Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2018 23:44:00 GMT
- Do I have to? -
Ottercloud’s muscles ached. This morning, mere minutes after he had awoke, he had been confronted by a bored looking warrior that would not take no or ‘please no’ for an answer; he must join this morning’s hunting patrol. With barely concealed reluctance, Ottercloud had joined a patrol and shattered his moon-long streak of avoiding such unglamorous work. The patrol had turned out to be a success over all, but Ottercloud’s contribution of a mangled lizard was certainly not a highlight offering.
This is mouse poo, he thought glumly. “And a lot harder than it looks,” he murmured under his breath as he selected a spot between the warrior den and the nursery to preen and busy over himself. Warrior’s work would make him look like an inept fool, he had decided. Ears swiveling this way and that to collect half-whispered rumors and broken conversations, Ottercloud kept alert to the happenings in the camp.
The cinnamon tom considered his standing in the clan. Though he was reasonably well liked by his peers, he had enemies and those that especially did not care for him. Elders seemed to enjoy his eagerness to help and kits seemed delighted by his playfulness and storytelling abilities. He was known for his gentle interactions with the defective ones to the point of rumored favoritism. He certainly showed a tenderness towards the deaf Frostkit.
Being just before midday, the sun’s rays smiled upon Willow Clan and filtered through the trees to make a dancing mosaic of sun spots before the Leader’s Den. Ottercloud’s attention piqued as Willowstar emerged to begin her day. Working quickly, he groomed finishing touches into his feathery coat and performed a quick stretch before rising to approach the silver tongued Queen of Willowclan.
“Well well, good morning my Queen. You are looking more radiant than the sun today!” he chirped with genuine admiration. “Breathtaking and striking, I would add.” Ottercloud extended a loud purr to his leader and perked his fluffy tail.
Ottercloud had been one of the first to follow Willowstar to their new home. The fiercely intelligent and misunderstood warrior had always held his admiration, and perhaps unknowingly commanded his respect. To join her, and Oaktalon too, he supposed, was not a decision he’d had to think very deeply about.
“Did you know that you are the most gracious leader of all of the clans?” Ottercloud asked conversationally and sat himself near Willowstar.
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