Post by Fawn on Jul 10, 2017 18:23:03 GMT -5
Mockingbird
39 Moons. Warrior-Queen of TreeClan It wasn't until the following sunhigh that the rain finally began to break. The bruised, blackened clouds let in fragments of sunlight, filtering down through the trees into a wet, verdant forest.
Mockingbird wove carefully through a sparse thicket, leftover droplets of water collecting like stars on her short gray coat as she brushed plant stalks and bush limbs. Since their return from the quarantine zone, Mockingbird had divided her time between attending to Berrypaw's health when possible, and ensuring Amberpaw did not fall behind.
"I have a small challenge for you," her voice carried over the background chatter of an active greenleaf day. Many animals would be taking advantage of the additional water in the forest before the inevitable heat destroyed it. "I want to see how you've improved. Bring me one mouse, one bird, and one other animal of your choosing."
A mouse was the easiest to catch, birds were a staple of TreeClan diet, and the last animal would be a test of Amberpaw's mental state. Would the she-cat play it safe, and catch another mouse, or would she allow herself to be challenged to try something harder like a squirrel or a large bird? Mockingbird was only slightly interested in the results; so far, Amberpaw was attentive, and that had earned her some seldom-given patience by the warrior-queen.
Mockingbird thought poorly of loners over all - but the few moons spent in the nursery alongside Moonfeather and her two offspring had removed some of the harshness she felt towards them.
Not all. Only some. And, Amberpaw and Fawnpaw considered themselves Clan-cats, obviously finding an alternative lifestyle undesirable. They served their purpose as 'friends' for her offspring, to which was less a point in favor of Moonfeather's kits, and more to do with her sons' abilities to maintain the masque of normalcy.
Their mother, however...
Moonfeather had become another one of Lionstar's 'favorites', and Mockingbird began to coldly dismiss the she-cat's presence as no different and no more interesting than squirrel droppings. Her true thoughts and derisive feelings were kept locked tight behind a mask of friendliness - as if they were two cats who both wanted the same things in life. Two kindred spirits.
But Mockingbird was almost completely certain no one else wanted what she wanted.
The only other cat who had been able to appreciate her father's genius had defected, joining StoneClan to be with a she-cat. Pathetic. Golden eyes blinked away those roiling thoughts of displeasure, and Mockingbird wore a carefully constructed smile, allowing Amberpaw the opportunity to decline the challenge - or ask questions, request last-minute tips - before the test began.
And I watered it in fears,
Night and morning with my tears;
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.
Justice - Notes: assuming they've done some hunting lessons in the past - 436 Words