the clocks run back, and so should you [c]

Forest Speak
Feral Speak

As a mother, it was impossible to ignore the way her kits stared at the camp entrance, their eyes wide with curiosity. As a warrior, it was impossible to ignore that Silverdusk herself felt cramped within the confines of camp. She sat beside her little ones, watching them aptly, still as edgy as ever when it came to their safety. They were growing fast, everyday the nursery becoming more and more cramped. Nightdancer’s kits too were growing larger and larger, and Petalkit for some reason still took up residence in the nursery. It was no place to raise her’s and Wiggleworm’s kits. Abruptly, the lithe she-cat rose to their paws. “Beankit, Fogkit, Caterpillarkit, Mushroomkit, come let’s go an adventure.” she called. It took several moments for her little troop to fall into line, but eventually all their attention was on them. Silverdusk ushered them towards the gorse tunnel, their grin widening as the excitement of her kits became palpable. “Go on little ones, this is not a trick!” They did not need much more encouragement then that.

Once all of them had squeezed through the tunnel, they were quick to set up rules for their adventure. She was loosening her grip on them just a little, but they weren’t stupid. The forest was dangerous, and while Silverdusk knew they were capable of many things, she wasn’t naive. Once, they’d believed they could even have protected Wiggleworm from everything and more than what lurked in this forest, but that had not been true. He’d been swallowed up by the forest, and now the kits before her were all that remained of him. Nothing would take them from her. “You are all strong kits, the strongest in the forest, but you are not as strong as me, not yet at least. This adventure will be fun, but this forest wants to eat you. I will not let it, but you have to listen to me, and do exactly as mama says.” her gaze fell on each and everyone, narrowing on Caterpillarkit in particular, Gekala knew she was a pawful and a half. “Do not wander too far from me, stay where I can see you and remain alert. Your senses are keen, if you see danger come back to me or call out. Do not do anything mousebrained. Mousebrains will be hauled back to camp by mama whether they like it or not, and our adventure will be over. Understand?” It seemed everyone was on the same leaf, and so she them the lead the way. With all of them in front of her, Silverdusk could keep all of them safe.

They marched further away from camp, exploring and playing as they pleased. Slowly, the tall molly began to relax, letting themselves join in with their kits games. With everything that had happened they often forgot how young they were. It was nice to be truly content. There was the snap of a branch, and the brief callousness that had overcame Silverdusk vanished. She froze, waiting to see if it was friend or foe… Or even Wiggleworm, but seconds passed and it became clear it was nothing. They expelled the breath they had been holding then turned back to their kits. “I have a game idea, why don’t we see if we can find Papa?” they mewed, a sudden heaviness in their voice “I think he’s lost, little ones. He went into the forest one day a long time ago, and he never came home. I know he wants to see us, but I think we have to find him first. His name is Wiggleworm and he’s the biggest and bravest warrior in the whole forest, and my best friend. He has spots like you, Beankit and Mushroomkit, and Brown eyes like your one, Caterpillarkit. But most of all he’s strong and kind and funny like all of you. I think we should look for him.” Was Silverdusk crying in front of her kits? Her eyes were definitely brimming with tears, and when she inhaled she sniffled, but their cheeks remained dry, untrained by tears. The warrior swallowed and shook their head, banishing them as quickly as they came on. It was their duty to be strong for all of them, her kits, her family and her clan. They had to be strong. “Come on, the sooner we start searching the sooner we will find him.” It was odd, but finally being able to scour the forest with their children had given her a new sense of hope. Maybe this time they’d actually find their mate amongst the maze of trees.