes so fast. However, that did leave Basilflame wondering about the Aspenberry's kits, she missed Aspenberry as much as any other cat, she was like a sister to Basilflame. But her kits would live in her memory. In their own little ways.

It was when the three left the camp that Basilflame's eyes landed on Boldclaw again and kept her distance this time, as to not make him further uncomfortable with the affection. "It's beautiful, as always." She breathlessly hummed, as if in awe seeing the territory that she understood why her mother had come here and stayed. It was truly goregous, and especially lush this time of year, as she expected. "Shall we go on?"

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖

Heatherpaw's gaze drifted between the two older warriors as they spoke. She wasn't entirely sure what sharing tongues had to do with anything. For a heartbeat she wondered if she accidentally stumbled into something important, though what that something was remained completely beyond her.

So she politely pretended not to notice.

"It's my favorite place outside camp." Heatherpaw admitted as she bounded lightly on her paws. Beauty was certainly one way to describe it and then she nodded eagerly. "We should definitely keep going. If we're lucky maybe Boldclaw can show me how he catches a rabbit! I bet you have no trouble hunting them." The tom was a muscular cat. if he caught one there was no way it'd get away.

With that the lilac split faced she-cat dropped naturally into a looser hunting posture and began picking her way toward the Steppe, pausing every few steps to test the breeze and search for fresh scent trails. It'd be more useful scouting ahead and making herself useful instead of being shoulder to shoulder with them....

I’m still a Warrior no matter what you say!
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“Of course I have!” Boldclaw snapped in reply then looked ashamed of himself. His ears drooped and he mumbled, “Well… actually… no.” The normally confident tom looked away in shame. What cat would want to share tongues with him? He was just a useless elder after all. It wasn’t even like it was for the other elders though, since all the cats he had grown up with were still doing their part for the clan and he admittedly had never bothered to ingratitate himself to those older to himself. At Basilflame’s offer to not lick him again, Boldclaw whipped his head around to stare at her in horror. “No! I don’t mind!” he exclaimed awkwardly. “I just wasn’t expecting it.” The tom shrugged, trying to turn his reaction into something nonchalant.

Boldclaw couldn’t help but pout slightly when Basilflame’s attention turned to Heatherpaw and he had to sternly remind himself that he was above such emotions. Too much time among the elders had slowly been turning him soft and he desperately needed the time out of the camp to remind himself of his brilliant strength and courage.

Boldclaw inhaled deeply, enjoying the scents of the moor as he stared out. Yes, this is what he needed. A day out here and he would no longer be acting like a soft fool around Basilflame. Although he would certainly continue to enjoy her company, especially if she was going to bring him out here more often. “Yes,” he meowed aloud in reply to Basilflame’s question and offered the pretty she-cat a small but genuine smile for a moment. Gratitude written plainly across his face although she might never hear the words ‘thank you’ from his mouth.

The normally grumpy tom flicked his gaze to Heatherpaw with surprise when she mentioned his name. Could it be that she respected him? Boldclaw had thought that all the apprentices saw him as something to mock. An elder only as old as most of the warriors. A failure to the clan and a waste of prey and moss. Yet, if she wanted him to show her how to catch a rabbit then maybe, just maybe, one apprentice respected him. Had he simply become forgotten in the elders’ den rather than looked down upon? The questions swirled in the pointed tom’s mind and he wound up merely staring at Heatherpaw with a look of surprise.

As the younger she-cat began to move forward, Boldclaw glanced at Basilflame, shook himself and then shrugged and began to follow. He had to concentrate carefully on keeping his pawsteps light. It had been too long since the weight and sound of his steps had mattered and he was certainly feeling the lack of practice. The cream coloured tom’s face scrunched up in concentration and his ears pricked as he desperately listened to for his own pawsteps, huffing occasionally in frustration when they weren’t as light as he wanted them to be. Boldclaw felt like an utter fool. A bumbling apprentice fresh out of the nursery. How could his skills have fled so quickly?

I’d rather bear the weight of others than let others carry pain alone.

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As Heatherpaw moved forward to hunt ahead, soon followed by Boldclaw, Basilflame returned the gesture of a genuine smile, she knew that Boldclaw wasn't the type to thank a cat with words, if at all, so the smile was enough for her, more than she expected from him, but she wouldn't speak word of that aloud. She would just hunt beside him, perhaps help him lighten his paws a little, his posture was a little off from being in the elder's den for so long... she guessed.

Wordlessly, Basilflame slipped in beside the seal point tom, using her tail and own body to mimic his posture, then edited her own to the hunting crouch she was doing. "Cats with heavier pawsteps can knead the ground below to soften the sound and vibration of their paws." She whispered for a brief moment before demonstrating herself, giving the earth a few kneading pawsteps as she continued to traverse the ground with the silence of a sleeping kit.

For a flickering moment, she turned to meet his eyes with genuine encouragement and hope, she trusted her could do this, and the more he was out here, the easier it will be for him to prove himself to the higherups. That's what she wanted for him, it would be lovely to see him flourish in his environment again. Even if that environment turned him back to his old self, she didn't mind. Boldclaw was her friend, no matter how he acted. She has always seen him that way and doesn't plan to change that.

"I smell something up ahead, it's only fair you get first catch." She offered Boldclaw with a soft purr before she stepped back to let the pointed tom past her.

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖

Heatherpaw's ears flicked and ressited the urge to turn around or comment on the lesson. Bayflower had always reminded her that rabbits noticed careless movement as much as careless sound and she wasn't about to spoil Boldclaw's chance by chatter or gawking. She let her paws sink into the earth, the scent ahead growing only stronger.

The apprentice lowered herself another inch, her long tail hovering just above the grass. She parted the heather with careful steps until the rounded shape came into view, foraging among the shoots. Within her chest her heart leaped.

Without speaking she gave the tiniest flick of one ear, silently yielding the opportunity to him. As much as she wanted to pratice for her hunting pratical...she stilled like stone because she didn't want to crowd him or risk startling the creature they all hunted. So she held her position. If it broke away and headed towards her, she'd do her best to steer it back into the open - but she wouldn't interfere with Boldclaw's catch.

She hoped that it would remind him he still belonged out here on the moor.

I’m still a Warrior no matter what you say!
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Embarrassment flooded Boldclaw when Basilflame began to guide him on how to adjust his weight for stalking. “I know that!” he snapped quietly back, not wanting Heatherpaw to become aware of his failings too. It didn’t take long for guilt to overtake his embarrassment though. He knew Basilflame was only trying to help, and he appreciated it, but he also felt utterly worthless for needing to be retaught as though he were an apprentice. As his gaze met Basilflame’s, the tension in him slumped out and he couldn’t help the look of utter misery that appeared on his face.

All the cream-coloured tom wanted was to prove himself worthy of the she-cat’s attention. To prove to himself that he was still the strong capable warrior he had always believed himself to be, rather than the withering elder he had been declared to be. Yet, he was messing it all up. Boldclaw’s heart grew heavy and the world felt colder and darker than it had before as doubts about himself sprung up in his mind like daisies in newleaf.

When Basilflame offered to let Boldclaw make the first attempt at a catch, he hesitated, considering telling her to go ahead for a long moment, but then the smell of rabbit reached him and his desire to catch her one, reinvigorated the tom somewhat. Dipping his head in acceptance, he began to talk forward, making use of Basilflame’s earlier advice to keep his steps soft. His movements were less than precise, flaws obvious as he pulled himself forward, but desperation to get at least this one rabbit to prove himself to Basilflame, made him ignore the imperfections.

Boldclaw had practically forgotten about Heatherpaw and he almost startled when he noticed her. Somehow, the tom managed to hold himself steady and with a deep breath he took a moment to focus himself. Memories of countless hunts flickered in his mind, guiding him through the steps of checking the wind and sightline of his prey before shifting his position carefully. The sturdy tom hesitated for less than a heartbeat then repositioned himself again. He had no clue where the warren was, and thus no clue which way the rabbit would flee if he missed. He hadn’t worried about missing before, but the way today had gone, he wasn’t certain he would land his pounce. As such, he lined himself up so that with a bit of luck, if he missed, the rabbit would run straight toward Heatherpaw and Basilflame.

The seal pointed tom pulled himself forward just slightly, focus completely snapped onto the rabbit as it nibbled at the shorter grass. He couldn’t hesitate any longer. With a few more carefully placed steps, Boldclaw pushed all his weight into his hindlegs and leaped at the rabbit. Starclan must have been looking out for him, as his pounce landed him squarely on the rabbit’s shoulders, pinning it, as his momentum brought his head forward perfectly to deliver the killing blow. Clean and easy, like the tom had always remembered, and yet the act of it all had him sitting up in shock and disbelief. Had he really just successfully brought down a rabbit after moons of idling? Boldclaw looked around him, seeking out Basilflame’s gaze, hoping beyond hope, that this was real and she was impressed.

I’d rather bear the weight of others than let others carry pain alone.

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When Boldclaw jumped onto the rabbit before it even thrashed or wailed in shock, Basilflame's eyes lit up, her ears perking as she burst out of the grass in her glee, she knew that Boldclaw could do it, but this was proof that he was able and still capable, this was a step in the right direction. "You did it!" She exclaimed brightly, nuzzling into his black and cream coat.

"I mean... of course you did it! But it's been a while and it was your first try and it didn't even have time to kick at you and you... you actually did it!" She sputtered in her excitement, her purr evident now as she nuzzled deeper into his fur. Then she realized her much she was probably overreacting and took a few paces back. "Sorry... I was just, excited that you still had it in you, you're still as great as I remember you being." She chirped softly as she perked her ears to see if her outburst had accidentally scared off anymore prey.

Basilflame caught the light tapping of mouse feet nearby, but they weren't running away... thankfully. Instead, she crouched down amongst the grass in a no cover stalk, keeping her body close to the ground, but not so clos that her belly scaped against it. She then crept forward with practiced silence and light-footed nature that she got from her sire... since Sunbear wasn't born light-pawed. 

Basilflame narrowed her eyes at the mouse, not chewing on seeds and digging through the ground, she remained aware of her surrounding, stalking over a stray twig, then she was close enough to smell the seeds, that was when it was time to pounce.

Within seconds, she was airborne, almost gliding through the air for the brief moment her legs pushed her upward, she landed above the mouse with bared teeth and clasped them around the small brown body, purring with pride as she turned over to Boldclaw and Heatherpaw, mouse in tow. Heart feeling just as warm and fresh as they prey, perhaps moreso.

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖

Heatherpaw's eyes widened as Boldclaw's pounce landed. She didn't exactly know what to expect...a small part of her wondered if it would slip away and then she'd have a chance to show them all what she was capable of. Another was more pleased that he did it. A grin spread across her muzzle before she could stop it.

"You completely overpowered it!" She blurted out towards the muscular tom. "You didn't even give it a chance to kick!" From the captured prey to the seal point elder, her eyes traded between - locked in, before she blinked up at them.

Watching the older tom move, even with the hesitation beforehand had been like watching instinct take over. Instinct... second nature. Bayflower always said experience never truly disappeared and Boldclaw had shook the dust off his tail in the process.

Then Basilflame's success drew her attention. "A rabbit and a mouse already. The Elders are going to be spoiled for fresh prey - especially a rabbit."

I’m still a Warrior no matter what you say!
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Boldclaw practically swelled before the two she-cats as their words inflamed his ego. He hadn’t felt this good, brave or strong in a very long time. He grinned in his old smug way, revelling in Basilflame’s admiration in particular. “Of course I didn’t give it time to kick,” he meowed plainly. “If it kicked out, it could have gained traction and fled, causing injury to myself. I always did find it best to use my own momentum to deliver a killing blow.” The now overly proud tom was hardly going to admit that this had been a fluke or stroke of luck. He hadn’t thought all that much about his pounce, more hoped than anything. Yet the feeling of delight that thrummed in his heart as Basilflame chirped her admiration wouldn’t allow the tom to be any kind of humble.

When Basilflame became distracted, Boldclaw’s grin faltered somewhat and a look of concern flashed across his face as he immediately worried that she had already lost interest in him now that he had proved that he didn’t need help. Her movements however, silently informed him that she heard prey and he immediately relaxed until he felt a yawn pushing its way up his throat. Once more he snapped into an annoyed state as he clamped his jaw shut, willing himself to not be tired now. He couldn’t be getting tired now! He had caught one rabbit! One stinking rabbit and now his exhaustion was creeping up. As Basilflame hunted, Boldclaw shook his head and crouched near his catch, hoping that by the time the she-cat’s attention came back to him, he would be rid of this tired-bout.

Boldclaw watched silently as Basilflame pulled herself between the grass, a weary expression already taking place of the previously smug one. Awe and pride flickered lightly in his gaze as the she-cat pounced and caught a mouse without so much as a squeal. When Basilflame looked his way he allowed the tiniest of smiles and a very, oh so very, slight nod. It wasn’t a rabbit or some fantastic kill, it would hardly feed one of the apprentices, but she had still made a clean kill and she still held his gratitude for bringing him out of the camp and believing in him. The cream tom was never one to actually speak or show this kind of encouragement to another, thinking himself far superior and their efforts hardly noteworthy, but this time he had felt obliged to do just those two small actions.

Boldclaw’s gaze flashed as Heatherpaw mentioned the rabbit going to the elders. “Uh! Actually I’d like… I’d like Basilflame to enjoy the rabbit,” he meowed in a hurry then blinked, embarrassment heating his face again. “I mean… ummm… I’m an elder, right, and um… Basilflame… would you uh… share the rabbit with me?” It didn’t count as hunting for himself if he shared it with a clanmate right? The pointed tom wasn’t even sure why he so desperately wanted Basilflame to enjoy the rabbit. He just knew that he didn’t want any old fleabag enjoying his first catch in moons. Boldclaw assumed that his desire to have Basilflame enjoy the rabbit was purely a way of him trying to show that he was thankful for her bringing him out to hunt without being all mushy and actually saying ‘thank you.’

I’d rather bear the weight of others than let others carry pain alone.

━✺━🌿━✺━

Basilflame purred in agreement with Heatherpaw as she spoke the words she was thinking, the words she hadn't said. It was typical of Basilflame to allow other cats to speak over her, so she allowed Heatherpaw to do just that. She felt a little guilty for blowing the apprentice off the whole hunt when she had accepted her offer to join, she would make it up to Heatherpaw... eventually. 

"I would love to share some of the rabbit with you Boldclaw." Basilflame responded sincerely as she pressed her snout against his shoulder with a purr, a gesture that she hoped he would see as affectionate. That was her intention anyway. In spite of an apologetic look to Heatherpaw. For near ignoring her. "In that case, we could all go back to camp, Heatherpaw, perhaps you could take the mouse to one of the elders?" the flame point she-cat suggested softly with a soft flick of her flame colored tail. "I'm sure any cat in there would be able to enjoy it."

It was then that she flanked Boldclaw looking at him with a soft, tender expression of pride and admiration. She was silent for a moment and then gave the burly tom a lick on his cheek. "I knew you'd be able to do it. Kit steps, the rabbit is an astounding start to getting your warrior status back, and we can eat it like warriors." After a soft purr, she glanced in the direction of camp and smiled to Boldclaw, turning to walk into the direction of their home.

"Let's go quickly, we wouldn't want the rabbit to get cold."