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Post by Fawn on Nov 20, 2012 18:28:23 GMT -5
Granitepaw All was not well for the gray and tan apprentice of StoneClan. It was three days after the battle at StarClan's Claws in which, once again, he had fallen victim to his own feelings and Shadeclaw's horrid words; the former apprentice was apparently still his biggest Achilles Heel. Though he was more of a Damocles Sword, constantly hanging over him, threatening to behead him the second he let his guard down. No longer feeling comfortable in his own skin, Granitepaw had wandered through the motions of Clan life like a ghost still clinging to it's life amongst the mortals, unwilling to let go and float off into the unknown.
Heart-broken wasn't really the right phrase. It was more like his heart had been removed, or wrapped up in a thick layer of ice, and no warm wind nor bright burning sun could possibly thaw it. He had snapped back to the way he was before Hailstrike had been assigned to him, only a few minor differences. He wasn't completely alone in his misery, he knew that; his mentor had seen it all, been witness to his biggest failure since becoming her apprentice. Even though he could have sought solace from the frost-eyed she-cat, Granitepaw instead chose to keep his distance. He didn't like standing in front of her when he knew he had disappointed her so. No longer worth being in her presence, Granitepaw had been avoiding her like the plague - avoiding everyone, really.
Despite a great many scratches, deep cuts and a nick in his ear, Granitepaw had not sustained any serious injuries in the fight - at least not any physical ones. A few cobwebs here and there and he'd been back up on his feet within the hour. Granitepaw hunted. Sometimes successful, more often times not. He went jogging. He practiced battle moves alone. He slept.
For three days, that cycle carried on, but little did the phantom-like apprentice know, his day was about to be interrupted by something colossal.
OOC: I'll bring in Eagletalon to take Honeynose & Granitepaw out on patrol after Granite & Hail have spoken. ^^
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We are born with a DNA blueprint into a world of scenario and circumstance we don't control |
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Co-Captain
INVENTORY
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Post by Phoenix on Nov 20, 2012 19:22:19 GMT -5
i tried so hard and got so farHelplessness was an emotion that she could not handle. She prided herself in her ability to accomplish tasks, to get things done when she set her mind to them, and an inability to do so, particularly when the need for a solution was obvious, drove her crazy. It showed in her stride and the way she went about her duties, in the way her patience grew shorter by the day. It was maddening.
Her training sessions with Granitepaw were now purely business, lacking all of the warmth and friendship that had slowly developed between them while the apprentice's wounds closed and began to heal. All of the progress they had made was wiped away as if it had never existed - just like that. Just like an apprentice would discard the bones of a meal once they had been picked clean of meat. Useless. He barely looked her in the eyes, and she felt as though she had to work more to get the lesson to sink into what she knew was an intelligent and bright mind. They no longer had pleasant conversations that occasionally deviated from their original topic. Resembling the specter himself, the sessions were a ghost of what they had once been. Hailstrike barely recognized him anymore.
Sharp eyes looked around the camp for the now very familiar form of Granitepaw, and upon finding him, their owner made her way over to the younger tom. Flicking her tail, she gestured to him to get his attention . "Hello, Granitepaw," She greeted, tone as even and polite as ever. "You're wanted on a patrol, but there's time. Before you go, I think we should have a talk, and no, you're not in trouble." She paused, letting the words sink in, before adding, "How about a change of scenery?" but in the end it doesn't even matter
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Post by Fawn on Nov 20, 2012 22:15:15 GMT -5
Granitepaw
At the sight of Hailstrike, Granitepaw's first instinct was to backpedal and head in the opposite direction, guilt overwhelming him like a tidal flood every time he saw her. However, moons of them training together, how much he respected and cared about her kept him rooted to the spot when the she-cat spoke, unable to disrespect her by just walking away. It was as if someone had glued his paws down to the ground, and he turned hollow eyes up to Hailstrike's darkly-striped face, his heart flung upwards into a hard lump in the center of his throat, making it difficult to speak.
He nodded. That was all he COULD do.
It hadn't actually occurred to him that he would be in trouble for something until his calm, steady mentor had reassured him that he wasn't, Granitepaw's ears pricking forward, before falling flat when she spoke of a 'talk'. Uh oh. His stomach clenched painfully, sending bolts of discomfort through him like he had a cramp or hadn't eaten in four solid days. What if she says my apprentice ceremony is delayed? What if she doesn't want to be my mentor anymore? All at once, fear choked off his airways like a handkerchief full of chloroform, and the strength almost left his legs.
What if she had gotten so frustrated with his behavior towards Shadeclaw, that she had given up on him? What if Fallingstar had reassigned him again, because apparently all the progress he'd made just hadn't been good enough?
Granitepaw took a step forward, wanting to say something, wanting to plead at her to not give up on him just yet, but the words didn't come. Not when the guilt and the worthlessness was chaining them down.
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We are born with a DNA blueprint into a world of scenario and circumstance we don't control |
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Co-Captain
INVENTORY
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Post by Phoenix on Nov 21, 2012 21:10:37 GMT -5
i tried so hard and got so farGranitepaw had an odd expression on his face, and it was only odd because it existed. That thought scared her more than she would like to admit and the realization shook her to the bone. How could I have gotten used to such an apathetic apprentice so quickly? Or rather, she began to expect the blank slate that seemed to have taken over the younger tom's features, replacing the life that had returned to them over the course of the few moons he had been under her tutulage. She hated the change and hated that nothing she did seemed to bring back the Granitepaw he had once been. Occasionally she was awarded with a reaction for all of her efforts, but that was only a flicker of the tom who had wormed his way onto the list of those select few whom she cared about.
But now, he looked as though he wanted to say something to her, enough so that the work obsessed she-cat paused in her stride to face him head on. Icy blue eyes flicked over his expression, her own features shifting to something more open, if not slightly expectant. Did he want to say something? He had the pained look of a cat who could barely restrain words that wanted to force their way out. For all of the responses she received, Hailstrike often felt as though their training sessions consisted of her instructing thin air how to dodge and retaliate, and the hint that Granitepaw wanted to instigate a conversation was a large step forward in her opinion. A particularly loud squeal broke through her thoughts, and the she-cat turned to face the nursery just in time to see a kit pin his brother to the ground. They were still in camp, and she imagined that privacy would make this conversation easier.
Eyes flitted over her apprentice's expression again as she tried to judge whether or not to pass up this opportunity. Would he be able to muster up the nerve to say whatever it was that he wanted to later, once they were out of camp? Well he hasn't exactly said it, has he. Twitching her ears, the she-cat began to walk again, attempting to shove aside the worry that constantly pooled in her gut.
Once the pair was in the privacy of StoneClan's territory - though not too far from the camp - Hailstrike stopped and turned to face Granitepaw head on. How should she go about addressing the problem? The warrior felt as though she was treading on thin ice that might crack under her with every step she took; if she listened hard enough, she could already hear the complaints and creaks of the surface beneath her paws. As long as it doesn't break. Perhaps the best way to start was to find out what had been on Granitepaw's mind. "Earlier, you looked as though you wanted to say something to me," Hailstrike spoke evenly, looking her apprentice in the eyes as she always did. "What was it?" She felt as though it was more of a command than a question, something which practically demanded an answer and left little room for argument. Though she was not wholly averse to a shouting match with her apprentice - not only would it be a reaction, but she could also get some insight into his thoughts from his angered worse - Hailstrike would much rather they remained civil and polite.
but in the end it doesn't even matter
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Post by Fawn on Nov 23, 2012 4:14:59 GMT -5
GRANITEPAW "Earlier, you looked as though you wanted to say something to me,"[...]"What was it?"
Of all the questions she could've thrown at him, it had to be the one he could hardly answer? What felt like a dozen moons learning and befriending and laughing alongside the she-cat in front of him would not allow him to ignore her, to just sit there and shuffle his paws, pretending her question hadn't existed in the first place. Despite his broken spirit, respect for her still remained, even if he had lost all that he had ever held for himself. "A-Are you..." those words sounded so faraway, so weak and helpless, and the tom paused a few seconds to clear his throat and try again - his worry making them stronger, encasing his faint words in walls of iron, trying to protect his heart whatever the answer she provided him with. "Are you letting me go?"
Yellow-green eyes reflected Hailstrike's own icy blue pools, his orbs framed against a face of short, dense gray-ticked fur. He had probably made this expression the first day they had met - emotionally distant, trying to tell himself he didn't care what anyone thought of him or what she had to say - but just by looking at the physical progress that had been made, the passage of time was apparent. His countenance may've held all the controlled blankness of a tom keeping his heart heavily guarded, but his body bore the rewards of many many days of training, of hunting amongst the rocks, of catching birds of prey, of fighting until the sun went down or until Hailstrike was satisfied with his progress - whichever came first.
He could still remember clearly those swimming practice days, which had passed in a mixture of lengthening shadows and even longer talks. The idea that these would all become a distant memory and nothing more... It hurt him, physically. Feeling as though the strength had left his legs, it was a tense desire to hear her answer that kept him standing, Granitepaw mewing just to break the short silence, any noise that wasn't the own desolate thudding of his heart a comfort to him. "I would understand if you did. I...I let you and the Clan down."
Despite those words being clipped and without feeling, his eyes carried the brunt of his disgrace and depression; not only had he nearly lost StoneClan some very precious herb bundles, but he had all but undid the moons of blood, sweat and tears it had cost him to make it this far. There was no immediate course of action he could take, no words he could hold in his heart that would allow Granitepaw to forgive himself, but perhaps, just as time had healed his leg, it would also heal the wounds inflicted a second time upon his soul and peace of mind.
OOC: XDD The funny part is that "Stand by Me" just came on when I finished writing this. Haha. "I won't cry, I won't cry, no I won't shed a tear // Just as long as you stand, stand by me."
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We are born with a DNA blueprint into a world of scenario and circumstance we don't control |
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Co-Captain
INVENTORY
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Post by Phoenix on Nov 23, 2012 11:47:56 GMT -5
so take these words and sing out loud cause everyone is forgiven nowSuddenly she was thrown back into the past. She had just introduced the idea of swimming to him, and he stood there staring down at the stones as he asked his question in a small voice. Something inside her fell as she noticed the similarities between the questions, the one he had asked then and the one he had just asked her. Had all the progess they made been that superficial? Had this fear been lurking within the depths of Granitepaw's heart the entire time and she had not noticed? All it had taken was a single failure - though perhaps the worst one - and he was questioning her desire to remain his mentor. Even though he might have not realized it, he was questioning his self-worth. Since she had the knowledge of what an amazing cat he was, it tore at Hailstrike's heart to see her apprentice like this.
He believed that she would leave him for another apprentice. And he would understand it if she chose to. All those days of training under the intense glare of the sun. All those small steps in the right direction. She had hoped they could put this behind them.
"You asked me a question similar to this," The she-cat began, holding his troubled gaze as she spoke firmly. "It was the first day of swimming - do you remember? You asked me if I would be there, beside you, for all of those strength training sessions." Her tail flicked and she paused, allowing him to gather up the memory just as she fished it out of the depths of her mind. Would he remember? She certainly did. But it was a rhetorical question; she had always intended it to be. "I said that I would not leave you to swim alone until you told me to go. I said that I would not abandon you for another apprentice. And that still stands. Regardless of what happens, I will remain your mentor until the day you become a warrior. And when that day comes, I will be the first to congratulate you." The words were spoke evenly, firmly, and she willed him to understand, just as she had willed him to understand all those moons ago beside the glassy pools of water.
But that insecurity was not the only one she had to address, and Hailstrike had every intention of ridding Granitepaw of the notion that failure indicated that he was worthless. Even if she did not recognize that quality as one of her own. "I admit," She began, keeping true to their bond formed by trust and honesty. "That I would have been thrilled if you had defeated Shadeclaw." Hailstrike hesitated slightly before continuing, "And I think I could say the same about you. But I think it also important to remember that you had the odds stacked against you. He has many more moons of experience on you, and he knows you well enough to understand what to say in order to enrage you beyond rational thought. Instigating the fight might not have been the smartest move you will ever make, but apart from control over your emotions, it was by no fault of your own that you lost that fight."
The warrior stopped once more, allowing the words to sink in and have the full effect. Yes, he had failed, but he had stood little chance from the start. It was not all his fault. "And what this told me was that we needed to focus a little more on fighting and control." Which was what they had done for the past three days. With Granitepaw going through the motions, their progress had been slower than she would have liked, but Hailstrike doubted that her apprentice would be meeting his former mentor any time soon. Chances were that the coward had returned to NightClan to sulk and lick his wounds.
"I will not leave you behind," Hailstrike repeated steadily, gaze unwavering. "You are far more important to myself and the clan than the defeat of him; your worth is not determined by your ability to beat him." The warrior paused, then added, firm in her belief, "And the next time you meet him, you will be the victor. cause tonight's the night the world begins again OOC: xD Lol really? That's funny
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Post by Fawn on Nov 24, 2012 18:57:07 GMT -5
Talking had never been Granitepaw's strongest trait; words sometimes tumbled over his tongue rather than flow eloquently, and sometimes the right words just wouldn't come out, and he'd be forced to get by with a paltry substitute or a dismissal of the conversation entirely. Despite his social awkwardness, Granitepaw was going to try his hardest to respond to Hailstrike, to try and tell her how much her words truly meant to him.
Like a bird with a broken wing, his heart had hopped up and down, unable to fly quite yet, what was broken still needed fixing, still needed time to heal. However, the heavy stone of guilt that had been holding him down, drowning him in his own self pity, had grown considerably lighter. Light enough that he could finally come up for air. "I won't..." a second was stolen so that he might clear his throat, emotion choking his airways, and tried again. "I won't disappoint you again, Hailstrike. I won't...ever let him get to me again."
The tom looked down at her paws, the wide tough pads scratching awkwardly against the rocky terrain beneath them. "I know he's a lying, snake-hearted weasel, but he was like a brother to me." It had taken him a lot to even say this much, and it was quite possible that no one but Hailstrike would ever get to see this side of him - the painful honesty with his situation, as well as the underlying weight of guilt and unhappiness he was feeling as a direct result of his decisions. "I'm supposed to never blow my composure - not for jerks like that. But I did. I..." He didn't want to make excuses, but he wanted Hailstrike to know exactly what it was that triggered his rage in the first place, what those exact words were that had put the fire in his sinews and his common sense into the ground.
"He has no right to decide who matters and who doesn't!" He burst, fur along his shoulders and spine raised, his eyes burning.
"I would have been thrilled if you had defeated Shadeclaw."
See? Even Hailstrike wanted him to defeat Shadeclaw, even Hailstrike hungered for his victory; while Granitepaw knew he could never express the pain this battle had given him, he knew the borderline ecstasy he would feel when he finally DID defeat Shadeclaw would be shared with Hailstrike through and through. Of course, his brain could not take hold of such feverish delight at the possibility of conquering his old foe, not when he was too busy trying to not become swallowed by the fear of trying again.
Losing once had been bad enough.
What was he supposed to do if he lost a second time?
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We are born with a DNA blueprint into a world of scenario and circumstance we don't control |
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Co-Captain
INVENTORY
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Post by Phoenix on Nov 25, 2012 0:05:34 GMT -5
Inclining her head slightly, a content gleam in her eyes, the warrior acknowledged her apprentice's oath. That was the response she had hoped Granitepaw would give, and the fact that she had received it indicated that the young tom had regained the some of the confidence and self-esteem that he had developed over the past few moons. "I believe you." Her own was that simple, rather short and emotionless sounding compared to his own words a moment before, which had been choked out with conspicious hesitation. But that did not mean they held any less meaning. Hailstrike, who had become rather long-winded when it came to addressing her apprentice, put the steady force of her trust and belief in him in a single, simple sentence. Her unwavering voice, as calm and composed as ever, could not completely hide the quiet satisfaction and pride that laced her dulcet tones, though it was only detectable by one who had grown to know her.
She listened as he continued, touched by the honesty with which he spoke. It was as if everything had tumbled together, like the rockslide that had stolen her mentor from her. Once something set it in motion, it would not stop until it reached the bottom. Granitepaw had begun talking hesitantly, and it seemed as though something compelled him to continue, to ease his conscience by sharing some of his burden. But that did not make his words any less haunting. Like a brother. A brother who was held close to the heart and whose company was treasured and appreciated beyond what words could describe. A brother who had become the rolemodel for a young tom, provided a goal to reach for. And he threw it all away. Granitepaw was working himself up, the irritation evident in the tension along his shoulders and the fur that had begun to bristle along his spine. Expecting something of the like, for the rockslide would uncover almost everything in its path, she merely waited with steady eyes, watching him as he struggled to find the right words and knowing that when he did, they would have a lasting effect.
Then, they burst from his mouth.
"Exactly!" She almost did not recognize her own voice, nearly hissed and full of an indescribable mixture of pride and satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment and so many other emotions she could not name. He had faced his lingering fondness for his former mentor, admitted to it, and by doing that the burden had grown lighter. He had a renewed and stronger desire to defeat his former mentor, and now he was armed with a sense of what to expect during the fight. "That is exactly it. That is exactly the reason you should not listen to his words, Granitepaw," She continued, having calmed down enough to stop her tail from lashing, though its tip twitched rebelliously. "He has no right to decide anything about you or me or any StoneClan cat, and when he does spout his lies, remember that." Hailstrike paused again, having regained nearly all of her composure and looked him straight in the eyes. "His words are words; that is all they are. It is up to you to decide how they will affect you. You can let them bother you and get to you. Or you can ignore them and take away his strongest weapon, while you are armed with the knowledge that he has no right to make any judgement about you. That is your choice, and in the end, you're the only one that can make it." OOC: Hailstrike's being very profound xD Based off of the "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent" quote by someone.
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Post by Fawn on Nov 28, 2012 0:53:03 GMT -5
The warrior-to-be's dark gray ears darted backward in surprise at his mentor's sudden passion, her words a mixture of pride and encouragement that morphed into philosophical calm the more she spoke and the longer he listened.
"His words are words; that is all they are. It is up to you to decide how they will affect you. You can let them bother you and get to you. Or you can ignore them and take away his strongest weapon, while you are armed with the knowledge that he has no right to make any judgement about you. That is your choice, and in the end, you're the only one that can make it."
They both knew that Shadeclaw had the ability to hurt him with more than just words, and Granitepaw hadn't walked away entirely scratch free either - but he understood the wisdom of her speech, and the message she was trying to convey to him. "I...I'll try not to let them affect me," mewed the apprentice, his voice growing quiet with pensiveness, a moment of self-reflection clear in his yellow-green eyes. If he was honest with himself, Granitepaw was...well, intimidated, and personally terrified of failing a second time.
Once had been bad enough. Granitepaw felt his soul shiver, and he looked up, expression full many more questions and concerns and emotions he had yet to express - but the arrival of Eagletalon cut their heart-to-heart moment short.
"I hate to be the rude guy that interrupts, but we need to go, Granitepaw."
"But-"
"No buts! The sooner we go, the sooner we can get back and you can finish your conversation - catch you later, Hailstrike." The brawny sand-furred warrior with the heavily scarred shoulders flicked his tail for Granitepaw to follow, dipping his head once to acknowledge Hailstrike's presence. Gotta find Honeynose and then we can set off.
The tan and gray tom scowled, sighed and then looked over his shoulder back at Hailstrike. "Er...bye..." he mewed, feeling the fire in his belly start to smolder into dying embers, though the fact still remained, the promises still held. He would never disappoint her and let her down like that ever again.
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We are born with a DNA blueprint into a world of scenario and circumstance we don't control |
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Co-Captain
INVENTORY
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Post by Phoenix on Nov 28, 2012 21:07:50 GMT -5
Though his words were spoken hesitantly, Hailstrike could see the understanding and thoughtfulness that had taken up residence in the yellow-green eyes that had become so familiar. She knew very well that she had just provided him with a rather deep concept, and she was more than willing to allow him a few momets to ponder it and gather his thoughts. Not wanting to interrupt him, she allowed her senses to explore, wondering idly when the patrol would come searching for their missing apprentice. How long had it been since she found him back in camp, a mere ghost of himself? Even after this short but very important conversation, Hailstrike could see the change it had on him. Once again, Granitepaw had regained the qualities and life that she had grown accustomed to; only when they disappeared did she realize how much she valued them.
A movement in front of her drew Hailstrike's attention back to said apprentice, and ice blue eyes focused back on him as he raised his head. She could see the jumble of emotions written all over his features, practically hear all the unasked questions dancing on the tip of his tongue. Ears flicking lightly, the she-cat waited for him to begin, trusting that Granitepaw would speak once he managed to find the right words. But the appearance of another cat interrupted what he would have said, and Hailstrike could not ignore the flash of irritation that flickered through her. Only the familiar sound of Eagletalon's voice and her self-control prevented her from snapping at the newcomer; she had, after all, stolen Granitepaw away from his patrol.
Eyes stayed on her apprentice, and she felt a fondness course through her heart at his small protest, even though Eagletalon quickly nipped it at the bud. Tail tip flicking by her paws, she urged him on, "We can continue this after your patrol, Granitepaw." Hailstrike looked back at the tom, giving him a similar nod in greeting. "Guard our borders well," She called to their departing figures, watching for a moment longer before turning away. There was always huning to do.
Honeynose Impatience written all over her stance, Honeynose waited just outside the entrance of camp. Dark yellow eyes landed on the approaching figures, one almost as large as the other, and the impatience lessened, part of it morphing into relief. Trotting forward with quick, eager steps, she met them half way, her gaze landing on each of them in turn. "Hi toms!" She greeted them enthusiastically. "Nice of you to join us, Granitepaw," The she-cat added, lips pulled back in a grin and eyes bright with good humor. But something in him made her hesitate slightly. Something had changed; what was it? It took her a moment before she realized that he looked more alive than he had been for the past few days. "Glad to see you're back," Honeynose added as an after thought, before she turned to Eagletalon. "Ready to go? Remind me again where we're patrolling?"
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Post by Fawn on Nov 29, 2012 2:41:36 GMT -5
"Guard our borders well."
I'll do my best, Hailstrike.
"Glad to see you're back."
Granitepaw gave an awkward dip of his head, taken aback by Honeynose's words. Er...had his...wraithlike behavior really been that noticeable? He hadn't been aware the Clan would have noticed any change in his behavior. I guess it must've been pretty extreme for Honeynose to conmment on it. Expression grim, he saw a sandy battle-scarred warrior come into his peripherals. The gray and tan tom's gaze swivelled forward, his steps light, his expression alert as Eagletalon took over, dipping his head to Honeynose and a small curl-eared apprentice that had just wriggled out of the apprentice's den to join them. Mosspaw, he noted, before Eagletalon spoke and recaptured his attention. "We'll be checking the borders along TreeClan and StarClan's Claws." He mewed, his amber eyes turning serious for a few moments, his 'captain-like' attitude one of the many reasons he was so popular. He had the ability to differentiate between times where a more mature attitude were needed, but he could be fun as welll, when considered 'off duty'. The older tom continued; "Word on the wind is that NightClan are up to a few tricks, so let's keep our eyes and ears peeled. Ready Mosspaw?" Eagletalon's amber eyes were like pine needles, boring holes into the soft blue eyes of Mosspaw, the she-cat smiling absentmindedly at him. "Mhm!"
Taking a few seconds to himself to stretch, the young warrior-to-be was determined not to go into this patrol completely distracted and with his mind other things. He caught himself glancing back in Hailstrike's direction, but he forcibly faced the patrol again, the group moving off towards the StoneClan entrance. Stop looking back at her every time you're unsure of things. Yeah you got knocked way down, but YOU'RE going to claw yourself back out. She's not gonna lend you a paw. The bossy father-figure in his head was right. He couldn't keep relying on Hailstrike to bring him out of his funk every time he hit rock bottom.
I'm almost a warrior. It was time I...grew up.
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We are born with a DNA blueprint into a world of scenario and circumstance we don't control |
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Co-Captain
INVENTORY
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Post by Phoenix on Nov 30, 2012 23:12:14 GMT -5
Honeynose smiled at Granitepaw's acknowledgement and turned away, realizing that he would not become the good conversation partner that she wanted. That's a shame. The apprentice could probably bring up some interesting points. Perhaps later. In any case, the she-cat was distracted by the arrival of Mosspaw and return of Eagletalon, who quickly took charge of the patrol. Ears flicking, she listened attentively to his instructions, nodding. "NightClan had better not think of messing with us," Honeynose responded, the hint of a threat lacing the even tone with which the words were spoken. Warm eyes flashed for the briefest of moments, showing the steel that lined the inside of the pleasant she-cat. Though she loved fooling around, the warrior had the innate loyalty that existed in almost every clan cat.
As the patrol started off, the she-cat sidled back to walk beside Granitepaw, who seemed deep in thought. Honeynose watched him for a moment, taking in the grim expression on his features, before commenting lightly, "Ya know, you're much to serious for a cat your age, almost-warrior or not. You need to learn how to relax and enjoy life; otherwise you'll end up as dull as a stone." She paused to chuckle lightly, before continuing, "It's not healthy to constantly frown like that. Your face will stay like that for the rest of your life, if you do." That was what she had been told, at least. Though the she-cat had long since learned that that fact was false, occasionally she enjoyed pretending otherwise. Besides, all the warrior that took life too seriously were painfully uninteresting. Trying to talk to them is like trying to talk to a rock: boring and completely pointless. Except that sometimes, she did talk to her pebbles. Which reminded her...
"I saw this really strange rock the other day," Honeynose began, aiming her words at Granitepaw but not really caring if they travelled to Eagletalon or Mosspaw. In any case, the story might make the younger tom smile. "It was oddly shaped and smooth. Kind of like a mouse. In fact, it really looked like a mouse; the resemblance was very uncanny." The she-cat glanced around, a smile on her face as she trotted along. "Have you ever seen a stone that looked like anything? That was the first one I'd ever seen, but now I'm curious. D'you think there's a stone that looks like a bird somewhere? Or maybe a cat? If there's one that looks like a mouse, then stones can look like anything, don't you think?"
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Post by Fawn on Dec 4, 2012 22:35:44 GMT -5
Granitepaw's whiskers twitched in total astonishment. A rock shaped like a mouse? While Honeynose rambled on about said rock, Granitepaw's steps faltered and he quickly righted himself, grinning at her almost awkwardly. "Actually I have. It might be the same rock Hailstrike had me practice pouncing on when we were first made mentor and apprentice." Granitepaw confessed, a wave of nostalgia smacking him in the face almost as hard as he'd hit his nose off the mouse-rock that day...
They really did have some good memories, he and Hailstrike. Alright so most of them were composed of him hitting things with various body parts, but that was okay. Granitepaw's mind did not go so off the grid that he was contemplating the possibilities of a weasel-rock or a bird-rock, so he let the rest of Honeynose's words go, instead trying to drag himself up out of that socially awkward trench he'd nearly buried himself in lately. "I saw a piece of a boulder that looked kind of like a miniature version of one of StarClan's Claws once," mewed Granitepaw, since they were still on the subject of rocks.
All at once Eagletalon's voice cut in, full of humor. "Less chatting about rocks and more patrolling, you two. For being two of StoneClan's Finest you two are pretty talkative."
Granitepaw grimaced by way of apology. "Sorr - do you smell that?"
Perhaps it was because of the newly opened wounds that Shadeclaw had inflicted upon him; or maybe it was because he was extra sensitive to these things now that he was warrior-age. Either way Granitepaw froze, every hair on his pelt sticking up as they approached the edge of StarClan's Claws and a strange, pungent scent had drifted across the border at them. That wasn't the smell of any Clan cat he knew! "Is it Demon?" hissed Granitepaw, his ears flattening. Truth be told, Granitepaw was still more weary of the mountain lynx than he was of seeing his old mentor; that was something he should be grateful about, maybe, that he was at least sensible enough to apply the right levels of fear to the right kind of threats.
But right now he was just worried about becoming something else's dinner.
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We are born with a DNA blueprint into a world of scenario and circumstance we don't control |
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Co-Captain
INVENTORY
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Post by Phoenix on Dec 8, 2012 22:10:10 GMT -5
Yellow eyes lit up as the she-cat did a double-take, looking at Granitepaw with a new enthusiam. "Really?" Disbelief was plain in her voice, broken by the chuckle that followed. "That's really funny, actually." She pictured that now-familiar stone, placing the business-like warrior and the lanky apprentice in the scene. It was very easy to see Hailstrike ordering the tom to pounce on a rock, though Honeynose could not picture them at it for long. The she-cat was much to busy to stand around giving orders for long. Her mind on the other warrior, Honeynose let out a soft snort and gave a quick shake of the head. If any cat needed to learn how to relax...
But said she-cat's apprentice interrupted her thoughts by voicing another observation that immediately caught her attention. A grin broke out across Honeynose's features, and she could almost picture a rock like that in her mind. "You'll have to sho--" She began eagerly, but a different voice interrupted her, belonging to third feline whom she had almost forgotten. Despite the slight irritation that flickered through her at the interruption, a pleased warmth filled the she-cat at the compliment. "Yes sir!" Honeynose called ahead, tail flicking lightly, a smile on her lips. Sidling closer to Granitepaw, she whispered conspiratorially, "We can finish this conversation later. Eagletalon obviously does not appreciate rocks nearly as much as he should." But her voice was as warm as the other warrior's.
"Do I smell--?" Her question was interrupted as she caught a whiff of the odd scent. Eyes narrowed as the playful energy began to seep from her, replaced by a cool, more focused persona. Honeynose cast a searching gaze around the area, looking for anything that seemed out of place. Beside her, Granitepaw was obviously on edge, and his anxiety was contagious. Though she took slow, steadying breaths in an attempt to counteract it, she could feel her heart begin to pound, and the fur along her shoulders prickled uncomfortably. "I don't think it's Demon," She replied, stepping deeper into the area, intending to investigate. Honeynose had never met the lynx - thank StarClan - but the atmosphere seemed more sinister. Surely Demon would have attacked by now; something more intelligent would be lying in wait, hesitating to see how they reacted.
Flicking her tail while simultaneously unsheathed her claws, the StoneClan warrior ventured toward the closest of StarClan's Claws. "Come on," She called back, voice soft but clear. "Let's see what it is; we won't know until we investigate, anyway." Hesitating for only a moment before continuing forward, Honeynose did not glance back as she rounded the nearest spire of rock. Eyes peered into the shadows of the other clans' territories, wondering if the odd scent was perhaps coming from one of them. But it didn't smell like any of the other clans; it was more foreign, more strange.
The only warning she had was the prickling sensation along the back of her neck, the very memorable feeling of being watched. Honeynose whipped around, unsheathed claws digging into the ground, just as she saw a shadow flying at her. A startled cry was ripped from her maw as instinct made her flinch back.
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Post by Fawn on Dec 8, 2012 23:48:15 GMT -5
Granitepaw had barely begun to get his bearings when Eagletalon roared out his battle yowl, and shadows seemed to descend upon them from all sides. NOW he understood what that pungent, unfamiliar scent was!
Rogues!
Fur standing on end, Granitepaw made the switch from alert to battle mode, his teeth flashing as he snarled at the nearest opponent, a mottled looking tabby with shredded ears and yellowed teeth, the bulky beast bearing down him. For a split second, Granitepaw had almost thought he'd caught sight of Shadeclaw amongst the rabble - but with so many cats fighting at the edge of the gathering place, it was almost impossible to try and properly identify anyone - besides, he had his paws full with the dark tabby.
"C'mere little scrap, let me flay you!" breathed the behemoth, his odorous breath washing over Granitepaw and making his whiskers curl in disgust. On any other occasion, Granitepaw would have argued that he wasn't ready for another fight so soon - but those thoughts were driven out of his head by moons of training and hours upon hours of dedication and nothing short of pure hard work. Hailstrike's teachings having settled into his core as though they were instinctive, Granitepaw struck, ducked and weaved like a king cobra, catching the rogue by surprise and almost making him back pedal.
Foot paws crunching in the snow, Granitepaw was briefly able to expand his line of sight to spy Honeynose grappling with her foe, and Eagletalon - his maw bloody - standing over the mangled corpse of one of the rogues, before a third one jumped him from behind. "Look out!" this cry escaped him instantly, but the second he'd taken his eyes off his own opponent had nearly cost him his life. The dark tabby flung himself upon the slightly smaller, wiry warrior-to-be, and sank his teeth so far into Granitepaw's flank the apprentice swore he felt them scrape the bone.
Howling with pain, Granitepaw thrashed as though on fire, scratching, hissing and biting with controlled chaos. This was far from the enraged flailing he'd done in his last fight with Shadeclaw, and the tactful apprentice managed to rake his claws down the older tom's belly with stinging vengeance, spitting against the rogue's dirty matted fur, the snow crushed beneath their grappling.
Sending the tom yowling into the snowy bushes, Granitepaw spat blood and fur out of his mouth in triumph, his tail held high, his stone-gray pelt on end.
This sudden bout of victory was interrupted by a solidly built NightClan tom straying into Granitepaw's direct line of sight, hazel eyes meeting ones of poignant yellow amidst the screeching and howling of battling cats. Granitepaw stood, staring in nothing short of shock.
The ex-StoneClan cat's eyes narrowed into cruel slits, and rather than say anything to his former apprentice, Shadeclaw stole a glance at Mosspaw, who was assisting Eagletalon in dealing with the third rogue. Granitepaw's soul seemed to turn to iron, weighing him down with the realization of Shadeclaw's intentions.
The NightClan cat lunged straight for the back of Mosspaw's neck.
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