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Post by frosty on Dec 14, 2010 15:59:01 GMT -5
A lone she-cat padded through the winter wonderland, desparate to escape the DustClan camp. With each step, she sunk to about her knees. And everytime she sunk, she spat a cruse. Oh, how Flickerstorm hated the snow. Sure, it was nice to look at but it was a pain in the tail to actually walk, hunt, fight, patrol - hell, it was hard to do anything in the snow.
But she'd much rather be out here, braving the snow and ice, than in camp. Everything reminded her of Pantherfoot, and how he was cruelly taken away from her. The one shot she'd had at happiness again, and it was gone. How she hated fate! And StarClan. And MarshClan. And Hawkstar. And the sick, twisted deaths of her daughters. And her prying sons, Cougarheart, Beechtail, and Gravelpelt. No, that was a lie. She was frustrated with her sons for not minding their own business, but truthfully she needed help. Shecouldn't keep living in a shadow. She had to move on with her life and to be honest, for once in her life, she was actually happy they had been looking out for her. Her thee brave sons had talked her off the ledge of a very bad idea, and it was because of them that she was where she was now.
Where was she now, you might ask? The Meadow. Flickerstorm had no idea whether or not she was in MarshClan territory or DustClan territory anymore. All she knew is that she was very, very far from DustClan's camp.
An errie wind sighed over the land, stirring up powerdy snow and violently whipping it through the area. Flickerstorm clenched her pale blue eyes shut and lowered her body against the ground, flinching at the cold that seeped through her thin belly fur. She really should be getting back to camp. But alas, she was weakened by the frigid weather, coupled with the lack of prey and sick cats in camp. How bad could it be to die of hypothermia at this point? It might be better than living the life she was now.
Wait - what was she thinking? Flickerstorm was no quitter? She would push onwards, and find a plump, juicy piece of prey to bring back to camp with her! Putting her game face on, Flickerstorm continued to trek through the icy terrain.
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Post by Dawn on Dec 14, 2010 18:44:14 GMT -5
Starlingstorm padded through MarshClan territory, snow flecked his brown tabby pelt. His large, strong, broad shoulders pushed through the frosted, close growing plants. His large amber eyes scanned the near barren landscape.
The marsh was nearly frozen underneath his paws and cold liquid seeped up around his pads. The cold sent chills up his paws but he ignored it. It was either this or stay in the camp where things were constantly going downhill with Hawkstar.
Starlingstorm padded on through the snow resolutely, only half heartedly scenting for prey. There was none to be found around here anyway, he knew that. He just wanted to be alone and think for a while. Simple thought. What a luxury.
He was near the meadow now, which was near the DustClan border. He may as well keep an eye around there too, who knew how this wearther was affecting the other Clans; and who knew if they would chance a hunt in MarshClan territory.
Suddenly his stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes fixed on a tricolored pelt. It was Flickerstorm, her pelt was obvious. The last time he had seen her had been at the gathering when she had tried to attack Batstream. The memory still brought flickering anger to him and his eyes narrowed.
He started forward then, walking purposefully down towards her. "Flickerstorm, what are you doing on MarshClan territory?"
[/color] He called to her, his voice clear and audible in the crisp wintery air. He stopped a good few fox lenghts before her, his eyes narrowed, as he awaited her answer. He took in her profile then, realizing grudgingly that she was good looking. Her eyes sparkled like green-leaf sky and her pelt was sleek and shiny. He half growled inwardly at himself, realizing that his mind was partially wandering from the true point. He came back to himself, and ignored his small voice that wanted him to not attack her. She was trespassing on his Clan's territory, that was against the warrior code and while Birchstar may allow her daughter to slide by without comment, he would not. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/size] |
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Post by frosty on Dec 15, 2010 0:25:48 GMT -5
"Flickerstorm, what are you doing on MarshClan territory?"
The DustClan she-cat's ears immediately became erect as the sound of a tom's voice touched the soft inner fur. Her sky blue eyes narrowed to slits as her hackles raised.
Of course, it was none other than Starlingstorm challenging her. Why was she surprised? The last she had seen of this MarshClan nuisance was him guiding Batstream away through the Gathering following the battle with the four Clans. The piece of fox dung had murdered Pantherfoot, the father of Cougarheart and Beechtail, her late mate. And when Flickerstorm attacked her in the Clearing, Starlingstorm had been there to intercept and even challenge his own leader.
From the sound of things, MarshClan was becoming very corrupted. Apparently Hawkstar was going mad, demanding nothing but 120% of his warriors. Reedstorm was just supporting his leader, as the deputy could do nothing more. Ilexflower was falling apart under the pressure, feeling responsible for the entire situation. The rest of the warriors were probably becoming fed up and the apprentices would soon become defiant. Flickerstorm could only assume these things, being the mother of two litters of kits herself.
Her kits... She let her mind wander for a moment, staring off blankly into the frosty sky while she reminisced. Featherstorm had grown up to be nothing but evil, even going as far to plot against her own Clan to prove that she could take care of herself. The rogues she had been scheming with killed her after one false move; DustClan had found Featherstorm's butchered body a few tail lengths inside the territory. Flurryfoot was the wise, kindred spirit. She was the carbon copy of her mother whom had died during kitbirth. The labor was too long, as she had been carrying six kits during her pregnancy. Four of them had been stillborn, one had died shortly after birth, but the sixth had survived and was still alive. The family had grieved deeply for Drizzlekit, Barkkit, Hollowkit, and Stormkit. But the most depressing was the death of Brightkit. Waiting and watching, the family saw the little tom take his last breath as his heart finally stopped. Little Fogkit still lived on, thank StarClan. Shellfang was the ecstatic bundle of energy. But she had betrayed the warrior code by taking PineClan's Rustclaw as a mate and bearing him one kit. That kit now lived in PineClan, raised by her father as her mother had died in the snow. Their brother, Gravelpelt, was alive and well. His mate, Cardinalheart, had fallen victim to greencough and the blow was devastating to the whole family. Cougarheart and Beechtail had led healthy fatherless lives. Cougarheart had even become a father himself after his mate, Rabbitflower, had also died in kitbirth. His little daughter, Umberkit, had a promising future ahead of her though. Flickerstorm should be grateful that she had three sons and three grandkits. She loved her family. In fact, Flickerstorm would trade it all away just so that she knew her family would be okay.
This was a trait she had inherited from her father, Sootstorm. The brave tom had willingly sacrificed his very own life for Flickerstorm way back when she was just an apprentice. Flickerpaw had fallen into the Pool many, many moons ago and it was Sootstorm who had dove in after her and saved his daughter's life while he himself suffered from the fate of a watery grave. Flickerstorm would never forget that day, or the sheer anguish that had pierced her when Birchstar had found out her mate had died. But life went on, and for Flickerstorm, it couldn't be better.
The growl vibrating in Starlingstorm's throat snapped Flickerstorm back into reality. She blinked her pale eyes and straightened herself up, allowing her hackles to fall. As her jaws parted, she drew in a gulp of air to realize she had indeed crossed the scent markers. A dark feeling opened up in the pit of her belly. It seemed as though Starlingstorm was alone. Perhaps she could talk her way put of this with a few smooth-as-honey words. Besides, who said she had to pretend? The MarshClan warrior was indeed very handsome and there was no doubt there was some attraction to him. Maybe she could see if the feeling was reciprocal. Swiping her tongue around her whiskers, Flickerstorm dipped her head innocently and apologetically.
"Oh, Starlingstorm! I'm so very sorry. I was just out for a walk and hadn't realized I'd crossed the border. Allow me to make it up to you and your Clan by giving you a piece of DustClan prey. I caught a rabbit not long ago and it's still buried in the snow," she meowed, her voice high-pitched and genuine.
[/font][/size] |
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Post by Dawn on Dec 15, 2010 17:55:49 GMT -5
She seemed to be deep in thought for a moment, eyes wandering and gazing as though she could see something no other cat could. Who knew with the DustClan she-cat, Starlingstorm very well knew she had had her share of trials and tribulations but they all had. If anything, she had it better off than most, being the favored daughter of Birchstar.
"Oh, Starlingstorm! I'm so very sorry. I was just out for a walk and hadn't realized I'd crossed the border. Allow me to make it up to you and your Clan by giving you a piece of DustClan prey. I caught a rabbit not long ago and it's still buried in the snow,"
Starlingstorm snorted. "So you can run back to Birchstar and tell her how I forced you to give me prey so I wouldn't attack you? She wouldn't punish you of course, but that would just prove how against StarClan MarshClan is, wouldn't it? Give her a whole new reason to hate the lot of us for one cat's mistake."
[/color] He spat, eyes glimmering. The fact that Birchstar had said nothing reproving to Flickerstorm after her attack on Batstream still sent shivers of anger through him. Hawkstar wasn't the only corrupt leader in his opinion. Even if he had gone farther than the others, there was still corruption. Beneath his anger and snarling words though, that small voice that spoke of her beauty could not ignore her sweet, slick words. Was there something more than what appeared in her eyes? Of course, the other part of his mind snarled his other into submission silently as he watched her. For some reason, his mind wandered back to the gathering where, while he had been leading Batstream away, he had seen a light brown tabby tom cat trailing towards the back of the group of DustClan cats. He had heard that he was called Beechpaw - and that he was one of Flickerstorm's sons. He had looked somewhat uncomfortable with the situation, though of course there was no way to be positive at the distance Starlingstorm had been at. He wondered for a moment why the tom had been so hesitant. He could have been just as angered as Flickerstorm as Pantherfoot had been his father as well as her mate. Perhaps that meant DustClan wasn't as perfect and controlled as they liked to appear. Perhaps they were torn just as MarshClan was... not as badly perhaps but still torn. He suddenly felt a small pang of sympathy for the she-cat but pushed it away, forcing his mind back onto the subject at hand. Flickerstorm trespassing. Flickerstorm trying to bribe her way out. Flickerstorm... He inwardly growed at himself again. A DustClan she-cat. She should be no different to him than any of the others. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/size] |
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Post by frosty on Dec 16, 2010 12:04:00 GMT -5
"So you can run back to Birchstar and tell her how I forced you to give me prey so I wouldn't attack you? She wouldn't punish you of course, but that would just prove how against StarClan MarshClan is, wouldn't it? Give her a whole new reason to hate the lot of us for one cat's mistake."
Flickerstorm refused to flinch at Starlingstorm's remark. Actually, she didn't move a muscle. Merely, she blinked slowly and swallowed.
"What kind of warrior do you take me for? I am honorable, unlike your crazy leader. My mother loves and protects me. Do not assume she eats off the ground I walk on because she respects the warrior code more than any cat in the mountains. Of course she had some stern words for me after I attacked Batstream at the Gathering. Not like you heard, because you were too busy comforting that mangy piece of fox dung for murdering my mate."
Her words were errily calm, monotone in fact. Flickerstorm was not trying to provoke a fight with this MarshClan tom but she did want to get her point across. Just because she was fortunate to be the kit of a great leader did not mean she was as worshipped as StarClan. Sure she got some special tratment, but she was also the only surviving immediate kin of Birchstar.
A soft wind blew up another flurry of snow, ruffling Flickerstorm's ivory pelt as she pressed her dark brown ears against her head. The MarshClan scent markers tasted bitter on her tongue, but not as piercing as the tang of frost. The weather was brutal, and it was only going to get worse as the day progressed. Heavy, wet flakes were already falling from the sky, piling up rapidly. Was Starlingstorm really going to hold them both up? It would be the death of two warriors. That would start up a never-ending war between DustClan and MarshClan.
"Starlingstorm, it's freezing out. Let's find shelter instead of standing here like a pair of ducks so we can settle this properly."
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Post by Dawn on Dec 16, 2010 14:18:38 GMT -5
"What kind of warrior do you take me for? I am honorable, unlike your crazy leader. My mother loves and protects me. Do not assume she eats off the ground I walk on because she respects the warrior code more than any cat in the mountains. Of course she had some stern words for me after I attacked Batstream at the Gathering. Not like you heard, because you were too busy comforting that mangy piece of fox dung for murdering my mate."
Starlingstorm bared his teeth at the remark about Batstream. "Lay off Batstream. If any cat is responcible for Pantherfoot's death, it is Hawkstar. She was only follwing orders. Not every cat is out to get you Flickerstorm, you should realize that."
[/color] He growled. He saw her press her ears against her head as a gust of chilly air brushed through the clearing. Part of him wanted to walk forward and press himself against her to help her become warmer but he resisted. What if some cat should see? And anyway, it was against the warrior code to take a mate in another Clan. Why was he even thinking about this? Stupid. "Starlingstorm, it's freezing out. Let's find shelter instead of standing here like a pair of ducks so we can settle this properly." Starlingstorm flicked his ears slightly. "Fine."[/color] He grunted and flicked his tail towards the edge of the clearing where the trees would give them fair cover from the chilly wind and sleet. "That copse of trees over there always gives good shelter from the cold."[/color] He told her as he padded towards them. Part of him was screeching at himself for not chasing her off MarshClan territory, but another was yowling it's triumph. Stupid mental battles, who needed them. If only he could get on without a brain, that would be nice. At least he wouldn't have constant arguments with himself. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/size] |
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Post by frosty on Dec 16, 2010 15:28:11 GMT -5
"Lay off Batstream. If any cat is responcible for Pantherfoot's death, it is Hawkstar. She was only follwing orders. Not every cat is out to get you Flickerstorm, you should realize that."
Flickerstorm snorted. "Pretty sure it was her teeth that bit his throat. Not Hawkstar's. If you both were so against the battle then why did you not put up an argument when he proposed it?" she pressed. The tricolored she-cat was growing tired at this point. Why could he not see her point of view? Stubborn toms! Always thinking they know best. Nuh-uh. She would soon put Starlingstorm in his place, even if it was the last thing she did.
"Fine. That copse of trees over there always gives good shelter from the cold."
As he began to pad towards the trees, Flickerstorm followed. She was no petite, wimpy she-cat. She treaded through the snow like a hare, even though the cold was numbing her limbs. Her muscles felt as though they were worked to their limit, but she clenched her teeth and pushed herself to follow Starlingstorm. Why was she so determined to prove herself to him? Why was her heart beating faster? Why were there chills running up and down her back?
Pfft, easy. She was proving that DustClan cats were just as strong as MarshClan cats. Plus, she was exhausted and needed the blood to pump faster to the rest of her body. And those chills were from the cold. Great StarClan, who was she fooling? Her heart skipped a beat every time she looked at Starlingstorm. There was no denying the attraction towards the tom. His voice sent shivers up her spine. The look he gave her made her tingle. But he was a MarshClan cat and she was a DustClan warrior, and a leader's kit at that!
She squeezed her eyes shut and swiped her tongue around her whiskers to moisten her dry mouth. With a sudden explosion of strength, Flickerstorm bounded the last few foxlengths and into the copse. Most of the snow was caught up in the branches of the mighty trees, so the snow on the ground wasn't as high. Flickerstorm shook her pelt out and fluffed it up to dry it off.
Letting out a sigh of relief she turned to him, a slight glitter in her pale eyes, "Okay, Starlingstorm. Now let's settle this like the seasoned warriors we are, not immature little apprentices."
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Post by Dawn on Dec 16, 2010 15:42:28 GMT -5
"Pretty sure it was her teeth that bit his throat. Not Hawkstar's. If you both were so against the battle then why did you not put up an argument when he proposed it?"
Starlingstorm snorted with contempt. "Why do we do anything our leader asks us to do? Because it's against the warrior code to do otherwise. No matter what you think, MarshClan is loyal to the warrior code which means we are loyal to Hawkstar even if we disagree with him. Plus, do you really think there was no argument about it? Of course there was. Hawkstar wouldn't listen."
[/color] He did not look back at her as he padded towards the trees, he could hear her following anyway. He could hear the slight sluggishness of her paws and thought that DustClan must find this snow somewhat more difficult to deal with than MarshClan did. The thought cheered him up a tad. Upon reaching the copse, he turned to watch her tread the last few fox lengths to the edge. She let out a sigh when she reached it, and the snow thinned out around her, the trees having blocked a lot of it from reaching the forest floor. "Okay, Starlingstorm. Now let's settle this like the seasoned warriors we are, not immature little apprentices." Starlingstorm snorted. "Lets see how that goes."[/color] He muttered. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/size] |
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Post by frosty on Dec 16, 2010 16:06:57 GMT -5
"Why do we do anything our leader asks us to do? Because it's against the warrior code to do otherwise. No matter what you think, MarshClan is loyal to the warrior code which means we are loyal to Hawkstar even if we disagree with him. Plus, do you really think there was no argument about it? Of course there was. Hawkstar wouldn't listen."
Flickerstorm padded right up to him, until there were only millimeters between the two of them. Getting right up in his face, she spat, "There are always exceptions to the warrior code, Starlingstorm. If Hawkstar ordered all of his warriors to jump off a gorge, would you? How could you all even possibly contemplate attacking DustClan hwen we did nothing wrong? Just because my mother refused to side with Hawkstar and his ridiculous accusations against OakClan. Hawkstar is a dishonorable warrior with poor judgement. You should have fought harder to prevent this. The death of my mate, the father of my sons, is on MarshClan. Do you know what it's like to have your significant other ripped away from you over a fight that didn't need to happen? My sons were only kits at the time. They were devastated that their father was killed. Hawkstar took one of Birchstar's lives. How can you not see that MarshClan was at fault, you arrogant piece of crowfood? It's not going to kill you to swallow your pride and admit that it was Batstream's fault that Pantherfoot died and it was Hawkstar's fault that the battle was even started in the first place."
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Post by Dawn on Dec 16, 2010 16:13:45 GMT -5
"There are always exceptions to the warrior code, Starlingstorm. If Hawkstar ordered all of his warriors to jump off a gorge, would you? How could you all even possibly contemplate attacking DustClan when we did nothing wrong? Just because my mother refused to side with Hawkstar and his ridiculous accusations against OakClan. Hawkstar is a dishonorable warrior with poor judgement. You should have fought harder to prevent this. The death of my mate, the father of my sons, is on MarshClan. Do you know what it's like to have your significant other ripped away from you over a fight that didn't need to happen? My sons were only kits at the time. They were devastated that their father was killed. Hawkstar took one of Birchstar's lives. How can you not see that MarshClan was at fault, you arrogant piece of crowfood? It's not going to kill you to swallow your pride and admit that it was Batstream's fault that Pantherfoot died and it was Hawkstar's fault that the battle was even started in the first place."
Starlingstorm did not flinch away from Flickerstorm as she stalked closer to him and spat in his face. He merely gave her a somewhat pitying look. "Flickerstorm, you are so nieve. There is so much more going on here than you think. I am sorry that Pantherfoot is dead and I am sorry that you were hurt by it, but guess what. Every cat in this whole damned forest has lost a loved one in some kind of battle whether justified or not. Holding such a grudge against the killer, especially if it was accidental, is pointless. It's not going to bring them back. And if you don't remember, Hawkstar lost a life too. It was you, as I recall, who struck the blow too. So don't pretend to be all innocent and the constant victim because you're not. You're not the only cat who has lost and grieved so don't think that you are."
[/color] He replied as calmly as he could manage, though it was broken by slight hisses of fury that punctuated some of the words. "Now, if that's all you wanted to let out, you might as well go."[/color] He added, looking down at her through slightly narrowed eyes. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/size] |
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Post by frosty on Dec 16, 2010 16:33:56 GMT -5
"Flickerstorm, you are so nieve. There is so much more going on here than you think. I am sorry that Pantherfoot is dead and I am sorry that you were hurt by it, but guess what. Every cat in this whole damned forest has lost a loved one in some kind of battle whether justified or not. Holding such a grudge against the killer, especially if it was accidental, is pointless. It's not going to bring them back. And if you don't remember, Hawkstar lost a life too. It was you, as I recall, who struck the blow too. So don't pretend to be all innocent and the constant victim because you're not. You're not the only cat who has lost and grieved so don't think that you are."
"I'm naive? You're the one saying my mate's death was accidental. It was no mistake. How can you accidentally kill a cat with your bare claws? It just isn't possible, don't you get that?" She stared back at him, her voice growing high pitched with anguish over Pantherfoot's murder. "I have lost more than any cat in this forest, I can bet you that much. Try watching one daughter get murdered, another freeze to death, and the third dying in kitbirth, taking five of her kits with her. Try living with the fact that your father drowned because of you. Try carrying on after not one, but two mates depart to StarClan. Try watching your aunt's body be dragged back to camp, bloody and lifeless. And if that wasn't all, try losing both of your grandparents when your just a kitten and then having your own grandkit grow up in a rival Clan. So many of my kin have left me... You have no idea what it's like to wake up everyday without your mate and three of your daughters... then deal with your son's motherless daughter and other motherless son. Fogkit and Umberkit never met their aunts... Starlingstorm, it's so difficult..." Her voice trailed off as a shadow crested her face. Suddenly the frost between her claws became increasingly interesting.
Why was she telling Starlingstorm all this? Not like he cared or anything. But some cat had to know how much she was suffering, how much she was dying insde. Even if it was an enemy warrior. Maybe, at the end of the day, that's all he'd be, just an enemy warrior. Or maybe, just maybe, he'd be even more.
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Post by Dawn on Dec 16, 2010 16:43:02 GMT -5
"I'm naive? You're the one saying my mate's death was accidental. It was no mistake. How can you accidentally kill a cat with your bare claws? It just isn't possible, don't you get that?"
Starlingstorm let out a frustrated growl. "Flickerstorm, you don't know Batstream at all. I have known her since she was first able to walk. She would never purposely kill a cat. I can also tell you that it is torturing her mind as well. Don't you dare sit there and spit insults at her and say she meant to kill him because it's not true."
[/color] Her voice was growing to a higher pitch now. He wished she would quiet down a bit, she was bound to attract attention and that was the last thing this situation needed now. "I have lost more than any cat in this forest, I can bet you that much. Try watching one daughter get murdered, another freeze to death, and the third dying in kitbirth, taking five of her kits with her. Try living with the fact that your father drowned because of you. Try carrying on after not one, but two mates depart to StarClan. Try watching your aunt's body be dragged back to camp, bloody and lifeless. And if that wasn't all, try losing both of your grandparents when your just a kitten and then having your own grandkit grow up in a rival Clan. So many of my kin have left me... You have no idea what it's like to wake up everyday without your mate and three of your daughters... then deal with your son's motherless daughter and other motherless son. Fogkit and Umberkit never met their aunts... Starlingstorm, it's so difficult..." Starlingstorm stared at her. Part of him wanted to shout right back. She didn't know the stories of any of the other cats in this forest, she didn't know what any of the rest of them had been through. It was not her place to say that she had the hardest life of all, but something held his tongue. He saw the angush in her eyes, the tortured soul that she tried to hide with her upfront and stormy demeanor. He moved slightly closer to her, putting his tail gently across her shoulders in a comforting gesture. "I am sorry for all your loss, Flickerstorm. Truly I am. I don't wish to make your suffering sound unimportant but you must know that every cat has suffered throughout their lives. Perhaps not in the same way, but they have suffered."[/color] He paused a moment, hoping she didn't become angry, thinking he was not being sensitive. "I do wish I could help you, you must believe me. But I can't think of any way I can."[/color] He added, looking down at her through saddened eyes. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/size] |
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Post by frosty on Dec 16, 2010 21:50:16 GMT -5
"Flickerstorm, you don't know Batstream at all. I have known her since she was first able to walk. She would never purposely kill a cat. I can also tell you that it is torturing her mind as well. Don't you dare sit there and spit insults at her and say she meant to kill him because it's not true."
Flickerstorm didn't care if Starlingstorm was there for Batstream's kitting. She could give a mouse tail whether or not he'd known her his whole life. It was still her that killed Pantherfoot. Looking up she whispered, "Starlingstorm, she still did it regardless... I never said she meant to kill Pantherfoot but she still did."
There was no fight left in her voice. Nothing except dull, lifeless acceptance.
"I am sorry for all your loss, Flickerstorm. Truly I am. I don't wish to make your suffering sound unimportant but you must know that every cat has suffered throughout their lives. Perhaps not in the same way, but they have suffered. I do wish I could help you, you must believe me. But I can't think of any way I can."
She flinched slightly when he curled his tail around her shoulders. His sympathy came as a great shock, like a tsunami had just crashed upon her.
"This is Birchstar's last leaf-bare. Age has taken it's toll on her. She keeps getting weaker everyday. It won't be long before she joins Sootstorm and Amberheart and Copperclaw and Frostflower," she mewed softly, as if in a trance of some sort as the memory came rushing back at breakneck speed.
"Birchstar! Look how thin you are. You can't even stand up. Please go back to your den. Greencough has weakened you. Please..." Flickerstorm had begged as her mother tried to scramble up the High Tree.
"No, Flickerstorm. I'm DustClan's leader. It doesn't matter that I've lost four lives in the past moon. I have to lead my Clan," the tabby replied bitterly.
"Birchstar! Do not argue. You need rest," Gravelpelt growled frustratedly, nudging his sick grandmother back into her den. His actions were forceful, but his pine green eyes were rich with anguish.
Flickerstorm stared after her son and mother, wincing at the horrid scene. What happened to her lively mother?
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Post by Dawn on Dec 16, 2010 22:11:05 GMT -5
"Starlingstorm, she still did it regardless... I never said she meant to kill Pantherfoot but she still did."
Starlingstorm shook his head, wanting to remind her that she had just said that Pantherfoot had not been killed by accident. That had implied that Batstream had meant to do it, which she had not. But what was the point? She already looked defeated. The life was gone from her voice as she looked up at him and he felt sympathy for her.
He felt her flinch beneath his comforting tail but did not pull it away as she did not pull away either.
"This is Birchstar's last leaf-bare. Age has taken it's toll on her. She keeps getting weaker everyday. It won't be long before she joins Sootstorm and Amberheart and Copperclaw and Frostflower,"
Starlingstorm did not reply for a moment. "I am sorry Flickerstorm, I know what it's like to watch a parent move ever closer to death."
[/color] He meowed, remembering his spotted father. The tom cat had falled under some strange disease that had taken his life slowly, as the medicine cats could find no cure. He was grateful that Swiftstream had managed to make him comfortable during those last weeks. At least he had not been in pain. He could recall his father's once lively eyes, remembered one scene in particular where Leopardheart had played with his offspring when they were still kits. He could see clearly Gingerheart and Shadowpelt, one on each shoulder, laughing joyously as their father growled playfully at them. Could see little Marigoldtail and Auburnfang crouching, ready to spring, on either side of Leopardheart's tail. Could see Tigerflower nodding to him, her clever green eyes flickering to one of their father's forepaws. Leopardheart had gone down in a mass attack of kittens then, purring with pure happiness the whole time, while Paleflower watched from the sidelines, laughing. Suddenly, Leopardheart had whispered something to his kits. "On the count of three, get your mother, okay? One... two... three!" They had all leapt at Paleflower, knocking her over as she let out a squeak of surprise which turned into laughter once more. But then the vision was gone and replaced by the one of his dying father, fighting for breath in the medicine cats den. His sisters Tigerflower and Gingerheart were there beside him, along with his brother Auburnfang. They were watching their father in silence. Starlingstorm had almost felt as though he had seen their two deceased siblings, Marigoldtail and Shadowpelt, come down to take their father back up to StarClan. There had been a certain peaceful presence. Of course, later that moon Auburnfang would fall victim to a fox attack along with his mate and their unborn kits. Whitetail had been so looking forward to being a mother... Then Gingerheart had been killed - ironically in a battle with DustClan as the protected her apprentice from an oncoming hoard. He let his eyes fall back onto Flickerstorm as his mind released the image of Gingerheart's torn and bloodied body, taking in her beautiful tri-colored face and bright eyes. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/size] |
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Post by frosty on Dec 18, 2010 0:27:39 GMT -5
"I am sorry Flickerstorm, I know what it's like to watch a parent move ever closer to death."
The tricolored she-cat let out a long, anguish-laced sigh. She locked her pale blue eyes with his bright gold ones, hovering in the moment like an eagle preparing for the kill. Time felt as though it were as frozen as the landscape around them. It was as though Flickerstorm could find all the answers in the depths of Starlingstorm's optics. Finally, after what must have been hours, or what felt like it anways, she blinked and broke the silence.
"All my loses have made stronger though. I still have my three sons and Cougarheart's daughter, Umberkit, Flurryfoot's son, Fogkit, and Shellfang's daughter, Carminekit in PineClan. Life goes on and you have to move on with it. I'll survive," Flickerstorm meowed wistfully, pressing herself closer into Starlingstorm's warn embrace. "Though not a day passes where I don't think about my daughters. I feel like I failed them as their mother."
It had always been Flickerstorm's dream to be a mother. As much as she loved being a DustClan warrior, she loved being a queen too. She loved the seven moons of relaxation in the nursery. She loved carrying kits in her belly, falling asleep while her imagination ran wild as she tried to picture what they'd look like. She loved lazy days in the warm nursery, brainstorming for the perfect names and wondering what their personalities would be. She loved sunning herself in the camp, thinking about the future of her kittens. But most of all, Flickerstorm loved raising her litter. Watching them suckle at first, then chase eachother as they wrestled playfully, then anticipating their apprentice ceremonies. What a wonderful experience being a mother was; there was simply none like it.
And standing in the copse, with snow littering the ground and frost icing the edges, comfortably sharing body heat with Starlingstorm, made Flickerstorm reminisce raising Blizzardclaw's litter, then Pantherfoot's. A purr rumbled in her throat as she closed her eyes slightly, happily content in the moment.
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Post by Dawn on Dec 18, 2010 1:49:44 GMT -5
"All my loses have made stronger though. I still have my three sons and Cougarheart's daughter, Umberkit, Flurryfoot's son, Fogkit, and Shellfang's daughter, Carminekit in PineClan. Life goes on and you have to move on with it. I'll survive,"
Starlingstorm smiled slightly at her words. He felt her press herself closer to him and remembered that it was wrong, remembered that they were in different Clans and that it was against the warrior code. However, for the first time, he found that he didn't care much.
"Though not a day passes where I don't think about my daughters. I feel like I failed them as their mother."
Starlingstorm looked down sharply at this remark. "Don't say that,"
[/color] He meowed gently, touching his nose to her ear. "You could never fail as a mother. You love your kits so so much and that makes you a great mother. Their deaths are not on your paws, and now they are free. And you will see them again in StarClan."[/color] He finished, his eyes sparkling with his certainty. He had been taught, as all MarshClan cats were, from a young age that no cat left forever. They were merely freed from their earth-bound bodies and made to run free among the skies. Another silence stretched between them, though it was a peaceful, warm silence. He could feel the warmth of her pelt beside him and felt as though he could stay like this forever. After a few moments, he heard her purr quietly and he smiled. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/size] |
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Post by frosty on Dec 18, 2010 2:19:29 GMT -5
ooc. If you didn't get my subtle (x33) hint, would you like them to have kits Dawn? (:
bic. "Don't say that. You could never fail as a mother. You love your kits so so much and that makes you a great mother. Their deaths are not on your paws, and now they are free. And you will see them again in StarClan."
Flickerstorm felt like a flame inside her was heating her interior. It warmed her heart that Starlingstorm thought she was a good mother. The purr in her chest grew slightly stronger, drowning out the protesting voice in her head.
What was she doing? This was the same cat she had wanted to rip to shreds only an hour ago. This was the cat that had defended the she-cat whom had murdered her mate. Or, her former mate.
Twice widowed, Flickerstorm's lonely thoughts briefly intervened with her protesting ones. What if this was what StarClan intended? What if this was 'fate'? What if Starlingstorm was the cat she was meant to be with? What if Blizzardclaw and Pantherfoot were just mistakes. They say third time's the charm...
Was she really contemplating taking Starlingstorm as a mate? Had she not messed her life up enough already? He was a MarshClan cat. Birchstar hated Hawkstar. And Hawkstar hated DustClan. What if they had kits together? Would they be DustClan or MarshClan? An all-out war could erupt between the two Clans.
But you can't deny fate. What if StarClan purposely destined Batstream to kill Pantherfoot so Flickerstorm could attack her at the Gathering, causing Starlingstorm to intervene and thus meet Flickerstorm. She shook her head slightly, looking up at the soft brown fur that rimmed the tomcat's face.
"So where do we go from here? I've never told any cat the way that I've felt before. Call me crazy but I can't believe I told a MarshClan warrior that Birchstar is going to die. Not even DustClan cats know that," she mewed light-heartedly. "I don't know why, but I get this feeling that I can trust you..."
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Post by Dawn on Dec 18, 2010 12:10:39 GMT -5
Ooc://
Sure Frosty! It would add some interest to the MC DC conflict as well as them ; D
Bic://
"So where do we go from here? I've never told any cat the way that I've felt before. Call me crazy but I can't believe I told a MarshClan warrior that Birchstar is going to die. Not even DustClan cats know that, I don't know why, but I get this feeling that I can trust you..."
Starlingstorm smiled slightly though did not answer for a moment. "Why, I have no idea where we should go from here."
[/color] He meowed brightly, feeling suddenly cheerful again. "I mean, I really don't know what is truly going on here..."[/color] He meowed, looking down at her pointedly. Well that wasn't true yet wasn't completely false. Everything was happening very quickly, but there was no denying his attraction to Flickerstorm and her apparent attraction to him. "And I do hope you can trust me for I feel as though betraying that trust would be the stupidest thing I could ever do."[/color] He added, his eyes sparkling down at her. "And you know Flickerstorm,"[/color] He added, more quietly now, his stomach suddenly full of nervous butterflies. "I think I might be falling in love with you."[/color] He finished, suddenly worried. What if she didn't feel the same, what if she bore her fangs in a smirk and tore him to peices, both mentally and physically. There was no way he would be able to attack her now. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/size] |
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Post by frosty on Dec 18, 2010 13:58:12 GMT -5
ooc. Yes for MC/DC conflict.  Maybe Flickerstorm's fourth daughter will survive. x33 I think I'm going to use Fleckfur, if you don't mind if I use the image you edited back in August for the premade character shop.
bic. Flickerstorm saw a smile spread across his face, gracing the contours of Starlingstorm's face. The pause, however, made her uneasy for a brief moment. Suddenly she became afraid of his answer.
"Why, I have no idea where we should go from here. I mean, I really don't know what is truly going on here..."
She exhaled slowly, slightly relieved at the answer. She wanted so desperately to predict the future, to see what was in store for the two cats but all she could do was hope. But no matter what happened, Flickerstorm knew she could endure it. As long as she followed her basic instinct and trusted her inner voices.
"And I do hope you can trust me for I feel as though betraying that trust would be the stupidest thing I could ever do. And you know Flickerstorm."
"Starlingstorm, I'd never betray your trust. As far as I'm concerned, it's just you and me against the world," she meowed carefully. His next sentence took her by surprise.
"I think I might be falling in love with you."
This was the third time a tom had told her he was falling in love with her. But nonetheless, it got her everytime. Flickerstorm could never get tired of hearing those words. Blizzardclaw may have meant it at the time, but all good things come to an end. There was never a doubt in her mind that Pantherfoot loved her with every fiber of his being. But StarClan had curelly taken him from her in a sudden twist of fate. Now that Starlingstorm was speaking those sweet-as-honey words, Flickerstorm felt young and full of life.
"I-I think I feel the same..." she added, both fear and excitement lacing her voice. Fear for their dark future as mates, but excitement for their bright future as mates. Flickerstorm couldn't fight the bright twinkle in her eyes or the happy grin that stretched cheeck to cheek. The tip of her tail flicked briefly and her right ear twitched, her tummy swarming with butterflies of infatuation.
"But wait..." she mewed softly, pulling back slightly. "What about Batstream? What is she going to say when she finds out about us?" Genuine fear was expressed behind the ecstatic sheen in her blue optics. Flickerstorm didn't know the dark brown she-cat particularly well, but there was no doubt in her mind that an all-out hate war would form between the two she-cats.
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Post by Dawn on Dec 18, 2010 17:43:24 GMT -5
Ooc://
Sure Frosty ^^
Bic://
"Starlingstorm, I'd never betray your trust. As far as I'm concerned, it's just you and me against the world,"
Starlingstorm smiled slightly at this though did not reply to it. Hearing that she thought it was just them two against the world made him purr like a contented kit inside.
"I-I think I feel the same..."
Starlingstorm felt the nervous knot in his stomach loosen and he let out a slight purr. He could hear the uncertain excitement in his voice and looked down at her, eyes twinkling with happiness. He was about to nuzzle the top of her head and lick her ear when she pulled back and he felt sudden apprehension.
"But wait... What about Batstream? What is she going to say when she finds out about us?"
Starlingstorm tipped his head slightly to one side, her queston not at all what he had expected. Batstream? What did she have to do with this?
"Batstream? What do you mean? Why would Batstream care? I mean alright, you did attack her for accidentally killing Pantherfoot but even she can't deny that you had a reason to be angry - even if she didn't like the way you delt with it."
[/color] [/blockquote][/blockquote][/size] |
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Post by frosty on Dec 18, 2010 20:50:08 GMT -5
"Batstream? What do you mean? Why would Batstream care? I mean alright, you did attack her for accidentally killing Pantherfoot but even she can't deny that you had a reason to be angry - even if she didn't like the way you delt with it."
"I don't want to ruin your relationship with her. Batstream probably doesn't like me and she knows I don't like her. I just don't want to be the cause of tension between you two, especially if you're as close as you say you are," Flickerstorm explained carefully, choosing her words with caution.
If she were in Batstream's position and knew that her best friend was messing around with the DustClan cat who had attacked her, she wouldn't be too happy either. Flickerstorm wouldn't be surprised if the dark brown she-cat paid her a visit, trying to talk her out of seeing Starlingstorm.
But whatever, she had to trust Starlingstorm. He could take care of himself, and Flickerstorm would take care of him too. If Batstream had any bold accusations, Flickerstorm would deal with her herself. Sure, what they were doing was against the warrior code but all's fair in love and war. The heart wants what the heart wants, and no stupid law was going to keep Flickerstorm away from her true mate.
"Are you going to tell her about us? I won't tell any cat if you don't want me to," Flickerstorm added, slowly blinking. She was careful with her actions, scared of frightening Starlingstorm away.
She was going to originally discuss this with Gravelpelt, her eldest son, but if Starlingstorm wanted to keep their relationship secret then she'd respect that. Flickerstorm would do anything for the MarshClan warrior, even this early in their relationship.
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Post by Dawn on Dec 18, 2010 21:11:41 GMT -5
"I don't want to ruin your relationship with her. Batstream probably doesn't like me and she knows I don't like her. I just don't want to be the cause of tension between you two, especially if you're as close as you say you are,"
Starlingstorm shrugged slightly, apparently not as worried as she. "I imagine she wouldn't be thrilled if she found out, but she wouldn't hate me for it. She would be happy for me; happy that I found someone who I truly love and who loves me back. She would be a bit disappointed it was you I suppose, but she would let it go."
[/color] He meowed, knowing that his words were true. Batstream would be happy when he told her that he had a mate, but she would loose some of that happiness when she found out it was Flickerstorm. Of course, she might even be relieved - perhaps some of Flickerstorm's anger at the loss of Pantherfoot would dissolve with her finding a new mate. Of couse, Starlingstorm did not share this last part with Flickerstorm. "Are you going to tell her about us? I won't tell any cat if you don't want me to," Starlingstorm thought for a moment. He hadn't thought about telling other cats, but he supposed that he would have to eventually. "I suppose,"[/color] He meowed slowly, still thinking. "Though only cats I truly trust. Tigerflower and Batstream are the only two I would consider telling. In MarshClan now a days, any cat could go against you and tell Hawkstar anything that you've said or done that goes against him or StarClan in some way. I'm confident Batsream and Tigerflower wouldn't, but they are the only two."[/color] He meowed, thinking of his sister and near sister. They would understand. They wouldn't be happy, but they wouldn't tell. "If you want to tell, it's fine with me. I just request that you don't make it too well known for then it could cause trouble within MarshClan. What with the current state of things."[/color] He meowed, shaking his head sadly. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him. "Flickerstorm, what if we were to have kits? What would we do? Would you keep them in DustClan or...?"[/color] He shook his head slightly, thinking. "Or... do you think Birchstar would allow me to join DustClan to be with you and them?"[/color] He meowed finally. He felt slightly torn now. He would want to be with his mate and kits of course, but what about his family in MarshClan? What would they think? He doubted they would hate him for it, they were all very close, but it would hurt them... and that was the last thing he wanted to do. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/size] |
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Post by frosty on Dec 18, 2010 21:34:42 GMT -5
"I imagine she wouldn't be thrilled if she found out, but she wouldn't hate me for it. She would be happy for me; happy that I found someone who I truly love and who loves me back. She would be a bit disappointed it was you I suppose, but she would let it go. "I suppose. Though only cats I truly trust. Tigerflower and Batstream are the only two I would consider telling. In MarshClan now a days, any cat could go against you and tell Hawkstar anything that you've said or done that goes against him or StarClan in some way. I'm confident Batsream and Tigerflower wouldn't, but they are the only two. If you want to tell, it's fine with me. I just request that you don't make it too well known for then it could cause trouble within MarshClan. What with the current state of things."
Flickerstorm paused, digesting the information and processing it carefully. Were things really that corrupted in MarshClan? That explains why Hawkstar attacked DustClan for no apparent reason. Sure, there were rumors about him going crazy but no cat really knew for sure. Flickerstorm was dying to tell her mother this information, but she wouldn't dare betray Starlingstorm's trust. She would keep this secret closely guarded next to her heart, unless of course keeping ut a secret would harm any cat close to her.
Pushing that thought to the back of get mind, Flickerstorm nodded. She had no problem with him telling Tigerflower of Batstream, but she couldn't help but think anxious thoughts about Batstream. They would have to atleast tolerate each other, for Starlingstorm. If he would tell two cats, then so would she.
"I'm going to tell Birchstar and Gravelpelt. Perhaps someday Cougarheart and Beechtail will find out, but no day soon," she mewed. "Don't worry about Birchstar knowing. She's my mother and she supports any decision I make. I promise you can trust her. If it makes you feel any better, you and her could even talk about it. I just really want you to know that she will do anything to protect me and you."
"Flickerstorm, what if we were to have kits? What would we do? Would you keep them in DustClan or...? Or... do you think Birchstar would allow me to join DustClan to be with you and them?"
Flickerstorm smiled, trying to assure Starlingstorm that everything would be fine. "We could always split the litter... If you didn't want to join DustClan, I mean. Birchstar would go to great lengths for me. There is no doubt in my mind she would shield you from Hawkstar's wrath and let you join DustClan. But that's only if you truly want to. I don't want to force you into anything you don't want to," she meowed.
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Post by Dawn on Dec 18, 2010 21:41:56 GMT -5
"I'm going to tell Birchstar and Gravelpelt. Perhaps someday Cougarheart and Beechtail will find out, but no day soon. Don't worry about Birchstar knowing. She's my mother and she supports any decision I make. I promise you can trust her. If it makes you feel any better, you and her could even talk about it. I just really want you to know that she will do anything to protect me and you."
Starlingstorm took a moment to absorb this. He could see Gravelpelt being told, the sturdy gray tom seemed trust worthy. But despite Flickerstorm's assurances that Birchstar could be trusted, he was a bit nervous. He didn't deny that Birchstar would do anything for her daughter but even so... the knowledge that the leader of DustClan would know about Flickerstorm and his relationship was somewhat unnerving.
He shook his head slightly at the idea of he and Birchstar speaking about this. He was nervous at the thought of taking to the leader in general, let alone about Flickerstorm. "No, it's fine. I don't need to talk to her. If you say she can be trusted, than she can be trusted."
[/color] He meowed after a moment. "We could always split the litter... If you didn't want to join DustClan, I mean. Birchstar would go to great lengths for me. There is no doubt in my mind she would shield you from Hawkstar's wrath and let you join DustClan. But that's only if you truly want to. I don't want to force you into anything you don't want to," Starlingstorm shook his head again, resting his muzzle lightly atop her head. "But if we have kits, I would want to be with them and you in DustClan. I would not want to tear our family apart."[/color] He meowed simply, imagining splitting their litter. The idea sent sadness through his body. If he and Flickerstorm started a family, then they would be that. A family. No matter where the were. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/size] |
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Maybe Flickerstorm's fourth daughter will survive. x33 I think I'm going to use Fleckfur, if you don't mind if I use the image you edited back in August for the premade character shop.