[ti]Private[/ti]He's beauty, he's grace, he's sleeping

[bits]

Rookshade wasn't an exemplary Mistclan warrior by any sense of the term. He was too quick to judge, too slow to act, and better suited to being on his own than engaging with his clanmates. It hadn't always been that way, but for well over twenty moons, Rookshade had been the last of his family in Mistclan, and any motivation he had to do better had left him. He'd been a difficult apprentice, if a well-trained one, and it seemed that since his sister had left, he hadn't had much left to work hard for. He did the bare minimum, lazed about for most of the day, and really only brushed up on his skills when he found his nerves on edge (since ignoring those moods made his paws twitch). Today had been one of those 'twitchy' days - he woke up too early for his tastes, heart racing and mouth dry, and he'd spent the better part of the morning practising battle stances and moves on a defenceless tree.



But he was done by noon, and so he found himself a comfy spot to stretch out in and groom a bit. Sharing tongues with clanmates was alright here and there, but being on his own was a little more relaxing. He was technically a senior warrior at this point in his life, and he just felt... tired. Today seemed to be a lower energy day, and he felt no guilt simply splaying out in the roots of a tree, trying to make the most of the sun. If nothing else, it was warmer than it had been a week ago.

[GnawingOnIce]

Robinheart wasn’t really ever one to strike up a conversation with... well, anyone. But as he was coming back from a evening hunting patrol with a couple other warriors, and a great amount of fat, new-leaf prey, he spotted someone lying at the base of a tree by themselves. Most of the snow had melted and the sun shone directly down on him. Robinheart turned away from the cat and went to put his catch in the fresh-kill pile.

Just after he had brought his mother and sister some of the patrol’s catch he went back out with a fat mouse in his jaws. The smell of it made his mouth water but he wasn’t the one that was going to eat it. He padded up to the cat, Rookshade, and lay the mouse down in front of him. Rookshade was an all black tom with sleek fur; a senior warrior that certainly had much more experience than Robinheart did. Robinheart was a former loner and hadn’t been given much training before becoming a true warrior.

“Hey, Rookshade,” he sat down beside him, “it’s a nice day out, yeah?” the younger tom mewed in greeting.

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[bits]

GnawingOnIce

He wasn't always on time for meals; despite being a layabout when it came to his day-to-day habits, he didn't keep a consistent enough schedule to eat regular meals. So he'd been wrestling with whether to nap or find food when Robinheart approached. At first, the older warrior was convinced that the younger Mistclanner was passing by - not so. Much to his surprise, there was a presence next to him, and he raised his head to open bleary eyes and blink far too slowly at his clanmate. Whomst? It took a solid ten seconds for Rookshade to take in Robinheart's presence and understand that yes, there was a clanmate next to him. No, this wasn't a weird dream. The lithe tom let himself yawn, twisting so his front paws were flat on the ground. He didn't rise from lying, but he at least didn't stay stretched out like a melting puddle of a cat.

"Mm. I've had worse days, I s'pose. I won't miss leafbare though - seems the sun's starting to warm up again."

That was how small talk went, right? Rookshade yawned again, letting some more of the exhaustion flag away from him. It was a slow process, but soon enough he was licking his lips and glancing at the mouse Robinheart had brought with him. A sly grin took over his face, and he flicked his tail while he addressed the younger tom.

"Been a while since I've had a tom bringin' me food after a nap, but I gotta say, I was just thinking about heading back to camp for some prey. Read my mind."

He didn't slide the mouse over yet, looking to Robinheart with a twitching ear as if waiting for the go ahead. Well, at least he was that polite.

[GnawingOnIce]

Robinheart sat for ten seconds as Rookshade collected himself from his slumber. The red tom had a decent amount of patience. The other tom spoke some, glanced at the mouse some, then addressed him. "Been a while since I've had a tom bringin' me food after a nap, but I gotta say, I was just thinking about heading back to camp for some prey. Read my mind." Robinheart flicked an ear. What did he mean by that? Oh well, he swept it from his mind.

“I suppose I did.” He said with a light laugh. Upon speaking, Robinheart noticed that Rookshade hadn’t touched the mouse yet. “Oh, you can have it. I’ll eat later.” He spoke briskly with a small smile that made the corners of his eyes squint.

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[bits]

Who knew why Rookshade said the things that he said, really? Sometimes it seemed to serve the purpose of getting a rise out of his clanmates, other times it seemed that the tom was just so used to teasing and snide comments that he didn't know how else to communicate. Either was likely; if nothing else, it helped him keep up his unaffected facade. That being said though, this was probably the closest to gratitude that Robinheart was going to get: some weird words and a lopsided grin.

And, naturally, he was given permission to chow down on that mouse. His paw snatched up the prey to bring it closer to him for a bite, and wow he'd been hungry. The tip of his tail twitched idly in satisfaction, pleased at the addition of food to his fairly relaxing midday routine. It was better than the quasi-neurotic morning he'd been having, anyways, so he could just pretend that this morning had never really happened.

"So what brings you to the company of yours truly? I know I'm charming, but we don't talk that much - I've been honing my nap skills recently, as you can see."

What a weird dude, honestly. He was curious though; that was something he'd never lost from his youth, though he'd lost a decent amount otherwise. His mind remained sharp and cunning, and under his nonchalant tone lay an undercurrent of interest in this new and unusual situation. 

GnawingOnIce

[GnawingOnIce]

Robinheart let the tom eat in silence. Robinheart is never one to bug or pry; exception made for his sister. He was looking off at the river in the distance, slight fear bubbling in his chest. He’d hate to be swept away by it as Halfpaw had. He swiveled a ear and looked in Rookshade’s direction as the other tom began talking again.

"So what brings you to the company of yours truly? I know I'm charming, but we don't talk that much,” Robinheart raised a kitty brow and gave a slight roll of his eyes, “I've been honing my nap skills recently, as you can see."

I don’t find you charming, Rookshade, were the words that almost came out of his mouth. He stopped himself quick enough and said instead, “Yes, I see that.” he spoke with an almost annoyed tone, “I just felt like being nice, that’s all.” he pointed out. What was Rookshade playing at, if anything?

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[bits]

Rookshade's only acknowledgement of Robinheart's rolled eyes was a smirk on his face; he really did enjoy getting a rise out of clanmates now and again. He seemed rather amused by the other's slight distaste, and the smirk melted into a full peal of laughter when Robinheart's tone broke through, sounding a tad bit annoyed. Oh, there was nothing like getting clanmates a little uncomfortable; it was his version of entertainment at this point. He chuckled around his second bite of mouse, letting his claw pierce the outside of the prey as he looked to the younger warrior with a side eye.

"Relax kid, I'm teasing you. Not a lot to do these days - my mentor's getting old, and warriors seem to be getting younger and younger. Let a guy have his fun."

He seemed dismissive of his own behaviour, which tracked with how Rookshade tended to act. If you stayed in your own lane and didn't cross too many lines, then there were no real consequences. Sure, he didn't have that many friends and folks tended not to feel kinship with him, but he was known for what he wanted ot be known for. A teasing tom, a gossip, and not someone to trust with complicated or heavy loads of responsibility. He was where he wanted to be in life (or so he told himself, often enough that maybe he'd fool himself into believing it one of these days).

"Anyways, don't take things too seriously. Life's too short for that nonsense. Thanks for the mouse though."

GnawingOnIce

[GnawingOnIce]

Robinheart flinched when Rookshade laughed. Oh, so he was enjoying this. I see, I see. As mildly annoyed as Robinheart was, he understood. Maybe he did need to lighten up.

"Anyways, don't take things too seriously. Life's too short for that nonsense. Thanks for the mouse though." His ears perked up.

The red tom allowed himself a small smile. “Yeah, okay. I’ll keep it in mind. And you’re welcome.” Robinheart got to his paws, “I’m going to head back now. You should soon, too.” the sun had faded more from the sky ever since they started talking. He turned and started toward the cave, “Always here if you need anything.” he called over his shoulder as he trotted off. He meant it, too, he was a cat that wanted other cats to know they could depend on and trust him.

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Notes;; n/a

[bits]

It was for these reasons that Rookshade tended not to make fast friends with others; although the tom seemed aware of that, and still reluctant to change his behaviour. A defence mechanism? A personal preference? It was hard to say. He flicked his tail towards the younger warrior, acknowledging the other as Robinheart stood to leave. The red-furred tom wasn't wrong; it was probably nigh on time for Rookshade to head back to camp, but the remnants of the morning's nerves opposed that desire.

Always here if you need anything.

"Sure thing."

He wasn't certain why the offer made him chafe; if anything, it was supportive of a clanmate to offer being there. Rookshade still wasn't great at relating to others though, still wasn't comfortable with the notion of confiding in others. Maybe he should be; it had been over 20 moons since Jaybright had left.

Rookshade was on the slow side, it seemed. But he chewed on the offer as his clanmate left, and tried to hide the bad taste in his mouth with another bite of mouse.