[KARAZHAL]

• A beam of light cut through a gap in the bark and shone on the back of Glacierpaw's head. The tom's large ears cast a bat-like shadow on the ground. Slowly, his almond eyes cracked open, the slit pupils flicking from side to side as he attempted to grasp his bearings. Then, a thundering grumble rattled the forest. His heart pounded, and suddenly he was completely awake, his gaze darting all around at the other unfamiliar-but-not smells. The scent of rain filtered in but for the most part, the camp was protected from the threatening thunderstorm. In the nursery, the sun never came through until evening, once it had crossed over the big log that formed TreeClan's camp. Lightning did not shine again but thunder continued to rumble like a far-off badger. That's right. I'm not in Mistylight's den anymore. He was growing out of it anyway, all long legs and deer physique. Stretching out his knobbly forelegs, he placed his front paws on the soft mulch and arched his back. He looked at the other apprentice nests all around his. Some were vacant. Others had small bodies curled up snugly or splayed out. A few apprentices were bundled together in a cuddle pile, and Glacierpaw gave a small envious smile. His sisters would always do that; it'd been his job to stare at them and make sure no one approached the nest while they and Mistylight were sleeping. Out of habit, he walked on silver-pelted stilts to another big tunnel, a branch of the formerly alive sequoia they all called home. Peeking in, he saw two familiar faces next to each other, whispering to themselves in girly tones. Mistylight was deaf enough that they'd learned long ago what pitch was best to gossip in. Rosekit saw him first, and immediately, she demanded Glacierpaw fetch her a vole. The moment her beady eyes fixed on him, he tensed, taut like a rabbit in a snare, but there was no point in acting like he hadn't heard her or that it hadn't been him. His pointed muzzle was rather unique after all. There was no secret that he hardly looked like any other TreeClan cat. Heaving an obedient sigh, Glacierpaw plodded off down the curved halls of wood. He accidentally bumped into another cat with his strange loping Borzoi trot, and he leapt aside, startled and embarrassed. "My apologies. I should've been paying attention to where I was going," he said with a strange unwarranted seriousness, ducking his head in deference to his clanmate. In the early morning dark, it was somewhat difficult to see where he was and who was around. He hadn't yet memorized everyone by scent or name. current calendar Leaf-fall 3: Early morning thunder and dark, cloudy skies promise an evening rain that stretches into the night.

GLACIERPAW of TREECLAN • apprentice • 6 moons • #4a6c92 out-of-character remarks first thread with glacierpaw. i'm liquidtiming around the ceremony which hasn't been posted yet, so just act like the usual rituals happened. this thread is open for anyone and multiple cats. i've got no idea what i'm doing with this long boi! p.s. i also personally don't give a hoot about wordcount/post length!

[Ghost the Undead Goddess]

Timberfrost

The story's getting old but my heart is getting colder

The massive tabby she-cat had only returned to the Warrior's Den within the past previous moons, her injuries healed to the point where she could continue her duties without any restrictions or issues. A long scar cut across her flank and down the side of her hip on the left side of her body, dark tabby fur still having yet to grow back around it as the skin was still slightly pink.

Not in the least worried about such a mark, it seemed she was slowly growing a collection of them as she still bore the old scar that cut down her right eye. 

Massive paws were near silent as the warrioress made her way through the quiet, dark hollow tree trunk that made up Treeclan's camp. The sounds of silent snores and moving bodies within the darkness caused occasional ear flickers from the she-cat. Faintly illuminated blue pools caught the outline of ears before the scent invaded her nose and a fellow body bounced into her sturdy form.

The dark coated tabby didn't budge as Pumafang's new apprentice backed away from her after their slight collision. Eyes like chips of ice, the frosty tempered feline eyed him within the dimness of the early morning before flicking her tail slightly. It was almost ironic that she should crash into just the young cat she was headed to find within the apprentice den. 

The massive deputy of Treeclan had already left the warrior's den, and perhaps the camp as it was. Pumafang's moving had stirred Timberfrost from her own slumber with enough time to see her mate ready to slide from the den before asking if she could aid Glacierpaw's training for the day.

Glacierpaw wasn't born in Treeclan, but he had been raised alongside the other kits of the clan within the nursery and the massive tabby was sure that Mistylight had at least taught him the basics of what it meant to be a Treeclanner. If not, then he was in for a rough start with Pumafang and Timberfrost and their stoic, intense mannerisms when it came to training. Finishing her initial assesment of the lanky tom before her, the massive tabby flicked an ear before parting her maw to speak.

"Come, we have a lot of territory to walk today." Timberfrost's tone was a cold as her namesake and just as sharp as she moved passed the silver furred apprentice. One of the few cats trusted to roam Nightclan's borders, the two would head there last after checking on the recently moved border of Lightningclan. Cerulean pools remained icy and unreadable as Timberfrost made her way out of the hollowed tree trunk, the cool leaf-fall breeze pulling ever so softly at her short yet dense coat.

She Cat | 32 Moons | TreeClan | Warrior

475 Words | KARAZHAL @jet - Pumafang <3 | Image

[KARAZHAL]

• Glacierpaw's eyes followed the other cat from her striped paws to her massive figure. He'd practically bounced off her hide. Who was she? She looked quite the fearsome warrior, certainly a strong figure to emulate. He had great respect for cats like her; Mistylight taught him that the cats with the most scars had sacrificed part of themselves for their Clanmates. She clearly expected him to lose skin in defense of her children and the Clan someday. When she spoke, he didn't expect those particular words. His wide ears, instead of his facial expression, betrayed surprise by pivoting backward. "Excuse me?" he asked softly. His body lurched in familiar obeisance, ready to perform her command, and he blinked several times when he stopped himself. If he ignored his sister and didn't return with a meal, he'd get an earful. The big tabby moved past him, heading for the exit of the huge hollow log. Glacierpaw stood up straight, calling at her back. "Ma'am? Wait please! I was told to fetch a fresh-kill to the nursery." He looked back in its direction, then over the fresh-kill pile. "I-I don't even know your name. You seem to know me though..." She looked like she could eat him whole for defying one of her orders. Glacierpaw wondered if she was going to tell him off and he walked guiltily over to the fresh-kill pile with his head and tail ducked. Nosing the first vole he could see, he grabbed it by the head and moved away again. He didn't know the routine for mentors and apprentices, but he wondered if his was different in any way, because the deputy was his mentor or if Mistylight had demanded his schooling be a certain way. She dictated his kithood, and while he hoped she wouldn't be scheming behind the scenes when he was finally on his own, it wouldn't surprise him if she was. However, this tough-looking warrior didn't look the type to give in to his bossy, elderly nanny. current calendar Leaf-fall 3: Early morning thunder and dark, cloudy skies promise an evening rain that stretches into the night.

GLACIERPAW of TREECLAN • apprentice • 6 moons • #4a6c92 out-of-character remarks Ghost the Undead Goddess i didn't have him leave for the nursery in case timberfrost tells him to drop it. otherwise i'll have him quickly do it next post and have him run to catch up with her (show off how fast he can be).

[Ghost the Undead Goddess]

Timberfrost

The story's getting old but my heart is getting colder

Frosted cerulean pools watched the younger tom with an unreadable expression, facial features blank as she flicked her tail to give him permission to complete his morning task. Apprentices generally had chores of all kinds, including feedings those who couldn't and changing out their bedding, when it happened usually depended on the mentor they had.

He had been polite enough to inform her of his previous priority, but the stripped feline who stood like a massive statue near the entrance of the hollow trunk had a feeling that this would be a reoccurring motion. The older cat turned her head towards the nursery, catching the slightest glimmer of eyes within the dimness of the entrance. 

Mistylight, no doubt. The old molly had taken Glacierpaw in when he had been found as a kit wandering Treeclan's territory. It seemed she had opted for the life of a queen rather than that of a warrior, spending her time birthing and raising future Treeclan warriors. 

Observant as always, the strong shield of Treeclan, Timberfrost was well aware of Mistylight's teachings towards the new apprentice. The old queen was not in charge of teaching future warriors, it would be wise of her to keep her tongue within her mouth now that the silver tom was no longer under her care. 

Gacierpaw's destiny would be to protect and care for all of Treeclan, not just an old cat's precious daughters. 

Pleased with the quickness of Glacierpaw's actions, Timberfrost let those chilly orbs slowly stray from the nursery to look at the young tom. "I expect you to learn your clanmates' names within the next few days." Cold and sharp, it was all she said before she turned to lead the way out into Treeclan's waiting forest. 

He had lived among them long enough to know several of his clanmates, and Mistylight should have encouraged such growth to the loner born kit. Only the slightest twitch of an ear showed the massive tabby's displeasure with the old queen. 

Shadows licked at the black stripes along the tabby's dark brown coat as she padded under near bare trees as she led the way through the territory. The sun was slowly making it's presence known as light started to flood over the top of the mountains surrounding the valley, aiding to more visibility. 

Despite her previous injury, there was no limp present as Timberfrost made her way through the territory with the silence and prowess like a tiger of old. The trees were starting to thin the farther they went, a blast of wind met them as Lightningclan's open moors loomed up ahead. Though she was internally irritated with the changed border, the warioress made no outward show of such an emotion. 

Pausing, Timberfrost turned towards the young tom that was following her. "My name is Timberfrost, and I will only tell you that once. I'm helping Pumafang train you while he and Lionstar are busy with other concerns." A tail flicker as the Treeclanner spoke in that sharp tone of hers, voice just as cold as her cerulean eyes. 

"You are a Treeclan apprentice, you will be put through hard training to earn your name and I expect you to work for it. There will be no slacking." Most kits grew up with the expectations of working from sunrise to sundown in the attempt to earn their name. The massive tabby had no idea what Mistylight had informed Glacierpaw of, other than caring for her two kits, who were younger. 

"Your life belongs to the protection of every Treeclan cat. You hunt for them, you fight for them. There are no exceptions and there is no cat more precious or special than the other." Her singular jab at the elder queen was all she gave before continuing. "We are at Lightningclan's border, tell me what you see and what you smell."

She Cat | 32 Moons | TreeClan | Warrior

661 Words | KARAZHAL @jet Fawn (Pumafang and Lionstar mentions) | Image

[KARAZHAL]

• The pressure eased, and a loud rushing breath exhaled through the gaps in Glacierpaw's full jaws. He leapt away as if he'd stepped in briars. His slinky frame disappeared into the hollow branch that was the nursery. He left the vole for his sister and ran off again before she could tell him any more. His long legs crossed nests in two bounds. Like a horse, he galloped back to the brown tabby. He nodded once to her gratefully. He hadn't expected her to wait long for him. The silver ticked tabby had been warmly welcomed by many of the other apprentices his first night there. A few he recognized as being older kits in the nursery when he was small. He was getting to know all their names and who their mentors were. The ranks he was most familiar with were queens and elders, and of course their high ranks, but this tabby was right; he should know every cat's name. Glacierpaw was not the sort to question much. He loped after the she-cat, who he found difficult to read. She was as impassive as stone, but she spoke firmly and Glacierpaw figured he'd get along best if he just followed orders as he always did. His three ladies were too frail and "fragile" for Glacierpaw to horseplay with so hopefully he was looking forward to batting with his mentor. Was this warrior taking him to Pumafang now? He didn't have much time to dwell on it. This was his first time leaving camp. All around him were tall trunks, thick trunks, downed trunks. Fascinated eyes drank in the sight of the early Leaf-fall morning. His feet swept through the crinkly leaves on the ground. In his haste to keep up with Timberfrost, Glacierpaw crunched through twig and grass to stay by her side. He nodded to show he'd heard her. Official business, he mused, thinking highly of his mentor, Pumafang. Lionstar was the picture of aging majesty; he'd led the clan through generations of cats. Even old Mistylight was younger than him! For a cat as serious as Glacierpaw, Timberfrost's straight-forward manner was not taken poorly. He liked how to-the-point she was; if his mentor trusted her to run his training, he knew he wasn't going to be doing more babysitting. His tail straightened along with his spine. "Yes, ma'am. No slacking," he repeated. But as she told him no cat was more precious or special than another, the familiar squeezing sensation tightened his chest. He wanted to burst forth and ask what to do about so many things, but suddenly the wind changed, and Glacierpaw no longer smelled just TreeClan scent. The hair on his neck spiked up. He took two steps ahead of Timberfrost and raised his head high. His skinny tail trembled with overstimulation. He'd never seen the demarcation where the trees just ended. The overcast sky was dark with clouds, wind blowing across the sea of grass before him. "Hills," he replied to her in choppy observation. "Tall grass. Empty..." He cocked his head. "I smell... dry grass"--nose wrinkled--"and dung. And different cats." Glacierpaw turned back to face Timberfrost. "It stinks out here. Does LightningClan not cover their own dirt?" current calendar Leaf-fall 3: Early morning thunder and dark, cloudy skies promise an evening rain that stretches into the night.

GLACIERPAW of TREECLAN • apprentice • 6 moons • #4a6c92 out-of-character remarks Ghost the Undead Goddess i'm living for the day timber dresses down misty for her incompetence

[Ghost the Undead Goddess]

Timberfrost

The story's getting old but my heart is getting colder

An ear flickered as whiskers wriggled ever so slightly in response to the apprentice's assessment of their boarding neighbors in Lightningclan. For just a second there was a light sliver of amusement within those frosted pools before it slipped away just as quickly as it appeared. 

"I'm sure they think the same of us." It was a dry comment within her frosted tone, the faint tone of amusement underneath the sarcasm before that too drained from her voice. 

"What you are smelling is their scent marker, it's what each clan uses to mark the borders." Her tail flickered towards an invisible line only a few paw lengths from where Glacierpaw stood. Shifting, the massive tabby made her way forwards within a few steps, those cold eyes watching the moorland grasses sway back and forth within the wind.

"Just as every cat has their own unique scent, every clan has their own scent as well. It would be wise for you to remember both Lightningclan and Nightclan's scent by heart. They are the only two clans we border." The others would have be learned during his trip to the Gathering, when all the clans merged and swarmed together for one night. 

"Now." Timberfrost turned those cerulean pools onto the lanky tom near her, tone just as sharp as ice as she spoke. "When I told you to tell me what you saw, I didn't mean simple observations. Look past what you see on the surface, I want you to see the differences between what makes them them and what makes us Treeclan."

"Each clan has their territories that are specific for them, and their cats have adapted to live in such environments." This was not unsimilar to the lesson the tabby warrior had with one of her outings with Leopardheart, back when the tom was still an apprentice. Treeclan, Rainclan, Nightclan, they all had abilities that ran within their clan, that aided them within their lifestyles.

Glacierpaw was training to be a warrior of Treeclan, but learning useful knowledge of the clans was needed as well. There wasn't just one clan, there were five that lived among each other. Not including the expansion of the Tribe within the mountains. 

She Cat | 32 Moons | TreeClan | Warrior

385 Words | KARAZHAL | Image

[KARAZHAL]

• While he'd never seen the borders in person before, Glacierpaw had known that there were five clans of cats living in the huge valley. Mistylight's descriptions were fine in storytelling, but deep down the young tom had no clue how truly mammoth their land was and how well-protected it was. The only Clan that seemed to matter was TreeClan, and since he'd never ever come across another Clan before, Glacierpaw had not given them much thought except for their function as characters in stories. The Warrior Code taught that while friends were fine, other Clans must always be kept emotionally at a distance, lest they meet in battle. As Glacierpaw smelled the rank LightningClan scent blowing across the open moor, he could never imagine fitting in with cats like them. As a kit, he'd wondered if they'd be friendly, for the gray ticked tabby was the compassionate sort, but Mistylight had always assured him that they would chase him off if he trespassed and rightfully so. The foul smell seemed to reinforce the deterring effect. Timberfrost said they thought the same of them. Glacierpaw looked around for sight of any cats, but saw nothing. "They were here already," he observed softly. The male in him wanted to mark over their scent and make it obvious that TreeClan ruled where the bark began. He listened to Timberfrost's cool voice instruct him about borders. Glacierpaw opened his mouth to taste the air and memorize LightningClan's scent. The gross scent left quite the impression on him; he wasn't looking forward to smelling NightClan. "Now." Glacierpaw turned around to face Timberfrost at this. He rarely looked beyond the surface when it came to socializing with other cats. He took everyone at face value, their words, their expressions. His mentors could call him naive. In his ignorance, he didn't have much of an idea of what Timberfrost wanted. "What makes us TreeClan...," he parrotted in that same misty voice from before. "Hmm..." Well, uh, we have.... trees? his inner voice remarked. He tried to recall what kind of traits Mistylight or other cats would praise in others. "We're good at hunting?" he tried. "The apprentices always brought Mistylight a different prey item everyday. The TreeClan warriors in her stories were always honorable heroes, good at climbing and pouncing. LightningClan's probably not good at that"--Glacierpaw nosed in the direction of the open moor, which frankly made him nervous--"since they don't have any trees. Does NightClan have trees?" he asked. current calendar Leaf-fall 3: Early morning thunder and dark, cloudy skies promise an evening rain that stretches into the night.

GLACIERPAW of TREECLAN • apprentice • 6 moons • #4a6c92 out-of-character remarks Ghost the Undead Goddess