We are born with a DNA blueprint into a world of scenario and circumstance we don't control |
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Co-Captain
INVENTORY
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Post by Phoenix on Jun 4, 2013 21:39:19 GMT -5
The wounds on her body may have healed with time, scabbed over with the minor ones leaving a thin, barely noticeable line in her fur, but the gashes on her psyche had not. Alternating between a fierce anger and burning desire for revenge and a sense of deep betrayal, she had yet to receive a full night’s rest since their flight into the mountains. A strong supporter of the Warrior Code and its tenets, she had thought in improbable that a clan, two of them, would turn their backs so obviously on the spirit of the code that bound them all together. It was not explicitly stated that fighting between clans was prohibited, but chasing one out altogether was unheard of. The idea in itself was unthinkable. And here her ire grew.
They had no right to team up against one clan in a battle that was painfully one-sided from the start. They had no right to chase StoneClan completely from the territory they had held for innumerable generations. There mere mention of RainClan and LightningClan ignited the simmering anger curled in her gut, made her blue eyes blaze with an icy fire, and sharpened her tongue to the point where she took to wandering the mountains in order to not completely destroy any relationships between herself and her clan mates.
If this area was to be their makeshift territory for a while, which certainly seemed to be the attitude that the others had developed, then it made no sense leaving the surrounding area unexplored. Because the alternative would be wasting time and energy in camp, she had decided to familiarize herself with the landscape. In general, the area was considerably harsher in everything than the terrain she was accustomed to. The rocks were rougher, and the edges not exposed to constant wind were surprisingly jagged. Brown slopes were steep, some of which required considerable balance to maneuver. She felt like a fish out of water, plucked abruptly from the environment in which she had grown and placed in a new, foreign one. She did not know where to find what little prey was tough enough to inhabit this unforgiving land, nor where the water flowed or herbs grew. It was frustrating. This inability to do anything and the desire to remedy the issue drove her more than anything. Helplessness did not suit her.
Just as she did not know the areas plentiful in prey, she did not know those ripe with danger. Ears strained for any sign of a predator, particularly the infamous lynx that haunted the mountain range and feasted on the unsuspecting. They were in his domain now, and it set her on edge. Muscles tensed as she bounded to stand atop a rock, the familiar action comforting. Icy eyes scanned the jagged horizon as she observed what she could from her perch. It was rock. All of it was rock. They were called StoneClan, Hailstrike mused dryly. Life had a sense of humor, it seemed. If only she appreciated it more.
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Post by Fawn on Jun 4, 2013 23:30:22 GMT -5
Borage...Borage...small pinkish blue flowers with fuzzy leaves...Borage...
Scouring the mountainside for a herb he wasn't entirely certain grew up here was not Graniteclaw's ideal method of spending the early morning. However, having given Windpaw a break from training to spend time with her family and friends, as well as seeing Melodypond off on a border patrol had left him with some considerable space for leisure. Of course, Graniteclaw could always check in with his younger half-siblings who had just begun their apprenticeship fairly recently, but being somewhat estranged from the family as well as no desire to disrupt their lessons let the distance between them remain untouched.
Having adapted better to the environment than some of his other Clanmates, it was not the actual traveling and traversing through unfamiliar territory that unsettled him whilst here in the mountains. Paw pads having thickened, Graniteclaw's most recent regret that his courage had not done the same, the stone-hued tom finding now that the borders of StoneClan had been somewhat of an invisible security blanket for him for all those moons. He had not realized it at the time, but there was a certain amount of comfort that came with knowing your area, your home like the back of your paw, being able to cross a scent line and realize exactly where you were.
In this lawless, unforgiving place, however, no such thing existed. No one dared to make a scent border - not that there was any need - for fear of letting the demon lynx know exactly where they were. A lack of rival Clans certainly cause them probable cause for a lack of border markings, and a lack of borders in general. Having come to rely more heavily upon his memory and the act of marking certain trees or rocks or other vegetation so that he might find his way back, it was while he was making one such notch in the lower trunk of a tree that a familiar scent caught against his sensitive nose.
Hailstrike.
Immediately, Graniteclaw's thin tail sloped upward in a signal of happiness, a fondness for the tough she-cat having washed over him just then - before memory of all that had occurred flooded this instant good mood like so much rain upon a river. Though he would not outright abandon the promise he'd made to Ivypaw to bring back some borage, Graniteclaw surmised that a detour would not be too terrible, and immediately attempted to navigate the foreign landscape of the mountainside. Having grown accustomed to the sharper, more jagged rocks of this terrain, Graniteclaw hardly felt it when he stepped on a protruding edge of a rock. Knowing she would likely smell him before she spotted him, Graniteclaw took his time, greeting Hailstrike with a respectful dip of the head and a small smile, not shying away despite how much he could sense her anger.
It was almost overwhelming, a warning to all other animals to stay away, but he was not just anyone or could be classified as 'other'. She had been one of the most influential cats in his entire life thus far, and if he was going to avoid her when she was in a foul mood, then he could hardly call himself her pupil and her friend. "Morning, Hailstrike. Mind if I join you?"
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We are born with a DNA blueprint into a world of scenario and circumstance we don't control |
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Co-Captain
INVENTORY
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Post by Phoenix on Jun 6, 2013 11:56:10 GMT -5
A familiar scent drifted over to her, carried by a slight breeze, and in response, ice blue eyes sharpened their gaze, fixating on the stony terrain below her instead of simply gazing over the general area. It was not for poor eyesight that she did not immediately spot her former apprentice, but rather the color of his fur, which blended so well with the grays and browns of the surrounding rock that one could almost claim that he lived there. In the end, it was the motion of his lithe form that caught her attention and allowed her to watch his progress toward her, even as she leapt from her perch so as to not tower over him when he arrived.
The presence of one of those select few whom she called a friend cooled her temper somewhat, and out of consideration for their friendship, she tried to reign in a sharp tongue that wanted to make cutting remarks and lash out at those around her. He seemed to be his now-usual bright self this morning, which, for once, seemed far too happy considering the circumstances, but she made no move to comment on it. Returning the polite nod with one of her own, she greeted him evenly, ”Graniteclaw. Of course you can join me.” She flicked her tail as she started off again, beckoning to him out of habit rather than conscious thought and completely unaware that she had done so. Already she could hear the well-known sound of his steps in her mind as they fell in alongside hers, and she found the familiarity rather soothing.
It reminded her of the days when he had still been an apprentice under her tutelage, when they had trained and worked all day long for that single moment when he would defeat Shadeclaw – now Halftail, she corrected as icy eyes glinted at the memory - and prove his strength to both himself and the traitor. Despite the shortage of prey and the flooding to come, those memories of better days inspired a fondness in her for the tom by her side, and she let this combination of a mentor’s pride and companionship calm the anger that churned in her stomach to something more manageable.
Breaking the silence in which they had walked for the past few minutes as she travelled down memory lane, the she-cat turned to look at the warrior by her side. ”How have you been recently, Graniteclaw?” She inquired, hoping her voice did not sound too strained and betray the mass of emotion simmering in her gut. It had been a long time since they had had a chance to converse like they had when he was still her apprentice, and she did not hesitate in shouldering some of the blame. The reticence on her part was not born of a desire to distance herself from the young tom, but a simple shift in priority now that she was not directly responsible for his training. He was no longer her apprentice and hers to train; therefore the clan was once more the top priority. With the recent events, she had had no time to relax, even if she would have wanted to. But now, with a desire to regain some familiarity, she took the opportunity that had been handed to her on a silver platter.
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Post by Fawn on Jun 10, 2013 16:34:51 GMT -5
Though Hailstrike was making an effort to seem more stable of temperament and calmer of heart, Graniteclaw had come to know Hailstrike well enough as to be able to detect the truth behind her semi-strained words. Rather than call them out, however, the calm intellectual sort of warrior met her gaze evenly, yellow-green eyes slightly searching, as if a simple look might will her to share a little of her frustrations with him. "Quite well, all things considered. Windpaw is coming along well, though I won't pretend to know what I'm doing even half the time." He paused, releasing a mixture of a chuckle and a snort at his own good fortune and inadequacies. "I've always been taking care of Melodypond," added Graniteclaw with a slightly botched attempt at sounding calm and collected.
Never before had the subject of love or affection or even anything resembling that been discussed with Hailstrike - he wasn't about to start now, of course, but his mentor had asked what he'd been up to lately, and spending so much time with Melodypond certainly served as an answer. Whether there was something going on between himself and the pretty she-cat whose company Graniteclaw found himself in so often, the stone-gray tom wasn't entirely sure. She-cats were... They were complex, fickle creatures, and trying to make sense of the emotions he'd abstained from labeling within himself so far would be a torturous endeavor if anything. "I can bring her to meet you later. Or something. It doesn't really matter when."
It wasn't a big deal, Melodypond meeting Hailstrike. It really wasn't. At least, it shouldn't be. Sure, he'd thought of introducing the two most important she-cats in his life to each other before he'd even considered allowing her to formally meet his father and step-mother, but... That didn't mean anything. He and Hailstrike were close (not so much lately, but Graniteclaw was hoping to bridge that gap starting now), it made sense he'd want to introduce her to his friends.
They were both his friends.
Suddenly, though, the idea of Melodypond and Hailstrike joining forces to discuss him of all things sounded like a very bad idea indeed. Oh no. What if Hailstrike discussed how he'd been the first time she'd begun their training? What if she brought up that embarrassing moment when he smacked his head into a fox? Melody would never let me live that down! Now a lot warier of his decisions regarding those two, Graniteclaw did his best to hide a frown, having allowed his thoughts to temporarily consume him, Graniteclaw blinking back a quick apology for his distracted state.
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We are born with a DNA blueprint into a world of scenario and circumstance we don't control |
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Co-Captain
INVENTORY
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Post by Phoenix on Jun 28, 2013 16:50:47 GMT -5
As ice blue eyes met his earnest gaze, the sensation that flooded her overwhelmed the anger, quelling it further. It was a foreign feeling, something akin to wonder or awe. That light in his eyes was one she had never expected to see, though not out of any fault of her former apprentice's; simply, she had never considered the idea of such a role reversal. Partially due to the position she had always ended up in, she always pictured herself as infallible cat, the one to go to for advice or help. Before the battle, she would have been hard pressed to think up a situation where that was not the case. When had Graniteclaw started looking after her? She blinked, taken aback at the observation that was not particularly unreasonable. When had he grown up so much? Again and again, she was reminded of his maturity, and idly, the she-cat found herself wondering when it would finally sink in for good. But then, part of her, she knew, would always consider him to be her little shadow.
Her little shadow with a shadow of his own. Amusement flickered through her at his admission about training. It was different from the other perspective, she knew. "I suppose I should be pleased that you still think that I knew what I was doing most of the time with you," Hailstrike murmured, the ghost of a smile turning the corners of her lips upward. Even though she had no regrets about taking him on as an apprentice, he had been her first apprentice, and after watching other warriors train their cats, she could not truthfully say that she had not wondered if she had bitten off more than she could chew. Never one to give up, however, particularly on a cat with such potential and a satisfying score to settle, she had come up with most of her ideas just before they were needed. "You'd be surprised at what you know when the knowledge is necessary."
The change in his tone when he mentioned Melodypond did not go unnoticed to her keen ears. Though she had no experience with love herself - and had no intention of it either, as she refused to be locked up in the nursery caring for kits - she was not completely ignorant on it. Nor was she above teasing her former apprentice about his first taste, but that could come later. Casting an even glance in his direction, she responded lightly, "Really, now. And how is Melodypond? Well, I hope." As he continued speaking, amusement laced with fondness flickered through her once more. The slight vulnerability in his behavior - was it imagined, perhaps? - coupled with the awkwardness as he muddled through brought a small smile to her face. This was more important to him than he was letting on, for he rarely seemed nervous around her anymore. "That sounds acceptable," She agreed, tail flicking. "I look forward to meeting her."
Mostly due to her devotion to providing for her clan by perfecting her abilities and filling the fresh-kill pile, the she-cat was only close to few in StoneClan. Never did she regret this lifestyle, but it made it more challenging to remember the temperment of an individual cat. Generally, she thought it a good thing if a fellow warrior did not stick out in her mind, for those that did were often the lazy and irritating ones. The name Melodypond brought little to the forefront of her mind, but she trusted Graniteclaw's judgement. After Halftail - she thought the name with glee - she had simply been pleased that he was willing to reach out and trust again. Hailstrike would not have been so eager, but then, she had never been a particularly social feline.
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Post by Fawn on Aug 10, 2013 2:06:36 GMT -5
Graniteclaw did not like to admit just how relieved he was at her positive response, realizing for what felt like the umpteenth time just how much her opinions meant to him. Even more so than that of his kin, the word of his former mentor was worth it's weight in gold, and Graniteclaw felt his heartrate begin to settle now that he had gained her approval.
Ready to switch gears back to what had brought them out here in the first place - or rather, what had brought her, his ice-eyed former teacher - Graniteclaw let the silence speak for him, finding a sense of tranquility that he could rarely feel with any other cat but Hailstrike. This tranquility was shortlived, however, as his thoughts sprinted back to the subject of war and all that StoneClan had endured these past couple of sunrises; it felt as though he'd just been talking to Melodypond, picking her up out of her depression and decaying of the soul, a sensation of deja vu making the stone-hued tom's pelt prickle along the nape of the neck.
Hailstrike was not a young warrior who needed to be coddled or sympathized with; nor would she appreciate a younger cat acting as though he knew it all and that she needed some kind of reminder of what it meant to be a warrior. No, that wasn't it.
What had wedged itself into the she-cat's heart like a thorn was the betrayal, not the violence, not the battle itself, but what that battle meant and what it represented. It shaken StoneClan down to it's very core, fracking their foundation so hard that fear and distrust and rage rose up like oil, like pus from a wound; Graniteclaw hoped, for StoneClan's sake that the devastation would be generational, as in limited only to the kits, apprentices and young warriors who had never dreamt such horrific things in all their days.
But they would get over it. Well, some wouldn't, and some would, but Graniteclaw was counting on each new generation after theirs being like a scab over the wound, furthering the healing process by separating StoneClan from that event, one new kit at a time.
Life went on.
Somehow managing to find his way back to the question Hailstrike had first asked him, the stone-hued tom met her gaze evenly, a flash of worry almost interrupting the otherwise calm look. "Physically, she has already recovered from the battle but...mentally, emotionally, she will need a little more time. We all do." He murmured that last bit more to himself, recalling the specific examples of just how badly some of his Clanmates were taking all of this. Those that had trouble adapting, and those who were adhered to the Warrior Code as though it were the only thing keeping them alive, were taking it the heaviest. "I'm doing the best I can to help her, but there's only so much I can do. A more experienced warrior such as yourself might be able to do a better job of it." Graniteclaw's pale muzzle lifted in a small smile. "You did so well with me."
With a hidden agenda behind getting Melodypond and Hailstrike to speak to each other, Graniteclaw hoped that both would address their emotional issues - Hailstrike would perhaps come to a more peaceful state if she realized that the younger generation needed older and senior warriors who could cope with things, that they needed to feel as if everything was going to be okay.
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We are born with a DNA blueprint into a world of scenario and circumstance we don't control |
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Co-Captain
INVENTORY
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Post by Phoenix on Aug 11, 2013 19:06:14 GMT -5
Hailstrike this is ten percent luck twenty percent skill fifteen percent concentrated power of will- - - It sounded as though Melodypond was taking the battle and abrupt transition as well – or as badly – as the rest of them. In a practical sense, it was relieving to hear that the young she-cat’s wound had healed well, for that meant StoneClan had another warrior sound in body. In mind, like the rest, not so much. Those wounds, as her apprentice had so aptly put it, would take more time to heal. Graniteclaw had shown wisdom beyond his age, but perhaps not unexpected, given his history, with his murmured words. Unsure if those were hers to hear but not one to hesitate in the face of such uncertainty, she nodded in agreement.
Idly, while her mind considered the numerous other cats of her clan, she found herself wondering how Eagletalon was coping. Much like herself with his devotion to his clan, she could only imagine how hard it was for him to turn tail and flee from the battle only to scatter into the mountains like terrified mice racing from a predator. That had been a major blow to her pride, and she had little doubt that it had been any less of an attack on his own. Perhaps, after she had seen Melodypond, she would seek out her friend – she considered him that much, at least – and have a conversation with him, perhaps one of a similar tone. She knew that this one was doing her, at least, well, and part of her liked to think that it helped Graniteclaw, too.
”I’m sure you’re doing fine,” she agreed pleasantly, inclining her head in a slight nod in his direction. ”You know Melodypond far better than myself, so you would have a better understanding of what she needs, but sometimes what a cat really needs is a friend who will listen and simply be there.” Her voice trailed off for a moment before she collected her thoughts once more. Ice blue eyes had drifted away from her apprentice, focusing on something beyond him, but as she blinked, clarity returned and they locked back on the tom. ”If it would make you feel more comfortable, however, I see no reason why I cannot offer my services.” Even though she had no idea how she, who preferred to state things as they were rather than cover them up and wrap them in a silver lining, could help a she-cat whom she had yet to really meet, Hailstrike could not find it within her heart to disappoint the younger warrior standing before her with eyes so bright and hopeful.
She scoffed at the sentimentality behind that thought, and for a moment, felt more like her old, pre-battle self than she had in far too long. Where she might have previously accused herself of becoming soft, she was aware, acutely so, of how raw the fight had made her; she could excuse herself. Just this once.- - -
five percent pleasure fifty percent pain and a hundred percent reason to remember the name
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