{<~ C a t c h i n g U p ~>} ~a oneshot~ || I'm baaaaaack!
Dec 24, 2017 16:31:51 GMT -5
mintedstar/fur and ~Sapphire~ like this
Post by ~Absol~Wolf~Scribe~ on Dec 24, 2017 16:31:51 GMT -5
Catching up
I perched above her on a tree branch, wondering how I never got detected with these huge paws. Her orange striped fur rippled in the forest light, her eyes narrowed in silent pursuit. Oblivious as usual- it’s a miracle she ever got accepted into ThunderClan as an outsider. I tried my best to creep through the branches, but with my barn cat stature the leaves rattled, and she perked her ears a little. I had to make my move now— holding my breath, I prayed she wouldn't scratch my eyes out, and dropped to the leaves below with a crunch.
“Gah! Rogue! What are you—
Her orange fur was all puffed up, and though it was probably meant to scare, I just couldn’t help but smile. Her rigidity melted and a glimmer darted through her eyes.
“Silas? Is that really you?” she asked. I beamed.
“None other than yours truly! Shame on you for forgetting your brother!” I said. She loosened up and nudged me lightly, but I found myself stumbling.
“Silas! Wow! I- I haven't seen you in ages!" she said. "And I did not forget! You just surprised me! You’re lucky I didn’t claw your ears off!” she laughed. I flattened my ears.
“How morbid!” I chuckled and sighed. “I see you’ve accustomed to warrior life, Petal— uh, Petalpaw, was it?” I asked. She stood a bit straighter.
“Actually, it’s Petalwing as of half a moon ago. I’ve finally earned my place as a full fledged warrior!”
“A warrior! Wow! Well, um, I’m very glad for you, Petalwing.”
The name still tasted foul on my mouth. Her face darkened a bit.
“Yeah, I feel like I was just born for the warrior life here in ThunderClan,” she said almost bitingly. I forced a half-smile and looked at the dirt.
“I’m glad to hear that. As long as you’re happy, I s’pose.”
Ugh. I’d made myself promise that I wouldn’t let this seep out, but my expressions have the opacity of a cobweb. I guess those few moments of comfort were all we could snag.
“Er— Silas, it’s great to see you and all, but why did you come here? If someone else had caught you…”
“I know, I know,” I said, sighing. “The last time that happened, the only reason they relented was that I had you in my teeth.” Her eyes clouded over, and I sighed. “Well, I guess there’s no easy way to break the news… Mom died a few nights ago.”
She gasped and looked to her paws.
“Gosh! That’s awful! I can’t believe it! I— I’m so sorry.”
I closed my eyes and let my heart fall for a moment, forgetting the world. Darkness was all there was, liquid darkness lapping at the edges, dribbling in— I was drowning in a dream and I needed to wake up. Wake up. I opened my eyes, forcing it to subside, leaving bitter stains.
“If there’s anything I can do…” she said. I lashed my tail.
“Anything you can do…” I echoed flatly. I looked up at her. “She was your mom too, you know.”
She bristled uncomfortably.
“I know, I know. It saddens me too… But with me being in ThunderClan now, I imagine it must be affecting you far worse.”
“Enough of this!” I huffed. “I’m sick of that condescending warrior attitude. I’ll have none of your pity— not about this, not about being stuck as a lowly barn cat, not about anything! Have your grief, or don’t care.” I paused. “It’s clear you don’t have room in your heart for your own family anymore.”
“What?”
“Ever since that clan turned you into one of them, you just haven't remembered where you came from. Your life, your loyalty, this ‘clan’ demands it all— and you let them have it! I never should have given you to them.”
“Silas, just because I belong to ThunderClan now doesn’t mean I’ve stopped caring about you! I still love you and mom!”
“Then where’s your grief?” I spat.
She slumped her shoulders and looked at me delicately, and I instantly regretted my harshness. I opened my mouth for a moment to take back what I said, but nothing came out. I sighed.
“Hey kid, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.” I sat down, curling my tail around her. “Look, I— this has got me all shaken up and it’s all spilling out.”
“No, you’re right. Stuff’s just different between us. We never should’ve left so much unsaid like this.”
“I know. But there was never time. You were barely still a kit when you left, and then they always had you busy with that apprentice stuff.”
“Yeah. It was tough as it was, but I had to work twice as hard as the rest, and be twice as smart. But I loved every moment of it.”
I sighed.
“Your clan comes first now, doesn’t it? Don’t worry, I understand. It hurts that the little sister I love has to grow up without her big brother around. But I guess it’s a blessing that you’re thriving here. We have a lot to thank them for, taking you in when mom was sick and all.”
At this point, the darkness was trickling out, and the agony crashed over me like a wave. The pain coursed through my mind in inklings of a simpler life. But now, a tail rested on my shoulder, like a lifeline to keep me from drowning. As I returned from the dream, this time the bitterness drained away by itself, and though it didn’t leave completely, my heart felt cleaner.
“Silas… I miss you too. And I miss mom so much.” She opened her eyes, still ravaged by darkness. “I’m so sorry for leaving you cold like I did. I was young, and I didn't understand. I… my life is different, but I never stopped to consider how that would affect you.”
I sighed and rested against her for a moment.
“I understand, it’s okay. I couldn’t have raised you and taken care of mom at the same time. This was the only option, and we’re so lucky that you turned out happy.”
“But Silas, I want you to be happy too!” she said. I smiled.
“Oh Petalwing, I am happy. You have a good life here, and you’re taken care of, even if the lifestyle is a bit extreme for my taste,” I said. “I mean it. As long as you're happy, I’m happy.”
Petalwing looked up at me, eyes shining with renewal.
A heaviness sighed within me, and for the first time in too long, I felt complete. The darkness graciously subsided for the rest of the afternoon, leaving me to ask her about her life and get a taste of being a part of it. It didn’t last long, but it was sweet while it did. For a few moons after that I can’t say I felt good, but I was happy. The world around me had settled into place, and I was finally catching up.
~~∞~~
Hey guys! It's me, Absol! Some of you might remember me from the old forums a few years ago, though since I don't come on much anymore most of you might not know me. With college in full blast it can be really hard to even get enough sleep, let alone time for the internet! Luckily, finals just ended (like a few days ago why did it have to drag so late ahhhhhh) and in the dizziness of my freedom I've made the rash but exciting decision to return to the forums! Yay! I should definitely be around until the end of my break (mid-January)... let's see how long I last once school starts! XD
And so I present you this one-shot, Catching Up! I actually wrote this one about a year ago and posted it to my Deviantart, but I've polished it up for you here. I'm mostly happy with it, but it was an exercise in something I struggle with-- blending dialogue with physical description-- so please offer feedback or advice if you have any! Also I can assure you that I'm not being lazy by just recycling old stuff- I actually did write a long one-shot from scratch yesterday, but it's still a bit rough, and being a bit of a vent piece it seemed too dark and edgy for Christmas XD. I do intend to post it, it'll just have to be after all this goddamn joy finally evaporates.
All in all, it's good to be back! Hugs for anyone who knew me (and also for anyone who didn't, what the heck), and Merry Christmas to all!
And so I present you this one-shot, Catching Up! I actually wrote this one about a year ago and posted it to my Deviantart, but I've polished it up for you here. I'm mostly happy with it, but it was an exercise in something I struggle with-- blending dialogue with physical description-- so please offer feedback or advice if you have any! Also I can assure you that I'm not being lazy by just recycling old stuff- I actually did write a long one-shot from scratch yesterday, but it's still a bit rough, and being a bit of a vent piece it seemed too dark and edgy for Christmas XD. I do intend to post it, it'll just have to be after all this goddamn joy finally evaporates.
All in all, it's good to be back! Hugs for anyone who knew me (and also for anyone who didn't, what the heck), and Merry Christmas to all!
