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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2015 23:45:24 GMT
Leaf
It had only been about two moons since the calico had left her home in the old fox den with her family. Onyx had taken over completely. The once calm, and happy family had given up their beloved den by letting in strangers and ending up the omega's of their own home. The she cat had been thrown from her unspoken ruling and the larger tom had stepped into her place. All though, his rule was not as kind as the families daughter's had been. He laid down a hard law, turning the home into an empire where he was their king. No one got a say, and the youngest cat had had enough. She put her paw down, stating how things would be. But, the king had attacked her and the rest of the cats. If they didn't flee, they were scared into submission. And such,now the she cat stood on her own, with her pretty, white paws stained from the marshlands she had been traveling.
The she cat's ears twitched once again as she continued to walk. Her heart was standing in her throat and she felt like she hadn't eaten in seasons. The pit in her stomach not only told her of hunger, but also of the painful loneliness she got from leaving all she had ever known behind. Her head hung low as she crept through the undergrowth. Her paws made the steady slopping sound as they rose and fell on the mushy ground. The look of disgust on her face could have told it all. But, she knew what laid ahead. Rumors of lone cats spoke of a gathering of cats. Not a small group like her family had, but an actual grouping of cats. It had spoken of a code they lived by, protection in numbers, training, a family, a home. It had all sounded so perfect to the calico cat, so here she was.
The scent markers assaulted her nostrils as she came along what she could only assume was a border. Out of respect for their land, she stopped, plopping her rump down and wrapping her tail over her muddy paws and stomach fur. Now, all she had to do was wait, right? However, she hadn't heard if they would except a lone cat like herself. Suddenly, the calico felt self-conscious, wanting to hide away from the world she felt all of sudden so small in. Her ears flicked and she gave her muddy chest a few licks.
She was just going to have to wait and see.
ulla |
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A flaming sword of burning righteousness and also fire!
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Post by ♏aple♢ on Sept 26, 2015 18:18:03 GMT
Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.
Clan life had been busy as of late. Between the change in leadership, the mess that was rebuilding, Kei, and Turtlefrost, Tornpelt never seemed to catch a break. Not to mention regular warrior duties. Waking up, hunting, training, patrolling... Frankly, the disfigured she-cat was exhausted. But that didn't keep her from doing what had to be done. A warrior had to do their job, no matter how chronic lesions caused them pain or improper scheduling that lead to a cat taking both dawn and dusk patrols. Though their numbers may have been thinning, borders still needed checked. Prey still needed to be caught. Apprentices still needed to be taught. The clan- whatever mess it had become- needed supported. And that was what Tornpelt had vowed to do. This was her last chance- she couldn't throw it away over a small rough patch.
Golden leaves rustled high above as the she-cat moved through the forest. It was a nice day to be checking the borders, at the very least. And with how low their numbers were getting it wasn't always feasible to send multiple cats out to check the same border. Happily for her, that meant a rare moment of silence. A chance to relax, not having to worry about eyes analyzing her every move, or cats making retching sounds behind her back. The laughs. The scorn. It all melted away in the Leaf-Fall breeze, just as surely as the red fell from the trees.
Her patrol had been an easy one thusfar. Though border tensions had been high when the clan had first formed- rogues furious at losing land- others thinking them an easy and disorganized target- after two moons things had finally begun to slow. Tornpelt had found not one sign of trespassers throughout her trek. A distant scent of fox, but nothing more dangerous. It was surprising. Any being who knew what Leaf-Bare in the mountains meant would be scrabbling for an easy meal or a place to stay. But so far.... nothing. Until, that was, she caught a fresh scent on the breeze. Ripped ears perked, and their owner grew still as she attempted to locate the source. A she-cat.
Following her nose, it didn't take long for Tornpelt to find the scent's owner. Through the lack of underbrush most things were easy to see. A calico she-cat, sitting just beyond their border. Small and muddy, she seemed to be waiting. 'Well, those are the kind of manners that you don't usually see around here.'. But waiting for what? Was she meeting someone- looking to make a deal- or hoping to join?
"Hello." Tornpelt made herself known, moving from behind the cover of trees. Her voice was as ragged as their bark as she spoke to the she-cat, looking her up and down as she moved closer. The warrior stopped just two tail-lengths away far enough not to be a threat, but close enough to find herself in good view. The she-cat didn't seem hostile, at the very least. "Can I help you with something?"
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2015 23:30:07 GMT
Leaf
It didn't take long at all before a group of cats could be seen off in the distance. She waited patiently, not making a sound and simply leaning back on her haunches with absolute patience. The calico had always been a laid back cat. It came with her past as a leader. She needed to be able to deal with a group of cats younger and older than herself, and be able to keep her temper no matter what. Because of this, her patience ran for miles and it never seemed to falter. Her tail twitched as an interesting looking cat approached her.
The she cat was calm in her approach, maybe even curious. The calico she cat tilted her head, scanning the other cat with a calm gaze. Most cats, ones who had not seen what this cat had, would have cringed or forced their eyes away at the appearance of such a cat. But, the loner remained calm, her gaze politely looking over the other she cat and then turning her gaze to her paws with gentle submission. It was the appropriate gesture, as she assumed. Though, she could not be a hundred percent positive. She had never tried to join a clan before, so this was a very new experience for her.
Hello. Can I help you with something?
The other cat asked. The calico felt her eyes study up and down her fur, but she remained as calm and relaxed as she had before. When the other cat settled down a few tail lengths away, the calico would raise her eyes, but only hold direct eye contact for a few moments at a time. The last thing she needed to do was seem like she was trying to be the dominant one in this situation. She had no wish to that, only to earn some sort of entry into their home.
Golden-green eyes met the bi-colored of the ragged she cat, and she smiled slightly, wrapping her tail neatly over her paws. "Greetings." She meowed finally, dipping her head in a formal greeting. "My name is Leaf. I have traveled far on talk of a clan gathering here, and would be honored to walk alongside all of you." Her eyes and head dropped once more, her gaze moving to the territory behind the other she cat. "May I speak with someone in charge?" Her head tilted as her eyes rose to the other cats once more.
It may have seemed rude to assume that this cat was not in charge, but Leaf had seen her share of leaders and dominant cats. This she cat didn't seem to try and dominate the loner, nor did she stand tall with a royal aroma. Sure, Leaf could have been wrong, and she would feel horrible in return, but she didn't see this she cat as a leader. Simply a messenger or more average rank.
♏aple♢
ulla |
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A flaming sword of burning righteousness and also fire!
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Post by ♏aple♢ on Sept 28, 2015 18:44:20 GMT
Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.
Polite. Level eyes like just turning leaves. A slight smile. Elegant words. That dip of the head- so formal. Business, then. For all her mud and ribs, this stranger seemed to be well-versed in dealings with other cats. Moreso than half the rogues they'd picked up at the very least. Tornpelt- wasn't one to talk, with her own standoffish nature and willingness to do her work quietly and without interference. But they could use a few more good cats. And given the she-cat's nature, it didn't seem as though she was meeting someone here- rather, waiting for someone to pass by. Tornpelt nearly snorted. Again, more polite than half the cats who had joined. Most just trudged into their territory without a care in the world.
"Our patrols have been thin, lately. You're lucky someone happened to pass by." 'You're also lucky it wasn't one of the more aggressive cats.' All cats had heard of the fight between the Cedarclan cats and the Marshclan cats. Duskblaze wasn't the most subtle tom. And ones like Stagheart or Turtlefrost might have just chased the cat off. But if this she-cat had heard about them- and wished to join their numbers- they could use all the cats they could get. Especially with Leaf-Bare coming. That would all be for Duskblaze to decide, however. Instead, Tornpelt nodded.
"I see. Our home lies North of here- I can take you to our leader. Duskblaze is his name. He would be happy to speak with you." she meowed formally, rising to her paws and flicking her ears towards camp. 'And a fool to send you away.' Normally, she would question a cat more than this. But times were hard, and she was on bad terms with their leader as it was. It was best just to do her job. Bring back the loner, introduce her to Duskblaze, return to her patrol. Yes, things were run.... loosely at best. Marshclan was in shambles. They numbered less than a dozen, with scattered patrols and irregular schedules and frequent arguments. But... It wouldn't be her place to tell those things to a cat, eyes so hopeful and curious, looking to join.
She would just have to see for herself.
Still- this patrol had just gotten more interesting. And they were trying to make the clan better. This was her clan. Her home, now. Sometimes... Tornpelt had to remind herself of that. She'd ought to do her best not to think badly of it. And it would be good to get a feel of this cat. Ask some questions before they got back, let Duskblaze know a bit about her in advance.. "Come, its this way." she meowed after a moment's silence, turning and beginning to pad further inland. "My name is Tornpelt. One of Marshclan's senior warriors- though not a cat worthy of making judgement on joinings." She introduced herself, looking ahead. It wasn't a difficult territroy to navigate, with its clear folliage, soft earth, and evenly spaced trees, but it was best to be on guard. "What are you called? And how far have the tales of our clans spread?"
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