we are the hearts (storm)

you will hear our voices echo

[attr="class","itdscroll"]Lilyfang came awake with a groggy grumble and cuffed the complaining clan mate over the head. Elksong had to struggle to swallow down her amusement at the sight, scooting out of her old mentor's way and following the older she-cat out of the warrior den and into the camp, and then out of it. When Lilyfang put her mind to going somewhere, she went. Elksong's long legs meant she kept up with Lilyfang easily, but her fur rippled with the effort she had to put into matching strides with her friend. "Sorry for sleeping so late, kitto. Long night last night. What'd you need to talk about?" Elksong twitched her ears. She would have shrugged her shoulders, if they had been standing still. Maybe it wasn't Lilyfang's advice she wanted so much as someone who would listen to her. "I just..." She twitched her whiskers again, restlessly, glad they were moving with such purpose, or otherwise she'd be shuffling her paws together and ducking her head. "Well, my parents are mated. And my brother's had his moments with love too. And I'm, well, me." Elksong wrinkled her nose, whiskers lifting up high with her embarrassment and bemusement.

Elksong didn't consider herself lonely. But wanting companionship was normal, right? Everyone wanted someone to spend their lives with, one way or the other, even if not everyone got that wish. And Elksong wasn't even picky; she had admired the sleek pelts of both toms and she-cats before. But she was in her forty-fifth moon! Time was passing. And Lilyfang wasn't unpopular, she had plenty of friends too. Maybe her old mentor knew someone who was looking for a mate too. "There's nothing wrong with me, I know that, but..." She shrugged, face heating up beneath her fur. Having to ask this suddenly seemed way more embarrassing than she'd expected, but Elksong trusted Lilyfang not to laugh too  much. "I don't know. I want someone to love me too," she professed finally. She nudged Lilyfang's shoulder with her own, adding, "You're my best friend. Do you think you could help me out with finding someone?"

TAGGING calm in the storm

you will hear our voices echo

[attr="class","itdscroll"]"I suppose that's not too much to ask for. Guess I'm just surprised my prized pupil's having difficulty finding a catch- thought I taught you better." Lilyfang teased Elksong, bumping her with her shoulder. Elksong staggered and kept her footing with a huff, whiskers lifting with her amusement, purr rumbling about in her chest, reverberating off her ribcage. "You taught me how to be a good warrior, true," Elksong agreed, eyes warm when they found her old mentor and friend's face again. "You taught me how to catch all manner of prey and enemies, but... not a mate." Not that Elksong held that against Lilyfang, and made sure her voice lilted in an amused, playful way. She owed Lilyfang more than she really knew how to express, and so shrugged her lithe shoulders, long legs carrying her a few bounds ahead of Lilyfang before she slowed back down, having no intention of leaving the other she-cat behind. Not when she knew Lilyfang intended on helping her, after having gotten in some teasing first. Her whiskers shivered with her good humor.

Then Lilyfang shocked Elksong by suggesting Pinestar. Elksong sucked in a startled breath of air and tripped on a root, staggering sideways in a valiant effort to keep her footing. Elksong only stayed on her paws after digging her claws into the ground and stiffening her legs, all four rigid, probably looking like the biggest fool this side of the clan territories. She knew her face was burning hot under her fur, and thanked her stars mentally for giving her such dark-hued tones; though she doubted Lilyfang needed to see her blushing to know Elksong was embarrassed. Stuttering, Elksong replied, "That's not- come on, Lilyfang, I'm serious!" She couldn't imagine approaching Pinestar with romance in mind. The older tom was even taller than Elksong, which was saying something, and carried himself so imposingly. Elksong huffed to herself, drawing herself together and shaking her pelt out, doing her best to expel the dust she'd gathered while flailing about while also regaining some dignity. "He's Pinestar. I know you two are friends, but..." She paused and cast a glance at Lilyfang, cast with unintentional shyness, "You really think I stand a chance with him?" She thought, briefly, that that was more meaningful than the suggestion itself, which was just ludicrous. Her and Pinestar! He seemed more unattainable than the sun, in that moment, gazing at her best friend and looking more than a little vulnerable despite her inherent pride.

TAGGING calm in the storm

you will hear our voices echo

[attr="class","itdscroll"]Lilyfang retorted something about the minimal difference between hunting for prey and hunting for mates, and Elksong's whiskers twitched despite her consternation more seconds ago. Naturally, the prickling sensation of mixed embarrassment and surprise wasn't going anywhere fast, but she appreciated Lilyfang's caustic banter. The other she-cat had never seen any use for lies and Elksong appreciated that; she appreciated anyone who could be honest back. The long-legged warrior flicked her tail and shrugged. "I like straightforward," she murmured, letting the pitch of her voice fall low, in case Lilyfang wanted to ignore Elksong's musings. It wasn't that Elksong required everyone around her to be completely honest; Elksong knew that wasn't realistic. But she liked to know where she stood with others, just as they would always know where they stood with her. "What are you bird-brained? Pinestar's a cat like you and me, all he's done is get himself a title. Besides, he's pretty fun to be around when he's not acting all serious." Elksong laughed, the sound bubbling up from her gut. "You're the most irreverent cat in Skyclan," Elksong meowed, long-sufferingly, unable to smother her amusement. "It's really a good thing Pinestar likes you so much."

"I think you two would make a fantastic pair." Elksong ducked her head again and trudged forward, opening her mouth to draw air in over her tongue and the roof of her mouth, tasting the forest's leafy-green oxygen for any signs of prey. Occupying herself with checking their surroundings gave Elksong the chance to think over her next words, the sensation of that burning creep-crawl beneath her fur becoming an increasing distraction. She was blushing, again. "I trust your judgment, of course, Lilyfang," she meowed, returning to the more serious topic at paw, halting and turning, padding in a wide circle back to her friend, unable to catch the scents of any prey, because that would save her from this conversation that she had started and trapped herself within. Elksong planted her earth-hued haunches in front of Lilyfang, tucking her paws in close, and flicked her ears, a sign of both interest and discomfort. Elksong couldn't find voice for the warring amounts of pleasure and uneasiness that swarmed within her. She was pleased that Lilyfang thought her worthy of being the leader's mate, but she couldn't imagine trying to court the leader. Elksong cleared her throat awkwardly and dipped her chin in a slight nod, inquiring then, "Would you, uh, set us up?"


TAGGING calm in the storm