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Post by xradx on Apr 25, 2008 20:45:38 GMT -5
It was around sun-high, and the sky was grey as if it were about to rain or snow, but it had been like that all day, but alas it was still dry. A few warriors were sharing tongues over fresh kill around the camp, filling the camp with a quiet murmur. The apprentices were chatting around their den, and a few kits were play fighting around the nursury. Overall, it was an average day in camp.
Longwhisker was observing these activities as she sat not to ar from the elders den, eating a field mouse, that was surprisingly plump for the season. She was alone, which was not unusual considering her temperment-- she was not exactly the most well liked cat in the clan.
On this particular day, she was in a better mood than usual. Though Longwhisker would never be considered the 'warm and fuzzy' type, she was not as bitter as could be expected from such an old and unhappy cat. As she finished the last of her mouse she stood up and stretched her back before sitting back down and letting her tail rest on the ground. Her eyes wondered around camp, searching for nothing in particular.
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Post by ☆§wìftflame☆ on Apr 26, 2008 8:32:03 GMT -5
Swiftflame trotted with a slight purpose in her step towards the fresh-kill pile, not wanting to get stuck in the precipitation that was surely coming, judging by the darkening sky overhead. Glancing up from her padding paws, she noticed a small brown she cat sitting there as well. "Hey, Longwhisker," Swiftflame mewed tentatively, not wanting to aggravate the touchy elder. She flicked her ears in greeting and spoke, and then leaned down to pick up a plump vole. Trying to be friendly, Swiftflame sat beside Longwhisker, though not too close. Nobody wanted clawed ears because they said something that annoyed her! "It seems that the prey is still running well despite the cold," Swiftflame said conversationally, gesturing to the sky above before leaning to take a bite of said prey.
[OOC: Another time, another place! That words would only rhyme, we'd we in outer space! It'd be another song, we'd sing another way. You wanna prove me wrong? Come back another dayyyy...ANOTHER DAYYYYYY!] [ i<3rent]
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Post by xradx on Apr 26, 2008 10:58:52 GMT -5
Longwhisker looked up at Swiftflame and nodded in greeting. Looking down at the spot where her mouse had been a few moments ago she nodded, "Yes, it is running well." For a cat that knw Longwhisker it would've sounded odd to hear her say something that was not a sarcastic comment, but then again, a cat who knew Longwhisker really well would probably not willingly engage in conversation with her.
Longwhisker looked back up at the sky and shivered at the cold, "It looks like we're going to get rain- or maybe snow." The thought of snow almost brought Longwhisker back to her usual grumpy self. She hated snow. So wet and it covered everthing, and walking in it was a pain. "Hopefully rain," she added.
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Post by ☆§wìftflame☆ on Apr 26, 2008 11:24:54 GMT -5
"Yes, it is running well." Swiftflame acknowledged Longwhisker's comment happily, grateful that the grumpy elder was in a slightly better mood that usual. Listening to Longwhisker's comments on the weather, and watching her think apprehensively about the possibility of snow, Swiftflame realized how cold the elders must get. Glancing over at their den, she saw that it was badly in need of some more moss and brambles. "Well, Longwhisker, maybe if this cold continues I could help insulate the elders den a bit better. I don't have an apprentice yet, so I have some extra time" Swiftflame offered sympathetically. Working on the elder's den was an apprentice's task, but if she had the time, why not help?
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Post by xradx on Apr 26, 2008 11:48:20 GMT -5
Longwhisker was happy to hear that someone had noticed the poor insulation of the elder's den. She didn't point out that fixing dens was an apprentice task, just in case Swiftflame changed her mind, though Longwhisker doubted she would. "That would be nice, Swiftflame, we do get a little cold in the winter months."
Longwhiskers mood was at an all time high. She rarely thanked people or acknowledged their offers to be helpful. She could not remember the last time she carried on a serius conversation, with none of the usual sarcastic comments and remarks. She couldn't even think of a particular reason for her to feel happy; it was just like any other day in camp. No reason for over-the-top happiness.
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Post by ☆§wìftflame☆ on Apr 26, 2008 12:33:50 GMT -5
What was going on here? What was Longwhisker being so nice? Swiftflame swiftly shrugged off her uncertainty - she hadn't really known Longwhisker personally before now, and she didn't seem bad at all! Maybe everyone else wasn't seeing her the same as Swiftflame was. Whatever. Swiftflame nodded encouragingly when Longwhisker agreed with her about the elder's den. This wouldn't just be a favor to her - it would help the elders better deal with the cold of Leaf Bare, and put them all in better moods. Hmm...maybe I could get Ashpaw or someone else nice to help me out. Judging by the barren look of their den, this could be a big job. Looking Longwhisker in her amber [OOC:?] eyes, Swiftflame raised her ears in happiness. She loved making new friends more that anything else. "Well, I'd better get started. It's going to get cold pretty soon. Say, Longwhisker, do you know where Ashpaw is? I was thinking about asking her to help me."
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Post by xradx on Apr 26, 2008 15:18:44 GMT -5
Longwhisker had met Ashpaw once, but it was a while back and Longwhisker wasn't so good with remembering which name belonged to which face. The name sounded familar but she couldn't exactly place it. However, she did not like to admit that, and she knew 'paw' meant apprentice. "Maybe you should check in the apprentice's den?" she suggested. It sounded like a valid answer.
As Longwhisker said the word 'apprentice' she realized she hated apprentices. They were always so hyper and always bragging about their 'great accomplishments.' She could recall a black apprentice who a while back had told her some heroic adventure of a badger attack. Longwhisker had found out late that the apprentice had just cowered like some sort of pansy as her mentor fought off the badger by himself. Apprentices! Who needs them?
[[OOC: Yay, foreshadowing! And I think her eyes are amber, I don't actually remember... *is a horrible character remember-er*]]
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Post by ☆§wìftflame☆ on Apr 27, 2008 5:58:53 GMT -5
Longwhisker directed Swiftflame towards the apprentices den, but before she could turn towards it she saw the flash of hatred in Longwhisker's eyes. Maybe inviting Ashpaw wasn't such a good idea... But Swiftflame had committed herself to a big job, and she would need the help. Padding steadily towards the apprentices den, Swiftflame felt the first drops of rain flatten the fur along the ridge of her spine. Shivering, she hurriedly entered the apprentice den, squinting as the thick brambles overhead blocked out the sunlight.
"Ashpaw...?"
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Post by xradx on Apr 27, 2008 8:29:03 GMT -5
Ashpaw had been lounging in the apprentice's den alone. All of the other apprentices were out training or hunting, but she had already gone out earlier that day and she was taking a break. She was about to get herself a piece of fresh kill to munch on, when Swiftflame poked her h ead into the den and called her name.
Ashpaw's black figure jumped up, slightly surprised. "Hello Swiftflame, do you need me for something?" She perked her ears, trying to think if she had planned to go hunting or something with Swiftflame, but she could not remember any such plans.
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Post by ☆§wìftflame☆ on Apr 27, 2008 19:25:24 GMT -5
"Hey Ashpaw!" Swiftflame called friendlily.
"I've been talking to Longwhisker, and it seems like the elder's den is badly in need of some insulation. You should see it! It's by far the worst den in camp, when it should be the best. I offered to help patch it up, but it's quite a job."[/b] Swiftflame scraped awkwardly at the dirt by her paws. Well, actually, I already volunteered myself and I really don't think I can do it on my own You don't have to or anything, but I was wondering if you could help."[/b] Swiftflame gazed into Ashpaw's eyes steadily, hoping for a yes.
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Post by xradx on Apr 28, 2008 19:02:11 GMT -5
Ashpaw nodded her head quickly, "Of course, I would love to help the elder's. I don't want them getting sick!" Her eyes shone with sincerity. "What do you need me to do?" Ashpaw couldn't think of anything else she was supposed to be doing, and fixing dens and helping the elders was an apprentice duty anyway, so she couldn't see anything wrong with it, and anything that made Longwhisker less grumpy was good for the entire clan.
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Post by ☆§wìftflame☆ on Apr 28, 2008 20:11:43 GMT -5
Swiftflame's eyes shone with gratitude at Ashpaw's readiness to help. "Thank you so much! Well, I guess we should start by gathering some brambles and moss, and store it by the side. We'd have to clear out the den of everyone so no one gets stuck with a thorn or something. We'll have to wait for a bit of a nicer day. In fact, I think its beginning to snow. Or maybe that's rain..." Swiftflame peered out of the den to check, but the withdrew sharply, he head soaked with icy water. "Actually, it's slush. Anyway, it should be nicer tomorrow. How bout we start around sunhigh?"[/b]
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Post by xradx on Apr 30, 2008 15:30:14 GMT -5
Ashpaw nodded her head, that sounded like a good plan. "I can do that, and tommorow sounds great." Her mouth curled into something of a smile, and her eyes shone as usual. She padded slowly over to then entrance of the den and poked her head out, "Do you think the elders will be okay tonight with the rain-snow-slush that's falling? Or will that be too cold?" Ashpaw personally had never really noticed the in what bad shape the elders den was in, but now that Swiftflame brought it up she was concerned; the elders should not have to be cold all winter, not even for one night.
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Post by ☆§wìftflame☆ on Apr 30, 2008 15:56:44 GMT -5
Swiftflame nodded in inward approval at Ashpaw's immediate concern for the situation. "Hmm...good point. I think they should be okay for tonight, but the sooner we do work on it the better. I mean, this will take a while, so there's not much we can do now. In the mean time, umm, well I guess the apprentices should just make sure that their den is filled with lots of fresh, dry moss." [/b] Swiftflame was sure Ashpaw would probably volunteer herself to do it herself, but Swiftflame held up her tail before she had the opportunity. "Not you, Ashpaw. I'm going to talk to Darksong and tell him you won't be available for training tomorrow, alright? I'll change their bedding before I do, though. Helping out the elders isn't just an apprentices task. If everyone helped them out when they needed it, all of the elders would be much happier, and a lot less grumpier!"[/b] With a laugh, Swiftflame turned and, with a slight hesitation, padded out into the now heavy precipitation. Squinting in attempt to see better through the downpour, she finally spotted Longwhisker and padded swiftly towards her, trying to make her exposure to the rain/snow and the surely much grumpier elder as short as possible. "Hey, Longwhisker! Ashpaw and I are going to work on the den all day tomorrow! You'll soon be as cozy as kits in a nest! Now, I really must go talk to Darksong about kidnapping his apprentice for the day!"[/b] With an encouraging smile, Swiftflame headed off towards the warriors den, no longer rushing - she was already soaked through. She assumed that Darksong would be there, as all other cats were gone from the clearing, and no cat in their right mind would hunt in this sort of weather. Padding into the spacious warriors den, Swiftflame called out to Darksong, hoping he was in a good mood. "Uh, Darksong? I'm going to need to, um, borrow Ashpaw for the day tomorrow - she's helping me repair the elder's den. I guess I should have asked you first, but it was kind of a spurr of the moment thing..."[/b] Swiftflame trailed off awkwardly, not looking directly at her senior warrior. She felt bad for not asking the older cat first, but what could she do about that now?
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Post by Đarκsong on Apr 30, 2008 16:10:02 GMT -5
Darksong had meerly been snoozing in the back of the den. The wintery weather outside made him reluctant to get up and get his pelt soaked. The sound of Swiftflame's voice startled him up. "It's generally better to ask the mentor before you plan to take off with their apprentice for an entire day." Yeah, Darksong was annoyed, but he decided to let it go, "It's fine though, I don't mind."
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