Sinking Man [Magpie + Thistle]

T H I S T L E G A Z E

Thistlegaze turned his head at the sound of approaching pawsteps. Though his face retained its impassive mask, he was surprised to see it was Magpiepaw standing there, and they (not he or she, Thistlegaze had learned) were shaking. He didn't quite understand the concept of gender fluidity (he blamed his upbringing), but that didn't mean he was going to disrespect it - he was better than his mother in that regard at least.

The youth was one of the more accepting cats of Riverclan. Sweet and kind, yet often sick - he had been similar when he'd been the black-and-white cat's age. Again it made Thistlegaze question the existence of Starclan. If they existed, why did they make good cats ill? Why did they make good cats die? The thought made his mind wander back to Stonepaw again. Perhaps Magpiepaw was shaking because they had been one of the deceased feline's friends. The apprentice had certainly seemed distraught when it happened... could it be that they had came to the lake to replicate their friend's death?

Thistlegaze didn't bother returning their quiet greeting, there was no point in pleasantries when they were so obviously upset. "What are you doing here, kid?" he asked in his usual gruff tone, his stare returning to the lake.

Addressed: Magpiepaw Mentioned: Stonepaw OOC Notes: --- Tagged: themysteryfox8

T H I S T L E G A Z E

"Yet," he repeated the black-and-white cat's last word reproachfully, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly at the bad taste it left on his tongue. Yet. Yet, yet, yet. A word Thistlegaze had once used a lot as well ('I'm not healthy yet', 'I'm not big enough yet', 'I'm not strong enough yet'). The adverb may have been added innocently and without thought to Magpiepaw's harsh comment, but to Thistlegaze it held promise; implying that inevitably the youth would meet the same watery end as Stonepaw. "So you came to mourn? To look for some sort of sign from StarClan that your friend is still watching over you? Because believe me, kid, you're not going to find one. Cats like you and I aren't important enough for dead ghouls to send messages to." Some might expect these words to be accompanied by a bitter or angry tone, but Thistlegaze spoke them completely indifferently as if he was stating a fact. He wasn't even sure if he believed in StarClan, but he would still refer to them in day-to-day life - if only to keep up appearances. He also wasn't sure what he hoped to achieve by telling the young one this. Usually his speech was calculated, meant to bend those around him to his will. But the apprentice was... well, an apprentice. They held no power. Nothing to offer to Thistlegaze. So he simply spoke his mind as the thoughts came to him, somewhat curious to see how Magpiepaw would react.

Addressed: Magpiepaw Mentioned: Stonepaw OOC Notes: --- Tagged: themysteryfox8