Flickering Chance in the Shade {P}

[Starphobia]

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Flickerflame
Heavily scarred fiery orange tabby tom with deep blue eyes and white paws; half blind
He/Him | 40 Moons at Death | Dark Forest [Formerly WindClan] | Apathetic

Purrks:
Nightmare Fuel T1
. 。・゜✭・.・✫゜・。.

. 。・゜✭・.・✫゜・。.
Goldenberry would be the last cat to disappoint him. He was sure of it. Flickerflame grinned. Something about this apprentice... He knew from the start something was special about her. He watched from a distance as the black-furred apprentice fought another cat. Rather fiercely. A good fighter was always a good sign.
Then, she wasn't fighting anymore. She had won. Why didn't she look satisfied? She had won the fight. Killed the cat. And yet she stood there, frozen and numb. Flickerflame frowned, emerging from the darkness and stalking over, heavy paws making dents in the ground. He spared a quick glance at the faux body before the apprentice, before stomping a paw, quickly dissipating it. Foolish. Foolish, young cats.

"That," he spat, his single ocean-blue eyed gaze piercing into the black-furred apprentice's own amber hues. "Is nothing of importance." He flexed his claws, as if preparing the tear the she-cat apart himself for looking so weak in a dream. A dream! "You've won. You've proven you are better than that weakling. And yet you do not show triumpth. Simply ridiculous." Flickerflame stood tall, lashing his tail, at the exact spot where the she-cat's opponent had fallen.

{ @snowflake. }
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[snowflake.]

Shadepaw
Pure black pelt; dark mackerel markings; amber eyes
She/her || 7 moons || ShadowClan Apprentice
Agatha Kitty - Silver Tongue [T2] - Shadow Fiend
Mentor: Shrewstep • Post Count: /100 • Profile • Bio

Claws slashed. Blood splattered. Shadepaw's eyes narrowed in cold concentration. She whirled, dodging an attack, before reaching out to slice her opponent's flank. Nothing existed except this battle. The dark shape of the cat hissed, clawing, but she was too fast. She was strong. She was everything Clovepool wanted her to be and more. She would succeed. She would always succeed. The rush of battle was intoxicating. Her movements were fluid and graceful. Nothing existed except this battle. She could feel her muscles bunching and springing, dodging and hitting at the exact right moments (this was her dream, after all). She took satisfaction in the way her claws raked through her opponents fur, how blood dripped down into the ground. She was winning. She was always winning. Then, a final rush, a final blow, and the shadowy cat fell to the ground, blood spooling everywhere. The shadows seemed to seep from her opponent's fur... Revealing white fur with gray and orange spots and stripes. She froze, staring down at the lifeless body. Blood dripped from her claws. Her burning eyes turned blank, like stone. Silentpaw? The single thought echoed in her mind, quickly swallowed by the darkness surrounding her. She didn't move. She didn't think. She just stared down... At Silentpaw. Had she really done that?...

Pawsteps sounded in her ears, though her brain didn't register them. Her eyes widened as Silentpaw's body suddenly dissipated, and the fog that had settled over her brain cleared. She looked up at a scarred orange tom. She'd never seen him before, and he didn't smell of the clans. Her eyes narrowed, their intense burning returning, instantly on the alert. She didn't waver while the orange cat spoke. His words were true. She was... Better. Better than Silentpaw. He was a weakling. No wonder he'd always avoided her... And Clovepool. It finally made sense. Her gaze swept over the tom, calculating and judging him. He's been in many fights, and survived, she could tell from all the scars. She did not know whether she could take him on, though she was sure she could find a way... She did not know where the cat had come from, either. He only smelled faintly of mold and clinging darkness. "Maybe I don't need to show triumph," she replied smoothly. "Maybe other cats would consider it... A weakness." Even though she didn't know the cat, that didn't mean she couldn't... talk. She'd just have to be careful. He seemed... Formidable. Why he was here, in her dream, she did not know. But she could find out...

---

@Starphobia

[Starphobia]

╔══ ≪ °❈° ≫ ══╗
Flickerflame
Heavily scarred fiery orange tabby tom with deep blue eyes and white paws; half blind
He/Him | 40 Moons at Death | Dark Forest [Formerly WindClan] | Apathetic

Purrks:
Nightmare Fuel T1
. 。・゜✭・.・✫゜・。.

. 。・゜✭・.・✫゜・。.
Flickerflame narrowed his eyes at the strange calmness of the apprentice. His expression morphed into a slight scowl.

"You're right," he growled lowly, sharp claws creating indents in the ground below. "Maybe you don't. Maybe it does make you seem weak. And perhaps you are. But do you not want to live for the pride you feel whenever you rise as the winner? The praise. Every cat knowing you are the victor. Do you not feel the need to be better than others?" Flickerflame flicked a paw, the space in the air where he had swiped with his claws strangely warping. He turned back to the apprentice, scowl turning into a sinister grin. "I'm sure you do."

{ @snowflake. }
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[snowflake.]

Shadepaw
Pure black pelt; dark mackerel markings; amber eyes
She/her || 7 moons || ShadowClan Apprentice
Agatha Kitty - Silver Tongue [T2] - Shadow Fiend
Mentor: Shrewstep • Post Count: /100 • Profile • Bio

Shadepaw tensed her muscles instinctively. The orange cat's words sliced into her, and she only wondered how he knew. It didn't matter right now; It looked like she was in for a fight after all. "You don't know me," she spat, amber eyes flashing dangerously, and perhaps with a hint of... envy. She prepared herself for an attack, her fur bristling. She did not move from her spot, though she did go lower to the ground, bunching up. Only a fool would mistake her to be yielding, for her muscles were tensed, and her eyes flicked, absorbing the surroundings and the other cat's behavior. The dreamscape was still in a shadowy clearing that she recognized as Shadowclan territory, though she could not figure out where in it. It seemed to be nighttime, with the stars shining overhead, though somehow they seemed farther and dimmer than in real life. At the very least, her black pelt would blend in better than the tom's. That was the only obvious advantage she had. But she would not back down, not to this stranger. This was her dream. And the tom had invaded it. Which reminded her... She did not know his name. He had not offered it. He had only... berated her. Scolded her. Why was he here?

---

@Starphobia

[Starphobia]

╔══ ≪ °❈° ≫ ══╗
Flickerflame
Heavily scarred fiery orange tabby tom with deep blue eyes and white paws; half blind
He/Him | 40 Moons at Death | Dark Forest [Formerly WindClan] | Apathetic

Purrks:
Nightmare Fuel T1
. 。・゜✭・.・✫゜・。.

. 。・゜✭・.・✫゜・。.
Flickerflame smirked, accompanied by an amused scoff. He eyed the she-cat dangerously, his tail twitching in amusement. She really was a peculiar one.

"I might know more aboutcha than ya think. Careful with your words." He huffed, rolling his shoulders. So, seemed like he was in for some fun. He stayed completely still, not a bit concerned about whether or not the apprentice would attack him. It would be useless, after all. Attacking a spirit. "What's your name, kid?" He asked with a menacing grin.

{ @snowflake. }
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[snowflake.]

Shadepaw
Pure black pelt; dark mackerel markings; amber eyes
She/her || 7 moons || ShadowClan Apprentice
Agatha Kitty: Perm Activated - Silver Tongue [T2] - Shadow Fiend
Mentor: Shrewstep • Post Count: /100 • Site • Bio

Shadepaw narrowed her eyes, thoughts racing. The orange cat seemed... Unpredictable. He didn't attack, like she had anticipated, though she wouldn't let down her guard. Why was he here? What did he know? There were too many unknowns. And she didn't trust unknowns. Though something in her hesitated. A curiousity. A thought that maybe this wasn't a waste of time. Maybe... He could be useful. No. It was a weakness. She had no doubt that the cat before her could be useful, but what did a barely trained apprentice stand against a full warrior? A stab of anger and resentment burned white-hot in her. Resentment for Shrewstep for not training her fast enough. Resentment for Clovepool, though she wasn't sure why. Resentment for Silentpaw. Resentment for... Shadepaw abruptly stood up, turned around, and walked away, ignoring the tom's question. Her claws scraped against the dirt as she walked, tension humming in her body. She was angry. Really, really, angry. She did not show her anger. Even in dream, she kept a neutral face, with the exception of her eyes. Not a single twitch of her tail. It could only be seen in her tensed muscles, in her burning eyes. Venomous thoughts wreathed her. She continued walking. Walking. Walking. The world was all darkness and pines. She knew nothing else, other than the familiar scents of shadowclan and the dimmed stars above. Walking. Walking. And yet the dream would not leave. It seemed the mysterious orange cat was not done with her yet. She stopped walking. Waiting. Waiting for the cat to catch up to her. He seemed to be the answer, much as she hated it. She was clever. She'd just... Wait. And see. See what happens...

---

@Starphobia

[Starphobia]

╔══ ≪ °❈° ≫ ══╗
Flickerflame
Heavily scarred fiery orange tabby tom with deep blue eyes and white paws; half blind
He/Him | 40 Moons at Death | Dark Forest [Formerly WindClan] | Apathetic

Purrks:
Nightmare Fuel T1
. 。・゜✭・.・✫゜・。.

. 。・゜✭・.・✫゜・。.
Flickerflame was quite surprised the apprentice walked away, but he did not move. She couldn't go far. This was a dream, after all. A dream that was now in his control. He gave the apprentice a moment to think through her decision, then started to slowly walk in her direction. But despite his slow gait, he quickly caught up to the black-furred she-cat, shooting her a glance through narrowed eyes. He was now walking almost right beside her.

"Scared?" He spat. "Scared you won't be enough for me, hm? Well let me tell you somethin'. You are young and clueless. You still have so much to learn, but those fluff-brained cats in your Clan have so little to teach. But I, have all you need to know. How about I make a little proposal?"

{ @snowflake. }
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[snowflake.]

Shadepaw
Pure black pelt; dark mackerel markings; amber eyes
She/her || 7 moons || ShadowClan Apprentice
Agatha Kitty: Perm Activated - Silver Tongue [T2] - Shadow Fiend
Mentor: Shrewstep • Post Count: /100 • Site • Bio

Shadepaw narrowed her burning amber eyes. Her tail flicked back and forth slowly as she considered his words, turning them upside down and inside out, looking for any implications. She ignored his insults. He would not get to her so easily. Though each accusation drove hot nails into her, she did not show it. She was no fool. But there was truth in the orange cat's words. She would not agree to something blindly, though there was a curiosity in her, wondering what the other cat was suggesting... She could play along. She could find out all she needs to know, and if the cat ceases to be useful, she'd just leave. Yet... He might not let her leave. Hm... A dilemma. "Say I agree," she murmured, almost to herself, "What do I know about you? You could help me one day and murder me the next. Then what good would that do? I'd be too dead to rise." Her tone was careful and quiet, yet anyone who truly knew her could hear the hunger in her voice, and the veiled threat. It was true that Shrewstep was fluff-brained. It was true they were progressing with training slower than she'd hoped. Yet she did not know the tom before her, didn't even know his name. She was almost certain he wouldn't tell her unless she agreed. Though she did not know the proposal yet.

---

@Starphobia