[Fae Magic]

White paws swift and certain carried the lean bodied warrior quickly across the well worn path that many paws had tread many a day and moon together. Like a white ghost the warrior streaked as quick as her paws could carry her towards the sound of rushing water. She was in no real hurry but running through the trees and feeling the gentle warmth of the wind that came from New-leaf was a joyous feeling. The scents of fresh earth dampened through from the melting snow, the breeze that once carried chills blew away all sorts of shivers and warmed the fur and tickled the strands. The sounds invaded her through the rushing wind in her ears as she raced the wind towards her favorite spot. The Salmon Falls were one of Ivoryrose's favorite spots to relax. Her short white fur was high on end in alertness as she drew near and heard the rushing waters up ahead. Her amber eyes keenly caught the familiar upturned root of a tree that long ago had uprooted from a storm and now lay halfway in the rushing river near the edge of the small waterfall drop. A small smile tugged at her lips as she tensed up her muscles at the ready as she drew nearer. With a effortless leap like a graceful gazelle her paws left the damp earth and she grew air born for a brief moment before her paws hit wood and her claws shot out on instinct to grip onto the worn bark of the fallen tree for balance. She smiled to herself a bit more before strutting her way across the familiar large tree and settled herself down on one of her favorite branches; tail hanging low behind her over the branch with one lean white leg draped down along with it in a relaxed position while the other propped up her head as she stared down into the water below her. If she stretched hard enough she probably would be able to touch the water; she definitely could feel the spray of the water as it hit rocks and other fallen branches within the water.

She would at a normal basis would have gone for a swim; any sort of water source would make her happy to go swim in but the river and falls was not one that she dared to. As even a kit she knew although the river was beautiful it was dangerous to swim in especially within the range of changing seasons. The ice that once coated in clumps and blocks within the river; as the river was too strong to fully freeze over; it was still too dangerous to swim in. When the ice melted in New-Leaf the water level would rise and grow stronger for awhile as the frozen waters melted into liquid once more. And with the recent rain here and there it probably was not the best time to try and risk your life to swim in such a river if you were foolish enough to dare; as many cats had fallen in before and never returned. Shaking her head to herself Ivoryrose turned her head towards where the falls fell down and she let her mind wonder some more; she needed a break after awhile from her duties to herself and gather her mind and thoughts before going back. 

That of course, was unexpectedly changed when her ears picked up the sound of pawsteps behind her over the sound of the water and she froze a moment. She was not aware of another cat being in her vicinity. Frowning her head quickly whipped around to face whomever dared sneak up on her. She hated not knowing when others were near and she chided herself that she had not been paying much attention to her surroundings besides the water she lay on the branch above. Her amber eyes narrowed zoning in on the figure that came close enough to finally identify. 

[Abyss]

A pair of brilliant cerulean eyes appeared from a newly growing shrub, a multi-colored face emerging along with them. Though the rest of the approaching feline’s body also made its way through the bushes, the face alone was very recognizable as Waterstep, a fellow Warrioress of Rainclan. With her uniquely-toned calico appearance and those distinct eyes, even those of the clan who hadn’t had much interaction with her still knew of her, if not for appearance alone, then also the knowledge that she had been trained as an Apprentice by Skychaser.

As the elegant she-cat made her way towards the falls, vibrant orbs landed on that of the white cat who perched atop an uprooted tree that had been there for quite a while. While she had not herself spoken much with this Warrioress, she still recognized that pure white fur and those striking amber eyes as characteristics of her previous mentor’s sister, Ivoryrose. Many times in the past she had seen the siblings interact, though never felt the need to join the conversation, for her mind was set on other goals, goals of which she continued even at this very moment.

“Hello Ivoryrose, ” the she-cat stated simply, voice holding its normal tone of properness and laced in a dignified pitch that paired well with her overall aesthetic. Her head held high on her slightly broader shoulders, her visibly soft-coated chest lightly pushed out almost naturally, and her somewhat hidden but defined muscles rolling smoothing under her pelt as she walked. Her long tail curled to either side of her more openly bold back legs, the tip lightly twitching to cause the tiny leaves which had clung to her fur to fall. As she was known for, she was indeed a feline representative of grace.

Though she took note of the more aggressive stance which her fellow clanmate took, she pushed this aside and instead directed her determined gaze towards the river ahead. As she reached the edge of the water, the sound of the falling water to her side filling her ears, there was no hesitation in her pace as her white paws slipped into the water, the loose sand and dirt on the river floor wriggling through her toes and around her pawpads. While this feeling did not at all appeal to all cats, it sent a good kind of chill down the she-cat’s spine, one that left her feeling more comfortable than she had been. The cold temperature of the water shot even more chills up her legs and through her shoulders, likely enough to take her breath away had it been more than just her legs. She stood in the shallow portion of the water momentarily, allowing her body to adjust to the chill and feeling the pressure of the flowing water press against her legs. Though the tide may have caught her off balance in other situations, she knew that the water would not be easy on any who chose to place themselves within it, permitting her balance to remain in her control with the shifting of her weight.

With a deep breath, the she-cat’s paws took her forward, the water’s surface quickly making its way up the remaining portion of her legs and up her chest. With no time at all, her body turned to face towards the falls and her legs kicked at the water beneath her. While the water was quite strong in its efforts to push the she-cat further down the river, many many moons of swimming and practicing every chance she got allowed the calico to remain almost still at her position in the river, her legs and body working vigorously below her to keep her as such. The water’s coldness did creep its way through her, but she did not seem to mind this, her face almost containing an appearance of joy at the spark-like chills went through her.

650 | Fae Magic

[Fae Magic]

The white she-cat froze a moment when she saw who finally stepped closer towards her. Ah, of course it just had to be misses perfect herself. Ivoryrose was not one to dislike many cats without good reason but her calico clan mate seemed to rub her the wrong way for no reason. The white RainClanner straightened up her posture and watched the calico draw closer; refraining from spitting something out at her for her haughty attitude. Oh IvoryRose was in such a mood today. Even if her clan mate had no intentions of coming off the way she did IvoryRose had needed this time to herself and her grumpy self felt even more attitude coming along just by watching her den mate stride over as if she owned the river itself with a simple greeting. She didn't like the way she spoke; although IvoryRose did not fair better at times when talking to others that she did not know personally. She would speak with calm and collective manner with an almost regal form but she didn't realize seeing it on someone else would make her so irate,

Gritting her teeth to stifle anything rude that she may say unprovoked and uncalled for she merely nodded to her clan mate and gave a forced half smile of politeness telling herself to be calm. The molly had done nothing to strike the fury in IvoryRose and did not deserve her anger of course so the white warrior refrained from snapping at her. She had just had a very bad day and had no way of releasing the tension so the unexpected visitor she now had near her had become the target of her anger. Taking a deep breath she settled herself back down against the familiar feel of the bark beneath her and watched the other wade into the water with practice ease. She was crazy to wade into the water at this time and swim like it was nothing but if IvoryRose knew anything it was that Waterstep was one of RainClan's strongest and boldest swimmers she knew of by reputation alone. 

"Greetings Waterstep, what brings you out this way this time of day?" she questioned deciding on risking a conversation as it was too awkward just sitting there alone with this warrior and saying nothing at all. 

If there was anything IvoryRose hated more then annoying idiots it was unwanted silence in the presence of someone who seemingly interrupted her personal space and time. Of course, Waterstep had every right to be here just as much as she so she refrained from commenting anything rude and instead looked at the waterfalls with a frown. She hoped that the other would not dare try and fish in this water right now. IT was one thing to swim in it but another to fish in it. She did not mind fishing herself and frankly probably needed to if only to blow off some steam but even Waterstep should know the dangers of these waters during this time of season. She should wait a little while for the rest of the snow to melt before attempting such a task. There were much better places to be fishing then this. Even IvoryRose did not dare fish here at this time of season. 

"I do not often see you out here this time of day and you never stop by to see me so why the change? Is something on your mind?" she questioned tipping her chin and watching the other making sure she was okay and raising her voice slightly to be heard over the sound of the river. 

Did the other molly need some time to herself like IvoryRose did? It wasn't uncommon recently for the warriors and apprentices alike being in such grumpy moods due to the bad weather they had with Leaf-Bare but she hoped it would calm down and everything would go back to normal again.

Abyss