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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2017 16:13:54 GMT -5
Now it feels like my walls are melting down, like a force of nature now.
Somehow you're burning away my doubt...
Waking to a chill at her side where once there had been warm fur, Ashflight raised her head, blinking around the warrior's den blearily and wondering what had woken her. Then she realized the nest beside hers was empty. Her ears flicked forward briefly, wondering what had Rushwhisker awake so early. The first rays of dawn were beginning to the lighten the sky and the dawn patrol would likely be leaving soon, but Rushwhisker wasn't on it. She sighed, unconsciously leaning into the warmth at her other side where Russethawk slept. The tom had become her closest friend since her return to RainClan, him and Bitternwing, along with her rekindled friendship with Lotuswhisker. It felt nice to have cats she was confident she could depend on, strange and foreign, but not at all unwelcome.
She gazed at her brother's empty nest, ears twitching. He was becoming more and more withdrawn, and that eternal optimism she had always known him for had disappeared completely. He always seemed to be in a bad mood these days. Something was very wrong, but he refused to talk about it with her or any cat. He had seemed fine, if a bit bittersweet, when he'd stepped down as RainClan's deputy. Was he regretting that choice now? Ashflight really had no idea what was going on with him, and it was frustrating, but she of all cats knew better than to press for answers when it was clear he didn't want to give them. She just hoped he would come around eventually. Surely he knew he could tell her anything?
She sighed again and pushed to her paws, thoroughly awake now. She might as well start her day, she supposed. Glancing down at Russethawk, she smirked and gave his ears a playful bat, “Hey, get up and come hunting with me you lazy lump!” Some other cat grumbled as she spoke a bit louder than she'd meant to and she ducked her head. Oops. For some reason the tom brought out a side of her she had thought she had lost. He made her feel at ease, like she could let her guard down, and maybe it would be okay, as long as he was there to watch her back. It wasn't a feeling she'd ever expected to have with any cat but Rushwhisker. She purred softly, “We've got to work on your leaping still if you're ever going to manage to catch a bird without hurting yourself. And if the early bird catches the worm, guess who catches the bird? The even earlier cat.” She continued to prod him, ensuring that returning to sleep was impossible.
Steady hands, level head, it all abandons me, I only feel your heat.
White hot, burning red, who knew that letting go would make me so complete?
Fawn
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Post by Fawn on Sept 22, 2017 7:39:02 GMT -5
 54 Moons | RainClan | Tom | Senior Warrior Even if he'd wanted to fall back to sleep, Ashflight was doing everything in her power to ensure that wasn't an easy thing to do. Rather than wake up grouchy like certain denmates he wouldn't name (Crowblaze), Russethawk uncurled from his nest with a purring grin. "If I didn't know any better, Ashflight, I'd say you were trying to turn me into a mountain cat."
Finishing Berrypaw's training had been at the forefront of Russethawk's mind, no doubt, but he wasn't the sort of tom who neglected his social life as a result. If anything, Berrypaw was part of his social life, and he'd enjoyed the hunting patrols where he was able to bring his apprentice along as he kept pace with Bravebird, Ashflight and Minnowsplash. However...
The ruddy warrior found Ashflight's eyes in the shadowed den-space, following her out into the light - but not before carefully stepping around the still forms of Bravebird and Minnowsplash. Green eyes blinked with understanding. "Is it just me, or should we be expecting an announcement this leaf-fall?" Russethawk whispered conspiratorially, his tail brushing feather-soft over the two lovebirds in question.
The truth? Russethawk couldn't have been more excited about it. His friends deserved way more joy and peace than their lives had given them so far - and if he could go out, catch good fortune and bring it back to Bravebird and Minnowsplash (and Rushwhisker), he would have done so by now. Already prepared to give his morning to Ashflight and their second lesson, Russethawk made a mental note to have a little chat with his best friend later on.
By chat, he meant teasing. He wanted Bravebird to be appreciated for the great cat he was - but that didn't mean he was getting out of this unscathed! Can't let him get too comfortable, thought Russethawk with an internal grin. He was gonna have to place bets with Ashflight on which one of the pair was going to get more flustered; Minnowsplash or Bravebird?
Word Count: 330 Words Tags: @zen
(Shippin' my ships) |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2017 19:57:53 GMT -5
And as he spoke, he spoke ordinary words although they did not feel,
for I felt what I had not felt before and you'd swear those words could heal.
Raising her chin proudly, Ashflight flicked her tail, “Nothing wrong with mountain cats.” She crouched slightly then, giving him a challenging stare that sparkled with hints of amusement, “Is there?” She swiped playfully at his ears before heading toward the den entrance. Russethawk made a comment expecting some sort announcement and it took Ashflight a moment to figure out what he was talking about. She glanced back at Bravebird and Minnowsplash briefly, not entirely sure how to respond. She supposed they did seem to be getting closer, after all their nests were close now, but she honestly really hadn't thought much about it until Russethawk had just pointed it out.
She considered Bravebird something of a friend, though the two of them really hadn't spent any time together without Russethawk as the middle cat, but she didn't know much of anything at all about Minnowsplash, and she just wasn't a cat that paid much attention to other cats' personal lives. Not knowing what else to say, she turned back to Russethawk, “You think?” She wasn't really interested in talking about them, mostly because she didn't even have anything to say on the subject, but if Russethawk wanted to, then she'd be happy enough to listen. One thing Ashflight did know was that the ruddy tom cared deeply for his friends, and since Bravebird was one of them, she was sure he'd enjoy chatting about any possible excitement in his friend's life.
Leading the way out of camp at an easy pace, she turned her thoughts toward the place to practice leaping. Splashing through the camp stream, she turned them toward the Willow Stream. It would be easy to measure the height of his jumps against the draping willow branches, and would give him something to aim for so he could time his grabs with the height of his leaps. Her tail flicked behind her, pleased at the location she had chosen, “I can't wait until I've gotten you to an acceptable enough skill level to go after that eagle we talked about.” Her eyes shone with anticipation for the day they would finally tackle the challenge and see just which one of them would be making the other's nest for the next moon. She was confident they could do it, but it would take more than one cat to weigh down a bird as big as an eagle, so she needed someone else with the leaping skills that might be needed before they could try it.
And as I looked up into those eyes, his vision borrows mine.
And I know he's no stranger for I feel I've held him for all of time. Fawn
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Post by Fawn on Oct 12, 2017 21:21:11 GMT -5
54 Moons | RainClan | Tom | Senior Warrior "Me neither," Russethawk agreed, lengthening his stride to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with her. The stream water felt cool and refreshing, and he was sorry to leave it behind so soon. "We'll have bragging rights for the rest of our lives, you know that?" He'd bet all the pads on his right paw that there wasn't a single cat or pair of cats in RainClan that would be able to say they'd taken down an eagle.
Russethawk purred, mimicking her anticipation with an eager glance to his denmate. He enjoyed these little moments of theirs. Hunting together. Being relaxed. It was remembered all too well how standoffish and uncomfortable Ashflight had been when she'd first returned. Comfortably recalling all of their previous times together, he came back to focus as the change in scenery caught his attention.
The Willow Stream? Russethawk couldn't help himself. He wore a lopsided grin, smiling like a fat fox, and gave her ear a little flick with his tail. "The Willow Stream? If I'd known you were asking me out on a date, I would've groomed better." It wasn't a date. Obviously.
So it was safe to poke fun at the situation. ... But what if it really was a date? Russethawk's confidence faltered, not so much briefly wavering as it was broken up by momentary confusion. Had she been sending him signs all this time, and he was just too fishbrained to notice? Russethawk blinked, watching her closely as if the answer might spell itself out in her whiskers and facial markings. Nah, decided the ruddy tom. Nah I would've definitely noticed.
Russethawk had a myriad of comments he could have made, all designed to either get her to laugh or eke out a little of the truth regarding Ashflight's feelings towards him - but they were withheld. He didn't want to get on her nerves or push his luck. Even a very big part of him really wanted to know. Did she just see him as a friend? Or was there something more, here? Russethawk itched to find out. I could pretend to sprain my paw. If she makes a big fuss, obviously she likes me. If she calls me a mousebrain and smacks my ears - she sees me like a brother.
What was he, an apprentice? What kind of stupid plan was that? Russethawk snorted, but that plan was a little hard to ignore now that he'd actually thought it up.
Word Count: 406 Words Tags: @zen
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2017 0:27:59 GMT -5
Now it feels like my walls are melting down, like a force of nature now.
Somehow you're burning away my doubt...
Giving a soft purr of amusement, Ashflight shook her head lightly. Bragging rights weren't exactly what was motivating her to try to bring down an eagle. Mainly, there was revenge. Bringing one down would make her feel loads better about Icepaw. She could look to the stars and say: Look, Icepaw, I won't ever let another cat die like you did. She could look to the sky and yowl for the eagles to hear: I'm not afraid of you! I make you MY prey now! Her tail curled over her back in anticipation of the satisfaction she would feel. Not to mention how many cats it would feed. The whole Clan could have a bite and there'd still be plenty left. And she could take the feathers to the nursery and the elders' den.
When Russethawk pointed out where they were, she turned to blink at him, uncomprehending for a heartbeat, until he continued talking. Her eyes widened and she looked around, remembering what the majority of the Clan used this place for. It took her a moment to realize he was joking. He was always joking. They both were. All the time. Most of the time. Joking. Right. Her ears twitched and she laughed, forced at first, but then it was real. She was such a fishbrain. “Groomed better? Whatever for? Don't you know by now I prefer you covered in mud?” she grinned over at him, nudging him playfully, her shoulder against his.
But this time there was something a little different in the contact. Something she couldn't quite place. She remembered Lotuswhisker asking if she should make up another nest in the nursery, implying without ever coming out and saying it straight out. Couldn't a tom and a she-cat just be friends without every cat assuming they were mates? Or soon would be? That's what she'd thought then, anyway. But... was there more to her and Russethawk and she just wasn't seeing it?
Ashflight knew well enough that romance wasn't her strong point. But it made her incredibly uncomfortable to think about. She remembered Colt, the loner that had supposedly loved her. And after him, Mack, who had done worse than just leave her when she didn't reciprocate his feelings. She'd had to give that brute a few good scars to remember her by before he'd tucked tail and run, and then had to limp off to tend the wounds he'd given her. Toms were fickle things, or maybe it was just love, or both. She didn't know, but after Mack, she hadn't wanted anything much to do with either.
Until Russethawk. Her brother excluded, he was the first tom she had allowed close, had come to trust, since returning to the Clan. But that didn't mean she had... feelings for him. She had some feelings for him of course. She cared about him. But not like that? Did she? Her tail lashed behind her in frustration. This was stupid. She hadn't brought him to the Willow Stream on a stupid date, she'd brought him here to train. Which... did that count as a date? She didn't know. What did other cats usually do on dates? Why wouldn't they train together? What better way to spend time with your mate than learning from each other and improving your skills and abilities together?
“Erm, so I thought we'd come here to make it easy to measure your leaps,” her voice sounded strange in her own ears, but she was sure it was just her imagination and these weird, stupid thoughts. She tried to push through anyway, “We'll just be working on the leaping part first, then add strikes in. You've gotta get a good sense of when you're at your highest to get the best and most accurate strike in. And you need to work on your height to begin with.” Her whiskers twitched in amusement at the light teasing she was giving him.
Steady hands, level head, it all abandons me, I only feel your heat.
White hot, burning red, who knew that letting go would make me so complete?
Fawn (Finally xD)
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Post by Fawn on Nov 14, 2017 23:38:00 GMT -5
54 Moons | RainClan | Tom | Senior Warrior
She nudged his shoulder, and what was a typical friendly interaction between them seemed to be loaded with electric energy. Russethawk felt it jolt through him, making his heart race like spotted prey. Had she looked nervous for a second there? Russethawk craned his neck just a little, emerald eyes full of his usual spark and warmth - but they were keen this time. Keenly watching, hoping to catch something that would confirm the growing hope in his chest.
That maybe, just maybe, she saw him as something more than just a friend - or her brother's mentor.
Russethawk nearly scoffed out loud at this sudden offending thought; what if she thinks I'm too old for her? For StarClan's sake, he was barely even a senior warrior! Only ten moons into it! That wasn't old. Stormheart was old. He was in his prime, StarClan dammit. Those thoughts didn't take up as much space in his head as he anticipated, and as Ashflight's voice called him back to the present - a tease included, always included - Russethawk found some of his worries washing away.
She didn't think he was old. Russethawk knew he had more youth and vigor than three young warriors, and Ashflight knew it too. He was always up for anything she had in mind. Training. A walk. A swim. It was too cold for the latter, but... Russethawk's eyes darted along the winding curve of the willow stream, and an idea gathered, building up like a beaver dam the more he found he liked the idea.
"Okay, I'll play leap-frog with you - but you gotta promise me one thing." Russethawk circled around to face her, wearing a loose, troublesome sort of grin. "After leaping practice, we're going up river. Not far, just outside of RainClan's territory. Up for it?"
There wasn't anything special up river. He just liked that it was different. Maybe she'd like the change in scenery too? Besides... This place was supposed to be a romantic hotspot for couples to feel all warm-and-fuzzy and whatever. He couldn't be the only one hyper aware of that, right? Maybe they'd both relax if they went somewhere else.
Maybe he could start to get an idea of where Ashflight really stood, when it came to her romantic feelings?
Rather than wait around for her to say yes or no, Russethawk already made good on his part of the deal, and jumped into the willow stream, letting his body get used to the water. It was cool against his deep russet coat, and the RainClan tom lapped up some of the fresh stream water, enjoying himself. "Ready when you are," he mewed. This was a nice break from the routine of warriorhood. He hadn't noticed how much he looked forward to novelty until Ashflight had waltzed into his life.
Well, more like pounced in.
Russethawk's whiskers twitched. She was a bird-catcher, and his name so happened to be a bird's name.
Probably no one else thought that was as charming or clever as he did, but Russethawk didn't care. He liked her. Bravebird wasn't the only one allowed to get a little starry-eyed, now was he? All Russethawk could hope for, however, was that he did not end up trying to swim against the current.
If there was a chance they could be something more, he'd take it.
But if her feelings just weren't there, then Russethawk would have to accept defeat. That was the way life worked out sometimes; nothing was certain, so he had to make the most of each day - and roll with the punches.
Word Count: 596 Words Tags: @zen
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