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Post by Dreams on Jan 17, 2010 17:49:02 GMT -5
The slight rustle of the leaves washed through the air, a hissing sound, almost foreboding yet at the same time was a familiar, welcoming tribute to the feline that stalked through the domain. Tail held high, his sleek black pelt shifted through the shadows that the towering trees cast upon the earth. Confidence radiated from this proud male. The gleam on his fur suggested the strange build of muscles not seen on most other cats. His steps were not dainty yet were cautious, careful... Ravenstar had heard something.
Pausing, one foot hovering over the ground, he pricked his ears forward. Nothing. Swiveling them to the side, he checked his flanks. Again, nothing. With a twitch of his nose, Ravenstar stood there for a moment, then walked again. "Probably just a mouse," he thought to himself. Following that train of though, the EbonyClan leader thought about the freshkill pile. "Well, it is running low..." Frowning, he paused once more, then opened his mouth, letting his Jacobson organ scent the prey around the area. Sure enough, the scent of mouse caught his attention not too far from where he heard the rustle. Turning his head with hunter prowess, he stalked towards his prey...
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Post by kitsune on Jan 17, 2010 18:23:50 GMT -5
LilypawLilypaw frolicked happily in the shallows of Ducklily River, light brown fur dark with water and black eyes half-lidded in bliss as she swam from bank to bank. She was trying to be quiet - after all, this wasn't her territory - but the simple pleasure of swimming made this difficult: splashes sounded like gunshots in the quiet, and whenever she slipped back into the water she let out a half-muffled squeal of surprise. True, trespassing was against the rules. But she wasn't really trespassing - Lilypaw wasn't snooping for EbonyClan's secrets, or hunting, or anything like that. She was just... playing. Abandoning any worries she had for something she had enjoyed since kithood. EbonyClan didn't own fun, did they? The day had started out ordinarily enough; she'd been woken up at dawn by another apprentice who intended on inviting her out on the dawn patrol... and he'd screamed. That, of course, had sent Lilypaw wailing to the medicine cat's den, who then examined her and informed her that her eyes were pitch-black. "Nothing seems to be the matter," they'd told her. "Your body is simply changing as it matures. If you notice anything else, tell me." She'd been too upset to focus on whatever her mentor had been trying to tell her (hunting stance? What was that?), and finally the disgruntled warrior had just told their blubbering apprentice to 'take the day off and have fun.' And she was. At least until Lilypaw heard the faintest rustle of another cat stalking through the undergrowth. She froze mid-splash, head turning in the direction of the sound with a look of horror. "Mousedung!" the apprentice hissed, darting out of the water with an unfortunately loud splash and dashing in the direction of the border. She couldn't be caught by an EbonyClan warrior! She had so many things in life that she wanted to do! ... and then, Lilypaw realized that she was hopelessly lost and just following the path of Ducklily River. Muffling a whimper, Lilypaw hid in the trunk of a hollowed-out tree and held her breath, praying to StarClan that whoever-it-was wouldn't find her.
So much for fun. [/color][/blockquote]
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Post by Dreams on Jan 17, 2010 21:33:48 GMT -5
The hunt for the mouse was disturbed by a faint splash. Ear twitching, Ravenstar lifted his head. The scent of the prey was too strong to shift through, so he could only rely on his hearing. Having heard nothing, the EbonyClan leader stood for a moment, debating on whether or not to investigate. After a quick thought, he decided to hunt first and check for intruders later. Turning back, he noted that the mouse had started moving. His whiskers twitched as he focused again, large yellow-green orbs locked on the slight movement of the grass quivering in front of him. Ravenstar stepped forward, once, then twice... His fur stood up on end, alive with the charge of his hunting instincts. It quivered like electricity through his body, every nerve connected to his prey...
The mouse stood up, sensing something. It's whiskers twitched curiously, testing the air with its nose. Something was there... Curiously, it looked up and was face-to-face with a jet-black feline. Squeaking in fright, it tried to run. Panic took over, its instinct to run overcoming common sense as it dove wildly away from the claws. Quicker and quicker it scurried until it made it back to it's home, a small hole in the ground.
"Mousedung!!"
[/i][/color] Ravenstar shouted, angrily swiping at the hole in the ground. "Stupid mouse..."[/color] He spat, a sharp hissing sort of noise, at the hole before stalking off, tail twitching. Ravenstar was quick to anger yet slow to calm down. It took him a moment, but after a long pause he realized that the river had unnatural ripples, having being disturbed. Frowning, the EbonyClan leader stared down at the river, then padded forward slowly. "Hello?"[/color] he called in his calm voice that, at the same time, carried an undercurrent of threat in case the disturbance was an intruder. [/size] [/center][/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote]
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Post by kitsune on Jan 18, 2010 7:55:48 GMT -5
LilypawOh bugger. She'd started to relax - the warrior seemed to think that it was just the mouse - but when he spoke the frazzled apprentice had nearly had a heart attack. He knew she was there! He knew exactly where she was! Also, this tree smelled funny, like it was starting to mold inside. And there were termites crawling around in her fur, too. Lilypaw shivered in an attempt to shake off the creepy crawlies, but there was only limited success there. She'd just have to stay put, hope that the rotting stench of the pine covered her scent, and pray that he'd shove off soon -- and then she realized that she recognized the voice, from the first time she'd went to a Gathering. True, she hadn't been paying too much attention - when you're an apprentice at your first Gathering, there's far too much to look at than what you're supposed to, any anyway she'd been trying to figure out what the hell 'Greenwing' was supposed to mean - but she did recognize this voice. It was Ravenstar. The leader. Oh, bugger. As if she were just a piece of prey to be hunted, her fight or flight instinct overrode common sense and Lilypaw darted out from the tree, paws flying as she raced in the vague direction of the border, kicking up the thin layer of loam as she went and leaving a trail even a blind kit could follow.
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Post by Dreams on Jan 18, 2010 11:11:05 GMT -5
RavenstarRavenstar stood there, looking quite foolish. At least, he thought. Reaching forward with his hearing, he threw the sense outward, closing his eyes to enhance the experience. The shiver of the wind among the grass, the chirping of bugs idly buzzing and floating their way through the NewLeaf season, the constant whisper of the river, spilling its story into the ears of those fortunate to listen to its words. Nothing strange or not of place. Certainly nothing to get one's fur ruffled over. With a snort of decision, the EbonyClan leader half-turned away from the disturbance when he heard the noise once more, only this time it was louder.
The EbonyClan leader's muscles tensed for a moment, his fur ruffled, alarmed by the momentary rush. Then, he tore after the figure, yowling a battle cry. Following the scent, he could see it was a feline and definitely of IvoryClan. A challenging smirk graced his muzzle. Oh this will be fun! His paws thundered on the ground, each step intelligent in the design of the forest. Ravenstar knew this IvoryClan feline could run fast. No doubt it was still a couple feet ahead of him. However, the advantage could shift towards himself because of the snarled roots and sticks that decorated the ground before them.
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Post by kitsune on Jan 20, 2010 16:09:56 GMT -5
LilypawEars flattened in panic, Lilypaw hurtled through the undergrowth. The larger tom seemed to be catching up quickly; he knew the territory and navigated it with ease, whereas her knowledge of EbonyClan's land was limited to about a mile. Still, she was quick. She could make it... right? The doe-colored apprentice stopped short of a treacherous snared root and lunged to the left, frenzied strides causing hidden prey to take to the trees or hidden burrows. She gasped for breath, coal-colored eyes widening, and made an impulsive leap over a fallen log. She was flying! She was going to live to tell the -- Whumph. Lilypaw might have made it over the log, but she didn't take into account what was behind it: namely, a muddied, slippery slope. Squealing in surprise (and perhaps a little in disgust), the apprentice's momentum carried her down the hill. Lilypaw reached the bottom, spat out a mouthful of mud and was about to start running again when she inhaled slowly. No point in running when there was dirt in your eyes and you couldn't even see the opponent. There was definitely IvoryClan scent here, too; the border must have been just out of sight. Maybe he'd cut her some slack... after all, EbonyClan couldn't be totally bad, could they? [/size][/blockquote]
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Post by Dreams on Jan 20, 2010 18:14:59 GMT -5
Ravenstar Ravenstar followed the frightened apprentice with ease and patience. Although she was of IvoryClan build, she was still small and therefore not as skilled and seasoned as he was. Her lunge to the left was unnecessary; she could have easily went to the right where there was a clear path around the fallen log that was almost close enough to the IvoryClan border to be a landmark. He skid to a stop, knowing there was a dip in the land from a hill. Unfortunately, the she-cat did not foresee this. She slipped in the mud from the recent rain and landed in an ungraceful heap at the base. Amused, he picked his way down the hill at his own leisure.
Tail whipping, Ravenstar raised his voice so he could sound intimidating and fierce. It was one of his favor games, especially in front of the kits and apprentices. They seemed to enjoy his little act. However, his act in front of ignorant IvoryClan cats? Well, they wouldn't know he was acting, now would they? Twisting his smirk into a grimace, he stalked forward and towered over Lilypaw. "What are you doing here? Does IvoryClan not teach its cat how to respect borderlines or are all your heads stuck so far up in the clouds that you don't know the difference between your own disgusting scents and ours?"
[/color] True. Ravenstar would admit he went a bit overboard. He didn't really think IvoryClan was that bad. However, he knew his Clan was stronger and surely much more clever and intelligent. His expression dimmed a bit after his little speech as he waited for the apprentice to speak. [/size] [/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote]
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Post by kitsune on Jan 21, 2010 15:43:45 GMT -5
Lilypaw Lilypaw shrank away from the larger tom, fur standing on edge as she didn't quite meet Ravenstar's gaze. It was like the nursery all over again, being berated by grumpy queens when you tried to chase their tails. EbonyClan apprentices had confided that his bark was far worse than his bite, but she wasn't quite sure anymore. Sooty eyes finally daring to glance up at the far more intimidating cat, she managed to stammer, "Is E-ebonyClan t-t-too blind to t-tell the difference between t-trespassing and p-playing, or do they just b-bite everyone's tails just the same?" Almost immediately afterwards Lilypaw ducked her head, fur hot with embarrassment. Backtalking an ornery pregnant she-cat when you're a kit was one thing; the leader of a rival Clan as an apprentice was quite another: not only was it dangerous for your health, it made you - and your mentor, and your Clan - look like fools. "S-sorry, didn't mean it, I'll just g-go, if that's alright..."
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Post by Dreams on Jan 21, 2010 17:37:37 GMT -5
Ravenstar The EbonyClan leader stood there for a long time, his eyes focused on the she-cat. What did she just say...?
[/color] This definitely wasn't the reply he was expecting. Is EbonyClan too blind to tell the difference between trespassing and playing, or do they bite everyone's tails just the same? Strangely, the statement had him caught. His claws flexed into the ground without realizing it. Ravenstar's ears twitched, the snarl dying from his muzzle, his fur lying flat. Do we indeed just bite everyone's tails?[/color] Suddenly, a strange noise traveled up the dark cat's throat. It shook his body and he closed his eyes, shaking his head. It would take any sane cat to realize Ravenstar was laughing. "Courageous act, little apprentice."[/color] His whiskers twitched in appreciation of the cat's clever and quick reply. It was almost as if she was an EbonyClan apprentice. "I recognize you from the Gatherings... What was your name again?"[/color] Ravenstar knew he should chase the cat out. Oh, no doubt, she was still the enemy. However, they were right next to the border and he did have a soft spot in his black heart for young ones. Especially ones who had the wit and courage to stand up to him on one of his fiercest acts. [/size] [/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote]
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Post by kitsune on Jan 22, 2010 19:46:42 GMT -5
Lilypaw Wait a minute. She was being praised instead of having her fur clawed off? EbonyClan cats really were insane, and their leader must have been the craziest of the lot. Still, she decided not to push her luck and managed to keep the incredulous look off of her face, managing a subdued-yet-respectful expression instead. "Lilypaw, sir." the apprentice replied pertly, bobbed tail waving to show her faint discomfort. "N-nice to meet you, b-but I would have pre-preferred to do it somewhere else... maybe Greenwing." Lilypaw glanced down at the mud plastered to her fur and realized that, even if she did see Ravenstar again, he would almost definitely not recognize her. "Argh!" she groaned under her breath, mumbling more to herself than to Ravenstar. "How am I ever going to get this out of my fur? I look like a mud monster."
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Post by Dreams on Jan 23, 2010 17:08:37 GMT -5
Ravenstar A smirk graced the leader's muzzle. Apprentices were always amusing to watch. They knew exactly how they were suppose to act, yet he knew this sort or behavior wouldn't be absorbed fully until they became warriors. She was probably thinking of how she's getting away with trouble. Oh, Ravenstar couldn't let her think that, now could he? With careful, slow steps, he walked her towards the border.
"Lilypaw?"
[/color] He nodded slowly, as if recalling who she was. His teeth flashed as she continued. "Oh, do not worry, Greenwing isn't far off. I'm sure you will see me there. If you go, that is..."[/color] Ravenstar looked up briefly at the IvoryClan territory to worry Lilypaw. He would tell Fernstar, of course. This trespassing could not be tolerated. [/size] [/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote]
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Post by kitsune on Jan 24, 2010 11:11:51 GMT -5
LilypawLilypaw frowned and paused mid-step, tilting her head to the side. "Why wouldn't I go?" she mewed blankly, pupil-less eyes wide and perplexed; some corner of her mind had probably registered what he meant by that comment, but the majority remained blissfully ignorant. Well, not quite. She was already regretting telling him her name - why couldn't she have said Ivypaw and let one of the other apprentices take the fall? If he told Fernstar, she'd never get to go to the Gathering, and she'd be stuck doing elders' chores for ages. Kestrelclaw was awful - so what if he was her uncle or cousin or something? He was still a colossal grump for whom nothing was ever good enough. "Well, here we are," she managed without stammering as they came to the border, giving Ravenstar an anxious half-smile. "I... thanks, bye..." Lilypaw started into IvoryClan territory, walking as rapidly as she could without breaking into a run.
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Post by Dreams on Jan 27, 2010 15:58:50 GMT -5
Ravenstar "Why wouldn't you go? I have no idea, Lilypaw. You better scamper back to your camp, though. Your Clanmates might be missing you..."
[/color] Ravenstar twisted a smile onto his muzzle, pleasant, yet hinting a dangerous, wild side of the leader. After all, he didn't gain his nine lives for being sweet and innocent, now did he? He watched the apprentice as she backed into her territory. Hopefully, Ravenstar thought she'd tell Fernstar what happened but he knew it was not going to happen. What sane apprentice ever told their leader about their little adventures that broke the Code? No, Ravenstar would make sure to address this issue personally to the IvoryClan leader. Possibly at the Gathering, but he wasn't sure if he should say it out loud in front of all the cats. Such a petty issue, but if Fernstar started the fight, he would use this information to his advantage... [/size] [/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote]
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Post by kitsune on Jan 28, 2010 18:24:31 GMT -5
LilypawA little frown appeared on Lilypaw's muzzle as she darted over the border, bobbing her head twice in confirmation. "Yep, I'm gonna skedaddle on, but I doubt they'll miss me yet," she babbled, talking too fast for a stutter to really have a grip on her words. "since my mentor said I could take the day off and all, I mean, I bet they won't expect me til this evening... bye!" she clamped her mouth shut, twitched her whiskers in faint embarrassment, and scampered off. Perhaps she'd just go sun somewhere, rub the caked mud out of her fur and maybe even hunt a little. It was starting to dry, leaving her pelt in annoying little ruffs and tufts and mohawks. Yeargh.
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Post by Dreams on Jun 7, 2010 14:00:32 GMT -5
Ravenstar Ravenstar's whiskers twitched as he watched the apprentice walk back to her Clan. He shook his head, amused but irritated. Apprentices were always annoying to deal with, especially those not from his Clan. She was lucky he was feeling generous and let her leave. Briefly, the Clan leader dug his claws into the ground and pulled them back, feeling the earth crumble until his sharp tools. Maybe Ravenstar would stir up a bit of trouble with Fernstar later... Shrugging his shoulders, the black cat turned and jogged back through the forest. The scents of the woods filled his nose once more and Ravenstar felt himself slipping back into his hunter persona. Pupils dilated as he crouched down, creeping forward with careful and judged pawsteps as a bird idly hopped on the ground. Its head bobbed about like a wired up animation, pecking for bugs among the grass. The warrior lowered his tail and crept forward again. The bird still did not sense him. With a smirk, Ravenstar tensed his muscles, then propelled himself forward, claws outstretched. The bird cried out as it was stabbed and pinned but it was quietly silenced with a death bite to the neck. He waited a few moments before releasing the fresh kill from his paws and lifted it up with his muzzle.
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