Dusk Syndicate Clearing

[RedHead]

Originally Posted by Nighty

The fluffy gray kit didn't move much, all he wanted was for Onyx to come back. The sound of Donovan jolted him out of his wistful longing. He turned around, a smile etched on his maw. He saw the attitude of his companion, bright, prideful, and something else...like they had done something good. Oh well. "Hey Donovan!" He mewed happily. The thought of his father vanished momentarily with other thoughts quickly replacing it. "Yeah, I was hoping he would teach me some more battle moves, that way I can practice them on Ferox later. I don't have much to do, Ferox is busy, and who knows where Lilith is." He said a bit disappointed. Lilith hadn't been around much lately, as if something was bothering her, but he didn't know what it was, nor did he know how to help. "So, what have you been up to recently?" He asked, his dark green hues sparkling with interest.

At the mention of Lillth, Donovan's ears flattened slightly. Because he was very close to Cassius, Donovan always tried to get to know the statistic tics of his family. He didn't know exactly what was going on with Lillth, but he knew that it couldn't be something good. "It's okay Cassius, I'm sure they'll come around sometime." Donovan didn't really believe his own words though. At the toms next question, Donovan's smirk was back on his face, and his olive green eyes sparked with mischief. "Oh you know, the usual." Donovan purred, then leaned closer to Cassius, pointing his tail towards the nests of the hunters. "I put a few tiny black bugs that live underground in someone's nest." Donovan chuckled, unsheathimg his long, sharp claws and digging them in the hard earth below them. This was a common habit of the toms, he just did it for fun, not because he was angry or excited or anything. "But then, you know, I've been getting yelled at all day by the older fighters. One of them told me to grow up and stop acting like a kit." Donovan rolled his eyes, huffing in exasperation. "I mean, come on, in ten moons. I never act like a kit!" Donovan looked over to the middle of the clearing, where cats were milling about. "And then this other fighter said I should've become a hunter, because I have too much time on my paws." Donovan shivered, sticking his tongue out in disgust. "I could never handle being a hunter."

[Ever]

Originally Posted by Lonestar23

Honestly, Arrow wasn't too frightened of the black feline. Her brother terrified him. Something that he wouldn't admit to anyone. Fear, when used against someone, could be used as a weapon. And so Arrow would never admit-- or show-- that he was scared of anything. Anyone. Still, he did have the slightest fear of every cat in the Syndicate. Anyone could be waiting to kill him. Thankfully, enemies were few and far between, so Arrow didn't have to be too cautious; sometimes. And then there were the other times when he had to be careful about every word he spoke, making sure it wasn't going to hurt him later. At the moment, Arrow was relaxed. Whatever her relationship with Hannibal, as long as he didn't get on her bad side or form too much of a connection with her, things would probably be fine. Her sudden question startled him; this was shown on his features when they changed suddenly, his hues widening and ears flicking backwards, expression changing to be one of worry. This all happened and was gone within a minute; looking closely, you would have caught it, but otherwise that wouldn't be possible. "Fighter. You?" The tabby asked. He kept his words short, and to the point. His expression had changed back to it's original state; not harsh, but hardened, in a way that showed he probably wasn't going to talk much. [/CENTER]

Ebony wanted to sigh, but she held it in. He seemed as though he had his guard up. Maybe this was why she never tried to reach out to any other cats, they always guarded themselves as much as she guarded herself. Though she wasn't sure if she trusted to let her guard down- she never let her guard down. Did that make it unfair to be displeased with his cropped responses and minimal detail? She didn't offer any better responses. An anxious feud that resided within her since kithood was finally making its way into deterioration. Ebony was reaching that turning age where she was realizing that she didn't want to live out all of her moons in solitude. About 40 moons had already been enough, but the black feline didn't even know who she was beneath the thick layers of concealment; she could barely remember when she enjoyed life. That's where the small sigh finally escaped her. Less one of boredom and more one of disappointment in herself. In the fact that she had no personality to show, no feature that made her unique. Looking at herself Ebony would have guessed that she was about as interesting to be with as a rock. Still, silent and hard. "I'm also a fighter." Sh said, more quietly and in a very distant tone. Her mismatched eyes looked over at the tom for a moment of silent study. She wondered if any of her struggle made it into her eyes, if the plea for a connection was there or if the hard glossy look was all that he saw. Quickly she turned her face away from him again, embarrassed by her thoughts and thinking that he might have caught a glimpse of something more true to herself. "I like it because it gives me the freedom to venture." She added quietly, making a valiant effort to offer him so insight to who she might be. Though the added detail might just annoy him too as it wasn't necessary and she wasn't sure if he was one of those cats who just wanted to hear facts. The fur along her spine prickled uncomfortably and she suddenly felt overly socially aware of herself, and not in a pleasant way. She could see this conversation already spiraling in her mind for the next few days and knew she'd be over-analyzing it and wondering where she went wrong; especially if it ended on a bad or uncomfortable note. Then she'd likely just avoid the tom for the rest of her life out of embarrassment.

[Aquarius]

@FlashFanatic

The speckled she-cat slunk out of the hunter's den, once again late to go out and hunt. She prayed to the stars that no one believed in that a fighter wouldn't catch her unintentionally shirking her duties. Her pawsteps sharp as she slid across the clearing, her ears swiveled as she attempted to pick out the sound of pawsteps from the murmur of the camp. Her fur spiked slightly and her icy blue eyes alert her gaze quickly scanned the clearing, worried that if she dawdled too long she'd be spotted. This was the third time this had happened, and Aquarius didn't know why. The molly was sick of being beaten by the fighter's, and she donned a long clawscratch across her muzzle from where one of the feistier she-cats had caught her. She bit her tongue and silently moved across the ground, the distance across camp seeming longer than ever. Her ebony paws seemed like stone to her and she hissed out loud, suddenly freezing. She hadn't meant to make a noise, and she reprimanded herself inside. She dug her claws into the ground, knowing she had doomed herself. She kept her gaze down on her paws, annoyed and worried for her own safety - which was about to be violated. "Screw it," growled Aquarius, picking up the pace again as she started nearing the camp entrance once more.

[FlashFanatic]

Originally Posted by Aquarius

@MobileFlashFanatic

The speckled she-cat slunk out of the hunter's den, once again late to go out and hunt. She prayed to the stars that no one believed in that a fighter wouldn't catch her unintentionally shirking her duties. Her pawsteps sharp as she slid across the clearing, her ears swiveled as she attempted to pick out the sound of pawsteps from the murmur of the camp. Her fur spiked slightly and her icy blue eyes alert her gaze quickly scanned the clearing, worried that if she dawdled too long she'd be spotted. This was the third time this had happened, and Aquarius didn't know why. The molly was sick of being beaten by the fighter's, and she donned a long clawscratch across her muzzle from where one of the feistier she-cats had caught her. She bit her tongue and silently moved across the ground, the distance across camp seeming longer than ever. Her ebony paws seemed like stone to her and she hissed out loud, suddenly freezing. She hadn't meant to make a noise, and she reprimanded herself inside. She dug her claws into the ground, knowing she had doomed herself. She kept her gaze down on her paws, annoyed and worried for her own safety - which was about to be violated. "Screw it," growled Aquarius, picking up the pace again as she started nearing the camp entrance once more.

The plain grey fighter tom was already sitting there in the clearing, lurking in the shadows. His day was great, seeing as he had been left alone for today. But of course, right at that moment, a hunter had to come and ruin it all. He slowly crept out of the dark spot, and started walking towards the hunter. "
What do you think you're doing?" He asked, growling with anger. He didn't have to engage in a conversation with this hunter, and he really had no idea why he did do it. Well, there was no backing out now. Anyways, if he had caught this hunter coin the wrong thing, he might get praised, and that would make him feel a little bit better. The only thing that would make him feel better more than being praised is being left alone. So, Roland was in a bad mood. He really hoped that this conversation would not last long. He might have to end it quickly if things got out of hand.

[lone]

Originally Posted by Ever

Ebony wanted to sigh, but she held it in. He seemed as though he had his guard up. Maybe this was why she never tried to reach out to any other cats, they always guarded themselves as much as she guarded herself. Though she wasn't sure if she trusted to let her guard down- she never let her guard down. Did that make it unfair to be displeased with his cropped responses and minimal detail? She didn't offer any better responses. An anxious feud that resided within her since kithood was finally making its way into deterioration. Ebony was reaching that turning age where she was realizing that she didn't want to live out all of her moons in solitude. About 40 moons had already been enough, but the black feline didn't even know who she was beneath the thick layers of concealment; she could barely remember when she enjoyed life. That's where the small sigh finally escaped her. Less one of boredom and more one of disappointment in herself. In the fact that she had no personality to show, no feature that made her unique. Looking at herself Ebony would have guessed that she was about as interesting to be with as a rock. Still, silent and hard. "I'm also a fighter." Sh said, more quietly and in a very distant tone. Her mismatched eyes looked over at the tom for a moment of silent study. She wondered if any of her struggle made it into her eyes, if the plea for a connection was there or if the hard glossy look was all that he saw. Quickly she turned her face away from him again, embarrassed by her thoughts and thinking that he might have caught a glimpse of something more true to herself. "I like it because it gives me the freedom to venture." She added quietly, making a valiant effort to offer him so insight to who she might be. Though the added detail might just annoy him too as it wasn't necessary and she wasn't sure if he was one of those cats who just wanted to hear facts. The fur along her spine prickled uncomfortably and she suddenly felt overly socially aware of herself, and not in a pleasant way. She could see this conversation already spiraling in her mind for the next few days and knew she'd be over-analyzing it and wondering where she went wrong; especially if it ended on a bad or uncomfortable note. Then she'd likely just avoid the tom for the rest of her life out of embarrassment.

Of course Arrow had his guard up. That was how he had survived this long, was keeping himself guarded-- part of him wanted to be friendly. He'd seen younger cats, and even older fighters be fun-loving and friendly... but as far as most of them went, they were all hard. Closed off. Protected from the outside world by themselves and their minds. Taking the she cat beside him as an example, he never would have guessed that she would want any sort of communication with him or anyone else. He never would have guessed that she wanted to offer him insight into who she was. Because cats generally didn't do that here. The less you knew, the better, and that's how it was for everyone. Oh sure, there were cats he could trust. Ones he had known for a little while or who had opened him up as easily as one might do to a mouse, but for the most part, everyone knew him as quiet.
　
Reserved. Closed off. He didn't say much and that was exactly the way that he liked it. However, stepping into Arrow's mind would be sure to tear someone apart-- his thoughts and feelings whirled around in such a strong manner that it scared even him sometimes. Ebony's sudden words made him listen... she seemed to understand. Freedom. A word that might mean so little to others, already having it, or a word that might seem like they had it, but for Arrow? This was being in captivity. But it was a captivity he had always known. Perhaps the structure was bloody, scarred, and messed up, but... it was his home. And he wouldn't leave just because there were a few problems with it. "I agree." Was his calm, careful comment. Don't add any more. Don't. DO NOT TALK. Those were his thoughts, swirling around in his head, adding more to the already desperate shouts that were coming around.
　

"But living here, freedom is very limited. And there's something seriously wrong with our structure."

What am I DOING??? That was one of the worst mistakes Arrow could make. See, he liked to voice his opinions. His thoughts. His dreams. But, to cats he could trust. So what was he doing talking to her? Maybe, because she had spoken... he felt like it was okay to. Maybe he wanted to trust her. Or maybe he felt like he already could.

[Ever]

Originally Posted by Lonestar23

Of course Arrow had his guard up. That was how he had survived this long, was keeping himself guarded-- part of him wanted to be friendly. He'd seen younger cats, and even older fighters be fun-loving and friendly... but as far as most of them went, they were all hard. Closed off. Protected from the outside world by themselves and their minds. Taking the she cat beside him as an example, he never would have guessed that she would want any sort of communication with him or anyone else. He never would have guessed that she wanted to offer him insight into who she was. Because cats generally didn't do that here. The less you knew, the better, and that's how it was for everyone. Oh sure, there were cats he could trust. Ones he had known for a little while or who had opened him up as easily as one might do to a mouse, but for the most part, everyone knew him as quiet.
　
Reserved. Closed off. He didn't say much and that was exactly the way that he liked it. However, stepping into Arrow's mind would be sure to tear someone apart-- his thoughts and feelings whirled around in such a strong manner that it scared even him sometimes. Ebony's sudden words made him listen... she seemed to understand. Freedom. A word that might mean so little to others, already having it, or a word that might seem like they had it, but for Arrow? This was being in captivity. But it was a captivity he had always known. Perhaps the structure was bloody, scarred, and messed up, but... it was his home. And he wouldn't leave just because there were a few problems with it. "I agree." Was his calm, careful comment. Don't add any more. Don't. DO NOT TALK. Those were his thoughts, swirling around in his head, adding more to the already desperate shouts that were coming around.
　

"But living here, freedom is very limited. And there's something seriously wrong with our structure."

What am I DOING??? That was one of the worst mistakes Arrow could make. See, he liked to voice his opinions. His thoughts. His dreams. But, to cats he could trust. So what was he doing talking to her? Maybe, because she had spoken... he felt like it was okay to. Maybe he wanted to trust her. Or maybe he felt like he already could.

Ebony's ears swiveled back to the tom's voice when he tacked his opinion to the end of his sentence. A small chuckle shook through her chest at it too. She couldn't agree more. this place was truly awful, but at the same time she had nowhere else to turn to. She was't willing to try to venture off alone and start a life of solitude either. She craved companionship her whole life, and even just being around cats made her solitude a little more bearable. Being alone to the world would be nearly emotionally impossible; she'd be sure to return here and it would likely result in her death, abandoning the syndicate was not a light crime. Which is why it made her so perpetually upset with her situation. She viewed the syndicate as a sort of prison, since she was bound to it.

"I couldn't agree more." She replied quietly, her tail tip curling with delight. this was probably the most conversation she'd had in what- a moon now? Her eyes were still turned away from him, but they were shining with delight that she couldn't hide. It was hard to find a cat that would let their guard down around her. A sudden idea sparked in her mind and she couldn't resist asking. If he found that his freedom was limited he needed to go on a night venture. The night always felt endless and it was dark and comforting. you could slink through it and not feel attached to this place in the least. "You should join me for an evening patrol." She said, finally looking over to him. She didn't avoid eye contact this time. Simply let the two colors or ice blue and wheat gold bare into his eyes as she waited a reply. Their mismatched expression watching him with a small glimmer of hope in their depths.

[NightWarrior4Life]

@Gusty (sorry this is so late!!!)
A black and white mottled Tom paced to and fro in the humid clearing, sun glaring down on him, making his back look sleek and shiny. An older Tom stood on the opposite side of the clearing to him, watching. After the White Tom let out a growl of frustration and confusion, the other Tom approached. "My sincerest apologies Halite, am I making too much of a racket?" he spoke to the commander slowly through clenched teeth, clearly agitated about something. The hot sunshine didn't help either, burning the back of his neck, scorching his paws and turning the ground into lava. We could use some rain right about now... he thought, scathingly just before the camp sets on fire. What a shame it would be if it did though...poor Halite could be killed... a smirk appeared on his sweaty face, eyes yellow like the blazing stars up above. Not that the Stars meant anything...nothing more than Flecks of light in the sky. Through all his rage, The Tom forgot he was speaking to the commander of the Dusk syndicate and that he needed to speak with respect. Sort yourself out...you really need to up your game if you're gonna be a guard one day...or perhaps co-commander would serfice... he blinked slowly and began to wash his face and groom his snowy pelt to cool it down.

[Aquarius]

Originally Posted by FlashFanatic

The plain grey fighter tom was already sitting there in the clearing, lurking in the shadows. His day was great, seeing as he had been left alone for today. But of course, right at that moment, a hunter had to come and ruin it all. He slowly crept out of the dark spot, and started walking towards the hunter. "
What do you think you're doing?" He asked, growling with anger. He didn't have to engage in a conversation with this hunter, and he really had no idea why he did do it. Well, there was no backing out now. Anyways, if he had caught this hunter coin the wrong thing, he might get praised, and that would make him feel a little bit better. The only thing that would make him feel better more than being praised is being left alone. So, Roland was in a bad mood. He really hoped that this conversation would not last long. He might have to end it quickly if things got out of hand.

The molly attempted to stand her ground, fear choking her. Something filled up her throat and she found it an effort to speak, forcing her posture to be correct when speaking to a rank above her own. Aquarius's mottled ears stood erect and she fixed her gaze respectfully on the fighter, suppressing her anger. "I'm going out to do my duties," she responded curtly, nodding. No emotion was threaded into her flat tone as usual, and she hoped the brusque tom detected the same. Her gray tail flicked, the scar across her nose burning now that she set her mind back on it. She had forgotten the tom who had slitted her muzzle, but she knew it wasn't the same tom that was confronting her now. She tilted her head slightly. "Am I not allowed to go out and do as I am told?" She challenged, forgetting her place for a second. Suddenly she bit her tongue, hanging her head. "Sorry sir..." She murmured, desperate to get out of the situation before it got any worse.
Aquarius was not one to stand up to authorities, but sometimes her voice got the better of her before she was able to control it. The she-cat had a reputation of being snappy, and that certainly did not help when it came to being a lower rank than half of the Syndicate. When such happened, when she couldn't hold her tongue up to someone who had all the power over her, she was usually punished. This was the way of life she had always wanted, because when she was young she had imagined fantasies of herself rising through the ranks at the speed of lightning. Now that she was older and wiser, but not too old nor too wise, she knew that reality was far from that kitten dream. She hung her speckled head, her ears flattened against her skull, in submittance to the fighter that stood before her.

[lone]

Originally Posted by Ever

Ebony's ears swiveled back to the tom's voice when he tacked his opinion to the end of his sentence. A small chuckle shook through her chest at it too. She couldn't agree more. this place was truly awful, but at the same time she had nowhere else to turn to. She was't willing to try to venture off alone and start a life of solitude either. She craved companionship her whole life, and even just being around cats made her solitude a little more bearable. Being alone to the world would be nearly emotionally impossible; she'd be sure to return here and it would likely result in her death, abandoning the syndicate was not a light crime. Which is why it made her so perpetually upset with her situation. She viewed the syndicate as a sort of prison, since she was bound to it.

"I couldn't agree more." She replied quietly, her tail tip curling with delight. this was probably the most conversation she'd had in what- a moon now? Her eyes were still turned away from him, but they were shining with delight that she couldn't hide. It was hard to find a cat that would let their guard down around her. A sudden idea sparked in her mind and she couldn't resist asking. If he found that his freedom was limited he needed to go on a night venture. The night always felt endless and it was dark and comforting. you could slink through it and not feel attached to this place in the least. "You should join me for an evening patrol." She said, finally looking over to him. She didn't avoid eye contact this time. Simply let the two colors or ice blue and wheat gold bare into his eyes as she waited a reply. Their mismatched expression watching him with a small glimmer of hope in their depths.

Really? She agreed with him? That was a first for Arrow... and he couldn't stop his expression and posture from changing. His tense muscles relaxed, his upper body slowly slid downwards until he was in a lying position-- one that made him more vulnerable so for him, it was generally a position of trust, respect, or in this case... astonishment. His eyes softened, with surprise, but it was still there. His facial expressions slowly became less stone-like and more like a living cat's. All this happened in a moment, and then the tom opened his maw to speak. "You... wait... really?" Now he was beginning to sound somewhat stupid. Not an often occurance for the brown tom, she had done the near-to impossible in his mind. Made him look, well... stupid. With that sudden and alarming realization, Arrow's features dipped back into their normal, stony state of silence.
　
But, her next words made his ears flick backwards. An evening patrol was tempting... but still, could he trust her? Was she just trying to lure him out so she could leave him somewhere to bleed to death? Trying to keep the thought of that from his mind, and isolate her personality from her brother's-- though he didn't know much about either-- Arrow sighed and sat back up. "That would be nice. The evening is a good time to get out of Camp." He mewed thoughtfully, keeping his expression neutral. Early morning and dusk were his personal favorites... night had always had a sort of tense hold on the tom-- perhaps because night was the easiest time to make a kill. The middle of the day? Unless you were in a battle, it seemed like an ill-chosen choice to the brown tom. But the middle of the night just seemed right, somehow. No one would miss the cat. No one would know. And unless they were cared for... no one was ever going to ask about it.

[Ever]

Originally Posted by Lonestar23

Really? She agreed with him? That was a first for Arrow... and he couldn't stop his expression and posture from changing. His tense muscles relaxed, his upper body slowly slid downwards until he was in a lying position-- one that made him more vulnerable so for him, it was generally a position of trust, respect, or in this case... astonishment. His eyes softened, with surprise, but it was still there. His facial expressions slowly became less stone-like and more like a living cat's. All this happened in a moment, and then the tom opened his maw to speak. "You... wait... really?" Now he was beginning to sound somewhat stupid. Not an often occurance for the brown tom, she had done the near-to impossible in his mind. Made him look, well... stupid. With that sudden and alarming realization, Arrow's features dipped back into their normal, stony state of silence.
　
But, her next words made his ears flick backwards. An evening patrol was tempting... but still, could he trust her? Was she just trying to lure him out so she could leave him somewhere to bleed to death? Trying to keep the thought of that from his mind, and isolate her personality from her brother's-- though he didn't know much about either-- Arrow sighed and sat back up. "That would be nice. The evening is a good time to get out of Camp." He mewed thoughtfully, keeping his expression neutral. Early morning and dusk were his personal favorites... night had always had a sort of tense hold on the tom-- perhaps because night was the easiest time to make a kill. The middle of the day? Unless you were in a battle, it seemed like an ill-chosen choice to the brown tom. But the middle of the night just seemed right, somehow. No one would miss the cat. No one would know. And unless they were cared for... no one was ever going to ask about it.

When he relaxed, Ebony found herself relaxing too; carefully letting down her guard. She stilled stayed sitting however as he lowered himself down. His response to her offer was immediately met with back-turned ears and her mood plummeted. It did that sometimes, the smallest thing could flip it this was and that. Sure his answer was an eventual agree, but there was no enthusiasm there. "Don't if you feel forced to." She mumbled grumpily and turned her own ears back. She turned her face away too, avoiding contact as her guard went quickly back up.

Maybe this was another reason that she was so bad at making friends, because of her mood swings. She just never felt in control with others and it made her uncomfortable and quickly unnerved. She tried to keep her temper relatively cool while he had the chance to fix it, her tail tip flicking against the ground at a quick tempo. Though she urged her pelt to lay smooth.