[xvinn]

kestrelfoot (she/her) | galeclan

There was something comforting about night. The quiet, the cool breeze in greenleaf, the peace of solitude, but above anything else, the chance to look up and study the stars. For seasons now, the fluffy tortishell had spent almost every clear night looking up at the stars, learning their positions, and noticing their movement over the course of the seasons. She had noticed how some stars never left the night sky - they stayed in the same spot every season, where others seemed to move and almost leave the sky altogether. But now that greenleaf had returned, she had noticed how some of the stars she remembered from last greenleaf had begun to show themselves in the dark sky once again.

The movement of the stars - of her ancestors - made the cat question many things. Who were the ancestors who watched over the Clans every night, whose position in the sky seemed fixed? Perhaps those were the great warriors whose stories were told by the elders, generations long after they had passed. And what caused some ancestors to only be seen for a short amount of time through the seasons? The tunneller had noticed that the stars furthest away from those which were fixed in the sky seemed to leave the night sky faster than those closer to the fixed positioned ancestors. But from what she had heard, the seasons did not dictate which ancestors visited the cats who were fortunate enough to receive omens from StarClan.

Kestrelfoot had many questions about her ancestors, many of which she knew would likely never be answered until she joined them herself. She prayed to them every night that she could see them in the sky, and sometimes found herself looking to specific stars when praying to specific cats. One of the stars she often found herself praying to was closer to the fixed positioned ancestors, the one she believed to be her sister: Dipperpaw. Of course, if her hypothesis was correct that the warriors seen every night were the ones whose stories were told through generations, it was unlikely that any of those were her sister. But nonetheless, she prayed and spoke to her sister, hoping that maybe she had figured out precisely which sparkle in the sky was her.

All of this were the reasons that Kestrelfoot preferred keeping guard at night. It was quiet and comfortable, though this often made the she-cat probably more comfortable than she should be. In reality, she should probably be keeping a better eye out for the dangers around her, or for cats who might be slipping in or out of camp. While in her dreamy state of mind, rather than keeping sharp-eyed on the world around her, she would be easy to sneak up on and scare, or catch off-guard and put Kestrelfoot and many of her Clanmates in danger.

Gemini / alderstone ● just me talkin about astronomy ● 478 words

[Gemini]

Alderstone Take the stones people throw at you in life and use them to build a monument. TAG ➤ xvinn WORDS ➤ 554 NOTES ➤ --;-

If there were something that Alderstone cherished and marveled at, it would be the gloaming sky, sated with those ever-burning specks of luminosity that cast upon the motherland. He envisioned these things anointed as the stars didn't last forever, and perhaps they eventually burned out. The sky was a topic that Alderstone was keen on educating himself about. It is such engrossing and intriguing sight to mesmerize, golden-yellow eyes constantly monitoring them. The bachelor wondered how many felines prevailed to goggle upon the sky overhead as he had. Undoubtedly, those who believed in StarClan must've also treasured the abysm, or conceivably it was an introspection he merely enclosed. Typically, during nights when the burning fireballs possessed more vibrancy, he would be outside the camp, examining the vast atmosphere in astonishment. The warrior's glistening visage flickered as he quickly diverted his vision from above, though he persisted in questioning himself on Silverpelt. Why do the stars shine brighter on some days and less bright on others? Is it a message from our ancestors? I suppose I may never comprehend. His brain churned with ponders, ones that he continuously backtracked to. The youthful warrior settled amongst his haunches near the perimeters of the camp. His foundations sank into the soft soil beneath his digits, muscles rippling as he ached to snake away from the campsite, feathery tail coiling tightly against his frontals. Alderstone didn't appear to be a religious tomcat, but he beseeched to StarClan frequently. The sire desired to visit his mother someday, hoping that he would see her again when it was his time. He loved his father, too, but his relationship with his mother was gratifying and provided him warmth, alongside the confidence he once maintained. It was very challenging for the warrior to grasp himself as a whole, feeling as though there was an emptiness within him. His emotions were shallow and indecipherable ever since those deaths occurred that day. It was dreadful to presume he could renounce someone else that he cared for and valued. The night's viscosity was often hushed, while some early evenings are sufficed with chatter amongst the Clan. Tonight, Alderstone was enjoying his lonesome, staring into Silverpelt as he wished to speak to his mother, to hear her soft, palliative vocalizations. He desired comfort, as the bachelor didn't particularly have any true friends. He had clanmates, more so acquainted with a majority of them. Recently, he had somewhat befriended a she-cat named Rowanclaw and immensely enjoyed her company, failing to admit it to himself. He despised relinquishing more blood-related family, such as his siblings or future kin. Alderstone's intense visage trailed toward another cat, one that he identified as Kestrelfoot, a fellow GaleClan warrior. The damsel appeared to be in deep thought, just as he was a few moments ago. He couldn't condemn or judge her; a crooked simper furnished his countenance. I suppose I approach first, nowadays. Alderstone allowed his lengthy appendages to carry forth, meandering around the damsel in a wide circle, hoping she'd notice him. The last thing he wanted to do was startle her, "Hello, Kestrelfoot," His cordial, husky vocals uttered, "Admiring the stars, too? They're gorgeous tonight, don't you think?" He inquired, meeting her gaze for a moment before flickering overhead. He was almost obsessed with the stars.

[xvinn]

kestrelfoot (she/her) | galeclan

Though Kestrelfoot was still a little startled, Alderstone's wide circle managed to give her enough time to bring her mind down from the stars. Her gaze had snapped down to him as she felt the fur crawl along her spine - and never had she been more thankful for her long fur making it easier to hide when her tail began to fluff up. She brought her gaze down a moment, adjusting her sitting position as her tail flickered a moment before wrapping around her paws. When amber eyes came up to reach a golden gaze, Kestrelfoot seemed acutely aware of the size difference between the two cats.

The tunneller and stargazer was of rather average size and build, though her thick fur sometimes made her seem a little larger than she was. Yet it was nothing next to Alderstone, who seemed to tower over any cat he perched next to. He was certainly a cat who could never be missed in a crowd. For a brief moment, a picture flashed through Kestrelfoot's mind - she had been one of the cats that had taken up the role of working through the tunnel system that ran beneath the GaleClan territory. She had more recently watched her own apprentice, Murkpaw, begin to realize he was coming into his full size as a cat, which meant that moving through the tunnels would be a little bit more difficult than before. After all, they were made for rabbits. A glimmer of amusement passed through Kestrelfoot's eye as she imagined a cat as large as Alderstone attempt his way into one of the tunnels - knowing that unless it was dug out by a badger, he would likely get stuck rather quickly.

The glint faded though as the she-cat followed the warrior's gaze toward the skies above. A purr began to rumble in her throat as she listened to his compliment of their kin, "They always are," she said, her voice soft and airy. She always seemed to speak under her breath, even when chatting directly with a fellow Clanmate. Even her purring was soft and quiet, likely only heard if a cat were to cuddle up to her in her nest.

Her whiskers twitched a moment as one of the warriors of the night sky raced across Silverpelt above. "Their hunting is plentiful tonight," she mused happily. Kestrelfoot had seen many stars shoot across the sky this night, which always filled her with a great joy, as though they were little reminders that she and those she cared for were being looked after.

Her gaze dropped once more to look over to Alderstone, "Are you unable to sleep?" she inquired. It certainly wasn't usual for her Clanmates to be up at this time unless they were keeping guard, instead often enjoying the peace of their nests and the warmth of those around them. Of course, there was always one or two cats who would wake at an unusual time and sometimes even pace through the camp, disturbing Kestrelfoot's solitary moments - she would never let it show though. Even if her mind was drifting, she did her best to look as though she were vigilant in her work.

Gemini / alderstone ● 535 words

[Gemini]

Alderstone Take the stones people throw at you in life and use them to build a monument. TAG ➤ xvinn WORDS ➤ 540 NOTES ➤ --;-

The first thing the opposing feline appeared to take note of was Alderstone's behemoth size. He wondered if she'd notice that he'd been a male calico, abnormal for the pelt color to emerge as such. He'd been born that way due to his DNA forged; the dual X chromosomes, inherited from either of his parents, followed by the Y, creating the XXY occurrence. The tomcat had a few distinct attributes; his eyes, the altitude of his physique, and his gorgeous diluted calico pigment in his lengthy, velutinous pelage. He assumed he had startled her, which was as exactly unintended, a soft, rumbling chuckle eluding his mandibles. The warrior may have been able to color the fact, but her visage said otherwise. The expressions of others were not consistently effortless to control, especially the eyes. Alderstone's soft laughter withered away, visage scrutinizing the more diminutive stature, peering toward their dainty shadows cast by the luminosity of the radiant Moon. He found the difference between the shadows in day and Night rather intriguing, as the shadows occurred faint during the Night. Perhaps due to the contrast in exuberance between the Sun and the Moon. The expressions in Kestrelfoot's countenance went from astonished to amused relatively quick; he couldn't help but observe others closely, decent with maintaining eye contact -- unless it became discomfiting. When Alderstone's visage averted toward the abysm overhead, filled with those luminous, flickering specks of alabaster. Some occurred to be more monumental than others or even closer than others. As he was told when he was a kit, each star symbolized a StarClan member, believing that those different dimensions portrayed the size of the feline above. He casually settled upon the topography beneath his toes, roughly a tail-length away from Kestrelfoot, as he didn't desire to bombard her space. "I agree, no doubt." Alderstone commented, vocalizations light and at ease, feeling solace underneath Silverpelt. "It's always alleviating to glimpse a night of fulfilled hunting." A dainty, reverberating purr arose in his trachea as he witnessed the Warrior sprint across the inky sky. "I must say, watching our Ancestors hunt is such a mesmerizing vision." He added, a small smile plastering amongst his facade as his golden gaze shimmered in the Moonlight. There may not have been a crazy amount of joy expressed on his face, but his sparkling visage said otherwise. He wondered if he'd ever seen his mother race across Silverpelt. From his peripheral vision, he noticed that the mademoiselle had lowered her gaze and looked toward him with an inquiry. "I suppose you could say that. I typically can't during the Night unless it's been a very exhausting day. I sleep when I can." The warrior admitted, followed by a nonchalant shrug. "How about you, Kestrelfoot? Anything keeping you up?" He questioned, finally shifting his crania to gaze at her, realizing the question could've initiated some deep topics or even a simple response. Flustered, Alderstone dubiously turned his head toward the ether, suddenly sidestepping eye contact. It may appear that he purposely bypassed it due to his sheepishness to those with a savvy perspective. His visage lingered above, auditories flicking before settling high atop his crown. What happened to think before you speak? He internally questioned himself.

[xvinn]

kestrelfoot (she/her) | galeclan

Kestrelfoot did her best to take a mental photograph in her mind as she watched Alderstone study the night sky above them. She took in the sight of his golden eyes sparkling at the beauty of their ancestors above them, dancing and hunting across Silverpelt. It was rare to get the chance to talk about how particularly beautiful Silverpelt was - even just in its view, not just in the comfort of knowing that their ancestors looked down upon them from up there. But just the twinkling little lights in the night sky were beautiful in and of themselves, capitaving the she-cat's eyes and heart every cloudless night that she had the chance to gaze upon them. So when she finally had the opportunity to bring herself down to the earth below, to share a moment under the night sky with another, she wanted to understand their own feelings. She wanted to know exactly how they felt - she wished she could feel the way each cat felt when they gazed upon the stars above. What raced through their minds as their kin raced above?

But the cracked connection between the two of them raised something different in Kestrelfoot. The large tom had looked at her only a brief moment before turning away once more, yet the feeling felt as though it hung in the air, though perhaps that was just how she felt. A heat raised in her ears and under her fur, maybe it was just the warm air of the greenleaf night? She tried to blame it on that, nothing more, though she also couldn't ignore the aching feeling deep in her stomach.

It wasn't too long before she realized that she'd been asked a question, though she felt amused, "Just guard duty - I always ask Nightrunner on clear nights if anyone's assigned yet," Kestrelfoot admitted to feeling a bit embaressed, considering the fact that she was admitting that she always asked to do night watch on nights when she clearly wasn't going to be actually keeping watch. But though she wasn't always on top of her duties, she was thankful for her dark fur meaning that any actual oncoming enemies might miss her and take slightly less care with their stealthy endeavours. After all, it's not as though the camp had actually ever fallen under attack while she was on watch - so ... perhaps it wasn't all bad, was it?

She tried to ignore the lingering feelings as it coiled up in her chest, looking skyward for a brief moment. Kestrelfoot closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, realizing that Alderstone's scent would wrap around her. Despite the fact that they lived in the open fields of GaleClan's territory, his scent was reminiscent of a thick forest scene, the smell of poplar trees of a mix between sweet honey-like scents and the musk of its bark. It was relaxing, the young cat had to admit to herself. Her amber gaze opened once more, the stars twinkling in them once again as her worries seemed to practically disappear. There was nothing wrong with what she did, with what she was doing - she was gazing at StarClan, after all, and they would protect her, and all of GaleClan, so long as she held her beliefs tight. "But even if I wasn't on guard, I wouldn't be able to sleep on a night like this one," she purred sweetly.

Gemini / alderstone ● 590 words

[Gemini]

Alderstone Take the stones people throw at you in life and use them to build a monument. TAG ➤ xvinn WORDS ➤ 557 NOTES ➤ --;-

Into the night, the ashen night, of a billion stars both exploded and living, into the serendipity of duality that is their shared existence, is both futility and eternal hope, the route that belongs to immortals; those of StarClan overhead, their ancestors who graced them effortlessly. The serenade of the ebony, the stars are a choir; they are luminosity that descant in indefinite patterns. Sometimes the eyes needed harmony, and the swarthier the night, the more endearing the melody. The darkness was a special kind of blackness that desired only to maintain the luminaries and help them radiate all the more brilliant. It was a courteous atramentous that hugged an individual no matter what, and within its protection, he could feel his soul all the more clearly, that innocent inborn spark. He often pondered StarClan in his mentality, inquisitive about those who monitored the Clans, providing prophecies and warnings; so much went on that he wondered about. The night rides on an equine of pure midnight velvet, beckoned by the fireballs beneath the moon's sheen. As the colors of the day remnant, perhaps dream of the morrow, the valley becomes its monochrome beauty, shapes that unite an ever-changing, ever-present puzzle, question and answer. On this night, he believed they all became one, from rock to plant to animal, one promise of life awaiting the sun's return. Alderstone's auditories flickered upon Kestrelfoot's response, delivering a slight, short nod before he departed his maxilla from his mandible to communicate. "I mean, I can't believe the number of warriors who wish to sleep over defending the camp during the night; you can watch the stars, but then again," He paused for a moment, a short array of chuckles slipping from his maw, "Silverpelt makes it more challenging to be alert, unfortunately. At least, that's the case for me." Alderstone admitted, ears momentarily falling flat before perking back up atop his crown. He cherished the night, though he looked forward to the ravishing colors of Sunhigh, watching the Sun heave above the horizon's line. The sun rises as an awning of gold, illuminated amid the cerulean, bidding the stars to take its nightly breather. As twilight surrenders, every color transforms from tinged charcoal to vibrancy. There are days he wondered what the Clans give in return for such aptitudes of divine mysticism; perhaps it is their resilience and dignity, maybe their energy radiated it into space; perhaps that was their connection to creation beyond the borders of our world, our reality. Conceivably inside, he was gold, a bright flame that burns for another kind. There was much to think about. Alderstone harbored a soothing aroma, one of which seemed to intertwine with fragrances of poplar, sap, and dew, easing the minds to feel a sense of leisure. He possessed a power he hadn't been cognizant of, somehow delivering an aura that radiated tranquility. "Oh, it's merely impossible to sleep on such a beauteous night," He offered a smile, averting his vision to the mademoiselle once more. His golden gaze lingered, feeling a slight tension of warmth and bewilderment. The damsel's company provided him with alleviation, "It's a pleasure to accompany you on this fine night." He commented, feathery plume coiling before his frontal foundations, dubiously removing his gaze from her. The tom's visage pivoted, scanning their surroundings to ensure their safety.