Closed Thread The Cold Sets In

Not even the strongest warrior can save every cat

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Clamseeze sat speaking to Lilyriver, it was nice to see her even if her age did seem to be catching up with the white she-cat though his visits had to be kept short, he didn't want to keep the cat awake she needed her rest it wasn't like before when she was younger. Saying his goodbyes to his mentor he left, his paws padding softly through the clan he wanted a nice spot where he could sit and relaxed for a little while

Looking around the clan he spotted the large warrior Goosesong he didn't know much personally about the tom with him being older and receiving his warrior name before Clamsneeze, though he did know the tom was serious. Standing up he walked over to the silver tabby that sat in the shade sitting down the same distance he was with the other warriors not saying a word his tail wrapped around his tall body.

His head turned to look at the cat near him “You're quite hungry aren’t you” he chuckled. His eyes glancing at the two moles, he didn't blame the tom he had worked hard training his apprentice she would surely be a strong warrior with Goosesong as her mentor

What are you afraid of losing if nothing in the world actually belongs to you.

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"Me? No." Goosesong responded flatly, twitching the tip of his long-furred striped tail. "I assumed I would have company, and it seems I do" he added, using his paw to roll the second, unopen mole carcass towards Clamsneeze. "It's impolite to not offer anything to a cat who wants to spend time with you" Goosesong explained, though it was mostly something he said to himself more than something directed towards Clamsneeze's behavior, he was normally rather polite if anything.

Goosesong leaned down to take another bite of his mole, flicking one of his tufted ears before pulling the meat away from the prey with the quiet sound of ripping flesh before chewing slowly, savoring the flavor. "Is Lilyriver well? She had left the camp unannounced yesterday at a few moment before sunset, would you have any idea where she had left to?" he asked, twitching his ears slightly, it wasn't really any of his business, but he simply asked out of concern, as Lilyriver was no longer accustomed to warrior duties.

The massive silver tom shook off the thoughts, Lilyriver was independent and hard-headed, she would certainly be able to handle herself if she so much as needed to "I had just seen her leave while I was making my way to the warriors' den is all" he added, taking yet another bite of his delicious meal.

Not even the strongest warrior can save every cat

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Listening to the tom he was confused then why would he have gotten two moles? His ears perked up; he hadn't expected to be given the spare mole that Goosesong had gotten for himself, sure he hadn't had any food, yet he was busy all day with duties and visiting Lilyriver. Watching the carcass roll to him, he moved his paw to stop the mole from going any farther "Well thank you Goosesong" he mowed. he appreciated the food and the company of the silver tom he was quite polite getting food for a cat he didn't even know was going to come.

 Lowering his body to sit next to the tom, he moved his head down to take a bite of the delicious mole is front of him he hadn't been all that hungry though he wouldn't reject food he was given, mole wasn't his favorite but tasted great at the moment. Moving his head to look at the tom he thought for a moment thinking of his visit to Lilyriver just pure moments ago "She's been doing well which is nice, though she never mentioned anything about leaving, but she'd seemed fine when i checked on her so hopefully she didn't go anywhere dangerous" he would have to ask her the next visit to the elder's den.

Continuing to eat he hoped Lilyriver would just stay in the elder's den, it wasn't too bad or at least it didn't look that way to him cats that worked hard for their clan got to rest easy knowing that they did what they were supposed to, fighting for the clan and Lilyriver did just that and earned her place there it wasn't a bad thing "maybe she left for some peace and quiet" the tall tom spoke

What are you afraid of losing if nothing in the world actually belongs to you.

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Goosesong twitched his ears and flicked his gaze towards the tortoiseshell pointed cat sitting beside him. His aqua eyes stuck to the younger tom for a moment but then moved back towards his prey before taking another bite, they prey was about half eaten at this stage though. "Quiet is always a good thing, I don't blame her" he explained, flicking his tail to close of the topic of Lilyriver as if it had been a problem that was quickly resolved.

"Have you discussed anything of interest with Lilyriver recently? Or are your conversations just small talk" He asked, his tufted ears folding to the side to hear if anything out of the ordinary was occurring in their camp, though it didn't seem like anything was happening that was in his best interest to pay attention to. Well, nothing that would make for interesting conversation in his eyes.

The large silver tabby watched as his sire, a fit grey tabby, Stoneclaw walked towards the fresh kill pile and placed a piece of prey there, Stoneclaw made a quick glance to Goosesong and rolled his eyes before making his way to the warrior's den. Goosesong did notice the action but took little mind to it, as he was used to his father being a little judgmental towards him, he did look like his mother after all. "Pay no mind to Stoneclaw I suppose" Goosesong said to Clamsneeze before licking his paws clean and smoothing out the fur between the pads.

Not even the strongest warrior can save every cat

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The tom nodded his head everyone needed their space once in a while, still eating Clamsneeze was quite the slow eater especially when he was kept busy with small talk with another feline though he didn't mind it he would finish the mole soon enough even if Goosesong wasn't going to stick around. His tail moved side to side he was happy to have spent time with another cat of his clan.

He eyes looked over to the tabby cat "Just small talk i don't want to bother, though i hope next visit i could speak to her more she was my mentor after all" he replied turning his head back to look towards the elder's den, glancing at Goosesong ears he was confused was something wrong? His gaze danced around the camp for a moment looking for anything that the feline was listening for.

Following the toms gaze his eyes rested on the gray tabby, Stoneclaw he had seen him around though the tall tom never thought to start a conversation. His head tilted looking from the silver tabby to the gray, he watched Stoneclaw leave why did he do that? Looking over the feline frowned "is he alright, why would we do that? He questioned. He wanted to ignore like Goosesong suggested though it felt strange to just up and ignore something like that.

What are you afraid of losing if nothing in the world actually belongs to you.

~･ﾟ: *~･ﾟ:* 🫧 *:･ﾟ~*:･ﾟ~

“Stoneclaw believes that a warrior relaxing is a warrior being out to waste” Goosesong explained as he watched the dark grey tabby’s muscular body slip into the warriors den. “There’s a sense of nobility in it, he appreciates cats being dutiful, but doesn’t understand we all need breaks. That’s why you never see that warrior chatting with others too often” the silver tabby tom took another bite out of his mole, leaving not much left behind, though he’d hate to waste it. So he took to picking the meat clinging to the bones of the small peace of prey.

Goosesong glanced over to Clamsneeze “Like I said however, he should be paid no mind, he lived in disdain and he’ll probably die that way” he added, giving his chest fur a few dutiful licks to flatten down any bushy fur that was sticking out or any fur that may have been unkempt. He thought back to his site’s strictness and how he drilled the warrior code so harshly into Goosesong’s mind that he had no choice but to follow it, but it made him a pretty well rounded warrior in the end.

“So, aside from that, have you been doing anything particularly interesting Clamsneeze? Or have duties been ordinarily mundane for you?” He asked, wrapping his tail around himself, he wasn’t particularly great at small talk, but Goosesong felt it would be rude to turn a clanmate away that had taken the time out of his day to talk with him, maybe Clamsneeze would be able to keep the conversation moving easier

Not even the strongest warrior can save every cat

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His ears fell slightly, no wonder that cat was so tense he had never taken a break before even though he needed rest like everyone else though, with how much he rests during new-leaf due to the pollen he doesn't believe that Stoneclaw would like him very much even if he needed it which he did new-leaf wasn't exactly kind to him in particular and to not neglect his duties he needed to be around the territory a lot and pollen in new-leaf isn't a rare sight. He shook his head he hadn't realized that he was almost done with his mole taking a big bite he continued to listen, Clamsneeze was good at listening to what other cats said he would hate to miss anything important.

“Got it pay no mind” he meowed. Goosesong was right sometimes there was nothing you could do for a cat especially one who doesn't want any though with death maybe the tom would finally be able to get the rest he needs, even if the tom wasn't kind to others, he still deserves it. Finishing his prey, he felt happy to be finished, it was a nice meal that Goosesong got for him. Pushing his front legs he sat up, staying in one position for a long time tended to get a little uncomfortable, with a small shake he looked over at the surrounding scenery, it was a relaxing day for the clan with no problems if only it could stay that way forever.

“They've been mundane though I hope they get more interesting,” he spoke “how has it been for you? Hopefully more interesting than my duties.” he hadn't done much mostly only finishing his duties and coming back to rest or visit Lilysong, though on some days he did sit by the river to just think like he always did it helped keep him the calm cat he is always especially when he is stressed for some sort of reason “But how has Stormpaws training been going? You are her mentor aren't you” he asked. He was wondering how the young cat was doing; she did seem interesting though maybe that was because she was young.

What are you afraid of losing if nothing in the world actually belongs to you.

~･ﾟ: *~･ﾟ:* 🫧 *:･ﾟ~*:･ﾟ~

Goosesong paused at the question, not a long pause and not a thoughtful or surprised one, simply taking in the question with active listening ears. "Stormpaw's skills are developing well, we have been working on her battle moves as of recent days, otherwise, my duties haven't changed" Goosesong answered, craning his neck to give his fluffy white chest fur a few licks. 

In all honesty, Goosesong was rather surprised that Clamsneeze had stayed this long, but he wasn't in any mood to complain, nor did he have reason to, Clamsneeze was fine company and had a knack for small talk it seemed, from what Goosesong had observed from sideward glances at the elders' den, he knew he wouldn't get along well with Ebonyflare unless the conversation struck Ebonyflare's interest, and not much ever did from what the large silver tom knew.

"And what of you Clamsneeze? Do you think you will be training an apprentice when the inevidable next litter in RiverClan becomes apprentices?" he asked, he didn't really expect a definite answer, Goosesong had never really given one when he was Clamsneeze's age, and now he has and apprentice, so perhaps indefinite answers is what got you the results you weren't even imagining, who knows?

Not even the strongest warrior can save every cat

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Listening to the fluffy feline beside him "That's nice to hear, she'll be a great warrior" he meowed. The black ticked tabby seemed to be a great apprentice he was happy her apprenticeship was going so well. He smiled politely he enjoyed talking to the other cats, he had mostly kept to himself as an apprentice. The tortie shifted his body to sit in a more comfortable position the feline got easily uncomfortable when staying in one spot, so the switch was nice.

"Well I'm not sure but i do hope for one" he responded "but my worry is mostly during new-leaf." it would be a pain to train an apprentice during that moon where pollen was at its most, not only would he have to deal with it that poor kit that he was given to apprentice would to and if he was to give the cat a break how would they turn out a whole moon with a sick mentor would not be a good thing. Now that he thought about it maybe a apprentice wouldn't be the best thing he was particularly snappy during new leaf he didn't want to get angry and a small kit just because they made a small mistake

"Though if i do ever get an apprentice I wonder who" he uttered. What would an apprentice for him be another cat with an allergy during new-leaf? It would be a bit helpful as they both would be sick during the same time meaning he could teach the young cat how to make his sickness less of a problem something he had to learn by himself.

What are you afraid of losing if nothing in the world actually belongs to you.

~･ﾟ: *~･ﾟ:* 🫧 *:･ﾟ~*:･ﾟ~

"You could hope all you like really, but at the end of the day, it is Boldstar's choice if you get an apprentice or not" Goosesong explained with a twitch of his plumed silver tail. "But you're a good cat, and Lilyriver was a good mentor to you, so if you do get one I wouldn't be surprised" he added in his regular, even and stoic tone. While every cat deserved to have the experience of training an apprentice, not every cat did, and that was just the way it was he supposed.

Goosesong's aqua gaze linger to Clamsneeze for a moment and twitched one of his black tipped ears. It wasn't easy to forget what Clamsneeze had been named for, and it would potentially be enough for Boldstar or even Coldgaze, if worse came to worst for Boldstar, to avoid giving Clamsneeze an apprentice altogether, but Goosesong wasn't really focusing too much on that, in his opinion, any chronic condition shouldn't be any deterant unless it was something that prevented the warrior from successfully completing there duties. Even Clamsneeze should get an apprentice when the opportunity arises.

I had been clear to Goosesong at the empty nursery, and he cast it a sideward glance, looking over thoughtfully but not longingly. "The next kits in the nursery most likely, Clamesneeze, whenever that may be" he replied to the calico tom-cat's question honestly. "I am not even sure if any she-cats in this clan are looking to have kits at the moment however, so lets hope we get a surprise yes?" he tilted his head slightly toward the large-eared warrior, awaiting an answer.

Not even the strongest warrior can save every cat

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"Yeah your right about that" said softly. He would be a bit bummed out if he would never get an apprentice though knowing his leader it would be for a good reason, hopefully at least "Exactly! Lilyriver taught me excellently, i want to teach them what she taught me so they can do the same" he sighed. he wanted to pass on her knowledge to the next young kit with them doing the same just to think that thinking on all the things that his mentor had learned that would be wasted on him for nothing made him feel guilty, Lilyriver was now in the elder's den blinded.

His posture slightly hunched, his allergy had always made trouble for him from kithood to warriorhood he always had problems no wonder he got it as his warrior name it was the thing he was known for, Clamsneeze the one cat that can't handle pollen. It wasn't all bad though he always had someone to look out for him during kithood, his mother Apprenticeship, Fogpaw and during Warriorhood... himself? He wasn't sure anyone had helped him during the moons where pollen was at its greatest amount, but it wasn't all bad he wouldn't have to feel bad about anyone having to take time out of their day to worry about him while they could be doing something better.

The tortie tom felt tense just thinking about an apprentice, his ears perked at the tom listing what he had to say, looking over to the nursery he turned his head to continue looking at Goosesong that sat next to him "let's hope, whoever they are i hope they'll be as happy to be my apprentice as happy as I'll be to be their mentor" he emitted

What are you afraid of losing if nothing in the world actually belongs to you.

~･ﾟ: *~･ﾟ:* 🫧 *:･ﾟ~*:･ﾟ~

Goosesong's eye flicked over to Clamsneeze, watching him as he spoke, he spoke as if he would never be able to teach another cat what his mentor had taught him, a if her teachings would have gone to waste on him. Even if he would never get an apprentice, Clamsneeze if still a fine warrior, Lilyriver's knowledge wouldn't have gone to waste, especially when she had fought her best only to end up in the elders' den. Goosesong let out a small thoughtful hum before making his response to his clanmate.

"You don't need an apprentice to teach things, you can offer your advice to whoever may need it. And I assure you Clamsneeze, many cats do need it, even if they wouldn't care to admit that out loud" He explained steady but not harsh as he keep his eyes on Clamsneeze, the name on any other cat would be utterly embarrassing, but it suited Clamsneeze, even without his allergies, it seemed to just fit him in all other ways. And Goosesong wondered if allergies were given to Clamsneeze to strengthen him over the moons, and he was fairly thoughtful for a cat his age, similar to Cottonbright really..

Clamsneeze was thinking ahead a little, but it was normal for the cat that he was, still.. fairly young but hopeful to a point, Goosesong didn't blame Clamsneeze for looking for the future, he just hoped that Clamsneeze wasn't blind to what was in the present. "I'm sure with a mentor like you, whoever this hypothetical kit could be, they'd be lucky to learn from you"

Not even the strongest warrior can save every cat

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He slightly smiled thinking of a silly hypothetical kit that he would apprentice, it wasn't much, but it was enough to lift his spirits. it nice to think that even if he was never to get an apprentice he wouldn't have to let anyone down. He felt himself calm down at the other toms words, he never needed an apprentice and was happy Goosesong told him that. The tortie tom relaxed his shoulders having a sigh of relief, hopefully Lilyriver felt the same way that Goosesong did.

He felt way better though that small bit of guilt still lingered even with the older toms words it would be a bit hard to stop thinking of letting his old mentor was it was a small fear of bis to let others down. Shaking his head trying to forget about his fear he thought of something else that would lead away from his fear "How has this moon been for you?" he asked. The tom moved his tail to wrap comfortably around his body.

What are you afraid of losing if nothing in the world actually belongs to you.

~･ﾟ: *~･ﾟ:* 🫧 *:･ﾟ~*:･ﾟ~

"The moon so far?" Goosesong twitched his ears, the question as on topic as he thought Clamsneeze's next words would have been but it wasn't as if the question wasn't worth answering, at least to Goosesong. The large tabby tom shifted his position slightly, tucking his paws comfortably under his chest fur too keep them warm from the cold weather. Goosesong parted his jaws into a small yawn before he turned his aqua colored gaze towards Clamsneeze.

"It has hardly started, however we do have the gathering to look forward too in a few days I'd say" Goosesong began with a flick of his black stripped tail. "It has been rather cold though, but I know some cats who prefer it that way.. despite the lack of prey" Goosesong contemplated the low prey for a moment, staring off for that brief moment. Leaf-bare would not go on forever, and all his clanmates were alive and healthy, so he didn't have too much to be concerned about.

Goosesong's eyes returned their focus to his clanmate, he had been answering so many questions for Clamsneeze, but had hardly let Clamsneeze speak of himself and he let out a sigh, it was about time Clamsneeze started talking of himself. "But what about you, how has the moon been for you?"

Not even the strongest warrior can save every cat

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He wanted to change the topic so quickly he really hadn't realized what he had ask, he gave the tom a small nervous smile he really wanted to forget about his small fear perking his ears to listen to the tom "Oh the gathering I forgot about that" he spoke “yes the cold is quite unforgiving, but you can't blame those who enjoy it.” he was one of the few that enjoyed the cold though not the lesser prey with it. Leaf-bear was one of the few moons that he could relate to the other warrior and realize while enjoy just doing his duties like normal without his allergies getting in the way it had made up most of his life, was it so wrong to enjoy the time it wasn't there?

Even with the absents of his sickness there was always a problem, but it was best not to think about it. He was just happy most cats like him made the best out of a not-so-great moon for the forest with the less prey cold wind, increase of sickness they still enjoyed the moon for what positives it gave. His nervousness faded as his nervous smile faded to be that of a happy and sincere one, the slightly standing fur falling down to join the rest of his sleek relaxed fur.

This tail swayed taking a deep breath he felt the cold air enter his lungs, that was one of things he enjoyed about the cold air being able to breathe it in and out. Looking over to the silver tabby he thought about what next to say, he wanted to keep the conversation going after all it was happy to have the felines company.

What are you afraid of losing if nothing in the world actually belongs to you.

~･ﾟ: *~･ﾟ:* 🫧 *:･ﾟ~*:･ﾟ~

Goosesong gave a small shrug, sure the gathering might be exciting for most cats, especially apprentices who had not been to many or haven't been to any gathering at all, but for Goosesong, he had been to his fair share and he wouldn't be upset if he didn't go to one. When Clamsneeze explained his view on the cold, the large silver tom nodded his head in understanding and possible agreement, he was not wrong, for cats like Clamsneeze and Ebonyflare, the cold air is a blessing, but to others like Otterwhisker it brings struggle, perspective meant everything when it came to every aspect of life, it was important to look at everyone's not matter what.

"I see, the cold is easier to breath in yes?" Goosesong echoed twitching one of his black ears. "And to others, the cold air could make them feel like they could hardly breath at all, it is different for everyone" he added, his breath coming out in short bursts of mist as it hit the cold wind, though he hardly felt it was worth mentioning. Especially since every cat's breath, no matter how easy or difficult, left their lungs the same way in this cold weather.

Goosesong's aquamarine gaze glanced over to Clamsneeze for a moment, as if examining the tortie mink warrior. "And that goes with all seasons, some find New-Leaf prosperous and are thankful that it's here and some, like you, find it to be a moment of huffing and puffing in need for a breath of fresh air, perspective is important" Goosesong responded, wrapping his tail tightly around himself "But surely Lilyriver had taught you that, didn't she?"

Not even the strongest warrior can save every cat

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His ears perked at the words that came out of the silver cats muzzle “Yes it gives me a nice break from New-Leaf” he meowed. His ears fell slightly at the thought of the cold air making it hard for another cat to breath, he had witness it before with Fogpaw he never wanted to think about that happening to anyone else ever again though it wasn't like he could avoid it, it was a common occurrence with Leaf-Bare just one of its many downsides. Watching the tom let out small clouds with his breath the tortie mink followed doing the same, he had enjoyed doing it as a kit though just thinking of a poor cat sick made him feel a bit sad.

Paying attention to what the tom said, if he hadn't had his allergy he would probably have hated Leaf-bare and all the cold, less food, and air similar, but he did and with that he enjoyed Leaf-Bare though not all the troubles that came with it, Goosesong was correct perspective mattered greatly “Of course she did, like you said she taught me well” he spoke positively. Lilyriver taught him everything he needed he was happy to have her as a mentor.

"Do you enjoy Leaf-Bare Goosesong?" he questioned. It would be nice to know even if the tom didn't share the same opinion as Clamsneeze it would be nice to know how he felt about Leaf-Bare and why he hated or liked it.

What are you afraid of losing if nothing in the world actually belongs to you.

~･ﾟ: *~･ﾟ:* 🫧 *:･ﾟ~*:･ﾟ~

"Hm" Goosesong hummed softly as he thought about the positives and negatives on Leaf-Bare, he never really got the chance to share any thoughts on the season without the fear of sounding like he may be complaining, but if he was being completely honest, he didn't really enjoy it in the way that Clamsneeze enjoyed it, but he didn't hate it either, he didn't really hate anything for that matter.

"Leaf-Bare is... a struggle for most, especially when we will need to train our apprentices in the art of fishing after all the snow melts, the river is still frozen, and it was when the kits were apprenticed." Goosesong replied, his ears twitching. He knew his opinion would be shared amongst a few, which Goosesong supposed just made him less original, but he had no problem blending in with the crowd.

"Speaking of Lilyriver, the elders" Goosesong thought for a moment, although he had asked the elders if they had been fed earlier, there was no issue in visiting them again. "How would you like to return to them with some prey, I'll come with you if you'd like" he asked the younger tom as he stood on his paws, twitching his plumed tail and looking down at Clamsneeze for a moment, waiting for a response to his proposition before he left.

Not even the strongest warrior can save every cat

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Clamsneeze waited eagerly he was quite interested on what the silver tom did have to say about the two seasons, they had many differences along with upsides and downsides so which one would the tom prefer it wasn't like the tom would be bothered if he didn't like Leaf-Bare or even if he despised Leaf-Bare it was all his thoughts and he would respect that. His ear twitched at the sound of a hum from his clan mate as he decided which he liked.

Taking attention to the silver toms words he opened his muzzle to speak "Leaf-Bare can be very annoying when it comes to that, though with the apprentices that Riverclan has hopefully it won't affect them too much." he had never taken the apprentices to mind when it came to Leaf-Bare, who else was he keeping out of his mind that he should be worrying about?

His ears perked at the mention of the elders, that's who he was forgetting he wondered how they were hopefully doing as well as could be "That would be great! If you want to come of course" he meowed brightly. Rising from his sit on the ground his tail swayed following the silver tom