ShadowClan Life Before Destruction

[fresh]

[ @thegayagenda ]

A smoky figure exited the medicine den, her eyelids drooping. Whether it was from sadness or exhaustion, she wasn't sure. Probably a mix of both. The recent conflict was certainly taking a toll on her, and she was reverting back to her old mask. Everything's fine. I'm not having an argument with the cat that literally saved my life. I'm not staying up all night wondering why I exist in this world if all I do is hurt people. Saying the words seemed to labor her breathing once more. Flashpaw made a feeble attempt to shake the weariness from her features and sat in the center of the clearing, gazing up at the sinking sun. StarClan can fix anything, she recalled her mother saying once. Then why can't they fix me?

[fresh]

[ @Mauve ]

A breeze ruffled the pine needles above the pair of cats as they walked towards the training ground. The larger of the felines was in the lead slightly, his head raised. Despite normally having a pessimistic outlook on life, he was more than grateful to have an apprentice of his own. The little prankster was proving to be a challenge, but she was nice enough, as he'd tell his few friends. What he wouldn't say was that he really had a soft spot for the she-cat, especially considering how old he was getting. Maybe he really was getting soft in his old age. Crowheart had been a senior warrior for a while now. It made him uncomfortable, thinking about far he'd gotten. And he still didn't have a mate. Not that anyone else knew; Mousenose would never forgive him for spilling that secret. It was too monumental. But cats would start asking questions soon about why they hadn't had any kits yet, and the tom was not looking forward to that predicament. At least for right now he could sit and enjoy a simple training session with his apprentice.

[gemini]

@Checkmate
Thrushpaw tumbled back into the den her pelt was dusty and a bit matted she shook her head she hated her long pelt it was always so hard to clean it and it’s long strands. Her grey eyes instantly shot to her nest she walked over to it tired. She sat down and began to groom her chestfur Pineear has been working her very hard the past few days and she had one her first battle against him though her grey eyes were clearly tired they were cheerful, after she finished her grooming she would have to grab some prey and share toungs with another apprentice, she started to finish the orange spot on her chest and look a bit better.

[The Cannibal]

Originally Posted by Brilliance

Pearcloud didn’t think anybody had the right to be grumpy...at least, in her oblivious mind she didn’t think too much about it. She didn’t understand what could be on this tom’s nerves, but she was still smiling and happy like he haven’t said a hurtful thing to her. Honestly, his frustration went over her head - like almost everything. She didn’t process words too quickly, and no cat should dare lecture her about anything because she honestly wouldn’t wrap her head around it. ‘’As long as mother nature keeps ya living, then why do ya have a reason to act so grumpy all the time?’’ She asked, kittishly, genuinely curious. Her mind believed in the gods of mother nature. Although, she couldn’t deny the fact that this ‘starclan’ that these cats be fussing over sounds remarkable as well. She wondered if the stars actually do talk, and if they do, how do one get into contact with them? Pearcloud’s head jerked back momentarily, but not because of this tom’s obvious attitude. Her nose had wiggled, not understanding his question. She scratched her ear with the back of her hind leg - like a dog, a quirk of hers she usually done when she was confused about something. ‘’No. I don’t think I thought about it…’’ She slowly set her leg done, blinking at him with a tilt of her head. ‘’Should I think about why ya might not want to do that?’’ She was genuine with her questions, despite not knowing if that sounded stupid to ask or not. ‘’Oh, oh! I might know the answer to that though…’’ Her tail flicked side to side happily for a bit, ‘’Because I’m a stranger and I’ve always been told to not talk to strangers, but some strangers can be really kind. Ya should neva judge a cat at first glance.’’ She nodded dutifully, as if she told him a good life lesson to know. If Pearcloud knew anything, it was that. Although, she should define herself as a minimum hypocrite because she usually always found herself bouncily talking to some stranger she hardly knew. ‘’But, I’m Pearcloud! So, now I’m not a stranger! And, we can be friends now!’’
Just as his gaze had flicked to his scar, so did her gaze, wanting to get a good look at it, but her expression had grimaced. Her eyes widened - if that was even possible. As he began telling the story, and she laid there, appearing interested in what he had to say. Pearcloud loved being told stories. Sometimes she would sit with the kits around the elders of whoever was telling them. She was quite creative herself, adoring telling imaginative stories of fantasies of the forest to whoever was willing to listen. Of course, the story was short, but nonetheless Pearcloud’s eyes looked a bit frightened. ‘’A badger…? Oh, boy! That musta been really sick!’’ She exclaimed, hopping onto four paws immediately, her tail swaying vigorously. ‘’Pinefeather…? Sorry ‘bout your lost. No wonder ya so hurt. Losin’ a friend doesn’t sound like fun.’’ She frowned, her ears pinned to her head for a moment. Who didn’t get sad when a death was mentioned? She couldn’t imagine what it must had felt like to lose a good friend of hers. ‘’Death sounds pretty scary...but, I bet this Pinefeather is appreciative that you kicked that ‘ole badger’s butt like no tomorrow, huh?’’ She was bubbly, trying to be optimistic, even if the tom found her nature to be a bit frustrating. Only for him to snap at her again, and she jerked back once more from his combative tone. Albeit, it didn’t hurt her feelings. She didn’t look bothered by it at all, simply blinking large blue eyes at him like she was confused by what he meant by that. ‘’Do ya think he’s in this ‘Starclan’ everyone keeps on mentioning?’’ She asked, wondering slightly if this tom had faith in Starclan as well. Pearcloud was easily convinced to believe that the stars were dead cats - it sounded interesting, like some old fable for kits, but in her mind, it also sounded vividly true. There were plenty of stars in the sky...so, didn’t that make the sky a cemetery?

It didn't happen all of the time, but from time to time, Badgersong got a headache due to frustration, particularly frustration with other cats. And he could feel one coming up now, gripping the sides of his head and making his jaws hurt as it appeared he was clenching them together too tight. "For reasons a cat as ignorant as you couldn't possibly understand. Everything must be sunshine and butterflies in your skull, you wouldn't know the first thing about the moons I've seen and the pain and grief I've felt. I have plenty of reason to act the way I do and I'm not wasting my breath on explaining it to you anymore. It's not coming to any use it appears." Brows furrowed in his increased agitation again, his claws would hook into the soft ground. He needed to calm down and stop getting so frustrated with her, but he was beginning to feel as if he couldn't help it. It felt impossible to deal with cats like her without getting frustrated and agitated. Perhaps that's why his sons never saw him as a good father despite being a loyal and dedicated warrior for Shadowclan.
"Of course you didn't think about it. And no. Maybe I don't want to share it with you because you have no business knowing about it. I'm not obligated to share my life story with anybody. If I don't feel like sharing with anybody then that's it. It's my right." The tip of his tail quivered, as if he were trying to decide to get angry any further with her trying to teach him some sort of lesson. She did not have the seniority to teach him, if anything she should try to be taking notes from him.
"Friends. Hmph. Yeah." The black and white tom just made a bitter face and shook his head. "I'm not looking to be friends with you. Or anybody for that matter."
Regardless though, he still shared the story of his scar, perhaps the only story of his past that he would ever tell others. He wouldn't bring to light his previous mate, how she left the clan to become a loner, leaving their two sons here, how one of his sons went missing moons ago and how he's left with only one son who hated him. How he himself constantly tried to prove himself to his father, only to continuously be ignored right up until his fathers death. It was as if his father didn't even know his name. How his mother was more interested in talking to the other queens rather than caring for her only son. He wouldn't share that with anyone, he hardly liked to acknowledge it himself.
A small frown would touch his muzzle at her excitement of hearing about the badger. The story may have been exciting for her, but to Badgersong, it only reminded him of why it was so hard to walk now, and the memory of losing a friend. "It's not," he murmured, looking away. It was a pain he wished for no cat to feel. "He'd probably jab at me for getting this scar, saying I should have jumped out of the way. He was always pushing me to do better and I would do the same for him." His eyes glossed for a moment and the beginnings of a smile would touch his muzzle before it would quickly dissipate again. "Of course he is." There was a flicker of the familiar anger in his gaze as he focused on her again, annoyed that she would even suggest that there was any other fate for his deceased friend.

[thegayagenda]

Originally Posted by blue jellie

[ @thegayagenda ]

A smoky figure exited the medicine den, her eyelids drooping. Whether it was from sadness or exhaustion, she wasn't sure. Probably a mix of both. The recent conflict was certainly taking a toll on her, and she was reverting back to her old mask. Everything's fine. I'm not having an argument with the cat that literally saved my life. I'm not staying up all night wondering why I exist in this world if all I do is hurt people. Saying the words seemed to labor her breathing once more. Flashpaw made a feeble attempt to shake the weariness from her features and sat in the center of the clearing, gazing up at the sinking sun. StarClan can fix anything, she recalled her mother saying once. Then why can't they fix me?

The dark grey cat made his way out to the clearing. He lowered his body to the ground in a crouch, preparing to pounce onto a stick for practice. Something moved to his left, and he whipped his head to face it. A giant beetle flew into his face, he let out a loud yelp and fell onto his back, pawing at it as if he was trying to scratch the sky. He jumped back up quickly and glanced around to make sure no one had seen it. His gaze rested on FlashPaw, she was sitting around, probably pondering life. She's always so depressed. I bet I can cheer her up though. He regained his composure and puffed out his chest proudly. SagePaw approached her slowly, then sat down about a tails length away from her. She either didn't notice him or didn't care. "So. Rough day, huh?" He flicked his tail onto the ground, trying to ignore the awkward haze that hung around them.

[Leucos]

Originally Posted by Ripple

@Checkmate
Thrushpaw tumbled back into the den her pelt was dusty and a bit matted she shook her head she hated her long pelt it was always so hard to clean it and it’s long strands. Her grey eyes instantly shot to her nest she walked over to it tired. She sat down and began to groom her chestfur Pineear has been working her very hard the past few days and she had one her first battle against him though her grey eyes were clearly tired they were cheerful, after she finished her grooming she would have to grab some prey and share toungs with another apprentice, she started to finish the orange spot on her chest and look a bit better.

Daturapaw grumbled and flicked her ears as her eyes slowly opened ,she was currently curled up in a ball on her mossbed,she was exhausted from the heat and the frustration . Her ice blue orbs scan the area ,her vision hazy and foggy before they cleared and settled on another fellow apprentice who looked exhausted as well , is that....thrushpaw? wow...She doesn't look with it either . Wonder what's she been up to? . She huffed and blinked her eyes to clear her vision again even though it was as clear as it was gonna get.

Her nose twitched as she opened her mouth but when she did she grunted yet again because of how dry her mouth felt it was like a desert. She cleared her throat and licked the inside of her cheeks and the roof of her mouth to get rid of that feeling which it seemed to have worked. With a flick of her her tail she opened her mouth once again " you look like a cat that's come back from the dead.....not that I look any better...what you been up to? " she asked with a tilt of her head .

[gemini]

Originally Posted by Checkmate

Daturapaw grumbled and flicked her ears as her eyes slowly opened ,she was currently curled up in a ball on her mossbed,she was exhausted from the heat and the frustration . Her ice blue orbs scan the area ,her vision hazy and foggy before they cleared and settled on another fellow apprentice who looked exhausted as well , is that....thrushpaw? wow...She doesn't look with it either . Wonder what's she been up to? . She huffed and blinked her eyes to clear her vision again even though it was as clear as it was gonna get.

Her nose twitched as she opened her mouth but when she did she grunted yet again because of how dry her mouth felt it was like a desert. She cleared her throat and licked the inside of her cheeks and the roof of her mouth to get rid of that feeling which it seemed to have worked. With a flick of her her tail she opened her mouth once again " you look like a cat that's come back from the dead.....not that I look any better...what you been up to? " she asked with a tilt of her head .

She looked up at another apprentices voice and scoffed 'Battle training," Her fur was looking a bit more... normal. Her long fur was clearly in no rush to dry of after a thro grooming "And you.. you look good compared to me" She mewed with a small yawn. Her belly growled she thought that even Daturapaw could hear it.
She looked around again her gray eyes looking less like a low hanging for and more of a clear gray river. She gave a long stretch, and looked over at her "Why do you look so rough?" She looked at her eye to eye and yawned again, her long calico pelt slicked against her from grooming so mutch

[graves]

Originally Posted by Spirit

Ears flickering towards the voice straight away, Moondancer quickly turned towards her former apprentice as soon as they approached her. Seemingly relieved, the molly lit up just a tiny tad. "Daydream! I was worried you were busy.." She'd exclaim at first, before taking a tiny step back, perhaps a bit surprised at her own desperate voice. Sitting down properly now, her paws were still constantly pawing at the ground nervously.
Daydream, having known Moondancer for quite a while by now, would perhaps be able to notice that the molly's belly was just a tiny bit bigger than usual.
"I.. I think I'm okay. I'm just worried - I believe I'm expecting another litter.. But everything went wrong with my former kits.."
She'd mumble, lowering her head and ears. Her first kit, Wolfpaw, had died in a skirmish. And her second litter wasn't much better, with only one or two still alive, the rest either disappeared or killed, even she didn't know at this point.
Taking a few milliseconds to sit with her head lowered, she looked back up at Daydream with worry in her eyes. This time, it was mentor asking apprentice for help, and the molly seemed a tad embarrassed of this, having been used to being the one to train Daydream and have them ask her for advice, many moons ago.

ah. another litter. daydream sat next to the molly, listening to her every word. time did pass quickly, daydream was full grown yet still was smaller than their ex mentor, but the age still remained. she was now expecting another litter? that was something to be excited about. "as a medicine cat we study both the body and the mind," they hummed in response, their tone calm and confident,"i have seen cats who were subjected to death walk out from my den full healed and fine because theyve had the spirit to keep going," they mewed for example, "if you believe your kitting will go terrible, then it will, its the definition of a negative self fulfilling phocephy," they explained. they couldnt help but think like a medicine cat all the time, its what they were and always would be deep down. but now that was out of the way, they could comfort her. "what im saying is.. have hope. its okay to be discouraged or worried, but i have a good feeling about this." they said gently, "plus youve got the best medicine cats in all the clans caring for your every need this time, ill try my best that it all goes smoothly."

@blue jellie
the walk back from the meeting had been nothing but tense silence. it had been the only time daydream had been distinctly aggravated at flashpaw. despite what other cats said about them, they actually had alot of patience and understanding, especially towards flashpaw because they understood clearly what she was going through. but after that.. they just couldnt understand. being able to look heatherfur in the eye and say that riverclan deserves a war. heatherfur - the very cat flashpaw had been training aside for moons. had gotten to know, had basically been raised around through her apprenticeship. it left a bitter taste in their mouth at the mention of her disloyalty. they didnt speak for most of the walk, unless it was small talk like "almost there" or "right turn" and such. besides that, nothing but the crunch of leaves filled the air as they entered camp together.

[graves]

Originally Posted by Ripple

She lied down and began too lick her fur, "I was battle training with Blurflame then she accidentally unshelthed her claws and hit my ear." She was taking deep breaths too distract herself. the wound had started too sting a bit

@king kaleb!

daydream plucked some goldenrod from their herb stash, taking the golden petals into their mouth and starting to chew them. "ah, training accident," they said outloud, voice slightly muffled from the herbs in their mouth, walking over to the feline. they would lick the herb juice onto her ear in an attempt to sooth the would and clean it at the same time. they started to lick at her cut ear, the flesh still red and irritated, licking the goldenrod poultice into the would so it would sink in.

[fresh]

Originally Posted by thegayagenda

The dark grey cat made his way out to the clearing. He lowered his body to the ground in a crouch, preparing to pounce onto a stick for practice. Something moved to his left, and he whipped his head to face it. A giant beetle flew into his face, he let out a loud yelp and fell onto his back, pawing at it as if he was trying to scratch the sky. He jumped back up quickly and glanced around to make sure no one had seen it. His gaze rested on FlashPaw, she was sitting around, probably pondering life. She's always so depressed. I bet I can cheer her up though. He regained his composure and puffed out his chest proudly. SagePaw approached her slowly, then sat down about a tails length away from her. She either didn't notice him or didn't care. "So. Rough day, huh?" He flicked his tail onto the ground, trying to ignore the awkward haze that hung around them.

The medicine cat apprentice jumped a little as a voice from a little while away from her spoke. At his question she fidgeted a bit, not sure how to answer, eventually deciding on the truth. "It's been a bot of a rough week, really," she admitted, her tail swishing against the dirt laden earth. Flashpaw assumed that the apprentice knew about the vision that all the medicine dats had had and all the recent tension it had caused. If anything, whatever StarClan was trying to do was making it worse. Maybe if they didn't interfere so much, a lot of these problems wouldn't have happened. Sounds like something Daydream would say, her mind taunted, but she shoved the thought away. Now wasn't the time.