~☁ CLOUDCLAN ☁~The Cats Who Touch The Sky~

(Great! And with Novice checking back in, perhaps we can nab some more cats for it!)

Minnowheart nodded, grinning at Dawnripple "Great! Let's not waste any time then!" she meowed, looking down at the apprentices. She noticed Heatherpaw staring down Briarpaw as he entered the Elder's den, likely visiting Ripplepelt. Did the newly made apprentice miss her older littermate? Her expression surely was peculiar.

Shaking her head, Minnowheart shrugged off the odd feeling "Would you like to lead the way, Dawnripple?" she asked, tilting her head to the side. Perhaps the she-cat would want to lead this patrol, since Minnowheart had been in charge of the last one.

-----

Owlshadow felt satisfaction creeping at his spine as he watched the camp fall smoothly into organized patrols. He relished the feeling of control for a few heartbeats, and then disdainfully made his way over to Blazestep, who had just appeared sleepily out of the warriors den "Blazestep!" He called authoritatively, "good to see you're awake. Mosspaw and Ripplestorm are doing some tracking training today, from what I've heard. I want you to bring Briarpaw along with them so that the group is big enough."

Without waiting for an answer, he turned, stalking out of the camp towards the sunningrocks. With any luck, nobody would need any other trivial tasks performed before he returned. Besides, Stonesatar was still in camp in her den, perhaps the old leader would finally do something useful to live up to her position...
"Blackbrook! Where are you?" Owlshadow called out, twitching his tail as he scanned the rocks. He knew the medicine cat had to be there- his scent was evident.

------

Ripplestorm let out a yawn, the first scents of the morning hitting her- a pleasant earthy smell from the misted ground, warm prey scent and.. bitter herbs. She wrinkled her nose, her eyes adjusting. "Oh my, think I wont take my medicine today, do you? Bringing me prey and my nasty things" she rasped, her voice sounding a bit garbled and throaty.
As she blinked a few times more, she recognized Briarpaw's shape. He was still the apprentice bringin her herbs, despite less experienced kits just having been named? How unusual..
"Oh, Briarpaw! My stars, I didn't realize it was you. How are you and your newly apprenticed siblings?" she asked, her chest rumbling into a broken purr. Briarpaw was such a good little apprentice.. she both dreaded and looked forward to the day he would become a warrior. He would be such a fantastic, loyal cat. But she would miss him coming into the den every morning to greet her...

(I'm here o_o where should i be putting my cats?)

((Check out Cinnamon's long post here for cat placement. The timeline splintered all over the place, so they anchored us.))

Heatherpaw throws one more disapproving stare over her shoulder before she bounds forward to be near Dawnripple. At least he could get his other warrior duties done, Briarpaw had that going for him at least. Quickly shaking any thought of him from her, she turns to Rootpaw, "Isn't this exciting? Our first patrol, and it's going to be together!"

"Yes, Heatherpaw." Rootpaw laughs quietly, she looks between the two mentors. One day they'd be warriors like them. The thought was...kind of intimidating.. At least they had a while to go. Though, she certainly hadn't expected that outside of the camp would be so...large. She nearly trails away from the group as she is distracted by the lushness of it all.

~~~~


The medicine cat lets the deputy search for a while and enjoys the amusement that comes with his impatience, ever kind to his friend, however, he soon climbs back over the rocks with a mouthful of dripping herbs, "Over here Owlshadow, I figured it would take you a bit to reign the unruly bunch in. Pleased to see it didn't take too long."

He shakes his paws before joining the deputy, "Finally the season for this to start growing again, " his voice is entirely too pleased, before he cuts to a serious tone, "But we have other matters to discuss, I see something is troubling you, my friend."

He looks him over quickly, "Thankfully not wounds this time." His tone is teasing, reminding Owlshadow of all the times he wound up in the medicine den, "But you have something that troubles you, and I have a very important message to share with you."

~~~

Briarpaw had been thrown off at first. It seems Ripplestorm's eyes weren't as keen as they used to be... but she seemed to be in good spirits when it came to seeing him, at least. Briarpaw feels the tension drain out of him and he sets the bundle down in front of her, "Good morning Ripplepelt. I did bring you nasty things." His tone is apologetic, "Blackbrook apparently wanted you to take them, but he had something he had to do." He didn't know why he didn't check in with her really quick, but it was probably some important medicine cat reason that he'd never be privy on.

"I'm...alright." Thankfully Larkeye hadn't seen fit to drape herself across him, and none of the warriors or apprentices seemed too keen on coming after him for his mothers harsh words. "I'm sure Rootpaw and Heatherpaw are excited. Though I doubt I'd hear anything else about how well it's going and how dedicated and great their mentors are." he is bitter, and his tone clearly says so, "Not that there is anything wrong with Blazestep!" he is quick to defend, realizing how his words may have come across, "Heatherpaw just... I don't know. She doesn't like me." Hates him. Is more accurate to what he felt.

"Keep your eyes open and your ears alert." Dawnripple mewed as she starts moving to the border. She glanced back making sure Heatherpaw and Rootpaw were following her. "Come along now or I'll leave you behind!"

Speckleclaw joins after grabbing something to tide him over. It was wiser to have the energy for a hunt, after-all. Maybe he would see a larger rabbit making its way out of its burrow... or he could try and catch more of the smaller fish.
He'd have to wait.
Either way he sits in what he feels is a comfortable silence as they wait.

~~~~

"Why can't we go there today?" Heatherpaw asks, "The sooner we learn techniques, the sooner we will be better at them! And the sooner I can get Briarpaw to fight with me."

"Heatherpaw" Rootpaw sighs, "He's bigger... and has more training."

"Doubtful." Heatherpaw mumbles quietly, but she pushes up as high as she can to see the hollow, "What's your favorite battle skill, Dawnripple?" She turns to her mentor.

~~~

"Actually eases anxiety and grief" Blackbrook chuckles, "Though, had I considered giving a stomach ache... There was Water Hemlock where the river over flows." Owlshadow would have no idea what the herb did, which in itself sent a burst of satisfaction through Blackbrook, and he couldn't help but to laugh at his own little joke.

At Owlshadow's tone Blackbrook turns a sympathetic gaze to him, "You know I wished to share it with you first, but I went to check on her and the time seemed right," Bring it up enough to let the leader think and make her own interpretations before he gave her his own, "and then I was distracted with Lilysun."

Sweet sweet Lilysun. He distracts himself with the thought of her. She was sweet, and oh so enamored with him. It was precious. Too good to pass up, especially if he could convince her to believe in herself more.. the she-cat had so much potential, and all he had to do was push ever so gently. Cat's did the silliest things for love.

"I wished to, my friend, I really had." he rests his tail on Owlshadow in apology, "What do you think of the prophecy?"

~~~~

"It isn't a feud. She comes after me with her claws out. She's been taunting me about Blazestep for moons, and she hasn't even interacted with him! He is a perfectly fine mentor! I know he's a good warrior. Cat's just don't understand!" He didn't understand either. While he looked up to Blazestep and believed in his potential... the older tom's laziness often kept them at distance.

He was happy to see her taking her medicine without complaint. He hated to see her suffering.

"No. She looked up to me once, I think, when they were younger... but as soon as the two could wander off it was just the two of them... She made sure there was no room for me, and whatever she did Rootkit did, even if I did hear her tell her to stop. I don't know.. I just...hope it stops once she actually sees what it is like to be an apprentice...? And everyone has their doubts about Dawnripple, but because she likes to get in trouble.. So I don't see why she's so high and mighty about Blazestep." he grumbles.

After a moment he tilts his head, "Owlshadow had a sister? And she was soft-spirited?" He'd think anyone related to Owlshadow- besides Ripplepelt- would be just as serious and rough as him.

After deciding against eating, Novalight grouped up at the camp entrance with the others. He figured that he could just eat afterward, so he spared himself of being bloated.

(Sorry to interrupt, but is this the original Cloudclan from the old forums?)

( SoaringFlight No, sorry to disappoint! This clan just happens to share the name, I suppose.)

Minnowhearts whiskers twitched with amusement at Heatherpaw's ethusiasm, but she avoided the apprentice's question. She wasn't very good at fighting... more of a hunter, really. The other apprentices had always beat her at combat practice when she had trained all those moons ago. Hopefully Dawnripple wouldn't mention it- as an apprentice she had often beat her-even sort of bullied her about it.
Minnowheart shook her head. Dawnripple wasnt like that anymore, she reminded herself. She was a kind and loyal cat.

"Size isn't always everything" She meowed at her apprentice "Sometimes being smaller than your opponent is good- it often means that you're a lot faster. I bet in a contest of flexibility in battle, you two could win over Briarpaw."

-----

Distracted with Lilysun. Owlshadow snorted and rolled his eyes, but refrained from saying anything. He knew his friend better than that- once Blackbrrok had decided he enjoyed something, there wasn't anything you could really do to get him to change his behaviors. That's just who he was- a smooth talker, a social engineer.

"Im not sure what I think of it. Surely Stonestar thinks of it as a bad omen but I'm not so sure.." he began, his nose wrinkled as the thought about his words. "Clouds covering the stars.. could that mean that there will be a Cloudclan cat who is more powerful than the Ancients?" The suggestion was somewhat heretical, and his mother would have given him a mighty ear swat for even suggesting so, but.. what else could the prophecy mean?

-------

Mosspaw nodded at his mentor "Ready" he meowed confidently. Looking at Blazestep, he cocked his head. Briarpaw had gone into the elders den to visit Ripplepelt.. knowing how much she liked to talk and howlazy Blazestep was, he figured it might be a while before the mentor went to go retrieve his apprentice. But Mosspaw didn't want any delay with his training- he was ready now!

"I'll go fetch Briarpaw" he meowed quickly, and without waiting for a reply, dashed over to the elder's den.

He caught what sounded like the tail end of Briarpaw complaining about something- his voice sounded despondent and upset. Was that Blazestep's name he heard, too? Perhaps the apprentice had been complaining about his lazy mentor! Mosspaw slowed down at the entrance, peeking around to listen in to the conversation.

Ripplepelt nodded, feeling sad at Briarpaw's comments. She always hated seeing siblings fight- especially when it involved cats which she was particularly affectionate towards. She is about to reply to his comments, but stops at Briarpaw's inquiry about her other kit. "Oh yes, Robinpaw" Ripplepelt meows, sadness shadowing her gaze "She was the first born of the litter. She and Owlshadow were the only two to survive out of the four of them. At least, for a while, in Robinpaw's case."

The old elder heaves a sigh, the matted fur on her sides shuddering slightly as she exhales. "That was all quite some time ago, of course. Perhaps a story for another day" she meows, a tight smile on her face. "Why don't you run along now Briarpaw. I'm sure your mentor will want you for today's training. Have soem faith in Blazestep and perhaps your sister will too."

Russetclaw looked around about at others hacked to join the patrol. Getting to his paws flicking his tail back and forth slowly. "Should we go before all the prey return to their dens?" He meowed before padding out of the camp entrance. His ears adjusted to the sounds around him and he breathed in the forest scent, it was refreshing. Russetclaw wonder where they should hurt today, mice and other small prey would be out their burrows for sure.

"I believe that would wise" Speckleclaw says with quiet laughter. The sooner the better. Prey always seemed to get antsy as the day went on.

~~~~

"We could beat Briarpaw at a lot of things!" Heatherpaw purrs, "Well. I suppose not combat or hunting. ... I guess we WILL beat him at things. He just has some practice in." Not that it could be much.

"Briarpaw is going to make a good warrior.." Rootpaw mumbles quietly, " He always let you win the play fights."

"Well.. I.. soon enough we'll have a real spar!" Heatherpaw stammers, flustered.

~~~~

"I suppose it could." That'd be interesting. Yet, he was already close to the ancestors.. and he already had so much sway over their words.

"I directed her to Dawnripple, but I haven't brought it up to her. The she-cat is surely more aligned to us, I feel." His tsil swishes behind him.

"I fear I am waiting for more details on that omen," he sighs, "The words of dead cats are sometimes so vague." His teeth cpench and he huffs. He delivered news far more clearly, he had always known what they meant even in their vagueness, but here they left him confused.

He collects himself after a moment and deflates, "Time will tell.. Owlshadow...I wonder" Blackbrook eyes his friend carefully, "Have you noticed how our leader is faring?"

~~~

"Oh...I'm sorry Ripplepelt." He supposes in a way that could let the elder sympathize with his mother, though...Ripplepelt handled it with far more grace.

"Okay.. and I do have faith in Blazestep! When he puts forth the time he can do great things! All the cats talk about him though. I just..wish he was more motivated." He heaves a sigh as he picks himself up, "I'll visit again soon Ripplepelt." He says affectionately, "Stay well!" Briarpaw turns and startles on his way out as he runs face to fave with Mosspaw.

"Oh! Hey there!"

Minnowheart flicked her ears uncomfortably at Heatherpaw's words. Was that a hint of malice she was detecting in her talk about her brother...?
"All apprentices are trained equally, so I'm sure you two will have your fair chance to train with him.." she meowed weakly, looking to Dawnripple for some sort of guidance. Was it just her, or was his apprentice being somewhat unfair towards Briarpaw? I guess all apprentices are a little cocky and competitive when they first start out... she thought to herself, pushing down her feelings.

She pricked her ears up suddenly, scenting the air. The faint sound of the stream they would need to cross to reach the west side of the Moonpoint could be heard in the distance. This would be a good opportunity for the apprentices to learn a lesson in being aware of their environment. "Rootpaw, stop for a moment and reach out with your senses. What can you tell me about the area we're standing in right now?" She asked gently, encouraging the apprentice to become aware of her surroundings.

----

"Yes, I agree. I spoke to Dawnripple yesterday and she seemed oblivious to any connection she might have with the prophecy. But she is certainly loyal to me, and I know she never shies away from you like some of our clanmates" Owlshadow meowed, agreeing with Blackbrook's words. If Dawnripple turned out to really be some sort of powerful prophecy cat, then he and Blackbrook could surely count on a powerful ally. This being so... why did Blackbrook seem so upset? Owlshadow could tell his friend was perturbed by the prophecy, and in truth Owlshadow was as well, just less so.

He perks his ears "Stonestar?" He meows, confusion lacing his tone. Why did Blackbrook want to talk about her? "She's the same as she has been for moons, a bit worse with Yellowclaw gone, it seems."
Owlshadow let out an exasperated sigh, his tongue clicking against his teeth in annoyance "All she does is sit in her den, moping and wasting away. I do so much to keep the clan in line, I'm practically leader already, and yet she still gets all the respect and power. It's infuriating" he admitted, lashing his tail.

-----

Mosspaw jumped, his fur standing up on end in embarrassment at having been caught eavesdropping "Eerr, Briarpaw! I've just come to fetch you. Blazestep and Ripplestorm want to go out for training" he meowed, his ears hot. Would Briarpaw realize he had been listening in on him and the elder talking?

"Let's not waste any time, I'm sure they want to get going" he meowed quickly, turning and briskly padding back out into the clearing to where the two mentors sat "Ready! Let's go, huh?"

Minnowheart may say that, but Heatherpaw thought the mentor could make or break an apprentices skill set. Minnowheart was skilled enough, so Rootpaw would be alright, and whatever she needed she could always get help- from Heatherpaw or somebody else- though Heatherpaw would make sure she was always available to help. "Oh. Alright Dawnripple!"

Rootpaw shuffles and nods, "Yes Minnowheart." She didn't know what she was supposed to look for. The area was all so new to her. She pushes herself up tall and swivels her ears and tilts her head, "I...mean.. its grassy...and the ground is kind of wet... And.." she furrows her brow, "..water?"

"We must be near the river?" Heatherpaw asks.

~~

"We can discuss it with them later, but for now I want to watch them a bit more. And yes, Dawnripple is always eager to help. And just curious enough without being nosey." Littlespring and Dawnripple were good helpers, for sure."

Blackbrook can't help the slow grin across his face and he nods, "Yes, Owlshadow. You are practically the leader. Stonestar is falling apart, quite frankly, and you are keeping everyone in lone and keeping us running... I think it's time we discuss what should happen with the leadership... She isn't...fit for leading, anymore. I think something needs to be done for the good of the clan."

~~~

"Oh. Ah. Thanks" he offers the apprentice an awkward smile. Mosspaw didn't interact with him too often, he was too busy trying to keep up with Ivypaw. So it would be fun to train with him.

"I'm ready to go too, sorry Blazestep, sorry Ripplestorm!"