felis constellations ♪ closed

The stars were out, as always, but they seemed to shine brighter than usual on a certain night.

It just happened to be the night that Wisteriapool was restless. Her bold yellow gaze kept opening every now and then, but she longed to fall asleep in dash away into the land of dreams that seemed to be her only escape from the harsh truths of reality. The she-cat let out a small huff of frustration as she rose to her paws. It wouldn't make any sense to linger in her nest when sleep obviously wouldn't come to her. Making sure that she remained as quiet as possible, the warrior skirted around the sleeping bodies of the other cats in the den. It was impossible to tell if they were alive or not unless you noticed the rhythmic rising and falling of their chests with each breath they took. Maybe a little bit of night hunting would be beneficial. It'd be helping Wisteriapool tire herself out so that she could fall asleep, and the Clan would have some food, too.

The she-cat let out a strained sigh as she left the warriors' den and glanced around at the empty camp. Everyone had retreated to their nests. Shadows stretched across one edge of camp to the other, created by the dens that all had sleeping cats inside of them. The only moving shadow was the one created by Wisteriapool, and the dark figure moved to follow her as she headed towards the camp exit. She would be lying if she said that life was getting better. Flickerpaw was still gone, Specklefang was still dead, Eaglepaw's harsh words towards her on that hunting patrol still lingered in her mind, and Clan rivalries were still going on.

It took a bit of effort to force herself out of the camp and into the dark woods where trees, bushes, and foliage littered the ground and left even more shadows on the grassy ground. Glancing up, Wisteriapool felt a bit of comfort as she stared at the stars that were sprinkled in the sky. She knew that one of those belonged to her grandmother, and one day, she'd be one of those stars, too. The ginger-and-white cat didn't fear death. No, she didn't want to die, but it wasn't something that brought her terror. In fact, the subject of death was something that put her at ease. The idea of joining her deceased warrior ancestors and family was definitely not something to be feared, right?

An orange tom lay quiet in his nest. A dull persistant ache kept him awake enough to hear the soft sounds of a cat moving in the warrior's den. He peered up with his green eyes to watch as Wisteriapool moved silently around the other warrior's. He breathed slowly, then winced as a cough came out unbidden, which he attempted to smother into the moss of his nest before any cat could hear.

Rest didn't seem like so much of a comfort anymore. The soft pale moonlight that blanketed the den made it feel like he was being encouraged to come out. To enjoy a calm starry sky. He slowly stood and stepped out of his nest, a twinge stung his back as he stretched, then followed his sister's scent quietly.

His eyes glanced up at the sky. Starclan seemed particularly vibrant tonight. He wondered briefly, which cat would join them next? Did Starclan warriors remain part of their own clans, or did they watch over each clan equally, through a type of permanent alliance? The question remained unanswered. They had their secrets, things cats like him wouldn't know for many moons. He stopped abruptly as he saw the pelt of his sister just ahead of him. A playful smirk on his muzzle as he stepped forward silently.

A few steps closer, then Featherheart felt a clench in his lungs. As though he had breathed in something and coughed abruptly before he could smother his muzzle under his paw. He grimaced, then sat down with a soft smile at Wisteriapool.
"You're out late, what's wrong Wisteriapool?"

The fur on the back of Wisteriapool's neck instantly rose as she glanced over at the cat who had come to settle down beside her, but she calmed herself down once she realized it was only her brother. Her eyes glanced back up at the stars as she silently shrugged her shoulders at her brother's question.
"My th-thoughts ke-keep me a-awake somet-times," She murmured, cringing inwardly at her stuttering, the exact reason why other cats probably saw her as inferior and incapable, "Th-there's no-nothing to r-really be h-happy about ri-right n-now."
Her yellow gaze then averted back over to the ginger tom that was sitting beside her. There was a curious glow in them as she slowly cocked her head to the side.
"Wh-what a-about you?" The timid she-cat asked, "Y-you're out la-late, t-too."

ooc; ack. no muse, sorry.

Featherheart frowned at his sister's words. He moved to settle closer to her, to provide the comfort that he hadn't been able to give her lately. Not because he loved her any less, but he wanted to listen to Grasswhisker's advice. He sighed, the grief of earlier weighed heavily as he thought about it. Staring at the large sky above them however, gave him comfort.

"Nothing to be happy about?" He asked slowly. A moon had passed since the fateful decision that ripped the family apart. In some ways, it still felt raw, but... his gaze flicked back up at the stars. A soft smile on his orange muzzle as he grinned up to the sky above. "Look up, sister. Our father is watching us, and so is our grandmother. They will look after Flickerpaw too." He said softly, his head turned to look back at Wisteriapool's. His eyes bright, lit by the light of the bright moon. "Look at our forest! At all the prey. We're no longer starving, the clan is thriving!"

He stood suddenly, invigorated by his own words. A gentle breeze ruffled their pelts, and Featherheart felt oddly alive. Yes, they had withstood some terrible pain, but there was a lot to be happy about too.
"Come with me!" He invited, before he plunged forward, deeper into the forest. The minor pain he had felt before felt like nothing as he padded swiftly through the new growth of the forest. When he spotted a bird up ahead, he ran for it, springing off a tree and scaring the crow back up into the sky with a jovial bounce to his step. He barely cared when they reached a small ridge in the forest that overlooked a lower portion. "Look at it all Wisteriapool. How alive it all is!" He turned to look more seriously at her. "We've had our rough patches." He padded forward to nudge her gently. "Now it's time to have some joy again. We've earned some happiness. Let's enjoy it all while we can!"

The member 'Caysuna' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 9

Wisteriapool remained calmly silent until Featherheart began to speak, and she glanced over at him with confusion glittering in her bold, yellow eyes. What could there possibly be to celebrate? The ginger tom sitting beside her couldn't have a clue... he didn't stutter, he didn't have a problem with being social, none of her siblings did... it was just her. Only her. Her thoughts had convinced her that life would get better when she became a warrior, but it seemed as if it had gotten worse.
"Is there something wrong with you?"
Eaglepaw's sharp, harsh words proceeded to stab her in the back of the head with the sharpness of the claws of a cat.
"It's so hard," She desperately wanted to say to Featherheart, "But you just... wouldn't understand."

Upon her brother's command, the ginger-and-white cat glanced up at the sky, at the glittering stars, at the spirits of her warrior ancestors, at the glimmering figures of her deceased loved ones. They had eyes, and they had wisdom. Perhaps Featherheart was right. Hopefully, Flickerpaw would look up at the same night sky and think of her remaining family over in ThunderClan. The thought of it made Wisteriapool want to tear up, but more speaking from the tom beside her made the ThunderClanner continue to stare at him. Her eyes suddenly scanned the darkness of the forest. Despite the fact that there was barely any light, it all seemed oddly beautiful once she took the time to look at it all. After her brother brought it up, the she-cat could practically hear the sounds of rustling coming from the prey that darted around in the shelter of the bushes. Her eyes glimmered again, no longer with confusion, but with hope and amusement.

Startled by Featherheart's sudden invitation, Wisteriapool scrambled to all four paws and darted after her brother. With the cool breeze blowing through the fur and the soft sound of their paws thudding on the forest floor, the timid warrior began to feel carefree. All of her issues and doubts flew away with the wind as she propelled herself forwards. She couldn't help but let a laugh escape her maw as she watched Featherheart attempt to catch a crow. It all felt so wonderful, this single moment that she got to spend with her brother. It reminded her of the time when she and all of her littermates had become apprentices. Racing to get out of camp with her siblings by her side made Wisteriapool feel a confidence that she didn't feel when she was alone, or with cats that she didn't know. She was feeling it again. The confidence was back.

Once the two of them stopped, Wisteriapool let out a soft, gentle purr in response to Featherheart's nudge.
"I feel..." She began, "...happy."
The only time the she-cat hadn't stuttered was during her Moonstone dream, but hearing herself not stutter in reality made that rush of confidence return. No, her stuttering hadn't stopped altogether. That would take some time... one sentence at a time. One day at a time.

Featherheart smiled with nothing but pure joy in his eyes. A soft rumbling purr in his chest as he stayed close to her and let the comfort and freedom of the forest take away his pains. Seeing his sister happy made him feel lighter, and more at ease as he pulled his head back with a smile still on his muzzle.

"Good." He purred with a nod. "Because you're my sister, and you don't deserve anything less than all the happiness this forest can offer." His head turned back to the forest before them. Soft silver light illuminated the ground, brought a warmth that he hadn't experienced until now. He wanted to ask what had her so down before, but resolutely decided not to. Instead, his eyes turned back to Wisteriapool's cheerfully.

"I think. Whenever you are feeling low..." He lifted his head back to the stars. "I want you to come here. Remember this moment, and talk to our ancestors if you need to." His head turned confidently, "Of course, I'll always be here too! I'm here any time you need me, sister. I promise." Featherheart pressed his head to her shoulder in an embrace before he turned away from the starry sky and the small ridge. He looked back at her with eyes full of confidence and joy.

"Come on, Let's go do some hunting. With the moon this bright, why not? "

Wisteriapool felt another smile begin to grow on her maw. What had she done to deserve such an incredible brother? Well, such incredible brothers and sisters. Where would she be now if she didn't have them? Now, that was scary to think about, but it was a mere idea. This was her reality. It was a reality where she had cats that could lift her up when she was down and cheer her on when she felt worthless and ready to give up. Despite the cool breeze that whisked through the night, there was a soft warmth in her heart that seemed to caress her entire pelt. Being a warrior was tough at times. Between hunting for the Clan, defending the borders, and having to work together with cats that weren't the nicest, having some time to let all of the stress fall away was good for the mind, soul, and heart.

Wisteriapool glanced over at Featherheart with a gentle gaze and an even gentler smile.
"I lo-love you, br-brother," She purred, leaning into the embrace, "I'll a-always be h-here f-for you, t-too."
Sometimes, being able to rely on a cat that was living and breathing was better than leaning solely on the starry ancestors that watched the Clan cats from above.

The she-cat had originally come out here to hunt, but now that she had her brother with her, it would be a lot better. She gave him a simple nod after his offer, and lifted her nose in an attempt to let the scents of the forest come to her. Going after a robin wouldn't hurt, wouldn't it? The she-cat turned away from Featherheart and began to head towards the small bird that she had been able to scent. The winged creature was outlined by the white, milky light from the moon, so it was easy to block everything out and focus on that one thing. The best thing about hunting was the silence that was required in order to be successful. After aligning herself with the bird, she crouched a bit lower to the ground to prepare herself, and then she sprang forwards.

Putting on a smile of satisfaction, Wisteriapool caught the robin between her paws and finished it off with a quick bite to the neck. There was no point in torturing the helpless thing. Its death deserved to be quick, for it had done nothing wrong to deserve a long, painful ending. She buried her prey beside the nearest tree and looked over her shoulder to see what Featherheart's reaction would be.

The member 'Harlem' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 5

As Wisteriapool purred and pressed against him, he let himself lean into it. This moment was one he could look back on the next time their family fell into hard times. When she pulled away, he followed silently. His green eyes scanned the forest around them, but the small sounds of a bird caught his ear. He noticed Wisteriapool already moving forward and sat down quietly to avoid ruining her hunt. He crouched low and smiled as she swiftly caught the robin and ended it.

Featherheart almost leapt to his paws, but a sharp stab of pain in his side made him wince and rise slower. He shoved it away and chose to think of it as nothing more but cramped muscles. Laying down so soon after a run through the woods hadn't been his smartest choice. Instead he beamed at Wisteriapool with delight and pride in his eyes.
"Well done Wisteriapool!" He congratulated her quietly. In the soft leaves not far away, he heard the scuffling of little claws. A soft thump, and he moved slowly around a bush to see a rabbit. It was hopping slowly around a bush and grazing. Featherheart felt his heart leap with anticipation as he crouched low, his hindlegs ready to sprint.

Unfortunately, the cramp had not gone away. Featherheart rushed out as the rabbit lifted it's head, but his hindlegs stalled mid-leap. Pain lanced through his body as the rabbit hurtled off into the distance as Featherheart crashed onto his shoulders. He grunted and winced as he slowly hauled himself out, then forced a laugh as he stood and shook out his pelt.

"Well, Serves me right for moving so much, then suddenly freezing like that." He chuckled, his green eyes hiding his concern for the moment. An amused smirk on his maw as he gestured towards his dirtied chest. "I thought we always land on our paws." He joked, this time taking the time to stretch as he stood and wincing as the pain, dull once more, made it's presence known. He looked at the spot and lapped at it calmly, refusing to let himself panic or be concerned since he knew how it would affect Wisteriapool. "Shall we keep hunting? " He offered the reassurance calmly.

The member 'Caysuna' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 9

Wisteriapool's yellow eyes glowed once she received praise from Featherheart, but she said nothing. There was still prey to be caught. She silently shifted herself to watch as the ginger tom began to stalk a rabbit. It was nice sized, too. It would make for a well-earned feast back at camp. A smile crossed the she-cat's maw as her brother made his way towards the creature, but the grin disappeared as quickly as it came once the tom collapsed onto his shoulders. Ignoring the fact that she had to be quiet and still, Wisteriapool darted towards Featherheart and skidded to a stop once she was beside him.
"G-goodness!" She exclaimed, looking her brother up and down, "A-are you o-okay?"

She stared at him anxiously as he rose to his paws, but didn't smile or laugh when he began to chuckle. Instead, a frown was on her muzzle.
"Wha-what ha-happened?" She asked, worriedly, "I-I do-don't think mu-muscle cr-cramps work l-like t-that. Ma-maybe we sh-should he-head ba-back. W-what if y-you fr-freeze u-up again? Wh-what if y-you se-seriously h-hurt yourself?"
She was ready to run back to camp if she needed to. How could Featherheart even suggest hunting again after a fall like that? Wisteriapool probably wouldn't even be able to focus properly if they continued. She wanted to know if her brother was keeping something from her by covering it up with a joke and a smile, but she decided not to push it or ask about it. She trusted the ginger tom to let her know if something was bothering him. They had just had a talk about being there for each other, after all, right?

He sighed when he realised his pretense at hiding his concern was ignored. He should have known it wouldn't be that easy to distract Wisteriapool. She was far more intelligent that she was given credit for. Instead, he smiled more sincerely, his green eyes warmth with affection as he nuzzled her. His shoulders ached a bit from the impact, his sides too, but he pulled away and took several paces back and forth from the nearest tree to assess the damage.

There was no limp, nothing so painful that it made him yowl or flinch. His hindleg caught his forepaw once when he was too slow at lifting it, but that he knew was simply from the bruise at his shoulder.
"I'm fine Wisteriapool." He purred as he sat down next to her. "My shoulders hurt from the ground, but I'm not injured." He paused thoughtfully. "I did get struck by that fox about half-moon back, remember? It's probably just a bruise from that." He explained calmly, rationally going through his own thoughts on what had caused it.

That fox had delivered quite a blow. It had sent him into a tree after all, it wouldn't surprise him to know it had caused a bit of a muscle injury. Perhaps he should have seen Mapleleaf about it... but the poor medicine cat had been so short on herbs, he hadn't wanted to bother her for them then. Instead, he smiled and stood once more.
"Come on, it'll be fine. I'll try something easier." He reasoned, then padded away from her a few tail lengths until he heard the sound of tiny claws.

He dropped low. His sore shoulders protested the movement, but he pushed through and leapt out of the bushes. Unfortunately, he wasn't the only thing to do so. The pain in his shoulders felt like a violent stab of sharp claws as talons attempted to grab him right out of the air. The grey and black shape of an owl came into his vision as he landed clumsily onto his paws. His sides heaving as he forced himself to duck against a tree to assess where the owl went as it glided back towards them, it's bright eyes nearly glowing as it reflected the moonlight threateningly.


A WILD OWL HAS APPEARED!


(OOC: Well. This has gone downhill fast! ENTER PANIC MODE!)

The member 'Caysuna' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 10

Worry continued to surge through Wisteriapool as she nodded at Featherheart's words. However, she was still highly unconvinced, and wanted to take him back to camp immediately so Mapleleaf could take a look at him. She watched silently and cautiously as her brother made his way over to try and catch another piece of prey, and she started to hope that he wouldn't fall and harm himself again when the large-eyed, winged creature swooped out of its hiding place in the shadows of the night and into the open. Wisteriapool's eyes shot open so wide, they may have been in competition with the owl's. Featherheart was hurt. Would he really be able to successfully fight against an owl? What if he got another terrible injury? Feeling a strong sense of protectiveness go through he veins, the ThunderClanner flung herself at the owl with a high-pitched battle cry.

♪ wisteriapool used jumping strike on owl, dealing 10 damage and costing 20 stamina. ♪

wisteriapool ♪
45/45 HP
140/160 SP

owl ♪
40/50 HP
120/120 SP