SunClan Camp || Open RP Thread

It was a warm day in Sunclan, suitably, and Fawnheart found himself perched by the fresh kill pile. Although he wasn't commonly seen out in the middle of everything, it was a nice day, and he often found himself lonely with his brothers recently busying themselves volunteering for clan duties. While he knew he ought to be stepping up and doing the same, it was easier said than done at times- So many of their clanmates were consistently eager and outspoken, and it made it hard to stand out. But then, he hardly had to. Sometimes, being a warrior meant doing the little things, like helping the queens or fetching herbs for the medicine cat. Not rushing out of camp all the time.

Today, on the other hand, he was happy just to be idle for the time being, without anything to do at all. He didn't much like being on his own, so it felt nice every now and then to absorb the company of his clan, even if just through proximity. Laying with his paws tucked neatly beneath him, Fawnheart was a tightly patched bundle of fur, ready to spring up and move should anyone else want to relax in his spot. But for now, unaddressed and unintruding, he remained where he was, sleepily awaiting the return of his brothers as he blinked blearily at the camp's exit for any sign of movement.

Honestly, the cozy feeling of the midday sun was just like curling up with his littermates back when they were still small enough to do so. Fuzzy and warm in all the best ways. Without knowing, without realizing, he could almost just let his eyes slip shut...

Movement caught his attention, paws shifting with an instant itch to make room for whatever clanmate had decided to take a load off. They quickly discovered, however, that this was not a necessary case. Beside him now was Rookbriar, ever the restless queen, her white spots glowing bright in the day's bloom like dancing glimmers across a pond. That itchy feeling seeped out of Fawnheart's paws as he recognized her, and moreover, recognized the outward friendliness in her approach. He could hardly afford to kill the mood now, and he didn't- Instead offering her a slow, kind blink in response. "Sunclan's ingenuity seems to have lasted since our foundation," he mewed with a sheepish smile, shifting his limbs beneath him. "We're lucky indeed."

As he stilled his movements, his fur began to reheat once more, his eyes becoming content slits in the process. The scent of the mouse meat was homey, the greenleaf was warm, and the forest was thriving with bustling prey and beautiful summer flowers. Today was a blessed one, indeed. Slow and sluggish, his head nodded slightly, just barely fighting the urge to tuck his nose into his chest fluff like he were tucked into bed already- it'd be an embarrassing way to get caught. Rather, to refocus, he widened his gaze once more to peek at the queen. "It's nice to see you out of the nursery, Rookbriar. The kittens, too. It feels livelier already, seeing them around." Just talking about it, Fawnheart's creamy tail curled slightly in undisguised fondness, ever the bleeding heart for the clan's youngest (and cutest) members.

Suddenly, it wasn't just the daylight warming his pelt. "O-Oh! Um.." It'd take a serious unstoppable force to get the warrior to shift off his rock now, but the embarrassed angle of his ears came close. Luckily, after Rookbriar's immediate question, she seemed sidetracked by the prospect of prey. Although the mouse at her paws did smell awfully good, Fawnheart lowered his muzzle quickly- "That's awfully nice of you.. It's okay, though! I'll eat after the later patrols return, and... well, you and Amaris should have your pick of the options."

Beneath his underbelly, the patched cat kneaded idly at the stone, warding off the flustered feeling in their stomach that currently took up any void hunger would have left. It was true what he'd said; Seeing Rookbriar's new litter seemed to brighten up the camp, and he certainly looked forward to getting to know them as they got older. Still, thinking about rearing any kittens of their own... raised quite a few questions alongside it. Nitty gritty details with whom's and how's in mind. Feeling their tail prickle a little, he looked back at the queen, wondering not for the first time how anycat could ever prepare for such a big life change. He supposed, hearing her comment about the nursery, that it must come with its benefits and sacrifices like any life choice.

"Mm.." The kneading of their paws slowed as contemplation took over, spurred by the ever present comfort of the cozy atmosphere. "It won't be long until you're back on patrol, I imagine. Time passes so quickly... It can be hard to think far ahead."

It's the most of an answer they can give without the jitters taking back over. I wouldn't want to be too presumptuous, thinking exclusively about kittens just because Rookbriar's had some... As much as he liked nursery-talk, Fawnheart knew that she'd likely been up to her ears in it since she moved dens. If the other was out here to have a break from that very thing, he probably shouldn't start talking about things he didn't have expertise in. Not in front of a real parent, anyway! There's so much I don't know.

For a moment there, Rookbriar seemed to disappear, lost in the spring greenery and blue feathers as she described them to the other. Fawnheart, for all their haziness, couldn't help but be pulled in the same way- While he'd seen his fair share of new-leafs, there was something about the way the queen described it that seemed to repaint it for him, reshape his own image of everything he thought he'd known. Without realizing it, their head had lifted from their paws, listening wide-eyed to the point's recollection.

All too soon, the dream seemed to end in the same instant it began. As Rookbriar snapped out of her memories, and Fawnheart blinked out of their own trance. Caught up in the lingering throes of her passion, he lowered his gaze shyly- he'd gotten a little sucked in, too. "W-When you put it that way, it... It sounds so special." Their voice faltered as the words came so readily. They studied the ground as their thoughts slowly crystallized into comprehension, his mew falling quiet, pensive. "I think... it's probably easy to take those things for granted. I never really thought to enjoy them. Oh-"

Startling somewhat, he looked up again, almost urgent. "That's not to say I don't appreciate them! Patrols, I mean. They're important... duties are important for every cat to fulfill." Then, embarrassed by his own outburst, their eyes dropped back to a reliable post at the fuzzy edge where his fur met the rocks, white on grey like a cloudy day. Nonetheless, the heat in his ears graciously reminded him that the sun was far from hidden for the time being. Or... maybe it was a different sort of heat. The spreading warmth seemed to confirm his hypothesis, making him itch all over. "I guess I've just never had the perspective to value them. But... that just shows what a good warrior you are, Rookbriar. To appreciate the little things like that. It's, um.. I admire that."

Another pause. "..I'm really happy you'll be able to do the things you love again. Your kits will have a really good role model, and then... Maybe you can all go out in the morning together, and they'll get to share those things with you, too." It was half speculation at that point, but Fawnheart had visibly softened with the flow of the conversation, lulled into sincerity with the genuine fervor his clanmate seemed to have for warrior staples. Something as predictable as a dew drops on the dawn's grass, as regular as every day's beginning, could be made into something so meaningful through the right eyes. It was the kind of spirit that deserved equal sincerity.

It occurred to him, very, very late, that he probably got a bit sidetracked. Flustered, an apology rose in their throat, but died before it could reach their tongue- Talking even more would just set him on another mini ramble. Instead, they studied the rock face as hard as they could, the slight motions of a nod rocking their head as if to affirm what he had said one final time.

He couldn't help but flinch a little at the swipe, blinking after the retreat of a dark paw before he'd even fully processed it. Yet... once it did register, the whisk of air from the motion lingering like a ghost on his pelt, Fawnheart felt awash in relief. They had a tendency of getting carried away every so often, lost in sentimentality, and it was good to see that it didn't deter his clanmate from treating him kindly. Playfully, even! With the fizz of happiness starting to bubble in his chest, he ducked his head with a small smile.

What Rookbriar said was true, too. After talking today, he didn't think he'd go another walk through the woods without stopping to take it all in. Was this what it meant to be interconnected? To learn from others, and take those pieces of knowledge with you for the rest of your life? Although he didn't know how long today might stay in someone else's memory, he made a secret vow to protect what he'd learned in his subconscious. Hearing her invitation, it seemed he'd have plenty of opportunity to put his newfound appreciation to practice. It felt nice to be like part of something all of a sudden, and they couldn't help but knead a little into the smooth rock at their belly, content with this rare instance of satisfaction.

The buzz of belonging started to fade as Fawnheart was distracted with a new question, this time about their hobbies. "Oh..." Glancing at the queen, they couldn't help but notice she seemed a little unsure of herself for asking. Worried now that they'd somehow caused a hiccup in the conversation, the warrior made a point of finding a proper answer, if only to reclaim Rookbriar's easy-going attitude once more. "Hmm.. I like... fixing things. Like the dens, or helping Vinedapple organize his supplies... or helping the apprentice's if they get confused with their duties... Although they don't often want to listen. But, most often I spend time with my family." A bit emboldened from their success thus far, they offered a rare personal example, tone softening; "It's silly, but sometimes it's fun to play spar after all the patrols are in for the day. Out in the training hollow. I'm not very fierce or anything, but I feel like I can make believe when we're just messing around without any real enemies. I mostly let them win, though. Or, I did... It's not so often anymore."

Most of the time, Fawnheart felt out of place without his brothers around, especially Tinyleaf. Close in appearance and heart, the two were oftentimes inseparable, sharing a nest and as many duties as they could. But no warrior could stay sewn to another's side 24/7. Sometimes, the two just wouldn't be able to spend the day together, and Fawnheart would find himself waiting primarily for his brother to come back to camp so that they might reform their team once again. Laying here with Rookbriar... that usual emptiness wasn't so gaping. The absence by his side, instead, was filled by a new cat, and rather than feeling traitorous, it was a simple comfort. An easy rapport. It helped that she was so cheerful and engaging, not unlike the cat he was waiting for, but she had a natural draw in her own right.

Fawnheart thought, just a little bit, that maybe he really was part of the friendship she mentioned. But if that were so, then how could it be proved? With a sincere blink, they tilted their head inquiringly. "Promises..? Like a real fight?" They'd never heard of a relationship being officiated by a match before, but it did seem like the sort of thing that fit into warrior culture. Or maybe there was some other fun thing entirely that could serve as repayment. "What sort of promise should I make, then, if I'm going to offer my gratitude? Or.. what sort of thing would you like to do? Even if not right now."

It may not be until after the kits had become apprentices that Rookbriar could make good on her talk of play fighting and morning patrols, but whenever it may be the case, the warrior found themselves wanting to plan ahead for it if only to show they were just as genuine about following through with the plans as the queen was about making them.