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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2017 16:06:50 GMT -5
Sootpaw What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything? Vincent Van Gogh✣StoneClan, 8 Moons, She-Cat Where is he... Where IS he?!?! He has to be around this camp somewhere... Maybe Silverglade took him out... I need to make sure he's okay. Oh StarClan... please let him be okay. Sootpaw was frantically scouring the camp for any sign or scent of Kestrelpaw. It was morning, her waking moments chasing away the main vestiges of the nightmare she had, but one thing from that horrible dream remained with Sootpaw. The smell... The fear-scent. It filled her nostrils and made her feel worried for his safety.Wait... since when do I care this much about him? He's a big paw now, he can look after himself... Yet there was something... troubling... worrying... even going so far as to scare her about Kestrelpaw's safety. Yes, if Meadowpaw even knew that Sootpaw was thinking of her brother in this way, she would most likely be furious and Sootpaw would either feel the rough edge of the protective she-cat's tongue (or paws).
"Kestrelpaw? Kestrelpaw, where are you?"
Just let me know you're okay. Let me know that this was just a dream. Please. Sootpaw resumed her search of the camp, looking for the tom-cat who she was rapidly coming to realise she cared for. A lot. I won't tell ANYONE that without a fight.
Not looking where she was going, she tripped over her own paws, sending herself flailing in a whirlwind of paws, fur and whiskers.
Words:236 Tags: Fawn Muse, Notes: Even terrified, she's clumsy ✣
-Fawn |
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Post by Fawn on Oct 25, 2017 17:39:35 GMT -5
Kestrelpaw 9 Moons - Tom - StoneClan Hawkdung! Why do I keep messing up? Silverglade didn't say it, but Kestrelpaw was starting to feel like he was disappointing his mentor with his repeated hunting failures. He just... he tried really hard, but his long limbs always betrayed him, and he ended up stumbling over his paws or landing funny. Kestrelpaw hadn't thought he'd one day wish he was a shorter cat - but lately? that was exactly what he wished for.
Returning to camp with only dust on his paws and drooping whiskers to show for his hunting trip, Kestrelpaw's gloomy demeanor worsened as a couple of warriors returned right behind him, two mice and a sparrow dangling from their jaws. Kestrelpaw hastily got out of their way, relegating himself to walking in their shadows, as if he had no business returning to camp at all.
"Kestrelpaw? Kestrelpaw, where are you?"
Beige ears pricked, fully alert as he heard someone call his name. That sounded like Sootpaw! "I'm over he--ooph!" A familiar mottled pelt crashed right into him, and the two apprentices went down in a tangle of whiskers and tails and flailing limbs. Kestrelpaw shook himself, trying to sit up without squishing her. "Are you okay, Sootpaw?" The fear scent tickled his nose. "What's wrong?" Kestrelpaw's heart thundered. Did something scare her? Is she okay?
Laugh at yourself first, before anyone else can. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2017 21:37:10 GMT -5
Sootpaw What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything? Vincent Van Gogh✣StoneClan, 8 Moons, She-Cat Oh, thank StarClan... he's okay. At least he looks okay. What if he's hurt? What if he's just putting a brave face on? Sootpaw gently disentangled herself from the much larger tom. She hadn't even meant to fall over, she was just so worried...and clumsy. Her paws felt too big for her even as she was growing into them. She let out an audible sigh of relief as she gave Kestrelpaw a thorough visual examination. Aside from the slight bristling of his fur as he smelt her completely-obvious-to-everyone fear-scent, he looked completely fine, completely normal. Hpfhh, just a dream... thank StarClan.
"Kestrelpaw... are YOU okay? I... I had a dream. I couldn't see, but all I could smell was you... your fear-scent, your scent in general. I woke up in a cold sweat, I genuinely thought something terrible had happened..."
Having made certain Kestrelpaw was safe, if a little disappointed in himself, Sootpaw was finally able to relax and let the fur on her shoulders lay flat. Suddenly embarrassed at her reaction to what had simply been a nightmare, she looked down at her paws. She and Kestrelpaw had been den-mates since kithood apart from that last moon where both Kestrelpaw and Meadowpaw had been apprentices while she was still too young. She hoped he knew that no matter how many times she put her paw in her mouth and rotated it sideways, that she was always there for him if he needed someone to confide in that was more or less his own age, but not his own kin. Words: 262, Tags: Fawn, Muse: Pretty good!, Notes: She's a goof. ✣ |
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Post by Fawn on Oct 27, 2017 23:34:48 GMT -5
Kestrelpaw 9 Moons - Tom - StoneClan He couldn't explain it, but Sootpaw's deep-rooted concern for him made his belly burst into butterflies. He shyly shuffled his paws, adding to the dust already turning his tanned legs brown. "I'm okay, Sootpaw! I promise," gazing into the other apprentice's soft stare, Kestrelpaw put on a jauntier step. He didn't want her to be worried about him - she was his friend. A good friend, and he didn't like seeing Sootpaw get so worked up.
"Good thing it was just a dream, huh? I bet whatever it was, I could have beaten it up." It felt good to talk to someone his own age. He didn't always feel comfortable around the older cats; they always seemed to remind him without having to say a word just how young and inexperienced he was.
The pressure to be even half as good as his father was... very real.
Gently flicking Sootpaw's ear with the end of his banded tail, Kestrelpaw circled her playfully. "Want to go to the Sky Springs with me? Last one there has to jump in!" Her fear scent was starting to fade, and the tension in his heart began to ease away with it.
Laugh at yourself first, before anyone else can. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2017 9:43:02 GMT -5
Sootpaw What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything? Vincent Van Gogh✣StoneClan, 8 Moons, She-Cat "Last one there has to jump in!" That sounded like a challenge Sootpaw would not lose. She mirrored Kestrelpaw's actions, circling around him for a few heartbeats, before giving a (somewhat muted) battle-cry and charging off in the direction of the Sky Springs.
"Come on, Kestrelpaw! You're slower than a dopey mouse. At this rate, if you don't hurry up, it'll be sunhigh before we get there!"
Sootpaw was looking forward to the exercise. Her mentor, Petalrain, kept Sootpaw busy, but she would take any excuse she could to keep her fitness up and keep her senses sharp. She was also excited that it was her and Kestrelpaw together. She hoped that she could continue to enjoy her life like she currently was, hoped that Leaf-bare didn't bring too much heartache. Her tail flicked in a playful way as she looked over her shoulder to see if Kestrelpaw was, indeed, following before taking off with a bound. Words: 187, Tags: Fawn ; Hellion for Petalrain mention, Muse: AOK! |
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Post by Taxx on Oct 29, 2017 11:08:49 GMT -5
SMOKESTORM  ♚ Smokestorm was on her way back from an early morning hunt, two mice dangling from her jaws by their tails. Her thoughts were elsewhere, her paws carrying her toward the well-trod and familiar path toward the camp, but the sudden rush of paws jolted her into awareness, a momentary alarm sharpening her senses.
Those weren't warriors darting past; she recognized the pelt of her half-brother as though it were her own. And beside him, Sootpaw. When no mentors appeared behind, calling for the two to slow down, Smokestorm heaved a sigh. Dropping her mice, the lithe she-cat called after them, tail flicking in exasperation. Surely they knew better than to go off without a warrior?
"Kestrelpaw! Sootpaw! Where are you two going? Where are your mentors?" A quick scrap of leaves to cover the mice and then Smokestorm started toward the apprentices, pinning them both with a stern glance. "Does any cat know you've left camp?"
ooc:i spy with my little eye... |
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Post by Fawn on Oct 29, 2017 12:10:05 GMT -5
Kestrelpaw 9 Moons - Tom - StoneClan It was all fun and games until a warrior showed up. Kestrelpaw made a comical (though not intentionally so) awkward half-leap as he skittered to a stop before he could crash into his big sister. Aw, rocks! She's gonna make us clean out the elders' bedding or something. Hoping to avoid punishment, Kestrelpaw put on a big smile and a placating voice. "We just wanted to go to the sky springs. Mistpetal's busy being deputy, and Petalrain's..." He glanced at Sootpaw. "Uh, doing what Petalrain does when she's not training Sootpaw!"
Smokestorm wasn't Eagletalon or Duskflower, though. Maybe the chance of punishment wasn't as high as he'd thought? Kestrelpaw fidgeted, his paws pattering against the cool stone and his tail twisting in the air behind him. "We won't get another chance to swim, it'll be too cold soon." Kestrelpaw whined. She could see why they were in such a rush to get there, right? Leafbare was approaching, and it was... it was not something he had much experience with. Kestrelpaw knew of it from the apprehensive murmurs and cautious behaviors of his Clanmates.
Laugh at yourself first, before anyone else can. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2017 16:18:19 GMT -5
Sootpaw What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything? Vincent Van Gogh✣StoneClan, 8 Moons, She-Cat At Kestrelpaw's look, Sootpaw flicked her tail restlessly. She knew roughly where Petalrain was. One of the many tom-cats nests'. Petalrain wouldn't be too bothered where Sootpaw was and where she was going - she would be too wrapped up in herself to even notice she was gone. Her hackles raised as she realised Smokestorm was looking her over, waiting for some kind of response.
She allowed her fur to lay flat as she held Smokestorm's gaze.
"Petalrain wouldn't care that I'm here. Ask her. We just wanted to swim. If you're that dead set against letting us get in trouble then why don't you come with us?"
Sootpaw didn't mean to come across as antagonistic, she just wasn't expecting any cat to catch them. She was hoping they would be able to leave un-noticed... Yes, she knew she was playing a dangerous game and risking the wrath of both Eagletalon and Meadowkit, not to mention Hawkstar, but she wanted some time to herself with Kestrelpaw. Maybe taking Smokestorm with them would ensure a sense of legitimacy to their 'mission'. Words:202, Tags: Taxx Fawn , Muse: Reasonable Notes ✣ |
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Post by Taxx on Oct 29, 2017 18:07:04 GMT -5
SMOKESTORM Kestrelpaw's attempt at placation was met with a blank stare- did he really think that was going to work? She knew him far too well to fall for it. But, on the same paw, they were barely out of the entrance tunnel, and she wouldn't have minded going along with whatever he had in mind.
The she-cat's reply, however, set Smokestorm's fur instantly to bristling and she fixed a glare on the young upstart. "Or I could march you both back into camp and let Hawkstar know what you were up to, and see that you're set to clean out the elders' den by yourselves for the next moon." Tail lashing, she flicked her gaze to Kestrelpaw, including him in the threat because he was no more innocent than Sootpaw.
"Is that what you'd like to do?" she asked them both, waiting for their reply before deciding on her next course of action. Brother or not, Kestrelpaw wasn't exempt from the warrior code or following their leader's rules, and one of the biggest right now was that no apprentice was to go out on their own.
ooc: triggered |
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Post by Fawn on Oct 29, 2017 19:30:47 GMT -5
Kestrelpaw 9 Moons - Tom - StoneClan "No!" Cried Kestrelpaw, kneading the ground anxiously. A whole moon? I'll smell like mousebile for the rest of my life! To a mind as young as his, there were few worse fates. Kestrelpaw shook his head, wishing Sootpaw hadn't been so brusque with Smokestorm. Smokestorm was a no-nonsense she-cat, and he'd learned long ago from watching others interact with his elder sister that she was best kept in a good mood.
"Please don't tell on us, Smokestorm. If you come with us, we won't be breaking any rules." After that failed hunting trip earlier... Kestrelpaw didn't want to hang around camp, feeling like a failure. And with Sootpaw's nightmare, they both needed a bit of fun. Leafbare was coming. They were getting further and further from kithood with every moon; Kestrelpaw's perspective suddenly shifted, and his rump hit the ground in a messy sit, as if floored by the knowledge that their lives were only going to get more... complicated?
If I even make it to warriorhood. What if I'm an apprentice until I'm twenty moons? Or even older than Smokestorm? Kestrelpaw winced as if he'd trodden on a thorn, and glanced sullenly to Sootpaw. He should really practice his hunting. But... But it was so difficult. He just couldn't get it right, no matter how hard he tried.
"Want to join a hunting patrol instead?" asked Kestrelpaw. At least they'd be able to leave camp, and hopefully with a bit of teamwork they could catch something.
Laugh at yourself first, before anyone else can. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2017 15:35:06 GMT -5
Sootpaw What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything? Vincent Van Gogh✣StoneClan, 8 Moons, She-Cat Sootpaw instantly felt horrendous. She knew she had offended the fiery she-cat, it was evident by her raised hackles and sharp tone. Oh well, it was only what I deserved... What she didn't understand, however, was her attitude towards Kestrelpaw. After all, they were kin; surely Smokestorm should have gone easier on Kestrelpaw as a result? In an attempt to appear non-threatening, with an aim of placating the scorned warrior, Sootpaw attempted to remember something that her mother had taught her when she was just a kit. If accidental offence had been caused, her best course of action would be to own up to your own mistake, apologise, and hope the affected party could forgive you. This is what she knew she needed to do. Be a pragmatist. If helping the elders for a moon was the punishment she deserved, so be it... not that it was much of a punishment anyway, she was looking forward to seeing Fallenleaf again. She had meant to go and see her long ago, but Petalrain and hunting and just... life had kept her busy.
"I'm sorry, Smokestorm. If you feel that it is best that Hawkstar knows of this, I will understand and take the punishment that is dealt. I didn't mean to cause offence. I... I didn't sleep very well last night, and it's left me feeling off-kilter today. I know it's no excuse for how I treated you, but I hope it at least offers some sort of explanation."
Turning to Kestrelpaw (and catching the sullen look he threw her way), Sootpaw hoped she hadn't spoken out of turn and ruined things with the tom. StarClan knows Meadowpaw didn't need any excuse to hate her any more than she already did, and offending her brother would put Sootpaw even further down her dung-list.
The mention of a hunting patrol made her ears prick up. She enjoyed hunting. It would be nice to get to know Smokestorm a little better. Find out what she was like underneath the bristling fur and the sharp tongue.
"Hunting sounds great! That is, if Smokestorm agrees. Maybe she can teach us some tips? We could impress Petalrain and Mistpetal with our willingness to learn."
Words:391, Tags Taxx Fawn , Muse:off the chart, Notes ✣ |
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Post by Taxx on Oct 30, 2017 18:45:10 GMT -5
SMOKESTORM There was no question as to whether Smokestorm would follow through on the threat- if she did, though, would be based on Sootpaw's next statement. Kestrelpaw's outcry gained him a cool look- if he didn't want to suffer the consequences of his actions, then he ought to think about that before he did something worthy of punishment.
But, as Sootpaw gave a much more respectful reply, an apology and an explanation (which excused none of her disrespect, she was right on that point), Smokestorm felt her irritation easing. Her tail stilled and her patchy gray fur smoothed, her gaze softening. She might have to have a word with Petalrain afterward, but at least the apprentice had recognized her mistake and sought to correct it.
"A hunting patrol sounds ideal," she agreed. "And perhaps, afterward, you two may swim." They were still young, and there was really no harm in letting them have fun after they had done something in service to StoneClan. Besides, Kestrelpaw was right. The weather was turning, a chill in the air heralding the approach of leafbare, and this might well be one of the last times he could forget his duties and have fun with a denmate.
"Let me take my mice into the camp and fetch Dustpaw, and then we'll go." Without waiting for a reply, Smokestorm turned to the prey she'd dropped before confronting the two, picked up both mice, and headed for the camp. It took just a moment to drop them on the fresh-kill pile and call to her apprentice to join her, and then she was padding from the tunnel again to rejoin her brother and Sootpaw. "Come on then," she mewed to them both. "The sooner we hunt, the sooner you can swim."
ooc: see she's not totally a stick in the mud |
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Post by Fawn on Nov 2, 2017 18:24:30 GMT -5
Kestrelpaw 9 Moons - Tom - StoneClan "Yeah!" Mewed Kestrelpaw eagerly, though inside he felt a bit half-hearted. He didn't think it was in the realm of possibilities that he could impress Mistpetal. She was the Clan deputy - and she only ever saw him messing up. Kestrelpaw tried not to let his mood plummet like a boulder down a cliff, but he couldn't stop himself from murmuring to Sootpaw before Smokestom returned with Dustpaw.
"What if I don't catch anything? I'm no good at hunting. I bet Hawkstar will send me back to the nursery if I don't come back with a single piece of fresh kill." The young tom sighed, looking down at his paws where his self confidence seemed to have fallen. He didn't want to embarrass himself in front of Smokestorm, or Sootpaw, or even Dustpaw who he didn't know that well. "I didn't catch anything earlier today either." Kestrelpaw sulked.
Before the conversation could get much further, the fierce calico warrioress had returned, apprentice obediently following.
Smokestorm called for them to keep up, and Kestrelpaw plodded forward. He kept shoulder to shoulder with Sootpaw, finding her presence comforting - even when he was feeling bad.
Laugh at yourself first, before anyone else can. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2017 18:49:40 GMT -5
Sootpaw What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything? Vincent Van Gogh✣StoneClan, 8 Moons, She-Cat Sootpaw padded obediently after the much more confident Smokestorm and her apprentice, Dustpaw. She didn't know him that well, either, they slept at opposite ends of the apprentice's den. She felt intimidated by the older cat. So she kept close to Kestrelpaw as they companionably walked side-by-side. She was considering his earlier words carefully, knowing he had a problem with hunting.
Her mind flashed back to when she was a kit, bored, restless. She had caught a butterfly for Fallenleaf who had then promised to be her secret mentor (she wanted her to be her proper mentor, but she had given her service to the Clan for many moons, then retired to have a good long rest as an elder). However, the main thing Sootpaw remembered from her conversation with Fallenleaf was her tip about keeping the height of her tail in check. Maybe it would help Kestrelpaw become a better hunter?
"A very special cat once told me the greatest tip I've ever heard. It's helped me become a better hunter... maybe it'll help you too? She said 'Tail to the sky makes prey fly. Keep it nice and low, and prey you'll have in tow.' Just don't have it too low, or it'll drag along the ground and everything for miles will hear you coming. I made that mistake once."
Sootpaw hoped that her words had proved to provide some comfort for Kestrelpaw as she laid her tail briefly over his shoulders, the two cats keeping an easy pace with each other.
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Post by Taxx on Nov 2, 2017 21:42:30 GMT -5
SMOKESTORM
Smokestorm hardly glanced back at the two apprentices, her eyes fixed ahead, but her ears were turned back to make sure they were all following. Three apprentices were a lot to take on, but Dustpaw had long since learned not to cross her, and Kestrelpaw knew her too well to try to do anything that might irritate her- and Sootpaw, she hoped, had learned that too.
"Where are we going, Smokestorm?" Dustpaw asked, his long legs allowing him to keep up with his mentor easily.
"The Moss Meadow. We should be able to have a decent hunt there, and then to Sky Springs." If the hunt did go well. Maybe it was wrong to put their fun on the line, but- well, life wasn't fair, and she hadn't been born to coddle her brother.
"What are you two talking about back there?" she asked as she glanced back at Kestrelpaw and Sootpaw, halting for a moment; Dustpaw went on a few steps, his nose in the air as he scented for prey.
ooc: |
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