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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Subject: tell me, is this how we're supposed to live? [c] Wed 17 Jul 2024 - 15:49
nightpaw
As Nightpaw headed out onto the territory, he recited the list of herbs he was in search for under his breath. The stocks had dwindled in the weeks it'd taken him to find his footing, and he was determined to fill them once more - before leaffall came and threatened the poor plants that his Clanmates so relied on. His green eyes were narrowed, his gait steady as he searched the muddied marsh for the herbs he needed. Marigold, burdock, juniper... All names that were familiar to him now, and the spots in which they grew were growing familiar still.
So focused was he that he scarcely heard the sounds of the nature that surrounded him. Proud birdsong faded into mere background noise, the gentle rush of a weak breeze through the branches barely even reaching his ears. Predators were of little concern to him when he was focused like this; perhaps he hardly realized just how vulnerable he was when he was alone like this. He might as well have been named vigilance for the way he was always on alert, but not now. For once, he had let his guard slip. His duties were more important.
Then, as if on cue, the peace of the forest was interrupted by the sharp crack of a branch behind him. Nightpaw was finally torn from his own thoughts, and his eyes widened with fear as he whipped around to face the noise. One would assume it was just a Clanmate, but after he'd seemingly found himself on Wolfpaw's bad side, that was barely a reassuring thought. "Who - who's there?" His claws unsheathed subconsciously, but realistically, he didn't stand much of a chance against the seasoned apprentice - if it was him. Who else would sneak up on him like this?
Characters : [R]owansong [Ro]okflight [S]ilverhawk [P]igeonpouce [F]ishpaw [Fa]lconpaw [Fo]xsnap Clan/Rank : [R] RiverClan T5 Elder [Ro] RiverClan T4 Warrior [S] ShadowClan T5 Warrior [P] RiverClan Hybrid Medicine Cat [F] ShadowClan Apprentice [Fa] WindClan Apprentice [Fo] SkyClan T2 Warrior Number of posts : 2891 Gender : any or username Age : 22
Subject: Re: tell me, is this how we're supposed to live? [c] Mon 5 Aug 2024 - 6:11
FISHPAW
Now I face out, I hold out...
It was, perhaps, strange to tail other cats without announcing your presence to them. Technically, Fishpaw was fairly sure it counted as stalking. But he wasn’t going to consider his actions under the umbrella of such a negative word. His actions were well-intentioned, if strange. He’d seen Nightpaw, one of the cats that smelled like old Alethea--a medicine cat, he’d learned--dipping out of camp alone, and several things intrigued him. Firstly, Fishpaw was always a little caught up by cats that were brave enough to wander on their own, knowing he would never be able to manage that. Second, he knew the tom to be Hedgepaw’s friend, and so, he wanted to be Nightpaw’s friend. And from there, the third thing: Nightpaw probably needed a friend. Heatherberry, the kind cat that had checked him for injuries when he arrived, had mysteriously disappeared very shortly after Fishpaw’s arrival… after, he heard, Nightpaw was just apprenticed to her. He must have been very lonely, and Fishpaw understood how it felt to be lonely like that.
So it was that he padded after Nightpaw as the tom headed out into the marshland. Nightpaw walked with a deliberateness and practice that made it a little difficult for Fishpaw to keep up. Every time he would get close enough to call out, Nightpaw would disappear beneath foliage or into the shadows, and Fishpaw would have to hunt him down again. Eventually, he got fed up with the chase and decided to take up a more brisk trot; not quite comfortable enough to gallop, but needing to close distance. Mud splashed around his paws and a few branches crinkled under paw, but Fishpaw paid them little mind.
Nightpaw, though, had been disturbed by them. For the first time since setting out, he stopped. Fishpaw blinked at him from between the ferns that shielded him, paws momentarily stalling. Fear widened Nightpaw’s eyes. A bit of sympathy rose up in Fishpaw’s chest, and he felt bad for startling the tom so badly. He ducked out from under the ferns he’d been padding through, making himself clear to Nightpaw. Without the foliage blocking half his vision, he could see the way Nightpaw’s claws had unsheathed, pressing into the muddy ground. Fishpaw swallowed.
”It’s just me,” he said. Then, remembering he was still relatively new to the Clan, clarified, ”Fishpaw. And I’m Hedge’s friend.” He hoped the words put Nightpaw at ease. Shifting slightly on his paws, he went on, ”I just wanted to talk to you. But you move too fast! You’re hard to keep up with.” A warm smile broke across Fishpaw’s muzzle. ”But hey, I finally caught you. What’re you doing walking around alone? That’s dangerous, isn’t it? And, hey:” his voice became a little clearer, more sober, ”how’re you doing? I heard about the other… medicine cat. It must be hard.”
Subject: Re: tell me, is this how we're supposed to live? [c] Wed 21 Aug 2024 - 23:06
nightpaw
Nightpaw's pelt smoothed almost instantly as Fishpaw ducked out from a patch of ferns and he was met with twinkling green eyes instead of the cold amber eyes he'd been expecting. Thank StarClan. Had he gotten his fur all ruffled for no reason? The prospect of talking to someone new didn't even scare him as much anymore - lately, a select few things really scared him, and everything else only made him fairly nervous. That was progress, at least. Soon most things would only make him a little nervous, he hoped.
It's just me, the tom called out, and even though Nightpaw didn't know a 'just me', he still forced his claws to slide back in. A few deep breaths, and he was surprised at how easily he was able to ground himself. This cat clearly wasn't a threat. "S-sorry, I thought you were... ah, someone else, is all." He licked his chest fur as though to smooth it, though it was really a super secret technique he'd developed to hide his embarrassment sometimes. "Hedge's friend, huh?" Nightpaw's voice sounded far-off as he thought. That didn't technically mean anything, because Hedgepaw was (somehow) related to Wolfpaw, but he still figured he could trust the tom. He had seen the pair together a few times, now that he thought about it - but he was always too busy to join their fun.
"Fishpaw. Huh. Yeah. I havent't gotten the chance to properly introduce myself. I saw - well, I heard your ceremony, from my den. Welcome. I'm Nightpaw." He tried to match Fishpaw's warm smile, but it came out a bit more uncertain and nervous than he'd hoped. "Ah, sorry. I wanted to head out to gather a few things, but... well, being the only medicine cat, it makes me nervous. Like someone's gonna just, y'know, fall over if I leave camp for a heartbeat. So I try to be fast." As he grew more comfortable with this near stranger, his words seemed to flow more freely. The shyness in his gaze seemed to fade into familiarity. Clearly, if Fishpaw was going to hurt him, he would've done it by now. Unless...
"That Wolfpaw didn't enlist you, did he?" Accusation rang so suddenly in Nightpaw's tone that it stunned even him, and his ears flattened against his head if only for a moment.That's probably mousebrained. "I mean... nevermind. Sorry, I'm just, uh. Paranoid." Still, even as he cleared his throat, he regarded the energetic tom with faint suspicion, as though he very well might jump at him at any moment. As Fishpaw pointed out the danger of walking around the marsh alone, Nightpaw glanced at his surroundings - as though just now realizing where he was. He shrugged. As concerned as he was about everything, ever, Nightpaw had never really worried about wandering the marsh alone - as long as he stuck somewhat near camp. Predators did very much exist, he couldn't forget. "Huh. I suppose it is dangerous. Well, I haven't died yet, anyway, but you can accompany me if you'd like." He offered, tilting his head in question.
The mention of Heatherberry - the other medicine cat - gave him pause. Even as Fishpaw sympathized, the medicine cat apprentice shifted a bit uncomfortably. "Ah, yeah. I try not to think about it too much." Especially since it was my fault. "I'm okay. I like dealing with herbs and stuff a lot more than any warrior things. Keeps me busy, and keeps me from thinking about her too much." That was a lie. It did keep him busy, yes, but every moment spent in the medicine den or even near any matter of foliage brought him countless reminders of Heatherberry. A beat of silence passed between the two toms, and then Nightpaw spoke again, his curiosity getting the better of him. "What was life like? Before you came to ShadowClan?" He'd never met a real rogue before, and he'd been wondering about it since Fishpaw had joined their ranks. He'd really never even met many cats outside of ShadowClan. Outsiders fascinated as much as scared him.
Characters : [R]owansong [Ro]okflight [S]ilverhawk [P]igeonpouce [F]ishpaw [Fa]lconpaw [Fo]xsnap Clan/Rank : [R] RiverClan T5 Elder [Ro] RiverClan T4 Warrior [S] ShadowClan T5 Warrior [P] RiverClan Hybrid Medicine Cat [F] ShadowClan Apprentice [Fa] WindClan Apprentice [Fo] SkyClan T2 Warrior Number of posts : 2891 Gender : any or username Age : 22
Subject: Re: tell me, is this how we're supposed to live? [c] Sun 8 Sep 2024 - 6:33
FISHPAW
Now I face out, I hold out...
Fishpaw had observed as much in passing, but to see Nightpaw’s skittishness up close was another. In some way, it was a marvel. Fishpaw had never thought to display his nerves so openly, or had just never been quite able to. And in another manner, it was a bit humorous, as well. Fishpaw figured he was the least threatening cat in the Clan; but, as Nightpaw told it, he’d been expecting someone else. That made an ear twitch and dissipated any vague humor to be found. Was it stranger or kin Nightpaw had been expecting; foreign threat or domestic? Fishpaw’s mind slid quickly to Wolfpaw, walking terror that he was. It didn’t even seem that foregone of a conclusion; Wolfpaw did not seem to possess the tact or wherewithal to reserve himself from threatening Clanmates. Fishpaw shook his head and refocused on what was being said, though he kept the dark-pelted tom in the back of his mind.
”Hey, thanks,” he purred. He listened while Nightpaw went on explaining himself. It was good to hear that distance and apprehension leave the tuxedo’s voice the more he talked. Fishpaw’s smile canted up a little higher. ”Alright… I guess I’ll forgive you this time.” He snickered.
A beat of quiet passed between them again. Just as Fishpaw was gearing up to talk again, Nightpaw spoke with such a snap that any words immediately flew from his mind. Green eyes blinked slowly. The smile didn’t waver from Fishpaw’s expression. He loved the thrill of being right. But, once that ebbed slightly, he adopted a more appropriate look of mild surprise and sympathy. ”Wolfpaw, huh?” He echoed. ”No, he didn’t.” Fishpaw couldn’t help but laugh a little at the idea. ”He’s been giving you trouble, hasn’t he? He doesn’t like me much, either.” Whiskers twitched with returning mirth. ”See? That’s why I had to follow you. I’m keeping you safe from the marsh and Wolfpaw.” Then he really laughed, straight from his chest.
He wanted to press more about what Nightpaw’s encounters with the dangerous tom were like, but Fishpaw clamped his teeth and relented to let the medicine cat do the talking. He didn’t quite believe the claim that herbs kept Nightpaw’s mind busy--with one that must have been constantly racing like his, how could anything distract him? ”Really?” He snorted, disbelieving but not unkind. Then he had the thought that this was likely a case where he wasn’t meant to press, so he sighed and begrudgingly said, ”I’m glad the work helps.”
The question that came after the brief silence made Fishpaw’s ears twitch in surprise. It was more surprising that no one had really asked that of him yet than it was to ask now. He stared back at Nightpaw for a few moments, considering, before his eyes slid away and he answered, ”...Difficult.” Fishpaw’s tail flicked. Did he start with his earliest memories of abandonment, or with the general hardships? ”I was lucky to be raised by an entire group of cats. I don’t think most rogues have that privilege. That made it easier to find food, and we had shelter, but… it’s nothing like the protection of a Clan.” Fishpaw didn’t dare mention that he had barely contributed to their efforts just to eat. ”It’s hard to get around, honestly. Clan cats are so hostile to outsiders, and you own so much of the territory around here. It’s hard to find prey without crossing your borders.
“Again, I was lucky. If I didn’t have my family and the rest of the Crew… I probably would have died long before I could come to ShadowClan. They made life a lot easier, even if they’re… even if I don’t agree with them. They’re as hostile to Clan cats as you are to us--er, to them--but without any laws.” Fishpaw shrugged. ”And being lawless… well, it’s kind of nice.” He smiled again, curling and wry. ”You’re free to do whatever you want, whenever you want. Wherever, too, if you can get away with not getting caught.”
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