[Taxx]

The icicles that had formed in the roof of his alcove were dripping water, frequent beads that fell to the pool that lay beneath. Crouched on the edge, watching the surface shimmer and break each time a droplet fell, Skyteller felt the coming thaw. Snow would melt, the sun would grow warmer, and the sedentary pace would pick up once again. Soon, hopefully- his stocks were running low. While he preferred not to take from the meadow if possible, it might be a good idea now to clear what he could to make way for new growth.

Rising to his paws, the tom went off to find a cat to come along with him; as he set paw in the main cave, he spotted Rooster and called out to him. "Rooster! I need your help, if you're free. I have to go gather herbs and I could use your eyes, as well as your carrying ability. It won't take long, I'm sure."

[Fawn]

Strut of Ring-Necked

ROOSTER

24 Moons Cave-Guard Tribe of Forgotten Waters

Skyteller's timing couldn't have been worse. Rooster leaped out of his crouch, spinning around until he was facing the Tribe's leader, the game of hide-and-seek with Song promptly forgotten. Skyteller saying I need and Rooster in the same breath made the cave-guard's chest swell as full as a mountain goat about to bellow. This is my chance! Yeah yeah so there was already a lead cave-guard, but that didn't stop Rooster from dreaming of his own paws filling that role, of being looked up to and admired.

It was only a matter of time, y'know. He was an amazing cave-guard - why else would Skyteller the Skyteller ask him to be his guard? "Yes sir, I'm sure it won't take long, sir! But I can handle it no matter what, you picked the right cave-guard for this very important job, I won't let you down!" Green eyes were alive with an eagerness to prove himself.

This is my chance! Don't mess it up, Rooster. Show him how capable you are. It was funny to think of a cat as large and tall as Skyteller needing a guard, but looks could be deceiving sometimes. Skyteller had been a cave-guard once upon a time (maybe he felt a kinship with Rooster?), but the ancestors had chosen him to lead the Tribe, and Skyteller had been given new duties to fulfill.

Maybe this is a...test. That's it. He's testing me, to see how good I am at my job. Rooster's heart stuttered a few beats, but he willed his resolve to firm up. A question sprang to the younger tom's mind as he turned to keep pace with Skyteller. "Is it just going to be--PLHEGH!"

Snow splattered right across Rooster's muzzle, the cold slushy crystals shooting up his nose and into his eyes as he heard his sister's high-pitched giggle nearby. "Ha! Got you Roo-Roo! That was Song's Special Snowball Surprise! It's a surprise because you didn't see it coming - and also because that snow I found was kinda yellow! Neat huh?"

Rooster gagged, swiping his paws vigorously to get the slushy mess out of his eyes. "SONG! You're gonna be RED SNOW when I get over the--" He caught Skyteller's gaze on him and almost bit his tongue off in an effort to close his own mouth. Rooster, his blood burning, attempted to be the bigger cat (never mind that he usually was; Song was kinda puny), turning away. "I mean, uh, good shot. I have important Cave-Guard stuff to do. Catch you later, Song."

That was what a mature cat would say, right? Nailed it.

Step back I'm goin' in
I'm crankin' up on the throttle
This is how legends are made

434 words & Taxx BlooRey DVD (Song!)

_{Art by Syman Kaye}

[Taxx]

Rooster was quick to agree, jumping from a crouch and spinning to face Skyteller with the brightest look on his face. The bigger tom's whiskers flickered in mute amusement, starting to turn himself to head out when a pawful of snow splattered across Rooster's face and Song's laugh rang out. Blinking, ears flicking back at the flash of anger- admittedly understandable, given the circumstances- Skyteller cast a glance at Song and whisked his tail at her as Rooster started off and gave her a nod of acknowledgement, but said nothing as he padded along after the younger tom.

"Wash your face in the pool," he instructed, nodding to it as they left the cave, waiting a moment for Rooster to do so before going on again, padding down the narrow path that led to the Slope and the Hidden Meadow that lay within. He couldn't quite help but fall back on his own training, eyes flicking upward to scan the sky for eagles before dropping them again and leaving that to Rooster while he led the way. "Song giving you much trouble?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder at Rooster with a grin.

[Fawn]

Strut of Ring-Necked

ROOSTER

24 Moons Cave-Guard Tribe of Forgotten Waters

Rooster unceremoniously dunked his whole face into the pool of water, not enough to douse his ears but enough to ensure he'd gotten most of that urine smell out of his pelt. Ugh! Shaking himself out like a dog, Rooster returned to Skyteller's side, a bit of awkward stop-starting-stop-starting as he tried to decide if it was better to walk in front of the tribe leader or behind.

"Trouble? Nahhh. I mean, no more than Song usually gives. It's my sister," Rooster's shoulders jutted up in a goodnatured shrug. "If she wasn't throwing snow at me, something'd have to be wrong." That was just who Song was. She was wild and at times uncontrollable, but she lived her life in the moment. Every little thing with Song could turn into a surprise. Or a game. Or a present. She was as weird as a duck with its feathers on backwards, but he wouldn't want to live this life without her.

"Forgive me for speaking out of turn, Sir" Rooster finally spoke up, "I can protect you better if I stand in front of you. In case something jumps out on the path, Sir." Though he wanted to follow Skyteller and gawk at him like a kit hearing of the Tribe of Endless Hunting for the first time, Rooster was determined not to mess this up. He was born to protect. Jade green eyes went skyward, as if in challenge of any feathered foe brave enough to take a swipe at Skyteller while he was here. If they do, they'll be sorry.

Step back I'm goin' in
I'm crankin' up on the throttle
This is how legends are made

258 words & Taxx

_{Art by Syman Kaye}

[Taxx]

Seeming hardly bothered- aside from the grimace as he pulled his face from the pool- Rooster shrugged off the question. Skyteller gave a nod at the explanation. While he'd had no siblings himself, he'd watched this litter as they grew and had known how close they'd been since birth. Song might be the most... expressive of the bunch, but it was clear that despite her strange behaviors, she was still tolerated. Loved, not looked at with confusion and avoided. As if, the ginger tom snorted to himself, Song would let any of them avoid her.

His ears flicked toward Rooster as the young cave-guard spoke up again, and he paused with a nod. "Of course, you're right. Green taught you well- and sometimes habits are hard to break." He couldn't help missing the old Lead- she'd been a constant for moons, but time had caught up to her in the end. And she would still be looking out for them all. "How are you doing, guiding Splash? She seemed keen as a kit; I hope you're both doing well with each other."