|
|
Post by absles on Mar 15, 2023 18:38:06 GMT -5
Thank you Willow! Happy to be here  ) |
|
|
|
Post by Moonblazer on Mar 15, 2023 18:43:56 GMT -5
“Practice makes perfect! Soon, you’ll memorize the paths with the least obstacles. You can start to see how these heather roots are a problem? Try and look for a clearer path to take.” Cinderscar offered as they ran, his eyes glancing down at the heather roots around them as he allowed Leopardpaw to take the lead and try to find a clearer path. With a nod, Leopardpaw squinted his eyes, trying to block the gusts of wind from making him lose the path he was starting to track. He slid past Cinderscar a hair and started following the weaving path through the heather. This route was well-worn, obviously used by other patrols. "This isn't too bad!" Leopardpaw called for Cinderscar with a glance upwards from his path. Shortly after, his claws struck a half-hidden root, causing him to stumble a bit. Slowing his pace after the pain of having his claw stuck he sighed, slowing back down to run beside Cinderscar. “Are you alright?” Cinderscar moved closer to run at Leopardpaw’s side, a paternal tone taking his voice as he looked at Leopardpaw’s paw. “You chose a good path, it was much clearer than the others, but stray roots will always be there. You’ll get better at judging where to put your paws as you run the same routes everyday. Did you wrench a claw, any pain?” He asked, concern in his voice. |
|
|
|
Post by absles on Mar 15, 2023 18:56:50 GMT -5
With a nod, Leopardpaw squinted his eyes, trying to block the gusts of wind from making him lose the path he was starting to track. He slid past Cinderscar a hair and started following the weaving path through the heather. This route was well-worn, obviously used by other patrols. "This isn't too bad!" Leopardpaw called for Cinderscar with a glance upwards from his path. Shortly after, his claws struck a half-hidden root, causing him to stumble a bit. Slowing his pace after the pain of having his claw stuck he sighed, slowing back down to run beside Cinderscar. “Are you alright?” Cinderscar moved closer to run at Leopardpaw’s side, a paternal tone taking his voice as he looked at Leopardpaw’s paw. “You chose a good path, it was much clearer than the others, but stray roots will always be there. You’ll get better at judging where to put your paws as you run the same routes everyday. Did you wrench a claw, any pain?” He asked, concern in his voice. "Thanks, I'm alright, nothing too bad!" Leopardpaw replied, blinking at his mentor. His attention turned back to the path they followed as they grew nearer to Outlook Rock. The black and white tom deeply inhaled the fresh scent from the moor, making his legs feel stronger as his paws connected with the earth below him. As they ran, he stepped over the few roots that hid on the used path that he followed, determined to reach Outlook Rock without tripping again. |
|
|
|
Post by Moonblazer on Mar 15, 2023 19:40:07 GMT -5
“Are you alright?” Cinderscar moved closer to run at Leopardpaw’s side, a paternal tone taking his voice as he looked at Leopardpaw’s paw. “You chose a good path, it was much clearer than the others, but stray roots will always be there. You’ll get better at judging where to put your paws as you run the same routes everyday. Did you wrench a claw, any pain?” He asked, concern in his voice. "Thanks, I'm alright, nothing too bad!" Leopardpaw replied, blinking at his mentor. His attention turned back to the path they followed as they grew nearer to Outlook Rock. The black and white tom deeply inhaled the fresh scent from the moor, making his legs feel stronger as his paws connected with the earth below him. As they ran, he stepped over the few roots that hid on the used path that he followed, determined to reach Outlook Rock without tripping again. “That’s good! You’re doing great!” Cinderscar nodded with relief, kicking up his speed ever so slightly. Outlook Rock came closer and closer with each stride, and the dark-furred tom enjoyed the cool wind on his face and fur. “Almost there! It’ll burn at first, but you just keep pushing, got it?” |
|
|
|
Post by absles on Mar 15, 2023 19:44:52 GMT -5
"Thanks, I'm alright, nothing too bad!" Leopardpaw replied, blinking at his mentor. His attention turned back to the path they followed as they grew nearer to Outlook Rock. The black and white tom deeply inhaled the fresh scent from the moor, making his legs feel stronger as his paws connected with the earth below him. As they ran, he stepped over the few roots that hid on the used path that he followed, determined to reach Outlook Rock without tripping again. “That’s good! You’re doing great!” Cinderscar nodded with relief, kicking up his speed ever so slightly. Outlook Rock came closer and closer with each stride, and the dark-furred tom enjoyed the cool wind on his face and fur. “Almost there! It’ll burn at first, but you just keep pushing, got it?” Starting to pant, Leopardpaw nodded. "Got it!" He took a deep inhale again as Outlook Rock came into view. His legs started to burn, letting him ignore the dull throb of his claw. Excitement kept him going as he kept up with the larger tom, despite his body telling him to shorten his strides and slow up. |
|
|
|
Post by thistle on Mar 15, 2023 19:46:20 GMT -5
"Psst. Over here," Palegaze whispered from the mouth of one of the blocked-off tunnels that had once run directly into the camp. These days, he used it to stay out of the sun if he was resting in camp during the day. He slipped from the shadows with a wide yawn and a languid stretch before giving himself a shake to wake himself up from his nap.
"You look good, Eclipse," he commented, noticing his cousin's once-again sleek pelt. "Ready?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Mar 15, 2023 21:48:23 GMT -5
Eclipsesky nodded, giving Palegaze a small smile as they headed out of camp towards the tunnel that would take them to the twolegplace. "Ready as I'll ever be. Don't be surprised if I just spend the whole time hanging onto your tail. I haven't been down there in seasons." Eclipsesky pushed back a memory of the patrol that had been sent out to recover his mother's body from the collapsed tunnel all those moons ago. His mother had died a hero, saving Fernheart and Dustfire from certain death. He hoped the tunnels were more stable now with all the of the work the clan had been putting into them since the fire. Eclipsesky took a deep breath, clearing his head. Palegaze knew what he was doing, he would not lead Eclipsesky into danger.
|
|
|
|
Post by thistle on Mar 15, 2023 22:56:20 GMT -5
"That's fine by me," Palegaze mewed. He knew Eclipsesky was likely hesitant, considering the last time the medicine cat had been in the tunnels had been...
"After all, that's what you should do since you aren't very experienced. Just don't bite too hard, 'kay?" With that, he ducked into the tunnel. This one wasn't used terribly often, but it was the one he and the patrol had been in just before finding Brownleaf and the kits so he knew it was stable. Here, the earth was firm; it wasn't too wet or too sandy.
Palegaze relaxed as the comforting darkness of the tunnel swallowed him and the sun disappeared, easing the strain on his eyes. He padded along leisurely, not wanting to rush Eclipsesky.
|
|
|
|
Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Mar 16, 2023 10:34:40 GMT -5
Dashclaw chuckled and looked to his mate in amusement. If you asked him as a younger cat if he'd have kits, he would've told you no. Who knew life could be so full? He looked from his mate to his kits and joy filled his heart. And more kits on the way. Dashclaw breathed a little nervously. He hoped he would be as good a father to this next litter as he was this first one. "I suppose this means I'll be moving back into the nursery. Not that we slept in a Warrior's den anyway." Grasslight admitted, finding that to always be the hardest part of the experience, having to be in a den instead of out under the stars. She looked softly at Dashclaw as Antbite, Soarshadow and Weaselstride moved off to prepare for their Warrior vigil. Grasslight touched her tail to her mate's shoulder. "...I imagine the patrol you took with Sagefoot and Harewhisker was more... eventful, than just bringing Brownleaf's kits in. Was Harewhisker his usual self?" She sighed, knowing how distant the brothers had been for a while. She still had a twinge of disdain for how Harewhisker acted around Dashclaw, but she never voiced it unless to directly defend her mate. Dashclaw flicked his ear and his smile slipped away at the mention of the patrol. He took a deep breath. "It went how I expected to be honest." He looked to the edge of camp where Harewhisker was playing with Beankit. "He's starting to get like my father. He goes into the tunnels so much that he's losing his eyesight and being out in the open scares him. He had a hard time admitting it to Sagefoot. We had to cut the hunting patrol off early even before Brownleaf showed up with the kits." |
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Mar 16, 2023 10:55:25 GMT -5
Eclipsesky slipped into the tunnel behind Palegaze. Not used to the darkness, he felt his eyes strain to try and adjust. He reached out to touch his nose to Palegaze's tail before closing his eyes. The medicine cat found that the cool quiet was rather peaceful. Maybe that's why his mother had loved it so much. Once they were a few fox-lengths in, Eclipsesky found himself able to open his eyes again, he could just make out the faintest ghostly outline of his cousin. "How much can you see down here Palegaze? Or do you just know where you're going by using your whiskers?"
|
|
|
|
Post by thistle on Mar 16, 2023 14:29:12 GMT -5
"I can't see much at all, though that's not that different for me," he admitted. "In the tunnels, you rely on your nose and whiskers, as well as your paws for feel for vibrations in the ground."
Because of his height, Palegaze's ears brushed along the tops of most tunnels, giving him and extra sense of space.
|
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Mar 16, 2023 19:34:02 GMT -5
Eclipsesky hummed quietly, trying to tune out everything else so he could feel for any vibrations in the ground as they walked. Several moments went by before he decided right now there was not much to feel and he went back to focusing on Palegaze in front of him. "I know there are tunnels that lead just about everywhere. How long did it take you to memorize where they all go? What if I get lost? Is there a way to find an exit?"
|
|
|
|
Post by thistle on Mar 16, 2023 19:56:18 GMT -5
"My whole apprenticeship, really! Stonepath tested me on my knowledge of the tunnel system before letting me even think about preparing for my assessment," Palegaze said casually, taking a turn into a tunnel that sloped further down. Here, there was truly no light; they only had their other senses to guide them.
"As for exits..." He stopped suddenly at a crossway, just as he'd done with Finchpaw a few sunrises before. To the left, the tunnel ran to another crossroads that spidered deeper into the territory. To their right lay a straight path to above ground with a few tunnels branching off of it.
"You can scent the difference between fresh air and stale air," he said. "If it smells damp and like dirt, with old scents, you go the opposite direction; follow the smell of the wind!"
|
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Mar 16, 2023 20:03:03 GMT -5
Eclipsesky stopped at the crossway to scent the air. He took his time, tasting the air of one tunnel than the other. "I can kind of smell a difference, I'm sure I'll get used to it eventually. Not that I'm coming down here alone anything soon!" He sighed as he followed after Palegaze again, "I spent all those moons studying herbs, I could scent out a herb the second you laid it out in front of me."
The medicine cat suddenly gasped, ears perking. "Palegaze what if I use my herbs to help me find my way through the tunnels? Not yet but once I get more comfortable. You can place a specific herb somewhere in the tunnel, and I can go find it! I'll get practice moving in the tunnels on my own, and maybe I can associate a certain destination with a herb scent!"
|
|
|
|
Post by thistle on Mar 16, 2023 20:07:26 GMT -5
"Hey, that's not a bad idea!" Palegaze said. "Everyone learns the tunnels differently - if that works for you, then so be it!"
"And don't worry about not catching on right away, it takes some cats longer than others, and some are born naturals. Every cat is different," he said.
They followed the tunnel to the right but took one of the branching paths rather than the one to the surface.
"This way is a little longer, but I'd rather be down here than in the sun," he said.
|
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Mar 17, 2023 20:28:05 GMT -5
"Hey, that's not a bad idea!" Palegaze said. "Everyone learns the tunnels differently - if that works for you, then so be it!" "And don't worry about not catching on right away, it takes some cats longer than others, and some are born naturals. Every cat is different," he said. They followed the tunnel to the right but took one of the branching paths rather than the one to the surface. "This way is a little longer, but I'd rather be down here than in the sun," he said. Eclipsesky nodded, belatedly realizing that Palegaze couldn’t see it. “Okay, that’s fine. You’re going to stay down here while I go get my catmint then? I know you know what you’re doing, but isn’t it scary checking on tunnels that may be unstable by yourself?” |
|
|
|
Post by thistle on Mar 17, 2023 20:52:38 GMT -5
Palegaze hummed, thinking for a moment before responding.
"No, I don't think so. When I'm down here, everything else is just second nature," he said. "I don't have to think about feeling the soil or listening for collapses or scenting for air. It just...happens."
With a wry smile to himself, he thought about his mother. Had anyone asked her about running across the moor, she likely would have described it the same way he was describing the tunnels now.
"Actually, Pansyfoot was a lot like you are right now when she first switched from moor-runner to tunneler," he mewed. "But in time, it was like it was something she'd always done."
|
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Mar 17, 2023 21:03:19 GMT -5
Eclipsesky sighed, thinking about how happy Lavendersun had been when Pansyfoot had joined her and Palegaze in the tunnels. His stomach dropped as he felt the loss of his mother and aunt all over again. Perhaps this would be a way to feel closer to them again, and of course spending more time with Palegaze was never a bad thing. “Sorry for asking too many questions. Berrywatcher used to say I always thought of more questions than he would ever have answers for. And thank you again, for being so willing to help. I promise I’ll do my best not to bother you too often… I know you already have Finchpaw to train.”
|
|
|
|
Post by thistle on Mar 17, 2023 21:10:32 GMT -5
"Oh, for StarClan's sake..." Palegaze grumbled with a chuckle. They came to the final stretch of the tunnel, light pouring in from the exit. He turned over his shoulder to pin Eclipsesky with an exasperated look. "Don't ever stop asking questions, you dense furball. If I don't know the answer, we'll just find it together!" he said.
Palegaze stepped out of the tunnel, squinting against the sudden brightness. His least favorite thing about the tunnels was leaving them.
"Besides, with how I'll essentially have two apprentices? Maybe you'll be calling me Palestar someday!"
|
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Mar 18, 2023 19:11:30 GMT -5
Eclipsesky squeezed pass Palegaze in the tunnel and exited the tunnel, knocking his head into Palegaze's shoulder affectionately. "Alright Palestar. Are you going to make me your deputy then? That would be a disaster." he replied with a snicker. He squinted as he stepped back into the sun, he forgot how bright it was when you had gotten used to the darkness of the cool underground. "I'll be back soon okay? Be careful."
|
|
|
|
Post by Moonblazer on Mar 18, 2023 19:21:56 GMT -5
In the nursery, tucked at Ashsong’s belly and content from her feeding, Clovekit jostled lightly beside her sisters and cousins, though the sudden sensations at the world around her made her unconsciously react. She squeaked for a moment, mew stronger than it had been when she had been brought to the nursery the day prior.
Slowly, the tiny kit’s eyes opened, revealing a shade identical to that of her mother’s, a leafy green. The world was still foggy around her for now, but it would become more clear over the next few days. She squeaked loudly in shock, wailing wordlessly with faint squeaks.
|
|
|
|
Post by thistle on Mar 19, 2023 10:54:19 GMT -5
"Well, after I'm through with you, you'd be the perfect deputy for me!" he laughed. He nodded, turning to head back underground. "I will. You too, okay? Yowl if you need me!" With that, the albino warrior was swallowed by shadows once more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Mar 20, 2023 9:19:08 GMT -5
Eclipsesky stood for a moment on the open moor, he never realized how exposed he was out here. The tunnels had offered a sort of security with their surrounding walls. Shaking out his fur, he set off in the direction of the twolegplace. He purred quietly as he approached the old half-collapsed twoleg nest where his catmint supply thrived. He made his way into the nest, and carefully inspected the new buds on the plant before nipping off the few leaves that were ready for harvest.
As he made his way back outside the nest and over to the small marigold patch that grew off to the side of the nest, he thought back to when this nest was still standing and had held twolegs. The wind vortex had destroyed it and the twolegs had abandoned their home. Not that Eclipsesky minded, they had left him many herbs that he had used in the moons since they had left. He had always been envious but too scared to enter their garden prior to the nest being abandoned. He gathered the marigold and then some moss before padding his way back to the tunnel entrance. He settled outside of it, carefully placing down his herbs beside him.
|
|
|
|
Post by thistle on Mar 20, 2023 19:21:51 GMT -5
Palegaze trotted down the tunnels, turning this way and that as he sniffed and prodded at the walls and ceilings. In a few places, he paused to reinforce some areas that were beginning to weaken, but spotted only normal wear, tear, and neglect - no signs of sabotage. He sighed to himself in relief, shaking some gritty soil from his ears.
She was a horrible cat, he thought to himself. But Meadowbrook was a dedicated tunneler.
As he returned to a tunnel he'd checked already, he caught the faint scent of Eclipsesky, mixed with the tang of fresh herbs. He followed the trail easily before emerging from the tunnel beside his cousin, blowing the dust from his nose with a forceful huff.
He turned to the medicine cat with a purr, his pure white pelt streaked with dirt.
"Found what you were hoping for?" he asked.
|
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Mar 20, 2023 19:30:21 GMT -5
Eclipsesky nodded, looking pleased with the collection of herbs beside him. "Yes, the herbs are starting to show signs of newleaf approaching and the old nest is keeping the catmint away from the cold winds. I'll keep Dawnshadow well-stocked for the upcoming seasons," he said with a sad smile. "I'm assuming the tunnels were all fine as well?"
|
|
|
|
Post by thistle on Mar 20, 2023 19:37:42 GMT -5
"Yep, all good," Palegaze meowed, electing to keep his thoughts about Meadowbrook to himself. "Damp. Dark. Dirty. Business as usual!"
He appraised the gathered herbs at Eclipsesky's paws, nodding. He shared Eclipsesky's sad smile. "She's gotta be the luckiest medicine cat apprentice ever."
|
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Mar 20, 2023 20:06:05 GMT -5
Eclipsesky got to his feet with a shake of his head, looking embarrassed at Palegaze's praise. "I know she's ready, I taught her everything I possibly could. I just hope I was as good of a mentor as Berrywatcher was to me and that she forgives me for stepping down. Her opinion will matter the most to me when I tell the clan."
|
|
|
|
Post by thistle on Mar 20, 2023 20:45:53 GMT -5
"Obviously, I don't know Dawnshadow all that well," he said. "But I think she'll understand. I think the whole CLan will. I hope."
Changing the subject, the tunneler waved his tail behind him, indicating the passage he'd come out of. "Hey! Why don't you try to lead us back? I'll stay right behind you the entire time, and I won't let you stray too far."
Palegaze bent and carefully grasped the bunch of marigolds in his jaws, flicking an ear to let Eclipsesky go in front of him.
|
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Mar 20, 2023 21:12:09 GMT -5
Eclipsesky looked terrified as he dropped down into the tunnel. He wasn't about to disappoint Palegaze though for not at least trying. He padded along the tunnel slowly, using his whiskers to feel along the sides for the first time. Every other time he had been down in the tunnels he had someone to lead him. Eclipsesky stopped as he reached a y in the tunnels, tasting the air cautiously. "The tunnel to the left smells damper while the tunnel on the right smells more like the moor. We have to go to the left to keep heading back to camp right?"
|
|
)
