| "Monster is a relative term. To a canary, a cat is a monster. We're just used to being the cat." |
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Staff
GorgeClan Leader
MistClan Medicine Cat
INVENTORY
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Post by Abyss on Nov 27, 2019 21:15:33 GMT -5
TELL ME BABY, WHAT'S YOUR STORY?
It was strange how things you typically found enjoyment in could become so mundane. Taking a walk along a forest trail, but becoming used to the same sights over and over. Adventuring around the territory, but finding nothing you hadn’t seen or smelled before. Meeting with a clanmate, but having the same conversation each time.
A quiet sigh escaped the jaws of the torbie she-cat as she walked along the Branch Trail, lost in thought. She enjoyed being alone. Being alone allowed her to focus on what was more important and think about anything new that had happened recently. It allowed her to have time in silence, the voices of her rambunctious clanmates not filling her ears. Yet...these times were starting to become somewhat boring. There had been a few times previous to now when she came out into the territory with company. She had a hunting partner in a particularly large white tom who hated mud. She also had another hunting partner in the form of another large and fluffy tom with a hatred of mud. Only the second partner had required her to become a hero, clawing away at the mud and the tree roots that had trapped him. Those hadn’t been quite as boring.
Surely she wasn’t starting to desire the company of others during her time away from camp? She had always been a loner, distant from her clan. How many times had her clanmates believed that she would just up and leave the clan? How many times had her loyalty to her family and clan been questioned? How many times had she purposely waited at the entrance of camp to see if someone would join her, only to find cats giving her side-glanced looks before walking away? It was no wonder she had become an outcast. She had gotten used to the idea of this over time. But...was that starting to wear off?
Crack.
Maybe her mother had been right. Perhaps she should attempt to interact with her clanmates more.
Crack.
Would anybody even want to interact with her, though? She had already given most of the clan the impression that she preferred to be alone.
Crack.
Why was she even thinking of these things? She was always alone. She enjoyed having her time away from the clan. She didn’t need to change-
Crack!
Amber-brown eyes widened, ears perked, and paws froze. Her gaze darted around her, a very rare moment of panic setting in. At the sound of branches and autumn-leaves shaking violently above her, her head lifted, unable to move or comprehend what was happening as a large shadow fell towards her.
WHERE YOU COME FROM AND WHERE YOU WANNA GO THIS TIME?
WARRIORESS OF NIGHTCLAN |
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| I will not be like a bird bred in a cage, I thought, too dull to fly even when the door stands open. |
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INVENTORY
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Post by Ginger on Nov 28, 2019 14:35:59 GMT -5
It had been a nice evening to walk around and inspect the natural world around him. The trees had been enveloped by an interesting moss. Still recovering from the flood, the roots of many of NightClan's trees were exposed to the air. It was incredibly unsafe to lose such a strong foundation. Even the strongest trees could come crashing down if their roots were wrested from the ground.
The sound of a light gait caught Privetshade's attention, causing the black tabby tom to turn his head towards the noise. A leaf crunched under another one of the steps. Intrigued to see who else was out alone, Privetshade made his way over to the sound of the walking. The closer he got, the more intrigue filled his entire body, propelling him forward every step.
And then he saw her.
Brindlemask, NightClan's silent and strong beauty. Someone he felt a great deal of respect for, yet also somewhat feared. She was so capable, so incredible, and he was just...well, just Privetshade. Considered one of the dorkiest cats in the clan. A below-average fighter, a mediocre hunter, and always considered a weak link.
His eyes lingered on her body, but they instead flicked to the tree above her at the sound of a large crack. A branch was dislodging!
"B-Br-Brindlem-ma-mask," he called quietly. It wasn't enough. She didn't hear him or the branch. He had to do something.
The sound of another crack pushed Privetshade away from his place, barreling full speed towards Brindlemask. "W-watch out!"
The scrawny tom tackled Brindlemask out of the way of the large falling branch just in time, feeling it slam right behind him, the wood ever-so-slightly touching the tip of his tail.
The two cats tumbled in one form. Once they slowed down to a stop, Privetshade breathed a sigh of relief.
Until he realized he was on top of Brindlemask, looking down at her amber-brown eyes. They sure were beautiful. Privetshade blushed, realizing where his thoughts were going. "I-uh.. I'm s-sorry," he stuttered as he quickly rolled off of her, looking to see if she had been hurt. "Are you al-alright?"
356 words Abyss |
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| "Monster is a relative term. To a canary, a cat is a monster. We're just used to being the cat." |
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Staff
GorgeClan Leader
MistClan Medicine Cat
INVENTORY
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Post by Abyss on Nov 28, 2019 21:22:35 GMT -5
TELL ME BABY, WHAT'S YOUR STORY?
There was a moment. A mere second. Where time seemed to freeze. Looking above her, watching as a large shadow smacked against the branches of the surrounding trees and made its way towards her, her mind went blank. Some cats, in the face of death, lifted their chin high and faced it. Some cats would panic. Some cats would have flashbacks, remembering happy memories that they had experienced in the course of their lifespan. These were common thoughts, she presumed. Yet...she thought none of them.
Seeing the large branch coming down towards her, large enough to likely crush her, her mind went empty. In her moment of stillness, only one thought crossed her mind. How did I not notice that?
Suddenly, there was a voice. For a split second she thought it had only been in her head. Perhaps a dead relative calling her to join them. But the voice had come from outside of her head. Her head had only lowered slightly, her gaze only just landing on the source of the voice, before she felt her whole body be thrown backwards.
Once again, time froze. Her eyes closed and her ears listened, hearing a loud crash echo from where she had just stood. She felt a sharp gust of air zip passed her, ruffling her multi-colored coat and flicking her tail to the side. There was silence, or at least partial silence. She could hear breathing that surprisingly wasn't her own.
Upon opening her eyes, she found herself turned over on her back, another cat with a familiar face hovering on top of her. Names rattled around in her head, searching for the name that matched this face. She knew him, or knew of him, at least. He was one of the younger Warriors of Nightclan. A tom with a dark pelt, of which was accented with white markings and slightly darker stripes, and green eyes. She merely watched as his face shifted from that of relief, to surprise, and finally into shock. He spoke, but only briefly, and it was the sound of his voice that caused a name to click in her head. Privetshade.
The words that he muttered, as well as stuttered, was a short apology, before he got off of her. She found no reason for him to apologize, but she didn't think on it too much. Her body rolled to the side, her legs stuck out in front of her and her tail sliding across the ground to return close to her body. Her gaze glanced over herself, almost feeling the need to check herself for injuries despite not having been crushed by the tree. Hearing the tom's voice speak once more, asking if she was alright, her gaze turned to that of her savior.
For a few moments, she didn't answer. She considered what had happened in her mind, a sense of curiosity going through her head. He must have been wandering by and saw the branch falling. He had tackled her out of the way, since her body didn't feel the urge to move out of the way itself. For just a minute, she questioned why he did so. She didn't know him very well, and the chance of him knowing her well was doubtful. Perhaps it was just because she was a clanmate. Regardless, she wasn't as arrogant as some of their fellow clanmates within Nightclan. She had at least some sense of manners.
"Yes." Amber-brown eyes blinked once or twice, her tail curling upwards behind her and the tiniest of smiles forming at the edges of her jaws. "Thank you, Privetshade." She wasn't normally a cat who smiled, and even now wasn't an exception. If it weren't for the talks she had been having with her mother recently, she likely wouldn't have smiled at all. 'Be more friendly to your clanmates' she says. 'Make yourself look happier and approachable and you'll make friends' she says. The smile was very small, perhaps hardly noticeable, but she allowed it to form to show that she was grateful.
WHERE YOU COME FROM AND WHERE YOU WANNA GO THIS TIME?
WARRIORESS OF NIGHTCLAN |
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| I will not be like a bird bred in a cage, I thought, too dull to fly even when the door stands open. |
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INVENTORY
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Post by Ginger on Dec 16, 2019 20:02:34 GMT -5
To Privetshade’s utmost surprise, Brindlemask flashed him the slightest of smiles. He knew this was uncharacteristic of her. Often, the young warrior had found himself watching the she-cat, intrigued by every movement, every characteristic. His motivations were pure and simple: she was just so unusual that Privetshade couldn’t help but be drawn to her. He too had always been considered an odd bird, so he felt a strange connection to this drawn-back warrior. “Your smile… it’s b-beautif-ful.”
Oh no. That was sudden. Very sudden. He needed to say something else to distract her from what he had just blurted out.
“D-did you know t-trees can be d-d-dead for a long ti-time before they f-fa-fall?” he asked, an awkward laugh following his fact. Probably not something that Brindlemask wanted to hear since she had nearly been obliterated by one. But it hopefully would keep her thoughts away from his first comment.
“H-how about I w-walk w-w-with you ba-back to camp?” Another bold statement. What was happening? This was very uncommon for Privetshade, a cat who was incredibly well-versed in just about everything except social interactions.
187 words Abyss |
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| "Monster is a relative term. To a canary, a cat is a monster. We're just used to being the cat." |
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Staff
GorgeClan Leader
MistClan Medicine Cat
INVENTORY
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Post by Abyss on Dec 18, 2019 22:26:13 GMT -5
TELL ME BABY, WHAT'S YOUR STORY?
A flash of surprise crossed the tom’s face, causing a slight confusion to grow further in her mind. He seemed frozen momentarily, causing her to wonder if the tree branch had in fact hit him in the fall. And when he spoke, his words only confused her further.
“Your smile… it’s b-beautif-ful.”
The torbie’s head slightly tilted and one brow raised. What? She hadn’t even really smiled? Or at least it was hardly enough of one to be called one. Then, in a stuttering burst, the tom randomly blurted out a fact about trees being dead before they fall. Amber-brown eyes blinked a few times, facial expression not changing from that of its confused state.
Perhaps he really did get a branch to the head.
Finally, he said something normal. Though he was still stuttering, he offered to walk her back to camp. Truthfully, it seemed like it was she who should be walking him back to make sure he was alright. But he still offered, so she went with it.
Confusion finally leaving her face and that tiny smile long gone, she twisted her body and got to her feet, tail sweeping bits of fallen tree bark off of her side. Her eyes then turned to that of the large tree branch that laid only a cat-length away from them. Looking at it now, it wasn’t big enough that it would have completely crushed her whole body. But it still could have done some damage, considering it would have landed right on her head and back.
She glanced briefly to Privetshade before turning, quiet paws making their way around the branch and back towards camp. Despite the shiver that ran down her spine due to the ever-growing coldness of Leaf-fall, the sun still managed to find its way through the trees, splattered patterns of sunlight marking the ground between the trees of the trail. The patterns of the light danced across her dark pelt, highlighting the lighter oranges and tans that weaved through the many shades of black and brown. Her longer-furred tail lightly went across the ground behind her, curling to one side for a few moments before curling to the other side.
As per usual when she walked the territory with company, she did somewhat forget that she was currently with Privetshade, the only reminder of his presence being the footsteps that she occasionally picked up through her own thoughts. Thankfully, the thoughts that had been crossing her mind previous to the tree incident didn’t seem to be coming back. She could only hope it would stay that way.
WHERE YOU COME FROM AND WHERE YOU WANNA GO THIS TIME?
WARRIORESS OF NIGHTCLAN |
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| I will not be like a bird bred in a cage, I thought, too dull to fly even when the door stands open. |
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INVENTORY
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Post by Ginger on Jan 18, 2020 20:46:57 GMT -5
Brindlemask was quick to start walking back to the camp. As she turned and padded off, Privetshade stumbled along beside her.
Wow, you're making a great impression.
The black tom stayed just a few paces behind Brindlemask, observing her movements at first. She seemed to be part of the earth that she was moving over. The way the rays hit her as she moved seemed to make the orange pattern cascade all about her, an intricate dance of fire and shadow.
As he watched her, Privetshade noticed a shiver make its way down Brindlemask's slender spine. Realizing how chilly it was, Privetshade suddenly became aware of how cold he was as well.
"B-body heat is the b-b-best way t-to w-warm up." He made his way to her side now, only about a paw's length away from her. His words were an offer, an invitation. Privetshade knew that Brindlemask was a rather aloof she-cat, and he had no desire to push too many boundaries.
Would she take the offer? Privetshade had no idea. But it was worth a shot.
178 words Abyss |
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| "Monster is a relative term. To a canary, a cat is a monster. We're just used to being the cat." |
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Staff
GorgeClan Leader
MistClan Medicine Cat
INVENTORY
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Post by Abyss on Feb 1, 2020 21:41:07 GMT -5
TELL ME BABY, WHAT'S YOUR STORY?
As many of those in Nightclan knew, this particular she-cat was never one who indulged in physical intimacies. The only cat that she was ever seen interacting in this manner with was her mother. It wasn’t necessarily that she didn’t enjoy such contact; it was in fact the complete opposite. She did enjoy feeling the soft warmth of another cat, especially when the weather began to grow colder with the seasons. It was more so that, over time, physical contact with cats other than her mother were different. She knew what was to be expected when she interacted with her mom. But she didn’t know what was to come from others, considering some cats were a lot more affectionate than the rest. Of course, in Nightclan there weren’t too many of those.
But Privetshade was one of those wild cards. A cat that you weren’t truly sure about unless you had spent a lot of time around him. He seemed like one of the more calm-natured cats of the clan, and less aggressive as well.
The torbie was unsure of what to think of the tom’s offer as he came up to pace with her. Her gaze shifted slightly, peering at him from the corner of her eye as she walked. She couldn’t quite read what it was that he was thinking based on his expression alone. She did find his statement rather strange, considering the two of them had never really spoken to one another.
But another chill finding its way down her back reminded her that these things didn’t really matter. Leaf-fall was in full swing, and with it came coldness. His statement was true in that the heat of another cat was often the best way to keep warm during these times. Though she was slightly hesitant, her head put a decision in her mind. After a few moments of contemplation, the she-cat took a small step sideways, medium-length fur brushing against Privetshade’s. She wasn’t quite against him, but she did feel his warmth.
WHERE YOU COME FROM AND WHERE YOU WANNA GO THIS TIME?
WARRIORESS OF NIGHTCLAN |
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| I will not be like a bird bred in a cage, I thought, too dull to fly even when the door stands open. |
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INVENTORY
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Post by Ginger on Feb 17, 2020 18:43:01 GMT -5
Privetshade noticed Brindlemask's hesitation. He prepared himself for rejection. It was okay, it was something he was used to since he was always the runt of the litter. Literally. In every way possible.
But instead of an expected disappointment, Privetshade was instead met with an unexpected surprise as Brindlemask got closer to him. Her scent now was enveloping him. The black tom felt like he could get lost in it. That wouldn't be such a bad way to go.
He looked sideways at the elegant she-cat as she walked along beside him, watching her every move. As the breeze hit her whiskers, they would flick here and there. Her pelt was smooth, but there was no fooling anyone that tough muscles lay underneath it. She truly was a paradox, and Privetshade was fascinated by her everything.
The young warrior didn't even realize that his tail had moved over to Brindlemask's, brushing it softly. Once he realized what he had done, Privetshade's eyes widened. "S-sorry. I didn't m-m-mean to do t-th-that."
Unless he did. Only StarClan would ever know.
Whatever his intentions were, Privetshade could admit that he enjoyed it. He had never really been this close to a she-cat before, especially one like Brindlemask. And now, here they were, walking back to camp. Together. As in side-by-side. Privetshade could only imagine the questioning eyes that would greet them as they walked back into camp, and he welcomed it. Someone might even think they were courting.
"B-Brindlemask," he started. "Would y-you w-want to watch t-th-the sunset t-together s-s-sometime?" |
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| "Monster is a relative term. To a canary, a cat is a monster. We're just used to being the cat." |
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Staff
GorgeClan Leader
MistClan Medicine Cat
INVENTORY
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Post by Abyss on Feb 20, 2020 17:10:44 GMT -5
TELL ME BABY, WHAT'S YOUR STORY?
The quiet she-cat couldn’t deny that the feeling of another cat’s warm fur brushing against her own was comforting. It didn’t provide much protection from the effects of the cold weather, but it was still a pleasing notion. She still found herself wondering what exactly this offer had really been for, though. It was unusual for any of her clanmates to seek her close company, so perhaps Privetshade was merely being considerate. They didn't really know each other, after all. There wasn't any reason for him to yearn for her company, right?
Relatively fluffy ears twitched and rotated towards her companion as his voice filled them once more. A silently questioning expression crossed through amber-brown eyes, glancing at him from their corners. Hadn't meant to do what? It was only at this moment that she noticed a very light pressure against her long-furred tail that held a small amount of warmth, though it moved away just as she noticed it. Her tail was a little bit puffy and at times couldn't be felt when touching someone, so she could only assume that he had nudged her tail on accident. She merely blinked and gently nodded, gaze moving back ahead of her.
The two felines walked in silence for a brief amount of time, occasional cold breezes ruffling at their fur, before the tom of the pair spoke up once again.
The stuttered question that fell from his jaws caught the she-cat off-guard, her head slightly turning to gaze at him. The questioning look crossing her eyes once more, though held a hint of curiosity. She remained silent at first, mentally contemplating why it was that he was asking her this. On one paw, she still found it strange that the tom would actively seek to be in her company. But on another paw, they were cats of the night, inhabitants of the darkness, owners of a large and dark cave which they used as their home. The cats of Nightclan were used to awakening in darkness, spending their time at night, and ending their day as the sun began to rise over the mountains. It wasn't often that they really got the chance to watch the sun setting rather than rising.
She hadn't considered it before, but no cat could deny that the sunset was much more pleasing to the eye than the sunrise. Or at least in her eyes it was. She didn't often get to watch either one, so the thought of seeing the choice she favored wasn't too bad of a suggestion.
The inquisitive expression faded from her gaze, leaving a more so expressionless appearance. But there was something else there, something she didn't realize was there, but no doubt was. Could it be that the small amount of emotion that could be seen in those amber-brown orbs was...excitement?
"I suppose that would be nice. I don't often see the sunset." Though her words didn't sound it, even her voice seemed to contain the slightest hint of excitement, which was unintentional on her part.
The rest of the short trek home was done so in silence, and as they approached the entrance to their camp, a pair of eyes looked to the pair curiously, but said nothing. The two Warriors made their way down the gradual decline of the tunnel and into the opening of the camp. As they came to a stop, the she-cat's gaze returned to her day's companion.
"Thank you, again, for helping me." She briefly nodded to the dark-furred tom in parting before turning. As she turned away to depart, her tail lightly trailed along the tom's side, stopping at his shoulder before it separated. This action had not been done on purpose, for she didn't feel it happen, but it didn't go unnoticed. A slightly mischievous grin met Brindlemask as she neared the Warriors den, her mother lightly nudging her shoulder before the torbie disappeared into the den. After nearly being crushed by a branch, the desire to sleep was strong.
WHERE YOU COME FROM AND WHERE YOU WANNA GO THIS TIME?
WARRIORESS OF NIGHTCLAN |
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