[Jos]

RAVENFROST LC WARRIOR TAGS:

Ravenfrost walked into Lightningclan camp with a couple of mice in her jaws, her ears and tail held high. It had been a good hunt, even though she had decided to go on her own. Sometimes it was nice to just be in the quiet, stalking prey, being in charge of no cat and having to answer to no cat. When she hunted alone she did not have to worry about waiting for apprentices, or working with other warriors and dealing with the bickering that sometimes happened when the patrol couldn’t agree on something. No, when she was hunting alone it was just her and her prey. Something about the solitude, the relationship between hunter and prey, made Ravenfrost’s pelt prickle with excitement. She padded to the prey heap and deposited her mice, then took a vole from the pile and sat herself down in front of the warriors den to groom.


Ravenfrost was very meticulous about keeping a clean and orderly appearance. She thought it made her look approachable, and wise. Cats who had unkempt pelts looked like mangey loners, in her opinion. Or at the very least, ill. Of course after an afternoon of hunting ones pelt was sure to become dusty, perhaps snagging a burr or two. That was why she had dedicated some time to grooming! But if you asked any other cat in the clan they would probably say that Ravenfrost was a bit too interested in her own appearance.


The black warrior nibbled on her claws last of all, cleaning her toes of debris, before finally settling down for a well-deserved meal. Ravenfrost had already been on Dawn Patrol, so her little hunting trip was just extra. Since she did not have an apprentice, she found that she had plenty of time after her warrior duties were completed to do whatever Ravenfrost desired. Sometimes, that included a lonesome hunt.


Now, however, with her pelt groomed and her belly full, Ravenfrost craved a little company. Hunting alone was all well and good, but she was a clan cat after all—a social creature. She scanned the camp, looking for any cat passing by who may be interested in sharing tongues with her. After all, one could never bee over groomed.



((Whoever responds can say Ravenfrost beckoned them over with a tail flick or called their name or something ^_^ ))

OWL

[Amber]

Rabbitleap

The sun-high patrol was uneventful, and as soon as the group arrived back at camp, Rabbitleap broke off from the rest. Galestorm headed off to report to Owlmind, dismissing Ravenpaw. The apprentice huffed at the dismissal and headed over to the apprentice’s den, where they promptly threw themselves upon the ground with a heavy sigh. Taking small bunny-hop steps, Rabbitleap headed over to the fresh-kill pile, trying his best to ignore more of Ivypetal’s snickers.

The patrol may have been uneventful, but that didn’t mean it was easy. Ravenpaw had started the questioning and odd looks, and even though he tried to play it off, somehow Ivypetal had managed to see through and took note of his discomfort. So, for the entire patrol, he had to listen to barbs and quips from the both of them whenever Galestorm was out of earshot. With a shake of his head, Rabbitleap continued his strange walk over to the fresh-kill pile.

Long legs bent into a crouch as he sniffed over everything, finally settling on a small mouse. He was tall, but incredibly lean, and didn’t need much for himself. He’d save the bigger prey for somecat who needed it more. As he collected the mouse and rose, he noticed Ravenfrost watching him. At the she-cat’s tail-flick, he nodded and made his way over to her. He remembered growing up with her, and that she wasn’t ever mean to him. So he hopped over, waving his tail in greeting. Dropping his mouse, he gave her a smile as he settled down beside her.

“Hey, Ravenfrost. How are you?”


"I speak". 'I think.' I am.
Jos

I'm never changing who I am

[Jos]

RAVENFROST LC WARRIOR TAGS: Amber

“Hello Rabbitleap!” Ravenfrost purred as her denmate settled in beside her. Her eyes shone with fondness for Rabbitleap. He was a nice tom, always good for pleasant conversation, and there didn’t seem to be a mean bone in his body. Whenever she saw him, she felt a little happier—he had that affect on her. Maybe that was why she felt so at ease around him. She would even let him see her fur messy from time to time, because she knew he wouldn’t judge.



“I am doing well. I just came back from some solo hunting; I’ve been feeling restless as of late. I dunno why exactly… I guess, now that I’m a warrior, I can’t help but wonder ‘what’s next?’ you know?” she took a bite from her vole, chewing on it thoughtfully.


Oddly enough, Ravenfrost did not have too many friends yet. She was friendly with every cat of course, but she had yet to find a group of like-minded individuals to spend her off-time with. No cat to confide in, no cat to spend lazy afternoons in the sun with…it was beginning to feel lonely. She would go on patrol, come back, and go to sleep. Maybe when she had an apprentice, things would feel better. Or maybe she would just always be lonely. That was why Rabbitleap was such a welcome sight—he made the clan seem just a little less lonely.



“The hunting was good though. How about you? How are you doing?”

OWL

[Amber]

Rabbitleap

Rabbitleap couldn’t help but beam at the enthusiastic greeting. It was so different from the majority of interactions he had on a daily basis and was one of the reasons he quite enjoyed spending time with Ravenfrost. She never made him feel weird or made fun of the way he walked, and he would forever be grateful. It didn’t take long for him to settle down and bite into the mouse he’d picked, hears tilted to listen to his companion.

“I am doing well. I just came back from some solo hunting; I’ve been feeling restless as of late. I dunno why exactly… I guess, now that I’m a warrior, I can’t help but wonder ‘what’s next?’ you know?” Rabbitleap hummed, thinking it over. He could see where the warrioress was coming from, sure, but he couldn’t remember sharing the feeling. Granted, he was super happy that he had survived his apprenticeship and made it to warriorhood, but he supposed there were others who wanted more for themselves. The more he pondered the question, the more he realized how monotonous life could be. It was mostly a routine; rise, eat, hunt, patrol, train, sleep, repeat. Occasionally, you’d get the thrill of a battle or the rush of a Gathering, but other than that, the life of a warrior was relatively...bland.

He swallowed another bite of his mouth before finally speaking. “I can’t say I’ve felt the same, but now that I think of it, it all does seem kind of monotonous. We do the same string of things every day, with little thought or divergence. So, that’s why it’s important to make each day memorable. Do something different than yesterday. Hunt in a new place, share tongues with someone you normally wouldn’t, play with the kits in the nursery, listen to a tale from the elders. It doesn’t have to be something big every day, just something different, something worth remembering.” Rabbitleap turned his head to fix Ravenfrost with a vibrant gaze. “I think that’s what’s next. To break the monotony, to change the world, even just for one cat. To do something different, something to be remembered.”

A pawful of heartbeats passed in silence, before Rabbitleap shook himself and smiled sheepishly. “Sorry, that was kind of intense, huh?” He chuckled, before continuing softly. “What’s next is to live our lives, whatever that may bring. Whether it be changing the world, or continuing the pattern. All that matters is that you make it a life you are happy with.” With a slightly more somber air, he trailed off. After a few more moments of silence, the spell seemed to have broken, and he took another bite of his mouse.

“The hunting was good though.” He swallowed down the last bite of his mouth and licked his maw. “Good, that’s good. It’s always nice when the prey runs well.” With a Clan growing as quickly as LightningClan was, they needed all the food they could get. He’d hate to see anyone starve in the coming moons. “How about you? How are you doing?” Rabbitleap smiled at Ravenfrost. “I’m doing well. Well, I was, but then we got all existential and such, so now it’s a little odd, but,” he laughed, trying to lighten the air. “It’s good. We’ll get through this, we’ll find our purpose. I know it.” His gaze was steady, an honest determination in his eyes. He fully believed every word and knew that, eventually, all would be well.

---

Jos
Sorry, that got a little intense there~

I'm never changing who I am

[Jos]

RAVENFROST LC WARRIOR TAGS:Amber

Rabbitleap made some good points. Could it be as simple as changing up her daily life in such small ways as hunting in a new spot, listening to an elder's story, playing with the nursery kits, or just sharing tongues with someone new? 

Ravenfrost listened to her friend's insight with fascination and wondered how he could have had such a solution, so quickly? Though she always remembered him to be a deep thinker, even when they were younger. It was also said that an outside point of view usually helped when you are faced with a problem you can't seem to find the solution to yourself. 

The black she-cat felt a purr rising in her chest as Rabbitleap talked on, apologizing for it becoming so intense but carrying on with the thought anyways. Apologizing, but not really apologizing. Not that she thought he should. She was the one who asked his opinion, after all. When he was finished, Ravenfrost said, 

"Never be sorry for speaking your mind," she told him firmly, but gently, "I asked for your advice and you gave it to me. And I think it was good advice. I never thought that I was the reason that I felt...stuck in this routine. Maybe if I mix things up a bit like you suggest, I'll start to feel a bit better." She stood only to sit next to him again and begin grooming his pelt, "I'm glad you are doing well, but your pelt is filthy my friend! I don't know what you would do without me...you'll never find a she-cat with a pelt covered in dust and burrs like this!" she was exaggerating of course, but groomed him thoroughly nonetheless. No friend of hers would have to walk around looking scruffy! Not on her watch. "Have you had any troubles with cats commenting on your walking? If you have, I want you to tell me. I can take care of them." 

OWL

[Amber]

Rabbitleap

Dark-tipped ears flicked backward at the gentle admonishment as his eyes cast downward. His ears flicked up a moment later as Ravenfrost complimented the quality of his advice. A small smile spread over his face as she hinted at putting his advice into action. He was excited for her, to see how things would change. He really hoped it would work for her as much as he thought it would.

"I'm glad you are doing well, but your pelt is filthy my friend! I don't know what you would do without me...you'll never find a she-cat with a pelt covered in dust and burrs like this!" Rabbitleap purred as Ravenfrost’s tongue began to rasp over his fur. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to enjoy her ministrations for a moment, before tilting his head to return the favor. “But see, Ravenfrost, that’s what I have you for! And in my defense, I did just come back from patrol.” He laughed lightly before continuing to share tongues with his Clanmate. “And besides, it’s not like any she-cats are looking for a tom like me. I mean, I can’t even walk right. Who wants to risk passing that onto their kits? I know I wouldn’t.” He tried to keep the sadness out of his voice, but it leaked out a little more on his last words.

Honestly, he wasn’t surprised that Ravenfrost picked up on it. She’d always been able to see through him. It was one of the things he admired about her, even though sometimes he wished she wouldn’t call him out on it. She never saw his faults as weaknesses, though; just opportunities. "Have you had any troubles with cats commenting on your walking? If you have, I want you to tell me. I can take care of them." Rabbitleap sighed. It had gotten better as he got older; most of the cats he grew up with had just come to accept it as part of him, but there were a few exceptions. The younger cats seemed to be the most brutal, though, whether intentionally or accidentally. Some of them were just curious, naive, and unfiltered, but the innocents tended to get better once things were explained. But then there were the ones who made it a point to harass him over it, and those couldn’t be swayed. He usually avoided the ones he knew would try to hurt him as much as he could, but it wasn’t always possible, as evidenced by his last patrol.

“Don’t worry about it, Ravenfrost. I’ll be fine. It’s mostly the younger cats who don’t know much better, and anyone else who gives me trouble over it, I avoid.” He offered the dark she-cat a small smile. “I don’t want you getting into trouble over something like this.” Something unimportant. He didn’t feel this was a battle worth fighting, instead preferring to just move past it and let the hate and the hurt just roll off his shoulders. He didn’t plan on ever letting anyone know that occasionally, alone in the quiet stillness, it all started catching up to him. His solution was to never be silent, to never be alone. If his demons can’t catch him, they can’t hurt him, right?

---

Jos

I'm never changing who I am

[Jos]

RAVENFROST LC WARRIOR TAGS:Amber

“But see, Ravenfrost, that’s what I have you for! And in my defense, I did just come back from patrol.”


Ravenfrost groomed Rabbitleap a bit more aggressively at that, giving his pelt a playful tug, “I suppose that’s a good excuse: this time.” She purred. Truth be told, Ravenfrost enjoyed grooming her friends’ pelts for them. It was a good time to catch up and bond, which of course was why sharing tongues was a tradition among the clans. She knew of some cats who preferred not to and just wanted to eat and groom in peace and quiet, which Ravenfrost did not understand. Why even be in a clan, then?



“And besides, it’s not like any she-cats are looking for a tom like me. I mean, I can’t even walk right. Who wants to risk passing that onto their kits? I know I wouldn’t.”


At this comment, Ravenfrost’s grooming became a lot gentler, kinder. Poor Rabbitleap, she thought to herself as she groomed him. It was not his fault he walked strange, and he had obviously been teased about it so much that he thought he would never find someone to love him. To make a family with him. “Don’t be so cruel to yourself Rabbitleap,” she scolded gently, “You will find a mate some day. You’re a kind, intelligent, hard-working tom and I know you would be a good father to a strong litter of kits some day. Any she-cat would be lucky to have you as her mate.”



What was she saying? Rabbitleap would start thinking that she, Ravenfrost, wanted him for her mate. That was silly! They were just friends. They had never shared interest in each-other as mates before, and besides she was just trying to make him feel better. Wasn’t she?



Now she wasn’t sure. For a moment she thought she could imagine herself with a litter of rambunctious kits, Rabbitleap as their father by her side, giving them badger rides. It was a happy image, but it frightened her. Was she even ready for a mate? What if he rejected her? Or what if he thought she was just pitying him? That would be worse.



Ravenfrost sat up and stretched, arching her back and tail as she yawned luxuriously in a bid to hide these worried thoughts. Then she sat back down again and curled her tail tightly around her feet, blinking at Rabbitleap with her big orange eyes, “Do you have a she-cat in mind? Maybe I can help?”

Amber

OWL

[Amber]

Rabbitleap

[attr="class","rabbitscroll"]Rabbitleap flicked his tail at Ravenfrost with her aggressive grooming, a smile lighting up his face. His smile fell with his next words, and he didn’t miss the change in his friend’s ministrations. When she spoke a few moments later, her voice was gentle, but firm. “Don’t be so cruel to yourself Rabbitleap. You will find a mate some day. You’re a kind, intelligent, hard-working tom and I know you would be a good father to a strong litter of kits some day. Any she-cat would be lucky to have you as her mate.”

A soft, sad smile spread over the tom’s face at her words. They were appreciated, yes, but h found them hard to believe. He had spent so much of his life on the outskirts, ostracized because of a physical difference. It would take a lot more than a single conversation to undo the moons of rejection he had gone through, but he truly appreciated Ravenfrost’s kindness. Whenever he saw mated cats grooming each other, lying close, or saw the kits run around outside the nursery, his heart would ache. He wanted that for himself, but he just couldn’t see any she-cat tolerating him long enough to talk to him, much less agree to be his mate.

In fact, thinking on it now, Ravenfrost was one of his only real friends. Sure, he was friendly with everyone in LightningClan, but most of them barely tolerated him, and few actually wanted him around. Only Ravenfrost and a pawful of others actually sought him out, so it wasn’t like he had a whole lot of options.

“Do you have a she-cat in mind? Maybe I can help?”

The words startled Rabbitleap out of his thoughts, and he jolted slightly to realize Ravenfrost had sat up beside him. He shifted to match her position, sitting up with his tail lying loosely lying beside him. He met her eyes for a moment before dropping his gaze to his black-tipped tail. “Not really, no. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I don’t have a whole lot of cats wanting to b my friend. And I couldn’t see myself in a relationship without being friends first, you know?”

He sighed, then popped his head back up and fixed Ravenfrost with a smile that didn’t quite chase away the shadows in his eyes. “For what it’s worth, though, I’m really glad you’ve stuck with me all this time. It means the world to me.” Rabbitleap leaned over slightly, aiming to push his shoulder against his friend’s in a gentle touch. He really did love having her as a friend, and he hoped and prayed he’d never lose her.



Jos

I'm never changing who I am

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[Jos]

RAVENFROST LC WARRIOR TAGS:Amber

Ravenfrost purred for her friend. It was a sound that was equal measures affectionate and sad. Rabbitleap was a good tom, and an even better friend; he would have been a great mate. It pained her to see the darkness in his eyes and the assurance that he would never find love or make a family with. She leaned forward and gave her friend a reassuring lick, “Of course I’ve stuck around, mousebrain! You and I are friends, and I’m not just ‘tolerating’ you. I genuinely enjoy your company.”

Would it be weird to be mates with Rabbitleap? She had never thought of him that way before—she had never thought of anyone in her clan that way before. Truth be told she had only been focusing on her warrior duties. “I don’t have many friends in the clan either,” Ravenfrost said simply, “A few core friends, like you, but I’m not a social butterfly or anything. The truth is that I’m happy to serve my clan and all, but I don’t need everyone to like me, I just need me to like me. And I think you should like yourself more, Rabbitleap. There’s plenty to like: you’re kind and fun to be with, and you’re a fine warrior. Sure you hop when others walk, but that’s small whiskers compared to who you are as a cat.”

The lean she-cat pressed her velvety black pelt against Rabbitleap, tucking her paws under her chest as she did so. The camp was dull and dozy in the midday sun as cats settled in for a little rest before the evening patrol. “Of course, on the topic of kits, it’s easy on the tom: you toms don’t need to carry the kits or do the kitting or stay up to feed them milk all day long in nursery. I’d prefer a tom who would come to the nursery every day and spend time with his kits, instead of leaving once he’s done ‘making’ them.”

OWL