|
.P.ain
Jan 17, 2008 23:47:01 GMT -5
Post by shadowsoul on Jan 17, 2008 23:47:01 GMT -5
For a moment Duskflight merely stood, thinking, but finally he slowly leaned back and sat down, tail curling around his paws and its tip twitching slightly. Bloodclaw and Wintercall. He knew those names -- they used to be warriors of NightClan. Of course, he didn't really know them, as he knew no cats, but if he remembered correctly, they had been pretty good warriors. But what had happened? They had been killed, hadn't they?
Duskflight understood, and as much as he would never admit it, he almost sympathized. But he was not an empathetic cat, and his eyes remained hard as ever. If they lived proud lives and died in the service of their Clan, they were honorable cats. As much as it pained anycat, they'd have to get over the deaths. But it was not an easy thing to do -- he knew, he knew so well...
Suddenly, almost on a whim, the deputy asked, "Which do you think is worse, to never know your kin, or to love them only to have them ripped away from you?" The question almost surprised himself -- why did he really care, and since when did he ask for others' opinions on matters like this? But now he was curious to hear the answer.
|
|
Night
Apprentice
"Strange, thats how I am"
Posts: 83
|
.P.ain
Jan 18, 2008 21:43:25 GMT -5
Post by Night on Jan 18, 2008 21:43:25 GMT -5
Night had been thinking back to the night when her mother had been brought back to the camp, her silver pelt streaked with blood. The black she hadn't even let out a cry of pain at the loss, though it had burnt in her eyes. They'd never found her father's body, but he was supposed dead. If Night hadn't been so much like her father the cry would of raised through the camp, but instead she'd just walked to her mother and pressed her nose to Wintercall's cold cheek before turning and leaving the camp. There was nothing else she could of done. There was nothing else that she would of done anyways. Night now felt that she'd always be that cold stone that she'd been that night moons ago.
Night had been thinking and suprised herself when she caught his question. Which one was better? No memories or memories tinged with pain? Thinking she tilted her head before she said thoughtfully," They're both horrible. No one thing can be better than the other, or worse. Sure to not know ones kin will save them the pain of watching them die, but it brings the pain of not knowing if they're alive or when they died. Having memories wreathed in pain though... that is nearly a worse torture." Night was no old cat, in fact she was only twelve moons old. Still she sounded much much older and wiser. Her experiences had made her grow up very fast. She'd always been mature for her age, but now she spoke of things that she shouldn't have so much experience with.
|
|
|
.P.ain
Jan 19, 2008 14:48:16 GMT -5
Post by shadowsoul on Jan 19, 2008 14:48:16 GMT -5
Torture, Duskflight thought. Is that what it really is? Suffering that not even StarClan can save us from...
Nightrunner was right, both fates were horrible. Either way, one would have to face pain and an empty heart. And, the tom realized with a surge of both pity and expertly-controlled anger -- directed at absolutely no one in particular -- he knew both. To never know his father, to have his mother die so soon, and his only friend dead at another cat's paws... he'd heard the saying "better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all," but at this point, he didn't believe it. What was the point of making friends if they only caused you pain when they left you?
With an inaudible sigh, Duskflight chanced glancing up again, and was happy to find a cloud had concealed the moon. But bits of Silverpelt still gleamed overhead, looking bright compared to the black sky, and the deputy found himself muttering, "StarClan, why...?" It was a question he'd never asked before -- but one he knew there would never be an answer to.
|
|
Night
Apprentice
"Strange, thats how I am"
Posts: 83
|
.P.ain
Jan 20, 2008 20:15:40 GMT -5
Post by Night on Jan 20, 2008 20:15:40 GMT -5
Night just sat there, fine with the silence that had settled over with them. In a way it reminded her of nights spent with her father. Silence and running, than gazing up at silverpelt. He was dead... and she was utterly alone in the world. Part of her didn't believe any of that though. It was only a small part though and couldn't strike itself to the surface quick enough. Eyes were closed as she kept her face turned up towards the sky. Auds flicked though when she heard muttered words.
Starclan? No, Night held a grudge against Starclan. Only a small one but it brought fresh pain to her heart. In Night's mind Starclan was greedy. They took everything good and left a cat hollow. This was only a small thought in her head though and one that she'd never voice. How many cats would shred her ears for thinking that way? All of them. Not looking to Brakentail she murmured,"Starclan carries no reasoning... or answers." It was more talking to herself and almost inaudible above the rustling of bracken and branches against one another.
|
|
|
.P.ain
Jan 22, 2008 16:51:31 GMT -5
Post by shadowsoul on Jan 22, 2008 16:51:31 GMT -5
Duskflight continued to stare up at the sky, watching the clouds shift slowly over the stars. He had been told, ever since he was a kit, that they were warriors of StarClan watching over them. But why did they always seem so far away? What kind of reassurance could you get from something you couldn't feel, you couldn't hear, that you couldn't always see?
The deputy's whiskers twitched slightly as he barely picked up a whispered voice over the breeze. Did Nightrunner not believe in StarClan? He wasn't sure. It wouldn't really surprise him, after what she'd been through. He himself, loyal as he was, had doubted their ancestors more than once. The judgement of long-dead cats was no better than the opinions of those in front of him. In fact, the only thing he was entirely sure of was the Warrior Code. StarClan or no StarClan, faith in the Code was what made a Clan, and that was what mattered. But still, if gods existed, was there nothing they could do to end the suffering?...
|
|
Night
Apprentice
"Strange, thats how I am"
Posts: 83
|
.P.ain
Jan 22, 2008 21:38:15 GMT -5
Post by Night on Jan 22, 2008 21:38:15 GMT -5
Night looked up at the sky again as her auds pricked and swiveled atop her head. Thoughts rolled though it like thunder during a storm. The most recent memory that pricked at her heart now replayed in from of her eyes.
'Night you're insane if you think I'm going running with you. You'd just leave me in the dust!' the golden tabby laughed to the black she who lay next to him. His amber and green eyes flashed happily as he ran his tongue over the top of her head and shoulders. He pulled out small burs and other things that had been stuck in her fur and Night purred happily as her tail flicked back and forth. She gave a stretch before that night sky voice appeared,'Oh Yarrowbite, I wouldn't leave you completely in the dust.' She'd just cuffed his ear playfully before she heard a warning yowl that was quickly cut off. Soon as she was on her paws rogues burst into the camp, horrible snarls on their faces. She saw her father throw himself at a rogue and gave her own battle cry and her and Yarrowbit leapt into battle side by side. She'd tried to let it stay that way, for they both fought better with the other, but it didn't happen like that. Thrown to the side by a huge rogue she'd snarled as Yarrowbite had to put all his attention on the two rogues that were coming at him. Night's rogue sneered at her before spinning and jumping at Yarrowbite. Night yowled a warning, but it was too late and soon enough the three rogues got Yarrowbit pinned. Desperately Night had tried to get to him but was kept back by two large brute rogues. Than there were the horrible yowls and screeches that Yarrowbit made as they tore him open. It was gruesome and left him no honor. His eyes met hers once more before they closed. After driving all the rogues out she'd run to him, he was barely alive and wasn't going to last. In a raspy and gurgling voice he said,' Dead.... Bloodclaw... gone... Night.... love you....'. Those were the last things he said and it hung with Night, along with his eyes and those horrible screeches.
Night shook her head to clear it from the unwanted memory before she glanced to Duskflight once. He seemed different than many cats she'd run into in camp. Either they avoided her because they knew that she wouldn't talk or they urged her to talk when she had nothing to say. Duskflight seemed fine to just sit in silence and stare at the stars. Night found this very comforting in an odd way. Where others found discomfort in silence, Night found all the comfort she could need. Visibly she relaxed as the silence dragged on.
|
|
|
.P.ain
Jan 23, 2008 22:51:01 GMT -5
Post by shadowsoul on Jan 23, 2008 22:51:01 GMT -5
Duskflight's head never moved from its tilt towards the sky, but his eyes flicked down for a moment, and he saw Nightrunner shaking her head. But it was only for a moment, and when he looked back up at the sky, he could feel her eyes on him. He knew what it was like to have to push away thoughts, to wish they would disappear with the shake of a head or a flick of an ear. But it usually wasn't that simple...
He had kept the memories away for so long. After that night, he had been consumed with rage, lashing out at all who spoke to him, and yearning for revenge on the enemy and StarClan for what they had done to him. But for so long now, he had put it out of his mind. There was nothing he could do, so there was no point giving in to the anger and sadness that threatened to consume him. He had crushed those emotions down -- and most of his others, too -- and continued his life. He was deputy now, after all, and had to care for his Clan. But there were moments, albeit few and far between, that he would glance at the moon and feel a pang of something he couldn't quite define.
What was wrong with him tonight? He never thought this much about anything but hunting patrols, Clan politics, and battle strategies, much less talk about this kind of thing. The quiet had never bothered him -- quite the contrary, actually -- and it seemed Nightrunner was the same way. He blinked as he wondered how much time had passed in silence, but made no move to speak.
|
|
Night
Apprentice
"Strange, thats how I am"
Posts: 83
|
.P.ain
Jan 24, 2008 19:59:14 GMT -5
Post by Night on Jan 24, 2008 19:59:14 GMT -5
Night continued to look at the sky as the moon began to dip back towards the horizon. Dawn would be upon them soon, and than another day of struggling to make it through. That is make it through until night swept down upon the clan again. Than it was just another circle of pain and the escape. Nose twitched once before Night rose quietly and gracefully to her paws. Glancing over to Duskflight she tilted her head before she said," Would you like to run? I will not be offended if you decline, but I find running helps put thoughts in the right place. Maybe that's just me though." It probably was just her, but it had been a long time since she'd run with anyone. Her father might of been ashamed that she was distancing herself from the clan, but she couldn't think of what he'd possibly say. Rolling her shoulders she unsheathed her claws, a trick her father had taught her. He said it was like having cleats, better traction and faster paws. Giving a small stretch a shiver went up her spine and made her muscles tremble and her tail give a quick flick. Eyes shadowed over for one moment.
|
|
|
.P.ain
Jan 24, 2008 22:25:58 GMT -5
Post by shadowsoul on Jan 24, 2008 22:25:58 GMT -5
The wind blowing through the thinning branches made a soft rustling noise, and Duskflight's ears stood straight up as if he expected something to happen. He didn't, however, and when Nightrunner broke the silence, it almost -- but not quite -- surprised him. He looked down, blinking his purple eyes once, and for a moment said nothing. She wanted to run with him? He had thought she wanted to be alone... then again, she had spent StarClan-knows how long talking -- or maybe not-talking -- with him.
Standing up, he shook himself slightly, tail swishing to the side once. "Why not," the tom replied almost emotionlessly, a statement, not a question. Besides, he had come out here to hunt in the first place. Maybe if they picked up any good scents, he could still get something done. And anyway, maybe she was right -- maybe these thoughts would leave him alone again if he could take his mind off the moon and just feel the wind rushing through his whiskers...
|
|
Night
Apprentice
"Strange, thats how I am"
Posts: 83
|
.P.ain
Jan 25, 2008 11:01:59 GMT -5
Post by Night on Jan 25, 2008 11:01:59 GMT -5
Night gave a nod and one more good stretch before she looked to Duskflight and than, on silent paws, darted into the underbrush. She moved like a shadow along the forest floor and only her flashing eyes could give her away. Long legs stretched out as she had a slightly calculating look on her face. Paws moved with grace and silence over the ground. Whiskers twitched as the wind rushed past her face and left her feeling refreshed. Right now she was trying to figure out why she'd even talked to Duskflight. Put simply she could of just stayed silent and than they could of both gone their seperate ways. Night wasn't running nearly as fast as she could. WHy though?! Everything had suddenly become confusing and she hated the feeling. Why should she wait for him? Did she even really want his company? Did he want hers? All those answers had no definate answer and she didn't feel like finding a cryptic answer within herself.
|
|
|
.P.ain
Jan 25, 2008 12:44:29 GMT -5
Post by shadowsoul on Jan 25, 2008 12:44:29 GMT -5
A moment after Nightrunner began running, Duskflight gave one last flick of his ear and pushed himself forward with his back legs, propelling himself across the ground. He only had to follow the she-cat's scent trail for a moment before he was close enough to see her path. The deputy was, he was pretty sure, one of the fastest cats in the Clan, but he didn't doubt Nightrunner was speedy too, especially with a name like that. Yet he caught up easily... was she waiting for him? She must be, he decided, and, not wanting to be any sort of a burden, bounded forward.
As he neared Nightrunner, Duskflight matched his pace to hers, staying slightly behind and to the side of her, not wanting to make her uncomfortable by being too close. Pulling his mind from everything else, he concentrated on checking his surroundings and scenting for prey, but still he found nothing. Where were all the small animals? Asleep, probably, he decided. At least the night was peaceful...
|
|
Night
Apprentice
"Strange, thats how I am"
Posts: 83
|
.P.ain
Jan 28, 2008 17:44:33 GMT -5
Post by Night on Jan 28, 2008 17:44:33 GMT -5
As soon as Duskflight had caught up with her Night lengthened her stride and flicked her ears back onto her head as she sped up. Confident that the deputy could keep up she moved forwards on swift and silent paws. Tail streamed out behind her like a ribbon as the wind ruffled her pelt ever so slightly. Yellow eyes flashed from orange and than back to yellow as shadows hid her form and made her meerly a shadow on the brush. This night had been odd and in her paws as she ran she felt that the next day would only bring odd things. This sense of forboding made a small frown play across her maw before she sped up once more. Paws barely touched the ground and she seemed to float across the frost wreathed terrain. Night wasn't nearly as fast as her father had been, but still she was no force to be reckoned with. Where her speed failed her, her stamina did not. Night wasn't the fastest cat in the clan but she was faster than most. Long legs and streamline body proved that. Frown still played on her face though as she continued to wind through the trees.
|
|
|
.P.ain
Jan 28, 2008 20:03:58 GMT -5
Post by shadowsoul on Jan 28, 2008 20:03:58 GMT -5
Trees and bushes flew by in a dark blur as Duskflight ran, eyes focused in front of him. He noticed the silent form of Nightrunner begin to move faster, and without even thinking about it, the deputy widened his own stride to keep up. It was so quiet, he noted. Their paws made almost no noise on the ground, and he was easily avoiding most underbrush. Little star- or moonlight pierced the cover of branches and dying leaves overhead, so shadows coated the forest, but his eyes could still find his way. It was like a different place at night... he liked it better.
Nightrunner began to slightly outdistance him, and Duskflight realized she had sped up again. He chanced a glance towards her and could barely make out the slight frown on her face. He wondered what was wrong, but of course, said nothing. Instead he sniffed at the wind rushing by him, and detected the slightest trace of something. Was there prey out here, even in the dead of night? His paws stopped carrying him quite as fast as he opened his mouth slightly to breathe in the scent better. Whether Nightrunner stopped, or continued running by herself, he didn't mind, he told himself. After all, he had come out to look for prey -- he didn't intend to get caught up in all this. Still, he couldn't help but think, maybe this unexpected encounter wasn't all bad...
|
|
Night
Apprentice
"Strange, thats how I am"
Posts: 83
|
.P.ain
Jan 29, 2008 6:54:36 GMT -5
Post by Night on Jan 29, 2008 6:54:36 GMT -5
Night had barely even noticed that Duskflight had slowed down and stopped. When she noticed though she came to a silent stop and looked over her shoulder. Tilting her head to him she decided that maybe she should let him go about and hunt. That was what he'd come out here for and she knew that she was just keeping him from doing that. Still, there was a part of her that craved some kind of presence. His silent presence had been the best one for her tonight and for that she was greatful. Now she looked back at him and flicked her ears towards him as yellow eyes glowed a deep orange. Small smile curled across her muzzle before she dipped her head to him respectfully and than turned around and started walking farther into the woods. Right now she would leave him, for he probably still had things that he wanted to do. If they met up later in the fading night or the coming day though, than she would be greatful again for his silent form. It brought with it strength and something familiar and good.
|
|
|
.P.ain
Jan 29, 2008 19:58:50 GMT -5
Post by shadowsoul on Jan 29, 2008 19:58:50 GMT -5
The scent was definitely there, Duskflight noted. Some kind of nocturnal rodent? Now he just had to track it down... he stopped, and looked up as he heard the pawsteps in front of him come to a halt. Purple eyes met orange, and he wondered what she was thinking. But then she was dipping her head to him -- was that a smile on her face? -- and he knew she was planning to leave. Nodding a silent farewell, he scented the air again, and began taking quiet steps toward his prey.
He wasn't sad she had left. He had almost expected it. It wasn't exactly like either of them to spend so much time with another cat. Besides, hunting would be easier alone, he thought as he followed the scent around a tree.
|
|