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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2017 12:00:51 GMT -5
Swankit stirred in her nest, her green eyes snapping open as she awoke. Stifling a yawn, the cream-coloured kit slowly rose to her paws - taking care not to step on her siblings with her lanky limbs. She sniffed at her mother's belly, wondering if she should wake up the brown she-cat. Remembering how she had been reprimanded for being 'inconsiderate' a few times before, Swankit decided against it.
Silence cloaked the nursery, gnawing into Swankit's mind like a hungry badger. It wasn't long before the kit grew restless and tip-toed over her snoozing sister. The bright light from the nursery entrance called to her curiosity and the tabby kit stumbled uncertainly towards it. Hesitating at the entrance, Swankit jumped the next few steps forward - as if avoiding hidden obstacles.
Although it was early and quiet, the new sights and smells assaulted Swankit's senses. Unfamiliar warriors wandered about, preparing to sleep after a night patrol or planning to leave on a dawn one. A pile of fresh fish and assorted others was kept in the center. Leaves and reeds rustled as a sudden gust of wind blew through the camp - cutting into Swankit's fur and causing her to shudder from the chill. In the distance, several birds proudly sung their morning songs. It was, overall, a peaceful morning.
Swankit did not like it.
Most kits would have probably set off exploring in that instance, curious about all the sights and smells. Not Swankit. The tabby she-kit froze outside the nursery instance like a rabbit. Her heartbeat was pulsing in her ears and she felt a strange, horrible feeling in her gut and chest - anxiety.
Unsure of what else to do, Swankit crouched low to the ground, as if she were being hunted, and emitted an incredibly strange noise - not unlike someone slowly releasing air from a balloon. This noise erupted from her throat for several long heartbeats before she abruptly stopped, coughed and uttered a stubborn "No."
new things are bad things | Hellion for Owlkit and maybe Gullswoop, Fawn for Lotuswhisker |
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Post by Fawn on Sept 10, 2017 12:05:07 GMT -5
 48 Moons. Tom. (S) Warrior of RainClan.Fishdung. It had finally happened. Crowblaze, while carrying a freshly caught trout to the nursery, had heard a high-pitched squeak that seemed to go on for heartbeats at a time. The noise raked the fur along his spine the wrong way, and he took a hasty back-step. Finally stepped on one. He set the fish down, worry showing in the large, long-furred warrior's burning orange eyes. It was an uncharacteristic look for him, but this was an unusual circumstance.
There was nothing Crowblaze cared more about than family, and since becoming an uncle through his younger brother Gullswoop and Gullswoop's mate, Lotuswhisker, that care had expanded to their three fluffy, mewling bundles of joy. The kit, one of Gullswoop's daughters - Swankit - was hunkered down against the paw-trampled camp floor as if something that had hurt her.
Concerned, Crowblaze nudged Swankit with his wide, boxy muzzle, long whiskers twitching when he was unable to detect blood or sickness. "Hey," he mewed gruffly, the soft volume the best he could do to express 'gentility'. "What's wrong with you? Where's Lotuswhisker?"
Expecting to see more dazed-looking kits stumbling nearby, the dark tabby tom gazed swiftly to every patch of ferns and reeds near the nursery, trying to ferret out their hiding places. Swankit and her siblings could have taken advantage of their mother's nap, and gone out of the nursery in search of excitement. He blamed no kit for wanting to leave the nursery behind; he and Hawk-kit had--
Crowblaze sank his teeth into that memory and wrestled it back into the box where it belonged. Time to stop living in the past.
270 Words Tags: @medusa Notes: xD Blunt uncle Crowblaze. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2017 12:31:58 GMT -5
A sudden nudge to her side almost pushed Swankit off balance and she opened her mouth wide, prepared to yell again if she was in trouble.
"What's wrong with you? Where's Lotuswhisker?"
Swankit rolled her head to the side at the sound of the voice, mobility slightly hampered by her crouch and stared up at the dark-coloured tom - her bright green eyes locking onto his orange orbs. As the tom looked away, Swankit inhaled deeply, trying to remember if she knew this tom.
..Hmm, no memory came to mind, though the scent reminded her strongly of her dad, Gullswoop. Even the tom's body looked similar to Dad's. The mere resemblance made the kit relax a little, enough to soften her crouch. Curious, she followed his gaze to the reeds behind her and stiffened. She knew it, she was in danger. The warrior must have seen some invisible enemy!
Slinking forward like a snake, Swankit forced herself between Crowblaze's front legs and tried to shove herself against his belly - staring out from his striped fur with wide eyes. Feeling a lot safer under his belly, Swankit didn't care if Crowblaze was basically a stranger. He looked and smelled a bit like Dad, and that was enough in her small mind.
"It's bad, no." She spoke, as if her words made perfect sense, and shook her head harshly. Moving her head to peep out from below Crowblaze, she locked eyes with the tom and shook her head again. "Too big and loud." Swankit muttered before retreating back into his dark-tabby pelt.
hiding under a stranger is perfectly normal | Fawn Crowblaze |
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Post by Fawn on Sept 10, 2017 20:09:19 GMT -5
48 Moons. Tom. (S) Warrior of RainClan.Crowblaze had been about to sit down, when his niece had wriggled right between his front legs to hide. Crowblaze exhaled in surprise, thickly furred, black tail sweeping from left to right with uncertainty. What was she doing? Why was she trying to cuddle with him? They were kin, of course, but Crowblaze hadn't been affectionate with anyone since... before his mother had died.
Swankit's dappled head poked out between his wide, heavily tufted paws. They locked eyes, and he was taken aback to see the apprehension in the kitten's face. She was afraid. Of what? Of the camp? Of the warriors and apprentices being everywhere at once? Crowblaze surprised himself by actually being able to relate.
"Best time to see everything is at night, when the Clan's asleep." Crowblaze had no idea if his words were actually helpful, but they were the truth - and that had to count for something. Personally, Crowblaze preferred the quietude of RainClan's camp at night, especially with the soft, constant rush of the stream always a few foxlengths from anywhere. Except for the cats assigned guard duty at night, most were tucked up safely in their moss and reed nests till dawn.
Crowblaze tried to predict how Swankit would cope with the camp at night. He pictured her looking up at the stars, squealing in terror and running back inside the nursery. The imagery was enough to make even he, one of the gruffest, grouchiest toms in RainClan, chuckle. The night sky could look endless if you weren't used to it. As a kitten, he had to keep himself from looking at the stars too long, or else he would picture himself falling up and up and up forever.
"You don't have to interact," said Crowblaze, trying a different option. "Want to just sit and cat-watch?" He doubted Lotuswhisker or Gullswoop would mind if they found someplace quiet and just watched the goings on until something interesting happened. Or she got bored.
Word Count: 327 Words Tags: @medusa Notes: Guess who doesn't totally suck at this uncle thing? Crowblaze! Yay! |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2017 18:09:34 GMT -5
Swankit had been staring cautiously out from her uncle's fur, her head bobbing up and down like some kind of broken duck, but fell still as she heard the tom speak up.
"Best time to see everything is at night, when the Clan's asleep."
Asleep? She remembered how still and peaceful her siblings and family looked as they slept. It always calmed her nerves to watch them drift about in their own little worlds, but apparently it was creepy so she had tried to avoid doing it. Swankit looked skyward, her ears flattened. It wasn't night now though. She couldn't make it turn night. Could she? Was she expected to? Swankit trembled at the thought.
Her trembling slowed as she heard a gruff chuckle emerging from Crowblaze. The rough yet gentle sound calmed her somewhat and she took a few steps out from under him - still keeping her hindquarters under the protective stomach of the warrior. Staring up at him, Swankit tried to mimic his chuckle, trying to make herself as calm as he was by copying. "Huehehah." She rasped unusually.
"You don't have to interact, want to just sit and cat-watch?"
Swankit nodded at the suggestion, preferring that then having to learn how to change it into night. She liked watching, though she noticed that cats tended to become uncomfortable and strange when she stared at them. Unknown to Swankit, having a random kit lock eyes with you and stare like a demented owl was very discomforting.
"I like watching. It tells me things." She said, staring up at Crowblaze expectantly. He would know the safe places to lurk, in her mind.
heuheuheh| Fawn Crowblaze |
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Post by Fawn on Sept 17, 2017 10:19:46 GMT -5
48 Moons. Tom. (S) Warrior of RainClan.The kit made a weird little noise at him. Did she just... laugh? It sounded off, almost like a bird trying to mimic cat-speech. Crowblaze had enough tact (surprisingly) not to call her out on it. She was just a kit, she didn't need him pointing out that she acted more like a confused bird than a kitten. He rewarded her effort with an approving nod, widening his stance so he could step over her without crushing a tiny paw or quivery little tail.
Crowblaze brought her near the elders' den, which was usually the quietest if you ignored the occasional snore or elderly grumble from inside. Settling near the overhanging ferns and reeds, Crowblaze swept his tail to clear a space for the kit to curl up next to him. It was cool in the shade, and the dark warrior let his eyes narrow, disinterested in the comings and goings of his Clanmates. He appreciated the peace and quiet more than the chance to watch everyone with little fuss.
However, he could understand Swankit's curiosity.
A few warriors glanced their way, and Crowblaze met each gaze unflinchingly, until they felt compelled to look away first. The only one who smiled at them was Bitternwing, his younger sister and Swankit's aunt. She was joining a patrol and could not stop by to chat, but the message got through nevertheless. Crowblaze knew her well enough to read the delight in her eyes clearly. She was happy to see him... bonding.
Making an effort.
The massive tom looked at the fluffy kitten beside him. This didn't feel like much of an effort. But... If being an uncle was like this, then maybe he'd spend more time around the nursery. Get to know them before they grew up and became strangers.
Word Count: 298 WordsTags: @medusa Notes: |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2017 11:54:38 GMT -5
Swankit tilted her head as the tom nodded at her. Nodding was good, it meant approval. That meant that laughing was good. She should practice, she thought as she pranced after Crowblaze - echoing several mangled squeaks as she tried to master laughing.
It sounded too different from her uncle's, too high-pitched. Swankit inhaled heavily and lowered her voice as far as she could in order to mimic Crowblaze properly. "HUEHAK-" She broke off into coughing, clearing her throat and trotting after Crowblaze as if nothing had happened. That was much too embarrassing, she'd have to practice later - preferably when her littermates and mother were sleeping.
Following Crowblaze to another den, Swankit tried to peer curiously through the reeds although she got distracted when the tom settled beside it instead of inside the den. He settled down under a canopy of reeds and ferns, strangely sheltered from both the windy weather and the bustle of the other clan cats.
The cream-grey tabby kit briefly forgot how to lie down as she tried to take in everything new at once and tensed her legs, the sudden offset in balance causing her to flop on her side - like a startled goat. Swankit then edged closer to her uncle and rested her cheek on his side, peering out at the passing cats inquisitively
A few cats looked their way, Swankit meeting their stare with wide, unblinking eyes, but they all looked away after a while. She had no idea why. Glancing up at Crowblaze, Swankit was intrigued by the solidness of his gaze; as if he could stare down Starclan without flinching. Swankit wished she could be like that and began to stare even harder at the passer-bys, thrusting her neck out like some kind of heron and widening her eyes until they began to water.
A smile caught her eye and she turned to look at Bitternwing, who was surrounded by other cats. Swankit wasn't certain on who the she-cat was but she seemed familiar, and friendly. Friendly was good. Swankit attempted to smile back, pulling back her lips as far as they would go. Suddenly aware of a prickling feeling in her fur, Swankit swiveled her head to meet Crowblaze's gaze - the same strange expression on her face.
Was he waiting for her to say something? Probably. Swankit let her lips drop back down and quickly scanned the camp, looking for something to observe. "Look, cats." She paused after this, remembering what her family had said about 'social skills'. "Are we going to join them?" Swankit asked, hoping that they weren't. It was easier to watch from a distance, where you could see them all at once.
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Post by Fawn on Sept 23, 2017 19:14:04 GMT -5
48 Moons. Tom. (S) Warrior of RainClan.Everything this kitten did was so... disjointed. Were he, Heronkit and Hawk-kit ever this awkward? His niece had slumped against him as if she were part river stone, determined to sink into his fur without concern of drowning. As he relaxed, and let his gaze wander, the tom's scorching stare was brought back to the puffball beside him. What is she doing? She was making some kind of weird face with her teeth showing.
When he figured out what it was, he snorted. You've got a lot to learn, kit. Crowblaze had the satisfaction of being an uncle, and not a father. Teaching Swankit the ropes was not his job, though he obviously wasn't going to ignore his brother's kit.
"Look, cats. Are we going to join them?"
"No. We're fine where we are." Crowblaze had no interest in socializing with their Clanmates, unless they were family or the pawful of cats he could actually stand (and could stand him). That amounted to Ashflight, Owlflight, and his siblings. And Squirrelpaw, but he was confident that his apprentice would rather learn to juggle pinecones than spend even a few hours more with him than he had to.
"What do you think?" mewed the dark tabby. "About RainClan. About your parents?" She was odd. But he didn't mind. Her oddity made her interesting.
Word Count: 221 WordsTags: @medusa Notes: I can have Lotuswhisker show up soon~ |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2017 16:00:19 GMT -5
WHAT'S THIS? WHAT'S THIS?No. We're fine where we are."
Swankit nodded, satisfied with that answer. She didn't mind socializing, as long as there was a familiar cat present at the same time. Strangers were... strange. She couldn't read their thoughts and feelings as easily and it made her uncomfortable.
"What do you think? About RainClan. About your parents?"
The kit blinked slowly, processing the question. As in; how she liked them? No, how she thought. Swankit slowly looked about the camp, studying the cats with a smoothness that wasn't present in her previous movements. They seemed fine outwardly - but there was a wariness directed at the medicine cat den. Swanfeather, probably. The tabby kit remembered the stories her parents had told her about the civil war.
"I think they're worried. Swanfeather's return has surprised them, and there's a possibility that her return could provoke another civil war." She said plainly, her words sounding very unusual coming from a kit.
The next part of the question had her more stumped. Swankit's emotions towards her parents would hamper her ability to watch them and her face screwed up with obvious effort as she tried to think.
"They love each other dearly, I know that. They love Swan- me, Owlkit and Falconkit as well. But, they were on different sides on the civil war, so I don't know how Swanfeather will-" Swankit stopped abruptly, realizing that her attention had leaned off course during her answers. "I think I need to learn more from them."
"I don't like Swanfeather." She added as an afterthought. The she-cat had upset things within the clan, and that made cats more unpredictable - Swankit already struggled with interactions enough.
THERE'S SOMETHING VERY WRONG Fawn - swanfeather's a butt |
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Post by Fawn on Sept 30, 2017 17:53:29 GMT -5
48 Moons. Tom. (S) Warrior of RainClan.What? The sudden eloquence from his niece had Crowblaze staring at her as if her head and tail had suddenly switched places (though only a fluffy kit like her, it'd be hard to tell the difference). When he got over his consternation, however, the dark tabby found himself grunting in reply, the sound a low, displeased rumble. "Swanfeather's return won't provoke a civil war. You can believe me on that." He'd flay anyone that tried to tear the Clan apart again - and if it was a medicine cat?
Too bad. They wouldn't be spared his dislike or his wrath just because they were StarClan blessed - or once were. Swanfeather was going to an unpleasant place when she died, of that he was certain as rain. "I don't like Swanfeather either. You don't have to like every cat you meet." Would his younger brother and his brother's mate approve of him setting her against the world at such a young age? Probably not, but Swankit was sharp. She paid attention.
She'd turn out cynical and cautious even if he didn't say anything.
Crowblaze exhaled, aware of the proximity of Swanfeather's den as if it were a huge sore on a giant cat's pelt. A cat that Swanfeather had poisoned before. He wouldn't let her do it again. Not a chance. Owlflight, Ashflight, and plenty of others were with him on that. Not that it mattered; even if he stood alone, he would stand against her. Serious, the large warrior's wide muzzle swung down, and he gave the top of her head a lick. "If you're hurt, or something goes wrong, Swankit, I want you to find your parents first. Or find me, or your aunt Bitternwing." Then, if they couldn't fix the problem themselves, they'd take her to Swanfeather. But only then.
Word Count: 301 WordsTags: @medusa Notes: |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2017 18:52:31 GMT -5
WHAT'S THIS? WHAT'S THIS?Swankit wondered how Crowblaze could know that there wouldn't be another civil war. That would be impossible unless... unless he could see the future. The kit turned wide wonder-filled eyes to her uncle, as if he was a starclan warrior descended from the sky.
"You don't have to like every cat you meet."
Well that seemed contradictory. Swankit frowned. Her mother had told her to be polite to her fellow cats, which was understandable. Cats let their guard down when they felt comfortable with your presence, which is why Swankit had effortlessly and flawlessly mastered social interaction. cough cough.
The tabby kitten tensed briefly as Crowblaze unexpectedly swung his head down towards her, but she gave a short purr as he licked the top of her head. This meant they were officially close, yes? Swankit leaned her head forward and gave her uncle's side a few brief licks, pulling away as she felt herself begin to cough on the large tabby's longer fur.
"If you're hurt, or something goes wrong, Swankit, I want you to find your parents first. Or find me, or your aunt Bitternwing."
"Okay." She agreed, not feeling too confident in the medicine cat's abilities. Sure, the she-cat was a good healer, but she was also a liar. Swankit disliked liars, she already had a hard enough time finding the meaning in cats' words.
"Can I go to Dewpaw if I can't find you guys?" Swankit asked, remembering the she-kit that had left the nursery to train as a medicine cat. Her leaving had been abrupt and left her confused and earned a good few minutes of quiet screaming - but Swankit had grown used to her absence.
THERE'S SOMETHING VERY WRONG Fawn - mlem mlem mle- HACK |
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Post by Fawn on Oct 4, 2017 18:02:54 GMT -5
48 Moons. Tom. (S) Warrior of RainClan.Dewpaw. One of the kits that had belonged to the queen with the large eyes - Echosong? Echoflower? Echo...shade. Crowblaze had never spoken to that kit in as long as Dewpaw had been alive, which sounded cruel, but wasn't. He just was not what anyone would call a social butterfly. Not even a social moth. If he could build a den away from the others and still be considered part of the Clan, he would have done it yesterday.
"Yes," he decided after a long silence. "Or Silverfrost." The deputy couldn't heal the broad side of a tree-trunk if asked, but the tom could give orders - and provide a sense of calm in a stressful situation.
In theory.
Crowblaze almost took back his words, snorting. Forget Silverfrost. Their deputy was untested. Crowblaze hoped, for the other tom's sake, that his defining moment of leadership had nothing to do with his niece, Swankit. Crowblaze wouldn't allow this strange little ball of fluff to get hurt.
"Swankit," called a soft voice from the nursery, and Crowblaze's gaze alighted on the brown-furred she-cat poking her head through the reeds. "It's time to settle in for a nap. Thank you for watching her, Crowblaze." The queen's seafoam-green eyes sparkled, and she risked a little smile at her mate's older brother. "You two seem to be getting along like scales on a fish."
Crowblaze grunted his agreement, and gave Swankit a nudge (gently) towards her mother. "Kits need rest. I'll be here when you wake up." Except to use the dirtplace or catch himself an evening meal, the dark tabby had no plans to go anywhere. He caught Lotuswhisker smirking at him and his ears flattened with annoyance.
Don't even say it.
Alright, alright. He was fond of little Swankit. Did she need to rub it in?
Lotuswhisker swept her tail around Swankit, nuzzling through her daughter's fluffy fur.
Word Count: 314 WordsTags: @medusa Notes: MANLY TOMS DON'T LIKE CUTE THINGS. SHUT UP.
ALRIGHTFINESHE'SADORABLE. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2017 15:07:16 GMT -5
WHAT'S THIS? WHAT'S THIS?Swankit had no clue who this Silverfrost was but she nodded wisely all the same. The tabby she-kit turned her head so that her muzzle was buried in the tom's fur. He smelled comforting and his mannerisms were calm - she decided to promote him to one the cats to hide under when she gets scared.
"Swankit, it's time to settle in for a nap."
Her mother's voice drifted into her ears and Swankit drowsily lifted her head from Crowblaze's fur. She purred at the sound of Lotuswhisker before the meaning of her words sunk in. Another nap?! OUTRAGEOUS!
Swankit moved to her paws; stubborn stilt-like legs planted firmly on the ground, maw open and ready to protest. That is until Crowblaze made a grunt and nudged her, forcing her paws to stumble forward.
"Kits need rest. I'll be here when you wake up."
"Everybody needs rest..." She grumbled, planning to go all the same. Swankit bumped her head non-too-gently against the under side of Crowblaze's chin and she gave him a goodbye lick on the cheek before hurrying over to Lotuswhisker. Her grouchiness evaporated as she reached the she-cat's side and she planted her face into her mother's fur - letting out a soft monotone purr. THERE'S SOMETHING VERY WRONG Fawn - A NAP?! outrage |
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