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Post by C!NDERDUST on Aug 4, 2010 8:02:36 GMT -5
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The sun was just setting on the WindClan camp, bathing the moors in beautiful golden light. Cinderdust made her way back home, feeling her paws dragging against the scraggly grass. The events of the day came flooding back, and she nearly stopped and turned around. She didn't want to go back, but Stripestar had made it clear that he wanted an explanation, and she had to give it to him. He was the leader, afterall.
But sometimes he could be so darn thickheaded that he didn't see what was going on! He always had been, at least towards her. But this time it had been different, completely. He had no right to embarrass her in front of Hawkstar, a leader from another Clan. That was what had set her off, and why she had spent the last part of her day wandering around.
At least she had something to show for it. The gray medicine cat had collected some herbs on her journey, which were clamped tightly in her jaws. She didn't even flinch at the tangy scent, however, and kept steadily on, even though her heart was screaming to go back. To where? Wherever was far away. Wherever she wouldn't have to see Stripestar or Hawkstar again. Wherever she could just be alone.
But she was a medicine cat. She had to serve her Clan, because her Clan came first. Thinking back to the other medicine cats of the other Clans, Cinderdust sighed inwardly. They seemed to know what they were doing. Even Brittlebreeze, who was new to this, just like her. So why was she having so much trouble with this dream?
The camp came into her emerald sights all too soon. She gazed down at the hidden brambles, trying to still her racing heart, before she headed down towards them. Her tail was low and her ears were down - she was trying to sneak in before anyone could see her and ask her where she had been.
"hello there," she nodded to the guard, feeling her fur prickling in embarrassment as she straightened and passed. She hurried into her den in record time, throwing the herbs down before stalking over to the pool of crystal water in the far corner. Cinderdust breathed heavily, feeling her pulse racing, and tried to regain her confidence. It wouldn't be hard - she was a pretty and clever cat that many others looked up to. Except for the one that mattered.
Stripestar would have to come sooner or later. The young medicine cat frowned as she strolled out of her den, trying to formulate some kind of sentence that would simultaneously explain why she was talking to Hawkstar and why she hadn't told him about the prophecy yet. But nothing came to mind. Cursing herself at the sight of the lichen that covered Stripestar's den, Cinderdust poked her head through, cautiously, as though afraid he might bite.
He wasn't there. Wherever he was, she was glad. It gave her a few extra moments to calm herself. Sighing, Cinderdust sank to the ground and rested her head on her paws, closing her eyes. For several long heartbeats, nothing stirred. And then, the arrival of the tabby leader made her heart stop, and she straightened to her paws, emerald eyes calculating and wary, tail wrapped around her tiny paws.
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Stripestar
don't kill her, please. :3
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Post by stripebird on Aug 18, 2010 19:59:20 GMT -5
His pawsteps were swift as he slipped soundlessly over the open moorland; he was a mock imitation of the wind. His course beige fur a blur as he moved and his brilliant olive gaze locked straight ahead, squinted ever so slightly against the strength of the breeze. Stripestar felt the squall buffet his short coat, tantalizing fingers running smoothly amidst his skin, stroking his back and looping his fluttering thick tail; it trailed behind him like a cape. All the while, he couldn’t help his thoughts as they trailed backwards, replaying the images on and on through his mind. What if Cinderdust were in his den right now waiting for him? Would she be angry or sad? What about his own reaction? Should he be angry or sad? Or neither? Should he be indifferent to the entire situation…? Maybe he could pretend he didn’t know anything, or didn’t remember. Maybe he could pretend he fell and hit his head on a rock, just maybe. He didn’t want to face her, because he knew that he’d lose whatever argument the future beheld; he loved her too much to fight to win, with her, at least. Perhaps she was in her own den sorting through herbs, or tending to poultices.
The tom pictured the pretty gray tabby dabbing ointments on fresh wounds, mixing ingredients together on the face of a jade leaf; as unusual as it was, he found it comfortingly familiar. He didn’t want his curiosity to ruin their friendship; his mistake for eavesdropping to be exact… though if he hadn’t, then who was to say when he would have figured out the prophecy? WindClan could have been doomed without their Medicine cat to report the omens from StarClan. That made him angry, but the waves quickly subsided into guilt and concern. He had to save his Clan, that was all that really mattered.
Approaching camp, his pace dawdled gradually. If she were there, what would she say to him? Bile rose in the back of his throat, and he swallowed it down as quickly as he could. He didn’t need to be nervous, because there were reasons why what he had done had been both good and bad; he knew he wasn’t the only one at fault, so whatever Cinderdust would say to him, if she would say anything at all, perchance she was indeed in camp, he had a right to defend himself. Surprisingly, her scent was fresh on the entrance of his den; just as he had foreseen, he hesitated before he slipped delicately inside. Silence greeted him, but then a dark figure shuffled and shifted, sitting up straight in the stuffy gloom. The tom cleared his throat, averting his eyes away as he continued forwards into the very heart beneath the flatrock. “Were you waiting for me?” He asked quietly, his emotions concealed. He didn’t want her to get the first blow in; because he felt bad enough as it was… he just didn’t want to surrender to his guilt or regret, because what she did made him very upset. That didn’t change anything.
“Hawkstar kindly indulged me with the knowledge I lacked, I don’t think you need to explain anything anymore. I already know.” He spoke very steely, as a matter-of-factly. Turning away from her, he wrapped his tail around the front of his paws. It hurt him to even think about it. To reimage the Clan a blood bath, cats struggling to free themselves from their own land, only to be ripped backwards by enemy claws… Stripestars stomach curled at the vision; he winced to himself.
“Though, what are we going to do? About this prophecy, about RiverClan… ?” Glancing at her, he uttered the words in defeat. He was WindClans leader, but he couldn’t possibly know how to solve all of these conundrum questions… Impossible, that’s what it was.
But they knew, StarClan did. They were barred from saying anything further to the pale tabby tom and the gray she-cat because he they had to figure the answers out themselves. But what if they learned the truth too late? Would their efforts and arguments be in vain? He didn’t want to fight with Cinderdust for many reasons, that being one of them. It was a waste, and they couldn’t work together if they were at each other’s throats.
It was because StarClan had faith in them. Their faith gave him courage in turn; it wasn’t entirely impossible.
He hoped it was enough. He really did.
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Post by C!NDERDUST on Aug 19, 2010 20:29:16 GMT -5
The sound of pawsteps, the flash of light, the faded pelt that glowed in the setting sun. His eyes flicked towards hers, before averting in the light of her flaming emerald gaze. Guilt.
"were you waiting for me?" His voice was cautiously concealed, but she knew him too well. He was open to her, as open as the moors she loved. She could read him easily. But she didn't have to. She could see it in his eyes. Regret.
He continued in her silence. “hawkstar kindly indulged me with the knowledge i lacked, i don’t think you need to explain anything anymore. i already know.” That made her job a whole lot easier. Her face remained clear of emotion or surprise. She had expected it to play out as such. Stripestar's voice was cool and distant, and she felt a distance between them, almost a hurting feeling. It dug deep into her heart, but she pushed the pain away and regained control of her emotions.
"i'll be sure to thank hawkstar when i see him, then," she meowed softly, refusing to look at her leader. Instead, she studied the way her tail lay gently on her small paws, the tiny flecks of dust that sprinkled the gray fur, the ivory claws that glittered beneath the shadowy pelt. She shivered slightly, recalling the prophecy.
“though, what are we going to do? about this prophecy, about riverclan… ?” his voice was wrapped in defeat, his eyes clouded with confusion. Still, the gray medicine cat stood her ground and kept her distance. She bit her tongue to keep from asking him, we?
"time will tell," she muttered, her voice sweet as always. She looked at him now, allowing him to see the hurt in her gaze, and the sadness in her heart. And finally, the fear in her mind. "before the witching hour ascends, the clans must unite to fend off this malevolent misfortune." A slight shiver ran up her spine, perhaps from the dank chill of the still air beneath the flatrock, or perhaps something more sinister. She gave a small sigh of defeat, suddenly feeling weary. How easy it would be to give up now.
But they wouldn't. For the sake of the forest, and the sake of the Clan, they couldn't. This was their destiny - to beat this threat, or die trying.
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Post by stripebird on Aug 19, 2010 22:44:16 GMT -5
The feeling of her presence comforted him, even if he felt very stiff and awkward after the earlier incident. How could she ever forgive him? More importantly, how could he forgive himself? Whilst he took it upon his own shoulders to take the blame for what happened, a small cruel and calculative part of him argued that she was just as guilty. Every part of her was beautiful, even her anger. It was bittersweet to experience, but coming from him, Stripestar, it made him love her all the more. He never thought much about it, but their love was a forbidden taboo that could never happen. They could never be together. Despite the lack of exchange on that subjects behalf, they both already knew it. Ever since she trailed down the path of a Medicine cat, it drilled the restrictions into stone that she could never be his, no matter how much he wanted her. How much she... made him weak inside.
He looked dully onwards, listening to her voice as she spoke. It was like a calm stream washing over warm stones... smooth, and like honey. Like his. time will tell, she murmured, and Cinderdusts words struck a pang in his chest. He glanced up towards her, locking gazes. It was evident that she felt nearly the same way he did, that she loved him and wanted him too; suffering because she couldn't have him. It took all of his strength not to press himself against her, or make his affections clear... that was against the code, and it defied all rules of StarClan. His heart was torn in two, between following the orders of his intellect mind, and doing what he knew was wrong. As they sat there for minutes that seemed like forever, the gray tabby's next words were spoken in a chilling manner. His brow narrowed; vivid olive and golden flecked depths suddenly darkened once more as the macabre images flickered on behind his gaze. before the witching hour ascends, the clans must unite to fend off this malevolent misfortune. It was just as Hawkstar had said, the Clans must unite or die, lest this oncoming evil destroy them one by one...
In the dead of night, whails and cries of pain and horror overriding the wind... shadows stalking the hollow, circling it; enemies digging their claws into the innocent. He winced again, imagining that the horrified shrieks were filling his memory for moons to come. Stripestar couldn't imagine how Cinderdust felt, having been there at the Moonstone, getting a personal letter from StarClan themselves... when she sighed, he took it upon himself to console her. Sliding closer like a soundless specter, he stood before her firmly. How else would he get this off of this chest? It was now or never, if they didn't survive the wicked trap that lay ahead. For a heartbeat, he said nothing. He only inhaled her herb-tinted scent, and let their warmth banter there as they convened beneath the stone ceiling. "Cinderdust," he started, his intonation unusually rigid, "I'll protect you no matter what this prophecy foretells of, you know that." He murmured then, and then he snickered. Remembering when they were young, when he and Kestrelpaw would frolic in the meadow, and roll and tackle each other. When there was only those few happy moments that were filled with only bliss and enjoyment; the way he looked at her, and the way she looked back.
"I always did, didn't I? And now that you're our Medicine cat, and I'm our Leader, nothing's going to change..." His moonstones glazed over in a subtle moisture; he leaned back, looming over her fragile, delicate body. Spit it out! - I can't! The words are stuck! "We can never... be together, but I can still love you and keep you safe," To speak the truth hurt more than to think it, or know it even without dialogue. He sighed, his shoulders rolling back as he stretched just slightly. He blinked, before he rasped his tongue over her forehead. "Kestrelwing will watch over us."
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Post by C!NDERDUST on Aug 21, 2010 12:18:50 GMT -5
Stripestar looked at her then, his green eyes intense. The young medicine cat glanced away, not sure if she was ready for it. Her feelings for Stripestar had always been clear, but now that she was a medicine cat, nothing could ever happen between them. She wasn't sure if she was upset or glad about that.
"i'll protect you no matter what this prophecy foretells of, you know that." His voice was serious, as was his intention. A shiver ran down Cinderdust's back. She didn't like thinking about what could have happened between them, and she didn't intent to start now. She had always been good at keeping her heart in check, especially when her mind was so set on becoming a medicine cat. It was no different now. Her ears swiveled forward as he chuckled, and disappointment gripped her heart. This was no laughing matter. The Clan was in danger, and they had to stay focused.
"i always did, didn't i?" he was still speaking. Cinderdust stared ahead, trying to keep calm. "and now that you're our medicine cat, and i'm our leader, nothing's going to change . . . " He had to stop. This was going too far. "we can never . . . be together, but i can still love you and keep you safe." He was done. The gray queen's heart was beating so slowly that she could barely feel its presence.
"i think the Clan needs more protecting than i do," she murmured, looking at her paws. It wasn't that she didn't love him. It was that she loved him as a brother, as a best friend. The time for true love was over, a thing of the past, when they were young and life was easy. This was different. They knew what they had to do, the warrior code, the way of the Clans. This would never work. She hoped he would feel the same way. He would find another she-cat, one who could love him back, and he would be happy.
He gave her a quick lick on the forehead, and she blinked uncomfortably. At the mention of Kestrelwing's name, she closed her eyes, recalling the handsome warrior who had fallen for her sister. Suddenly struck by sadness, she edged away towards the entrance. "i should go and see if silentbreeze is awake," She dipped her head in his direction, before giving herself a mental shake and heading out of the den. It was too soon for all of this. She wasn't ready. It was too fast.
Blinking back tears, the young queen moved across the clearing, head bowed and tail dragging, disappearing into her stony cave.
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Post by stripebird on Aug 22, 2010 21:11:24 GMT -5
He was instantly aware of how far away she seemed just then, like she hated the topic of the old days, and hated him for mentioning it. Confusion clouded his narrowed spring green gaze, and he glanced away, feeling the sting of rejection. He knew already that a Medicine cat was forbidden to love, but didn't she see the truth when it sat so proudly before her eyes... ? He admitted evidently to her never having a mate, and it never being him; what more did he have to say? They were best friends now; they had to help WindClan as much as possible. Frustrated, Stripestar itched to dig his claws into his den floor. To see the hardened soil give way beneath the strength of his blows; he couldn't find the will within him, however. i think the Clan needs more protecting than i do, her murmured words echoed in the back of his mind; the way she averted her equal depths to her dainty paws made his stomach lurch. The pale tabby oriental wanted to further comfort her; his thoughts a whirlwind of regret and anguish as he recalled every moment of his life, all of the memories he shared with Cinderdust.
They were painful, but they were also beautiful. He was glad he'd never forgotten them. i should go and check on daisyfield, she suddenly mewed quietly, and like a specter, she glided out of his shady den soundlessly. He didn't look at her as she went, he was too occupied with his thoughts. They flickered about, recollecting past pains that had amounted to much more than this. How Sapphirepaw died for him, because she loved him like no other. How he grieved, but told her through his heart and mind, wherever in the stars was she watching; that she'd been a RiverClan she-cat, and he could never have loved her more than a best friend. He could never force himself to betray the warrior code for her, because it meant too much to him in turn. He wondered if she forgave him. Then of his sister, who he'd been close with, who died treating the ill...
He blinked abruptly, allowing the hampered sigh to finally break past his dry lips. Ears falling backwards, he slouched in the darkest corner. These revelations hurt worse than any flesh wound. They gnawed at his insides, clotting his spirit with their incurable poison. Cinderdust, don't lie to yourself. Don't hide the truth from yourself.
Before the witching hour ascends, the clans must unite to fend off this malevolent misfortune. The prophecy rang once more in his ears, and he shivered. It chilled him to the mallow of his bones. The witching hour. He was dumbstruck for the moment; his usually pensive contemplation quiet and disturbed.
-- END -- ooc; I just edited the Silentbreeze stuff. xD Hope you don't mind.
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