WindClan: Life Before 2023's Fire

[AshtonTheRavenclaw]

Originally Posted by Dux

MumbleNose spun in circles in order to properly observe HeatherPaw race around the Training Moor. His gaze followed the clumps of earth she threw up behind herself, and he spotted the dark dirt that got stuck in her thick fur. After she went around a few times, he decided he's seen enough. ``Great job, HeatherPaw! You can stop now,`` He called out, a proud gleam in his dull green eyes. His apprentice would make an amazing warrior, and with his help, she'd be even better.

``I'm proud of your speed, and I see you can run non-stop without the need to stop for a breath. Those are respectable traits in a WindClan warrior. However, I can make you faster, and your steps lighter. See, if you lower yourself close to the ground - to the point where your belly fur brushes against the ground - then you'll pick up speed. Flatten your ears back in order to fight the wind from getting inside your ears. Stretch your forepaws out further, and made sure that when you press off the ground with your hind paws, they're strong as if you're jumping. Use your paw pads, too, instead of your claws, in order to avoid leaving a track. Your pads are soft, and make no sound. Oh, and narrow your eyes against the wind. The winds get awfully strong out here. If you want to be a WindClan cat, you must be both strong and swift. Your strength makes you swift when it comes to your strides. Here, watch me go around once, and then we'll run together - side by side.`` He didn't await a response before bounding to the border of the Training Moor.

With a brief intake of breath, MumbleNose kicked off the ground with his powerful hind legs, his paw pads pressing against the surface. He started his run with a leap, but the second he hit the ground, he lowered his torso close to the grass, until he felt the stalks tickling his belly. This gave his forearms the ability to reach further than they'd be able to if he were standing. He barely made a sound as he circled the track, the only noises available behind the faint rustle of the grasses. His ears were flattened against his head, and his eyes were narrowed into slits. He released even breaths. He came to a sudden halt by HeatherPaw, his breath even as if he hadn't even been running. ``If you want to keep your breath while running, and after, be sure to focus on your breathing. You must breathe evenly as if you were simply standing there. Don't tense your muscles, because that takes away the energy you can use to breathe. Alright. Any questions before we go for a run around the Training Moor?``

Heatherpaw slowly came to a halt and faced Mumblenose. She payed attention at every word he was saying, noting it in her head. She knew she had to be better. She nodded after he gave her the corrections, to show she understood what she had to do. She watched the long legged warrior start running around the track. Heatherpaw noticed that he was so much faster than she was. She noticed that his claws weren't out, and that his ears were flat against his head. As she watched him run, she saw that his eyes were narrowed into slits and that his torso was close to the grass. When her mentor came to a halt in front of her, Heatherpaw focused on what he was saying. She noted in her head that she had to remember to focus on her breathing as well as her running. "Alright." She replied, ready to start running. "Nope." She replied to his question, then padded over to the edge of the training moor. She reviewed everything in her head as she waited for Mumblenose to start them. She was ready to push off with her hind legs. Before her mentor told her to start, she took a brief intake of breath. Heatherpaw was ready to use what Mumblenose had taught her and prove to her mentor that she could be even faster.

[AbsurdJinx]

MumbleNose admired HeatherPaw's persistence and confidence in perfecting her running. He followed her to the so-called `starting line`. He saw this piece of training as a race, and he was itching to start. He would give this race his all, though, and certainly would not go easy on the she-cat beside him. After the race, he'd order her to go 'round once more simply to better observe her movements. Then they'd move onto something else. A bit of hunting, perhaps. Then if HeatherPaw was still up for it, they'd end the training session with the practice of a single fighting technique.

``Go!`` He shouted, kicking off the earth with his strong hind legs. His paw pads pressed against the surface as he did so, careful not to dig his toes into the ground. Once more, he began his run with a leap, but he lowered himself to the ground the second he felt a solid surface beneath him. He used his paw pads for traction. His ears were folded back, and his eyes were narrowed against the rushing winds that came with the speed. His paws reached out before him, launching him forward every time they hit the ground. His thick stump of a tail whisked behind him. He felt the tips of the grass stalks tickling his belly. He didn't cast a look over his shoulder to study HeatherPaw, knowing it would only slow him down. He could study her position later. The purpose of this race was to study her speed. The purpose of watching her after was to study her position.

[AshtonTheRavenclaw]

Originally Posted by Dux

MumbleNose admired HeatherPaw's persistence and confidence in perfecting her running. He followed her to the so-called `starting line`. He saw this piece of training as a race, and he was itching to start. He would give this race his all, though, and certainly would not go easy on the she-cat beside him. After the race, he'd order her to go 'round once more simply to better observe her movements. Then they'd move onto something else. A bit of hunting, perhaps. Then if HeatherPaw was still up for it, they'd end the training session with the practice of a single fighting technique.

``Go!`` He shouted, kicking off the earth with his strong hind legs. His paw pads pressed against the surface as he did so, careful not to dig his toes into the ground. Once more, he began his run with a leap, but he lowered himself to the ground the second he felt a solid surface beneath him. He used his paw pads for traction. His ears were folded back, and his eyes were narrowed against the rushing winds that came with the speed. His paws reached out before him, launching him forward every time they hit the ground. His thick stump of a tail whisked behind him. He felt the tips of the grass stalks tickling his belly. He didn't cast a look over his shoulder to study HeatherPaw, knowing it would only slow him down. He could study her position later. The purpose of this race was to study her speed. The purpose of watching her after was to study her position.

Heatherpaw heard Mumblenose tell her to start. She used her hind legs to push off, she was careful to keep her claws in. Like Mumblenose, her run started with a leap, but as soon as felt the grass underneath her paws, she lowered herself to the ground. Her eyes were slits and her ears were flat against her head. Her paws were reaching forward, moving her forward when they reached the ground. At first, she was keeping up with him, but then she noticed him ahead of her. She remembered to keep her breaths even. Her fluffy tabby fur was touching the grass blades. Her long fluffy tail was following behind her. She started catching up to him, but wasn't next to him yet. Heatherpaw knew that because Mumblenose had longer legs than her that he would be faster. She pushed with all her strength to catch up, but knew that her mentor was much faster than her. She didn't give up though, and continued to try and be as fast as him. She used the strength of both her front legs and her back legs to run faster. She was so focused on trying to be faster, that she wasn't focused on her breathing and her breaths started to become uneven.

[AbsurdJinx]

Originally Posted by AshtonTheRavenclaw

Heatherpaw heard Mumblenose tell her to start. She used her hind legs to push off, she was careful to keep her claws in. Like Mumblenose, her run started with a leap, but as soon as felt the grass underneath her paws, she lowered herself to the ground. Her eyes were slits and her ears were flat against her head. Her paws were reaching forward, moving her forward when they reached the ground. At first, she was keeping up with him, but then she noticed him ahead of her. She remembered to keep her breaths even. Her fluffy tabby fur was touching the grass blades. Her long fluffy tail was following behind her. She started catching up to him, but wasn't next to him yet. Heatherpaw knew that because Mumblenose had longer legs than her that he would be faster. She pushed with all her strength to catch up, but knew that her mentor was much faster than her. She didn't give up though, and continued to try and be as fast as him. She used the strength of both her front legs and her back legs to run faster. She was so focused on trying to be faster, that she wasn't focused on her breathing and her breaths started to become uneven.

MumbleNose could hear HeatherPaw's labored breathing behind him, and he decided to slow. He slowed to a trot, his torso rising away from the surface. He then stopped completely, spinning on his heel to face his apprentice. ``Okay, that's enough,`` He meowed, a slight smile on his face. He knew HeatherPaw could be a fantastic runner, and it did take longer than a day to get there. They'd practice running - every time at the beginning of training.

``Hmm, your speed is acceptable, but your breathing could use some work. Now, I want you to run the track once more, and then we'll try hunting.``

[AshtonTheRavenclaw]

(Sorry, I gtg. I'll continue when I get back)

[goddess of ducks]

Originally Posted by narwhalgirliv

Woodpecker... Woodpeckerkit now, nodded her head and smiled. "Okay! I am kinda tired." She yawned, "Can I go to bed in the nursery?"
(I'll open up a finder for foster parents)

Singenight dipped his head politely. "Of course. It will be the one straight ahead once you exit." He mewed standing and escorting Woodpeckerkit to the entrance to his den. "I will actually be accompanying you there, Sorrelskip is waiting for me." He said leading the way to the nursery.

[Brunch]

@Nighty @fenic! @Derpple and Ashie @Hexict

Small and fragile, yet lively; the second youngest wasn't the smallest, though not the biggest either. The small newborn tomkit squealed as his mothers tongue gasped over his small form. The younger kit-perhaps the youngest in the nursery now- flailed his paws wildly in the air, his paws hitting his siblings softly. The small kit was one of he three of the litter that looked much like his father; a small Savannah with longer legs. His tan pelt was dappled with black spots that dotted all of his small form. Before so doing up closer to his mother in the warmth of her fur, he gave out one last pitiful new. The young kit found himself in a peaceful sleep, blind and senseless to the world.

[goddess of ducks]

Originally Posted by Derpple and Ashie

The silver she-cat was moving as fast as her aged bones and muscles could take her, but unfortunately in such an interlocked combat with Singenight, trying her best to assist her mate to make up for their rusty skills. However, by trying to keep close, she opened herself up for Singenight's fangs that came directly into her throat with killer intent. The she-cat produced a gargling noise of alarm, paws scrabbling at his face desperately, claws trying to gouge out his pale yellow eyes as blood further stained her beautiful silver coat. Rainsplash cried in terror as he saw such a fatal blow land upon his mate, best friend and true love, and with a fierce yowl he rushed forward to try and rip Singenight from her, so blinded in his desperate fury that he did not consider the possibility that he would only make it worse if Singenight resisted.

Singenight allowed himself to be pulled off the dead cat. He moved quickly though, his youth and strength clearly shown against the older cat. He kicked out behind him, letting his foot knock the wind out of him. He whirled around, clawing at Rainsplash's face. He then took several steps backwards, licking the blood off his lips, and ran forwards, taking a dive under the old cat. He twisted skillfully, and raked his claws through the cats belly, blood pouring from the open wound. As he stood up in the other side, blood, a mix of both his own and the two elders, staining his normally tan and black spotted fur. He looked like a mess at the moment, like he should be dead due to the amount of blood on his pelt. Although he had come out victorious, he felt felt exhausted and tired, only wanting to go rest with his mate.

[goddess of ducks]

@Derpple and Ashie @fenic! @Hexict @Cloudy
The small Black and Tan kit, wiggled in a shift to get more comfortable and warm. The cold air that still seeped in through the cracks lapped at her nearly bare skin. Her skin was colored though, and indication of her future pelt color. She looked nearly the exact opposite of her father. A black main coat, with tan highlights, stripes and splotches. Her ears and eyes remained closed, sealing out some of the leaf bare wind, thankfully. She squirmed again, this time her front paws hitting something warm and solid. She stretched out her other tiny paw and began kneading, not aware that it was the brindled sibling kit beside her.
(Btw, that would be Brindlekit she's currently kneading)

[Derpple and Ashie]

Originally Posted by Nighty

Singenight allowed himself to be pulled off the dead cat. He moved quickly though, his youth and strength clearly shown against the older cat. He kicked out behind him, letting his foot knock the wind out of him. He whirled around, clawing at Rainsplash's face. He then took several steps backwards, licking the blood off his lips, and ran forwards, taking a dive under the old cat. He twisted skillfully, and raked his claws through the cats belly, blood pouring from the open wound. As he stood up in the other side, blood, a mix of both his own and the two elders, staining his normally tan and black spotted fur. He looked like a mess at the moment, like he should be dead due to the amount of blood on his pelt. Although he had come out victorious, he felt felt exhausted and tired, only wanting to go rest with his mate.

"Swiftbreeze!" Yowled Rainsplash, so focused on his mate as she faded from life, that he did not see Singenight's attack. The pain of his belly being torn asunder was nothing compared to watching his mate die, Swiftbreeze reaching so softly out towards him as her final breaths escaped her. He collapsed forward, and crawled along his bleeding belly towards her. "Swiftbreeze..." He gasped raggedly, struggling to stay in the land of the living any further. "I'm so sorry," he hissed through clenched teeth, blood trickling out between his fangs as he at last reached her. "I'm so sorry. I failed you again."

She smiled at him with cloudy eyes, and a death rattle escaped her. Infernostrike's cry rose through the camp as Rainsplash grew still as well, and the russet she-cat rushed forward to embrace her slain friends, her heart aching with fire.