Closed Thread Where Pebbles Lay [20FW20]

Spawn of flame, Thunder-struck, from the ashes I rise
──●◎●──

 Leopardrose watched Greypebbles with a sidelong glance as he skillfully dispatched the vole, a twinge of competitive energy flickering through her chest. She admired his precision - it was clear the tom had honed his skills well, and she could appreciate that. Even though they were out on a simple hunt, there was always an underlying sense of challenge when she hunted alongside another warrior.

Her ears twitched as she caught the faint rustling of a mouse scurrying through the underbrush nearby Thankfully not scared off by the grey spotted tom. Eyes narrowing, Leopardrose dropped into a low crouch, her muscles coiling as she stalked forward. The mouse was darting between two fallen leaves, unaware of her presence. She moved silently, paws barely making a sound as she crept closer, her heartbeat quickening with anticipation.

But just as she prepared to pounce, a small gust of wind shifted, carrying her scent directly to the mouse. In a flash, it bolted into the undergrowth, vanishing before she could land her strike.

Leopardrose hissed in frustration, straightening up as her prey escaped. Her tail lashed once, betraying her irritation, but she quickly composed herself. Glancing at Greypebbles, she let out a low chuckle, the corners of her mouth twitching in a small, self-deprecating smile.

“Looks like the mouse had other plans for the day.” Her tone was lighthearted, masking her competitive disappointment. She gently nudged his shoulder with her own. “But you’re right - better to wear a look of pride than a mouthful of fur.” Hunting with Greypebbles was easier than with most of her Clanmates, and even a small failure like this didn’t sting as much in his company.

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

⋘ ──── ∙∙•🪨•∙∙ ──── ⋙

Greypebbles looked up from his freshly killed vole, his rounded blue eyes catching Leopardrose's momentary frustration. He knew that look well, both of them had shared at least a subtle sense of competition, especially during their apprentice days. The corners of his mouth lifted up in a soft, reassuring smile as he padded closer to her, his stubbed tail flicking in a reassuring gesture. "You almost had it" he murmured, his voice quiet but warm. "That gust of wind had other plans, happens to the best of us" 

He then sat beside her, his tail, or what would be his tail, brushed briefly against Leopardrose's as he glanced around their surroundings. "It's funny though." Greypebbles continued, his tone a little more reflective, it was rare to see him so willing to speak to other cats, it was as if Leopardrose and Bravesong had something that the rest of the clan couldn't dream of gaining. "Even when the hunt doesn't go our way, I always enjoy hunting with you. There's something about it that feels so.. familiar. Like no matter what happens it's just nice to be out here, doing what we've always done." His gaze drifted to her for a moment, the nostalgia in his voice was evident, he valued this moment with Leopardrose, any moment really, more than he'd be able to admit.

A gentle chuckle escaped him as he gave her a gentle nudge in return. "Besides" he added, his tone becoming gradually more teasing. "I wouldn't want to make it too easy on you. Where's the fun in that?" He tilted his head, watching her with that same quiet fondness that had grown between them over the moons. "Next time though, that mouse won't know what hit it. You're one of the best hunters I know Leopardrose, It'll come around again"

Spawn of flame, Thunder-struck, from the ashes I rise
──●◎●──

 Leopardrose’s ears flicked as Greypebbles padded closer, his comforting words dulling the sting of her failed catch. She let out a small huff, more amused than frustrated now, her gaze half lidding as she watched him settle beside her. “I almost had it...” She echoed, her voice laced with a hint of playful sarcasm. “But 'almost' doesn’t fill the fresh-kill pile, does it?”

Despite her light tone, Leopardrose appreciated how Greypebbles always knew what to say even when he didn't speak much. He had a way of making even small failures seem insignificant, and his reflective tone stirred something within her - a shared history of countless hunts, failures, and successes that had forged a quiet bond between them. His words brought a wave of nostalgia crashing over her, and for a moment, she was transported back to their apprentice days, when competition drove them both, but camaraderie always softened the edges.

She met his gaze, a gentle purr rising in her throat. "Like we're still those young apprentices, chasing after squirrels we thought we'd actually catch." Her smile grew, eyes gleaming with fondness. "I guess some things never change."

As Greypebbles teased her, she gave a playful swipe at his bobbed tail, her eyes narrowing with mock indignation. “You’d better not be going easy on me, or I’ll make sure you regret it on the next hunt.” she quipped, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Now let's catch something bigger. I’ve got a reputation to uphold."

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

⋘ ──── ∙∙•🪨•∙∙ ──── ⋙

Greypebbles let out a chuckle at Leopardrose's playful response, flicking one of his ears in acknowledgement "Almost doesn't fill the fresh kill pile yes. But it's sure as StarClan what we said a lot as apprentices" he replied, his voice light yet tinged with a shared understanding. He could sense the flicker of nostalgia between them, despite normally not being one for chatter, it never really mattered with Leopardrose, nothing really did, Leopardrose was what mattered. He felt the memories of their youth intertwining with their present. It felt like no time had passed since they were both ambitious apprentices, chasing after prey that always seemed out of reach, yet it never discouraged them, well Greypebbles was sure it never discouraged his clanmate that is.

His eyes softened when Leopardrose brought up their apprentice days, a fond smile tugged the corners of his mouth. "I still remember the first time we went hunting together" Greypebbles mused, his tone thoughtful. "You darted after that squirrel like your life depended on it, and I thought for sure you would catch it with how quick you moved. But then.." his voice trailed off, letting the memory hang in the air between them, his purr rumbling quietly. "Turns out the squirrel was faster than both of us combined at the time" 

As Leopardrose swiped playfully at his bobbed tail, Greypebbles grinned and jumped back in mock surprise. "Go easy on you? Never!" He said, his eye gleaming with youthful mischief. "But if you're so determined to catch something bigger, I'd better keep up or you'll leave me in the dust" With a twitch of his whiskers, he steadied his stance his tail swishing behind him as he added "Let's see if we can put our old apprentice selves to shame, Leopardrose. I'd be ready for a challenge, whoever catches the biggest prey is the winner"

The unspoken camaraderie between them, forged through moons of hunts and shared experiences, only made the prospect of a hunting competition all the more exciting.

Spawn of flame, Thunder-struck, from the ashes I rise
──●◎●──

Leopardrose let out a low purr of amusement at Greypebbles’ recollection, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of fondness and mischief. “Oh, I remember that squirrel. It’s probably still out there somewhere, bragging to the rest of the forest about how it outran two Thunderclan apprentices.” Came her quick quip, her tail flicking with mock frustration. “Those were simpler times."

His playful energy seemed contagious, and she felt her earlier disappointment melt away completely. There was something about hunting with Greypebbles that always reminded her of who she really was beneath her tough exterior - a cat who loved the thrill of the chase and the satisfaction of friendly competition.

"Challenge accepted." Her muscles tensed as she shifted into a hunting stance, ready to take on Greypebbles in their little contest. "But don’t worry, I’ll leave you just enough of a head start so it’s not a total loss for you." She smirked, flicking her tail against his shoulder in a light hearted taunt.

With a quick glance at her surroundings, Leopardrose took in the familiar scents of the forest. She could sense movement nearby - maybe a chipmunk or a songbird. Without waiting for his response, she darted off toward the underbrush, her body moving fluidly through the greenery as she searched for her next target.

Her heart raced, the thrill of the hunt coursing through her veins as she called over her shoulder. "Let’s see if you can keep up!" 

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

⋘ ──── ∙∙•🪨•∙∙ ──── ⋙

Greypebbles let out a rumbling purr, his eyes gleaming with amusement as Leopardrose mentioned an exaggerated tale of how the squirrel would be able to tell it's tale of survival. "That squirrel is probably a legend amongst its family now" he chuckled, watching Leopardrose accept his challenge. He watched her fluid movement as she disappeared into the underbrush. His muscles tensed, the thrill of competition sparking in his chest as he crouched low, ready to find the largest prey he knew.

"She thinks she can leave me behind does she?" Greypebbles murmured to himself, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. He took a deep breath through his nose, focusing on the scents around him. The wind carried many scents his way, but most importantly, a faint scent of a large prey, a rabbit that stumbled its way from WindClan's moors or a plump squirrel perhaps. He knew that Leopardrose was fast, but if he could track down something sizable, he'd have a chance at winning this friendly competition.

With a flick of his stubbed tail, he moved silently through the undergrowth, an advantage of his small size he supposed, his pawsteps barely made a sound as he honed in on the scent. His blue eyes scanned the area, catching the sight of movement ahead of him, a rabbit, nibbling on some grass near the roots of a tree. Perfect.

Careful not to alert it, Greypebbles crept closer, his body low to the ground. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, the familiar excitement of the hunt building. This is it, he thought, his muscles coiling as he prepared to pounce. He could almost hear Leopardrose's playful yet cunning tease in his mind, but he was determined to show her he was no easy competition. With a swift, powerful leap, Greypebbles launched himself towards the rabbit, landing squarely on it's back before it had a chance to squirm free. Greypebbles clasped his teeth onto the rabbit's neck and felt the kicking and flailing come to a halt before falling limp, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

"Not bad eh Leopardrose?" he meowed, his mew muffled by the fur of the rabbit. Now, he just had to find her and if her catch matched his or was larger, he would consider himself bested. In all honesty, he was surprised he caught this prey. He soon stumbled back to where the two had originally stood and dropped the rabbit, glancing around him in an attempt to find his spotted friend.

Spawn of flame, Thunder-struck, from the ashes I rise
──●◎●──

  Leopardrose darted through the underbrush, the familiar rush of excitement coursing through her veins as she scanned the forest for her next target. She could hear Greypebbles moving in the distance, his quiet steps barely audible.

She slowed as a flicker of movement caught her attention - a plump bluebird pecking at the ground near a cluster of brambles. Her eyes narrowed as she crouched, the thrill of the hunt sharpening her senses. The bird was within her reach, its back turned, oblivious to the danger lurking just steps away.

With a swift leap, Leopardrose shot forward, her claws extended as she pounced. The bird flapped its wings in a panicked frenzy, but it was too late. She landed squarely on it, dispatching it with a quick bite to the neck.

The bluebird’s warmth faded in her jaws as she stood, her tail flicking in satisfaction. It wasn’t the largest catch, but it was something. She padded back toward their starting point, her heart still racing from the thrill.

When she emerged from the undergrowth, she spotted Greypebbles with a sizable rabbit at his paws. Her eyes widened in mock surprise as she dropped the bluebird beside his catch, shaking her head in exaggerated disbelief.

“I see you didn’t hold back.” She nudged the thrush with her paw, her tail flicking with playful defiance. Her eyes gleamed with amusement as she looked at him. “A rabbit far from Windclan's moors. This one won't live to tell the tale.” There was no bitterness in her voice, only a sense of camaraderie for her hunting partner.

Leopardrose settled beside him, her sigh turning into a soft purr rumbling in her chest as she basked in the warmth of their shared success. Becoming quiet and thoughtful as her tail thrummed the space beside her. She could have done better, but she didn't let that get to her. Much.

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

⋘ ──── ∙∙•🪨•∙∙ ──── ⋙

Tongue lolled and panting to catch his breath, Greypebbles let out a huff that would only be described as a weak chuckle when he saw Leopardrose return with a bluebird. Once his heaving sides rested to a even breathing pace, he flicked his ear and stood as tall as he could on his paws, as if it was his first time catching any type of prey. He remembered his first catch.. surprisingly well, it was a little finch, not an impressive catch but he had grown quick enough to catch it mid flight. That was what he was proud of.

"I suppose I didn't" He chuckled, glancing down at the rabbit at his paws, looking rather hefty compared to the bluebird that Leopardrose had caught. "This rabbit will have no legend to tell his compatriots" Greypebbles added to Leopardrose's statement taking a glance at the bluebird she had caught, judging from only the last attempt at a hunt she made, it was rather impressive, but compared to other catches she has caught, it was no more than a regular bird. 

Greypebbles let out a loud purr as Leopardrose sat down, the grey tom circled for a moment and then lay next to her, practically pushing against her with what little weight he had. It was comforting.. being near Leopardrose, all prior troubles seemed to be forgotten when she was around, Greypebbles wondered if he would ever grow the courage to let her know that. Probably not.. but who knows right?

"On a different topic" Greypebbles added, flicking an ear in thought "Larchpaw always seems so eager to interrupt my time.. without fail, when I'm about to keep the peace in myself, she shows up like a bouncing kit. It makes me wonder why she feels so bad for me, always saying I look lonely or other." Greypebbles murmured, turning his gaze to Leopardrose "Do I make it seem like I'm not happy by myself? Or is it just a thing with Larchpaw?" 

Spawn of flame, Thunder-struck, from the ashes I rise
──●◎●──

  As Greypebbles mentioned Larchpaw, Leopardrose’s ears twitched with mild curiosity. She tilted her head, thoughtful, as she glanced at him. “Oh?” Her voice echoed, tinged with amusement. “That little furball is always buzzing around, isn’t she?”

She paused, her tail flicking idly. “I wouldn’t say you seem unhappy by yourself, Greypebbles. Quite the opposite, actually. You’ve always had this... calmness about you. Some cats might mistake it for loneliness, but I don’t think that’s it.” Leopardrose’s pale aqua eyes softened as she looked at him. “Larchpaw probably just wants to help. Maybe she feels she needs to prove herself to you.”

With a lighthearted shrug, she added, “Or maybe she just doesn’t know how to sit still.” The sepia bengal smirked, flicking his ear with her tail. “Either way, I wouldn’t take it too seriously."

Leopardrose fell silent for a moment before giving him a sidelong glance, her expression playful yet sincere. “Besides, I think you’re fine company all on your own. But I guess you already know that, don’t you?”

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

⋘ ──── ∙∙•🪨•∙∙ ──── ⋙

Spawn of flame, Thunder-struck, from the ashes I rise
──●◎●──

  She could sense how much Larchpaw’s energy contrasted with his steady nature, and it amused her, though she didn’t press it. His quietness was something she had always respected, even admired.

“Well, maybe that’s why she keeps buzzing around you,” Leopardrose mused with a playful tilt of her head. “You’re like the calm she wishes she could find in herself, and she’s drawn to it...” her expression was muted, ears giving an uneasy flick. The words felt foriegn on her lips, but was not insincere.

Her tail flicked thoughtfully as she continued. “I get it, though. The quiet. There’s peace in it. A chance to catch your breath, to think without the noise of everything else getting in the way, Uhm...” She paused, her gaze drifting for a moment, her voice becoming softer. “But I guess sometimes, having someone around to shake things up doesn’t hurt either. Keeps things interesting, doesn’t it?”

A purr rumbled in her chest as she nudged him lightly with her shoulder, more like grazing the softness of her svelte pelt over him. “And trust me, if you ever were lonely, I’d make sure you couldn’t hide it from me.” She grinned, her playful demeanor returning. “But don’t worry. I’m not about to start dragging you out of your comfort zone like Larchpaw. I’ll leave that job to her.”

The moment stretched in the quiet, the two of them settled in a peaceful camaraderie, content with the simplicity of the moment.

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

⋘ ──── ∙∙•🪨•∙∙ ──── ⋙

Greypebbles let out a soft sigh, his pale blue eyes flickering with quiet amusement at Leopardrose’s words. "Yeah, Larchpaw... she’s like a whirlwind. Always moving, always talking." He gave a small shake of his head, though there was no malice in his tone. "I guess I can see why she’d be drawn to the quiet. Maybe it’s something she needs."

He hesitated for a moment, his expression growing a bit more serious, or perhaps.. saddened. "The other day, she stormed off to camp, saying I was worse than a ShadowClan apprentice just because I didn’t want to talk while we were walking. I only wanted to focus on hunting, and she didn’t take it too well." He flicked his tail, clearly a little uneasy at the memory. "She’s got so much energy, and sometimes I think it’s hard for her to understand that not everyone’s like that."

He glanced at Leopardrose, a gentle smile spreading across his face, his usual shyness fading in the warmth of her presence. "But you're right. I like the quiet... it gives me space to think. To just... breathe." He paused, his gaze softening as he added, "Not everyone gets that. But you always have."

When she nudged him, her fur brushing lightly against his, Greypebbles felt a rare warmth bloom in his chest. The bond they shared was something he treasured, a quiet understanding that didn’t need words. "I know you’d never push me like Larchpaw does. You’ve always known when to let me be." His voice dropped to a tender murmur, as if sharing a secret. "That’s why I can be myself with you."

The silence that followed wasn’t awkward, but peaceful, filled with the ease that came from years of knowing each other. After a moment, Greypebbles leaned just slightly against her, his own gentle nudge in return. "But... you’re right about one thing." He glanced at her with a glimmer of playfulness. "A little shake-up every now and then doesn’t hurt. Keeps life interesting, especially when you’re around."

Greypebbles remained still for a moment, letting his thoughts simmer before speaking again "Leopardrose. Do you think you could have a talk with Larchpaw? I feel like whenever I try to tell Larchpaw how I feel I get shut down and pushed to the side... like she doesn't hear me when I try and explain how I'm feeling"

Spawn of flame, Thunder-struck, from the ashes I rise
──●◎●──

As Greypebbles leaned slightly into her, she felt a warmth blossom inside her chest. She wasn’t used to these quieter, more intimate moments, and she found herself appreciating the simplicity of it - the quiet understanding they shared. Her purr deepened as she brushed her tail lightly across his back, offering a comforting presence.

"Of course, I’ll talk to her." Leopardrose said, her tone soft but certain. "I’ll try to explain things in a way she can understand. Larchpaw might not always listen right away, but I think she respects me enough to hear me out." Larchpaw needed to understand it wasn't about changing who she was, but just respecting how her other clanmates may feel.

She tilted her head, catching his pale blue gaze with her own. "You deserve to be heard, Greypebbles. Even if she’s young and full of energy, it’s important that she understands you’re not trying to push her away"

Leopardrose fell quiet again, letting the peaceful moment stretch between them. Despite her outward playfulness, she was already thinking of how best to approach Larchpaw, wanting to find the right balance between understanding the apprentice’s youthfulness and making sure Greypebbles’ feelings were respected. 

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

⋘ ──── ∙∙•🪨•∙∙ ──── ⋙

Greypebbles felt a sense of relief as Leopardrose offered to talk to Larchpaw. His pale blue gaze softened, appreciating her support. "Thanks, Leopardrose" he murmured, his voice gentle. "I know Larchpaw means well... but sometimes I just need space. I’d never want her to feel like I’m pushing her away."

He shifted slightly, brushing his fur against hers in an unspoken gesture of gratitude. The warmth between them in that quiet moment felt comforting, like the soft rustle of leaves in a breeze. "I’m lucky to have you looking out for me" he added, a shy smile tugging at his lips.

The peaceful silence lingered, and for a while, Greypebbles simply enjoyed the simplicity of the moment. It wasn’t often he allowed himself to open up like this, but with Leopardrose, it felt easy, natural. The weight of the day, of Larchpaw’s fiery energy, seemed to melt away in the calm between them.

After a few heartbeats, Greypebbles stood up, stretching his limbs. "I should probably get some rest" he said, his tone lighter now, though he still wore that gentle smile. "But... let’s do this again soon. I like our quiet moments."

With one last glance at her, he dipped his head respectfully before turning to pad off, feeling lighter than he had all day. As the sun cast its warm light over the territory, he knew that no matter what, Leopardrose would always be there, his anchor in the storm. And he would never hesitate to be the same for her, she has done this much for him

Spawn of flame, Thunder-struck, from the ashes I rise
──●◎●──

Leopardrose watched as Greypebbles stood and stretched, her heart warming at the sight of his shy smile. She returned the gesture with a soft purr, her pale eyes glowing with the same unspoken understanding that had carried their conversation. <br.
"Anytime."

As he padded off, Leopardrose found herself gazing after him.The peace between them was something she had always cherished. It wasn’t loud or flashy, but it was constant, like the steady hum of the wind through the trees. It anchored her in a way that few other things could.

Stretching her own limbs, she rose to her paws and went to pick up her blue bird, her mind now turning to the task ahead. Talking to Larch wouldn’t be easy but Leopardrose knew she could handle it. She wasn’t looking to scold or reprimand, just to help the young she-cat understand how her actions affected others.

No matter what challenges the day brought, she knew that moments like these - shared in quiet companionship - were what made everything worthwhile.  </br.