Character Guide:

Audrey: Perchleap

Seymour: Applefrost

In this AU, after Mapleshade left, the clans became paranoid that she didn't die and was going to come back and kill not only the cats that she still has a grudge against, but also any cats that associated with them. These cats are Reedshine, Perchpaw, Oakstar, and Sweetbriar. The clans have a meeting where they debate on if they should banish these cats for their safety and narrowly decide not to, also coming to the conclusion that Mapleshade doesn't have a grudge against Reedshine's unborn kits because her murders were motivated by her kits dying. However, these cats are completely ostracized from then on. Perchpaw becomes Perchleap and befriends Milkfur, Applepaw, and Willowpaw, but being rejected by his clan is still harrowing for him. He devises a plan to go into the Dark Forest, confirm that Mapleshade is there, and go back and tell his clanmates. Milkfur tries to talk him out of it, but fails. She eventually agrees to go along with him and bring bitter tasting herbs so that they can swallow them and wake up safely when they find her. They successfully find her, and Milkfur manages to escape, but Mapleshade stops Perchleap before he can ingest the herb. She viciously trains him in the Dark Forest, taking any possible excuse to attack him while being careful to not let him die, and his friends watch concernedly over his body. Eventually, Mapleshade leaves for a few seconds, and Perchleap takes the opportunity to run to Starclan. It turns out that Mapleshade purposefully trapped him, and she catches him right before he reaches the border and force-feeds him a poisonous mushroom. Luckily, this causes Perchleap to wake up. His friends, especially Applepaw, who is Applefrost now, support him through his recovery. Perchleap eventually opens up to Applefrost about what happened, and Applefrost is supportive. He was born mute, but Mapleshade inadvertently trained Perchleap to be very good at reading body language so that he could predict her attacks, and Perchleap can now read Applefrost's body language and imagine a voice for him. Applefrost isn't actually lip-syncing. They quickly realize that they have feelings for each other, but Perchleap isn't able to will himself to make physical contact with him at first due to his trauma. He slowly gains confidence with Applefrost's support and eventually succeeds in embracing him.

Part 1

The gutter?

The gutter. It's a nightspot. I worked there my nights off when we weren't making much money. I put on…

Applefrost and Perchleap are sitting in front of the medicine cat's den. Applefrost looks at Perchleap with shocked concern. Perchleap looks away from him ashamedly and awkwardly runs a front claw through the dirt. The shot switches to just his eyes right before he says the line "I put on…" and after, his eyes widen in horror.

Part 2

cheap and tasteless outfits, not nice ones like this, low and nasty apparel.

Audrey, that's all behind you now.

The shot zooms out from his eyes to reveal that he is standing in the Dark Forest. Mapleshade towers over him, and he covers away from her. She tauntingly dangles red mushrooms over his head. Applefrost suddenly appears in front of him before his 'line' and looks concernedly at him. They appear back in front of the medicine cat den, and Perchleap is curled up on the ground, with Applefrost lying down in front of him.

Part 3

You've got nothing to be ashamed of. You're a very nice person. I always knew you were. Underneath the bruises and the handcuffs, you know what I saw?

Perchleap gives him a small smile and shakily stands up. Applefrost moves to support him, then thinks better of it and stays where he is. Perchleap shyly looks away at "very nice person," and Appledusk smiles reassuringly, putting a paw on his chest at "I always knew you were." Perchleap looks self-consciously at his scars and then at the places where Mapleshade's vine handcuffs have created several puncture wounds around his wrists at "bruises" and "handcuffs" respectively, and Applefrost shakes his head. This part ends right after "you know what I saw."

Part 4

A girl I respected. I still do.

Lift up your head

Applefrost goes to sit beside Perchleap, who sits as well. Perchleap smiles at the ground, then hesitantly looks towards him. Applefrost returns his smile, then lifts his head at the second line.

Part 5

wash off your mascara

Here, take my Kleenex, wipe that lipstick away

Show me your face

Perchleap slowly lifts his head as well, and Applefrost slowly lifts a front paw towards Perchleap's cheek, which has a little blood on it. He is clearly telegraphing his intent to Perchleap so that he can refute the contact if he wants to. Perchleap slightly shakes his head, and Applefrost quickly puts his paw down. Perchleap is pleasantly surprised by this.

Part 6

clean as the mornin'

I know things were bad but now they're okay

Perchleap runs a front paw over the blood, and it comes off. Applefrost is happy to see this. He looks to the side awkwardly at "things were bad," then smiles reassuringly at Perchleap, who nods timidly. Applefrost stands up and walks back in front of Perchleap. This part lasts until right before the first line of Part 7.

Part 7

Suddenly Seymour is standing beside you

Applefrost mimes pressing his head against Perchleap's chin and then putting a front paw on his without actually touching him, and Perchleap relaxes a little. This part lasts until right before the first line of Part 8.

Part 8

You don't need no makeup, Don't have to pretend

Applefrost looks around, then grabs a maple leaf off of the ground and exaggeratedly shreds it to pieces, as if it's actually Mapleshade. Perchleap puts a front paw to his chin and giggles.

Part 9

Suddenly Seymour, is here to provide you with

Applefrost pins the largest shred of the maple leaf to the ground with a front paw, then poses as if he just vanquished a great foe. Perchleap smiles shyly and moves to touch his nose to his, then nervously jerks his head away at the last second. He's disappointed with himself, but Applefrost isn't fazed.

Part 10

sweet understanding, Seymour's your friend

Nobody ever treated me kindly

Applefrost reassuringly makes eye contact with Perchleap, who looks at him lovingly. At the second line, Perchleap starts slowly walking away from the medicine cat den, and Applefrost sympathetically puts a front paw to his chest. At the end of the part, Perchleap stops and looks panicked.

Part 11

Daddy left early, mamma was poor

I'd meet a man and I'd follow him blindly

He'd snap his fingers

The background switches to the Dark Forest, and Milkfur appears beside Perchleap. Several of Perchleap's clanmates contemptuously turn away from him and walk into the shadows. Milkfur is disgusted by this, and they both run desperately until they quickly find Mapleshade, who looms over them. Milkfur and Perchleap quickly take small bits of herbs from behind their ears.

Part 12

me, I'd say, "Sure"

Suddenly, Seymour is standing beside me

Milkfur successfully swallows the herb and disappears, but Mapleshade grabs Perchleap's arm before he can, causing him to bleed. He looks at her in horror. Suddenly, Appledusk appears at his side. His fur is bristled with concern. Perchleap is reassured by him, and the background switches back to Riverclan.

Part 13

He don't give me orders, he don't condescend

Perchleap smiles widely at Applefrost, who reciprocates. Perchleap resumes slowly walking away from the medicine cat den, which takes Applefrost out of the shot, puffs out his chest, and gleefully shouts towards the sky.

Part 14

Suddenly, Seymour is here to provide me

Perchleap looks around at Applefrost, then slowly starts walking back towards him. Applefrost comes back into the shot, and he looks encouragingly at Perchleap. He puffs out his chest with pride, and Perchleap reaches him, then smiles at him without turning his head away.

Part 15

Sweet understanding, Seymour's my friend

Tell me this feeling lasts 'til forever

Perchleap looks lovingly at Applefrost and tries to press his head against his chin. He jerks away again before touching him, but not as strongly as before. Applefrost is encouraged by his progress, and he grins and enthusiastically makes a sweeping gesture with a front paw. Perchleap is hesitantly enthusiastic as well.

Part 16

Tell me the bad times are clean washed away

Please understand that it's still strange and frightening

For losers like I've been

Applefrost hops, then slides a front paw closer to Perchleap without touching him. Perchleap hovers a front paw over it for a second, then accidentally unsheathes his claws, still not making contact, and hastily withdraws his paw. He backs away from Applefrost, who stays where he is. Applefrost enthusiastically shakes his head at "losers," which causes Perchleap to smile nervously. He accidentally runs into the medicine cat's den and resists the urge to turn around and look at it.

Part 17

it's so hard to save

Suddenly, Seymour

(Suddenly, Seymour)

He purified me

Perchleap passionately shouts into the sky with his eyes closed, then opens them and looks back at Applefrost. Feeling overwhelmed, he grins while still looking a little nervous and puts a front paw to his chest. The shot switches to Applefrost, who grins happily and dips his head, then raises it again. The shot switches back to Perchleap for the final line. He hesitantly takes a step towards Applefrost.

Part 18

(He purified you)

Suddenly, Seymour

(Suddenly, Seymour)

Showed me I can

(Yes, you can)

The shot switches to Applefrost, who moves to take a step towards Perchleap, then stops himself. Perchleap becomes more comfortable, and he takes another step towards Applefrost and reaches towards him with a front paw. Applefrost strains towards him, but doesn't step towards him. Perchleap hesitates, then throws his head back slightly, gesturing for Applefrost to join him. Applefrost enthusiastically runs towards him, and they smile at each other and mime pressing their foreheads together.

Part 19

Learn how to be more

The girl that's inside me

(The girl that's inside you)

With sweet understanding

Perchleap enthusiastically sings while looking lovingly at Applefrost, who grins and determinedly nods. Perchleap looks down and sees a maple leaf. He fearlessly slashes it with the claws of a front paw, and Applefrost hops excitedly. Perchleap looks away shyly, then looks at Applefrost gratefully.

Part 20

(With sweet understanding)

With sweet understanding

(With sweet understanding)

With sweet understanding

Applefrost lifts a front paw and dismissively folds it as if saying "It was nothing." Perchleap slides a front paw very close to Applefrost's, and Applefrost waits in anticipation. They look into each other's eyes intensely, completely focused on each other.

Part 21

Seymour's your man

Perchleap continues to sing, and he steps closer to Applefrost, so that they're almost touching. Their fur rises where it's nearly touching, as if they're getting goosebumps. This part lasts until right before the third time Perchleap raises the pitch while singing "man."

Part 22

Applefrost moves to place his head on Perchleap's, then stops himself. After the line ends, Perchleap presses himself into Applefrost's side and closes his eyes. Applefrost is overjoyed. They sit down, put their heads on each other's shoulders, and curl their tails around each other. This part ends at 3:51.

Part 23

Perchleap and Applefrost stay in this position for several seconds. Perchleap, keeping his eyes closed, starts crying from happiness. He gently pulls his head away from Applefrost's shoulder without moving any of the rest of his body, makes eye contact with him, and sees that he's crying from happiness as well. This part ends at 4:02.

Part 24

Applefrost gently wipes Perchleap's tears away with a front paw, and Perchleap giggles. They slowly stand up and walk away from the medicine cat's den, keeping as much of their bodies in contact as possible.