♔ 005; [video]

[velveteenmage]

[Waver's memories were, in general, not very pleasant ones. It was fortunate the network picked up what it did today; he knew very well that much, much worse could have possibly been broadcast. (Caster came to mind, for an unfortunate example.)]

"Fate/Zero - Iskandar's pep talk to Waver" (Watch on YouTube)

[ooc: cut for video, transcript here]

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[action]

[notmyprophecy]

...That was your memory, wasn't it? This place is tapping into our minds now.

[She's quite frank and direct, to be honest. Mostly because...she can't think of anything else it could've been.

[action]

[velveteenmage]

I...yeah. I don't understand why it would want to do that, but it looks like that's what happened.

[action]

[notmyprophecy]

...That's not right...that's...private... [She's never liked when Jayfeather barges into other cat's minds, but at least she knows him, this is...]

...Your friend seems kind.

[action]

[velveteenmage]

He was, in his own...kind of weird way.

[Waver sighed, leaning his head on his hand. Well, it was kind of hard to avoid now, and he trusted Hollyleaf enough to come relatively clean on matters, so:]

It's okay if you want to ask me about all that. I'll explain it the best that I can.

[action]

[notmyprophecy]

[Was, ah. She leans against the wall. The door's open a crack.]

I don't really understand it, honestly. What was going on. I don't think I'd know where to start.

...But if you'd like to talk, I can...listen. I guess I just wanted to see if you were okay.

[action]

[velveteenmage]

I'm...I think I'm okay. Really.

...He was kind of the only friend I ever had. 'Friend' is kind of oversimplifying it, but it's not really inaccurate.

[action]

[notmyprophecy]

He wasn't wrong. No matter how small the warrior, you can make a difference. His advice is...sound, even here.

But I'm sorry it forced you to see him, if you're...having trouble.

[action]

[velveteenmage]

I know he wasn't. Honestly, I think I'll...probably be okay. You don't have to worry about me.

[action]

[notmyprophecy]

[She dips her head in response, a sign of respect.] I'll respect your wishes. But...denmates have to look out for each other, right?

If you need anything.

[action]

[velveteenmage]

No, you're right. I'm just kind of...I don't know. I'm pretty sure I'll be alright. But I wasn't expecting that.

[action]

[notmyprophecy]

[She snorts.] I don't think anyone was expecting their private memories to be shown to a group of largely strangers out of the blue.

[She's bitter, but at the same time...a little nervous.]

[action]

[velveteenmage]

It didn't happen to you yet, did it?

[Waver's hands fidgeted, concern in his voice.]

[action]

[notmyprophecy]

Not yet, thank StarClan. I can only...hope...

[There are some things she'd rather stay buried.]

[action]

[velveteenmage]

Maybe you'll get lucky.

[action]

[notmyprophecy]

Maybe...

[She has a feeling if the stars want it, though...

Idly, she starts to lick the back of her hand and oh darn it, she doesn't have fur. She sighs.]

I hope this is the last it torments you, at the very least.

[action]

[velveteenmage]

I-it's okay, honestly. [Waver held his hands up somewhat defensively, as if trying to dismiss the idea that he was distraught at all.]

Uh...listen, thanks for being concerned about me. That doesn't...really happen often.

[action]

[notmyprophecy]

I told you. We're denmates. In a different way than I'm used to, but it's something. I can't imagine why, though. You're a nice enough human.

[action]

[velveteenmage]

That's really nice of you, it's just kind of...complicated, I guess. I don't exactly have much in the way of family.

[action]

[notmyprophecy]

I live in a Clan, so...I'm always surrounded by the ones close to me. Or, I was. Being so separated from them is...odd.

[action]

[velveteenmage]

...What're they like?

[action]

[notmyprophecy]

...My Clanmates? They're...all very different... I don't know where to start.

[action]

[velveteenmage]

You don't have to go on about them if it'd be troublesome. But I'd like to hear it, if you've got the patience.

[action]

[notmyprophecy]

...My Clan's very big. We keep having to expand the warriors den, so we can all sleep there.

[Just thinking about her home sends a pang through her chest, but it subsides a moment later.]

I have two brothers, Lionblaze and Jayfeather. Jayfeather is the...medicine cat of our Clan, so he sleeps in that den, but Lionblaze is a warrior, like me, so oftentimes we curl up together after a long patrol or a good day's hunt.

Jayfeather's grumpy. Like he's got thorns in his paws, he'll make a wonderfully cranky elder one day. But...he's also very caring. He's the most empathetic cat I know, and he's determine to make everyone see that he's just as strong and good as any other cat...maybe better.

And Lionblaze is...excitable. He charges into things, but he's getting better. He used to, when we were kits, get us into all sorts of trouble...but then, we all did that, he just did a little more. He follows his heart...the goods, and the bads. But he's loyal. Loyal, and strong, and I wouldn't have any other cat fighting beside me.

[action]

[velveteenmage]

[Waver listened attentively as Hollyleaf spoke, inwardly remarking to himself on how interesting all their names sounded and wondering how they got them.]

Sounds like you really do have a big family. [For less than a second he recalled Rider's Ionian Hetairoi--the army of his followers that persisted even after death. His followers seemed to share the same love and devotion as any family. but of course that wasn't the same, and so the thought was almost immediately dismissed.]

I'm...almost a little jealous.

[action]

[notmyprophecy]

[A strained smile remains on Hollyleaf's face.]

I've got it easy. One of the queens in our Clan, Ferncloud, she has so many kits... I don't think even they can keep track of which ones of them are kin or not.

[Her tail flicks.] I'm sorry, though. Being lonely...how awful it must be.