Present Tense

The late Greenleaf heat was especially strong on that particular morning, and Scorchkit was definitely not appreciative. The nursery in particular, a den built into the gorse wall, was especially torrid given the cluster of cats, which led the small fluffy kit to force his way out into the open camp as soon as he woke up. If he hadn't, he was pretty sure he was going to combust, true to his name.

Morning had just barely dawned, pale sunlight streaking the muggy moors, and the cats of WindClan had not yet begun to stir en masse. This emptiness gave the normally shy tomkit an idea: now was the best time to explore outside of the main clearing would be when he couldn't get in anyone's way! With a careful spring in his step, Scorchkit weaved his way around sleeping warriors to poke through the more secluded areas of camp that he was normally too anxious to explore under the watchful eye of his mother.

A strange smell wafted into the ginger kit's nose as he approached a burrow towards the far edge of camp. The scent reminded him of grass, but sweeter, and it was carried by cooler air that came from the shadowy earth. He approached it cautiously, the grassy smell growing stronger and more confusing to the young kit. As the darkness of the den swallowed the ginger kit, he blinked as his blue-green eyes adjusted to the lighting change. As his sight grew clearer, his eyes widened as he recognized the sleeping form of Softbreeze, a familiar face in the nursery. This must be her den! Scorchkit started to pad closer to her, about to prod her awake as politely as possible when one of his steps met something warm, squishy, and definitely alive.

The tom-kit squeaked in a mixture of surprise and fear, babbling apologies as he skittered a few tail-lengths away from whatever he'd stepped on. He turned to face the obstacle he'd missed in the dark and tilted his head in confusion-- the cat had not even stirred. As he continued to stare, his panicked pulse slowed as he noticed the slow, deep rise and fall of the light-grey cat's flank. Whoever the cat was, he hadn't disturbed them... somehow. Softbreeze, on the other hand... she had to have heard him. Scorchkit cringed, shrinking into himself. "I'm sorry for disturbing you, Softbreeze," he mewed meekly as he began retreating back to the open camp.

(OH MY STARS IM SO SORRY)

Softbreeze was awoken as small thud invaded the silence of den, pale eyes popping open in alarm. Daisies woven into a circular band fell off her head as her head shot up, looking around wildly, only to spot the small form of one of the Clans youngest. "Oh!" She exclaimed, straightening up and shaking her pelt, fur puffed up from a good night's sleep. Stopping in front of Morningdove, she adjusted the she-cat's floral crown, weaved out of daisies to match her own, before continuing out to where Scorchkit sat, squinting her eyes against the harsh sunlight.

"Did you need something? Is your mother ill?" She asked gently, blue eyes wide with gentle regard, giving the kit the same mutual respect in which she regarded all cats. Being high in rank and Clan status meant little to the lithe she-cat. Softbreeze sat down as she awaited the ginger tom-kit's response, sky blue eyes never leaving his form, lest she seem rude for doing so.

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OOC: Hi! so after this topic, to avoid paradoxing, I'll have the ceremony put up after we finish this! I promise my responses will be much faster, September was a hectic month for me <333

The small tomkit balked a little at the approach of the fluffy she-cat. "N-No, she's fine," he mumbled, "I was just exploring." Scorchkit looked rightfully scorned already, ashamed of disturbing one of the Clan's busiest cats. "It smells good in here," the ginger kit said after a moment. His eyes had fully adjusted to the darkness at that point, and he was admittedly fascinated-- none of the other dens in camp looked anything like this one.

OOC: That's fine :>

"Really?" Scorchkit's last statement caught her off guard. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Would you like to come in?" Softbreeze invited, moving aside and walking further into the den, the early morning sun illuminating the dark space enough to see. Her mind pondered, trying to make sense of the odd kit.

The last kit to enjoy the smell of the den was.... Well, herself. Scorchkit reminded herself of herself and her heart fluttered at the thought. "So what brings you to my den, Scorchkit?"