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Post by Willow on Mar 20, 2021 12:39:29 GMT -5
Thistlestalk led the apprentices towards where they buried the other pieces of prey, gesturing them to unbury their catches and briefly dropping the toad, "You caught them, so you should take credit for them." he mewed with a smile.
Duskpaw nodded with a slight puff of her chest she walked over to her lizard to unbury it. The small apprentice struggled for a moment, trying to fit both the lizard and toad in her jaws. After a few moments of trying, she finally managed and returned to Thistlestalk.
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Post by thistle on Mar 20, 2021 12:55:23 GMT -5
Fuzzypaw dropped her toad beside the root near which she'd buried the scrawny mouse, grasping its tail in her teeth alongside the fat hind leg of her toad. Holding the prey high so she wouldn't trip, she followed somewhat awkwardly behind Thistlestalk.
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Post by Willow on Mar 20, 2021 13:34:02 GMT -5
Thistlestalk led them back into camp, looking proudly at the two apprentices, dropping his toad on the fresh kill pile he turned to face them once more. "Why don't you two take one of the catches to the queens to see who hasn't eaten yet and then you two can share a toad. You've earned it."
Duskpaw looked over at Fuzzypaw with pure excitement because one: she LOVED going to visit the kits and the queens, and two: she hadn't had a full meal in what seems like ages.
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Post by thistle on Mar 20, 2021 15:09:15 GMT -5
Eyes sparkling, Fuzzypaw deposited her mouse on the pile and trotted excitedly to the nursery. She stopped at the entrance to the den and dropped the toad in her jaws. She stuck her head inside and called in a cheery voice, "We've brought prey!"
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Post by Willow on Mar 20, 2021 19:36:26 GMT -5
Cherryvine opened her eyes slowly to Fuzzypaw's call, smiling at the apprentice, "Oh fantastic! Would you mind bringing it over here? I hate being so needy but these days it's hard to move." she complained, flicking her ears in irritation at her own limitations.
Duskpaw scampered in behind Fuzzypaw, smiling back at Cherryvine. "I'm sure your little ones will be coming any day now Cherryvine. I can't wait to come see them!"
Thistlestalk yawned, heading back to sit by the warriors den to relax for a while. He enjoyed being a mentor, but he was sure tired out after dragging those brambles into camp and then going hunting.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Mar 20, 2021 19:45:01 GMT -5
Houndthroat flattened his ears. "Oh, so you just want someone to humiliate?"
Smokestorm purred. "You've got that right. I don't think anyone knows me like you do, Snakesong. I hope I know you the same way."
"It'll be a while for the trees to fully recover." Cedarstar paused at one of the trees and sadly eyed the ash upon it. "But it will go away." He lifted up on his hind paws and rubbed his front against the bark, some of the ash came off on his pad. "When the rains come in new-leaf, the forest will heal faster. However, we'll need to be wary of floods."
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Mar 20, 2021 19:52:23 GMT -5
"Oh, I think you would've been a great mentor!" Whorlpaw smiled up at her mother. "You'd be better than you think!" Closesky gave Bumbleskip a look of sympathy. As distant ago as the fire was, the scars were still fresh of the 20+ clanmates that perished. Redspark and Mosspaw being two of them. "I'm not going to say what I'm sure you've already heard." Closesky sighed softly. He knew what it was like to lose his mate. Back then, everyone had told him over and over that he would see her again in StarClan, but he still wanted her now...not in StarClan. "When Swiftleap died, I about lost myself to anger and grief. Thankfully, I still had my kits and you still have Hazelblaze and Vixenflame--fine warriors." A small sparkle caught Closesky's eyes as he looked across the camp to the young she-cats. "I almost wish I trained them myself, but Kinkfire and Cardinalblaze did a tremendous job." He cleared his throat, realizing he was getting off topic. When he looked at Bumbleskip, he smiled kindly. "When the world falls apart, no one has paws big enough to put it back together, but you can always have a say in how the pieces fall." Starrylight purred quietly, running her tail down Whorlpaw’s back. “Well thank you. I’m sure I could figure it out, but I’m slightly relieved I don’t have to. Plus, now I still have plenty of time to spend with you and your siblings.” Bumbleskip let out a humorless laugh, “They’re here for now. But my life has been one misery after the next. My brother and father died before I was even an apprentice, my mother starved herself to death, two mates, four kits all dead and gone Closesky.” He croaked, head turning towards the sky with utter hatred in his eyes. “My own daughter found my sister dead under a tree branch. How much crueler can they get? Before long, Cherryvine and her kits, Hazelblaze and Vixenflame will be gone too and I’ll be left to rot in this camp alone.” He shook his head, a flicker of his old self poking through, “I can’t even look at Vixenflame... she looks so much like Redspark..” he trailed off, unable to look at the elder. Whorlpaw purred at that thought. She always loved spending time with her parents. Yet, the purr didn't last long as a new thought entered her mind. She looked toward the camp entrance. "Will father have time?" She asked quietly. As clan leader and now training an apprentice, would Cedarstar have time for them? Closesky listened with a tilt of his head. He never really realized the losses of his Clanmates. Cats had died, and they all suffered and grieved, but it piled up on some more than others. "Well, then." Closesky nodded to himself and looked out across the camp. "We'll just have to rot in this camp alone together." He gave Bumbleskip a small smile. "My mother died giving birth to me. My father died after taking on a badger single-pawed. I was tasked with protecting my cousins and all of them are dead. My mate died giving birth to my kits and I see her in Ashrock's stubbornness, Cedarstar's determination, and Kinkfire's wit. It's unbearable at times, knowing they're the only ones left, but at least that means I still have time to spend with them before its too late. I think when it came down too it, I would regret not spending time with them while I have the chance--its one of the reasons I retired. I'll always be in camp so they know where to find me when they need me." He slowly shook his head. "I can't imagine what it would be like to lose one of them, but if they go before me. At least I can say that I have no regrets."
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Post by Willow on Mar 20, 2021 20:11:06 GMT -5
Starrylight looked at her daughter with a bittersweet smile, "He will try his best. He will still need time to rest with his injuries, so perhaps when he is resting you can come and lie with him for a while. Spending time with you always lifts his spirits. Your father is very persistent, he will do all he can for you, Duskpaw and Palepaw."
Bumbleskip closed his eyes, guilt piling up on his shoulders as Closesky spoke. He knew others were suffering too, he wasn't blind. But the weight of all the deaths surrounding him had been too much to bear. Redspark had been his rock, his happiness and his motivation for everything he did. Now that she was gone, Bumbleskip felt like he didn't have a leg to stand on, drifting alone through darkness. "Everyone in the clan has suffered, yet they all still worship the stars. They're the ones taking our loved ones, why does no one else see that?" he whispered quietly, turning to meet Closesky's gaze. "I used to try to be such a good father, Cherryvine knows. But I feel like Hazelblaze and Vixenflame don't, I didn't try hard enough for them and now I've pushed them away. They'll never want to talk to me again." The tom flattened his ears as he thought about that possibility, feeling more emotions than he had in the past moon.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Mar 20, 2021 20:48:48 GMT -5
"You think so?" Whorlpaw looked hopefully back at her mother. The thought of being able to lift her father's spirits brought a smile to her face. "I wouldn't want to bother him."
"You think that everyone who has suffered hasn't cursed StarClan's name?" Closesky huffed and glanced toward the sky. "When my father died, I wanted nothing to do with StarClan. My father was my hero. He was best fighter the Clans had ever seen and StarClan took him after his greatest victory. Then again and again, StarClan kept taking my kin away from me. It may take a while, but you eventually realize that StarClan doesn't take anymore than you can't handle. Besides..." Closesky smiled to himself. "If your loved ones believed in StarClan and you now curse StarClan's name...well...you're just cursing your loved ones. Better to keep believing and see them again than to lose faith and wander in darkness forever." He gave Bumbleskip a gentle nudge. "And it's never too late to make things right with your kits. Start with a pleasant conversation about the weather or how the prey is running and go from there. If they don't want to talk to you, then just give them space until they're ready." He looked at Bumbleskip. "The most important thing is to make sure they know you're always in their corner."
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Mar 20, 2021 20:49:05 GMT -5
"You think so?" Whorlpaw looked hopefully back at her mother. The thought of being able to lift her father's spirits brought a smile to her face. "I wouldn't want to bother him."
"You think that everyone who has suffered hasn't cursed StarClan's name?" Closesky huffed and glanced toward the sky. "When my father died, I wanted nothing to do with StarClan. My father was my hero. He was best fighter the Clans had ever seen and StarClan took him after his greatest victory. Then again and again, StarClan kept taking my kin away from me. It may take a while, but you eventually realize that StarClan doesn't take anymore than you can't handle. Besides..." Closesky smiled to himself. "If your loved ones believed in StarClan and you now curse StarClan's name...well...you're just cursing your loved ones. Better to keep believing and see them again than to lose faith and wander in darkness forever." He gave Bumbleskip a gentle nudge. "And it's never too late to make things right with your kits. Start with a pleasant conversation about the weather or how the prey is running and go from there. If they don't want to talk to you, then just give them space until they're ready." He looked at Bumbleskip. "The most important thing is to make sure they know you're always in their corner."
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Post by Willow on Mar 20, 2021 21:30:00 GMT -5
Starrylight shook her head adamantly, "You would never be bothering him Whorlpaw. He loves you. I know Falcontalon struggled in the beginning to make time for us, but he managed and in the end I believe it helped his morale and happiness immensely. Your father is a young leader, having us behind him every step of the way gives him confidence and a reason to try harder."
Bumbleskip sighed, looking away from Closesky once more. "I've been a pathetic warrior since the fire." he lamented quietly. "I haven't caught a single piece of prey, Cloudscar barely puts me on patrols. I haven't slept in my nest since we came back to camp." His voice cracked, thinking back to when he had found out Mosspaw had been crushed by the den he had slept in. "I don't think I'm done grieving yet, even if I want to be. Does it ever stop hurting Closesky?"
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Mar 20, 2021 21:43:32 GMT -5
"Then maybe we could all share prey together after he gets back with Rustlepaw!" Whorlpaw stood up, flicking her tail in excitement. "You, me, Father, Palepaw, and Duskpaw!"
"No," Closesky replied bluntly. "It never stops." He looked up at the sky, picking out the very place the brightest star in the sky shone at night. "But you learn to live despite." He looked back at Bumbleskip. "So what if you haven't been helpful since the fire? Neither has Smokestorm or Ashrock and yet the Clan has still been fed. That's the thing about living in a Clan. When one warrior needs time to grieve and to heal, the others step up in their place. Take the time you need, but keep in mind not to abuse it. Sometime in the future, one of the other warriors will need time for themselves and you'll need to step up for their sake."
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Post by Willow on Mar 21, 2021 11:08:15 GMT -5
Starrylight purred, tucking her feet in closer to her body. "That sounds very nice. I think Duskpaw just got back from hunting, and I'm sure Palepaw is around here somewhere. Our fresh-kill pile has been slowly looking fuller these days, so it will be nice to celebrate a little bit."
Bumbleskip nodded slowly, "I-I should be ashamed of the way I've been acting." he mewed quietly, ears pinned back. "I'm a respected senior warrior of the clan, I'm putting my family's legacy to shame, moping around and acting like some kicked kit." He growled suddenly angry at himself. "I've never seen another cat this lost in grief before, simply pathetic. The clan needs it's strong warriors right now and I have done nothing to help."
(Bumble says one step forward and 6 steps backwards XD )
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Post by thistle on Mar 21, 2021 13:14:53 GMT -5
Cherryvine opened her eyes slowly to Fuzzypaw's call, smiling at the apprentice, "Oh fantastic! Would you mind bringing it over here? I hate being so needy but these days it's hard to move." she complained, flicking her ears in irritation at her own limitations. Duskpaw scampered in behind Fuzzypaw, smiling back at Cherryvine. "I'm sure your little ones will be coming any day now Cherryvine. I can't wait to come see them!" Thistlestalk yawned, heading back to sit by the warriors den to relax for a while. He enjoyed being a mentor, but he was sure tired out after dragging those brambles into camp and then going hunting. Fuzzypaw picked up the toad and entered the nursery carefully, being sure to respect the queens' place. She dropped the prey at the edge of Cherryvine's nest, purring. "I don't think you're being needy, Cherryvine!" Fuzzypaw chirped. "If anything, you're probably not being needy enough!"
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Post by Moonblazer on Mar 21, 2021 14:34:17 GMT -5
“Mm. It’s a decent distance. But not too bad.” Lynxdapple promised, glancing back at his new apprentice, before he chuckled. “Pay attention to everything you see around you. Our territory is not as green as the other clans’, but we blend in better this way with our pelts. We also have tall marshes to hide us if we need.” “Ugh, do not remind me of aging.” Spiderfang scoffed before she lifted her paws to plant them squarely on her mate’s side, aiming to bowl him over as she smirked. “Want to see if I still have my fight in me after being in that nursery again?” Spottedpaw sped up to walk next to his mentor, his short legs working harder than they ever had before. “I’ll do my best! It’s amazing how different this part of the forest looks compared to the trees near the camp. And the sun barely shines through the trees! Are the other territories like this? Well, I know Windclan isn’t.” Mouseclaw was pushed under his mate's paw, making him lose his balance. He quickly righted himself and smirked in her direction. "We better get out of the camp before we hurt anyone else." he challenged, before turning and racing out of camp. "Each of the territories is different." Lynxdapple explained as he led his apprentice through the territory. "Riverclan has streams running through it that feed into a large river. Skyclan and Thunderclan have the most trees of all the clans. Shadowclan is flatter, with less trees. But we make up for it with marshes and access to Carrionplace...though, Carrionplace looks a bit different than it did before the fire." He hummed, looking around for a moment before he mewed. "Listen around you. What can you hear?" Spiderfang flashed her teeth in a grin of challenge before she darted after her mate. She was a bit slower due to being in the nursery for so long, but her lean muscle was still present. She called out after him. "Think you can outrun me?"
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Post by Moonblazer on Mar 21, 2021 14:43:08 GMT -5
Houndthroat flattened his ears. "Oh, so you just want someone to humiliate?" Smokestorm purred. "You've got that right. I don't think anyone knows me like you do, Snakesong. I hope I know you the same way." "It'll be a while for the trees to fully recover." Cedarstar paused at one of the trees and sadly eyed the ash upon it. "But it will go away." He lifted up on his hind paws and rubbed his front against the bark, some of the ash came off on his pad. "When the rains come in new-leaf, the forest will heal faster. However, we'll need to be wary of floods." "Maybe I want someone who will give me a good challenge. It's a compliment, Houndthroat." Lilywhisper corrected with a teasing toss of her eyes. The small she-cat flicked her ear before she glanced at him once more. "You don't want to practice with me?" Snakesong shuffled, suddenly a bit flustered, but smiling nonetheless. She nodded once. "There's not much more you could know about me anyway. I'm just...a Warrior. With a brother. That's...erm, that's about it. No big legacy or anything of the sort." She admitted. "Floods..." Rustlepaw murmured, remembering how her mother and father had described them. Their tones made it clear that floods were a very dangerous thing. "Sometimes I am glad that I can't see. Because frightening things like those, I can't imagine what they look like...so I can't witness them with my eyes." She admitted quietly, before she brightened once more. "What do they sound like?"
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Post by Willow on Mar 21, 2021 14:49:55 GMT -5
Cherryvine laughed, "I don't enjoy being needy though. I'm very excited for the kits to come, and I will love them with all of my heart, but Starclan, I miss doing warrior duties. I did them for as long as possible before Stormfury kicked me in here, stating I was going to hurt myself or the kits." she mewed with a mischievous smirk. "How is the forest looking? Any better?"
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Post by Willow on Mar 21, 2021 14:53:06 GMT -5
Spottedpaw flicked his ears in delight, hearing about all the territories. He hoped he got to see them all someday. Blinking, he refocused on the conversation, turning his ears towards the forest around them and listening intently. "Hmmmm, I can hear a bird singing not to far away, and some brush being crunched over there by something small, a lizard maybe?" He frowned, hearing other noises but not being able to make out what they were. "The forest is so much louder than camp!"
Mouseclaw tried to run faster, letting out a laugh as Spiderfang was already starting to gain on him, "No! That's why I'm cheating." he huffed, it had been a while since he had a reason to run this fast, he let out a purr as the cool wind ran through his fur, feeling light.
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Post by thistle on Mar 21, 2021 15:29:56 GMT -5
Cherryvine laughed, "I don't enjoy being needy though. I'm very excited for the kits to come, and I will love them with all of my heart, but Starclan, I miss doing warrior duties. I did them for as long as possible before Stormfury kicked me in here, stating I was going to hurt myself or the kits." she mewed with a mischievous smirk. "How is the forest looking? Any better?" Fuzzypaw nodded excitedly. "I think so!" she meowed. "There's still ash on the trees and some charred areas, but while Duskpaw and I were out with Thistlestalk, I saw some ferns sprouting! And there's birds again."
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Mar 21, 2021 15:54:06 GMT -5
Starrylight purred, tucking her feet in closer to her body. "That sounds very nice. I think Duskpaw just got back from hunting, and I'm sure Palepaw is around here somewhere. Our fresh-kill pile has been slowly looking fuller these days, so it will be nice to celebrate a little bit." Bumbleskip nodded slowly, "I-I should be ashamed of the way I've been acting." he mewed quietly, ears pinned back. "I'm a respected senior warrior of the clan, I'm putting my family's legacy to shame, moping around and acting like some kicked kit." He growled suddenly angry at himself. "I've never seen another cat this lost in grief before, simply pathetic. The clan needs it's strong warriors right now and I have done nothing to help." (Bumble says one step forward and 6 steps backwards XD ) "I can go find Duskpaw and Palepaw and let them know! I think father would be so surprised when he got back!" Whorlpaw bounced on her paws. "It'll be great!" Closesky listened to Bumbleskip with his ears tilted back. He couldn't actually disagree with him. In a way, Bumbleskip was right. He was a respected senior warrior and yet he was acting like a kit. Closesky didn't feel as if there were any words that he could say to change the tom's mind. Bumbleskip would still likely be sitting here, moping, and blaming himself. Closesky stood up and looked as if he were just going to walk away; however, instead he was just repositioning himself as calmly as a breeze slipping through the pines. He didn't look at Bumbleskip. Didn't give any hint of his intentions. Yet, as soon as he faced the younger tom, Closesky pounced at him. With paws outstretched, Closesky knocked Bumbleskip over and pinned him.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Mar 21, 2021 16:00:51 GMT -5
Houndthroat flattened his ears. "Oh, so you just want someone to humiliate?" Smokestorm purred. "You've got that right. I don't think anyone knows me like you do, Snakesong. I hope I know you the same way." "It'll be a while for the trees to fully recover." Cedarstar paused at one of the trees and sadly eyed the ash upon it. "But it will go away." He lifted up on his hind paws and rubbed his front against the bark, some of the ash came off on his pad. "When the rains come in new-leaf, the forest will heal faster. However, we'll need to be wary of floods." "Maybe I want someone who will give me a good challenge. It's a compliment, Houndthroat." Lilywhisper corrected with a teasing toss of her eyes. The small she-cat flicked her ear before she glanced at him once more. "You don't want to practice with me?" Snakesong shuffled, suddenly a bit flustered, but smiling nonetheless. She nodded once. "There's not much more you could know about me anyway. I'm just...a Warrior. With a brother. That's...erm, that's about it. No big legacy or anything of the sort." She admitted. "Floods..." Rustlepaw murmured, remembering how her mother and father had described them. Their tones made it clear that floods were a very dangerous thing. "Sometimes I am glad that I can't see. Because frightening things like those, I can't imagine what they look like...so I can't witness them with my eyes." She admitted quietly, before she brightened once more. "What do they sound like?" "I didn't say that." Houndthroat kept his ears back, unsure of what he was supposed to say. Lilywhisper was always too confusing to figure out and he didn't like it. She meant her words to be a compliment? No one in this camp ever complimented him, why would she want too? She's just messing with me. The annoying little apprentice was now an annoying little warrior and just like Ratmask, she enjoyed mind games. He should just walk away. And yet he didn't. "And yet, you're kind, caring, have a beautiful voice." Smokestorm nudged her with a smile. "Don't sell yourself short, my love." Cedarstar flicked his ear. He wasn't sure he saw Rustlepaw's point. If you couldn't see the scary thing coming, then how were you supposed to get away from it? Yet, if you couldn't see it. The sight of it wouldn't be forever imprinted into your mind. Like the Clanmates I lost...Cedarstar paused sadly when he spotted a fallen tree branch. He'd never get the images of the clanmates he couldn't save from that fire out of his mind. Cedarstar quickly shook his head. He shouldn't be thinking about that. He was supposed to training Rustlepaw. "A flood has many sounds to it. First, comes the sound of rain and when the earth is soaked up the sound of splashing water. A flood can come quickly if it rushes from a river upstream or it can be slow and creep up on you from the growing of puddles."
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Post by Willow on Mar 21, 2021 16:30:28 GMT -5
Cherryvine purred, relaxing down in her nest. "That's good to hear. New leaf will be here before we know it and more plants will spread. My kits won't even see the devastation from the fire beside a few char marks on the trees. Thank you for the toad, I will share it with the other queens when they wake up. You should go eat too. I'm sure your hungry."
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Post by thistle on Mar 21, 2021 18:41:06 GMT -5
Cherryvine purred, relaxing down in her nest. "That's good to hear. New leaf will be here before we know it and more plants will spread. My kits won't even see the devastation from the fire beside a few char marks on the trees. Thank you for the toad, I will share it with the other queens when they wake up. You should go eat too. I'm sure your hungry." Fuzzypaw purred and dipped her head to the queen. "Of course!" she mewed. "We'll see you later, Cherryvine!" She backed tail-first from the nursery, nudging Duskpaw on the way out. Once they were both outside, she tilted her head and closed her eyes gently. "Want to share that lizard you caught? I bet its delicious!"
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Post by Willow on Mar 21, 2021 20:11:34 GMT -5
Starrylight chuckled, nodding to her daughter, "Alright, go round them up then. I'll wait here for you to come back."
Bumbleskip was so taken aback by Closesky's attack he almost sunk his claws into the tom. He yowled, falling back with the tom's weight. "W-what are you doing?" he screeched, flailing under the other tom's weight.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Mar 21, 2021 20:33:31 GMT -5
Whorlpaw nodded quickly and darted off to find her siblings.
"That doesn't matter." Closesky bared his teeth at Bumbleskip and continued to hold him down. "What matters is what are you going to do about it?"
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Post by Willow on Mar 24, 2021 11:03:17 GMT -5
Duskpaw purred, nodding eagerly. "Sure! I don't think I've had a good meal in a couple sunrises. Did you see how proud Thistlestalk was of you? Good job Fuzzypaw."
Starrylight watched her daughter run off, letting out a small sigh she settled into a more comfortable position as she waited for her kits to appear back in front of her.
Bumbleskip went limp under Closesky, the tom having very little energy to fight back.
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Post by thistle on Mar 24, 2021 19:36:00 GMT -5
Duskpaw purred, nodding eagerly. "Sure! I don't think I've had a good meal in a couple sunrises. Did you see how proud Thistlestalk was of you? Good job Fuzzypaw." Starrylight watched her daughter run off, letting out a small sigh she settled into a more comfortable position as she waited for her kits to appear back in front of her. Bumbleskip went limp under Closesky, the tom having very little energy to fight back. Fuzzypaw shuffled her paws, a little embarrassed by the older apprentice's praise. "Aw, thanks," she mewed, then looked up as Whorlpaw came bounding toward them. Fuzzypaw raised her tail in greeting. "Hi, Whorlpaw!"
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Post by Willow on Mar 27, 2021 11:39:05 GMT -5
Duskpaw's ears perked as her sister bounded towards them "Hi Whorlpaw! You'll never guess how much prey Fuzzypaw and I just brought back, Fuzzypaw found three toads!" she chirped, waving her tail happily.
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Post by Foxstar26 on Mar 27, 2021 14:17:02 GMT -5
Hey guys)
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Post by Moonblazer on Mar 27, 2021 15:06:58 GMT -5
(Howdy. I’ll reply to some posts later tonight, but we could do some Honey and Oak if you like)
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