Posts by .Nettlepaw.

The kitten stumbled through the bushes and the thick undergrowth, dark clouds blocking any light that might've reached his eyes. His messy fur blended with the thick woods, crimson drops shining through the tufts on his back. Tired amber eyes were pointed at an invisible line that he wanted to cross, unsure and unfocused. He padded over to the border, marked with a strong and sharp smell, and after stopping for a bit, he crossed. If this was where he should've gone for help, he would. Mom always said if anything happened to her, this was the place to go. The dominant smell made the kitten hesitant though, his steps slower and the air around him tainted with the faint scent of fear.
---

No sound came back as the pain in his spine called out inside his head, as if he was refusing to whine at his misery. His expression distant and neutral, he padded towards the giant cave. The smells grew stronger. Through the thick of the night, no sound was heard. Like a thief he padded towards a pile of dead animals, picking a mouse and swallowing it in a second, enjoying and living through every drop of juice and the soft crunching disturbing the pleasant silence. The agony grew stronger but he kept quiet and laid down on a small piece of bark, its soft shades enveloped in a blanket of darkness when even the stars weren't shining down at the child. He kept looking at the faint white light shining through the thick fog so far high above.
---

His mind travelled miles awhile he kept still. Soft, sheathed paws laying on the cold stone, he resisted to think about the blood, the cries. The pain stayed still too, refusing to leave the poor kit alone. He didn't know how the cats would react. His Mom always told him they were nice. She even said something about them being obligated to help a lonely kit. He didn't know if it was true. But if they didn't help him, maybe they would at least finish him off. He glanced back at the caves the cats seemed to be sleeping in, and finally passed out in the back of the camp, the cuts staining the fur an unpleasant brown with a heavy, metallic smell. He laid there until the horizon brightened as a sign of sun coming closer, and the four moons old injured kit kept laying as still and as quiet as he could, only twitching his whiskers from time to time.

//I forgot how fun it is to write cats wow hihi

Also a medicine cat might be needed so

OWLGAZE.

SPIDERVENOM

The kit blinked his eyes open, tiredly looking around as he felt a pain that felt like claws running on his back. He swallowed the shriek and his eyes landed on a young cat, calling for help. Still uneasy and unsure what was going to happen next, he slowly swished his tail and lifted his head up in response, ears fearfully flat. Again, he said nothing. Throat fixed as if it was only to be used for swallowing, amber orbs flickering with a fire, burning through his mind as the pain proceeded to take over him and he squinted in pain.

The kit kept still as another young cat came with a few cobwebs and flowers. Visibly interested, he moved his head and sniffed the flowers before a terrible pain spread around his body. But despite not giving a single answer to Spiderpaw concerning his name, he wasn't at all clueless as to what he wanted to do with the cobwebs, so he kept still, quiet as always, and licked the honeycomb. His world melted as the sweetness mixed into the agony, canceling out some of the dreadful feeling. He looked up at the other and his ears turned up in curiosity. How did he know all of this? How did he know which flowers to use? The kitten quickly memorized the smells although he had no names to attach them to, and stayed put when his wounds reacted to the herbs applied. He kept licking until his tongue grew numb and he scanned the other cats. Were they calling for Spiderpaw specifically to heal him? He tried to keep his mind busy. He squinted his eyes at the rays of the rising sun, his brown fur sparkling as if dew has just settled.

//i'm thinking maybe he gets to the medicine den and keeps playing with the nettle or something similar? this could be a thread (which would be really cool because he might develop an interest for herbs) or ooc, depending on how much time you have, scar :3 meanwhile i will start posting into regular threads

Nettlekit moved in his nest, playfully pushing a mossball with his tail. Nettlekit. My name is Nettlekit. It had an interesting ring to it. Stinging nettle always seemed interesting to him. Not bitter, not sour. It seemed like the opposite of the honeycomb he tried a while ago. It was as if crying out into the world, saying I'm here, but never really wanting anyone to come. If anyone stumbled upon it, it'd give a warning so they didn't do it the next time around. It had to have some use though, it was in the medicine den afterall. Nettlekit sat up and watched the moss ball roll. It was unusually quiet in the nursery. There were not many kits, and if they were, they were outside. Nettlekit didn't mind being outside, just like he didn't mind being inside. The world outside was full of scents and touches and reminders and feelings. It had views and it had quiet, simple sounds of the leafs rubbing against each other, of your steps as you walked on the hard, frozen floor. It was beautiful in its own way, always different, the clouds always moving, the weather changing, the sunset and sunrise.

But in the camp, there were cats. A lot of them, the entire group. The entire clan. Nettlekit didn't feel attached, he didn't feel comfortable. The place buzzed like a beehive, and although he always enjoyed the gentle sounds of bees flapping their wings, he couldn't say the same about his clanmates talking. And they kept talking. He didn't understand when other kits snuck over to the clan meeting, as if there was something interesting happening. Nothing but words, and words wouldn't do or change anything. He didn't feel like being a part of it. Back with mom and sibling, it was easy. It was all so easy. Nothing but gentle humming, a few words they exchanged, and then smiles and touches that didn't need sound to them for them to feel real. Words could be fake, who knew. Lies hurt, lies were terrifying.

The wound on his back was getting better. Not too deep, luckily not much infected. Not so it couldn't be fixed with a few herbs that had a delicate smell. Nettlepaw liked when the medicine cats worked in concentration, only talking short sentences, sometimes mumbling reassuring words. It felt like home with his mom unlike the nursery. But despite the nursery being bland, it was comfortable, and nice and quiet, and his thoughts could go farther he could ever go. Why would he go outside anyways? Maybe when he was older he would take strolls, listen to the woods and the mists speaking. Not yet though, not yet. Maybe once.

// Smolderingstride

The tabby kit circled around the nursery again, not really present and not really elsewhere. He peeked out of the den, soft paws feeling cold on the hard ground. The air was chilling, some of the sound seemed to also be frozen solid. He looked up to see an apprentice playing with some moss. He sure would like to try what he could do with it, but the kits barely talked to him, tending the the queens or more talkative kittens. Not much he could do alone. Not like he needed to, why would he, but sometimes he wondered how would it be doing things like others.

On the other side, Nettlekit had excellent sight and hearing and could understand the fact this cat was visibly annoyed. He was sure the other kits would enjoy it. He sat in the edge of the entrance, watching as the apprentice stitched together the mossball, slowly swishing his tail, ears perking up with interest.

//just for the record I have no idea where I'm going with this hhh. Stork might have to make the first step though

Nettlekit returned the look to the older cat before stretching his legs and standing up. He padded over to the mossball and without a reply touched it with his snout, redirecting all of his attention to the small orb and shoving it so it rolled towards Storkpaw. The other didn't seem to ask a question, it was more of an order. Nettlepaw decided to obey though, as that was all he knew. Perhaps one day it would make his life easier. The clan had set rules, the rules everyone was always talking about, and the earlier he learnt to listen, the better. Still, it was not like she didn't miss the companion of his mom, and maybe a few heartbeats or playing could bring the memories back.

Nettlekit lifted his head up upon the quiet call. Amber eyes shifted across the nursery, searching for who finally interrupted the silence. It would be stupid to ask who the apprentice was asking, there was no one present. Since everyone talked so much, it might've seemed unusual he didn't. But well, maybe the news would break out soon enough. He sat up in his nest and swished his tail from side to side as if hinting at something, moving around his ears. Smolderingpaw, that was the apprentice who found him along with the warrior. The kit cracked a single smile and let out a quiet purr that wouldn't be hearable if there was just one more cat in the nursery. He was in fact feeling a lot better, maybe a little bit lonely. He didn't strive for interaction, he didn't avoid it. But it was nice to see someone came to check on him.

Nettlekit had a tongue, definitely. But since the fight with the rogue, he didn't speak. Even if he wanted to sometimes. Storkpaw sounded like a nice name though and Nettlekit let out a soft purr before jumping up and catching the ball as quickly as he could and landing softly with his paws. He felt great, as if he just discovered something new. He never knew playing this was so fun, although he saw the other kits playing it what felt like a billion times. Once the news spread around the camp and the name Spiderpaw had given him caught up, things might be much less awkward.

He had to shake his paw for a while until the ball fell down and then he hit it as hard as he could, at least with all the power a kit had, and with excitement and tail quickly swishing, watched it fly over to Storkpaw.

Great, he understood. At least someone understood. He felt much better, knowing he was not completely cut off after the fight. He watched Smolderingpaw stand there and looked at the big amount of moss that was with him. Nettlekit's ears perked up at the question, and with another purr he stepped out of his nest and started pushing it towards Smolderingpaw. It wasn't heavy at all, mostly old moss and some straws stitched together.

At least a bit of work would keep him from thinking about... that cat. Maybe he was scared to leave nursery just yet. What if he couldn't face it off? His mother sure couldn't. When he was older, he would be with a patrol. With Smolderingpaw. That would make his feel safer. And no matter how loud some of the cats were, they were there to protect him. He felt safe in the camp, safer than ever.

He stopped and looked up at the apprentice, waiting for him to bring the fresh moss. He didn't know how he would shape it yet, but the thought of having it different than the other kits made his tail shiver in excitement.

Nettlekit recoiled, visibly startled by the fact he had accidentally hit her with the ball. Was she not good at games or just tired? Perhaps the apprentice duties were too much and she couldn't sleep much. Nettlekit didn't have any idea how it would be when he had to do all of the things apprentices did. He tilted his head when the apprentice scoffed at him, flattening his ears. And why was he a mouse to her? He wasn't a mouse for sure. Was he that much like a mouse? Maybe quiet but, certainly not that dumb! This time he wasn't thinking fast enough, confused by the new nickname, and the mossball flew whiskers besides his ears before rolling inside of the nursery. Perhaps it was fine if he had more names. Mousekit. Mousekit didn't sound that bad. Running towards the mossball, and grabbing it with his teeth, he drifted out of the room and set it down. This time, he gave it a gentle pat with his paw, but strong enough for it to get to Storkpaw in a matter of heartbeats. This cat certainly had a prickly tongue. Perhaps their name should be Nettlekit. Or Nettlepaw?

He watched as the apprentice questioned. Probably it would become clear since he wouldn't answer again. She was partly deaf and blind? That... that was odd. Nettlekit wondered if a sickness caused it or if she also got attacked. Stuff like that really messes you senses up. He already felt a bit bad for not being more gentle the first time around. Perhaps she did have a reason to be prickly afterall.

Fox-dung, words can hurt if you get emotions get in the way. Not speaking was sometimes welcomed anyways. Maybe someone who for once doesn't lie, doesn't hurt others, doesn't spill others' secrets and doesn't speak at all is a nice change.

Nettlekit stopped the slow ball with his paw and then gently rolled it towards the apprentice. Maybe cheering others up would be nice too, but don't acts seem a bit more genuine? He gently smirked at Storkpaw's frustration and got into a crouching position as his instincts told him. Mom was about to start teaching them how to hunt overall. He pushed the gloom into the back of his head and swished his tail, concentrating as if the mossball was a mouse.

Perhaps he would make Mom proud.

Nettlekit waited patiently for the other tomcat to respond to him. After he tossed away his nest and gave him a piece of moss, he stood there in thought. He sniffed the green chunk and nudged it, before taking it into his muzzle and spreading it out. Instead of an answer, he obviously just looked up. But even if he did talk, he wouldn't know what to answer. Then the thought hit him. He started pushing it with his paws and nose into a neat diamond shape, making sure to make it of the same thickness on all places, and for the edges to be pretty and sharp. After a while of concentration, he had a small, diamond-shaped piece of moss in front of him. He flattened his ears. It meant a lot. And since there was no-one, no one but him to remember, it wouldn't mean anything to anyone anymore. He looked up at Smolderingpaw in question.

Nettlekit slowy padded out of the nursery into the larger cave to have a better view on his surroundings and more things to think about other than what the kits and queens are talking about. The stories were interesting, sometimes the kittens boasted about what they heard on the meetings, the queens talked about the latest rumors within the forest. But the lack of sunshine, which he used to have a lot of when they would take strolls with their Mom, was beginning to show. He slowly snuck around the edge of the cave, getting closer to the entrance with every step, before a shadow leaped in front of him and stopped him in his tracks. The kit surprisedly stumbled backwards before stopping and perking up his ears.

// BRIARHEART

The kit watched as the apprentice seemed to flash through emotions he couldn't catch in those few heartbeats and then let out another scoff. Nettlekit wasn't one to complain, quite obviously, but he definitely could see Storkpaw was getting close to mad and he didn't like it. Maybe he should just step of to the side and let her play with some normal kits who aren't as sensitive and would just have careless fun as always. He hasn't really had fun since he came, but if the other wasn't having fun too, it probably wasn't worth it.

Harsh? Perhaps. Nettlekit got up from his playing position and listened, since that was all he knew. He smiled softly as the other seemed to be going through something, that he didn't understand but perhaps would experience one day. Harsh? No, she wasn't being harsh. Overall, if he had been focusing on words this whole time, he wouldn't be playing at that moment. Words were nothing to make decisions and assumptions based on afterall. You needed more, and for that you need time, and if you give some you can make decisions that are a bit more stable, a bit less mindless, a bit less reckless. Harsh? No. Having a hard time was the word. Storkpaw seemed to have more trouble with herself than anyone else.

The ball flew in with unexpected power, because, let's say when you see someone's weaker in one way you have a tendency to underestimate. Luckily, Nettlekit was already born with strong teeth and he caught it at an angle, although it was really just whiskers away from hitting him in the face full speed. He looked at the apprentice as her concern turned into a smile and his heart thawed as if he could feel the atmostphere get a little less frozen.

Finally she understood. He probably wouldn't stay quiet for so long if he just chose to speak whenever he wanted. A quiet purr came out at the suggestion, and after a nod, which he himself percieved as an attempt ar a joke, he nudged the ball with his nose as hard as he could. But since he didn't have as much power in his spine as he had in his legs, it at least didn't go so quick it would smack Storkpaw in the face again.

It took a bit but if everyone in the clan was like this, which it wasn't, for example the medicine cats, he would manage. His tail relaxed as well as the rest of his muscle as the mutual understanding seemed to finally come to them and he really got ready to have some fun.

Nettlekit sniffed around the herbs, trying to memorize their names. Or at least name them himself, since the names got far too complicated for him. Of course, he wouldn't just walk in to the medicine den and ask for the spot. They had Spiderpaw at the moment, and he was far too... mute to say it lightly, and also shy to tell anyone. So all everyone else had was seeing him always brush around the medicine den or study certain flowers to see if they are in any way reminiscent of the healing ones. He knew he would probably have to be a warrior in the future.

He wasn't the ambitious type of kit, and as long as he was safe and protected from the dangerous forest full of rogues, bears and foxes, he would be content. He didn't know how his fighting or hunting would go, he was half kittypet afterall, but at least he had just a bit of his father's sturdiness, although he was pretty slim like his mom. All he could wish for was that he would do at least mediocre in those things so they would let him stay, let him stay in the clan and be safe. Because what else does a kit really want other than safety and comfort?

He lifted his head up as he heard Lilykit speak. He remembered her being alone in her nest, much like him. She seemed to be a lot like him but, well, she talked. A forever kit, probably. No medicine cats were around, but they trusted him enough to not eat deathberries, so they let him stay and observe from time to time. It was a bit sad that, well, Lilykit wouldn't get a reply, but Nettlekit perked up one of his ears and smiled. He came closer to the female and nudged her face. It seemed as if she wanted to talk, so naturally he would listen. Maybe another kit scared of a lot of things could help him get a better perspective. If they were to train together one day, being friends would be helpful.

The kit turned around in the soft nest of the medicine cat den. He slowly opened his eyes, looking around at the surroundings. He didn't lift his head, but after his vision cleared he started noticing more about the place he was in. It had a hundred strange scents, some beautiful, some terrible, some strong and some faded out sick ones. His senses alarmed by the strange mixture, he lifted his head up and perked up his ears, but ended up regretting it when his spine reacted with the first wave of pain crashing into his brain. He let out a quiet whine.

The movement wasn't hurtful itself, but after he got out of the dreamworld completely it reminded him of the fact that he is injured. Despite the agony it brought him, he turned his head to look back at the wound and saw it was covered in cobwebs, with strong smells covering the classic scent of old blood. It also looked quite clean. They probably treated him after he fell asleep the previous day. Nice of them, he didn't feel it then. Against the way he felt before, his back was quite relieved.

They were just a few claws slashed across his back, no fractured bones or hurt spine, just some cuts that were far too deep for a kit, and that could easily lead to an infection that would come if he hadn't gotten help soon enough. And blood loss, but that was secondary as the wound was naturally placed higher on the body and he wasn't bleeding out or anything. He could've been dead if it had been on his flank. Luckily it wasn't, and he was in a strange place where the cats probably stored herbs in case of emergency, that was at least what he assumed. He was awake now though, with enough energy to run around the barn three times, not that he would go back there. Not because of the barn itself, but because of what he could meet at the way. His head spun and a chill ran down his spine, the fun on his back spiking up in protest to relive the memory. He tried to get into a more comfortable position in the nest, so he partially sat up and noticed a cat entering.

// SPIDERVENOM sorry i swear it always takes me 20 minutes to write out a reply xD