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Post by SHADE. :D on Sept 30, 2008 10:46:52 GMT -5
vermillionpaw Thud. His slim white forepaws thumped the grass as he pounced. His tail swished in the grass like that of a tiger, waiting to pounce. His thin face was filled with concentration. He was practising hunting. Vermillionpaw slunk forward, claws unsheathing. He sliced at the longer clumps of grass, before jumping forward with a battle cry, and lunging with his teeth. The young cat then flopped into a sitting position, panting but looking very pleased with himself. Let Windystorm insult that! He smirked at he thought this. The youngster peered up at the sky, sighing between his lips. The moon was still full, high, and bright. Venompaw was at the Gathering. It was so unfair. He sighed, rolling over into his back to watch the stars.
Gah! When would they return...? |
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Post by (aurora) of the problematique on Sept 30, 2008 13:22:46 GMT -5
Alderpaw This addict just starved again asphyxiated
A black and white form watched the light-ginger tom mutely. He slipped forward, footsteps noiseless on the falling leaves. His tail curled around his body as he sat down behind Vermillionpaw's head, staring down at the wiry tom that always looked like he had the food beaten out of him. Then again, he probably did. Alderpaw was no dunce. He knew what Windystorm was doing, but he was loath to dip into business that wasn't his own. Tattling to Ghostlystar would be a no-no.
He inhaled deeply and tried to make conversation, bending his ears back at the effort. He failed miserably, only managing a soft "Hullo?" He hoped Quailpaw wasn't out here watching him, the stupid goody-two-paws. She'd never let that down.
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Post by SHADE. :D on Oct 1, 2008 9:54:50 GMT -5
vermillionpaw [/font][/right] The ginger tabby tom continued to gaze up at the stars, his blue-brown eyes wide with interest. He wondered if any of the cats of StarClan were up there now, staring back down at him. The thought made him grin. The red tabby blinked as a scent drifted to his nose. He rolled back onto his paws, a guilty look on his face. He half expected it to be warrior, coming to tell him to make himself useful. He got ready to mumble excuses, until he recognized Alderpaw. "Oh, hi, Alderpaw!" he mewed brightly. "So you didn't get to go to the Gathering either, huh?" The thin tom glanced up at the moon, but it showed no signs of wavering. He paused to sigh slightly, then pounced on a fuzzy piece of moss poking out from a patch of bare ground. He pulled it up with strong claws, then looked up at Alderpaw again. "Sucks, doesn't it?" |
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Post by (aurora) of the problematique on Oct 1, 2008 12:49:32 GMT -5
Alderpaw This addict just starved again asphyxiated
"I don't mind."
The wraith's voice was barely a whisper but to him, it seemed to thunder out to the clearing. He winced slightly and flicked his tail like a horsewhip. Alderpaw looked up from Vermillionpaw and turned his dull green eyes to the moon, following the tom's gaze.
"I like staying home."
His eyes shot over to the bony tomcat, examining him and disecting every inch of the younger boy. He really didn't know what to say, prefering silence to other means of communication. He supposed he could have Vermillionpaw speak.
"Tell me three things you like to do." Stormfeather and Lastfalling would praise him for trying to be social.
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Post by SHADE. :D on Oct 1, 2008 13:00:21 GMT -5
vermillionpaw The red tabby blinked at the other apprentice. "Weird," he mewed, then realised that he might sound rude. "Well, I mean, staying home can be fun, too, I guess." The skinny apprentice avoided Alderpaw's gaze. He thought of the tom as a potential friend, but he could be a bit creepy. Perhaps it was just because Alderpaw was so much more mature than he. The bony tom frowned at the other apprentice's question. It was an odd one. Vermillionpaw sat down nonetheless, to think about how he would answer it. "Well," he mewed thoughtfully, screwing up his face as he searched his mind. "I like... Um.. Hunting! I like hunting. And... I like... I like proving that I'm not as pathetic as I look!" The tom's blue-brown eyes blazed at this. After a moment they calmed. "And... I like being with my brothers and sisters, too. I guess." [/size] |
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Post by (aurora) of the problematique on Oct 1, 2008 13:16:52 GMT -5
Alderpaw This addict just starved again asphyxiated
He didn't even blink when the tom called him weird, smiling internally when Vermillionpaw hastened to correct himself. Alderpaw sighed slightly and listened to the tom speak.
"Your brothers and sisters seem better than mine," the black and white tom growled under his breath.
His tail slapped the earth in aggravation, his mind focusing back on stupid Quailpaw. His fur spiked out a bit until he forced himself to forget about his antagonizing sister. Alder, she's getting to you. That's what she wants. Stop it! he thought. The taller tom shook himself and sighed, rubbing his head.
"I like hunting too...," he mumbled. "Um...I saw...I saw your battle position earlier. G-good job." He was getting distracted but he quickly regained control over himself, inhaling and exhaling deeply. "Sorry...I don't do this much." He could see why Vermillionpaw called him weird.
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Post by SHADE. :D on Oct 1, 2008 13:22:44 GMT -5
vermillionpaw The red tabby tom blinked at Alderpaw's words. "Turtlepaw can be a bit... Well... Cocky," he said, his voice slightly apolegetic. "And Elmpaw does apolegize too much. That can get annoying. And Quailpaw yells at me when I don't do stuff right... But they're all okay. I think I probably like Lycorispaw best." He scratched awkwardly at one of his ears, hoping he had not offended the tom. His skinny chest puffed out with pride at the older apprentice's words. "Thanks!" he mewed appreciatively. Vermillionpaw blinked his hazy eyes at the other apprentice. "S'okay," he mewed. "I mean, best to meet these things head on, right?" |
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Post by (aurora) of the problematique on Oct 1, 2008 13:39:35 GMT -5
Alderpaw This addict just starved again asphyxiated
"That's the truth," Alderpaw agreed, rolling his eyes when his siblings were mentioned. "Turtlepaw never shuts up about being deputy. Elmpaw never shuts up about being sorry. Quailpaw never shuts up about how I never do anything right. Lycorispaw...yeah...she might be the best one." The tom sighed and shook his head, trying not to laugh when the skinny Vermillionpaw puffed out his chest.
"I...I suppose you're right..." He became mute, feeling awkward.
Could he call Vermillionpaw a friend now?
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Post by SHADE. :D on Oct 2, 2008 9:57:56 GMT -5
vermillionpaw The russet tabby purred in amusement as Alderpaw spoke about all of his siblings in turn. "It'd be weird if you always got on with them, though," he mewed, thinking how he and Venompaw sometimes argued. This caused his brow to crease in thought. The smaller apprentice smiled as Alderpaw spoke again. "I never let anything beat me," he mewed, his voice not boastful, but constructive. He knew Alderpaw had confidence issues. Maybe he could help...? No other cat apart from his siblings had ever really got involved with him, because of what his parents did to him. "You just have to... Kinda... Work through it, see? With your chin up." Vermillionpaw blinked for a moment, trying to work out if what he had said made sense. After a moment's silence, he rose up on his hindlegs and batted at the clouds. It was almost as though he was really touching the fluffy white objects. He glanced at Alderpaw, wondering if he had ever played Catch The Cloud. He didn't seem to play much. Vermillionpaw dropped down onto all four paws, blinking. He pricked up his ears as an odd, warbling cry hit his ears. That cry! He had heard it every night for moons. He still didn't know what it was.
"Alderpaw, d'you know what that noise is?" |
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Post by (aurora) of the problematique on Oct 2, 2008 11:51:53 GMT -5
Alderpaw This addict just starved again asphyxiated
"Okay, okay, I get it," he muttered, claws unsheathing and digging into the ground. He continued to grind against the earth until Vermillionpaw became distracted and asked him a different question. This one he could answer.
"Hmm...only a few birds call or sing at night," Alderpaw said softly, his ear flashing up to record the sound. He went silent for a moment. "A mockingbird perhaps...or a nightingale. I don't do much birdwatching at night." He lowered his ear and turned his dull green orbs to Vermillionpaw.
"Do you like it?"
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Post by SHADE. :D on Oct 3, 2008 10:22:43 GMT -5
vermillionpaw The red tabby blinked as he realised that he had offended Alderpaw. "Sorry," he mumbled, crushed. The thin apprentice stared at his paws, embarrased. When the other tom began to speak again, answering his question, he raised his head almost reluctantly. He nodded at Alderpaw's words. "Thanks.. I've been wondering for ages," his voice was awkward, as though he were afraid of offending the other cat again. He wrinkled his nose at the tom's next words. "I guess so." His mew was uncertain. "It's nice, but it can be annoying when you're trying to sleep." |
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Post by (aurora) of the problematique on Oct 3, 2008 11:46:59 GMT -5
Alderpaw This addict just starved again asphyxiated
"Stop saying sorry. You sound like Elmpaw," he barked, narrowing his eyes. He glared at Vermillionpaw, only to realize that he was being a bit too harsh on the younger cat who didn't know how he acted. The black and white tomcat sighed slightly and flicked his tail.
"Didn't mean to yell at you, sorry," he mumbled, waving his paw and continuing onto the subject of the mockingbird again.
"Oh...yeah, it can get annoying. I'm somewhat of a heavy sleeper so it doesn't affect me. I suppose that just means you're going to be a good patroller when you get older."
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Post by SHADE. :D on Oct 3, 2008 11:53:54 GMT -5
vermillionpaw The red tabby narrowed his own eyes at Alderpaw's words. He wasn't the type to take abuse lying down. "Excuse me for trying to be friendly!" he hissed back, fur and tail rising. His eyes blazed angrily, until Alderpaw apologized. He sniffed, flattening the fur between his ears with a skinny forepaw. "Should think so, too," he muttered. The tom blinked at the apprentice's next words. He shuffled his paws at Alderpaw's praise. "Thanks." The apprentice gazed into the trees, wondering where the bird was, and what it's name was. Was it a tom or a she-cat? Did it have any brothers or sisters? He wondered if the bird was happy. Vermillionpaw sighed. "How come birds always sound so carefree?" he mewed bitterly, scraping at the earth with his claws. |
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Post by (aurora) of the problematique on Oct 3, 2008 12:19:29 GMT -5
Alderpaw This addict just starved again asphyxiated
The black and white tom swallowed the cold deathly stare that was starting to consume his expression, replacing it with a flat-lipped line.
The subject quickly changed paces to the bird again. "Probably because they don't have to worry about anything but themselves until they decide to get a family. Some birds don't live all that long. What's the point of moping around when you might only have two seasons to live?"
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Post by SHADE. :D on Oct 4, 2008 9:21:29 GMT -5
vermillionpaw The red tabby tom noticed the cold look starting to consume Alderpaw's features. His own eyes narrowed, until the other apprentice ironed out his expression. Vermillionpaw sat down to listen to Alderpaw's words. He scuffed at the grass with his scrawny white paws. "'Spose," he mewed. Taking Alderpaw's point, he forced a smile back onto his face. "What d'you think my warrior name will be? What d'you think your's be? Alder... Alderpool... Aldertree... Alderbranch.." He trailed off, thinking deeply. "Vermillionflame.." The young tom smirked suddenly. "Don't you think Quailpaw should be called Quailbeak? Because she doesn't ever shut up...?" He laughed under his breath, feeling a little guilty, but free at the same time. He usually didn't tell any cat how he felt - because none would listen. |
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Post by FIREH!! on Oct 4, 2008 12:10:26 GMT -5
ooc;; Hey aurora, when this thread is over, do you want to do a training thread for Storm and Alder?
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Post by (aurora) of the problematique on Oct 4, 2008 13:21:15 GMT -5
ooc;// Sure. Start it whenever or you can have Stormfeather come in later and call Alderpaw away.
Alderpaw This addict just starved again asphyxiated
He paused when asked about his warrior name, and he contemplated this for a moment. "Hmm...Ghostlystar would probably pick something that matches my personality." He rolled his eye. "If he's listening to Quailpaw, then Aldervenom, Aldercross, Aldertooth. Something rough."
He paused to laugh softly, something rare. "You'd be a good Vermillionflame." He patted the younger apprentice's head and chortled again.
"Quailbeak, that's a good one. Or Quailcalling. She's worse than the mockingbird." The black and white tom shook his head in disdain, sighing a bit. "Oh wow...that's really good."
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Post by SHADE. :D on Oct 5, 2008 6:10:54 GMT -5
vermillionpaw The apprentice turned his head on one side as Alderpaw began to recite a few warrior names for himself. He blinked his dusky eyes at the other cat. "I'm sure Ghostlystar will choose something that he thinks of, not anybody else," he mewed, with an air of certainty, but also a grain of comfort, in his tone. Vermillionpaw grinned at Alderpaw's next words. "Really? Why?" He chuckled under his breath as the apprentice patted him between the ears. This changed into full-blown giggling as Alderpaw spoke about Quailpaw. "I know. Yap yap yap. She never shut's up. Just because she's older than me, she think's she's the boss of me. But she's not!" His eyes flashed. Then he smiled at Alderpaw. "Y'know, you're the first cat who hasn't been too scared to talk to me. Because off... Y'know." |
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Post by (aurora) of the problematique on Oct 5, 2008 21:00:18 GMT -5
Alderpaw This addict just starved again asphyxiated
"Perhaps he gets a dream from StarClan about what to name us, since they know our past, present, and future," the tom murmured. He slowly was letting his guard down around Vermillionpaw. He surprisingly didn't cuff the boy over the ears at the giggling, which was something he usually hated. Maybe it was because he was laughing too. Such a foreign thing, a laugh.
"Oh, StarClan, she does that to everyone. It's not just you." Alderpaw shook his head and rubbed his face.
He paused at the last sentence Vermillionpaw said, and he began to contemplate the tom's family situation. He let out a hollow grunt and flicked his tail. "He wouldn't dare hurt me, your coward of a father. He uses abuse to cow you because he's too insecure about himself," he hissed. The tom turned to Vermillionpaw, now regretting his thought about 'tattling being a no-no'. He wondered how he'd tell Ghostlystar. Would Vermillionpaw and his siblings be willing to testify? Could Ghostlystar possibly walk in on Windystorm abusing his son? Alderpaw would have to think about that one.
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Post by SHADE. :D on Oct 6, 2008 10:05:04 GMT -5
vermillionpaw The russet tabby apprentice blinked, his dusky eyes shining at Alderpaw's words. "That would be so cool! But that means that StarClan know all your secret..." Vermillionpaw blinked, not sure about this. Did he really want so many cats to know his deepest, darkest thoughts? The tabby shivered. He was brought back by Alderpaw's next words. He smiled, forgetting the chilling thoughts he had been experiencing just a moment ago. "Yeah." The looked at his small, skinny forepaws as the other apprentice began to speak about his father. He lifted his head to look at Alderpaw again. "He would," he mewed, with the air of admitting something unpleasent. "Don't let him hear you say that, or he'll hurt you, too." He didn't want his cruel father to harm any more cats. |
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Post by (aurora) of the problematique on Oct 6, 2008 11:08:52 GMT -5
Alderpaw This addict just starved again asphyxiated
Alderpaw let out another grunt. "Oh right." He tapped his chin. "That would be kind of annoying sometimes but I'm sure they'd forgive you if you did something bad, to some extent." He shrugged and looked over at Vermillionpaw. "Only the really bad cats go to DeathClan." Like your father, he wanted to add.
Brows knitted together. Ivory claws shimmered threateningly. "I'm not afraid of him. He may be bigger and older but he cannot harm me." The black and white tom glared at the emptyness, daring Windystorm to show up right now and attempt to fight him. Alderpaw's deathly glare turned to Vermillionpaw, softening only a bit.
"I'll protect you." He knew it would be foolish to interfere but...but Vermillionpaw was his friend.
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Post by SHADE. :D on Oct 6, 2008 12:06:55 GMT -5
vermillionpaw Vermillionpaw blinked silently as Alderpaw mentioned DeathClan. He had never really thought about the other side of StarClan, before. He had never thought that he would have to worry about anything else. It wasn't like he was going to go to DeathClan. He'd done nothing wrong. The skinny red tabby puffed himself up, as if illustrating this fact. The tom turned his eyes back onto his friend as Alderpaw spoke again about his father. He decided not to tell the other apprentice he was wrong this time. He didn't want Windystorm to hurt Alderpaw, but the tom seemed determined to bring Vermillionpaw's cruel father to his knees. The russet-striped apprentice felt a smile flash across his face at Alderpaw's next words. "I don't need protecting," he mewed in a proud, but not unkind voice. After a moment he spoke again, his voice soft and grateful. "Thanks, Alderpaw." |
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Post by (aurora) of the problematique on Oct 6, 2008 12:13:05 GMT -5
Alderpaw This addict just starved again asphyxiated
He blinked, unused to that word. Thanks. It was quite odd hearing that coming from anyone. Alderpaw bristled slightly, about to say something tactless but he caught himself.
"Ah..."
He paused, flicking his tail side to side before beginning to pace.
"Hey...I have to go. Stormfeather said she wanted to get some training done. I'm going to be a warrior soon." He smiled faintly, trying to get used to such an alien sensation. He waved his tail absently at Vermillionpaw. "Have fun with your mentor."
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Post by SHADE. :D on Oct 6, 2008 13:06:00 GMT -5
vermillionpaw Vermillionpaw blinked, then nodded brightly as Alderpaw spoke. He waved his tail in farewell. "Okay," he mewed, his voice upbeat. "Well... Thanks for talking to me." He smiled gratefully at the other tom, shaking himseld. He nodded in thanks to Alderpaw's last words. As the tom began to pad away, Vermillionpaw called after him. "Look, we should do this again sometime," he mewed shyly. He had no idea how to approach making friends. "Maybe... Maybe you could teach me a battle move or something? I don't mind." |
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Post by (aurora) of the problematique on Oct 6, 2008 13:12:26 GMT -5
Alderpaw This addict just starved again asphyxiated
"Um...yeah, sure," Alderpaw said, shrugging slightly and heading over to the fresh-kill pile. He got some for the queens before making his way to the entrance. Stormfeather said she'd be waiting there. The black and white tom's form melted into the surroundings, only the moon illuminating his way. He wondered what lessons his mentor would teach, as most of his training was done by Lastfalling. This shouldn't be difficult.
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