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Post by Junospower on Jul 17, 2023 16:36:00 GMT -5
“Okay,” he called up once more. He gave the tree a weary look before starting his climb. He was a cat, stars above, this is what cats naturally do. It was slow and a bit unsteady, but Shiver managed to shimmy his way up the tree. He too gave a look around the nest to make sure the parents were gone and grabbed a small mouthful of feathers all the while doing his best to avoid the eggs. If he was slow to climb up, he was even slower coming back down. Still he managed to get back down without injury.
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𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢
call me blue <3
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Post by 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢 on Jul 17, 2023 17:31:06 GMT -5
Toad carefully followed with his own mouthful. Putting down the downy feathers as he neared the others' pile. Spitting out a few stragglers that refused to be let go. "Alright, just one more trip, and that should be fine." Turning, he bunched his muscles and quickly clawed his way back up. This time not stopping to take a branch. He grabbed a big mouthful and turned to leave just as he heard an angry squawk above him. He flattened his ears and dug his claws into the branches as the bird swooped to attack him. He hissed, reaching out to swat at the bird whenever it came close. With a grunt, he dropped down to a branch below him, crouching down to dodge the angry bird's attacks.
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Post by Junospower on Jul 17, 2023 20:03:55 GMT -5
After putting down his own feathers, Shiver scrambled up the tree to Toad’s aid. He quickened his pace a bit due to the… well, urgency of the situation. The dark tom gently batted the birds away to give Toad a chance to escape.
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Post by Hawkeyes258 on Jul 17, 2023 20:30:32 GMT -5
Timber listened to Smoke as Rust makes his way over. He figured that the tom did have a point. Who were they to push cats out of their homes? However, this was now their home too. Timber figured they would have to wait and see. If they kept taking their prey, then they would have a problem. "I mean no ill will to these cats. Just thinking about the future. We are just scouting so I suppose we will have to see."
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Post by Thistlefur on Jul 18, 2023 7:05:32 GMT -5
Smoke ~
In his usual demeanor, Smoke simply grunted at Timber's words and scanned his eyes around camp. He noticed his brother, Rust, making his way over to join them and said nothing, clearly no longer in the mood for talking. Rather, he kneaded one of his front paws into the ground in anticipation, ready to go out and search this new and unfamiliar territory.
Dawn~
While glancing through the trees looking for her campmates, Dawn flinched as a loud squawk bellowed through the branches a few trees away. Frightened by the suddenness, she wanted to run away, clutching as much moss as she could carry. The she-cat's blue eyes widened in fear as she heard hissing and the sound of batting movements in the trees, Oh please don't let Toad and Shiver be in trouble!, with worry and concern rippling through her pelt, she ran over to the tree and caught sight of Shiver and Toad batting away birds in the tree. She wanted to run up and help, but knew she'd only be a hindrance, she instead raised herself up putting her forepaws on the tree and yowled, "Get down from there right now!"
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𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢
call me blue <3
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Post by 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢 on Jul 18, 2023 8:06:04 GMT -5
Toad winced as the bird pecked at his ears. For a moment he was stuck, trying to figure out his next plan. Pesky bird. He thought while taking another angry swipe at it. Then he heard Dawn's worried yowl. A boost of adrenaline surged through his body as he thought of the only reliable solution right now. As long as he was up here the bird would keep attacking. Undigging his hindclaws from the tree, the tom turned and leaped into the air. His tail waved wildly as he balanced his body on his way down. Landing on his paws with a heavy thump. He grunted at the pain he felt in his shoulder. And the feather's he'd collected were long gone, mostly scattered on the ground around them. And decorating his face and pelt. "That could've gone a lot worse, eh." He joked mildly, shaking the feathers out of his fur. "I suppose you'll have to call me bird now." Wincing as he limped towards his clanmates.
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Post by Junospower on Jul 18, 2023 12:28:52 GMT -5
Shiver shimmied his way down, the birds having lost interest after Toad’s dramatic escape. At least his climbing was getting better. He supposed a life-time of climbing rocks in the mountains certainly help. “Not too hurt, I hope?” Shiver asked as he ran up to rejoin the group.
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𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢
call me blue <3
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Post by 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢 on Jul 18, 2023 12:48:00 GMT -5
"Nothing I won't be able to walk off," Toad assured the tom. Stretching out his leg, wincing at the pain. He was a strong cat, he was sure he'd be fine. Maybe get some herbs for the pain to help him rest later. "You'd think we'd have taken the eggs at how angry that crazy bird was." He grumbled, shooting daggers up at the nest. "But I suppose I'd be angry too if a predator were trying to take my kits."
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Post by Junospower on Jul 18, 2023 12:57:07 GMT -5
“Suppose they didn’t know any different. At least they weren’t eagles,” Shiver mew as he shuddered slightly at the thought. Shiver tried to brush off as many salvageable feathers as he could from Toad fur. Even if they were able to get ever last feather from the nest they’ve still gathered an impressive haul. Timber and the rest of their clan should be pleased. Everything- except for the birds and Toad’s slight injury- went smoothly.
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Post by Thistlefur on Jul 18, 2023 13:05:30 GMT -5
Dawn ~
"By the stars, what did you lot think you were doing?" Dawn yowled again, her voice a flurry of worry, concern and anger. "You could have gotten yourselves killed!" She sprinted over to Toad, scanning over his pelt for injuries and as though he were a newborn kit, fiercely licked his head and shoulders. Glancing at Shiver she added, her voice still high-strung with emotion, "We need to help him get back to camp, he could have injured something or hurt a muscle."
Before Toad could even protest, she gave him a firm but softened cuff over his ear, "And no ifs or buts, we can't risk any cat getting hurt."
She briefly looked down at the tom's paws, concerned for the thumping noise they made when they hit the ground. "Are you sure you can walk?" she asked, her voice now quiet as though her anger had dissolved. "We could always ask Timber and the others if some support to get you back is needed."
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𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢
call me blue <3
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Post by 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢 on Jul 18, 2023 13:06:56 GMT -5
Toad mumbled his agreement before standing to help Shiver shuffle together the remaining feathers. They'd gathered enough bedding to give off to every cat. Or at least portion it for every cat to add to their bed. Before he could speak, Dawn was all over him. He couldn't help but purr in amusement at her concerns and the orders she'd given him. "I'm fine, I promise." He mewed with a gentle smile, "A fall like that can't take out a cat like I." He added puffing out his chest. "I should probably take it slow, maybe I'll help you distribute the bedding when we get back." Looking at Shiver, "I doubt I'll be able to do anymore hunting or scouting with how my shoulder feels." It was unfortunate, and he hated the thought of being stuck in camp. But as stubborn as he was, he did care about his well-being.
(lol posted at the same time, I edited this a little to fit both replies)
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Post by Thistlefur on Jul 18, 2023 13:14:25 GMT -5
(haha saw that with posting, no worries! ^^')
Dawn ~
The cream she-cat flicked her ears slightly in irritation as Toad didn't seem to take his fall as seriously as she would have. "Exactly, you can help in camp but don't carry too much." she replied with a sigh, turning around to pick up the surrounding feathers and moss that was strewn all over the ground. Before grabbing a clump in her mouth, she mewed, "If you feel bad on the way back at least lean on me or Shiver - your legs or paws could be hurt and you don't want to be in a sore state tomorrow."
While her voice was still strung with emotion, the she-cat felt hurt and worried inside. It was her idea after all to head out and get the moss and feathers and now one of her campmates had just fallen. By the stars, I should have just done this myself! I've gone and gotten one of my campmates hurt and for what? Silly bits of bedding? Shaking her head as though trying to suppress how she felt, she turned around for the walk home.
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Post by Junospower on Jul 18, 2023 13:26:34 GMT -5
(Group mom being group mom lol)
“I’m going to gather what I can. I’ll come back for the rest later,” said Shiver as he grabbed what he could fit in his mouth. He turned back to the group, hovering next to the dark brown tabby should he need support. In case Toad was to be laid up for a while, Shiver was preparing himself to work harder to keep the clan going while one of there own was down. He was sure the older tom was going to be just fine, but the new developing clan needed every paw they could get.
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𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢
call me blue <3
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Post by 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢 on Jul 18, 2023 13:38:41 GMT -5
"Hey, it was my fault," Toad mewed reassuringly when he saw the discourage look on Dawn's face. "I get a little ambitious sometimes and things don't go as planned." He shrugged, reaching down to grab his own portion of the bedding. "I apologize if I worried you two. Just look at it as er," He paused, looking thoughtful and mischievous for a second, "Just look at it as silly roughhousing gone wrong, like when you were younger." He chuckled a bit, thinking back to his youth. How he and his siblings would get in trouble terrorizing the two-leg place. This was no different to him. Almost like a bet against himself that he'd victoriously won. Though earned a battle scar in the process.
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Post by Thistlefur on Jul 18, 2023 14:32:29 GMT -5
Dawn ~
Dawn merely dipped her head in reply to Toad, her mouth full of a clump of moss. She felt slightly more optimistic seeing the dark tom moving well enough and his chuckling. Us house cats didn't roughhouse she thought, reflecting briefly on her own youth, If we were, it was usually just batting each other for the warmest patch to lie in a garden or for that squeaky fake mouse toy. Her memories warmed her spirit, although the memory of being back in her twoleg nest and garden felt like a lifetime away now.
With a lift of her tail she waved it to lead the small group back to camp, retracing their original path taken and taking their pace slow for Toad.
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𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢
call me blue <3
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Post by 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢 on Jul 18, 2023 14:46:54 GMT -5
Toad limped after Dawn and Shiver. Grimacing now and then at the sharp pain he felt every step he took. Yet he pushed on. He didn't want the others to see him weak. I'm not weak. He corrected himself. He was just a set back. It would be fine once he woke up tomorrow, he knew it. I've suffered worst out on my own with no help or herbs. Surely a small fall wouldn't keep him on camp confinement. There were things to be done.
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Post by Junospower on Jul 18, 2023 14:55:46 GMT -5
(Shall we skip to camp?)
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𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢
call me blue <3
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Post by 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢 on Jul 18, 2023 14:59:21 GMT -5
(I think that would be fine  ) |
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Post by Junospower on Jul 18, 2023 15:26:48 GMT -5
(Cool cool ^^)
The trio made their way back to camp, and even though Toad had insisted that his leg was fine, there was still that deep seeded worry that there was something wrong. He shook his head to clear his thoughts, he’ll be fine, he was sure. He was still carrying his big wad of moss and feather. This should please everyone, even grumpy old Smoke.
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𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢
call me blue <3
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Post by 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢 on Jul 18, 2023 15:36:50 GMT -5
Toad dropped his bunch of moss and feathers beside Shiver and Dawn. Sitting down, trying his best not to let the other's know how tired he was. Or how much his leg ached from putting so much weight on it. "Alright, I guess we could give the apprentices some of the bedding, and add to our own bedding until the others get back." He meowed to start a new topic. He didn't want the main discussion to be on his shoulder. He was fine.
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Post by Junospower on Jul 18, 2023 15:51:08 GMT -5
(Lol Toad and Shiver have the same work ethic. Don’t let anyone know you’re weak! Though in Shiver’s case he wants to be useful)
Shiver gave the dark tabby tom one last worried glance before getting to work on making nest. He had no desire to crowd the injured tom anymore than he was already feeling and thought it best to let Toad be on his own for a while. Grabbing as much as his jaws will allow, he trotted over to the warriors den and began to construct nests, starting with the oldest cats. He was beginning to feel exhausted himself for all he had done today, yet he kept his ears perked in case Timber or any other cats needed him. If it kept the cats safe and fed, he’ll keep working.
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Post by Thistlefur on Jul 18, 2023 15:56:04 GMT -5
Dawn ~
Plopping her clump of moss down, she eyed Toad up and down again, If he is feeling sore, he's doing an awfully good job at hiding it. "I'll do the apprentices' nests." She replied quickly, "What you need to do is sit down for a while - You can fix up your own nest and some of the other warriors' nests and Shiver can help." Giving Shiver a respectful nod, "Make sure he doesn't work himself too hard and come find me in the Apprentice's Den if you need any help." Swiftly, she bundled a small pile of mosses and feathers together with her front paws and picked up the bundle in her jaws, trotting to the apprentice's den.
Smoke~
The tom noticed Dawn, Shiver and Toad arrive back in camp - their mouths were full of moss and feathers but he couldn't help but notice that their pelts looked slightly disheveled and the slow pace that they walked into camp. Narrowing his gaze, his eyes traveled over the three of them - looking for anything that might indicate why they walked in at a snail's pace. With a slight scorn, he couldn't see anything on them but knew something was amiss.
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𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢
call me blue <3
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Post by 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢 on Jul 18, 2023 16:30:27 GMT -5
(toad just wishes he was invincible :') and shiver is already perfect he just doesn't realize)
Toad grumbled at being given orders but did as he was told. Sulkily limping away to the warrior's den with a bundle of moss and feathers. He gently began at his own nest as instructed, removing the older, dried moss and replacing it with the new. Fluffing it up, he looked over to Shiver, grumbling, "She-cats."
Sky jumped up startled as someone entered the apprentice den, "I'm awake!" She exclaimed. Her eyes still groggy and moss clinging to her thick fur. Her blue eyes were wide as moons. But she soon felt silly when she realized it was only Dawn. How silly of me. Her fur prickled in embarrassment all over her body. "Oh, sorry, Dawn." She quickly stammered, shaking the debris from her fur. "I thought you were Timber or someone else."
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Post by Thistlefur on Jul 18, 2023 16:46:03 GMT -5
(Might be last post for this evening - looking forward to more bonding between Toad and Shiver! ^^)
Dawn ~
As Sky unexpectedly jumped, Dawn jumped back in surprise too - her fur on end and her blue eyes wide, having completely forgotten not all the apprentices were awake. She quickly relaxed upon realizing it was only Sky and couldn't help but grin while holding the bundle in her jaws as Sky tried explaining. Putting down her clump of moss and feathers, she laughed and gently flicked a bit of debris away from behind Sky's ear with her tail. "Would you have preferred it be Timber or someone else?" She purred amusingly, "Not to worry - you get back to sleep, I'll just be fixing a couple of nests for you guys." With a warm and understanding glance towards the young cat, she added, "Every cat needs their rest - I can pop by later if you're still sleepy."
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Post by Junospower on Jul 18, 2023 17:02:50 GMT -5
(<3 Shiver is a good boy. So is Toad)
A small purr of laugh came from Shiver, “She’s just worried for her clan mate, we all should be. It’s still an adjustment for her,” he explained as he was finishing up Smoke’s nest and was moving on to Rust’s. He kept a subtle eyes on Toad as he worked, noticing he was working a bit stiffly, but that was to be expected since the injury is still so new. “It’s been a huge change for us Mountain Cats going from stone to trees, imagine what it’s like for a former kittypet.”
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𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢
call me blue <3
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Post by 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢 on Jul 18, 2023 17:05:36 GMT -5
( alright thistle, see you! i’ll be a bit spotty as well)
Sky sat delicately grooming her fur. After that scare she was sure she wouldn’t be able to sleep. Not right now anyway. She realized she was hungry when her belly growled. Dawn spoke of fresh bedding and she quickly perked up. “Oh it’s fine, I’ll do my own.” She offered padding towards the older she-cat. She looked over the bedding; moss and feathers. It wasn’t nearly as good as her bed her two legs gave her, nothing in the forest was. But she would be grateful nonetheless. She then remembered that Dawn, too, had been a housecat previously. “Hey, Dawn, do you remember your twolegs?”
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𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢
call me blue <3
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Post by 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢 on Jul 18, 2023 17:13:47 GMT -5
Toad frowned, considering Shiver’s words for a moment. There was some truth to his words. When they were in the mountains it was hard for him to adjust. He couldn’t even imagine being a kittypet. Toad wasn’t one to judge, but he definitely would never consider. “Hmph, I guess you’re right. I would personally lose my mind if I had to be trapped with twolegs.” He knew Dawn only meant well. He just hated he’d put himself in the predicament where she would have to worry. It had been so long since any cat was worried about him, the tom had been on his own so long. Now he was in a group where theyall would have to worry about each other. It definitely was a lot for him to be used to.
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Post by Hawkeyes258 on Jul 18, 2023 20:09:15 GMT -5
"What are we doing?" Rust questioned wondering why he had been summoned. He would most rather be laying out in the sun but he wasn't going to talk back to Timber.
"We are going out to explore the western portion of our new home." Timber explained. "Look to see there is anything of note. Along the way we will bring back some prey." He glances at the brothers then Spring before speaking up again. "Shall we get going then?"
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Post by Thistlefur on Jul 19, 2023 6:47:45 GMT -5
Smoke ~
The gray-ginger tom didn't answer his brother and simply nodded when Timber glanced between him and his brother, "We should just get going now." He sniffed, his whiskers twitching in irritably, "We'll want to get back to camp before Sun-Fall anyway."
Dawn ~
Dawn dipped her head to Sky as the young she-cat investigated the pile of material on the dusty ground and turned her head over her shoulder hearing Sky's words. "Of course I do." She purred, blinking her eyes, "I feel a bit guilty, but I miss them terribly sometimes." While her words were purred, there was misery intertwined between her words. She then turned around to look at Sky fully and continued, "But they've gone and there's nothing I can do about that. Had it not been for you guys I'd probably not be standing here right now."
Memories of her twolegs death and her later abandonment came flooding back and in spite of that heartbreak, she remembered just how thankful she had been in seeing this traveling group of cats on the slope of a Hill - seeking a new home from a far-off place, some having traveled even further from their original home. They'd allowed her to join in spite of her not sharing the same history or background and for that, she was forever grateful.
With a wistful look in her eye, she mewed, "I never thought back then that this was how things would turn out but I guess life just has a funny way of working out for some cats." She glanced at Sky with a warm gaze and added, "I know you were once a kittypet too and you must miss them. Just know if you ever need to talk about them or how you feel, I'll always be here to lend an ear."
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𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢
call me blue <3
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Post by 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑢 on Jul 19, 2023 8:34:22 GMT -5
Sky's eyes gleamed as she listened to Dawn speak of her past. Gently reassigning the moss and feathers to her bedding. Dawn was right, it did seem very far off living with twolegs. But the memories were still so fresh and present in her mind. "My twolegs were away when the fire started," She said in a quiet meow. Her ears flattened and her eyes glazed. "Sometimes I feel guilty for leaving because I know they probably looked everywhere for me. They really loved me." The thought of her twolegs frantically searching for her made her feel anxious. They probably thought she'd died. She felt terrible for causing such grief to them. But she was lucky to have found the others. Maybe she would have died if she had stayed behind in twoleg place, waiting on her owners' return. She looked back and gave Dawn a gracious smile when the she-cat offered her support whenever she needed it. "Thank you," She mewed, dipping her head, "I'll be sure to come to you whenever they are on my mind."
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)