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Post by Taxx on Oct 27, 2017 21:18:11 GMT -5
Finchpaw woke with the sun, blinking his eyes open and yawning widely. A brief glance around the den revealed the few who hadn't risen already and gone out to train or hunt or patrol. Another yawn, a minute to blink himself wider awake, and then the sturdy tom climbed to his paws and stretched slowly, back first in an sharp curve, then one leg after another, ending with the right rear, and finally giving a firm shake to settle his fur.
Only then did he step forward into the camp, blinking against the brighter light and turning first to the freshkill pile. It was a bit low, but hunting patrols would go out soon, if they weren't already. Picking up a decently sized pigeon, the ginger apprentice headed toward the elder's den, placing the bird far enough inside the den that it would warm the creature and make it easier to chew. More prey for the nursing queens, and that was that. He couldn't do more until cats woke, and who knew when that would be?
Settling in the clearing, Finchpaw wrapped his thick tail around his paws and waited- waited for Gorsetail to appear, or for the elders or queens to rouse, or for... something to happen. Whichever occurred first.
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Post by Fawn on Oct 28, 2017 20:26:47 GMT -5
 58 Moons, Warrior of TreeClan The older the warriors got, the more they complained of the cool weather - but not Zephyrfang. He enjoyed the brisk winds and the crispness of the leaves as he stalked the forest. The autumn moons were his favorite, and not just because his rich brown and tan tabby coat allowed him to blend in so beautifully with his surroundings. Carrying a fat wood pigeon by the neck, Zephyrfang returned with the dawn patrol, his pelt carrying the faint scent of NightClan's heavy stench.
Lionstar had made the right choice, taking the territory near NightClan's branch trail. The prey there was decent.
Setting the pigeon down on the fresh kill pile cleared up Zephyrfang's scent glands to detect other smells, one of which was as familiar to him as his beloved Silentsong's sweet scent. With a cheshire-cat smile and a saunter in his stride, Zephyrfang drew level with his son, Finchpaw. "You look bored. Waiting for Gorsetail?" If he wasn't, Zephyrfang was all too happy to spend some time with his son this morning.
It had been a long time since they'd really interacted, and Zephyrfang was looking to change that. His own relationship with his father had been decent, and he sought to mirror that with his offspring. Thornpaw was excitable and outgoing. Finchpaw had that edge to him, that inner fire, that suggested battling might be the ginger tom's true calling. Zephyrfang intended to find out.
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Post by Taxx on Oct 29, 2017 13:39:16 GMT -5
Finchpaw's ears flicked and he turned his head to blink at his father as Zephyrfang approached. A slight dip of his head to acknowledge the older tom's comment and making no attempt to deny it, though he was less bored than simply waiting for some cat to approach. As Zephyrfang was the first to do so, Finchpaw gave him his attention. "No," he replied. "I'm not sure where he is."
A glance past at the pigeon the older tom had deposited on the fresh-kill pile and a brief purr. "You had a good hunt, I see. Were you at the NightClan border?" The new border had only recently been set, and the scent of NightClan still clung to the bushes, mixing in an unpleasant way with the scent of TreeClan. Rising to his paws, Finchpaw took a step forward to press his head to his father's cheek and gave a purr. "Have you any plans for the moment? I don't think Gorsetail would mind if I spent time with you, especially if we make it time well spent."
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Post by Fawn on Oct 31, 2017 9:04:31 GMT -5
58 Moons, Warrior of TreeClan Zephyrfang chuckled. He wasn't much concerned with Gorsetail's opinions on how he chose to spend time with his son. As long as Gorsetail was training him dilligently and taking care of the Clan, what did it matter? Much of Zephyrfang's knowledge had come from training and learning alongside his father, Mosi, and his mother Shatani. Their style of teaching was unforgiving, but necessary to survive in this world as a loner.
Being a Clan cat meant they could afford a little cushier methods to training. Zephyrfang nodded. "NightClan's territory is full of birds. Lionstar was right about that. C'mon." The handsome tawny warrior tapped the ginger tom on the shoulder with his tail. "You won't get another chance like this to hunt in another Clan's territory." Unfortunately.
That was the problem with borders. Zephyrfang had accepted his role as a Clan-cat long ago (anything to make Silentsong happy, to stay by her side for as long as he could), but he still felt that inner flame of rebellion burn brighter every time he thought of all these ridiculous rules. He had lived a life without borders, and being boxed in to TreeClan's strict, structured lifestyle could be quite a headache.
Leading the way out of camp, Zephyrfang spoke up as they walked. "So, Amberwing's a young warrior now. You still padding after her?" It had been amusing to watch these relationships (one-sided or otherwise) form between his own kin and their denmates. He felt like he was watching the future play out right before his very eyes. Funny how that happened. Silentsong was still the center of his whole world, but he was just as happy to keep tabs on his two kits and their friends, too.
And his own apprentice, Ravenpaw.
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Post by Taxx on Oct 31, 2017 13:35:05 GMT -5
Willingly, Finchpaw followed Zephyrfang, padding after the tom across the camp and out into the forest. A reliable source of prey was always a good thing, and there was no reason not to take advantage of it. "Isn't it our territory now?" he replied, a bit cheekily, tail lifting high as he lengthened his stride to pad side-by-side with his father. "We should be able to hunt there whenever we want. And if NightClan tries to take it back, we'll fight and we'll win." Confidence in the statement was obvious- a fierce desire to hang on to what they had won, to defend it from the Clan it had originally belonged to.
His step faltered a bit at the next question, and Finchpaw flashed a look at his father, feeling his ears warm. Was that a tease? How much did Zephyrfang know- how much had he seen? For all that had been in the past, Finchpaw still couldn't quite help a lingering feeling of attraction to the strong-willed young she-cat. "I think if I tried, she'd bite my head off," he replied, a touch sullen now. How did she-cats work anyway? He had tried his best to impress her, showing off at every opportunity, but she'd never given any indication it had worked- and now that she was a warrior, there was a greater distance between them.
"How did you win over Silentsong?" he asked, curious- there was nothing like the love he saw between his mother and father, and he wanted that, had thought he might have that with Amberwing, but she hadn't been nearly as cooperative as he'd wanted her to be. Maybe Zephyrfang could give him some tips to go on?
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Post by Fawn on Nov 3, 2017 8:17:59 GMT -5
58 Moons, Warrior of TreeClan "How did you win over Silentsong?"
Zephyrfang purred at the question, enjoying the torrent of memories prompted by it. "Win? I didn't win her over. When I first met your mother... She was so beautiful, I had to talk to her." It was a shallow reason to approach someone, but Zephyrfang didn't care. What did it matter what the reason was, when it had kickstarted something incredible?
"It was love at first sight. Felt like I'd met the one cat I couldn't live without." Zephyrfang grinned, remembering the way the stars and the moonlight had shown down on his mate's tortoiseshell features and brilliant hazel-green eyes. The way her cute little gestures had caused his heart to burst into butterflies. "So I told her what I thought of her. There was this... spark between us, and we both felt it." Unfortunately for Finchpaw, he didn't see that 'spark' between him and Amberwing.
Then again, the tom was young. Maybe love was something that required maturity?
"You're asking the wrong question," Zephyrfang flicked Finchpaw's ear with a tabby-marked tail. "Don't try to win her, like she's a competition. Ask yourself... is there a spark?" He didn't want to see his son bending over backwards to try creating that kind of spark, that kind of enduring love with a she-cat who just didn't feel the same way.
They had wild, devoted spirits he and Finchpaw. But what made them so devoted and fixed on their loved ones was what also made them... worthy of fearing. Relentless was a good word. Zephyrfang intended to make sure Finchpaw understood the difference between courting and badgering. Persistence was good. Driving Amberwing up a tree was not.
If he had been born a Clan cat from the start... Would he have this same problem? Zephyrfang almost let out a haughty snort. If Silentsong hadn't been in the Clan, then he wouldn't have cared one way or the other for any female Clanmates. But if she had been... and she had thought him annoying?
Nah. Zephyrfang shook those thoughts away. They were right for each other, and not even StarClan themselves could keep them apart.
358 Words Taxx Notes: SilentZephyr5ever |
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Post by Taxx on Nov 9, 2017 22:30:39 GMT -5
Finchpaw So many times it happens too fast
You trade your passion for glory Finchpaw listened as his father began, thick ginger tail flicking at the warmth of emotion in the older tom’s voice. Of course he had heard the story, over and over, of how the two had met: Silentsong had just lost her father and she was taking the loss hard. Zephyrfang had found her and had joined the Clan to be with her. Love at first sight. Had it really been that easy for them? A frown crossed his face, ear twitching at the flick of Zephyrfang’s tail. A spark? “Of course there is,” he replied. He felt it every time he looked at the gray she-cat. “But does there have to be? Not every cat falls in love at first glance. Not every litter has a doting father watching over them.” And while he couldn’t force Amberwing to accept him if she really didn’t want to- what was the harm in trying? Pausing, Finchpaw sat, tail tip held aloft and flicking. If they were going to keep talking, best not to continue walking as they did. “Do you see a spark between us? What’s that even mean? How does a spark form? Is it really so easy as just… meeting a cat and knowing they’re the right one for you?”
Fawn Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must FIGHT just to keep them ALIVE |
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Post by Fawn on Nov 13, 2017 12:05:20 GMT -5
58 Moons, Warrior of TreeClan Of course there is, said Finchpaw without hesitation. Zephyrfang withheld a snort. Spoken like a young tom in love. His kit deserved his honesty, however, and Zephyrfang chose to sit opposite the fluffy ginger tom (more adult than kitten, nowadays) and bestow a few more gems of fatherly wisdom.
If he had any.
"Ask around, Finchpaw. Sprucefur's been padding after Feathercloud for moons until she finally returned his feelings. Sometimes it takes a while." Zephyrfang shrugged his tawny shoulders. "But if you have to bend over backwards to get someone to like you, doesn't seem worth it to me." There was a quiet stretch of seconds where the striped tom considered Finchpaw's best course of action.
Getting his thoughts out was a lot like wadding up a ball of moss and trying to push it up hill. This wasn't a conversation he ever expected to have - just like he couldn't envision himself pushing mossballs uphill. Zephyrfang tapped his tail to the ground. "Can't tell you how a spark forms, just that it does. It's something that happens - like when the leaves change colors, or the air gets warmer. Can't pick when it happens, but you'll recognize it when it does."
Golden eyes found Finchpaw's. "And if Amberwing's meant to be with you, then she'll feel it too. Don't force it, Finchpaw. And don't change who you are." If Amberwing couldn't see his son for who he was, and his good qualities, then that was her loss. Someone else was meant for him.
In a conspiratorial moment, Zephyrfang leaned in with a mischievous grin. "Don't tell your mother. But you don't have to look only in TreeClan. A loner or neighbor might be the one you get a spark with." Was that a disloyal thing to say? Zephyrfang didn't care. Love was more important than borders. Than stupid Clan rules.
305 Words Taxx Notes: Questionable advice is questionable. |
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