STS | A Little Trip

[Embergaze]

Embergaze was incredibly busy. She felt selfish for wishing she’d have had more free time for her kits – probably it was just as important to train the whole clan. But still, she sort of wished that maybe Lavenderfang could have gotten Cashewpaw as an apprentice. Not that she didn’t love her apprentice, of course! Cashewpaw reminded her a lot of herself, actually – maybe that was why Rosestar had chosen her to mentor her? But still, it was very hard to have to choose her warrior duties over her own family. And honestly, she wondered if she had been wrong to do so. 

But Daffodilcatcher had been there still, and her mate … well, maybe she was a little less patient with their kits than Embergaze was, but probably it was okay. 

Finally though, she’d managed to steal some time away from her duties. With a light smile, she carried in her maw a bundle of feathers and moss. She wasn’t very good at making moss friends – not like how Driftspring was. But probably though it would be fun anyway! As long as Guppypaw wasn’t asleep? The sun had set some time ago now, the moon hanging high in the sky at this point. 

Embergaze stuck her head into the apprentice’s den anyway, and quietly hissed her daughter’s name. 

”Guppypaw? Are you awake?”

[Guppypaw]

For Guppypaw, it's quite hard to discern when it's time to go to bed and when it's time to play. It was easier when she was in the nursery, when Daffodilcatcher would force her to sleep and not bother everyone in the den. Now that she's more independent though, she finds herself alone and awake at night. 

Even though the other apprentices are getting ready to sleep, she has Bubbles to keep her company! Really, she's been speaking to her pinecone more than she has actual cats. She doesn't realize the soft call of her name until her mom's pelt comes in to view, to which Guppypaw responds by leaping over to her mom and loudly announcing her arrival. 

"Hi! Trip? Are we gonna trip?"

[Embergaze]

Embergaze was both surprised and glad for how quickly her daughter appeared before her. She made a quiet shh sound, though her raucous purrs made this sound a little less notable. Probably she was setting a terrible influence for her daughter, but nevertheless she ushered Guppypaw away from the den before moving to lick her forehead and offer, ”Probably, little fish, you should maybe try to be quiet inside of the apprentices’ den at night? Just so that none of your friends are woken up when you are, I think. Being an apprentice is hard work, and waking up when you don’t need to yet is always … not good.” Embergaze smiled somewhat sheepishly, then stood up fully, pelt shivering.  

”But, probably you are right – if you would like, I think going on a little trip would be fun, probably. Do you want to come with me down to the lake?” She asked, ears tilted towards her small, black-and-white daughter. She briefly noted the buns, and wondered who did them up for her? Probably not Daffodilcatcher, she felt, but maybe one of her friends? Maybe she could ask about it.

[Guppypaw]

Guppypaw nods her head in understanding, slow and steady. She glances back to where she left Bubbles before deciding that her mom’s company was enough. 

”Yes, lake! Are we gonna catch some slippies? Also, I need to show you my water tricks.” 

No matter the hushes, Guppypaw can’t help but speak in her excited chitters. She exits the den. ”Baypaw coming? And Momma? Are we all gonna go to lake?”

[Embergaze]

Embergaze grinned at her daughter as she offered to show her water tricks. ”Probably we can catch slippies if you want, little fish! I don’t know if they’re awake at night, but definitely we can try? Oh, unless the lake is frozen actually – or just slushy – because that means it isn’t very safe to go in.” She purred, then pulled her daughter in for a hug. 

”Probably if you want, you could tell me all about your apprenticeship? There’s a lot to learn, I think, and I remember it was a pretty exciting time for me.” She meowed in a quiet (though eager) voice. And, after a moment’s consideration, she added: ”Probably though it will just be you and me. Daffodilcatcher is definitely asleep, and probably Baypaw is too.” using careful words to try and dodge around the question. She wanted some time with her daughter, just the two of them – Daffodilcatcher seemed not very patient with Guppypaw, but a lot more patient with Baypaw, so she hoped maybe making her daughter feel a little more special would be good, probably. 

As she answered Guppypaw’s simple questions and words, she began to lead them towards the lake, walking carefully and quietly through camp – probably it would be pretty bad if she woke anyone up.