[Taxx]

Finchpaw

So many times it happens too fast
You trade your passion for glory

Finchpaw huddled in the shelter of the apprentice den, blinking around at the cats padding by. Part of him wondered if he might be able to talk one of the warriors into a hunting patrol so he could get out of the camp for a bit, in the name of doing a duty for the Clan. Who to ask was the biggest question- not many would appreciate having an apprentice badgering them to go on patrol and Finchpaw had no desire to get an earful from a cat irritated by him.

His eyes pinned on Silentsong as she stepped from the warriors' den, and they brightened. Maybe Silentsong would be willing? He hadn't spent much time with her lately, with the Clan keeping busy as they prepared for leafbare- it was a perfect opportunity and the apprentice leaped on it with gusto. Rising, Finchpaw bounded over to his mother and skidded to a halt in front of her, a purr rising from his throat instantly. "Hello, mother! Bad weather, isn't it? Are you staying dry?"

He'd learned from the earliest of age to ask questions answered with a nod or headshake, to make it easy for the mute she-cat to reply. "I know the weather's not great, but I thought maybe, if you were willing, we could go on a hunt? I'm sure nobody would mind if I was with you. Can we?" For all his age, the young cat was nearly bouncing- if it hadn't been improper, he would have been. But he was almost a warrior, and warriors didn't bounce, no matter how excited they were. And the thought of spending time with his mother had Finchpaw quite excited.

BlooRey DVD

Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must FIGHT just to keep them ALIVE

[BlooRey DVD]

58 Moons, Senior Warrior of TreeClan

The pretty tortoiseshell could have remained in her nest all day. The thrumming of the rain outside was not exactly inviting, whereas the warmth of her nest with Zephyrfang was extremely inviting. Much to her dismay, however, the life of a warrior required her to do something. Seeing as her belly had started reminding her food was a thing some time ago, Silentsong figured she'd head out of camp with one of the morning hunting patrols, earning herself a chance to eat. It would seem the stars had a different plan, however, for the moment she set paw outside, a familiar voice called to her from across the camp.

Hazel-green eyes flicked to land upon the excited approach of her ginger tabby son, and immediately a brilliant smile spread over her maw. Any thoughts on the weather evaporated as she trotted forward to greet Finchpaw. When he asked whether she was keeping dry, Silentsong waved her tail dismissively, arcing a spray of water from her plume like tail in a comedic fashion. Grinning wryly, the tortoiseshell pressed herself forward to pull her son closer. Although it went largely unheard, the newfound closeness would allow him to feel the vibration from the purr rumbling deep in her throat.

She released him soon enough, giving him space to maneuver once more. His next question caused her to hop excitedly from paw to paw, her smile burning full force once more. Nodding her head enthusiastically, the senior warrioress tapped her right fore paw twice, before pointing to the sky above with her tail. The rain-slicked appendage soon shifted back to point at the ground again, her muzzle dipping into another nod. Yes! To the stars and back again, yes. Her thoughts purred to her.

Pressing her shoulder to his in undeniable affection, Silentsong touched his chin with the tip of her tail as she walked by, playfully signalling for him to follow along as she sauntered her way out of camp. Waving to Gorsetail as she passed by the Clan deputy, the beautiful she-cat smiled brightly in a show that she was stealing his apprentice for at least a little while. Content that the deputy understood her message, Silentsong glanced back over her shoulder to blink warmly at her son. Falling into step with him as they crossed the threshold of the camp entrance, Silentsong veered slightly to butt his shoulder with her own.

Smiling cheekily for a heartbeat, the mute warrioress tilted her head questioningly, a signal that anyone familiar with her knew meant 'How are you?'. Unconditional love for her son glimmered in her eyes, the she-cat intent on checking in on Finchpaw while they had these moments alone.

Word Count: ~450 words Tags: Taxx Notes: Mamma Silent <3

[Taxx]

Finchpaw

So many times it happens too fast
You trade your passion for glory

Someone else might have resisted their mother tugging them in for a hug, but Finchpaw was all too willing to accept it, and the vibration of her purr started him purring too. It was nice to have her so affectionate, though he was nearly grown- her warmth was one of the things he hoped would never taper off.

The dampness of her pelt against his was answer enough on his mention on the weather, the heavy moisture in the air and the gray clouds making it quite dreary. It might well rain before the day was over, but with any luck, they'd both be under cover by then.

Wide amber eyes remained on the she-cat, still waiting for her reply; it came in an agreement, and while he might not know exactly what words she was thinking of, the cheery 'yes!' was obvious enough to Finchpaw. His own tail lifted happily and he butted his head against her jaw in delight. Her tail flicked against his nose and he turned to follow as the she-cat headed for the camp entrance, passing Gorsetail on the way. His mentor made no protest, and Finchpaw's stride lengthened, pleased now that there was no chance of this outing being cut short.

Side by side with his mother, Finchpaw missed a step at the light bump of shoulders, catching the tip of Silentsong's head and answering the question brightly. "I'm doing well, mother. There's so much to learn in order to be a warrior, but I'm so close, I can feel it. I caught a rabbit yesterday- it must have wandered over the border from LightningClan territory because it had their stink on its fur, and I stalked it and caught it before it could go running to a burrow and escape. I gave it to the queens. Some of the kits didn't even know what it was." Purring at the memory of the wonder in the kits' eyes at the prey he'd set down, them plying their mothers with questions as he'd backed out again.

"What about you?" Turning the question back on her, meeting her sparkling gaze, his own deep affection mirrored in his. With just a hint of cheek, his tail whisking mischievously behind, he went on: "I don't suppose you and Zephyrfang are planning on giving Thornpaw and I younger brothers and sisters?"
BlooRey DVD

Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must FIGHT just to keep them ALIVE

[BlooRey DVD]

58 Moons, Senior Warrior of TreeClan

Happy to listen to her son’s description of life as an apprentice, Silentsong trotted beside her tall offspring. Ears perked in interest as he mentioned the rabbit, her eyes glittering with pride as he explained how he’d caught it, and then given it to the nursery’s inhabitant. Exhibiting her praise in the form of a nuzzle to his neck, Silentsong purred silently to herself. Her baby… Both her babies, they were growing up so fast. If she could have, she would have kept them all to herself as tiny kits for the rest of her life. And yet…

Seeing them advance through Clan life and grow as individuals was unlike any other feeling. Thornpaw’s fascination with Fawnpaw had continued with his age, and as a mother she couldn’t help but wonder if something more would come from that. Of course, the two were currently convinced they were 'just friends'. Smiling to herself in silent laughter, Silentsong redirected her attention to Finchpaw. Finchpaw’s fascination had landed on Amberwing from a young age, and yet… The young warrioress seemed to want nothing to do with Silentsong’s son at the moment. Silentsong held nothing against Amberwing; she was simply worried for her son.

She was distracted from her thoughts by Finchpaw’s cheeky inquiry. Ears snapping forward in momentary surprise before her hazel-green eyes rolled at him, Silentsong shifted her step so she was fractionally closer to Finchpaw’s side. And then, just as Finchpaw set down his closest forepaw to take a new step, Silentsong flashed out a paw to yank to appendage out from underneath him. In one elegant motion, she bounded away to avoid the flail of tumbling limbs, and beamed brilliantly over her tortoiseshell shoulder at him. When she saw his surprised gaze land back on her, the senior warrioress tipped her head to the side and flicked her tail.

Maybe. Her head tilted the other way, followed by another flick of her tail. Maybe not. Mischief flickered over her beautiful features, and her tail arced around to point at him, before shifting to her eyes which blinked twice. You’ll see. Dropping into a playful crouch, Silentsong’s tail danced over her back as she mutely dared her son to retaliate.

Word Count: ~370 words Tags: Taxx Notes: Cheeky thing <3

[Taxx]

Finchpaw

So many times it happens too fast
You trade your passion for glory

Amused by his suggestion, Finchpaw’s tail waved, a rumble of laughter escaping him at Silentsong’s reaction. Her eyes rolled and she shifted a touch closer; his tail swept around with the intention of draping over her back.

Her paw wrapped around his and yanked. Unbalanced, Finchpaw felt himself toppling and gave a yelp of surprise, falling to the side and rolling over once. He might have stayed down and eyed his mother, a playfully wounded look on his face at her move, but the ground was wet and his fur began to absorb it immediately. Scrambling back to his paws, he shook out his heavy coat and stared.

In another moment, he had mirrored her crouch, eyes brightening as he faced her. “I suppose I will,” he purred in reply, and carried on because she was his mother and she wouldn’t take it the wrong way. “Sure you want to spar with me? I’ve grown and learned a lot since I was a kit tucked at your belly.” Ears back, his tail lashed once- but his claws were sheathed, and he didn’t really think he stood much of a chance. She had moons and moons of experience on him, and he wasn’t yet out of apprenticeship.

Easing his weight back into his hind legs, Finchpaw scanned the warrior, the instinct of learning to look for weaknesses nearly second nature now. Her own crouch was even, no favoring to one side or the other, her gaze back at him steady and blank- no hint of what was going on inside her mind. Finchpaw braced and bounced high, tail swinging in a full circle- a feint, trying to trick Silentsong into believing he was going to pounce on her, when his intent was to land just as she sprang, with her vulnerable, and to knock her over on her back. It might not work- probably wouldn’t work- but he tried anyway.
BlooRey DVD

Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must FIGHT just to keep them ALIVE

[BlooRey DVD]

58 Moons, Senior Warrior of TreeClan

It had been a while since she’d exercised the battle training she’d learnt so long ago. But she was graced with elegance, and a natural talent for movement. She watched her son, his long limbs likely more powerful than hers by now, as he mimicked her crouch. Ears pricked up as he threw back his own taunt, her grin increasing two-fold as she curled her tail in amusement. With a slight inclination of her head, she acknowledged that he had indeed grown since he was but a small kit at her belly. He’d grown, and she was so proud of him.

But now was not the time to praise him. Now was the time to playfully test him. To remind him that, no matter how hard he tried, she would come out on top, because she was his mother. His mother who would always remind him that, no matter what he did, she would love him unconditionally. Always.

His leap caught her attention, and though for a moment her muscles said jump!, her instincts whispered something else to her. Keeping her paws firmly planted on the ground, the beautiful tortoiseshell backpedaled rather than leapt. With careful motions that more closely resembled a dance than any defensive attack, she slipped just out of his range, spinning to tap her tail tip to his nose before facing him once more. Her paws never stopped moving after that moment. She circled him, the only word appropriately describing her mannerisms being prancing. She pranced around her son, subtly evaluating his stance.

Finding her own opening, the long furred she-cat darted forward, throwing her body sideways to crash her whole weight against Finchpaw’s hindquarters. She would never beat him in paw-to-paw combat; she wasn’t strong. But she liked to think of herself as clever, with an alternative way of thinking through sparring scenarios. And you could bet your tail fur she would give it her all.

Word Count: ~320 words Tags: Taxx Notes: Mother-son spare XD