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[ 0 MOONS - 5 MOONS ] Several moons before Silverkit was born, a kittypet came to stay in PrairieClan camp to test if he was fit for the warrior lifestyle. His name was Finn and he’d heard stories about the groups of wild cats who caught their own food and battled each other for territory. What an admirable life, he’d thought, why not give it a try? Many in PrairieClan believed he was much too free-spirited to become one of them, but there was a warrior named Doveflight who disagreed. She found Finn to be charming and kind, and his fun-loving nature was addicting. They spent multiple moons together and when Doveflight finally gathered the courage to tell Finn she loved him, he told her he loved her, too, but he’d come to the conclusion that he wasn’t the type of cat who could endure the life of a warrior. She was understanding and wished him well. Shortly after Finn’s departure, Doveflight discovered that she was expecting and she couldn’t have been any happier about it.

Silverkit was born alongside his two sisters, Featherkit and Fernkit. The three of them faced much scorn for their heritage, particularly from denmates who would call them names, exclude them from activities, and occasionally shove them around. Silverkit hated seeing his sisters cry after the bullies walked away, so he decided to do something about it. He couldn’t go to his mother, because he knew getting Doveflight involved would just make him look weaker and give his bullies more ammunition to use against him. One day, when the worst of the bullies, Icekit, pushed him to the ground and tried to steal his fresh-kill, Silverkit decided to try killing him with kindness. Icekit was caught off guard, confused by Silverkit’s mild reaction, but he recovered quickly from his surprise. Icekit promptly tried to insult him with a comment about his father, but Silverkit’s clever reply pulled chuckles from Icekit’s friends. With a huff, Icekit stormed off with his followers trailing behind him.

From that point on, the bullying decreased. Silverkit apologized for humiliating Icekit the next day, but then he started to talk to him and his friends more, continuing his tactic of killing them with kindness. In less than a moon, the bullying stopped completely and Silverkit had earned friends in his former bullies. More important than making friends, though, was that Featherkit and Fernkit gained confidence, and finally felt comfortable in their own home. Icekit had a sister named Swankit who connected with Silverkit’s sisters. She was much nicer than her brother, though Icekit’s personality improved every day, and Silverkit was pleased his sisters had found a friend, too. Especially one who wasn’t as hotheaded as Icekit was.

[ 6 MOONS - 11 MOONS ] Silverpaw was apprenticed to Gorsebelly, a popular and charismatic young warrior. They were more friends than a mentor/apprentice pair, or maybe they had more of a younger brother/older brother relationship. Either way, Silverpaw felt comfortable going to Gorsebelly for pretty much anything and everything. When he overheard a group of older warriors discussing the apprentices’ progress and commenting that Silverpaw wouldn’t be successful due to his kittypet blood, Gorsebelly tore into them upon seeing the look on Silverpaw’s face. He admired his mentor very much and hoped to make him proud. However, he didn’t exactly excel anywhere in his training, but he was decent at most things, like hunting and fighting, and Gorsebelly made sure he knew how proud he was of every accomplishment. Where Silverpaw did excel was outside of training and in social circles. He befriended every apprentice and even formed connections with some of Gorsebelly’s friends, though his sisters remained his closest friends.

A moon later, Silverpaw and Gorsebelly were part of a patrol sent to the barn. When Silverpaw saw a barn cat his age, he perked up. Luckily, the adults noticed and let the two young toms wander off together. Whiskey and Silverpaw became fast friends - or, well, he thought they did. Even though Whiskey appeared annoyed whenever Silverpaw asked him questions about life outside the clans, he was certain the other tom actually enjoyed his company. He’d visit Whiskey every few days to maintain their friendship, but a couple moons later, Swanpaw caught Silverpaw sneaking away while everyone else was distracted sharing tongues. She stopped him and when he reassured her he knew what he was doing, she just asked him to be careful. Silverpaw had expected her to warn him to stop or else she’d tattle on him, so although he was surprised, he sent her a silly smirk and wink, but she shocked him again when she smiled bashfully at him.

Silverpaw continued to meet with Whiskey, having realized he liked the barn cat - and not in a platonic way. But he started spending more time with Swanpaw, too. Featherpaw and Fernpaw would joke that he stole their best friend, and he’d just laugh in response. Truth was, he’d never thought of Swanpaw as anything other than his sisters’ friend and Icepaw’s sister, but after she’d approached him and showed concern about him and then smiled in a way that made his heart do flips, he decided he wanted to get to know her better. Over the next couple of moons, Silverpaw began to develop feelings for Swanpaw, too, but his feelings for Whiskey were stronger. They were so strong that he even asked Whiskey to join PrairieClan, though he knew the barn cat wouldn’t follow him back to camp. Upon realizing he and Whiskey would never be, Silverpaw stopped visiting the barn and started focusing on his relationship with Swanpaw.

[ 12 MOONS - 18 MOONS ] Silversong was named for his charismatic and gregarious personality. Alongside him were his sisters, Featherflight and Fernwing, and his friends, Icefang and Swanfeather. Shortly after their naming ceremony, Silversong asked Swanfeather to be his mate. He genuinely loved her, though he had wanted to wait a bit longer before asking the question. However, he needed to completely get over his feelings for Whiskey and figured taking a mate would help him get over the barn cat sooner. Featherflight and Fernwing were thrilled for him and Swanfeather, but Icefang, who hadn’t noticed the growing feelings between his sister and friend, was, at first, against the union - until Silversong talked to him, that is. He made sure Icefang knew how much he adored Swanfeathr, how he’d never intentionally hurt her, and then Icefang apologized for how he’d reacted to the news.

A moon passed and Silversong still couldn’t get Whiskey off his mind, so he visited the barn to say goodbye to his friend, but part of him hoped Whiskey would reveal that he loved him and then they could live happily ever after. Maybe he said all the wrong things or maybe Whiskey couldn’t find it within him to be vulnerable, but Silversong returned to PrairieClan without the barn cat at his side and a determination to move on. Whiskey was his past, but Swanfeather was his future, and he couldn’t live in the past anymore. Moons later, Swanfeather told Silversong she was expecting. He was overjoyed and looked forward to it. Featherflight and Fernwing were excited to become aunts, and would frequently approach Silversong and Swanfeather with name ideas for their kits. Icefang was more nervous for his sister than anything and along with Silversong, they made sure Swanfeather was comfortable and happy.

[ 19 MOONS - 25 MOONS ] Silversong didn’t leave Swanfeather’s side the entire time she was in labor. It wasn’t long before the medicine cat announced their firstborn was a tom. Silversong and Swanfeather had just enough time to marvel at their elders before a second tom arrived. They were the most beautiful things Silversong had ever seen. And then he noticed the medicine cat's focused expression, eyes narrowed, frowning, but he didn’t get the chance to ask what was wrong before Swanfeather weakly called his name. When he glanced down at her and saw her eyes weren’t as bright and her smile was sad, he knew their special moment had just become tragic. She started to say farewell and Silversong begged her to stay, but instead of acknowledging his desperate pleading, she named their sons with her final breaths. Heronkit and Snowkit. Their cries flooded his ears, but he didn't give them any attention, too busy imploring Swanfeather to come back to him.

He stayed with Swanfeather until his clanmates came to take her for the vigil and followed close behind as they exited the nursery. The moment he emerged, he found himself knocked down. Before he even hit the ground, there was a growl rumbling deep in his throat. Whoever dared to come between him and Swanfeather would regret it. He heard Icefang’s voice before he saw him, his old friend’s tone furious as he blamed Silversong for Swanfeather’s early demise. He didn’t get the chance to react before a few clanmates pulled Icefang away. Surprisingly, Silversong didn’t lose his temper or break down into tears. Instead, he simply moved to join Swanfeather again. After the elders took her away for the burial the next morning, Silversong didn’t leave his spot in the clearing for a long time. A queen told him StarClan’s plans aren’t always supposed to be understood, but instead of bringing him comfort like her words were supposed to, it pained him to think that their ancestors wanted Swanfeather dead. Silversong didn’t even shift his weight until a clanmate came along to guide him to his nest.

Silversong moved into the nursery just days after Swanfeather’s death - not because it occurred to him to do so, but because someone led him there and it didn’t occur to him to leave. Most of the time, Silversong wasn’t himself, like his spirit had abandoned his body, leaving nothing but a shell behind. One of his friends from kithood who he’d drifted apart from, Indigoblossom, took it upon himself to look after Silversong. Indigoblossom was sometimes capable of dragging Silversong back to reality, but when he existed in the real world, he had a difficult time looking at Snowkit, though he wasn’t sure why. It was upsetting to listen to Snowkit’s cries for attention, but Silversong just couldn’t bring himself to even look at him. For the first couple of moons after Swanfeather died, he did try to take care of both Heronkit and Snowkit - when he was lucid, that is. It was easier to take care of Heronkit, though, and by the time his kits were three moons old, Silversong had completely given up on trying to care for Snowkit.

Silversong was having one of his good days, laughing with Indigoblossom, when Snowkit asked him to spend time with him. He could look at Snowkit today, so he agreed. As they walked, their conversation started light and breezy, but then Snowkit asked who Silversong’s friends were and his life flashed before his eyes. Gorsebelly. Icefang. Featherflight. Fernwing. Doveflight. Swanfeather. Everyone he’d ever loved and lost. Everyone he’d pushed away and everyone who gave up on him. And then he realized why he couldn’t look at Snowkit sometimes - Swanfeather died because of Snowkit. Blinded by rage, he backed Snowkit into a corner, growling at the cowering kit and blaming him for Swanfeather’s death. Next thing he knew, there was a stinging pain erupting from his flank and he whirled around to face the cause of it. Silversong’s gaze fell on Heronkit, who coldly told him that he and Snowkit didn’t need their father. They didn’t need him. Go away. And so he does. Later, when Indigoblossom would ask how he’d gotten a scratch on his side, Silversong would sound distressed as he tried to explain what had happened.

[ 26 MOONS - PRESENT ] When Heronpaw and Snowpaw were apprenticed, Silversong didn’t attend the ceremony. Ever since Heronpaw told him they didn’t need him, he started avoiding his sons, but he did watch them from a distance. He’d ask their mentors how they were doing in training and he’d take note of who their friends were. But they didn’t need him. They didn’t want him involved in their lives and he’d respect that. Maybe it was what they all needed. Silversong couldn’t be sure if it was distance put between himself and his sons, or Indigoblossom’s support, or the amount of time that had passed since Swanfeather died, or maybe even all three factors that improved his mental state, but he didn’t disconnect as much anymore. He’d still become someone else occasionally, but for the first time in a long time, his periods of awareness lasted days at a time. Silversong wasn’t quite ready to make amends with everyone he’d hurt, though, but he was getting there.

Pre-Plotting: Silversong was adopted from [i was raised on little light]. He has never felt very strongly about politics and has always been comfortable trusting his leaders to make the right decisions, but if he had to choose, he’d probably align with Peony in [PrairieClan’s Plot Ad]. However, with bigger personal issues troubling him, Silversong doesn’t really spend a lot of time thinking about the other groups in the valley.

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