Post by Hellion on Dec 15, 2019 14:51:24 GMT -5
FIRESKY
elder of lightningclan
Of all the things she hadn't done and words left unspoken. Firesky deeply regretted the treatment of her mother. The she-cat who gave her life had been left to die alone in the elder's den. If she had known in her youth what she knew now, Firesky would have changed it all. She would have visited her mother daily regardless of their fraught relationship.
Strange how age and loneliness can change a cat.
Emerging from the elder's den on such a bright and sunny day, Firesky felt renewed despite knowing leafbare's cold wind would shift storm clouds in their direction. The grey-calico she-cat did not look forward to the bitter cold moons of leafbare. The ache in her chest and bones pained her daily and it seemed no amount of poppyseed could offer relief. Soul-Deep exhaustion reminded her of how many moons she had seen.
Thankful her eyes still held their sharpness, Firesky made her way out of camp. Slow going as she was, Firesky found no reason to rush herself. Then came feeling she couldn't name which sat warmly on her shoulder. Instead of it pulling her down, making her hunch and drag her feet, it remained comforting. The warm embrace of a loved one, offering her enough strength to stay steady. Renewing her stride enough to dull the pain.
Firesky followed the well-worn path to the hillside near the camp. A quiet place she often visited and still found peaceful. It helped that the spot called to her lured her in with scents that woke old memories. She confessed her love to Russetfall not far from this spot, told him of their first litter of kits some moons after. Firesky even threatened and cursed at StarClan in the days after her daughter's death, so many memories both good and bad had been created nearby.
Climbing the crest of the hill, Fireksy settled to sit but not for long. Her heart urged her not to linger anywhere. An unseen whisper reminded her to keep moving, to soak up the beautiful daylight into her pelt. To allow the sun to renew her. To see the territory in all it's well-lit glory.
Firesky traversed the landmarks within the territory, remaining mindful of possible dangers. The confidence showed in her stride, aiding her in walking the grand bulk of the territory. Scents new and old floated across her nose, the ever-changing winds. Leafbare was upon them just as she had thought back in camp, with a content sort of sigh, Firesky knew she would not see the next newleaf.
The renewed strength was borrowed time, StarClan had given it to her but now it was time to go home.
Not that she minded. True, she wanted to live in greatness for her entire life, but without Russetfall it wasn't the same. The dreams of her youth had him with her, her dedicated mate standing proudly beside her. The loss of him only served to prove how much she had given up for the work's sake. Tired of giving, Firesky wanted to take. Take her last breath and join her family and mate in StarClan. Perhaps there she could give herself to the service of StarClan with Russetfall at her side. One day give life to a new leader of LightingClan. Regardless of what StarClan wanted for her upon her arrival, Firesky only wanted to see Russetfall once again. To see him as she remembered him.
LightingClan was thriving, her work was done.
Heading back, Fireksky felt every previously ignored ache, it was as if the spell of vigor had finally ended. Luckily she made it back to camp and into the elder's den without too much pain. Along the way, she passed several Clanmates. Brightpool the only to stand before her, amber eyes serious with concerns. Firesky nodded in polite greeting to the white she-cat, who simply stared before returning an awkward bow. It was as if she saw a ghost, Firesky shifted slightly under the she-cat gaze. Oddly nervous that her pelt was unkept due to age.
"It's okay, let's head back to the elder's den," Brightpool's words remained soft and comforting. Offering the calico elder a shoulder to lean on as they head back for her nest.
Brightpool lingered, seemingly always staring past the greyed she-cat. Firesky didn't mind, curling up upon herself to get warm again. A moment before she fell asleep she thought of the comforting press of fur to her back. Without opening her eyes, Firesky snuggled in close to who she assumed to be Brightpool. Unknown to Firesky, the white warrior had already departed, likely in search of her sister and medicine cat.
Her dreams were uneventful as was her sleep. Her body rested to make up for the exhaustingly long day prior. The rise and fall of her sleeping continued until the early light of day.
Brightpool entered the elder's den to find that Firesky slumbered no more. Her body remained still, checking the former leader of LightingClan for any lingering signs of life, Brightpool waited quietly. She had no interest in sounding the alarm until it was confirmed.
From the corner of her eye, Brightpool saw them. A starry outline of Russetfall and walking beside him with her pelt now dashed with starlight was Firesky. Brightpool smiled at the departing pair.
Taking a moment to smooth out Firesky's fur, Brightpool left the elder's den and called for those nearby to hear her words. Firesky is gone, she is on her way to StarClan," The solemn tone of her words carried well in the quiet morning of clan life.
Strange how age and loneliness can change a cat.
Emerging from the elder's den on such a bright and sunny day, Firesky felt renewed despite knowing leafbare's cold wind would shift storm clouds in their direction. The grey-calico she-cat did not look forward to the bitter cold moons of leafbare. The ache in her chest and bones pained her daily and it seemed no amount of poppyseed could offer relief. Soul-Deep exhaustion reminded her of how many moons she had seen.
Thankful her eyes still held their sharpness, Firesky made her way out of camp. Slow going as she was, Firesky found no reason to rush herself. Then came feeling she couldn't name which sat warmly on her shoulder. Instead of it pulling her down, making her hunch and drag her feet, it remained comforting. The warm embrace of a loved one, offering her enough strength to stay steady. Renewing her stride enough to dull the pain.
Firesky followed the well-worn path to the hillside near the camp. A quiet place she often visited and still found peaceful. It helped that the spot called to her lured her in with scents that woke old memories. She confessed her love to Russetfall not far from this spot, told him of their first litter of kits some moons after. Firesky even threatened and cursed at StarClan in the days after her daughter's death, so many memories both good and bad had been created nearby.
Climbing the crest of the hill, Fireksy settled to sit but not for long. Her heart urged her not to linger anywhere. An unseen whisper reminded her to keep moving, to soak up the beautiful daylight into her pelt. To allow the sun to renew her. To see the territory in all it's well-lit glory.
Firesky traversed the landmarks within the territory, remaining mindful of possible dangers. The confidence showed in her stride, aiding her in walking the grand bulk of the territory. Scents new and old floated across her nose, the ever-changing winds. Leafbare was upon them just as she had thought back in camp, with a content sort of sigh, Firesky knew she would not see the next newleaf.
The renewed strength was borrowed time, StarClan had given it to her but now it was time to go home.
Not that she minded. True, she wanted to live in greatness for her entire life, but without Russetfall it wasn't the same. The dreams of her youth had him with her, her dedicated mate standing proudly beside her. The loss of him only served to prove how much she had given up for the work's sake. Tired of giving, Firesky wanted to take. Take her last breath and join her family and mate in StarClan. Perhaps there she could give herself to the service of StarClan with Russetfall at her side. One day give life to a new leader of LightingClan. Regardless of what StarClan wanted for her upon her arrival, Firesky only wanted to see Russetfall once again. To see him as she remembered him.
LightingClan was thriving, her work was done.
Heading back, Fireksky felt every previously ignored ache, it was as if the spell of vigor had finally ended. Luckily she made it back to camp and into the elder's den without too much pain. Along the way, she passed several Clanmates. Brightpool the only to stand before her, amber eyes serious with concerns. Firesky nodded in polite greeting to the white she-cat, who simply stared before returning an awkward bow. It was as if she saw a ghost, Firesky shifted slightly under the she-cat gaze. Oddly nervous that her pelt was unkept due to age.
"It's okay, let's head back to the elder's den," Brightpool's words remained soft and comforting. Offering the calico elder a shoulder to lean on as they head back for her nest.
Brightpool lingered, seemingly always staring past the greyed she-cat. Firesky didn't mind, curling up upon herself to get warm again. A moment before she fell asleep she thought of the comforting press of fur to her back. Without opening her eyes, Firesky snuggled in close to who she assumed to be Brightpool. Unknown to Firesky, the white warrior had already departed, likely in search of her sister and medicine cat.
Her dreams were uneventful as was her sleep. Her body rested to make up for the exhaustingly long day prior. The rise and fall of her sleeping continued until the early light of day.
Brightpool entered the elder's den to find that Firesky slumbered no more. Her body remained still, checking the former leader of LightingClan for any lingering signs of life, Brightpool waited quietly. She had no interest in sounding the alarm until it was confirmed.
From the corner of her eye, Brightpool saw them. A starry outline of Russetfall and walking beside him with her pelt now dashed with starlight was Firesky. Brightpool smiled at the departing pair.
Taking a moment to smooth out Firesky's fur, Brightpool left the elder's den and called for those nearby to hear her words. Firesky is gone, she is on her way to StarClan," The solemn tone of her words carried well in the quiet morning of clan life.
But when you’re gone, who remembers your name?
Who keeps your flame?
Who keeps your flame?
Who tells your story?
