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Post by Fawn on Oct 4, 2016 17:21:40 GMT -5
46 Moons || Senior Warrior || Tom there's a light that you give me when I'm in shadow It felt as though overnight, TreeClan had become a honey-trap for all sorts of strange things; first his apprentice Nightpaw had come back from the dead and attacked Lionstar. Then a loner and her two kits had been found on the territory and brought back to camp as well. At least there was positive news mixed in with all of the... strange.
Gorsetail was deputy now, and Silentsong was expecting kits.
Despite this happy announcement, Sprucefur had become troubled again. Nightpaw had... changed; she was emaciated. Bluejay had given her herbs to keep her strength up, but it seemed as if all of her strength went into trying to escape TreeClan's camp. Sprucefur didn't understand it. This had been her home, once; they had been her Clanmates, and Lionstar, her leader. Yet Nightpaw was pushing away from them again for reasons Sprucefur did not know of.
Trying to break through to his former apprentice, his heart in his throat, Sprucefur picked a blackbird from the fresh kill pile and approached the little hollow Nightpaw was being kept in. Stormclaw, her brother, was standing guard, and he straightened as he saw Sprucefur approach.
"I've brought this for Nightpaw," Sprucefur mewed.
Stormclaw nodded, and then stepped forward, lowering his voice to a murmur. "She told me her name was Nightmare now. And keep a close eye on her, she's tried to get past me twice."
Sprucefur moved aside so the gray warrior could pass, knowing Stormclaw wouldn't be very far away. Stepping into the small, previously unused hollow, he set down the blackbird, uncomfortable in the silence between them. "I've... brought you something, Nightpaw." Even if she was calling herself Nightmare now, he couldn't bring himself to say it. StarClan, what happened to her? Why would she choose such a name for herself?
He wanted to reach out, lay his tail over her shoulders and tell her that everything would be fine from now on, but Sprucefur didn't dare make empty promises. Not when he didn't know what the future held. Perhaps the answer to that lied in the past, and the parts of Nightpaw's history that he and the rest of the Clan didn't know about. "Can we talk?" Sprucefur spoke at last, the twitch of his ears and tail-tip betraying his discomfort.
there's a feeling you give me, an everglow --- Word Count:391 Words Tags: @poptart Notes:
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2016 19:25:12 GMT -5
Nightmare wasn't surprised she was being treated well, her former Clanmates' still viewed her as one of their own. This kindness would be touching to the seemingly heartless cat if she wasn't so committed to finishing off Lionstar. They couldn't see their leader for the monster he was, but she intended to show them. For all their kindness they weren't keen to her attempting to leave. Her own brother had been left to guard and and she had to admit it was a brilliant move. Nightmare knew she was dangerous, but she didn't have it in her to harm her own brother who thought he was protecting her. She would save him, she would save them all from Lionstar. Nightmare heard cats speaking outside of the hollow which she was being kept in and instantly recognized the voice of Sprucefur, her former mentor. A few moments later she saw him as well, Sprucefur had brought her a blackbird which she sniffed and pushed aside with disinterest. Nightmare was indeed hungry but she wasn't ready to accept food from Treeclan just yet. Sensing Sprucefur's discomfort Nightmare felt sadness creeping into her chest, she wouldn't allow this to distract her from the truth she knew however and replied "My name is Nightmare, but yes we can talk if you would like Sprucefur."
Fawn
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Post by Fawn on Oct 5, 2016 13:49:39 GMT -5
46 Moons || Senior Warrior || Tom there's a light that you give me when I'm in shadow No, your name is Nightpaw, and you are my apprentice! Sprucefur wanted to argue back, her new name sticking in the back of his throat like a piece of stale prey. It hurt to see her like this; a cat he was supposed to take care of. Look after. I should have searched harder. If I hadn't given up so easily... They would've found her sooner. Brought her home. Finished her training and let her become a true warrior of TreeClan like he always thought she could be.
Holding back these painful thoughts and the guilt that squeezed his heart like fox teeth, Sprucefur acknowledged her correction with a soft nod. "Why did you attack Lionstar? Where have you been all these moons?" Those were the two most pressing issues at the forefront of the pale warrior's mind, though there were a thousand more that wanted to come tumbling out right after. "I promise, whatever you have to tell me, I won't get mad. it's been a few moons--" Sprucefur's voice sounded strained, as if he were fighting down remorse "--but I like to think I am still your mentor." So you can talk to me about anything. Everything.
He would listen until his ears ached, if that's what she needed.
Sprucefur glanced to the blackbird, hoping she would eat once he left.
there's a feeling you give me, an everglow --- Word Count: 221 Words Tags: @poptart Notes:
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2016 19:09:11 GMT -5
Sprucefur was clearly trying to accommodate her to the best of his ability, Nightmare wasn't sure if he was afraid or disgusted and frankly she didn't care. The young she-cat knew her existence was morbid, however there was a certainty that she was necessary. All the training Nightmare had endured and the way in which she now lived her life was necessary in the combat of evil. After her former mentor finished his sappy declaration, which Nightmare did appreciate on some level, she answered his questions respectfully. "I've been training to kill Lionstar, his treachery will be ending soon." Nightmare mewed simply as she begin to tuck into the prey he had brought her, she had been polite an answered some questions for her meal and had no qualms in accepting it now. "What have you been doing while I've been away? Certainly life didn't stop around here just because I left." Nightmare questioned having no idea how off putting it most likely was for Sprucefur to hear her so nonchalantly mention murdering another cat. Fawn
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Post by Fawn on Oct 13, 2016 19:17:10 GMT -5
46 Moons || Senior Warrior || Tom there's a light that you give me when I'm in shadow Sprucefur's stomach lurched. "To kill Lionstar? What treachery are you talking about?" The pale warrior couldn't bring himself to sit, or to pay any attention to his former apprentice's questions of her own. He couldn't think of the answers--he wanted to know the truth behind all of this. With a narrowing gaze full of concern and suspicion, the senior tom watched her closely.
"You said 'training'. Who trained you, Nightmare?" Who in StarClan's name thought they had any right to turn you into this killer? Maybe he was being too quick to attack someone else. Maybe his judgments were better spent on Nightmare herself; maybe she had made herself this way for reasons Sprucefur couldn't begin to understand.
But he couldn't believe that she would try to kill Lionstar without a very, very good reason. Sprucefur and Lionstar had never been close; there would always be the family drama surrounding Badgerstripe and their mothers lurking between them like a fox's shadow, but that did not mean he wanted something bad to happen to him. Kin or not, Lionstar was a decent leader, he couldn't imagine what Nightmare meant by treachery.
there's a feeling you give me, an everglow --- Word Count: 197 Words Tags: @poptart Notes:
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2016 19:51:36 GMT -5
Nightmare finished her meal and successfully ignored the change in her former mentors attitude towards her, she allowed his questions to hang in the air for an awkwardly long time. "Lionstar has hurt me dearly, and he has done many bad things. I don't know why none of you can see him for what he is." Nightmare replied when she had finally decided to break the silence. There was a note of pity in her tone as she answered, anger wasn't a feeling she harbored in her quest. All powerful feelings she once had were gone, instead replaced by a cold determination that drove her onward. "I was trained by another that Lionstar has hurt, after the... accident, he opened my eyes." She stated in a matter of fact tone, "He sought me out, and knew that I was the perfect cat to free Treeclan from Lionstars' oppressive reign." A tone of hope had replaced that of pity as she made eye contact with Sprucefur, in that moment her eyes harbored a look of excitement that hadn't been found there for many moons. "Please you must understand..." Fawn
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Post by Fawn on Oct 14, 2016 9:55:34 GMT -5
46 Moons || Senior Warrior || Tom there's a light that you give me when I'm in shadow "I was trained by another that Lionstar has hurt, after the... accident, he opened my eyes."
Another that Lionstar has hurt? Sprucefur's stomach roiled, his pelt bristling at the shoulders and neck as he realized there was only one cat this could be. Oh no... "Grayowl. You met Grayowl, did you?" Oh StarClan, that was worse than any cat had anticipated. That gray-furred warrior would stop at nothing to either put the Clan to ruin or ruin Lionstar—whichever happened first.
"Look, Nightpaw," he mewed, trying to keep his voice as level as he could. "I know what happened to Puddlepaw was a horrible, tragic thing—but it wasn't anycat's fault. Sometimes accidents happen. I don't know what lies Grayowl has been telling you, but he's wrong." The mistake here was that Grayowl had been in exile since before Nightpaw and Stormclaw had been born. What honey-coated lies had he been feeding her?
Weaving some sad tale about himself, in order to gain her sympathies, her trust? I need to find Willowfur. If Nightpaw won't believe me about Grayowl's wickedness, then she must believe his sister. It was a painful subject for the gray and white she-cat, Sprucefur knew, but he was willing to let a fellow warrior risk a bit of discomfort if it meant pulling Nightpaw out of this dark, treacherous bog she was unknowingly trapped in.
there's a feeling you give me, an everglow --- Word Count: 221 Words Tags: @poptart Notes:
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2016 17:07:39 GMT -5
As Sprucefur began into his little speech Nightmare shied away at the use of the name 'Puddlepaw', her ears dropping to become flat against her skull as she looked up at Sprucefur. She hadn't dared speak her friends' name in moons, for the first time in the conversation the young she-cat showed genuine emotion. "D-don't..." Was all Nightmare managed to choke out before falling silent, everything about being home in Treeclan's camp was making it harder to disassociate. As Nightmare it seemed she was acting a part, one she took seriously for sure, but acting non the less. "I-I want to speak to Lionstar, get me Lionstar. You have kept me here long enough!" Nightmare shouted, her voice wasn't filled with anger however; instead Nightmares voice showed a thinly veiled fear. Retreating to the back of the den she closed herself off from her former mentor, choosing to make her form as small and unimposing as possible. Fawn
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Post by Fawn on Oct 15, 2016 18:24:41 GMT -5
46 Moons || Senior Warrior || Tom there's a light that you give me when I'm in shadow Sprucefur felt a stab of remorse over mentioning Puddlepaw, especially with the way Nightpaw seemed to revert back to her old self—to the kitten he'd once trained. Wanting to provide any kind of comfort he could, he chose instead to dip his head in acknowledgment of her plea. "I'll get Lionstar." The pale warrior forced himself not to linger, moving back out to have a word with Stormclaw about what was going on. The dark gray tom nodded, and waited while Sprucefur fetched their leader.
In the time it took to catch a falling leaf, Lionstar appeared with Sprucefur on his heels, though Sprucefur stayed outside this time as Lionstar entered Nightpaw's den.
"Hello Nightpaw," mewed the leader, gazing enigmatically at the dark-furred she-cat. "You wanted to speak to me?"
Or attack you, thought Sprucefur from outside, his ears swiveling to catch the conversation. Lionstar seemed calm and prepared for anything; Sprucefur hoped he was ready for the horrible truth of the situation—that Grayowl was still skulking around and still causing problems.
there's a feeling you give me, an everglow --- Word Count: 174 Words Tags: @poptart Notes:
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2016 18:34:09 GMT -5
Nightmare sat in her corner and watcher her former mentor leave, usually she would have been fine being alone but in that moment she felt the emptiness of her confines. Although she wasn't along for long it seemed like an eternity as her target entered the den, she stared at Treeclans' leader blankly as he announced himself. "You..." Nightmare whispered softly, she hadn't really planned their meeting if one had to be honest. Instead she wished to see him so the flurry of emotions she felt inside her could be let lose upon him, and she wasted no time making it so. "It's your fault she's dead, you killed her!" Nightmare shrieked as she stood and her hackles began to rise. "You are a murderer Lionstar and I will see to it you die for it!" With that she attacked Lionstar violently. Her strikes were not as precise and ordered as they had been in their last encounter, instead they seemed wild and random but the frequency had increased greatly. Nightmare had entered a raged fueled frenzy and Lionstar was taking the brunt of it. Fawn
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Post by Fawn on Oct 15, 2016 19:06:04 GMT -5
LIONSTAR leader of treeclan Blinded by the light of a new sun "I didn't kill Puddlepaw!" Lionstar struggled to make himself heard through the anguished fury of Nightpaw, the she-cat trying to shred him limb from limb over a misunderstanding. Over a tragedy. Lionstar bit hard on her shoulder, trying to force a bit of distance between them by making her retreat a few steps—but Nightpaw seemed to be in a rage, nurtured over many moons by guilt and grief that had not been properly dealt with.
Lionstar was rewarded with a rough slice across his nose for his efforts, and he hissed, breathing in the scent of his own blood as the cut stung nastily. The golden tom dropped his paws upon Nightmare's back, pinning her to the floor with more strength then he would have liked—but it was necessary. Though his movements were rough, his voice was gentle, stern. Like a father reprimanding a child having a tantrum. "Puddlepaw was killed by an icicle. There was no chance to save her, though I would have taken her place in a heartbeat, if I could. Your friend did not deserve to die." Lionstar looked at her, his gaze level and certain. "And killing me will not heal you. It will not bring Puddlepaw back." Take it to the world, gonna sing it like an anthem
words 205 Words | tagged @poptart | notes background image | So Alive | table by phoenix
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2016 19:23:58 GMT -5
For all her wild flailing Nightmare soon found herself dazed and pinned for a second time by Lionstar, it seemed this may never be a fight she could win but that didn't seem to bother her much. In truth the young she-cat didn't want to win, she just wanted it all to end. In a single moment her life had gone from a beautiful experience as she learned new exciting things daily to one where fear and hatred controlled her. There was truth in Lionstar's words and Nightmare could feel his sincerity, however she couldn't understand everything that had happened to her. "Why Lionstar!?" She screeched, no longer attempted to attack but instead to remove his greater weight that seemed to be pinning her. "How can this be anything but your fault?" Nightmare cried wondering how he could tell himself such lies, he had to know he was far from innocent. Fawn
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Post by Fawn on Oct 15, 2016 19:45:54 GMT -5
LIONSTAR leader of treeclan Blinded by the light of a new sun "I'm sorry, Nightpaw. I should have searched harder for you. In that way, you're right that this is my fault—my fault that Grayowl found you, and twisted you to his will." Lionstar gazed at her with a solemn intensity, hatred burning brightly in his eyes for his old enemy. "He has fed you lie after lie after lie, about TreeClan and about me. I'm sorry, but you have been deceived. Grayowl, no matter how he tries to say otherwise, attempted to murder his own sister, Willowfur, out of jealousy. But Willowfur survived, and she can confirm Grayowl's treachery if you don't want to believe me."
Lionstar's ears swiveled to catch the sound of paw-steps, glancing over his shoulder to see Sprucefur appearing, his expression tight with concern.
"Grayowl was exiled from the Clan shortly before you became my apprentice." Sprucefur mewed very quietly. "You and Stormclaw were still just kits at the time." Take it to the world, gonna sing it like an anthem
157 words | tagged @poptart | notes background image | So Alive | table by phoenix
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2016 22:01:51 GMT -5
Nightmare stopped struggling under Lionstars weight as he spoke, and for the first time she truly listened to the words that were being spoken to her since she had been brought back to camp. The lie she had been living in was stripped away and the cold reality of her life was left in her place, the shocking realizations that came with it were on the verge of causing irreparable devastation. It began with Nightmare taking short breaths in rapid succession, the panic had set in. It wasn't long before the realizations began to pile up in her mind. One caused her to take inhale sharply and hold her breath for many moments before she whispered softly, "I missed Puddlepaws' vigil..." before falling silent once more. Going limp as she closed her eyes Nightmare had lost all the fight she possessed in that single moment, the realization hurt her more than Puddlepaws' death ever could. Fawn
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Post by Fawn on Oct 16, 2016 8:58:36 GMT -5
46 Moons || Senior Warrior || Tom there's a light that you give me when I'm in shadow Nightmare collapsed in on herself, like a protective shell shattering and leaving a frightened, miserable Nightpaw in amongst the remains. Before Lionstar could make a move to comfort her, Sprucefur had shoved past him, encircling the she-cat protectively.
"You can hold vigil for Puddlepaw at your warrior ceremony," he murmured, gently licking the top of Nightpaw's head in an effort to soothe her; it was obvious the tom wasn't used to showing this much affection or caretaking, but he was making an effort for Nightpaw. Breaking out of his own social uncertainty to make up for failing her in the past.
"I need to have a word with Gorsetail," Lionstar spoke quietly, excusing himself. "And Bluejay."
Sprucefur knew he would send the medicine cat in to check on her, but he didn't know how effective it would be; Bluejay could treat the physical wounds, but not the emotional. Sprucefur didn't know how to help her heal, but he was going to try. Even if it took moons. Standing protectively next to his broken apprentice, Sprucefur couldn't fully suppress his relieved thoughts. He had feared she was too tightly ensnared in Grayowl's web to see sense. But she wasn't. She had come back to them. He wasn't going to let her go again, not this time.
there's a feeling you give me, an everglow --- Word Count: 233 Words Tags: @poptart Notes:
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