A Splashing Debut

***Alchemist Kitsune*** · #1 August 25th, 2024, 06:48 PM

Today had been one of those days. Where Lightningstorm had been wanting to take off. Go for a bit of a walk in the territory. Have the sky above her for a change. It was true that the aforementioned sky was overcast, not much sunlight filtering through the cover of clouds... but her nose couldn't smell any rain, and even if it could, it needed the break from the harsh herbal scent in her den. So, with the excuse of wanting to go gather a new wad of moss for her patient treatments, she padded off. There was of course moss in the den, but it wasn't quite what she liked using for cleaning injuries, so it wasn't a lie in any case.

The molly sniffed upon arrival to the falls, her paws having taken her there almost by instinct. It seemed sometimes that her body seemed to remember their way around the territory more than she did, as the familiarity she had seemingly traversed the plateau with had not been quite as evenly matched in her mind. Expertly, the pale herbalist leaped on some rocks by the edge of the pool, searching among the shaded, moist areas they offered for what she sought, yet finding nothing more than the common moss she used for bandaging wounds and replacing nests. It was useful, yes, but not what she had come for. A fact that made her wrinkle her nose in thought before instinctually turning towards the water's edge, finding the fluffier, more verdant moss she used underwater just barely out of reach.

Genuinely stumped, Lightningstorm sat, wondering just how exactly old her had managed to get around this situation. It was clear this had been the moss she had picked before. But... this area was hardly a woodland. And she was severely lacking in sticks back home, so bringing one back and potentially losing it on this was out of the question. Narrowing her eyes, she got up, stretching lightly before turning her head left and right. Making sure she was alone before closing the gap with the water's edge once more.

While far from tall - the medicine cat was in all earnest quite the petite feline - she had long legs, making her reach somewhat longer than most other cats her size. Compelling her wonder if maybe... just maybe... she could. Get. The stupid. Moss. Into her-

The oriental mix did not notice the slip. It wasn't until she had become submerged that she reacted, eyes wide open as the moss she had been trying to obtain slowly became further the more she sank. Panic clawing at her insides she twitched, uncertainty taking over when again it happened. Her body moved with knowledge it alone understood, paws paddling upwards towards the light. Breaking through the surface of the water with a manic whoop of unabashed joy at having discovered something knew about herself. She could swim. By the stars, she could swim! Of course she could swim! It seemed so obvious now! Ta old Lightningstorm! She must have been the overachieving, must learn everything type.

@Rani [Crowtooth]

***Rani*** · #2 August 27th, 2024, 04:00 AM

Crowtooth
Windclan Deputy | He/him | 51 Moons

Power Card: Cold Gust

Sometimes it was nice to just.... Wander without doing things. Well, he had come out here to do things actually. Spotting the weird popping flashes in the sky (fireworks, not that Crowtooth knew that or how odd it was that they were going off during the day) the tom had trotted his way out of camp, following the disturbance just to make sure the clan was ok, only to find him at a dead end at the falls when the (still) distant popping stopped. From there he'd planned to maybe continue to learn to swim, an ongoing task of his, only to find a dead end there again as he'd nearly choked to death on the first attempt.

Well maybe not 'to death' more of to soggy uncomfort as he'd sputtered and failed to remain buoyant despite his wild thrashing masterful swimming attempts. An attempt that'd landed him sitting in the shallows, just enjoying the cool water and cleaning properties of the pool when Lightningstorm had arrived.

She either seemed uncaring for his presence (fair, he wanted a break from cats sometimes to) or didnt notice him so either way the tom just relaxed, letting the little waves lap at him as half asleep he kept a single eye on his friend.

That calm died a quick death as Lightningstorm plunged into the deep, let me tell you that much. Crowtooth let out a distressed devastated yowl as Lightningstorm's head dipped below, unthinkingly darting forward past where he could stand in a desperate bid to reach her. He wouldnt lose another friend, he couldnt and damn it all he didnt care if he drowned NOT HER TOO!!

Water filling the toms mouth, Crowtooth exhaling what little air he had to keep his lungs clear of the fluid as he tried to push off the bottom towards the middle where he could blurrily see her form, paws reaching out a distance he couldnt cross before she drowned....

Only to watch, shocked as the molly he'd dove in to save rocket up and away from the depths like an eel, twisting through the water with a grace her so called savoir did not have. She didnt need saving at all really, and for a long moment the tom hung in the water, paws skimming the bottom as he watched her dance.

The tug of lost air drew him soon away however.

Crowtooth was thoroughly winded and half suffocated by the time he hauled himself onto the bank, hacking and wheezing air deprived but thankfully dry lunged as he gasped. For a long moment he could only do that, gasping and heaving in breaths as he recovered from his short (ultimately harmless) watery stint, letting Lightningstorm do as she wished. When he was recovered however, he had words for her.
"WHAT IN THE DARK FOREST LIGHTNIN'!?!?!? YA SCARRED THE PISS OUTTA ME!!!!"

@Alchemist Kitsune

***Alchemist Kitsune*** · #3 August 28th, 2024, 10:32 PM

Splashing about and cooling off, the medicine cat found that the longer she kept to the water, the more her muscle memory seemed to return. The more natural this all seemed to be. As easy as remembering what herb did what and when. It always fascinated her. How it seemed everything about her past trickled in small quantities when she needed it, or when she encountered a use for such knowledge. Everything except faces. Names. The cats that surrounded her. It was such a strange case of amnesia, yet even now as she thought on it she could feel a headache forming, coaxing her to cease her ruminations on the matter.

There was little reason to bother with the whole thing for now, in any case. True, she couldn't remember who cats were in the past. A part of her did wonder if those memories were truly gone forever, before stubbornly decided that no, they weren't. Probably. But it did not matter. She knew who cats were now. In the present. So what if she had no family? No friendships to claim as her own? She was social. She would form bonds in time, she was sure. Case in point...

The thunderous caterwaul that escaped the deputy should be against the warrior code, honestly. Scared the spirit right out of Lightningstorm as she suddenly lost focus, flailing incoherently in the water for a moment before turning around to glare daggers at the... very... soaking wet furball that sat hacking his lungs away at the shore. Perhaps it wasn't the correct reaction. To allow a snort to escape her. Followed by a barely covered up giggle. Which soon turned into a splashing fit of laughter as the medicine cat split her sides at the sight. She had no idea how she had missed him, but then... she did tend to hyper fixate on things when she was alone...

"Awww, look at you," the oriental mix almost cackled as she regained a modicum of composure. "Never knew you cared so much you were willin' to resemble a half starved opossum just to join me. Looks good on ya, love. Should go for a swim more often."

Nope. Not even going to try and attempt any level of concern. Not even as she made her way towards the tom, moss well and truly forgotten. Despite her teasing, however, she wasn't entirely heartless. Lightningstorm was a medicine cat first and foremost, and she knew the deputy had his breathing problems. The last thing she needed was his lungs filling in with water because of a scare... not that she thought of that as a likely case after that yelling tantrum he'd just thrown, mind...

@Rani [Crowtooth]
| Lightningstorm is heading his way, but feel free to play it as she is at any distance for Crowtooth's response. She didn't really start moving until after she teased him.

|

***Rani*** · #4 August 29th, 2024, 06:46 AM

Crowtooth
Windclan Deputy | He/him | 51 Moons

Power Card: Cold Gust

Truely, the medicine cat was the single most HEARTLESS cat he'd ever met in his LIFE. HE'D JUST NEARLY DROWNED FOR HER UNGREATFUL ASS AND SHE WAS LAUGHING AT HER!!!

There was pure insult in Crowtooth gaped at the giggling molly, pointing a limp paw in mute accusation at her as she just.... mocked him!

"H-Half starved opossum?!?!?!" Why was he an opossum when his pelt was clearly that of a skunk??? That jab was right there! Also "Excuse you ya overgrown rat wit' all yer stupid skinny face. Ungrateful ya are, I dunno why I even care, should really just push ya under there so ya cant keep yappin' at me anymore."

He wouldnt of course, Crowtooth actually liked these snark fests and they served at the cornerstone for the new friendship the two shared. It wasnt like their old one, certainly, Crowtooth had been a bit softer to her then, scared of harming Lightningstorm in her fragile state. But this was a deeper oddly, despite it being more snappish so he held no grudge on this and move on from his almost drowning easily.

"Ugh. I aint gonna ask where in the stars ya learned that from 'cuz I know ya dont know. But no I aint gonna join ya 'cuz I dont know how, hate ta shock ya but windclanners generally dont know how ta swim ya weirdo.

I swear ya need ta stop pokin' me when Im half convinced yer a large white rat pretendin' ta me a small little cat by wearin' some bad dyes. Ya gonna squeak fer some grain like those weird water rats Lightnin'-rodent~"

His snarking could not cover the slight longing in his eyes at the admission he couldnt swim. For all his trying to learn the skill it hadnt been going well and at this point he was worried he'd never learn. A right shame that.

@Alchemist Kitsune

***Alchemist Kitsune*** · #5 August 31st, 2024, 06:03 PM

The jab seemed to have a much bigger effect than Lightningstorm could have dreamed, and his response earned a cheeky, wide grin from the molly, a brow raised as she assessed the deputy. Yep, he definitely was fine. Could certainly complain up a storm, even as she splashed some water in his direction for his troubles. It wasn't until the mention of her far gone memories that her teasing expression flickered, a small spark of self awareness flashing in her eyes for a moment before it lit up once more at the second insult. Oh wow, two in one go. Crowtooth must have really been angry this time around. Which unfortunately only served to turn the molly's cheek into unabashed smugness.

"So what you are tellin' me here is that I possess more knowledge than the average WindClanner, then? Well if that's what it takes to be a weirdo, guess I'll take my new title proudly. Imagine, being so talented you can swim and not look like a half drowned opossum after the fact. Well... I suppose you can't, but such's life, innit?"

Lightningstorm's always been the teasing type. She can sense this has been a trait she's had even from before her memories vanished. It's an easy way to deflect insecurities, to not be taken seriously, therefore never having to rely upon lies and dishonesty to cover up facts. To perhaps even play around with friends... assuming she had any before. But even with this in mind, she's never been spiteful with it. Arrogant. Malicious. She gains no joy from seeing another's misery. Unfortunately for Crowtooth, however, she also enjoys giving just as much as she takes, and the tom's snapping retorts fail to reach his gaze, lacking any vitriol within them. Meaning he'll take it all in the good jest she's speaking with. Probably. Maybe. Look, you can't just call a cat a weirdo and a rat and not expect some sass back. He got only one free jab. The rest are an opening for another shot from her, damn it.

Yet even as they threw their verbal jabs she could see it. A certain something twinkling in his eyes as she got closer. She knew it well, even if she had never seen it spark in her own eyes before. The thirst for knowledge. The desire to learn something new. Delicate paws placed on the pool's edge, she kept silent for a moment, debating on whether she should comment on it or not. Crowtooth was not the shy type. That much was for certain... He had never struck her as the proud type either, what with those tantrums he liked to throw. But perhaps there was some reason he didn't say anything in this matter? Or maybe... he just needed the right push.

"No. I suppose best you could hope for would be a not drowned possum, but at least that would be an improvement over half drowned, I would think. Although... well. I wouldn't really think you would want to be labeled a weirdo now, would you? Being competent at something other than rabbiting about would just not be fitting for WindClan's deputy, would it?" she mewed, attempting her best innocent stare up at the skunk striped tom, blinking wide, almond shaped eyes to sell her naiveness as she lingered in the water for a moment more before making the motions to clamber out.

@Rani [Crowtooth]

***Rani*** · #6 August 31st, 2024, 09:09 PM

Crowtooth
Windclan Deputy | He/him | 51 Moons
Power Card: Cold Gust

Splashing water at him would have more effect if Crowtooth wasnt already sopping wet honestly. As is he just kinda scrunched his muzzle and grunted unhappily blowing a rather immature raspberry back before snarking.

"All ya possess is more audacity an' stupid plants then the average windclanner. An' just 'cuz ya can swim dont mean ya dont look DUMB while doin' so! As I said, rat so half drowned rat aint no better missy."

Piece said the tom turned to groom his pelt of some of the errant water, more of a faux haughty move more then actual act of cleaning himself (which Crowtooth rarely did). Lightningstorms pretend innocence was not believed for a single second and the tom even snorted at it, muttering "Thats a joke, Im only competent at rabbitin' underground an' we get along 'cuz were BOTH weirdos." And Crowtooth really wanted to know swimming, in part to get a leg up on the fish in part because it was a skill he could actually learn and do well in unlike climbing.

MmmmmMMMMMMMmmmmmgh fine. Sighing as if he was taking on some great burden and not just asking for a favor from a friend Crowtooth gave in padding into the water and nudging the molly.
"Alright stop bein' so smug, makes yer face look stupid an' aint no one believin' that. Teach me ta swim please."

@Alchemist Kitsune

***Alchemist Kitsune*** · #7 September 18th, 2024, 09:28 PM

Mirth filled laughter floated across the falls as Crowtooth went on his tirade, the wet fur plastered on his body and his look of utmost indignation doing him little favors as Lightningstorm tried to cover her amusement as coughing to little avail. Batting her innocent gaze up at the much larger feline, her mask finally broke into a devilish smirk as he continued, at the very least admitting himself to be just as bad as her. Come to think of it, this was what all their arguments eventually devolved into, didn't they? Into the both of them teasing each other until one finally caved and said that they were both as guilty as the next. And there was a comradery in that. A friendship of sorts, wasn't it? The type that spat fake venom and hurled half hearted insults that could apply to either one of them but would probably be the first to jump to the other's defense if somebody else got out of line. Really got out of line, not a mere tease.

Or perhaps that was just her. Maybe she had misread their relationship somehow. Stars knew she no longer had any references. Not really. Not with Hawkfur being her second closest friend in the camp and Twilightstar a distant - if only because of how professional the leader maintained herself at most times - third. Not even her apprentice shared a bond with her, no matter how hard she tried. Stars... she might actually be misunderstanding these entire exchanges, now that she really thought about it. It certainly put the tom's gruff glare in a different light, dunnit?

Unfortunately for Crowtooth, Lightningstorm wasn't the type to remain stuck in silly matters like these. Much less when there was nudging and more reasons to tease. Except... This was different. True, it was begrudging. But he said please. And he asked for knowledge. To learn a skill she evidently had. How could she say no to that?

"Alright then. But only because you asked so nicely," she purred playfully as she splashed out of the water, lashing her tail behind her like a whip, spraying water everywhere around her. "Now. First things first, love. Other than resembling a half drowned opossum, how much basic knowledge do you have when it comes to swimming?"

@Rani [Crowtooth]

***Rani*** · #8 October 7th, 2024, 07:59 PM

Crowtooth
Windclan Deputy | He/him | 51 Moons

Power Card: Cold Gust

Subject himself to more of this or forfeit swimming? It was a tough decision given Crowtooths (oft listened to in non dire times) impulses were telling him to just shove his friend back into the water and pelt her with mud for her cheek. However he'd bit the bullet and asked already so might as well grin and bear it.

Though the tom did totally indulge a bit of mud flicking, lightly splattering the calicos white pelt with brown before responding, a bit smug.
"What do I already know? Git in the water an' kick like hell. Try not ta drown while yer at it. So sum total o' nothin' basically, hence my flailin' back there."
He felt kinda dumb about all that in hindsight and his ears pinked thinking about it.

Nothing to fix that though so wading in to the waters again the tom settled in to take instructions (musing it'd been a bit since he'd been the student) tail waving. "Sooooooo really anythin' ya can give me is an' improvement over what I got heh. Id offer an exchange but I frankly dont know what I know ya dont...." Maybe stuff about her past but that topic was a minefield....

@Alchemist Kitsune