The sun is settin' like molasses in the sky
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖
Emberdust felt as if the sun was burning her up, sapping her strength so that when she tried to investigate the fresh kill pile, she exhaled dramatically and flopped onto her side, stretching out in the meager shade of the bramble wall by the warrior's den. Sunhigh patrol had been exhausting in the open fields, but at least the sunlight was periodically kept at bay by the passing clumps of clouds above. Starclan had some mercy today, but others would not be so forgiving.
It was a blessing that her coat wasn't so long, just a bit of unkempt fringe here and there, much like her sire - or so she was told. She barely remembered her sire, and frankly didn't think about him much, or his legacy. She was more concerned about living her day to day life and how not to be the most inconvenienced while providing for her clan. It wasn't that she was lazy, but loafing about took more out of her when the sun shone high and the heat was vampiric.
She cast a longing glance at the fresh kill pile, but it was sparing. She'd prefer something not so sun-baked, but that would require hunting and that was... ugh.
15
Emberdust & Whoever!
Trying to keep cool!
Shadowclan camp, Shadowclan territory
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrykit, ♀ Contented Kit
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlepaw, ♀ Selfish Apprentice
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, ♀ Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Murkkit, ♂ Opportunistic Kit
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
Heronsong gave a long stretch as she returned to the camp, the bright sun dulling the grey of her coat to something like a stone. She was just returning from a much-needed battle practice with a few of her fellow warriors, testing her legs for any pulled muscles. But there was no pain, just the satisfaction of keeping her skills sharp. Time for a break before her dusk patrol.
Looking around the camp, she saw Emberdust lounging in the shade by the warriors' den, and her paws carried her over. "Hello, Emberdust," she mewed cheerfully as she settled down beside the pale she-cat. "Warm day, isn't it?"
The sun is settin' like molasses in the sky
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖
Her bleary eyes squinted as a shape manifested in front of her. Grey furred with the distinct scent of she-cat - and well, Heronsong. Her eyes closed, head tilting the soil beneath her chin as she stretched. "Heronsong... So warm. Too warm." She murmured softly as if stricken by the heat itself, pretending it was worse than it was, but was it so horrid? For the barely warrior, yes.
Emberdust scooted awkwardly over still on her side, wobbling and clawing to maneuver herself as she feinted a desperate reach for her. "The sun - it's turning me into, into an Elder! I can't move." Even as she claimed to be immobilized a clawless foot aimed to paw her half-sister in the side, and her orange eyes fanned innocently up at her.
"Whatchu' been up to?" A cat like Heronsong had to be melt proof.
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrykit, ♀ Contented Kit
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlepaw, ♀ Selfish Apprentice
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, ♀ Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Murkkit, ♂ Opportunistic Kit
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
Heronsong tucked her front paws underneath her, purring in amusement as Emberdust rolled over dramatically. She couldn't blame her fellow warrior at all--even the birds were staying quiet and hidden in the heat of sunhigh. "I was just practicing my battle skills with the apprentices. Gotta keep sharp, y'know?"
She took a moment to groom down a patch of wayward fur on her shoulder. "And you? Aside from...suffering in the heat?" she asked, her tail waving amiably.
The aim of an argument is not victory, but progress
✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧
For once in his short life, Sootpaw was unhappy. His white coat wasn't thick or a dark colour but he didn't want to leave the cooler (relatively) confines of the apprentice den. Tentatively he stuck a paw out into the sunshine and shuttered as his paw was instantly boiling.
Seeing the two warriors chatting across the clearing, he mustered up his courage and slunk across the ground, looking more like a fed up skunk than a cat.
"I hate it!" Sootpaw declared as he ducked into the shadows of the briars near the two shecats. "I think Cheetah's flight should be removed. No more." He wasn't sure how Starclan would accomplish that but they would have to get creative! Put in a bit of work - for real.
Characters:
Coldgaze: (M) Stoic Riverclan Deputy
Gingerthrash: (M) Arrogant Thunderclan Elder
Lawn Gnome: (F) Motherly Semi-Feral Shecat
Piperpaw: (F) Meek Windclan Medicine Cat Apprentice
Redkit: (M) Confident Shadowclan Kit
Sootpaw: (M) Bubbly Shadowclan Apprentice
Sturgeonkit: (M) Sleepy Riverclan Kit
Sunstrike: (F) Anxious Thunderclan Warrior
NPCs:
Quailcall: (F) Fierce Thunderclan Warrior
The sun is settin' like molasses in the sky
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖
Emberdust balked at the idea of running around, expending energy in such a way. Surely apprentices could be trained during other parts of the day - can't say that they'd enjoy the matter either. Granted, when she was an apprentice, it had been much cooler - downright fridgid at times. Volunteering for chores wouldn't be so bad, but in Green-Leaf it was brutal.
"I know, I know." Her whiskers twitched a bit irritably, secretly wishing she could have been included in the training, or had the opportunity to at least decline. Politely. From her longing position she watched as Sootpaw's body slunk over, sideways in her vision, over to them. Her smile was a bit tepid, but overly exhausted.
"Sootpaw - You joined us! That's nice... I half suspected you wouldn't leave your den. I don't know what I'm to do with myself. I'm a bit hungry, but I'd like something wet and cool to eat like bluegill or salamander..." Yet the she-cat shot up like a rocket to her side, slapping the dirt beneath her paws, bobbed tail flickering with realization. Wide eyed, she looked towards them both.
"I should go hunt for some salamanders - bluegill even, in the marsh! Ooo, I can soak myself like a fish and wait out the sun!"
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrykit, ♀ Contented Kit
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlepaw, ♀ Selfish Apprentice
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, ♀ Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Murkkit, ♂ Opportunistic Kit
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
Heronsong's purr grew as another friend joined them. Both Sootpaw and Emberdust had plenty to complain about, apparently. The heat was indeed oppressive, but Heronsong couldn't complain too much herself. She was lying in the shade, where the ground was cooler, and the next time she'd be going out would be at dusk.
Her eyes suddenly went wide as Emberdust bolted upwards. "You could go hunting! That's a fantastic idea!" she agreed, immediately encouraging her fellow warrior. "I'll be out on dusk patrol later this evening as well, if you'd like to join. You as well, Sootpaw."
Sootpaw:
Oh, yes! Another cat who liked water. Well. He wasn't sure if Emberdust had the same fascination with the marshes as he did but she always seemed to be covered in mud when she came back. Just like he always seemed to be wet.
"Water's interesting to hunt in." He perked up from his half-melted position in the shade. "The ripples make stalking normally really hard. You gotta put everything into...a pounce!" He jumped at the older warrior, aiming (with claws sheathed) for her soft belly.
Characters:
Coldgaze: (M) Stoic Riverclan Deputy
Gingerthrash: (M) Arrogant Thunderclan Elder
Lawn Gnome: (F) Motherly Semi-Feral Shecat
Piperpaw: (F) Meek Windclan Medicine Cat Apprentice
Redkit: (M) Confident Shadowclan Kit
Sootpaw: (M) Bubbly Shadowclan Apprentice
Sturgeonkit: (M) Sleepy Riverclan Kit
Sunstrike: (F) Anxious Thunderclan Warrior
NPCs:
Quailcall: (F) Fierce Thunderclan Warrior
The sun is settin' like molasses in the sky
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖
Emberdust considered just how lucky she was to have the support of her clanmates, which would seem obvious to some - but Emberdust didn't take those things for granted. Not that she was oblivious sometimes, but just needed a gentle prod in the right direction. Emberudst tilted her head in Sootpaws direction once her chest started to vibrate in a purr. Before she could get a word in, however, she was attacked by the apprentice. She fell back onto her back with an oof as the mostly black tom collided with her belly. Her back legs playfully kicked to rid herself of the little frog, and with a laugh, replied. "Ever hunted frogs with someone else? I could hide and wait on the shore and you can drive them to me. That'd be fun - I bet. I could wet myself down to keep myself cool. Would you wanna come along, Heronsong?" her whiskers flitted at her half-sister.
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrykit, ♀ Contented Kit
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlepaw, ♀ Selfish Apprentice
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, ♀ Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Murkkit, ♂ Opportunistic Kit
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
Heronsong laughed as Sootpaw attacked, flopping on her side. The shady ground sure felt cool through her fur--she could picture herself nodding off for a midday doze right then and there. "You're right, dipping our paws in the waters might be a nice way to cool off," she mewed, slowly blinking her eyes closed. Almost. She kept one open, trained on the apparently wrestling-ready Sootpaw. "If I don't take a nap right here and now."
Haha! Now he had her! Sootpaw's face was getting mushed as Emberdust repeatedly bapped him with her back legs, but he began kneading her with his claws out (gently!), just to be a pain.
''S'unds gumd." His face was almost lopsided as he faced Heronsong. "Ya thimk 'e cowd -ack!" He didn't finish his sentance as one of Emberdust's strikes bonked him on the nose, sending the younger tom reeling for a moment, before blinking it off and returning to the group. "I mean, do you think that would work for frog hunting? A 2-person combo?" He hopped back and forth sideways, his complaints about the heat forgotten.
Characters:
Coldgaze: (M) Stoic Riverclan Deputy
Gingerthrash: (M) Arrogant Thunderclan Elder
Lawn Gnome: (F) Motherly Semi-Feral Shecat
Piperpaw: (F) Meek Windclan Medicine Cat Apprentice
Redkit: (M) Confident Shadowclan Kit
Sootpaw: (M) Bubbly Shadowclan Apprentice
Sturgeonkit: (M) Sleepy Riverclan Kit
Sunstrike: (F) Anxious Thunderclan Warrior
NPCs:
Quailcall: (F) Fierce Thunderclan Warrior
The sun is settin' like molasses in the sky
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖
What a ruckus! Emberdust giggled like a cat mad off catnip. Suddenly the heat wasn't feeling as suppressive, and the she-cat was getting giddy off the younger tom's antics. It made her want to try frog hunting with him - as soon as she battled the fluff out of his brains, first!
"You can take a nap if you want, Heronsong. It's nice in the shade - but frog hunting sounds like fun too. Ever think you're so good at hunting them because you are like one, Sootpaw?" She asked mid laugh, witnessing the mostly white tomcat bounce around from side to side. Looked frog like to her! She rolled back from her side onto her belly, tucking her back legs underneath her as her much reduced tail lashed back and forth, ready to spring. "Mud hunting - my favorite, little froggie!"
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrykit, ♀ Contented Kit
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlepaw, ♀ Selfish Apprentice
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, ♀ Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Murkkit, ♂ Opportunistic Kit
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
Watching her two friends go back and forth was rather entertaining, and nearly made Heronsong want to join in, if her paws weren't so achy. "I probably will go for a quick nap," she agreed, stretching out her legs as her half-sister stalked Sootpaw like prey. If those two did end up going hunting, she wondered how many frogs they might actually bring back, and how much of their time would just be a continuation of this?
