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Post by EBON on Jan 24, 2012 16:41:30 GMT -8
Dreamfeather rose her head from the ground and took in a deep breath. It seemed like she had been sleeping forever. The crisp winter air was so refreshing. Her thick silver pelt puffed up against the sudden cold breeze that got through the tall cattails She gently tapped at the thick ice covering the normally rushing river, she could see some fish under it, moking her. even if she made a hole in the ice, the fish would just swim off at the first crack. She stepped back: defeated.
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Post by blade on Jan 26, 2012 17:38:07 GMT -8
Further down the riverbank, a silver tabby she-cat dreamily stared at the vast expanse of ice before her. this particular Leaf-bare had been difficult on her temper, and her patience, like the ice a tail-length from her paws, was wearing thin. Because of the lack of apprentices she, Whiskerpaw had been assigned to watch over the kits in the nursery while the Queens padded out for a much needed break. This was supposed to be my first appearance as a reliable member of the clan. She chuckled humorlessly at her naivety. She was utterly unprepared for what the experience would bring her. Of course, the housefolk had taken in kits before. She had expected the care of kits in the clan to be no different than in her former household... "Hello", Whiskerpaw mewed awkwardly to the duo of dozing kits. The smaller of the two kits glanced at her for a moment, then, apparently unsatisfied, pointedly looked away. The black one simply blinked one eye sleepily. Whiskerpaw ground her teeth at the blatant sign of disrespect. She searched her memory...what was her name again? Noticing the flash of red-gold from the black kitten's pelt, the answer she was seeking popped into her mind. Ahh, yes..Novakit was her name. The elders had described her as a lovely kit with pleasant disposition and gentle nature. Whiskerpaw visibly relaxed, if the elders could deal with the kits, she was able to do the same. Clearing her throat, she called out once more, brightening her tone in a friendly manner. "Hi there! Since mommy is busy big sister is here to play!" At this, Novakit perked up, her eyes gleaming with joy. Quick as a flash she lept to her paws. "Wake up Warpkit!", she mewed happily, prodding the gray tabby kitten with her paws. Warpkit opened a bleary yellow eye, biting back a sharp retort when he read Novakit's expression. "Big sister has come to play!", Novakit purred. Warpkit blinked, his expression unfazed. "Big sister, do you know how to play hide-and-seek?", she inquired, luminous amber eyes gazing up imploringing. "Sure!", Whiskerpaw replied. "OK!" you're it!", mewed Novakit impishly. Whiskerpaw obediently closed her eyes and began counting. "One mousetail, two mousetails, she could hear excited padding and a slight scraping noise. Upon reaching 20 she finally stopped counting. "Ready or not here I come!" she hollered. Scenting the air, she analyzed the kit's aroma. There was a strong oder of kits and milk throughout the nursery, which hampered her senses considerably. It was nearly impossible for her to find the kits using scent alone, at least in this area. Hearing an audible thud, Whiskerpaw triangulated her ears on to where she hoped was the direction of the noise. She confidently padded closer to the mossy nests, expecting to find a kit in the mess. "Ouch!", she squeaked in pain. On the path she had trodden, a large thorn could be seen. Her front right paw dripped scarlet beads of blood. Hesitantly, she put her left paws forward, and found not one but two thorns in her pad! Suspiciously, she moved a patch of moss, revealy 7 thorns. Her thoughts confirmed she examined her surroundings. The kits had boxed her in with a barrier of thorns and moss. The sounds of muffled giggling reached her ears. She had been fooled!
Knocked from her reverie by a slight tap, Whiskerpaw twitched her ears irritably. Who dared to disturb her mental rest?
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Post by EBON on Jan 26, 2012 17:51:05 GMT -8
Dreamfeather, irritated by the ice began to make her way down the river. If there was nothing she could do about getting fresh kill, she would have to go home without today. She could only stay out and do so much, the clan couldn't expect more out of her right? She would just have to deal with the hungry stares of the clan and hope some other warriors were more successful.
Her eyes caught site of Whiskerpaws silver pelt. What would the apprentice be doing out here? She decided to slither into some of the scratchy bushes and watch the young cat.
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Post by blade on Jan 26, 2012 20:46:23 GMT -8
Whiskerpaw yelped with surprise as a familiar golden paw rapidly tapped her shoulder. Turning around, Whiskerpaw found herself face-to-face with Syruppaw. The pretty golden-gray she-cat practically floated on her paws, daintily stepping from side to side with energized sprightliness. Whiskerpaw's dull, dreary mood lightened considerably. Her friend always knew what to do to cheer her up. Forcing a spring in her step, Whiskerpaw arched her back, stretching out tendons sore from the unfortunate incident. She held back a cry of pain, for her badly pricked paws still burned like needles. Syruppaw scrutinized the other apprentice, noticing the terrible puncture wounds. "Were you in a fight with a bush?", Syruppaw inquired in her usual fashion, concern flowing like honey in her sweet mew. Whiskerpaw gritted her teeth, her ears lying flat against her skull. "Today hasn't been a good day for me", she meowed at last, picking her words cautiously. The kits had made a fool of her and she refused to let them win! Syruppaw blinked sympathetically at the bedraggled, injured she-cat. She knew Whiskerpaw would tell her eventually, she friend just needed some time to ponder her predicament. For a moment, the two said nothing, whie Syruppaw left tracks in the snow. At last, Whiskerpaw began to speak. "It's nothing important", she mewed quickly, her eyes darting to the far left of her eye. Syruppaw, with her skills in conversation, knew Whiskerpaw was obviously fibbing. She could sense the waves of anger, helplessness and pain radiating from every hair in her pelt. Seeing Whiskerpaw's panicked expression, she simply let the subject drop. "Well, at least did you see the medicine cat about those injuries?", Syruppaw asked urgently. Whiskerpaw let loose the tension that was in her fur. "Of course.", she replied, relived that the topic had changed. She could feel the lie she told sitting in the bottom of her stomach like a cold hard stone.
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Post by EBON on Jan 26, 2012 21:00:44 GMT -8
Dreamfeather shook the snow that had fallen on her pelt off. Apprentices and their little problems! She snorted in laughter. She trotted out of her hiding spot to greet the pair. "Sorry for eavesdropping." Winked the silver warrior "But I recommend you get that paw looked at soon Whiskerpaw, its very easy for even a small wound like that to get infected." Her whiskers twitched in silent amusement. Dreamfeather looked around them then leaned toward the small cats. "Have you two seen any prey around? Or holes in the ice? I don't seem to be having much luck." She whispered grinning slyly from ear to ear.
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Post by blade on Jan 26, 2012 21:15:23 GMT -8
Whiskerpaw started slightly at the appearance of Dreamfeather. A little embarrassed by the older feline's concern, she mewed bashfully, "You're right Dreamfeather." Dipping her head in respect for the senior warrior, her focus strayed from Syruppaw. Bringing her attention back to Syruppaw, she noticed the frolicking apprentice had paused by a thinner section of ice, her normally moving figure still as if frozen by Leaf-bare. Her stunning green-gold eyes were half-closed with concentration. Whiskerpaw's tail twitched in amusement. The only time Syruppaw was actually still was in the thrill of the hunt. Motioning with a flick of her ear to Dreamfeather, she settled down to watch Syruppaw. The golden she-cat's sudden halts were found to be unnerving to the clan, for she never seemed to stop unless deeply engrossed in an activity. Even in sleep her tail would continue swishing, long after Syruppaw was dozing. "Here it comes", Whiskerpaw mumbled absent-mindedly. A small shadow crossed under the ice. Syruppaw sprung into action, thrusting out a small paw. With her other paw she made a hooking motion, flinging up the unlucky aquatic morsel onto the slippery ice. Using one claw she cleanly sliced the floundering fish open at the gills. Before the blood began to well up, Syruppaw had already grasped the fish in her strong jaws. The whole sequence had taken less than a snow-crusted blink. Unconsciously, Whiskerpaw felt a shiver of unease travel up her spine. The ferocity and efficiency of Syruppaw was almost unreal. Syruppaw padded over to Whiskerpaw, excitement and glee sparkling in her jade eyes. "I got it!", she mewed triumphantly. "Hello Dreamfeather!", Syruppaw meowed.
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Post by EBON on Jan 26, 2012 21:23:40 GMT -8
Dreamfeather blinked at the gold feline. Then broke out laughing, "That was quite a catch there Syruppaw! Why, with skills like that, I have no doubt that you will be a warrior very soon!" At least some freshkill will be brought to the clan this evening. "Concentration like that is very rare in such a young one."
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Post by blade on Jan 26, 2012 21:36:17 GMT -8
Syruppaw's tail-tip as practically a blur. "Really?" she chirped. Whiskerpaw felt a wave of content wash about her. Dreamfeather understood how Syruppaw ticked. Just as suddenly as the warmth came, a breeze passed by, ruffling their pelts. Whiskerpaw immidiately noticed a tingling in her extremities. Her paws were numbing with cold!, she realized. "Let's go back to camp!", she chattered, "I'm freezing!" At the moment nothing sounded better then a snug nest.
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Post by EBON on Jan 26, 2012 21:44:07 GMT -8
Dreamfeather watched them get up and start to head back to camp. She waved them off with her tail. "Be safe on the way back! Don't want to hear about you two falling through the ice on the way home!" She shivered, it really was cold outside today! "Not going to give up so easily! I'll at least get a mouse one way or another." The feline grumbled stalking the rivers edge.
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Post by blade on Jan 26, 2012 21:54:25 GMT -8
Whiskerpaw waved her tail in a parting reply, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you and good hunting!", she mewed. Syruppaw followed closely behind with small, hopping steps, leaving mangled pawprints in the fresh snow. Whiskerpaw shook her head in befuddlement. The antics of Syruppaw were a constant mystery. How her paws remained unscathed by the snow, Whiskerpaw hadn't a clue. She hastened her padding to a trot and dashed out of sight, Syruppaw barely a pawstep behind.
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