The future's in your paws. Shape it well.Roleplay in a cat Clan of warriors. Based off the Warriors series by Erin Hunter. Takes place in an AU before the cats in the books existed.
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The fact that many cats spoke ill of the carrionplace was the exact reason that drew him to it. Not only was it a place of muck and filth, but the large rats that called it their home sounded thrilling. He wanted to play with one and kill it. Snakepaw was just newly made an apprentice but his desire to do whatever he wanted to do was overwhelming and ever-growing. Rookfire had yet to take him, and he wasn't sure his mentor intended to, so the tom was determined to find it himself.
Sunlight peeked just over the horizon. Few Shadowclan cats stirred unless forced to join a patrol. Snakepaw scampered about in his usual odd manner, sticking to the shadows and making a beeline for the entrance. He hardly cared if he got in trouble, contented to shrug off and words like he had as a kit. All that mattered was the carrionplace and finding his rat. Just before he could slide through the entrance, a voice interrupted. It caused him to dart faster through the break in the camp walls, pausing only when outside to glance over his shoulder and find the source of the voice.
xaandiir Former Staff
Characters : [P]oppyshine; [Pi]neblossom; [L]arkspring; [Wi]llowwisp; [R]ashoumon; [B]lazekit Clan/Rank : RC T5 Deputy; SC T5; RC T5; RC T5; Rogue T1; WC App Number of posts : 3162 Gender : Any Pronouns Age : 26
Icepaw had awoken early due to bad dreams. She tried to let the bad thoughts wash off of her and she stood and stretched. She walked out to occupy herself around camp. The sun had only barely risen above the horizon, leaving the camp still dimly lit and full of shadows. Icepaw blinked slowly as she ambled round camp, but sudden movement caught her eye. She froze and her hackles rose as she looked to the source of the movement. It was small and only took Icepaw a moment to realize it was another cat; another moment after let her identify the cat as Snakepaw, one of the recent apprentices. He must have gotten up shortly before she did. What was he doing scurrying around camp? Her answer was almost immediately answered as he moved towards the exit of the camp. Icepaw frowned and walked toward him. “Snakepaw, where—”
He darted off like a mouse, disappearing through the exit of camp. It caused Icepaw to jump and she quickly moved to the entrance, peering out into the marsh. Thankfully, Snakepaw paused and looked back at her. She glanced over her own shoulder, seeing no warriors awake to reprimand them, and she took another couple steps to fully exit the camp’s enclosure. She called in a hushed voice, “Snakepaw, where are you going? Apprentices aren’t allowed out of camp without a warrior.”
Had the interrupter not had eyes of a Shadowclan cat, she likely would have only seen the glaring yellow eyes. It seemed another apprentice had taken interest in pursuing him. Icepaw. The name flickered in the back of his mind, a faint recognition drawn only from their similar rank and sharing a den. He had not taken the time to befriend his denmates and didn't really care much about doing so - friendships hardly mattered when he was in the pursuit of other goals. Although he wanted to snort, Snakepaw had learned to tamper back at least that much of his unpleasant personality.
"I'm going to the Carrionplace. I want to find a rat." He meowed simply, unblinking as he looked at her from the peculiar crouch, "You're almost a warrior, come with me then." Snakepaw shrugged, caring little for the rules set out by, well, anyone. It occurred to him as he turned away that he had no idea where carrionplace was but he was determined to find it. Perhaps Icepaw could be useful in that front. He didn't wait for an answer, merely carrying on with his shifting slither and waving his tail in invitation.
The sun was just starting to rise, the dark world of night ShadowClan inhabited slowly giving way to the glory of the day. Webshadow had always been fond of sunrises; always late to fall asleep, just so he cod watch the sky change. It was wondrous, to observe the way such deep darkness gave way to blazing orange, to soft purples and rosy pink and, eventually, gentle shades of blue. Granting himself that small sense of comfort and reprieve felt like the least he could do now. He was tired of Basilbloom's den, of being poked and prodded and looked at like a sorry mouse. No one had been unkind; but there was a change, and he was aware of it.
A bolt of movement caught his attention, and slowly, the warrior turned his head. One of the littler apprentices was darting about camp, sticking himself to what thin shadows remained and attempting to be stealthy. Webshadow snorted through his nose as he watched, amused at the apprentice's antics; but then the little tom darted out of camp, and the tabby's ears lowered. He was the only warrior still sitting in camp to see it, and that left chasing after the apprentice up to him. Or... up to other apprentices, as it were. He hadn't seen her appearance, but Icepaw's familiar pelt followed swiftly after, hurrying to catch up. Eye narrowing, Webshadow remained in his place for a long moment before he eventually pushed himself to his paws, padding towards the camp exit with no sense of urgency.
Once outside camp's walls, the territory seemed more daunting than he had ever remembered it being. Half of it was out of sight entirely, and the thought that something could sneak up on him almost entirely unnoticed made his skin prickle. But he was capable, and this venture alone couldn't prove to be too dangerous; he was only shepherding wilful apprentices. He wasn't seeking out bands of rogues. Whispered voices made his whiskers twitch, and the dark tabby turned to follow the sound, keeping his steps light so as not to scare them away. Something muttered about Carrionplace and rats, and then the younger of the pair was slinking away again. Stepping up to Icepaw's side, silent as ever when he approached, Webshadow tipped his head to the left. He wondered if the tom had even noticed his arrival. "You are going the wrong way, if you are looking for Carrionplace." Webshadow called out, blinking slowly. Then, to Icepaw, "You are not a very good guide, to let your charge wander off like that. I am more convinced he will find himself lost in the deepest heart of the marsh than finding Carrionplace, and I do not feel like fishing apprentices out of ponds today. Though maybe tomorrow." There was humor in his mild tone, a rare sparkle of mischief lighting his eye. Any initial concerns about the scope of the territory were dashed by the company he'd caught up to, and a pleasant feeling warmed his fur in its place. This was what he had missed most about being a warrior: though he was reclusive by nature, watching his Clan grow and learn had always been a thrill for him. Training apprentices, even if he'd had bad luck with it, was just as fun. Neither of these two were going to claw each other's eyes out, or maul a cat over land; they were just out to explore, something he had done freely as an apprentice. "If you turn around, I will take you both to Carrionplace. I make no promises that the rats will not find you first, though."
Icepaw was already fed up with Snakepaw from the moment he opened his mouth. His blatant disregard of the rules set forth by Murkystar irked her, and his offer for her to join only irritated her more. It didn’t matter her age or how close she was to completing her training; she was not a warrior yet, and Snakepaw acting as though she was essentially one was spitting in the face of the warriors who earned their title. She didn’t get a chance to scold him or drag him back to camp by his scruff before Webshadow appeared. Icepaw tensed at the sudden materialization of the warrior, and then his scolding—no matter how playful his words actually was—made Icepaw lower her head in shame. She hadn’t wanted to be a guide; she’d been trying to get him back in camp. But she didn’t say that aloud. It felt like her tongue had been clipped off. She didn’t raise her head, but she lifted her gaze to look at Snakepaw, for if he would disregard Webshadow as he had her, or if he would accept the kind warrior’s offer to guide them to the Carrionplace.
Snakepaw was prepared to scamper away. Ears pointed in the direction of his intended target, one paw raised, but a voice interrupted his endeavors. The apprentice wanted to growl and grumble about being prevented from racing off once again. Yellowed eyes turned to look over Webshadow and narrowed in disapproval. However, they widened again slightly as the warrior began to speak. Icepaw? His guide? There came a low snort, "I'd hardly call her my guide when I'm ahead." It was not that he cared much for technicalities but it bothered him to have cats nipping at his heels when this was his adventure.
Then, the older tom spoke of taking them to carrionplace. Perhaps his entire night hadn't been ruined. There came a sly grin. If it meant getting to the right place, he did not care. Turning quickly on his paw pads, Snakepaw stood obediently at the warrior's side. It was likely the most that he'd ever listened to another cat - and it was in pursuit of his own goals. Tail raised and waving back and forth, the odd apprentice kept his low stance but was all the ready to carry on, "Lead the way. If a rat finds me first that's just as good."
