pushing me close to the edge - comforting the queens

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    COWSPOTS OF WINDCLAN [ TAGS ]


    There were many things Cowspots missed about the nursery. First and foremost was sleeping next to his children every night, holding them and knowing they were safe under his protective paws. But almost as much as he missed that, he missed the queens. They'd become close friends of his, finding great amount in common with them. He wasn't the only single parent, so they helped each other out and loved all the kits together. He would laugh with them and cheer them up, and they would lean on one another for support. Even though he had to take breaks to go on patrols since he wasn't a she-cat, Cowspots made sure to bring back extra prey to share with them, wanting to make sure they had plenty to eat in these trying times.


    Lately things had been particularly difficult. Blossomkit still grieved the disappearance of her sibling Chillykit. Frostfall's love life was crumbling at the seams, desperate for love and no one offering. She deserved a wonderful mate, someone who would give her kits and take her mind off the children who'd already left. His heart shattered for her. Finally, there was Mousenose, whose child had been stolen from under her nose. The sweet, timid she-cat was easily the most needing of love and support, though that didn't mean the others didn't need it as well. They all needed a friendly face to bring them back up, help them out in their time of need. They were his close friends, he felt, and Cowspots wouldn't let them go without someone backing them up. A rabbit from an earlier patrol in his jaws, the warrior parted the nursery vines to slip in, glancing towards the queens with a soft smile. Laying the food down, he mused kindly, "I thought you'd like some company with your meal today. I've missed spending nights talking with you." It was true. Their company was the entire reason he'd managed to survive after the death of Heathercloud.


    Mousenose

    Mousenose hadn't been sleeping well at night. She took small naps throughout the day, but it just wasn't enough. She'd spend the nights staring at her kittens, who were slumbering. And she'd feel immense guilt. Guilt that Mottledkit was nowhere to be seen...guilt that she'd murdered their father. Not that she'd ever have wanted them within his grasp...not like Mottledkit had been. Oh God, the terror the young kit must have felt. What had he done with her? He had stated that she'd escaped him. But why, why didn't she come home?


    When Cowspots approached, the queen lifted her head and blinked sorrowfully at him. He was a good friend, she felt. He was bringing food to the queens, not because of the Warrior Code, but because he wanted to. She distinctly remembered how he'd gone and tried to protect her and her kits when Coyote had arrived and she'd be forever grateful to him for it. She shoved herself to her paws, feeling a bit wobbly considering she hadn't eaten in two days and hadn't been sleeping. She placed a small smile on her face, trying to hide the anguish inside of her. "That's very thoughtful, Cowspots. Thank you. How are you handling your kits being apprentices now?

    COWSPOTS OF WINDCLAN [ TAGS ]


    ooc: he won't know that she killed the father of her kits, right?


    The familiar lilac pelt of Mousenose caused him to smile in return at her, nodding his thanks at her kind words. Settling down comfortably, not hungry himself due to having eaten earlier, the father studied her face. While still holding her strong beauty, putting on a brave face for her Clanmates, he could see the hidden darkness behind her irises and the way her throat had a consistent lump she had to swallow down. He'd hidden the same features, after all, following his mate's death. It made sense she'd be grieving the kidnapping of her child. Sighing softly at her question, he answered, "About as well as any father. I can't believe how fast they're growing." Cowspots managed a tiny chuckle, tail playing with the moss of another queen's nest. Meeting her gaze, he hesitated. "How are you holding up?" he prompted gently, not wanting to press too far. Were they finding enough time for patrols to look for Mottledkit? Would it be helpful if he went out more to help her look? He knew the warrior were awfully busy with their hunting trying to keep the clan fed, but he couldn't sit by and let a fellow parent remain worried about her kit.

    OOC: Uhh...she'll be revealing it to Eagle, so I guess he could know? I don't know how that thread is gonna play out though.


    Mousenose settled down a bit, eyes flicking from Cowspots to the rabbit. She hadn't realized just how hungry she was...but, at the same time, the idea of eating made her feel like throwing up. Her stomach gave a rumble of protest and she curled her lip in disgust at herself. How could she lay around the nursery like a lazy lump when her daughter was missing? She'd been moping, yes. What else could she do? She still had Sparrowkit and Petalkit to look after. They were almost apprentices and Mottledkit was going to miss it. Oh, how she prayed and prayed that the young tortie kitten was safe.


    A low purr rumbled from her throat, though her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "Petalkit and Sparrowkit are almost apprentices now too, I certainly will be in your paws sooner rather than later," she said softly. She then gazed away, when he asked how hse was holding up. How was she? Well, truthfully she felt like she was dangling on a string that was about to snap. "I"m...not sure how to answer that, Cowspots. I'm not entirely sure. But...I have to be here for my kittens."

    COWSPOTS OF WINDCLAN [ TAGS ]


    ooc: okie, i'll have him not be aware yet then so it can play out how you want!


    His nose touched her ear comfortingly at the reminder her own children would soon be apprentices. No doubt she'd miss seeing them every day, licking their head at the end of each day, but it was also so rewarding to watch. They were becoming warriors, strong cats of WindClan. He just knew they would be so very proud of them. Mousenose's and his kits both would grow into fine warriors.


    The topic, however, shifted more dark as they addressed the troubles of losing someone. Cowspots understood all too well. He'd put his kits' safety and happiness before his own after Heathercloud passed. Her problem was even more difficult. Losing a mate was one thing, but a child? StarClan, he couldn't even imagine the pain... And to top it off, she had to know Mottledkit was probably alive somewhere and Mousenose couldn't save her because she didn't know where she was. The whole situation made his gut wrench and paws flex with a powerful desire to protect. Pressing his muzzle against her shoulder, he nodded. "I know. But anything you need, I'm here. Nothing is too great to ask. I'll pick up extra patrols, make sure your other two are staying out of trouble - anything. We'll bring Mottledkit back," promised Cowspots, eyes watering. These felt as much like his kits as hers, the way his paternal nature took over. He'd spent so long in the nursery, grown so fond of his queens that he was their family.

    Mousenose gratefully leaned into Cowspot's embrace, leaning her head against her shoulder. It made her heart ache. She'd longed for somebody to hold her like this, tell her it woudl be okay and for it to not be a lie...but she'd always imagined it be a loving mate to do it. To guide her through life. But...Coyote had proven to her that some toms were not so understanding and kind. She had to feel it out and figure out which tom was what side. But how...how in the world did she accomplish that?


    Sighing, she shook her head. "It's my fault that my kittens will never get to know their father..." she whispered. Was that for the better? Or for the worse? She wasn't entirely sure, honestly. She'd grown up with neither of her parents and instead a ruthless gang raising her. It had been...hard. But she'd survived. Now, she wanted the best for her kittens.

    COWSPOTS OF WINDCLAN [ TAGS ]


    "What do you mean?" he echoed back, voice equally soft. Something in the edge of her tone caused an uneasy stirring in his gut, but he knew Mousenose was not evil. If she'd done anything regrettable, it had been for an intelligent reason and the world would learn to live with it. Besides, Cowspots had met the father of her kits. He'd been cruel, abrasive, nothing a father should be. Coyote held no respect for she-cats, nor kits, and seemed to think his children were his spawn, therefore should follow his every belief. It was despicable and made him feel sick. The warrior hadn't seen him around lately, and he'd been grateful for that. WindClan, as well as Mousenose's family, were better without Coyote. Cowspots would protect her if he dared show his face again.

    ✿ Little girl, little girl, why are you crying?

    ✿✿✿

    tags

    plot

    opinions

    //If I can't post, let me know but I thought I'd throw in a sweet lil girl to add to the fluff


    Petalkit, even at her age, wasn't entirely the most intelligent. She was, though, close to being an apprentice already but, even with that new weight and pressure on her little shoulders, the small point would always enjoy doing this. What was this she was doing? Well, she had been exploring a bit farther from camp then usual, looking for something special for her mother, something to lift her spirits. At first, she was hopeless thinking that the frost and snow had killed all the pretty flowers but then she spot a spotting of green against a snow bank and it took her breath away at what she had saw. It was a small bundle of flowers, white little flowers that tipped forward like they were sad, but as she crouched down to look at them, she saw how pretty the pale petals were, blending in with colorless powder around it, the verdant stem and the leaves a shocking contrast to the seemingly monotone world. This was why Petal loved flowers. Gently, she twisted her head, nipping the stem with so little pressure as to not mess anything up. Gripping one, she laid it gently down, bending back down picking more to bring her mother, a soft white bouquet.


    After a few moments, she had a substantial pile of the flowers with plenty left over to beautifully flourish alone undisturbed. She smiled, picking up the bundle softly as she used her little white paws to carry her back home, pale ginger and blue dappled tail high in the air as she made her way toward the camp, the nursery where she knew her mother was laying, probably alone. She was surprised however, when she heard Cowspot's voice mixing with her mother's. Petal was, honestly confused and kind of guilty, not expecting someone else to be there. She pushed her way in, blue eyes seeing the two pressing against eachother, white flowers dangling precariously by their stems, as if they'd fall off any second from their anchors. She twitched an ear and smiled shyly to Cow, cautiously approaching her mother, dropping the soft white flowers by her mother's blue paws, looking up with a sad excitement, hope that these would make her mother feel better. "I...I picked these for you, Mama. They looked so pretty near the snow and I-I thought maybe later I could put them into your fur?" she whispered shyly, shuffling her little white and dappled paws, glancing down at the bundle. She began to feel stupid for grabbing the flowers. They looked sad now, away from where she found them and already like they'd die. Plus, she didn't even pick anything for Cowspots! How could she become leader if she didn't think of these sort of things ahead of time?

    Mousenose had done something evil. She was no better than the gang of cats that had raised her. She was despicable and she was suffering with these thoughts as they rolled through her head. She opened her maw, ready to let her worries and the truth roll from her lips. But suddenly Petalkit was walking up to them. She seemed nervous, shy, aloof. Did Petalkit know that Coyote would never come back again? She'd been there when Mousenose had confessed the crime, but honestly the young cat had been asleep.


    Mousenose gave a soft purr, hoping to encourage her daughter. She nodded at the words, Petalkit declaring that she picked them for Mouse and that she'd like to weave them in her mother's fur. "That was very thoughtful of you. I think they'd look spectacular in my fur. Don't you think so, Cowspots?"

    COWSPOTS OF WINDCLAN [ TAGS ]


    Before Mousenose could answer, her adorable daughter came bounding forth, flowers in maw. He smiled at the sight, purring gently in approval. "How kind of you, Petalkit. I bet she'll look lovely with the flowers in her fur," agreed the bicolor warrior, tail swishing. While she was fretting internally, Cowspots didn't mind none had been brought for him. He more cared about how his friend was feeling at the moment. Any time could be dandelion snack time, but the chance to be there for a friend in need was not constant. Glancing more curiously at the flowers, he questioned, "Where did you find such beautiful flowers? I'll have to check it out later."