[Hellion]

So I can sing them all my songs

And I can tell them stories

Upon his return to the camp Valiantstride found himself sore despite the relevantily easy patrol. He hadn't recieved an overly intense injury, which would explain the ache. It seemed that it was simply age catching up to him. Since becoming deputy, Valiantstride had put very little thought into his own health. Far more concerned with the welfare of his clanmates, it seemed the tom had been neglected himself. He gave a wayard glance to the medicine cat's den, considering for a momeny to visit young Ebonyheart for some poppy seed. It would help ease the tightness of his hips, but instead he strode past the entrance.

Heading instead into the elder's den, pausing once inside, Valiantstride spotted Nightpetal. The thought of the elder's name made his heartache. It had been a great tragedy when Petalwish died. Even thinking back to the moment they carried her home, Valiantstride's eyes welled with emotions. The loss of the sweet she-cat had hurt everyone and none more then Nightpetal. Valianstride a romantic at heart, feared the day he lost Skunspots. The idea of going on without her sent a shudder through him. Pushing away from the thought, Valiantstride greeted the elder.

"Nightpetal, how are you today?"

Valiantstride
The Deputy of StoneClan

background image | homesick | base table by phoenix

Abyss

[Abyss]

Large paws shifted within one of the warm nests of the Elder’s den. Things had been changing recently, both inside of the clan and in the valley. The seasons were slowly changing, the coldness of Leafbare finally beginning to fade as Newleaf approached. While that was a good change, there was also more regretful change within the Elder’s den of Stoneclan.

The den had become empty and quiet. For the most part, at least. There were very few Elders left within the den, Slatescreech and himself being two of the only. With tensions in the valley slowly rising between multiple clans and many plans being made, there were fewer and fewer cats that came to see those in the Elder’s den. There were occasional visitors to deliver prey and switch out nests. But other than that, there weren’t many who stopped to just have a chat.

A fluffy black tail swished impatiently against the slightly dried nest, vibrant yellow eyes watching as cats moved inside the camp. The old tom did not grow impatient because he expected someone to visit, nor because he had anything he needed someone to do. He grew impatient because of his own body.

He was restless. He wanted to move. He wanted to walk around camp with the rest of the clan, perhaps talk to some Apprentices or have a brief talk with Smokestar about who knows what. He wanted to do something. Yet, even with Leafbare coming to an end, the effects of the cold season still remained.

His muscles felt tense, as they always became during Leafbare, and each movement felt like he was lifting a whole other cat. What was an old man to do when he was lonely and just wanted to get out of Leafbare-mode?

Just as he thought this, the sound of pawsteps slowly came closer to the den. As his fluffy ears perked, a familiar face peered into the den. While the clan Deputy wasn’t the visitor he may have expected, he still appreciated seeing the slightly younger tom.

“Hello Valiantstride.” He lightly rocked his head to either side in a relatively cheerful manner. At the tom’s question, he made a slanted expression with his jaws. “Restless, truthfully. Things have been quiet around here lately. I’ve been wanting to go for a walk, but I’ve already been told a few times not to try wandering around without someone else with me.”

Hellion

[Hellion]

If home is where the heart is

I'm homesick for you

Warming up at Nightpetal's greeting. The tabby tom-cat sat across from him, tucking his tail over his paws. He couldn't help but remember the days after Petalwish's death. His mind swirled around such negative thoughts the golden tabby had to flick his ears a few times to again push them away.

Could he blame such sour thoughts on his age? On the harsh relativity that all warriors found themselves among the stars and that by visiting the elder's den he was reminding himself of how close he was. Nightpetal only a few moons older than him.

Thankful that Nightpetal brought up wanting to get out of the camp and just walk. Valianstride perked at the statement. "I'll take you, we can walk over to the moss meadow. If you are up for it we can grab some fresh moss for the nursery. I heard the apprentice mention they were going to before dusk but maybe we can help them," Valiantstride suggested. While not typical for elders and the deputy to fetch moss, it would prove the walk worthwhile.

Valiantstride
The Deputy of StoneClan

background image | homesick | base table by phoenix

Abyss

[Abyss]

A warm smile formed over the large tom’s face as the Deputy made his suggestion.

“That sounds just fine.” After a few breaths, the large tom shifted his weight, pulling his legs further underneath him. His front legs, aligned in front of him, were the first to push upwards, a few small cracks being heard as his elbows lifted the front portion of his body into more of a sitting position. He then adjusted his back legs, getting them better situated before pushing upwards with them as well. After the signature cracks of old bones had ended, the fluffy black tom took in a deep breath, yellow eyes looking once more to Valiantstride.

He exchanged another smile with the tom before he took a few slow steps out of his nest. It was always getting up and the first steps that were the slowest and the hardest, but once he got outside, he was sure that it would be better.

As Nightpetal emerged out of the den and into the camp, sun hitting his dark pelt and bringing a warmth that he hadn’t felt in quite a bit. Looking around the camp, the older tom watched as cats came and went, some heading out to hunt or go on patrols, others waiting to meet with someone. A few Apprentices emerged from their den, likely heading out to do some training. Even though he had been in the camp the whole time, the cold weather and the snow had been a bit much for his aching aged muscles, causing him to remain in the den for quite a while. So seeing the camp once more and his clanmates, the sun shining and the snow already beginning to melt underpaw, it was like he was finally home.

Ears twitching, his head turned to look to his companion for the little trip. With a nod, he began to slowly walk towards the camp entrance, his pace becoming more of an average speed with each step as his legs adjusted to walking once more. He offered a polite nod to a few passing cats as the two toms exited the camp, one or two faces seeming surprised that the old tom was out and about.

It felt like forever since he had actually been in the Stoneclan territory, his eyes glancing around at the land that he once ran within. How many times had he and Petalwish hunted out here together, smacking each other with their tails and yapping at one another when one of them was too loud? This land held fond memories.

With a quick in and out breath, he began to walk in the direction that he remembered the Moss Meadow being in, his tail lightly swishing behind him as he walked.

“It feels good to finally be able to do something productive. I always end up just an old pile of fur and bone during Leafbare, ” he stated, lightly chuckling at his own poke at himself.

496 | Hellion

[Hellion]

Oh all the money that e'er I spent

I spent it in good company

Sympathy etched it's way onto Valiantstride's features. A flinch with each crack of bone following shortly after. He admired the aged black tom, but did not envy him. Old bones were a curse he would never wish upon his enemies. Grateful his own discomforts only worsened with the cold or strain. His days were numbered, he knew that. Soon his body would protest any movement, he only hoped he had more days until then.

Stepping to be at Nightpetal's side, Valiantstride kept close in case he could be of help. He did not want to outright suggest that Nightpetal leans on him, but still, he wanted the elder to know he was close.

As they set out, Valiantstride found it easy to match Nightpetal's pace. He smiled with Nightpetal at the mention of doing something productive. Glad the elder had something to do, Valiantstride couldn't hide the concern. What if he had asked too much? Would he hear about it later from Ebonyheart? The she-cat would surely rip his ears off if he exhausted Nightpetal to the point of illness. He pushed the worry away, Nightpetal seemed to be happy and for him, any verbal lashing from Ebonyheart could be managed. This moment with the elder mattered more.

Their arrival to the moss meadow prompted Valiantstride to lead the tom to a nearby plentiful are of moss. The lush green garden would make for easy gathering for both of them. He intended for Nightpetal to gather most of it and he'd carry it home.

"I'm sure the apprentice will be happy we helped, I've overheard their complaints a few times. Not enough daylight, just wait until their first leafbare as apprentices. So much night hunting, I was afraid I'd get lost on my way home, the night changes everything" Valiantstride spoke fondly while referencing his youth.

"Do you remember your first leafbare as an apprentice?" He asked, using a forepaw to draw forth a small bundle to start rolling into a shape he could add to Nightpetal's and still carry home.

[smear:DAA520]VALIANT[/smear:f8eed3]STRIDE
DEPUTY OF STONECLAN

tags /:/ words