sin triangle [C]

Rowanpaw

The season tried to change almost immediately after the rescue from Fourtrees. Leaf-bare still clung to the air, putting a shiver-worthy bite on the wind and allowing stubborn piles of snow to stick to the ground, floes of ice stuck choking in the river. But while all the signs of cold, dark seasons remained, new-leaf fought to present itself in turn: the sun was warm, even if the heat was muted; RiverClan's camp was no longer a mix of slush and sand, the half-melted snow finally cleared; Rowanpaw even thought he'd heard distant, distant birdsong that he didn't recognize and wondered if it was passing new-leaf birds he'd been too young to hear when he was born. As he watched cats pass through camp, his attention was drawn to a slim form returning with a patrol. Toadpaw– one of the new apprentices he hadn't mustered the will to speak with yet. After a moment of consideration, he rolled up to his paws, taking a moment to stretch his back and mutter goodbye to his warm-enough sunning spot before trotting off, cutting the dark-coated apprentice off when he'd only barely made it fully into camp.

"Hail," Rowanpaw mewed brightly, tail waving in greeting and a faint smile starting to grow. "Toadpaw, correct? I have taken it upon myself to introduce us more formally. It is a shame we could not during my– absence, but this should suffice, no? Join me for a fish, perhaps, and I am sure you will think of something interesting to share of yourself." He pushed his chest out as he spoke, attempting to look more composed than he had of late, but the light stirring only set his bell ringing. The stupid ting felt louder here than it ever had in that forsaken nest, loud enough Rowanpaw thought it might split his ears. Biting on his own tongue to suppress a wince from the noise, Rowanpaw forced his smile to stretch a little wider and inclined his head toward the fresh-kill pile.

Rowanpaw

The briefest hesitance made Rowanpaw’s ears flick, silently gauging which direction this conversation would turn before Toadpaw would speak again. He wasn’t left to wonder long, as an agreement– however uncertain –came soon. Rowanpaw’s smile turned beaming, a deliberate flash of teeth, and he spun on his pads without pause. “Wonderful! Come, then.” Jerking his head to beckon Toadpaw along, he padded toward the fresh-kill pile. Picking out a fish large enough to share, he trotted to a sun-warmed spot nearby, settling down comfortably.

Once the other apprentice was close enough, Rowanpaw made a sweeping motion with his tail, signaling him to settle down. “You cannot have been serious, that you did not have anything interesting to share.” A soft, teasing purr edged the words. For once, he did not want to talk about himself; he had done enough of that for a little while. Even if it wasn’t about himself directly, Toadpaw was bound to have at least seen something interesting. The forest had been through quite a bit while he was away.

Resting his chin on his paws, Rowanpaw went on idly, “I am sure we could think of something together. Have you a favorite color? Favorite prey? Oh, or perhaps you would like to share that you are fond of long, quiet walks by the river.” He snickered, rich and warm, before settling himself with a quiet sigh. “It is hard meeting someone at the crux of their lives, isn’t it? A shame that is where I come in. But as Clanmates and now-denmates, we will make due.”

Rowanpaw

Rowanpaw laughed again at Toadpaw’s uneasy answer, and continued to giggle through the rest of his words. Toadpaw was proving to be a decent distraction, as Rowanpaw only wanted to bite his tongue somewhat instead of entirely. “Oh, I do apologize,” he sighed between his dying laughter. “I just– it is quite entertaining, how baffled you seem by my questions. Your eyes go quite wide when I speak.” He was starting to snicker again, and it was only barely that he managed to keep it down. Though he was clearly making fun, Rowanpaw’s voice was kind. “Charming, watching one flutter so whilst deciding between a meal and a stroll.”

Leaning forward slightly, Rowanpaw nosed the fish closer to his companion before settling again. “Green is a fair choice, I suppose; I will allow it. And I do not mind sharing. I likely would not have finished it anyway. And besides,” he yawned, feigning only a mild interest, “if we share, the fish will be gone swifter. The swifter the fish is gone, the swifter we may go for a walk, and I am quite fond of them myself.”