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Post by ladylantsov on Jul 3, 2024 11:54:26 GMT -5
Her golden maw splits once again into a broad grin, which was always easy in the presence of this Tom. Even though it felt like a lifetime since theyโd last spent more than a fleeting groom together.
โYou were practically the paragon of calm compared to Eagleswoop,โ Honeyskip rumbles, whiskers twitching with amusement. โAnd the moment Snowkit found his paws I thought I needed to drag you to the medicine cat den, you looked so faint!โ Her laughter, while teasing, carries the sweet melody of a birdsong, lilting with each word. She settles against him, soaking in the familiar warmth of his body against her own, sturdy and close.
She slumps to the ground with a huff, hitting campโs soil with a gentle thud, rolling onto her shoulder and showing her fluffy belly to the morning sun, like she was a puppet and each of her strings had been sliced clean through. โI donโt know,โ her words come with an exhausted groan, her jaws part in an exaggerated yawn, fangs flashing when the lights catch them. โI reckon Iโm about ready to retire, my boys are both grown and fully named! By the Stars are we old.โ
From her adopted sunbathing position, Honeyskip tilts her head back and up, tickling the edge of her mateโs fluffy, dark ginger ears. โYou especially are really rather old,โ she adds. The usually shy molly disappearing around the ones she loves and trusts the most. โIโm not sure itโs safe to take you out of camp any more.โ
โBut I suppose I might be convinced to come with you,โ she considers, beautiful features narrowing into something like fierce contemplation. โWhat were you thinking of?โ |
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Post by ladylantsov on Jul 3, 2024 12:56:17 GMT -5
SLATESTORM
ASTERFROST CAMP It spoke to just how tired the young Tom was, and how early his morningโs duties had had him up, that Slatestorm hadnt clocked the approach of his mate until Asterfrost was all but on top of him.
The warrior flinches when Asterfrost steps too close. His dark gaze flicking away from hers, ducking away while it scopes camp to make sure no one might spot them. Or at least no one that would spot him and report back to Wisteriasnow on what they had seen. Only when he was quite sure they were alone, out of sight of anyone who might care, does Slatestorm step closer to her again. Pressing his frame against her smaller body.
The warmth of her always did something remarkable, thawed parts heโd never even realised had frozen over.
โGood morning,โ he murmurs, ducking to rasp a barbed tongue across her ears.
It had taken him a moment to clock her next words as a tease, not a jab borne more from cruelty. He was so used to sharp and biting comments, it often took the dark grey warrior a moment to longer to realise something was meant from play. When her intent settles over him - for this oneโs intentions were very rarely cruel, Slatestorm rolls his eyes. Stretching out each limb as though to test they still worked beneath layers of much, the warrior shakes his head. โI think I could clean myself from dawn til dusk, and I still would wake up feeling filthy.โ
Slatestorm shakes himself out, loose dirt and rocks sent flinging by the violent motion. Ensuring at least a little of it spilled over the pretty molly beside him.
His muscles were aching up one hell of a storm, and there was nothing in this world the warrior wanted more than to curl up in his nest and rest his sore body. But the grey warrior knew Sodโs law would mean that if they promised to meet later, chances were something would come up to distract them or keep them apart.
Something had a tendency to look, sound and glare very much like his mother.
โWe could go now?โ He offers not entirely sure the protesting groan in his bones wasnโt audible to the world around him. His voice a careful neutral. He peers skyward, patches of blue peered through sprawling grey, allowing sunlight to creep through. The most optimistic cat would have struggled to name the day as warm, but it was far from as cold as it could be. It was uncharacteristic for a day this late in the year, and Slatestorm doubted they would see a day like it for a good few moons. โMake the most of a bright day?โ
His mother would question where he slunk out to, but if he returned with enough prey in paw he might get away without too harsh an interrogation. And his paws itches for the world and freedom beyond camp.
A trip no doubt made all the more lovely if the prettiest shecat in the clan happened to join him. |
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Post by aquatail on Jul 3, 2024 16:10:14 GMT -5
Silverfern
She was glad help had finally arrived... but straight after left. She convulsed again interrupting her thoughts. She pushed and pushed but this one wasn't coming out. "Why" she thought. She was panting with the effort and was in deep and scorching pain. Finally the next one slipped out. Relief went through her body but not for long for this next kit wasn't breathing! She yowled for help while desperately trying to get it to breathe but there was no use. The only thing she could do now was hope that backup would arrive soon. She prayed to starclan and hoped and hoped and hoped he would survive.
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Post by tumblepaw on Jul 3, 2024 16:24:43 GMT -5
Possumkitin the nursery | just bornโฆ? | with Bucktail?, Silverfern, and Goldenchill
kit ~ he/him ~ stillborn?
After being what felt like shoved out of someplace, he remained silent and still. Breathing stoppedโฆ or never started. He wasnโt sure which. He felt a sudden coolness and then nothing. The nothingness felt alright though, kind of welcoming. That and whatever presence that existed beyond it seemed better than wherever he ended up. He drifted towards it. Towards that presence.
First rp here! Iโm shocked i got as many sentences in for a newborn being stillborn. XD |
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Post by ๐๐๐๐๐ข on Jul 3, 2024 19:44:22 GMT -5
 By now Asterfrost was used to the initial pull away from Slatestorm when she got too close too fast. Before he could properly assess who was around them, if there was anyone who might report to his mother about their romance. In the beginning of their courtship Asterfrost might've argued that maybe Wisteriasnow would be understanding, but Slatestorm's caution was something she thought to take seriously. Especially considering how close she thought he and his sisters were to the older pointed molly. It wasn't until a couple moons of being together did she realize just how wrong she'd been. Slatestorm was good at keeping those parts to himself, but eventually she managed to pull some details about the true, manipulative nature of their family dynamic.
"Hey!" The feeling of dirty and tiny pebbles hitting her pelt causes the small molly to let out a short squeal, followed by a symphony of giggles. A playful expression shows itself immediately on her face, and she looks like she might be concocting a plan to get him back, until he makes the suggestion to leave now.
Her eyes light up, a midday excursion was quite rare for the two. Usually they would have to wait to sneak off when the sun went down, or hope that luck was on their side and be put on a patrol together. It was uncommon for her fluffy tom to suggest leaving on their own.
A soft, lovely smile graces her gentle features and Asterfrost moves to lean up to give his cheek an affectionate lick. "I think now is perfect." She responds in a gentle tone, excited to be back out in the forest if it meant she got to be with the cat she loved most.
Then a yowl from the nursery catches her attention and Asterfrost turns her head to look towards the den, watching as a slew of cats raced inside. She recognized the voice to be Silverfern. She must be having kits, was her thought. Normally the brown pointed molly might be tempted to stay, but with death so closely related to the joy of new kits, she wasn't quite keen on sticking around.
"Let's go then." She says, already moving towards the camp exit before anything - or anyone - could get in their way. "I think scout's point is the perfect way to spend such a sunny day." Asterfrosts winks at her poor, tired looking mate before turning tail and trotting away, leaving Slatestorm to play catch up. |
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Lesbian
#ACEBF6
Name Colour
Feathertalon
Bird Overlord
unofficial chicken whisperer
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Post by Feathertalon on Jul 3, 2024 21:40:11 GMT -5
Rattlepaw ยป
In the blink of an eye Snowtalon was gone, and in the blink of another eye he was back. It was as if she had witnessed a reverse ghost - one moment nothing was there and then all of a sudden some cat was right there, as solid and real as the mountain itself.
A ghost.
Flinthawk.
It seemed like no matter what she was doing, no matter who she was with, the thought of her father haunted her. His memory, his legacy, was stuck to her like cobwebs that she just couldnโt shake off. Rattlepaw didnโt want to forget her father, but she didnโt want him haunting her every day that she lived.
Snowtalonโs scent wrapped around her, warm and comforting. Together the two left camp, setting out into the territory. While the mollyโs attention was on the scenery, how the forest was dappled with deep shadows and softened sunlight, how the canopy above swayed and danced in the light mountain breeze, she was more so focused on the tom that brushed against her as they walked side by side. She walked so close to him that she could feel the muscles underneath his leaf-bare thick pelt, could feel the strength that flowed through him. Snowtalon was a true warrior. A real member of ConiferClan. And sheโฆshe was just an apprentice. Forever a โpaw. Never again would she share the same den with Snowtalon. Never again could she simply roll over into his nest and prod him awake when she was plagued with nightmares. There was an easy solution to this problem, a simple answer that was right there in front of her, but Rattlepaw didnโt have the drive. Her ambition was gone. Her determination drained.
If she ran away, could she convince him to join her?
It was wishful thinking for all of thirty seconds. Hoping he would follow her in her endeavor to leave was selfish. Snowtalon had sworn to protect his Clan even if it meant sacrificing his own life. It was so obvious that he was proud of his Clan and proud to serve them. Asking him to give that all up, asking him to throw away all that he had worked so hard forโฆ She didnโt have it in her. She couldnโt do it no matter how much she yearned for it. To be away from the prying eyes of camp, away from the ever observant eyes of her mother was a dream. Living that dream alongside a cat she felt like actually cared about her seemed like a perfect reality. A reality much too perfect for it to ever exist.
Snowtalonโs question had Rattlepaw pausing in her steps. Even outside from camp she couldnโt run from her mother. No matter how far away she was from Wisteriasnow the blue eyed monster would always find a way to sink her teeth into Rattlepaw.
Jaw slack, she merely stared at the white and ginger tom. How was she supposed to respond to that? He sounded so concerned, so worried. Wisteriasnowโs wrath played over and over in her head. Her motherโs furious hatred struck her very soul. Wisteriasnow had been so angry, so full of rageโฆ It wasnโt the first time her mother had attacked her, and she doubted it would be the last.
Just a thick briar. Thatโs what she had told her Clanmates when they had questioned her after returning to camp some while after the attack. Most had seemed to believe her, or they had at least decided to not care that her face had been struck so deep. Was this her chance to tell the truth? Was she able to confess to Snowtalon that her scars were of her motherโs own doing?
Rattlepaw fidgeted under his gaze. Snowtalon was so sweet and so kind. He felt genuine to her. It was like he truly cared. But thatโs how her mother acted in camp. When others were around the pointed warrior was the picture perfect mother, proud of her kits and affectionate. Behind the shadows of privacy it was a totally different story. It was a story of bloodshed and fury, of disapproval and hatred. Snowtalon seemed far from the monster that was her mother, but if one thing Rattlepaw had learned over her seasons of living it was that no cat could be trusted completely.
She swallowed, searching for the words to use. โIโฆ I got it fromโฆโ My own mother. I got it and the others from her.
Itโs what she wanted to tell him. What she wanted to say aloud, but her tongue fumbled as her heart crashed into her ribcage. Thud! Thud! Thud! She trembled against her own chest-dwelling muscle.
โA briar from a flower.โ A claw from a wisteria. โIt was really pretty. Purple. I went to sniff it andโฆโ She attacked. Fur torn, flesh ripped. Blood dripping down her face, rolling off her muzzle. Hissing and spitting, rage thrown at her shock.
Rattlepaw deflated. Scrawny, bony, pathetic. Worthless. Undeserving of a warrior name.
Maybe one day sheโd have the gall to confide in Snowtalon, but today was not that day.
Goldenchill ยป
Well over seven seasons had cycled since Goldenchill had had kits swelling her flanks. Well over seven season cycles had passed since Goldenchill had had a kit at her side. It had been many moons since she had been considered a true mother, but the instinct to nurture and care for the youth of her Clan had never left her. Not a single ounce of that instinct had faded away.
Raspy tongue licked the newborn tortoiseshell furiously and gently. So concentrated on getting the kit clean and warm she barely registered Silverfernโs sharp breathing and whimpered strains. It was important to take care of the kitting queen, but Goldenchill knew from experience that labor was something a queen could do without instruction. A mollyโs body knew exactly what to do; it was painful and draining, but natural. It was instinct. Getting a kit dried and breathing on its own was something a newborn could not do automatically - the kit took priority. The golden molly did not stop until the tortoiseshell underneath her muzzle was wriggling in search of her mother and mewling for milk. With the gentlest of touches she scruffed the kit and brought her to Silverfern, gingerly tucking the small thing against her motherโs flanks. Once there the tortoiseshell continued to wriggle and mewl, only satisfied once she had latched on to her mother and began to suckle.
The sight of a lively, healthy kit always made two emotions battle one another inside Goldenchillโs chest.
Pure joy swept over her, alighting her paws and making her feel as if she could soar through the clouds. Unmixed sorrow dragged her back down, shackling her to the earth, not allowing her to escape.
โThis one isnโt breathing.โ
Agony pierced her heart, chipping it.
โHer heartbeatโs gone.โ
Grief stabbed her heart, cracking it.
โSheโs in StarClan with her littermates.โ
Anguish punctured her heart, breaking it.
In the end of it all lay a small ginger tomkit. He had been Goldenchillโs and Greyhawkโs world for all of one moon. One moon was all the time they had had with him. One moon was all they were allowed to have him until his three sisters had called him up to the stars to be with them.
Goldenchill never wished such pain on any other queen, but it was hard, so hard, to sit there and watch as happy, healthy families were made. All her life she had wanted to be the queen who lay there with a bundle of healthy kits at her side, but what she had received had been death. She and Greyhawk had tried for season after season to expect kits, and when it had finally happened the two had been elated. StarClan had denied them a family for so long only to deny them a family when it had finally been in reach.
A choked yowl escaping Silverfern grabbed Goldenchillโs attention. In one quick motion another kit made its way into the world, a tiny, wet bundle.
A tiny wet bundle that neither moved nor vocalized.
Goldenchillโs heart stopped. The nursery began to spin. The corners of her vision turned to static.
Rainkit. Skykit. Frigidkit. Her daughters.
She couldnโt let any other kit-sized grave be dug out beyond the security of the camp.
The queen felt her heart throbbing in her paws as she reached forward and moved the kit. Without missing a beat she began furiously licking and stimulating the kit, the tom the only focus in her world right now.
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Lesbian
#ACEBF6
Name Colour
Feathertalon
Bird Overlord
unofficial chicken whisperer
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Post by Feathertalon on Jul 3, 2024 21:42:04 GMT -5
Bucktail ยป
This was the moment he had been nervous about just a few days prior. This was supposed to be the moment which made or broke his career. This was the moment in which his full medicine cat name would be given or not. His assessment was supposed to be today. Fortunately for him Silverfernโs kitting was no longer a test of his herbal knowledge. It was just a test of his skill. A test of his abilities to one day take care of the entire Clan.
This moment was no longer his assessment, but would this be the last day he spent with Oakstreak as his mentor? Would this be the moment his mentor retired?
The needed herbs gathered and packed away in a large dock leaf, he turned and glanced toward the tom he had been training under for so many moons. How was he supposed to continue on without Oakstreakโs continuous guidance in the medicine cat den? Oakstreak would still be here in camp, in the eldersโ den, but it would be so weird, so odd, to not have Oakstreak here in the medicine cat den with him.
Bucktailโs heart longed to ask if his mentor would follow him to the nursery, but glancing toward Beaverpelt, he couldnโt make himself do it. Being a medicine cat was hard. Being the healer was rewarding and isolating - Bucktail had found it harder and harder to interact with either of his parents, and now even Snowtalon. He knew how rarely Oakstreak got a chance to speak with his own father Beaverpelt. Bucktail couldnโt be the one to take this rare chance away from his mentor.
At least he had delivered kits before rather than this being his first experience with it.
A lopsided grin, his characteristic smile, pulled at his lips. โI got this. Spend some time with Beaverpelt, but if something happensโฆโ He trailed off. The last thing he wanted to think about was something going wrong, but in ConiferClan queens tended to have the worst of luck. โIโll come and get you.โ Bucktail grabbed the herb bundle he had made, rushed over to nuzzle his mentor, and then raced out of the medicine cat den to throw himself right in the middle of the struggle in the nursery.
Worry sparked in his heart. One kit was nestled at Silverfernโs side, alive and well, but another kit lay unmoving underneath Goldenchillโs frantic licks. His first instinct was to rush over and assess the situation, but an elongated yowl from Silverfern pulled his eyes away from the tragic scene to where the queen lay in her nest, exhausted and in pain. Dropping his herb bundle nearby he focused on the queen; Goldenchill was capable of helping the second kit while Bucktail focused on the mother. โYouโre doing great,โ he told Silverfern, assisting where needed, entering full concentration as a third kit was born. Bucktail was quick to assess the kit as healthy, cleaning the small bundle and placing it beside its sister.
A fourth was soon brought into the world, another kit wriggling about. He soon had the last kit dried and moved to Silverfernโs flanks. But where there should have been four, only three lay.
Heart pumping and breathing heightened, he turned to Goldenchill, hoping, praying, that the second kit had pulled through.
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Post by whispering on Jul 3, 2024 22:25:15 GMT -5
Any other time, Eagleswoop would readily match his father's fiery temper. The tabby would have a retort just as sharp prepared for the elder. But with so little sleep and a mind swarmed by shadows of his past, Eagleswoop could not muster the energy.
Instead, he sat, looking at the dusty floor. His tail wearily sweeps behind him. For an infrequent instance, the warrior was surrendering. This was not a fight he was willing to partake in.
"You're right." The warrior replied after moments of stretching silence.
Of course, Sorrelsnap would feel excluded from not being in knowing of the kits that lie in the leader's den. Of course, he would be stunned to hear the news that Briarstar had given birth. They were of his kin. The old ginger tom should have been the first to know, besides Eagleswoop himself. And if circumstances would have been different, the elder's den would have been his first trip after his mate expressed the news. But Briarstar- his mate and leader- had sworn him to secrecy, and he had to respect her wishes. No tom wanted to make their lover upset. Not wanting to find out what would happen if he did tell his father, Eagleswoop kept his mouth shut. Perhaps she would have announced it to the clan. But their kits had had other plans. Thanks to their risk-taking mother.
And if the kitting had gone further south, his father would have been even more upset. It would have made Eagleswoop even more insensitive. After everything they'd been through together.
Two tiny she-kits who would never take their first breath. And a mother whose life eroded after the strain from her kitting. Would Sorrelsnap have forgiven him if history repeated itself with his kits? Would he forgive him now, knowing that Briarstar had sacrificed one of her nine lives bearing them?
Eagleswoop hadn't always been one to care for his father's opinion. For a long time, he'd despised the ginger warrior.
When Eaglekit woke next to Goldtalon's cold, unresponsive body, Sorrelsnap had changed. His tongue had already been sharp, but losing his dear friend had made his heart cold. Not even Jumpingjay could thaw the warrior's frozen core. And his father's absence only made Eaglekit more and more resented. So much so that when Sorrelsnap decided to reconnect, a young Eaglepaw had been against it.
"Oh, now you want to come crawling back?" The warrior sneered, the fur along his broad shoulders bristling with rage. "Coward! If Goldtalon were here, she'd have clawed your face off." Only Jumpingjay's sad, pleading eyes had kept Eagleswoop from attacking the much bigger, experienced warrior. He didn't deserve to feel hurt after abandoning them. He didn't deserve forgiveness.
But his father had put in effort to prove himself. Jumpingjay had been more forgiving of his mate, but for Eagleswoop, it took longer to regain the bond between father and son.
And, despite how he may have felt before, there was no better outcome he would have asked for. Though, he
still deserved a swift cuff over the ears. Goldtalon would have ensured that.
"Believe me, if it were up to me, I would have told you. But you, of all cats, should know not to go against your mate."
โฐโฐโฐ
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Post by ๐ก๐ธ๐ฌ๐ด๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ท๐ท๐ฒ๐ท๐ฐ on Jul 3, 2024 22:36:01 GMT -5
OakstreakMedicine Cat * 95 moons * He/Him * tagged; Feathertalon [X] . VeniVidiVici . [X]  --------------------------------------------------------------------- The old, wisened cat had caught the hesitation in the young cats eyes. "Please do. I will be sure to be here." This time, he thought bitterly, embarassed at missing the circumstances of Briarstar's labor even still. His green gaze flickered back to his father once young Bucktail had vanished. "I've...been actually feeling very strange over the last week. I have been going back and forth on whether it's time for me to join you in the elder's den or not..." He was sure his father would be shocked, he had been very vocal about his hatred for his position and the excitement he had felt when he was finally given an apprentice to pass the burdens off to. Now, everytime he thought about it, he could see the beautiful starry eyes of his long lost love, pleading for his help. He couldn't retire, not until he felt Briarstar was safe.
--------------------------------------------------------------------- BurntearsWarrior * 36 moons * She/Her * tagged; ladylantsov  --------------------------------------------------------------------- The pale molly had nodded along solemnly to her leader's words. She knew that if she had known the fate of her mate and child on that terrible day, she would have never let them leave camp for a second. She was only snapped out of her daze by the mewling of one of the kits, and it was as if her grief had never been there. A soft purr escaped her, daring to only inch slightly closer,"Their full coats haven't fully grown yet. When they do they'll have a better job shaking off all of that dirt. Until then they'll have to settle for constant washing." How endearing she found these little lives to be, unable to tear her gaze away from them. "The names you picked for them are adorable, I don't know if I've mentioned that before. I remember Owlpaw earning that name due to just how huge his eyes were." She let out a soft laugh, remembering the days when his eyes were the only way you could tell the pale kitten was there when snuggled up against her.
--------------------------------------------------------------------- SnowtalonWarrior * 11 moons * He/Him * tagged; Feathertalon  --------------------------------------------------------------------- Snowtalon searched her eyes, deeply and wordlessly. Something, deep down, didn't fully believe she would get herself such a deep scratch from a bramble. Even so, he dared not push her. He cared more for her comfort and safety than he did about the details. "Well if it starts stinging, please go see Bucktail or Oakstreak. If it gets infected it could make you really sick." His voice was drenched in worry, not because he didn't believe that she could take care of herself, but because he wanted her to know he cared. He brushed his fur alongside hers once more before inhaling deeply. Her scent and the scent of the forest was like bliss. If he hadn't known how evasive and skittish she could be, he would have asked more. He wanted to know more about why she struggled, how he could help...but he knew all too well that she may not ever really answer those questions truthfully. It was a war in his mind, always, of what he could say to her. "What would you like to do, now that we are away from the clan?"
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Lesbian
#ACEBF6
Name Colour
Feathertalon
Bird Overlord
unofficial chicken whisperer
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Post by Feathertalon on Jul 4, 2024 12:43:58 GMT -5
Sorrelsnap ยป
One thing that Sorrelsnap knew about his son was that Eagleswoop would have told him of any kits he had sired given the proper circumstance. Their relationship had been beyond rocky in Eagleswoopโs younger moons, Jumpingjay being the sole parent to the young tom after Goldtalonโs passing, but now they were closer than ever. Stinging words were passed between the two from time to time, but Sorrelsnap would give his entire world for Eagleswoop and the elder was sure the same could be said about his son. He knew Eagleswoop would have informed him of the coming kits if all had worked according to plan, and yetโฆ
It had been a shock to the ginger and white elder upon returning to camp with Cariboupaw and seeing four kits belonging to Briarstar. Questions of all kinds buzzed through his mind, but what stood out the most had been annoyance. Of all things to keep secret from him, Eagleswoop had chosen to remain silent about the kits he had fathered with Briarstar.
He snorted at his sonโs response, copper eyes clouding over with age rolling. โShe may be your leader and your mate, but she canโt control your every step. Youโre still your own cat, Eagleswoop. Youโre not Briarstarโs shadow.โ Sorrelsnap had no qualm with his sonโs mate. No, he was proud his kit had chosen such a fine warrior to make a life with, to raise a family with, but even with his declining eyesight Sorrelsnap could see that Eagleswoop catered more to Briarstar than he did himself. Listening to your mate and pleasing them was a part of settling down and being with the cat you loved, but a cat wasnโt supposed to lose their sense of individuality just to keep their mate happy. Healthy relationships needed bickering and fights from time to time. Eagleswoop needed to learn how to stand his ground and do what he desired even if it went against Briarstar. That was the only qualm the elder had with his sonโs mate - Eagleswoop seemed to give in to her no matter what. The power balance was not equal, and not just because Briarstar was Clan leader.
Despite the annoyance, and, heโd admit, the hurt, he felt about not knowing he was to be a grandfather until the kits were literally at his doorstep, he was proud of Eagleswoop. He was grateful that his sonโs kits had been born well and healthy. That was all he could have asked for. All he could have wished for. Most queens and their kits didnโt live to see the next sunrise after their kitting.
A sigh so soft and low released itself from Sorrelsnapโs lungs. He reached forward to hook the squirrel with a claw, tearing at the fur before leaning down to use his fangs. Setting aside a few large clumps of fur he took a bite of the meat - a stringy squirrel with little to offer and a lot to wish for, but a meal was a meal in this season. A full belly was a full belly. Sorrelsnap wouldnโt complain about that. โHave some,โ he mewed, pushing the squirrel back toward Eagleswoop. โTell me about the kits. What have you named them?โ
Rattlepaw ยป
The briar lie had worked before, had worked when the Clan had asked her about the wound the first time. They had all seemed to believe her, and after she had told them it was a briar, they padded away and left her alone. They had been nosy, only wanting information. They hadnโt asked because they cared about her, they had asked to satisfy their own innate curiosity. Rattlepaw didnโt know how she felt. Was she relieved they had only asked about it once, or was she disheartened that they only seemed to care about gossip?
โNo cat will care about an apprentice who canโt become a warrior.โ
Her mother had made that statement in such a soft, gentle tone that Rattlepaw had instinctively felt reassured all the while knowing that her mother held no love in those words whatsoever.
One thought ran through her mind as a flicker of Snowtalonโs white fur passed her vision.
How much longer would he care about her? Surely there would be a day in which Snowtalon realized he could do better. He could find a beautiful molly with a warrior name, a molly that could be with him without any worry in the world. A molly that could love him publicly and give him a family he deserved. One day he would realize Rattlepaw was not that cat. One day he would realize he had wasted his time on her.
But until that day came, Rattlepaw was going to soak in all the attention he gave her. Selfishly she was going to keep him all to herself until she no longer could.
Relief sagged the older felineโs shoulders when Snowtalon changed the subject. Perhaps one day she would find the courage to tell the white tom all about her mother and what she had done to Rattlepaw over the moons since Flinthawkโs death, but today was not that day. Tomorrow wasnโt that day either. But there was always the next moon or the moon after that. She had time.
Hunger gripped her tight, her first thought of how she was going to answer his question coming to her without any hesitation. Bone-thin and hardly able to eat, she had eaten once between now and when she had last spoken with Silentshadow. An entire litter of kits had been born since then. Apprentices had been given their full names since then. What she had eaten had been the smallest songbird on the prey pile, and she had only managed two bites before her stomach had curled with disgust. Now hunger once more plagued her stomach, growling as if it were a furious wolf.
Sheepish blue eyes glanced at Snowtalon. She eased her way closer to him, pelts brushing, warmth shared between the two. โCan we eat something?โ The question burned on her tongue. She felt stupid for asking, slowly pulling away from Snowtalon, afraid he would swipe at her for asking such a dumb thing. Rattlepaw had to remind herself that this was Snowtalon and not Wisteriasnow, but no matter how many times she told herself that her heart continued to beat against her chest and her stomach continued to flip and writhe in agony.
Afterall, how was she supposed to trust any cat if she had never first learned how to trust the cat who had given her life?
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Post by ๐ก๐ธ๐ฌ๐ด๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ท๐ท๐ฒ๐ท๐ฐ on Jul 4, 2024 13:01:55 GMT -5
SnowtalonWarrior * 11 moons * He/Him * tagged; Feathertalon --------------------------------------------------------------------- The warrior nodded immediately at her suggestion. It didn't take much to notice how bone-thin Rattlepaw was. He suddenly grew more wary as he struggled to remember the last time he had seen her eat among the other cats in the clan, even with her own siblings. "Of course. There should be enough hunting patrols out already that we could catch something for ourselves." He had barely started to scent the air before he added in a whisper,"I know you don't really like to hunt, and I won't make you...but if you want to, we can go in opposite directions. You could be alone, no distractions." It was a kind offer from the usually rowdy cat, and his brother and former mentor had teased him plenty about how much of a whole different cat he became around her. So much more kind, soft, gentle. Before his feelings for her had been fully realized, he was the rowdiest apprentice in the den. He would jump out and try to scare other cats (which, sometimes he still did do) and say dumb things at the wrong moments. Since his love for the gentle she-cat had grown, however, he had become much like his father. A tom who only had eyes for one she-cat, and would give her the world if she had asked for it.--------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Post by Sand on Jul 4, 2024 13:46:42 GMT -5
Oriolehop camp โ accompanied by: Honeyskip he/him - warrior
 Oriolehop's heart raced with adoration as Honeyskip recalled their past. She was right, he had been calm and collected when Snowtalon and Bucktail were born. Compared to Eagleswoop, Oriolehop looked like a professional. Yet he couldn't blame the poor tabby tom, he had his paws full with Briarstar, Sorrelsnap, and the kits. He was certain that Eagleswoop's mind was spinning out of control by now.
"Hey, there's nothing wrong with being calm! I just couldn't help it when Snowtalon began to walk," Oriolehop remarked with a deep purr. "His little paws were the cutest, even Bucktail's were too. I was dying from adorableness. Can you blame me?"
The orange and white tabby curled himself around Honeyskip before he licked her cheek affectionately. He rolled his pale yellow eyes at her exaggerated yawn playfully. "If I remember correctly, you were exhausted after having our kits, respectfully so. Now you're ready for retirement? Time really does go by fast," he rambled on, gazing at Honeyskip for an answer.
The warrior pretended to duck as she tickled the edges of his fluffy, dark ginger ears. He let out a mrrow of amusement, his heartbeat quickening. "Old, me? Good ol' Oriolehop? I am as young as ever before!" he teased as he pouted at her jokingly.
Oriolehop paused at he thought about Honeyskip's question. He'd go anywhere with her, even if it meant retiring and joining Sorrelsnap in the elders' den. Whatever Honeyskip wanted and needed from him, he would gladly give in. "You suppose? Hmm, I'll take my chances then!" he mewed with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "How about Scout's Point? We can get away for a while, just the two of us. We can do whatever you want. What do you think?"
[ tags: ladylantsov | image credit: pexels ]
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Post by [X] . VeniVidiVici . [X] on Jul 4, 2024 15:11:01 GMT -5
BeaverpeltBeaverpelt had been a bit alarmed at the state of emergency Goldenchill had rushed in with, but knew better than to intervene. An old tom was not what the Silverfern needed in this moment. He gave his son a warm look at the mention of being busy. Such is a medicine catโs job, responsible for his whole clan.
He was glad, however, when Bucktail affirmed he could handle this on his own. Oakstreak was a cat, and every cat needed time outside of his duties. He narrowed his eyes at Oakstreakโs statement. โI know how much you want to rest. Whatโs making you unsure? Bucktail is a fine medicine cat. I donโt think you have anything to worry about there.โ While Beaverpelt had been an attentive father, he knew there was much his two sons did not share with him. Now, perhaps, in their old age, he would be able to share more fatherly advice than before. |
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Post by Sand on Jul 4, 2024 15:23:49 GMT -5
Cypressmask camp โ accompanied by: Stormysage he/him - warrior
 At the sound of Stormysage's suggestion, Cypressmask's ears pricked up. The Scorched Plains were almost lifeless with little prey alive unless they were scavenging around. He glanced at his littermate with wide green eyes. But Cypressmask couldn't and wouldn't turn his sister down. Scavenging prey would be easy to catch, right? The mice and voles would be desperate enough to give up and fall right into their paws.
After thinking for a few moments, he gave a sharp nod. "It's a good suggestion, let's head there," the grey and white tabby tom meowed. A playful smile appeared on Cypressmask's maw. "Wait. How about this-- first one to the camp entrance has to carry back all the prey we catch?"
The grey tabby tom didn't bother to give his littermate a head start. He took off towards the exit before glancing over his shoulder to check on Stormysage. "Come on!" he shouted, trying to catch his sister's attention.
[ tags: ๐๐๐๐๐ข | image credit: pinterest ]
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Post by tumblepaw on Jul 4, 2024 18:46:52 GMT -5
Possumkitin the nursery | revived!! | with Goldenchill
kit ~ he/him ~ newborn He felt warmth. And something pulling him back from the nothingness. The warmth wasโฆ comforting. More comforting than the nothingness and whatever presence he currently felt. Go back, something told him. He was drawn to that warmth and so went back. He didnโt know how else to describe it.
Sucking in cold air in a sharp gasp, he let out a weak mew as he felt something nuzzling and licking him. His cries became louder and more insistent.
I imagine the cat who was supposed to lead him to Starclan was happy he went back. It canโt be fun for them to bring newborns to Starclan.
Happy birthday, Aquatail!  |
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Post by ๐ก๐ธ๐ฌ๐ด๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ท๐ท๐ฒ๐ท๐ฐ on Jul 5, 2024 19:29:51 GMT -5
OakstreakMedicine Cat * 95 moons * He/Him * tagged; [X] . VeniVidiVici . [X]--------------------------------------------------------------------- "Bucktail isn't what I'm worried about." The words spilled out before he even realized he was saying them. He felt a pricke of guilt as he chose his next words. He knew his job as a Medicine Cat was to have his leader be the first one he spoke to about this to. He couldn't keep it in anymore though, he had to tell someone. After not feeling comfortable talking to Paintedmask anymore, his list of cats he could confide in was growing very short. "I got a visit from Nightmask. It's the first time I've seen her since..."
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Lesbian
#ACEBF6
Name Colour
Feathertalon
Bird Overlord
unofficial chicken whisperer
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Post by Feathertalon on Jul 5, 2024 20:23:26 GMT -5
Rattlepaw ยป
Away from camp, alone together, the two could have gotten away with doing anything they wanted. Frolicking through the forest, daring one another to see who could climb to the highest point of the nearby mountain, searching the territory for any signs of predators, but it was prey that occupied Rattlepawโs worried mind. It was prey that took up her thoughts at the moment. Her stomach was thinking for her rather than her head making the appropriate decisions. She was sure to look like a fool in front of Snowtalon. He had probably wanted to do anything but hunt.
Rattlepaw expected disappointment to cloud his eyes and annoyance to mask his face, but when she looked at the tom, she saw the opposite. Gentleness brightened his eyes and understanding decorated his face.
The mollyโs heart fluttered.
How could a cat such as Snowtalon care about her like he did?
Her heart already ached for the day in which he realized he could do so, so much better than her.
Selfishly she wanted to keep him all to herself. Selfishly she wanted to tell him that being with him made her feel things that no other cat made her feel. Selfishly she wanted to secure herself as his number one, as his one and only, but how could she? How could she just tell him the secrets that lived inside her heart and make him stick to her side for the rest of their lives? How could she make herself his obligation when she still wasnโt sure if being in the Clan was the right thing for her or not? She could tell how important ConiferClan was to Snowtalon. He had earned his warrior name defending his Clan and his leader. Asking him to be hers and then asking him to leave the Clan for good would be too much. Too greedy. Her tail twitched uneasily, her throat a patch of stinging nettles. Heโd find a molly who suited him much better in time.
His next comment warmed her yet chilled her all at the same time.
She could be alone. He would go one way, she the other.
Was he already trying to get away from her? Only seconds ago Rattlepaw had witnessed the softness of a down feather upon the tomโs face, her heart skipping a beat under his gentle gaze, but now he was suggesting they go separate ways. Snowtalon didnโt want to hunt with her - not that she would hunt anyway, but she had assumed she would have been able to stand at his side regardless.
The blue-eyed molly swallowed. Her paws shuffled against the ground. Maybe having a moment to herself wouldnโt be that bad. Maybe if she gave herself some time to think and ponder on this whole interaction, this whole escapade, then maybe she could figure something out. Figure something out so that she could have Snowtalon and not make him give up everything he loved as well. The easiest solution would be for her to remain within the Clan, butโฆ
As long as the cold-hearted flower remained in bloom, Rattlepaw didnโt think she would ever be safe within ConiferClanโs ranks.
As long as the bloodthirsty monster that had slaughtered her father lurked in the shadows, Rattle didnโt think sheโd ever be secure inside ConiferClanโs borders.
She breathed in, chest rising and falling slowly, steadily. Finally, she spoke, โWe can do that.โ A ghost of a voice, a hushed whisper. โWill you meet me back here?โ If she got confirmation that Snowtalon would actually return to her then maybe she wouldnโt feel as insecure about all this. Maybe she wouldnโt feel as anxious about it all. Rattlepaw didnโt plan on hunting while she was by herself and Snowtalon on his own, but knowing he would make it back to her would give her just a smidge of hope that she wouldnโt have otherwise.
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Post by ๐ก๐ธ๐ฌ๐ด๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ท๐ท๐ฒ๐ท๐ฐ on Jul 5, 2024 20:41:53 GMT -5
SnowtalonWarrior * 11 moons * He/Him * tagged; Feathertalon --------------------------------------------------------------------- Snowtalon watched as her face cycled through different emotions that didn't leave her thoughts. For a moment, he wondered if his suggestion had been a mouse-brained one. Asking a girl to sneak out with you and immediately ditching her, what a fool. He tried to shake that thought away, however. He just wanted her to feel comfortable. He didn't want her to feel like she had to be somecat that she wasn't, or maybe that having so many cats around just made her feel pressure. His thoughts were completely consumed by her.
"Of course," He responded quickly, brushing their fur together once more,"I'll be back with something to eat in no time." Against his own will, he slowly padded away from the gorgeous she-cat. He had begun to crouch and scent the forest around him for some sort of prey. For his dearest Rattlepaw. With the beginnings or frost and snow on their territory, he blended in much better with the forest in his mostly white pelt. He slinked slowly along the ground, hoping for a scent of anything.--------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Post by ladylantsov on Jul 6, 2024 18:50:47 GMT -5
SLATESTORM
ASTERFROST CAMP The screech from the nursery sends bolts of tension surging through the grey Tom, almost instantly putting his body between the molly and the source of the sound. Just on the off chance it might be a danger, a threat of some kind - unlikely as it was in the centre of their camp. It wasnโt that he didnโt believe Asterfrost wasnt able to take care of herself - his opinion of the lighter-furred shecat was, in fact, quite the opposite.
But his first instinct would always be to leap to protect.
Slatestorm considered himself very lucky in that, of the small pawful of births that had taken place since his own - he hadnโt been present in camp. And as the roll of, seemingly Silverfernโs unless yet more mollies has been keeping secrets to themselves, thundering cries course through him - the warrior has no intentions of changing that statistic today.
A grimace plays across his features - never more grateful to not be a shecat.
The larger warrior follows Asterfrost without comment towards campโs exit, the kitting queenโs cries like a wind at his heels, chasing the Tom from the hollow. ConiferClan wasnโt known for its luck when it came to queens and their litters - his own mother was considered lucky, Briarstar too.
But he wasnโt foolish enough to think a string of good fortune was enough to shatter a history of tragedies almost as old as the mountains themselves. So the warrior murmurs a quiet prayer of, โGood luck,โ then allows the exit tunnelโs shadows to drown any morbid thoughts from his mind.
Slatestorm remains tense, and as silent as a chasm of darkness for some foxlengths from camp. His eyes narrowed and focused on the paths beneath his paws, as he follows Asterfrostโs lead in the direction of Scoutโs Point. Only when he can be utterly and completely sure that they havenโt been followed, that no one will spot them on their solo patrol, does Slatestorm dare to speak again.
โBetween Briarstar and Silverfern, thereโll barely be room to breathe in the apprenticeโs den before long,โ Slatestorm mutters, allowing his path to draw him a little closer to Asterfrost, his broad shoulder knocking gently with hers. He remembered those days well, it barely felt like half a moon ago by now. Not that he misses it. |
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Post by ladylantsov on Jul 6, 2024 19:19:28 GMT -5
Honeyskipโs eyes positively glow as she listens to the Tom cat reminisce on their once tiny sons. Time really had, positively flown, tiny kits sprouting into full grown cat, like saplings reaching ever upward toward warm sunlight. โBetween the number of times I caught Snowkit trying his damndest to scale camp walls,โ her eyes were fixed to her mate in that second, but they didnโt see Oriolehop, they were reliving memories long past with a wistful, sweet grin. โAnd having to pull Buckkit out of the medicine cat den every five minutes before Oakstreak played out threats to skin himโฆโ She shakes her head with a mreow of laughter. โI donโt know how we survived until their -paw ceremonies.โ
Honeyskip scoffs, swatting the Tom about the ears with an agile, golden paw. Ears flattening, but her show of offence was closer to adorable than it was threatening. โIf you think my exhaustion was overplayed,โ she grumbles, reliving an entirely different memory in that heartbeat - one of hours long exhaustion, blood-shed and the exhaustion of the days and weeks later. And she was broadly considered one of the lucky ones. โYou are more than welcome to carry our next children yourself, birdbrain.โ She continues, doing a poor job of hiding her wistfulness.
โI-โ the words have barely fallen onto open air, when a shriek interrupts her words. Eyes widening, her body turns instinctually in the direction of the nursery, where already the first hints of copper-y blood could be scented. She stiffens, as though half contemplating abandoning her mate and going to the den - seeing if she could offer her own helping paw.
She might have done just that, had a figure not dissimilar to her own gone pelting between the dens, her elder sister, Goldenchill, already all over it. She has to swallow her affectionate purr, the sound drowned by her concern. The young warrior watches as Goldenchill bolts across camp once and a second time, this time followed by her son.
Chances were she wouldnโt be welcome, Honeyskip had hated how cats had crowded her when labour had wracked her own body. She would offer Silverfern that privacy.
โSounds like we have new clanmates on the way,โ Honeyskip comments as she turns back to her mate, rubbing her body against his, letting his warmth chase away her doubts and concerns. Briarstar had been fine as unexpected as it had been, she tells herself, round golden paws kneading the soil beneath them, and so would Silverfern.
Visibly rattled and doing a poor job of keeping it to herself, she presses close to Oriolehop a second more then steps away and towards campโs exit. She cocks her head as she looks back to her mate. โScoutโs point would be lovely another day,โ she decides, gently. โBut maybe the Babbling Brook? Bring home something to eat - and if I remember correctly Silverfern does have a preference for fish.โ
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Lesbian
#ACEBF6
Name Colour
Feathertalon
Bird Overlord
unofficial chicken whisperer
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Post by Feathertalon on Jul 6, 2024 20:12:31 GMT -5
Rattlepaw ยป
A shiver ran down her spine as Snowtalonโs fur brushed so softly against her own. The breath caught in her throat, trapped like a mouse under the narrowed gaze of a hawk. Yet she didnโt feel trapped. She didnโt feel as if her life was coming to an end. Instead she felt comforted. She felt at ease. Snowtalon being right there at her side made her feel safe.
And then he was gone.
A phantom in the night, his white pelt fading into the snow that dappled the ground.
Rattlepaw watched, wistful, longing, as the tom vanished.
She yearned to follow after him, to call to him and ask if he could change his mind on the two of them splitting up, but she stayed back. She remained in the shadows, hiding within the darkness. She could only hope that Snowtalon would soon return. That he would not be long and within a moment his all too familiar pelt would be padding toward her with prey dangling between his jaws.
โฆ Or maybe he wouldn't return at all. Perhaps this was all a trick. Perhaps he wanted her to believe that he was coming back just so that she would sit here and wait. Maybe he was going to make a huge circle and head back to camp on his own. Maybe he was going to hunt and then head out somewhere that Rattlepaw would never be able to track him down. The thought of Snowtalon ditching her made her stomach twist. Teetering on her paws she stumbled back, landing sharply upon the ground. A low whine involuntarily slipped from her lips, ears flattening themselves against her cranium. She would understand if he didnโt want to return back to her, but Rattlepawโs heart would surely be crushed.
Not that she deserved such a kind warrior in her life.
Rattlepaw could hear it now, the sneers her mother would make, the snide remarks the older warrior would utter in such a silky smooth tone that it would be impossible to decipher the undertones of hatred. Her mother knew just as much as Rattlepaw herself did that she didnโt deserve the heart of such a kind warrior. She didnโt deserve the gentleness of such a noble tom. She didnโt deserve anything good, for why should a cat who couldnโt even find the determination to graduate into a warrior deserve anything at all?
The young molly remained on her haunches, sitting there among the snow-bitten undergrowth. She made no indication that she was going to get up, no movement that suggested she was even going to attempt to hunt. No matter how awful her stomach felt twisting and constricting against itself, Rattlepaw was going to sit here and wait. She already knew she was going to feel awful for making Snowtalon do all the work and eat what he would bring back, but her claws no longer desired piercing her flesh. Her fangs no longer yearned for the snap of bone underneath them. Even if it was just prey that she would kill, the less killing she did the less likely she would turn out to be like her father.
The less likely it would be that she would turn out to be like her father - stone-cold, unmoving, and broken on the camp ground.
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Post by ๐ก๐ธ๐ฌ๐ด๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ท๐ท๐ฒ๐ท๐ฐ on Jul 6, 2024 20:57:05 GMT -5
SnowtalonWarrior * 11 moons * He/Him * tagged; Feathertalon --------------------------------------------------------------------- The white cattook longer than he had hoped to find something. With the col and snows taking over, prey had mostly hidden itself away for warmth and comfort. It felt like an eternity when he returned to Rattlepaw, a snow finch lodged in his jaws. It wasn't the biggest bird, but he knew it would at least be something to satiate her for the time being. He gently set the bird at her paws before shaking the scraps of peeled bark he had stuck to his pelt from climbing the wet trees. "I hope you like snow finch," He chirped to her, returning to her side once more as if they had been glued together. "I'll grab some prey when we get back...this is for you." He didn't dare look away from her, didn't dare more again. He had left her side to gether her meal, but wanted her to know that he was here to stay. "I um...also wanted to ask you something. I can wait until you're done eating if you want." He began to shuffle his paws nervously as he was working up courage within himself.--------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Post by aquatail on Jul 7, 2024 0:25:08 GMT -5
Silverfern
Relieved that the birthing had ended she sighed, the warmth of her four kits next to her made her slightly forget about the immense pain of having them. She looked at the cute little fluff-balls in the end she had a tortie she-cat with amber eyes, a scruffy, disheveled mostly dusky brown tuxedo cat with faint stripes on his tail and turquoise eyes, a tortoiseshell molly with large orange patches and wide amber eyes and a meager little tomcat, the runt of her litter, he had long scruffy fur which was patchy in some places in the colours black, ginger, and dashes of white. Pride washed over her these were her kits, and she would protect them at any cost. She wondered where Gingerflame was. She needed him to come and see their kits. Using the last scraps of her energy she said "Can someone please get Gingerflame?" Just saying that one sentence made her feel drained. She waited for a response.
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Post by whispering on Jul 8, 2024 16:10:59 GMT -5
He was young when Briarstar first caught his eye- beyond the level of a simple clanmate. She had been asked to join his warrior assessment, a more experienced warrior to fight who he couldn't read as he could his mentor. And vice versa. With so few apprentices, Eaglepaw felt nearly unbeatable in his fighting skills. There wasn't a cat he couldn't best until he fought her.
Eagleswoop liked to think he was very acquainted with the idea of romance. Even though he was still coming around to Sorrelsnap, he couldn't deny that he shared something special with Jumpingjay. The powerful tabby soaked himself in their romance, taking note of their words and actions. He would watch the love that blossomed in other pairs around the camp: the unusual pairs like Goldenchill and Greyhawk(even though the tom was seemingly always solemn), the very loving parings like Rookberry and Foxtail, and Beaverpelt and Petal. Even Wisteriasnow and Flinthawk who consistently displayed affection when eyes were prominent.
Eagleswoop spent moons strategizing his battle plan: how he would win over Briarwhistle's heart. It took moons of perfecting before he finally made his move. Stubborn as she was, it was no easy challenge. He would prove his worthiness like a male bird courting a mate for the spring. He would show her he was the robin with the reddest breast, and there was no better option. One day, you will find me irresistible. He'd declared, melting in the annoyed look she'd given him then. If only that version of his mate could see them now.
He adored Briarstar. Sure, the two could bicker like a pair of starlings. And a few cats were intimidated by her presence. But Eagleswoop loved everything that came with the powerful molly, even if that meant disagreements here and there.
His father had never understood. Of course, he wouldn't with a level-headed mate. And after years of their bickering, Eagleswoop had learned it was best Briarstar was right in most circumstances, even when she wasn't.
"And I'm sure you and Goldtalon were coming to many compromises?" He mewed mildly, a mischievous glint in his dark eyes. He knew his parents had all been friends for many moons. Not even sickness had taken the tabby she-cat's short temper. Eagleswoop was the only cat she was ever gentle with. And when Sorrelsnap entered the nursery with his fussing, she never hesitated to wave him off.
Eagleswoop watched as his father plucked patches of fur from the squirrel before eating it, his whiskers twitching. "I'm fine," The tabby insisted with a shake of his wide head, "I'll catch something on the sunhigh patrol." When was the last time he'd sat down and had a peaceful meal? Without the mewling of kits interrupting him or keeping busy with duties? His belly growled in protest, and Eagleswoop sat beside his father. Grudgingly, he growled, "Maybe a taste."
Only taking a few backs, the warrior leaned back and swiped his tongue over his bloody maw. A quiet purr sounded as the warm meat slid into his belly. For the moment, his night terrors and anxiety were a tiny buzz in the back of his mind. Perhaps he should have visited his father all along.
"They are all so tiny- since Briarstar went into kitting early," His purr grew stronger, and a prideful grin spread across his face, "Whistlekit, Lousekit, Loonkit, and Newtkit. Three toms and a she-kit. You will have to come and visit them before they're old enough to come and pester you."
โฐโฐโฐ
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Post by Tealraven on Jul 8, 2024 17:18:57 GMT -5
FOGPAW open to interaction // in camp
Is it just me, or is it getting colder already? Fogpaw twitched his ears and fluffed his short fur (rather uselessly) against the nip in the air. He shivered as a cool breeze rustled the conifer branches high overhead, breathing evergreen air in his direction. Only a week had passed, but leaf-fall was now decidedly closer to leaf-bare than greenleaf. Not the most ideal timing for two new litters. I hope Briarstarโs and Silverfernโs kits will be strong enough to make it through the coming cold season.
Fogpaw had completed all of his morning chores early and, with nothing else pressing to attend to, had popped into the medicine den to chat with Bucktail. But his friend had been busy preparing herbs for Silverfernโs kitting, and heโd barely acknowledged Fogpaw before bustling over to the nursery with Oakstreak in tow. Fogpaw wasnโt offended by this โ he knew Bucktail would be busier now that heโd become a full medicine cat โ but it didnโt leave him with many options for socializing. His mentor, Swiftstream, was nowhere to be found, so heโd given up and retreated to the freshkill pile for a light lunch.
Boredom tinged with anxiety tugged at his paws. He itched to get up and do some hunting or battle training โ something that would keep his brain busy. With nothing else to occupy his time and thoughts, he found himself ruminating on Flinthawkโs death and Briarstarโs secret and whether there was a connection and so on and so forth, growing increasingly tense in the process. Intelligent minds often worry the most. Fogpaw took another bite of the mouse at his feet, but it had no flavor to him today. He needed a distraction.
@ tag
โ โ โ โ โ
ASPENSONG open to interaction // in camp
As usual, Aspensong was one of the first cats up and moving around that morning, and when Slatestorm had announced he was renovating the warriorsโ den, she'd jumped at the chance to help. While the others had reluctantly filed out, grumbling, she'd thrown herself into the work with enthusiasm. Before she knew it, a couple of hours had passed, and she stepped back to admire her handiwork with a warm glow of accomplishment. She glanced over at Slatestorm and was pleased to see her satisfaction mirrored in his ice-blue eyes. The dark grey warrior dismissed them all with a flick of his tail and Aspensong made a beeline for the freshkill pile.
She welcomed the chill in the air as she emerged from the newly-renovated warriorsโ den. A bracing breeze that wouldโve made any other shorthaired cat shiver soothed her aching, overwarm body. It was a good ache, though: the kind of ache that meant sheโd been working hard. She inhaled deeply and stretched, wincing slightly. Her sides heaved from the effort of expanding the inner walls to make room for more warriors and her dust-smeared coat was now more brown than golden. It was going to take more than a few minutes of grooming to get all the dirt and grime out of her fur. She wrinkled her nose at the prospect.
Aspensong shot a longing look at the pool in the center of the camp. Right now she wanted nothing more than to submerge herself completely in the cool water. But her stomach demanded attention first, and she decided against the idea - better not pollute the Clanโs main drinking source. A dip in the brook would do it, she thought as she selected a vole for lunch. The brook was always freezing, but honestly, that sounded pretty appealing right now. The current would rinse her off faster than her tongue, anyway. Maybe the others who worked on the den will want to cool off, too. Or maybe I can convince someone to come with me under the pretense of going fishing. Aspensong rarely liked doing things alone. She scanned the camp for anyone who didnโt look busy as she wolfed down her vole.
@ tag
โ โ โ โ โ
WOLFSTRIDE hunting with beewhisker // in the forest
Wolfstride prowled through the trees, her grey and silver tabby fur blending in with the shadows striping the forest floor. Muscles rippled beneath her thick coat as she slowly moved forward, setting each paw down with silent precision, fixing a predatorโs sharp gaze on the robin up ahead. It hopped merrily along an exposed tree root and paused to peck through the surrounding pine needles for worms, blissfully unaware of its approaching doom. The warrior unsheathed freshly-sharpened claws and prepared to pounce โ
Just as another cat shot out of the bushes and startled the robin into flight. His attack fell a few lengths short, and the bird spiraled upward in a panicked explosion of feathers. โFoxdung,โ the ginger tom spat, leaping after his prey once again and swatting it out of the sky. He dragged it back down, delivered the killing blow, and bent over to retrieve it. As he padded away, Wolfstride abandoned stealth and stepped out into his path, scowling. โWhat are you doing?โ she demanded. โDo you want every living creature in the forest to know youโre coming? Or were you trying to draw the attention of a bear or a hawk instead, hoping that it would swoop in and do your hunting for you?โ
She was less frustrated with Beewhiskerโs clumsy hunting skills than she was with his total lack of caution. Heโd been so focused on his prey he hadnโt even known she was there. It was only a week ago that a hawk had attacked a hunting patrol to devastating effect. Not that she was afraid, of course. She knew she could handle such dangers. Beewhisker, thoughโฆ Well, I certainly don't care what happens to my ridiculous excuse for a brother; I just donโt want to be responsible for letting another Clanmate get injured, thatโs all. She resisted the urge to look at the sky or scan the undergrowth for threats and settled for lashing her tail and glaring at him instead.
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Lesbian
#ACEBF6
Name Colour
Feathertalon
Bird Overlord
unofficial chicken whisperer
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Post by Feathertalon on Jul 8, 2024 18:04:33 GMT -5
Rattlepaw ยป
He wasnโt coming back. Snowtalon had decided to leave her out here for surely, even in this weather, the warrior would have slain an animal for them to eat and had returned by now. He had probably finally realized that Rattlepaw wasnโt worth it. That she wasnโt the kind of cat to make a life with. She was pathetic, useless, a failure. Snowtalon deserved so much better. He deserved a cat who could hunt and patrol at his side with confidence. He deserved a cat who had a smile on their face and could lay around camp in peace, not always afraid that a certain gaze of blue was watching and judging, waiting for a moment of solitude to explain how she really felt.
Maybe it was for the best. Snowtalon was way too good for Rattlepaw while Rattlepaw wasnโt good enough for Snowtalon. A cat like Meadowlark or Auburnpaw would be better for him, a cat who could give him a happy life, a life without worries or regrets.
Even a cat like Silentshadow would be better for him. Imagining him with Meadowlark or Auburnpaw stirred sorrow within her chest and stiffened her posture, but imagining him with Silentshadow, her own littermate, turned her heart to stone. It made her tremble, eyes stinging.
Silentshadow was a better cat than Rattlepaw, but she didnโt think she could handle seeing her sister with Snowtalon. Rattlepaw wanted to chalk it off to the fact that her sister had the same problems with Wisteriasnow as Rattlepaw did, but realistically, she knew it was more than just that.
A nearby rustling and the sound of soft paws crunching against snow pulled Rattlepaw out of her thoughts before she could fall too far.
A split second of panic coursed through her veins.
Her heart racing, a trapped bird flapping its wings against fragile branches, Rattlepaw frantically scanned the area, body lowering closer and closer to the ground. She wouldnโt blend in completely against the snow, but her fur was pale enough that maybe she stood a chance if she held her breath and closed her eyes. Had her mother followed her out here? Would Wisteriasnowโs sharp fangs sink into her scruff and forcefully pull her up to her paws? She expected the pain of it all, the slashing words and eager claws. Her motherโs disappointment in her already weighed heavy. Rattlepaw knew she wasnโt a warrior yet, and she knew the determination to be one had drained out of her just like the life had drained from her father. Wisteriasnow didnโt have to keep reminding her of that.
Or perhaps she was about to meet the same fate that her father had.
Had the monster finally found her? Had she become too similar to her father?
The scent of blood hit her nose first. Rattlepaw recoiled, unable to stop herself from jumping back. Her eyes flew open wide, limbs struggling to find the energy to rush forward and make a run for it. Blood was never good. Where there was blood there was pain, and where there was pain, there was death.
And then came Snowtalonโs voice, so soft, so sweet. His voice was nothing like the blood that tormented her nostrils.
The apprentice took a deep breath. It was just Snowtalon. It was just Snowtalon and a finch he had caught. Everything was okay. Everything was okay.
Her stomach growled, yowling at her to eat. Another deep breath. Blue eyes slowly looked upward at Snowtalon, her tail twitching ever so slightly. And to believe just moments ago she had been so sure that he had ditched her. โ...Thank you,โ she murmured, slowly easing her head down, jaws parting to sink her fangs into the small birdโs flesh. Two small bites was more than enough for the young molly, the thought of a third curling her tongue back and creating a sickness to bubble up within her now somewhat full stomach.
Rattlepaw shied away from the rest of the bird, an already small meal made even smaller by the petite bites she had taken from its corpse. Once desperate for food the thought of it now made her ill; even the idea of touching it with her paw and pushing it toward Snowtalon left a bitterness in the back of her throat she couldnโt swallow down. โYou have the rest,โ she mewed softly. It wouldnโt be enough for the tom, but something was better than nothing.
A question? Rattlepaw froze, staring into Snowtalonโs eyes. Suddenly the two bites of snow finch felt heavy in her stomach, as if she had eaten too much, had gorged herself. This had to be a positive question, right? He wouldnโt have returned to her if he only had something negative in his heart about her, right? โWhat is it, Snowtalon?โ She took a slow step toward him, inching closer, fur almost brushing. What did he have to ask her? And how was she going to respond?
Goldenchill ยป
With every rasp of her tongue she sent up a prayer. With every breath she took she longed to give some to the kit who lay still and silent beneath her.
Skykit. Rainkit. Frigidkit.
Her three daughters who had never known life. Her three daughters who had neither moved nor mewled once they had arrived into the mossy nest they would have shared with their mother. Why they had departed to StarClan so soon Goldenchill had no idea - she recalled so fondly and so vividly how her litter of four had tumbled and rolled within her swollen flanks. She remembered with love how excited she had been upon feeling their first movements, how she had cherished every stirring within her after that.
Vigorously she licked at the limp tomkit some more, rolling him onto his back to lick at his throat and underbelly. A heartbeat was all she asked for. A gulp of air was everything she wished for.
Please, StarClan, pleaseโฆ
Grief was inevitable, every cat would eventually suffer a loss, but a mother should never have to see her kits be buried. A mother should never have to suffer seeing the small mounds that created her kitsโ final resting place. Having lost three of her kits the day they were born and the fourth a moon afterโฆ Agony choked her. Goldenchill couldnโt allow Silverfern the same grief she had felt all those moons ago. The same grief she still felt even now.
A few of her Clanmates had called her lucky. After the death of her entire litter they had looked her in the eyes, misted by sorrow, and expressed their condolences only to immediately follow it with โat least youโre still aliveโ. They would remind her of how many queens had died alongside their kits, of how many queens only lasted a few days after carrying their litter and bringing them life. She had even received comments about how she and Greyhawk could just try for more kits later on, that so long as she was alive she could always have another litter.
Goldenchill had sobbed into Greyhawkโs thick coat after every interaction like that. She had struggled to find the courage to even look her Clanmates in the eyes after those statements had been said to her. Some queens were lucky enough to have more kits. Some queens were lucky enough to easily become pregnant. Goldenchill was not one of the lucky ones.
Everytime she had received a comment like that she had wanted to scream and wanted to cry. She wanted to tell them of her struggles, to tell them of all the heartbreak she and Greyhawk had carried with them in secret. They had tried for kits for so long. They had only recently become warriors when they became mates, and soon after they had longed for a family of their own. Goldenchill had hoped to mother many litters with Greyhawk, had hoped to have her first litter relatively young so she could have a few more in her lifetime. There had been a few times when she thought she had finally become pregnant, but each and every time it had just been a false alarm. Just another heartache that she and Greyhawk had to endure and pretend as if nothing had happened. And when she had finally - finally - felt the movement of kits against her stomach, when a pregnancy had finally been confirmed, she had been overjoyed. Elated. Full of hope. All their struggles had come to an end. They were to finally be the family they had always dreamed of.
Now there were four extra graves out there. Four graves too small for comfort.
And her Clanmates still had the gall to tell her she was the lucky one.
A squeak. A breath of air.
Movement.
Life.
Sudden joy pushed away all sorrow. Goldenchillโs fur bristled in her happiness, the molly pausing in her tongue strokes just long enough to make sure she wasnโt imagining what she had heard and felt.
The tomkit wriggled beneath her. Kit cries turned from soft to loud.
Goldenchillโs heart swelled. This was the sound every mother wished to hear.
โHeโs okay, heโs okay,โ Goldenchill breathed in awe. She licked the newborn a few more times, drying the last patches of fur upon his small body before gently grabbing him by the scruff and returning him to his mother and the rest of his siblings. Her green eyes lit up with love as she gazed upon the new litter of four. Silverfern had done well.
For all the happiness she had swelling inside her chest, Goldenchill couldnโt ignore the longing that wriggled about. That should have been her, resting curled among her tiny kits. She should have had four tiny bundles nuzzling into her flanks, eager to begin their first feeding. Instead she had had panic and tragedy, thyme to ease her suffering and cobwebs to stop the bleeding. She may have survived, but a part of her had died alongside her kits.
An observant gaze noticed how her young nephew was getting to his paws. As if reading his mind, Goldenchill stood tall and leaned into Bucktail, pressing her nose against his soft shoulder fur. โIโll get Gingerflame. Keep an eye on Silverfern and the kits a bit longer.โ
Bucktail blinked up at her, an expression of a million emotions painted across his visage. โYou sure?โ
Goldenchill dipped her head. โIโm sure. Iโll have plenty of time to spend with our newest Clanmates.โ Truth be told she didnโt think she could handle being in the nursery right now. Too much had happened, too many old wounds reopened. She was happy, but she was sad all the same. Kittings like these were a moment to celebrate, but Goldenchill needed some time to escape. Retrieving Gingerflame was enough of an excuse to do as much.
Without another word the large queen slipped away from the nursery, stepping away from all the ghosts that lingered within.
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Lesbian
#ACEBF6
Name Colour
Feathertalon
Bird Overlord
unofficial chicken whisperer
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Post by Feathertalon on Jul 8, 2024 18:07:59 GMT -5
Bucktail ยป
with silverfern - aquatail & goldenchill
Three kits were tucked away against their mother safe and sound. Three tiny bundles of fur wriggled and mewled alongside Silverfernโs flanks. But one remained with Goldenchill, his motherโs elder sister frantically licking the tiny bundle as if her life depended on it.
He was sure her life did. Goldenchill would give her life for the life of a kit with no problem. Bucktail may be a medicine cat who was responsible for the lives of all his Clanmates, but even he knew that no other cat was better at this particular job than Goldenchill.
As soon as the thought crossed his mind he heard the beginnings of mewls and noticed the starts of movement. He held his breath, trying hard to not let joy wash over him prematurely. It wasnโt until Goldenchill picked the kit up, it wriggling and mewling, and placed it at Silverfernโs side that Bucktail allowed himself to relax. Tension rolled off of him like water on a duckโs back. He sighed, head sagging. If any cat asked heโd say he was merely checking the kits out. And he was, he was certainly looking over at the new litter of four, but he was more so exhausted much like Silverfern, though his exhaustion was mental rather than physical.
Two births in less than a moon. Two kittings that he had took charge of. This was the kitting that was supposed to earn him his medicine cat name, this was supposed to have been his assessment, but fate had had other ideas.
As Goldenchill took her leave to grab Silverfernโs mate, Bucktail remained where he sat, a smile on his face and copper eyes full of happiness. โTheyโre wonderful, Silverfern. Can you believe we all used to be this small?โ It was hard to imagine that once upon a time he had been that small. That he and Snowtalon had been able to so easily melt into their motherโs fur and hide away. Now when he tried that it was obvious a second cat was attaching itself to Honeyskip.
For all the joy Silverfernโs kitting placed within him, Bucktail had to wonder why so many kittings ended tragically.
Briarstar had lost a life. Silverfern had almost lost a kit. Goldtalon had faded away and joined StarClan with two of her kits.
Goldenchill lost her entire litter. Foxtail gave up her life for her kits. Nightmask perished alongside a tiny daughter. Bucktail had heard that Palestreamโs mother died after her kitting. Even Wisteriasnow had never known her mother alongside some of her littermates. Why did the act of bringing life into the Clan end so tragically? Why did ConiferClan seem to have a curse placed upon them?
Bucktail didnโt have a naming ceremony to look forward to anymore, but that didnโt mean he couldnโt travel to the Whispering Woods in hopes of connecting with StarClan. Surely his ancestors would have an answer for him. If he could connect with Brookberry again and speak with her then perhaps he could find the answer. Perhaps he could be the medicine cat that ended this reign of terror that gripped the heart of every mother-to-be.
Sorrelsnap ยป
A huff of laughter escaped the ginger and white tom, a sound that carried no hints of annoyance or bitterness, just simple amusement. He eased into his meal, any tension in his old body fading as he filled his stomach. Perhaps his earlier annoyance had come from hunger pains, or perhaps he had just needed a moment to get his frustrations toward his son off his chest. Maybe even both. โGoldtalon and I were never mates. I saw no reason to compromise with her.โ Sorrelsnap sniffed at the squirrel, pulling away some more of the fur. โJumpingjay was the mediator between the three of us.โ Goldtalon, Sorrelsnap, and Jumpingjay had been a close knit trio. They had been kits, apprentices, and warriors together, all growing up at the same time, all learning and experiencing the world together. They had been inseparable. Naturally fights between them had happened, but more often than not it had been Goldtalon against Sorrelsnap, Sorrelsnap against Goldtalon. Poor Jumpingjay had to be the one to calm the two down. He had always been the one to calm the two friends down.
No matter how many times the two had bickered, they always remained friends. And that friendship remained strong until the very end. Until Goldtalon had taken her last breath.
Sorrelsnap let out a sigh, pushing the rest of the squirrel away with his paw. He nudged it toward Eagleswoop, silently telling his son that he could have the rest; the older he got the less he found himself eating. Not that he wasnโt just as hungry as he had always been, it just seemed that his stomach grew smaller the older he became until one day his stomach would be so small he would never desire to eat again.
That would be the day he would decide he needed to join StarClan.
Joining StarClan. He could reunite with Jumpingjay. With Goldtalon.
The elder looked back up toward his son. His son who was now a father as well. Perhaps Jumpingjay and Goldtalon had to wait a while longer. Right now, Eagleswoop needed him. Right now, his new family members needed him.
A warm, genuine smile spread across Sorrelsnapโs face the moment Eagleswoop began talking about his newly arrived litter. To believe that Eagleswoop had once been so small, so fragile, just a tiny kit in the nursery, and now here he was, a powerful warrior with the Clan leader as his mate. And now he had kits of his own. It was hard to believe it. Sorrelsnap had never felt so old yet so young all at once. โLoonkit, Newtkit, Lousekit, and Whistlekit. I would love to visit them before theyโre old enough to tear my fur out. Do you know when a good time would be?โ He may not have been that active in Eagleswoopโs first few moons, but even Sorrelsnap understood the importance of respecting boundaries when it came to kits; kits needed a very strict schedule, and should something happen to that schedule then it was a ruinous day for the parents.
But for now, Sorrelsnap wanted to spend some time with his son, and just his son. Heโd get the chance to meet his grandkits soon enough. In this moment it was just all about him and Eagleswoop, father and son, spending time with one another and reinforcing the bond they had worked so hard to have.
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Post by ๐ก๐ธ๐ฌ๐ด๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ท๐ท๐ฒ๐ท๐ฐ on Jul 8, 2024 22:31:08 GMT -5
SnowtalonWarrior * 11 moons * He/Him * tagged; Feathertalon --------------------------------------------------------------------- The tom hadn't even glanced at the finch, his thoughts too busy to even consider biting into it. Snowtalon suddenly felt choked up. Something about how her eyes were always so soft and sad, it held his heart hostage. Maybe it was arrogance, wanting to be her hero, to save her from whatever had plagued her mind. Maybe it was because he had seen flickers of the cat she used to be in his heart. He knew he had to try to bring her happiness. "I...I know that you've been sad for a long time. I mean, my mom used to tell me she was sure it was about Flinthawk, but it never really faded like she thought it would...and honestly, that isn't my place. I want you to trust that whatever it is though, I would never judge you. It's okay to not feel okay about whatever is going on with you...no matter what any other cats says. I was going to ask if...you wanted me to, I could be yours? I-" Suddenly, his usual bout of boldness had shocked himself. He dared himself to finish, for he had gotten this far,"I've liked you for a very long time, Rattlepaw. Even if you never fully become a warrior, I want to be with you, if you'll have me." His body felt blazing hot despte the snow. He was so embarassed by himself, pouring his heart out like this when she hadn't even said yes. Still, he knew he couldn't have asked her in any other way. He was a warrior now. He was tired of hiding, tired of not truly being the Snowtalon he knew he was inside...and that meant admitting just how deeply he had fallen for the she-cat who had been staring at him.
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Post by [X] . VeniVidiVici . [X] on Jul 9, 2024 19:40:20 GMT -5
BeaverpeltBeaverpeltโs eyes grew wide as Oakstreak said Nightmaskโs name. โNightmask?โ He said softly, both alarm and compassion lacing his voice. He had seen how close Oakstreak had been to her when he was an apprenticeโฆwell, before his accident. But he knew cats from StarClan didnโt visit just because someone here missed them. If that was the case, he would have seen Primrosesplash many times over.
โWhy would Cedarstarโs mate come to visit you?โ Beaverpeltโs sentence was not very tactful. He did not mean offense - while very adoring towards his sons, he was equally oblivious - and his concern showed in his eyes as he sat near his son. |
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Post by whispering on Jul 9, 2024 19:45:54 GMT -5
Finally.
A night where only darkness welcomed her. Not her father's gruff voice or scent. Or the memories from when he still walked the same earth as she. Briefly, she was relieved when she closed her eyes to nothingness. But not long after she'd welcomed the peaceful sleep, her eyes blinked open.
Silentshadow stood in a dark forest. Tall trees rose on all sides, their branches blocking out the sky. She couldn't make out a single star; not even moonlight touched the forest floor. Only eerily growing mushrooms and slimy moss that made her lips curl in disgust. Her pelt prickled with unease. It was as if she was being watched in every direction she turned. Her unease grew when her gaze met a pair of eyes and then another. And more. There were ominous eyes everywhere. Am I dreaming?
"Welcome." The familiar voice she loathed sounded behind her. Silentshadow whipped around to see the broad shape of her father emerge from the dark forest. "Don't be intimidated by my friends. They've been waiting years for a living cat to visit their home."
"And you, daughter, have pledged your allegiance to us. You have agreed to spread light on an injustice done by a traitor. From now on, you will spend your nights training with us until you've learned the truth." A traitor? Was it her father's subtle way of confirming that a ConiferClan cat murdered him? "Your training begins now." As if on cue, the eyes started to slink from the shadows. Cats, no ghosts. Some were so transparent she could see the outline of the trees behind them. Her father stood in the middle of the cats, his dark eyes gleaming as the cats swarmed around Silentshadow. He was joined by a big cream tom and a smaller she-cat, hidden meaning she didn't understand yet in their eyes. The dark forest cats closed in on her, snarling and baring jagged teeth. Their rank scent overwhelmed her senses. She hissed in pain as she backed into the prickly thistles of a briar plant, screeching as claws slashed against her.
Her eyes opened, and Silentshadow was back in the warrior's den, curled up in her nest near the opening of the warrior's den. Her ears pricked as she listened to the soft snores and snuffles of her denmates. The clearing was still dark, only faint light beginning peaking through the dark sky.
What a strange dream, she thought, her dark maw gaping into a huge yawn. She would be leading the dawn patrol soon, unfortunately. Sucking in a sigh, the dark molly began to groom her sleep-ruffled fur. She froze as her tongue lapped at sticky blood gushing from a claw wound along her shoulder. Images of claws from the dark forest slashing at her flashed in her mind.
How could a wound she received in her dream cross into the real world? What did the dream even mean? Where'd those briars come from in the middle of that horrid forest? Silentshadow was almost certain she'd been in The Place of No Stars. What was her father doing there? Yes, he was an insensitive fox-heart, but was that all it took to be denied by StarClan? There was more going on that she didn't know about. More secrets to be uncovered.
But she couldn't worry about that now. She needed to gather her patrol. Rising to her paws- and wincing from the pain of her fresh wound - she slunk between her sleeping clanmates and prodded a great lump of fur awake. Silentshadow loathed border patrols as it was. If she was better at hunting, why couldn't her skills be utilized toward that? But she despised it all the more when paired with cats she disliked.
Cats like her father. Cats like Grizzlythroat.
Grizzlythroat was a popular choice among ConiferClan, and, coincidentally, her father's last apprentice before his sudden death.
Solemn and hard-working in the eyes of the seniors, and outgoing around the more friendly eyes. However, that never stopped her from prying into Silentshadow's impenetrable shell. Try as she might, she never let the much bigger she-cat get too close. There was an undeniable resemblance with she-warriors mischievous undertones and the way she always tried to get Silentshadow to engage reminded her too much of Flinthawk. She wanted to stay as far away as she possibly could.
Silentshadow didn't wait for her to get up before she exited the den, making her way toward the entrance. The faster they made it around the territory, the faster it would be over.
โฐโฐโฐ
Eagleswoop would be a liar if he said a part of him was not enjoying fatherhood. Because it was quite the opposite. When he wasn't worrying about the future, about the past, he was mesmerized by the tiny lives he created.
Watching them sleep and squirm at their mother's belly, the tiny mewls and wails, the moment of peace he'd feel taking Briarstar's place whenever she needed a break. These were moments he would miss in a few moons. When his kits were big and rowdy, growing into individual warriors, learning who they were. Had Sorrelsnap felt the same about him? Before he distanced himself from Eagleswoop?
"Any time, I'm sure. We get lots of visitors throughout the day." He replied before mindlessly gobbling the rest of the squirrel, appreciating the satisfaction it gave to his belly. He knew his mate didn't care for their lack of privacy, but new life was a delicacy in ConiferClan. It would just have to be a sacrifice she made until their kits were older.
Still swiping his tongue over his lips for any remaining traces of his prey, Eagleswoop ascended and padded to his father. Like a kit, he flopped down beside his father and cuddled close to his father. A purr rumbled deep as he brushed his head against the old tabby's flank before drowsily beginning to share tongues.
A shriek from the clearing made him pause. The warrior snapped his head up, beginning to panic. But then he remembered that Silverfern was expecting soon.
"It sounds as if Silverfern is kitting." The brown tabby concluded, laying down on his paws. He prayed to the stars that her kitting went well. Silverfern didn't have the same advantage as his mate. Or the molly that plagued his dreams.
The silence went on between the toms, Eagleswoop struggling to find the right words, wondering if he should even tell his father about his dreams. But who else could he tell? Briarstar, of course, but now he sought guidance from a cat who shared his grief. The one cat who understood more than any other.
"You know I've been dreaming of her." The tom rumbled, pressing closer to his skinny father. The troubled feelings he experienced every night returned to him. "Nightmares of when she... when I woke up that morning, and she was dead."
"And every morning before dawn, I relive the path we took when she snuck me out of a camp a few sunrises before it happened." Sorrelsnap and Jumpingjay had been worried sick when Goldtalon returned with their kit. But it was the closure she needed. His mother knew she had little time left. I had to be the first to show you your home. Eagleswoop hadn't understood why then: why his mother roused him so early and escorted him around ConiferClan territory. He'd just been a kit, excited to be breaking the rules.
Now he understood her plans, and the grief pierced his heart sharper than a badger's claws. Goldtalon took Eagleswoop on their adventure because she knew she would never patrol with her son. She would never see his achievements. It was her way of properly saying goodbye.
Emotion was heavy in his throat, and Eagleswoop sighed. "I miss her more than ever."
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