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Post by Kibbles on Aug 26, 2015 19:15:37 GMT
The muscular got up to his paws, nodded. They probably should head back to the group. "They know I can take care of myself, but we should head back so you can have a better place to rest," he said. He poked his head out of the den, looking around. The sun was rising, it was barely dawn. The forest dripped with rain drops from the night before. He slipped out, listening to the birds sing in the morning.
"We have a few cats carrying kits in the group. Cavernpaw has been sticking close to them, making sure they're alright. We also have some very young cats whom are barely old enough to be away from their parents. Then there are older cats whom are experienced with many things. It's very diverse, but we are all willing to help those in need, so you'll fit in just fine."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2015 19:33:17 GMT
Ika watched Crooked-eye go first, the more muscular feline was very nice to watch. They way he moved always caught Ika's eye, it was with grace and power, and yea. Ika could just watch the tom moving around all day if it wasn't considered creepy to stare. He slowly got to his own feet. To-thin legs shook a bit under what little weight he had, but he still rose, and slowly moved up behind Crooked-eye and looked around once out of the den before his eyes landed onto the other tom once more. "Sounds great." he smiled gently, he was being honest. He didn't mind other cats long as they weren't aggressive types. He didn't want to have to sleep with every tom that was all snarly at him. Before meeting Crooked-eye, that's what he would of done. Offered himself to anyone that snarled or even hissed at him. But now, for some reason, he only wanted to be with the other tom. It made his chest ache when he thought harder on it. What if Crooked-eye grew tired of him? It wasn't like he could exactly give him kittens, and he was pretty sure the tom would be a great parent, and he should get the chance. Perhaps he should stay awhile... Then force himself to leave, find some other tom to get help from for awhile? That made his chest ache more, and for a moment it was hard to breath, he was left panting as his head hung, trying to catch his breath, closing his eyes as he slowly got air back into his lungs, forcing the thoughts away. He felt, or maybe even knew, if he had to leave Crooked-eye, forever, and never return to him... he would most likely die.
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Post by Kibbles on Aug 26, 2015 19:39:28 GMT
Crooked-eye looked down at Ika as he heard the smaller time panting. He nudged him lightly. "You can lean on me if you're getting tired," he said gently, licking Ika's head. He wasn't so sure what to do if the tom got tired so easily. They couldn't take breaks every five minutes. If that was the case, it would take them a few hours to get there.
"You know, you may have to change your name. You wouldn't have to, but it'd make you feel more at home, if you did. Before I joined the clans, and don't laugh at the name, I was named Prince Pickles. I was a kittypet for a young twoleg kit," he explained.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2015 20:01:39 GMT
Ika smiled softly slowly looking up at him, "thank you.. I'll be okay though, just got... winded for some reason." not wanting to say it was caused by a pain in his chest just for thinking about even leaving him He didn't want to go there, not really, since what if it made him chase him off, or or.. who knows, he didn't want to think on it anymore. He slowly lifted his head again, taking a slow deep breath before letting it go. "I'm okay, honest, lets get going..?"
He was ready to follow, but he spoke, and tilted his head. Tilting his head, smiling... "Prince Pickles huh? That's adorable." he stated softly, purring gently, but tilted his head confused, "But to change my name? Would.. would that really matter?" he asked softly, brows furrowing. His mother gave him his name. But, if he really wanted a 'fresh start' to stay with Crooked-eye, perhaps changing his name would be a good idea... He tilted his head a bit more to the side as he looked back to the other tom, "What would you think my name would be better as?"
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Post by Kibbles on Aug 26, 2015 20:06:51 GMT
Crooked-eye felt his fur heat up as he cleared his throat. He gave a small smile. "Well, it wouldn't matter really. There are clan cats whom don't like outsiders, though. Many clan cats think they're better than rogues and loners and kittypets, but that's not the case. They have a code that they follow, but that's the only thing that's different. We're all cats surviving in a cruel world. A name won't change anything except the way some cats look at you," he explained.
He took the lead as they headed towards the group. His tail was held high as he chuckled at the last question. "Well, it wouldn't be my choice, honestly. But if I had to choose, I would say.... Ika fits your perfectly. But the names generally go off of looks and then a trait specifically for you. So if I was leader, I would maybe call you... Sandheart or Sandeye. Sand, because of your fur color. Heart is because you care. Or eye, because of your eyes. That's why they named me Crooked-eye. Since one pupil is much larger and the other is just a slit."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2015 20:25:25 GMT
Ika gave a faint nod, change how some cats look at him. Would that be a good thing? With a changed name would they expect more from him? He still couldn't hunt the only thing he ever managed to catch in his life time was this fat frog that could barely move. It was probably old and close to dying, or who knows but that's the only thing he had ever caught himself. Hadn't tasted very good either, but it'd been better than starving at the time.
He moved walking beside and a step behind the other tom, eyes watching ahead of them, not to sure where they were going but he couldn't really care considering the tom next to him made him happy. His tail sort of dragged behind him to tired to bother holding it up. He smiled softly as he said his name suited him perfectly. He nodded smiling gently, brushing against the tom gently and only a moment before he was back to just walking along side of him. "You're sweet." he stated softly. Sandheart because he cared? The tom was just sweet himself. He tilted his head to a side, "Sandeye huh.. " he giggled a bit, "Almost sounds painful, but I suppose it would make sense, I don't think many cats have two different eye colors."
He sighed, walking slowly along side the other tom, he felt tired, but he didn't want to hold him up. watching the sky for a moment before back to where they were walking. He wondered if changing his name would help. He smiled softly, looking to Crooked-eye, "how about... I get my name changed to Sandeye, after I know how to hunt? So that way... ya know.." he looked off to a side, he didn't want other cats to expect him to be able to do something if he couldn't...
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Post by Kibbles on Aug 26, 2015 20:39:02 GMT
He purred a bit and nodded. "It doesn't have to be Sandeye. I could give you a whole list of names. Lets see.... you'll start as an apprentice, so it would be something-paw. Beechpaw, Sandpaw, Firepaw, Flamepaw, Lionpaw, Applepaw, Orangepaw, Tinypaw, Littlepaw, Smallpaw, Sunpaw, Sunnypaw, and many more. Did you have a name in mind?" he asked, looking down at the tom.
There were countless names that Ika could have as an apprentice. His warrior name would change to whatever their leader would think is best, although they could always put in suggestions. "And I can't promise I will be the one training you, but I will definitely help where I can. It seems the one leading us, Starlingfur, would be choosing. Perhaps Rookshadow will be able to help? She's a sweet cat. Or Birchtail, strong and understanding. Firecloud is noble, yet she can be feisty. All very skilled in what they do, but perhaps I can speak with Starlingfur about me being your mentor."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2015 20:52:49 GMT
Ika blinked a few times, wow, he'd start off as a paw? He didn't understand what a paw had to do with being an apprentice, but he just seemed to stare as he listed off a bunch of names. "Uh, well I..." He gave a helpless shrug. He had no idea how or what to name himself. He never had to name anything before, besides an old friend but that as besides the point. He sighed thinking about it as they walked. "I do like the sound of Sandpaw though." he admitted. He was mostly a soft creamy color with just darker orange tabby stripes.
Then he spoke of mentors and he watched as he spoke to him. He couldn't help but worry, "What... What if this Starlingfur doesn't like me?" he couldn't help but ask softly. He couldn't hunt, and Crooked-eye all ready told him there were a lot of kittens, and females due to have kittens... What good was an adult cat who couldn't hunt, who couldn't help? He slowed in his steps as his worry grew. He wasn't suited for this, was he? But he gave a faint nod, "Okay." was all he said to the rest of his words. He would just have to try. Worse that would happen? He'd be chased off right? They wouldn't kill him in his sleep, right?
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Post by Kibbles on Aug 26, 2015 21:27:23 GMT
Crooked-eye purred. "Then Sandpaw it is! I'll tell Starlingfur," he purred. He tilted his head. The thought of Starlingfur not liking anyone was amusing. Maybe back in the old days, but it was different now. She was caring for many cats now. He looked purred comfortingly.
"Starlingfur won't turn you away, Ika. She is trying to pull everyone together. She wants everyone to be okay. She isn't a mean cat unless you give her a reason to be mean. And just because you were not born a clan cat, doesn't mean that she will turn you away. She will understand and give you to someone that she thinks is fit for teaching you. It always seems impossible at first, but you will get the hang of it. You aren't useless, like you think you are."
He slowed down and pressed his nose to Ika's.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2015 21:33:19 GMT
Ika nodded, smiling a bit, Sandpaw, that would take a lot of getting use to. Should he consider it his name now always? What about the name his mother gave him? He grew up being called Ika. No matter, it'll go as it'll go.
He nodded a bit, "Well, that's good to know.. thank you" he smiled warmly, purring softly as they touched noses. He was pretty sure he was currently useless. He couldn't hunt after all, and if Crooked-eye hadn't found him when he did and got food for him? He probably would be dead, and you couldn't get more useless than that. But he decided to not argue with the tom that meant so much to him.
He was feeling playful, so he let his tongue out to swipe over the other felines nose, smiling warmly as he watched the other tom afterwards. "Well, lets get there soon then? I'd like to meet Starlingfur, and... it would be nice to see Cavernpaw again." he admitted smiling warmly as he watched the other tom.
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Post by Kibbles on Aug 26, 2015 21:38:38 GMT
He purred and nodded, leading the way once more. After a few minutes, he could hear the bustling of the group. He perked his ears up a bit and pushed his way into the clearing. Several cats were repairing dens and others were bringing back food, putting it into a pile. Some were conversing with the two queens, one being Starlingfur herself. He wasn't surprised that Birchtail made her rest often.
He blinked around a bit. "The older queen over there, brown tabby with white on her. That's Starlingfur. I'll introduce you to her in a bit. I believe Cavernpaw is on his way over here," he said. He noticed the large, scarred tom padding over, ears perked up in interest.
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As Cavernpaw got closer, he noted that Crooked-eye wasn't alone. In fact, the cat he was with, Cavernpaw hadn't seen in a long time. He was actually shocked to see the small, light orange tom. He dipped his head in greeting to Ika.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2015 21:55:44 GMT
Ika nodded, looking over to the female cat, she looked, thick in the middle, probably one of the ones going to have kittens perhaps. He turned to Crooked-eye and at his words he turned and smiled, seeing the dipped head he rolled his eyes a bit and padded closer giving the bigger tom's shoulder a gentle butt with his head. "It's good to see you again. You've been well?" he asked stepping back to look up at the tom. He didn't seem to change much either, but of course he and Crooked-eye were able to fend for themselves, so it was to of no real surprise.
He turned looking to Crooked-eye, smiling softly, he felt a bit nervous, and only hoped the female in charge, Starlingfur, wouldn't want to chase him off and allow him to stay. There was always hope...
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Post by Kibbles on Aug 26, 2015 22:08:55 GMT
Cavernpaw stood up straight again and nodded. "Yes, I've always been well. Its good to see you as well. I assume you're the reason Crooked-eye missed his patrol today?" he asked, although there was a teasing twinkle in the large tom's eyes. He looked around, hearing his name being called. An annoyed look appeared on his face as he saw Birchtail calling him over.
"I bet he's going to make me check to make sure there aren't any kit-sized holes in what they've built so far. I'll talk to you later. Good seeing you again," he said, turning and going towards the pudgy gray and white tom whom seemed rather cheery.
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Crooked-eye purred. "That's Birchtail. He's the leader's mate. He's always doting on her and their unborn kits," he explained. He moved to walk over towards Starlingfur, waving for Ika to follow. When he got closer, he bowed his head towards her. "Good day, Starlingfur. I would like to introduce you to a very close friend of mine. This is Ika," he said, moving so that Ika could be seen.
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A flaming sword of burning righteousness and also fire!
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Post by ♏aple♢ on Aug 26, 2015 22:29:13 GMT
When you get to the end of your rope, Tie a knot and hang on. So busy. Starlingfur barely had time to think these days. Between clearing corpses from camp, rebuilding, setting borders, giving orders, and teaching the rogues and younger cats about warrior life, she just couldn't get a break. At this point in time she was giving orders for a border patrol. She would have gone with them herself, but there was just so much to do here. Not to mention all the breaks that Birchtail made her take, despite the new leader's protests...
"Rookshadow, could you take Mountainclaw, Cougarclaw, and Firecloud to patrol the eastern border? We'll need to expand it back towards the river eventually, but for now it rests on the treeline." she meowed. Oh, that was right, "And watch for foxes. They've been just everywhere lately.... If you see loners on the other hand, remember. Words before claws, unless they attack first...."
A voice from her left pulled her attention away from the orders, and when Starlingfur turned she found Crooked-Eye and a tom whom she did not recognize. "Good day to you Crooked-Eye. And...?" The sandy tom standing next to him seemed a bit nervous. Or lost. Crooked-Eye had proven himself to be a fine warrior- certainly trustworthy. Well, as trustworthy as anyone from a band of former warriors from all different clans and loners could be. Still, he was a good tom. Copper eyes flicked from one cat to another as he introduced his friend.
Ika, then? A close friend of Crooked-Eye's, no doubt from before the formation had begun. Hmm... "I see. I'm Starlingfur, though I suppose Crooked-eye must have already told you that. What brings you here, Ika?" she questioned. They were seeing a lot of business with the loners these days- was he perhaps here to join like the others? It had been such a short time since they'd begun to reform the clans but their numbers were already expanding so rapidly..
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2015 22:42:45 GMT
Ika smiled, giving Cavernpaw a slight nod, "Sorry I had kept him last night.. " he stated softly, they hadn't even done anything other than sleep, which his weary body was grateful, even if he would of loved that kind of time with the tom again. A gray pudgy tom was calling for Cavernpaw, and Ika watched as the tom waited, Cavernpaw spoke about kit sized holes and it made the creamy tom smile, giving a faint nod. Turning to look to Crooked-eye he nodded at his words. The leaders mate, he'd have to remember that, and to avoid getting him angry then. He doubted offering himself to a tom who was mated would save him form getting beat up, so he would just have to avoid that.
With a breath he moved after Crooked-eye as he approached the leader, hearing her giving orders about a patrol. He didn't think he'd even be good at something like that, at least if trouble were to arise, he wasn't much of a fighter either. But soon the She cat's attention was on him. He gulped, but pushed a smile onto his face... "Crooked-eye, is what brings me ma'am.." he spoke gently, keeping his head lowered, his ears splayed out in submission. He shook a little from holding himself in the awkward position to keep himself a bit lower than her, his to-thin limbs were trembling with the effort, he wondered if it would be better if he just laid down? Or would that be to far? Would that upset her? He wasn't sure, he knew little of clans or clan rules, Crooked-eye had been in the process of teaching him before they'd been separated.
The weakness in his limbs was winning and he slowly shifted to sit beside Crooked-eye, still keeping his head ducked down a little, but at least he wasn't trembling any longer. "I know I'm not a hunter, or fighter.. but Crooked-eye.. He.. was going to teach me how to be of a help... if.. if its okay If I stayed I mean.. If you don't want me around I could go... I'd understand.." he looked down at the ground, deciding to shut up now before he made a complete idiot of himself. Really, who went ranting at someone you wanted to join about all your faults? What kind of idiot was he? He didn't know much if really anything about the norms of a clan, and he was afraid he just screwed himself over, he was counting the seconds until she called for the others to chase him off, not sure if he had it in him to run, maybe they'd just kill him... Crooked-eye would then be able to find himself a nice she cat.. right/
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