Bones Like Bare Roots

koby 13-Feb-21 02:03 PM

"When were you going to tell me?" Josiah had asked Inky, hurt so thick in his tone it made Inky's heart twist uncomfortably in their chest. He spoke hushed, as if worried about being heard by someone nearby. Inky, who had labored through the night to deliver four children they knew they'd have to say goodbye to in a few short weeks, did not have the strength to discuss it. They shifted in the moss, hay, and ragged blanket bedding. "Do we have to argue right now?" they said stiffly. "I-- Inky--" Josiah scrambled for words, mouth closing and shutting before he settled, letting out a long sigh. Inky distantly recognized that as a choice. He was choosing not to give into the annoyance or anger he felt over all this being kept from him. The more time they spent together, the more Inky began to realize Josiah housed an easy temper, carefully controlled by willpower and refusal to take on a path like that of his parents. He was patient, yes, but by choice. Inky found that interesting. They'd never met someone so... measured. "No, I'm not trying to argue. I just wish I could have... have been apart of all of this. I would have... liked it. I would have been happy to know," Josiah said carefully. Inky laid their head on their paws and did not look at him. "I was trying to buy us some time," they told him.

[cw depression, postpartum in particular discussion/mention/etc just in general] Grief ruled Inky most days. They felt a depression like they'd never known, keeping to the back room in the church with heart heavy as they watched their four little ones squirm and grow big. Their eyes were open now, kitten blue and certainly still bleary. Some of their ears were starting to come up... though... not all of them. Maybe about half. Inky was finding it hard to let go. They were, against their will, attached to the little bastards. They weren't very good at walking, or talking, or really doing much of anything. But they were excellent little models, Inky happily decorated them with tiny mockup versions of designs they were working on. It was mostly what kept them going-- the distraction of work. It came in handy now, when the little ones still needed their warmth but Inky was looking to travel. To be frank, Inky... Inky wanted to keep them for another moon. But Josiah brought up the good point that it would be easier to... to let them be raised by others as early as possible. The less... the less time Inky and Josiah were able to spend with them, the better. It was dangerous. Their litter was in danger each moment they spent even as close to the city as the Church is. The Truth, though he would try to protect them, found himself in a delicate situation considering the lengths they'd have to go to to keep them safe there. So it... was better like this. Unfortunately, Inky loved them dearly. But... they could not break from their usual life. They too, were in a sticky situation. That was all this winter held for them. Unfortunate, painful circumstances that they had gotten themselves into. This did not help the grief, which they wore on each fine line and shadow of exhaustion on their face.

But they knew this was important. So they went anyways. Maybe Inky would keep them for another month, still. But... they'd have to cement plans. And Josiah had a conviction about showing his mother the children, his motivations shrouded at best to Inky. They knew that he had something to say, could see it boiling in him. Inky felt detached from that, though. The walk there was quiet for the most part. Inky carries the smallest, Joey, in a red sling across their chest. Joey, fully awake and peeking out the front with little pink nose running, squints against the cold breeze. It's about midday, though the sun is clouded and it is terribly, unusually chilly out. Icicles paint the trees, clinking and creaking in the wind. Josiah, in another sling, carts the other three around-- as he was much bigger and better suited for such a task. Inky could hear mewled complaints from inside his sling, and see some squirming. They weren't quite good at the word thing yet, but they were certainly good at making a racket. Occasionally they managed a word-- mostly some variation of 'da' and 'pa' while babbling. Inky wanted to be called professor rather than mother or father or anything. This was probably a bit more difficult than they pictured. Plus, it was another unfortunate tether to them. It made things hard. Everything was hard lately. Still, when they come up on the impressive wall and gateway to the court landing, Inky puts on their best neutral expression. Josiah pads ahead, entering the cave first where he knew it would be warmer. Inky is soon to follow, finding themselves to be much more nervous than they initially thought. "Uh, court cats? I thought I'd-- I'd drop in for a visit," Inky says awkwardly. They weren't really good at this whole thing. "I got a couple pieces of junk I'm dying to show off." "No," Josiah says, used to that level of bullshit. "These are our children."

[okay!!! @court member hello!!!! it's been a while!!! but i present to you... Children...... i'll also pop our expanded designs down when the children are Removed from their slings so be aware of that. open to all!! feel free to hop in! this will mostly be like, Hang Out with Babies, discuss the future/plans for them, etc etc.]

Buzz 13-Feb-21 02:17 PM

Will has been... a bit despondent lately. Not necessarily more than he has been in the past, but since the weather turned colder and the sky more grey, he has just lacked the energy to do more than exist. Daniel too, has seemed to feel the cold, being cold-blooded himself. Will has taken to sleeping curled around the snake's little cage in an effort to share his body heat, but the results have been mixed at best. He's just kind of... looking at a few of the herbs from the stores when Inky and Josiah announce themselves. As if he were trying to remind himself about what the plant does, what he could make it do if he applied himself. The smell, something he used to find comfort in, is remarkably more bitter than he remembers. He blinks slowly. Though his head does lift at Inky's strange call, and Josiah's less strange corrections. Will turns their way, confusion etched in his expression until he realizes that yes - he smells milk on the cold winter's wind. Eyes widening, he looks back and forth to find someone more... more apt to deal with this situation. Because Will isn't good with kids, what makes him think he'd be good with babies? He walks slowly toward the duo and their small collection of kittens, tail fluffed but ears perked forward. "Um. Um since when?" He remembered seeing Inky and Josiah both at the halloween event. He. He thinks. They didn't have babies then, right? No, no these ones are too small. For a moment, Will sees Tripod and Axel in their place. It makes him stop and keep a fair distance. @koby

Tilly 13-Feb-21 02:32 PM

@koby

Meadowsweet was in the middle of laying on the floor and doing a big pile of nothing. Very important business. When she heard Inky's voice she looked up, remembering their conversation from a while ago. And the mewling. Oh, the mewling. She got up faster than she had in several days; the chilly weather had her beat, and between rabbits she was mostly sleeping or generally sluggish. But now she jumped up and trotted with gusto to the entrance. "Hello!" she greeted jovially. "They sound quite healthy, don't they? Lungs for days and days," she purred, trotting right up a friendly distance from the new parents, her tail up like a happy flag. "How many are there?" One could see the bright flame of passion in her big eyes and bigger smile. Kittens!!!!!!

SpareBear 13-Feb-21 03:03 PM

Kestrelpaw decides to cut and run as soon as she sees strangers in her court, ditching her spot in the sun and scampering over to them as fast as she can. It looks like she's had the last of her growth spurts, by now, but the gal got lankier, if anything. Better to run with, ain't it? It looks like "stranger" wasn't quite the right word for 'em, though, because Meadowsweet and Will weren't acting like they were, thought the latter was awful down in the mouth. Whether that was about this or if he was just like that now was beyond her, and furthermore, she didn't particularly care right now. The girl had bigger fish to catch. Like how she was hearing kittens mewing! There were babies in her court! Holy shit! She ignores the distance that Meadowsweet and Will were keeping, running straight up to the big ol' blue tom and trying to shove her face in his sling, hoping to get a look at the kits. The gal has completely skipped over introductions, to say nothin of boundaries. She's just as excited as Meadowsweet is, though she ain't quite as normal about it. @koby

Cosmic Waltz★ 13-Feb-21 03:08 PM

Grizzlyheart was always doing something around the Court, whether it was checking on the structural integrity of the wall, checking that there weren't any predators lingering too close to the cave itself, or that all of the newcomers to the Court were settling into their new home fine. It kept her busy and on her feet, and that was what she liked the most. She liked being proactive; liked keeping her mind off of other things.. This morning in particular, however, she was doing her small check around the Court cave itself. She was making sure that the prey pile was stocked up enough, that no one was getting into any skirmishes or arguments, or that- The big molly came to a pause when she saw the small gathering that was beginning to congeal at the mouth of the cave- well, not the mouth itself, but rather the inside of the cave, close enough to the entrance for it to be considered such. There were a number of Court cats that had gathered, but the most pressing thing to Grizzlyheart herself was one of the cats that stood before them. It was Josiah. He had finally come back. Without much hesitation, Grizzlyheart began to make her way through, gently maneuvering her way through the small crowd so that she could face her son. The cat that stood besides him was unfamiliar to her, but Josiah's words easily explained to her who they were.

And for a moment, all Grizzlyheart could do was stand there. The expression she wore was a mixed bag of emotions: anxious, worried, shocked, but still wholly proud and happy nonetheless. Those two emotions shone the brightest in her eyes, even if the rest of her body language seemed melancholic at best. She swallowed hard after a few moments, eyes drifting to look at Inky for a couple long seconds before settling firm back on her son. "Josiah," was the only word she was able to mew at first, finding it rather hard to find her words right now. "I'm so happy for you," she eventually settled on, but she didn't move any closer to him. She didn't want to risk getting any closer- didn't want to put anymore pressure on him. She had already said her piece to him over a year ago, and.. now she was waiting to see what he had decided on after all this time.

@koby

Electric Bones 13-Feb-21 03:38 PM

'Good gracious, why is it so unforgivably cold!?' If there's anything Donna hates about life as a 'wild' cat it's this. The nearly furless feline had been under the impression this region would have a more cozy temperature, but they suppose no place is free from the icy clutches of winter. Currently, Donna finds themself curled into a tight ball in the corner of the main cave, hidden beneath a collection of leaves they'd gathered from the woodlands. Perhaps their den might be warmer, being a smaller space, but they didn't want to track leaves in there. What a mess it would be later. Their living space must remain immaculate. There had to be another option. If only they could find a nice blanket. Or two. Better get five just be safe... Commotion nearest the mouth of the cave does catch their attention before long, dark colored ears springing through their camouflage first when the word children reaches them. Kittens? Here? In this weather? The rest of their head soon follows suit, ice blue eyes squinting until they land on the newcomers and quickly forming crowd. Why, they weren't even old enough to walk! This wouldn't do! Though they must admit the slings the youngster's parents carried them in was an ingenious invention. Were these cats former pets as well? They certainly didn't look it...especially that scruffy blue fellow. He could use some proper grooming. *

Shaking the leaves off them, Donna strides toward the pair with renewed vigor, ignoring personal distance much like young Kestrelpaw. They look from Inky's sling to Josiah's, though unlike Kestrelpaw keeps from shoving their face inside for a better look. They remember some of their houseborn manners., after all It seems as if the kittens may be warm enough...but why pull the poor dears away from their nest? "Kittens this young shouldn't be travelling, darlings. Why not wait until these delights are walking?" They ask, voice free of judgment though still holding a certain sternness. Clearly, they knew nothing of the arrangement Inky had with the Court. "Congratulations all the same. They sound healthy! You must be proud." [ @koby, @SpareBear ]

koby 13-Feb-21 03:40 PM

"Since like three weeks ago. I didn't tell anyone before that besides... a few people, so you didn't miss anything," Inky tells Will, somewhat... relieved he keeps his distance. Nothing personal. Something about the collecting crowd makes them want to scoop up the babies and stash them somewhere secret. "There's four," Inky tells Meadowsweet. "Just like Larksong guessed. And yeah, I think they're healthy. No one's told me otherwise yet." Inky startles just slightly when Kestrelpaw comes charging up, nosy as can be. Josiah is patient, however, giving a little laugh and leaning down to rest the sling on the ground. He turns his head, picking at the tie with his teeth until it comes loose. Inky follows suit, turning out Joey gently onto the springy, moss-covered floor of the cave. As they do so, they glance to Donna. "Oh, they're fine. Look at what I've got them in. And they walk! A little. They sort of suck shit at it, but I guess they'll get better at that. Plus they'll... be staying here soon anyways." There are indeed four. And truly, even if Josiah weren't here it'd be clear who their relatives are. The largest, by far, is a black and white tuxedo kitten. She's fluffy as can be, more fluff than cat. Clearly flat faced, even at this tender age. Ears standing upright... though hard to see in the heap of fur. "Envy," Inky pokes her. "Full name HP Envy Wireless Inkjet Printer. I sent some friends to poke around in a bunch of garbage trying to find a box that said my name on it, since that's what my not-family named me after when they picked me up off the street." The next is a kitten split nearly down the middle, half Josiah's blue tabby and half cream tabby with some white on either side. Their ears lay flat. This kitten too is quite fluffy, and though not as overall large, manages to stand quite tall with what limb control they've earned by their point. "This is Stitches. Cause she looks like she was stitched together," Inky explains.

The third is another kitten built quite large, cream colored with little patches of white. This kitten is not... quite as fluffy as their siblings, but not... short furred either. In a kind sense, they look scraggly as hell. Their fur stands out from them in awkward tufts in all directions. One ear still lays flat, but the other stands up tall. "That one's Holly. Josiah named her," Inky explains with a loose gesture. "And this is Josiah Jr., or just Joey for short," Inky says, patting the top of Joey's head. As expected, they're a blue tabby, though their markings run a bit darker along their top line. Both ears stand up. This kitten seems to have shorter fur, though still fluffy. They don't look nearly as scraggly as poor Holly does. Their face is a bit flat as well, from the looks. Delightfully, they're all decked out in some kind of red winter gear. Joey and Holly in cloaks, Envy and Stitches in little cloth booties. Clearly Inky had time. Inky watches over them quietly as they start to bumble around. Holly grasps with all four paws around Kestrelpaw's muzzle in a playful instinct. Stitches immediately takes to using those long legs to start to waddle off. Envy stays put, mewling loudly at her father. It becomes very clear instantly she's responsible for most of the noise. Joey takes only a few steps out, glancing around at all the new faces thoughtfully. When Josiah straightens up again, hearing Grizzlyheart's words, his face twists sour. He stiffens. "...Thanks. I... I'm happy too. I have some things I need to discuss with you," he says, the tone indicating a strange sort of 'not quite this second' indication. It's also said firmly. It holds serious weight. He looks to Inky for support, who gazes empty at the kittens. Realizing that's a fruitless effort, he looks back to Grizzlyheart, fumbling slightly. "You... can come see them, if you'd like. Obviously Holly takes after you quite a bit."

( @court member last big boy ping for a bit, just cause i've got designs to share. i'm just gonna refer to them as she/they for now but of course that may change when they are adopted out! )

miyou 13-Feb-21 04:12 PM

The commotion was hard to ignore. Or, well, maybe not-- Lilymask was really good at ignoring things by now (she could at least give herself that after all this time), but it didn't change the fact it was loud, and Lilymask embraced loud and it fed into her inner chaotic whatever she had going on there. So she took a look at Eveningshine in their nest, before slinking out of the den and to where it was all going on, and stopped. Mewls. She was brought back to a time moons ago (it had been too long, too long), and felt herself freeze. It wasn't-- there weren't supposed to be children here, not... What? What was she talking about? The stretch felt long, so long, as she drew closer to them-- little things, like little bundles, like rats, like joy, like peril, like little butterflies. Her head felt far too heavy on her shoulders. An ache was coming on. One of those hadn't happened in a while. Or maybe it had. She hadn't kept track of things for a good long time now. Days melted together, at this point, in a comfortable silence. She... hated it, because the comfort had never been something she was meant for. She'd been taught that from the start. After a while, she found herself facing the parents, closer than she thought she was going to get-- closer than most of the other cats there. And she looked Inky in the face at first and felt something, felt the sorrow and the anguish and everything she'd never felt, and felt hatred in her heart. Lilymask grit her teeth, but plastered on a smile, one that let out all the comfort she'd been placed into with one beam. And it left the ugly inside to fester something awful. "They're real big," Lilymask chirped, biting her tongue at the soft rasp in her voice. "What've you been feedin' em? Kidding. They're... they're lovely." She would have called them perfect, but the word wouldn't slip out. Oh well. It probably wouldn't have meant much coming from her, anyway.

SpareBear 13-Feb-21 04:32 PM

Kestrelpaw gasps when the kits are put down on the ground, her eyes as wide as they get. They have little clothes. She's gonna sob and cry and wail. Inky looks a little freaked out at her sudden intrusion, but Inky can cope. She's taken a cotton to these little (well, awful big for kits) ones immediately, watching absolutely delightedly as they stumble around. She doesn't know jack shit about whatever family drama Josiah or Grizzly or whoever the hell is involved in this has going on, but she isn't gonna ask right now. They can be awkward and stiff if they feel like it, but Kestrelpaw is making friends. She's decided by now that she's gonna be the cool aunt, you see. The kits already love her! They're a little young to play mossball, but for once in her life, playing with them isn't the main concern. She's trying to absorb all their names into her brain as fast as she can. Envy's might be hard, but thats why there's a short version, she supposes. Oh stars above, these guys are so babies. She purrs. Lilymask is here now, just as grum and glum as Will. It's not the babies' fault you guys have baggage. Imagine if you showed up somewhere and everyone looked so fucking depressed. She almost wants to say as much, but again, the kits were right here, and it looks like they're having a grand old time of it. Kestrelpaw's eyes light up when Holly grabs her muzzle, trying to hold back a laugh. "Howdy there! Welcome to the court, little ones." (edited)

rat 13-Feb-21 04:39 PM

It was a nice enough day outside, from what Larksong had seen through the window of the medicine stores. Fresh, and not so cold you wanted to do nothing but stay curled up in your nest. That morning had been pushing that metric, but... now, she figured, she’d be able to sit and enjoy her garden instead of working in it.

Any and all plans to that effect, though, instantly were cancelled as she entered the Green Cave proper. The commotion there (luckily not of the violent variety) was immediately apparent; it was only when she ventured closer that she was able to see why. Quickly trotting up to Inky, Larksong grinned widely, her tail hanging curled like a vine over her back; at the sight of the kittens, she let out an excited squeal. ”Ahhh, oh!” she purred. ”Inky, ah, con-congradlations!”

Reigning in her initial instincts to nose at the kittens (four, like she’d felt; a fortunate turnout for a winter birth), Larksong drew herself into a seated position, eyes focused on Inky. (If there had been less cats there, she might have tried to manage more at once, but...) ”All good?” she inquired, head tilted to the side. ”You and them?” For a cat’s first pregnancy, and in winter no less... well, she’d been quietly worried ever since Inky had left a few weeks ago.

Larksong | @koby babie,,,,,,

Cosmic Waltz★ 13-Feb-21 04:41 PM

Grizzlyheart's gaze dropped down to look at the kittens as they were taken out from the slings they had been carried to the Court in, every fiber of her being softening up considerably as she looked upon them. It was certainly a sizable litter- three more than Grizzlyheart herself had. Though, then again, Josiah had been her only kitten.. One looked exactly as Josiah had been when he was a kitten; a little smaller and less fluffy, sure, but they were nearly identical. All that was different was that his eyes weren't plastered to her little head. One looked exactly like her, the other was split down the middle into two colors, and the biggest looked much like her parent. They were perfect, honestly, but she's always been oh so soft when it came to kittens. She knew that now, having raised Josiah. Marshall had always criticized her about being too protective and easy on them- blamed it as to why Josiah had been so tame and unwilling to harm others, but... She focused her attention back on Josiah, unable to help the frown that came across her face at the sight of that sour look on his face. It was expected, sure, but it didn't stop the guilt from creeping over her like a cold chill. "Whenever you're ready to talk, then. I'm sure there'll be enough eyes to keep watch of these four," she told him.

Admittedly, she is a bit taken aback when Josiah offered to get closer, and she hesitated a little as she thought about it. But, slowly and carefully, she took a few steps closer to the four, lowering herself to the ground so she wasn't towering over the four. Stitches was starting to waddle off, and she was quick to redirect them back to the rest of their siblings. Maybe Josiah remembered how she had been when he himself had been a kitten; how docile and soft she was as she gazed down at him with a look of pure love and affection. She wore that exact same look now as she rested her head on the floor before the four kittens, letting out a small purr at how they fumbled around. "Hello, little ones," she softly greeted, her voice barely above a murmur.

@koby

Electric Bones 13-Feb-21 04:58 PM

"Plus they'll... be staying here soon anyways." This comment takes Donna a bit aback, and they nearly ask if Inky and Josiah were planning to stay as well, but the look on Inky's face says it all and Donna has more tact than to voice the question. There is an emptiness in the black cat's gaze as they stare at their kits and Donna can feel a hollowness in their own chest at the sight of Inky's despondence. "I...see. Well, I'm sure there will be plenty of cats here eager to look after these little furballs," they respond lightly. The sight of the kits decked out in tiny clocks and booties quickly replaces that dreary feeling, filling it in with warmth. "Did you make these yourself?" They inquire, immediately interested. Perhaps this cat could make something for them as well... Though asking for such could wait considering their current company. Donna has missed being around kittens. They were simply adorable. While the others narrow in on the kittens, and heaven knows Donna is tempted as well, he gives the kits some space with Kestrelpaw who seems insistent on making friends of them and Grizzlyheart who's clear tenderness bespoke kinship. Instead Donna edges a little closer to Inky, their face momentarily softening. "I had a litter once with a dear old friend, a long time ago, when I was still young and spry like you. They, too, had to go live with other cats, and housefolk. It's hard to let go, but you'll still come to see them, won't you? They'll always be here waiting for you."

@koby

rylee 🌻 13-Feb-21 05:03 PM

Gertrude is inevitably drawn to the commotion, making her way quickly to the landing to see the crowd. This is the most excitement she has seen since all of the new cats had joined, but - this is different. She comes to stand beside Primadonna, blinking down at the bundles of red cloth with surprise. Kittens. Kittens have arrived to the Court. A thrill goes down Gertrude’s spine, eyes widening at the sight of the little squirming creatures. ”Why, they’re darling!” She purrs, feathery tail rising high above her back. She resists the urge to lean down and touch them; sniff at their milky new scent and groom back their wild fur. She remembers, all those months ago, when her owner had found out she could not have her own kits. Her own realization, the bone deep disappointment. She had been cast from the only life she had ever known for something she can’t control. She listens to Donna talk, nodding her head sagely. While she has never had a litter of her own, she’s heard talk. Kits find their own humans once they reach eight weeks old, just as she had when she was eight moons old. It is a fact of life. ”You don’t live too far, yes? Why, you can even visit on weekends! She adds. @Electric Bones @koby

koby 13-Feb-21 05:30 PM

Inky blinks belatedly as Lilymask addresses them, coming back to the moment to look at her. "I'm supposed to feed them?" Inky asks. "But thanks. They're okay. They're kinda lame. They don't have anything to talk about. They didn't even thank me for the things I made them." Josiah gives a little snort, nudging Inky and giving them a firm glance. "They're going to think we're bad parents," he says. Inky shrugs. Sourly, they think that's already the case. Larksong's appearance brings a slight smile to Inky's face, which... quickly fades when she asks how they're doing. "Um..." The hesitation is too long. The words stick in Inky's throat, threatening to emerge as tears. There's a fine crinkle between their brows, a tremble in their bottom lip. It's masked swiftly but not cleanly. "They're good," they choose instead. "Good eaters. Happy." Donna's carefully worded but warm response earns an empty hum from Inky, whose happier to latch onto the topic of crafts. "I did. I make all kinds of stuff. Let me know if you want anything. My paws are idle more often than not lately," they say, leaving off that they can't seem to get themselves to do much of anything as of late. Gertrude fussing over the kittens with adoration leaves Inky to draw their eyes away at least, shifting some of their responsibility away to focus on the cats collecting around them like raindrops on a leaf. If they don't start trusting others to keep an eye on them now... well, when will they ever? Donna's confession leaves Inky with... something like relief. Maybe. It's quite hollow. "...I'll come to see them. I don't live too far at all," Inky says, looking between the two cats. "It'll be strange to not have them around. I'm already so used to them. But this is... this is for the best. It's safest for them here."

Josiah nods awkwardly, shuffling his paws. He has... rules. Ground rules, he needs to lay down. He can't help but relent a little bit seeing his mother with his own children though. Stitches wobbles directly into Grizzlyheart's face, pawing at her with punctuating little mewls. It's some measly attempt at play, using what sharp claws they have to pull at her ears rudely. It's obviously very weak, but still. Holly's paws push at Kestrelpaw's face-- giving up somewhat a moment later to instead go sit on one of her paws and take a rest. It was, of course, terribly hard work to do much of anything. Holly mewls. "I think she likes you," Josiah adds with a little laugh, trying to lean into the happier spirit of the moment. Joey moves to lean on Larksong and absorb her warmth, stepping all over her tail in the process. She struggles a little in the fluff of it, mouthing at strands of fur unhelpfully. Envy sits there and screams. She does not seem like she has anything to contribute otherwise besides being quite loud for no clear reason. She does produce one 'da' sound at least. Impressive.

@Buzz @Tilly @miyou @SpareBear @rat @Cosmic Waltz★ @Electric Bones @rylee 🌻

miyou 13-Feb-21 05:46 PM

cw/ just like .... sort of sensitive topics of abandonment and neglect,,, just be careful <33 "I think they, like, drink or whatever. But yeah, they are pretty lame. M--" Lilymask closes her jaw with the force of a punch. "They get better, I think." When Inky speaks of leaving, though, Lilymask pauses. "You're... leaving them here?" Her voice is quiet, and her face loses that pretty smile. The ugly's the only thing that shows by now. She feels a burning, something like a desire to protect them and a desire to bare claw and teeth, and the agreement she comes to within herself is a blank, blank stare. "Safest? When we've got all this shit running around? I heard there's murderers here. I've got experience with murderers. They're not nice cats. I'm one of 'em, I think. We could find out. Kidding. Sorry. Maybe not." Lilymask looks down to the kittens and swallows thickly. She sees herself, and sees the paws of some grey cat she can't place, someone she's forgotten by now. They're going to walk away, soon. Leave them there. There's four. That's so many. So many. So many. More than her. And they're bigger than the little roach-sized thing she was. She wonders why they did it, if they knew it was gonna go to shit. Then again, maybe she would be hypocritical for asking that. So she keeps her mouth shut. "You're gonna fuck them up," Lilymask speaks, quietly. "And they're gonna hate you for it. Fuck, they're gonna hate you for it." She's not herself, in the moment. It's hard to tell, though, because not many cats are really sure what Lilymask is. Is it this? Is it this hateful thing? She could be squashed like a bug. She should be, maybe. "Sorry. Sorry." Lilymask bites her tongue so hard she tastes iron. Her head feels light, now, far too much so. Different from the start of this. And she shakes her head softly and turns, and she walks away, quiet and small and difficult. She's always been good at ruining things.

Tilly 13-Feb-21 05:51 PM

@koby /tw for very vague flashbacks!

Meadowsweet was listening, but only partly. She's staring at the kittens. Her heart jumps in her chest, her entire body overtaken with love, an immensity she hasn't experienced in.... a while. Since before she came to the court. She was so happy to hear they were healthy, happy eaters. Her stomach twisted up a bit as memories bit into her mind. There were four. They weren't good eaters. Stop that! she scolded herself. "They're beautiful," she said, sounding a bit choked up herself, standing and going to Envy as she sat and shouted endlessly. She nudged a pink nose against the infant. "What are you trying to tell us, little melon? What is it?"

Electric Bones 13-Feb-21 05:58 PM

Gertrude's approach earns her a warm smile, nodding along with her offering of support. "Everything will work out just fine then-" They begin, before a new cat joins the group and she seems, needless to say, a bit off. Her harsh words bring a frown to their face and their eyes grow frosty, like chips of blue ice staring down the newcomer. Not that she remained long after, whispering an apology before turning her back on the parents she just insulted. Honestly...what was wrong with some of the cats in this group? Donna is beginning to notice more than a few seem a bit...unhinged, to say the least. It was like that in their last group too, and it makes them nervous. "Sorry doesn't cut it miss," they call after Lilymask sharply. "Whatever your baggage is, don't take it out on other cats. You don't know their life or circumstances," they add a bit crossly. "Go learn some manners. Yours need some work." Promptly turning back to Inky and Josiah, their stern expression is replaced with something more friendly. "Don't listen to any of that nonsense. Kits adapt, and I'm sure you have a reason. They'll always know that you love them and we won't let them forget." The comment about there being murderers here, though? That does make Donna feel...a bit apprehensive. They'd had to go through a rigorous interview to be allowed to stay here but there were murderers walking about? They surely hope that cat is just spouting nonsense. (edited)

@koby, @rylee 🌻, @miyou

olliepls 13-Feb-21 05:59 PM

Saturn is a little late to the party, but they are delighted nonetheless! They brush past Josiah on their way in with a friendly shoulder bump, they got the gist of what was going on while they waited awkwardly away from the group for a good time to join in. Their ear swiveled to Lilymask’s direction but they focused on the little ones. “Oh a good batch here! Kickin and squeakin like good little kits huh?” They sat nearby and let Krestlepaw have the hands on enjoyment. They tried to picture what the others looked like and which parent they resembled but they didn’t let the wishful thinking linger too much.

Cosmic Waltz★ 13-Feb-21 06:26 PM

That dull purr that rumbled in Grizzlyheart's chest came in full-force when Stitches began to tug at one of her ears. Granted, it was a weak attempt to do such a thing, but she was still a kitten. She still had a long ways to go. "Gentle," she simply murmured to Stitches, nosing her softly to pull her ear out from her little claws. There's cats talking all around her, but she doesn't pay any heed to them. All she's really focused on are these kittens and how tiny they are. The biggest is about how big Josiah himself was when he was about this age.. Stars, how long has it been now? He's well over 40 moons now. Has it really been that long since she's been around kittens? She doesn't say or do much beyond tending to the kittens, not seeming to mind at all if Stitches continued to paw or try to climb on her. If anything, she was soaking this moment in- this small miracle that she was able to meet her grandkits. @koby

rat 13-Feb-21 06:30 PM

Inky's familiar (well, between them and Mink) sense of humor made Larksong snort as well; it was clear as day how much the Church cat loved the litter, so it was equally clear that Inky's question about feeding them and complaints about their lack of speech were only in jest. And the little red bits of Twoleg pelt on the kittens and around their parents' necks... well, Inky wasn't a cat to waste effort.

It was nice to have them back in the area again; they traded smiles for a moment, before- something she said upset them. Not- not in the sense that she was being callous, but... Her heart clenched up at the sight of Inky's trembling lip, furrowed brow, tense posture; it was gone almost as soon as it came, but the tight feeling in her chest lingered. Something was wrong...

For a moment, she resented all the cats around them. She wanted to comfort Inky's anguish, to help fix things as much as she could, to... "Good," Larksong echoed after a few long seconds. "Glad." There were too many cats around. Far more than Inky would appreciate being vulnerable around, she was sure; they're quick to move on even from that brief moment of emotion.

The littlest one (though only by comparison), the one who looked most like their father, toddled over to her; though she tread all over her plumed tail, Larksong couldn't fault her much for that. Besides, kittens weren't too heavy yet. She pressed against her flank, and the medicine cat paused for only a moment- out of her depth- before bending down to carefully tuck little Joey against her fluffy white belly. It... it reminded her of little Dreamer; maybe that was where she got the instinct.

Larksong purred thickly, a pleased smile stretching across her face. She'd never- never really been around kits, really, besides giving them checkups, and... Well, it was nice to have one pressed up against her, she decided. They were so small...

Larksong | @koby thank you mlord. for Babie (edited)

Buzz 13-Feb-21 06:57 PM

Tw for gener will being Not Good Will is kind of spacing out, if he's honest. He doesn't know how to relate to this situation. His kids... their days of being so small are far gone, and so so much has changed since then. He stares listlessly as cats get close to (maul?) Inky, but makes no move to edge closer himself. Hes in when cats are asking questions, out when they get responses. However, the mood seems to shift, and his fur stands on end. Lilymask speaks, and everything seems to fall apart. Will's eyes widen and he stares and stares and stares. When he looks at her, her tiny form, he sees himself. Lashing out, maybe not meaning it. His eyes glaze over. He inhales. "Oh. Oh Lilymask. Lilymask I'm going to miss you when they kill you too." his voice is filled with genuine remorse, genuine sadness. "But. Its okay. You can say hello to me, and to Ranch." He smiles. It's slightly unsettling. @miyou#4888 mostly

@miyou

koby 13-Feb-21 07:12 PM

Josiah tenses, instantly, and he looks to Inky like they're going to combust. Inky looks at Lilymask. Their eyes are glossy and dark rimmed, fur a little out of sorts in places. There's a certain hollowness to their whole expression, pulling it down in a grim reflection of how... worn they are-- how grief lives in them where there was once other feelings. Something wells up huge and terrible in Inky. They feel so bitter, so awful. The worst part of all of this is that Inky thinks... they know these things. They know them. These thoughts are only voiced by Lilymask, who had the gall to say them aloud. "You know nothing about me," Inky snarls. "And if you ever-- ever come at me with that 'find out' shit, I will turn you inside out and make you into a fucking scarf." And oh, that quieter truth Lilymask says. It burns like being doused in boiling water. Inky just... dissolves. Donna's comfort hits their ears but doesn't settle in. They turn swiftly, but don't leave-- there's no time. The wave of grief, fear, and pain hit them. With this come tears. The sobs are so big and painful they hurt-- sharp like blades in the chest. Josiah watches with surprise, turning away from the kittens and the cats keeping an eye on them to stand beside Inky and carefully mask them from the group as best he can-- knowing well they are a creature of pride. He's never seen them cry before. There is no word for it. Josiah shoots Lilymask a sour glance as she goes, but he turns his focus on Inky. There is quiet muttering between them, lost perhaps under the mewls of the loudest kitten in the bunch. When Inky pulls away, stubborn, they hiss something slightly louder. "No, I don't want to go anywhere! I'm fine. It's fine." There is something to be said about those looked after by The Truth having that strange gift of bottling up whatever emotion that plagues them at the time. When Inky turns back around, they're not crying anymore. They just look. Tired.

They sit and they lean against Josiah, clearly clocked out of the situation. Inky feels miserable. They don't want to even go anywhere. They don't want to go back home. It's too much effort to make the walk. They just want to sleep. That's all they want to do lately. They're wasting time here. Maybe they should just drop the little ones off now. "So, maybe I'll just leave them here now, and make it easier on me," Inky says. "No, don't do that," Josiah says. "You wanted to keep them for another month. Keep them for another month." "You didn't think that was a good idea." "I do now," Josiah's tone changes, softening somewhat. Inky sort of shrugs and sniffs, watching Joey settle in with Larksong-- starting up a poorly practiced purr at the new location. Envy with Meadowsweet, stopping mid meow to turn and instead direct her meows directly at Meadowsweet's face. Holly with Kestrelpaw, content where she is. Stitches and her grandmother, gently trying to redirect the weak blows. Josiah turns to the group. "Inky wanted more time with them. But, as you... may have heard before everything, we do intend to have them be raised here. It's too dangerous to have them even remotely close to the city. This deep in the forest, they should be safe-- with no reason for anyone like my father to come sniffing around. We discussed this with a few court cats, but we have not announced this to the group as a whole. Hopefully this month's time will allow you... time to process this, as... I detect some sore feelings. As well as time to arrange yourselves however you'd like in preparation for the care of these little ones." "And we'll be around for a bit too. For you all to get to know them and spend time with them, and for the sake of... discussing things like boundaries," Josiah explains patiently, voice strong and confident-- tinged with a charismatic air. He was so dreadfully good at that, Inky thought. So diplomatic, no matter the situation.

@Buzz @rat @Cosmic Waltz★ @Electric Bones @Tilly @miyou @rylee 🌻 @SpareBear

SpareBear 13-Feb-21 07:33 PM

Kestrelpaw pouts a little when Holly lets go of her muzzle, key word being a little. She takes a step back when Larksong runs over, though, letting the medicine cat get a good look at them. She knows what she's doing, surely, more than Kestrelpaw does. Kestrelpaw can tell how much she cares about the little ones immediately. Gertrude, too, as expected, and Donna, who she hadn't known what to expect from. And Grizzlyheart, of course. Of course that molly would adore her grandkits. Ignoring the conversations of the adult cats, for the most part, Kestrelpaw lays down on her belly, to be closer to the kits' level. These guys are gonna be bigger than her in six moons or less, she's betting, but right now? They're so vulnerable, so small. Had she been like that? Had Mozza? It was hard to imagine. "You've had a long day, haven't you?" she purrs. "I bet you've never gone this far before." She's been offered a bit of space, here, and she's trying to shoulder the other cats back from it. She laughs softly, watching Stiches try and play with Grizzlyheart, and watching Envy yowling at the top of her itty bitty lungs. Joey is being a sleepy sweetheart with Larksong, which is also cute as hell, despite the thought of that's MY medicine cat crossing her mind for a good second. She's not going to be jealous of a baby. "They DO like me!" she mews proudly. Enter Lilymask. As sad and self deprecating as she's being about ruining everything, Kestrelpaw can't say that she isn't ruining this. And then Will makes shit worse. She turns her head away from the kits, pinning her ears. "Would you guys shut the fuck up? It's not Inky's fault you guys have baggage, or a compulsive need to be ominous, or whatever, and it certainly isn't the kits'. Literally, just fucking cope." She's trying her best to keep her tone light, as kits likely understand that much. "That's good, Josiah. I'll be glad to see you around." She looks back at the kits. Is this protecting them?

@miyou

miyou 13-Feb-21 07:35 PM

cw/ slight suicidal ideation Lilymask's eyes flash as she looks to Donna. And Will. And Kestrelpaw And then, Inky, and she sees herself. It's like looking into a mirror. Inky has that fire, but it's being doused out by the second, by everything and anything, and she sees it. She knows it. Well, she doesn't know it, but she feels it in her heart and feels it deep, and feels it broken and messy and everything else. And she feels awful for it, awful for speaking it now, because she sees the recognition for a flash of a second and worries it between her teeth. Teething, like a kitten. No, no, no, stop it, stop it. Lilymask turns around then, and she feels small. She feels the eyes on her. Donna is reminiscent of those high-and-mighty types. She knows they're right, but can't help but ignore what they say out of spite alone. Don't talk to me, gutter trash, she thinks, and swallows it down because she knows that was wrong. "I don't think I'm going where you're going, Will." She says, then, looking him in the face. "But I've been through that song and dance before. Thanks for missin' what's, unfortunately, not gonna be gone anytime soon." There's times when she wishes it was over at that point. Would've been a lot easier. Kestrelpaw, then. She's spunky and sweet and all too mature for this place. "You're right. Damn. Sorry, kid." Wish I was that fuckin' smart. What the hell? "That was fucked up," she mumbles to herself. "I think I'm fucked up. Sorry." "I think... I think you should keep them longer," Lilymask blurts, before fuzzing up and finally turning away. Stop talking, she tells herself. Walk. And she does, away from the crowd, moving outside of the court's camp. Only enough to feel alone. @Buzz @koby @Electric Bones@SpareBear (edited)

Buzz 13-Feb-21 07:40 PM

The reaction is lost on Will. He watches Inky's face fall, then go blank, then turn away. He picks up on the animosity directed at Lilymask, at to a lesser extent at himself. His expression stays blank. Then Lilymask says they're going to different places, and that puzzles him. For a moment. And then he remembers, right, he's not going where good cats go. Lilymask made a mistake, but she will probably go there. He won't. He has used up his chances. "Right. I'm sorry. You can see Ranch though. And Matt." he nods, as if thats settled. But then Kestrelpaw explodes, and Will's confused expressio shifts slightly. His eyes narrow, he fiddles with his collar, but says nothing at first. Then Lilymask apologizes, and Will privately thinks its probably too late for that. But. That means she's good, that she made an effort. He nods to himself again, returns his gaze to Kestrelpaw. Opens his mouth. "You shouldn't use those words in front of babies." Is what comes out. Again, he nods to himself before turning and and padding quietly toward his den. Daniel is probably cold.