Settling In [c]

Honeylight pranced behind Iceheart and Nightstar as they entered the Leader's den. It was a nice afternoon, and Honeylight was in a bright mood (as he often is.) Iceheart and Nightstar had asked for his help in helping Nightstar's new den feel more like his own, which made Honeypaw feel even more excited. He knew Iceheart and Nightstar were close, and of course that Iceheart was a part of Nightstar's council, but Honeylight felt happy that Nightstar had asked for his help as well. He brought with him a bundle of flowers clenched in his teeth, purring faintly as he brought them inside. He figured they might be nice to spruce things up a little, if Nightstar would like them.

He also had a crude, somewhat messy flower crown perched on his head. Ever since he'd joined Thalia's lessons on how to make said flower crowns, Honeylight had taken quite a shine to them. He also really enjoyed picking the flowers themselves, since he could now go out on the territory on his own and spend more time finding the really pretty ones. The flower crown he sported today was one made up of oranges and yellows, matching his fur and the changing of the season.

"What kind of decorations are you thinking, Nightstar?" Honeylight asked as he set down the flowers, looking around curiously at the leader's den. He'd never been inside it before, only seen it from the outside, and so it was a strange new experience to see it in person. 

Iceheart

Iceheart looked around the den. It was pretty plain as dens went, or perhaps she was simply used to the crowded area warriors slept in, and so the spacious leader’s den felt so different. She’d never been inside the leader’s den at all, not for Murkystar or for Froststar. Perhaps they were all like this, so barren and empty…well, no. She knew that wasn’t true. Both Murkystar and Froststar had had a mate to share the den with.  It felt so empty here because Nightstar’s nest was the only one.

Speaking of, Iceheart looked at the sorry nest and replied, “No wonder you’re getting aches, if you’re sleeping in that.” Her tone was always blunt around Nightstar, but she knew that he appreciated it. They both appreciated honesty from one another. “The pelt will help with the cold, but it won’t be comfortable unless you get some fresh moss. And perhaps some sticks or rocks to line the end with so it doesn’t lie so flat. It will make it easier to curl up that way. And then perhaps your back will stop aching so much.”

She looked to Honeylight. “Do you know where to find any pretty rocks in the territory? Or perhaps the Carrionplace has some old Twoleg trash that would be pretty enough to fill the den.” Her nose wrinkled at the thought. “Though, if we did find something, we would need to have it thoroughly washed.”

Honeylight turned his attention to the nest as Nightstar talked about it and winced a little. Yeesh. Yeah, that'd certainly give a cat aches. He'd definitely have to find some comfortable bedding for Nightstar. He remembered where to find some nice moss, since he'd just had to remake his own nest in the warrior's den. He glanced in mild surprise at Iceheart's blunt tone, but it made him smile. Nightstar and Iceheart's friendship seemed like it was good for each other. At Iceheart's question, Honeylight brightened out of his thoughts.

"Hmm," He sat back as he thought. "Y'know, I think I've seen some nice rocks around the deep marsh!" He said. "They'd probably need washing too, but I think we could make them work!" He brightened. "And I think I saw some cool stuff when we visited the carrionplace with Leopardsun. There should also be plenty of good moss available." Turning his attention back to Nightstar, he asked, "What's your favorite color?" He wanted to find things that Nightstar would be happy having in his den.

Iceheart

Iceheart nodded along with Honeylight’s suggestions. Nighstar’s reply was only a tad surprising to her, however, and she replied with saying, “Not necessarily. I don’t have one. Although, a lot of cats do.” Ice herself had never given it much thought, and she didn't know what her own favorite color was either. She wandered around the den, taking in the space to try and generate fresh ideas in her own mind. “What color do you find most pleasing to look at, then? What would help make this feel at ease for you?”

Honeylight blinked at Nightstar's reaction to the question. He looked between the two older cats with a stunned look for a moment. His favorite colors were easy to list. Pink, because it looked pretty in the sky during sunrise and sunset, flowers that shade looked good in his coat, and he associated the color with cats like Forestbreeze and Swiftheart. And brown, most primarily because it reminded him of Iceheart's coat, and because so much of their territory was painted in shades of brown. In general, the color just reminded him of home. Maybe he was the silly one for thinking so much about this?

Shaking the thoughts from his mind, he refocused, grateful for Iceheart's redirection. "Exactly!" He chirped. He nodded to the flowers he brought in. "Like do any of these colors look nice?" 

Iceheart

Iceheart looked over at Nightstar. She knew that look in his eyes. She’d seen it when he got overwhelmed as a new deputy and then when he first realized he would have to be leader. She couldn’t identify what precisely was going through his mind, but she knew that his mind was starting to spin off in its own direction. She walked over and sat down beside him, subtly leaning against him to try and ground him back into focus.

“Golds sound great,” Iceheart meowed, filling the awkward silence. She looked to Swiftheart and Honeylight. “I believe some gold flowers and grasses grow near the pine grove, right? We can go as a group some time to pick some out. We’ll find some good moss and other soft material to add to make the den cozier as well.”

Honeylight gave Swiftheart a bright smile of greeting, ears perking up at the sound of her voice at the entrance and head swiveling to face her. "Green's really nice," He agreed with a purr. Turning his attention back to Nightstar, he purred again at the mention of golds, mind already drifting to think of the golden flowers he's seen around the territory. He wondered what about golds reminded Nightstar of Murkystar. He had never officially met Murkystar, he barely remembered her. He bit down the question, not wanting to upset Nightstar, before quickly turning his attention to Iceheart's words.

"That sounds like a good idea!" Honeylight declared with a cheerful flick of his tail. "I bet we can find a lot of good stuff between us."