Ask to Join Now Comes the Fun Part

Tiptoe through the murk and mire
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  Duskpaw padded alongside Heronsong, the cold leaf-bare air sharp against his silver-blue pelt, but the excitement thrumming in his paws kept him warm. He could barely keep his eyes from darting around, taking in every inch of the forest beyond the camp. Finally, he thought, his heart pounding with the thrill of freedom. No more nursery walls. No more being stuck with his siblings or overbearing Clovershine all the time. I'm an apprentice now. Duskpaw.

But despite the rush of excitement, there was a flicker of bitterness just beneath the surface. He wondered if he was her first choice, not the one who got in trouble sneaking out and tussling with snakes. The memory of that incident still stung. He should’ve been praised for his bravery, not scolded.

“Yeah, it’s about time I get to see everything.” The blue smoke kit murmured, though he couldn’t hide the eagerness in his voice. “I’ve been waiting forever for this. No more being stuck in camp like some helpless kit.”

He glanced at Heronsong, watching her out of the corner of his eye. There was a small part of him that wanted to push harder. “So, are we going to see anything interesting today? Or are we just going to walk around and look at borders?”His tone was edged with a challenge, though he tried to keep it light.

Tiptoe through the murk and mire
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  Duskpaw's ears twitched at Heronsong’s words, the mention of the Burnt Sycamore sparking his curiosity. He’d heard stories from the elders about the towering, charred tree, how it stood like a sentinel over ShadowClan territory. The idea of finally seeing it for himself sent a thrill down his spine, but he made sure to keep his excitement under control, only the tip of his tail flicking in anticipation.

He glanced at Heronsong, noting how they seemed to blend into the landscape together, their pelts nearly indistinguishable from the shadows cast by the leafless trees. He felt a strange kinship, almost as if she understood the restlessness that had driven him out of camp as a kit. But he quickly shook off the thought. It didn’t matter if they were alike. What mattered was proving he could handle whatever was out there.

“I can keep up.” Duskpaw promised, lifting his head higher. He cast a quick look around at the wet, marshy ground dotted with patches of dry earth. It seemed straightforward enough, and he felt a surge of confidence. He was determined not to let anything get the better of him.

“Let’s keep going.” He added, his voice steady. He wasn’t going to be satisfied with just the basics. He wanted to learn every secret, every hidden path and hunting spot. He wanted to be ready for anything, to show the clan he was more than just a curious kit who got into trouble.

Tiptoe through the murk and mire
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  Duskpaw’s fur bristled at the mention of the Thunderpath. His mind immediately flashed to the his mother, Belladonna, and how she had been killed there. The thought sent a sharp pang through his chest, and he clenched his jaw, pushing the memory down before it could settle.

“I know.” His voice was quieter than before. “I won’t be stupid.”

The sight of the human slick structures of the Thunderpath felt foreign and out of place compared to the familiar marshes and dark woods of ShadowClan. Duskpaw's tail lashed as he tore his gaze away, forcing himself to focus on what Heronsong had just said.

The northplains stretched before them, wide and open, and while it looked peaceful, Duskpaw felt a flicker of unease. It wasn’t like the rest of the territory, and the vastness made him feel exposed, vulnerable.

Still, he wasn't about to let his nerves show. "Alright, so what's next?" He made sure to try and keep up the pace, although with his growing, large size and his striding step helped in that measure. His sharp angled features seemed out of place when compared to Heronsong, but he had more important things to worry about.

Tiptoe through the murk and mire
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  Duskpaw's ears twitched at the mention of the Carrionplace, his eyes narrowing in thought. He’d heard the older apprentices, now warriors, talk about it - how dangerous the rats were, and how only the bravest warriors ventured close. Despite his unease, there was a part of him that itched to prove himself there. If he could handle the Carrionplace, he could handle anything.

"Have you ever fought rats?” He muttered, his voice more composed now. “I’ve heard they’re pretty nasty."

As he padded alongside Heronsong, he cast another glance toward the Thunderpath, its ominous presence lingering in his mind. He forced himself to focus on the territory ahead, his long strides keeping pace with his mentor. The openness of the northplains still made him uneasy, but the looming Carrionplace intrigued him, stirring a reckless curiosity.

“I bet I could be a rat-killer.” Duskpaw added, more to himself than Heronsong. His tail flicked with determination. He wasn’t about to let anyone - or anything - think he couldn’t.

Tiptoe through the murk and mire
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  Duskpaw’s ears flicked, listening intently as Heronsong described her battle with the rats. He felt a flicker of admiration for her, even if he wouldn’t admit it out loud. She wasn’t exaggerating or trying to scare him off; she was just telling him what to expect. The idea of a whole swarm of rats made his fur prickle, but instead of dampening his spirits, it only made him more determined.

"Two rats, huh?" Came his musing, his tail flicking thoughtfully. "Doesn’t sound so bad. A whole nest though..." He trailed off, imagining the challenge. It sent a thrill through him - dangerous, maybe, but thrilling all the same.

His gaze darted ahead, toward where the Carrionplace lay beyond. The rats were vile, sure, but Duskpaw felt like he had something to prove, not just to Heronsong, but to the whole Clan. He could already picture the praise he'd get when he showed up with a rat clamped in his jaws.

“Maybe someday." He said, a sly grin tugging at his muzzle. "But not today, right?” He glanced up at his mentor, blinking less than innocently up at her.

Tiptoe through the murk and mire
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  Duskpaw's whiskers twitched with amusement at Heronsong’s exasperation. He could tell she was trying to keep him in line, but her firm response only made him more eager to prove he could handle whatever came his way. Still, he held his tongue, knowing better than to push too hard - at least for now. Heronsong was sharp, he didn’t want to be stuck in camp for breaking rules on his first day out.

“Fine, fine.”Mewed the smoke tom, letting out a small, playful sigh as he padded after her. “I’ll wait until I’ve learned a few more moves before I take on any swarms.” His tail flicked with a hint of mischief, though he kept his tone light enough to avoid sounding like he was serious.

As they moved through, Duskpaw’s eyes flicked around, scanning the landscape. The sight of the Carrionplace sent a shiver down his spine, but he kept his expression neutral. No need to let Heronsong see any hint of discomfort.

He should bide his time, after all - there would be plenty of opportunities to prove himself.

Tiptoe through the murk and mire
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Duskpaw’s ears perked as they entered the heathlands, the rolling landscape feeling unfamiliar and vast compared to the darker, more sheltered parts of ShadowClan’s territory. The open sky made him feel exposed, but he pushed the sensation aside, his curiosity piqued by Heronsong’s explanation.

He glanced toward the Thunderpath in the distance, eyes narrowing slightly at the mention of the rockfields and Highstones. He’d heard about those places in passing, but the idea of stepping beyond clan boundaries stirred a flicker of excitement in him. One day, he would see them up close - on his terms.

“WindClan territory, huh?” He mused aloud, his gaze flicking toward the treeline Heronsong had pointed out. The thought of his littermates in the other clans was a distant one, but not buried so deep he didn't think about them occasionally.

“That’s a long way from camp.” More to keep the conversation going than anything. He could sense that Heronsong was trying to keep things light, and he appreciated it.