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Post by Haven on Sept 5, 2024 17:05:07 GMT -5
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by
"What is the meaning of this?" growled the gravelly voice of an older cat as her long tail lashed. Her companion who sat beside her nosed her shoulder in a reminder to be calm. "Hawkstar, it was I who arranged the meeting," the medicine cat whispered in their most soothing tone. "What?" the leader's sharp eyes moved from the three cats in front of her to her companion. Was this a trap? "I assure you Hawkstar, I'm just as confused," Spoke the other leader. "Let us explain," croaked out the other medicine cat who stood opposite of Hawkstar, "As you know, I travelled to the Moon Field early. It turns out that so did Crookedhollow. Our... concerns are shared over in Gladeclan." "I have no idea what he's talking about," snorted the easily annoyed Gladeclan leader. Though, Hawkstar had to admit... it was true. Crookedhollow did travel to the glowing field of moon flowers that made up their sacred place early this moon. Still, that was no excuse for sharing weaknesses with the opposing clan and she made sure to shoot a look that said so over the medicine cat's way. "Hawkstar, please... It isn't just the food shortages... twolegs are pushing further into their territory as well, and-... and they've had cats go missing too. Now is the time for us to work together. We can't be fighting amongst ourselves and whatever is out there taking our warriors," Crookedhollow pleaded. The other leader seemed to agree as he sighed, "She's right... this is no time for pride. We must-" A sudden snap in the woods had all cats freeze, fur lifting to double their size. Another crack. "Twolegs! Scatter!" hissed Hawkstar. The cats darted as loud steps could be heard crashing through the brush. "Honeypaw! Not there!" came a shout. The medicine cat apprentice, who had been quietly watching the proceedings smelled the strangeness in the copse of leaves ahead of him, but before he could change directions something slammed shut with a sharp clang! and he found himself running face first into a closed cage door. For hours it seemed like Honeypaw fought to find a way out. He tried to force it, throwing himself at the walls. When that didn't work he tried to pry his claws in between the gaps but got equally nowhere. Something lifted the cage and he aimed for the strangely long and twisted twoleg paw that held him. He had always heard that twolegs were furless, but this one had thick skin that easily withstood his blows. He was shoved into darkness, nose filled with the scent of fear and fury of other cats. For a moment it was silent and he used that to once more try to work out his escape plan, but then a thunderous roar started that made cold shock Honeypaw's body. He was in the belly of a thunderbeast...
Feel free to add or change any of this. I left the other progenitor clan up to you. I figure Gladeclan is a forest-dwelling clan led by Hawkstar. We can make stuff up as we go with our characters. Name:
Gender:
Age:
Allegiance:
Former Role:
Description/Pic:
Personality:
Preferences:
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Other:
Name: Honeypaw Gender: Male, He/Him Age: Young Adult Allegiance: Meadowclan Former Role: Medicine Cat Apprentice Description/Pic: A mostly pale cream body with golden-brown fur along the top of his body and dark, copper eyes.  Preferences: He hasn't figured this out yet Personality: Snarky and ill tempered, Honeypaw doesn't have the best bedside manner. He's not a bad cat in truth, but he hasn't yet learned to manage his emotions. Strengths: He has a strong connection with Starclan and has been able to dreamwalk since he was a kit. He's been trained as a medicine cat, so he knows a variety of herbs and their uses. Weaknesses: His crankiness can make him hard to get close to. He also doesn't have any former warrior training, so his fighting skills aren't the best. Other: While Honeypaw was named for his coat, he's much closer to the sharp sting of a bee than the sweetness of honey. He never wanted to be a medicine cat and always dreamed of one day taking his place as a warrior, but with the aging of his clan's current medicine cat and his moments of dreamwalking, he was given to a path he never wanted to take. This is the main cause of his perpetual bad mood.
Name: Domino Gender: Male, He/Him Age: Adult Allegiance: Loner Former Role: None Description/Pic:
 Personality: A heart breaker if there ever was one. Domino is a free spirit who has never needed anyone else. He's always lived under his own rules and he likes it that way. Preferences: He has a history of being a flirt with anyone and everyone. Strengths: Domino is unpredictable and frankly, luck has gotten him through a lot in life. His Guerilla fighting tactics and confident swagger has put him at equal fighting prowess with a clan cat in the past, but he also knows when it's smart to cut your losses and run. Weaknesses: His mouth gets him in more trouble than it gets him out of it. While he's a good source of information, most prefer to go without to spare themselves from his constant talking. Other: Domino's backstory changes every time he tells it, but what is known is that he lives around a twoleg campground. For most of his life he's been left alone, happy to take food that's given or help himself to untended picnic baskets, but never get close enough to be touched. (Making a few more in just a bit) |
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Post by Haven on Sept 5, 2024 18:53:18 GMT -5
Name: Moonswallow Gender: Female, She/her Age: Young Adult Allegiance: Former Gladeclan, now an outcast Former Role: Warrior Description/Pic:
 Preferences: Either Personality: Moonswallow is an outspoken cat who has never been afraid to speak out when she feels something is wrong. Though she is deeply caring, her sense of justice can sometimes put her at odds with those she loves. Strengths: An independent thinker with a preference for talking through problems than fighting them. Moonswallow is also a master of stealth, making her a strong hunter. Weaknesses: Not the easiest to get to go along without question. She also has a bad habit of hesitating in a fight as she overthinks her purpose for doing it. Other: Moonswallow has been an outcast for roughly three moons after she questioned Hawkstar's deteriorating judgement in the wake of the prey shortage. This was especially surprising as Moonswallow is Hawkstar's granddaughter and hey once had an especially close relationship.
Name: Cinderoak Gender: Female, she/her Age: Young adult Allegiance: Gladeclan Former Role: Warrior Description/Pic:
 Personality: Tends to act without thinking... which wouldn't really help as she's also not the cleverest cat in the camp either. That said, she's pretty friendly. Preferences: Male Strengths: Cinderoak is a strong and fierce fighter. She's a loyal cat who can be downright fearless when it comes to protecting others. Weaknesses: Intelligence. While she isn't actually stupid, she is easily bored by anything that doesn't involve fighting, leading to a certain kind of ignorance and poor attention span. Because of her boldness, she has on occasion said things that were entirely incorrect with all the confidence that she is totally in the right. Other: Sister to Moonswallow, she has been doubting herself and her leader quietly ever since her sister was banished. Although she at first blamed her sister for making things so complicated, she was secretly meeting her when they were both grabbed by twolegs.
Name: Dewpaw Gender: Male Age: Adolescent Allegiance: Meadowclan Former Role: Apprentice Description/Pic:
 Personality: Softspoken and gentle, Dewpaw is friendly cat who enjoys the simple pleasures in life. He's not ambitious or begrudging, but instead would love if everyone just stopped fighting for once and got along. Like... why even are there clan divides anyway? Preferences: Female Strengths: He's easy to talk to and enjoys lending an ear or paw whenever needed. He's entirely loyal and would never betray a friend's trust. Weaknesses: His loyalty to friends doesn't mean he's got the strongest loyalty to the clan. It isn't that he doubts his clan, he just doesn't see why he can't also make friends with cats outside it. Other: His mentor is a warrior called Stonefin who was taken with him.
Name: Shiloh Gender: Female, she/her Age: Adult Allegiance: Kittypet Former Role: None Description/Pic:
 Personality: A little aloof for a kittypet, her tendency not to let others get too close has only grown since being abandoned. Preferences: Currently none, it would take a cat who can earn her trust first. Strengths: Shiloh is pretty wise. She may lack in experience out in the wild, but she has great insight and pretty good interpersonal skills when she deems it necessary to speak to others. Having grown up with the housefolk, she is a bit more knowledgeable about human things. Weaknesses: She has never lived in the wild and has no skills in hunting prey bigger than the occasional mouse or laser pointer. Other: She was abandoned at the shelter after getting pregnant and has yet to have her kits. Though she wouldn't say it out loud, she worries for their future and her trust in housefolk has gone completely. He wont be staying long, but here's Stonefin:  |
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Post by Haven on Sept 5, 2024 19:35:45 GMT -5
"Where are we?" whispered Dewpaw, unsteady on his paws as the box they were in jostled, "What happened? Were we eaten?"
"Hush," his mentor scolded, ears trembling with alertness as his nose worked overtime. Rat droppings, the older cat thought, I should have retired last moon when given the chance. Ever since he caught that bought of whitecough his sense of smell had dulled. "What do you smell?"
Dewpaw trembled, forcing his body to move. He had made his body as small as it could go ever since they had been trapped in the darkness of the monster and now his legs felt stiff. "I smell... grass and... twolegs... other cats and-"
There was a strange screeching sound that had the apprentice puffing up again. For a moment he was quiet until he whispered out, "More cats, and dogs! Stonefin, where are we?"
Stonefin frowned, his tail flicking over his apprentice's shoulder. He wish he knew.
Suddenly, the darkness was replaced with an odd light and before the cats could refocus their vision the world tilted and they were flopped ungracefully into a larger cage. Dewpaw scrambled to his paws, tripping over a bowl of water and sending it spilling on the floor, "Sorry!"
Stonefin didn't seem to mind, he was too busy peering out of the cage at the rows of other cats. Some were staring at them curiously, others with less interest, and more didn't acknowledge them at all. The twoleg that had brought them poured dried pellets through a hole, filling up a bowl on their side of the cage door. Stonefin hissed but the twoleg patted the cage without much care and walked out of the room.
"Looks like we got ferals!" cried one cat in a cage opposite them. He was skinny with thin fur and flea-bitten look.
"Nobody cares," growled another, somewhere that Dewpaw couldn't see.
"Ferals? Hmph... well, we all know what happens to them..." yawned a fat, striped, cream colored queen with the haughty look of a kittypet.
Dewpaw pressed forward, against the cage to try and make eye contact with her, "What happens to us?"
"The housefolk won't keep a cat who bites and claws them and a cat they can't keep is just a waste of food," She answered with a look that made Dewpaw feel like a bug.
"Shut your trap Tiger," the ornery, unseen cat from before hissed, "Sick of you acting like you know better, we're all the same in these cages.
"What kind of name is Tiger for a kittypet?" Stonefin puffed up in offense.
"Did you say kittypet?" A new voice mewled out, "Are you from the clans? Which one? My sister and I are from-!"
"Cinderoak, who is it?" hissed another voice.
"I don't know, I can't see," the one called Cinderoak whispered back. Dewpaw's ears pricked at the sound of whispered arguing between them. It sounded like the Gladeclan cats were somewhere beneath them.
"Oh good... the ferals can entertain each other..." Tiger sighed, stretching a flopping down for a nap.
The original, scrawny cat rolled his eyes, "Hey, newbies, don't mind her. You're at a place called Green Hope Shelter. The housefolk bring us here to find new homes. I'm Rusty. I lived in a junkyard until Henry died. Then I was brought here. It's not so bad. Free food, they take care of any fleas, and no worry about rain. Eh-...Tiger does have a point though. I would do your best to be nice to the housefolk. The last cat that put up a fight went into the white room and- well... he never came back."
Dewpaw's eyes were wide and beside him Stonefin took in the information quietly. They were in trouble.
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Post by polarized on Sept 6, 2024 1:37:13 GMT -5
Bordering GladeClan was Meadowclan, known for their open fields and curious personalities. They always seemed to be quarrelling with something about GladeClan. They were led by Timberstar, a slim dark furred tom. Name: Ember Gender: Female, She/Her Age: Young Adult. (Apprentice age) Allegiance: Loner Former Role: n/a Description/Pic: Personality: She is feisty, witty, and courageous. She isn’t afraid to speak her mind, and will stand up for herself. Preferences: Males Strengths: Ember seems to have a sixth sense for fighting, especially at such a young age. She has once bet a warrior three times her size. Weaknesses: Ember can be known to get cocky, and throw herself into things she shouldn’t. Other: Captured by Twolegs with her friend, Web. They were taken away from their homes, in which they stayed around the original clans.
Name: Web Gender: Male, he/him Age: Young Adult Allegiance: Loner Former Role: n/a Description/Pic:  Personality: Web is loyal, self-reserved and intelligent. He always seems quiet, not speaking to cats he doesn’t know. However, when he was younger and found Ember as a tiny, starving kit. They helped eachother survive in the dark world around them. Preferences: Females Strengths: His loyalty is unwavering, and he knows when to steer clear of any drama he doesn’t want a part in. He doesn’t talk much, but when he does it always seems important. Weaknesses: Web can be oblivious, not being able to tell what a cat is trying to imply. This leads to him deterring different symbols as something else. Other: He was taken away with Ember, now trying to find anywhere they can call home.
Name: Pinepaw Gender: Male, he/him Age: Young Adult Allegiance: Meadowclan Former Role: Former Meadowclan apprentice Description/Pic: Personality: Out of the MeadowClan apprentices, Pinkpaw is the most responsible and determined off all of them. He's hardworking and dedicated to learning to be a good warrior, no matter how many times his mentor, Lionbreeze tells him to lighten up.  Preferences: Either Strengths: Pinepaw’s determination seems to split him apart from others, and he seems too interested in what he thinks is right. Weaknesses: Pinepaw isn’t good at trusting other cats he has just met. Other: Taken by Twolegs, struggling to find himself in this new place.
Name: Lionbreeze Gender: Male, he/him Age: Adult Allegiance: Meadowclan Former Role: Former MeadowClan deputy Description/Pic: large  Personality: Lionbreeze has noticed that when meeting new cats for the first time he tends to be rather intimidating and scary due to his size, though he doesn't think his appearance matches his true personality. As deputy of MeadowClan he was a responsible and protective warrior and his one true goal is to protect his family and clanmates. Preferences: Either Strengths: He is strong, and can come off as imposing. He also knows very well how to handle hard situations. Weaknesses: He is unaware of how large he is, and sometimes this shows in his fighting skills. Other: He was taken with Pinepaw, and the two had found themselves lost with the other cats.
(Might add more later!) |
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Post by polarized on Sept 6, 2024 13:25:48 GMT -5
Pinepaw shuffled nervously, what was going on? He jumped at every slight noise, the sound of the monster starting and the sounds of other cats. He sat there, crouching at the side of the gray, impossible to escape den. It seemed like being trapped in a rabbit burrow, but he had never imagined it like this. He was filled with hope to see a cat he knew beside him. Lionbreeze, the MeadowClan deputy, was staring at him. “It’s good to see you okay, Pinepaw.” He let out a small purr, which almost made Pinepaw’s den shuffle. He caught the hisses and growls of kittypets and loners in the other dens, they seemed like they didn’t like the two clan cats. “Ferals!” One hissed, half-heartedly. “They won’t last a minute with Twolegs..” The loner growled. Pinepaw felt his fur spike up. Twolegs? He didn’t want to be a kittypet! The brown tom stared at his mentor, looking for anything to explain the situation. But all he did was shake his head. “I don’t know this time, Pinepaw. I fear we might be in grave danger.” He said emotionlessly. Pinepaw watched as the entrance to the monster slid open, revealing the scary image of a Twoleg. They seemed to be grabbing the dens, one by one. Pinepaw looked in fear as his mentor was taken away. “Lionbreeze!” He yowled, but then his den was grabbed by the large, pink paws of a Twoleg. He tried to claw at them, but it was no use. The smells alarmed him. He could smell dogs, Twolegs and other cats. How was he ever going to get back to MeadowClan? Would he ever see his sister Finchpaw ever again? His thoughts were interrupted as the two MeadowClan cats found themselves in the Twoleg den. Pinepaw saw other cats, some scrawny loners, some plump kittypets and it even surprised him to see some Clan cats. Lionbreeze stepped forward, Pinepaw behind. “We are truly lost.” He muttered to his apprentice. ”Green House shelter,” Pinepaw heard a cat meow. “Place for cats to find new homes,” He heard the same cat meow again. He looked at Lionbreeze, his claws unsheathing. “I don’t want to be a kittypet! I want to go back home!” Pinepaw yowled, ignoring the gazes of the other cats on him.
(( OOC: I think I might make it so Ember and Web live in the new territory they find, so they are more used to the land themselves. I might change this, depending on how I think they could come into the rp. )) |
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Post by Haven on Sept 6, 2024 15:37:17 GMT -5
The kittypet named Tiger let out a murrowing laugh that Dewpaw decided he did not like. There was no need to such a mocking sound.
"That old fleabag hasn't told you the worst part," the haughty queen said, "They've already fed us our dinner, so it's too late to start now, but they'll be taking you to the vet soon enough."
"The...vet?" Dewpaw decided he liked the sound of that word in the cat's laughing tone even less.
"She means the cutter," a new voice said. Dewpaw strained to follow the sound and saw a tom he found vaguely familiar, but he couldn't place him. Definitely not a clan cat. "What's a cutter?"
Stonefin had gone still beside his apprentice, "Nothing good. They cut you and you become fat and lazy..." a bite entered his voice as he glanced up towards Tiger, "Something she knows well, I'll bet."
The cream colored tabby hissed her displeasure at the callout, turning away in a motion that said she was done talking with them.
Yup, that confirmed it, Dewpaw did not like the idea of the cutter or this mean, old kittypet. He pressed against the cage again, trying to look at the other cats. Most had turned away from him now. He felt a shock of excitement roll over him at the sight of two others, "Lionbreeze! Pinepaw!"
Stonefin pressed up beside him to see where he was looking, "I feel less bad for getting caught now if they got you too Lionbreeze."
Dewpaw shuffled, knowing that the only real reason they had been grabbed had been his fault entirely. He shouldn't have eaten that weird food he had found, but it had smelled so good. Like fish, but not like a fish he had ever smelled before.
The entrance to the room slammed open again as another twoleg entered with a box. Stonefin automatically puffed up and hissed, but Dewpaw noticed that Tiger and several other cats mewed pleadingly at the twoleg, brushing against the cage doors with affection. What in the world...?
The twoleg ignored them, stopping at another cage and plopping in a new cat. It shouted something and somewhere beyond their room another twoleg answered. He touched something on a wall and the light went dim, but not totally dark, before leaving once again. How had he done that?
"Look what the rat dragged in. Honeypaw too? Who's next, Timberstar?" The gruff old Stonefin rumbled in his morbid humor.
Honeypaw was puffed up, but the moment he locked eyes with his clanmates he immediately licked his fur flat and observed the room around him.
Yup, that's Honeypaw, as cool as leafbare's first frost, the apprentice thought.
"Are you Meadowclan cats then?" The cat from beneath them asked, seemingly done with her little squabble.
"Yes," Dewpaw answered, "You're Gladeclan cats? I'm Dewpaw. I can't see you, so I'm sorry if we've met before."
Stonefin rolled his eyes. His apprentice was far too friendly. This was a crisis and he was here trying to make friends. For a moment, Stonefin thought about correcting his apprentice. He was a strict mentor, and usually he did well for giving young, softpawed fools the reality check they needed... but what would that do for them now? As he looked around their trappings, he seriously began to doubt they would escape. Of course, he would fight to the last breath for his freedom, for his pride as a clan cat... but Dewpaw was soft, friendly... he may do well in a twoleg den, maybe even better than in a clan. Perhaps this was what Starclan wanted for the young cat, to not so easily give up his life...
The old tom shook his head, when had he grown sentimental? Ridiculous. No, it wasn't that he wanted the apprentice to give in and live a happy, fat life. If Dewpaw had any pride at all, he would follow suit and not give in. If he chose to play pet to these strange, naked creatures then he was never a clan cat to begin with. It was simple as that. Certainly not him growing soft. He would let the young cat make his own choice is all.
Meanwhile, Dewpaw had continued his conversation with the Gladeclan cats. Their names were Cinderoak and Moonswallow. They had been out by the river when they had been caught in what they described as a giant spiderweb--which sounded terrifying to Dewpaw. A giant spider? It made him shiver.
"There has to be a way to get out of here," Moonswallow said. Cinderoak explained to Dewpaw, that her sister was testing the edges of the cage, but so far had only been able to slip a paw out.
"Maybe there is," All three cats looked up to the black and white tom whom Dewpaw faintly remembered but couldn't place, "But... it might take a bit of convincing and some clan cats to work together."
"Oh no... not you," hissed Moonswallow. Dewpaw saw the tom grin and his tail flick smugly. "We have no time for your games Domino, this is serious."
"Look, I may not believe in dead cats in the sky, but I want out of here just as bad as you do," Look, I've seen cages like this before. Sometimes twolegs bring their pets to the campground with them. We can't open them from the inside, but the outside is easy. All it takes is one or two of us to get out and come back to open the rest of the cages." He slipped a paw through the bars to bat as a bit that stuck out, "See these? You can wrap your mouth around them and bite down. Pinch them together and the cage can be opened."
"But how do we get one or two of us out to do that?" Honeypaw finally spoke.
Domino shrugged, "You're smart clan cats. I can't do all of the thinking in here. Once you're out though, you have to not get caught. So I would pick cats you can trust to not leave us all for crow food."
((Sounds good!
I just keep picturing Dewpaw as Samwise Gamgee in cat form. Just this happy, friendly guy who wants to help out))
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Post by polarized on Sept 7, 2024 10:43:11 GMT -5
Pinepaw purred when he saw Dewpaw. “It’s great to see you again!” He looked to see the apprentice’s mentor, Stonefin beside him. He guessed it was nice to see the cranky tom too.
Lionbreeze had joined in the conversation, finding out about this weird cat Domino. Pinepaw was intrigued by the black and white tom, he seemed to know a lot about Twolegs and their traps. “We can get out?” He asked curiously. “Then why haven’t we already!” He replied impatiently.
Lionbreeze silenced him with a flick of his tail. He stared into the gaze of Domino, his amber eyes burning upon him. “I can do it. These cats are my clanmates, I wouldn’t leave them behind.” He stared to Stonefin and Dewpaw. “I can go solo if needed,” The golden tom paused, watching Domino’s trick.
He waited, and waited for the Twolegs to come back. Lionbreeze had only grown more and more impatient. Was this loner, Domino making fun of him? He’ll see. Lionbreeze will save them from the Twolegs. Pinepaw stared at his mentor, he trusted that Lionbreeze would for sure come back for them. He was one of the strongest warriors Pinepaw ever knew.
(( OOC: I can totally see that too, lol ))
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Post by Haven on Sept 10, 2024 0:46:31 GMT -5
"They won't be returning until sun up," Dewpaw recognized the voice as one he had heard earlier, hissing at Tiger. It was a she cat and she sounded tired. It took a bit of looking before he spotted her. A russet colored queen. She was round with kits and had a defensive look in her eyes. "He's right on how to open the cages. My twoleg has- had to use them when it was time to take me to the vet."
"How do you know what time of day it is? And when they'll be returning?" Moonswallow asked, able to see this queen more easily than Dewpaw above them.
"I've been here for some time," she yawned, moving to sit up, "I don't know exactly, but I assume it was night when you were brought here. They leave at night and they return during the day. We get fed, given water, our litterboxes changed and then they leave again and sometimes return with more cats. They also use this time to take new cats to the vet in the white room- who you cats call the cutter. Then they feed us again and leave once night comes. You have until morning when they come in for feedings. They'll open the cages to change the boxes. They'll have something covering their paws and will hold you down if you try to bite or claw them."
"You're helpful... for a kittypet..." Moonswallow's tail lashed suspiciously.
"We could probably stop at just helpful," Dewpaw said, "What's your name?"
"Shiloh," the queen answered, "I don't know how long I've been here, but I've been keeping track. Unlike some lazy cats, happy to be fed by any hand that reaches in."
Out of the corner of his eye Dewpaw saw Tiger's tail flick.
"If you want to escape, you'll need to slip past their paws when they reach in. There are three housefolk that keep us here. Two will be changing the litter boxes. One will be elsewhere."
Stonefin had been quiet this entire time, thinking. "What I'm understanding, is that it will take more than one cat... one will have to lead the twolegs away so the other can open the cages."
Shiloh nodded, "If you can make enough noise, I think the other housefo- twoleg would open the door. In my experience, they tend to come running when you make noise that worries them."
"Why are you being so helpful?" Moonswallow asked, still suspicious. Was this kittypet telling the truth or did she just want to hear herself talk?
"I want to be let out too," she answered.
"What? But you're with kit!" Cinderoak gasped, "Don't you want a cushy, twoleg den that's safe and warm for your kits?"
"No." Shiloh said no more on that, "I've helped you, I expect to be helped in return. There's one more obstacle once you get out of here and I won't be telling you unless I'm brought along too."
Moonswallow hissed, "Why you-"
"No use arguing over it," Stonefin huffed, "You kits get caught up in the things that aren't important. What the kittypet does once we're out isn't our business. We can't stay in here and that's what's important. Lionbreeze has Pinepaw to help him. Just tell us how we can help Lionbreeze."
Shiloh stretched, "Whenever you have decided. You should get some sleep. You'll know when the housefolk have come back. They're... very loud."
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Post by polarized on Sept 10, 2024 1:48:18 GMT -5
Lionbreeze nodded at Shiloh, “Thank you. You are very kind.” He turned to Stonefin. “You’re right, I’ll use Pinepaw to help me. His small size should be able to sneak past the Twolegs while I distract them.”
Pinepaw’s fur bristled. “The Twolegs?” He asked. He then shook out his fur, before licking it back down. “Of course I can.” He said to his mentor.
“Shiloh is right. There is no use doing anything now, the Twolegs won’t be here until sunrise.” He looked around the Twoleg den, “If we can ever tell when that is.” He growled under his breath. He nodded to the clan cats, “We should rest.”
Lionbreeze attempted to get any comfy in the nest but there was no use. The cold floor shook him to the bone. Yet, he couldn’t show any weakness to his apprentice. He laid down his head on his paws, before eventually falling asleep.
Lionbreeze awoke, the light of the first sun entering the Twoleg den. It wasn’t much, but it was enough for him to tell it was light. He looked to Stonefin. “I’ll use Domino’s trick to escape the nest, then Pinepaw will escape after me. I’ll distract the twolegs while Pinepaw manages to get through the door. Stonefin, I trust you in charge until we get back.” He mewed, nodding to the older tom.
He heard the entrance to the twoleg’s den rustle, one of the kittypets had told him it was a door. It seemed strange, but it wasn’t something to focus on right now. Lionbreeze nodded to Pinepaw, who seemed to be locking eyes with the latch on the cage. He saw the first Twoleg, and they seemed to spread out. Almost as if they were planning some kind of attack.
It had taken a while, but they had reached his cage. He readied himself, then ran for the latch. He caught it in his jaws, using his teeth to pull it open. He ran out, hearing the entrance of Pinepaw’s den open too. He hissed at the twolegs, swiping his paws at their large paws.
He looked to his right, and Pinepaw had managed to scuffle with the Twoleg enough to reach the door. As soon as he saw Pinepaw leave, he made his exit, jumping out of the twolegs paws and running after Pinepaw. He would come back for the other cats. As soon as he knew how.
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Post by Haven on Sept 10, 2024 2:59:48 GMT -5
Stonefin hadn't slept. Such a cold, hard surface was no way to treat his old bones. He deserved to be in a bed of moss, picked by clumsy-pawed apprentices. Once more he found himself wishing he had retired. With a heavy sigh the old tom sat near the bars of the cage, eyeing the door. He had started his journey as a warrior sitting vigil for his clan and something in him knew that this may be how he ended it too.
Stonefin's ears pricked at the sound of the twolegs. They were certainly loud. Noise like that would wake the whole forest. He cocked an ear towards his deputy, turning his head more fully when he heard his name.
"Leaving it to the old, eh? And here I thought we were supposed to leave it to the young," he said with his dark humor, "Don't take too long. I'll be insisting on retirement when we get out."
Dewpaw peaked an eye open at the sound of his mentor's voice. He did admire the old tom, even when he was cranky most days. There were good moments, and he was smart. Dewpaw's brother had been relieved not to have gotten Stonefin as a mentor, but he was honored to be able to learn from such an experienced warrior.
A loud noise roused him from his thoughts and Dewpaw rolled over to scramble to his feet and peek out the cage. Together, he and his mentor watched the plan go into action.
The moment everything started Domino let out a loud yowl, making as much noise as possible. Picking up on the cue, Dewpaw joined and soon other cats did too. It was a caterwaul if ever there was one and it was deafening. Perfect to draw in the third twoleg just in time for Pinepaw and Lionbreeze to slip out.
"Go! Go!" Dewpaw yowled.
Beneath the cries of the cats, Domino slammed his body against his cage. It rocked but didnt move. He did it again and again.
"What are you doing?" Moonswallow hissed when she noticed him.
"I'm the highest up. If they come back there won't be time to climb up here," Domino said before slamming again. This time the cage shifted just a bit forward, "And if they don't-... Well, this is plan B."
One more hard throw and the cage tilted precariously before falling off the edge and crashing to the ground. Many cats went silent, watching the still body laying slumped on the floor of the cage. Dewpaw's whiskers trembled. Was the tom dead?
"Ugh..." Domino groaned, pushing himself up on unsteady paws. His cage door was bent, maybe enough to get out, but he seemed dizzy.
"Adder brained fool," Moonswallow hissed, "You can't just be patient and now you've knocked out the last of your sense."
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Post by polarized on Sept 10, 2024 11:00:50 GMT -5
Pinepaw didn’t stop running, but Lionbreeze caught up and stopped the apprentice. “We need to go back. That is what clanmates do.” He told his apprentice sternly. But all Pinepaw did was give a slight nod. “I guess so.” Pinepaw sighed, the apprentice looked more than shaken from the encounter with the twolegs.
Lionbreeze looked back to the Twoleg den, “We will find shelter until nightfall. The twolegs should be gone by then,” He mewed to his apprentice, and the two toms walked together to a small hollow in the nearby forest. It wasn’t much, but it will do. Lionbreeze, looking at his apprentice, wondered if Pinepaw should come with him. He was crouched down in the hollow, barely moving.
“I’ll go alone. You should rest.” Lionbreeze looked at Pinepaw. That was when the apprentice’s ears flicked up. “What?” He looked astonished. “I can come.” He growled, standing back up. “I was stupid to even think about about abandoning my clanmates. Let me make it up to myself,” He pleaded Lionbreeze, who gave a nod. “Very well.” He turned, facing the entrance to the hollow. “The sun is setting soon, we should get ready.” He turned to Pinepaw. “Hunting in the forest is just like the meadows,” He instructed Pinepaw.
Pinepaw shook out his fur embarrassedly. He didn’t catch anything! The trees made him feel trapped, like he couldn’t move. He missed being out in the meadows, hunting rabbits or anything he could find. Life was so much simpler then. Lionbreeze had caught 2 squirrels, surprising Pinepaw. He was a natural at hunting in the forest!
Lionbreeze buried the prey beside the hollow they had found. Once they had brought back their clanmates, then they could share the meal. He looked up, he could see the moon rising in the sky. The twolegs would be well gone by now. Lionbreeze led the way, he could almost feel Pinepaw’s fear. It was obvious he didn’t like twolegs.
Yet, either did he. Lionbreeze hissed at the thought of being a kittypet, and could imagine his clanmates would feel quite the same. He made it to the entrance to the Twoleg nest, sniffing to get awareness of the area. “Clear.” He told Pinepaw, and the two stalked into the den. There they were, his clanmates. Still stuck in their dens. He nudged Pinepaw. “You start there,” He pointed to Shiloh. “We will get them all out.” Pinepaw nodded and made his way over to Shiloh’s den. Careful not to make any sudden noise. Lionbreeze nudged his way over to Stonefin and Dewpaw. It wasn’t long until all the cats were out of the cages. “We must be quick. I have found a hollow we can rest in for tonight.”
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Post by Haven on Sept 10, 2024 14:18:44 GMT -5
Moonswallow watched as Domino pawed unhelpfully at the latches on his cage. When that failed he pressed his face against the bent part but only proceeded on getting his head stuck. Several cats snickered at his predicament.
"You fool..." The outcast shook her head, "You should have just-"
The door swung open and the twolegs stomped in. This time even the cats who were content with staying in the shelter tensed. One of them grabbed Domino by the scruff, opening his cage and shoving him into an undamaged one lower on the shelves. They refilled the dried pellets without opening anymore of the cages and left.
Tiger huffed, "I don't see why the rest of us are punished. My water is stale."
Moonswallow saw her sister give an exaggerated roll of her eyes. Cinderoak settled down on her paws, "Well, you didn't escape."
"No," Domino said with an easy shrug, "But I'm on a lower shelf. Easy to be let out now. I would say that's a win."
Above them Dewpaw gave a purring laugh at the loner's antics.
"We should stay on our toes," Stonefin said, "The moment Lionbreeze returns we'll have to be ready to move. Everyone who gets free should free someone else." He raised his voice for the next part, "Any other taggers on better speak up now. We aren't paying you any mind once we get out."
"We want to be freed, of course," Moonswallow said.
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Post by polarized on Sept 10, 2024 15:41:23 GMT -5
Lionbreeze rushed in, Pinepaw at his heels. “Stonefin!” Lionbreeze purred, seeing the old tom. Dewpaw sat beside him. Pinepaw was busy picking at Dewpaw’s cage while Lionbreeze focused on Stonefin’s. He managed to finally get the latch in his jaws, and pushing it open, Stonefin was free. He looked to the other cats.
”Let’s focus on getting everyone out,” He looked to the kittypets and loners. “Shiloh, you want to come, don’t you?” He asked, before pausing. “Any other cat coming better call out now.” He growled, looking at the cages. Pinepaw was away helping some of the GladeClan cats. He made his way to Shiloh’s beginning to pick the latch that locked her cage. Lionbreeze got a look at her belly, it was swollen with kits. No cat should have kits in a place like this.
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Post by Haven on Sept 10, 2024 16:29:42 GMT -5
Shiloh tilted her chin up proudly, "I won't be bringing my kits into a place like this to be passed around by housefolk."
Stonefin eyed the kittypet as he crouched beside Dewpaw who was letting Domino out. "I think this is everyon-"
A sound had the cats stiffening, fur lifting in anxiety.
"They're back!" One of the cats hissed.
"What?" cried another, "But it isn't time."
The old tom puffed up, his bony body hidden beneath his fur, "I'll distract them. Lionebreeze, you get them out and away from here."
"I can help," his apprentice mewed, but Stonefin brushed him off.
"No. If we both get put in those cages again that will be it. I won't ask any cat to risk their fur coming back in for a second round. Get out with the rest of them."
Stonefin readied himself, not waiting for any argument. The moment the door open he sprang, running and leaping at the twoleg with a fierce yowl.
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Post by polarized on Sept 10, 2024 16:35:23 GMT -5
Lionbreeze stared into Stonefin's gaze. "Of course. We owe you a great debt, Stonefin." He turned to the group of cats infront of him. "We need to take this opportunity wisely." He ordered, looking to Dewpaw. "Help Shiloh. Her kits might slow her down." She turned to Pinepaw, "You lead the way to the hollow. You know where it is." Lionbreeze gave a final nod to Stonefin, then gathered the cats.
Then, Stonefin ran at the twoleg. Lionbreeze yowled, letting the cats know to start running. Pinepaw led the way, and Lionbreeze flanked the group at the back, he was not letting another cat get lost. Yet, he felt a strange feeling. He stared back at Stonefin. He was one of the bravest warriors Lionbreeze knew.
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Post by Haven on Sept 10, 2024 19:13:55 GMT -5
Stonefin's body may be older but his claws were still sharp. The twolegs may have been wearing things on their paws, but their faces were plenty exposed.
Dewpaw ran out after his clanmates, stopping only a moment to look back just as Stonefin's body was tossed to the floor. He wanted to turn back, but Cinderoak crashed into him, "Move!"
With one last look over his shoulder, Dewpaw followed the Gladeclan cat out the rest of the way. His master would cuff him over the ear for crying, so he held it in. At least until he was out of sight of this wicked place.
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Post by polarized on Sept 11, 2024 10:59:47 GMT -5
Lionbreeze caught his breath once they had gotten clear of the Twoleg den. He saw Dewpaw, shaken. “We will hold a vigil for Stonefin at nightfall.” He promised the apprentice. “But first, we need to keep going. There must be somewhere we can go.” He looked to the group of cats.
”Somewhere we can rest.” He put his tail on Dewpaw’s back. He spoke to the group, “We are too far from our homes. It would be impossible to go back. For Stonefin’s sake, we must keep going. His courage will not be in vain.”
Pinepaw stood up, trying to lighten the mood. “We could find a new home!” He purred. “Somewhere… without Twolegs!” He squeaked excitedly.
Lionbreeze just purred. “Maybe we will.”
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Post by Haven on Sept 12, 2024 20:47:38 GMT -5
Shiloh gave herself a little shake and looked around to get her bearings. In spite of her condition, she didn't sit "I saw outside when my housefolk were bringing me here. If we head away from the moonrise there is plenty of open space, but we'll have to travel through a farm with horses and dogs."
"Wait, are you saying you're coming with us?" Moonswallow's eyes narrowed at the kittypet.
The russet queen kept a steady gaze right back, "There's nothing around here besides that farm, but staying close to the shelter will mean just getting caught again. I helped you get out and I just warned you about the dogs. I'm useful."
"Thank you," Dewpaw mewed, "but won't it be hard to travel with your kits?"
"I'll be fine," Shiloh assured, "They aren't coming yet and I can't have them here."
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Post by polarized on Sept 14, 2024 4:08:52 GMT -5
Lionbreeze nodded at Shiloh gratefully, “Thank you. We should start on the journey, with Shiloh to lead us.” He paused, staring at the kittypet. “If that’s alright with you, of course.” He purred.
Pinepaw jumped up excitedly. “I can’t wait to get away from these Twolegs!” He said to the cats, looking up at Lionbreeze. “I bet this new place has tons of prey… and tons of new cats!” He mewed. “But don’t you also worry about how MeadowClan is doing back home? Without their deputy?” He meowed, staring at his mentor.
“Timberstar will lead them. For now, we have to find somewhere we can survive. There has to be a place where we can all be happy, and hopefully without Twolegs again.” Lionbreeze stood up, shaking out his pelt. “Shiloh, if you wouldn’t mind leading the way. I hope to get there as soon as possible.”
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Post by Haven on Sept 17, 2024 23:00:59 GMT -5
Moonswallow looked up from where she had been speaking quietly with her sister. She was thin-bodied with a thick ruff of fur on her chest and around her cheeks that smoothed down along her flanks. Cinderoak looked sturdier, with a similar mane of fur on her shoulders and neck, with long but smooth fur down the rest of her body and a sweeping tail.
"We're coming too," the black and white she-cat said. The declaration didn't seem to make Cinderoak happy, but she said nothing, letting her sister take the lead, "The clans are both starving right now. The twolegs are moving further and further into clan territories and there isn't any food... and I don't know about Meadowclan, but Hawkstar won't listen to a word of it. Going back wouldn't do any good if they won't accept there's a problem. The best thing for us is to move on... and-... and I think that would be the best thing for the clans too. Fewer mouths to feed."
Dewpaw looked up from where he had been staring at his paws. He wasn't sure how he felt about leaving his clan, but he didn't want to be left behind either.
Moonswallow looked back at Cinderoak, as if to drive home a point they had been sharing between themselves, "Besides, we wouldn't know how to get back home anyway. No cat has returned before."
Her sister got to her paws and gave a sigh, padding closer to the group of cats set to follow the kittypet, "Lead the way."
"I guess I'll come too," Domino said, as if anyone had asked him, "Two half grown apprentices and a pregnant kittypet? You'll need all the paws you can get, the way I see it."
Moonswallow rolled her eyes. She clearly didn't like this tom, but said nothing as she followed after her sister.
Shiloh was on her paws, already headed away from the group, "Decide or don't, but if you stay around here, you'll just be caught again."
That settled it for Dewpaw, who was staring into the dark from the direction they had escaped. He had hoped Stonefin would just show up, but he also remembered how he had seen his mentor's body get thrown to the ground and go limp. Before he could dwell to much on the memory he ran up beside Pinepaw and brushed against his flank. At least he had his clanmates.
---
Shiloh led them long into the night. It was mostly flat terrain, with occasional dips and lanes of wide, empty paths that she explained to the clan cats were called dirt roads. The sun was just rising as the farm appeared in the distance-a wire fence separating them from a field of cattle.
"Do we go around? Or through?" Cinderoak asked, eyeing the fence and wondering if the pregnant cat would make the jump.
"Or at all," Moonswallow added, "Maybe it's best to wait until night?"
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Post by polarized on Sept 25, 2024 10:14:44 GMT -5
Pinepaw stared at the two GladeClan cats, interested in their speech. It was true that the clans were struggling, and well, less mouths, would be easier to feed. So they took off, sadly with Domino, together. He was glad he had Dewpaw though, Atleast he had another clanmate he could trust by his side.
Lionbreeze eyed the fence, determining what to do in his head. “It’s best to go around,” He paused, looking to Shiloh. “Just my opinion. You can decide.” He meowed. He didn’t want to make Shiloh out of place here, after all, she did know the way.
[[ ooc: sorry for the short post - im really busy. ]]
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