wide eyes [open]

Perched precariously on the edge of the nursery was a tiny kit whose little claws clung desperately to the frosted reeds Twin pools of light peered into the bustling clearing. Such a little creature had yet to experience the cruelty of the world. A fluffy, long coat help to stave out the chill. Between that, and the sanctuary of the den, the she-cat was content. There was a mild curiosity, natural to that of most kits, that was in the depths of her gaze. Darkkit's face was split in two, an even mixture of pitch black and vibrant orange; it was striking, but she was ignorant to such things, hardly aware of her own being. The kit simply longed to know about others and yet a particular nervousness seemed to contrast her interest.

She didn't want to be too loud or interrupt the busy warriors going about their duties. Playing with other kits was engaging for short periods of time but her interests lay elsewhere. So, Darkkit simply settled in her spot watching the happenings around her, meowing softly to herself, "Hi... hi... hi." Her voice was soft and rather inaudible. Every few moments her tiny ears raised in the hope that the next cat padding by would notice her and stop for a chat, or maybe they would by some miracle hear her little summons. But they kept padding by, busy and preoccupied, and her ears fell back slightly.

After another failed attempt at hunting, the calico-furred tom had returned home with a grumble and a pout that looked peculiar on an old tom like him. He wanted to stomp around and proclaim his frustrations to the whole clan but that wouldn't be very warrior-like of him. Instead, he decided on taking some of the day off to cool down...literally. It was freezing out and he was already feeling the chills. However, he wasn't sure if he could sit still for so long...so he didn't

The calico-colored tom let out a yawn as he surveyed the clearing, green eyes lidded. He was rather bored but he wasn't going to allow himself to dive into his duties again before he got any good rest. The warrior began to lazily stroll around the camp in search of something. He wasn't sure what but he was going for it.

After a while, the tom spotted a small uniquely colored kit near the edge of the nursery that seemed to be speaking to herself. He couldn't hear what she was saying though. A quick feeling of déjà vu coursed through his body as he watched the she-kit look around for what was probably someone to talk to. He meeting with Pinepaw started almost like this. He was Pinekit back then and they both had become close over the moons, especially since the kid had become his apprentice. It was a twist but a welcomed one. The kid was good. He was proud of him.

Shaking himself from his thoughts, Robinpatch padded up to the she-kit with the intent of giving her some company...and giving himself something to do. Once he reached her line of sight he gave her a crooked grin, eyes warm and friendly. "Hey there kiddo. You doing fine? It's pretty cold out here...mind if I join ya? I'm taking a bit of a break from my duties. Been tiring these past few days and a bit of rest will do me some good. Name's Robinpatch by the way. In case you were wondering that is."

It was busy-work more than anything, probably, poking her head into every den and slip in the camp walls to make sure her Clanmates were fine. No one was really sick, or grievously injured– cold, hungry, tired. Cloverheart sighed. Those were problems she couldn't fix. At least RiverClan was doing well; well as they could, at least. Still, Cloverheart couldn't stop her anxious paws from carrying her around camp in circles, waiting for one of her Clanmates to topple over in front of her.

A thin mew from the nursery made her ears prick. For a brief second, her chest twisted with concern– had something happened to one of the kits? The sound had been so thin, she almost thought she hadn't heard it at all. Thankfully, when she turned her attention that way, it looked like it was just one of the younger kits sitting at the mouth of the den and crying. She had caught Robinpatch's attention, too, the mottled warrior drifting over to hover near her. A slow, content grin spread over the medicine cat's features, and she changed course to go join the pair.

"Hi, Darkkit," Cloverheart hummed softly, tipping her head to the side as her smile widened. "Hi to you too, Robinpatch. How are you both doing?" And, more directly towards the kit, "How's little Darkkit today? Did you want to come outside?"

Finally, a cat took notice of her. It took a moment for Darkkit to realize that the words were directed at her and she shrunk back slightly in the safety of the nest, mostly out of shock. But slowly the recognition of the kind words washed over her and she straightened up to study him with curious eyes. As her gaze raked over his pelt, the kit decided that he had a very pretty and lovely coat. A smile crossed her maw at the thought - a lovely coat to match a lovely cat. She finally had found a friend! His name was Robinpath too, that made sense.

"Oh." She meowed, remembering that he'd spoken to her and staring would to little to further the conversation. Darkkit glanced back over her shoulder. The nursery was rather crowded and she often felt trampled over by other kits and the many cats that filtered in and out. Staying out from underfoot was a hard feat. But most of the queens had gone out to cover their own duties, leaving a snoozing older queen as a half-lidden guardian. At this realization, the kit began to nod, "I can make room. It's nice and warm in here."

The voice was soft, and innocent. Already she planned to snuggle into his side - trusting. This was a great and friendly warrior, which in her eyes was the best thing in the whole wide forest. He'd taken the time to talk to her too. Darkkit grinned, wriggling slightly out of the way to make room, and to show the joy budding up in her little split-colored frame. Shortly after, as she waited in anticipation for the new companion to join her, a familiar face was near. Cloverheart! The medicine cat was a regular in the nursery.

"No, no, Cloverheart, it's cold out there. You have to come inside. Robinpatch is too. We have to hide from the cold."