WindClan: Life Before 2023's Fire

[Gusty]

Originally Posted by Chameleon

Quailheart paused,"It wasn't the cleanest kill, but you did catch it. And most cats not training in this clan cant catch rabbits."

"I suppose that's true," Breezycloud responded, bobbing her head up and down solemnly in agreement. Next time, I'll try to kill my prey better. I suppose that the reason it wasn't so clean was due to my brief indecisiveness in the beginning; I'll try to change that... if I'm able to...

After her brief pause due to thinking, she continued; the confidence was beginning to brim up again. "You're right. I mean, non-WindClanners can't even chase after these fast-fleeting prey like we do. Rabbits are our specialty, after all." She tilted her head slightly and stared at the moorland beyond Quailheart.

"You should try to catch something now," the brownish-black, orange, and white tortoiseshell she-cat suggested. "I'm sure there's more prey hiding around here somewhere."

[Mango]

Originally Posted by Gusty

"I suppose that's true," Breezycloud responded, bobbing her head up and down solemnly in agreement. Next time, I'll try to kill my prey better. I suppose that the reason it wasn't so clean was due to my brief indecisiveness in the beginning; I'll try to change that... if I'm able to...

After her brief pause due to thinking, she continued; the confidence was beginning to brim up again. "You're right. I mean, non-WindClanners can't even chase after these fast-fleeting prey like we do. Rabbits are our specialty, after all." She tilted her head slightly and stared at the moorland beyond Quailheart.

"You should try to catch something now," the brownish-black, orange, and white tortoiseshell she-cat suggested. "I'm sure there's more prey hiding around here somewhere."

Quailheart nodded," Yeah. Once in a while the other clans catch a rabbit, due to them being trapped among the trees. And sure, I'll catch something." She gave a sniff smelling a rabbit. She crept forward in an almost perfect hunters crouch due to having to balance on three legs not four, until she was in plain sight down-wind from the rabbit, she got as close as she could before leaping and landing on it killing it quickly," Huh. That rabbit is really unitentive, even though I was down wind I can't get two tail lengths away, it must be a teenager as it wasn't a baby and no adult rabbit would be that reglectant to sound and a deaf rabbit wouldn't last long here." She meowed.

[CinnamonCookie]

ARE THERE ANY QUEENS THAT I CAN PROBABLY REWARD WITH TWO KITS FOR NO REASON?

[Cranesong]

(open rp)

Cranesong strolled around the territory, watching as birds flew to their nests where they had hatchlings waiting for food and butterflies landing delicately onto flowers. She loved going for walks and watching nature. She made it a habit to go for a walk at least once a day, and always preferred it to socializing. She had never been good at talking to her clanmates, and was always more focused on being a good warrior. Her cowardice tended to get in the way of that, however. After a few moments, she lay by a rock in a warm patch of sunlight and began grooming her fur.

[spade]

Originally Posted by Suspiciousmindz

Blazingstar's tail flicked to and fro as he watched Indigo. This was strange, though he couldn't help but call out the lie. His brow raised and his paws shifted a little. "If you weren't running, then how did I trip you mid-run?" he inquired, reminding the kit of the occurrence that had just happened. Unintentionally, he tensed up ever so slightly at the mention of the kit leaving. "No, I don't suggest leaving in the state you're in," he commented, looking at the kit's bodice. He looked thin, almost pitiful in this state. "I don't recommend it because whatever was chasing you, will definitely get you if you keep going on like this. They'll be able to smell the weakness from a mile away," he spoke. The way he spoke was slightly stern this time, almost like it was a warning to the kit. Either way, Blazingstar was going to take the kit to camp tonight. It didn't matter to him how he did it. Once the kit was scruffed, he could lash out all he wanted, but he wouldn't get away. Hopefully, it didn't come down to that point. "Come back to the camp with me and at least eat something. If you still want to leave then, then I'll try not to stop you," he spoke, there was a slight tease tone in his voice this time as he emphasized 'try'.

At this point, Indigo wasn't exactly sure what residence this strange tom called home. His implied tone was much nicer than that of a rogue who wanted nothing more than to protect his territory. And what was this talk of a 'camp'? His head was tilted just as bit as his mind analyzed the new information. The older tom was right to suggest that if Halite or his father were in fact chasing him, they would soon be able to catch him, and Indigo didn't want to even ponder what his fate might be then. Despite the mystery that still shrouded this newcomer from him, the younger tom saw it as his best bet for safety. "...I guess you're right.." Indigo murmured, forcing the remaining tense muscles to settle into a more relaxed state. Ears twitching at the teasing tone, his mouth hardened just a bit, and ears went a bit flatter against his head. "I am strong, you know," he grumbled pointedly. The ginger cat glanced back up at Blazingstar, only a bit of a frown making his maw twitch. "I could defend myself." What's the point in arguing, Indy? He's obviously bigger than you, and already tripped you, the voice in his head pointed out, causing Indigo to wince just a smidge. "But," he stated quickly, so as not to annoy this tom any further, "I would like to eat something."

[spade]

Originally Posted by Lonestar23

"I know, I've become so very wise in my old age. I'll have to have a talk with Blazingstar about my wisdom - I should be advising all the younger apprentices," Aspenpaw laughed, his whiskers twitching with amusement. It was fun to joke around with Moonpaw. She was one of the easiest cats to talk to that he had ever met. Maybe even the only easy one, it was hard when you were speaking with a damaged cat. You had to take everything into consideration. Not that Aspenpaw wasn't good at that, but he did have some trouble - but Moonpaw acted as though nothing had happened. So the feline would do the same, just act as though there were nothing wrong. And maybe, her injury didn't bother her. She was so cheerful. How does she do it? It was like life had never been better for the white and black patterned apprentice, and he wondered how come she seemed like that. His expression was friendly, and calm, but he wanted to ask.

After all the joking that had been done, though, wouldn't it be somewhat of an awkward subject change? He felt as though it would. Maybe the subject would come up again... later. Hearing Moonpaw change the subject back to when he had called her "beautiful," the tom felt somewhat awkward. But she had appreciated it. Had she... liked it? It seemed so, and the look that she gave him made Aspenpaw feel a little warmer. Her remaining eye really was the most beautiful shade of blue. Aspenpaw had learned to appreciate the "little things" in life, and it was the "little things" that he could see. Her laugh. Her smile. That one remaining eye.

And no, Aspenpaw did not develop feelings overnight, but he could definitely admire those little things. They added up. The tom wondered why, with all the beautiful small things about Moonpaw that made her who she was, why everyone couldn't help but stare at that ravaged part of her face? It was true that it might not be "beautiful." Or "perfect." But Aspenpaw could already get a sense of who she was, and the untouched parts of her were attractive. It was impossible to deny that.

"Oh, uh, well... you're welcome."

He gave her a bright smile, glad she appreciated his compliment. Do you feel beautiful? That might be too personal to ask on a first meeting like this, but he would ask it eventually. "Tawnypaw's a genius, then," Aspenpaw laughed. He had never had to go out into the territory with warrior escorts, but he was pretty sure that they were determined to do their job. And who knew if Blazingstar himself would go with Moonpaw? From what he knew about the ginger leader, he knew that the tom tried his best to take good care of his Clan. Not to mention with the recent stress and drama of ThunderClan, he was probably going to be more cautious over letting apprentices out into the territory. At least... with Moonpaw. With current events, he guessed that Blazingstar would be protective over the apprentice.

A frown came over his features and he looked down at the ground for a moment, trying to work up the confidence that she wouldn't be hurt or upset by his question. "I... know this is probably a personal question, and don't feel like I have to have an answer, but I was thinking about this earlier and... how do you stay so cheerful? After what happened, you know, there are a lot of cats who would just kind of give up, but you - are different." She was different. She was special. And Aspenpaw hoped that she knew that.

"I'm sure the younger apprentices would be lining up outside your den to get just a taste!" Moonpaw purred, the remaining bits of laughter fading out into rumbling purrs that vibrated her chest. It just felt right to be sitting in the camp of the Clan she loved so dearly, speaking easy with Aspenpaw. The tom made her feel light on her paws, and their conversation, despite taking a bit of a heavier turn when discussing this accident, was one that Moonpaw had been silently begging for.

As the topic turned once more in that direction, towards the accident, the patterned apprentice blinked. Her blue orbs seemed to be analyzing the question from every angle, as it was the first of it's kind. She figured he was only asking because this was all he'd seen of Moonpaw. He didn't know about the nights where she had cried alone in her uncle's den, praying to StarClan to reverse time to before the attack. He didn't know about how she had begged Surgestorm to find some sort of cure for this, because the fear of being exiled from her home felt as real to her as the dirt beneath her paws. And he certainly didn't know that doubt still lingered in her heart, a little voice saying that she had let every cat in the Clan down by making one stupid mistake...

She swallowed briefly, taking a moment to make sure her voice wouldn't falter in her reply. "To be honest, Aspenpaw, there are days that even I don't know the answer to that question," she sighed, moving her gaze away from his own to study the ground between her paws. "I guess I don't want anything to chance. I mean, life was really good before... all of this." She lifted a paw and gestured to the half of her face that was essentially missing. It was mostly true, aside from her leaving out the part where she still felt as though she was somehow a misfit within her own Clan. But that was a trouble that she preferred to keep private for now. "I don't want to drag anyone else down with me. I want to have a positive impact on the Clan; I love my home." With that, she felt tears sting at the corner of her good eye as she glanced back up at Aspenpaw.

Despite the accident, one thing that Moonpaw refused to allow happen was for her tenacity to become a warrior to dwindle. Just like her mother and father, she was going to become a great WindClan warrior. After her talk with Blazingstar, she was determined to prove all her doubts wrong, and to especially make Birdstripe proud. Her mother hadn't visited her since the fateful day of the accident, but Moonpaw knew her mother was looking down on her from the stars. Thinking this, the she-cat glanced upwards, the sky ahead coated with dark, overcast clouds. "I also want to make my mom proud of me," she murmured outloud, not even sure if she was speaking to Aspenpaw or herself now. Her heart thumped against her chest as she studied the wide arching sky above her, almost as if she was trying to memorize it in that exact moment.

(ack sorry it's so short lone :c next one will be longer i promise ;w; )

[lone]

Originally Posted by Sage

Sagewhisker held the dark furred tom's gaze. Anger formed in the her emerald gaze, tears falling down her face. Her face bunched into a snarl, a frown forming across her maw. "But I can control them! If I just.... let go, push it all down. Then.... maybe It will go away. Maybe... I can stop myself from feeling." Sagewhisker hissed. The stress, the pain, everything. It was just too much for the scarred molly to bear. Se unsheathed and then sheathed her claws, over and over again. Deep gashes scarred the earth below her. Sagewhisker clenched her teeth together, and then bit her lip for she was afraid that she would continue screaming at the tom in front of her. Every breath she took was forced. If she stopped breathing could....no. She could not abandon her clan just like that, but... no one would miss her. She could just...stop. No. Sagewhisker looked back up at Obsidiansky. She studied his face. There was emotion that seemed... genuine. Obsidiansky could never feel that way for her. Emotions were just a trick, a stunt. Trickery. Nothing she felt was real, genuine. Nothing anyone felt was real. Just a figment of imagination.

"But, I can not really change it if.... it is not real, can I? Nothing we feel is real. Is all just trickery, inflicted upon us." Sagewhisker whispered. She was slipping away, rapidly. Sagewhisker was, slowly but surely, loosing her mind. Everything and everyone she cared about had turned on her or left her, or so she thought. Everything was just a play that StarClan had just set up to break her. Well they had defiantly succeeded in their mission. Everything around her was just a game and she was another one of it's puppets. And guess what? Game over. Sagewhisker did not care anymore. She was done, through with life. "You do not really feel that way about me. You are just trying to spare my feelings. Well guess what? I'm sick of your stupid games. I am done. Done. I am gone. I have lost my mind."

"Oh, Sagewhisker..." Sorrow passed his features as the tom crouched down and gently touched his nose to her cheek. Soft. Gentle. He wanted to help, but... but this was not something that he could do. Seeing his best friend so confused and hurt hurt him, but what could he do? Obsidiansky could never change the way he felt. And he was really, truly scared that he was going to end up alone. Love was something that he had a very, very hard time with. He didn't know how to handle it! And obviously this was too much for him.

Pulling away, the tom's eyes flickered to the ground and he studied it very hard as though he believed someway, somehow, he could sink into it just by staring. "I'm sorry. That wasn't right." It had, after all, technically been a violation of her personal space and when she so clearly didn't really want to see him at the moment, Obsidiansky figured that he might just want to walk away. Except, something kept him from doing so.

Maybe he just wanted to make sure that she was okay... but what happened next proved that neither of them were okay. Her sharp voice made the tom's optics narrow and he could feel the worried, pleasant expression slipping from his features.

Desperately trying to keep it there it seemed to flicker for a moment, but then his optics slitted and he growled low in his throat. A warning growl... he was warning Sagewhisker. Something was very, very wrong if the tom was so bent on being like that. "Now that's not fair." His voice was still calm, and held a flicker of that pleasantry, but it was clear that he was angry. Obsidiansky didn't get angry too often anymore, at least he tried not to... he figured it wasn't fair. The other cat was going through something too and taking that anger out on you, so the last thing you wanted to do was throw yours right back on them. Or, it was a defense mechanism - as in his case, defending himself against Sagewhisker's verbal attack.

"I haven't been playing a single game with you and if you don't believe me, fine. You don't have to. I've been trying to be kind to you this whole time even though I don't know what to do in this situation. You think I'm playing a game with you? How about the one you're playing with me."

His voice was sharp, cold, and had lost that pleasantry and calmness. The tom closed his eyes and pretended he was away from here. Shutting out the world around him. He had just acted as he had promised himself he wouldn't, lashing out and being moody. The very kind of cat that Obsidiansky didn't love being around. He wasn't known for his displays of anger! He was known for his kindness, for his friendliness, not for being angry.

And he was nervous that, well... that Sagewhisker was going to think of him differently now. He wanted to keep her friendship, but what was the best way to do that when she was so angry? There was a lot of bitterness now, and Obsidiansky wasn't quite sure what to do about it. He wasn't good at this. He didn't like it when others were hurting. And the worst part was, he had no idea how to change his feelings or how to make Sage feel better.




That was something the apprentice hadn't been expecting. Honestly, he hadn't even been thinking about that. Pressing his maw shut tightly, it was almost as though he couldn't think of anything to say. Generally Aspenpaw would take a couple of moments to analyze a statement like that, but he hadn't been analyzing much lately and it was taking more time then he had thought. His tail twitched, but he said nothing until at last, he relaxed and his guard seemed to go back down. The feline gently put his tail around her, and thought for another second before answering. "I get what you're saying. And it's not fair for anyone to treat you differently. It's not. But, change is going to happen whether you like it or not. No one can ignore what happened. Your accident happened, and it was awful, yes, and they definitely need to get past it - but give it some time. Just another moon or so. And eventually life will be able to go back to a more normal state." The tom sighed, before removing his tail.

That might not have been the most comforting thing he could think of to say, but at the moment, it had almost seemed right. Change was a part of life, and... it was really, really hard. It wasn't fair for Moonpaw to be treated differently. She was the same cat. Or at least, she was mostly the same. Thinking for another minute, the feline bit his lip before speaking. "If there's something wrong... there has to be someone you can talk to. Someone you trust. You can't just keep pretending everything's fine, it'll destroy you - in the end." The tom studied her features, wondering if it was his imagination or if he could see tears glistening in her eyes. There had to be something wrong. Everyone had a secret about their own life, or their own emotions, or worries, that no one was supposed to know.

Yes... even Aspenpaw had his own. Mainly worries - he worried that Tawnypaw didn't like him anymore. It certainly seemed that way, they weren't very close anymore. He worried that he wouldn't make a good warrior. Self-doubt wasn't that big of an issue for the tom, except when it came to that particular topic. He wasn't a fighter. He didn't like to kill, even prey. He was constantly keeping others' secrets that they had entrusted him with, but to be honest... there weren't too many cats Aspenpaw wanted to entrust with his own fears, and doubts, and problems. That wasn't what he felt like he wanted to do. He wanted other cats to trust him, not be worried that he was going to give them a problem they couldn't solve. Even he couldn't solve some problems. His ears twitched in the direction of her voice, but he didn't answer - part of him felt like she wasn't really talking to him anymore. Her Mom.

It occured to Aspenpaw that he had never seen any cat resembling Moonpaw's parents around the clearing. Not with her, nor without - and, he was pretty sure he would have been able to pick at least part of their pelt color out of the crowd. They either were no longer alive, or they hadn't been warriors in the first place - and judging by what she had said, he guessed the first.
@Lilly

[lone]

Originally Posted by Brooklyn Trees

Moonoaw remained as she had been before, and then looked out over the territory for a moment. This was the territory that she had dreamed of protecting so many times; protecting with Couragepaw. She loved this place so much, it made her feel love and feel courage even when she couldn't feel at all, but now it just felt empty; most things felt empty when Couragepaw was beside her.

Out of everything that she could have expected at that moment, him touching her was not one of them. She froze and began to stare at the ground intently; she was afraid to look him in the eyes right now with his tail about her.
She felt herself tilt slightly, almost trying to lean against him as if she were pretending that nothing had happened between them; that they were still old friends and good company. She stopped herself though as he began to laugh and pulled away. She must have been stupid to have done such a thing.

Couragepaw's words surprised her though; a crush is one thing, love is another. She had loved him dearly as a brother and now she loved him dearly as more. For some reason she just hadn't expected to hear it from his own lips, and she looked up at him again, trying to find his eyes; they looked sincere. She remained, eyes trying to keep locked onto his – becoming lost in them.
"I would never... I would never want to change that. Not for all the stars in the sky." Moonpaw hesitated, not sure if she should say these next words, and she tore her eyes away, staring down at her feet.
"I love you too..."
She couldn't help but glance up again – however momentarily – to look at him again. Would he be mad about this?

She did? For real? Then... why had they been through everything they had? For a moment, the feline felt a surge of frustration, but it passed quickly to relief and happiness. Thank StarClan, he thought, turning his optics upwards to glance at the sky. Even though Silverpelt was not yet visible, he could almost feel their presence. Scratch that - he could feel their presence. StarClan was there regardless of what he could or could not see. It was pleasure that he felt next, pleasure at having Moonpaw there. "You... do?" There was some amount of confusion in his voice, and he hoped that this wasn't some cruel joke. Was she just tricking him as she had believed him to be doing with her? No. No, Moonpaw wasn't like that. And Couragepaw trusted her, regardless of what might have happened. Gentle optics settled on her features and he breathed another sigh of relief.

Thank StarClan this had all worked out, because the tom had been counting on it working out... and he wasn't quite sure what he would have done had the pretty feline told him she just didn't feel the same. Oh no, Couragepaw wouldn't have been able to deal with a rejection. Especially not from his long-time best friend and interest. He wondered if she realized what she had put him through. All the feelings, all the pain and worry and anxiety that she had pressed on him, but it was all going away now. All he could feel and see was his future with the she cat. "So... what do we do now?" Couragepaw had spent such a long time chasing Moonpaw that he realized he wasn't quite sure what to do. Almost absentmindedly, the feline began winding his tail around her own and watching her with that expression in his eyes. The expression that he could feel saying how much he loved her. Because yes, Couragepaw hadn't been lying, he did love the she cat.

He had thought of her as a sister for a long time. A fun-loving, exciting to be around, sister. The type of sister you could always be around, never growing tired of. But now she was more to him. If it meant that she would be happy, the tom would lay down his life for her. That was true love. He truly, truly loved her. Even at a young age you could figure out feelings likt hese if you really tried. At last he had discovered his own. It was funny, Couragepaw had been waiting forever - and now his fantasy was a reality.

[Captain]

Originally Posted by CandyFlossCat

Caracalspirit giggled, her lifting her head and smiling at her mate. She met his eyes, her gaze filled with happiness. "Well thank you, handsome." She mewed back, smiling softly at Hawkfeather. She returned the small smirk, giving his ear a playful cuff with her paw. "How romantic." She cooed, purring softly. She enjoyed his company greatly, letting out a little chuckle at his statement. "I'm going to be spoiled rotten with attention" she teased, smiling at him. She leaned into his fur, glad to be next to him. She couldn't think of anyone who would be a better mate than Hawkfeather, he was everything she ever wanted. "I just realized how sappy we are." She said, stifling a giggle. They were so romantic it was sickeningly sweet. That was just how they were, truthfully, a very sweet young couple. She smirked up at him when he huffed at her nickname. "What's the matter, Hawky?" She said, purposely adding the nickname in to annoy him. She giggled, nuzzling him and looking up at him. "Two can play at that game, I see." She replied. Now they both had annoying little nicknames to give each other. "Yeah, so what were you wanting to do?" Caracalspirit asked, tilting her head slightly.

Hawkfeather smiled down at his mate, looking at her with such pride and happiness within his amber-hued gaze. “You’re very welcome, beautiful.” He said with a slight wink, amusement sparkling in his expression at their playful teasing and lovey interactions. He chuckled when she softly cuffed his ear, making his whiskers twitch slightly. “The most romantic male you’ve ever met.” He purred with satisfaction, “And yes, you shall be spoiled with all my attention and more.” Hawkfeather loved showing her how much he cared for her and he would do anything to make her happy every single day. He had grown up with Owlsparks as his brotherly figure to look up to and was often teased by the other apprentices for his lack of strength, but no longer would he stand by and let other feel sorry for him - he would show his worth to his beloved and he would prove to her that he could be the best mate ever seen. Her next words, however, made him laugh. “Perhaps we are a bit sappy, but we’re happy - so that’s all that matters.” He remarked with a warm smile. They could possibly be the most sappy mates in the whole forest, but she made him feel like the most happiest tom-cat in the entire world, so he could take being called sappy if it meant feeling this way around her. The smile on his maw would never be able to leave him as she spoke, making the male rest his chin on her head, giving her forehead a gentle stroke of his tongue. “I am known to be someone to play games, sweetheart.” He teased Carcalspirit with a purr, closing his eyes for a moment as he enjoyed this time and wished to savor this time in his life. “Hmm..” He hummed, thinking about what they could do on this lovely day, “Would you mind joining me on a hunting patrol - just the two of us? Nobody to disturb us..” The thought of this made him purr deeply, nuzzling his mate and being the hopeless romantic he was.

[Captain]

Originally Posted by Panic

Shiverpaw pictured the place- the small, skinny tree near the hunting grounds. "Right. We'll meet there." They went quiet for a moment. "Hey, Ferretpaw? I have a question... about names." I'm not sure it's a good idea for people to know we're from a Clan... Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but I'm not much of a fighter, and I don't know about Ferretpaw...

“We’ll just go by the prefixes of our names.” The dark-furred male explained, looking at Shiverpaw with a small smirk placed on his maw, “Don’t worry, I have everything covered - see you tonight when the moon is highest.” With that, the apprentice left his friend there as he retreated back into the apprentice den to rest up so that he wouldn’t be tired for their small adventure.