✦Referred by a friend✦【Closed】

Ratrunner selected his meal from the tiny, cold pile, and looked for a place to eat quietly. His own hunt later would hopefully bring more prey… but for now, it would do. And as hungry as I am, I’m not too picky. All of it was precious, and it would give him the strength to get through the day.

It took a moment to find a place near the corner of camp, lit by pale rays. Half of him was shrouded in shadow, but it felt familiar to be. He settled quickly, and began gnawing carefully on his frozen shrew — thawing it gently, bit by bit. Ratrunner’s thoughts swirled slowly as he did so, considering Shadowclan’s recent happenings.

Murkystar was stronger now, as were Frostgaze and Mistyfalcon; the new kits were growing, and due to be apprenticed soon… And it was nice to have his friend back. Everyone seems to be doing well.

So why do I not feel the same?

It was a quiet thought. He was drawn from it, however, by the sound of a soft murmur. Yellow eyes rose to catch a flash of gray fur — and then a kit stepped forward. From the dark, too. Ratrunner met their eyes — a gentle brown — and then sat up to greet him with a small smile.

“Hello, Forestkit. You’re welcome to sit with me,” he assured the young tom, voice soft. “I’m not busy; only eating.”

The kit seemed shy, but determined, too. And Ratrunner felt a little warmth in his fur, at the thought of young Icekit (nearly an apprentice, now) telling Forestkit to talk to cats. She would say that.

But to refer her friend to him...?

“And I’m honored you wanted to meet me. I’m happy to meet you, too,” he mewed, feeling his smile turn a bit shy himself. He wasn’t used to that — even if it sounded just like Icekit to say so. Seeing the gray-and-white kit made him wonder, ”Are you hungry?”

Nosing his shrew, he offered it to Forestkit. They were all a little thin, still. And it’s proper, as his own mother would say. He added, “Or I can grab you something else, if you’d like.”

Shrew buried in the snow over day, and half-thawed by his paws, wasn’t the most appetizing — but it was surprisingly flavorful. Or is that my hunger talking?

Ratrunner tilted his head as the kit joined him. He’s nervous, the warrior could tell… but there was no need to be. I hope I’m not scaring him.

Webshadow — even as mild and kind as Ratrunner knew his own mentor to be — had intimidated him as an apprentice. I thought he was hard to read. Smaller and soft-spoken himself, Ratrunner hoped he was more approachable… but could he really be scary?

With a tiny flinch, Ratrunner recalled the wild, panicked amber eyes of Apollo — fangs sinking into flesh — and the savage crack of a Mistysky’s tail between his jaws. The scars of such encounters lay across his face, his chest, his shoulder — and in his eyes. Maybe I do scare him.

But then Forestkit accepted with a soft mew, taking a bite of the shrew, and Ratrunner let out a subtle breath. He was being silly… and after considering it a moment, he let himself relax with a smile. “I’d love to share, if you don’t mind.”

The shrew was cold, but rich on his tongue as he took a small bite. Passing it back to the light-furred tom, Ratrunner wondered quietly who his parents were… and then remembered. His parents are gone. A rush of sympathy flooded him. The clan would take care of Forestkit, as it always had. But it didn’t mean Ratrunner didn’t feel a stir of sadness. As much as I can, I won’t let him feel alone.

“So, Forestkit,” he began, giving the young tom his full attention. “Can I ask what you’re interested in? I know Icekit is interested in warrior life. But what about you? Is there anything you’re curious about, or find yourself drawn to?”