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Post by Fawn on Oct 10, 2012 21:19:05 GMT -5
[style=font-family:Almendra SC; font-size:54px;]Lionstep
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Ancient Stump for a Clan Meeting!"
The voice of the TreeClan deputy resonated throughout the entire camp, the proud golden feline standing atop the Ancient Stump and looking calm, reassuring the brief flashes of worry in the eyes of his Clanmates that this wasn't anything they needed to be concerned with. Thanks to Distantstar, we can kill two birds with one stone – there will be plenty of fresh kill stocked up for the winter, and the apprentices will be able to show off their skills and develop team work. Lionstep saw it as virtually a win-win for everyone involved, and as the cat in charge of this event as well as the Clan deputy, he was going to be twice as busy as before – but Lionstep welcomed it. A bit of a workaholic, hosting an event and keeping up with Clan business was just another day for a cat like him.
When enough cats had gathered near the Ancient Stump, Lionstep once again spoke out, allowing himself a smile as he relaxed slightly into a sitting position, tail wrapped around his paws:
"After discussing it with Distantstar and several of our warriors, I have decided to conduct a challenge for the apprentices." Eyes glittering, Lionstep felt his own anticipation starting to build up in his system like water in the river after a storm. "There will be three challenges in total – the first challenge, will be a test of hunting instincts, the second challenge will be a mock battle, and the third challenge will be revealed on the last day of this event." Making sure to address the cluster of apprentices sitting near their mentors, some hurrying out of the apprentices den to go and sit before the Ancient Stump, Lionstep continued.
"The apprentices will be split evenly into two groups of three – into LionClan and TigerClan, respectively;" this time Lionstep made a point to speak specifically to each apprentice in turn as he called out their name, "Dawnpaw, Littlepaw and Maggotpaw, you three will be LionClan, and Dawnpaw will be your team captain." Hoping the other cats wouldn't see it as favoritism towards his own apprentice, Lionstep didn't stop to explain his reasoning behind picking Dawnpaw, but instead went on to announce TigerClan. "Foxpaw, Duskpaw and Noblepaw will be TigerClan, and Noblepaw will be team captain."
He's a logical choice for team leader, Lionstep inwardly reasoned for what felt like the eighth time. There really wasn't anyone in that group that had as much experience and natural leadership skills quite like Noblepaw. However, there was of course the concern that Noblepaw would be the first to put a paw out of line, or take things too far during the mock-battle. I'll just have to watch him closely, if he hurts someone, I'll put an end to it. Lionstep's jaw tightened, but he forced himself to relax as he allowed the group of cats to process his information and ask any questions, if they had any.
If everything went as planned, the first challenge would start the day after tomorrow.
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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 Oct 10, 2012 21:48:23 GMT -5
[atrb=border,0,true] | sincerely, noblepaw
the road i walk is paved in gold to glorify my platinum soul | [CS=2] It's stringy, Noblepaw decided, prodding the piece of prey with a paw, and not nearly as meaty as it first looked. After correcting a few of the over-zealous kits on their fighting moves, he had picked the rodent from the pile and settled himself down on the edge of camp to eat in peace. Green eyes glanced across the clearing, and he straightened when they landed on the kits off by the nursery, pouncing on each other. Using my moves. One kit at a time, Noblepaw would improve the quality of TreeClan's apprentices, as it seemed like too many of the ones with whom he currently shared a den were considerably lacking in ability. Well, perhaps only two, maybe three, The apprentice mused, but that was still two, maybe three, too many. TreeClan was the by far the best clan; they needed the best apprentices too or else that title would slip through their claws.
All of Noblepaw's musings about the fate of his clan were cut short when a familiar call rang out through the clearing. Without thought, the tom turned his gray and white head to face the Ancient Stump. The feline that stood on it did not resemble Distantstar, who usually made announcements. He glanced back at the mouse at his paws, a sneer on his lip. It was a disgusting excuse for a piece of prey; honestly, he deserved better. Rising to his paws, Noblepaw kicked it into a bush before strutting over to join the growing group of cats. He picked out a spot near the base of the stump with the rest of the apprentices and looked up expectantly at Lionstep.
Anticipation and eagerness sprang into life in his gut after the first sentence. A competition? And exclusively for the apprentices. He straightened up in pride. The deputy had done it; he had instantly captured Noblepaw's complete attention. As the older tom continued, the apprentice's anticipation grew. The challenges... He loved the challenges. Hunting he could deal with, and the same went for the secret last one, but it was the middle challenge that he focused on. The fighting one. Green eyes glanced lazily around at the apprentices. He could take them.
But wait, there were teams. A flicker of dread passed through him, cutting through the anticipation that had been steadily growing. What if he got...? No, Lionstep wouldn't be that mean, would he? He knew that Noblepaw would die if Littlepaw and Dawnpaw were put on his team, right? Noblepaw swallowed as the names were announced, unconsciously holding his breath as he waited to hear his own after Dawnpaw's and Littlepaw's. But no, it was Maggotpaw. And Dawnpaw's in charge? Noblepaw scoffed. That little she-cat is useless; she should go back to the nursery. I don't know what Lionstep's thinking, but this is obviously favoritism. He almost felt bad. His breath came out in a soft sigh, mind flashing back to the other cats. Who did that leave? Lionstep recited the names just as he thought them. And then...
I'M IN CHARGE! A grin broke out on Noblepaw's face for the fleetest moment before he regained control of himself. He was in charge of TigerClan! And the other cats in his group were decent! His chest swelled up with pride as he straightened. Obviously Lionstep had seen and recognized his potential.
| [CS=2] Words: 596 Notes: -- | [CS=2] i am the closest thing to god so worship me and never stop [style=font-family: palatino linotype; text-transform: lowercase; text-align: center; font-size; 5px; margin-top: -20px;]credits: don't stop by innerpartysystem cat: here |
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Post by Insidious on Oct 10, 2012 22:10:32 GMT -5
Light brown ears atop Foxpaw's small head pricked upward instinctively, the clear, summoning vocals of the TreeClan deputy piercing the tranquil air and causing Foxpaw to rise upon all fours' and take her approach to the Ancient Stump. In a matter of seconds, her tabby coat revealed itself to open daylight upon her exit from the apprentice's den site. Momentarily, her gray-green eyes lit up with interest as she briefly scanned the surrounding area for other nearing TreeClan cats, limbs advancing elegantly into the forming crowd to take her seat. As the TreeClan deputy continued his speech, speaking of a challenge created to test the abilities of all apprentices, Foxpaw's interest only increased. For a cat so overly dedicated to training, a challenge seemed suitable in her mind. It didn't take long for one's ordinary routine to grow boring, and since Foxpaw remained without a mentor as of now, she mostly trained herself with small games in the trees. She had to consider the fact that possibly meant the other apprentices had an advantage, but, the thought only formed a smirk upon Foxpaw's jaws. No matter the circumstances, she wouldn't allow herself to be anything less then a reasonable opponent for this... LionClan.
Once TigerClan's team was announced, Foxpaw couldn't help but search for the tom named captain. Her gaze found Noblepaw quickly, a moment spent sizing up the male. He'd make a decent captain, if she had to have one. Foxpaw was a she-cat of independence; it didn't take long to realize this. Her communication with the apprentices had been slim from the beginning, if even at all. But, she also had to consider the positive outcomes: this challenge was another way for Foxpaw to test herself, a daily activity she constantly enjoyed. And, not to mention giving her an opportunity to begin speaking with the fellow apprentices. If not now, or at latest during the challenge, she'd likely never get around to it.
Satisfaction laced across Foxpaw's facial expression, her light pink tongue briefly extending from its chamber to outline her outer jaw before recoiling back into its proper placement. Glancing up at Lionstep, Foxpaw patiently waited to see if any more announcements or comments from the crowd would be stated. The challenges were just around the corner. The sooner these announcements came to an end, the sooner Foxpaw could begin sharpening her skills as to not be viewed as a participator, but instead a daring obstacle in the opposed team's path to victory.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2012 16:19:18 GMT -5
In my mind Worlds collide Something inside me is gone Still I keep goin’ on Maggotpaw[/center] Sunrise, sunset, repeat, sigh. A pale furred feline crouches away from the rest of her clanmates. Her ice colored eyes staring into space. They didn't swivel to follow the activity going on around her but rather remained focused on nothing in particular. Behind her scrunched body a, dark colored, fluffy tail swishes side to side, the only movement betraying the she-cat's inner frustration. 'Ugggh it's soo boring! When is anything interesting going to happen? For Starclan's sake if I have to go over the elder's pelts for tick one more time I'm going to lose it!' Her thoughts fill the silence in her head. Her blackened ears flicker ever so subtly directed towards the movement on the Ancient stump. Her gaze loses it's hazy unfocused sheen sharpening to icy precision as her head turns toward the soft sound of paw steps. Not Distantstar the footfalls were more lively, sounding more of youth then the heavy steps of one bound by leadership. 'How curious' [/i] It seemed something was about to happen. Almost as if her prayers were answered a golden furred savior appeared in her calculating gaze. Perched gracefully atop the Ancient Stump stood the deputy Lionstep. Between the time it took for the tom to spread his jaws and the moment his resonating voice filled the Treeclan camp Maggotpaw was on her paws. In a rare show of character the strange pelted she-cat raced across the distance to slide into a prime spot in front of Lionstep. It took one look into the brawny toms eyes for her usual detached, faraway, stare to snap back into place. Her paws shuffled in slight embarrassment at her show of enthusiasm. In silence she sat until the soft murmur of her fellow apprentices gathered all around her. Her ears rotated as she determined their positions around her. She had just registered the sound of Noblepaw when Lionstep began to speak. Her ears flicked forward and while her face remained expressionless she was indeed hanging on his every word. Her large blue eyes stretched wider as she heard the challenge laid out by Lionstep. In her surprise a sort of lopsided smile flashed across her face. When she felt her silly grin she quickly scowled instead. As the teams were split up Maggotpaw felt her ears threatening to flatten. 'Dawnpaw and Littlepaw?But I barely know either of them!'[/i] Maggotpaw straightened slightly. Lifting her head up to glance around at Dawnpaw. The she-apprentice was only slightly younger then her and Maggotpaw was sure they had done things together in the past. Not that she could remember in particular doing anything with either Dawnpaw or Littlepaw. 'Oh well might as well get this over with'[/color] She though, sighing as she climbed to her paws. Pushing her way through the few cats to sit at Dawnpaw's right flank. She didn't say a word or look directly at the other she-cat but nodded her head respectfully. As if to encourage the gentle apprentice that she would be a good leader. Maggotpaw was secretly pleased she was not to be the leader of Lionclan. She didn't think that it would end well with her and Noblepaw going head to head as rivals. As Maggotpaw settled into her spot next to Dawnpaw she wondered which group would win the three challenges and who would be the feline to watch out for from the newly designated Tigerclan. Her thoughts immediately flashed to Noblepaw but then again Foxpaw and Duskpaw couldn't be written off either. Slightly lost in the thoughts of the excitement this competition would bring Maggotpaw truly zoned out as the excited buzz of her clanmates voices rose around her.[/size][/blockquote]
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Post by Fawn on Oct 12, 2012 22:06:08 GMT -5
[style=font-family:Almendra SC; font-size:54px;]Lionstep He caught that spark of determination and exhileration in the eyes of TreeClan's apprentices - some looking nervous, some gave off the impression that they would've gladly started this competition right now if they could help it. Planning to stoke that spark into a roaring inferno, Lionstep waited briefly for the din to die down before continuing. "Each team will be hunting in a separate location, and you all will have until sunrise tomorrow to sunset to catch as much prey as possible. Tomorrow's winning team will have the privilege of picking the battleground for the second challenge. There will also be a prize for the apprentice who catches the most out of both teams."
The muscular golden tom allowed himself a slight smirk, meant to entice them further, before he reeled back to speak this time, to the whole crowd, not just the apprentices. "Despite the challenge going on, patrols will still be at their regular times, though with the absence of any apprentices participating. Warriors on patrol, I trust that you will not interfere with any of the apprentices, even if you are their mentor. There will be no cheating." Though Lionstep felt strongly that he wouldn't have to worry too much about poor sportsmanship, it was still necessary to lay out the rules - and the punishments that went with it. "Any cat caught cheating -- stealing another team's prey, or getting help from another warrior -- will have their prey confiscated and they will go without food for the evening. That includes warriors as well." Eyes flashing, the deputy's normally clear, companionable method of speaking was interrupted by a hard seriousness that gave the crowd a glimpse of him not as the friendly deputy, but as the resolute leader who did not tolerate dishonesty in any of it's forms.
He was not some push over, and even if he had to punish his own apprentice for misconduct, the crowd could be reassured that he would do so without favoritism. Returning somewhat to his more amicable nature, Lionstep looked out across the many familiar faces, pausing for a few seconds to look at each apprentice in turn, silently studying their reactions. He spoke this time, with a finalizing tone, as though the meeting were coming to an end. "Discussing hunting techniques and coming up with strategies before the challenge starts, however, is acceptable. Mentors, please take the time now to converse with your apprentices, because starting tomorrow morning, they're all on their own."
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Post by salt on Oct 13, 2012 13:54:26 GMT -5
Spottedfeather padded out of her den to hear what was going on. Seeing the cats gather and it was lionstep who was announcing the topic. Spottedfeather sat outside her den and sat down curling her tail around her front paws. Listening to the deputy she closed her eyes and gave a sigh. A challenge. Not just any challenge. It was for the apprentices. Carefully listening she hated this idea. Yet it wasnt her place to say anything.
Spottedfeather saw this challenge as to who are basically the better apprentices. Her leader and deputy were asking to put labels on there apprentices. Those of course being the losers and winners. Sadly whatever the leader says goes. Still sitting and listening for the apprentices to be placed in their groups she saw the looks on the apprentices faces. Some were not readable while others smiled maybe even a smirk here and their.
Starting tomorrow morning they're all on their own
The words raced through her mind and shifted her paws a bit. Still sitting in her place she watched the clan and also the deputy to see what else was going to be brought up. Sighing again she looked back into her den and saw the herbs that still needed to be sorted..
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Post by eli on Oct 13, 2012 15:42:41 GMT -5
[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 340px; background-image:url(http://i56.tinypic.com/20gfl1v.jpg); padding: 30px; border: #2D2729 solid 30px; ]just keep following But in order to get to the heart, I think sometimes you'll have to cut through. When Lionstep called the cats of TreeClan together one early leaf-fall morning, Dawnpaw was already prepared. She'd been settled in front of the apprentice den for some time since she'd awoken, ginger-striped tail curled around her dainty white paws. Lionstep had told her already about the competition for the apprentices, and while it may have unnerved her to the point of trembling in her fur but after being under the TreeClan deputy's wing for some time she barely bat a single pale blue eye in response. Her confidence had soared these past few sunrises and she was prepared to use all that Lionstep had taught her to prove herself as an able apprentice compared to her Clanmates. Enemies? Those would still reduce her to a trembling mess, but these were her fellow warriors. She could trust them.
Well, perhaps not Noblepaw...but he was hardly a good example of a noble TreeClan cat. That cat was about as trustworthy as a fox: sly to your face, brutal to your back. She couldn't trust him as far as she could kick him, but her Clanmates weren't the same. She would treat them as they should be treated and expect the same in return, while Noblepaw would be treated as he deserved: with suspicion. With disgust. He could expect no different with the way he treated his fellows. Nothing good came out of considering every cat as lesser than he. That was how murderers and traitors were born, she knew it, and she felt that Noblepaw was no better than those cats who ruthlessly slaughtered their Clanmates for the 'greater good.'
But enough about Noblepaw. She heard her mentor's strong-voiced summons, and she rose to her paws to settle beneath the ancient stump with her blue gaze fixed completely on the golden deputy. He explained the rules and the competitions, which she was already aware of, and then began to separate them. Honest surprise flickered across her gaze, coupled with excitement, when she was named leader of LionClan. Favoritism or not, this was her chance to prove she was no longer the pathetic, shivering mess she'd been as a new apprentice. She could be a strong, noble warrior in the eyes of her fellows! The excitement pricked under her fur. Maggotpaw and Littlepaw - she didn't know Maggotpaw very well, but Littlepaw had become a good friend of hers. Her team was certainly workable. But as she realized how it'd been chosen...She turned in dismay as Lionstep reassured her realization, placing Duskpaw on the opposite team. With Noblepaw, no less! Her hackles pricked as she fixed her eyes on the smug looking rival team leader. She knew Duskpaw's mooning over the tom would get in the way of her reason and this certainly wouldn't help that. Taking orders from him! Dawnpaw scoffed under her breath. If her sister wanted to fall tail over paws for the arrogant furball, more power to her.
Once Lionstep was done speaking, she turned to where Maggotpaw had come to sit beside her, returning her nod with a friendly dip of her own ginger-splashed muzzle. She summoned Littlepaw with her tail, blinking at her fellows. If they were going to win they would need to strategize. "Tonight, after we return from working with our mentors, we should plan." It was hard to find a way to instruct her fellow apprentices, and she eventually settled on a gentle, but suggesting tone, open to their refusal but hoping for their agreement. "We need to understand each other's strengths so we can do our best in the competitions. Is that fair?" Her gaze flickered a bit anxiously over them, hoping that they'd see her standpoint. If they knew what they were best at, they could form a strategy based on accentuating their strengths and helping each other to recognize their true potential. Ever since the announcement had been made, she didn't once look at Noblepaw or his 'TigerClan.' This wasn't about him. At least, not yet. When it was time to fight, it would be time to analyze them, but tomorrow it would be their own abilities that should be on the forefront of their minds.
the heartlines on your hands |
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