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Username: Griffin Torrens
Cat Name: Rosepetal
Clan: FlareClanRank: Warrior Protector
Gender: She-cat
Age: 23 moons
Prompt;;Note! The old cat is an npc
When a cat tells you that the best gift they've ever received is knowledge, you would assume they are a wise and smart cat, one that shows curiousity to the world around them and has a never ending appetite to discover what things are and how things work. A cat that spends their days pondering over unanswered questions, never satisfied no matter how many answers they get.
Rosepetal, however, is not this cat. If the she cat admits to you that knowledge is the best gift she's ever gotten, there is a reason why she doesn't mention what this knowledge is or why he valued it so highly. You see, the thing is, it was only this one piece of information she stumbled across that justifies her answer. And this information was for something compleatly personal and irrelevant to any other learning experience.
* * * * *
"Oh great, not winter again!"
Rosy glanced at the aging tom, head tilted to the side. "What's so bad about winter? Surly it's nice and warm in here? If anything, too warm!" The small cream she cat had only just moved in with her twoleg, and was still getting accustomed to this way of life. It was nothing like living on the streets, but so far she had to admit it wasn't nearly as appealing as being out in the open, no walls to hold you back. The warmth, however, was heavenly.
Letting out a gruff, the large tom jumped down and padded slowly away from the window and towards his bed below, curling himself up before answering. "The twolegs are crazy. They seem to think the plants will get too cold outside, because they insist on bringing them in the house every winter. It's ridiculous! Can't they see all the plants still live outside?"
"What kind of plants? I didn't see many in the streets."
"Ugh, they drag a whole one tree in here and wrap it up to keep it warm. Flowers are brought in all year round, but most perculiar is that mistletoe."
Ears perking up, the young cat looked away from the window and towards the tom, interested. "What's mistletoe? It's a very pretty name!"
"Well, it's a small leafy branch that grows white berries. That shouldn't be too odd on its own, if it wasn't for the fact that it always ends up dangling from the roof-"
"That's not that weird! Maybe they like it up there s they can see it more?"
"Oh let me finish! You young'uns never know when to calm down. The strange thing is that when two of them walk underneath it, they end up kissing. It's gross! I couldn't tell you why they do it, but they've never once not! It's as if there is some ancient rule. Much like the ancient rule of..."
Rosy stopped listening to the old cat, knowing he was mumbling off another of his stories that he hated having interrupted. Staring back out the window, she felt a smile grace her features. She knew what she would do when she met the right tom!
* * * * *
"Hey, this territory isn't free to roam on. My name is Mistlepaw, and I'm a Protector of FlareClan."
Oh."In case you're wondering, FlareClan is a group of wild cats that work together to survive. I'm checking the boundaries for any trespassers or new recruits."
Oh!Tilting her head as she always did when she was thinking, Rosy stared back at the pretty she cat. It couldn't have been coincidence. For a cat named Mistletoe to come prancing into her life, seeming like the perfect match? It had to be too good to be true.
No, don't get ahead of yourself. You hardly even know this cat!Instead, she smiled politely back at the cat. "Tell me more."
* * * * *
Rosepetal had been out all day, fur puffed up against the chill. Not normally one accompany the Runners, she was slightly overwhelmed by all the sights. However, it would be worth it. "Hey, do you mind if I run a quick errand? The old tom I used to live with is over there, and I want to let him know I'm alright." Contemplating it for only a moment, the Champion Runner nodded, dismissing her.
Heart racing, she rushed through the town, remembering every twist and turn form her childhood.
There! Luckily for her, the timing had worked out perfectly. The Twoleg would be out, and she would be free to enter without fear of being held captive.
Bursting through the flap, she trotted over to the fluffy bed the old cat always took refuge in. Sure enough, there he was! "Dandelion! Guess who it is!"
A large ginger head shot up, eyes lighting with pure joy. "Rosy! You're alive! I thought those wild cats might have worked you to death!"
Letting out a chuckle, the she cat purred and rubbed against her old friend. "No, they're so kind! It's definitely the place I'm destined to spend my life in! And... Speaking of that, I've found the one..."
"Oh? A tom caught your eye as he?"
"Well... It's a she cat, and she's compleatly stolen my heart!"
Dandelion's grin only widened. "I see. Do tell me all about her!"
"Oh StarClan where to start! She's the prettiest she cat I've ever layed eyes on, but that's not even why I fell in love with her! She's so sweet and caring, always doing whatever she can for other cats. She loves a lot of the same things as me and we fit so well together! But... I don't know if she likes me back, and I'm too scared to ask."
Humming in thought, the old tom scratched behind his ear. "What's her name?"
"Mistletoe," Rosepetal purred, eyes twinkling.
Catching on, Dandelion let out a chuckle. "Oh, I know what you're thinking, and I say it's a grand idea! Who would have thought? After all these moons, you actually remember me and the things I've said!"
It was then that Rosepetal felt her heart sink. "Of course I do... You'll always be my best friend. I'm sorry I left you, but this life just wasn't for me. However, I'll never forget you and the the things you've taught me!"
Smiling and fighting back tears, the ginger tabby stood on his wobbly legs, padding over to the corner of the room. "You're in luck, the Twoleg just came back yesterday with a branch of Mistletoe. Now, you promise me you'll take good care of this she cat, and treat each other right!"
Nodding enthusiastically, the cream cat skipped over and scooped the branch from the wooden slab he had motioned to. "Of course! And you know what? If she likes me back, and we ever have kits, you can bet one is going to be called Dandelion!"
Not letting the tom responded, she turned and fled, unwilling to let her friend see the tears building in her eyes.
Thank you Dandelion. For all you've done!* * * * *
Biting her lip and tapping her paw nervously, Rosepetal looked around. Being a Protector, she had managed to string the mistletoe up on a low hanging branch. All that was left was for the other she cat to arrive. Eyes darting around to check one last time it was all perfect, she gave a satisfied nod. She was sat at the edge of the forest, looking out at the land attaching into a river before her. The sun was slipping down beneath the edge of the earth, it's dying rays a beautiful orange. Hanging just a little way above her, between where she was sat and Mistletoe should appear, was her gift from Dandelion. Her idea for the perfect confession.
"Rosepetal? You wanted to see me?"
Breath hitching at the she cat's voice, the cream cat felt her face burn with a blush. She opened her mouth to call out, explain her feelings, but no words came. This was what she'd been afraid of. Before panic could set in, Mistletoe looked up.
"Oh, mistletoe! Who hung that there?" The two she cats made eye contact. "
Oh," she breathed, eyes widening. "Do... Do you know about the tradition?"
Words failing her yet again, she tilted her head and let out an awkward nod. Mistletoe let out a soft giggle, eyes twinkling. Then, before Rosepetal knew what was happening, the other cat had pressed their muzzles together.
* * * * *
After her heart had slowed down enough and her ability to talk had come back, the two she cats had sat and watched the sun setting, talking in low whispers, happier than they'd ever been. The sun had long gone, replaced by a bright moon and a dusting of stars. Rosepetal looked up at them with a smile, heart soaring. Mistletoe was leaning on her shoulder, alseep. Mistletoe was her's. Life was perfect.
Thank you Dandelion. She's the best thing to ever happen to me, and it worked out because of you. I'll never forget you.
