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Post by shadowsoul on Dec 30, 2007 23:19:06 GMT -5
The quiet swish of moving water met the faint sounds of birds chirping as the Shadowed River swept through the forest. A small thrush flitted down to land on the grassy shore, only to take flight again as a rustle sounded from behind it. The overhanging branches of a willow tree parted, and Duskflight shouldered through them, walking through the shade to a patch of lighter ground by the water's side.
The deputy bent his head down to the blue-gray water, and his light purple eyes flickered to the side as a shadow darted past him -- a fish underwater. Ignoring it, Duskflight lapped up a bit of water and straightened again, licking the droplets off his whiskers.
Just as he was turning to head back into the forest, a sound reached him, and his ears pricked up. Claws now unsheathed, he swept the surrounding area with his gaze, wondering who was there but remaining as stonily silent as always.
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Post by sunstripe on Dec 30, 2007 23:39:35 GMT -5
Quietly as the shy apprentice was usually, the gray tom crept through the bushes, his dark paws nearly blending in with the earth underpaw. Shadepaw was in search of any herbs he could find, an order from his mentor.
As he emerged into the small undergrowthless area near the water's edge, he jumped back in surprise. There was another cat here! Unable to really see him, he opened his mouth to scent; soon he realized it was Duskflight.
Relaxing visibly, he stepped out into the open, dipping his head to the warrior. He didn't speak.
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Post by shadowsoul on Dec 30, 2007 23:50:31 GMT -5
Duskflight's tensed muscles relaxed a little as Shadepaw appeared, and he re-sheathed his claws, wariness disappearing -- to an extent. The deputy nodded his head in greeting before turning to gaze across the river. The rising sun cast light over the forest, but shadows still lurked all around. After a moment's thought, without turning to look at Shadepaw, he asked, "What are you doing out here by yourself?" His voice was emotionless, betraying none of his thoughts, but not distant.
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Post by sunstripe on Dec 31, 2007 0:12:34 GMT -5
Shadepaw twitched his tail, sheathing and unsheathing his claws warily. "Herbs," he answered simply, blinking his pale blue eyes. His ears twitched at a familar scent--watermint! And it was nearby!
Glancing at the older tom, he swerved to the opposite direction and ran forward. He dug up the roots ((that's what they get, right?)) of the plant and gripped it in his jaws, turning back to Duskflight.
"Want to help me take this back to camp?" His voice was small and sounding kit-ish--he hated that inside. He shook his head and felt the fluff bounce around.
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Post by shadowsoul on Dec 31, 2007 0:25:52 GMT -5
Duskflight's whiskers twitched as Shadepaw answered his question. He was collecting herbs, all alone? He wondered if anyone had thought of the danger in sending an apprentice out alone early in the morning. But he internally shook his head. At least if anything happened to him, he'd never make that mistake again...
As Shadepaw spoke again, Duskflight turned his head slightly and looked at the apprentice out of the corner of his eye. He almost seemed like a kit, hearing his voice and seeing his fluffy fur. But Duskflight knew he was an apprentice deserving of the title -- at least, so far.
Padding quietly over to Shadepaw, the deputy picked up a mouthful of watermint. He wasn't particularly fond of medicine cat duties -- he was the deputy, for StarClan's sake -- but as the deputy, it was his job to help out. "Come on then," he said through the herbs. "I'll take you back to camp."
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Post by sunstripe on Dec 31, 2007 0:40:53 GMT -5
Shadepaw blinked again at the sound of his voice--StarClan, he hated it so much--but he stepped backwards slightly as Duskflight bent down to pick up the herbs at the apprentice's paws.
He was grateful of the deputy's company--it had been almost scary going through the forest alone, even though he knew the route. He always had this ominous feeling that something was lurking through the shadows, watching him, waiting for him to be alone and far enough from other cats so that they wouldn't hear him if he cried out in terror...
With a shudder, he shook the thoughts away and straightened his shoulders, preparing to follow the tom back to camp.
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Post by Crystalheart on Dec 31, 2007 0:53:57 GMT -5
Crystalheart trotted toward the Shadowed River, letting each paw soak in the soft earth. She heard two cats, they smelled like Nightclan so she didn't fret. The dark she-cat appeared near the stream and saw her two clanmates, Shadepaw and Duskflight.
She didn't take any notice of them and padded toward the water. Crystalheart bent her neck and flinched at the sound of joints cracking. Her dark fur twitched as she lapped up the cool water, letting it ease down her throat.
"Mmm." she mumbled.
Satisfied, she turned to her two clanmates and scowled. It was normal that she showed no interest in the other cats in her clan, so she didn't care if it offended them or not. Crystalheart loved scaring apprentices and kits, so she peered at Shadepaw with her icy gaze. Then slipped a respectful glance at Duskflight, the deputy.
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Post by sunstripe on Dec 31, 2007 1:03:59 GMT -5
Shadepaw's fur bristled as the new cat approached, but he relaxed slightly as he realized it was one of NightClan's warriors, Crystalheart. As she stared at him with her piercing, icy blue eyes, he felt the fur along his spine bristle, and he had to force it to flatten. He wasn't about to show fear to this she-cat.
"Hello," he said in his small voice, flicking his tail-tip.
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Post by Crystalheart on Dec 31, 2007 1:26:02 GMT -5
Crystalheart grinned as she felt Shadepaw prickle with hidden fear. She laughed. He was such an adorable cat with his trying-to-be-brave attitude and tiny mew. But her reputation didn't allow her to show any kindness or affection to any cat, let alone a scared apprentice.
"Greetings, Shadepaw." she meowed as her clear eyes rolled over the apprentice, stopping at his blue eyes.
Crystalheart cackled, trying to scare him with her wicked hacks and coughs of age. She was old, not an elder, but old enough to feel the pains of previous battles that happened moons ago.
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Post by sunstripe on Dec 31, 2007 1:34:13 GMT -5
The gray apprentice narrowed his eyes as the darker warrior laughed softly. He let his fur bristle again, but not with fear--it was hostility now. He was laughing at her? Letting out a silent scoff, he turned back to Duskflight, waiting for him to move.
Behind him, he heard the she-cat greet him and laugh, but he tried to ignore it as he looked expectantly at the deputy.
((We should let Shadow post. =3))
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Post by Crystalheart on Dec 31, 2007 1:48:26 GMT -5
[ ooc - - Yes, I suppose. ] Crystalheart stopped hacking and calmed herself. She shouldn't be so mean, but it was her passion and she couldn't help it. Quickly, she licked her paw and stretched, loosening up for the day. "Apprentices." she sneered with a sarcastic, older tone.
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Post by shadowsoul on Dec 31, 2007 14:21:08 GMT -5
Duskflight watched calmly as another cat approched the river, and he recognized her as Crystalheart of his own Clan. He watched her quietly with his peripheral vision as she took a drink and conversed with Shadepaw. When the apprentice turned to him again, Duskflight took a step forward.
"Apprentices indeed," he said noncommitally. "This one's getting his chores done. Let's go take this back to camp, Shadepaw." The deputy's tail flicked in the direction of camp as he turned around to leave.
--exit Duskflight--
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Post by sunstripe on Dec 31, 2007 14:39:06 GMT -5
Shadepaw's tail twitched and he narrowed his eyes in anger. Just barely resisting hissing at Crystalheart, "You were an apprentice once," he turned back to the deputy and gave a nod.
He wasn't sure if Duskflight was sticking up for him or not, but pride and satisfaction blazed in his chest as the black and white tom turned around. Shadepaw glanced at Crystalheart with narrowed eyes and a grin before turning back to Duskflight and following him.
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Post by brownnose on Dec 31, 2007 16:07:40 GMT -5
((I will hop in x3))
Cinderpaw looked around in confusion, he hated being along. He noticed Shadepaw following another cat. "Wait for me!" He yowled, even though he didn't know if he should follow or not; he didn't care. Cinderpaw ran over to Shadepaw, "Why are you following Duskflight?" He asked. "Did Crystalheart scare you or something?" He asked, rolling his eyes. "She's always grumpy," He muttered, glancing at where Crystalheart was.
((I don't know. I just jumped in =P))
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Post by sunstripe on Dec 31, 2007 19:02:42 GMT -5
Shadepaw's eyes widened as Cinderpaw, one of his denmates, trotted over to him. He drew his head back and looked at him curiously. "Duskflight's taking me back to camp," he answered, flicking his tail in the direction of the big deputy.
"And no, Crystalheart didn't scare me," he growled, narrowing his eyes. "I know she's always grumpy. I get enough of her other times." His blue eyes swiveled to the shaking undergrowth where Duskflight had just left. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go follow him..." His voice trailed off as he picked up the watermint again and raced after the deputy.
--Shadepaw exits--
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