WE WERE KINGS ONCE — littlepond

This is an archived version of FeralFront. While you can surf through all the content that was ever created on FeralFront, no new content can be created.
If you'd like some free FeralFront memorabilia to look back on fondly, see this thread from Dynamo (if this message is still here, we still have memorabilia): https://feralfront.com/thread/2669184-free-feralfront-memorabilia/.

    tags ✦ ✧ ✦ It was warm, sunny days like these ones that Shrikecall lived for. He could imagine that the low, droning noises of life and nature that buzzed throughout the territory rang with a somewhat happy note, as though the whole world was sharing in his joy. It felt as though he was experiencing a moment of clarity, something that seemed to be so rare in his life.


    He'd asked—well, more like ordered—one of the older kids to mind the kits, with a strict warning that if anything happened to his youngest three, the offender would be in a lot of trouble. With the kits out of the way, the shortfurred tom was able to invite Littlepond out for a walk, and perhaps the opportunity to recapture the magic that had first attracted them to each other, back when they still had to hide their meetings at the border.


    By this point, they'd reached the river, and Shrikecall peered intensely into swirling waters. They appeared to be so cool, so refreshing, and for a long moment he was lost in thought, simply staring into them, until a dragonfly bobbed by, interrupting his field of vision and distracting him. Turning to Littlepond with a bright smile, he suggested, "You up for a dip?"


    littlepond warning: i really, really want a water fight

    It had been a long time since Littlepond had some time to just enjoy her mate's presence without the looming fear of the kits being in danger. Of course that worry was still there, but at least it was distanced for a bit. When Shrikecall had invited her for a walk around the territory, she was ecstatic. The queen eagerly followed him wherever his paws would lead him. The pair chatted about little things, each deflecting the conversation once it got close to a touchy subject in their own ways. When they were at the topic of fresh-kill, she noticed that her mate had come to a stop beside the river and was gazing into it almost wistfully.


    When he invited her to swim, she nodded vigorously. "Of course!" Littlepond exclaimed, sliding into the soft current with ease. The coolness of the water felt amazing against her coat. She hadn't realized how hot it was outside until she felt the contrast. With a sly smirk, the female lifted her two front paws above her head and suddenly slammed them down, sending water splashing all over her mate. Giggles bubbled up from her chest and, for the first time in awhile, she was happy.



    tags ✦ ✧ ✦ Although she hadn't been born in RiverClan, Littlepond had taken to water like a fish. Shrikecall watched as the queen slid effortlessly into river, as though it was her home just as much as the camp was, lips rounded upward. Was this what happiness felt like? As he started to bend and join her in the water, an arc of shimmering droplets sprayed toward him, and he blinked desperately, trying to keep them out of mismatched eyes. "Oh, you!" he gasped out, shaking his head vigorously. Taking a few strokes closer to the taupe tabby, he flicked a pawful of water back at her, chiding, "That wasn't nice."

    "Yeah?!" Littlepond purred mischievously, "what're you gonna do abou-" she was cut off by a shower of water that was flung in her direction. At least her question was answered and her challenge was accepted. She grinned and stuck out her tongue, navigating herself backwards so her mate could have get farther from the shore. Splashing where the land met the water made the ground muddy, and nobody wanted soggy muddy fur. Her soft paws shifted a bit underwater, preparing to jolt up and make a big wave once the smoke pelted warrior entered her trap. When her giddy gaze lifted to see him, a big smile spread across her face. Even when his coat was laden with water, he was still the most handsome tom she'd ever laid eyes on. Affection made her fur tingle, and she lost focus for a second. This would be the perfect time for an ambush with a big splash.



    tags ✦ ✧ ✦ There was something nice about splashing around in the river like a pair of kittens or 'paws. Shrikecall kicked away from the shore, following his mate deeper into the water, until he could feel the current pulling at his short coat, urging him to follow it downstream. Fixing blue and yellow eyes on Littlepond, he swam closer to her, appreciating the shining affect that the thousand water droplets clinging to her pelt granted her. With a start, he saw the distraction in her eyes, and a mischievous grin working its way onto his face, the bicolored tom aimed a surge of water toward her.


    When the last ripples finally began to subside, he let out a blissful sigh and murmured, "We should bring the kids out here."

    The water came as a surprise. Once the initial startle passed, a bout of laughter rose from her. "This is the price for focusing on cute toms instead of combat!" Littlepond joked, paddling closer to her mate. Once they were sufficiently close, the touched her nose to his. Her dark amber gaze was full of warmth and love, reminiscent of when the pair had first laid eyes on each other. The queen paused at his question, contemplating it for a moment. "Miraclekit and Eelpaw have both almost drowned this moon, I don't know if I can trust them in the water at this age."



    tags ✦ ✧ ✦ The queen's joke out to have made him happy, but the only feeling that welled up in Shrikecall was one of guilt. Here he was, enjoying himself with Littlepond, when so recently he'd frustrated enough to think of leaving her, and investing his attention in Shimmerpool instead. He turned his head away, water dripping from whiskers and landing in the river with tiny pops, wrestling with the emotion.


    It felt like too long before he was able to look Littlepond in the eye again, but he was an adept actor, and perhaps she wouldn't notice anything amiss. Swallowing dryly, he digested her words, eyes darkening at the reminder of what had happened to Miraclekit. The news of Eelpaw's near miss with death took him more by surprise, and scornfully, the tom replied, "He's an apprentice, for StarClan's sake! He should be able to swim by now. What's wrong with him?" He was obviously upset, and his expression remained one of vexed disgust.

    "I don't know..." Littlepond replied truthfully, "maybe you should do something about it." She knew what this entailed, and was fine with it. The queen noticed the concern in her mate's eyes and leaned in closer, placing a gentle lick on his cheek. Any odd behaviors she noticed were assumed to be because of his emotional problems. She knew how much turmoil was going on in that tom's mind, and she wished she had the power to free him from it. Too many nights she'd see his slim figure pacing through the camp instead of sleeping. Even when she could only see his silhouette, she could feel the distress emanating off him in waves.