A flaming sword of burning righteousness and also fire!
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Post by ♏aple♢ on Aug 22, 2015 3:29:39 GMT
When you get to the end of your rope, Tie a knot and hang on. Light shone through the canopy of trees, sending spatters of warmth throughout the forest floor. Birds sang, squirrels chittered. Were it any other place- any other forest- any other time- it might seem like an ordinary day. In truth, for many it would be. Those born kittypets or loners might enjoy a day sunning or hunting, relaxing in the Green-Leaf heat. But for those what had once lived with the clans, it would no doubt be another day filled with chaos and struggle. Fighting for food, territory, and survival. But even those who battled to stay alive had to enjoy the sun when it shone. Even if the grass might be a little stained with blood.
In the early light of dawn, Starlingfur was trying to do just that. Though she'd returned to the schedule of a loner- sleeping through the days and working through the nights- she'd had difficulty falling asleep this morning. Cramps. She was visibly showing now, even if she wasn't too large just yet. And by Starclan Starlingfur had forgotten how much she hated the cramps. And the morning sickness. Night sickness. Whatever. She was too tired at this point to try to recall the proper names for these things. She hadn't been expecting in years, but now she remembered all of the terrible things that came with it. Not to even mention the regular nightmares that had come since the fall of the clans.
Blinking exhausted (not just tiredness! Or even cute sleepiness! Exhaustion!) out of her deep copper eyes, Starlingfur plodded through the undergrowth. She was trying to make the best of this morning before she inevitably went back to bed. Really, she was. Get a bit of sun, walk off the pain, go back to sleep for about six seasons. That was the plan. But she had to be careful, even if she was dead tired. Dangerous cats- not to mention the usual predators- would no doubt be out and about. But it was such a beautiful morning... And being aware of herself, let alone her surroundings was so.... Difficult....
Sighing heavily, Starlingfur slumped against a large boulder. Just a moment to rest her paws and close her eyes... Yesterday had been busy! Marking the new little territory that they'd captured, cleaning the space below the pool... Any cat would be tired. Why couldn't she have fallen asleep back below the pool though? Gah... Maybe she should try to get back to her nest before she went to sleep... But surely just five minutes couldn't hurt... Only half-aware at this point, Starlingfur's copper eyes slowly slid shut.
451 words | Starlingfur | Time: Dawn |
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Post by Thunderstruck on Aug 23, 2015 23:48:08 GMT
Boltfang's morning had started out alright, he rose before the sun was up and began wandering around shortly after his breakfast, which consisted of a small mouse he found outside his, current, den of the day. With a quick stretch and a yawn, Boltfang was out and about. Today was going to be interesting, He woke up in an oddly good mood, maybe it's because the sun was looking like it was going to shine for once, maybe it's because that voice in his head wasn't such a downer when they were alone. But it's probably something a lot more mundane than that. In fact, I was! Boltfang was happy because his paw's were finally healed, and he was slowly getting use to walking on them again. Hard to imagine that having a normal paw was something for him to enjoy, but in his own little world this was like an apprentice finally getting his warrior name, This was his moment to shine. Trotting away from his makeshift den and down through the forest paths, Boltfang's smile was brought to a cold, frozen, stoic face. upon rounding a boulder, Boltfang came face to face with....
She's carrying kits
Boltfang mused quietly. Though his face was silent and unmoving, inside he couldn't help but feel a small sense of comfort knowing that at least cats were still being born this green-leaf. Boltfang wasn't sure what to do, should he wake her? Probably not, if she fell asleep on a boulder, she was probably pooped. None-the-less, She was pretty defenseless in this situation.
What do we do?
Leave her.
We can't do that, she fed us, she was kind to us, why would you want to do that?
It's your decision, you asked, I answered.
I don't know why I bothered
That settled that, Boltfang quietly looked around the area before quietly walked up to Starlingfur and poking her gently with his tail.
"Hey... you shouldn't sleep here..."
His voice was still broken and distorted, but had a more natural tone than the last time they had met in the hallow log.
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A flaming sword of burning righteousness and also fire!
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Post by ♏aple♢ on Aug 24, 2015 1:56:08 GMT
When you get to the end of your rope, Tie a knot and hang on. She'd really only meant to shut her eyes for a moment. But in that little moment she'd easily slipped into a doze. Oh, she'd always done such things she'd been told. Falling asleep in the worst places at the worst times. But really, Starlingfur couldn't help it. Especially now of all times. What with her back hurting, and the dawn sunlight being just so warm against the stone... Had she had just a few more moments, no doubt Starlingfur would have slipped into dreams. But luckily for her, she'd only just begun to drift when a voice shook her out of her slumber.
Starlingfur jolted awake immediately, nearly jumping in the process. Normally she wouldn't wake so violently, but considering the quality of life over the past twelve moons you had to be ready to fight as soon as you woke. Paranoia glinted in her copper eyes as she tried to gain her bearings, but once they rested on Boltfang she found herself relaxing. Oh, right. She must have just fallen asleep in Duskclan's territory. Didn't she have sunhigh patrol today....? She'd missed the last one sleeping, hadn't she.... Had... all of that.. the war... the journey... been a dream?
No, wait... He'd said something. Concentration and thought replaced the paranoia as she tried to recall.... Oh. The she-cat sat up straighter slowly. He'd asked if she should be sleeping here. No... Said that she shouldn't be sleeping here. A statement. This... wasn't Duskclan. Not anymore. Returning to reality, Starlingfur slowly blinked. He was right though, Starlingfur realized as the soft, confused sleepiness faded from her eyes. She... Hadn't intended to actually doze off. Rising to her paws, Starlingfur leaned down to stretch with a sigh. And then a yawn. She could feel every joint in her poor back. "You're.... probably right. Thank you for waking me, I hadn't intended to actually fall asleep.... I'd just been out for a walk, and..... well... Things have just been been busy lately....."
Returning to a more natural position, Starlingfur subconsciously wrapped her tail around her stomach and blinked tiredly. Her exhaustion was still evident in her eyes, even as she sat. Boltfang hadn't exactly been an expected encounter on this walk of hers, but... Well, even though only a quarter moon had passed since their meeting in the storm, it was good to see that he was still alive. And still not attacking her. She had suggested that he stay in the wooded lands of the sunset plains, but running into him here- now- had been a surprise. Let alone when she'd been sleeping. Gah, she could still barely think clearly... It was too early.
461 words | Starlingfur | Time: Dawn |
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Post by Thunderstruck on Aug 24, 2015 2:40:47 GMT
Boltfang's Whiskers twitched slightly as Starlingfur wrapped her tail around her Stomach. His eyes quickly moved to match hers. he yawned as the exhaustion from waking up and instantly jumping into the day was catching up to him.
"Everyone... naps, Now and then...."
Boltfang turned around and looked to the sky, his ears twitching slightly as the a gentle wind lightly brushed past them. After a moment he turned back to face her fully again.
"At least it's... a nice day today. Early morning walks are good."
Boltfang kept picking up and setting down his paw every now and then, enjoying the sensation of touch without pain. It was a nice change, one he still hadn't gotten fully use too.
"So... What have you been doing..."
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A flaming sword of burning righteousness and also fire!
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Post by ♏aple♢ on Aug 24, 2015 3:29:33 GMT
When you get to the end of your rope, Tie a knot and hang on. A light purr rumbled in Starlingfur's throat, though it lasted only a moment. "I suppose they do... Although according to some, I nap more than most." So many cats had told her as much. Wrenface had once joked that she had ought just hibernate like a bear. An idea that she certainly wouldn't have been opposed to- sleeping for an entire season? Missing Leaf-Fall? Not a thing wrong with it save for missing out on a few things here and there. Why had that memory returned to the surface, though...? Perhaps it was the Duskclan memories that this situation had stirred up...
Back in the old forest, Boltfang had woken her up more than a pawful of times like this. But the old forest had been safe, and they both had been young. Times had changed, and he likely didn't even remember those days. Hm.
"It is." Starlingfur agreed, looking up at the sky. It was painted with violets and the palest yellows- reminding her of the flower fields of the sunset plains. "....And they are. Although I hadn't hoped for this to be one." should she go on? What was oversharing at this point? Were she and Boltfang friends? No. They'd only interacted once in seasons. Years, maybe. Old memories oughtnt colour her actions now. "..... Pain was keeping me awake, and I thought to walk it off. Falling asleep here hadn't been part of my plan." she finally decided. Pain could come from a lot of things, and to be truthful she'd been experiencing it from more than a few sources. That should be enough though. Starclan, she was still half asleep. If the nightmares stayed at bay she should be sleeping well tonight. Today. Well, whenever she got back to her den.
When Boltfang inquired of her activities, Starlingfur tilted her head in thought. What hadn't she been doing? "..... A great deal." she meowed after a moment's silence. "I'm... setting up a nest, here in the forest. A territory. It's kept me busy certainly, among other things. And tired." Starlingfur decided. There had been other things too, of course. The same things that kept every cat busy. Hunting, fighting, trying to survive in the basin that had become a warzone. And kitproofing her new home on the side. How much ought she disclose? Wrenface was always the talented one when it came to social graces. Not that Starlingfur particularly cared in the first place.
A hint of curiosity pricked at her paws now, however. ".... And what of you?" she asked. What was he doing out so early? Late?.... Whatever. It seemed he'd taken her advice on staying in the area at least.
462 words | Starlingfur | Time: Dawn |
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Post by Thunderstruck on Aug 25, 2015 19:58:57 GMT
Boltfang nodded politely as Starlingfur spoke of her life, She did sound very busy. Boltfang didn't understand why she was setting up a permanent nest, but perhaps it had something to do with her possible kits. Maybe she had a mate and a family, Not much to his concern, but that was a nice thought. Only further cementing what he was assuming. Cats were slowly starting to return.
So, if she's pregnant, Are you going to do anything? It'd be easy to chase her away.....
That doesn't make it right, why are you so violent, have you ever thought that maybe keeping a friendship every now and then would be such a bad idea? Seriously?
It never seems like a good idea, it only lets them get closer without sending up warnings!
Whatever....
"I've been, well... Nothing's really changed. I guess. Since... last time. Wandering mostly..... Been picking up more scents lately.... No one I recognize.... but.... It's something..."
Boltfang paused and then decided to add.
"it's a good thing.... i was walking by...... Wouldn't want.... you to get hurt..."
Even though his words were broken Boltfang's voice sounded Genuine, though he did glance towards her stomach as he mentioned it.
"Foxes.... tend.... to wander... here... Just so you know..."
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A flaming sword of burning righteousness and also fire!
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Post by ♏aple♢ on Aug 26, 2015 0:59:19 GMT
When you get to the end of your rope, Tie a knot and hang on. Starlingfur listened, attempting to fade the haze of sleep from her eyes. And failing. So Boltfang had been well, then. Or at least not any worse than he'd been previous. That was good to hear. And he'd noticed the change in scents as well. Though she'd only been back in the clanlands for a short while, Starlingfur had begun to notice as well. The moon was nearing its fullest point- perhaps there were warriors who still yet attended gatherings. Doubtful, but possible.
"It certainly is something...." Starlingfur murmured thoughtfully, looking to the forest. Things had begun to change. Perhaps it was something in the air. Perhaps it was her own personal outlook on life. But the basin was... somehow.... different, than it had been over the past twelve moons. "Cats might be returning. I've noticed more scents as well- although, that may just be a result of my paying more attention." In truth, she'd tried to keep her distance from the basin after the destruction. Tried to keep it off her mind as well. She'd roamed east of Birchclan's territory- Birchclan's... former territory, that was. Selfish perhaps. But she'd returned now, and things certainly seemed to have changed from the time she'd left.
Copper eyes blinked at the words that followed next. That... was unexpected. Although... should it have been? An odd mixture of confusion and familiarity flicked through her eyes, before being replaced with gratefulness. ".... Thank you." she meowed. Once more, Starlingfur wondered how much Boltfang truly remembered. Did he know what a familiar situation this was at all? Or... no, it wouldn't be familiar any more. The point still stood- for her, at the very least. And she certainly noted as his blue eyes flicked towards her stomach. As if by reflex, she flicked her tail against it protectively. Was... she showing so clearly now? Ravenmist had told her that it was noticeable, but Starlingfur hadn't yet been able to tell for herself. She nodded though. ".....It is. Obtaining any injury at this point in time would be dangerous." not that injuries at any other point in time wouldn't be dangerous. That much was obvious.
Foxes.... Yes, she'd scented them. Dawnclan had always had trouble with the red beasts, and she'd scented them more strongly since the wars had begun. No doubt they were enjoying the easy pickings. The thought made her stomach flip in sickness. "I've... noticed their scents here and there, yes. Although I did not think they wandered this deeply into the forest. Thank you for the warning." she nodded. Foxes were the last thing that they needed right now. And yet, she had no doubts that they would have to deal with them before the season had ended.
She did wonder, though. Boltfang seemed to be staying in the area, but had stated that he was still a wanderer. "You say that you've continued to wander- have you considered living somewhere permanently since the fall of the clans?"
512 words | Starlingfur | Time: Dawn |
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Post by Thunderstruck on Aug 27, 2015 23:48:40 GMT
One of Boltfang's ears laid flat as Starlingfur spoke pf scenting other cats. So he wasn't entirely crazy. But even still, that did beg the question as to what they were returning for. Boltfang had a strange feeling he was trying to bury deep inside for a while now, maybe other cats had it too, who knew. He didn't feel like asking, at the risk of running every cat he ran into off thinking he was crazy. He wasn't crazy, they were crazy. Maybe.
"I... Guess you could say I've considered it.... But... I don't really know if it's a good idea. Cats seem to be pretty mobile these days, it only takes one to stumble on you alone in your den asleep for it to be... well.... that...."
Boltfang paused and sighed. he did want to be a part of something again, wandering by himself left him doing a lot of...
You're not seriously considering staying in one spot are you?
Maybe, why?
besides how stupid it sounds!?
No one is asking your opinion.
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A flaming sword of burning righteousness and also fire!
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Post by ♏aple♢ on Aug 28, 2015 16:32:26 GMT
When you get to the end of your rope, Tie a knot and hang on. Blinking thoughtfully as Boltfang spoke, Starlingfur nodded. So he had considered it, then. Such things were true. Living a stationary could be both safe and dangerous in these times. Such things were why she and Birchtail had been so lucky to find such a well-protected home. On one paw, if you claimed a territory for yourself, you would have a stable source of prey. You wouldn't have to go day by day, wondering where your next meal would come from and your next sleep would be. You would have stability in your life. Something that finally, after moons of wandering, made it seem like there was a point to everything. In her case, at least.
But on the other, border marking would attract cats. They might attempt to steal your home or prey, or even kill you in your sleep as Boltfang had said. Such pros and cons were the things that cats had to weigh on in this kind of world. "Yes, both stationary and non-stationary life have their good and bad points.." she murmured.
".. However, I've found that living in one place grants much needed peace of mind, despite the risks." Be it when she'd first joined the clans, when they'd finally settled after the journey, or when they'd begun to work on their new home beneath the pebble pool... Starlingfur had felt as though a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders whenever they stopped moving. As though finally, all of the work, the struggle, the pain, had finally paid off.
273 words | Starlingfur | Time: Dawn |
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