Bird of Paradise (OC x Canon)

You fake your shyness

"You're attracting too much attention," Tigerstar said, "...you've got to lay low. Get some proper friends, maybe even a mate. Cats never suspect the tom with a family."

"Must be easy to say when you're full-blooded ThunderClan." Hawkfrost responded. "Or prophesied to save ShadowClan."He shook his head. "I've barely gotten cats to stop metaphorically gagging when I look at them for too long."

Tigerstar snarled. "You've faked a sign, you've laid traps galore and gotten cats to stop calling you rogue- a simple relationship is kitten's play! Don't whine to me, Hawkfrost."

The brown tabby grumbled frustrated in response. It must be easy getting a mate when you had nothing to prove to anyone.Hawkfrost though? He was lucky when cats didn't pitifully smile at him when he got placed on the same patrol as them.

He kicked at the soggy mud, then immediately gagged as the pungent scent filled his nose.

"I'm serious. A mate will make you look a lot less suspicious. And will make you appear loyal, too." His father caught his attention again. "They'll cover your back. Where were you last night? Oh, just out with Goldenflower... what were you doing by the border? Oh, I was picking flowers..."

Hawkfrost almost tuned him out, but forced himself to keep listening.He knew the idea wasn't bad, it was just... he didn't care for any of those things. Why needlessly make it even more complicated? He had everything he needed without relationships.

"And how do you suggest I go about getting a mate?" Hawkfrost asked irritated. "I haven't exactly got experience."

"Oh please." Tigerstar scoffed. "With a few compliments and a longing look here and there it won't take long to pick out who's desperate. And besides, you don't look half bad."
"I look like you." Hawkfrost grimaced at the awkward compliment.
Tigerstar seemed to realize what he had said too now, because his face twitched a bit. "...true. Well, point stands! Most cats your age don't even know what I looked like anyway."
The tabby scoffed. "Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

Tigerstar gave Hawkfrost a glare, and that shut him up."You'll find a mate," it was more of an order than a suggestion, "...and then you'll already be much higher on the potential deputy list. Don't embarrass yourself."


So now here Hawkfrost was, licking his neck awkwardly, unable to reach scratches his father had given him during training last night, and staring at cats.

StarClan, they must all think he was creepy, looking at everyone like pieces of prey... and somehow none of the prey was any good.

He didn't care if it was a she-cat or a tom, supposed he could have kits with either... though he'd like to be able to tolerate them at least. And loyal. He wasn't about to chase after some stupid ditzy cat, he didn't care for the ridiculous cat and mouse game some of his clan mates played.

Mistyfoot walked past the warrior's den to take her spot in assigning daily patrols. She was too old for him. Not to mention deputy, and very much on the list of cats to somehow get rid off.

Reedwhisker gathered next to his mother. He wouldn't work either. Too attached to his mother, he was practically biting her tail.

Heavystep groggily settled down next to the black tom. That tabby was ready to keel over dead. Cats would stare at him endlessly confused if he chose Heavystep.

Finally, Swallowtail and Stormfur gathered as well.

Stormfur had literally witnessed his father murder cats like him. He doubted the gray tom would like to be reminded of that with his identical pelt....plus, he was also pretty high on the "get-rid-off" list.