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Post by parisiansteve on Nov 21, 2021 13:56:13 GMT -5
Checkin’ in - can’t wait to start back up soon!
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Post by parisiansteve on Nov 27, 2021 19:28:46 GMT -5
Love bump!
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Post by aether on Dec 12, 2021 4:40:05 GMT -5
HELLO FRIEND
What a year it has been xD To save the story, let's just say; i'm glad the year is almost over xD I'm so ready to jump back into this! Thank you for being so lovely and patient with my poofy lil butt Cx
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Post by parisiansteve on Dec 12, 2021 20:20:30 GMT -5
YEAHHHH LET’S GO
so glad you’re back! I’ve been working on Cedar’s stuff with Sofia - will probably post tonight or tomorrow. I’m thrilled to see you ~ <3
What a year is right! We shall catch up soon!
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Post by aether on Dec 12, 2021 20:49:19 GMT -5
YEAHH!! I'm glad to finally be back and do this! Even though I haven't been on in ages I definitely thought fondly about it often! I'm so thrilled to see you're still around too ^U^ How's life been?
I'm going to work on my Jackdawstar. I have work today so if it isn't up in the next hour or so, I'll be posting later tonight my time (so probs suuuppper late your time xD)
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Post by aether on Dec 13, 2021 9:41:39 GMT -5
 Jumpfox
- 🦊 - With Gathered Cats ;;
- 🦊 - At the Gathering ;;
- 🦊 - parisiansteve ;;
There was a contemptuous hesitation to the flame coloured warrior. As though he were an apprentice who was asked to check the elders for ticks, he verged on the idea of openly denying Oakstar merely for the simple reason of being difficult. Oakstar was not his leader, therefore she held no regard in his heart - he despised her, really. HeronClan housed many foul-tempered and idiotic felines of which Jumpfox wouldn't mind if they disappeared like Cedarpelt had, and it was Oakstar who commanded them, so naturally Jumpfox thought little of her. She sat regal and uptight atop the ancient monster giving him permission to speak his case. His pelt began to prickle, simulating the sensation of ants crawling and exploring within his coarse hairs, it was a feeling that he had grown accustomed too in his relatively short life. The feeling brought him anxiety and frustration alike, in the split second it arose he would make the decision to snap and retort; to escape from whatever situation was at hand. Gritting his teeth, he circled his head back to glare at Oakstar, slacking his maw in the same movement as he prepared his verbal assault. His dark green eyes caught hers and his barrage halted. She didn't appear to be grandiose in that moment; instead she appeared... normal.
Share my story... Jumpfox dropped his gaze thoughtfully. Just now was the perfect representation of his story; he simply did not like HeronClan for his own reasons, yet they were no different from him. He nodded to himself as his brain started to formulate words instead of retorts. A heartbeat later, he was bunching his muscles and invited himself up upon the dead monster. Jackdawstar scrabbled against the solid surface momentarily as he moved back to make space, his yellow eyes glimmering with surprise. "Jumpfox, you shouldn't-" The raven coloured tom began, feeling sheepish as he considered how to reprimand the warrior for overstepping the bounds. Speaking atop the monster was reserved for leaders and those who were welcomed; Oakstar has asked Jumpfox to speak his story, she hadn't asked him to join them on the monster. However, Jumpfox interrupted his leader shamelessly.
"I'm sure you are all well aware how I despised Cedarpelt." His tone was flat, oozing with an entitlement, "But it's not just that mouse-brain I hate, in fact, I hate all of HeronClan." He sniffed petulantly, ignoring the glares and bared fangs he began to receive. "I'm a RippleClan warrior; it is my duty to do what is best for my Clan, and oftentimes what is best for my Clan is the direct opposite of what is best for HeronClan. It's simply natural that I wouldn't like or trust my intrinsic enemies." The tom paused momentarily as he rose to his paws slowly, pondering his next words with a look of uncharacteristic passion. When he stood on all fours he stood tall with his chest puffed and his tail sweeping behind, "However, I live and breath the warrior code." The words escaped him like an eager kit. "I would give my last bite of fresh kill to any kit, apprentice, queen, elder, or warrior who needed it. I would never murder or dispose of someone due to my own opinions." Turning his head to look at his leader, Jumpfox continued, "I've caused endless trouble to those around me for thousands of insolent reasons, but have you ever questioned my loyalty?"
Jackdawstar was, quite frankly, shocked at the speech that Jumpfox offered. It was abrupt, blunt, and for the most part Jumpfox gave the impression that the whole situation was a waste of his time. Yet when Jumpfox addressed him, Jackdawstar didn't hesitate a heartbeat in his reply. "You are the first to offer for a hunting patrol or border patrol. You spend time showing apprentices the best stalking techniques even though you've not yet been assigned an apprentice of your own. You check on the elders, and although you would never say it aloud, I've heard you report to Whiteflower that Sagetail feels stiff on more than one occasion." The black leaders eyes creased to a close and the slightest of purrs - only audible to Oakstar and Jumpfox - escaped him. "You are a strong warrior, as much as you are difficult and infuriating." His eyes opened and he turned to address the Gathering as he uttered his final statement. "I've never questioned your loyalty, Jumpfox."
Briefly, a look of unadulterated awe dressed Jumpfox's countenance. In his heart he knew Jackdawstar would say that his loyalty was unquestionable, however the extent in which Jackdawstar spoke his reply was both humbling and heartwarming. Jumpfox cleared his throat of the emotion that welled and he swung his head back to challenge the Gathering of cats below him, his leaders praise giving him a boost of confidence. When he spoke again his words did not waver. "Has anyone questioned my loyalty?"
Brightsong jumped to her paws in an instant, yowling her support for her littermate. Her green eyes shone with pride and love for her brother, her heart brimmed with emotion as she hoped that - for once - others were seeing her brother the way she did. Bramblefang exhaled a breathless laugh through closed teeth; a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. If that doesn't convince HeronClan, I don't know what will, the deputy thought silently to himself. Casting a glance to the HeronClan warriors he was sure that he could see a few nodding in agreement, though many were still unconvinced. As his fellow RippleClan clanmates jumped to their paws and spouted their support for Jumpfox, Bramblefang did the same.
Brooksong sensed, as Jumpfox spoke, a dwindling resolve among her fellow clanmates. After their initial horror and offense, the words Jumpfox spoke became... relatable, only to be further reinforced by Jackdawstar's heartfelt reply. The silence that befell the gathering after RippleClan's wave of support was one of consideration. She wanted to disagree with Jumpfox, yet how could she? For the exact reason he offered, she detested the opposing clan, but did that make her a bad warrior? As her thoughts delved deeper she found herself furling and unfurling her claws into the earth. Finally, she sighed aloud. "He's a fox-heart and a mouse-brain... but I've never truly thought he was so evil."
Whether or not her clanmates heard her, Brooksong couldn't tell. She only looked ahead as she fought the nervousness that accompanied being the first to stand up for the red RippleClan warrior.Among a crowd of seated warriors, Brooksong rose her chin and stared forward, signalling her resolve and newfound respect for the tom.
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Post by aether on Dec 14, 2021 2:46:07 GMT -5
[ also i made a little section on the frontpage where i summarized the story so far, so if you are like me and needed to catch up, it's there xD ]
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Post by parisiansteve on Dec 14, 2021 21:06:51 GMT -5
SO AMAZING OMG
!!!!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I will be on tonight to reply! <3
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Post by parisiansteve on Dec 14, 2021 23:37:28 GMT -5
CEDARPELT
sofie | twolegplace | aether
The burly ginger tom blinked in confusion at her first question. His boyish annoyance remained like an aura around him, though it had softened to a warm glow rather than a raging burn since they had first met. “I mean, yeah, among other things …” Cedarpelt mumbled in response. Before he could add any other detail, Sofie deluge of questions fell upon him like a Greenleaf monsoon. The kittypet’s thoughts tumbled unceremoniously from her maw, quicker than a mudskipper fleeing from a border patrol wading through the marshes. Brief overwhelm colored the warrior’s countenance. He was a talented warrior, sure – a skilled fighter, a reliable hunter, a loyal asset to any clan. But a teacher, he was not. And right now, fielding Sofie’s unceasing questions felt like he was forced to babysit a kit whose mother had mysteriously disappeared.
Cedarpelt drew in an exasperated breath, rolling his eyes against the barrage of brainless inquiries. When I begged Oakstar for an apprentice, this is certainly not what I meant. He hoisted himself to his feet, white-tipped tail flicking irritably behind him, low to the ground. He was sure Sofie hadn’t even noticed his change in position as she chattered away at him. Had she even headed his advice? She wanted so desperately to learn how to hunt, but seemed so utterly incapable of committing herself to any sort of charge. Just in the passing moments he’d known her, she had demonstrated more flightiness than a young starling. Cedarpelt could feel strong irritation boil within him, growing in power as he paced back and forth on the tough, Twoleg grass. Suddenly, the irritation was accompanied by acute paranoia. As the words tumbled from her mouth, Cedarpelt grew increasingly aware that the sun had now reached its highest point in the sky. They were still too near the twolegplace for his liking, and running out of daylight for Sofie to help him get far enough into the forest to comfortably escape. An itch crawled beneath his pelt: fear. He felt a coldness wash over him that quickly extinguished the exasperation Sofie’s questions had borne.
As per usual with the tom, the cocktail of emotions that coursed through his veins manifested itself in hot, seething rage. Not only was he so foolish as to go near the twolegplace in the dark of night, but it had taken him nearly half a moon for the thieving creatures to let him outside their rancid, suffocating nest. And now, as soon as I had found my ticket out of this Dark Forest on earth, this idiotic, clawless fool of a cat wants nothing more out of me than a thrill to tell her vapid little friends back in their comfortable prison! Cedarpelt felt the hair on his shoulders prickle as it rose and his heartbeat quickening with anger. Did she not understand that he was desperate?! He sunk his claws into the soft earth beneath him, refusing to look at the kittypet that stood beside him. That is, until she asked that final question….
He could have laughed. The question was amusing enough, to be sure. Let you? In the clan? He wanted to sneer at her with the most profound content he could muster. He wanted to tell her that she wouldn’t last a day – no! – a heartbeat in HeronClan. Even Heatherflight, the softest of them all, would eviscerate the kittypet, leave her for nothing. He wanted to tell her that she would be utterly useless to them, a liability even. He wanted to tell her that having her stupid mouth to feed would only be a burden on the clan, that she would steal and consume the valuable resources they needed to survive. And if the clan cats didn’t take care of her?
And he almost said all of this, truly. However, once he had whirled around in a fury, and his blazing forest green gaze met hers, the animosity that had built within him seemed to melt away like snow under the Newleaf sun. The stench of her embarrassment wafted over his senses, but more potent was her superfluous yearning. The passion that pulsed in her gaze took him aback and, for a brief moment, he thought maybe – just maybe – he could confidently tell her she’d be okay among them. There they were, suspended in this moment of mutuality. He, a disheveled, displaced, wild animal, and her, a pampered, ignorant, but insatiably curious housepet, sharing a heartbeat of emotion so strong that Cedarpelt swore his heart skipped a beat.
The ginger warrior cleared his throat as he gathered himself once more, his own embarrassment showing through. He drew in a deep breath and dropped his shoulders in a more or less resigned way. It wouldn’t hurt to answer her questions really… Especially if it got them moving faster. “Well, where to start,” he began, narrowing his eyes as he strained to remember her litany of interests. “My… name is because of the color of my fur, given to me by my mother and father. There are about thirty cats in our clan, I think, a-and we have a cat that helps everyone heal from sickness…” He trailed off again, feeling a fondness open up within him. He had never shared clan information with anyone else before; there hadn’t been anyone to share it with. There was no need. The thought brought a small smile to his countenance, and he laughed despite himself. “StarClan, well… I think that’s a bit too advanced for right now. Maybe another time.” He opted not to address Sofie’s last question – it seemed she had corrected herself effectively there. And besides, the only answer he could add would be a firm and decided no.
The warrior flicked his ears at the molly, a look of resoluteness returning to his wide features. “So, do you want to learn to hunt? Or do you want to just… chatter all day?” His gaze burned once again with his characteristic aggression. “We’re running out of time here. I have to get back, and so do you.”
[ I will have Oakstar's reply up tomorrow - sleepy and have to get up for work in the morning! But wanted to get Cedar's up! ^^ ] |
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Post by aether on Dec 15, 2021 6:35:08 GMT -5
thank you!!! <3 your post is superb, as always!
and no worries!
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Post by parisiansteve on Dec 15, 2021 22:21:50 GMT -5
Hey pal! ^^ I know I said I’d reply tonight, but I’m not feeling too great. Tomorrow it is! I’m so sorry xc Hope that is okay
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Post by aether on Dec 15, 2021 22:25:48 GMT -5
of course that's okay pari!! take care of yourself and get the rest you need! c:
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Post by aether on Dec 17, 2021 8:51:19 GMT -5
Ears pulsing with the lingering heat of her embarrassment, Sofie's overwhelming barrage of questions came to their end, allowing Cedarpelt his turn to reply. Frankly, his initial demeanor gave Sofie the impression that he would rather abandon her where they stood and begin a lonesome nomadic journey to search for his home as opposed to answer her simple - albeit many - questions. Yet to her surprise... he obliged. His tone was lacking the harsh gravelly timbre and his words were no longer chopped with impatience. He frequently took pauses in order to consider his words, stuttering infrequently when he wasn't quite decided. Sofie listened silently, her body still as a garden statue that her twolegs placed frivolously amongst the flowers they cherished. Perhaps it was all in her imagination, but when talking about his clan his eyes glowed with an emotion she'd not witnessed the wild tom express. A passion? A purpose? A love? She felt as though if she moved an inch that she might break his unforeseen trance. It was... pleasant to witness.
His lack of attention to her last question was a poignant reminder that they lived opposite lives and her question had been nothing but a kit-dream. Even so, she couldn't shake the intrigue that flickered within her heart, willing her to add more fuel to the flame so that it could grow and blaze fiercely. Could a house cat like me really live in a world such as his? Raising her chin to watch the tom, she couldn't help but notice how each of his toned muscle rippled from moons of exertion - or the scars that separated his fur in jagged manners, how many battles must he have partaken in? '...maybe another time'. The moment would come when she could ascertain whether her flame would thrive or if it would smoulder.
"You're right, we can talk whilst we walk or we should hunt, but we get no where by sitting around here all day." She fixed him with a curious gaze, "That said, you seem to think that I'll have you back to your clan before dusk but..." her ears twitched as she rose to her paws and bent to stretch her spine like a dog in play, "we've some days of travel before you'll be anywhere near the forests that are untouched by kittypets." She mentioned the route they would take and in hindsight her directions hadn't been so clear; the forest they were in now was frequently trekked by twolegs with their kits and their dogs, across the thunderpath was a forest less traveled by twolegs but it housed various other nefarious creatures and rogues. She offered him a sympathetic look as she concluded her stretch although she doubted he would appreciate the gesture.
"Why don't we get moving now? If we keep traveling now at a decent pace we would make it near the thunderpath before the sun falls, maybe then you can show me to hunt?" Her tone rose with an amused jingle and she continued, "I'll have to catch something if I want to eat so I'm sure I'll work extra hard!"
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Post by parisiansteve on Dec 17, 2021 20:54:38 GMT -5
HI
I’ve been revived
I had ~food poisoning~
I’m ready for action - will get writing in the next hour ish!
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Post by parisiansteve on Dec 17, 2021 23:28:11 GMT -5
OAKSTAR, RIVERSTRIKE, AND HERONCLAN
gathering | clans | aether
The look of pure contempt that Jumpfox threw at the calico leader boiled the blood inside her veins. She allowed a few telling lashes of her tail, but otherwise maintained her composure. There was no use in esacalating the situation. Tension had its vice grip on both of the clans before her. Putting aside her characteristic haughtiness and snark had won her a small victory in this minuscule battle - it should be enough for her. Oakstar was more than pleased when the ginger warrior dropped his gaze from hers. A small rush of triumph flourished in her chest, making the fur on her shoulders stand a bit, chuffed. But the feeling quickly dissolved when Jumpfox hoisted himself onto the dead monster. Oh, good StarClan, this was a mistake.... She gracefully moved backwards to allow room for the newfound leeader, curling her tail tightly around her paws, tip thrumming irritatedly. She allowed herself a long eyeroll when she caught a glimpse of Jackdawstar's feeble attempt at stopping the arrogant tom, heaving a deep sigh of disapproval. Oakstar threw a sidelong look at her counterpart, catching his electric gaze with her own. She offered a halfhearted shrug and clenched her jaw, settling in for whatever show the RippleClan warrior intended to put on.
Riverstrike's icy blue eyes widened in embarrassed horror as Jumpfox lept upon the dais. Hushed mumbled of awe and disapproval ripped through the crowd, spreading like wildfire amongst the HeronClan cats. "What in StarClan is he thinking...?" she hissed under her breath, straining to see Jackdawstar behind the burly tom. She spotted his charcoal pelt beside her own leader. She flinched at Oakstar's lethal glare in Jackdawstar's direction. The calico leader's lip was curled in disgust, as though she found the RippleClan leader's lack of authority humiliatingly weak. It was a curious thing, what Oakstar did. Asking Jumpfox for his side? In this political climate? HeronClan cats wanted answers, sure, but they wanted blood first. There had been ceaseless chatter about avenging Cedarpelt's alleged death by finding the culprit and offering the same demise to them. Oakstar's call to action seemed absurd, but truly for its pure rationality. Of course they should hear Jumpfox's defense. It was only fair, especially so with the lack of evidence pointing to his guilt. All HeronClan cats had to go on was hearsay and opinion. However, a change of heart was rare for Oakstar. With so much riding on this moment, Riverstrike wasn't sure what had compelled her.
Her musing were interrupted by the clear sound of Jumpfox's raised voice. His words rang against the ancient tree trunks that encircled the gather space, reverberating with an acute ring. The habitual sounds of the night seemed to cease at that moment. Crickets did not chirp, prey did not scurry about in the undergrowth, desperate to get a glikpse of their predators in a rare moment of peace. No one had ever projected that loudly in the space before, Riverstrike realized; his grandiose defiance seemed to stir the ancestors that resided among them. Even amidst the indignant yowls of HeronClan in response to his slander, the rush of the nearby river seemed to silence. It was as if the whole forest held its breath, waiting to hear Jumpfox's reasoning. It was a powerful moment, no one could deny. The warrior spoke objective truths that not even the most headstrong warrior could dent. The silver molly did a scan of her peers, and was surprised to see so many heads bobbing in approval. Even Strongwater, standing so resolutely beside his mate and daughter, seemed softened in his furor against the tom. With the knowledge of Jumpfox's innocence, the family looks almost deflated, cloaked in an uncharacteristic weariness that instantly greyed their vibrant pelts and darkened their belligerent gazes. The sight sent yet another pang of sympathy through Riverstrike's heart. Grappling with loss as they have must feel like wading through the Dark Forest in life. She couldn't imagine. Brooksong's words shook Riverstrike from her turgid stupor. Somehow, she had found her way back to the tabby's side, despite beind separated by Larkstripe at the beginning of the Gathering. She snapped her gaze to her clanmate, blinking in shock. Brooksong was among the most dogmatic in HeronClan, alongside Cherrynose and Cedarpelt themselves, despite their personal differences. Warm relief spread through Riverstrike's body, and a small smile danced across her features. She gave her kithood friend an affectionate tap on the shoulder with her tail, though the familial gesture was not without a sidelong glance that said Told you so.
Oakstarstood stoic on the dead monster, her bright yellow gaze narrowed against Jumpfox's words. It was a moving speech, she'd give him that. Even if he did disrespect my entire clan outright. The calico molly sent a look to Jackdawstar once more, before throwing her gaze back out across the clans before them. A strange feeling rippled through her as she saw the shining eyes of her clanmates. Their newfound respect for Jumpfox, though begrudging, did seem genuine. Her brow furrowed briefly against the discovery. For so long, HeronClan had made itself known as the clan of uninhibited aggression and sycophantic loyalty. It had been their charge since the dawn of their clan. Was it so easily abandoned in favor for a snake-tongued fool whose innocence was still not yet won? Oakstar turned the thought over in her mind for a few long heartbeats. Jumpfox hadn't necessarily proven anything with his words. His potential guilt still tugged at her heart and questions burned on her tongue. Where were you the night he disappeared? Can anyone account for your alibi? How do we know you're not just trying to throw us off your trail? These inquiries spun chaotically in her conscience, grabbing her attention for a brief moment. She looked once again out into the crowd of cats before her, and then again at the ginger tom, still standing defiantly on the dais before she and Jackdawstar. A sense of calm had descended over the Gathering place now. Murmurs of approval had replaced whispers of contempt. Unity had replaced deceit. Hope has replaced despair. A brief glance at the sky revealed a break in the thick clouds that had lingered above them all evening, revealing the cold brightness of the stars. Moonlight broke over the clans, washing the scene in a pale silver light and, just like that, something moved within her. Oakstar briefly closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. For everything she was, she was not one to ignore the signs of their ancestors. She muscled her way to stand beside Jumpfox, her shoulder brushing slightly against his, half a symbol of solidarity and half a signal for him to get his tail off of the dias. Her electric gaze locked with his, her intense emotion reflected in their depths. "So the truth has been laid bare," she projected, her regal voice soaring above the crowd. "Jumpfox, despite his characteristic insufferability" - she said the words slowly, almost through gritted teeth - "is not to be the target of our hostilities in this matter." The leader turned to Jackdawstar, her countenance sincere. "In the interest of our newfound allegiance..." she began, clearing her throat. "What do you say to a joint effort? We might be able to find him if both RippleClan and HeronClan look together." Oakstar drew in another breath, averting her gaze for a moment, before returning her eyes to meet his. "I know now that we would do it for you, if one of your own suffered a similar fate."
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Post by parisiansteve on Dec 17, 2021 23:28:49 GMT -5
[ I'll have cedar up tomorrow - time for sleep! ]
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Post by aether on Dec 18, 2021 8:21:19 GMT -5
[ food poisoning is the worst! D: glad you are feeling better now though!
i'm heading to bed now! have work tomorrow so my reply won't be up for a lil' bit! i hope you have slept well! ^-^ ]
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Post by parisiansteve on Dec 21, 2021 16:56:46 GMT -5
Sorry I haven’t been on! I’ll have my Cedar reply up tonight!
Also, thinking about how to introduce the disaster the Clans face prior to Cedar’s return. What do you think about a joint HeronClan and RippleClan patrol searching for Cedarpelt (if they agree to cooperate, of course!) and a big storm hits. I can’t remember if we chose to do flood or fire?
Either way, I know I want Larkstripe to die and Oakstar to lose all of her lives but 2 or so, so she can’t appoint Brooksong deputy. Does that sound good?
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Post by aether on Dec 21, 2021 22:08:03 GMT -5
all good!
I think we chose to do fire? But yeah, I envision the two clans sending out the mixed patrol and we could say that there is a storm. There's not rain by there lightning and thunder, and the lightning strikes a tree which cause a fire. Alternatively, the fire could just random (like a piece of litter in the forest that reflects the sun like a magnifying glass and causes a fire).
And yeah! That sounds good to me! And then we will have the two clans stay together for a lil while which is stressful for JackdawxRiver, especially with the rise of evil Shadethorn >:C I still love the idea of Cedarpelt, Bramblefang, and Jumpfox being the trio who saves the day though xD
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Post by parisiansteve on Dec 21, 2021 22:41:09 GMT -5
[ BRUH I ALMOST FORGOT ABOUT SHADETHORN... I gotta find out how to slip him in there. I'll make it work. Thinking that he maybe saw Jackdaw and River the same night Cedarpelt did?
Love the trio idea ~ <3
Hmmm. What do you think would be best? Random or storm? I like the chaos of the storm because it makes it a bit more dramatic. What if lightning struck one of the trees at the Gathering place? But the slow burn of the random fire could make for some really interesting like bystander moments. Thoughts?
Getting cozy and will start writing! ]
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Post by aether on Dec 21, 2021 22:56:28 GMT -5
[ HAHAHA I mean we haven't done much with him xD his time to shine will happen! I thought that maybe before the fire he'd been noticing Jackdawstar disappear more than usual, and after the fire his suspicions are confirmed when he catches Jackdaw and River(from a distance) being cushy. He starts formulating his plan of getting Bramblefang removed from deputy so he can claim it himself (and also his plan to remove Jackdaw, too). He plays Jackdawstar like a puppet, so the unlikely trio come in with their detective work to save RippleClan from Shadethorn xD
I think maybe random? That way the cats are caught by complete surprise and they are even more frantic when the fire comes near. If there is a storm they may be on-edge, but with nothing they are completely thrown off.
Yay! C: take ya time! ]
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Post by parisiansteve on Dec 21, 2021 23:22:17 GMT -5
CEDARPELT
twolegplace | sofie | aether
Cedarpelt felt his heart sink into his stomach. Did she say... days? The thought took the color from his eyes and deflated his ego once again. He felt suddenly like a baby sparrow, flinging itself from its nest day after day, desperate to capture the wind under its wings. His characteristic hubris, rearing its ugly head every chance it got. A pang of resentment flashed hotly through the tabby tom. He was growing quite weary of being humbled by this soft kittypet, sure. But his annoyance grew as he felt some foreign sense of awareness materialize a caricature of himself that he rather disliked. The warrior's ears pinned back onto his head in response to both his newfound sense of self-deprecation and the discovery that the journey was quite a bit longer than he had realized. In hindsight, the area to which Sofie had led them was very different from the forests he knew back home. The grass beneath his paws was tough and matted. The foliage reeked of twoleg monsters and dogs. In fact, the whole clearing - a word used generously in this sense - was swamped in the acrid smell of foreign dangers; you could even still see the angular shapes of twoledg dense above the trees in the distance. Why he hadn't noticed those surroundings before, Cedarpelt did not know. Confusion and frustration replaced the shock and annoynace that had held a place on the stage of his countenance, playing their part dutifully as second act.
The tom heaved a heavy, haggard sigh, lifting his burly frame to standing. His ears swiveled instinctively as he scanned the area for any sounds of approaching danger, his calws unsheathed and sunk into the dry, well-traveled dirt beneath him. His deep green gaze swept the small area, resting under a furrowed brow. Once he had assessed their position, his vision found Sofie. It was the first time he'd truly regarded her since they left his twoleg prison. It was also the first time he truly realized how their physical forms must betray their polar opposite lives. Her white and brown mottled fur was soft and shiny, glistening in the near Greenleaf sunlight. Her features were full and rounded, representing her access to the food and nourishment her twolegs no doubt provided for her in abundance. A shiver snaked down his spine as he remembered the soft, sick-smelling crowfood they tried to feed him when he had been locked in their cages. Nevertheless, it was clear Sofie had never known - perhaps had never even imagined - life outside her twoleg universe. Nothing about her was weathered or worn; even her pawpads showed supple, unbroken pink skin. At first, Cedarpelt wanted to scoff at her greenness. It was pathetic, really, thinking of her trying out clan life. He couldn't even conjure the image of her wading through the marsh to go on patrol or rolling in mud to conceal her scent. He could have laughed, but he didn't. Because for all Sofie was - an ignorant, cocksure, naïve kittypet - she was also undeniably determined, relentlessly curious, and downright... brave. A sheepish feeling crawled into Cedarpelt's stomach, but he quickly pushed it away with a brief flick of his tail. To her, he must have appeared absolutely feral, with his scars, knicks, and corse fur. Any average kittypet would have recoiled at his presence and mocked him with disdain. But Sofie... Sofie was different.
"We can hunt near dusk. We'll both be hungry by then," started the displaced warrior, clearing his throat against his inner thoughts. "Lead the way, I guess." By the gruffness of his voice, it was clear Cedarpelt was trying to conceal his softening toward Sofie. Whatever nascent feelings of affection or admiration beginning to blossom inside of him were frighreningly new to him - he had never felt this way about another cat before, not ever in his short, but albeit varied, life. More terrifying than the feelings, however, would be their discovery. It appeared that, even without the clan around him, he still clung desperately to his reputation as an unfeeling individual.
[ oof a little rough today - my apologies xc ] |
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Post by parisiansteve on Dec 21, 2021 23:24:30 GMT -5
[ luv this ~
Random sounds good to me! c: I'll introduce Shadethorn (in some way xD) in the next post. Hopefully I'll be a little more artful than I am today with it, so it can flow somewhat seemlessly...
YAY okay i'm excited to get started on this part of the plot. I feel like it could really advance things and make it even more interesting!
A THOUGHT: what if River and Jackdaw exchange some sort of brief affectionate moment after the Gathering we are closing up here, Shadethorn witnesses it, and that's how he's introduced. Then, we go onto the patrol (maybe he can be on it?), start the fire, and we can roll him through from there? ]
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Post by aether on Dec 22, 2021 19:43:03 GMT -5
[ Yes! I agree, I'm really keen to get to that side of the plot. I'm super keen for Cedarpelt and Sofie to walk back into the camp and it just be like:
Yes! Get some adorbz Jackdaw x River moments and add to the plot. I like ya style, Pari c;
I hope to get something up after work tonight! ]
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Post by aether on Dec 23, 2021 7:36:09 GMT -5
[ i lied, my reply will be tomorrow xD work was too crazy and my brain isn't creative rn ]
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Post by parisiansteve on Dec 23, 2021 9:02:59 GMT -5
Completely understandable, my dear! Take your time. Have a good rest ~ c:
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Post by aether on Dec 24, 2021 8:38:10 GMT -5
Jackdawstar
- With - [Oakstar ; Jumpfox ; HeronClan ; RippleClan ]
- Location - [ Gathering ]
- Tag - [ parisiansteve ]
To say that Jackdawstar felt relieved would be an understatement. The anxiety that clawed at his sides worse than any wound from the countless battles he'd partaken in resided, returning to it's dormant state until it would crawl back into his chest at another inconvenient time. He was able to breath easier and relished in the sensation as his lungs filled with the crisp evening air. It rejuvenated his limbs and his spirits to the point where he felt as though he could race through every inch of the territories in order to find Cedarpelt if needed. The sooner we bring that hot-headed tom home, the happier we'll all be! Jackdawstar always considered himself impartial to the notorious HeronClan warrior, hence he'd never thought he'd be so happy to ever see the tom again. Alas, he knew one thing: peace amongst the clans was imperative. He knew what he was truly fighting for, even if it came with a pang of shame, because he knew what he was fighting for something he shouldn't. As Oakstar spoke, addressing both clans and then Jumpfox, Jackdawstar let his gaze sweep over the array of cats until they found what they were searching for. Riverstrike shone with happiness and relief alike - no doubt just as glad as he to avoid a battle - and her blue pelt shone silver under the moonlight. Jackdawstar felt his pelt heat with a blush from the sight and turned his head to focus on Oakstar as his heart skipped a beat from his undeniable limerence.
Jumpfox nimbly jumped from the dais, his ears still ringing with the chants of praise. He sat beside Bramblefang, his bristled pelt radiated his excitement and satisfaction at having been able to clear his name of the false accusations. His ego inflated like a balloon, yet before he could float away with it, Oakstar's harsh words popped it. Characteristic insufferability?! His whiskers twitched. "She's one to talk about being insufferable..." he mumbled under his breath, earning a gentle shoulder nudge from Bramblefang. The tabby deputy looked more amused than serious, not even bothering to turn his head and address Jumpfox. The casual and light-hearted way in which Bramblefang distracted Jumpfox allowed the red tom to melt his own annoyance into amusement, and he turned his head upwards to listen as Oakstar addressed Jackdawstar once more.
Atop the dais, Jackdawstar nodded to Oakstar. His owl-like eyes shone seriously at the suggestion of a joint patrol. However her next sentence momentarily took him aback. It only lasted a heartbeat, and he resigned to believing her. For many moons they had disagreed and had tensions, but would she turn her back on him if he needed help? He had no other option but to assume she would; he had nothing to gain from thinking that they wouldn't help if RippleClan needed it.
"A joint patrol, then." He paused thoughtfully, "Lets say at dawn? There's no point sending cats now in the darkness, but at dawn we can have four cats from either clan meet at Flat Stones. The cats will form two patrols with two HeronClan warriors and two RippleClan warriors, and each patrol can search either territory." Straightening his posture, he let his tail sweep over the monster and curl over his paws. "I'll accompany my warriors as this is a serious matter. I'll also send my best tracker; Whiskerflick. My fastest thinker; Cloudswirl. And one who never tires... Jumpfox." It was a strategic decision to send the ginger tom - an added gesture to show the HeronClan cats how dedicated RippleClan and Jumpfox would be to finding HeronClan's lost warrior.
For each warrior Jackdawstar named, they seemed to sit straighter with pride, eyes aglow at having been purposely picked and praised within the same sentence. Whiskerflick lashed his tail with energetic excitement, whilst Cloudswirl bent to swipe her tongue purposefully across her luxurious white chest. Beside her, Greystorm - her mate - murmured sweet praises into her ear. Jumpfox seemed the only warrior to not express such pride and excitement. His dark green eyes gleamed knowingly, only expressing determination.
Turning to Oakstar, Jackdawstar finished; "Let us know who we can expect to meet at Flat Stones tomorrow, and then I think this meeting can be adjourned, if there's nothing more you'd like to add."
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Post by aether on Dec 24, 2021 8:38:56 GMT -5
[ will post sofie's tomorrow! was another long day at work but tomorrow is christmas and i plan on chillin' alllllllll day Cx ]
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Post by parisiansteve on Dec 24, 2021 10:10:11 GMT -5
no worries at all! Wishing you and your loved ones a happy & healthy holidays and Merry Christmas! Jealous of your summer weather down there - beats our chilly gloom over here cx
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Post by aether on Dec 25, 2021 1:15:08 GMT -5
 Sofie
- With - [ Cedarpelt ]
- Location - [ Outside Twolegplace ]- Tag - [ parisiansteve ]
There was a look of sympathy smeared over Sofie's countenance as the light drained from Cedarpelt's green gaze. Perhaps she'd been too frank in her communication, though she didn't regret informing him of the truth. It was an interesting combination as she expressed empathy for the tom - she, an unassuming kittypet, indicating pity for the wildcat. Yet she did not have a condescending nature, her pity was not ill-placed, she was approaching from a place of understanding. He wanted to go home, back to his family and his friends, to his clan. Sofie glanced down at her paws briefly, watching her claws as they unsheathed and stabbed into the leaf litter. She wished that she could feel so strongly about having a home of her own. Her nest within the twoleg's den was not something she yearned to return to at the end of the journey, though she knew she couldn't invite herself to join this clan that Cedarpelt so desperately wanted to return too. Sofie let out a brief sigh and snapped her head back to look at the rugged ginger tom, nodding as he spoke, hearing the rasp to his words. "Yes, let's go."
She did not hesitate as she started hastily into the undergrowth. There was no effort made to take care and quieten her steps or scent for potential dangers ahead. As she trod forward, her mind raced with other thoughts. Maybe I can start my own life out here. If Cedarpelt shows me how to hunt maybe I... maybe I can live by myself! Although she did not speak her mind, as they traversed the landscape, her body seemed to unconsciously repeat her thoughts. Starting initially with a swagger as she considered being able to survive alone, then stepped timidly as she doubted her own efforts, only to end with her stepping forward with a newfound confidence. Like a book, her emotions were laid bare in ever fiber of her muscle, free for anyone to read and interpret however they chose. I suppose if I learn enough about these Clans I may even be able to form my own Clan of sorts, that way I won't be by myself. I'll have to ask him more about it, her head tilted thoughtfully.
The trek stretched onward and onward, seemingly endless and filled with only the sounds of the forest. A bird overhead would send a shrill cry as it took off into the sky to preemptively protect itself as it watched the two cats approach. A few times Sofie would jump with fright at the sudden rustles of the bushes as a mouse or other critter would scurry back to it's home. As the sun surpassed midday and began to sink behind the displaced felines, casting a dull orange light over the forest, a scent wafted through the forest, causing Sofie to crinkle her nose in distaste. She knew exactly where they were.
"The blackpath is ahead. If we stop around here for the night we can start the journey over the other side tomorrow." She turned her head to look at Cedarpelt, her gaze locking with his earnestly. Her stomach was beginning to yowl with hunger, hitting her with painful pangs as punishment for not providing it with sustenance. She'd not wanted to stop her brisk pace, her determination to reach the blackpath - or thunderpath, as Cedarpelt knew it - was resilient. Turning her head, she could see the blackpath through a break in the undergrowth. Gulping quietly, she knew one thing: beyond the blackpath was a land unsafe for kittypets. Initially she had planned to part ways with Cedarpelt here but... glancing at the tom from the corner of her eyes she determined she would not leave yet. Even though she did not know the way from here, she simply couldn't turn back now. Freedom had been an idea inserted into her brain, it sent a trill through her spine, she yearned the chase the feeling. "It sounds like there's plenty of prey around here," she murmured quietly.
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Nov 21, 2024 15:09:07 GMT -5
Nov 21, 2024 15:09:07 GMT -5
