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Post by Hellion on Dec 9, 2018 1:58:47 GMT -5
All his memories of being a tribe cat had been made in their new home. Talk of their home before was just that, he lacked the longing that appeared in some of his tribemate's faces. He often saw his true father staring off toward the rising sun, face sullen. In those shared moments he'd press his head into his father's shoulder and remain silent. Unsure of how to ask him without making his father's sullen face worse. The last thing he wanted would be to upset his father.
He knew what his father had lost, everyone in the tribe did. They saw Branch as a widower, a tom who's mate died at the cruelest of times. Just when the tribe made it to their new home when hope was alive in all their hearts. It didn't seem to be enough for Sunshine.
While Stag had no memories of his mother beyond the faded idea of her, he longed to know more about her. However, he refused to bring her up within earshot of his father. He couldn't bear to risk him overhearing his questions. Stag was known to be a chatterbox, asking questions from sun up to sun down but no matter how badly he wanted to know about her, he couldn't find the right words.
Finally having a moment to himself, Stag wandered away from his tribemates and toward Skyteller's part of the cave. He had seen Skyteller head that way earlier in the day and felt it was a good time to get a few questions answered. Finding the courage within himself to meow a greeting, the growing to-be leered around the corner to try and catch a glimpse of their leader.
"Um..I wanted to talk to you..it's about my mom," He added awkwardly. Eyes falling to stare at the ground.
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Post by Taxx on Dec 30, 2018 11:50:08 GMT -5
Teller of the Mountain Sky Skyteller had been quietly sorting herbs, wondering if it was worth making another run to the small meadow to collect more- or if it was wiser to stretch these as far as they'd go and hope those in the meadow survived to when he needed them. Maybe he'd send a party to see how they were doing, and then base his decision on that. A couple cave-guards should do well enough?
The quiet voice broke into his concentration; he glanced over to see Stag and then straightened, arching his back to work out the kinks in it before beckoning the to-be further in. He wanted to talk about his mother? Considering Light was just out there and very much among the living, Skyteller felt certain it wasn't her Stag was referring to. Why not ask Light, though? the Healer wondered, and then brushed it aside. Stag would have his reasons, no need to pester him about them.
"What did you want to talk about?" he asked instead as he settled into a comfortable crouch. "You can ask me anything, and I'll answer as best as I can, I promise." Tribe of Forgotten Waters
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Post by Hellion on Jan 5, 2019 22:11:57 GMT -5
Feeling a sense of welcome with Skyteller's words, Stag entered further and felt the tension start to ease from his shoulders. He trusted the older cat, had faith in his words and wisdom. Knew that Skyteller's connection to The Tribe of Endless Hunting was sacred and one he serectly wished to be privy to.
Sitting awkwardly to the side, his tail went to tuck over his paws but he felt it too formal a pose and quickly shifted it away only to put it back again. Clearly anxious, Stag let slip a sigh before a torrent of words escaped him.
"I know that my real mom Sunshine between Tree Leaves, died right after I was born. I'm glad that Light was able to take me in but I can't explain this feeling," He blurted everything out so quickly it would be to his surprise if Skyteller caught all of it.
Drawing in a breath, Stag willed his heart to stop pounding and for his tail to stop twitching. The outburst before helped him sort out his thoughts and allowed him to deliver them, this time slower and more clearly.
"I can't talk to my dad about her because it makes him sad...but you must have known her...was she nice? Was she excited to have me? Or scare for the journey?" He asked, the questions he held back for moons now laid out on the cave floor between them. His gaze shifting upward to look at Skyteller, seeking answers that only he had.
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Post by Taxx on Feb 2, 2019 13:22:25 GMT -5
Teller of the Mountain Sky Stag fidgeted, looking uneasy as he settled; Skyteller waited, gaze steady but soft, for the young tom to gather his thoughts enough to speak. The rush of words caught him off guard, and it took him a minute to sort them out, not quite sure how to begin to calm Stag- if he wanted to talk about his mother, though, Skyteller was more than willing to humor him. Oh, yes, he knew Sunshine. Her name had been quite fitting- she'd been warm, bright, and sociable; losing her had been hard for many of the Tribe, especially when they'd been so close to their new home.
He felt bad for Branch; the tom had been torn by his mate's death, and Skyteller knew no cure for heartbreak but time. He had hoped Stag's life would help, but he hardly saw the two interacting; he hadn't seen Branch show much interest in his son at all.
"She was a good cat," Skyteller replied, dipping his head. "She made friends easily, and she worked hard to keep her Tribemates safe on the journey. She found out she was expecting just a moon after we had left our old home, and she insisted on keeping you; but she refused to lessen her duties. It was a dangerous time, and we had so few members... she put the well-being of the Tribe above her own, and we all share the blame in not taking a stronger stand. If we had known..."
His eyes fell to the stone floor, a deep sigh escaping him. "The journey was too much- too hard. She gave us you, but there was nothing our previous Healer could do to keep her. She only lived long enough to name you, and then she gave her spirit to the Tribe of Endless Hunting." Light, who had also been expecting throughout the journey, had taken the motherless kit in among her own, and they had all been settled in among the new cave they'd found. Tribe of Forgotten Waters
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Post by Hellion on Mar 14, 2019 0:33:10 GMT -5
Tension left his shoulder the moment Skyteller said that she was a good cat. A wave of relief washed over him. There was an unspoken comfort that settled in his chest. Like he was on the path to finding a part of him that was missing.
Clearly hanging on every word spoken about his mother, Stag created a picture of her in his head. He imagined her shorter than his dad but strong-willed. Determined about her duties like he was with his curiosity. He wanted to embrace his created idea that he was like her. Strange as it was he found solace in creating her like him, perhaps putting meaning to why his and Branche's relationship as strained.
Not that Stag was fully away of that, his attention was on every phrase about his mother that was being said to him. Then it became sad. The story of her death being told to him stopped his creation of her in his head. It came to such a sudden halt that he felt grief for the loss of it.
No matter how enriched the idea of her in his head became, it would never compare to memories that others had. Memories he'd only have jealousy for.
"Thank you, it means a lot to me to get to learn about her," The words came out pained, the emotions difficult to calm. His eyes welled, he forced himself to look down to avoid meeting Skyteller's gaze.
Silence filled the space but it didn't last long before Stag lost what little control he had and burst forth with emotions almost too strong for such a young tom.
"Why did they take her from me! He shouted, directing his question equally to Skyteller and to whatever spirits listened to him. "Why her? She was my mom I needed her..I still need her," He added, choking back a sob. All strength left the broadly built tom, he let his legs fold and slouched in his spot. "It's not fair," He added weakly, staring at his paws.
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Post by Taxx on Apr 11, 2019 19:53:07 GMT -5
Teller of the Mountain Sky It was a telling that had a good side and a sad side, and though he tried to soften the blow Skyteller did not refrain from speaking about it. Stag deserved to know, and he wasn't a kit to be protected or coddled from the truth. He gave a single nod as Stag voiced his gratitude, reaching his tail around to brush the tip against the to-be's shoulder.
The sudden rage was unexpected, and yet Skyteller understood it. It was part of grief, after all. Sadness and pain weren't all those left behind felt- anger was just as common. "I don't know, Stag," the ginger tom replied. Comfort would be nice, but honestly and directness were too. "If I did... I would tell you. I am sorry it happened to you and Branch, I truly am. Losing a loved one is not supposed to be easy, but..."
A sudden break in the clouds sent a thin beam of light into the open hole in the roof of the cave, falling directly onto Stag's brown pelt, and Skyteller lifted his gaze. Only briefly did the beam remain, but it was enough. When the clouds blocked it once more, Skyteller gazed back at Stag. "Our kin never leave us- not our thoughts, or our hearts, and they never forget us. It hurts that she is not here, trust me I understand, but she is with you. She always, always, will be. I know that for certain." Tribe of Forgotten Waters
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Post by Hellion on May 8, 2019 0:14:40 GMT -5
His fur felt too tight, his throat suddenly raw from his outburst. A thin covering of guilt masked his rage. It wasn't Skyteller's fault that she had died. It was no one's fault, things happened but no matter how often he told himself that, he found it impossbile to let go. Jealousy had crawled into his heart, planting deep roots, growing stronger each time he saw his adoptive siblings with his adoptive mother.
At first, he didn't feel it. It hadn't been until recently, when he wanted to talk to someone about Cinderpaw. His father rarely had time for him, Light wasn't really his mom, she wouldn't understand what he had to say. He had this fantasy his mother would just say everything would be okay, offer some advice, lick his cheek and move on. She wouldn't pester or prod, she'd accept him. Alas he'd never know.
Accepting Skyteller's attempt at offering comforting words, he nodded along. It wouldn't be fair to try and make Skyteller feel bad not that he'd ever want that. Opening his mouth to excuse himself, he felt the warmth of the sunbeam on his pelt.
Looking up, his eyes were forced shut but his face didn't crinkle. He basked in the light, finding a rare moment of comfort in the warmth. When it left he didn't feel loss, the heat of the sun had sunk into his fur. He knew it would fade, as all things did but for the time being he'd be warm.
Skyteller's words had his full attention, ears shifting, head turning and eyes slowly opening. He gave a smile, small in comparison to his typical one but it was there. "Thank you, Skyteller, it means a lot that you listened to me and I'm sorry for shouting," His voice had returned, a little tender. "I should be going, Green wanted me to work on my footing with the mountain path," It was a lie, one he felt bad for making, but he couldn't fathom another way to excuse himself and explain his absence. He wanted to get away even if it was only for a few hours. Stag didn't wait for Skyteller's dismissal but go up and left on his own. The warmth still on his pelt, but the longing for his mother stole it away.
[Fin?]
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