the best laid plans [c]

Rainfrost had been in the middle of deciding what to do with himself, standing idly in the middle of camp as he wavered between choices. Before he had even laid out all the options he had in front of him, a warm, lean figure nudged him, and Rainfrost blinked rapidly as he turned his head to look at Lightningbreeze. “Need me for wha-- oh, oh you’re gone, okay.”

“I can’t help you if you run off!” Rainfrost called grumpily after her, even as he launched himself into his own run. He was quick, thanks to his small size. He doubts he can match Lightningbreeze, just in terms of sheer endurance and energy, but he’s quick by non-Lightningbreeze standards. “Lighteningbreeze!” He called after her, chasing her scent.

As much as the sudden plan-change catched him off guard, it did solve his conundrum of what to do. And now that he was in it, the run felt good, wind rushing through his fur and leaves crunching underneath his paws. He idly thinks that he should challenge Lightningbreeze to a race, if for no other reason than to have an excuse to run around the territory.

…well, he’ll do that if and when he manages to find where she bolted off to.

Rainfrost grumbled under his breath as he heard Lightningbreeze’s voice goading him to keep up, and he ran harder. When she slowed, he caught up to her, finally spotting that yellow pelt. He slowed too, until he came to a stop on the ground below her, breathing hard. Though he may be fast, he wasn’t much for endurance, and he was winded already. Curse his ever-weak lungs.

His nose wrinkled as he listened to Lightningbreeze’s words. “Look pretty?” He repeated dumbly as he watched her move along her branch. “Lightning, what in the world did you drag me out here for?” He heaved in another gulp of air, panting, finally slowing to a stop as he watched her. He looked around, trying to determine what she could possibly have pulled him out here for. Everything just looked like the same old trees until he saw what her gaze was focused on.

“Lightningbreeze. Please. By all the stars. Tell me you aren’t doing what I think you’re doing.”

Watching in mild horror as his friend determinedly made her way right to a literal bees nest, Rainfrost reflected that Birdstar was going to kick both of their butts right across the border when they came back covered in bee stings. “Why would you do it at all??” He called, but he’s not sure why he’s even questioning it at this point. He certainly wasn’t going to walk away, so he was truly just along for this ride.

He jumped back when the hive came crashing to the ground, tense and ready to run from a swarm, but there was no sign of one. He let out a sigh of relief as Lightningbreeze made her way back to the forest floor. He stared at her, deadpan and unimpressed, as he said, “I did not do anything.”

He paused, blinked, looked between her, the hive on the ground, and the tree it came from a few times before finally he said two words with an explosive sigh. “So… why?”

Rainfrost slowly blinked at one of his best friends. True to her speedy nature, Lightningbreeze’s mind often moved faster than Rainfrost’s more deliberate nature could keep up with. Sometimes, like now, he had very little idea what was happening. Still, for better or for worse, time spent with her was always an adventure. And…seeing her all happy and triumphant had him fighting to keep a smile off his face, and stay serious.

“Feathers.” He repeated flatly. He lifted a paw to poke at the pile of feathers before returning his gaze to Lightningbreeze. Her next statement had him edging away from the honey-filled nest. “Mmhmm.” He drawled, eyes narrowing. “It sure does stick in your fur. It's a very gross feeling. But-- carry on. Honey’s sticky.”

Rainfrost opened and closed his mouth a few times, baffled and confused as Lightningbreeze laid out her plan. “...Okay.”

He’s already knee deep in this. He is accepting it, at this rate. Might as well go deep in the crazy. He sat back on haunches and lifted a paw before Lightningbreeze could take off. “Two things. First, birds are fast also because they fly and have wings. I think that affects their speed more than the feathers. For best results we should test your speed in the trees as well.

“Second, if we want to actually measure how much faster the feathers make you, we should decide on where you’re racing to and I will time you. We should wash you off later and see how fast you are without the feathers also so we can truly compare the two numbers and find out the answer.” Taking a breath, Rainfrost continued. "Ideally we’d do that first but you already put the feathers on. How about you run to that tall pine,” He gestures with his paw, “Back to here, and we’ll use that?”