"If you're gonna hit it, hit it until it breaks." |
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GaleClan Leader GorgeClan Medicine Cat
INVENTORY
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Post by Ghost the Undead Goddess on Aug 23, 2020 18:13:13 GMT -5
Owlmind LightningClan || 78 Moons || Deputy
Nimble, gray paws slowly led the lanky body of the deputy through the rolling grasslands as a thick fog slowly dissipated around her dilute form. It wasn't often she roamed on her own, alone as a singular Lightningclanner. She normally partook in patrols for either hunting or borders. Even more, she preferred to be out and about with an apprentice as she aided them in their moons of training.
Yet... sometimes the aging deputy enjoyed the solitude to let her mind stretch and fly like her namesake.
Somehow, or perhaps subconciously on purpose, the Oriental molly found herself drawing closer and closer to the stones that marked the border of her clan and that of Stoneclan across the way. Generally they could be seen as the sun beat down on their rocky surface, warming them enough to be comfortable enough to sprawl out on. However, it seemed that the thick presence of the fog this morning tried to hide them from view.
It left an almost ominous feeling hanging within the damp air, as dew slightly clung to the thin legs of Owlmind. This border had been tense since the skirmish that occurred at the beginning of Greenleaf, something that had been unwarranted and highly unapproved. It was almost an irritating thorn that occasionally poked at the deputy's flank when she thought about it.
She was a thinker, a planner even as strategies wormed their way through her complicated mindset. Ever since the retreival of Treeclan's former territory in the form of the Open Woods, Owlmind had her wide pools set firmly on the shared border on the other side of the moorland's rolling territories.
Such things, like planning and plotting, it took time. Not to mention the formalities that were offered after the death of Hawkstar, his time within the valley and his staple within Stoneclan was enough to pause the deputy's swift decision to persuade her leader and brother to mount an offensive attack in an attempt to take over the waiting Sun Stones. Crowface's untimely attack caused setbacks that Owlmind had not been wanting to worry about, and now it seemed their rival clan was one the defensive once more.
Her placed scouts had noticed more patrols along the border, more cats than normal as if Stoneclan was preparing for a possible attack. An annoyance more than a blockage within the path the aging molly wanted to lead her clan down. Soon the valley would see, Lightningclan was a powerhouse to be reckoned with, and everything the deputy did within her clan was proof enough that she truly believed in their might as a whole.
Whitening paws paused just near the strong scent line, curious as to if there were any cats laying in wait while the fog blanketed them from sight. Narrowed, amber pools flickered with an unreadable expression as Owlmind stood alert albeit relaxed as the gentle morning winds rushed from behind her and into Stoneclan's rocky terrain.
Wisdom. Courage. Strategy.
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StoneClan Leader TreeClan MCA
INVENTORY
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Post by KARAZHAL on Aug 23, 2020 19:35:46 GMT -5
[attr="class","bs"]It wasn't like he had planned to be back over here, not when so many StoneClan cats had negative memories about this place, some even wanting him to just renounce their claim over the Sun Stones so they wouldn't have to come near here and mark it. However, Birdstar's nose had absently caught a whiff of scent and directed him over here through the fog. Sparing his mates the trouble, he told them to continue on without him while he investigated his prey. Birdstar plodded slowly over the mossy rocks and crouched. He waited, using the gray fog as the perfect camouflage for his own pelt, until a field mouse scuttled close to a boulder opposite him. His eyes flashing, he lunged forward, trapping it between his paws and killing it with a quick bite to the back of its neck.
Despite the sudden rush of blood-scent, Birdstar was astute enough to notice the scent of LightningClan almost immediately. The tom's green eyes tried to focus in the fog. Carefully, he lowered himself into a loaf position, comfortable enough for a wait yet able to rise quickly to the occasion. As the moments passed, couched in the somewhat chilly winds of morning, Birdstar finally glimpsed a figure as the fog rolled and shifted to reveal an Oriental she-cat.
She was familiar to him, of course; she'd been present in the deputy spot at every Gathering he'd ever attended. Birdstar swallowed thickly. First Redstar, now Owlmind? The gray tom's tail fur began to puff out of its own accord, but his better judgment kept him from attacking, both physically and verbally.
"Planning another ambush, Owlmind?" he asked in a dead calm voice. The gray fur melted into the gray stone, except for his moss-colored eyes that were on her. "Or enjoying a stroll same as your leader?"
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"If you're gonna hit it, hit it until it breaks." |
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GaleClan Leader GorgeClan Medicine Cat
INVENTORY
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Post by Ghost the Undead Goddess on Aug 31, 2020 16:37:55 GMT -5
Owlmind LightningClan || 78 Moons || Deputy
Wide amber pools managed to focus quickly on the more filled out form of an opposing warrior as the fog thinned around his blue-gray coloring. Like her own dilute pelt, the young Stoneclanner was lucky enough to nearly perfectly blend in to the current weather surroundings. Though, despite the new introduction, the aging she-cat merely waited patiently, relaxed and unnerved.
She had no reason to fear the sightings of rival warriors, especially since she was still within her realm of Lightningclan's borders despite the shared territory of the Sun Stones. With a twitch of whiskers, the gray molly lowered her haunches into a rather comfortable sitting position as she was obviously not bothered nor riled by the youngster's brave accusatory tone.
He was young, he'd learn soon enough not to seek enemies when he didn't need them. With time, perhaps this young warrior would become a force to be reckoned with, yet for all his moons he held, there was he not-so-subtle scent of inexperience while free swimming emotions lingered within his green gaze.
Briefly, Owlmind was reminded of her rather prickly daughter, Goosechase as she faced down the Stoneclan tom with a calm disposition. She too wore her emotions as clearly as the sky when the clouds were cleared from it's stretch, her pelt bristling with the smallest comment or interaction she had with others among the valley, let alone those within the clan she had been born and raised alongside.
She watched Birdstar, currently unaware of his title or position, as those unreadable pools of amber scanned practically each dilute strand of fur upon his body. The shape of his paws, the strength within his hind-legs as many Stoneclanners proudly bore. The glimmer of emerald flames within his gaze as he refused to let his pointed sight move from her lanky and aging body. The only movement that came from the deputy of Lightningclan was the twitching of the tip of her long tail that rested near whitening paws.
"I hardly think it would be smart for me to be caught examining the border if I was planning any sort of attack." She said as if it were almost as obvious as the fact the grass was green or the sky was blue. Finally her gaze rested upon his young face, amber pools melting into the wariness of Birdstar's green gaze. "Besides, if I were planning anything, you wouldn't know about it until the stones of your clan came falling down around your ears." Her whiskers twitched in mild amusement though her expression was still blank of any hint towards her real motives.
Was it a threat that she just offered the youngster of the rival clan or was it merely a suggestion that he keep his own wits about him. If this blue-gray warrior was pondering such a thing, then perhaps all of Stoneclan was worried about the possibility of Lightningclan invading or brutalizing them.
Good.
Despite not wanting to cause warring issues with either of her neighbors, Owlmind appreciated the fact that they were kept on their toes, unsure and unplanned for the possibility of Lightninclan's rise to the top. Even with Crowface's blunder of an attack at the Sun Stones towards the beginning of this season, that didn't mean that the old Oriental's eyes weren't still fixated on the possibility of one day claiming the land as theirs, and theirs alone.
Stoneclan ha a reprieve for the time being.
"Relax youngster, the more you charge head first at the first sight of danger then you will bring it to yourself. Diplomacy at it's finest needs just a sliver of patience and respect." It was upon that last word that Owlmind finally dipped her head in a proper greeting despite not knowing much about this dilute tom who stood across from her. When she finally lifted her head she gave a response to his original question.
"If it makes you feel any better, then I am here alone." The aging deputy said in an even, raspy tone despite the lie that she hid behind it. Though, that little fact remained within her own head and wasn't for Birdstar to know that there was a warrior hidden farther back beneath the grasses of the Moorlands as he rested within the tunnels along the Stoneclan border. A border spy, in a better sense of the term. Owlmind took no precautions when it came to her clan and their safety. "Merely a old she-cat out for a morning walk."
Wisdom. Courage. Strategy.
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StoneClan Leader TreeClan MCA
INVENTORY
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Post by KARAZHAL on Aug 31, 2020 18:28:18 GMT -5
[attr="class","bs"]He had only heard stories of the time when StoneClan had been partitioned between LightningClan and RainClan--the notorious union of StormClan. His whole life, he had been raised to view the two with suspicion, if not outright animosity. Birdstar wasn't the sort to pick fights, though, but the wariness was still there, made worse by the border skirmish and the lack of answers. Plus, she was right; the deputy had always been known for her shrewd wit and strategy. She was the real enemy in LightningClan, not her brother. A moon before, he would have trembled, but he felt Frozenrain's life of grace steel him against the thorns in Owlmind's voice and the strength of his other lives from StarClan prepared his constitution for facing her down.
She had a lot of nerve spouting talk about diplomacy. Birdstar's ears bent backward briefly at her condescending lecture, and his tail-tip whipped irritably, swirling clouds of fog all around. "Ah... yes...patience and respect," he parroted her words sarcastically. "Performative words from someone who authorized a patrol that ended with the savaging of our apprentice." Unusually for him, he failed to return her greeting, feeling as if he'd be set upon if he exposed the back of his neck to the LightningClan border. Besides, she was a liar. What cat of her importance would go unprotected, unguarded, especially in this mist? Birdstar's own escort was a yowl away, standing by. He was sure hers was somewhere on their side of the moors, using the dewy stony outcrops to conceal their presence.
"You have the privilege of enjoying that, but we can't say the same," Birdstar replied softly. A sheet of mist streamed across his face like a tide ebbing and flowing across his dazzling eyes. He spoke again as the fog moved past. "Redstar wouldn't give our patrol an answer so while I have you here, I'll ask you. Is there accountability somewhere, or should my patrol report back to prepare for war?" He had a feeling he wouldn't be able to trust her answer anyway, since she'd clearly lied about something so small as "being alone". He hadn't introduced himself either, so there was little reason for her to reply to someone who wasn't Smokestar, the StoneClan Leader they had all seen at the previous Gathering. If their skirmish hadn't caused Frostpaw's horrific injuries, he might have been more unctuous maybe, at least more nervous and uneasy, especially in the presence of Owlmind, but taking out such cruel gestures on an apprentice? How could LightningClan justify that except for the purpose of being cruel?
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"If you're gonna hit it, hit it until it breaks." |
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GaleClan Leader GorgeClan Medicine Cat
INVENTORY
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Post by Ghost the Undead Goddess on Aug 31, 2020 21:56:11 GMT -5
Owlmind LightningClan || 78 Moons || Deputy
Wide, amber pools bore into the tomcat across the stones from her. There was no reading her body language or expressions as she had long ago mastered the ability to hide what she thought or felt. Even her own clanmates were not privy to what happened within the brilliant mind of Lightningclan's general like deputy.
She was smart, and strategy swam through her like water within a river's tributaries. She was aging in moons and while her body may have been feeling the wear and tear of time, her wit was just as sharp as her claws. It was a game she took pride in being able to win with ease, a battle of smarts against the lanky gray she-cat was not a small thing, nor was winning an easy feat.
Psychology and the reverse of it, sleight of word even gave her advantages over others that they were not aware in which they gave her permission.
This tom of blue-gray coloration intrigued her, he seemed far beyond his simple post of being a Stoneclan warrior and yet as far as she was still aware Smokestar and Valiantstride still ran the helm of those who lived among the rocky terrain of Lightningclang's neighbors. He had a strong heart, that much was a simple example gathered just through simple conversation but he also had a strong loyalty to his clan and a sense of duty that could hardly be rivaled.
Owlmind would have been proud had this tom been born in her clan rather than Stoneclan.
An ear flickered as the sharp rasp fell from a whitening gray maw, "I surely hope you don't speak to your elders that way." It was a simple statement as Owlmind finally replied to Birdstar, still curious to who this warrior was since she had no name to grasp from her vast memory. His lack of respect was not pleasant, but he quickly gave way to his reasons behind the venomous words on his tongue.
History, it was deadly if lingered upon but useful to be reminded by, to heed it's path and walk a new one once learning from mistakes. Owlmind was well aware of how tender the Stoneclanners were when it came to either her clan or that of those who lived among the river, Rainclan. It had been a terrible time, though prosperous for those who joined under the name of Stormclan.
The lanky gray feline would not deny that she had aided in such horrors. In fact, she and her brother had been very impressive during such times with their impeccable abilities to formulate battle plans and rally those with swift words and astute confidence. It honestly seemed like such a long lifetime ago that that battle had rained down upon the Valley. Moons had past, leaders had changed.
And yet, it was still a present and very open wound when it came to Stoneclan. It brought the story of long ago, moons before the valley was even called home to the clans of cats, when her clan had been chased from their home and brought back by a ginger tom who's name was still remembered within the clan now known as Treeclan.
How long did wounds run deep?
It was a question for another time as the gray feline flickered her long, thin tail once more to respond to Birdstar when it came to his demands about justice and accountability. "It's highly unlikely that you'd believe me whether I lied or spoke the truth, you've already made your mind up about my clan." She responded flatly, those amber pools practically baring wholes through the emerald flames of her fellow feline's gaze.
"The skirmish was not called for nor not necessary. My cats were not under orders to lay siege or attack, but it seems tempers flared on both sides." The aging deputy paused as a large ear flickered near her wedge shaped face, she had caught the faintest scent of more Stoneclanners but she seemed fairly unbothered by such a thing. "I dealt with my warriors appropriately." The tone in her rasp was sharp as if she were done with the subject of private punishment for those upon Crowface's patrol at the time.
Her cats had been injured and she assumed there was injures upon those within the rival patrol. However, it was not Stoneclan's decision to whether or not her cats were punished, or even how they got punished. That remained between the deputy and her brother, Redstar.
Wisdom. Courage. Strategy.
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StoneClan Leader TreeClan MCA
INVENTORY
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Post by KARAZHAL on Sept 3, 2020 0:31:49 GMT -5
[attr="class","bs"]The old molly's sharp rasp replied as a lizard's tail-lash across the snout. If she'd been one of StoneClan's elders, he might have been cowed under the weight of it, but Birdstar's eyes stayed put on Owlmind's despite the morning fog. He bit his tongue and let the acidic response sizzle away. One of his ears bent back at the deputy's assertive tongue.
Still, as she explained that the skirmish was not called for nor not necessary, Birdstar's body relaxed with a soft sigh through his nostrils. He licked his chops awkwardly as he nodded in sheepish agreement with her. Tempers flared. He recalled Alderfrost's personality and scrunched up his expression in further agreement. He found himself feeling thankful. He took a deep breath and nodded his head firmly to her. Plus, the thigh/tail injury was punishment enough.
"Thank you, then. I'm glad to have caught you to have that question answered," he said. Since they were on the borders where the battle had occurred, Birdstar wanted to clarify formally that this was where the border actually was. "My border patrol has marked where StoneClan's territory is." At this, the Leader of StoneClan broke eye contact with Owlmind to look left and right, not really looking at someone in particular but indicating with his nose. He hoped that LightningClan would continue to respect the borders. They hadn't been attacked since, and Birdstar wanted to keep it that way.
"I want no quarrel with you, elder," he finally grumbled, giving into his subservience toward old cats. He lifted up his voice. "My fellows, please report this all as recompense!" The facial expressions of his patrol were hidden to him. Would tensions ease between the two clans? He could only hope individual reactions wouldn't erupt further. He didn't have Alderfrost in the patrol, and none of the others had been involved. They meowed back to show the patrol members they had each heard and understood.
She had been right. Predictably. He had made up his mind about her Clan. But he was leader now, and he didn't want a war with his Clan involved. He had the care of elders to think about, and injured warriors would just add to that. He had to believe her, dare to hope that peace would endure.
"Enjoy your walk in peace," he said with strange sincerity, having been so hotly assertive before. He took a step to the side, keeping his ears pricked for anything, but this entire time, he hadn't been able to read her, her face completely chiseled out of a boulder. "We will be seeing each other again soon." He referred to the Gathering.
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"If you're gonna hit it, hit it until it breaks." |
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GaleClan Leader GorgeClan Medicine Cat
INVENTORY
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Post by Ghost the Undead Goddess on Nov 15, 2020 21:51:30 GMT -5
Owlmind LightningClan || 78 Moons || Deputy
She never once shifted, her attention never leaving the blue-gray form of the astute Stoneclan warrior despite the fact that he seemed to glance in multiple directions towards were his clanmates were more than likely hiding within the density of the low fog. She truly had nothing to worry about, as the aging feline hardly doubted that the rival clan was brave enough to attack the deputy of another clan so boldly.
A large, triangle ear twitched upon her narrowed head as she listened to him call out to his clanmates in an action that the gray oriental would have considered a front.
Was this tomcat attempting to unsettle her calmness, or perhaps make her feel outnumbered simply by showing he had others on his side? The inner workings of other feline minds had always intrigued Owlmind, to the point where she sat and examined the possibilities over and over. Her own brain constantly ticking with scenarios that could happen within the stretch of the intermingling of herself and that of Birdtalon just paws away across the invisible border.
"And so you have." She finally responded in that sharp rasp of hers, the tip of her long tail softly twitching against the stony ground she sat. Not a single thin hair upon her dilute pelt shifting as she let the breeze waft the overwhelming stench of her neighbors great her palate. "Let your leader know there will be no issue on our side of the border then." She continued, letting her wide and unreadable gaze slowly run over the larger form of the rivaling warrior.
She was curious as to what his placement in the clan was. He intrigued her, peaked her interest even and there was the wonder of how far he would make it within the ranks of Stoneclan.
For now, she would take the news with her that Stoneclan was reclaiming the Sun Stones for their own. In all honesty, it wasn't like they gave Lightningclan much land to hunt. It was far more welcoming for elders and queens who wished to bathe beneath the warm sun on cooler days. Owlmind had made her move at the beginning moons of her Deputyship to claim the lands of the Open Woods, which provided more space for prey for her growing clan.
For now, the plan was to make sure there was peace between Lightningclan and Stoneclan, however fragile it might be.
Shifting, feeling the pain within her shoulder though hardly giving it a second thought, Owlmind rose to her nimble paws before dipping her head out of general respect. "I have no ill will towards you or your clan, son. My only objective is to make sure my clan remains healthy and happy." Her gaze hardened slightly, the glimpse of a she=cat who would raise the Dark Forest in the effort to keep her own safe rode like a tide of flames through the liquid amber pools before disappearing just as quickly.
"Enjoy your morning Stoneclanner, perhaps our paths shall indeed cross again." And with that Owlmind flicked an ear once more before turning and making her way down the border from the opposite side in which she came. The old molly could easily feel the emerald gaze upon her back as the fog around her swallowed her lanky form in a hazy fashion. The only other cat who could possibly see her was a lurking Lightningclanner deep within the burrows of the old tunnel systems who had been on patrol.
Wisdom. Courage. Strategy. KARAZHAL || 594 Words || Thread Finished!
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