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Post by thistle on Mar 20, 2023 21:18:18 GMT -5
Palegaze purred, pleased. He set down the herbs he was carrying.
"Yes, actually! If you were lost, you'd follow the wind, but we went deeper before we came out," he said. "See! A natural tunneler."
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Post by VIXENCLAW on Mar 21, 2023 12:45:53 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. (sorry for being so poofy, my manager at work accidentally overscheduled me for a few weeks so I haven't had any free time  ) Brownleaf entered the nursery, letting out a small gasp as he saw Clovekit's eyes open. He moved to her quietly, not wanting to disturb Ashsong, and lowered his head to look more closely. His heart twinged lightly as he saw the color, even her eyes were identical her mother's. Copperkit shoved back at her sister in protest as she was jostled awake, but was startled by her loud squeak. Her eyes flew open, matching Clovekit's with the same pale green shade. She immediately squeezed them back shut, the light of the world outside too bright and confusing for her tiny mind to process. |
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Post by Moonblazer on Mar 21, 2023 13:28:40 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. (sorry for being so poofy, my manager at work accidentally overscheduled me for a few weeks so I haven't had any free time ) Brownleaf entered the nursery, letting out a small gasp as he saw Clovekit's eyes open. He moved to her quietly, not wanting to disturb Ashsong, and lowered his head to look more closely. His heart twinged lightly as he saw the color, even her eyes were identical her mother's. Copperkit shoved back at her sister in protest as she was jostled awake, but was startled by her loud squeak. Her eyes flew open, matching Clovekit's with the same pale green shade. She immediately squeezed them back shut, the light of the world outside too bright and confusing for her tiny mind to process. Clovekit looked up, inquisitive and curious even at such a young age. She blinked up at her father, recognizing his scent as one of the first ones she had ever known. She gave a small squeak, too young to talk yet, though she began to slowly wiggle towards her father, wanting his warmth. Frostkit squeaked with complaint as he felt Copperkit nudge up to him, though he quickly returned to nursing once he found a good spot again. “Hello, Brownleaf.” Mottledsong whispered kindly, looking at the kits with a glimmer of care. “My, your kits are opening their eyes very fast! They’ve been absolute darlings so far.” She purred with a whisper. |
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Post by VIXENCLAW on Mar 21, 2023 19:15:54 GMT -5
Brownleaf crouched lower, curling his paws under him as he settled on his belly. "I never imagined this is what it would feel like to have kits, that I could already love them so deeply." He admitted to Mottledsong as he watched Clovekit wriggle towards him. He reached his muzzle out to nudge Clovekit closer, a purr beginning to rumble in his chest.
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Post by Moonblazer on Mar 21, 2023 21:05:04 GMT -5
Brownleaf crouched lower, curling his paws under him as he settled on his belly. "I never imagined this is what it would feel like to have kits, that I could already love them so deeply." He admitted to Mottledsong as he watched Clovekit wriggle towards him. He reached his muzzle out to nudge Clovekit closer, a purr beginning to rumble in his chest. "It's the best feeling in the world. For me, at least." Mottledsong purred, the permanent Queen looking fondly at the kits. "I'm just happy that you got them here before anything could happen to them. Kits deserve love and warmth, and I can tell that you'll be a right good father." She admitted, before looking at Brownleaf with a hint of sympathy as she whispered. "I know... it's going to be hard for many of the Clan to accept them, but your kits are innocent, and I only hope that everyone will see that. Until then, I have faith that Ashsong will treat them with kindness. She is their kin too, after all..." Clovekit squeaked before quickly calming down now that she was pulled towards her father's embrace. She buried her little muzzle deeper into his fur, nestling close to the warm scent. |
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Post by VIXENCLAW on Mar 22, 2023 10:05:35 GMT -5
Brownleaf smiled softly as Clovekit snuggled into him, but a hint of trepidation touched him at Mottledsong's words. "I'm really worried about what will happen to them." He said quietly, looking at all three of his daughters. Clovekit's obvious resemblance, Copperkit's ginger patches and green eyes. Jaykit looked more like him with her tabby stripes, but he could still see Meadowbrook in her. It was obvious who their mother was, it would always be obvious, and to all of their clanmates they'd be a constant reminder of what their mother had done. He was especially worried for Clovekit, feeling a surge of protection of the memory of how Eclipsesky had treated her. "I am entirely grateful for Ashsong, I know she'll treat them well... I hope her acceptance will help the others accept them as well."
Copperkit crawled forward, eyes still closed, suddenly determined to join her sister at the side of the cat with the warm scent. Brownleaf chuckled as she nearly crashed into his chest. "You should start learning to see before you start learning to walk." He said with a light lick to her forehead that caused her eyes to open again. She gazed up at his blurry shape, this time allowing them to better adjust.
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Post by Moonblazer on Mar 22, 2023 10:32:02 GMT -5
Brownleaf smiled softly as Clovekit snuggled into him, but a hint of trepidation touched him at Mottledsong's words. "I'm really worried about what will happen to them." He said quietly, looking at all three of his daughters. Clovekit's obvious resemblance, Copperkit's ginger patches and green eyes. Jaykit looked more like him with her tabby stripes, but he could still see Meadowbrook in her. It was obvious who their mother was, it would always be obvious, and to all of their clanmates they'd be a constant reminder of what their mother had done. He was especially worried for Clovekit, feeling a surge of protection of the memory of how Eclipsesky had treated her. "I am entirely grateful for Ashsong, I know she'll treat them well... I hope her acceptance will help the others accept them as well." Copperkit crawled forward, eyes still closed, suddenly determined to join her sister at the side of the cat with the warm scent. Brownleaf chuckled as she nearly crashed into his chest. "You should start learning to see before you start learning to walk." He said with a light lick to her forehead that caused her eyes to open again. She gazed up at his blurry shape, this time allowing them to better adjust. “A cat like me has no room to judge a cat based on how or where they were born from.” Mottledsong admitted lightly, knowing that she was not born a Windclan cat, and that her lack of proper training probably made her seem like a mooch. Even so, she raised her kits to be dedicated Warriors, and she loved her home. “If I see any cat try and pull any funny business in this nursery, then you can trust that I will be the first to split their whiskers. Every kit, I care for them as if they are my own. Meadowbrook took so much from Windclan… but these kits are yours too, Brownleaf, and I see your heart. How deeply you love, and that is what these kits will remember and be raised on.” The queen assured, watching Copperkit with a small purr of laughter. Clovekit stared at Copperkit, blinking curiously as she saw her sister for the first time. She tried to bat weakly at her, little paws glancing off the wisps of fur from her sister. |
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Post by Willow on Mar 22, 2023 10:46:25 GMT -5
Palegaze purred, pleased. He set down the herbs he was carrying. "Yes, actually! If you were lost, you'd follow the wind, but we went deeper before we came out," he said. "See! A natural tunneler." Eclipsesky laughed quietly, "Just a lucky guess." he replied quietly before picking up his herbs again and descending further into the tunnels. At the next crossing, he scented the air again, frowning as both tunnels smelled about the same. He dropped his herbs again, "I don't smell much of a difference in these tunnels. They both seem to go deeper." |
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Post by thistle on Mar 23, 2023 12:17:14 GMT -5
Palegaze scented the air as well, a frown creasing his brow. He knew exactly where they were; the tunnel on their left led to the surface, but as Eclipsesky noted, it smelled damp like the others. He dropped the bundle of marigolds.
"Let me see," he mewed, stepping over Eclipsesky with long legs and squeezing in front of him. "You're right, neither smells like the surface, but I know for a fact this one," he indicated to the left. "Leads out. Follow me now, okay? You've done well."
He began to pad gingerly down the tunnel, feeling with his paws and whiskers for tremors. Eventually, they came to the last branch between them and the moor, and he found the issue. A chunk of the roof had collapsed; nothing major or catastrophic, but enough to kick up dust and block out the scent of the moor.
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Post by VIXENCLAW on Mar 23, 2023 22:14:30 GMT -5
Brownleaf smiled softly as Clovekit snuggled into him, but a hint of trepidation touched him at Mottledsong's words. "I'm really worried about what will happen to them." He said quietly, looking at all three of his daughters. Clovekit's obvious resemblance, Copperkit's ginger patches and green eyes. Jaykit looked more like him with her tabby stripes, but he could still see Meadowbrook in her. It was obvious who their mother was, it would always be obvious, and to all of their clanmates they'd be a constant reminder of what their mother had done. He was especially worried for Clovekit, feeling a surge of protection of the memory of how Eclipsesky had treated her. "I am entirely grateful for Ashsong, I know she'll treat them well... I hope her acceptance will help the others accept them as well." Copperkit crawled forward, eyes still closed, suddenly determined to join her sister at the side of the cat with the warm scent. Brownleaf chuckled as she nearly crashed into his chest. "You should start learning to see before you start learning to walk." He said with a light lick to her forehead that caused her eyes to open again. She gazed up at his blurry shape, this time allowing them to better adjust. “A cat like me has no room to judge a cat based on how or where they were born from.” Mottledsong admitted lightly, knowing that she was not born a Windclan cat, and that her lack of proper training probably made her seem like a mooch. Even so, she raised her kits to be dedicated Warriors, and she loved her home. “If I see any cat try and pull any funny business in this nursery, then you can trust that I will be the first to split their whiskers. Every kit, I care for them as if they are my own. Meadowbrook took so much from Windclan… but these kits are yours too, Brownleaf, and I see your heart. How deeply you love, and that is what these kits will remember and be raised on.” The queen assured, watching Copperkit with a small purr of laughter. Clovekit stared at Copperkit, blinking curiously as she saw her sister for the first time. She tried to bat weakly at her, little paws glancing off the wisps of fur from her sister. "Thank you, Mottledsong." Brownleaf replied, true gratefulness seeping into his tone. "WindClan is lucky to have you, and you raised two wonderful warriors. It means a lot to me, to know that you'll be here to care for them." Copperkit let out an indignant mew at the light battering she received from Clovekit, burrowing herself deeper in Brownleaf's fur. She attempted a few swats in return, her gaze too unfocused to pinpoint the target of her sister. |
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Post by Willow on Mar 24, 2023 8:24:03 GMT -5
Palegaze scented the air as well, a frown creasing his brow. He knew exactly where they were; the tunnel on their left led to the surface, but as Eclipsesky noted, it smelled damp like the others. He dropped the bundle of marigolds. "Let me see," he mewed, stepping over Eclipsesky with long legs and squeezing in front of him. "You're right, neither smells like the surface, but I know for a fact this one," he indicated to the left. "Leads out. Follow me now, okay? You've done well." He began to pad gingerly down the tunnel, feeling with his paws and whiskers for tremors. Eventually, they came to the last branch between them and the moor, and he found the issue. A chunk of the roof had collapsed; nothing major or catastrophic, but enough to kick up dust and block out the scent of the moor. Eclipsesky simply nodded and resumed following Palegaze, keeping close to him, but a bit further away than he had on the way to the twolegplace. Eclipsesky found he was starting to be able to sense how close Palegaze was from the swish of his fur and the change in the breeze. He did find himself spacing out and almost running directly into Palegaze as his cousin stopped. He peered around the other tunneler wrinkling his nose at the intense smell of mud and dust. "Did something happened?" he asked around his bundle of herbs, unable to tell through the darkness. |
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Post by thistle on Mar 24, 2023 10:54:17 GMT -5
"Yeah, a chuck fell from the ceiling," Palegaze said. He reached up to inspect the damage, gently probing with his muzzle to measure the scope of it. "Nothing major though. Had it fallen on one of us, it'd have been no worse than a clump of snow from a branch."
He pressed the soil in experimentally before patting it back into shape using his muzzle and paws. Satisfied, he blew dust from his nose before beginning to pad along towards the moor again.
"Little things like that happen sometimes," he said casually. "If you end up lost like that, just backtrack if necessary."
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Post by Willow on Mar 24, 2023 11:08:21 GMT -5
Eclipsesky strained his eyes, focusing on Palegaze's ghostly outline to try and see how Palegaze was patting the dirt back into the correct place. He had caught some of it, but would definitely need many more demonstrations in a tunnel with a bit more light. He dropped his herbs curiosity overtaking him, "How often do chunks fall like that? Can you feel it in the tunnel if you're nearby?"
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Post by thistle on Mar 24, 2023 15:09:57 GMT -5
"It's more likely to happen when it's drier like it's been. The water helps the dirt stick together, so it has a chance to crumble when it's all dried up like this," Palegaze said. "And yeah, that's what I meant when I said you use your paws to feel for vibrations! It's similar to how the ground feels when monsters pass on the Thunderpath."
They came to the end of the tunnel, late afternoon sunlight streaming in to illuminate the dim space.
"Back to the moor with us, then. You did great!" he praised.
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Post by Willow on Mar 24, 2023 15:50:09 GMT -5
Eclipsesky purred quietly, murmuring a quick thanks. He closed his eyes as the entered the sunlight once again. The small tom gently placed his herbs down before shaking out the loose dirt from his pelt. "Do you ever get used to going from the darkness to the light? My eyes hurt." He complained lightly, trying to blink them open slowly.
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Post by thistle on Mar 24, 2023 16:06:34 GMT -5
"Nope," Palegaze answered plainly. "Then again, my eyes always kind of hurt, so I'm not the best to ask."
He shook out his short pelt, but his pristine white coat was stained with dark soil. Eyes open only slits and watering profusely, he chuckled. "Okay, your turn to lead now."
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Post by Willow on Mar 24, 2023 16:14:29 GMT -5
Eclipsesky shook his head, "Maybe I should give you some fennel to try and help with the ache." he mumbled around his pile of herbs as he led the way back to camp.
He walked back into camp leisurely, ducking back into his den. He placed his pile of herbs near the others for sorting later. Glancing back at Palegaze's still-watering eyes he made up his mind and searched through the herbs for his small supply of fennel. He took the stem and crushed them with care, gathering the juice into a bit of moss. "I want you to try holding this on your eyes and seeing if it helps."
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Post by thistle on Mar 24, 2023 16:19:17 GMT -5
Palegaze followed along, sighing with relief as the shadows of the medicine den engulfed him, allowing him to open his eyes more. He took the moss, crouching so he could place it on top of his paws and press it against his eyes.
"Oh, that does help a bit," he said. "Thanks, Eclipse!"
After a moment's pause he added, quietly, "Do you think I'll go blind one day?"
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Post by Willow on Mar 24, 2023 16:53:14 GMT -5
Eclipsesky frowned, flicking his ears uncomfortably. "You might, I think all tunnelers start to lose their sight at some point. I know my mother's vision wasn't the best before she died with all the time she spent in the darkness down there. With your red eyes though, it might happen faster. Maybe if we keep treating them with the fennel we can slow it down?"
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Post by thistle on Mar 24, 2023 17:45:14 GMT -5
"Yeah, maybe..." Palegaze mused. "I really wouldn't be that upset about it, though. It's not like I can see incredibly well now, anyways."
He groaned dramatically. "As funny as it is to see apprentices from the other Clans at Gatherings get scared thinking I'm a ghost or something, this condition of mine is sure a pain!" he said good-naturedly.
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Post by Willow on Mar 24, 2023 18:04:00 GMT -5
Eclipsesky began sorting the herbs they brought back into their proper storage spaces, scrapping together shriveled up leaves that would no longer serve him much purpose. "Did Pansyfoot ever tell you anything about your father? I wonder if he looked like you did. I've always assumed he wasn't a clan cat since she never said anything publically. Lavendersun never said much about my father either though, other than he was a moor-runner named Rainheart who died before I was born. I suppose my coat color is probably from him."
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Post by thistle on Mar 24, 2023 18:36:40 GMT -5
"Nah," Palegaze said. He lifted his head, his eyes completely comfortable again. "I asked her once. She told me the reason he wasn't around was that she always wanted kits, but never a mate. And anyway, she described him as 'completely unremarkable, but nice enough'." He chuckled a little, missing his mother's quirkiness. "She did say that Peatkit had his coat, though, so I think I'm just extra special!" he said. (lol, kind of wish i hadn't killed her  ) |
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Post by Willow on Mar 24, 2023 19:28:11 GMT -5
(you always end up saying that trust me  ) Eclipsesky hummed in acknowledgment as he finished up sorting the rest of the herbs before he settled down beside Palegaze. "Lavendersun and Pansyfoot both seemed to not be bothered to raise us alone. I'm glad they had each other and now we have each other too," he spoke with a smile. "I-I won't be a medicine cat then, but maybe at the next gathering I can speak with Snowdance, Lavendersky, Specklecreek and Peachdapple. See if they know anything else that could help with your eyes or your pelt. I know you get burned rather easily in greenleaf." (Lavendersun died when Palegaze would have been very young if Palegaze is a relatively young tunneler, she died saving Dustfire and Fernheart when they were apprentices and they're like halfway up the warrior ranks now. If Eclipsesky trained as a warrior he would probably be senior status by now. He's oldddddd ) |
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Post by thistle on Mar 24, 2023 20:37:14 GMT -5
"Mmmm, yeah, that could be helpful," Palegaze said. "Asides, your rank changing won't erase your history with them all."
(omgggg, tbh i might retcon it so palegaze is a little older, maybe about the same age as those two. i think it'd just make more sense to explain why he and eclipse are so close and his level of maturity, bc originally he was kinda immature but it just didn't work for him)
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Post by Willow on Mar 24, 2023 21:06:11 GMT -5
you can do that! I can move him up on the list on the doc I have saved for Fire. Pansyfoot can still have died in the fire, I'll just get rid of the part about him becoming a warrior afterward. But yeah, Eclipse has had his full medicine cat name since like 2015ish and Berrywatcher died in a tornado right before we switched forums in 2016 so he's been Wind's main medicine cat since then)
Eclipsesky sighed, ears flattening at the thought of what his old friends would think of him. "I know, but they're going to be disappointed. I've been Windclan's medicine cat for a long time, I'm going to be letting them down. Specklecreek just got a new apprentice, Mousepaw. What an example to set."
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Post by thistle on Mar 24, 2023 21:35:47 GMT -5
(sounds good lets do it!)
Palegaze frowned, unsure of how to answer. After a moment, he said, "I don't know them much at all, but I feel like they won't be disappointed...more so surprised, maybe?"
He sighed, stretching. "I mean...you don't have to tell them exactly why you're stepping down."
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Post by VIXENCLAW on Mar 24, 2023 22:50:37 GMT -5
(damn hearing that Eclipsesky would prob be a senior warrior is making ME feel old because he was Eclipsepaw when I joined lol)
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Post by Willow on Mar 25, 2023 9:51:20 GMT -5
hahaha yeahhhh I like to pretend he's younger but he's not. He's actually older than Bumbleskip in Shadowclan and Bumbleskip is the second oldest senior warrior there so he's definitely up there in age. Not elder territory or anything but... getting there.)
Eclipsesky gave a small nod, "That's true. You're right though I think they will be very surprised. Besides Lavendersky, I've been a medicine cat for the longest, I know the younger medicine cats look up to me and I'm going to betray the trust they've placed in me." He let out a long sigh, placing his head on his paws. "It'll be okay. I just don't know if I'll be able to face them at that first gathering. Spiderbite is very blunt, he'll tell me exactly what he thinks and I don't think I'm prepared for that yet."
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Post by thistle on Mar 25, 2023 11:03:27 GMT -5
"Eh, fair enough," he said. "Your mean cousin Palegaze will watch your back though, don't you worry!"
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Post by Willow on Mar 26, 2023 7:53:21 GMT -5
Eclipsesky huffed a laugh, "You against Spiderbite, I'd like to see that." Eclipsesky sighed, looking out of the den at the sun slowing setting. "I should go check on Ashsong and the kits. She and Thorndash are going to have quite the time raising six. I think you deserve a rest after all your running around today, go eat something. Medicine cat's orders." He pulled himself back up to his paws, sticking his tongue out at Palegaze before exiting the den and heading for the nursery.
Eclipsesky hesitated at the entrance, steeling his nerves to see Clovekit once again. He poked his head into the den, calling a soft "Ashsong?"
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