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Post by Icefire15 on Aug 6, 2023 21:12:44 GMT -5
Finally catching up with Withermist, Frostlight pressed her flank against his, looking at him with concern, “What’s wrong? Do you have a stomach ache?” She asked, icy blue eyes searching him over.
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 6, 2023 21:23:48 GMT -5
Finally catching up with Withermist, Frostlight pressed her flank against his, looking at him with concern, “What’s wrong? Do you have a stomach ache?” She asked, icy blue eyes searching him over. “Nooo. This isn’t the stomach.” Withermist shook his head softly, raw sadness shining through his hollow expression. “Briarpatch. Her pain. I feel… I feel it. I feel alot of things, all the time, always. Always.” He finally found the words he’d wanted to say for so long. “Only pain, and anger, and sadness, and quiet. But… not mine.” |
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Post by Willow on Aug 6, 2023 21:25:50 GMT -5
"Breathe, right." Briarpatch repeated in a whisper. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to try and steady herself. Spiderbite was here now, there was nothing to be scared of. The she-cat cried out several moments later as another contraction took over.
"Right, Spiderbite will have this handled easily." Springpaw suddenly got to her feet, looking at Wingpaw expectantly. "We should go to the nursery and build a nest for them! Briarpatch hadn't moved in there yet."
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Post by []̷ 𝓜𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓼𝓽 []̷ on Aug 7, 2023 9:04:19 GMT -5
Warblerpaw huffed, slinking from the den. "Then you're really in for it when Mudwasp begins your training if you think I can't hurt you," he said. Though, he could tell she was trying to be friendly, so he eased up a little. "Tell you what, why don't I ask Plumwillow to ask him if I can be your spar partner? You're fully grown and so am I, so it'd be a fairer balance," he said. They exited the camp, Warblerpaw pointedly avoiding the gazes of his Clanmates as he traipsed around with the stranger. He padded a bit downhill, to the roots of a huge oak where moss grew thick among its roots. "Watch," he said. He extended his claws as far as they'd go, curved and sharp, before carefully but cleanly shearing away a strip of moss, "laying it to the side. "When you've collected a bunch, stack them up and press on them to get out the water, okay?" He sat a little away from her, beginning the familiar task of collecting moss for bedding. Pondpaw knew she was wrong and that Warblerpaw could probably easily wound her, but he was the only cat who was willing to help her so she wanted to be friendly. And what’s wrong with a little competition? It would motivate her more anyways. She nodded in response to Warblerpaw. Pondpaw watched as Warblerpaw collected some moss. "When you've collected a bunch, stack them up and press on them to get out the water, okay?" He said. Pondpaw nodded and took his place. Mimicking him, she unsheathed her claws and focused on the moss, thick among the roots. She let her claws swipe through the moss. Soon, she had gather a thick pile of moss beside her. Just like Warblerpaw had said, Pondpaw pressed her paws against the paws as water trickled out from the bottom of the pile. “Okay! I’m done!” Pondpaw meowed. “How’d I do?” |
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Post by thistle on Aug 7, 2023 10:06:32 GMT -5
Warblerpaw looked over, nodding in approval. "Good," he said, pressing the water from his own pile. "You'll get better at collecting clean pieces as you learn."
He stooped, grasping the pile of moss in his jaws, before beckoning Pondpaw to follow him as he began to trot back to camp. He'd heard a mild commotion, but had been committed to his task of teaching Pondpaw that he'd ignored it. Now, as they padded into the camp, there seemed to be tension in the air.
Spotting Springpaw and Wingpaw, he padded quickly to them, dropping his moss. "What's going on?" he asked.
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Post by Willow on Aug 7, 2023 14:47:51 GMT -5
Springpaw scooted closer to Wingpaw as she looked up at Warblerpaw, dipping her head at the older apprentice. "Flarestorm just came into camp yowling, I think Briarpatch is kitting in the middle of the forest. Spiderbite just followed him back out of camp with herbs. I'm sure he'll have everything under control." she mewed, trying to keep her voice even.
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 7, 2023 17:25:46 GMT -5
Wingpaw nodded quickly at Springpaw's suggestion. "Yeah! We can totally do that." He paused as Pondpaw and Warblerpaw returned to camp, paws shifting as he quickly greeted their new clanmate. She certainly was older than them, already plenty old enough to be a Warrior, but he knew she would need to learn some real fighting moves to make it here! Instead, he offered. "Oi, Pondpaw! It'll look good for you if you help us out and get Briarpatch a comfortable nest to get back to. It's not hard, and we can show you how to do it." He offered.
Flarestorm came rushing back, a wad of wet moss in his jaws as he placed it down gently in front of his mate and Spiderbite. "I'll get a stick! There's plenty right near us! Keep breathing, Briarpatch, you will be just fine!" He assured, though he was assuring himself just as much.
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Post by thistle on Aug 7, 2023 17:36:43 GMT -5
Warblerpaw bristled with alarm before he quickly smoothed his pelt. "If Spiderbite is there, I'm sure it'll be fine. Still though, it's a bit early, isn't it?"
He shook his head, giving the two younger apprentices a grateful smile and a nod. "That sounds great, actually. Here, we were collecting moss for Pondpaw's nest, but use it for Briarpatch. It's a good lesson, too," he said.
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 7, 2023 18:07:54 GMT -5
"Maybe she's farther along than we thought!" Wingpaw tried to offer hopefully, though it was clear that he was just as concerned as the older tom.
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Post by []̷ 𝓜𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓼𝓽 []̷ on Aug 7, 2023 18:15:36 GMT -5
Pondpaw copied Warblerpaw and picked up the moss in her jaws. She followed him as they walked back to camp. When they began to get closer to the entrance, something didn’t feel right among the cats. Something was wrong. Pondpaw followed as Warblerpaw rushed to two apprentices, she was assuming, and asked what was going on. The she-cat explained that a cat named Briarpatch was kitting.
“Oi, Pondpaw!” The tom said. He offered to let her help him gather moss for the kitting she-cat.
"That sounds great, actually.” Warblerpaw replied for her. “Here, we were collecting moss for Pondpaw's nest, but use it for Briarpatch. It's a good lesson, too,"
“Sure!” Pondpaw agreed. “Where exactly do we build it?”
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Post by Willow on Aug 7, 2023 18:35:52 GMT -5
Springpaw got to her feet quickly, ushering the others into the nursery to a vacant spot. "Here's a good spot as any. Wingpaw and I can go gather some feathers and fronds to fill in the nest if you two want to start laying the moss?"
Briarpatch tried to focus only on her breathing, watching her belly move up and down with effort. She squeaked in surprise as the most intense contraction yet took over. A kit was coming, she could feel it. Letting her instincts take over she started to push, and soon a small ginger she-kit was born.
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 7, 2023 18:36:21 GMT -5
"The nursery is one of the dens on the bottom level of the cliff wall." Wingpaw explained as they padded after Springpaw, pointing his tail to the heavily protected and nicely hidden hollowed crevice that made the very comfortable nursery. He chuckled. "Wherever you see Sunnykit and Willowkit playing around, is where you'll find the nursery. Right now, most Queens are expecting kits. But, we'll have a whole bunch more very soon... er." He paused, a worried look in his eyes. "They'll be fine. Spiderbite will make sure." He assured again.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Aug 7, 2023 19:12:02 GMT -5
"Breathe, right." Briarpatch repeated in a whisper. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to try and steady herself. Spiderbite was here now, there was nothing to be scared of. The she-cat cried out several moments later as another contraction took over. "Right, Spiderbite will have this handled easily." Springpaw suddenly got to her feet, looking at Wingpaw expectantly. "We should go to the nursery and build a nest for them! Briarpatch hadn't moved in there yet." Spiderbite flattened his ears. This didn't feel right. "Don't fight it, Briarpatch. When it's time to push, you'll know, and you better push with all your might, got it?" |
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Post by Willow on Aug 7, 2023 19:15:35 GMT -5
Briarpatch tried to focus only on her breathing, watching her belly move up and down with effort. She squeaked in surprise as the most intense contraction yet took over. A kit was coming, she could feel it. Letting her instincts take over she started to push, and soon a small ginger she-kit was born. oops I kinda double posted for her, here Moon lol ) |
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Aug 7, 2023 19:18:10 GMT -5
(OH! Sorry I missed it.)
Spiderbite blinked in satisfaction when the first birth went well. "That's it, Briarpatch, keep it up." He looked around, but didn't see Flarestorm. "Where is that bird-brain?" Spiderbite lashed his tail and nipped open the sack around the kit to start warming it up. Being near the cliffs and not in the warmth of the nursery, he moved it to Briarpatch's belly right away to use her heat for it.
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Post by thistle on Aug 7, 2023 19:52:40 GMT -5
"Sure," said Warblerpaw, ducking into the warm cave and dipping his head to the queens inside. He laid his pile of moss to the side before taking a piece and laying it into the center of a shallow dip in the floor where countless queens had nested before. "Pondpaw, we'll lay the moss in a circular pattern, layered like rose petals, sort of," he rumbled, falling easily into the rhythm of the familiar task. "All nests are pretty much the same, but we make the ones in the nursery extra comfortable and larger as well."
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 7, 2023 20:42:15 GMT -5
"I'm here! I got the-" Flarestorm called around the stick, only to drop it at Briarpatch's paws in startled amazement as he realized the first kit was born. His eyes welled with emotion, though he quickly rushed to his mate's side, nudging the stick towards her. "B-bite into it, the next time you... when you have to push. Oh, Briarpatch, the first one's here!" He tried not to think about how incredibly small they looked, knowing they were very early.
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Post by []̷ 𝓜𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓼𝓽 []̷ on Aug 8, 2023 6:11:33 GMT -5
"Sure," said Warblerpaw, ducking into the warm cave and dipping his head to the queens inside. He laid his pile of moss to the side before taking a piece and laying it into the center of a shallow dip in the floor where countless queens had nested before. "Pondpaw, we'll lay the moss in a circular pattern, layered like rose petals, sort of," he rumbled, falling easily into the rhythm of the familiar task. "All nests are pretty much the same, but we make the ones in the nursery extra comfortable and larger as well." Pondpaw nodded. “Got it!” She exclaimed. She grabbed some moss in her jaws and laid it next to the one in the center. Then, she repeated the process over and over again. “Am I doing all right?” Pondpaw wondered. |
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Post by thistle on Aug 8, 2023 6:57:37 GMT -5
"Yep," said Warblerpaw, laying the last piece of moss from his pile. In the dip there was now a large, thick layer of moss. "When the others get back, they can show you how we weave in fronds and feathers to make it even softer."
He sat with his tail curled around his paws as they waited. He hummed for a moment, eyes narrowed, before going on. "You know, I don't think it's personal, but I doubt Mudwasp will go out of his way to teach you the ins-and-outs of chores and stuff. He'll probably just want to teach you fighting moves; he's very good though, don't get me wrong!"
"But a big part of being an apprentice, aside from training, is ensuring that our Clan's elders and Queens and Kits are taken care of. Prey, nests, anything they need," he gave the three queens in the nursery a smile. "Tricklefrost, Seedflight, Shadowmask, do you need anything? Kits?"
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Post by []̷ 𝓜𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓼𝓽 []̷ on Aug 8, 2023 7:31:45 GMT -5
"Yep," said Warblerpaw, laying the last piece of moss from his pile. In the dip there was now a large, thick layer of moss. "When the others get back, they can show you how we weave in fronds and feathers to make it even softer." He sat with his tail curled around his paws as they waited. He hummed for a moment, eyes narrowed, before going on. "You know, I don't think it's personal, but I doubt Mudwasp will go out of his way to teach you the ins-and-outs of chores and stuff. He'll probably just want to teach you fighting moves; he's very good though, don't get me wrong!" "But a big part of being an apprentice, aside from training, is ensuring that our Clan's elders and Queens and Kits are taken care of. Prey, nests, anything they need," he gave the three queens in the nursery a smile. "Tricklefrost, Seedflight, Shadowmask, do you need anything? Kits?" Pondpaw nodded with a smile, greatful that Warblerpaw was willing to teach her everything she needed to know. She sighed as she thinked of Mudwasp. She doubted that he would want to teach her anything at all. Pondpaw smiled at the mention of the kits. She liked talking to Willowkit and Sunnykit a lot. Perhaps the other two would be willing to become friends with her as well! She shook her head. She also has to help the queens as well. After all, she has to prove that she can be helpful and trustworthy. Pondpaw gaze shifted from the nest to the nursery queens. She smiled, trying to show that she was willing to help them with anything they needed. |
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Aug 8, 2023 7:51:37 GMT -5
"Don't just stand there gawking, warm it up!" Spiderbite snapped at Flarestorm and motioned rudely to the kit at Briarpatch's belly. He went back to the queen's side and laid his paw on her belly once again.
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 8, 2023 9:05:59 GMT -5
“You’re very kind. I’m doing just fine.” Tricklefrost nodded, glancing down at where Willowkit and Sunnykit had finally fallen asleep beside Ledgekit and Rainkit. Tricklefrost looked concerned and saddened. “All I want is for Briarpatch to be okay, and brought here. I pray her kits will make it. I’ll watch and feed them myself if she needs me to.” She promised.
Flarestorm nodded quickly, leaning down to try and groom the tiny kit. Starclan, she was so small. He felt a strong wave of love for her though, praying that she would survive. She seemed active enough, even at her size.
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Post by []̷ 𝓜𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓼𝓽 []̷ on Aug 8, 2023 10:06:30 GMT -5
Pondpaw felt a wave of admiration for the queen. She would give her time to raise another’s kits as if four already isn’t enough! If this is what clan life is like, Pondpaw thought. then I’m so glad I found it. Cats here trusted each other with their lives and worked together in harmony. Not like any of the other rouge groups she had saw.
Pondpaw nodded in reply to Tricklefrost as she looked down upon her kits, then Pondpaw’s gaze shifted to Warblerpaw. Now what? She wondered. She tucked her paws under her tail and stared at the ground, waiting for the other apprentices to return.
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Post by thistle on Aug 8, 2023 10:11:22 GMT -5
"And of course you know we'll all do everything we can to help," Warblerpaw replied. While they waited, Warblerpaw turned to Pondpaw.
"So...this all happened really fast for you. I mean, wasn't it just earlier I had my claws in your scruff?" he chuckled with a smirk. "Anyway. I'm sure you've got questions, so let's hear 'em while we wait."
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Post by []̷ 𝓜𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓼𝓽 []̷ on Aug 8, 2023 10:41:44 GMT -5
Pondpaw cleared her throat. “What’s the leader’s name? What do you become after apprenticeship? Who’s Spiderbite? Who were those two cat’s names? Why do we have ‘paw after our name and the others have different things like ‘wasp, ‘frost and ‘kit? And what are elders?” She asked.
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 8, 2023 11:36:33 GMT -5
“I’ll answer the first one for you, and it’s probably gonna rock your mind when I say it.” Wingpaw grinned, wanting Warblerpaw to handle answering everything else. “Our leader is Spiritstar. When a cat becomes leader, they receive nine lives from our ancestors, Starclan. The stars at night, that’s Starclan. I’m not kidding. Spiritstar can, and has, come back to life using one or more of her nine lives to do so.” He boasted, only to quickly realize that talking about that in front of Warblerpaw probably wasn’t a great idea.
He quickly continued. “And she’s got plenty left, for sure! Leaders are usually wise and caring and serve all of the Clan, and in return, their word is law and they lead us to battle, or to gatherings. Ahaha… ha…”
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Post by thistle on Aug 8, 2023 12:38:53 GMT -5
Warblerpaw cringed a little at the mention of Spiritstar losing lives, shooting a sharp look in Wingpaw's direction before moving on.
"...Yes, thank you, Wingpaw," he meowed. "Anyway. An apprenticeship is the time for a cat to learn important skills that make you a warrior, like hunting and fighting. But it's also when you learn about the Warrior Code that we all follow, and about our way of life."
"Most cats will train to be warriors, but some are special, like Spiderbite. He's a medicine cat," Warblerpaw said. "They're healers, responsible for caring for our sick and for the Clan at large. They also have the gift to be able to speak with StarClan and interpret their signs, and serve as advisors to the Leader."
He puffed up his chest with pride a little at his next statement. "Spiritstar was actually a medicine cat, you know. Before she was leader."
He nodded to Wingpaw, wanting the younger tom to have a chance to share their life with Pondpaw.
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 8, 2023 12:47:03 GMT -5
Wingpaw gave a sheepish look, before he continued after Warblerpaw. “Apprentices start at 6 moons old, when a kit is given a “paw” at the end of their name, and given a mentor. Once you finish training, you are given a full name by Spiritstar and you are no longer an apprentice! Spiritstar will probably give you a name that suits you best. Like Cobrafang, who’s got super long front fangs, or Whitesun, who has white fur and eyes that are yellow, like the sun!” Wingpaw explained.
“I hope my name is super cool. Like Wingstorm, or like, Wingslash!” He gushed.
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Post by thistle on Aug 8, 2023 15:10:36 GMT -5
"Maybe you'll be Wingbounce for all your energy," Warblerpaw joked, giving the younger apprentice a friendly nudge. "A warrior name is something to be earned, and it's a really big part of our lives. It's the name you carry with you to StarClan, unless of course you become a leader or change it."
"Elders are the cats who have served the Clan for many, many seasons, and are now taking their long-earned rest while the Clan serves them," he continued. "They teach us valuable lessons about what it means to live for your Clan, and are the ones who keep and pass down our history. Kits love their stories most, but a really good one will catch anyone's ear."
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Post by []̷ 𝓜𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓼𝓽 []̷ on Aug 9, 2023 7:54:19 GMT -5
Pondpaw’s mind was jumbled with thoughts and more questions. She decided to push those away since she assumed that she would find out later. The thing about Starclan and nine lives confused her though. Would she decide to believe them or not?
“Wow. That’s a lot to take in.” Pondpaw meowed. Why would they lie to me? She thought. It must be true then. Spiritstar really does have nine lives. “Thanks for telling me all that! Do you think we should continue on the nest?”
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