WindClan: Life Before 2023's Fire

[lone]

Originally Posted by Lilly

Making her way back into camp was Heathertail, the light brown she-cat padding lightly across the flattened down grass that covered the WindClan camp clearing. Her eyes alert and whiskers twitching, she slowed her pace to just inside camp, her sides still moving up and down. Since she hadn't quite taking much time for herself lately in the past couple moons, the senior warrior had decided to take a nice little morning job along the outskirts of the territory. It had been closer to dawn when she had left, and before heading back she had decided to stop at the shoreline, watching as the waves gently lapped at the short, drawing closer before being pulled back by an unknown force. Now, the sun hovered high in the sky, pointing towards the fact that it was most likely closer to sunhigh than dawn at this point. "What a morning," she murmured, a soft smile gracing her features, as she began to glance around. Almost instantly, her eyes landed on a familiar tom and the smile deepen.


Because of her commitment to the nursery and the queens that resided there, along with her drive to help her Clan, where she had found the time to grow closer to Shrikecall, she wasn't sure. All Heathertail knew was that the older tom intrigued her. He brought out the warrior side of her, the one that wanted to help her Clan do more and be more. His authority and tall stature inspired the older she-cat, and before she realized it her paws were taking her over to where he sat. "Hello Shrikecall," she purred in greeting as she neared him, eyes flashing with an unknown emotion as she sat down a bit close to him, ears perked tail wrapping around her small paws. I wonder what he's been up to this morning... Or if he noticed that I was gone this morning... Probably not. The string of thoughts flowed through her head, heat traveling up her neck and making the fur on the back of it tingle and rise slightly.

A familiar voice, followed by a familiar scent, made Shrikecall's head turn in the direction of Heathertail. His own hues flashed for a moment, somewhat more worriedly then her own, but then one of his rare smiles spread across his features. They had become less and less evasive over the past moon or so, considering he had been spending more time with the senior warrior and getting to know her so much better. This was something that gave him quite a bit of satisfaction. "Hello, Heathertail. You're doing well this morning, I trust?" He asked, fixing his piercing hues on her-- though this time they were warmer. Something else that had been happening to the Deputy, which was fine for when he was talking to clanmates, but when he ran into a loner-- which had only happened a couple times-- or when he was trying to be more serious, it didn't seem to work quite as well for him.
Unfortunately, considering Shrikecall liked to be in control, and considering this took some of it away-- was it a good or bad thing? He didn't know. He could only wish that he did. "It's a pretty morning, isn't it? I was, uh...trying to find you, earlier. Thought-- maybe-- border check might be nice." He mumbled, his words trailing off. He never knew what to do when handling the she cat. She seemed like a delicate flower, one that deserved to be preserved forever and kept. And Shrikecall never knew how to handle delicate flowers. All he had ever done was stand at a distance and admire their beauty, knowing that if he touched them he could break them or worse, they might die. And he didn't want anything like that happening to Heathertail.
Heathertail. In his opinion, it was the perfect name for her. From her sleek brown pelt to eyes that always sparkled like miniature jewels, the she cat was an ideal companion for even just a day-- though in his case, that 'day' had turned into something much longer. And he hadn't meant for it to. But somehow, he knew things weren't going to be quite the same. Perhaps they would be better. And then again...perhaps they wouldn't. Who could say? Only time would tell where the two of them ended up.

[Deerlie]

Originally Posted by Zero to Hero

Surgestorm jolted to attention as the pair walked into the den, the bright splatter of blood on their pelts making his eyes widen. The stench of fox seemed to follow them into the den, and it was the only clue needed for him to piece together what had happened. He took a quick look at each of their conditions, easily being able to spot which needed his attention first after all these moons as a medicine cat. "Leopardpaw," He moewed, his voice calm and steady; he knew that she wouldn't mind giving his some help with this. "Get some cobwebs and press them firmly onto Featherlight's wounds, keep your paws there and apply steady pressure." When he was finished with his instructions, he carefully persuaded the other she-cat to lay down. "Featherlight will be alright, I've got to see to your wounds first, they're more severe. Leopardpaw will get the bleeding to stop on her wound, and once I've got you I'll see to her. I promise you she'll be fine," He spoke slowly to the warrior, his voice as soothing as possible. The ability to clam and reassure patients was one of the first skills to being a medicine cat. He quickly took a wad of cobwebs and pressed them firmly onto the large gash, knowing that he had to get the wound to stop bleeding before she lost too much blood. "So, you must have run into quite the trouble out there," He noted, offering a smile to the warrior in an attempt to make her feel slightly better.

Freatherlight winced "The fox, its still out there. I got to kill it." She got up and hissed in pain. Crimson red trickled from her pelt.

[Empress Of Evil]

Originally Posted by Lonestar23

Shrikecall continued over the moors, admiring the snow covered grasses as he went. Although he strongly disliked the feel of snow on his paws, he had already made up his mind that he was going to try and be agreeable about it-- because after all, being rude wouldn't do much good to anyone. Though he wasn't planning on exactly socializing with other cats. What good would that do? It wouldn't benefit the Clan in any way, though as an individual it might benefit him or someone else. He wasn't quite sure. He wanted to believe that things were going to continue on perfectly the way they were, but he knew better then to get his hopes up too high. Shrikecall had gotten his hopes up several times only to have them dashed to pieces each time, and then he was left behind to, well...pick up the pieces. On his own. Not within the past 10 moons or so, though-- as a matter of fact, it had been quite a long time since Shrikecall had tried to make a friend and in his opinion, he didn't have a need for them. They would slow him down eventually and if he spent all his time worrying about one particular cat, he wouldn't have the time to help the Clan that needed him. After a moment, Shrikecall's expression changed as he realized there was a cat approaching him over the hills. For a moment he looked surprised and then his features went back to their natural state.

"It's Lilypelt, isn't it?" He asked as the she cat approached, his tail twitching back and forth as patiently as he could manage. There was a slight smile on his features, though not noticeable enough to have been mentioned, really....and he looked more anxious to be moving on then standing there and speaking, though he knew better then to be rude. He would have time later. By the way the sun was positioned in the sky, he supposed it wouldn't be too much longer before the tom had to stop, but hopefully he would have time to quickly speak to his clanmate and then move on. No more interruptions. "I trust you've been well," He added a moment later, lowering his head in respect for the she cat. There was quite an age difference between them; there was quite an age difference between Shrikecall and most of the cats in WindClan, though he chose to ignore it. At least, ignore it as best he could.

As the tabby she-cat got closer and closer to the tom, she felt her smile drop for a moment and her look of confidence faltered for a moment. "Yes," Lilypelt clarified once she had reached the tom. The warrior dipped her head in respective greeting as the deputy did the same. She took the moment that her head was down to feel a little bit shocked. Shrikecall knew her name? Hardly any cat knew Lilypelt's name. Well, as she thought about, she realized that there were probably more cats than she thought. She shrugged it off. At least the deputy saved her from having to give out an awkward introduction. Not being one to socialise or talk to new cats much, Lilypelt wasn't very good at introducing herself.
The warrior didn't have much confidence in herself. In the past few moons, she had gained a little bit more confidence, but ever since the departure of Sorrelskip and Gorsefeather, her confidence had sagged down to where it was before. Lilypelt hadn't even tried socializing ever since. The she-cat had changed a lot from the cat she was many moons again.
In the past, she was just a shy cat that searched desperately to make friends. She had succeeded a very few amount of times, finding a nice cat named Pricklewhisker, who to this day was now her best friend. Although seemed to rarely see him these days anyway. The only friends she appeared to have, were tears.

"Oh yes, i'm doing quite fine," Lilypelt replied in a soft voice, and the she-cat did her best to stay strong. The statement just seemed to make her emotionally weaker. "How are you yourself? I'm sure deputy duties must be keeping you busy," Lilypelt remarked, trying not to let any emotions show through. How embarrassing would that be if she just suddenly broke down in front of the deputy? Don't let your emotions get the better of you! Lilypelt scolded herself within her thoughts. The light grey tabby looked down at the ground, watching as the grass swayed to the soft breeze.
For all of this time, four words stayed in her mind no matter how hard she tried to push them back.

No. I'm not fine.

[NightWarrior4Life]

Originally Posted by Chameleon eats a doughnut

Quailpaw sheepishly shrugged," Let's just say Sleepydream decided I wouldn't be an apprentice and didn't want to waste his skills on me, but Flamerunner had pity so she mentors me. My mother...," she trailed off," My mother disappeared when I was just being nursed, I don't exactly know her name, but I remember she smelled sweet like honey. My father is Rockstone, he was rude and cruel to Yewpaw and I, but one day, I saw him orally fighting with Hornetsnarl and when Dapplestar told them take it out of the camp. When Hornetsnarl returned alone, he had blood on his claws and then Dapplestar told him to leave and never return, I still to this day don't know if he killed my father or wheather my father just fled after the fight, or if my father fell in the river and drowned." She replied sadly.

"Oh...how about...siblings? I mean, it seems like Yewpaw's is a brother to you, but a really awful one." She tried to lighten the situation but Quailpaw's eyes were clouded and distant, shadows swirling around her mind.

[goddess of ducks]

Originally Posted by Bee

"I wouldn't be so sure of that, Peachkit!" He smiled and pretended to stalk her like prey. Putting on an evil voice, he purred. "I'll get you little kit, and maybe I'll even eat you!" He pounced on her tail gently as not to hurt her.

Peachkit emitted another screech of laughter and delight as she felt the light touch on her tail. This was the most fun she had ever had, of course though she was only three moons, but still. As she tore off around the clearing again, she dropped the mossball on accident. She attempted to turn around but lost her footing and went tumbling head over heels. She finally stopped and laid flat on her back staring up at the pale blue sky, erupting in a fit of giggles.

[Mango]

Originally Posted by NightWarrior4Life

"Oh...how about...siblings? I mean, it seems like Yewpaw's is a brother to you, but a really awful one." She tried to lighten the situation but Quailpaw's eyes were clouded and distant, shadows swirling around her mind.

Quailpaw nodded," Yeah... Yewpaw's my brother."

[NightWarrior4Life]

Originally Posted by Spirited Darkness

Phantompaw raised a paw, rubbing it along her bleeding cheek. The young apprentice's eyes were bright with happiness, both at the fact that the bleeding seemed to have stopped, and that her mentor wasn't like a soft kittypet like her mother. She averted her gaze for a moment, embarrassed. “Yep! she said after a moment, looking back towards Shinepaw.“It's nothing, just a little combat training.” she said, giving her head a shake. She was quite proud of what had happened, but also embarrassed. “Have you done any training yet?” she asked, changing the subject. Her first day of combat training, and she'd already broken the warrior code. She was kind of proud of at accomplishment.

The moment Phantompaw mentioned training, ShinePaw became uneasy. I haven't done anything like that? Do you think she won't think I'm cool? "Yes, I have actually. But my mentor, Flamestorm, only took me on a tour of our territory and borders and we went hunting a few times. I caught a lot of prey!" She added "Flamestorm said that later, we're going on a border patrol!" ShinePaw neaded the ground eagerly with her silver paws.

[NightWarrior4Life]

Originally Posted by Chameleon eats a doughnut

Quailpaw nodded," Yeah... Yewpaw's my brother."

Gleamkit rolled her eyes and growled a little. "Of course...well, if he's anymore trouble...or you want someone to give him a stern talking to, you know or just get him out of your fur, come find me. I'll always be around camp talking to the other cats." Gleamkit said in a sympathetic new. She gave her friend an affectionate lick on the cheek then licked her lips, finishing off the last few scraps of Vole.

[graves]

Originally Posted by Duskflight

{So sorry for how long this took!!}
Adderpaw, in her excitement didn't even hear her mothers voice, all she heard was the purr, but really, that's all the young she-cat needed to fill her with so much happiness it nearly made her jittery. It had been so long.. The apprentice felt like she hadn't seen her mother for an eternity and yet it had only been a few moons, truthfully though it was such a long time for a young cat like her to go without her mother. She has always looked up to and admired her mothers caring nature and her gentleness and has truthfully missed her mother always being there for her.
"It's okay mom.." Breathed the young yellow tabby, finally settling to burying her nose into her mothers side, closing her eyes and just bringing in that scent she had grown so fond of in the nursery, the scent that could ease any anxiety and any pain, the scent that brought her right back to her kit days. When Sunsong continued to go on with her apology, Adderpaw would pull her head away and just smile warmly, everything in those yellow eyes telling her mother that there was no reason to apologize, telling her that she didn't need to be reminded that her mother loved her.. Because she already knew it very well. Sunsong has always been a strong supporter for Adderpaw and the young cat has never forgotten that and never will, not even when she becomes a warrior.
"I'm so glad to see you too, I have so much to tell you! Are you busy? Because I'd love to tell you right now if you have the time!" Her speech seemed to speed up a bit as her excitement grew as well, growing with the thought of all the things she could tell her mother since there was indeed quite a bit of catching up to do.

[Im in no rush bb <3]
It had been a long time since she had seen her daughter, when she had pressed her nose into her side she couldn't help but purr more,curling her tail around the smaller cat protectively as if she were going away again. There was no words that could express a mothers love for her kits, no actions that could show her never ending dedication and fierce love she held for each and every kit she laid her eyes on. So to lose that close knit bond even for just a few moons broke her heart, and she felt guilty for that. It had been so long, what if she had been injured without her knowing? What if she had...Starclan forbid die without her knowing until moons later? She nodded at the question,"I have all the time in the world for you,catch me up, yeah?" she mewed. She wanted to know everything-to the littlest detail. She wanted to make up for the moons she had missed, the days and hours that had passed. She wanted to know it all.

[Mango]

Originally Posted by NightWarrior4Life

Gleamkit rolled her eyes and growled a little. "Of course...well, if he's anymore trouble...or you want someone to give him a stern talking to, you know or just get him out of your fur, come find me. I'll always be around camp talking to the other cats." Gleamkit said in a sympathetic new. She gave her friend an affectionate lick on the cheek then licked her lips, finishing off the last few scraps of Vole.

Quailpaw snorted," I would, but he probably would attack you, and as soon as he learned you were an apprentice, he'd use his claws..."