wasted daylight (open!)

[ghost]

The warm sunlight drenching the Brushclan camp would have, on any other occasion, lulled Crowpaw into a peaceful doze, but for some reason she was just not having it today.

The apprentice flipped into her other side for the fifth time, breathing harshly through her nose when the change in position didn't make her any more comfortable. It was a well-known fact throughout the clan that Crowpaw was capable of sleeping anywhere and through anything, and it was not uncommon to see her being chastised for resting when she could be doing absolutely anything else. And now, the one time that she is allowed to nap between training sessions and apprentice duties, she can't.

Crowpaw rolled again, this time onto her stomach, and she looked out at the empty clearing through half-lidded eyes. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been so restless, and this sudden bout of wakefulness just had to end up happening on a slow day. Just her luck.

"Starclan must be punishing me," the she-cat muttered, her tail sweeping once across the grass.

[Jay]

Tawnystar's tail flicked. They were irritated and antsy, for whatever reason. Cinderstorm was out of camp like she tended to be, having assigned herself to a patrol just a little while ago. It was responsible of her, but it meant that Tawnystar couldn't talk to her.

Not that they really had anything to talk about. The howls and scents had calmed for nowm, and the camp was definitely feeling the results: the atmosphere had relaxed substantially.

But Tawnystar hadn't. The signs wouldn't start up only to disappear without a trace. It was only a matter of time before something else happened.

They crossed the camp, lost in thought. Cats lay in the sunlight dappling the ground, and Tawnystar had to maneuver carefully more than once to get around them. One in particular caught their eye: Their own daughter, obviously not asleep, and just as annoyed as Tawnystar felt.

Or had felt. A rush of affection (tinged with guilt) washed over them and they crossed the rest of the way toward the brown apprentice, just in time to catch her muttered words.

"For what?" Tawnystar asked, curiously. "What have you gotten up to this time, hm? Something I should be worried about?"

[ghost]

Crowpaw's ears twitched very slightly at the sound of soft pawsteps, though she didn't make a move until Tawnystar's scent wafted just ahead of their voice, prompting her to acknowledge her parent with a head turn in their direction and a flick of her plumy tail.

"The elders say that no one should worry about me but myself," she deadpanned, though she couldn't help but feel a flicker of warmth at Tawnystar's concern. The cat chatted with their clan members often, herself especially, but Crowpaw had seen how tense they had become after the unusual howling that had gone up several days before; it was good to see that the Brushclan leader was back to their normal self, at least for a short while.

The fluffy she-cat finally pushed herself into a sitting position, yawning casually beside Tawnystar before speaking. "That's probably because they think I'm lazy for napping whenever they feel like checking up on me," she said, clarifying her earlier statement. "But I guess they had a chat with our ancestors because I can't sleep. At all. I'm probably cursed now." Crowpaw sighed. "And it's such nice napping weather, too..." 

[Jay]

"Oh, StarClan couldn't keep me from worrying about you," Tawnystar said with an amused purr. They sat down next to their daughter, curling their tail around their front paws.

Their poor daughter; the one time in days she can indulge, and it seems she can't. Such a thing could only happen to her.

"I'm sure it's nothing so drastic as a curse," Tawnystar assured her. "Maybe you've forgotten something important. Or.. perhaps your conscience is finally catching up with you," they added mischieviously. "Regretting those naps during training, hm?"

[ghost]

Crowpaw could absolutely hear the playfulness dripping from Tawnystar's words. And although they also spoke with their usual fondess towards her, the she-cat couldn't resist pouting slightly at her parent, her tail flicking several times in mock irritation. "Don't make fun of me," she grumbled, turning her head so her expression faced away from the cat. "Napping is very serious business. How else would I have such a sharp mind?

"And my conscience is fine," she added in a mumble. Really, missing those training sessions was not her fault when she slept like the dead. Well, maybe she was a little at fault, but why admit that now when she'd spent all her moons defending her claim? Crowpaw was lax, but she was also stubborn when she felt like it. Her conscience was fine.

[Jay]

"Oh of course," Tawnystar said, a purr in their voice. They felt a little bad for their joke, but only a little. They leaned forward a little and licked the top of Crowpaw's head in a soothing gesture. "Perhaps you're just not tired enough for a nap," they pondered. "Maybe it's best to stop for now, and do something else."

Tawnystar considered. They hadn't really been able to spend too much time with their daughter lately, and they dearly missed the quiet times they'd spent alone. But that was what happened when you had kits as a leader. Still, Crowpaw only had one parent.

"I'm sure Cinderstorm can hold down the camp, if you and I decide to sneak off for a little while," they suggested.

[ghost]

Crowpaw closed her eyes as Tawnystar licked her forehead, a ghost of a purr rumbling out of her throat at the gesture. The brown tabby definitely put up with her whining more than was necessary, and she felt a mingled affection and guilt at the thought. She was lucky that Tawnystar was such a sweet parent in spite of being the leader of a clan, but all of their kindness and playfullness made the young she-cat feel as though she were taking advantage of them sometimes. A lot of the time.

Still, Crowpaw couldn't help but perk up a bit at their suggestion, her whiskers twitching at the prospect of going out with them after so long. She turned towards the other cat, raising a single brow. "Would it really be alright if the leader of Brushclan went missing for a bit?" She asked, her even tone offset by the hope shimmering in her golden eyes.

[Jay]

"There are some perks to being leader," Tawnystar said. "Though maybe not many. Besides, it's so quiet lately. I'm sure one evening won't hurt." Cinderstorm was capable, anyway, and no one could really begrudge Tawnystar wanting to spend time with their daughter.

They couldn't say no now anyway. Crowpaw looked too hopeful. Tawnystar wouldn't dash that. "Do you not want to?" they asked anyway, though the answer seemed obvious.

[ghost]

Crowpaw considered giving one of her usual dry responses for all of two seconds before brushing the thought aside. She had long since learned to accept companionship from Tawnystar when they offered it, especially when she was a kit and didn't have them around too often. However, it wouldn't keep her from having a bit of fun with them.

Crowpaw purred softly. "I'd never refuse that offer," she said, grinning at the leader.

[Jay]

Tawnystar felt relieved at their daughters assent. For a moment, they had honestly felt like they'd be refused.

Not that I don't deserve it, they thought with some melancholy. Raising a kit as leader was difficult, but if anything Tawnystar hadn't tried enough. Wrapped up in keeping the secret from the entirety of the other three Clans, and coupled with the feeling of guilt they had whenever they saw Crowpaw (though it had lessened now, thankfully, with the affection and love they felt for their daughter), Tawnystar had been more distant than was really necessary. It was something they regretted immensely now.

The danger had lessened now. It'd been long enough that most of their clanmates had forgotten to be curious about the mystery surrounding Crowpaw's father, but there was still the possibility of the knowledge getting back to CliffClan.

But none of that was Crowpaw's fault. Tawnystar would have to remember that, in the midst of their own whirlwind of thoughts: You have a daughter, and she has feelings too.

"Good," Tawnystar said, taking the chance to lick Crowpaw's head again. "Where would you like to go?"

[ghost]

Crowpaw accepted the next lick as well, though she waved her tail thoughtfully at the question. Now that she had Tawnystar to herself, she realized that she couldn't really think up a plan for how they could spend the day. She had never been one for arranging outings anyway, much rather preferring to go along with whatever patrols Cinderstorm set up or roaming until some opportunity presented itself, but Starclan knew she wouldn't let her chance slip by.

"Hunting, maybe?" Crowpaw suggested, shrugging slightly. "Might as well do something productive if we're outside, hmm?"

[Jay]

"Hunting sounds nice," Tawnystar said, pleased. "Give me a moment to talk to Cinderstorm, and then we can go." They swept away, taking a moment to shake off the dust that has begun accumulating in their fur.

It took a bit longer to set things up with Cinderstorm than Tawnystar had initially planned, but finally things were cleared and they and Crowpaw were free to go.

"I've gotten us the whole evening to ourselves," Tawnystar said when they returned to where they'd left Crowpaw. "Though I had to assure Cinderstorm everything would be alright." They rolled their eyes and gave a knowing, joking look at Crowpaw.

[ghost]

Crowpaw didn't do much while Tawnystar went to speak to their deputy; she just looked around the clearing at her sleepy clanmates with her usual neutral expression, taking an occasional moment to lick at a spot on her paw. However, a more observant cat would have noted that her plumy tail was uncharacteristically twitchy throughout her wait, and her glances towards the Brushclan leader as they spoke to Cinderstorm were more numerous than usual.

Still, she looked calm when Tawnystar returned, though the mention of their deputy's slight paranoia made her eyes glisten with amusement. "You'd think we'd be going out for a moon instead of a couple of hours," Crowpaw said, raising a brow. Cinderstorm's strict rules weren't all that uncommon, but something like this was pushing it a bit.

The she-cat did have an idea of just why their deputy was being extra cautious, but she decided to tuck the thought away to dwell on later. No kit-tales of wolves were going to get them down today, she would make sure of it.

[Jay]

"To Cinderstorm," Tawnystar says, amusement in their mew, "It'll probably feel like a moon." They flicked an ear and swept their tail at Crowpaw. "Let's go, then. No need to waste more daylight."

Perhaps they were a bit antsy to get out of camp. It'd been a long time since they'd taken the chance for such freedom-- and it was even more special since it would be spent with their daughter. So they walked a little too fast, lifted their paws a little higher than usual, floating on a little bubble of happiness.

[ghost]

Crowpaw snorted softly at the comment, then rose to her paws and followed the leader out of camp, through the entrance that separated them from the wilder scents outside. She found herself needing to trot after her parent a little faster than usual, and she couldn't hold back a little smile at Tawnystar's obvious enthusiasm.

"How long has it been since you've been allowed out of camp?" She asked, speeding up to move along beside them. "Cinderstorm couldn't have kept you stuck in there for too long, hmm?"