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A flaming sword of burning righteousness and also fire!
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Post by ♏aple♢ on Jul 13, 2014 22:42:58 GMT
When you get to the end of your rope, Tie a knot and hang on.
Bloodshed was a fact of life. An unfortunate one, but a fact nonetheless. A fact which had been making itself all too present over the past moons. For within a lush valley, tucked away in the center of a vast mountain range, a war had been waging. A war without purpose, a war with no winner. A war which only served to take lives, and destroy what ones were left alive. The once beautiful valley seemed to be painted with blood, and where the scent of blooming flowers had ought to be fresh on the wind, there was nothing but the tang of iron and death. Any logical cat would steer clear of this place now, deeming it a death trap. But you must understand, cats with clan blood in their veins are not always logical.
Even those without born blood, those who were born to outside lands but might as well have been raised in a nursery can still be infected with it. That unyeilding loyalty, the burning hope for a better future, and the ties to the stars. With those traits however of course come the others. A foolish sense of justice, the self-righteous attitude, and attachment to places which in truth are nothing more than patches of grass. Yes, the traits that come with being a warrior can be both good and bad. But for those who are true warriors, they stick with them forever. Through good, through bad, through destruction and through creation. They waxed and waned, but never faded.
Which brings us back to our starting point. Warriors are foolish. Warriors do things that deep down, they know they shouldn't, out of some stupid sense of fufillment or need. Even the wisest of the wise make warriors mistakes. One such wise cat and her mate were among those cats. Two of the Starclan knows how few survivors, they had been residing in the eastern forests for moons. A place of safety. Of far less conflict than the deepest points of the valley. And yet, even so they decide to return to the depths. The lands where the air smells of blood and bodies still lay left and right. But why?
"I still think this is a bad idea, Starlingfur." a voice meowed, tone certainly backing up those words. It was that of a tom, and his words were hushed. There was certainly good reason for that however. Two cats traveled just outside of the territories, skirting them in an effort to steer clear of cats for as long as possible. Running into cats right now could be dangerous. Especially considering the she-cat's state.
Said she-cat spoke now, her own voice hushed even moreso than the tom's. Perhaps she was just a quiet speaker though. "... It may not be. There are few true certainties in this world any more. And safety certainly isn't among them." she murmured. Her copper eyes were narrowed, and within their depths twined a mixture of emotion. Trails of gold twined together in nervous worry, but bronze curls danced with hope. The she-cat paused, seeming to gather her thoughts before continuing. "But.. be that as it may, we can't hide forever. Believe me, I would like to."
"So why can't we?" The tom meowed, voice hopeful. His brow was knotted, and his deep green eyes reflected worry and hesitance. The pudgy gray and white tom was pressed close to the she-cat, his short and fluffy patched coat meshing with her thin, scrappy tabby pelt. The two cats looked as different as could be really. The she-cat, Starlingfur, was of average size. As mentioned previously, her coat was a ruffled brown in tabby pattern. Really the most average cat you could see. Normally, she would be a bit on the thin side, but now.. she seemed to be of average weight. Or was it something else? Meanwhile the tom was short and stout, a bit on the pudgy side. His white coat was patched with gray splashes, and he seemed to have an air of friendly cheeriness about him. Or well, he would normally. But now, there wasn't a trace of that cheeriness. There was only a nervous prickling. "I don't.. I don't want you getting hurt, Starlingfur. I know that you're early on, but.." he trailed off, looking at the ground. It was odd for him to be such a hesitant cat. Normally this tom was cheery and bright, the one who kept the mood alight and got others spirits up (often against their will). But now, with worry for his mate in his heart, the tom was far from that state.
Starlingfur looked down at him (as she was taller. Just the barest of bits, but still taller), hesitance in her copper eyes before warmth and affection as she touched her nose to his cheek. "I'll be alright, Birchtail. Like you said, I'm early on. If I get hurt it probably won't even do much in regards to.. that." Birchtail seemed to want to protest at this. He likely would have said something along the lines that it wasn't just that that he was worried about, he was worried about her as well. But Starlingfur went on before she had a chance to. "And.. I still want to see if there's anybody left." she meowed, lowering her eyes.
Yes, both of them had lost many in the war. Family. Friends. Brothers, sisters, kits. All cats had lost, and they were no exception. There were missing cats as well. And maybe those cats could have just died somewhere else, or perhaps while the two had been gone. But there was still hope. Maybe, just maybe, there were still cats that were alive. Friends. Family. Cats whom they cared about. And the lives of loved ones were something worth risking your own over.
Birchtail hesitated for a moment but soon sighed, shaking his head. "Alright, I figured it just wouldn't hurt to try one last time." he sighed, his voice almost amused as his normal nature seemed to return a bit. When he looked back at her, there was a sincere, yet still worried smile on his face. "Just... don't push yourself, alright? And if we get into a fight, I'll protect you."
This seemed to make Starlingfur laugh, and lightened the mood slightly. "Yes, I know. I know." the tabby shook her head. She'd long since learned that when it came to these things, there was no point in denying that she needed protecting. Yes, she was a loner by heart. And normally she could take care of herself quite well. But in her current state.. She couldn't do that quite as well. Especially with how dangerous the clanlands were these days. Along with the fact that as soon as he'd learned, Birchtail had been just about as protective as a mother hawk.
But learned what? Well, she might not have been showing yet, but.. Within Starlingfur lay her third litter of kits. She wasn't far along yet. Not at all. She wasn't even showing. Normally a thin she-cat, she just looked like a rather average sized cat now. Upon finding out, Starlingfur had been nervous. Her last two litters had had a difficult upbringing. And there wasn't a doubt in her mind that the third would as well. But Birchtail had been ecstatic. He was the tom that was always talking about kits and mates, even from a young age. Becoming a father had been his greatest goal in life, and he had been overjoyed to find that he would be father to the kits of the cat that he loved more than anything in this world. Even in the end, there was still hope.
The kits. Those were another reason that Starlingfur wanted to return to the clanlands. Perhaps it was foolish. No, she knew that it was foolish. It would be better off for all of them to just leave the valley, perhaps even the mountains. Become rogues. Start anew. But.. She was a clan cat. As was Birchclan. Her first two litters, born to another father had been clan kits. And though the clans were no more, these kits would be raised as warriors as well. She hoped to secure a small plot of territory, along with Birchtail, in what used to be Dawnclan's territory. It would be dangerous, and difficult to defend, but they would be home. And perhaps they could even find cats whom they knew.
There was.. one cat who Starlingfur was hoping to see in particular. Her daughter. Ravenmist. The black she-cat had been a fighter since birth. Her siblings had died. Starlingfur had seen each and every one of their bodies with her own eyes. Waspwing, trampled into a pulp. Mothfrost, flayed in murder. Thrushwing, green eyes as dead in death as they'd been in his later moons of life with his throat torn. Cicadasong, stomach slashed in the nursery. But not Ravenmist. Starlingfur had neither seen nor heard of her eldest daughter's death, and she had hope. Yes.. if Ravenmist had died she would have known. Ravenmist was a smart girl. She was more than capable of taking care of and figuring things out for herself in this harsh world. She had probably survived. And Starlingfur wanted to see her again, at least once more.
Soon the pair stopped. Both cats raised their heads in turn, checking their surroundings. They stood on the edge of Dawnclan's territory now, at the point nearest to the Stone Peaks. There were distant yowls, but no close scent. "I think this is a good place to go in." Birchtail was the first to meow, and Starlingfur nodded in agreement. As the two cats moved forward, they now clung to the undergrowth (or what little there was left- most lay trampled and bloodspattered). Starlingfur wrinkled her nose at the scent, and tried to keep her gaze forward. She didn't want to know what the unmoving heaps were in the corners of her vision. They just.. had to be alert, and try to stay safe until they got to the place that they were aiming for.
The place in question however would take quite a time to reach. After all, it lay halfway across what used to be Dawnclan's territory. Starlingfur and Birchtail had set out from their living space in the eastern mountains the night before the last. They had traveled all the way to perhaps a mile or two outside of Dawnclan's territory before resting for the day, and had continued once night fell. Now as they moved through the forest, the pink rays of dawn were beginning to lighten the dark forest. Even though many cats had fallen back on their feral instincts throughout the war, many still saved their activity for the daytime. Cats would be waking soon. Starlingfur and Birchtail by association had fallen back on sleeping through the day and waking come night- something which Starlingfur was quite thankful for. She'd never gotten used to the clans ways of sleeping. And with their sleeping schedules mirrored, it was safer for she and her mate to be active during the night. But with the coming dawn, danger would follow.
When they finally reached their destination, legs were tired and eyes dull. They hadn't spoken much. They hadn't needed to. They knew where they were going, why, and the state of the forest around them. And now before them stretched a pool. Under the lightening navy sky it was a mixture of dark and light, yet beautifully clear. Beneath its surface reflected beautiful pebbles of all shapes- and even through the gloom- all colors. The pebble pool. A place that had been loved by all cats of Dawnclan. A place to train, to swim, to play, and to go with the one that you loved. A beautiful, small clearing and a clear pool. However, there had always been rumors that something more lingered here.
Starlingfur seated herself on the edge now, overlooking the pool as Birchtail padded forward. The patched tom winced as the cold water soaked through his belly fur, but continued onward. To many cats, this might seem quite foolish. But there had always been rumors about the pebble pool. When the water was low enough, some cats could swear that they saw tunnels underneath. And there had been other rumors- rumors of rabbit burrows that seemed to go too deep, or mouse holes that never ended. The rumors of tunnels and caves beneath the sunset plains. If these rumors were true, they would be the perfect place to hide. Maybe for the night, maybe until the kits were born. Maybe longer. A safe place that few cats knew about was a rare thing in the clangrounds these days.
The pebble pool wasn't deep, though for a short cat like Birchtail it came up slightly above his muzzle at its deepest point. Starlingfur watched the tom, nervousness and worry in her heart. They'd discussed this beforehand, but she was still concerned about his swimming abilities and the safety of the tunnels. Still, if any tunnels did exist, they were their best bet.
"Ah, Starlingfur! I think I've found something!" Birchtail's voice called. Starlingfur looked up, finding him to be near the edge of a small overhang at the back of the pool. He was peering beneath, and it made Starlingfur's heart skip a beat. Even from where she was, she could see that it was dark.
"Are... are you sure that its safe?" she questioned, tail twitching nervously.
"Well, there are few true certainties in this world any more. And safety certainly isn't among them." Birchtail looked back at her, echoing her words with a smile and a wink. "But I can hear falling water that sounds like its echoing. Nobody ever swims out this far, and most of the wall is solid. So its no surprise that it hasn't been found yet. But.. If I'm right, there might be a waterfall leading down to a cave here!" he exclaimed, turning back to the darkness and trying to get a better look.
Worry itched at his mate's pelt, but after a moment she sighed. "Alright.. just... be careful, okay?" she meowed, eyes narrowed. Even though this had been her idea, she wasn't so sure any more. If Birchtail got hurt.. She didn't know what she would do. She had lost too many cats. And now she had Birchtail. He was loving, kind, and stuck by her side through thick and thin, even after seeing her at her worst all those seasons ago back in Duskclan. He looked out for her, and she looked out for him. And now they were expecting kits together. And she knew that no matter what happened with them, he would still be by her side. "I... I can't lose you, Birchtail." she meowed quietly, lowering her eyes.
From his space near the edge, Birchtail looked back at her once more. There was love and warmth in his green eyes as he smiled. "I'm going to be careful, Starlingfur. I couldn't just leave you, you know! If anything did happen, I'd sell my soul to Starclan to get back here. But its not. So don't worry, alright?" he meowed warmly, though she could tell that he was serious. She nodded, and after a moment he went on. "I'll call up if I find something. Don't come down after me until I find a way back out though." he added the last bit on almost in afterthought. Starlingfur hesitated, but soon agreed.
"Alright." she meowed, padding around the pool until she was sitting atop the ledge. This way she could hear better. "I'll see you soon." she meowed, and he smiled up at her with a nod before plunging beneath the water. And then, all was still.
On her own again, Starlingfur forced herself to relax. Her limbs felt heavy, and her back hurt. Her eyes burned and she just wanted to sleep. The scent of fresh water almost diluded the scent of blood that seemed to soak this wreched forest now, and if she tried to ignore it Starlingfur could almost imagine that none of it was real. She was just out on a late night walk. She would return to camp before too long, and settle into her regular spot between Wrenface, Cicadasong, and Birchtail before drifting off to sleep. And then come noon she would awake for the usual border patrol. She would have a vole, and then go out along with Ravensong, Bluefang, Smokeheart, and Stormfoot. Everything would be... normal.
Starlingfur comforted herself with these thoughts, as foolish as they may be. She didn't often like to think of the past, but these tall trees brought back memories as thick as their trunks. She couldn't help it. This forest which had been her home for seasons, no matter what had happened here, was her home. It comforted her, lulling her into a sense of false security. Through that false sense of security, she barely even noticed when her eyes began to droop, and couldn't even pinpoint the time at which they finally slid shut.
2877 words | Starlingfur + Birchtail | Time: Dawn |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2014 0:14:15 GMT
Yellow eyes blinked open as the moonlight burned into her eyes. It's a full moon....I should head to...." She looked around her for just a moment her heart sinking. No she wouldn't be heading to aurora hill tonight. Part of her wondered if any of the cats still followed clan ways. Did they go to the hill and discuss ways to fix this? Or did most resort to feral ways killing on instinct. She poked her head out from her hiding spot, looking both on the other side of the stream of water towards what used to be known as BirchClan. It was quiet. All she heard was the soft chirping of crickets and peeper frogs. For once, she felt like there was peace in the forest but she knew better than that. In the center of the territory the grass was dead and stained red. The air carried an acidic smell but she knew it could be worse. She didn't dare venture back towards the camps it was a grave yard but part of her had to know...had these cats been buried or just left to the animals. Despite the state of her old clan, she could give most a popular burial.
She leaped from her post into the moist grass, feeling it on her paw pads was relief. She held her head high, eyes wide, ears perked, she started her routine. She would travel north to patrol a small portion of the forest, before stopping in front of her secret spot, and walking to the camp. At least that way part of her routine didn't change. Routine was good it kept her sane, and it kept her in faith. She walked in silence, alone was something she had gotten used to and didn't find it particularly bothersome. Despite her missing her clan she only had to fend for herself, and no one else, if she got hurt she was the one to blame, not anyone else with her. She didn't have to worry about feeding anyone else before herself, her life wasn't too bad. She managed to avoid most of the conflict, most of it happened in the center these days that's where most fled to because it was the closest to StarClan. Silly cats, if StarClan had not spoken then, what made them think they would speak now? It was a nice thought, but too much hope was a cats downfall.
In the far distance, she could see two figures, she narrowed her eyes suspiciously as she hadn't seen anyone in DawnClan's territory in awhile. The past deputy fell back flanking to the left to stay under the cover of the trees. She didn't need any more injuries, it was bad enough she almost died of an infection. However, uncle Flamestripes words echoed in her ears whenever she got sick or injured. As an apprentice she got into a lot of trouble as such, and she could never forget the flame toms snarky words. She managed to help herself but herbs were the ONE thing cats would be fighting over. She had no doubt in her mind. She looked down, moving at more slowed pace so she didn't crack any branches. She wanted to be invisible, the two cats didn't appear to be of any threat, but it was better safe than sorry. She fell back deeper into the oaks and birches, she needed to find that hill anyways. It didn't take her long as the moss faced towards her home. She looked over her shoulder before brushing some dead leaves aside, it had been hiding a hole, a tunnel that would lead directly to the camp.
She climbed in pushing more leaves forward, no one would ever know she came this way unless she was being followed. She waited a few moments, eyes adjusting to the darkness before running. Running was the one thing Ravenmist loved to do. She had these tunnels memorized, at least most of them, thus she didn't need to stop and think. As she got halfway through though, she did need to stop, instead of straight, she veered left. This would take her right outside her old camp, a place she hadn't been to in 12 moons. Its better to know than not know at all right Ravenmist?" She could hear a breeze tickling above and knew that she was just moments from coming up to the high ground. She took a deep breath, she had never done this in a long time. It had to be now, she was already here. She pushed herself forward and let the air brush her pelt. In the distance she saw the entrance. "You want to know Ravenmist....its for closure, no ones around...The black she-cat had paused for awhile outside of DawnClans camp. The sun was starting to cover the mountain top line, and knew many cats would be waking soon. It was time. She closed her eyes pushing into the lichen, and her jaw dropped ever so slightly as her yellow eyes scanned her old home. The nursery, where the queens and kits were slain, the elders den where the cats that served DawnClan for a very long time fought with all their might, the medicine cats den crashed in, and in it she saw the flame colored tail of her uncle who helped the clan, even he fought until he held his last breath. Her entire clan slain, and she couldn't do anything to help them. She looked away, eyes tear filled. There was something she could do. Puffing out her chest she went to the center of their camp and closed her eyes...
"Hey Birchtail, you and Starlingfur patrol our eastern boarders with Stormpaw he seems eager to train with you than me!" Ravenmist mewed. She touched her tail to her apprentices head before padding towards Cicadasong asking her to lead an herb gathering patrol with Webpaw and her daughter Whitepaw. Her little sister was someone who she looked up too and vice versa she knew that. Ravenmist could see all the cats going back to their normal lives, life was normal...but she knew once she was out of this trance that it would all be over.
One bye one, Ravenmist started to drag her siblings out of the warriors den, Thrushwind, Cicadasong, followed by her own kits, that was hard to do and even she couldn't do so bravely and let out soft sobs. She nosed each of their pelts lovingly, they all fought for their lives and it was all for nothing. They all took the pledge of a warrior before their time...protecting their clan even at the cost of their life. She looked at all of them, and started to dig. There wasn't enough time to do the entire clan, but she would make sure they didn't just rot here. For hours the black she-cat dug into the dirt, her pads becoming warn and raw, blood stained the ground, fresh from the wounds the rocks created, but she wouldn't stop, not until this was done.
sunhigh rolled around and her graves had been dug, she nudged each body in the hole and covered them all up. "Thrushwing, may you find peace and eternal happiness in StarClan. You were so lost here in the clans, and I know it was hard being broken down to the core, but there's always hope even if it's just out of reach one day you reach it and I hope that you were welcomed there. Cicadasong, may you still be that cheery beautiful young lady I knew before the war, I hope Blackstar welcomed you and is taking care of you....tell Mothfrost I love her...please. " She bit back tears as she looked at Sedgewhiskers, Spiderfangs, and Whitepaws graves. "My kits...my darling kits mama loves you very much and I hope that I see you again one day soon I love you...I love all of you." She choked back tears as she picked blossoms off the neighboring bushes placing them firmly into the ground. They were no longer waiting for nature to make them rot, they had a proper burial.
Ravenmist turned around, eyes closed, it was time for her to go. She walked out of the camp, but instead of heading towards her tunnel, the warrioress started to head towards the pools. It was the place she would go with her mother when they would just go for their walks. Her pads ached, and it stained the grass red as she walked. She was starting to get weak, and this would be a good place to rest. Her yellow eyes dull, stared at a brown tabby figured, and she would know her scent anywhere. From the top of the slight incline she let out a slight sob, her mother was alive...her MOTHER was alive!!! She limped down the hill towards her, calling out to her...her mother! As she reached the bottom Ravenmist fell from weakness but managed to force herself up. "Mama...you're alive!"
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A flaming sword of burning righteousness and also fire!
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Post by ♏aple♢ on Jul 14, 2014 1:23:30 GMT
When you get to the end of your rope, Tie a knot and hang on.
The sweet release of sleep had claimed Starlingfur, and she had sunk into it willingly. She'd dreamt of moons long since passed. Times that hadn't been peaceful, but had been easier. Days in the old forest- in Duskclan. The first time that she'd taken Ravenkit, Dapplekit, and Thrushkit out of camp. Ravenkit and Thrushkit had been so excited, wanting to run right ahead. Shrikestar had watched them with a stern but gentle eye, taking just as much care as she had for the three moon old kits. Dapplekit had been slightly more cautious, but excited nonetheless. Soft days. Early Leaf-Fall. Easier times.
She wasn't sure how long she'd dozed, but by the time that she awoke the light was just starting to filter between the branches more strongly. It reflected off of the pool, sending beautiful shattering splashes of light across the clearing. Morning was here. Dew glistened on the overgrown grass, and what few birds remained in this forest had begun to chirp.
Though things were peaceful, Starlingfur was immediately filled with panic. How long had she slept? Where was Birchtail? What was going on? The tabby rose to her paws- perhaps too quickly as she felt a pain in her stomach and grimaced- but before she could worry herself fully a voice met her ears. A voice that drained every ounce of worry and every inch of pain away from her body. Warm and familiar, as though she hadn't woken from her dream in the first place.
"Mama...you're alive!"
Copper eyes wide, time seemed to slow as Starlingfur whipped around. Tired yellow eyes. Black fur. That familiar scent. R...Ravenmist! Her daughter! Immediately her legs felt weak, but her heart felt as though she could fly as Starlingfur dashed forward and pressed her face into her daughter's shoulder. "Ravenmist... Ravenmist! Oh thank Starclan..." she cried, eyes wet as she buried her face in Ravenmist's fur. The little she-cat whom she'd raised from kit to warrior. Not so little any more, but still her daughter. Always her daughter. Her strong, beautiful, intelligent, and brave daughter. She'd hoped for her survival, and in her heart she'd always known. But such a sense of relief overcame her upon seeing her kit again for the first time in four seasons.
Starlingfur would have been content to never move again. In that moment, everything else was forgotten. War, famine, death. There was nothing but the reunion between she and her daughter. Pure bliss. A single point of light in the sea of darkness. No, she didn't even move an inch when she came to speak again. "I... I always knew you would make it. You're such a strong girl, Ravenmist. Ever since you were little... I'm so proud of you. And I don't even have the words to express to say how happy I am to see you." she managed to choke out, nearly shaking with happiness.
510 words | Starlingfur | Time: Early Morning |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2014 1:38:32 GMT
Ravenmist lowered her head, so her lower jaw rested on her mothers shoulder. Her tail brushed her fur ever so slightly, despite all this, the she-cat was in obvious pain. She stood up straighter now, she had to be strong for her mother as they were at a vulnerable point in time. She took a few paces back and where she had been standing was a small pool of blood. She grimaced slightly as her mother began to talk, she nodded in response, yes she was brave she had to be brave. If she had been afraid, afraid to fight, afraid to die she would have died. She was able to brave all odds and come out on top. She had managed to survive afterwards hiding from enemies who were more vulgar and ready to kill. It wasn't over yet, and it wouldn't be for a long time. Ravenmist was more than aware of this. With a twitch of her whiskers. The black she cat fell to her side. Anything to get off her paws felt wonderful. Her pads were incredibly cracked and broken and the site was grotesque.
She let her tail swivel across the cool grass and the movements relaxed her. Eyes closed she regained her thoughts nodding her head as if she were in a daze. "Yes I wasn't about to give up. I had a glimmer of hope and I took it and ran off with it. When I saw warriors being slain left and right I knew we had no chance, it was better to admit defeat than to be headstrong and continue to fight. I told everyone to retreat but even outside the clans, the battles raged on. Fire, death, sickness, famine, its all around us, every day is a fight which is why I prefer to travel by night its quiet...and sometimes you forget." Ravenmist mewed. She was smart her mother and foster father raised her to be such a strong warrior, and she had to do it for them. Her mind just briefly went to her old home, which was now a sacred ground. This story would be passed down to new born kits...if the clans reformed...IF...they would never know the struggles their kin and clan mates had to do to survive.
"I utilized the tunnels. Because the clan cats didn't cause problems with each other, they don't know about them and I was able to hide in them as an emergency. My last close call was a moon ago when I as chased by ThornClan rogues.." Ravenmist had been chased across the bridge on BirchClans side, but luckily for her she knew where her hiding places were. She vanished right before their eyes, but the scar on her left hind leg was a reminder of that day. "I went back home mom. I buried them...Thrushwing Cicadasong, my kits...I buried them and put flowers on top of them. They deserved it because they fought despite knowing all hope was gone..they are the reason we are still alive. For them we must keep going, and I'm glad I found you." Ravenmist mewed softly. She was very close with her mother, and that was something that she would NEVER change.
Ravenmist thought back to her old life when her duties were done for the day, she and her mother would walk out here just to talk. They talked about Blackstar sometimes, other times it was just gossip in the clans, what the other heard at the gathering. This was THEIR spot. She was unsure of what she would have done if her mother had not been standing her. Perhaps her last glimmer of hope would have faded. "You came to our spot...I thought of coming here so many times but I was afraid to....I was afraid of disappointment and death...I even thought about going to Aurora Hill last night but knew it would be an effort wasted. I wish this didn't have to be." She murmured. This life...was NOT something she could live in forever.
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A flaming sword of burning righteousness and also fire!
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Post by ♏aple♢ on Jul 14, 2014 8:14:31 GMT
When you get to the end of your rope, Tie a knot and hang on.
It took a moment for Starlingfur to notice the blood pooling beneath her daughter, but once she did she gasped. It was barely a moment before the she-cat fell to her side, and Starlingfur quickly crouched down beside her, curling around her protectively. Safely. Ravenmist's paws were hurt.. Had she been running? Or walking over rough earth? Starlingfur had never been the most maternal cat, but perhaps it was the hormones that were making her so as she rested her head on top of her daughter's. Her kit was hurt, and she would protect her. That was a mother's duty, no matter how old the kit in question may be.
She listened in silence as Ravenmist spoke, nodding occasionally. Yes.. thats how things were in this world any more. You couldn't try to save every cat, no matter how you tried. And oh, how they had tried in the beginning. But in the end, it was every cat for themselves. Or rather, nearly every cat. There were always those who stuck together. Kithood friends. Family. Those who couldn't be broken apart. But now.. most cats who fit those categories were dead. It was unfortunate, but true. And they had to focus on the living. Ravenmist seemed to be doing a good job of that, as she'd survived for so long seemingly on her own. Falling back on instinct. Living by night. Just as Birchtail and Starlingfur had been doing for the past year.
The tunnels! Starlingfur's eyes widened as she mentioned them. So.. they were real. Not just a thing of apprentice tales. Perhaps Birchtail had found something down there after all. Suddenly her pelt began to itch once more, nervousness prickling at her. Where was Birchtail...? She forced herself to remain calm though. For now at least. She just had to think things through, and talk to Ravenmist for now. This was her first time seeing her daughter in moons, and she wanted to enjoy it as much as she could.
Copper eyes lowered at the mention of Thrushwing and Cicadasong. A lump seemed to form in the former warrior's throat as her daughter spoke of the two, and of her own kits. "... Yes.." she managed after a moment, nodding. Thinking about them made her heart hurt. But it was true. "They were as brave as all of Starclan. Without them, we might not be here. Thank you, Ravenmist." she murmured. The queen was relieved that her kits had been buried. She'd worried about that... She couldn't bear the thought of them being left to the elements. Now they had a proper burial. She... would have to visit them some time.
The pebble pool had always been a place for Ravenmist and Starlingfur. When she was deputy, they would come here when the day was done. And when Ravenmist's turn had come, they had done the same. Though things had been busy, it had always been nice to just unwind and talk when the day had been done. Perhaps her coming here had been a coincidence. Or maybe.. it was something that both of them had known to do. Subconsciously. Starlingfur wasn't sure which it was, and truthfully she didn't care. They were here now, and that was what mattered. When Ravenmist mentioned the pool Starlingfur smiled, though Ravenmist might not have even been able to see it from her angle. She gave the slightest of nods as she spoke. "Yes.. This is my first time coming here since the war. I've.. been living outside of the territories. A ways east of Birchclan." she explained. However, she didn't go into detail. Not now at least. "I think that coming here, I subconsciously hoped to see you. Just.. to know that you weren't.." she meowed, but stopped. She found herself unable to gather the right words. "Of course, I didn't doubt that you would be, I believed in you. But you know how this world is any more." she meowed, shaking her head.
"I wish that it didn't have to be either. More than anything." the tabby sighed. When she had first joined the clans.. This wasn't what she had expected. No, none of what she'd experienced when joining the clans was what she had expected. She'd joined the clans for safety, and for less work than she'd needed to do as a loner. It was almost funny thinking back on it now. Almost. She hadn't thought of friends, kits, or mates. Or of dead friends, dead kits, and likely dead mates. She hadn't realized how attached she would grow to this group of cats, or how badly it would hurt when she lost them. No.. she hadn't expected anything near to this. But.. this was their life now.
Suddenly, the sound of rustling undergrowth startled Starlingfur out of her thoughts. Immediately the she-cat's fur rose, and she whipped her head in the direction of the sound and prepared to rise to her paws. But the sight which she was met with kept her from doing so, and immediately she breathed a sigh of relief.
A few foxlengths away, a very soaked Birchtail was padding towards the two. His coat clung to him, and a trail of water leaked after him. Worry burned on his features, but as soon as he saw the two she-cats his expression relaxed, being replaced with one of joy. "Ravenmist?!" He gasped, green eyes light with happiness. The two hadn't been particularly close, but he still seemed ecstatic to see her. "You're alive!"
937 words | Starlingfur | Time: Early Morning |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2014 15:16:14 GMT
Ravenmist opened one eye when she heard the rustling, instincts took over and her fur began to rise ever so slightly, but her mother did not seem to be bothered by the noise. A gray and white tom poked his head out, soaking wet from the water. She sniffed ever so slightly and recognized the tom to be Birchtail. She blinked her eyes trying to remember the tom in their old life, Stormpaw had been very eager to train with him, she remembered that much. Stormpaw had worked hard training with herself and then training with Birchtail and Starlingfur in the same day. Her whiskers twitched ever so slightly in greeting, but his next comment made her flinch. "YOU'RE ALIVE!" Seeing a loved one alive now was such a rare occurrance that when it did happen, it was a moment that would be remembered for a life time. The black she-cat let her fur lay flight and she just nodded ever so slightly. "Yes I'm alive but only because of what our clan mates did had they not have been willing to fight I would not be here, and chances are neither would either of you." She mewed. Ravenmist was known for being a blunt she-cat, she spoke the truth and nothing but no matter how hard it may have been for them to hear. She flicked an ear as all of sudden silence. Silence was something that drove a lot of cats mad but for Ravenmist it was peaceful. That was until an ear splitting screech echoed.
Eyes shooting open she immediately stood up. Despite the pain she was in, she crouched to the ground. "That did not sound like a cat reuniting with a loved one." She closed her eyes trying to figured out what it was. A growl and yowl informed her that they were two cats fighting, she looked to her mother with soft eyes. "Another cat will be losing their life soon... Her bottom jaw quivered slightly very rarely did cats show mercy enough to let one go. Instead it was fighting to the death. "We need to leave that was very close." Ravenmist mewed. Her clan instincts were kicking in, as she walked small pools of blood were left in the grass from her injury. Ravenmist didn't flinch once. She knew she was making her paws worse, but for the safety of her mother she had to find a spot for them to go. "Thank you for taking care of my mother Birchtail....say where you came from was that one of those tunnels? They connect all over the place on the plains even towards BreezeClan. Some even have underground rivers and streams....so I've heard." Ravenmist mewed. If they could get to the underground tunnels they could be safe from all this mess. It was their only chance. It would give Raven a chance to relax and get off her paws. She twitched her whiskers ever so slightly as she ignored the pain. "Is it safe...?"
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A flaming sword of burning righteousness and also fire!
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Post by ♏aple♢ on Aug 20, 2015 16:08:18 GMT
When I return home, I will swallow every horrible thing I have done here and i will smile when I'm with her.
Of all the cats to run into, Ravenmist had been one of the ones least expected by Birchtail. Least expected perhaps, but certainly not least welcome. The two had never spoken as much as some other cats, but any family of Starlingfur's was family of his. She was a strong she-cat and a fine warrior, brilliant and hardy, not to mention a wonderful mother and the daughter of his mate. The smile on Birchtail's face spread from ear to ear as he moved forward to touch his nose to her cheek. "It's good to see you again Ravenmist." he purred.
"How have you been?" maybe a ... Stupid question, all things considering. It was almost laughable actually. 'Oh would you look at that, everyone's dead! How has your day been?' But if Birchtail was known for anything, it was for keeping hope when there was none. Perhaps some cats had fared better than the ones they'd encountered in their travels! From beside Ravenmist, Starlingfur rose to her paws. Ah- he'd been gone for longer than he'd anticipated.. Birchtail hoped that he hadn't worried her too much! Stress would be one of the worst possible things for her right now. Pulling away from Ravenmist he moved to stand next to his mate, pressing against her and running his tail along her spine. An action from which she... flinched? Oh sticks and squirrels, in all the excitement he'd nearly forgotten that he was soaked! The pudgy tom quickly pulled away, giving an apologetic grin to which Starlingfur shook her head. But there was an undeniable smile on her face! She loved her family so much, Birchtail was happy to see she and Ravenmist reunited again.
The joyous expression on the tom's face turned somber as Ravenmist went on, and Birchtail lowered his head with a nod. "Our clanmates fought bravely. Their sacrifice will be honored in Starclan." he meowed. So many cats had lost their lives... Hurt wrenched the tom's heart at the memories. It had been a hard blow to everyone the night that Dawnclan's camp had come under attack. All cats that still lived had lost so much, but none had lost more than those who had sacrificed their lives. It was important to remember what they had lost, but also to live in honor of those who hadn't made it.
An ear-shattering yowl sounded from deeper within the forest. He hadn't even noticed the silence previous, but Birchtail certainly felt that. Shooting into a protective stance, gray ears perked and green eyes narrowed. From beside him Starlingfur shook her head. "This... This place isn't safe." she sighed. There was tension in her copper eyes. Joy turned nervousness. Ravenmist agreed moments later, and Birchtail nodded. This was no place to stay- at least not now. Not while the forest was still so dangerous. It broke his heart coming back here- how it was dangerous to even walk the forests in which he'd once hunted and laughed with his clanmates. But.. Those days would come again. Hopefully. For now though,
"I found a cave. Beneath the pebble pool. You know, the one that the apprentices were always talking about but nobody believed? It's real!" he exclaimed, gesturing vigorously to the now still pool beside them. "I'm honestly surprised that nobody went down there before. But I went down and smelled nothing. No badger, no fox, no cat. Its strange and a little damp, but at least seems safe." Indeed, he'd been quite excited about the find. It was the perfect place to live- if you didn't mind living underground, that is. Birchtail himself would always prefer a leafy canopy and the filter of early morning sunlight through a nice warrior's den, but this would certainly do. Starlingfur listened with curious but subdued copper eyes- was she trying not to get her hopes up? This would be a wonderful place, he would just have to show her!
So Ravenmist had heard about the tunnels too then! Wait Tunnels? As in multiple ones? Green eyes grew wide and the tom flicked his tail. "Huh! Thats... Well, that will certainly come in handy if we ever need to make a quick escape!" he had noticed another tunnel leading away from the one where he came up, but it had been filled with rocks. If they could dig it out it could come in handy for an escape route. So much to do. "Come on, it's this way." he meowed, pulling away and moving from the pool. He was lucky to have not gotten hurt crawling into the tunnel the way he had- he certainly wasn't going to risk his pregnant mate and her no doubt exhausted daughter's health by trying to get the all of them to slip back down in there. Plus, they would get all wet that way. "The entrance is a bit of a walk- the tunnel to get out is tricky. But perfectly safe. Well, from what I've seen anyways. And I looked pretty thoroughly. It'll still need plenty of kitproofing, but there will be time for that!"
872 words | Birchtail | Early Morning |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2015 2:55:10 GMT
Ravenmist pressed her nose into Birchtails cheek, a warm murr escaping as she nuzzled him ever so closely before pressing her nose into her mothers cheek as well. She had been so happy to run into someone friendly, it had been ages. She had been traveling by herself, assuming her mother and adoptive father had died with DawnClan, just like everyone else. She had ran into her father whom had saved her life from infection, and even traveled with him a little bit, but soon found that more of a chore. It wasn't that she disliked her father, but when your entire family had been destroyed being alone was truely a blessing. She found being by herself she was not reliable for everyone else...she only had to worry about herself and that alone put her mind at ease.
"How have you been!"
Ravenmist caught tail end of his question, she knew he meant well. She put on a strong expression before dipping her head ever so slightly. "I have been...I've been well Birchtail. I had a close call with an infection not to long ago but pushed through. Slightly weak from the ordeal but I will recover. Never let something so small get me down before...i've been through worse." Her expression softened as she took one last look at her work. She flicked her tail and in her mind hoped that StarClan was still around for these poor lost souls...her children....she took in a deep breath suddenly starting to feel sick to her stomach. The ripping shriek snapped her back into reality as she exchanged glances with Birchtail and Starlingfur.
When the tom mentioned the place not being safe she nodded slowly in agreement. She shot one last glance at the burial grounds and took off. Was any place TRUELY safe anymore? So many had turned their backs on their once good faith because of all this mess. IT was quite unfortunate but Ravenmist felt that StarClan had their reasons, only they really knew what was going on and in time they would speak again. "It's a full moon soon." She mewed as they started walking towards the pebble pool. She recalled the apprentices speaking of underground tunnels but no one had believed them, but it turned out to be the truth, there were lots of them all over the new territory. A massive underground system that could work as a home. Ravenmists eyes sparkled ever so slightly as she thought about clan life once more....she honestly missed it. Perhaps she Birchtail and her mother could do something again.
"Do you think any will go to Aurora Hill....like old times....perhaps we should go maybe....maybe someone has heard from StarClan or maybe its start....its a sacred place we could go and....there could be others...." Ravenmist had always been one to worry more about the way of a clan than anyone else its all she had ever wanted was to just be sucessful and all of that was taken away from her. What was she thinking it was a waste of effort. They were better off probably just trying to establish a life in the tunnels perhaps maybe find other DawnClan stragglers someone else had to have escaped right? Perhaps find some rogues off running around...it was something right?
It didn't take too long for them to reach the pool. It was a walk, but Ravenmist had traveled further distances and this felt like nothing compared to those. She looked around shifting her weight, craning her neck to trying to peer in. "I see what you mean by Kit proofing....." Ravenmist hesitated before digging her claws onto the dirt and rocks carefully sliding into the darkness. Her pelt suddenly became damp, and after a few moments her eyes adjusted.Birchtail had been right there were no fresh scents of anything. It was just them...just the three of the,. "Its safe....I suppose....this might as well be home now...." She mewed softly. She had just found her mother and adoptive father....she would stay as long as she needed to. She wasnt about to lose them again. This was the closest thing to a clan she had now....and she would cherish it.
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A flaming sword of burning righteousness and also fire!
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Post by ♏aple♢ on Aug 23, 2015 15:14:38 GMT
When I return home, I will swallow every horrible thing I have done here and i will smile when I'm with her.
Birchtail smiled as they walked. "That's good to hear. Things have been so hard for everyone this past year..." He shook his head with a sigh. Thinking about it hurt his heart. So many lives had been lost, and the ones that survived had to continue struggling even more. But it wouldn't be in vain. Otherwise, their clanmates would have died for nothing. And Starclan couldn't be that cruel. There had to be some bigger plan in store.. Nothing would justify what had happened, but surely there had to be something. The clans wouldn't just be wiped out again like in the stories that he'd heard as a kit. "Things will get better, though." he voiced his thoughts aloud, voice resolute as they walked. "I can feel it, even if it might not be obvious just yet. Surely Starclan is watching, even if they're not speaking with us."
"Are you certain that the infection has fully dissipated?" Starlingfur questioned, fur brushing her daughter's closely as they moved through the forest. Her copper eyes held anxiety, and Birchtail couldn't blame her. If his own kit had been separated from him, he would no doubt be protective as well. The tom suppressed a shudder. That.... that would never happen. Ever. Their kits would be raised safely and if he had any say in the matter, wouldn't take a pawstep out of their sight until things were absolutely safe. "I know that we don't have medicine cats any more, but... Oh... I'm just glad that you're alright." Starlingfur sighed, shaking her head. Birchtail couldn't help but agree.
You know, there was going to be a full moon soon! Life had been so hectic lately that Birchtail hadn't had much time to pay attention to the cycles of the moon. And after the destruction of the clans.... Well.... It hadn't really mattered. Starlingfur voiced his thoughts moments later, "Really? I hadn't realized..." She murmured thoughtfully.
"Maybe its good that we returned when we did then!" Birchtail exclaimed as e ruffled through the underbrush, looking for the hole what would lead to the tunnels. It had to be around here somewhere... "I wonder if anyone will be going. Actually, I wonder if any cats have been going all these moons." he added almost as an afterthought, feeling a pang of guilt in his chest. What if they had been? It might have seemed unlikely, sure, but maybe there were still cats out there following the code after all. And here they'd run off like rogues. Maybe that was just his clanborn mind speaking, though. Who knows, they might be the only cats with any sense of the code left! But... he didn't like that idea quite as much.
"Maybe there could be others." Starlingfur agreed, though she didn't sound convinced. It was strange. She'd been the one wanting to return to the basin in the first place- was she not convinced that there might still be hope here? Well if she wasn't, Birchtail certainly couldn't blame her. "We could go- if we're careful... Just to see." she added. There was that hope!
After a few more moments of rummaging, Birchtail finally found the entrance. "Here it is! Its a bit of a tight fit, but none of us are too big so it shouldn't be difficult. Plus, it'll keep foxes and badgers out!" he purred, ducking into the tunnel. Maybe it was just a tight fit for him because he was on the bigger side width-wise, but hey! As long as this tunnel was small enough to keep dangerous predators out, it was worth the smears of mud that it would earn him on his pelt.
After they'd entered the tunnel, it didn't take too long to reach the cavern, And when they did Birchtail couldn't help the grin that spread from ear to ear. Ducking in and turning, his green eyes glittered. "So, what do you think?"
The cavern was spacious and beautiful. The floor was lined with earth and hard stone, while lush moss climbed up the walls. On the rightmost side when entering lay the waterfall caused by the pebble pool, gentle and bubbling into a small underwater river. Or was it a pond? Light shone through the top of the waterfall, sending sparkling light refracting beautifully throughout the cave. It reminded him of looking up at the stars at night. On the side opposite of the fall, thick tree roots curved and intertwined. Moss lined them, and with some work it could be the perfect place for a den. Just beyond the roots was a small rockfall- likely another blocked off cavern, now long since grown over with moss. The only scents that lit the air were fresh water, hard stone, and the light, springy aroma of moss. How this place had resisted discovery for so long was beyond Birchtail.
".... It's beautiful... "
836 words | Birchtail | Early Morning |
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