[Deleted]

Sootpaw

What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?

_{Vincent Van Gogh}

✣StoneClan, 8 Moons, She-Cat

Sootpaw lashed her tail in anger and frustration. Again, Petalrain was off with another cat and not training her. Kestrelpaw had gone on a trip with his mentor, all the other apprentices were out doing apprentice things... and here Sootpaw was, in the apprentice's den, alone, doing absolutely nothing. She couldn't even go out to hunt without a warrior accompanying her, as per Hawkstar's instruction. Sootpaw felt, genuinely, that being Petalrain's apprentice was only going to hold her back in the long run. That Kestrelpaw and Meadowpaw... even Viperpaw would be a warrior long before she had the chance to be.

She stood, anger pulsing through her. She needed to do something about her mentor's lack of attention, but she had no idea what. She had tried to talk to her about it, but hadn't been able to find her. She had tried to make things better, tried to make Petalrain realise that her responsibilities extended further than just her and her (many) mates. But nothing came of it. Nothing came of any of it. Sootpaw was at the end of her tether.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration came to her. Silverglade, the deputy, was out with Kestrelpaw, but Hawkstar was around. He was always listening to the woes of other StoneClan cats - why would he make an exception and not listen to her? Sure, she was only an apprentice, but she had just as much of a place in this Clan as the tiniest kit, or the oldest elder. She began to pace, making her mind up while she did so, then she slowly walked out of the apprentice's den and over to Hawkstar's.

"Hawkstar, are you available? I'd like to talk to you, if I may."

Patiently, she waited to be allowed access to the den so she could share her concerns with the Leader.

332 ; BlooRey DVD

[BlooRey DVD]

Hawkstar

may your dreams be larger than mountains

The mountainous StoneClan leader had been curled in his nest, enjoying a moment of relaxation as the sun reached it's highest peak in the sky. The lull in Clan activity at this time made it a perfect opportunity to just... Be. Unfortunately for him, Frozenrain was occupied at the moment, although he would have preferred for her to have been resting. His tail tip twitched as he thought about the news she'd shared with him a pawful of sunrises ago. Of course, thinking back on the news of kits also left him thinking about the situation concerning their eldest daughter.

Frowning, the sandy brown tabby flicked an ear. It hadn't exactly gone fantastically. Herondive had been upset, as was to be expected. That didn't make her reaction any easier to witness. Before he could ponder the events further, a sound near the entrance of his den peeked his attention. Glancing toward the opening, waiting to see if Frozenrain would duck back inside, he was surprised when an uncharacteristically young voice called into the depths of his den. His tail tip curled in intrigue, the big tom pulling himself to a sit as he quietly cleared his throat.

"Of course, Sootpaw." He rumbled back, inviting her inside. Waiting until the young she-cat found her way toward him, Hawkstar considered her a moment before offering a warm smile. "Please, have a seat." He told her, his paling muzzle tilting toward the space before him. Once certain she was comfortable, Hawkstar settled his weight firmly on his hind legs and met her gaze. Despite her youth, he did his best to consider her like any other warrior until she warranted kit-like treatment. His strong gaze unwavering, yet kind, he flicked his ear and invited her to speak.

"What is on your mind today, Sootpaw?"

leader of stoneclan

and may you have the courage
to scale their summits

background image | harley king | @calico | table by phoenix

Note: 90 moons

[Deleted]

Sootpaw

What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?

_{Vincent Van Gogh}

✣StoneClan, 8 Moons, She-Cat

Up close... Hawkstar was enormous. Sootpaw almost bolted with her tail between her legs, back to her mother. Though she wasn't a kit anymore, Kestrelpaw was on a trip, and so it was her mother who she went to for unquestioning support and a good friend when she needed it. Looking up at him again, seeing past his large size, she saw only concern in his eyes. Concern and... amusement? I suppose this situation could be viewed as amusing. Rank aside, we're both cats. Though he's a lot bigger and a lot older than me, and probably a lot scarier when he gets mad. But he has kin, he knows what it's like to be young.


"I... I wish to ask for a change of mentor. Though Petalrain would never tell you - or me - this herself, I think... I think she doesn't like me for some reason. I haven't done anything to her, so I don't understand it... I mean Meadowpaw I can understand, I can understand her dislike for me, I'm friends with her brother, but Petalrain... it just seems like she doesn't like spending any time with me. And...And...I'm worried about Fallenleaf, Hawkstar... She's getting worse, and she's in there all on her own... Could I...if it's not too much trouble... could I maybe stay with her for a little bit? It's not like I'll be missing out on any training with Petalrain."


Sootpaw didn't want to get her mentor into outright trouble, but she needed Hawkstar to understand that she wasn't impressed with the she-cat's behaviour. Suddenly aware that she had blurted all her innermost feelings onto the most important cat in the Clan, the one with far more to do than listen to her wailing like an upset kit, she stared at her paws, embarrassed. 

324, BlooRey DVD , Muse, Notes✣

[BlooRey DVD]

Hawkstar

may your dreams be larger than mountains

Hawkstar’s pale amber eyes blinked twice in surprise at her opening statement. Admittedly, the big tom had taken a chance assigning her training to Petalrain. He knew of the she-cat’s reputation, yet… He had hoped that an apprentice would focus her on something other than toms. Unfortunately, it seemed to have failed, and was impacting young Sootpaw’s life. Sootpaw’s deduction concerning Petalrain’s dislike for her had him listing his head fractionally, although he continued to listen patiently. A brown ear flicked at the mention of his niece, Meadowpaw, but again he remained silent.

By the end of Sootpaw’s outburst, the mountainous tom’s gaze softened once more. Truth be told, he understood the young apprentice’s feelings toward Fallenleaf; his were not unlike Sootpaw’s. Noting the apprentice’s embarrassed body language, Hawkstar rose slowly to his large paws. Padding closer so that he could sit beside her, the sand-brown tom lay his tail on her back lightly. “So many concerns weighing on your shoulders, hm Sootpaw?” He rumbled softly, kindness evident in his voice. Lifting his muzzle to the ceiling of the den, the large tom seemed to stare at nothing for a moment, sympathetic understanding flickering over his features.

“I worry about Fallenleaf too, you know.” He told her gently. “She has been a friend of mine now for many, many moons, and you are right, she’s aging. But you know what else? She has lived an extraordinarily long life, one I’m certain she’d love to share with you if you asked. I pray that StarClan doesn’t take her too soon, but in my heart? I believe she is at peace with the future to come. It is good to see others care for her too, though.” He continued with a smile. "As for your request concerning Fallenleaf, so long as she doesn’t mind, you have my permission to stay with her in the elder’s den.”

He doubted Fallenleaf would have any qualms with the arrangement, but he always found it best to ask. Tail tip tapping her shoulder thoughtfully, the StoneClan figurehead continued. “Meadowpaw… Give her time, alright? Family is extremely important to her, and I’m certain she is simply worried about ‘losing’ Kestrelpaw, so to speak. Sharing family members can be difficult to some.” He laughed knowingly, recalling how difficult it had been to convince himself to leave his den when Herondive and Vipertail had been young. “Now… I suppose that leaves us with Petalrain, hm?” Frowning thoughtfully, he glanced at the apprentice at his side.

“We’ll give her a pawful more days, alright? I had hoped this would be a learning experience for the both of you, but that can only work if both of you wish to learn. I will talk to two warriors, Hawkfall and Honeynose. In the meantime, if you find yourself with nothing to do, approach one of them. I’ll make sure they know to take you out for some training. If Petalrain continues to be an issue, I’ll have your training transferred to one of those two. How does that sound?” He asked her warmly.

leader of stoneclan

and may you have the courage
to scale their summits

background image | harley king | @calico | table by phoenix

Note: 90 moons

[Deleted]

Sootpaw

What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?

_{Vincent Van Gogh}

✣StoneClan, 8 Moons, She-Cat

Sootpaw was shocked when Hawkstar sat next to her. The difference in size was alarming to her. Would she ever be that big? Would Kestrelpaw? Sootpaw reflected for a moment. Her mother was small, as was her father... She may yet grow to surprise them all. 

She wrinkled her nose in consternation, but her ears perked up to Hawkstar's reply: "If Fallenleaf doesn't mind, you have my permission to stay with her in her den."

"Thank you Hawkstar! I'll go tell her right now!."

As Sootpaw bounded out of the Leader's den it felt like a large weight had been taken off her shoulders. She had told him everything that was worrying her and he hadn't called her a mousebrain... instead he listened to her, and even had come up with a response, a resolution of sorts.

Her mind clearer than it had been for a while, she sprinted the whole way to Fallenleaf's den. 

180// BlooRey DVD ✣