"Moooooom, Tell me about outside!" - Chapter 2
Splashkit is really really bored, but her mom comes to the rescue with a cool story!
Author's Notes
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She was booooooooreeeed. The thought was slow, yet constant...as if it were sticky. Could a thought be sticky? It felt like it...could you feel thoughts? Hmmm.
Splashkit looked up between her paws, finding the ceiling extremely boring...but at least it was a bit more interesting from upside down. Usually she wouldn't smash her fur like this, lying on her back paws stuck up in the air, but to be honest she was a bit past caring. She'd already explored all the nursery had to offer despite having only been around for a couple days and she was quickly running out of ways to entertain herself. She slept a lot, like her siblings, but it always seemed like she had a bit more energy then they did.
It was harder for her to fall asleep and she was quick to wake up. Case in point, all her siblings were asleep right now.
Splashkit wrinkled her nose, batting at the air above her in frustration. Maybe she should wake them up? Mmm, that would be mean tho...right? She thought so, she'd been scolded for not letting her siblings sleep and she thought she remembered something about it being mean to wake them up.
She didn't want to be mean, she didn't think so anyway. Still...the thought of having someone to play with was sounding better by the moment.
Frecklecall hummed to herself as she made her way back into camp, a healthily sized fish in her jaws. It had been quite the fighter, making the speckled warrior all the more pleased with herself for her accomplishment. Once the prey was dropped off at the prey pile, Frecklecall made a dash for the Nursery with a near skip in her step. She adored her kits, all of her kits— both adult and not adult, and being able to spend time with them was always a pleasure. Perhaps she was indulging herself a little more with visiting the younger ones due to the fact that they didn’t always stay this little. Her heart aches just at the thought.
But Frecklecall shakes this pain off in favor of poking her head into the nursery, an easy grin on her face when her eyes catch sight of Splashkit. She looks unoccupied, dare Frecklecall even say bored, and that leaves the warrior a perfect opportunity to strike. Slinking down so she can begin stalking toward her daughter, the warrior curls her tail as she tries to fight off a mischievous laugh.
Trying to keep as quiet as she can ( a skill she’s become quite the master in ), Frecklecall works her way toward Splashkit slowly and cautiously. Her goal is to surprise the kit, maybe offer a playful little bump of her paw on Splashkit’s head. If she can go through with this plan is what remains to be seen.
Despite being bored out of her mind, hungry for a distraction...Splashkit was oblivious to Frecklecall stealthily stalking through the nursery. Typically the kitten would be alert to anyone who entered the den, eager to see any new faces that might pop through. In this instance, however, Splash had succeeded in distracting herself from waking her littermates by attempting to groom her paws upside down.
It was a difficult challenge, and one that was briefling taking up all of the kit's attention.
Combined with the fact the young soul had no hope of catching a warrior as stealthy of her mother on the best of days, Splash remained focused and completley unaware that she was being hunted.
Instead she was finding that she may have tangled her tounge up with the fur on her paw, enough that a few strong tugs weren't setting her free. A small gurgling, a half attempt at a growl, rose up in the kit's throat as she tried to free herself.
Grinning to herself as her plan begins to prove successful, Frecklecall continues to stalk toward her kit. Slow, quiet steps until her shadow begins to cast over Splashkit… And then a paw is outstretched, gently bumping at the kit’s side before Frecklecall moves quickly. Flopping onto her stomach, she uses both of her front paws to grab and scoop Splashkit close to her chest with a triumphant laugh.
”And being the amazing warrior she is, Frecklecall has successfully scooped in her largest catch yet!” The she-cat teases as she looks down at her daughter, eyes alight with amusement. It wasn’t often that Frecklecall allowed herself to be so theatrical, but now seemed as appropriate a time as ever for such an event. There’s a motherly purr in her chest as she bends her head down, muzzle bumping against Splashkit’s trapped paw in an attempt to help set her free.
”Although my catch looks to be a little stuck there, huh?” The spotted warrior teases, voice brimming with warmth.
Splash had less then a split second to become aware of the shadow falling over her, a short half muffled screech of surprise exiting her mouth, before a familiar scent and voice put her at ease. Her surprised screech quickly turns into surprised, albeit muffled, laughter as she's bundled up close to Frecklecall's chest.
"Muvver!" Despite the fur of her foot still stuck to her tongue the excitement was clear in the kit's voice, yellow eyes looking up at Frecklecall with sun bright enthusiasm, laughter dying down into small giggles as she sucked in a deep breathe of air.
The smell of fish, camp and various other outside unknown scents clung to her mother's grey fur adding an air of mystery to Freckle that Splash couldn't help but feel in awe of...the youth unable to help wondering what sort of adventure her mom had been on today to smell like so many different things.
"Yeha" Splashkit admitted, awkwardly nodding her head in response to Freckle's question before promptly heaving a sigh of relief as her mom's muzzle helped her finally yank her fur free from her mouth. "Thank you!"
The words of gratitude were accompanied by Splash lurching forward to nuzzle her face into her momma's neck, a (baby) monster-like purr rattling through the small calico at just being close to her mom.
In typical Splashkit fashion, however, it didn't take long for Frecklecall's daughter to start asking questions, each one coming faster and louder then the last as she pulled back to look up.
"How'd you sneak up on me, I didn't see or hear you! That was so cool! Usually I see everyone come in, is there a secret opening? AmI really your biggest catch? Whatelsedoyoucatch...other kittens like me?
A quick inhale, before continuing.
"Whatwereyou doing today? Didyougooutside camp? Didyougowithother cats? Whodo yougo with? CanIgowithyounexttime?"
For a moment it look like the questions would just keep coming, but a sudden thought seemed to occur to Splashkit before she could continue, her eyes darting over to her sleeping siblings and momma. "Oops, I'm being mean." The words were half whispered, as Splashkit realized she'd been pretty loud. Even still the small kit was practically vibrating with energy now that she had someone to pester, and it was clear that her concern at not wanting to being mean would soon be overwhelmed with her eagerness to ask more questions.
Frecklecall grins as Splashkit calms against her, the little giggles erupting from the kitten making her heart swell. After helping the kitten who abruptly began to nuzzle into her head, Frecklecall purrs as she grooms the top of Splashkit's head to care for any unruly fur. It's only when Splashkit pulls back to look at her with wide, awestruck eyes before beginning to rattle off a dozen questions that Frecklecall laughs in amusement. A cheeky grin forms on the tabby's face, although she does struggle to keep up with her daughter's barrage of questions. Geez, the kid really reminded her of her sisters... So curious.
"Whoa, easy there, Splashter," Frecklecall meows as she bumps a paw against Splashkit's. "You weren't being mean, just... Excited. Need to watch how you speak a little more, that's all." The tabby assures, giving a hum as she looks up at the ceiling to mull over Splashkit's questions. Since Splashkit went to all of the trouble of asking, and really sounded as though she put her lungs to use... Frecklecall supposes she should give her a proper answer.
A grin as she looks back at Splashkit. How'd you sneak up on me? "Very carefully." Her voice has a teasing edge to it, adamant to not relay her secrets just yet — although she does provide a half-truth. And then she glances around, squinting her eyes. "Sure hope there isn't a secret opening, wouldn't be safe for the four of you." That one is fully truthful before she glances back toward Splashkit, nodding with a warm chuckle. Am I really your biggest catch? "Uh huh, best one, too! You, your siblings... Your Mama, of course."
"Patrolling, fishing— I did go outside of camp, yes. I didn't go with anyone. No, you can't come with, you'll have to wait till you're an apprentice." Frecklecall fires back in a quick sentence, having to catch her own breath with a sharp inhale as she finished. Stars, how did Splashkit have the lung capacity? Her whiskers twitch as she fights a grimace. "My turn for questions, though... Why are you awake, Splash? What did you get up to, hm? Not causing any trouble without me, I hope?"
Splashkit couldn't take her eyes off of Frecklecall, absorbing responses with wide eyes and perked ears, though the latter drooped when Freckle said she couldn't join her sometime. Her attention was zoned in on those last sentences, forgetting the other answers for the moment as she immediately opened her mouth, muzzle crinkled in determination, ready to argue with Freckle about being able to go outside with her. "But...?!"
She's interrupted though, by her mother's own questions and blinks her eyes as a result, taken off guard and distracted...for now.
"Uhm" She hadn't been up to anything really, though sometimes she did get up to things when she was awake and the others weren't. This time though nothing had sounded interesting or fun, so she'd ended up on her back bored out of her mind.
"I'm not sleepy?" It came out more of a question then a statement, though it was the truth as far as the calico kit could tell. Though she still got plenty of sleep, much more then a grown cat as was to be expected at her age, the little kit had no idea how strange it was that she didn't sleep as much as her siblings...even if it was just only just a few hours difference. The others always seemed to get tired before she did and it wasn't uncommon for the kit to have a hard time falling asleep with so much excess energy bouncing around in her tiny body.
A slight pout pulls down at Splash's muzzle as she thinks about all the times her siblings conked out on her."The others just get sleepy sooooooooo fast! And that's borrrring. I have nothing to do when they sleep! But I was told it's mean to wake them up."
Splashkit turns her head to stare hard at her siblings, muzzle pulled down and whiskers twitching as she tried willing them awake.
A grin forms over Frecklecall’s muzzle as her daughter attempts to plead her case, wide eyed and notably distressed by the spotted warrior’s prior words. ”Easy kid, easy,” Frecklecall purrs as she lifts a paw to ruffle the fur atop her head. ”You aren’t in trouble. I was just curious. It’s okay if you aren’t tired like everyone else is.” The spotted she-cat continues, her voice a soft rasp of assurance. ”I see… I see…” She mumbles as Splashkit continues, curling her tail over her front paws as she ponders a solution to her daughter’s plight.
And then a grin as she looks down at Splashkit, eyes alight with sudden excitement and mischief. ”Well… Everyone else might be sleeping, but not me.” Frecklecall tilts her head to the side, lifting a paw to her chin in a playfully inquisitive manner. ”Hm… I wonder if there’s anything that you and I can do, Splash. Got somethin’ in mind?”
Splashkit's golden eyes would widen to size of metaphorical saucers at Freckle's playful question, gaze locked onto her mother's paw where it now rested on her chin. Her sleeping siblings were forgotten. The small kit now practically vibrating again, her mind obviously going a mile a minute as she pondered her mother's question, thoroughly and easily distracted from her earlier concerns about sleep and siblings.
Cause her momma was right...she wasn't asleep.
There were so many things Splashkit could ask of her mom...to teach her how to sneak, to teach her how to hunt, to teach her how to do all the things that warriors were able to do. To explore camp with her, to play games with her, to leave cam...no that last one wasn't allowed.
For now.
There was so much mystery and adventure lying in wait outside though, and the little kit couldn't drag her mind away from those mysteries at the moment. For a brief moment, the kit went oddly still and completley silent as she thought and thought hard.
"Could you tell me a story about outside?" The words slipped out of her mouth, eager to escape before she'd really even finished the thought. The small calico's whiskers were now twitching in excitement, her gaze having moved up to look her mom in the eye to see what her response would be. It was pretty clear that the little kit hadn't put much thought into what about the outside she wanted to hear a story about...it was likely she'd eagerly accept any sort of tale her mother decided to tell her.
Amusement shines in Frecklecall’s orange eyes as her daughter gazes up at her with big eyes, looking as though she was about to explode if she sat still any longer. It makes Frecklecall feel warm with maternal affection and care — her kits were the light of her life, and their genuine love and excitement for life only encouraged her. Even if everything was looking sideways, they could look to the brightside. They had promising futures, and she would help mold those futures. No matter what.
She’s impressed that Splashkit wants a story. No, the story’s contents aren’t too surprising — she remembers when she was small and confined to the Nursery, wanting nothing more than to break free and explore. Her own father’s tales of adventure had been awe inspiring, and nearly encouraged the spotted kitten to sneak off herself. Frecklecall never did though, not with Bubblekit and Dapplekit keeping her away from troubles like that. It’s almost sad how much time has changed, but she can have that moment back— even if it’s being the story teller, rather than the receiver.
Considering how quiet Splashkit was before asking, Frecklecall could only assume that the young kit had thought long and hard about what she wanted. And for that, the warrior wouldn’t try to coax her daughter into something else like a badger ride or wrestling. There was always time for that later, but she desperately and, perhaps a little selfishly, wanted to hang onto this moment of calm. The idea of sharing her knowledge the way that Darktalon had shared his to her… It makes the warrior feel fulfilled and joyful. ”C’mon, we can head back toward the nest first. Give you a second to decide what you wanna know.”
Pushing herself to her paws, Frecklecall offers an encouraging nudge of her head to Splashkit, prompting the kit forward gently. ”You want any old story?” The warrior continues, her mind going over the tales that she could tell her daughter… Her mind wanders to her encounter with the hawk as an apprentice, but maybe that’s a little too much for a two moon old kit.
At her mother's encouragement, Splashkit would wiggle to her feet, tripping over her paws in her haste to get up. The little tabby calico was oblivious to her mother's thoughts about the past and the future, just simply excited to have her momma's attention all to herself for now - and really excited about the story she was about to be told!
That elation and energy made itself known as Splash made a mad dash for the nest, skidding to a halt at the last second as she turned to face Freckle.
Did she want any old story? Splash's first instinct was to say yes, after all she didn't know many actual details about the outside, so it was kinda hard to think of something specific to ask about. But even so she'd do her best to try and think of something at her mom's question, giving a lil 'mrp', whiskers twitching as she tried to remember what she knew.
Facts: Food came from the outside. Plants, the eating kind for outches, came from the outside. The outside was where warriors and apprentices went to play and patrol. Other cats were outside and other, not cat things, were too!
Oh! The outside was also where her mommas, her older siblings and (Splash was pretty sure), other cats went to play a game of catch with things, both cat and non cat.
"Any story!" Splashkit would confirm, there was just too much to try and learn about the outside and she was sure her momma would know what was best to tell her about. And yet...hastily Splashkit would edit her previous statement, small tail flicking to the side.
"But it needs to be real, not pretend!" She'd insist.
The little kit knew that sometimes adults, and other kits, would make up stories...and those were fun! But this was serious business, this was an opportunity to learn about things Splashkit might see or do herself one day. She didn't wanna get that mixed up with make believe.
Warm laughter sounds from the she-cat as her daughter looks up at her with wide eyes, insistent that the story has to be based in reality. ”Okay, okay! Real, not pretend.” Frecklecall assures with a chuckle, an amused flick of her ears following the statement. ”Hm… A real story…” Frecklecall continues, lifting a striped leg to place a paw at her chin. The spotted warrior goes over a list in her mind’s eye, wanting to find something suitable yet responsible to tell the kitten. Age appropriate, and won’t scare her, but would certainly teach Splashkit the meaning of caution. Something that she could hold onto, to avoid making the same mistakes her parent has in the past.
Again, the hawk is a hard no, the predator had been terrifying, and even made her pelt bristle with alarm when thinking about it. Most of her time spent outside of camp was fishing, or, if she’s completely honest, getting into a spar or fight with another cat. Maybe those wouldn’t be great to teach either— at least, she couldn’t see Robinsplash happy with their kit refuting a tale of a nasty border brawl. The spotted warrior furrows her eyebrows before her mind suddenly wanders to the ash, and the strange Ravenclan warrior that she had met when she disappeared into the smoke. And that hit man guy. Ha, she misses him and doesn’t even remember his name.
”Okay, I’ve got it! How about… When the fire overtook the valley and me and your mama got separated?” Her tail flicks as she widens her eyes to add to the drama of it all, biting back a mischievous grin. ”We were completely outside of the territories… No, the valley, With strangers.” Now, that ought to grab Splashkit’s attention for sure.
As her momma thought, Splashkit would take a moment to circle in place, stomping down on the nesting material so that it was the softest and springiest it could be. She was tempted to dig at the nest a bit, cause that was the best way to get a nice soft nest, but she didn't want to delay any longer. With one more turn, the little kit would plop down and glance up at Freckle with bright golden eyes, whiskers twitching.
Those very same eyes would widen with fascination as Freckle set the proverbial stage...fire? Outside the valley? Outside the territory?? Splashkit hadn't realized there was stuff outside the Valley...would she be able to go there one day? The thought was exciting, but for once in her life Splash felt a bit reluctant at the thought of going on that particular adventure as well. That sounded really far, and everyone she loved was right here. She would miss them if she left.
Still, she definitely wanted to hear about her mommas adventure, so the little kit would eagerly nod her head...so hard she almost got a bit dizzy. "Yes yes! Tell me everything! How'd you find momma? Did you have to fight the fire? How do you fight fire?"
It was clear that the little kit had more questions, yet she seemed to cut herself off last second...realizing that if she spent the whole time asking questions, her momma wouldn't be able to start the story. It was time to listen! She didn't have much experience at that, often to consumed with her questions, but she was determined to do her best.