[ti]Open[/ti]Black Smoke

[M'Lady]

She had decided to take something up that she remembered her friend, Rushstar, doing. Every moon, the leader would take one day, and remain in camp where all her clan could find her. It was a day where she would remain open and understanding, so that any cat, from kit to elder, could ask her questions or share their concerns about the clan. It was a simple day, and she figured it would provide a good opening for any that wanted to talk to her but worried that she was too busy or important to talk to. She sat below her perch which she took for meetings, her fluffy fur protecting her against the cool air. Nestled in between her paws was Smokykit, who was humming happy and warm in his mother's fur. While the others were warm inside or playing in the light snow, he was thoughtful enough to volunteer to keep his mother company, to which she had laughed and pulled him along. It's not like he'd get cold anyway, the way he was buried in the black smoke fluff. 

"What're we waiting for?" The small kit asked, peering up at his mother with glowing golden green eyes. Her whiskers twitched in amusement, and she answered him in her warm, lyrical tone. 

"We're waiting to see if any cat needs us, Smoky. It's the duty of the leader of the clan to watch out for her warriors, and so we must make time for them in case they need our help." She didn't have to search hard to see the awe in her kit's face, and a rush of affection washed over her as she wrapped her tail around the small kitten to pull him closer. 

"Wow! Can you really help all of the cats?" He exclaimed, a grin on his face with ears pricked forward to catch her answer.

"I can do my best," She mused, leaning down to nudge the top of his head with her nose. "As should you." In response, he nodded vigorously, and then pressed back into his mother's fur to feel the rumbling purr that followed. 

[KingHarry]

The word in the camp was that Owlstar was dedicating the day to helping any cat that needed help. When Cricketjump had first heard that he had quickly moved on, but then he thought about it a bit more, and the more he thought about it the more he realised that, hey, he could do with some help! He had problems too, right? And Owlstar obviously liked him so she wouldn't mind helping!

The young warrior pranced over, the happy, carefree expression he usually wore clear on his face. Oh hey! Smokykit was there too! Cricketjump had seen the kit about, usually when he was playing with Pebblekit. The mute kitten was a favourite of the warrior's. Something about him just made him feel like he was in good company. Maybe it was the fact that they were both a bit odd? Or that young Pebblekit also knew what it was like to not be understood when he tried to communicate? Whatever the case, the two of them had quickly become good friends.

"Hello!" Cricketjump greeted, stopping just a fraction too close to his leader and peering down at Smokykit. "Hi!" He greeted again, addressing the child this time. Always best to say hello to the kits too, right? After all, they were also going to be warriors one day.

"I have a problem." The unusual cat then declared, looking back to Owlstar. "And you're sorting problems out, yeah? Because I need help. I need to know how to make someone fall in love with me. How do you make ladies like you, Owlstar?"

[M'Lady]

"Hello, Cricketjump," Owlstar greeted warmly, whiskers twitching as she viewed the clearly buzzing warrior. My oh my, he never lost any of the energy he had since he was a kit! It was remarkable, really. When the tom said hello to the kit as well, Smokykit beamed up at him with a cheeky grin and bright golden green eyes, chirping a greeting similar to his mother's in return.

When the warrior insisted he had an issue that needed resolving... Well, this wasn't exactly what Owlstar had in mind, but she would do anything to help her clanmates. She'd fixed Rainfur, perhaps she could give some pointers to Cricketjump, no matter how amusing his 'problem' may be. She pondered this for a moment, before something glowed in bright yellow eyes and she finally spoke to answer him.

"You're looking at this backwards," She insisted, her voice so firm that it even had her kit looking up at her in curiosity. "Don't try so hard to make she-cats fall in love with you, instead, wait until you fall in love." She told him, warmth flickering in her tone. "Once you fall in love, everything is brighter, you want nothing more than to make them happy. And if you're lucky, they'll see that, and fall for you too." Owlstar hummed, swishing her tail to accentuate her point.

"And if not, it'll be okay. You'll move on, and you'll fall in love again someday. There's no need for tips and tricks, Cricket, if a she-cat falls in love with you, it means she will love you for you. It's worth it to wait until that happens."

[KingHarry]

"Like with Coyotechase!" Cricketjump enthusiastically replied. "She's beautiful, don't you think? I like her eyes best. They're so bright. Have you seen them? Of course you have - it's impossible to miss them!" And if Owlstar had missed them, well, she was blinder than Milkkit - and that guy wouldn't even be able to see if a fox was in front of his nose!

"I love her, I think. I want her to love me back. How do I make her do that? There must be a way because Rainfur made you love him." He then continued to ramble, a happy, distant look slowly appearing on his face as he thought about the other warrior. Cricketjump honestly felt like he would do anything for her, but Coyotechase? It felt like she didn't even know that he existed. 

But she did know who he was, right? Yeah, she must do - after all, she'd said hello to him a few times. Once, Cricketjump had even gotten close enough to her to touch her. Not that he had, though. No - even he knew it would be creepy to randomly do such a thing.

[Mama]

Briarfrost had heard of the event going on, and thought of it as a wonderful idea... she did have a few questions she wanted to ask the leader. Her opinion was always something good.. and if she wanted her relationship to go well and be approved by Owlstar, then why not ask on such a perfect day?

Getting to her paws with a light shiver, the warrior wobbled her way over as Cricketjump finished. Her tail tucked and swayed nervously, and after a gulp she met the eyes of the leader. "Er- Hi-hi Owlstar..." The feline softly said, her mind bumbling with questions.

'Calm down, she's the best cat to go to for this.' she thought to herself, before taking a deep breath. "How c-can I be a good mate? I-I feel l-like I already f-failed, but I don't want to let.. Wolfclaw down.." Briarfrost mewed, before realizing that she might not have known they were actually mates.

[M'Lady]

Her warm gaze instantly turned into a glare at Cricketjump's words, and she shook her head slightly. "You cannot make her do anything." She told him firmly, fighting to keep a soft hiss from her tone. "Rainfur didn't make me do anything either. If she doesn't love you, why would you force her into something she doesn't want to do? If you truly love her, you'd want her to be happy no matter what." A bitter tinge entered Owlstar's tone, as she was reminded of days gone by, things she'd rather not think of.

"Listen well, Cricket, I love Rainfur because he decided to make himself a better warrior, a better clanmate, and he respects me with every fiber of his being. If you respect Coyotechase, be there for her, do anything you can to make sure she's happy. If she loves you, great. If not, you can't make her." She hummed, her voice growing softer as she spoke, fading back into it's normal, warm tone. "Even if you love her anyway, sometimes she'll be happier if you let her go." She could feel Smokykit's paws clutch her own larger one. Maybe he felt her heart beating faster with the speak, and sought to comfort her. She smiled, and curled her tail around him.

Thankfully, someone else came to speak with her, and break the remaining tension in the air. When she saw it was Briarfrost, her hardened yellow gaze melted, and an easy smile came to her muzzle.

"Briar," She greeted softly, though her eyes soon widened as the she-cat spoke. A sly gleam entered those eyes, and a slight smirk came to her face.

"Oh, mates with my baby cousin, hm? What... Interesting information. I'll have to set the kits on him later for not telling me." She mused, as Smokykit squeaked his agreement cheerily. Though when Briar continued, she looked her newfound family straight in the eyes, and spoke two words with so much force behind her tone, that they seemed to vibrate in the air.

"Be loyal." She said simply, continuing to hold her gaze, analytical yellow eyes seeming to burn right through her. "My cousin has been hurt and betrayed by loved ones so many times, that he hardly lets anyone in anymore. If he trusts you, don't you dare break that trust, or you'll have me to answer to."

"And me!" Smokykit piped up, puffing out his fur in pride and intimidation, though the latter didn't cross quite as well. Owlstar smiled, bopping him on the head lightly with a paw.

"He's been through so much hurt, Briarfrost. The only thing he'll ever truly need from you is your love and loyalty. If he has that, you two will be together for a long, happy time."

[KingHarry]

So...What Owlstar was saying that if he wanted Coyotechase to like him back, he had to impress her? Cricketjump could do that! He was really impressive! The only issue was proving such a thing, but surely he could do that somehow - right? How, though? Hm...

Oh! Maybe if he killed something really cool? Yes! That was a brilliant idea! Something like, uh... A fox? No, too dangerous. Cricketjump wanted to impress her, but he didn't want to die doing it. So what about a really big bird? Yes! That was a brilliant idea!

"Thanks, Owlstar!" Cricketjump exclaimed before rushing off, speeding straight towards and up the sheer rock face that surrounded the camp. Excitement at the fact that he might finally get the attention he craved from the subject of his desires caused his body to practically vibrate as he ran, stumbling every couple of steps. This was going to be great! He would catch a huge bird and then Coyotechase would have to notice him!

[Mama]

Briarfrost dipped her head, listening to her words. She loved the tom dearly, and would do anything for him. But what if they had been too hasty with their choices? The warrior decided to either way, love him with all her heart. They were mates now, and she had to stop worrying about it so much... it would all unfold as Starclan wished.

Looking down towards Owlstar's kit, she gave a small chirp before nosing his head. "Your a cutie, aren't you?" The she-cat mewed, giving a friendly gaze before sending a slightly more confident look towards his mother. "I will." Briarfrost swore, her voice becoming a bit more serious before she softened back into a smile. "He's a bit of a toughie... but I'm hoping I can get him to be a bit happier, for even a little bit. Wolfclaw looks too tense for his own good, and maybe a relationship could fix it." She murmured, before meeting Smokykit's eyes again. "Don't be too tough on him, you little warrior." Briarfrost giggled, her expression sweet and soft.

[M'Lady]

Smokykit purred at Briar's compliment, and with a glance from his mother, soon hummed a reply. "Thank you Briarfrost!" He spoke simply, and Owl smiled with amusement as she watched on. When Briar spoke to her again, she lifted her gaze to her eyes, to make sure she wasn't lying to her, or was unsure. Owlstar was always excellent at picking out liars. When she determined the other she-cat was truthful, her demenaor softened.

"You'll be able to." She promised, dipping her head slightly. "He's tough for a reason, if you get close to him, you'll see my baby cousin." Before he was hurt, before his father changed his life forever and murdered his family, and hers, but of course, Wolfclaw was the one that came out worst. He was forced to kill his own father, and she would never know how that felt.
"Try to get him not to be so cold, hm?" She spoke softly, turning her eyes towards Smokykit as Briar addressed him once again. When the warrior spoke, he quickly huffed.

"I'm one of mom's warriors!" He exclaimed, his own eyes bright and proud. "If I've gotta battle uncle Wolf, I'm gonna win!" The small kit promised, thumping his paws against the ground to accentuate his point.

[Mama]

Briarfrost nodded towards Owlstar, however the fluffy kitten adverted her attention back down. "Awe, alright. If you have to do it that way, then kick his butt for me? He needs a little warrior like you to show him how it's done, right?" The feline chuckled, before giving Owlstar a final nod of thanks. After a moment, she padded off, her mood boosted and her tail a bit higher then before.