broken crown [C]

Stormdance

Stormdance was tired. He‘d spent a lot of time sleeping since he came to the medicine den, taking Dovesight and Sandypaw’s advice to rest to heart. He was all too happy to close his eyes and try not to think about the knot of emotions that sat constantly in his chest, that surged everytime he looked at either his former or current apprentice. He couldn’t help the wave of guilt he felt every time he looked at Rowanpaw or Woolywing, both of whom got hurt on his watch.

But he couldn’t do anything about the choices he’d already made, and, as tired as he was, and as patient of a cat as he was, even he got bored. There was only so much one could do when you couldn’t move your leg. It was with a sigh that Stormdance sat up, curling his tail over his paws. He gave his chest a few quick licks, conscious of how messy his fur was after several days of constantly staying curled up in a nest.

He looked at his two companions, wanting to strike up a conversation, but uncertain where to start. He couldn’t imagine Woolywing was feeling very good, being cooped up in here longer than either Rowanpaw or himself, not to mention having to completely relearn how to navigate and adjust to his blindness. Stormdance was hoping he’d be able to help when he was on his feet again, but for right now, there wasn’t much he could do besides be there.

And he didn’t have to guess as to Rowanpaw’s emotions. Stormdance’s whiskers twitched, half in amusement, half in concern as he watched Rowanpaw’s dramatics. His ever-surely apprentice had seemed even more agitated during their stay in the medicine den, and Stormdance was a little worried of pushing too hard and leading to another blow-out between them. While he could read the agitation as Rowanpaw thumped his tail clear as day, he wished he could tell what the young tom was thinking.

Stormdance’s attention was pulled away to look at the entrance to the medicine den as a threatening rumble of thunder was heard above them. “Sounds like it’s going to come down out there.” He sighed once more. “Again. I’ve never been the biggest fan of storms and all this rain is getting a little ridiculous.” The weather seemed a safe enough topic for the three of them. Right?

Rowanpaw

As he went tossing and turning about, a low drum of thunder rolled across the sky. It felt almost satisfactory, like it'd been cued by his incessant irritation. But of course, the shifting in weather brought about the sound of shifting in his companions' nests. He'd heard shuffling before, but now they were both sighing and talking and properly moving about. Rowanpaw didn't attempt to hide the grumble that left him at the sound of their chatter, and he curled himself into a tighter curve.

"Must we chat about the weather?" He moaned, ears flattening against his head as he begrudgingly lifted his head. His eyes were thin, unforgiving slits as he glanced between Stormdance and Woolywing. "I just- oh, I have the worst headache. I am sure it would be conducive to my healing if I were not subject to listening to you babble about how--" his gaze sharpened, lingering briefly on Stormdance, "ill-fitting your names are.

"I would sooner drag myself into the storm. I might as well search for a den of foxes, while I am out there. I would rather entertain myself in that way than participate in... this. The risk is yours to weigh." The venom in his tone was clear; Rowanpaw was too tired to mask his upset as well as he would have liked to. As he spoke, another clap of thunder hit the sky. This time it was far louder, closer, and it had brought a searing bolt of lightning with it. For a second, Rowanpaw tensed, his fur on end and muscles rigid. Just as quickly as he'd startled, he forced his fur to lay flat again and relax himself. Snorting, he dropped his head again, tail beating against the earth once more.

He would refuse to admit it out loud, but it bothered him deeply how ready and casually they were to just... talk. Were they not both brooding? Was every moment of their thoughts not occupied by the attacks that had put them together in the first place? Rowanpaw's tail lashed harder, frustrated. He did not want distracted conversation. He wanted to pull the walls of the den down with his own claws and shout at them both.