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Post by parisiansteve on Jan 14, 2022 11:05:25 GMT -5
amazin - as always, take your time <3 thank u do much for your patience c:
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Post by parisiansteve on Jan 19, 2022 21:44:38 GMT -5
hey there - hope all is well! Just check-in in on the thread here. will get my other reply up soon!
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Post by aether on Jan 21, 2022 4:35:13 GMT -5
Sorry I lied about when I would reply xD I'm going to try and write it up over the weekend! Thanks for being patient <3
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Post by parisiansteve on Jan 21, 2022 15:55:40 GMT -5
no worries! take as long as you need, I'm here when you return! <3
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Post by aether on Jan 26, 2022 7:24:51 GMT -5
hopefully this friday or saturday! that's what i'm aiming for xD thank you for being cool, as always <3
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Post by parisiansteve on Jan 27, 2022 23:26:33 GMT -5
not a problem friend! hope you’re taking some time for rest! anytime is totally fine w me ~ c:
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Post by aether on Jan 29, 2022 8:07:50 GMT -5
[ i have started my replies but i need to sleep xD so tomorrow they'll be up, fo sure! <3 ]
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Post by aether on Jan 30, 2022 0:30:08 GMT -5
Jackdawstar
- With - [ Oakstar ; Swandance ; Stoneleap ; Brooksong ; Whiskerflick ; Jumpfox ; Cloudswirl] - Location - [ Flat Stones ] - Tag - [ parisiansteve ]
Flat Stones was a destination that elicited several emotions within Jackdawstar's chest. Firstly, there was a sensation of youth and love; it made his paws feel as though he trod on clouds instead of stone. It was followed by a dampening sense of guilt, returning his stance back to the cold surface beneath him. Finally, as he lifted his chin and pushed through the bushes to approach the awaiting HeronClan patrol, he felt responsibility. It plucked the emotions from his heart and hugged them together leaving the raven coloured tom with a gnawing sense of warmth that was bothered by a gnawing anxiety. No one could know that this place was where he met frequently with a certain blue HeronClan warrior. He inhaled a steady breath through his maw. Today, he was to aid his clan in proving their dedication and innocence to the other clan. He waved his tail in silent greeting as he stopped before the other patrol. He could see the excitement radiating from Swandance - a young warrior that Jackdawstar knew from when she was apprentice. He recalled how small and wide-eyed she'd been at her first Gathering, seeing her now brought a small smile to his lips. Turning his head he watched Brooksong who sat watching with serious eyes, then to Stoneleap who watched coolly.
Thankfully, Oakstar was quick to begin the conversation. He returned the respectful duck of his head, as did the rest of the patrol, albeit Jumpfox did so awkwardly. As Oakstar explained her plan, Jackdawstar nodded, "Sounds like a good idea," he chipped in as she paused. "I will keep Jumpfox with me, but Whiskerflick and Cloudswirl will join your patrol." It seemed most logical to keep Jumpfox in his patrol to avoid having an unexpected outburst with the HeronClan leader.
Whiskerflick trod forward and waved his tail in greeting, smiling brightly, "Let's do our best!" He announced as he settled into his patrol with Oakstar and Swandance. Cloudswirl followed quietly, despite being a talented warriors she wasn't able to hide her nervousness as she perched beside her tabby clanmate.
"I'll take my patrol through my territory and we'll see what we can find near the borders. Let's meet back here before sunset." A wave of his bushy black tail swept his patrol into action, and Jackdawstar moved back into the forest.
***
The day wore on with little to show for it. The patrol had scoured the RippleClan borders and found no trace of the ginger HeronClan tom; though this was no surprise to Jackdawstar. If they'd noticed traces of him previously they would have acted, however no border patrol since his disappearance had mentioned the scent of Cedarpelt near the border. The patrol came to a stop at the far end of the RippleClan border and Jackdawstar heaved a long sigh. He opened his mouth to speak but was swiftly interrupted.
"Well he isn't here, so why don't we look outside of the territory? Do you think he's hiding in RippleClan territory and keeping it secret for fun?" Jumpfox snorted and stomped forward over the border, "If he's missing he must be out there somewhere."
Jackdawstar flicked his ears sheepishly, "Uh - yes, I just wanted to-" exhaust our territory as an option before expanding the search. It was important for him to show the HeronClan warriors that they truly were not involved in the disappearance of Cedarpelt.
"For once that mousebrain is right! If Cedarpelt got muddled with rogues he wouldn't be on either clans territories." Ignoring Jumpfox's snarl at the insult, Brooksong strode forward. "We should go out and find rogues. We can ask them if they've seen him."
While she had a point, Jackdawstar began to shake his head. We cannot risk interacting with rogues, they might think we are weak or in trouble. He wanted to say.
Jumpfox audibly scoffed, "Now you're the mousebrain! Go ask rogues? Why don't we invite them into camp to share tongues too?! Give them an apprentice while we're at it?!"
Jackdawstar whipped his head back, suddenly lost from the conversation. His nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply. Smoke? Scanning his surroundings slowly, he honed his senses, ears swiveling like radars on his skull. Crackling... smoke... StarClan... please don't do this! Turning his attention back to the patrol, Jackdawstar's voice split through the quarrel. "I smell fire!" The words struck like lightning, earning him the attention of each cat. "Brooksong," Jackdawstar set his bright yellow eyes on the cinnamon coloured tom, "I need you to run back to Oakstar. Tell her that there's a fire; the patrol is over." There was a pause. "Now!" Jackdawstar snapped sternly, and tabby molly took off like a rocket through the undergrowth. "Jumpfox, Stoneleap, we need to find where the fire is. The wind is blowing the smoke towards us, let's follow it." His eyes glimmered with concern as he left words unsaid. The camp was also down-wind; would they be in the path of unforgiving flames?
Petty argument now forgotten, the two warriors before him nodded solemnly. "Come on!" Jackdawstar sprang forward towards the scent of smoke, his body stretching with each stride in an attempt to maximize his speed. Prey was scuttling away as his paws thrummed over the earth, the sounds of desperate bird-calls growing louder and louder as the scent of smoke become so thick it was sickening.
Please be okay!
[ i did ittttttt!! xD ]
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Post by aether on Jan 31, 2022 22:07:58 GMT -5
Okay I just started learning pixel art and I still very new and therefore not good, but I did Jackdawstar and Riverstrike Cx (I tried to do different poses so Riverstrike looks a lil wacky but it was good practice I think!)
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Post by parisiansteve on Feb 1, 2022 23:18:55 GMT -5
OH MY STARS LOOK AT THOSE CATS !!!!!!! i'm geekin, those are so amazing <3 I think they look lovely!
Oh hey, also, this week is quite busy for me so my replies will be up ~at some point~ - this is our vibe now I feel xD
A few housekeeping things though. I do need some brainstorming help:
1. Do we wanna time skip Cedar and Sofie? So that they can arrive in the aftermath of the chaos? I'm sorry for slacking on his response. I feel like it's a good time to move them along.
2. With my reply to the fire situation, what do you think will be most logical? I know I want Larkstripe to die and Oakstar to lose another life and be severely injured because of the fire. Should I send her to go help the RippleClan camp? I don't know how she'd get injured otherwise. I was going to have Oakstar send Brooksong back to camp to warn the others and prepare. But how could I get Larkstripe over there? What are your thoughts?
3. Shadethorn. I'm having trouble weaving him into the narrative. The original idea was to have him intervene and insert himself between Bramblefang and Jackdawstar. Should we just wait for that to happen when RippleClan and HeronClan are sharing a camp so Shadethorn can blackmail Jackdaw? Again, let me know your thoughts ^^
So excited that we're moving into the thick of the plot cx
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Post by aether on Feb 3, 2022 5:27:21 GMT -5
hahaha thank you!! <3
~at some point~ is fine by me, i'll be getting back into classes at the end of the month so let's just do replies when we can and when we enjoy it, that way we won't get burnt out Cx i'll always look forward to your replies no matter when they are posted!
1. I think so! Traveling can become a bit monotonous and tiresome to RP, so I think skipping them for now and focusing more on the Clans plot is fine!
2. Since Stoneleap is still with the RippleClan cats, Oakstar could opt to go in order to a) check on the RippleClan cats and make sure they are okay but also b ) be there for her warrior. When Brooksong goes back to camp perhaps she can tell Larkstripe what's happening and he feels as though he needs to go support his leader, so he goes to help. This leaves Brooksong 'in charge' while everyone gets a bit frazzled and unsettled and maybe it can show a bit more of her leadership qualities, making it so that when she is chosen as deputy others are more content with that idea?
3. I think Shadethorn can wait until the two clans are stuck together. That way he'll have an edge to Jackdawstar because the situation is already a mess AND now Jackdawstar is being blackmailed.
Same! >:3
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Post by parisiansteve on Feb 8, 2022 23:50:44 GMT -5
here i am c:
Thank you for working through that with me. I love the ideas here - i appreciate your creative mind. Yes, putting Brooksong in charge will definitely push her into the deputy role and confirm/affirm Oakstar's trust in her.
I will try to get my replies up in the next two days!! ^^
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Post by aether on Feb 13, 2022 4:54:36 GMT -5
c:
Haha thank you! I think we come up with some pretty awesome stuff together ^^
Also, no rush at all. I'm currently doing study and will only continue to get busier when uni starts, so take your time. I hope you're doing well <3
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Post by parisiansteve on Feb 14, 2022 11:10:34 GMT -5
hello friend <3
Sorry to break promises AGAIN! This week is lightening up with work and graduate study. I’ll be able to reply soon!!
Happy Valentine’s Day! c:
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Post by aether on Feb 18, 2022 6:45:27 GMT -5
that's okay pari! no stress at all ^U^ i hope you're doing well with your work and study! taking time for yourself when you need it <3
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Post by parisiansteve on Feb 18, 2022 17:40:49 GMT -5
I’m on me way home from work soon - looking to get my replies up tonight ^^
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Post by aether on Feb 20, 2022 8:56:46 GMT -5
[ no worries C: no rush, just when you are feeling in the mood for it ^^ ]
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Post by parisiansteve on Feb 22, 2022 11:37:04 GMT -5
[ posting tonight FOR SURE after I finish my homework - see you then ^^ ]
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Post by parisiansteve on Feb 23, 2022 0:55:07 GMT -5
OAKSTAR, SWANDANCE, & OTHERS heronclan & rippleclan territory | aether | jackdawstar, whiskerflick, cloudswirl, brooksong & others
Stoneleap’s amber eyes grew as big as moons at Jackdawstar’s discovery. The cinnamon-colored tom exchanged an anxious glance with Brooksong, and quickly wished her good luck, before racing off after Jumpfox and the RippleClan leader. As the trio ripped through the forest, the stench of smoke grew stronger and stronger. Each passing stride brought them closer to a sight too horrific for the tom to imagine.
--
The sun beat down heavily upon the patrolling cats as they moved through the HeronClan marsh. The gentle stirring of the wind moved the cattails and the reeds about in a pleasant swishing manner, their stalks running against one another like reaching fingers. Normally, the silence that surrounded them would be broken by the low croaking of toads and frogs, or the long calls of the blue herons that gave the clan its name. And yet, all was still. Oakstar felt a deep discomfort at the state of their territory. By this time of year, the cicadas would be emerging from their underground cocoons and filling the air with their incessant drone. The various species of birds that lived in this region would be weaving a symphonic melody. But all the seasoned leader felt was the silence – heavy on them, like the sun’s heat.
Swandance, the young snow-white warrior, trudged determinedly behind her leader. The molly had her nose to the air, faithfully fulfilling her duty as the tracker she was brought along to be. However, her efforts had been to no avail. Her light grey eyes had darkened significantly since the beginning of the patrol, her shoulders falling more and more with each unsuccessful portion “I just don’t get how a cat like Cedarpelt could simply… disappear,” she lamented, her voice a mumbled meow, tinged with frustration, sadness, and anxiety. Truthfully, she was desperate to do right by Oakstar. It wasn’t enough that she’d been selected for such an honor she had to perform well, too. Swandance’s ear pricked toward her leader, awaiting a response, but the tortoiseshell matriarch simply moved forward with her dark eyes trained on the steps before her. The white warrior exchanged a brief glance with her RippleClan counterparts, Whiskerflick and Cloudswirl, before shrugging her shoulders in dismissal.
Oakstar’s mind seemed in a distant place. Something isn’t right. The leader did a brief scan of the area around her, opening her maw to taste the air. There was the deep, decaying must of the marshland first. It was acrid and wet, but it was home. Something she could easily filter out. There was the faintest taste of prey and beast; foxes had been in this area not too long ago, although their scent was growing stale. But there was something else, some stinging taste that lingered on her tongue. It was coming from the east, where RippleClan territory resided. It moved on the wind, growing and shrinking with each gust that traveled through. It was getting stronger, stronger, but she couldn’t quite place it…
Before the molly could process it, a rustling in the reeds snatched her attention. The leader halted abruptly, signaling for her patrol to do the same. Swandance was also shook from her stupor, exchanging another look with Whiskerflick and Cloudswirl. Oakstar’s claws came unsheathed in preparation before catching Brooksong’s scent. The tabby molly burst through the marshland wildlife; her eyes were bright with alarm.
Suddenly, it all connected. The silence, the scent, the eerie feeling… Brooksong needn’t say a word. “There’s a fire in RippleClan territory,” the leader’s voice was calm, authoritative. Her vivid green gaze pulsed with determination. Her resolve was almost militaristic. That is, until it registered who was missing. Stoneleap! Oakstar’s eyes widened. The veteran warrior left behind a pregnant queen, Rainberry, who was expecting kits in the next moon. Her heart pounded with fear, her throat briefly gripped with anxiety. “Swandance, Brooksong – go back to camp. Tell Larkstripe and the others. Have the apprentices help Heatherflight gather herbs, but only close to our camp.” Oakstar paused for a moment, giving her tail one flick. “The marsh should protect the camp but… Get the kits, elders, and queens somewhere safe. Use any spare warriors." As much as she tried to fight it, the molly’s voice quavered just the slightest. “Cloudswirl, Whiskerflick – come with me.”
And with that, Oakstar bolted into the reeds. Her bounds took her through the shallow murk of the marshland, Whiskerflick and Cloudswirl by her side. Her heart pounded in her ears, anxiety coursing through her veins at the thought of losing another warrior. As Cloudswirl’s pelt briefly brushed against hers as they moved swiftly across the river and into RippleClan’s territory, she remembered the white molly had a family of her own. Oakstar sent a desperate plea up to the heavens above them. StarClan, please let everyone be okay.
As if in cruel answer, the trio ran into a wall of thick, acrid smoke. It burned Oakstar’s eyes as she struggled to maintain her speed through the conditions, filling her throat and her nostrils with a stinging pain. As they approached the camp, a searing heat enveloped the cats. “Stay close!” The leader choked to her colleagues. The end of her words, however, were interrupted by a series of cracks and pops. Just yards in front of them rolled violent flames, engulfing trees in red and orange. Oakstar reared back, eyes wide in horror. She turned to face the warriors with her. “Get me to the entrance! We have to find Jackdawstar and the others!” Although her voice had regained its composure, fear squeezed the molly’s heart as she followed the warriors to their camp.
The sight was abhorrent. They snaked their way through what was left of the entrance to RippleClan’s camp, the heat from the surrounding flames growing more and more unbearable by the minute. The clan was frantic. Warriors were shouting orders, shuffling kits and queens from their nests and out the back of the camp, where the flames had not yet creeped. Apprentices were guiding elders through the same way. It was chaos. Out of the corner of her eye, Oakstar caught the jet black pelt of her counterpart. “Jackdawstar!” she called over the crowd. Along with Jumpfox, Stoneleap was beside him, launching into action. Relief washed over the leader; he was okay for now. Her long legs carried her swiftly over to the patrol, newfound determination in her vivid green gaze. “How can we help?”
[ okay it is nearly midnight here and I have work in the morning, so I’ll get Cedar’s up tomorrow. Sorry for the quality on this one – but hey, it’s done! Thank you so much for your patience <3 ]
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Post by aether on Feb 23, 2022 6:47:23 GMT -5
[ it's amazing as always <3
i hope you have a good day at work tomorrow! ^^ ]
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Post by aether on Feb 26, 2022 7:56:16 GMT -5
[ I'll hope to have my reply up in the next few days. I feel like it's okay to take a bit longer for our rps - not only because we tend to be busy but because i like to put more effort than usual for this one Cx so ye, for here and roots i'll post replies in the next few days! ]
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Post by parisiansteve on Feb 26, 2022 10:10:47 GMT -5
[ I totally get it! c: I agree. I like to put more into this one, like a book kind of. Whenever you get to it is totally fine! <3 I’ll be around for like planning and check in and stuff, I’m still working on the Cedar one - trying to figure out the direction to take it! ]
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Post by parisiansteve on Mar 1, 2022 9:38:48 GMT -5
love post - just to keep it alive
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Post by parisiansteve on Mar 8, 2022 21:08:00 GMT -5
checkin in again
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Post by aether on Mar 11, 2022 3:57:54 GMT -5
[ sorry! back and uni and just got a new job (finally a job in the tech field - super happy!) so been busy Cx thanks for keepin' 'er alive x3 ]
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Post by aether on Mar 11, 2022 7:31:26 GMT -5
Jackdawstar
- With - [ Oakstar ; Jumpfox ; Stoneleap ] - Location - [ RippleClan Camp ] - Tag - [ parisiansteve ]
A story often retold by his littermate, Drizzlefur, was that they had been born in the coldest leafbare that the clans had ever seen. The leafbare came with unprecedented prey-shortages and in its wake, the death of many cats from starvation and illness alike. Drizzlefur has been an exuberant kit - a stark contrast to the quiet and introverted Jackdawstar, at the time - who’d yearned without rest to explore the territory or play with bone-thin, exhausted warriors. Jackdawstar had preferred the warmth of his mothers pelt, familiar with each protruding part of her skeletal anatomy, feeling safe and at ease when he was surrounded by the heat that came from one he trusted.
However, in recent moons, they’d been suffering from one of the hottest greenleaf’s he’d ever lived through. There were days where hunting and patrolling were mammoth efforts against the simmering blanket of the sun. A sensation he loved so dearly had turned into one that he quickly despised - heat was now a threat to his clan. He would cross his own camp and watch as his nieces and nephews - now only a few moons - would tumble over exhausted, heat-sick warriors.
Jackdawstar’s paws thrummed over a territory so familiar that he needn’t check where he placed his feet. The overwhelming scent of smoke burned into his lungs, causing his heart to drop with fear; the scent was becoming stronger the closer they were to RippleClan camp. Tumbling black clouds piled atop each other, climbing out past the treetops and into the sky, but also filling every crevice within the forest, spilling carcinogenic fog that stung at Jackdawstar’s eyes and made his nose curl at its prickly heat in his nose.
Pure instinct was able to lead the leader back to his clan. Jumpfox and Stoneleap by his flanks, Jackdawstar blinked against ash and smog, squinting his eyes in an attempt to alleviate the sting. At the camp, he was able to see the reach of the fire. It’s grappling arms wrapped around trees like suffocating vines, eating at the large trunks like mere kindling. If it weren’t for the smoke, Jackdawstar undoubtedly would have stared mouth ajar with shock. Now was not the time to be stunned like a captured piece of prey. Thankfully, the clan had taken it upon themselves to begin evacuating; he could hear the sounds of his deputy calling for all apprentices to stay by their mentors' sides. Through the thick air, he watched Greystorm nudge a fear-stricken Sedgetail towards the withering remains of the camp entrance. Before he had the chance to jump into action, Oakstar’s voice caught his attention. Whipping around, his surprise was freely showing on his countenance. As he took in her question, Whiskerflick and Cloudswirl bounded past and delved into the hysteria.
Her question had too many answers. Jackdawstar blinked at her momentarily, mouth moving wordlessly until Jumpfox shouldered forward. “First we need to get out here - but we can’t just go anywhere.” The ginger tom's voice was rough, all moisture in his mouth having been sucked out of the lapping heatwaves and intoxicating smoke.
Nodding quickly, Jackdawstar bounced off the warriors trail of thought, “Oakstar, can we evacuate to HeronClan camp? The kits and elders will need dens and attention,” the threat of the fire burning into HeronClan seemed less likely considering the wide marsh and the direction of the wind.
A thunderous crackling nearby made the black leader flinch; his home was being torn down right beside him. The heat of the flames as they licked the air made his pelt crawl with discomfort, without even being touched he was sure that the temperature of the air alone was enough to singe his pelt.
More and more cats began spilling from the camp, eyes wide with frenzy. A loud, hacking cough from Sagetail was more than concerning, Bramblefang grasped the elder by his scruff and pushed him forward.
Brooksong
- With - [ Larkstripe ] - Location - [ HeronClan Camp ] - Tag - []
In all honesty, Brooksong was glad that she didn’t have to speak about what was happening as she burst into the clearing where Oakstar was paused with the patrol. Her lungs heaved, gulping for fresh air. She’d never moved so quickly in her entire life, a single sprint from one end of RippleClan’s territory to the other, if she hadn’t been carrying a burdensome message she would have been impressed. The authoritative calm of Oakstar’s voice eased the tabby and white molly as she nodded quickly in response. In the pause, she was now able to detect the scent of smoke, and she craned her neck to peer back into the trees. The threat of fire was undeniable, though if one were only to look they wouldn’t even notice. Until the flames reach this part of the forest, she thought dreadfully.
The orders from her leader restored her attention and Brooksong nodded with determination, glancing silently to Swandance, their meeting gaze of mutual understanding meant that no words needed to be shared. Oakstar, Whiskerflick, and Cloudswirl disappeared into the RippleClan undergrowth, and Brooksong sucked in on long, deep breath before resuming her sprint across the marsh.
In the heat of greenleaf, even the peaty earth of the beloved marsh was becoming firmer and dry; the water and mud reliant plants were browning from drought. StarClan, please don’t send the fire to us! She willed.
With Swandance at her flank, they soon came bursting into camp. It was generally peaceful, with warriors lounging about in the shade, kits were clawing and creating a fluffy mess with cattails that had been plucked from the marsh, and Rainberry sleepily groomed herself in a small patch of sun, the round of her stomach now prominent. The entrance of the two warriors was enough to cause a stir.
”Swandance, go to Heatherflight. I’ll go get Larkstripe,” without awaiting a response, Brooksong marched forward to address the deputy, soon locating him having a conversation with some of the elder warriors.
”Larkstripe!” Brooksong stopped in front of the short tom, despite the pant to her voice, she appeared serious and grave. ”There’s a fire in RippleClan territory - Oakstar and Stoneleap have gone to help them, but Oakstar has given me orders to relay. She wants the apprentices to gather herbs with Heatherflight and for any vulnerable cat to be taken somewhere safe; she doesn’t want anything to happen to any of us.”
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Post by parisiansteve on Mar 13, 2022 17:41:36 GMT -5
[ well HOWDY my pal! ^^ many congratulations to you! What's the job? You totally deserve this. No worries on the time - being away from this makes seeing your replies even sweeter! I'll try to get mine up in the next few days. I am currently in finals for my term, so I have a week off coming up! Congrats and good luck on the new semester c: ]
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Post by parisiansteve on Mar 16, 2022 10:55:21 GMT -5
[ i'll get my replies up.... soon? lmao xD I'm finishing up my last final in the next two days and will be in a long sleep for a bit then. I really want to keep this moving.
sorry to keep neglecting Cedar/Sofie. i just don't feel like it's the right time to move them over, i kind of want them to walk in with all the chaos in HeronClan camp and be like "o.o wut"
Also sorry for neglecting Roots, too xD I really want to get that off the ground, too ]
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Post by parisiansteve on Mar 19, 2022 13:05:15 GMT -5
haven't gotten around to it yet - so very sorry x.x keeping it alive though!
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Post by aether on Mar 21, 2022 5:36:25 GMT -5
[ no pressure to reply asap - clearly i'm not super active atm xD
My new job is at a software consultancy! i'm a junior developer, helping create applications and software C: it's really cool but i haven't done much yet xD because of them being full days with 2 hours of commuting i've found myself these past weeks only having time to work, come home, spend time with partner, and study. despite that, i'm very happy! i spent a LOT of time thinking i'd work retail forever, and that's not totally a bad thing, but i wanted more. so i'm glad to finally be doing something and succeeding ;~;
Also all good about Cedar x Sofie! Plopping them into the most inconvenient time would be funny. Also, since traveling a ton can be repetitive, we can assume they are just meandering through the bush getting to know each other better xD ]
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