Moonlit Nights [c]

Cicadapaw didn't know why, but he was having issues sleeping lately. It felt wasteful, like he should be doing something rather than lazing about. Sometimes be bent to that will, creeping out of camp to do some nighttime hunting on his lonesome or just exploring the forest. It was probably dangerous, but he was confident in his abilities to keep himself out of trouble. The fallen leaves helped his coat blend in more than ever, his own splotches of orange feeling right at home in the now amber groundcover. Yet, he knew he couldn't sneak out all the time. It wasn't uncommon to be taken out training during the night, and if Burningwing found him missing he had a feeling he would never hear the end of it. Or, if they trained during the day, he needed the night to rest and be attentive for the morning. Being half asleep during training would be no better than being absent.

So Cicadapaw knew he had to stay in camp, but that didn't mean he had to stay in his nest. Carefully, he stepped over other sleeping bodies before emerging from the apprentice den and sitting. The moon was more than halfway full, a beautiful sight and unwittingly a source of excitement. He couldn't wait for the next gathering. All the new cats he could meet, being able to represent Shadowclan, proving to everyone else that it was the best, it was thrilling to think about.

Wait- no, he was supposed to be trying to calm down, not hyping himself up. Why was sleeping so hard!

Loudnose quietly sat somewhere near the camp entrance, watching his snails slowly make their way towards each other. He decided if he was going to spend all this time with the pair he might as well give them names. The one with a white and pointed shell he called Downthistle, like the thing Hentooth had told him about. Or was it thistledown? The tabby wasn't sure, so he named the other snail Thistledown.

He saw someone exit the apprentice den, it was Cicadapaw. Loudnose raised his paw, trying to get the apprentice to see him. Cicadapaw was a fine cat, Loudnose would be glad to spend time with him. He flicked his tail, motioning for the tortoiseshell to join him. Maybe they could watch the snails together.

Cicadapaw's ears flicked as movement caught the corner of his eye, turning to notice Loudnose trying to get his attention. He was watching... something near the entrance of camp, but he was too far away to see what. Curiosity and boredom were enough to draw him over, rising to his paws and trotting over to the brown tabby.

He joined the cat's side, looking down to see snails at their feet. "Bugs?" he asked, tucking his paws under himself in a 'loaf.' He wouldn't admit it aloud, but they were kinda cute with their funky little eye stalks. "What do you like about them? They just kinda sit there." He carefully used a claw to prod one of the snails, watching it retreat back into its shell. Weird little creatures.

Loudnose brightened as Cicadapaw accepted his offer to sit. "So you agree? That snails are bugs? Because a Windclan cat I met said they were not bugs. Also they do more than sitting, they crawl closer and closer to each other, knowing one day they will meet. No matter how long it takes." the tom explained, flicking his tabby tail at his friend's paw. "Let them meet, perhaps it will be good luck!" he added cheerfully, "Do you believe in luck?"

Cicadapaw blinked. "I don't know what else they would be other than bugs. They are tiny... and bug-like..." He fumbled over his words, not quite in his element just... conversate with someone else. He should do it more often though. Talking formed bonds between clanmates, and good warriors were close-knit with their clan.

He withdrew his paw at Loudnose's request and, ever so slowly, the snail emerged again and returned to its journey. It was like watching grass grow with how sluggishly they moved, but he wouldn't mention that out loud. It didn't feel right to be snappy right now, or maybe being tired had pacified him some. "I'm not too sure about luck or karma..." He started. If karma was real, a lot of good cats would still be around. Or maybe luck was real and they just got the bad side of it. "I don't think it's real, but I would like to believe it though." The was a moment's pause before Cicadapaw cleared his throat. He sounded like a wishful kit. "It's all in Starclan's paws though. The future, luck, whatever. They wouldn't lead us wrong."