Training in Talking {Birdsong}

It hadn't taken the small tom long t wake up after the sun has broke into the warriors den and head out before any of the other warriors awoke. Quiverfur wasn't much for confrontation and he liked the quiet time that he could spend either out in the territory or here in the sandy hollow trying to perfect his skills. He paused and looked up at the sky, his body trembling ever so slightly, a comfort for him in this world that started to seem like it was standing still.

"G-g-g-good m-morning, Redcl-cl-cloud," he stammered as a cloud passed above the clearing opening, a pink hue hanging on to the edges from the rising sun. He knew it wasn't really his old mentor, but just the sight reminded him of the gentle she-cat that tried so hard to help him. He looked around, his ears twitching every which way as a leaf slowly tumbled into the sandy clearing.

Pausing he crouch, his tail still twitching, but just enough off the ground that it wouldn't make any noise. He slowly moved closer, pausing every now and again to let his paw stop moving before setting it down. Suddenly he rushed forward and threw the leaf into the air, following it with a bound and pinned it down his whole body quivering. He smiled and flicked his ears some. Yes, it was harder for him to stalk and hunt prey, but he had learned and it just took him a bit longer.

Hearing someone heading toward the sandy hollow he paused and looked that way, his eyes turning to huge saucers. He shuffled to the far end unsure if it was a clan-mate or a loner that was wandering around. It definitely wasn't big enough for a twoleg....at least a grown one. A the cat came into view Quiverfur relaxed some and lifted his head a little.
"G-g-good m-m-morning, B-birds-song," he stammered out to his clan mate but didn't move from his position. Birdsong was a nice cat, he knew that very well, but even so, Quiverfur had never been a conversation builder.[.font]

Birdsong
» Take me under your wing tonight

The night had been kind to Birdsong, and he awoke feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day. It was quite unlike most mornings, where he would be jarred awake by strange dreams, especially following the events of the last gathering. But things were finally beginning to settle amongst the clans. Prey was becoming scarce, but Birdsong of all cats knew that a positive attitude went a long way.

He emerged from the warriors den and stretched lazily, glancing up at the rosy sky. He paused to take a few moments to preen himself, and looked up to see Quiverfur deftly stalking a leaf in the clearing. What luck! He would have some company for breakfast.

The red-eyed tom approached the young tom with a broad, welcoming smile across his muzzle, walking slowly, so as not to startle him. It did not seem to help much -- the poor fellow was, as always, tense, as Birdsong neared him. Quiverfur never seemed to have recovered from the passing of his old mentor, and the albino warrior did not blame him in the least. It was a traumatic experience, and he had every right to be cautious, however long ago it may have been. He felt somewhat sorry for the little guy, but also admired the strength of his recovery.

Birdsong took a few more steps forward, taking a seat next to the tom. "You've been practicing your hunting skills, I see," he complemented thoughtfully. "If that leaf were a mouse he wouldn't have stood a chance! Nicely done." Though they were clanmates, he had never really gotten to know the small brown cat. Birdsong's good night sleep had left him feeling quite jovial, however, and he was eager to make a friend today.

Quiverfur seemed to blink at Birdsong for a moment before he realized he should probably respond. It wasn't very often that a cat willingly came over and talked to him. Plus he was kind of embarrassed that somecat had seen him stalking after a leaf. It was very apprentice like but he was glad of the praise. He knew that he usually had trouble hunting, but was glad that some noticed he was improving.

"Th-th-thank you B-b-birdsong," he said with a slight nod, "I-I-I w-was thinking ab-bout g-g-g-going out for a hunt-t-t soon. W-w-would you l-l-like to j-join m-m-me?"

He watched the tom but didn't attempt to stretch out. He was quite comfortable staying curled up as small as he could get. He wasn't scared of Birdsong in the least. In fact he was kind of happy the tom had come over to spend time with him. He was one his favorite to watch. He knew Birdsong was a little different from the other toms and didn't look down on toms liking tom. He wondered if he was interested in toms as well, but thought that might be a question for a later time. It would be nice to have someone who understood.

"I-I thought i m-m-might try hunting ar-r-round h-here and g-get the p-p-p-prey back t-to camp as s-s-soon as p-p-possible so it w-w-wont rot s-so fast."
He had noticed how quickly the prey had been spoiling and it seemed almost unnatural. Most prey lasted a day or so, but lately they were lucky if the prey lasted a whole day. It was almost to a point they would have to eat the prey they caught. If they could even find anything that was.

word count: 281
tags: Bandit
notes: His stutter is so cute. lol

Birdsong
» Take me under your wing tonight

Muscles tensing at the invitation to a hunt, Birdsong couldn't help but quiver a bit himself at the thought. He had no great love of the forest and all the frightful things within it. Bristling badgers guarding their dens... feisty wild dogs no doubt as hungry as the clan cats would soon become if prey continued to spoil before it was consumed... conniving foxes just looking for a fight... the rare but occasional twoleg going for a hike... There were so many uncertainties that came with venturing outside of ThunderClan camp, all with varying levels of danger to match. It made the albino tom more nervous than he was willing to openly admit.

Yet, Quiverfur, for all his seemingly anxious mannerisms, did not seem frightened in the least by the idea. In fact, he seemed quite eager to provide for his clan. Birdsong found himself admiring the young tom -- and for more than just his coat or flanks for once, as he had so many others. Although, yes, looking at this fine little gentlecat did stir up some interesting feelings that sparked a certain... something... in his heart, he felt driven to make his first impression on the warrior a good one.

"Sure, I'll go with you," he offered, masking his uneasiness with a cheerful grin. "Prey has been so hard to find lately, and even harder to keep, as you said. I'm sure our efforts would be greatly appreciated." The tom stood, motioning with a paw toward the camp entrance for him to take the lead. His desire for Quiverfur to take point was twofold. One, he felt the warrior would benefit from the confidence that leadership would provide. And, two, Birdsong (selfishly so, though he did not realize consciously it at the time) did not want to be the first to come face-to-face with a snarling predator.