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Post by Fawn on Jun 22, 2016 19:44:05 GMT -5
♕
LIONSTAR
63 Moons. Leader of TreeClan
The weather was holding steady in the valley. The heat hadn't left, as he'd feared it would with a sudden and painful cold snap, but now there was a different threat looming on the horizon. Fat clouds that looked like they wanted to become storm-clouds but could never rise to the occasion floated above the treeline. Without the promise of rain, Lionstar knew that TreeClan would suffer from potential drought conditions; their brook would endure, but the prey and the plantlife that depended on a fresh pouring each summer would find themselves in trouble.
Lionstar strove to think ahead. And he had understood the importance of keeping dehydration and heat stroke well out of his camp; they were exceptionally well shaded, being able to sleep in hollowed out tree trunks, but there was the water situation to contend with.
Approaching TreeClan's latest brood of apprentices, he spoke softly but with certainty. "Stonepaw, Duskpaw and Sparrowpaw. I want you three to bring some soaked moss to the elders and to the queens."
With much of the Clan busy hunting, patrolling or taking care of the kits (or in Appleshade's case, catching up on her beauty sleep somewhere), Lionstar chose to accompany them himself if they needed a little guidance. "Do you know how to get to the sparkling brook?" He asked the three, looking from Duskpaw to Sparrowpaw to Stonepaw, awaiting an answer.
DID YOU SEE THE SPARKS FILLED WITH HOPE? CAUSE YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
SOMEONE'S OUT THERE, SENDING OUT FLARES.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2016 22:35:25 GMT -5
The sun was a cruel and relentless beast -- particularly in Greenleaf. Constant and unwavering in its stance in the day, the sun streamed down upon all it overlooks, whether they welcomed it or not. Times in which a cat got relief from the sun's gaze were praised.
Days like today.
Fluffy, gray-gradient clouds rolled along the sky, bringing temporary relief to the beating sun's helpless subjects. As each cloud rolled through the sky and allowed the sun to peak through, Sparrowpaw, one of TreeClan's newest apprentices, felt more and more ready for the day to end. Idle and aloof at the edge of the TreeClan apprentice den, as she often was, the she-cat had nothing more to do but reflect on how warm it was out today. Given that she had just received her apprentice name and mentor a few days prior and had yet to learn much about TreeClan territory, Sparrowpaw could only sit around. Sparrowpaw had no idea how to hunt or patrol or do anything useful for the clan, and did not feel very confident in her abilities to do so without guidance.
So she sat, counting each insect that made its way through the trunks that made up the TreeClan camp and cursing the sun's name any moment it came to mind. Until Sparrowpaw spied something -- or someone, that is, of interest. Lionstar, the clan's leader. Sparrowpaw knew little about the tom and as he strolled past, she wondered if he had ever acknowledged her beyond addressing her at her apprentice naming ceremony.
"Stonepaw, Duskpaw and Sparrowpaw. I want you three to bring some soaked moss to the elders and to the queens."
The apprentice had to force her fur to lie flat as she heard her name spoken. Today's my day, she mused as she glanced around to spy the denmates Lionstar had also addressed. It took Sparrowpaw a few moments, but gradually she settled upon the meaning of Lionstar's sentence. Soaked moss? I remember some given out to expecting queens when I was still nursing, but I don't know where to find it!
"Do you know how to get to the sparkling brook?"
Sparrowpaw did not respond to Lionstar's follow up question, glancing at her paws and back up at her nearby clanmates in hopes that one of them would speak for her. The apprentice avoided meeting Lionstar's gaze at all costs, feeling embarrassed about her inexperience in front of someone she admired. If only I had been somewhere else, Sparrowpaw thought, wondering if perhaps her lazy behavior earlier in the day was why she had gotten herself into this situation. |
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Post by Hellion on Jun 26, 2016 1:25:50 GMT -5
Duskpaw had avoided TreeClan's leader as if he was death itself. Her pretty golden eyes rarely sought out anyone of authority within her Clan. Her run in with the warrior code that presented her with extra duties had put a sour note on Duskpaw tounge. Lionstar was being 'fair' but that didn't mean Duskpaw was happy with it.
And when he said her name, Duskpaw wanted nothing more to fake an injury and avoid him. However, warriors didn't shy away from work. Instead Duskpaw nodded in agreement to the task they were given. It was a million times better than cleaning out old moss and gave them a chance to go into the forest without the watchful eyes of their mentors.
Part of her wanted to suggest that Dunepaw join them, but she had a feeling Lionstar was asking the three of them specifically. His second question had her glancing to the others, when Sparrowpaw didn't speak up Duskpaw decided to.
"I know how to get there," She answered. Duskpaw hadn't gotten a great big tour of the territory but she had been shown the way to the sparkling brook a few times. It would be an easy enough task for the three of them.
Unsure if because she spoke up about it that she was meant to lead them out. Instead she let her eyes fall onto Stonepaw to see if the wanted to be lead.
@sparrow Amber Fawn
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2016 2:08:46 GMT -5
out on the verge of the rest of our lives tonight
Stonepaw lay on his side, stretched out just outside the apprentices' den. He and Firepaw had been practicing their battle moves, but the heat had the long-furred tom retreating to the shadows when Magpiewing called his sister out for training. His jaw was open slightly, an extra effort to cool himself down.
Pawsteps nearby caused his ears to flick up, but other than that, he remained still until the cat spoke. "Stonepaw, Duskpaw, and Sparrowpaw." Stonepaw rolled over quickly, pulling himself to his paws as soon as he heard Lionstar's voice. He turned his amber eyes onto the golden tom as he continued, "I want you three to bring some soaked moss to the elders and to the queens." A simple enough task for three apprentices.
"Do you know how to get to the sparkling brook?" Stonepaw took a moment, trying to picture the path in his head. However, Duskpaw spoke before he could remember. "I know how to get there." He glanced at her, and saw her look down and then look to him.
He turned to Lionstar. "I know about where it is; Zephyrfang's taken me a few times, but always from a different direction." Zephyrfang had a somewhat different way of teaching, as far as he could tell from his sisters' training, so it wasn't unusual that they didn't take the same paths too many times. Given the time, he probably could have found the brook on his own, but since it was a matter of some importance, it was probably best that they not be ambling about on their own. He waited to see what Lionstar would say, half hoping he wouldn't send them out to fend for themselves, yet half hoping he would.
S T O N E P A W Fawn, @sparrow, Hellion |
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Post by Fawn on Jun 28, 2016 19:33:22 GMT -5
♕
LIONSTAR
63 Moons. Leader of TreeClan
That Sparrowpaw chose to look down, her confidence no bigger than acorn, did not escape Lionstar's notice. He didn't put her on the spot, but acknowledged Duskpaw's and Stonepaw's answers, satisfied that at least two of three knew how to get there. "Very good. Stonepaw, you can lead the others. When you return, be sure to ask Bluejay or Littletimber if they need water also."
He had not peered into the healer's den for some time, and he had little idea of any lingering patients. Rumors of sickness or injury tended to spread around the camp like wildfire. So far, Greenleaf seemed... quiet. Good. He preferred it that way. Lionstar dismissed them with a flick of his tail and watched the three apprentices make their way towards the Sparkling Brook.
So Zephyrfang knows what he's doing after all... Good.
Lionstar was still going to follow them from a considerable distance; he wanted to see how the youngest members of the Clan were getting along with one another. And how well they could follow orders.
With the patrols organized and the Clan bouncing back from the horrible stomach pangs of a starving leafbare and a flooded newleaf, Lionstar could afford to devote time and energy where he enjoyed it most—mentoring. Skypaw had gone with the latest patrol, otherwise he would have dragged his apprentice to the training hollow for some much needed sparring.
Instead, he kept his tracking skills sharp by following the three after a solid stretch of time had passed.
---
Word Count: 245 Words
Tags: Amber , @sparrow , Hellion
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2016 20:46:43 GMT -5
Sparrowpaw
I'll give you something to believe in
Put out the basement full of demons
Realize you're a slave to your mind, break free
Now give me something to believe in
Sparrowpaw remained relatively quiet as her two denmates responded positively to the task at hand. While it was kind of embarrassing that Sparrowpaw did not know the way to the brook, she did feel slight relief that she was in knowledgeable company. And more than that, Lionstar won't get to watch me make a fool of myself, the she-cat added with a slight flick of her tail.
"Let's get going, then," the apprentice meowed, speaking for the first time in the conversation in a pleasant, but not necessarily excited tone. The she-cat was ready to get away from Lionstar, and though she was not thrilled to be in the presence of apprentices more experienced than herself, she would feel better in their company. Perhaps they could be friends, Sparrowpaw thought before dismissing the idea. The tortoiseshell did not make friends easily because she was so quiet and withdrawn, though all the apprentice could think of at the moment was how dreadfully boring she was. I'm not fun enough ... or adventurous enough, she reminded herself, and flicked her tail before rising to her paws.
"Let's go the long way," Sparrowpaw suggested to Stonepaw as she rose to her paws. Though saying it nonchalantly, the apprentice secretly hoped her company would give her a bit of a tour of TreeClan territory while they were hunting for wet moss. Maybe I won't be so clueless, Sparrowpaw thought to herself, glancing at her paws and hoping that her suggestion would be met with a positive response. Though as painful as it was to her, the apprentice knew that the more she put herself "out there" and the more she tried to learn, the less she would stick out among her peers and the easier life would be for her.
I'm a songbird with a brand new track
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Post by Hellion on Jun 30, 2016 22:49:31 GMT -5
Duskpaw nodded toward Stonepaw in approval as he too answered. It was going to be easy if he also knew where they were going. She knew the way but it would be nice to know a different way.
Lionstar spoke again which prompted Duskpaw to look toward him despite not really wanting to. Her shot at redemption was lost as Stonepaw was suggested to be the leader of their little mission. Flicking her tail to expel that little bit of hurt, Duskpaw wouldn't be a brat. The added task of asking Littletimber or Bluejay about their water needs was added to the list.
It was the younger Sparrowpaw was spoke up and capturing Duskpaw's ear. Duskpaw nodded in approval and waited for Stonepaw to take the lead, falling in stride to walk alongside Sparrowpaw. It would be nice to befriend a few more apprentices considering they'd likely be training together for awhile. The added suggestion of taking the long way had Duskpaw smiling.
"I agree, the long way sounds great that we can all learn a different path," She sounded excited despite not being chosen to lead.
@sparrow Amber Fawn
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2016 13:37:48 GMT -5
out on the verge of the rest of our lives tonight
"Very good. Stonepaw, you can lead the others."
A brief flash of nervousness ran through him at being chosen to lead their little patrol, but when he saw Sparrowpaw and Duskpaw both looking up at him, he quickly slipped into his "big brother" role. Both she-cats spoke up about taking a longer route, and he reached back into his mental maps he had already started to form. He thought for a brief moment, taking into consideration the importance of their mission.
"Okay, but we can't wander too far. It's important we bring water back for the Clan." He rose and led the way to the camp entrance, looking back over his shoulder to see if they were following him. "We can go to the thicket to get moss, and then to the brook." He knew the path to the thicket well; Zephyrfang had taken him many times, and he remembered collecting moss there several times as well. He smiled over his shoulder at the she-cats as they exited the camp, then turned and angled his paws toward the thicket.
He broke into a trot, looking back over his shoulder to make sure they were keeping up. He was larger than both of them, and he tried to keep that in mind as he led them. It wasn't long before they reached the brook, and turned to look at the she-cats. "We can cross here. Duskpaw, I'm sure you've been to the thicket before. This is one of the safer places to cross, according to Zephyrfang." He turned to Sparrowpaw. "It gets a little deep in the middle, but I'll help you out if you need it." He stepped to the side, gesturing with his tail for them to go first, keeping a watchful eye on them before wading in after. The brook only came up to his belly in the middle, even with the drought, but he knew the girls were smaller than him, and he felt a strong need to protect them, especially tiny Sparrowpaw. He kept close to them, ready to reach out and grab either of them should they slip or be dragged by the gentle current.
S T O N E P A W Fawn , @sparrow , Hellion |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2016 19:06:09 GMT -5
Sparrowpaw
I'll give you something to believe in
Put out the basement full of demons
Realize you're a slave to your mind, break free
Now give me something to believe in
"I agree, the long way sounds great that we can all learn a different path,"
Duskpaw, the first to respond to Sparrowpaw's idea, made the apprentice's heart swell with joy. Though Sparrowpaw was suggesting something that bared her lack of knowledge of TreeClan territory, she was happy that someone else in the group thought that it might be beneficial to take the scenic route. For a moment, Sparrowpaw felt like she wasn't so far behind the other apprentices -- that maybe, just maybe, they had a lot to learn, too. Usually, the apprentice could not help but compare herself to her clanmates and pale in comparison.
"Okay, but we can't wander too far. It's important we bring water back for the Clan. We can go to the thicket to get moss, and then to the brook."
The she-cat nodded her head as Stonepaw spoke, watching him come up with a course of action with a small smile on her maw. Though Stonepaw seemed a little hesitant to lead the trio, Sparrowpaw admired him for doing it -- and knew that if she were in his paws, she couldn't follow through. The tortoiseshell was glad that Stonepaw reminded them of the reason for the task at hand -- the further the apprentices got into the logistics of leaving TreeClan camp, the more she felt herself forget about her mission to her clan. Even though it's hot, even though it's scary, I can do some good for my clan, she thought to herself, rising to her paws and beginning to follow Stonepaw through the woods.
Sparrowpaw was lost in her own thoughts, pondering how often queens, kits and elders got water-soaked moss on a regular basis when the trio arrived at the brook that Stonepaw had mentioned. All happiness, all desire to complete a mission for the benefit of her clan, drained out of her. The water felt loud and rushing to the apprentice, who had never experienced water in this amount before. She was taken aback, and barely registered Stonepaw's words, directed at the other female apprentice in her company.
"We can cross here. Duskpaw, I'm sure you've been to the thicket before. This is one of the safer places to cross, according to Zephyrfang."
The tortie glanced at Duskpaw, her gaze questioning and widened, hoping that the other apprentice would want to get to the thicket a different way as well.
"It gets a little deep in the middle, but I'll help you out if you need it."
The TreeClanner saw Stonepaw's tail twitch as he stood nearby them, gesturing to the flowing waters barring them from the thicket. "I-I'm too small," Sparrowpaw stammered, taking several steps backwards away from the water. The apprentice felt that the moon or so that separated Sparrowpaw from her peers age-wise made all the difference size-wise. While they looked like apprentices, she still had her kitten fur, her kitten legs that didn't quite fit her elongated body, her kitten muscles. Sparrowpaw wasn't sure if the water would be too deep for her to wade in first, or if the movement of the water would prove too much for her to bare.
In addition to all this fear about the water, Sparrowpaw felt the terrible heat of embarrassment -- feeling that yet again she had not come up to the same level as her peers.
I'm a songbird with a brand new track
note: fawn gave me the OK to skip her here! I guess she's ok to post with lion whenever she feels? |
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Post by Hellion on Jul 31, 2016 4:45:12 GMT -5
She nodded in agreement to Stonepaw's plan of where they were going. She knew the general direction they were going but Stonepaw did take a different path. Her amber eyes were studying the forest around her to better learn the new way.
Duskpaw kept up with Stonepaw easily as he set the pace at a trot. Like her mother, Duskpaw had stronger hind legs that almost made her gait bouncy. It was quite cute when she trotted.
Slowing down to walk as the sound and scent of moving water caught her attention. She came to a complete stop as they neared the water's edge. Her attention was drawn to Stonepaw and what he said. He was shaping up to be a pretty decent leader even if he was young.
Without a word she nodded and slowly moved toward the water and waded inward. She fought back her urge to leave the water until she reached the other side. Now fully soaked Duskpaw turned to look back for Sparrowpaw.
She heard little Sparrowpaw decline to cross. Her face drew into a soft gentle look. Moving back into the water again, she looked toward Stonepaw. They could create a sort of feline bridge. Stand as close as possible to help her all the way across.
"We won't let you fall Sparrowpaw, come on," She meowed to her, offering a smile of encouragement.
Amber @sparrow
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2016 23:48:41 GMT -5
STONEPAW NINE MOONS. TOM. APPRENTICE. TREECLAN. Duskpaw crossed first, and a small smile crossed his face when she turned around. He turned his head back to Sparrowpaw and was immediately concerned. The she-cat seemed to tremble, her eyes conveying just how much she disliked the idea. “I-I’m too small.” Seeing Sparrowpaw back away hurt his heart and made Stonepaw instantly want to protect her. He opened his mouth to speak, but Duskpaw spoke first. Stonepaw turned around to see Duskpaw back in the water, giving Sparrowpaw a smile. “We won’t let you fall, Sparrowpaw, come on.” Stonepaw gave Duskpaw a small smile before turning back toward Sparrowpaw.
“Here,” he said, stepping toward her, “I’ll cross at your side, downstream. That way, if you slip, I’ll be able to catch you.” He turned again and stepped up directly to the water’s edge, positioning himself to Sparrowpaw’s left, where he’d be downstream. If the current did manage to lift the smaller she-cat, he’d be right by her side, less than inches away, to catch her.
EDGE OF THE WORLD AND WE'RE TOUCHING THE SKY TONIGHT
OUT ON THE VERGE OF THE REST OF OUT LIVES TONIGHT |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2016 9:09:34 GMT -5
Sparrowpaw
I'll give you something to believe in
Put out the basement full of demons
Realize you're a slave to your mind, break free
Now give me something to believe in
The mottled feline was too focused on the gushing, chattering water below her feet to see the comforting and genuine looks her companions shot her way. The waters, something the young apprentice had been told about before but had never seen in such large quantities, seemed to suck out all her feelings aside from fear. How can they be so sure of themselves? Why doesn't the water have a hold of them too? the green-eyed apprentice thought, taking her eyes off the waters for a moment to catch a glimpse of Stonepaw and Duskpaw.
"We won't let you fall Sparrowpaw, come on,"
The small tortoiseshell narrowed her eyes, her hackles raising slightly at the thought of crossing the river. While it was probably true that her companions would try to help her from falling in, Sparrowpaw was dubious in how successful they would be. There was no plan in place, no way to assure her safety. Ultimately, Sparrowpaw felt her success in crossing the brook was up to her alone -- and the TreeClanner couldn't put any faith in that.
"Here, I’ll cross at your side, downstream. That way, if you slip, I’ll be able to catch you.”
Stonepaw's calm and logical voice sounded like the answer to Sparrowpaw's big delimma. A plan. Though Stonepaw's idea was shaky at best in terms of assuring her safety, the apprentice knew that her well being was never a given. This is as good as it's gonna get, she thought to herself, her eyes slowly moving from the water to follow Stonepaw as he got into position on her left side.
Sparrowpaw's green gaze slide back to the task ahead. Just one paw in front of the other ... she repeated to herself, gulping to feel a lump in her throat as hard as a rock. Sparrowpaw knew what she had to do, roughly. She had to elongate her body as much as she could by outstretching her front legs and unsheathing her claws, and doing the same with her back ones -- like she was stretching out after a long day. Then ... I need to push off, as hard as I can, with my back legs, she thought to herself, feeling suddenly stuck. All she could think of was her heart, pulsing in her ears.
Then, a singular thought. If I don't do it ... or try to do it ... they're gonna make fun of me for ages.
And with that thought, Sparrowpaw pushed off, her legs sending her into the air, her front paws scrambling to grasp something solid. A moment later, which felt like an eternity, her front paws ran into something solid, and her claws instantly grasped the earth. Her back legs came after her, meeting the rest of her on the other side of the brook with such momentum that the apprentice tumbled forward ungracefully a couple tail-lengths.
But I did it. Sparrowpaw thought to herself, grinning ear to ear as she repositioned herself to a more comfortable sitting position. She twitched her tail eagerly, indicating that her friends should follow suit and meet her on the other side. "Come on," Sparrowpaw urged her companions, her rare act of success leaving her feeling happy and bubbly.
I'm a songbird with a brand new track
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