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Post by Insidious on Jan 25, 2016 17:57:22 GMT -5
The freshkill pile was diminishing faster than they could replenish it. He was already sending out more hunting patrols than usual, and he knew that he could not ask for more than his warriors could give - not yet. Since becoming leader, nothing had changed aside from the number of lives that he had. He still held himself responsible for maintaining the clan's prosperity, and would work himself tirelessly to achieve it. He would take the matter of prey into his own paws for now and, with little deliberation, would request the companionship of the first free warrior that he saw.
"Starlingcry." Despite the distance between them, he did not raise his voice. There was something about the way he spoke, monotonous, calculated, that commanded attention even when it was short of a whisper. "It seems that we're running low on prey again, and I hope to do something about that. Your services would be appreciated." He spoke of appreciation, but there was no gratitude in his eyes, only an array of expectations. Dimstar was steadfast in the belief that each and every one of his clanmates shared his desire for prosperity. Starlingcry was not an exception, and so he met her gaze evenly, giving her time to accept what was not much of an offer to begin with.
Turning on his heel, he made for the forest. It was presumable that traces of prey would be scarce, and there was no telling how far they would need to travel from camp in order to return with something. Scents were already stale, and they had hardly been walking for a minute. He turned his head to the side, searching Starlingcry's face for a sign that she had scented something he had not. The possibility, while unlikely, was not entirely improbable, and he was not so shallow as to hold himself to a higher standard than the warriors of his clan.
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Post by Hellion on Jan 25, 2016 21:45:49 GMT -5
♛
Starlingcry's attention had been torn between keeping up with Hollypaw's training and caring for her family. In her age Gracklefire had been seen showing stiffiness in her limbs but didn't bother to tell Smokefur. This habit carried over to her daughter. The ebony coated female had finally started to find herself on the path to mental recovery. She no longer verbally attacked clanmates or outright avoided them. Despite a less hostile nature Starlingcry remained a shade of her former self. A stoic she-cat was in her place now. It would take time for the old Starlingcry to return if she ever did.
Hearing her name being spoken to her had ears flickering. Rarely did anyone talk to anymore in fear of her anger. It was also an ego boost for the she-cat to be singled out by the newest leader of NightClan. A flicker of something special showed in her eyes. She nodded in agreement to his statement and again glowed at the apparent praise on her skill. Starlingcry was a talented huntresses but also a fairly decent fighter, however she did favor the first compared to the latter.
"Lead the way," She answered him before following behind him. She wouldn't mention that she had been hunting earlier in the day and came back without anything. She'd do anything to be seen in a praising light that remained a lasting part of her personality. Instead of following right behind Dimstar she wandered a tail length away to ensure the scents she was picking up wouldn't be mixed with his. Similarly she too found that most of the scents were stale.
"I can't seem to scent anything right here, perhaps closer to the borders," Unlike her mother Starlingcry wouldn't ever suggest stealing prey and didn't mean her statement as such. Leaving her words up for him to decide upon her tail flicked back and forth.
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Post by Insidious on Jan 26, 2016 9:51:43 GMT -5
Starlingcry confirmed his suspicions. It was likely that one of the numerous hunting parties he had organized earlier had already tried their luck along the borders, but it was a satisfactory alternative to wandering aimlessly; he consented with a nod, branching off towards the RainClan border.
The pair walked in silence. It was not for a lack of topics to discuss, so much as to not risk alerting what little prey was around to their presence. Normally, Dimstar would have made a point of requiring silence, but Starlingcry did not need such a command. He already knew that she was an above-average hunter, and he intended to see her in action should the chance present itself.
Amazingly, a rabbit's scent drifted to him on the wind. It was a long shot, for the scent, itself, was somewhat old, but it was trackable and, if luck was on their side, had not crossed into RainClan territory. He looked over his shoulder, white eyes finding a home in blue, gesturing forward. It was up to her to take the lead now; he was testing her, but not in the way that an apprentice was tested by their mentor.
There was something far more... impactful on the line.
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Post by Hellion on Feb 4, 2016 22:47:38 GMT -5
Starlingcry
I paced around for hours, on empty
I jumped at the slightest of sounds
The ebony she-cat found comfort in the silence shared between them. Words weren't always needed to fill the air and she was glad they shared that in common. Her blue eyes kept alert and scanned the frozen roots to see any sign of life. Her claws remained out in order to be prepared to jump at any moment to gain some kind of prey. There were a few moments where the sweet scent of mouse tempted her nose, but once she was able to focus on it she realized that it was stale and worth nothing to them.
Ensuring she kept pace with Dimstar, Starlingcry picked up her pace after tasting the air. The border was near and while she didn't fear rival Clans she remained nervous, desperation brought out the worst in all of them. It was then she made eye-contact with him and that lovely scent filled her nose. Rabbit! It had been ages for the Clan to have anything plump enough and even if the rabbit was stringy it would provide a large enough meal for two cats or even a few apprentices.
A nod in agreement to Dimstar's unsaid question Starlingcry licked her tail to walk past him, taking her place as leader of his hunting party. Her claws itched to sink into the flesh of prey and only served to sharpen her senses. The wind was with them, pushing their scent away from their quarry, thank StarClan.
Carefully Starlingcry made her way to follow the scent, careful to keep her sense of direction any wrong stop would force the rabbit into RainClan territory and out of their reach. Her blue eyes narrowed on the white and brown patch work of fur ahead of the two felines. It was a young rabbit and not yet fully changed to match the season, or perhaps dirty from crawling in the mud, nonetheless it was going to fill the bellies of their Clanmates.
She didn't see a need to verbally order Dimstar and felt he was a capable hunter to understand her gesture for him to lay in wait for an ambush. Quickly in order to lose lose their prey she circled around and with a sharp noise she sprang forward to lunge at the rabbit and direct it right for Dimstar and into his awaiting claws.
I'm colder than this home
I'm meaner than my demons
Insidious | leafbare nineteen |
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Post by Insidious on Feb 7, 2016 19:23:40 GMT -5
Her intuition during the hunt was excellent, and he tracked her movements, making a note of everything she did, and of how her senses seemed to come alive when she was shifting into the mode of a predator. When she signalled for him to move into position he was ready to receive it, and while he obeyed immediately, he did not want to lose sight of her. He was careful to both do his job, and to make sure that he would have a good view of her strike. Leafbare was a difficult time for all of the clans, but his only concern was NightClan, and if inadequacy on her part, or even on his, drove the rabbit away, the clan would suffer for it. He intended to see his warriors at their best; to experience what environments they thrived in, and what environments needed some work.
When Starlingcry tumbled after their prey, driving it towards him with a precise swipe of her paw, he was quick to latch his teeth around its throat and prevent its airflow. Ducking through the brambles and lifting his head, a rabbit in his jaw, a quiet certainty in his wraithlike eyes, he knew that this was not an environment in which she needed any amount of work whatsoever.
Dimstar placed the rabbit between his paws, meeting her eyes. "Well done." It was all he offered in regards to the hunt, but only because there was something far more pressing on his mind. There was no easy way to go about asking this of her. The only way to go about it was efficiently, and in the hope that she would reciprocate his desire to better their clan as a unit. There would be no preparing her for what was to come, and so he did not.
"Leafbare, as you know, is a time of difficulty for the clans. We do not need more mouths to feed, but our numbers are essential in order to preserve and protect our territory." He did not feel the need to include how added numbers would help them take for the clan, too, because at this time they were managing with what they had, and he did not want to risk a clash of opinion before he could even make his request. "I need a mate who excels in her position as a warrior so we might reflect well on our young, and increase the probability of their success as the future of this clan. You, Starlingcry -" He assessed her, then, for a final time, reviewing his decision. " - thrive as a hunter, and while I know not of your abilities as a combatant, I believe I could refine our young suitability in that category."
Our young would, if she had been paying attention, make light of the question before it was so much as out of his mouth. He did not avert his eyes once, watching her closely for a reaction. He would not be a romantic mate. He would not be an empathetic mate. If she would need that from him, then he would locate another suitor - one who was more befitting of his requirements. He did not ask, not officially, at least, because he wanted to see how the information he had provided her with would settle beforehand.
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Post by Hellion on Feb 9, 2016 2:29:18 GMT -5
Starlingcry
I paced around for hours, on empty
I jumped at the slightest of sounds
Her belly rumbled as her blue eyes watched her new leader end the life of the rabbit. She wanted nothing more but to devour the rabbit in a few rapid bites, but she knew better. Her parents had raised her to be a noble warrior, the Clan came first.
In order to hold back her hunger she nipped at her tongue. It was a useful tactic to avoid staring at the rabbit as if it was the only meal left in the valley. Considering the leafbare the Clan was suffering in it likely could be the last meaningful meal.
His praise filled her ears. Despite it shortness it didn't hinder the ebony she-cat from letting her gaze meet his, a nod of thank you. Praise given by a leader was worth more than praise given by a fellow warrior. His words held more weight for her.
Starlingcry's attention remained on her leader as he continued on. She couldn't agree more. Life was a number's game. More hunters meant more food, more warriors meant more battles won. NightClan was of decent size, but the recent season was difficult and a few lives were lost in the blizzard. Lives they couldn't afford to lose. She remained silent but nodded in agreement and understanding. Dimstar was right on the mark, NightClan needed more warriors.
At the mention of a mate Starlingcry thought instantly of her sister. Cederbranch was a beautiful and sane she cat. Starlingcry might had been the first born but Cederbranch had been the sweetest. She often was the glue between the Gracklefire and Roughthroat litter, Starlingcry often drove wedges between them. First it was the incident with Palefire then the death of their father. Starlingcry's sister hadn't been as effected by their father's death. She seemed to bounce back fairly quickly while Starlingcry still saw darkness when she was reminded of his absence in her life. It was wonder to that she was able to come back at all, there were days of nearly pure madness for the ebony she-cat. Those days still remain a blur.
That knowledge alone it was easy to see why Starlingcry was surprised when her leader suggestion. Her dazzling blue eyes widened then narrowed for a split second, studying him to see if it was a cruel joke. She found no trace of cruelty but also found herself unable to respond. She hadn't found any romance in her life, most cats around her age were finding mates, leaving Starlingcry alone. Not that she really cared, her duties often came first.
It wasn't an unheard of for warriors to make such an arrangement. Her own mother was born out such an arrangement and did fairly well. Starlingcry knew that unlike her grandmother she'd love her kits greatly. She might not have them yet but even talk about them had Starlingcry imagining a litter nuzzled close to her belly for milk. There was so much more to kits than having them for the first 6 moons, she'd be raising the next generation of warriors. One of own kits could be the future medicine cat or even leader of NightClan. Starlingcry had always been a prideful cat and this was no different.
Despite her pride for their possible kits. The possibility of love growing for Dimstar was slim of any. Love for a mate was terrible, her own mother nearly died from grief. She watched from a distances as Gracklefire withered away to near nothingness, calling out for a dead mate. That was pure torture for anyone to see. Starlingcry wouldn't ever want that for herself. She'd rather think of him fondly and thank him for what he gave her, nothing more. Love was dangerous Losing a kit would destroy Starlingcry and unless there was another one to live for Starlingcry would follow them into StarClan. She tended to be an all or nothing she-cat, an strength and flaw all wrapped up in one. Dimstar should be able to understand her desire not to fall in love, he didn't even seem the type to care, considering how he was asking her.
"I agree with you and I accept your offer Dimstar. She paused, meeting his gaze for a moment. In her eyes she'd be the chosen mate of Dimstar and there for kits would have leader blood in them. She'd be holding the future warriors of NightClan within her and they would claim kinship to the leader of NightClan. There wasn't any really royal status to that relationship, but Starlingcry still held on to being the former deputy's daughter and would also teach that to her kits. By her blood and Dimstar's blood they would be destined for greatness. It seemed that within NightClan blooded mattered above all else and her kits would have an advantage, another moment of pride.
"Our kits will be great warriors of NightClan" She added with a flick her tail and a small smile. It was more out of politeness for the tom and soon to be mate. She figured it would be beneficial for them both to be pleasant with each other. She wouldn't expect him to be there all the time but a polite nod was enough for her. It did cross her mind for a fleeting moment if he intended to be there during her pregnancy. Starlingcry wouldn't be opposed but also didn't see the point. All she wanted out of this relationship was the ability to claim the 'title' of mate and to know her kits would be valued as they should be. "We should head back to camp," She added a little awkwardly but also out of care for their kill. It would be best for her still rumbling stomach to avoid all temptation and for the meal to be given to the next hungry cat but not her of course.
I'm colder than this home
I'm meaner than my demons
Insidious | date |
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Post by Insidious on Feb 10, 2016 10:52:10 GMT -5
He was chillingly still, even under her scrutiny, because he would expect nothing less from a she-cat who was analyzing her mate for the first time. She would have had no reason to consider him under this light before now. He knew that, for some, it would have been easy to deny his version of an advance if not only because of how he asked. Everyone seemed to think that a relationship warranted some kind of emotional bond, but he saw through its disguise, and weighed the benefits of a professional relationship in its place. He asked Starlingcry because she was befitting of the position, and he believed that she would understand why his offer was a good one.
Needless to say she did not disappoint him.
When she accepted, he showed no outward sign of excitement or gratitude, keeping his expression thoroughly blank. She would be an ideal mother to their kits, and while he would not provide her with the companionship every cat seemed to dream about in their younger moons, he would be exactly what she needed in order to raise their young efficiently.
Her revelation was reason for a nod, as though the gesture alone could encourage her words to prove true. Their kits would have the capacity to be great warriors, what with their parenting, and combined skill, but he knew better than to think it would be as simple as that. The young of their clan had minds of their own, and no amount of sharpening, no amount of pushes in the proper direction, could usually alter their perspectives completely. He had high hopes for them, and he would leave it at that.
"Yes," he consented smoothly, "our catch will stabilize the young of our clan for the time being." He considered, as an afterthought, that she would need to be provided for as well once she was pregnant, but until then she was capable of catering to her own needs. He had no way of knowing what expectations she had from this arrangement lest he asked which, for the time being, he did not intend to do. He had his own expectations, after all, and would prioritize her health as was meant to be the aim of a soon-to-be father.
He claimed his rightful position at her flank, guiding her along with mechanical sweeps of his tail. He would make no moves to boast of their relationship, or to enlighten the clan, because her pregnancy - coupled with his explicit tending to her - would serve as the information the clan needed. He did not reciprocate any of her awkwardness as he walked at her side, their catch safely entrapped in his mouth; this would become their new usual with the coming moons as they worked towards the betterment of their kits.
OOC: end thread!
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