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Post by asail on Aug 4, 2008 18:09:27 GMT -5
Fallingrain held his leader's gaze without faltering or any added emotion. The boredom and calm nature seemed to focus greater in his eyes. "Northpaw is in the evening patrol. I made sure he took the later one so he could hunt and finish his duties before being allowed to leave camp." Fallingrain's left ear finally raised, twitching before it did so. His body was still motionless. Fallingrain paused, then with a lower tone in his voice added. "By the way. One of our apprentices, the little mute she-cat, has been disappearing lately for several short amounts of time. I have already asked one of our senior warriors to keep an eye on her. If she tries to leave again she'll be brought to you unless otherwise advised..." He informed in his gruff, careless voice.
The old queen smiled a cat-like grin, letting a purr emit her throat after the energetic youth. Her head receded into the brambles towards the chamber. When she emerged she felt an immediate wariness which made her uneasy. Her little sister was still, chillingly still. She felt herself become shaky so she adverted her gaze to the kits. The tiny black kit was away from his siblings, still and silent. The white kitten was strangely playful even in his incredibly young age, squirming and climbing on Hailcloud's paws. He was quite adventurous for a blind little kit, the three not old enough yet to have their sight. The pale silver kit was resting innocently against Hailcloud's chest, comforted by the feel of his fur. Every now and then she let out a squeak. She spoke quietly as to not disturb the kittens. "I promised Frogpaw that if he was quiet he could see them. Is that all right?" Her voice was cautious, feeling that the air around Hailcloud seemed troubled and conflicting. She didn't know why but she felt that he was troubled. The old queen didn't look at Sweetsound because, in a way, she knew. She knew Sweetsound was dead, she just didn't want to admit it.
Steelclan was home to very few trees and shrubs except the occasional dry fern. The barren land gave no cover for a bulky black male running at an intimidating gait. His exterior covered by scruffy black fur riddled with unpredictable patterns of pale fur that almost looked yellow with white patches on his throat and front paws. His penetrating yellow eyes flashing as he leaped over the kit and threw himself on the fox fearlessly with a bellowing hiss that sounded more like a deranged beast than a noise a cat would make. Attempting to press all his weight on the Fox and maul it with ferocious bites and bats with his hefty paws. Screeching and hissing frequently in that low, gurgling bellow.
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Post by Kodiak on Aug 4, 2008 19:10:53 GMT -5
The fox never saw it coming; through her lungs escaped a startled growl. She was hit with such fast force that she did a somersault backwards, legs twisting and kicking. She wanted to nip or bite in wild instinct, but fierce bites and claws came at her from everywhere. She yelped, ears drawn back as her body squirmed. She eventually found an opening, and darted, body covered in many reminders of her encounter with the cat. The kitten was still limp, his breathing so shallow that it made him look lifeless. Small drops of blood trickled down his white fur coming from the back of his neck. Snakekit had smokey black ears, with a unusually long tail that contained ebony rings. He was slightly small, but nearly 6 moons of age. He carried the smells of the forest, along with somewhat faint traces of Poison clan.
Hailcloud's head twisted to glance at the queen, his eyes blinking ever so slowly. "Yes that is quite alright, they could use someone to play with them anyways. Full of energy, they are." There was an amused spark in his mew, yet it was not followed by a purr. "I'm sorry, Waterpulse." Was all he said before dropping into a eerie silence, gazing down at the kittens. He licked one tenderly, and prodded another with his large paw. Hailcloud eventually added to his statement. "Earthly powers were not enough."
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Post by asail on Aug 4, 2008 19:52:25 GMT -5
Blackstar hunched low to the ground with his haunches raised as the fox fled, casting long demonic bellows in its direction and swiping his paws. His jaws were widely parted during his triumphant, monstrous calls revealing his newly bloodied fangs. His fangs were averaged sized, the right one appeared sharper than the left. After flexing and wailing after the fox Blackstar let the various amounts of fur on his back and neck to fall flat. His ears still pressed flat to his skull. He licked his lips quickly to calm himself and rose his bulky exterior from the ground shaking his pelt to rid it of the dust and traces of blood. He turned his head to the small kit, ears finally raised. His sharp eyes no longer flashed, but the surface was still cold. He took patient steps over to the kit. He avoided the head, bending his great skull to sniff at the kit's flanks. His nose wrinkled at the mixed odors. Blackstar lifted his head. His hard stare staying on the kitten's face for awhile in sustained silence. "Fate is but a shadow, young one. Will you grin upon it or run away?" He asked in a grisly tone. He had a strong voice, but it was warmer than his eyes. "If you don't have the strength to speak then you don't have the strength to live. So speak to me, do you want to live?"
The old queen nodded her head. "That is wonderful, I'm sure Frogpaw will be very happy. It's rare when apprentices are allowed in here." She grinned weakly, but soon her grin dissipated. She was silent for some time, a time that seemed longer than it actually was. Waterpulse, the old queen, then began to stroll over to Hailcloud, sitting across from him with the black kit between her legs. The black kit seemed to sense her presence for he moved a little, lifting his head then laid back down. "This one's a calm one..." She attempted a purr, but failed, her brief smile was once again quick to leave. "It's fine... I sort of knew this would happen when she came home that day..." Waterpulse began to tear. "She was so distraught that day... You see, she was seduced by a rouge, and... The warning signs were everywhere the last month of her pregnancy," Waterpulse's voice was quiet, giving the kit a tender lick on its head. "I just didn't want to admit it... I'm glad her suffering is over though..." Waterpulse tried to stifle her sobs, however most of her tears escaped her. She turned her head away from Hailcloud, her voice shuddered. "She's free now..." She tried to calm herself, taking deep yet shaky breaths. After a few minutes her voice was a little steady. "We should move the kits to another chamber so that the blood won't trouble the poor things. Not to mention it would be hard explaining this to Frogpaw." She reasoned, giving a faint smile. She rose stiffly to her paws, bending her neck down to tentatively pick up the black kit. His tiny body held carefully between her jaws. "The second chamber, it's a little more exposed but we can't let them stay here until things are cleaned up." She muffled slowly over the black kit's body who squirmed and mewed, annoyed. The old queen carried the black kit out of the chamber and to one at the left that was made of curled sticks and fronds. The breeze could penetrate easier here but the air smelled cleaner than in the den they were born. The queen opened her jaws slowly and released the black kit onto the dirt and scattered moss that made up the ground. He let out another, short mew and squirmed away a few paces. "I'll go fetch the last one..." She said, lifting her head and returning to the first den.
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Post by Kodiak on Aug 5, 2008 0:16:17 GMT -5
Snakekit was motionless while Blackstar talked, keeping his lifeless form. His breathing eventually ceased completely, the dust around his nostrils still. "If you don't have the strength to speak then you don't have the strength to live. So speak to me, do you want to live?" His ears suddenly went erect, yet his breathing still at a zero. Do I want to live? Snakekit's mind ticked uneasily, and his eyes slowly opened. They were colorless-a blank, yet soft gray. I don't know.. He shut them again, effortlessly. What do I want?....I want to see my dad. His lungs burned intensely. Snakekit's forelegs propped up underneath him slowly, his bushy black and white tail dragging in the dirt. He reeked of illness, yet his legs did not shake underneath him. His stance was completely sturdy once joined by his back limbs. His brilliant white fur was tainted by the forest dirt and brambles. Snakekit's body showed obvious signs of being away from his clan for quite sometime; his clan odor in the very origin of his scents. His body was weak-it always was, but his intense, haunting eyes were strong, almost fierce. He felt a stray drop of blood trickle down from his neck to his throat, yet only felt it due to the warm feel of the liquid. Snakekit knew he would be better off without the older cat, and the cat better off with out him, but a empty feeling lingered. He wanted the cat to stay, he wanted to give him an answer. And even though he couldn't think of one, he felt there was a bigger issue. Because, there simply was, a problem that became an obstacle for all cats who met him. He took a shaky breath, finally, an cold fire now burning his lungs. "I will not die." Snakekit's mew was not a rasp; it added to the sense that he seemed much older than he really was. He was, in a sort of way, as his body was very small, but also his soul was very mature. It was the first time any other cat had heard him speak, and probably the last. His colorblind eyes were still locked on the respectable leader.
Hailcloud's eyes flickered with a shine of respect for the cat who had seen many moons like himself. "Such a terrible fate to bestow upon such a young she-cat. At least now she can watch us and guide us, but also be at peace-her body free of earthly limitations and the feel of pain." His gaze continued to follow her while she traveled in and out of the den. Hailcloud's ears twitched slightly. "I hear Frogpaw coming. He bounds like a hefty rabbit." He purred, and waited till she came back after fetching the last one. Frogpaw had returned by then, mouth loaded with moss and emerald eyes animated. "Thank you, young one. The kittens have been moved to a different chamber. Why don't you go give them a visit? They are quite the playful bunch." Hailcloud mewed, his old voice neutral and not giving anything away. Frogpaw bounced energetically and dropped the moss in front of the medicine cat. "Okay. I'll come visit Sweetsound after! Keep her busy for me!" He turned, but then hesitated. "Oright, if you need anymore moss or bedding I found the perfect place! Like seriously, it's perfect. I'll probably go later even if that's enough. Bye!" He darted away, leaving Hailcloud still confused by his hyper storm. Hailcloud's head shook in a sarcastic manner, yet his eyes had become hollow. He retrieved the moss and disappeared back into the nursery, aware of the nightmares that still haunted it. Frogpaw spotted Waterpulse and halted so abruptly that a spray of dust arose from his legs. "Kits! Kits! Kits! Where are the kits?" He mewed quickly, eyes sparkling. Although as an apprentice he was taught the world of cats was a difficult place to live, and there was always something to do or someone to mourn, unfortunately. But this half grown apprentice found no fault, in fact, he was always careless, oblivious.
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Post by asail on Aug 5, 2008 2:25:05 GMT -5
Blackstar's brows raised as he watched Snakekit slowly raise himself. First watching his small twitching and movements intently, then looked at him as a whole. His burning yellow eyes looking down at Snakekit. Not showing any awe, surprise, or any other emotion of the sort. Rather opposite, it seemed like he had expected it as an amused half smile came to his face. It was rare when you got a full smile from Blackstar because it just didn't happen. However, if you earned a half smile, which you actually had a slim chance of getting, it meant he was very pleased. The smile was short lived though, for when he talked his face always became serious and demanded respect. "One who looks straight into the face of death can breath his fire and inhale his toxins. You, young one, have the privilege to spit in the face of death, take it!" With that Blackstar suddenly opened his jaws and reached forward. Instead of grabbing the scruff he wrapped his jaws around the smaller cats back. Lifting his head effortlessly and unlabored by his stench of illness. With what seemed to be a roar Blackstar turned nimbly and sped back towards the camp base. His gait long, powerful, and commanding. Eyes glinting and the few trees around him seemed to flee from him. They reached the camp quickly, Blackstar struggling to slip his massive body through a hole in the back of the factory that provided the main entrance. Upon entering was a forest of boxes. He continued his speedy gait to a tower of boxes three levels high. He laid the young cat in the first open box he found, not dropping him or placing him nicely. He lifted his head and with his hefty voice called to the top of the tower. "Holypaw, light beckons!" Hardly having to finish his call a small she cat began to leap nimbly from the upper tower of boxes. Her pelt a mix of different shades of grey with a thick band of white around her neck. "Yes, sir?" She asked quickly, her eyes wide. He tilted his head over to the kitten and the she cat seemed to understand. "Y-yes, yes of course..." She stuttered. Turning quickly on her haunches and leaping quickly up the boxes. She returned with three mint leaves in her jaws. "Mint leaves have a lot of moisture trapped in him, if you chew on them it provides you with the nutrients that are found in the leaf as well as the water itself. She placed the leaves in front of him. She opened her mouth to speak again. "He can chew himself." Blackstar grumbled. Holypaw nodded and turned quickly again and bounded up the tower and down again. Her sides heaved heavily, her small legs trembling a little from the sudden exertion. She dropped a mixture of white and purple berries that laid crushed on a leaf. "I'm not exactly sure what he has but this mixture cures most cases of green cough to a certain extent." She stopped suddenly when she noticed Blackstar had left. She turned her small head to look around the box but saw nothing. "I guess that means he trusts me to do my job." She purred to herself.
Waterpulse lifted her head at the heavy sounds of Frogpaw's bounds. "Hush, Frogpaw, you're going to scare them." She smiled at his enthusiasm but her tone was serious. She didn't get up to greet him but instead let her head swing back to look at the kits. "They're right here, watch out for the black one, though. He doesn't like to play much." She advised. Indeed the black kit was once again away from his siblings. All of them looked so tiny and fragile, even the largest pale silver kitten was hardly two paws length. The pale one mewed as the white one began to clamber on her. The black one a few lengths away completely still and silent.
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Post by Kodiak on Aug 5, 2008 3:06:23 GMT -5
Snakekit obviously did not expect the bigger cat to carry him by his back, but he did not mewl or squeak. The intense speeds they traveled at made the wind sharp, and his ears pressed close to his cranium. He wanted to close his eyes, but the amazing site of the forest in full blurr captivated him and convinced the kit otherwise. The forest lacked color to him, but the quick movements opened up a whole new world. He was suffering an out of body experience; his limps felt so limp and wimpy that he could not find himself to move them. But this was not a bad thing. Instead of feeling distressed, he felt powerful. To travel without running and feel so light in the air stirred amazing emotions in him. Snakekit felt exhausted once they reached their destination, as if all the, now dead, excitement in him was all that was keeping him going. They had arrived at the ominous building from before, a structure so much more massive than him. An eerie awe settled in him, knowing just moments before he was staring at this building with little meaning. His new box environment felt soft to him, much different than the hard forest floor. The feeling was odd, almost a tickle. Snakekit's eyes closed contently but the strong sent of catmint alerted him. They creaked open, sniffing the catmint with some curiosity. However, the feline began to ignore it, as his body convinced him to reject it with great distaste. His careful, sagging eyes watched Blackstar depart before shutting completely.
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Post by asail on Aug 5, 2008 3:23:29 GMT -5
Holypaw nodded to herself as if to give her strength for the task ahead. "It's not often Blackstar carries people like that, you must've gotten high in his favor somehow." She tried to strike a conversation, not really expecting him to respond but had learned that talking to the patients helped them stay awake and slightly active. She padded close to him and frowned when she inhaled his scent. "How long have you been out there?" She mumbled to herself, her eyes flickered over the Fox bite wound and she quickly sped away to return with cobwebs and a patch of moss covered in a gooey liquid. Her steps were light and fast as her body was slim and sleek making her a little faster than some cats. "That wound will get infected if I don't treat it." She informed him. She placed the wad of cobwebs by his head and carefully leaned her head to pad at the bloody wounds with the moss. The liquid was very thick and burned a little but didn't sting. She pressed it a few times on different spots before trading the space in her mouth for the cobwebs, using them as a makeshift patch. When finished she looked over at the untouched group of Mint leaves. "Oh no, that won't do. You want to get better, don't you?" Holypaw padded over to group of leaves. She prodded them with one of her small white paws and smiled. "Don't worry, they don't taste that bad. It isn't exactly mice but it'll back you feel better, promise." Her cat grin grew wider.
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Post by Kodiak on Aug 5, 2008 3:58:26 GMT -5
Snakekit's ear twitched as the medicine apprentice, he assumed, hustled around the box. He felt a slight burn and her occasionally touches, but did not move. He was amazed cats would be generous enough to take him in, let alone heal him with the stench of sickness. Snakekit wasn't worried for them though, he was normally sick and doubted it was very contagious. His mind began to wander, thinking about the little things, such as if Holypaw was close to his age. His slender striped tail wrapped around the base of his haunches. He found that she talked quite a lot, or maybe he found it irrational because he hadn't had another feline speak with him positively in about two months. Snakekit's haunting eyes revealed themselves slowly, watching Holypaw in slight interest. He gave the catmint another whiff, tongue curling around it as he drew it into the depths of his mouth. His wound had begun to feel much pure, and he closed his eyes, waiting for the catmint to kick in also.
Listened to: Growing wings by Kari Wahlgren.
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Post by asail on Aug 5, 2008 4:26:14 GMT -5
Holypaw's smile brightened as she watched him eat the leaves. "Eat as much as you need, okay? Mint leaves are practically the only thing that grows around here." With that she began to clean up. She worked silently, bounding up two boxes to sort out medicines and then quickly returning to collect and throw away unneeded supplies. She made sure she was only gone for a few seconds at a time, as she was trained. When the cobwebs were cleared away with the damp moss and the supplies for the two were recounted she descended once more. Her brisk, light steps fewer than usual as she took her time. Stretching her forepaws in front of her she rested beside Snakekit. Grateful for the rest as her legs were beginning to burn from all her running about. Her head was still erect, as well as her ears, taking a moment to smile warmly at Snakekit before turning her gaze away to stare off aimlessly knowing that some cats didn't liked to be watched while they ate. Holypaw was strangely silent for a while, her breathing turning even. It was only a couple moments later when she began to hum a soft little melody as boredom got to her, her small tail waving back and forth. The tune was cheerful but sung in such a precise way that it suggested she had learned it from someone else. "The song is called healing bell." She said after a while, turning her small face to Snakekit with a gentle grin. "I like to sing it sometimes when I want someone to get better. However I've been told I'm not a very good singer so if I get too much." She chuckled to herself.
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Post by Kodiak on Aug 5, 2008 13:26:14 GMT -5
Snakekit felt the warmth of her figure beside him, although their bodies weren't touching. His own body was sensitive to its surroundings, and always alerted him of even the smallest of threats. Snakekit's jaw rejected the thought of chewing the last of the leaves, and he just let it stay in his mouth. His front fangs were much larger than his other canines, yet his other canines and teeth were much smaller than the normal feline teeth. He suddenly felt exhausted, more than he already did, and he wasn't sure if it his body reacting to healing or not. He did not want the cat mint rotting in his mouth, and forced down the last few traces. He drew out his tongue, whisking it over matted places on his pelt roughly. With most of the more disgusting parts conquered, he rested his head on his forelegs. His head felt heavy, as if gravity was pushing it onto his paws more intensely. But her song made Snakekit feel lighter, the sudden entertainment bouncing around in him. His sagging eyes were kept open until the very last hymns of her song were complete.
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Post by asail on Aug 5, 2008 15:47:22 GMT -5
Holypaw turned her head to Snakekit, blinking curiously before her eyes closed and she smiled sweetly. She didn't say anything but rather stood quickly. The soft padding of her feet almost completely silent. She began to clean up the mint leaves, accidentally taking in a final whiff of Snakekit's powerful odor before clearing her head and continuing her way up to the storage box. "He was pretty weak, hopefully the mint leaves helped. Ah, but maybe if I- No that won't work..." She mumbled to herself as she worked. Nudging seeds and nuts make into place. "Maybe I should just see how he does, Blackstar is always saying I'm too paranoid..." She felt almost a little protective over the strange cat, not wanting to leave him alone. She took a second inventory then descended the tower again. Her bright eyes looking over the surroundings to make sure no other cat needed her attention before she strolled back over to Snakekit. Holypaw often relied more on spiritual strength than earthly medicines. Making small gestures of warmth and kindness that she believed would help cats heal quicker and better than they would with just ordinary leaves and what not. Blackstar often teased her for it, and she never really argued with the intimidating cat. Settling herself once more beside him she rested her tail by her back paw. Holypaw didn't sleep, ever vigilant and waiting to she if anyone needed her help like the dedicated apprentice she was.
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Post by Kodiak on Aug 5, 2008 23:24:16 GMT -5
Snakekit was oblivious to her chatter that was mostly to herself. He had already nodded off, his frail body taking advantage of the sudden relief. His dreams did not involve those of mice or fighting. Such dreams of his would normally exist in spans of days, or weeks. He was sleeping next to his kin, just like he had been placed every night or nap since birth. Even if their parents didn't believe the two were close enough, they would nudge them together, making sure the bond was going to be promising. The mostly ebony coat of his half brother looked odd in comparison to Snakekit's soft white. But in the dream, he was being woken up by a grab to the scruff. His weary eyes would gaze out blankly in front of him, aware he was being moved to the other side of the boxcar. His dream was blurry, most of the cats and figures only dark shapes. For the first few nights, the distinctive smell of his father would enlighten his senses, but he would not find his nose able to pick up that scent much longer. In this dream, he knew he was alone, even without touch, sight, or smell; these things weren't needed to inform that the feline was left with the strange oddities of the shadowy figures and the dark forms. Snakekit had been very still, motionless inside the box during slumber. Yet, eventually he had begun to slip, sliding suddenly onto Holypaw's side. Although much contact wasn't made, the kitten arose abruptly, hairs raised while a bitter hiss escaped his throat. This kit had been living alone for far too long, and at even such a young age his instincts were at a point dire alertness. Snakekit wasn't aware of what he was doing; he had succumbed into a numbness inside his own body during the last third of his life. His soul had given up and allowed his body and instincts to protect him.
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Post by asail on Aug 6, 2008 1:57:13 GMT -5
Holypaw didn't expect Snakekit to suddenly come to life, the transition too fast for her to smile at the touch of their sides. Previously she had just been sitting around beside him for the longest while and now the fur on her neck stood in surprise and she yowled. Leaping quickly away from him with the most precise of footing. When her surroundings registered her stare was lost from its previous careless and happy state and for once became urgent and serious. She knew what she had to do but she didn't know if Snakekit's body could handle it. She also hated the move itself, the first time she ever used it she hated it. She tried to reason with him, shouting in her normally chipper voice. "Snap out of it! Don't let yourself be controlled! This happens sometimes with weak patients, don't give in!" Her yowls were demanding yet supportive, warm compared to Blackstar's intimidating beastly gurgles. Her body was tense, and ears pointed in an alert fashion to Snakekit.
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Post by Kodiak on Aug 6, 2008 2:56:48 GMT -5
Snakekit's fur bristled fiercly, his haunting orbs gazing at Holypaw with a sense of emptiness. His ears lowered, and his fur flattened out. I don't need to snap out of anything, I've been like this for a while, it's not an illness. Believe it or not, I don't have rabies. His tail flicked curtly. You startled me, is all. His body lowered, and his head sunk between two outstretched forelegs. For unexplained reasons, he didn't move away from her, but resumed his position from before. It didn't bother him that she couldn't hear his explaination or words at the very least. In fact, he seemed quite content. Snakekit's eyes sagged yet he refused to sleep for the time being.
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Post by asail on Aug 6, 2008 21:09:30 GMT -5
Holypaw gazed curiously at Snakekit for a short while. Not understanding what happened but not complaining, rather thankful. She was wary about letting the fur on her neck go flat. Unsure of whether Snakekit had truly stopped whatever had happened. He seemed placid enough and Holypaw was content with it. However she would mind her distance until she could figure out exactly what happened. "You scared me." She purred quietly, her thin cat-like smile coming once again to her face. "It's not like I don't scare easily, Blackstar has made me quite jumpy, but I seriously thought something was wrong. The past tensions didn't show an inch of themselves on her face, continuing her light little foot steps. She sat beside him, but not as close as she once was. Looking over at him with a friendly grin while her small tail rested on her back paw. "Oh well, it can't be helped. It's my fault anyway. My mentor is always saying that I suffocate the patients," Her head titled momentarily and her face was twisted in her pondering. "Or was that someone else?" She lowered her head with a chuckle. "So many people get upset with me that I get them confused."
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