[Ghost the Undead Goddess]

Owlmind

LightningClan || 63 Moons || Senior Warrior

Not only was it still cold within the valley, but now with the beginning of Newleaf, rain was starting to sprinkle down from the clouds that hung low and heavy within the pale sky. Snow still blanketed the ground, though melting as warmth tried to flood back into the clans with the changing of the seasons, Greenleaf just around the corner.

A gray ear flicked a chilly droplet of water once it landed upon the thin appendage, the senior warrior almost regretting leaving her warm nest only moments ago to lead a Dawn Patrol, the sun just barely peaking over the wall of mountains outside of LIghtningclan’s territory. The thin pelted feline was ready for the change in weather, as she hated the cold, but being wet and cold wasn’t any better.

She ignored the faint ache of pain within her shoulder, the old injury rather annoying during rain or snow.

Sure-footed steps led the scrawny and lanky she-cat towards the Elder’s Den, a familiar rush of grief passing through her heart at the thought of her passed mentor, Russetfall. The old tom hadn’t made it to the beginning of Newleaf and his passing left not only a gap within Lightningclan but also a tear within the hearts of the cats who were close to him.

Pulling her mind from the fog of her emotions that almost caused her to faulter within her step, Owlmind shook her head before dipping inside the warm den, wide amber pools adjusting before landing upon the two elders, comfortably within their warm nests. Both were technically warrior age, but injuries took them down a different journey within their lives when it came to the clan.

Ever watchful gaze passing over the gentle rise and fall of Blazefang’s chest to where the brown and white form of Quailfoot was starting to stir. The strategic she-cat gave a polite dip of her head in respect towards the tom before dropping her jaw to speak, “Good morning Quailfoot, how would you feel about Dawn Patrol?”

Both elders had unique situations, and Blazefang had even been allowed to train an apprentice despite being retired from Warrior duties. Owlmind was aware of Quailfoot’s as well, after not only falling ill with problems within his lungs, he also experienced the aftermath of the smoke from the fire that had scorched over the beautiful moors of Lightningclan.

It was unfortunate that the effects from moons past still lingered within the young elder’s chest, but Firestar had given the white and brown tabby the choice to do as much as he felt he was able to do without over exerting himself. With the slight warm change within the weather Owlmind figured he’d perhaps enjoy a morning out without the chill stealing the breath from his chest.

There wasn’t a large different within the age gap of the two senior Lightningclanners, Owlmind only a few moons older. She had been young when Quailfoot had been adopted into the clan after being rescued from the jaws of a hungry fox, and had always been rather impressed by his dedication despite having grown up as a loner far outside the reaches of the valley.

Flickering her long tail, the gray warrioress turned to exit the warm den, not exactly thrilled to return to the wet morning that awaited her. The strategic feline took her duties as Senior Warrior very serious however, and no matter the weather or condition, she would perform the duties needed of her. Patrols happened to be her favorite, keeping an eye among the borders and looking for anything that could aid her clan if needed.

Turning her head, glancing over her shoulder, Owlmind let her near emotionless amber pools find Quailfoot once more, her voice rasping from within her throat as she spoke again, faint humor within her tone. “Hope you enjoy a damp pelt.” Whiskers wriggling in light amusement, the gray feline gave another flicker from her tail before her thin form slipped back out into the clearing of the clan’s camp and towards the entrance to the waiting moorlands. The slender form of Palescreech waiting for the gray she-cat, looking rather annoyed as the rain sprinkled down upon her.

Wisdom. Courage. Strategy.

718 Words || Taxx @zen (Blazefang) || Palescreech - NPC

[Taxx]

Curled tight in his nest in the elders' den, Quailfoot half-dozed. The chill didn't reach here, in the comfort of the earthen den, and it was the sound of fur brushing against the entrance that woke him, head lifting and green eyes focusing on Owlmind. She greeted him, but not until a yawn had passed could he speak, keeping his voice low to keep from waking Blazefang. "Good morning, Owlmind. I think I'd like that. Are we going far?" A valid question, considering that too much exertion tended to leave him wheezing- but surely not, if she had come to ask him.

He rose, stretched to loosen muscles made stiff by inactivity overnight, and sat again to groom his fur of grass. "Will Lightningpaw be joining us?" She was turning to leave and Quailfoot followed, pausing just for a moment before exiting the den and grimacing at the drizzle of rain. Still, he slipped through- it might not be pleasant, but at least it wasn't pouring rain, and it might clear up soon. Palescreech was waiting by the entrance; Quailfoot gave her a nod of greeting which she returned, and then both trailed after Owlmind as the gray she-cat exited the camp.
Ghost the Undead Goddess

[Ghost the Undead Goddess]

Owlmind

LightningClan || 63 Moons || Senior Warrior

Always thinking and re-thinking, examining and formulating, the strategic she-cat had already planned out the patrol to encompass the limitations of her clanmate. It was a small group of three, two warriors and Quailfoot, enough help in-case something were to befall the young elder, but not enough cats to draw significant attention.

The gray feline, while making her way towards where Palescreech was sitting, turned to look over her shoulder to give a reply to brown and white tom's questions. "Lightningpaw earned the morning off today." After the last three moons of working her tail off, making up for lost time spent in the nursery due to foolish kit ideas, Lightningpaw had really showed her dedication and abilites to the senior warrioress. Within the time of the next season change, the young she-cat should earn her warrior name, gifting Lightningclan with not only a fully trained cat but a fresh tunneler.

As for Quailfoot's other question...

Owlmind had thought that out too, as the gray feline took lead of the patrol, heading out onto the damp moorlands as rain continued to gentle splatter along her shoulders and back. The tension between Stoneclan and Lightninclan were still high, though it was doubtful it would ever lessen or subdue, and so that border had been decidedly off limits for such a laid back patrol. It would be distasteful should they run into an aggressive group from the opposing clan, leaving just Owlmind and Palescreech to keep Quailfoot safe.

The border against the mountain side was fairly questionable as well, and probably not the safest with the entrance into Newleaf. Predators and prey were coming alive both within the valley walls and the walls themselves, which of course left the cats open to things such as Demon.

"I was thinking the Treeclan border." Owlmind finally spoke within her raspy voice, still leading her two clanmates through the moorlands. Slushy like snow clumped around her paws and water droplets dripped from her whiskers, and the senior warrior could not have been more miserable if she tried. But she powered through it as all warriors tended to do when they were uncomfortable. The gray feline just wished she had more fur to fluff up and keep her warm, this short pelt as just not doing it and Greenleaf could come fast enough.

The border between them and Treeclan was safe... for the moment. With the agreement that Lionstar and Firestar had come up with, it left things fairly neutral. Until Firestar decided to take that strip of land back, which Owlmind was ready to come up with battle ideas and war plans for that future scuffle. Other than the fox that startled a couple apprentices at the end of Leafbare, everything was calm over there. It should be a fairly easy patrol for all three cats, as Owlmind glanced over her shoulder at where Quailfoot padded and Palescreech as she trailed behind the two, keeping her eyes and ears open for anything unusual.

Slowing her rather quick paced stroll, the long legged feline waited for the brown and white form of Quailfoot to catch up to her. That wide amber gaze of hers quickly rolled over his pelt and body, noting that he seemed to be keeping up well and his breathing was staying steady for the moment. "How are you feeling?" She asked in a more quiet tone, the question double layered in meaning. Of course she was worried and curious about his welfare concerning his health, but she was also his clanmate and therefore she was asking a general question of how he was doing.

Wisdom. Courage. Strategy.

609 words || Taxx @zen (Lightningpaw Mentions) || NPC - Palescreech

[Taxx]

Ah, so just the three of them. It would be a quiet walk then; Lightningpaw was as keen an apprentice as any he'd known in his time as a LightningClan cat and she was rarely ever still for long. Owlmind certainly had her paws full with the active apprentice, but she seemed well suited for Lightningpaw's antics. A nod to show he'd heard was his only reply, and the three padded silently from the camp. The gentle rain dotted his brown tabby pelt as he strode along, damp grass stroking along his belly and sides. Palescreech took the rear and Owlmind the lead; the pace set was probably slower than usual, meant to accommodate the tom's condition, and he tried to smother the prick of guilt. It was well meant, but he couldn't help feeling like he was holding them back.

The TreeClan border. A fair walk- Quailfoot's tail swished and he lifted his chin. He could handle it, so long as no running was required. After all, it was just a check, and they had an alliance with TreeClan, so the risk of running into trouble with them, as opposed to trouble with StoneClan, was far less. And the air was pleasant- a bit cold, and the slush underpaw wasn't exactly pleasant, but he could make do. He wouldn't back down now- not unless he absolutely had to.

Ahead, Owlmind looked like she was slowing; ears perked, Quailfoot did too, but he saw nor smelled anything out of the ordinary, and the gray she-cat was looking at him, no trace of alarm in her stance. Padding to her side, his yellow eyes met the older warrior's just as she spoke, and he flicked his tail. "I feel fine," he assured. "I'll let you know if that changes. So, tell me, do you know what happened at the Gathering? I've heard bits of it, but not from anyone who actually went. Except for that fight Lynxpaw started, I've heard nothing certain."
Ghost the Undead Goddess

[Ghost the Undead Goddess]

Owlmind

LightningClan || 63 Moons || Senior Warrior

The gathering.

Owlmind hand't attended the most recent gathering, but she took up the night watching to keep an eye over her clan and await the return of the patrol who had gone. Redscar was there, due to the fact that he was the deputy, and he had informed her of what had transpired underneath the light of the full moon. Most of it wasn't necessarily important, though all information was welcomed for the gray feline. The intensity between Treeclan and Nightclan was probably the best piece of information, the extreame caution around Dewfrost, the medicine cat of Rainclan, was somewhat interesting but the show put on by one of Lightningclan's own apprentice was not very pleasing.

Lynxpaw.

The lanky feline couldn't help the slow breath of irritation flow through her nose for a moment as she remained composed despite her disappointed in the entire situation. "Lynxpaw has such potential. She's well gifted and will make a tremendous warrior one day... but her intensity is very powerful." Owlmind flicked her tail, she had always taken an interest in the young daughter of Firestar, her abilities not slipping past the senior warrior's watchful gaze.

"From what I understand she went after a mouthy Stoneclan apprentice." Owlmind continued, long tail flickering behind her as she continued to pad at Quailfoot's side. The event only a paw hold within the tension filled and hateful relationship between Stoneclan and Lightningclan, the neighbors fierce rivals.

The senior warrior awaited for the day for her to have the go ahead to plan the attack to take back Sun Stones, which rightfully belonged to the clan that lived among the open moorlands.

"Other than that, Redscar told me that tension is at an obvious high between Nightclan and Treeclan. We could possibly use that to our advantage when taking back the Open Woods." Another stripe of territory that oh, so obviously belonged to Lightningclan. Owlmind's statement was bold, especially since the trio of cats walked along the border of Treeclan, specifically in the territory marked as neutral.

"Greenleaf should be good to us. I expect new litters to aid our numbers, future apprentices and fresh warriors among our ranks." They had survived the harshness of Leafbare with only minimal loss, proving that once again that they, as Lightningclan, were a study lot that never gave up, no matter what was thrown at them. The gray she-cat's wide amber pools continued to scan the surrounding area before she turned to glance at the tom next to her.

Wisdom. Courage. Strategy.

426 Words || Taxx || 5 Posts!!

[Taxx]

That much was true. Quailfoot tried hard to not do anything to draw the apprentice's anger on him, especially after what he'd witnessed the confrontation between her and Blazefang. She had enough enthusiasm- and rage- for half the Clan, and though she seemed to be learning how to be a warrior well enough, he still worried for her. Not that he'd ever actually voice those worries. She was Firestar's kit, and he didn't want to cast doubt on the fact that she would be an asset to the Clan one day. Truth be told, however, he far preferred Tigerpaw, the quieter and much more laid-back medicine cat apprentice.

He tipped an ear forward when she explained what had happened. That was worrying, and he could understand now why Owlmind seemed irritated. He didn't really understand the concept of StarClan, but he knew that they were held in high regard and that most tried their best to live a life that would ensure their spirit went there upon death. He'd learned some of the omens, too- mostly by listening- and he was certain that the sky had stayed clear. Did that mean StarClan hadn't been angry? Well, even if they had been, Lynxpaw shouldn't have attacked anyone. Those meetings were meant to be peaceful.

"I hope time mellows her," he murmured, and pulled in a breath that he noticed was heavy with TreeClan scent. He looked to Owlmind to tell him where the new border was, and then glanced at the white she-cat as she padded past to inspect it and add the first mark. He purred. "As do I." He enjoyed meeting the new litters, watching them grow and explore the camp- and to those willing, he enjoyed playing with them. "Thank you for inviting me along," he added. "It may not be the best weather, but it's nice to get out of the camp now and then."
Ghost the Undead Goddess