As materialize in the vaguely familiar forests of Starclan, you notice a small bundle of brown fur bounding towards you. When you peer closer, you realize…this was a kit! And a rather young one at that. You wave a paw in greeting, but the bundle stops a few tail-lengths away from you, raising his head. You notice two frost-blue eyes peer at you curiously. “A newcomer! We don’t get many of those these days. Well, not in these parts, anyways. Ah, don’t worry. I know why you’re here! You’ve come to hear the great and majestic story of my death, right?” You shake your head slightly, feeling quite puzzled. “Uhm…who are you?” “Smilekit! Y’know, son of the leader, super great and powerful, awesome beyond all reasoning and…?” He trails off, noticing the confusion in your expression. “Ugh, cats these days. No respect for the great cats of history! Well don’t worry, stranger. Once I’m done with my tale, you’ll be begging to serve me.” He paused. “Ah, right. For the more mouse-hearted of you cats, I’ll give ya a fair warning. My awesome story’s got violence, death and dark/emotional themes. Beware, you scaredy-cats!” He raised his paw into the air dramatically, grinning widely as he did so. “Shall we begin?” [] ————— [] Smile laughed as he bounded towards the spot. No… /The/ Spot. Mimi had told him about it at some point—well, mentioned it to another kit, but Smile heard /everything/ that happened in the nursery—and he’d been dying to see it. Sure enough, as he skidded to a stop, he raised his head to gaze upon the masterpiece. A rock…the biggest rock he’d ever seen. Smooth and flat at the top, seemingly dug into the ground so deep it was a part of the landscape now. Dozens of cats could probably stand up there! Or…well, maybe only a couple of kits. But still! Smile paused, watching it in wonder for a moment before quickly scrambling to the base of it. It sloped upwards, so if he could only reach this lowest point he’d be fine… Ahah! He hooked his claws on the top, pulling himself up with a grunt of effort. Standing to his paws, he slowly walked up, and up, and up…until finally he was at the top. Towering over the forest, he could see the center of camp from here and all of the cats below. They were so small, so insignificant beneath such a massive stone. Smile raised his head, the wind starting to pick up as he set his paw down firmly near the edge. “Behold!!!” He cried, “Smilestar!!! The ruler of you all!” His fangs gleamed in the morning light. “Today, I tower over you. I am your leader, and you will all bow to me!!!” He paused. Stars, wait, something was missing. He glanced to the side, looking for…where was Mimi??? His deputy, Mischief ‘dapple’, should be here when he was appointed leader… too caught up in his confusion, he barely noticed the sudden roar of wind until it was too late. Feathers flashed before his eyes as sharp talons pierced his pelt, gripping onto him. He screeched in pain, clawing aimlessly at the air as he was raised higher, higher into the air. For a brief moment, Smile flew… he was above it all, so much higher and better and it was /amazing/. He squirmed, reaching for the world below, and suddenly a sharp cry pierced the sky and he was falling, falling, falling… It was too fast to process. He stretched out helplessly, eyes wide with wonder as, for the last time, he saw the world from his rightful place, far above it all. A grin slowly spread over his face as he laughed, laughed for all of Flurryclan to hear. The ground rose up to meet him and he instinctually angled himself to the side as he hit it with a thud. The grass rose up around him, and he lay there, pelt twitching as he gasped for breath that wouldn't come. "I...am...immortal..." He choked out, burying his head in the grass as his lungs stopped working and the world was gone. In the end, Smilekit the Brave didn't whine for help, didn't beg the world for mercy or cry out in pain. Smile died knowing one thing, and one thing only. He was in control of his world, not anybody else. And he would die smiling... [] —— ERP —— [] (Cont. in notes & credits)
Oh my stars what a ride. Two moons into his life and it’s all over. So many plots and plans! So many hopes and dreams! But alas, such is the hardships of gens. Thanks to you all for being with me during Smile’s journey, it couldn’t have been done without you <3 Firstly, thanks to @GloryofTheMorning for making and hosting the litter! We never really did get to roleplay with Smile and his mama but I’m sure they would get alone nicely on account of him being such a suck-up around older cats lol. Secondly, thanks to @minty-made , Ginger and Smile didn’t roleplay as often as they could’ve someday but they had such potential in dynamics and I honestly really love Gingepaw as a character :) Thirdly, thanks to @-0nyx— for the wonderful times Smile and Hal were able to hang out. Halcyonkit was such a devoted follower and adorable bean and I’m sad their journey was cut so short <//3 o7 to both of them Last but most /definitely/ not least, thanks to @sky557 !! I hope Mischiefkit can grow to live the life his littermates never got to have <3 but also that he can grow and develop and maybe become a medic depending on events? Him and Smilekit were an inseparable pair!! You helped so much with Smile’s development and construction and I’m glad for the little time that they had together <3 [] Rip the art- cureently experiencing art block so getting that much out was some effort :’0 []