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A flaming sword of burning righteousness and also fire!
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Post by ♏aple♢ on Sept 11, 2015 0:46:10 GMT
When you get to the end of your rope, Tie a knot and hang on.
Heavy and warm. Perfect. Everything felt.. perfect. Nestled deep in her den, watching the stars from the holes in the wall, Starlingfur didn't think that a single thing could have been better right in that moment. She was alive. Safe. She had a family- her daughter, her loving mate, her friends, her clan, and now... Four beautiful, newborn kits. Looking down at the four bundles now tucked tight to her side, Starlingfur smiled warmly. She'd been so fearful, and for what? Nothing had gone wrong, and everything was finally going right.
Sometimes her life had felt like mistake after mistake. But now.. Stability was just on the horizon. Birchtail loved her. She loved Birchtail. Cedarclan was a functioning clan, with mentors, apprentices, kits and warriors. Their camp was nearly finished, and cats were setting into their new home. Day by day, hour by hour, their territory and hold on the Sunset Plains expanded. The only things that Cedarclan missed were a medicine cat and a leader who had earned their nine lives. Those were both things to worry about, but they were works in progress. Things that could be achieved- or found, if they were lucky. Starlingfur was not afraid. Not right now, at least.
Right now she was happy. Content. The clan's leader watched the stars from her place in the nursery, eyes shining in reflection of the moon. It was nearly full now. Just a few more days, and there would be a gathering. Or... would there be? Had the other group truly formed a clan over the past moon- and if so, would they honor the code and bring their warriors to the Aurora Hill? It was something that was on Starlingfur's mind certainly. There was so much to discuss.. Would Cedarclan be in attendance? Having so recently kitted Starlingfur would be loathe to leave her young, even if only for hours. But ceremony demanded what ceremony demanded. A clan could not attend a gathering without their leader- even a clan so newly formed. It would be... something to discuss with her deputy and senior warriors.
Sighing contentedly, Starlingfur rested her head on her paws among the flowers of her nest. The sound of her clan shuffling about outside lulled her into a state of relaxation. Happily for the night-oriented Starlingfur, the warriors of Cedarclan had begun following her lead and operating by moonlight. A night oriented clan! Starclan, what Starlingfur wouldn't have given for that when she first joined Duskclan. Being leader might have had its trials, but it had a good number of perks as well. And despite her frequently stress-filled life it was times like this when Starlingfur wouldn't have it any other way.
471 words | Starlingfur | Midnight |
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Post by Thunderstruck on Sept 11, 2015 1:02:29 GMT
Quietly Shadowfrost padded into camp. he made his way to the nursery with the two voles dangling from his jaws from his hunt. he was going to make nice with his leader. Quietly he entered the den and sat down awaiting conformation that Starlingfur knew he was here before approaching. he didn't want to invade her personal space, and didn't want to be here if she had other things to tend too. After she acknowledge his presence he made his way quietly towards her before setting one vole down in front of her and then sitting himself down a short distance away, setting his at his feet.
"I figured you could use something to eat after your kitting Starlingfur. How are you doing?"
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A flaming sword of burning righteousness and also fire!
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Post by ♏aple♢ on Sept 11, 2015 2:30:57 GMT
When you get to the end of your rope, Tie a knot and hang on.
The sound of approaching pawsteps roused her from her thoughts, and Starlingfur looked up to find pale blue eyes at the den's entrance. "Shadowfrost." Her deputy. Starlingfur unconsciously wrapped her tail around her kits- new mother's instinct- before nodding to him. "Come in." she invited, flicking a paw absently. Crescent was absent from the den, and Featherpaw slept soundly at one far edge of the hollow. For all intents and purposes, they were alone.
He'd brought voles. Copper eyes flickered appreciatively. Her favorite. Did he know, she wondered? She'd eaten with Birchtail earlier in the morning, but after sleeping through the day and having just recently awoken, she was hungry. "Thank you." she meowed appreciatevely, pulling one towards her as her deputy moved to sit with the other. A few of her kits fidgeted, and Hawkkit let out a quiet mewl at her position's shifting. But the leader quickly and gently hushed them, stroking their backs with her tail. Once they had calmed, she pulled the vole between her paws.
She and Shadowfrost had never been close. But it was important for them to grow closer now, given their positions. Or perhaps.. Just given their existance as clanmates. Shadowfrost asked how she was, and Starlingfur smiled. A real, genuine smile. Something that was once rare on her face, but was becoming more and more commonplace with each day. "I am well. Tired, but... no, perhaps even better than well." she murmured contentedly, flexing her front claws before taking a bite of her vole. "My kits are safe. Our clan is coming along nicely. Things are stable, and it is... a nice change of pace."
"Oh- you haven't met them yet, have you?" Starlingfur murmured thoughtfully. She'd gone to sleep not long after her kitting. Not yet had the leader had time to announce her kits to the clan, although no doubt most cats knew by now. Considering how Birchtail talked... Starlingfur laughed inwardly. Outwardly on the other paw, she pulled her tail away from her young, bringing them into view. Sleepy and tiny and still just as perfect. "Hawkkit, Shrikekit, Ternkit, and Flickerkit. Those are their names" the leader named quietly, gesturing to each kit in turn with her tail before returning her eyes to her deputies. "Two toms, two she-cats. Unless you've already heard from Birchtail" If what Rookshadow had told her earlier was any indication, Birchtail had been nearly shouting the news from the treetops.
425 words | Starlingfur | Midnight |
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Post by Thunderstruck on Sept 11, 2015 3:01:37 GMT
Shadowfrost looked at the kits with a thoroughly neutral expression, but close examiners might have caught a glimpse of joy in his eyes, if they were looking hard enough. He raised his head back to meet Starlingfur's.
"Yes, Your mate has been rather... informative as to your kits. They'll grow into fine warriors, I'm sure."
Shadowfrost bent down and took a bite out of his vole, letting the juices wash over his tongue and down his throat. It was savoring and made his mouth water, he had a particular taste for voles himself, he had hoped Starlingfur wouldn't mind. After he swallowed he looked back at Starlingfur with a matter of fact stare. In a very flat and to the point tone he just began.
"So, The full moon is soon, I was hoping we could discuss that, as well as.... well... a few things have come up through hear say. Some you might find rather interesting. The top of which on my mind is Boltfang's possible kits, in case you haven't heard, Fernheart is expecting. And I had an interesting run in With Swanstrike earlier I'd like to discuss."
Shadow bent down and took another bite out of his vole, Once again the flavor washed over his tongue and down his throat, arguably even better than the first bite.
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A flaming sword of burning righteousness and also fire!
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Post by ♏aple♢ on Sept 11, 2015 3:42:20 GMT
When you get to the end of your rope, Tie a knot and hang on.
Starlingfur couldn't help but chuckle. "No doubt." she shook her head. Even before they'd had their own, Birchtail had always been going on and on about how wonderful kits were. And now that he was a father himself, no doubt that would double. If something like that was even possible. But... he would be a good father. And.. it made her happy how much he talked about their family, even when she wasn't around. It brought a smile to her face. "And thank you. I'm certain they will as well. Hawkkit already has a set of lungs on him, and Flickerkit's claws are sharp." her voice was amused. Relaxed. Comfortable.
She ate her vole and enjoyed it. It was nice, just being able to relax like this. She and Birchtail had done plenty of relaxing before they'd returned to the clangrounds of course, but there was.. no edge to it here. Finally, she had a place that she could call home again. Where she didn't have to look over her shoulder every five seconds. And it was nice.
Of course, if there was ever just relaxation no work would get done. Starlingfur wasn't surprised when Shadowfrost began to talk business. He always had been a to-the-point cat. And that certainly wasn't a trait that Starlingfur disliked. "Yes, there is much to discuss." she agreed, taking another bite of her vole. "With the full moon on its way, there is the matter of the potential gathering. I have been thinking on the matter of whether we should attend. Wondering whether the other group would be in attendance or not- if they are still together." She meowed thoughtfully. How had they been faring over the course of the past moon, she wondered? Most of those who had followed Eveningblaze had been young. Inexperienced. She wished them no ill will, but was curious of their structure.
Boltfang and Fernheart... Having kits? Starlingfur tilted her head in thought. Less than a moon ago she'd spoken to Boltfang and he'd admitted to being alone. That had been... quick. "Is she? I never took you one for gossip, Shadowfrost." Starlingfur's face was serious as always, but her copper eyes glinted playfully. "If they are indeed expecting, then I wish them better luck with this litter than they seem to have had in the past." she murmured somewhat more darkly. Indeed, Starlingfur had been there to deliver Fernheart's first litter when the medicine cat had been absent. Though she'd not been in a clan with the she-cat since her youth, Starlingfur had heard the.... stories. She was surprised that Fernheart would even want to have kits at all after all she'd been through in regards to them. Although, Starlingfur herself wouldn't be one to talk.
"And what of Swanstrike?" Interest replaced seriousness now in Starlingfur's copper eyes, and she flicked her tail. She'd been wondering where the queen had gotten off to. Her having been with Shadowfrost would answer that question though.
512 words | Starlingfur | Midnight |
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Post by Thunderstruck on Sept 11, 2015 3:57:09 GMT
Shadowfrost quietly chuckled to himself through his nose. He didn't want to be rude in the presence of his leader so after clearing his throat he turned his full attention to the matter of the gathering. If the other group had indeed formed a clan, then perhaps they would be going to the gathering as well. Shadowfrost had mixed feelings about this other group, on one hand, the clans had always been many, not one. Just two clans themselves made things a little more awkward than he wanted to imagine, and they hadn't even heard of the other clan.
"Perhaps we skip this gathering, if I may. Our clan has only yet been established, and we've yet to hear of the other clan, if they have even formed. Honestly, it might be worth sending a patrol to locate them and ask. Formality be damned."
Shadowfrost turned his eyes down to the kits as Starlingfur went on to speak of Boltfang and Fernheart's kits. Her comment at first had a lighthearted ring, but slowly it turned into a dark omen of the past. Those two had always had issues with family, Albeit Shadowfrost wasn't at liberty to make any judgement as to why.
"I'll agree, they've had trouble. I'm more worried about Fernheart than... Well.. Fernheart is an excellent mother. Boltfang is... odd... But I'm not one to judge. As for Swanstrike. Yes, actually, she ambushed me while I was out hunting. Which, I'll admit was rather odd. She didn't seem... normal. She approached me, started stalking me, then when i confronted her, she started insulting me like some kit. And then she stole my vole. When I wouldn't fight her back, she gave up and then... Well it was rather odd. Almost like she's a kit with a crush."
Shadow paused to ponder that fact. In fact, that's exactly what she was acting like. a kit with a crush. Shadowfrost was slightly amused and annoyed by this thought, but he wasn't finished yet.
"But the thing that really confuses me is as i was walking away, she called herself Crescent... I'll be honest, she was acting like an entirely different cat, and not in a good way."
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A flaming sword of burning righteousness and also fire!
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Post by ♏aple♢ on Sept 12, 2015 4:13:25 GMT
When you get to the end of your rope, Tie a knot and hang on.
Skipping the gathering. Starlingfur hadn't exactly thought of it in those words, but... a thoughtful look crossed her face. Perhaps they had ought to after all. Who was to know if there would even be a gathering to skip? There was still debate on whether the last gathering had been a sign from Starcan or not. It could have been a fluke- Starclan could still be absent. But Starlingfur... although her faith had never been the strongest, she preferred the alternative. She wondered what the other group thought of this. "Seeing as how we are still settling, it may be a good idea to pass this moon. But it will require further thought" Starlingfur agreed. She still didn't like the idea of leaving her kits this young, even if only for a short time. It would be a good idea to see what they were dealing with though. "A patrol seems our best option for the time being. A few of our trusted senior warriors- along with a high ranking cat to show our sincerity." she eyed him meaningfully. To send him as an ambassador would be a high act of trust. But despite their previous lack of communication, Starlingfur and Shadowfrost had shared the same clan for seasons. She trusted him.
Neither Boltfang nor Fernheart had the best track record with parenthood, but Starlingfur agreed with Shadowfrost. Neither of them were ones to judge. "The rogue kits, my litter, Featherpaw's, and now Fernheart's... Our clan will be a strong one, that is certain." Starlingfur meowed resolutely. Their numbers were spiraling high and into the healthy ranges. Over the course of one moon they had gone from a group of ragtag rogues to loyal warriors, raising both kits and apprentices with clan values. It warmed her heart. All of the kits of Cedarclan would know better lives than their parents had. Starlingfur would make sure of that.
But the tabby quirked a brow as Shadowfrost spoke of his encounter with Swanstrike. He seemed an odd mix of amused and uncomfortable, and Starlingfur couldn't keep an amused twitch from her whiskers. "She... ambushed you?" the leader repeated, tone incredulous. Well... she had done just about the same thing to Starlingfur when they'd had their first conversation. Was that just.. something that mountain cats did? The insulting was something new though. But as Shadowfrost went on, it began to make sense. Starlingfur nodded, an amused sparkle in her eyes. "Perhaps she wants to get to know you better." she suggested. She had never experienced such things herself, but she'd seen more than enough kits and apprentices- especially her own- doing such things to have a frame of reference. It was surprising to see an older cat acting in such a way, but Starlingfur wasn't exactly the best cat to judge on what was appropriate for one's age.
Her calling herself Crescent caught her attention, however. She remembered- that had been the she-cat's name before she had recieved her clan title. It was a leader's duty to know such things. "... Sometimes loners have a difficult time adjusting to their new names. To clan life, too. I think... she might be trying to reach out to someone." she suggested, eyes thoughtful. Starlingfur had never been the best with other cats. But these sounded like clear signs. Crescent.. hadn't exactly made a large number of friends- outside of the nursery, that was- she now noticed. Hmm... Starlingfur wanted all of her warriors to be comfortable in Cedarclan. Perhaps she had ought to have a talk with Swanstrike.
609 words | Starlingfur | Midnight |
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Post by Thunderstruck on Sept 12, 2015 5:01:40 GMT
Shadowfrost nodded as Starlingfur spoke. The gathering could wait, but it did require a bit more thought than just saying yes or no. They could show up either way and speak amongst themselves. But that would just seem useless, more so than usual. And then Starlingfur looked at him and spoke.
"A patrol seems our best option for the time being. A few of our trusted senior warriors- along with a high ranking cat to show our sincerity."
For a moment his mind thought of sending the medicine cat, But wait.. they didn't have one, and Starlingfur had just given birth, so she wasn't going anywhere. That meant...
"m-me? You want me to go? I uh.... Sure, Would you like me to organize the patrol too? If so I hope you can spare your mate. I understand he's a father now, but I wouldn't want him to forget his duties."
Shadowfrost wasn't one for making small talk or even really deviating from the point. But perhaps he was becoming a little more comfortable with the situation he's in, and the cat who he was serving. A small look of amusement was glowing in his eyes as he spoke, Perhaps things would be ok after all.However, the talk of Crescent, or how she would rather be called Swanstrike brought back a serious nature to his face. Perhaps, she did want to get to know him better, but she was invading his personal space and his life at the worst time, it really put him on edge. he didn't like being stalked.
"Perhaps she wishes to get to know me better, but, if I may speak freely? Starlingfur, we were never close as clan mates, and to be honest, I'm still a little confused as to why you picked me over the others who make up your inner circle of family. Regardless, We were never close and we got along just fine. I'm not a social butterfly... as I believe you would call it. It's just... uncomfortable."
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A flaming sword of burning righteousness and also fire!
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Post by ♏aple♢ on Sept 12, 2015 10:03:40 GMT
When you get to the end of your rope, Tie a knot and hang on.
"I do. I believe that you can handle the responsibility." Starlingfur nodded, eyes encouraging. He seemed surprised at the notion. But Starlingfur trusted him, and it wasn't as though she could go anywhere herself. "Of course. Take whoever you like, so long as the patrol doesn't grow beyond a few cats. We don't want them to think we're attacking." Starlingfur complied. Birchtail might not like the idea of leaving so quickly after the birth of their kits, but... It would only be for a day or two. Besides, having lived just west of Birchclan's territory for moons, he would be a useful cat to bring along.
Shadowfrost voiced her earlier thoughts. Starlingfur wasn't surprised that the tom had been shocked by her decision to appoint him deputy. In all honestly, the idea of appointing Birchtail or Rookshadow had crossed her mind more than once. Shadowfrost was inexperienced. Uncomfortable around strangers. But she had been as well, when she'd first taken on her position as deputy. "I understand where you come from, Shadowfrost." Starlingfur nodded, "When I was first made deputy, dealing with the issues and social matters of other cats was nerve-wracking at best. Uncomfortable, terrifying, and disinteresting at worst." sympathy rested in her copper eyes, along with something... wise. And amused.
"But interacting with others, even when I thought I couldn't- that helped me to grow as a cat. It made me into... someone who I hope will be worthy of leadership. It was difficult- it always is for cats like us." Standoffish. Quiet. Antisocial, and more than happy to live their lives alone. Starlingfur and Shadowfrost were more similar than they appeared on the surface. "But you'll get used to it with time. Even grow to like it, if you're lucky. Blackstar was a fine cat, and an even finer leader. He made a wise choice in appointing me deputy all those moons ago, although I didn't believe it at the time. And he saw something in you- something enough to appoint you leader, even without this vital experience. And I trust his judgement enough to have you as Cedarclan's first deputy- and hopefully future leader." Perhaps she saw something familiar in the younger tom. Something that had been in herself. Something she'd seen in others. Something that could be learned from.
"You might never get used to it. Starclan knows I still find myself uncomfortable with these sorts of things. But it will get easier with practice. In this position you must learn to interact with the clan on a personal level, no matter how difficult it might be. For now I can talk to Swanstrike for you however, if you like." Her tone was pointed. She gave him the option. He could deal with this himself, or have her do so. This was a learning experience. There was much that a leader had to do in training their deputy. Social lessons. Confidence lessons. Empathy and leadership lessons. She remembered having these same lessons with Blackstar. In this position... cats would have to deal with difficult things. Starlingfur had learned the hard way, and was still learning more and more each day. Despite what some may believe, the learning never really stopped when you left apprenticehood. In the clans, every day could be a learning experience. It had taken Starlingfur herself seasons to realize this.
She.. hoped that she had made the right choice in Shadowfrost, but whether she had or not she would do her best in teaching him what he needed to know.
605 words | Starlingfur | Midnight |
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Post by Thunderstruck on Sept 13, 2015 3:40:23 GMT
Shadowfrost quietly listened as Starlingfur spoke, nodding slightly as she finished. She thought he could do the job, and she thought he could learn to do it enough to be leader again one day. Shadowfrost breathed in slightly and then pulled a paw over his ear. As she spoke of Swanstrike he sighed lightly. He couldn't bring himself to see her as anything other than a fellow warrior, while he did agree that he should be involved in the clan life. He still felt that even a warrior should be allowed to enjoy some distance from other warriors he didn't regularly see eye to eye with. But he should at least remain civil with her, regardless of their previous encounters he should at least admittedly allow her to exist in his presence instead of trying to pretend she doesn't exist. That was as childish as she had stooped too, if he was going to be deputy, he should be above acting like a kit.
"I'll deal with it. But it's not as though i wish to openly attack her, I just... don't wish to call her... friend. I suppose that's selfish in someways. But she just rubs me the wrong way, the first time we met, she insulted Cavernstorm, and then dropped to the floor and started crying for Boltfang. It was... well to be honest, just rather sad. But, this is a tad off topic. If I can redirect, I actually think I might take Rookshadow, and her apprentice. Apprentices five off the appeal of a thriving clan, and I'd say it wouldn't hurt to at least show off a little."
Shadowfrost's nose twitched in amusement as he finished talking. He didn't mind showing off that Cederclan was doing just well and in less than a moon! It was all quite interesting.
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A flaming sword of burning righteousness and also fire!
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Post by ♏aple♢ on Sept 14, 2015 8:48:15 GMT
When you get to the end of your rope, Tie a knot and hang on.
Starlingfur nodded, seemingly pleased with the resolution. "Good. You don't have to be friends with every cat in the clan. She seems... the type who has a hard time with such things. Just as we are, but in.. a different way. I'll keep an eye on the matter either way." Swanstrike had proven herself to be a bit awkward at times. Overbearing perhaps? Starlingfur, being an introverted cat who didn't deal well with unexpected affection and friendship, didn't feel as though she was the best cat to make the call on that. She just hoped that the queen would... find it easier to get along with others in the future. And she appreciated that she was reaching out to cats outside of the nursery. Now that she was leader, she was keeping tabs on the progress of several of the former loners of her clan. She would not have them feel left out. Perhaps a first careless leader had been what had made her own acclimation to clan life take so long, she now realized. Crowstar, in his later years, hadn't exactly been... welcoming. But if she could... she would help her clanmates adjust to things more easily. And that included keeping an eye on interclan relations.
Rookshadow and Patchpaw? Along with Birchtail. Dear friends of hers- cats who upheld the ideals which she aspired for Cedarclan to represent wonderfully. And a younger cat to not only show how well they were doing, but also to give her a taste of the world. Given her injury, Starlingfur had no doubts that she'd already seen some parts of the world... But a taste of real clan life. The leader nodded. "Those three sound like a fine patrol. Mm.... we do have a bit of room for pride." Starlingfur smiled. She was never a cat for such things. But what else could this warmth be, spreading through her body every time she looked over her kits and clan? They had done this on their own. One moon and they were already functional. Teaching their cats clan values, working hard, expanding their borders and raising their numbers. It made her... happy. More than happy. Just three moons ago, she would have never thought a thing such as this possible. And yet here they were. Yes.. it wouldn't hurt to show off a bit.
"While you're there, keep an eye on their progress. Note not only whatever leader they've chosen's words, but also the names and ranks of the cats around you. How many apprentices they have. How many warriors. How many you recognize from before the war. Learn about their decision making processes and overall attitude, if you can. It is a rare opportunity to see the inside of a clan's camp in a situation such as this- but be incredibly careful." Copper eyes hardened, a serious expression shadowing her face. "We do not wish for conflict. The four of you are valuable cats, ones we would not wish to lose. Neither Birchtail nor Rookshadow are confrontational, but just... be careful with your words." This was a risk. A great risk. They knew next to nothing about these cats. They'd left almost as soon as the blood moon had began- an incredibly rash move. They could still be violent, or prone to quick decisions. These were the things that they needed to find out- along with if they were even still a group- let alone a clan at all, and whether they would be attending the gathering or not.
603 words | Starlingfur | Midnight |
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Post by Thunderstruck on Sept 15, 2015 21:36:07 GMT
Shadowfrost finished his vole and sighed as the quiet set in, Then Starlingfur spoke. At least she understood, that was a bonus to him. he didn't want to cause any issues with any cats, he just didn't want to be forced into a companionship he didn't need, among other things. Quietly he nodded as Starlingfur approved of his patrol selection, and then she began. He needed to keep all of this in mind, they were getting a chance to see how these other cats would interact with each other, as long as they didn't get catapulted from the camp first. He would need to instruct the others as they left to keep their eyes and ears open as well.
"Very well, I'll have a full report when we return from their camp."
He needed to watch what he said though, he was quick to anger and he couldn't afford to jeopardize this opportunity. He could keep his head calm, this was going to be easy. Yet somehow he didn't quite believe it was going to be that easy.
"I'll gather the patrol and head out in the morning. We'll need some rest to find them, we could be gone for a day or two."
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A flaming sword of burning righteousness and also fire!
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Post by ♏aple♢ on Sept 16, 2015 1:10:08 GMT
When you get to the end of your rope, Tie a knot and hang on.
Good. That was settled then. Their first true clan operation, now that Starlingfur thought of it. She was sending her deputy to meet with the leader of another clan. Thinking of herself- and her clanmates in such terms was still something that she wasn't quite familiar with. But she was getting used to it. A tinge of pride flickered through her heart, along with the nervousness that came with sending close friends away. But they would survive this. The war was over, Starlingfur reminded herself. The other group had a medicine cat. They would not be savages. Shadowfrost, Birchtail, Rookshadow, and Patchpaw would do just fine.
"I wish you the best of luck." Starlingfur nodded, twitching an ear. "I will alert the rest of the clan later tonight." cats would wonder why their deputy was gone. She would have to let them know. Starlingfur would not be one to keep things from her warriors- especially important matters such as this. Giving a final flick of her tail, Starlingfur dismissed her deputy. "Rest well, and be safe."
193 words | Starlingfur | Midnight |
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