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Post by Taxx on Jun 28, 2019 15:44:02 GMT -5
With careful steps Hollowkit approached Frostjaw. The older, white-furred tom was sitting near the fresh-kill pile alone, and the kit hoped he wouldn't mind company. He liked Frostjaw; the warrior was respected, fierce, and had the same deep belief in StarClan he himself held. Most of the cats spoke oaths to their ancestors from time to time, but Frostjaw was different, Hollowkit had learned. He'd mentioned signs a lot. Like Shadowchaser, but different, and the younger wanted to know more about it.
His only problem was the inability to ask, but maybe if he gestured well enough, Frostjaw would understand. At the moment, there was this to get past. For once he left the tom's tail be; he didn't want to anger the white warrior, no matter how tempting it was. Instead he edged up beside him, ears pricked and eyes wide, and when Frostjaw's gaze fell on him he gave a dip of his head in respect and greeting. His eyes dropped to the space between him and Frostjaw, then back up to those piercing eyes, and tipped his head in question. Can I join you?
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| I will not be like a bird bred in a cage, I thought, too dull to fly even when the door stands open. |
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INVENTORY
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Post by Ginger on Jun 28, 2019 17:46:07 GMT -5
Frostjaw looked at the fresh-kill pile, unaware of how hungry he was until his eyes rested on a small brown bat lying near the top. Gently, he picked the bat off of the top of the pile and took a few steps back, laying the bat in front of his paws and lying down. Intense blue eyes gazed down at the bat, studying its dark coloration, its wings, its eyes that stared away at something in the distance. It was with this scrutiny that Frostjaw eyed every meal, looking for a sign from Starclan, for some task he must accomplish. As he continued to inspect the bat, Frostjaw felt a presence near him.
The massive white cat raised his eyes to meet a pair of green eyes on a rich chocolate face: Hollowkit. The kit nodded in respect, and Frostjaw blinked his eyes slowly to show he was comfortable with Hollowkit approaching. Seeing that Hollowkit wanted to sit next to him, Frostjaw beckoned to the space between them with his tail and then turned to look at the bat again. After a few lingering moments of silence, Frostjaw raised his head and spoke. "Bats are some of the closest animals to Starclan. Their black bodies make them a part of the night sky, their wings bring them closer to the heavens with every flap, and their nocturnal behavior ensures that they only act when Starclan is most visible." With that being said, Frostjaw picked up the bat and moved it to where it sat in between him and Hollowkit, a silent offer for the dark brown kit to eat some. "From bats, we can learn what Starclan wants from us. Consider them messengers sent from Starclan to Nightclan. Look closely at this bat before you eat and think about what you see." Nightclan was the only clan that elected to eat bats, and Frostjaw knew it was because Nightclan was chosen by Starclan to set an example for the other clans.
Only when he knew that Hollowkit was done looking, he stared the kit in the eyes. "When I look at this bat, I see scars all along its body, most likely given to it at a young age as it was learning to fly and crashing through the brush." Giving the kit a moment to think, Frostjaw looked to the outside of the camp. "I believe Starclan sees something in you. You share the same color as this bat, and in your youth, you too must learn to 'fly' as one of Starclan's messengers." Looking back at Hollowkit, Frostjaw flicked his tail towards the entrance of the camp, implying that he desired to take the young kit outside of the camp.
452 words Taxx |
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Post by Taxx on Jul 3, 2019 18:54:58 GMT -5
The huge white tom blinked at him and beckoned with his tail, letting Hollowkit know he was fine with his company. Pleased, the young kit settled next to the bigger tom, whose attention returned to the bat that lay between his front paws. Hollowkit blinked down at it too, confused at the scrutiny Frostjaw was giving the prey, but when the white warrior spoke his ears perked, taking in each word. His eyes widened as he turned to stare at the bat with new appreciation. He'd never considered that even prey could be a sign from StarClan. The weather, the success or failure of a hunt or battle, these things he understood and always looked out for- praying for a good outcome each time warriors left the camp, no matter what they were going off to do, praying to StarClan to guide them. But the prey itself? Awed at the thought of meanings he'd never dreamed existed, Hollowkit backed off a step as Frostjaw turned the bat over to him and told him to look close, to see if there were any signs he could spot. He saw scars across the belly, a tiny pink scratch across one wing, a bit of the top of one ear missing- but it was the scars that drew him, the sprinkling of white fur among the dark that drew his eye, and he gave a low purr as Frostjaw told him what he saw in the prey. His eyes shone as he looked up to meet the white tom's gaze, thrilled that this cat saw so much in him when he was still so young. At the flick of his tail toward the entrance tunnel, Hollowkit jumped up, a thrill of excitement bolting through him. He glanced back at the bat for just a moment and then patted it back toward the fresh-kill pile. Part of him hated the thought of it being eaten, but it was prey- but he couldn't eat it himself. Hopefully by the time he came back some other cat would have taken it. Then he bounced toward the entrance, looking back at Frostjaw with excitement. Now it was his turn! Bramblekit wouldn't be the only one to get out of the camp early, and his trip would have purpose. Once he was sure Frostjaw was coming, he darted into the tunnel, barely containing himself enough to stop short of bursting into the open, his eyes, ears, and nose all working to take in everything he could for the first time. Everything was so muddled down in the camp, but right here... eyes sliding closed, Hollowkit sent his deepest thanks to StarClan for giving him this wonderful opportunity. Ginger |
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| I will not be like a bird bred in a cage, I thought, too dull to fly even when the door stands open. |
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INVENTORY
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Post by Ginger on Jul 3, 2019 22:31:55 GMT -5
Frostjaw twitched his ears with slight amusement at Hollowkit's excitement to leave the camp. The white tom remembered when he was a kit, always itching to get out and see the splendorous territory that Starclan had gifted to the ever-superior Nightclan. He had been lucky to tag along with a warrior patient enough to explain the world to him. Now, it seemed, everything had come full circle as the Tom would be doing a whole lot of explaining today.
The massive white tom ducked as he exited the camp through the tunnel, giving a solemn nod to the she-cat who was guarding the entrance, feeling her gaze linger on his back. He hated the attention.
Refocusing his attention on the bouncing brown kit, Frostjaw motioned his head so he would be followed. Trusting that Hollowkit would be responsible enough to keep close, the massive warrior did not even pause to look down as he padded along. As he walked, he looked at the large trees, breathing in the fresh air. "Each tree is an eternal witness." He took a sharp turn to the left, walking up to a tree that spoke volumes to him. Its trunk had a huge diameter, and at the base of the tree, the trunk separated just enough to create a cat-sized tunnel. Frostjaw walked directly in front of said tunnel and sat down for a moment. "How many battles were fought in front of this tree? How many lives lost?" For a moment, Frostjaw became lost in his own rhetorical questions. How much suffering did each tree witness? How much love? To be able to see as much in his lifetime as this single tree had seen in its would be incredible. However, there was one way that Frostjaw could mimic the omniscience of a tree.
Frostjaw stood up, looking at each branch of the tree, plotting a way for him to reach the top. "Trees are masters of waiting. Of watching. To be half as perceptive as this single tree would make you the wisest cat in the valley." He looked down at Hollowkit. Though small, the brown kit was already starting to develop strong muscles in his hind legs - probably from all of the pouncing he would do onto other warriors' tails. He could make the climb.
"There is only one way to make oneself become closer to both Starclan's gates and the tree's omniscience." With that being said, Frostjaw silently leaped up onto the trunk, digging his claws into the bark as he propelled himself upwards. Up, up, up he went, effortlessly hopping from branch to branch with grace, until he had reached the final branch. Frostjaw settled on it, looking out above the canopy and to the brilliant night sky. Here, Frostjaw felt all of the worries of the earthly world lift away; it was as if he could truly see as he sat above the world. It was on this branch that Frostjaw felt the strongest connection to both Starclan and Nightclan. From here he could see both the ground, his home, and the sky, his devotion.
"I come here when I need to ponder a decision that deals with my loyalty to both Nightclan and Starclan." The white-furred tom took a deep breath in, inhaling the air that was not diluted by any earthly smells. It was free of the mossy dampness that Nightclan's territory almost always smelled of, a sure sign that this air belonged to no clan. They were in Starclan's territory now.
Frostjaw tore his attention away from the night sky as it gently caressed the treeline, looking instead at Hollowkit. "Look at the stars, Hollowkit. Millions and millions of souls keep watch over us, take care of us. Judge us." The tom looked once again to the burning stars. "If you take the time to listen, you will find that they are always there to guide you." Frostjaw closed his eyes in the hopes that Hollowkit would do the same, letting the rest of his senses be overcome as he listened for Starclan's words.
A gentle and warm breeze rustled through the large warrior's fur, filling him with a sense of satisfaction. Yes, Starclan wanted Hollowkit to see this, and its members were pleased with Frostjaw for taking the kit to see them. The slightest of smiles graced Frostjaw's lips.
725 words Taxx |
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Post by Taxx on Jul 28, 2019 18:04:29 GMT -5
Hollowkit looked over his shoulder as Frostjaw slid from the darkness of the camp, and he was all too happy to scamper after the big white warrior, past the sentry, and into the open forest. Scents and sounds were so clear, not muffled by the dirt that made up the camp, and he dragged in one deep breath after another, the heady smell of pine trees surrounding him. Frostjaw had paused at the base of a tree, and as he began to speak Hollowkit perked his ears, intent on not missing a single word.
Witness? To what? Battles, Frostjaw said as he sat down; the smaller tom padded past him into the tunnel, the tree arching over his head for a good tail-length. He reached up, raking his tiny claws against the wood to sharpen them and to leave his scent- a bold marker to let anyone who cared to know that he had been here. Resin welled under the scars he left, oozing slowly downward, but Hollowkit's attention had turned again to the warrior at the mention of StarClan.
Eagerly, he trotted toward Frostjaw, pausing with one paw off the ground as the older tom sprang upward, clawing his way up the massive trunk toward the lowest branch. Hollowkit reared up, front paws resting against the tree, eyes wide with awe at the seemingly effortless maneuver. Just for a moment, and then he followed. His ascent wasn't nearly as easy, and he lagged behind the bigger, stronger tom; he couldn't leap from branch to branch like Frostjaw. Reaching the first was the hardest part, and he took a short rest before going for the next- higher and higher, ever closer to the star-spattered sky and the ancestors who lived forever among them.
Panting by the time he clawed his way onto the branch beside Frostjaw, his coat specked with bits of bark and just a trace of exhaustion showing in the quiver of his muscles, Hollowkit lifted his small muzzle skyward, gazing at the vast stretch of stars, so many of them- all of them cats who had died and gone to StarClan, to watch over their Clanmates left behind. There were so many. They couldn't all be NightClan cats, but they were the only ones he was interested in.
His gaze turned to Frostjaw again, flooded with a sense of peace- pleased to know that someone very much like him was here to guide him. He dipped his head in a nod, indicating his understanding of what he was told, and then, when the white warrior returned his eyes to the stars, Hollowkit copied him. He didn't close his, but as the wind swept over him, warm and full of the scents of the forest, he could almost feel the presence of those StarClan cats. He could almost believe he heard them in the wind. Shuffling closer to Frostjaw, Hollowkit leaned against him, expressing his gratitude as best he could to the older cat. I'm a soldier till its over I will never fall
fearless hearts holding on through the night Hollowkit NightClan |
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| I will not be like a bird bred in a cage, I thought, too dull to fly even when the door stands open. |
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INVENTORY
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Post by Ginger on Aug 5, 2019 22:14:13 GMT -5
Frostjaw nightclan warrior 26 moons Hollowkit's show of gratitude caught the large white tom by surprise, looking down at the kit with wide eyes. He was not one to develop earthly bonds, as he believed they weakened his hold to Starclan. However, Frostjaw could not help but feel a fleeting sense of affection for Hollowkit. A feeling that told him to protect, to guide, and to teach. Not one for showing affection, the massive warrior half-heartedly wrapped his tail around his little protege's body. It was a pretty big gesture for a cat like Frostjaw, and he could only hope that Hollowkit would know.
"There are few constants in this world. Your dedication to Nightclan and Starclan must be one of them." The white warrior looked upon Hollowkit. Though being mute, it was clear that he shared the same passion for serving his clan as Frostjaw did. A passion that could be morphed into experience and strength. "Remember that constant, and you will never let your clan down."
Though this lesson was important, Frostjaw was very aware that Hollowkit, as his name stated, was still a kit. Sure, he had a certain passion that made him stand out from others, but the large tom remembered his own kithood, when he was looking for fun and cool things to do. Hollowkit had to have some of those base desires hidden under his dedication towards being a great warrior in the future.
And Frostjaw had just the thing in mind to make Hollowkit's night one to remember.
"How would you like to help me catch some prey for the clan?" By no means could the three-moon-old kit actually catch anything quite yet, but Frostjaw had a feeling that he would enjoy seeing prey being caught in real time so that he could apply the technique to his "hunts" of cat tails back at camp.
Leaping down from branch to branch, Frostjaw made his way to the ground, then turned and looked expectantly up at the strong-willed kit. He would jump up and help him get down if necessary, but he had a feeling that Hollowkit would find a way. Especially since he was now being enticed by the idea of getting to help serve Nightclan. That would be something to show off to his siblings. Frostjaw understood these dynamics, and he saw no harm in pushing a little bit of sibling competition.
only in darkness can you see the stars notes: I figure Hollow can either watch him hunt something, or get on his back and press down so that he can feel like he's being the hunter |
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Post by Taxx on Aug 18, 2019 22:11:02 GMT -5
The fluffy tip of Frostjaw's tail moved to drape around Hollowkit's body, invitingly close, but with an effort, for once, he restrained himself from snagging the target on his tiny claws. He moved his gaze away from it, back into the white tom's face, taking in the words he spoke and then meeting his deep blue eyes as Frostjaw looked down at him. I'll remember it, he tried to convey with a deep prolonged nod. I won't ever forget!
He could have sat there all night, perched on the branch high above the ground- feeling closer to StarClan than the shadowed earth below. But Frostjaw moved, slowly at first, allowing Hollowkit to regain his balance, and then spoke again. The invitation perked his ears and he waved his tail in excitement, only to stop as the motion swayed his small body on the branch. Oh yes, he wanted to help! Wouldn't Bramblekit be jealous if he came back carrying prey! Even more so if it was prey he helped catch- even if he had to face Thornscar and deal with her scolding. It wasn't like he'd gone out alone, a warrior had been with him.
The big tom made his way down from the tree, and Hollowkit braced himself to follow, his tail fluffing as he took in the absolute height they were at. He could do it! He might not be half as big as Frostjaw, but he was strong. He'd made it up the tree, hadn't he? Getting down was just... going the other way. He swallowed past the dryness in his mouth and sprang for the next limb down, trying to keep to the same path he'd seen Frostjaw take. But he was smaller, and not used to climbing; the bark scratched his kitten-soft paws and he had to stop each time he leaped to regain his balance.
And then, as he leaped to one branch, he slipped, hind paws raking against the wood in an attempt to gain purchase, but found none. His front claws sank as hard as they could into the branch and his heart pounded, fear scorching through him as his jaws opened in a silent screech, a plea for someone to help him as he dangled. I'm a soldier till its over I will never fall
fearless hearts holding on through the night Hollowkit NightClan |
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| I will not be like a bird bred in a cage, I thought, too dull to fly even when the door stands open. |
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INVENTORY
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Post by Ginger on Aug 22, 2019 22:30:27 GMT -5
Frostjaw nightclan warrior 26 moons Everything had been going fine, Hollowkit coming down slowly but surely. Frostjaw looked on with no small amount of approval, watching as the grey kit made small improvements with every step down. Hollowkit had a genuine desire to learn, to grow, and to improve. He would one day make a fine warrior of Nightclan.
And then everything went south. Hollowkit leaped to a branch, but all he met with was air. Tiny grey paws clawed at what little wood there was, just barely hanging on. Frostjaw narrowed his eyes upwards, looking at Hollowkit's strong yet frail body as he flailed about in the air.
"Don't move," Frostjaw commanded, his voice stern yet loud, any ounce of warmness out of it. Now was not the time for pleasantries, it was time for business.
The large white warrior positioned himself underneath the hanging grey kit. "Hollowkit, trust me. Trust yourself. Trust Starclan. Let go, and you will be caught." There was no better time than now for Hollowkit's faith to be put to the test. And Frostjaw had full faith in him.
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Post by Taxx on Aug 25, 2019 22:53:44 GMT -5
Hollowkit scrabbled at the branch with his hind paws, trying to find purchase to push himself up onto the branch again, his eyes squeezed shut as he hung by his front paws, tiny claws the only thing that kept him from plummeting to the ground. Yet he couldn't help but hear Frostjaw's voice, the deep firm tones cutting through his fear. Going limp, Hollowkit tried to crane his head around, but the awkward placement of his shoulders made it too hard to get a proper look.
He could have squealed, if he'd had a voice. Let go?? Was Frostjaw crazy? He'd get hurt! But what else could he do? Trust. Trust the warrior and himself. An assurance that he would be caught. He sucked in a breath, swallowed, and fixed his gaze on the sky above. One of the stars caught his eyes, shining brightly and not obscured by the branches of the trees. A StarClan warrior watching him? Briefly it winked out of sight, and then came back; like a cat's blink.
Something about it calmed him. It had to be StarClan telling him he'd be okay. With another quick breath, Hollowkit took a moment more to gather his courage and then retracted his claws. They scraped over the bark as he lost his grip and began to fall, automatically twisting his body so that all four paws were earthward. Below, the large form of Frostjaw was positioned, but he got just a glimpse before he was colliding with the warrior, his belly landing across the older cat's spine. He slipped, just enough for his hind paws to brace against the ground again, and there he remained, breathing deeply before glancing over at Frostjaw and then upward again. The star was gone, but he still sent thanks toward it.
Then, dropping both front paws to the ground, he offered a purr and a rub of his head against Frostjaw's shoulder, thanking him too. Ears perked, he met Frostjaw's deep blue eyes, wondering if he was still willing to let Hollowkit help hunt with him.
I'm a soldier till its over I will never fall
fearless hearts holding on through the night Hollowkit NightClan |
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| I will not be like a bird bred in a cage, I thought, too dull to fly even when the door stands open. |
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INVENTORY
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Post by Ginger on Sept 4, 2019 13:39:09 GMT -5
Frostjaw nightclan warrior 26 moons Despite Hollowkit being rather small, the impact of the gray kit's body colliding with Frostjaw's caused the large tom to let out a quick exhale. Was the exhale one of relief or just from the impact? Frostjaw would never quite know.
All he knew was that Hollowkit had just done something incredibly brave and mature for his age. He placed his faith exactly where it needed to be and was all the stronger for it. There was an incredible soul in that tiny little shell, and Frostjaw felt a certain...pride? Was that what it was? The devout warrior was not one for forming attachments, not one for getting too close to anyone. This moment with Hollowkit wasn't exactly threatening his ascetic way of life, but there was something there. Maybe it had to deal with the feeling of satisfaction that Frostjaw was feeling. Hollowkit, if he continued to push his limits every day, would satisfy both Nightclan's and Starclan's needs. He had the potential to be a warrior that Frostjaw was not afraid to leave Nightclan in the hands in after his time on this plane had concluded.
But he would never say that. Not out loud. For now, Frostjaw just looked down with intense eyes at Hollowkit, nodding his head ever so slightly as the gray kit pressed against him. "That was good."
He turned away, heading off to some unknown, ready to hunt. Turning his head ever so slightly back, the somber warrior stopped for a moment. "Come along now, it's time to hunt."
Walking again, Frostjaw made sure to stay vigilant, his ears constantly flicking around, waiting for the ever-familiar scuffle of prey. A soft rustle to his left caused the white cat to freeze, zoning in on the noise. It couldn't have been anything big, a medium-sized frog at most. This would be a good opportunity for Hollowkit to see a hunt, to maybe even feel like he was helping.
Frostjaw dropped into a crouch, slinking towards the rustling noise and tasting the air. Definitely a frog. While his icy blue eyes could not see the creature, its noises and smell told the hunting warrior exactly where it was. In one fell swoop, Frostjaw shot forwards and landed. A muffled squeak told him that he had struck true, and upon moving a few leaves about, Frostjaw finally saw the frog. "A true warrior is five times as capable as the cats around him -- even if he is not able to use every sense." Fixing his icy gaze on Hollowkit, the warrior flicked his tail to motion him over. "Want to hold this? We can tell your sisters that you got it. Plus, it is a very important job. By holding it, you are helping me to potentially catch more for the clan. Any good warrior works well alone, but any great warrior utilizes his resources and clanmates."
only in darkness can you see the stars |
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Post by Taxx on Oct 12, 2019 9:23:52 GMT -5
Frostjaw's quiet confirmation that he'd done well warmed Hollowkit from the inside out, and he lifted his head and tail, pride in himself obvious. He followed when the big warrior turned away, glad that Frostjaw wasn't bundling him back to Thornscar, all concern over his near-accident. The warrior knew he wasn't hurt and knew he could continue with their earlier plan. Hollowkit's legs were much shorter, and he had to hurry to keep up with Frostjaw's normal strides; because of this, he missed most of what was going on around him. The white tom's twisting ears and constant glances were lost on the kit, but he noticed quickly when Frostjaw froze and then dropped into a crouch.
Throwing himself to the ground in immediate imitation- his attempts to quieten his panting failing and his leg muscles twitching uncomfortably from the night's exertions- Hollowkit tried to see what Frostjaw was stalking. His leap was so quick- one second he was motionless and then, the next, he was pinning something down with a massive forepaw and bending his head to give the killing bite. Skittering after him, mindless of the noise he was making in his eagerness to see what prey the warrior had caught, Hollowkit peered with admiration at the frog, and then turned to look up at Frostjaw again, wide-eyed and attentive.
His eyes lit up at the offer and he reached to take the frog in his mouth. As he gripped it, the hind legs twitched as if it was trying to escape; Hollowkit bit down hard, slapping both front paws on it to hold it in place. He couldn't wait to return to camp, to show this off to Bramblekit and Breezekit. Bramblekit would be so jealous, he was sure. She'd got out too, but Graywolf hadn't hunted with her, or let her pretend to have made a catch. Carefully lifting his head, Hollowkit hopped after Frostjaw, trailing the tom once more as he went in search of something else to hunt. I'm a soldier till its over I will never fall
fearless hearts holding on through the night Hollowkit NightClan |
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