Staring at the stars (P)

[Morrigan]

Quietpaw
Shadowclan apprentice
Purrks: Mind reader(permanently active) and Shadow fiend(inactive)
68/100
#Quietsummer24

Sleep was a challenge tonight. Mabye because the stars were so bright that they shone through the thick leaves of the apprentices' den. Whatever the reason, it didn't make Quietpaw's restless tossing and turning any calmer. Her agitation grew by the second. Eventually she just lied still, staring at the shadowy walls of the den and the gentle rising and falling of her fellow apprentices' breathing...and the occasional snore. Now that was irksome.

Decidng she'd had enough of this battle with slumber, the dark furred apprentice silently rose from her nest, hesitation only lingering for a moment. Without a sound, she weaved around the snoozing forms of her denmates until the cool scent of night hit her nose. Taking a step out into the open she cringed inwardly as a twig snapped beneath her paw, but she couldn't look back now knowing there'd be a whole lot of fuss if she woke up some ratty apprentice then they'd all have a go at her. She was in no mood to deal with that.

Slinking across the clearing in a flash, Quietpaw thought about nothing but to reach the shade of the undergrowth at the border of the clearing. Of course there'd be a night guard but what would they do? Execute her for getting some fresh air? Let them try. After a short time of dashing across the clearing, she finally reached what she was aiming for, shelter. A refuge from the buisness of clan life.. at least while the sky was dark.

Diving into the lush foliage, the splotched molly was embraced by the ferns and bushes. Taking a deep breath, she inhaled all the scents that wafted around her. This was nice. Peaceful. Why didn't she do this more often? Who cared, she would now. Finally feeling at ease, Quietpaw settled down in her safe spot, cushioned by the flora encompassing her. Lifting her head aloft she gazed at the starry heavens with sparkling cyan hues. This was an uncommon thing for her. It was strange yet comforting. But one question still tugged at her mind: Was Starclan watching her?

@silver.

[silver.]

95/100
shc apprentice // he/him // 10 moons
purrks: agatha kitty, the collector, rapid recovery

---

Quietpaw wasn't the only one awake into the evening. Ever since he had learned of his brother's death he couldn't help the haunting feeling that tended to grip him tightly in the middle of the night. Tonight was just another typical night to deal with. So when she rises and begins to weave through sleeping figures, an eye cracks open instead of continuing his useless attempts to drift off to watch her. An ear twitches when she betrays her namesake and snaps a twig in the otherwise silent den. And then she's gone. Curiosity gets the better of him and he rises to sit up in his nest, watching the entrance for any sign of her.

When nothing comes back inside he follows suit, weaving through sleeping forms with practiced expertise thanks to his stealth training.

Just quick enough to watch her disappear into some foliage, he tilts his head, silently wondering why she was bothering to hide. It wasn't as if they weren't allowed to be in camp. Just not outside it. Unless she was using the leafage as coverage to escape the eyes of onlooking Enforcers... If that were the case then he ought to stop her before she manages to get herself in trouble. He makes his way over to where he had seen her disappear and peers through the plant life at her, blinking curiously when he notices that she was just... Staring at the sky? Odd.

"What are you doing." He says in a normal tone, not bothering to whisper. Who cares if someone knew they were out and about in the middle of the night. There were patrols that set out late and cats that preferred their dinner late.

quietpaw | @Morrigan

[ #silversummerbingo ]

[Morrigan]

Quietpaw
Shadowclan apprentice
Purrks: Mind reader(permanently active) and Shadow fiend(inactive)
69/100
#Quietsummer24

And then her peace was disturbed...as usual. Quietpaw had been so caught up in her wondering that she'd hardly realised the cat behind her until they blatantly announced themselves. Well, at least she got a minute of tranquility. Ears flattened to her skull, she slowly turned her head, anger bubbling in her chest. A scowl came across her previously neutral expression as she glared at the unknown apprentice peering at her between the leaves.

"What are you doing" The question was particularly provoking for her. So simple yet so intrusive. Cats really ought to know not to stick their noses in her business. With a click of her tongue she gave a bluntly spoken answer "What I want." It was true, wasn't it? Well she didn't care what this apprentice expected...who was this anyway? It didn't really matter but she liked to remember so she could avoid them. She was sure she'd glanced them before...Bitternpaw, was it? Probably. Another one of Hillstrider's apprentices. Now she felt a bit sorry for them.

Now it was her turn to ask a question. That's how it worked, she supposed. "What are you doing?" the paw repeated to Bitternpaw plainly. Not that she wanted an answer, she just wante him to go away, but her coldness might of ward him off. Not waiting for a response she snapped her attention back to the shining sky above. Starclan may watch her yet she would not be afraid of their judgement. Who were they to judge her but I bunch of dead cats she didn't know?

@silver.

[silver.]

99/100
shc apprentice // he/him // 10 moons
purrks: agatha kitty, the collector, rapid recovery

---

Had he done something wrong? There was such a sudden hostility to the molly's posture that he assumed that maybe he had asked the wrong question or blew her cover or something. Maybe she wanted to stay hidden. Well, if that were the case then she should have done a better job at hiding. Sighing to himself, he takes a seat in his spot, not daring to get any closer to Quietpaw lest he wants the situation to worsen.

"Seeing what you were doing. I saw you leave the den." He replies coolly, not too bothered by her rather cold tone of voice. Golden gaze follows hers to the sky and he understands. Or well, he thinks he does, anyway. Was she looking for answers, too? Sometimes he would do the same. Sit alone at night and wonder why Starclan had cursed death upon his family the way that they had. Without so much as turning his attention away from the stars above, he speaks quietly, almost as if he didn't want the other apprentice to hear his innocent question. "Do you think they do things on purpose?"

quietpaw | @Morrigan
[ #silversummerbingo ]

[Morrigan]

Quietpaw
Shadowclan apprentice
Purrks: Mind reader(permanently active) and Shadow fiend(inactive)
#Quietsummer24

Rolling her eyes at Bitternpaw's answer to her mirrored question, Quietpaw remained unmoving as he took a seat an acceptable distance from her. Nosy much? Why were cats always following after her like a lost kit? Still, she was too emotionally and physically tired to start an argument, especially in the middle of the night. As long as he didn't irratate her further then no fuss would be made.

The stars were still the object of her attention, or rather Starclan itself. She didn't ponder about them usually but maybe that should change. It wasn't like they were going to get another mindless worshipper, though, more the opposite. They, so high and mighty beings, were never questioned and always followed...for what? The only thing that granted them such respect was death. Did death make one suddenly almighty.

The whisper of a question Bitternpaw asked wasn't as much as a bother as his previous, in fact it might be worth answering. Not shifting her gaze she gave a response, blunt as it may be. "I don't think they can do anything. They are just random cats. All that makes them special is that they are dead. The living are the ones with the real power." It was true. At least to Quiet it was. Starclan could only do some much while their breathing, living counterparts held so much more potential. They could take lives, make lives change the course of action and all the ones in the sky did were judge. Nothing celestial about that.

(Sorry for the lateness!)

@silver.