Breezy Wandering [closed]

A charismatic cat is one who always knows just what to say when inspiring others, who can spark hope and devotion and brilliance even in the darkest shadows. Morningpaw liked to think of herself as a charismatic cat- but she was not, however, a cat who could handle being flirted with while maintaining any semblance of composure. Everyone has a weakness, after all, and her weakness was that weird overlap between 'interesting personalities', 'very pretty she-cats', and 'anyone who is nice to her in any way whatsoever' (which, admittedly, only one of which was really required to draw her eye). So her response came more in the form of several surprised blinks and an attempt to say something-or-other which sounded a lot like "I- uh- th- I, uh, I- tha-thank you? Words- words. I-I should use them.". (She really should.)

The reprieve granted by Summer's answer came at a perfect time, even if the drifter was staring at her in a not-entirely-uncomfortable way. Morningpaw gave a nod and considered the question before replying, "I'm glad you like it here! Even if you will move onto the next place at some point, I suppose. The forest has always been my life- it's where I grew up, and it's all I know. I'd feel lost without somewhere to come back to, cats to talk to and hear from. And sure, there can be competition between the Clans, but I know everyone in WindClan would gladly share prey with me, and I them." The apprentice smiled warmly and explained, "The warrior code is about sticking together and making each other strong, even if it does have some... weird parts to it. It's nice to have folks to rely on when things get rough. But I suppose I've only ever known being a forest cat, and you've only ever known being a drifter- different perspectives on the same world."

"Have you ever had anyone to travel with? Or has it always been just you?"

The flirtatious act received exactly the sort of response Summer had been hoping for, a momentary stumbling of Morningpaw's brain and tongue as she tried to stammer a thanks. Summer batted her blue eyes with playful innocence at the pretty she-cat and smirked. I like when you use words, the loner thought with interest, You say all kinds of fascinating things. It was Summer's turn to speak, though, and she knew all too well that she could damage her fresh new friendship with Morningpaw if she flustered the poor girl too long. A little moderation was key to unlocking the harmlessly exploitable secrets of the cats she passed. Besides, she and Morningpaw had a deal, and the WindClan cat seemed interested in the answer Summer had to give.

Once Summer had asked her next question, Morningpaw thought about her answer for just a moment before replying. Summer supposed if this moor and the forests around it were all she had ever known, she might feel uncomfortable leaving it.... but then again, that hadn't stopped her when she began her travels in the first place. The loner listened intently while Morningpaw explained how a "warrior code" helped them to stick together and stay strong. Almost immediately Summer's fur prickled again slightly at the implications of everything she'd discerned: a single faith for a cluster of similar-but-different groups, borders, a code, leaders... Oh, she would hate to be a Clan cat. To each their own, she supposed. She nodded at Morningpaw's shared wisdom and added warmly, "That's well said, darling."

Summer hummed at Morningpaw's next question and answered breezily, "Oh, here and there for a twitch of a whisker I've traveled with others." That was true; the last time she'd spent more than a quarter moon straight with a cat, she'd still been a young she-cat in her birth place. Summer continued, "Companions such as myself are hard to come by, and I don't care to be pinned to one sight because someone else decides they can't possibly survive without me. I'm more than happy to lend a paw and pull my weight, mind you, but the cats I find rarely seem to hold themselves to the same standard." She lifted one paw, licked it, and dragged it delicately over her long ear, clucking, "Such a pity." She looked aside at Morningpaw again with curiosity. "But you and the other Clan cats - you all hold yourselves to the same standard with this... 'warrior code', you said? What is that, dear?"

Summer's words drifted through the apprentice's ears like- well, like a drifter, she supposed, and Morningpaw let her thoughts join them; of course, the words her new friend was saying were important, but so too was the cat saying them. "I'm not sure there are any other cats like you," Morningpaw mused, her eyes shining with admiration as she gazed at the other she-cat-- and then realised just how that sounded oh stars that came out wrong. "I-I mean- I- every cat is different, right? So- so it'd be hard to.. to find others like you if you, uh, if you don't meet many others anyway. You're unique." (Oh, because that sounded /so/ much better, she thought, giving herself a firm mental slap and mourning the loss of her usual composure.)

Thankful for the new question and an opportunity to divert her train of thought away from the inevitable crash, she replied with a nod, "The warrior code! It's kind of- a list of... well, they're supposed to be rules, but they're really more like guidelines- stuff like 'remain loyal to your Clan', and 'prey is killed only to be eaten'. Most of it's pretty sensible, and there's good reasons behind it all- we shouldn't hunt prey for sport, or it'll make it difficult when leafbare comes around, and your Clan always comes above your own individual needs. Never abandon a kit in need, don't kill other cats unless necessary for self-defence, check and re-mark borders twice daily, challenge trespassers-" Morningpaw gave a quiet chuckle and twitched her tail. "I'm not so good at that last one, apparently- but honestly? It seems restrictive, but it's all just... stuff that makes the forest better if everyone does it. Feeding the elders, queens and kits first, taking a night of silent vigil to listen and keep watch when you become a warrior- it's all there for a reason.

Morningpaw wasn't entirely sure if she'd made the warrior code sound appealing, but she hoped her companion found it at least sensible- being a Clan cat was as integral to her as being a drifter was to Summer, and though she didn't need this cat's approval... she kinda did. "It's really not so bad once you get used to it- sure, you can't walk into another Clan's territory, but it also means you're safe in yours, too. We each give a little, but we get a lot in return. Sometimes- well, sometimes our hearts go against what the code says, and that's when it gets confusing. But what rules do you live by, if you don't follow the warrior code?"

Morningpaw's response to Summer's reasoning for being alone was a delight, an admiring compliment spilling haplessly out of a young and flustered brain. Summer acknowledged the comment with a gracious bow of her head before sitting up a little taller to accentuate some of her better features, slimming her shining pelt in the sunlight. She let out a small mrrow of laughter as Morningpaw stumbled over her words again. Perhaps she was trying to dilute the compliment to be less forward, but she was digging herself a deeper hole of flattery instead, and Summer was loving every moment of it. "Oh, stop it, darling, you're too sweet," the she-cat trilled, and Morningpaw was all too thankful for Summer to answer her question, giving her a break to save her from herself.

Then it was Morningpaw's turn, and Summer leaned in intently to listen to the answer. The "warrior code", at first impression, was exactly what it sounded like: a cluster of rules and regulations for the Clan cats of this territory to follow. Summer never cared much for rules, but she had learned over time that it was important to at least be aware of them. She could often use them for her benefit or live on the edge of them to get the most out of life wherever she stayed, and once she grew tired of pushing boundaries to appease the rule-keepers she would simply stroll away, never to consider them again. She was free, after all. The narrow-faced she-cat nodded along to Morningpaw's words, taking mental note of things that seemed important. Her whiskers quivered with amusement and a hearty, melodious giggle rang through the air when the rule of challenging trespassers came up.

I won't ruffle a hair of WindClan's pelt, she promised silently, though what constituted ruffling their hair, well, she supposed she'd have to see in order to uphold that promise. "Ah, there's so much to it," Summer commented. Morningpaw confirmed that it could take getting used to, but she really believed it benefited the Clan cats as a whole. Summer blinked at Morningpaw's next question, and with a deep breath the loner rose to her paws in a fluid motion, her bright tail rising to arch up over her back. She glanced aside at her companion. "I don't suppose I've ever really thought about it, darling," Summer answered, adding silently, or certainly not in that light, at least. I don't intend to abide by any rules, even ones set by myself. But that wasn't entirely true. She did have certain... guidelines.

The ginger-pointed she-cat began to stroll through the grass, and her blue eyes alluringly invited Morningpaw to join at her side. Not that it should be much of a question; it was Morningpaw's territory after all, or at least her Clan's. She was obligated to join Summer, in a sense, and the loner liked that unintended power she held. "I have certain things I may do or not do regarding the upwalkers and their roads, house-cats, free cats, and where I take shelter for a time, but I don't hold myself to any kinds of rules. After all, there are exceptions to every rule, are there not?" Summer knew her presence on the moor was a direct example. "And if there are exceptions, then the rules will simply be broken and they'll have no power at all - or worse, they'll make me feel guilty for breaking them when they just had to be broken."

Summer had meandered a few fox-lengths from where she and Morningpaw had been sitting, and her eyes began to scan the near hills for signs of moving prey. She was feeling a little hungry. To ensure she didn't lose Morningpaw's good graces and respect entirely, Summer added, "That said, darling, your 'warrior code' does seem to have the interests of the frail and fragile at heart. I admire that very much. I suppose in a way it has a few ideas I believe in. We're all simply experiencing this world alone together; it's honorable to look out for others, kits and coots alike." She chuckled slightly at her words, looking again at her companion. "And all of the Clans follow this code, always?" It would be nice to know for certain she wouldn't be killed if the wrong cats caught her wandering where she wasn't invited like Morningpaw had done.

Morningpaw didn't have to be asked twice to join her new friend- well, she didn't even have to be asked once. She was supposed to keep an eye on Summer, after all (and how responsible that felt! How very much like a true warrior!), but even beyond that, she had clearly fallen prey to the drifter's charm, and that's not the kind of thing one simply walks away from. She took a few moments to consider her ginger-pointed companion's words, revising her mental assessment of Summer- She doesn't live by the Warrior Code- or any code at all- but she still does what's right, and she knows rules can get in the way sometimes, she thought, gazing at her new friend in respect and admiration. I can't say I disagree...

But then as Summer asked her own question, Morningpaw's thoughts were pulled away to Thornstar and Torrentstar, who had broken the code and been struck down for it, leaving their kits parentless and lost in the world; Finchstar, who had simply stood up and objected and been silenced without mercy; her own ancestors, who had killed cats in cold blood; even herself, who had arranged a secret inter-Clan meeting to take down StarClan-- okay, admittedly, that one wasn't technically against the Code. There wasn't a rule specifically saying you couldn't start a rebellion-- but even so. She doubted any cat in the forest was entirely innocent (except perhaps Olivestone, who had done nothing wrong, ever, in her life), and she couldn't exactly guarantee Summer's safety outside of the WindClan borders (or even within them, her thoughts drifting to her encounter with Briarpaw for a moment), so- hm. She simply made a noncommittal noise best expressed as "Eeeeehhhhhhh-", afraid of telling the truth but- truth be told, it was all too obvious from her hesitation.

"There's... well. Like I said, they're more like guidelines, which means sometimes they're not followed, and- well, some cats are nicer than others, and... well, it's like you said, there's exceptions to every rule-- but if you stay in WindClan's borders, you should be fine, I can tell them not to hurt you. They'll listen to me- my mentor's the deputy, and she's one step below the leader, so they tend to listen to me." (That wasn't at all how it worked, of course, but she didn't want Summer to see her simply as 'Morningpaw, who was a kit a moon ago', but as 'Morningpaw, who will soon be a warrior', even if soon wasn't soon enough.) "That won't really stop a fox or eagle or something, though, they don't really care about things like boundaries and ancestors and rules. When I was just a kit, my mentor and I had to fight off a goose." (Maybe she should introduce Summer and Olivestone sometime, she thought- they seemed like they'd get along well.) But looking at Summer and giving a gentle smile, she continued with her characteristic single-minded determination,
"As long as you're here, though, I swear on my honour as a Clan cat that I will protect you with my life. I'm tougher than I look."

And just like that, she realised what she'd just said- maybe she'd gotten a little carried away, and maybe she'd just made an unbreakable oath to defend this drifter with her life (which she sincerely hoped wouldn't come around to bite her in the tail), and maybe she was going a little overboard with this but she was almost a warrior, dang it, and protecting other cats is what being a warrior was all about! But even so, she (reluctantly) averted her gaze, stammering out an awkward, "A-anyway, uh- would you want to... find a rabbit to share or something? Maybe?" (Smooth as silk.)

Summer was glad she'd thought to ensure the code was universally followed, for Morningpaw's halting, noncommittal squeak of a response was very telling. The loner angled herself to move a little closer, mrrowing excitably, "Oh, deal the dirty details, darling!" Now that she knew there was still a threat present when wandering in the territories of the warrior code, she could adjust her own behavior accordingly - or otherwise expect a pretty serious fight, judging by the power in Morningpaw's lean muscles as the she-cat walked at a relaxed pace beside her. Summer nodded along as Morningpaw clarified that the code was mostly guidelines. It made sense that the extent to which it was followed varied from cat to cat and situation to situation. The loner could at least appreciate the flexibility that seemed built into their code as Morningpaw told it.

She purred with delight when Morningpaw promised to keep her safe in WindClan territory, at least. If your Clan is anything like you, I'm sure I'll be fine, Summer mused. She kept in mind what what the pretty gray tabby said about "mentor" and "deputy". While she knew what a mentor was without an explanation, she assumed it was something more official. Perhaps Morningpaw was explaining she was in training to become the next deputy, as the deputy was in training to become the next leader? That would make sense, and it would make Morningpaw an even more useful and powerful friend to have, Summer determined. Besides, she liked the pretty thing... Summer gasped, "A goose? My whiskers!" as Morningpaw explained her early prowess defending herself and others on the moors. The brave and honorable promise Morningpaw gave next made Summer trill with delight, and she happily followed up the question by inching near enough to briefly press her warm nose to the base of Morningpaw's ear and purring, "You look tough as a tiger."

Morningpaw had done the damage herself, but Summer was glad to stir the pot a little more when the opportunity presented itself. She tried to subtly enjoy the show on Morningpaw's face as she glanced away and murmured a kind invitation to find a rabbit to eat and share. There we go. Perfect. I get food and I won't disrespect her territory. "Why, I'd love to!" Summer answered brightly, her tail curling up over her back. "I've nowhere else to be. I'm always free," she added with a playful chuckle. Almost immediately her senses were focused on the surrounding moors, her bright ears flicking and twitching and angling to find promising sounds of life. She turned her blue eyes onto Morningpaw once more. "Lead the way; my claws are yours for the hunt," she mrrowed.[/color]

Sometimes even the best laid plans of kits and cats often go awry, and this was very much one of those times, Morningpaw reflected. The issue was not with finding prey, for WindClan territory was full of all kinds of creatures waiting to be eaten, but with catching it; were she calm, composed and not distracted by a very kind and very beautiful she-cat watching her and being next to her and touching her ear and Is she doing this on purpose?- not that the apprentice minded at all, of course, but perhaps bounding along with a spring in every step wasn't quite the best way to hunt. But this was her chance to show Summer what she could do- and if Morningpaw messed up now, she'd never live it down; so she gave the she-cat a smile, brushed her tail against Summer's (oh stars it's so bushy I love it), realised what she'd just done and squeaked out an embarrassed "I-I'm sorry, I was just turning around- uh- come on, the best hunting grounds are this way!", and set off at a brisk pace.

It didn't take long to reach the promised land- a small tree on a hill in the moors, surrounded by tall grass and soft-colored flowers rustling in the gentle breeze. "This is one of my favorite places in all the forest," she meowed quietly, looking back at Summer with a glimmer of warmth in her eyes. And wow, Summer had nice eyes-- Focus! "Sometimes I come here when I want some space; nobody else really comes here these days, not since a lot of the prey moved into the tunnels. It's kind of my little home-away-from-home, I guess." Morningpaw gave a glance to the flowery grass, looking for the telltale sign of rabbit ears pricked up above the foliage- nothing just yet, but being too loud would alert them for sure, so she moved closer to Summer, almost brushing against her, and purred quietly into her companion's ear (the best way to not alert the prey, after all!); "But I guess I can share.~"

...
. . . that came out way more seductive than she meant it to, didn't it?
Morningpaw gave a choked cough, immediately looking aside and stepping a good tail-length away from Summer as she murmured, "I mean- I'll share the, the hunting grounds, and- the rabbit, and- uh. That- I'm not good at words right now, I'm usually- more good at words than this? I'm just- I'm just gonna-"
Her whiskers twitched, and she turned away-- rabbit, around two foxlengths upwind, its ears pricked but facing away from her. She murmured a silent thanks to the creature- not just for providing its meat, but for providing a distraction- and took full advantage of the diversion, trying to recall her hunting training--

Morningpaw spent 5 SP attempting to catch a rabbit! She succeeded, though at the cost of what little dignity she had left.

--it wasn't quite how she imagined it, leaping through the air and barrelling into the rabbit with about as much decorum as a kit falling from a tree- but it worked, at least, and she rolled with it for a half-second before scrambling on top and pressing her teeth into its neck for the killing bite. And Summer had probably seen all that- this day was not going according to plan.

The member 'Emberglow' has done the following action : Dices roll

---

'Hunting Dice' : 7

Summer's new friend happily accepted the offer and began to turn to take the lead. For a moment Morningpaw seemed almost brave enough to make a move back, her slender striped tail brushing against the loner's, but almost immediately she backpedaled and began to stammer out an excuse and an apology. What a sweetheart, Summer thought, her whiskers twitching with amusement. Summer batted her eyes at the pretty she-cat, a playful acknowledgement that she knew what Morningpaw had actually been meaning with the motion. It had been such a pleasant sensation, after all. Swiftly the WindClan cat set off as if trying to outpace the situation, and Summer strolled quickly behind, letting out a small murmur of amusement. Then she picked up her pace, content to just lope quietly alongside Morningpaw as she directed them towards a hill crowned with a small tree. The surrounding fields were blossoming with the rainy season, and on this beautiful day the verdant field and blooms were everything Summer could want as a drifter.

It seemed that Morningpaw felt the same; Summer turned her head to listen intently while the Clan cat weaved her tale of fondness for the hill. It did feel like a little peak of paradise up there in the breeze, didn't it? Pretty flowers, beautiful she-cat, the scent of prey and rain on the wind... Summer felt a thrill of excitement in her paws and belly as Morningpaw drew nearer, murmuring in a sultry voice how she'd be willing to share that bit of paradise with Summer. The loner's face flickered with mild surprise at Morningpaw's boldness, as if seeing the charismatic cat grow braver before her eyes, yet Summer was up for it. She leaned in a little further, replying in a delicate voice, "It would be a pleasure, Morningpaw."

And it was too much, it seemed, for Summer watched Morningpaw immediately flush and turn and begin stammering out a clarification as to what she'd actually meant. You're a champion for trying, darling, Summer thought. Absolutely precious. "Oh, yes, of course," she purred understandingly, and then the WindClan cat had turned, paused for a beat, and then launched away. For a moment the loner thought the poor dear had tossed herself away in embarrassment (when really the tongue-tied she-cat was just too endearing), but to Summer's shock Morningpaw suddenly threw herself at a racing rabbit. "My whiskers!" she exclaimed. She wasn't sure she'd ever seen a cat run so fast - and how had Morningpaw even known it was there so swiftly? Summer had caught rabbits before, but never like that. Maybe it wasn't the most graceful, but it looked more intentional than any rabbit hunt she'd ever witnessed.

Summer's bright plume tail straightened up as she watched Morningpaw roll to a halt on top of the rabbit, and the loner immediately raced down the hill after her friend, crying, "Morningpaw, that was remarkable, darling!" She skidded to a halt just beside the gray tabby, blue eyes shining with excitement. "I mean, goodness, are you hurt? Did you fray a claw, drop a paw?" Summer praised. The cream she-cat pressed her muzzle into Morningpaw's cheek briefly before stepping back again and mrrowing, "If I had been farther away, I might've thought you'd grown wings, dear. Is that how all WindClan cats hunt?" Her eyes flickered briefly down to the rabbit, assessing it. Yep, it was a large, healthy rainy season rabbit. She was truly impressed by Morningpaw's skill, not even as something she could take advantage of but simply as something she had witnessed. (Now, if only she could see a real, composed hunt.)

Oh, that was terrible- it could've got away, I didn't even remember to keep my tail still, that landing hurt more than it should, Morningpaw thought; that was her one chance to impress Summer, her one chance to display her skills, and she'd almost let it escape... but Summer didn't seem to care about any of that, it seemed. She didn't care that the apprentice's technique was sloppy, or that her approach was hasty and unfocused, or that the prey could have fled. She seemed almost in awe, somehow, and she cared about if Morningpaw was okay. Not only was Summer interesting, friendly, polite- but caring, and kind, and... Morningpaw gave a grateful smile and sat down beside her companion, leaning against Summer for a moment and examining her claws. "A little bruised, but I'll be okay," she replied. "It's usually a lot smoother than that, honestly- all of WindClan is fast, so we're taught to use our speed to our advantage, but sometimes prey can be faster. It's easier to just sneak up from behind, staying downwind and moving as the grass does."

"Honestly though, I have food back at camp," Morningpaw admitted, nudging the rabbit closer to Summer. "I only really caught it for you- I figured if you're on your own out here, you probably don't always get a chance to eat- so it's all yours. Just save me a little if you can?" It wasn't that Morningpaw wasn't hungry, of course- her stomach was growling loud enough to join LionClan at this point- but more so that she suspected Summer might need it more. "And if you want seconds, I can probably find you a nice bird to snack on- sparrow, bluebird, goose, that kind of thing." A pause, and she clarified, her whiskers twitching in amusement, "That last part was a joke, please don't make me fight geese today."

And then, a thought, unbidden but welcomed nonetheless- Summer was a delight to be around, a walking ray of sunshine that brought hope and warmth to all who interacted with her (or at least, to Morningpaw); and so too was another cat she knew, strong and wise and always capable of awing her. What if... "... you know," Morningpaw mewed, her tail swishing along the ground behind her, "If you want to see a proper-proper hunt, you could..." Oh, this was a bad idea and she knew it, but what if it wasn't? "You could come to the Gathering. On the full moon, at Fourtrees. And I can introduce you to my mentor Olivestone, she's amazing- and it's technically only supposed to be for Clan cats, but there's so many that nobody would realise, and you'd get to sit there and learn things and you wouldn't have to talk to anyone if you didn't want to, and..." (And what if something happens like last time?-- it won't. She'd make sure of it.)

"You don't have to come, it's your choice, but- I'd love to see you." A pause, and then, "A-at the Gathering, I mean, not in general, I don't love seeing you in-- I mean, no, I do love seeing you in general, you're really pretty and nice to look at and I could look at you for moons and never get tired of it, but- uh- I mean--" (Immediately, Morningpaw regretted everything up to and including the moment of her birth.) "ANYWAY, the rabbit's getting cold- I'm going to go... sharpen... my tail?"

Summer was grateful for Morningpaw's reassurance that she'd survived the hunt mostly unscathed. It had been a pretty rough tumble, it had seemed, but the gray tabby had handled it valiantly. The loner leaned back against the she-cat while she explained her Clan usually hunted more smoothly thanks to their quick speed. Ah, noted, Summer thought. I'll have to remember not to race a WindClan cat. She nodded her narrow head at Morningpaw's explanation, then sat up slightly to chirp with surprise when her friend explained she didn't really need to eat the rabbit. She had food elsewhere - stashed, it seemed! That was smart if one had the claws to defend it, which it seemed this "WindClan" must. Summer looked down at the rabbit hungrily and then back at Morningpaw. "You're too generous for words," Summer stated with a grateful dip of her head, and she crouched to begin tearing at the rabbit.

It tasted perfect, especially with the knowledge that Morningpaw had caught it just for her and wouldn't be put out by not having it for herself. Summer chuckled through a mouthful of rabbit as her companion joked about finding her a bird such as a goose. Her eyes flashed dangerously, playfully, as if asking, "Shall I?" in the brief moment before Morningpaw backstepped that one in particular. Summer swallowed and answered, "Fair enough, darling. I'd rather have you with me, anyhow." She continued to gnaw at the rabbit contentedly, pushing aside fur and bone as she devoured it, maintaining as much grace and composure as she could given the magnitude of the meal. Summer glanced up when Morningpaw began to make a halting suggestion, as if perhaps second-guessing her idea even as she was expressing it. Summer cleared her throat and focused her sharp blue eyes on Morningpaw's shining green ones, intent on hearing her proposition.

The proposition Morningpaw gave was a long one, and it was quickly followed up by her apparently characteristic word-stumbling and backtracking, flustered by her attempts to be charming. Summer grinned and laughed melodically when Morningpaw stated she could look at the loner for moons. "Oh, my~" she purred, and suddenly the WindClan she-cat had made a sorry attempt to excuse herself. Summer laughed again and meowed, "Morningpaw, darling, you're a laugh. Good luck with your tail. I think it looks quite sharp." Then she happily dipped her head back toward the rabbit. After a few moments of eating and allowing Morningpaw to regain her composure, Summer cleared her throat and meowed invitingly, "I saved some for you, just like you asked. Come share, dear."

She said nothing about the invitation to the Gathering yet, wondering if Morningpaw had distracted herself from it. Summer had taken the offer under consideration, but she wasn't entirely convinced. The clearing certainly had smelled like many cats at once... She wasn't sure she'd ever been around so many cats at a time. Perhaps she only liked to learn from one teacher at a time, and right now, Summer had her eyes on the present master of the moor, Morningpaw. She'd think about it more before answering.

Even despite the fact that her usual way with words had packed its bags and abandoned her for the day, Morningpaw had to admit she was still having more fun than she'd had in a long time; the troubles of the forest seemed like a thing of the past and future, but not the present- and she'd always been one to live in the moment. Consequences were for Future-Morningpaw to deal with, after all. Perhaps that's why she rejoined Summer without a second thought at the drifter's invitation, giving the she-cat an [s]adoring[/s] thankful look- oh, how thoughtful the ginger she-cat was, saving some of her meal for Morningpaw-- okay, sure, the apprentice had caught it herself and asked Summer to save a little, but- it was still very considerate! And it was refreshing to have another cat treat her this way- not as a mere apprentice or even a valiant renegade, but as an equal. Morningpaw could definitely get used to this. (Should she though? a little voice whispered. Your first duty is to your Clan and the forest, and Summer is neither.)

But then- she had no need to choose between her new friendship and her loyalty to WindClan. Both could peacefully coexist, after all, and as long as that was the case, Morningpaw would be fine, she hoped. It wasn't as if she was talking about the best ways to sneak into camp without being noticed, after all (a topic which, admittedly, the apprentice had extensive experience with). Present-Morningpaw, though, had little to fear, other than perhaps opening her mouth and saying something foolish again (and even then, it didn't seem as if Summer minded at all). She avoided the possibility entirely by taking a bite of the rabbit instead, savoring the taste - warm, fresh, juicy, and with such good company to share it with, perhaps the best meal she'd ever had. (Goose-wing was a close second, though.)

"I'm really glad you like it here," Morningpaw purred after a few more hearty bites, looking over at the drifter with the kind of expression one might have when looking up at the stars on a cloudless night. "I know you'll have to leave eventually- move onto the next place, meet more cats, forget about the forest, and- forget about me- but there's a lot to see here. The moors are big, and there's so many little paradises like this." That part was entirely true- she could think of half a dozen locations scattered across the territory with similar views. She'd never be able to convince Summer to stay forever, of course, but once again, that was a problem for Future-Morningpaw (who at this point, she almost pitied for having to deal with the inevitable farewells). "You'd need a guide, someone to show you around and keep the foxes away, but- it's the kind of place you could always come back to and find something new."

"That's kind of what the forest is for me- it's constantly changing and growing, and I've never needed to go anywhere else. Things don't really get boring here, and if I want peace and quiet, I can just come here and rest. You've probably seen tons of amazing things, though." A slight pause, a gentle smile, and an idea came to Morningpaw- a terrible one, admittedly, but an idea nonetheless, and something guaranteed to make her new friend smile (which, really, was the most important thing here). "How about... if you can tell me about the nicest place you've ever been- I'll show you the most beautiful sight in the entire forest. Even better than this."

The gray tabby joined Summer immediately at her side, whatever other thoughts she might've gathered in the meantime, and the loner purred faintly at her presence. Even though Morningpaw had said she wasn't hungry, Summer suspected it had been a fib just to give her new loner friend even more special treatment. All the better, Summer thought. She continued to purr gently as she gazed across the horizon, her companion eating heartily at her side. This was the sort of life that Summer adored to live: adventure and relaxation in harmony, a little rain and a little sunshine. Too much of anything was dreary, but Morningpaw was new and exciting. The she-cat in question spoke up and Summer angled her head back towards her, chirping with agreement to the statement. It's very nice so far, Summer thought earnestly, but the "so far" was significant for her. If it ever changed, she would move on without a second thought.

Summer beamed radiantly at the feeling of Morningpaw's eyes gazing at her almost longingly, admiringly. The loner could tell that her pretty friend was smitten, and she loved the attention. She peppered in a gentle, "I couldn't forget you, Morningpaw." She nodded with interest while Morningpaw spoke of more to see, more paradises to visit on the moors. "You know, darling, I think I believe you," Summer purred, and Morningpaw continued with the bold suggestion that she would need a guide to possibly see them all. The ginger-cheeked loner raised a brow, asking silently, I suppose you mean yourself, hm? Her tail flicked contentedly, though a nagging feeling of obligation was creeping up.

Morningpaw began to speak rather inspiringly about what the forest meant for her, though: change. Summer blinked, mildly surprised by what she'd heard - but then again, all her life cats had been telling her that their place was the perfect place to settle. She believed it was perfect for Morningpaw, and right now it was perfect for Summer to enjoy. Morningpaw was wonderful company, even if she naively hoped to perhaps worm the moor's charms into Summer's heart. The WindClan cat leaned forward with a suggestion, and Summer flicked her ears, a grin growing on her face. With a playful flutter of her lashes and a warm glance over Morningpaw's pelt that glimmered in the sunshine, she purred, "Darling, I doubt anything in this forest could be more beautiful than this."

She dipped her slender head towards the rabbit and sniffed at it before taking a small bite and chewing it thoughtfully. She answered once she'd finished, "The nicest place I've ever been was a beautiful little pool of running water surrounded by bushes, trees, and flowers as far as the eye could see. It was the strangest pool - slightly raised and set in stone, and in the middle the water bubbled up at all hours. It was always cool. Sometimes during the day the upwalkers would come around, but there was plenty of space to hide, and they didn't bother us whenever they saw us." Summer's gaze lifted to the sky thoughtfully, though she glanced aside briefly as she began to explain, "There were two others she-cats there - sisters with their litters of kits. Mareen and Bailey. I stayed with them for... gosh, it must've been two moons, before I moved on.

It was late in the rainy season, so it was warm and breezy every day and cool and dry at night. The air smelled sweet and light." Her eyes closed as she reminisced.

A warm blush and an even warmer smile settled on Morningpaw's face as she listened to her companion, and she laid down on the sunbeat grass, soaking up the words like sunlight- I couldn't forget you, Morningpaw. Darling, I doubt anything in the forest could be more beautiful than this.. Oh, sometimes it felt like Summer was actually flirting with her - on purpose - but no, she really was just that sweet and kind, with a level of charm Morningpaw could only dream of aspiring to. She probably shouldn't get too attached, but her whiskers still twitched in amusement at Summer's silent question- she did mean herself, after all, no matter how badly she tried to hide it. As Summer began to weave a beautiful image of her favorite place, Morningpaw closed her eyes, her smile not fading even for a moment as she took in the scenery the ginger she-cat had described; it all felt so real, so vivid, even as just a memory of another mind.  "That sounds perfect," Morningpaw replied softly. A part of her wondered just how the bubbling water worked- was it some kind of Twoleg stream?- but even with her mild confusion, it still sounded wonderful. She wasn't one for deep water, but a miraculous bubbling pool? With kits? Absolutely heavenly. "I have to admit, this doesn't sound like anything I've ever seen- it sounds amazing, though. So peaceful and relaxing, and you had friends and you got to meet kits and... no matter where you go, you'll always have those memories, right? So you'll always kind of still be there, even when you've moved somewhere else." (And a part of her supposed the same principle applied to Summer leaving too, but that wasn't a topic the apprentice wanted to give too much thought right now.)

"And if you like that..." A pause as Morningpaw steeled herself, before continuing; "Okay, you're going to love this. Like I said- most beautiful thing in the whole forest." And with that, Morningpaw stood, taking one last bite of the meal before her and enjoying one last taste of contentment (and rabbit), and brushed her tail across Summer's back for a moment- oh, this was far too silly and definitely how to lose a new friend, but fortune favors the bold, right? Besides, she had a good reason this time, and not simply because her tail had a mind of its own that always seemed to betray her at the worst possible moments. She could count many a hunt that had gone awry because of it- but even so, it was necessary this time around. "Alright," she said with barely-contained excitement, her forest-green gaze meeting Summer's blue eyes. (And that cursed blush still wouldn't fade- she'd just have to live with it forever, it seemed.) "Close your eyes, and follow my tail- I don't want to ruin the surprise, but it's absolutely gorgeous."

Perhaps Summer could've spun a more enchanting story of that place for Morningpaw, turning up the charm, but truthfully the loner just enjoyed the moment of thinking about the place she used to rest. Whether she told it alluringly or not, Morningpaw still seemed interested, a look of amazement on her face as she visualized the place Summer spoke about. It might not be possible; Summer had never seen anything like it before or after. Summer opened her sky blue eyes again and turned her head to Morningpaw, listening to her speak. She nodded her slender head with a pleasant smile and a sparkle of joy in her eyes. Yes, she'd carry the memories wherever she went. Some places had slipped from her mind as easily as feather down in a gale, but the bubbling pool, Mareen, and Bailey would always be remembered. They'd had wonderful adventures. Summer laughed lightly at Morningpaw's observation and mrrowed, "That sounds so inspiring, dear, and you're just right."

The WindClan cat started with an enticing pause, and Summer's ears perked, eyes focusing more intently on Morningpaw. Summer grinned, surprised and delighted by her companion's certainty. She resisted the urge to state, If you're there, it must be the most beautiful place. Her curiosity overwhelmed her desire to flirt, and it would be repetitive to cite Morningpaw's beauty every other sentence. She swiped her tongue around her muzzle and stood as Morningpaw did, looking expectantly and excitedly at her. The gray tabby laid her tail over Summer's back and the loner's cream pelt twitched slightly, a tingle of electricity going up her spine. Summer felt herself flush with heat and laughed lightly in reaction to it, surprised by the action but not opposed by any means. Morningpaw looked into her eyes... and then directed her to close them. Summer blinked, and then she laughed and purred, "Alright, Morningpaw. I'm at your mercy. Treat me sweetly, darling." She closed her eyes obediently and waited to be lead.