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Post by Torn on May 19, 2008 12:35:08 GMT -8
A dark shape sat hunched in the shadows of the willow trees. Darkslash's deep amber eyes stared around, narrowed slightly as he thought. He didn't have many friends in Echoclan, nor any family. It was boring, going about his duties silently, having no one to talk to, being alone at mealtimes as he ate by himself, watching other cats joking together, talking together, merely being together. It hurt when he thought of what his family had made him miss.
It's barely their fault. They can't help dying, and you should have made friends while you could, instead of snapping at every cat you met. He saw sense in the words that came from nothingness and niggled at his mind. He just wished it was easier.
Then there was a flap of wings. His gaze circled the clearing until they sighted the source; a crow pecking at a worm. Dropping into a perfect crouch, he inched towards it until he was in leaping distance, nice and light. Then in a leap, he sprung forward and dispatched it with a single blow to it's neck. He picked it up and turned round, unable to think clearly now he'd made a kill. The tom shook his head and it hung low, his paws thudding heavily as he stepped.
A killer, thats me. Filthy scum, the type that took my father.
Vivid memories of the battle flared in his mind.
The intense pain as he battled, un-noticed in the haste to defend his Clan. The feeling of leaking blood as he ripped his claws through the cat's throat. The unbearable pain inside him, far greater than any wound. The feeling of not belonging, having no one that followed.
A rustle came from ahead of him, causing his ears to prick. He couldn't identify the cat's scent, due to the scent of crow filling his mouth, but he looked up, shame filling his amber eyes.
(Don't mind who the cat is, just reeepplllyyy)
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Post by Rose on May 19, 2008 13:12:01 GMT -8
A slim form moved through the tall grasses of the undergrowth, a bushy-tailed squirrel clenched firmly in her jaws. The she-cat could still feel the wonder that came with leaping through the air at prey. It had been on a low branch of a tree, never expecting a calico she-cat to come soaring at it.
The deputy lifted her head higher as she caught a faint whiff of a cat. Echoclan. Tom. That was all she could tell, for the musty scent of the prey's fur blocked out a single trait that usually signaled who the cat was. Longstride looked back down once more, pushing firmly through the undergrowth with a determined sparkle in her yellow gaze.
"Oh! Hello Darkslash." Were the first words she admitted when she came across the tom. Her eyes narrowed slowly when she saw shame buried within his gaze. "What are you doing here?" she asked, a suspicious undertone laying deep within her voice.
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Post by faraway on May 19, 2008 19:44:22 GMT -8
A slender tortoiseshell she-cat wound her way through the trees and stones silently, hardly visible to anything. Her amber eyes were narrowed in the thought of a catch, some fresh-prey for the Clan. Her mouth nearly watered at the thought, but the she-cat held it back - saliva could give off a scent, not good when hunting. The tortoiseshell's senses were completely concentrated on finding a good catch. Yet smugness slightly radiated from her body, betraying the fact that she had already caught a few things, burying them for gathering when she went back.
Suddenly, there was a noise, and Iceflight's ears pricked forward. Slowly, she lowered her body into a hunting crouch, honing her nose towards any scent that would expose the identity of the unlucky prey. Her glowing golden eyes became the only visible thing about her, glinting in the little light that broke the canopy. She raised a paw and stepped forward, avoiding the twig that was in her way. Soon, she felt she was close enough, and into the air she sprang, enjoying the moment of flight.
Too late, the scent reached her. Echoclan! Fighting against the nearly frictionless air she had thrust herself into, Iceflight twisted around in midair and landed sprawling on the ground near the Echoclan cats. She skidded a few tail-lengths, and came very close to crashing into one of the cats.
When Iceflight was sure of having come to a complete stop, she looked up sheepishly into the face of Longstride, the deputy. But even humiliation could not repel her unusually sunny attitude.
"Hello, there, Longstride," she meowed cheerfully. She turned towards the other cat, and discovered that it was Darkslash, a rather moody member of Echoclan. Her voice took on a slight edge; in Iceflight's opinion, the younger warrior was far too strict for his own good. Actually, Iceflight was the oldest cat in the Clan, besides a few Elders, but she was far from acting it, and she had a long life ahead of her. She didn't resent any time Darkslash had told her to do anything: as far as Iceflight was concerned, she could be considered an apprentice.
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Post by Torn on May 20, 2008 8:52:00 GMT -8
One dark ear flicked back uncertainly against his head as Longstride's gaze turned suspicous after her friendly greeting. Opening his mouth to explain, she cut him off by asking him what he was doing here. Feeling like an apprentice, he shuffled under her gaze. Then, he realised, there was nothing he should be ashamed of. Now at least... Raising his broad head, he answered her, taking away the petulance from his voice. "I was hunting, Longstride." He smiled slightly at her, then raised an eyebrow as the old warrior Iceflight cannoned over. There goes my chance of trying to make a good impression on her instead of the old me. I'm changing.
He looked down at the tortishell she-cat and smiled to her, hoping she'd see a difference too. "Hi Iceflight. What you doing then?" He asked, a hint of humor in his voice. |
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Post by Rose on May 20, 2008 13:21:17 GMT -8
"I was hunting, Longstride."
As the words rang in the air, the deputy's eyes narrowed even more. This wasn't the warrior she was used to. Not moody, and actually somewhat cheerful. Still serious though. It was a nice change, however. Maybe he IS changing.... was the thought that ran through her head as her form relaxed slightly.
Longstried turned her head in time to see a slightly older cat nearly run-or jump-into the two cats present. Looking down with a slight amount of disapproval, she snorted. "Hello Iceflight." she meowed, inclining her head ever so slightly. No matter her rank, respect must be given to those older than her, even if it was a warrior that was normally below her.
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Post by faraway on May 21, 2008 15:10:42 GMT -8
The cats seemed humored by Iceflight's less-than-careful entrance, but they greeted her quite calmly. Brightly Iceflight pulled herself together, dusting herself off and giving herself a quick bath.
Iceflight could sense a tension in the air, but Darkslash - who seemed a little... changed, asked the warrior what she was doing. "I was hunting, but I suppose I got too carried away." Quickly, Iceflight scanned the area. Briefly, she noted a crow and squirrel lying limply on the ground. "Good prey today, huh? I've already caught a bit." She smiled at them. "So what's the small meeting here today for?"
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Post by Torn on May 22, 2008 10:39:55 GMT -8
Darkslash followed her gaze to the pile of prey that lay behind them. "Yeah... it is quite good." He looked at Iceflight as she asked her question, then opened his maw to answer "Well, I was hunting, Longstride came over and you kind of... flew in." He paused for a moment before he decided the right words. Flashing a smile at the old she-cat, Darkslash looked at Longstride to see what she would do. He liked Longstride; she was fair and didn't take any nonsense.
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Post by Rose on May 24, 2008 20:26:17 GMT -8
Longstride flicked her tail as the conversation carried on. It seemed to her that Iceflight was quite happy to have run into them. Perhaps just wanting company. she thought, a ghost of a smile on her lips.
The deputy turned to the old she-cat, a hint of humor embedded in her sparkling yellow eyes. "The meeting was not planned." she meowed firmly, nodding slightly as if to back herself up.
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Post by faraway on May 25, 2008 10:44:16 GMT -8
Both the warrior and the deputy didn't seem to know what to say, although Longstride said that firmly. Darkslash put it simply - he was hunting, when came along Longstride and then Iceflight. Longstride insisted that the meeting had not been planned.
Iceflight smiled while she tried to think of something to say. What did you say to Clan members that you had run into (literally)? My, what a nice day, so, how 's the Clan? No other Clans attacking today? That's good, how about a little more hunting?
"Longstride, I've been meaning to ask Wrenstar," she began, choosing another topic that was far more interesting to her. "I believe we have a kit and a new apprentice in Echoclan... do you think that I might be able to get an apprentice? I know it's rather unusual to ask, but I think it would be fun." She looked at the deputy. "After we're done hunting, do you think you could pass on the message to Wrenstar?"
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Post by Rose on May 25, 2008 10:54:17 GMT -8
Longstride turned her head toward the she-cat, just able to hide her surprise. Why had she not noticed that Iceflight, one of the most expirienced warriors, did not have an apprentice? True, Echoclan was low on young cats. Still, she should have known. "We actually have a few. I know of two that are long due. Cricketpaw and Foxpaw. Both eight moons now, and still without mentors. Anyway, I will certainly pass along the message Iceflight." the she-cat found herself meowing. Now in a slightly akward position, she lowered her head to pick up the fallen prey that she had dropped. The deputy turned and headed for the camp, pushing past the long grass. However, she turned back, hesitating. "You know," She meowed, looking straight at Darkslash, "You should both think about taking on an apprentice." With that, the she-cat disappeared from sight.
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Post by Torn on May 26, 2008 8:20:41 GMT -8
Darkslash watched as Iceflight asked Longstride about having an apprentice. The tabby tom didn't expect he'd have an apprentice for a while, so he just kept quiet and watched.
"You should both think about taking on an apprentice."
Me? Frowning, he stared at the bushes where Longstride had disappeared. Maybe she was right... maybe he was better than he thought. Looking at Iceflight, he smiled, then went to pick up his two items. He looked over his shoulder and mewed to her "I'm just gonna' take this back to camp." He picked up the two creatures and padded away, the limp bodies swinging as he walked. |
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Post by faraway on May 26, 2008 10:22:07 GMT -8
Iceflight nodded thankfully towards Longstride before the deputy walked away. Darkslash also turned away from the small clearing. He picked up his prey and said a small farewell to the she-cat.
Iceflight turned away as well, and bounded away towards the prey she had hunted, deciding that she would catch a little bit more before returning to camp.
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Post by Silver on Jun 1, 2008 17:37:08 GMT -8
(End of thread? Looks like everyone left o.o)
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