then the world stopped moving [open]

It was an incredibly slow day for the kitten.


Incredibly slow.


She had woken up early and had desperately been trying to keep herself busy about the clan. She went for a short walk around camp bright and early when she found she couldn't fall asleep again. The sun's rays barely peaking out over the horizon to light her way was her only company. She'd observe the dark gradient leisurely fading into a lighter blue until it inevitably engulfed the sky, and the once barely recognizable clouds were illuminated and difficult to ignore. She found comfort in solitude, while she loved being around people Sleepykit had found she also relished her time alone as well.


Walking back to the nursery, she let out a sigh, she needed to figure out how to stay awake for longer amounts of time. She had to stay awake to make sure her siblings were alright. There were so many emotions in her little body but couldn't sort them out. She didn't need the added stress of trying to figure out what she feels and why she feels that way. Bottling things up and forgetting about them seem to work she couldn't begin to imagine what would happen when she ran out of bottles.


Sleepykit found herself sitting outside the nursery, her tail wrapped around her legs, eyes falling shut. She didn't allow herself to sleep, she just breathed in through her mouth and out through her nose. Oh? This was relaxing. It was like sleeping, but she was awake. The little kitten could feel her stress falling away like leaves on trees in the height of Leaf-Fall, one after the other. "Hmmm." she hummed. The rhythmic sound of her breathing distracted her from thoughts of the Earthquake, from when her brother would be better, from when she would become an apprentice, who her mentor would be, and whether or not she would even be a good apprentice. Her mind was as blank as a page. If someone was looking from far away they may think she was asleep on her paws, at any second she could start snoring. Wouldn't that be funny.

"speech."

Sleepykit hummed for what felt like moons to her. The wind ripped through her fur but she didn't realize how cold she was until a tail wrapped around her. She would've jumped, any other kit might've, sure. Sleepy languidly opened one eye and peered at Silverwing. She remembered the molly from the day her mother let her outside the nursery for the first time. A yawn broke her resting face and she opened both eyes and looked up at her, "Hello." It was a simple greeting, one she paired with a bright smile.

The kitten gave her chest a few licks to push down the fur the wind had been ruffling and looked back up at Silverwing, "What're you up to?" she asked, her words coming out like a slow-moving stream, but high and bright like a kitten should be. Her mind was still void of thoughts, even after being broken from her meditation session.

"speech."

Sleepykit leaned into Silverwings warmth, "Thanks." she mewed back, her eyes closing again. Ah sleep. Her one true love. It was hard to beat. Sleepykit yawned once more and just as she settled into her original meditation position-"Hello!" Now the kitten jumped. She wasn't the biggest fan of big energy, she usually felt like those with high energy sucked the life out of her. The older kitten took everything in her not to cringe when Russetkit chirped again, not because she didn't like her, no. The calico had no opinion as of now, she wasn't used to loud voices.

"Hmph." her face wrinkled into a grumpy expression which looked downright silly on such a cute kitten, "So russet-y." she agreed her voice monotone but not mocking, Sleepykit still wanted to be involved in the conversation after all. Sleepykit wiggled back into the crook of Silverwing's tail and looked at Russetkit, she was honestly impressed with the amount of energy she had.

"speech."

Sleepykit was wide awake now, and she nodded listening to Russetkit talk, the kittens words going in one ear and out the other until she heard her name. "Hm?" When will you be apprenticed? You look old enough, really.. Sleepykit opened her maw and narrowed her eyes but just as she did Silverwing snatched up Russet and pulled her in. Sleepy was saved by the warrior. She almost sighed with relief that she didn't have to answer that. Truthfully she didn't know either, any day now though.

Sleepykit couldn't help but let out a soft laugh when Silverwing snatched Russet up. A playful gleam crept into her eye as she prepared to expel the most energy she's had all week, "RUSSETKIT! The enemy warrior caught you! You have to escape!" she screeched jumping away from Silverwing, running around the warrior to her back and getting into her best crouch, her eyebrows furrowed and her long tail lashed, "I'll save you!" she shouted, almost like a battle cry before she'd jump onto the warrior's back, making sure she kept her claws away. One thing Sleepy couldn't resist was playing pretend. "You get off her." the calico growled playfully, her voice muffled by Silverwing's fur.

"speech."

Sleepykit giggled as Russetkit-Russetwing, named her Sleepystar. She hadn't thought much about actually being the leader but it was her favorite role when she'd play pretend. the older kitten held onto her target, grasping Silverwing's thick fur, "You're no match for Windclan!" she shouted as she watched 'Russetwing' get captured once again. The calico hesitated slightly, she hadn't thought ahead. Russetwing was underneath the warrior and she was on her back, how could she get Silverwing to let go?

'Sleepystar' drew back enough to see the situation, there were a number of things she could do objectively speaking. However, with no real training, Sleepystar had no experience with making split-second decisions at the height of such a battle. Flattening her ears to her head and twitching her whiskers, she let out a huff as she brainstormed what she should do next. Sleepystar lashed her tail as an idea came to her, "I'll teach you to touch my deputy!" and speaking of getting devoured, CHOMP! The molly bit down on Silverwings shoulder. Not nearly enough to break through the skin, but most likely enough to surprise the warrior. Hopefully, that would be enough to distract Silverwing so Russetkit could escape.

"speech."