[Insidious]

B L U E P A W
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She was constantly seen making an effort to better herself for the well-being of her Clan. On a recent outing she had surprised herself, having managed to put up a decent fight against fellow apprentice, Emberpaw, even when it had originally seemed like not a single thing in the world could push her to attack. Pinkpaw was her lifeline, her light whenever she found herself feeling troubled, and just the thought of this, of how unmistakably true it was, made her body thrum with a fondness she didn't know was possible. It was because of her sister that she had been able to overcome the sole obstacle in her training, and for that she owed her a million thank you's that would never be enough.

Today, she was trying to sharpen her tree-climbing abilities, wanting to ensure that she had a fine grasp on the concept before she had to review the skill under her mentor's watchful eye. She wasn't shy, not when it came to her Clanmates, so it was far from troublesome for the pretty she-cat to practice on the outskirts of camp where everyone could see. With claws hooked into the bark, she began to ascend, her movements quick but a little unsteady. She reached the first branch with no issue, offering herself a silent congratulations for not feeling the pull of exhaustion that had embodied her on her first attempt at this. Stretching sore limbs - she had been doing this for a good portion of her morning - she began to move towards the edge of the branch, wanting to test her balance.

She hadn't been aware that the edge of the branch was much too thin to support her weight, no matter how light she thought herself to be, and this realization quite literally hit her in the seconds it took for it to collapse beneath her and send her tumbling ungracefully to the ground. She fell with a shocked intake of breath, the ground unforgiving as she began to collect her bruised body parts into a more becoming position. Suddenly aware of her surroundings, and the too near proximity to the rest of her Clanmates, she chanced a hesitant look in both directions, acknowledging the cat who approached from a short distance with a heavy sigh - of course it would have been impossible for the entire ordeal to have gone unnoticed.

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Tags: N/A
OOC: I forget how to title.

[Deleted]

Stormkit

Thus far, Stormkit's morning had been perfectly ordinary. In fact, he could probably go so far as to call it a lucky morning. But being his usual superstitious self, he settled on calling it an ordinary morning, he didn't want to risk ending the streak of rather fortunate events that he'd been blessed with today.
He'd awoken with the birds, when dawn was only pale glow on the horizon. That in itself had been a blessing for it had meant that he'd been allowed first pick of the fresh-kill pile. A few days before, he'd woken up late and by that point the only prey left had been a small mouse which had gone cold since being caught, much to his horror. As he was frequently informing his denmates, who never seemed to listen to him, cold prey was the worst thing you could eat. Whilst the prey was warm, it still carried all it's good luck, but as it grew cold, the luck left its body, leaving nothing but misfortune for whichever unlucky cat happened to eat it.
Sure enough, hours after eating his cold mouse, he'd tripped over his sister's tail and into a bramble thicket, which had resulted in several cuts on his paw pads.

Ah, but best not to dwell on his misfortunes. Today was already turning out a lot better. With the arrival of leaf-fall, the black tom-kit knew that it wouldn't be long until he was named an apprentice. To prepare himself for this momentous occasion, he'd been venturing further and further from the comfort of the Nursery and out into camp.
As much as being out in the open and amongst so many other felines set him on edge, he knew it was necessary; he couldn't live in the nursery forever, as much as he hated to acknowledge it.

Even so, old habits die hard and it was on this cool morning that the black tom was sat at the edge of camp with a withered feather at his paws as he went about his daily grooming ritual. The familiar, consistent strokes of the tongue over his soft dark pelt was enough to keep him in a reasonable state of calm. But it was when he'd just finished his ears that this calm was shattered by a loud thud.

His head jerked upwards, his tail instinctively curling around his lucky feather. What was that?
His mind entertaining the wildest possibilities, Stormkit's eyes sought out the source of the noise. All seemed to be in order...

He recoiled when his soft amber gaze fell upon the sight. A gusty breath rattled his ribcage as he simply stared in shock at the fallen cat, a dark grey she-cat with eyes of icy blue. He didn't need to have talked to this she-cat to know that her name was Bluepaw. He'd seen her and sister Pinkpaw about camp many times.
And yet no one, other than himself, seemed to have noticed that she had fallen. He swallowed, his legs quivering. Where had she fallen from? His eyes instantly lifted to the sky and his heart faltered. It's a sign.

Panic rising within him, he quickly picked up the blackbird feather between his jaws, finding some comfort in it. Then, upon unsteady paws, he crossed the camp to where she had fallen, his eyes rounded like an owl's.
"Excuse me." His voice could scarcely be called a whisper. Bluepaw probably hadn't even heard him. "Did you... Did you just fall from the sky?"
StarClan knew what falling from the sky could mean. All that Stormkit knew was that it certainly wasn't good.
It occured to him then that he hadn't asked the she-cat how she was. "You are okay, aren't you?" he asked, inclining his head slightly to one side as his eyes picked over her. It was quite a way to fall, he was surprised she wasn't dead.
His chest tightening with anxiety, he bit down upon the feather in his jaws, hoping to remedy his fears.

Words: 672
Tag: Insidious

[Insidious]

B L U E P A W
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To say she was simply embarrassed would be an understatement, for there were few things more disheartening to her than making a fool of herself in front of those she saw and spoke with on a daily basis. Her warrior ceremony was just around the corner, and still she was falling out of trees, but she was a firm believer in the saying that practice made perfect, and though her exterior was bruised her determination was certainly not.

She was forced to lower herself to the kitten's level, as though minimizing the distance between them would serve to better hear what he was saying. It wasn't too long ago that she was about his size; it brought back fond memories of her time spent in the nursery, just beginning to venture outside and really see the world for what it was. There was nothing she could have done to lessen the grin that spilled across her lips - his question, so innocent, and yet so wild and imaginative, was just what she needed to distract herself from the ache in her bones.

"I didn't fall from the sky," she began with a gentle, amused purr, "from the tree, actually." She gestured just above her head with a single paw, finding the crippled branch with great ease, a clear indication of where she had been standing and how unsuccessful it had been at supporting her. "I'm fine, but I appreciate your concern, Stormkit." Stretching out her limbs, she was relieved to find that the pain had subsided to nothing more than a slight stiffness. By morning, she would be good as new - just in time for another brief lesson with Lionstar.

"When the time comes for you to be named an apprentice, you'll want to take great caution with tree-climbing. I'm almost a warrior and still apparently struggling." Bluepaw, ever kind at heart, was able to laugh at her own expense. She could sense that Stormkit was a little out of his element, being away from the nursery and all, so she didn't want to give him any reason to feel shy or uncomfortable around her. She turned a pair of intrigued eyes upon the feather in his mouth, wondering if, perhaps, talking about it would make him open up. He always seemed to have it with him, she realized, and it was about time she found out what its significance was. "Is that feather important to you?" Tipping her head in a portrayal of genuine curiosity, she waited for his response.

There was something so special about kittens, and Stormkit was proving to remind her of that. She certainly would need to make more time in her schedule to be around them.

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Tags: @littleflower

[Deleted]

Stormkit

The grin that spread across Bluepaw's features at his question was far more unnerving perhaps than the possibility that she had fallen from the sky. She's happy? Why is she happy? She fell! That's bad luck! A bad sign! Surely she must realise... But when it came to speaking, he found his throat to be dry as sand and he simply stood staring at her with wary eyes.

"I didn't fall from the sky." Her words took a moment to sink in and when they did, all he could do was slump into a seated position, a frown furrowing his brow. Oh.
But when he gestured to the tree, the nerves within him become even more sporadic and violent. Straightening up, he cried out, "That's not any better!"
True, the drop was less, but it had been a fall none the less. What if it meant that TreeClan was going to fall? Just as Bluepaw had from the tree. The shorter the distance, the sooner it was going to happen That had to be it!

I'll tell Nightkit about the sign later, he decided, she'll know what to do!
But before his mind could begin to wander and contemplate the sign further, he realised that the apprentice had started to talk again. His wide-eyed gaze followed her as she stretched herself out, testing her limbs. She was... perfectly okay.
A wave of confusion swept over him. Oh mouse-dung, what does that mean? If she's okay, maybe that means TreeClan will be okay? He swallowed, letting the thought roll around in his head for a moment or so. Then he shook it off, blinking.

"When the time comes for you to be named an apprentice, you'll want to take great caution with tree-climbing. I'm almost a warrior and still apparently struggling."
Stormkit's eyes came back to the dark grey she-cat once more. Although Bluepaw's words rung with humour, the black tom-kit couldn't laugh as easily as she had.
"I'm not sure I want to climb trees when I'm an apprentice." His declaration was quiet enough to be a whisper, but it was strong and unwavering. "It doesn't look very safe." He eyed the broken branch warily. "And I don't think it would be very lucky either."

When the she-cat spoke again, Stormkit was afraid she was going to talk further about tree-climbing. But the topic of her words was not of the forest and trees for which their clan was known, but the little blackbird feather which he clutched so tightly in his jaws.
"Is that feather important to you?"
For a long moment he simply blinked at her with his owl eyes. He hadn't been anticipating a question like that.

Feeling slightly more confident, he laid the feather neatly at his paws. Omens and signs could be very uncertain, but this he was sure about. He couldn't remember how he'd come across this feather for it had been at his side since he'd been very small. He could only assume that it had come from one of his mother's meals perhaps (a warm piece of prey, he hoped). It was certainly passed its finest points, but Stormkit still found beauty in the simple brown colouring and the warm scent. It had come from a female blackbird, he knew that much, but he knew little else of it, other than that it had saved him in many instances from certain misfortune.

"It's my lucky feather." He spoke with a fondness that you would usually find when someone was speaking of a family member or friend. "It keeps away bad luck."
His eyes held Bluepaw's gaze for a moment before they swooped back down to the feather. "I try to take it with me wherever I go, so that I don't get any bad luck. But the other kits keep taking it and hiding it." He sat up tall, his features crinkling into a frown. "They just want it so that they'll be lucky and won't get thorns in their paws." He turned up his nose, scowling.

But the sour expression soon faded and he lifted his head to study the apprentice once more. "You should find one," he mewed, tipping his head slightly to one side. "Maybe if you'd had one, you might not have fallen out of that tree."
He spoke honestly, with a serious expression worn upon his features. Bluepaw may not have realised it yet, but Stormkit knew that life was about luck more than anything else. He knew by keeping to his daily routine and his special rituals, he was keeping StarClan happy and therefore he would go on to lead a lucky and content life.

"I can help you find you one, if you like," he offered. He didn't voice it, but he doubted that Bluepaw would be able to find a lucky charm on her own. Given that she'd just fallen out of a tree, she didn't strike him as a particularly lucky cat. She would need a bit of help before good luck came her way.
Perhaps that's what the sign had meant? Perhaps StarClan were reminding him that unlike himself, his clanmates weren't blessed with such luck. Maybe he had to help them?

Tag: Insidious
Word count: 871

[Insidious]

B L U E P A W
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When Stormkit admitted that he didn't want to learn how to climb trees, she had to hold her tongue, had to keep herself from trying to deter his point of view on the concept, because like it or not, climbing trees was what TreeClan cats did. It was a skill of theirs that the other Clan cats seldom possessed, and she was very thankful to have the opportunity to learn how to do it. She had to remind herself that Stormkit was still young, and chances were that he'd change his mind by the time he was an apprentice or, worst case,y a warrior. Even if he didn't, it was required that a mentor pass on the knowledge of tree-climbing to their apprentice... she had opened her mouth to say as much, hoping that there was something she'd be able to say that would make him a little more open-minded, but he had been quick to acknowledge her comment about his feather and, with a reluctant sigh, she decided that could be a conversation for another day.

That he thought an object as common as a mere bird feather could bring him luck was almost comical, but she'd never dare say something like that to a kitten. It explained why he took it everywhere that he went, and also why his words always seemed to come back to luck in one way or another - he was indeed a superstitious feline, and that was unusual given his age, but if the feather comforted him then she would be happy for him. She had a basic understanding of what it meant to him. Pinkpaw was something like her version of a feather: her sister brought her more contentment than anything or anyone, and when others entertained themselves at the expense of her condition - much like how other kittens stole his feather as a practical joke - it made her upset.

When he offered to help her find one, there was no way that she could refuse. It was sincere of him, and she liked that he was beginning to step out of his shell with her. Rising from her seat, she accepted with a soft purr. "I would love that. I could use a little luck if I plan to get back to training later." She stole a glance in either direction, making sure nobody was watching. Even though she wouldn't let them venture any farther than the outskirts of camp, it was still frowned upon to escort a kitten away from the nursery, and she didn't want to end up in that particular conversation with an angry mother or father.

"Why don't you take the lead? You know what you're looking for better than I do." Bluepaw stepped aside, waiting patiently for Stormkit to show her what needed to be done. She hoped to nurture a more adventurous side of him, if there even was an adventurous side to him; she couldn't be certain, for she'd never come across a kitten that wasn't exhilarated by the thought of scaling trees before.

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Tags: @littleflower

[Deleted]

Stormkit

The black tom kit's eyes never once left Bluepaw and the moment she accepted his offer, he sat up a little taller with a sense of self-importance. Amber orbs unblinking, he nodded vigorously and rose to his paws. When she indicated for him to lead the way, his eyes widened even further. "Y-Yes," he stuttered, swallowing.
With a slight quiver in his legs, he began to pad forwards, his ears angling backwards to listen for the thud of pawsteps that would indicate she was following.

His eyes picked over the ground in search of… well… Something, with a capital S. He needed to find Something; Something that brought luck, Something that warded away misfortunes, just Something. It could be in the form of the feather, as his dear blackbird feather was, or it could be a pebble or a stick. The fact was he didn't know what it would be, it just had to be something he was drawn to.

But as his gaze searched his surroundings, his mind wandered farther than his paws. Bluepaw had been the first cat who hadn't outright laughed or sneered at his feather and the reason why it accompanied him everywhere. Well, that was if you didn't count his mother. Even so, it was an odd feeling, but not an unwelcomed one.

His nose almost touching the ground as he drunk in tiny gulps of air, his eyes briefly caught a small pebble, but upon further investigation it turned out to lodged firmly in the ground. He disregarded it before turning upon his heels and coming out with a question, standing on his toes so that he stood taller. "What's your favourite colour?"
It was his theory that if he could find something of the apprentice's favourite colour, maybe it would bring her more luck? Of course, that would be more challenging if she told him her favourite colour was orange or purple. He wasn't sure if he would find any purple rocks in TreeClan's camp.

His eyes flew back to their surroundings. Their search was somewhat limited within the confines of camp. There was little of interest in the first place, but the few interesting items had already been whisked away after they were noticed. Stormkit had seen a rather peculiar pebble with sharp edges the day before, but he shamefully admitted that he'd told Gingerleaf and she'd disposed of it so that no one would cut their paw on it by accident. He hissed inwardly, disappointed at himself.

Tag: Insidious
Word Count: 419
Notes: ---

[Insidious]

B L U E P A W
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His eyes grew big at her invitation to take the lead, and the kitten seemed far too ready to be tasked with something that, to him, was of the utmost importance. A smile spread across her lips the second he turned away to begin his search, and she was careful to remain close to him at all times, because even though she had given him the lead, he was still just a kitten and his safety was her priority. The last thing she wanted to have to do was carry him to the medicine cat or, even worse, a frightened mother. The very thought of being faced with such disappointment from someone of her Clan had her shuddering in displeasure, but she smiled despite the momentary concern for the decision she had made, knowing that she would take good care of him - besides, he seemed thrilled to help her find something that could make her lucky.

His question caught her off guard, but of course it made sense. She hadn't put much thought into what her favourite colour was before now, but the answer rang in her head almost instantaneously. "Why, blue of course." Her words were followed by a soft purr, eyes of the colour she was named for twinkling. "There's a bird I see around these parts every so often, feathers of the most beautiful blue... surely that would bring me luck." Images of the bird flashed behind her eyes, its name resting on the tip of her tongue.

She looked to Stormkit briefly, and it struck her how... innocent this conversation was, and how much she found herself enjoying his company. This sort of thing simply wasn't often come by among her fellow apprentices, and surely the warriors had better things to do than track down bird feathers. Even though she didn't necessarily believe that obtaining the feather of this particular bird would make her anymore lucky, she would entertain him until it was time for him to return to the nursery, and at the end of the day, she rather would enjoy having something so beautiful to decorate her nest with. "If I'm not mistaken, the bird is called a bluejay."

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Tags: @littleflower