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Post by ( ebonyleaf ) on Dec 2, 2011 20:24:16 GMT -5
E B O N Y L E A F , A decent amount of time had passed since the young warrior had awoken, that sunrise. It was now drawing closer to the time when the sun would sit highest in the sky. This was the time of day when she felt most relaxed. Her almost double life led her to feeling rather highly strung. The constant fear of being caught or killed was having an affect on her, despite her pleasure in being a part of something so. . fantastic. It seemed as if she was in a dream. Every shape ar ound her seemed somehow separated from her, as if she was not truly connected to those clanmates around her. She knew there were others like her, though their numbers did not compete with the true WindClan cats. She began to step a little, pulling herself out of the camp. Perhaps a nice hunt would do her good; soothe her nerves, if only temporarily.
The bustle of bodies around her caused her to flinch with every pelt that brushed against hers. Nearly there, nearly there, her subconcious reassured her. Nearly out into those open fields, where one can leap for the sheer joy of it. Forcing her pelt to lie flat she continued along her way, the grass feeling somehow worn underneath her paws; as if she had walked this route so often before. Everything about her posture suggested she was a cat who did not want to be interrupted. She had a purpose, and knew it. Now she was climbing up; the final descent before solitude would really be her own. 'And there it is,' she muttered, her eyes welling with an unknown emotion. The hills never disappointed her, not in the slightest. Their rolling motion made her tail twitch at the thought of experiencing the pleasure of bounding over them, fur streaming out behind her.
The decoy's teeth bared in a rare show of emotion, connected to a physical response. With a sudden motion, that involved a combination of flattening her ears and leaping forward, she was away. Leaping over the open moors, feeling the rush of wind she had grown so much to love. She slowed; aware that any cat could have their eye on her. Ebonyleaf did not want to look as if she was trying to escape in any way. She wheeled around, but the high - risen sun burned bright in her dark eyes, and she was unable to get a clear view of the path she had just come. With a small shrug, she turned, focusing herself now on the hunt. You'llbe lucky to catch anything, now. A sly inner voice made itself heard. Pinning her ears to her head before relaxing them forward once more, she pushed away her frustration and stood, looking alertly around her surroundings.
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Post by Russetclaw on Dec 3, 2011 17:03:20 GMT -5
Russetclaw When the road looks rough ahead
And you're miles and miles
From your nice warm bed His eyes traveled across the ground as he walked back toward camp. he was disappointed that he hadn't come back with anything and as he was brushed aside by somecat leaving camp he looked up to see Ebonyleaf shying away from his pelt's touch. He tilted his head and made a snap decision. perhaps hunting in pairs would avail a better return, than hunting by himself. He turned abruptly and lifted his head to call out to her, but something about her posture made him wary of drawin attention to her leaving. He thought back on what he knew of the she-cat. not much. He knew she was a loyal Windclan warrior, still young in her warriorship. But she had always had the personality of possessing many secrets, and aura if you will. This is what lodged in Russetclaws memory like a claw in tangled fur. This ate at him like a bad piece of fresh-kill. And on this he moved after her silent as an owl.
His green gaze was locked on her, not full of suspicion but curiosity. He was one who desired to know. He was one who wanted nothing more than to learn all he could about his clanmates. This would aide him, he convinced himself, in placing them in patrols with those they liked, or those who could push them to be better. It was under this pretense that he came to a stop just tail lengths behind her his ears flicked forward to hear her words. And there it is, He tilted his head and opened his mouth to make his presence known but she was gone. Thundering down the hill like a pack of dogs was after her. He smiled then knowing the feeling that she had. Solitude He thought and nodded rising to his paws and slipping to the top of the rise. Everyone needs their alone time every now and then He mused. He could use with a race down the hill himself after his meeting with Snowstar the day before. He needed to clear his head, why not do it with a friend.
He bunched his muscles below him his legs trembling with excitement. He paused for just a heartbeat and then pushed off with his hind legs stretching his forelegs through the air into an elegant bound. He wasn't as fast as your normal windclan cat, though he was faster than the other clans, but he made up for that in his bulk, and cunning. This would not be seen today. As he raced down the hill he noticed she had come to a stop to late. He tried to break, then thought to late that he should jump over her. but instead pulled his head up, trying to slow his descent but was unsucessful. His paws slid on the still damp grass and the cool breeze seemed to push him onward no matter how he churned them backwards or tried to dig his claws into the frozen ground. He hit her side knocking her to the ground and rolling across her tangled in a battle of legs and fur. He lay on the ground for less than a heartbeat before eh shot to his paws and smiled comically at her. "Eh Sorry 'bout that...I uh...didn't see you there" He said though it was truly a weak attempt. And part of him knew that he could have called out to her and have avoided this whole ordeal. Just remember what your old pal said
Boy, you've got a friend in me (Lyrics Credit to " You've Got a Friend in Me" from Toy Story)
Ooc: Sorry for the bit of Pp...he doesn't have to hit her if you don't want. =D |
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Post by ( ebonyleaf ) on Dec 5, 2011 5:37:05 GMT -5
E B O N Y L E A F , Perhaps she had been aware that this jaunt had not been hers, and hers alone, right from the beginning. However, by the time she was around half - way across the moors of her territory, this was indeed more than a feeling; it was fact. A clan member was heading in the same direction as her, though she was a little preoccupied to truly notice or care. Let them do what they will, she thought with a flick of dismissal issuing from her tail. Violent thoughts of a decoy warrior pinning her to the ground, or perhaps the WindClan leader. This usually occurred whenever young Ebonyleaf felt as if a cat was coming up from behind her. A familiar scent began to issue around her, coming most strongly from a little to her right. She turned, knowing it was only a clanmate, and one of the cats most similar to herself, though with differences that made him somewhat unappealing. 'Ah, Russetclaw,' she breathed, deciding to remain in her keen hunting stance. No need to move; no threat was approaching. The worst that could happen here was a conversation that left her feeling both frustrated and enthralled.
The scent of rabbit that she had smelt, in particular, merely moments before had now been overpowered. Turning, she went to give him an icy glare, warning him to leave her be for a little while longer; were tom cats really unable to tell anything? With a powerful leap, she had rearranged her body so that she was now almost front - on with Russetclaw who was propelling himself toward her. 'Stop, stop!' she screeched, aware that her words were of no real use. He was sliding now, and all she could do was stand there, almost frozen. She felt a thump as his body hit hers, knocking her flailing into the air. However, it seemed he still had no control of himself, for now he had rolled across her, only to crouch breathless in the grass right next to her and mutter a sheepish, inadequate apology. His grin, which spread wide across his face before he spoke, did nothing to improve her temper. You. . furball! She was filled with an indescribable rage, however, she knew she needed to calm down, even just a little, before taking out her anger and speaking to him. With deep breaths, she lowered her head, her claws thankful of the soft grass they could dig into, releasing a little of her fury.
'Well I think we both know that's not true,' she had to start, with a sarcastic air. She believed what she said, though. It seemed near - impossible he could not have noticed her figure at the bottom of the hill. 'No hard feelings, though,' she muttered, if a little begrudgingly. After a small pause, she stared right at him, her dark eyes looking directly into his. 'I was in the process of hunting. . now that you've made such an entrance, would you care to join me?' Despite her initial reaction, her dismay was ebbing away and at a rather rapid pace. This cat was too care - free and harmless for her to remain so negative around. She half - admired the way he had managed to get so close to her without her knowledge. He has some sneaky attributes. . she found herself thinking, pondering, almost, though about what she did not know exactly. She was unaware her mind was already considering him for a possible acquaintance, rare for her, given her decoy status. She shifted her weight as she waited, half - hoping he would accept. |
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Post by Russetclaw on Dec 5, 2011 9:37:56 GMT -5
Russetclaw You've got troubles, well I've got 'em too
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you He stood to his paws and shook out his fur, which had ruffled itself in the slip and fall down the hill and acros Ebonyleaf's body. He twitched his whiskers in amusement as she stood and saw straight through his lie. "Well honestly the ground was so slippery..." He let his voice trail away not wanting to give another stupid excuse. He'd simply been following her, wanting to know her secrets. Clearly she was coming out to do some hunting and he had nothing to be suspicious about, but he did have reason to be curious. She invited him to join her hunt and he blinked his eyes warmly. He couldn't resist the chance to hunt with a clanmate and get to know them better. He parted his jaws and took in a deep breath the scent of rabbit touched his tongue but was immediately followed by the sharp scent of fear, and he realized that he had probably scared it with his race down the hill. He flicked his ears back apologetically.
Prey was scarce this leaf-bare, and he scolded himself for costing the elders or queens a good meal.He closed his jaws only to open them in speech once again. "Let's see if we can find another one eh?" He asked flicking his tail warmly and flicked his ears pricking them for the slightest sound. He heard a rustle up the hill and a good distance to their left. They weren't downwind, but nor were they upwind, as the sound was almost level with them, so it wasn't likely that the prey had heard the scuffle. He flicked his tail decisively signaling her to wait, and moved off around the far side of the prey, keeping his movements even and smooth. his orange fur blazed like fire against the greenish-brown moor grass, so he forced himself as low as possible. He stretched his legs out far and pulled himself forward keeping his body off the ground and his tail stuck straight out behind him, up off the ground far enough to not rustle a blade of grass but low enough to keep from being seen.
He moved slowly painstakingly slow through the grass but finally he was in position. He could see the rabbit in front of him it's ears pricked but it's head down munching on blades of grass. it was scrawny, but would do for fresh-kill. Anything will do for fresh-kill in the next few moons if prey keeps hiding like this He thought to himself. He forced himself to concentrate All the more reason to catch what we can. With that he leaped from his cover his claws flashing in the sun and landed in front of the rabbit. Without waiting to see what he was it tore off in exactly the direction he'd wanted. This was a well thought through and perfectly acceptable Windclan strategy. The Rabbit raced toward Ebonyleaf, unaware of her waiting claws as it's focus was on him. He ran after it keeping close enough to keep it's focus but far enough that he wouldn't run into Ebonyleaf again, if she was where she was supposed to be. He hoped he hadn't expected to much of the young warrior. We stick together and we see it through
Hey, You've got a friend in me (Lyrics Credit to "You've Got a Friend in Me" from Toy Story) |
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Post by ( ebonyleaf ) on Dec 5, 2011 20:56:51 GMT -5
E B O N Y L E A F , 'Certainly,' she dipped her head, while her heart filled with a warmth that was unusual for her. Her finely attuned ears picked up a scuffle that sounded as if it were coming from a little way down the moor, even further than she had been before the initial accident. It seemed, however, that things were about to go differently, for the other warrior was twisting his head to the left, now, flicking his tail as he did so. It was a decisive motion, and one that indicated to her that she was supposed to follow. With a slight shrug, she did so, letting herself forget the noises she had heard from an entirely different direction. It's much closer, anyhow, she reasoned with herself, hating the doubt she was feeling about her own actions. Don't get indecisive. . she warned herself, with a flattening of her ears. She began to walk a little faster now, keeping pace with him until he began to run flat out. She would let him have the pleasure of hunting this rabbit. Unless he needed her assistance - which she hoped he would not; it would seem weak, to her - she would not step in any more. Instead, she admired the way he pulled himself forward over the grass, keeping low as he did so.
Already in her mind, she was judging his form, the way he approached the rabbit. Was it similar if you wanted to kill and stalk a cat? She hated herself for wondering, but perhaps she could improve herself in more than one way, this morning. He had slowed now, and she found herself impaitient. She wanted to feel the prey under her claws, feel the rush of the chase. She searched around, wanting to alert him, but in the same way not wanting to distract him. His leap distracted her and her focus broken she turned to hiss at him, her previous anger returning before she had a chance to see what he was actually doing. He was directing the rabbit to her! How silly of her not to realize this! Adrenalin pumping through her veins lent her the speed she needed to make up for her mistake. The prey was coming closer, now, her dark eyes were honing in on it. 'Come on. .' she muttered, hardly aware she had spoken. She forced herself to remain frozen, waiting until the latest possible moment to pounce.
Her hindlegs bunched and her upper body left the ground, landing a little over the rabbit. She felt it squirm and squeal beneath her, yet her brain remained so focused. Nothing could distract her now; the kill was in sight. Her claws sank into it's scrawny frame, feeling it begin to shake beneath her. She dug them in fiercely, keeping them in there much longer than was necessary to kill the creature. Her dark eyes glittered strangely, though she was unaware of this. She seemed to loose track of time; her surroundings, the fact that Russetclaw could be closely observing her. By the time she had snapped herself out of her lapse, the prey was partially in ruins. Deep gorge marks littered it's left side and back, rendering it inedible, at least, in her mind. She stepped back, pulling those dangerous claws free from it's flesh. 'I, I--' She was so lost for words; what had happened to her? The world seemed to be spinning around her. 'I'd better go, you think I'm insane!' Perhaps the judgment was harsh and based on nothing but what she expected, but it all just became too much for the decoy. Everything was ruined, she was sure! It meant the end of her life. Her long bounds had took her up to the shelter of a group of rare, scraggly bushes. Here she lay, panting from both mental and physical exertion. Let him follow me, she found herself thinking; distraction was needed.
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Post by Russetclaw on Dec 6, 2011 1:49:51 GMT -5
Russetclaw [/size][/center] Some other folks might be
A little bit smarter than I am [/size][/left] Green eyes flashed in pride and excitement as he watched the she-cat leap into action. Her form flying toward the prey with grace and precision he didn't see in many warriors. He slowed his gait he was still a couple of fox lengths away when he slowed to a trot, his legs moving in diagonal rhythm and letting his glide elegantly across the ground. He came to a stop and stared tilting his head and flicking his tail, as he looked over the she-cat her eyes flashing eerily and he took a step back at the fireceness with which she led onto the prey. "Ebonyleaf?" He asked calmly flicking his ears forward in concern, not fear. But seeming to have not heard him she looked up said something about him thinking she insane and raced away. He glanced at the torn rabbit and narrowed his eyes a furrow scrunching his tabby 'M' together on his forehead. He didn't understand what she had done, but he wasn't going to let her think he thougth her insane. He looked up watching her run off, and comething told him he needed to follow her, albeit slowly. He dug a shallow hole and placed the scrawny rabbit in it scratching dirt over it's red tainted form.
Finally, his duty to his clan finished he turned and opened his jaws gazing toward the way she had raced off searching for her scent. There! he thought and began to follow her scent trail at a quick trot. Her trail brought him up the moors to a group of bushes, scraggly and rare as they were on the moors, he looked into them his deep green gaze searching, curious and concerned. Finally he spotted a fluff of gray fur and he moved forward gently. nosing aside the branches of the bush until he was about a tail length from her. he looked into her eyes his filled with concern, her actions concerned him, warriors knew better than to tear at prey like that. She is young though, He reminded himself Perhaps she was thinking of battle, not of hunting. He blinked his eyes warmly and bent his head low to appear as non threatening and understanding as possible.
"Ebonyleaf, are you alright?" He asked, her frame looked as though she were panting from more than the race to the bushes. There was something under her scent that intrigued and worried him. "Don't worry about the rabbit, the clan will be happy for whatever they get this leaf-bare." He said glancing at the sky before focusing on her once more. He didn't really know what to say, he didn't want to scold her, something in him wanted to comfort her. He sighed and moved forward dropping beside her and touching her gently on the shoulder with his tail. "Everycat can get a little...excited... if you will. It's nothing to be embarrassed about." His voice was kind, and encouraging. much like a father would talk to his frightened kit. A voice that would chase tigerstar himself from the nightmares of the kits in the nursery. Soothing and soft, the same voice his father had used to talk to him when he was a kit. he tilted his head and smiled gently at her, "Is there anything you want to talk about?" He offered her this question, opening himself as a listening ear, he was always open to hear the complaints and fears of his clanmates, as deputy that was his job. He searched her eyes looking for some kind of clue as to what she was thinking, but it remained a mystery. Bigger and stronger too
Maybe [/size][/right] (Lyrics Credit to "You've Got a Friend in Me" from Toy Story) |
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Post by ( ebonyleaf ) on Dec 6, 2011 3:39:17 GMT -5
E B O N Y L E A F , The bush provided the shelter she needed in a physical sense; however, her emotions were still raw, for the incident was very recent in her mind. This made her vulnerable. She knew she had to watch herself; the words she spoke could have a huge impact on her future, both near and far. She was in danger of opening up to a cat she should not. He was an ordinary warrior and Ebonyleaf knew she should barely be talking to him, let alone letting him console and question her. However, the events could not be changed, no matter how much she might wish they could me. There were so many alternatives she could have taken, and each a much more normal course of action. Of course, thinking about this would get her no farther either, for his scent was growing stronger, and with it came the cat himself. When he began to question her, his voice sounded much more familiar than she would have thought. It was then that the memory of it resurfaced; a very recent memory. She had heard it, deep in her subconscious, when she had been tearing at the rabbit. The voice had been calm, but what struck her most was the way it had not sounded horrified, or disgusted; just simply confused. It now seemed to relax her, and instead of continuing to tremble, she allowed herself to take a deep, shuddering breath.
That green gaze was so clear, she felt as if she was melting away, prepared to reveal her deepest, darkest side. The side that would, without a doubt, send him sprinting from her side. She knew he would not look as he did, if he knew the truth about her position. Of course I'm not alright, she wanted to snap, but something stopped her. He was confused, not surprisingly, and this was most likely the only way he knew how to invite her to tell him her problems. 'I - I'm fine,' she mewed, her voice shaky as she would have expected. Those dark eyes welled, more with the fact that he was so concerned for a cat he should hate, than true sadness. She listened to him, attempting to excuse her and began to nod. Best to let him give the reason, she knew, so further began to agree with him. 'I - I guess you're right.' She made sure her voice allowed the same distressed tone. 'I'm not sure. . I just felt like a kit again, somehow. . y'know, with pretending the prey was a big, bad enemy. .' She knew she was exaggerating a little, but better to keep talking, she felt. His touch made her flinch and she hated herself for the movement that would probably offend him. She was not used to kind caresses, as small as that had been. As a decoy, images of violence often filled her head, and as much as these terrified her, being violent was something she rather enjoyed.
The prey had simply been a means to vent; she was not altogether sure why she had not been able to resist in front of another who was not like her. . Perhaps she felt comfortable in his presence. This possible realization shocked her a little, causing her to inwardly gasp. This wasn't how it was supposed to happen; she was supposed to use him! With that thought, she lost the majority of her actual feelings of gloom and set about getting to ask some questions of her own. 'Oh, I don't know, I just feel somehow so useless,' she replied to his next question. 'I mean, I'm a warrior now, and I feel as if I haven't done anything really worthwhile for the clan. Do you ever have that feeling?' She looked to him, hopefully, then realized how unusual that question was to the deputy! With a shake of her head, she continued; 'Of course you wouldn't, what am I saying! You're deputy! What's that like, by the way?' If she had been aware that her mood would change so suddenly upon asking this, perhaps she would not have, for her eyes had taken on a gleam and her voice; a sly tone. 'Was it hard? The transition?' was her final question before she fell silent again. |
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Post by Russetclaw on Dec 6, 2011 23:45:29 GMT -5
Russetclaw But none of them will ever love you
The way I do, it's me and you [/font][/left] Green eyes gazed down at the younger warrior, her words reminding him of his own first few months of warriorship. "You're not useless." He meowed gently turning his gaze back to her. He flicked his tail again, this time being sure not to let it touch her. Her response to his earlier touch had concerned him. For a thunderclan cat to not enjoy physical closeness, wasn't all that normal. Though it wasn't as strange as a Shadowclan cat enjoying physical closeness. He flicked his ears and looked out toward the camp. His mind wandering to his first moons as a warrior. Each warrior took the transition in different ways. Some barely noticed the change, some still took to their apprentice duties, and some, like Ebonyleaf, reverted back to their kithood, desiring to use their skills to protect their clan. But in a time of peace such as this, the only enemy could be found in prey. He smiled looking back at her he'd been one to barely notice the change, ready to step into the next stage of his life and serve his clan. Though he'd had his challenges.
He twitched his whiskers a smirk touching the edges of his lips and his eyes dancing with humor. "Of course I've felt useless, and that I'm not doing anything worthwhile." He said his words as honest as his eyes. He paused for a moment trying to decide if he should confide in her, but he felt confident, that she wouldn't conspire against him within the clan or think him weak. So on he spoke, "Just because I'm deputy doesn't mean I don't doubt and feel useless sometimes." He turned back to the sky and watched the clouds pass overhead, quickly gathering just over the rise of moors and across the lake toward Shadowclan territory. it looked like the first snow was headed their way. Her next questions about his position turned his attention back to her and he thought for a moment tucking his paws under his chest, not knowing how long they would lay here talking, and not minding if it were a few more moments, or the afternoon.
He sighed gently thinking back to his first few days as Deputy, and smiled lightly shaking his head gently and spoke softly, "It wasn't easy. I am grateful to serve my clan, and I will serve and protect Snowstar with my every breath, but the first few days were not easy." He confessed looking at her and flicking the tip of his tail again, still conscious of where it fell not wanting to touch her and cause her to shy away again. Something terrible must have happened to her in her early moons he decided and he refused to harm her psyche anymore by doing something unknowingly. "I didn't feel as though I deserved the position, nor that I was qualified to do it. I even assigned a warrior to two hunting patrols at the same time, two days in a row." He said shaking his head and chuckling at his own inexperience. "But confidence and courage comes with experience. No matter if it's for a new warrior or a deputy." He said smiling warmly at her. "You are a good warrior, and you will make your clan proud in everything you do. It just takes time to gain that courage." Boy, and as the years go by
Our friendship will never die
You're gonna see it's our destiny (Lyrics Credit to "You've Got a Friend in Me" from Toy Story)
Ooc: Gosh...he is SOOOOOOO naive lol and sooooo good-hearted! lol |
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Post by ( ebonyleaf ) on Dec 8, 2011 2:57:20 GMT -5
E B O N Y L E A F , She was surprised at how readily he was opening up to, and consoling her too. After her major flaw in how she had handled herself with the rabbit she had expected him to be much more on guard than he was. Perhaps there were no real similarities between them. She may have misjudged him; it would not be the first time she had done so. 'Thank you,' she murmured to his reassurance. It was rather nice, actually, having a cat assure you that you were worth something, whether or not you were having doubts. She basked in these feelings, her tail twitching in a state of almost content. She turned to look at him, noticing his gaze was fixed on the camp. Instantly, she felt that dread rise within her; was this an ambush? Were, already, various cats sneaking toward her, claws outstretched to capture and kill her? Had he know her darkest secret all along? She hated the way she felt fear like this and so often. With his next smile, she knew nothing had changed.
The smirk that followed was not so welcome, in fact, Ebonyleaf felt the beginnings of a snarl touch her face. She was such an easily offended cat, it often made her act out of character or react to situations in an unusual manner. She allowed herself to relax again, watching him closely. Her dark eyes did not reflect the same humor she could see in his; she knew this, because reflected in that silent laughter she could see her own. Hollow, they sat, in her face, expressionless as always. 'Oh, thank StarClan,' she murmured, a genuine smile spreading over her face. At least some cat knew how she was feeling, even if they only knew half the real issue. At least she could sort out this rather basic problem, for it was bothering her; her usefulness to the clan. She knew it shouldn't; decoy's should not be bothered by things such as this.
However, she could not help but feel a little loyalty, though most was pity, toward WindClan, the clan of her birth and upbringing. She was surprised at his next statement; she thought those feelings would have vanished upon becoming a deputy. Was this an omen, of sorts? Was he telling her, unknowingly, that power did not relieve all doubt? She had always had her heart set on a position of power, rare as they were, now that she was a decoy. There seemed to be only one leader, and in some ways that was the thing she regretted most about the system; so few got a chance at such high power. His voice, at a softer tone, was now breaking through her somewhat anxious mind. 'Thank you for telling me all this. It - It means a lot, to me.' She had moved closer while he was talking. 'I - I would be honored if you could, erm, help me with something.'
She was now a little uneasy at where she was leading herself. Leave the poor cat alone, isn't it bad enough, leading a double life? She could not shake the thought simply because it was true. 'It's just. . I guess I have trouble controlling my instincts.' It was the only word she could think to describe it. Perhaps she could get this cat to unknowingly teach her how to control her emotions and violent tendencies, while pretending she needed help with simply instincts. She fluttered her eyelashes at him, her dark eyes widening. 'I guess, the best way to tell you is through the way you saw me. . with the prey. .' She hoped the issue would make him feel such concern, he would help her. 'So I was thinking, another hunt? I - I'll try to stay more on track, this time round.' Now, her piece said, all she could do was wait for his agreement.
o t h e r , aw, i know. and ebony isn't even really being sincere. xD |
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Post by Russetclaw on Dec 10, 2011 23:53:23 GMT -5
Russetclaw [/font][/center] I'll be there for you,
when the rain starts to pour.
His eyes shifted towards her, beack away from the sky and camp where they had been looking as she spoke, her words falling on his ears like a cry for help. He smiled. It was in his nature to try and help others in anyway that he could. To see that they were pushed to be the best cats they could be. To be the best warriors they could be. He flicked his ears and stood. "Well what are we waiting for then?" He asked and turned back down toward the rabbit and trotted off his pace brisk and well balanced. Most cats didn't know it but he struggled with a deep seated ambition that drove him toward desires and thoughts with evil intentions more than a few times a day. He fought hard against these and so he was considered himself a professional. He'd been fighting these feelings since his birth. He wasn't saying that he'd mastered them, that he never lost control, he'd thought that as he became deputy the feelings would subside, and he would be left to his own power, but he was wrong the feeling remained the same, if not more persistent. being lost in thought he almost tripped over the rabbit that had just a bit of dirt over it. He caught himself and turned, hoping she hadn't seen, but not necessarily caring if she had.
He pulled his haunches under himself and wrapped his tail elegantly around his paws, sitting up straight and looking every bit like the deputy he was. "Now," He said and smiled at her, flicking his ears inviting her to sit before him before continuing. "I've had my share of... accidents," he said tentatively, his tail tip twitching slightly at the thought crossing his mind. "The best way i've found to fight these, instincts as you call them, may sound a little odd to you but bare with me, just for a moment." He said his eyes flashing in a knowing humor. "First, while your out with other clanmates, or hunting and you don't want to ruin prey, or spar to aggressively, take a moment and breath deeply," he took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Just like that. " He said nodding at her to follow suit before he continued in his instructions. feel the ground beneath your paws, dig your claws in there if you have to, something to give you a link to reality." He paused closing his eyes and letting his claws sink into the ground, and hold him there for a moment before opening his eyes a whisker to watch the warrior before him.
He continued closing his eyes again, "now allow those feelings to pulse through you, filling you with that instinct to kill, to hunt, to claw at your prey, to feel that rush that power in your paws." He took a breath and felt his own ambition rise at his words, his fur rising slightly on his shoulders and the back of his neck and a snarl playing in the corner of his mouth. He let the feelings reach out from where he kept them locked away deep in his soul, hidden from the rest of the world. It reached down to his paws and he could feel it ins the tips of his claws, the desire to claw his way to the top of the clan, not caring who he harmed in the process. It reached down his spine giving him the sensation of twisting and clawing his way out from under another to stand atop them triumphant and victorious. Then he felt for his claws digging into the earth and he felt himself, remembered where he was and allowed the feelings to subside, to fade back into the background of his being. He opened his eyes and looked at Ebonyleaf. "Once you've felt your instincts, allow them to ebb away, don't force them, just let them flow down and out of your paws. Fading back into the background of who you really are." He flicked his ears and smiled briefly before looking at the sky, "See, our instincts are like starclan, they are part of who we are, wether or not we believe in them, trust them, or allow them to aid us in our service to our clan. They are part of who we are." He turned his green gaze back to her and smiled. "Now shall we find another rabbit?" I'll be there for you,
like I've been there before.
(Lyrics Credit to "I'll be There for You" from Friends)
Ooc: I know, it's kinda sad lol poor guy, he's going to be in for a shocker if he ever finds out he just helped her control her decoy side lol. |
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Post by ( ebonyleaf ) on Dec 11, 2011 19:04:25 GMT -5
E B O N Y L E A F , She was a little startled by his sudden movements and enthusiasm. 'I'm not sure. .' she murmured to his response, her tail flicking every so slightly. His brisk pace again took her by a little surprise, but at least she had the ability to counter it. She was a little slow to start, however, still feeling a little dazed that she had begun to spend this much time with an actual WindClanner. The decoy never felt she had interacted with one for as long as this, before, although it had not even been a full morning. Lost in her own thoughts about this interaction, she own vaguely watched him out of the corner of her eye as he stumbled a little. He turned now, and she focused in on him. Her legs stretched out and after a few rabbit - lengths she caught up to him, smiling a little as she now walked beside him. He stopped and it was her turn to turn around and face him. She took up a stance no dissimilar to his; with her haunches beneath her but her tail out flat against the dewy ground. He looked so elegant as he sat there, she could not help but feel a sense of admiration for him.
She often felt as though she was rather refined and graceful, her smooth coat did nothing to supress this feeling. She listened to him, feeling a deep breath well up in her before gushing out again when he told her so. 'That does feel better!' she mewed and it did! She did find a sense of peace came over her, improving her mood. She hesitated, her claws over the ground, half - sheathed. Should she follow his example? Could she hold off her instincts, that could become so deadly and overpowering? She settled on pretence, sqeezing the earth around her with only the tips of her claws, hoping against hope that it left a suitable mark. As his eyes closed, she relaxed, absorbing every piece of advice he was giving. It was his faint snarl and the way his fur bristled that caused her anxiety. Was there something he, too, was hiding? It had seemed so out of place. She was still watching him with that wide, fearful gaze when his eyes snapped open again. She had never felt anything like this; she had always assumed that the clan cats were weak. But, now, here in the very instance, she wondered if the Decoys were fighting a loosing battle.
His end question astounded her. How could he just expect her to 'find another rabbit' when she had witnessed such an unusual display of anger. A partial answer came instantly to her; he was trying to avoid the situation, in fact, he may not even entirely remember what he had just appeared like. Yet how was she to ask him this kind of thing? It. . it was like an accusation. 'Of course,' she mewed, ready to begin her interrogation once they had begun walking. She led them out across the open moor, this time heading toward a section which was a reasonable distance away from where they had last gone; she did not want any haunting recollections to come back and distract her at the time when she was just about to pounce. Stopping, somewhat abruptly, she fixed her gaze just below his. She hoped this would show she had respect for him, despite the fact that she was faking. 'Before we start. .' she was surprised to find herself trembling in the lower leg a little. 'Is everything alright? Y - You seemed a little, er, anxious back there. .' That would have to do. Perhaps she could rely on him to open up to her, as she had done to him, well, in one particular way. |
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Post by Russetclaw on Dec 12, 2011 14:13:12 GMT -5
Russetclaw The secret side of me, I never let you see
I keep it caged but I can't control it He was pleased to hear that it had seemed to help. He knew his methods worked for him, as his mentor had taught him, seeming from his own experience, but he'd never thought of passing it on. He flicked his tail and stood to follow her. He watched her and his gaze shifted from her paws to her shoulders taking in her build, she was very well built, and she was pretty. He shook his head forcing the thoughts from his mind, he didn't want to think on that. His heart was for Snowstar, though none knew it. He flicked his attention back to the present noticing that they'd come further from where they had been. She probably doesn't want to be interrupted by a memory. HE thought thinking back for a moment to his first lesson on controlling his feelings from his mentor and he smiled at the memory. He was so lost in his memories that he almost didn't realize they were stopping. She turned to face him and he had to dig his claws into the ground to keep from running the smaller warrior over again.
Her gaze, fixed below his, did not as she hoped make him feel respected, it made him feel feared. He flicked his ears listening to her words and flicked his thoughts back to the feelings he'd had. He knew what she was talking about but his decision now lay with wether or not he wanted to tell her his secret. He flicked his tail and shook his head. "I'm fine, Ebonyleaf. Thank you for your concern." He mewed twitching his whiskers. He'd made his decision. No one would know of his darker side. Of his ambitions that crowded his dreams, and his thoughts during the hardest part of the seasons. He felt a hatred for that part of himself that was equal to nothing he felt toward anything else. He felt like an evil monster racing down upon his clan, this was why he'd been so nervous when Snowstar had appointed him as Deputy. He knew that he may someday need to resign because his ambitions would gain to much hold and that could be a threat to her life. Wether by his own will or his lack of protection. He flicked the tip of his tail and realized he needed to answer the warrior before him. His decision now was to act oblivious, or to be honest but secretive. He elected for the second.
"I was taught those methods," He mewed flicking his tail toward the place where they had just been, "by my mentor,Willowwind, as a means to control a part of myself that I choose to keep hidden." He said feeling that was sufficient. He felt himself putting up the well worn walls around his heart and minds, to defend and keep out everyone whom he felt as an intruder. He did this not because he wasn't willing to open up to others, but because he feared that they would get hurt in the process. He would much rather keep his ambition hidden away , no matter how much he wanted someone to step in and save him from this nightmare. He dug his claws into the ground and flicked his ears. "I think there is a rabbit not far ahead. Care to try for that?" He asked dismissing their previous conversation with a brush of his tail and a look in his eyes that was a mixture of stubborn determination and deep seated fear. So stay away from me, the beast is ugly
I feel the rage and I just can't hold it [/font][/right] (Lyrics Credit to "Monster" by Skillet)
Ooc: Poor boy... lol She might think he's a Decoy!! =) lol |
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Post by ( ebonyleaf ) on Dec 12, 2011 18:25:08 GMT -5
E B O N Y L E A F , She knew he would not tell him, when the gentle motion of his head swinging side to side begun. She felt a surge of frustration that was too hard to compress. The fur along her spine rose and she was sure her eyes would have flashed, gleaming momentarily. Why was he denying her this? The young she - cat had no real idea, only serving to increase her initial frustration. How she hated it when the 'tables were turned'; when the mystery was not herself, but another. She knew she had a weakness; she enjoyed being surrounded by intrigue and secrets, overly so, however she never really expected it to be played out to her by another. Especially a mere WindClanner. But was he? His vague answer stirred this question, yet again, in her mind. As he went on, speaking in that vague, hidden manner that made her blood boil, she was struck with a clarity she had never experienced before. Her instant thoughts were that she had stumbled upon a fellow decoy. 'But. . I've never seen his face, before,' she was hardly aware she had muttered the words aloud.
She looked up at him, her piercing hollow eyes, searching his face, truly noticing it for the first time. 'Who are you?!' was what she so desperately wanted to ask him, though she knew how prepostorous the question would sound to him. What she really needed was a way to find out whether or not he was a decoy. She needed to ask him, or state something, that only a fellow decoy would know. Ebonyleaf was somewhat sure he was not, her recent searching of his ginger face and emerald eyes had shown her otherwize, though she knew she was working off instinct alone. He doesn't have it in him, a small part of her had mewed, the most honest part. Though again, this was only instinct. Her thoughts danced wildly, until she fell upon a simple question; so simple in fact, she could hardly believe she had not thought of it within a heartbeat! Yet before she could ask, he had asked something of her. 'Sure, sure,' she mewed, in a distracted, almost off - hand manner. 'But. . Russetclaw, wait. .' She did not dare look into his eyes, knowing she may see anger and resent in their depths. 'Just, before we go, can I ask you one thing?'
She did not wait for a response, more simply because she was dying to ask. She found her body could simply not wait any longer. 'What is your greatest goal, in life?' She knew he would think her unusual, perhaps even power - hungry. Which, in a way, she certainly was, however, just not in the threatening way she could pose to him, should he not be a forgotten decoy. I know it's abrupt, but I need to know. Please? Those were the words she wanted to add, but could not find the heart to. She was probably putting un - needed pressure on him, anyway, and any more wheedling may serve to make him strike out. Come on, just give me this answer! she found herself crying out, inside her mind. If he knew she was a decoy, there would only be one answer; to rule. Possibly, if he were certain, he would throw in her real leader's name, Crimonstar. She knew he had spoke about a rabbit, demonstrating his eagerness to move on from their previous conversation, perhaps even meaning he would give a false answer, in his desperation to move on. She held her breath, unthinkingly, as she waited.
NOTES; He's completely thrown her off by what he's been saying and she hates it. xD |
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Post by Russetclaw on Dec 13, 2011 1:40:39 GMT -5
Russetclaw [/size][/center] I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I feel like a monster [/font][/left] He tilted his head staring at her and he narrowed his eyes in confusion. "Haven't seen who before?" He asked his eyes blinking in confusion before he shook the conversation from his mind, not even wanting an answer. Must have been lost in her thoughts, thinking of someone else He thought and stood to leave ready to hunt down their next rabbit. His eyes turned back to her and he sighed irritation flashing across his green eyes before he flicked his ears forward to listen to her question. He flicked the tip of his tail anxiously. He looked away from her, not wanting her to see the battle that was sure to be going on in his face. On one paw his greatest goal was to lead, to rule his clan and that ambition is what he fought every day. He fought to hide it from the rest of the clans. He'd heard the stories as a kit of Tigerstar, the ambitious Thunderclan warrior whose ambition drove him to kill the deputy and attempt to kill the leader before running to Shadowclan to find leadership there through tooth and claw.
On the other paw he didn't want to harm his clan, He wanted only to serve them. If he never gained leadership, he would live with that, but his greatest desire? if he was honest, was to lead. But he couldn't confess that to a warrior. Who would follow him into battle if they thought he wouldn't protect his leader because he wanted her position. His eyes glowered and he closed him trying to forced his monster back in it's cage. He couldn't confess that. He couldn't. He knew he needed to answer her but he couldn't bring himself to tell her the truth. Once he'd quelled most of his anger, and ambition he turned back to her, his eyes still smoldering with the ambition that simmered unsafely just below the surface of the facade he'd learned to keep in place. He spoke though his words were hollow, emotionless, well rehearsed and very monotone, "I desire to serve my clan." He paused lifting his chin as if daring her to contradict him to challenge his loyalty to Snowstar, to windclan.
No cat could deny he'd give his life for any cat in Windclan. He'd sacrifice everything. But none knew his secret. None knew the secret side of him, the one he kept hidden beneath the surface. The one that clawed through his dreams leaving them filled with blood and destruction. No one knew that his dreams sometimes left him fearful to see Snowstar the next day. They didn't know that his ambitions drove him to almost madness in every battle on every hunt. He shook his head his ears hitting the sides of his head as he forced the devestating images from his mind. "Our clan needs to be fed. Leaf bare is upon us and we cannot afford to stand and chat while our clan mates work." He said, as much to scold himself as to her. He flicked his tail toward the scent of rabbit, that was growing stale as they paused, "We need to track it before it's scent disappears." He turned intending to pad away. She can't know. I won't allow my secret to slip after so many seasons successfully hiding it he thought to himself. I hate what I've become, the nightmare's just begun
I must confess that I feel like a monster [/font][/right] (Lyrics Credit to "Monster" by Skillet)
Ooc: Oh boy... he's going to flip on her if they don't catch that rabbit lol...and he's still not giving her a straight answer hahaha |
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Post by ( ebonyleaf ) on Dec 14, 2011 3:18:16 GMT -5
E B O N Y L E A F , He seemed anxious; was what he told her not entirely sure? She felt as if she could claw her ears off with frustration! Or his. . either was good. He took a long time to answer, she felt, long enough to seem suspicious? Again, that feeling of suspicion lurched into her belly, making her feel insecure. She tried to lean across on her paws to gage his facial expressions. A cat could tell a lot from them, she knew. That was one of the many things she had learnt from being a part of the decoy group. Her paws slipped on the soft ground, making her slide a little toward him. She ducked her head, immediately embarassed at how obvious she had been. 'Thought I saw. . a. . saw a, well--' How much more pathetic could she get?! Now, she couldn't even make a decent excuse? 'Thought the rabbit had gone.' she finished, lamely. She doubted he had noticed; he had only just turned back to her. Ebonyleaf found herself, for the second time that day, feeling more than a little wary.
His eyes were so filled with emotion, and none of it friendly. He seemed to be on edge and furious and confused all at the same time. And was that a hint of ambition she saw, deep down, scarring his heart? She had barely time to think before he was speaking and she listened in, rather intently. I desire to serve my clan. . Not the standard response of a decoy cat she would have expected, though no doubt he could just as easily be lying. It was the small lift of his chin that seemed to settle the matter in his mind. He was no more a decoy than the average cat, unlike her. Unusual how he never seemed to question her own intentions, or any mystery she may hold around her. It seemed his own personal and very private issues were indeed consuming too much of his thoughts. Normally, this would have pleased her, if only for a little while. However, now it seemed to serve only to irritate her further. His next statements ended the session of questioning. They would, most likely, never refer to it again.
'Of course,' she found herself agreeing, hating that he was right and hating that she was admitting defeat. His scolding tone went deeper than he could imagine; scolding her real intentions within WindClan. She was overcome with emotion; what she would give to be a normal cat again! Yet, she had never been, she realized with sudden shock. She had been positioned as a young apprentice, and her time as a kit she barely remembered after all she had witnessed. With a sigh she paced after him, knowing he was right and also fully aware that he had 'won'. No answers that he did not want were going to slip out of his mouth. Her tail down, she padded after him still, rejectedly, almost. She took a careful scent of the air; what else could she do? Pressing him further could lead to bloodshed and she could not afford that. 'Smells as if it's heading over there.' Her tail pointed northbound, over a small rise in the moors surrounding them. 'Come on!' She felt her paws leave the ground as she dashed away from him, bringing herself to the top of the rise, before ducking down, almost instantly. |
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