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 Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2018 10:51 pm
 The news of the dried up river and two-legs had left Goldenleaf with a bitter taste in her mouth. Nostalgia washed over her as she remembered the days before all this nonsense; before it all became a massive mess of loss and indecision. She didn't blame Sunseer -- she never could -- but that didn't make things any easier. In fact, it made it worse. His prayers to Sunclan were coming fruitless and it made things seem more and more hopeless with every passing day.
Just like any cat who lived before all of this she missed the memories of before. Missed when things were simpler. Burden hadn't been uncommon, but it never had been as bad as it was now. They had lost so much; a deputy, a medicine cat, entire bloodlines. All of it was gone, but the memories stayed.
The bitterness she felt showed in her face as she eyed the kill pile. Low, like always. She would need to head out again soon for another hunt, but she doubted she'd bring back enough to fill the pile. No singular cat could. Now the wee ones who had just been kits during the beginning of this tragedy were becoming apprentices they'd be able to help hunt, but they were still fairly new. They weren't ready yet.
Her eyes traveled up, spotting Bloodoath. Her nose twitched, ears flattening as she considered him. He was an amusing cat. His strange quips and matter-of-fact comments were a relief in the tension she had felt throughout the months. While some cats recoiled from his comments she found them quite endearing. She rather giggle at a strange comment then fret another second on the loss everyone was experiencing.
Maybe that was why she found herself rapidly approaching him. Her tail swayed as she walked, eyes locked on her target. Once within earshot she raised her head in greeting, eyes narrowing gently.
"There's the friendly omen of the clan. How are you, other than hungry?"
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 11:57 am
"Twolegs?!" The tom was furiously pacing back and forth. What exactly were they supposed to do. Twolegs brought nothing but bad news.... Sure... he hadnt actually seen one.. but... he had heard the elder's tales before all the elders passed on. The other cats had moved on and he sat, clawing the stone beneath his paws. Why were they so helpless here.
First it was the ever beating sun... wouldnt that be a clue that sunclan was mad... that they were stealing the life...what little there was from the mountain... but no... it was really the twolegs... stealing the water. They should go take it back... He pricked his ears about ready to walk up to sunseer and demand he be allowed to take a patrol to go fight for their right to live... But a friendly voice made him turn and look. "GoldenLeaf!" His tone was positive, though the thoughts he had were still engraved on his face. His red orange eyes looked over her pretty face and he shook his misgivings.
"Hmm.... Thirsty?" He smiled his fangs flashing as he did so. "Ill be better once i know what we are gonna do about the thieving twolegs. But I could use with a distraction.... Want to go for a walk with me... we will call it a patrol up to the river? Get a drink?" He twitched his tail and motioned to head out of camp. "Im worried... about everything... "He had some strange quips about him but he was no ThornCoat, not able to just make his worries evaporate to sunclan infavor for the light hearted tom he could be... some times....
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 12:04 pm
She hadn't heard his shouting, but his aggravation was clear and understood when he turned towards her. Ah, he was feeling exactly how she felt -- how refreshing. She was tired of trying to keep a positive expression during these trying times; it was nice to know she had someone she could vent with. Her ears twitched once she was settled before him, tail tip twitching. Now that he mentioned it, she really could do with some water, too.
"I would be glad to accompany you," she purred back, getting up to begin their walk together. "I won't lie, the two-legs have been on my mind, too. That, and the lack of response from Sunclan.... the starvation.... the heat...." She trailed off as irritation rolled in her stomach again, eyes sharply narrowing. They had to do something, but what? What was the answer that could save them?
She was grateful, though, for the distraction Bloodoath offered her. A friendly face and a drink was more than enough, especially as the sun was beginning to set, which would make the walk more enjoyable. She brushed her tail against him before padding off for their path, hesitating enough for him to catch up.
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 12:17 pm
]
It was more of a whispered curse anyway, so no surprise there but what surprised him was when her positive face melted to reveal some worry too. He had aways seen Goldenleaf as too cheerful, head up in the sky with sunclan, but seeing her worry his whole perception changed in that moment and thats what brought out the invitation.
"Wonderful!" He padded along, his steps like thunder compared to hers. He nodded as she stated her worries. "They say that there is supposed to be a feast after a famine..." He shrugged. "Im beginning to think that a hundred cats famine is still one cats feast...." He gave a concerned look. "Though It has to be a good sign that the sun has remained uncovered for so long... right?" He offered a comforting stroke of his tail. He watched her go and felt her tail. He bounded up to her. Hunger and thirst had drained him a bit, but he was still an impressive cat, his muscles were still strong just not an ounce of wasted flesh on him. He matched her pace happy to trot along a bit in silence. His eyes watching around alert for prey, or twolegs... even he wasnt sure...
"What do you think we should do GoldenLeaf? If you were Sunseer?" He tipped his head curiously as he slowed to walk as they crested up toward where they could get a drink.
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 12:51 pm
She laughed at the saying, although she held a brief moment of darkened humor for it. If a few more cats died then the kill pile would be more than enough, but that thought was unspeakable. She didn't want to see one more of their own perish due to hunger. In fact, hunger was one of the worst things to see a cat die to, she had decided. Wounds were awful beasts of their own, but watching someone slowly wither away as all that remains is skin pulling against bone... it haunted her. She kept eyeing her own body after the death of her mentor, worrying with every change in it that she might be reaching the point of no return.
She didn't want to be a skeleton.
She didn't want to see the newest apprentices rot away.
She didn't want to lose another friend.
She was utterly glad for Bloodoath's next comment. Anything to make the panic subside. She turned to note him, eyes lingering on his muscles. He was still healthy. Perhaps not abundantly so, and he did show signs of struggle, just like her, but he was notably strong and had a ways to go. He didn't remind her by visual alone about their dying clan.
That was nice.
"What would I do?" She paused, thoughts drifting. It had never occurred to her to doubt Sunseer and start fantasizing about her own methods. In fact, months ago she would have said that was a betrayal. Sunseer was chosen, they should follow his steps without question. They should not fantasize about the what if's, and why not's. Except, time had passed, and while her loyalty would always be to the clan and her leader... one would naturally begin to wonder what they'd do. It was a good question, and an honest one in a time so frightful and uncertain. What would she do?
"Sunclan doesn't have the answers this time," she mused thoughtfully. How could they? This problem was half cat and half two-leg, and last time she checked they had no ability to deal with two-legs or understand their ways. "This land is growing dry and pungent with the scent of misery and decay. I would move. All of us. I would take us away and to a new land that is plentiful and safe from the two-legs whims. Somewhere where the prey isn't too scared to roam and the water doesn't dry up under our paws."
She paused, glancing over at Bloodoath. She wasn't attached to this home. It was the clan she cared for, and home didn't feel home anymore. They would lose cats in the travel, but ultimately wouldn't they fair better in a home their own? A home not plagued by two-legs and their actions?
"And what of you? What would you do?"
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 1:21 pm
Bloodoath gave a soft purr of amusement as she laughed. IT was nice to hear laughter in all the misery. But that thought was definitely not her own. He had thought about that many times. He had even counted once, the number of cats who had to share their meals. The answer was too many... because the thought was if they died... then they would be all set... but no... he didnt want another cat to reach sunclan before it was their time.
He saw her looking and he curled his tail in a half flex with an amused purr before flicking her shoulder with his tail as he leaped by. He waited for her though, happy to have pleasant company. He nodded as she repeated his question. He just thought of it as conversation, afterall, Sunseer was even questioning what he should do... it as only natural to put yourself in his paws and try to feel for him.
He nodded sullenly and headed toward the edge of the water looking around as he took a quick drink. "Im afraid that you are right that they are probably just as lost as we are." He smiled as she described her perfect place. "Where the prey runs up between your paws" He moved back to her and rolled on his back putting his head between her paws." and begs to be eaten?"
At the question he rolled back to sitting and licked a paw. "I dont know... I like your vision... but i would hate to leave. I grew up here... So many memories...." His eyes clouded a moment. "I want the twolegs to feel the pain we felt! We lost Kits and treasured members of our clan... but they will never know... I want to.... i dont know... " He worked his claws but then stiffened and moved a bit to the water, keeping his shadow back, he waited, and then he pulled a fish out of the water. He teased it to the bank and killed it. He licked his lip. There was more than enough to share, and it was truly a lucky sight to see a fish. "So! What would I do.... I would stop worrying just now.... and share this fish... with a pretty she cat... and try to forget my problems... they will still be there tomorrow... Luckily... Im not sunseer!" He purred and moved the fish over to a comfortable spot and laid down with it offering for GoldenLeaf to Join him.
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 1:40 pm
Goldenleaf narrowed her eyes playfully as Bloodoath flicked her shoulder and pounced past her. She didn't doubt Sunclan wanted to help, but she felt it was time to take matters into their own paws. What was it like for Sunseer? To pray to those who were supposed to guide you and receive nothing in return? She sympathized with him more now that she thought about it. With him and Sunclan.
She took a sip before she found Bloodoath between her paws. She smirked down at him, a paw raising to gently tap the spot between his eyes. "Prey so bountiful we need to ask them to cut it out." Ah, what a dream.
His own answer caused her head to tilt. His anger was honest and justified; she couldn't say she didn't feel the same. The thing was she wasn't sure they could do anything to the two-legs without losing the clan in the process. From what she had been told they were fairly larger and dangerous. Still, the thought was nice. They had ruined so many lives, taken so many of their own... It was hardly fair they didn't suffer an ounce in return.
His catch of the fish, however, was such an impressive feat that her answer simply melted away and turned into a brief giddy delight. Now, if one asked Goldenleaf her favorite food she would blurt back: fish. Any fish. Fish was, unfortunately, hard to preserve and harder to catch these days. She couldn't help licking her lips, nor could she stop the ear perk when he not only called her pretty (who, her?), but also offered it towards her.
She grinned wider, brushing against him with a long and fluid movement before, with a curl of her tail against his chin, she took the spot offered to her.
"Now I do like this new idea fair more, you know," she purred, kneading the dirt once she had laid. "A fish a day keeps the medicine cat away."
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 2:02 pm
Bloodoath looked at her paw between his eyes going crosseyed a moment. That would be the life. He did watch her though and could see it wasnt the best answer in the world. While he was overly loyal to his clan and he was passionate, those two things together made for anger issues when the clan was hurt.
But then there was a fish. It was the perfect time of day to catch large fish off shore, frogs were returning to their muddy homes, or... they would be... if there was any real mud... But with the sun going down all the fish would be headed out deeper soon, so it was lucky they got here at dusk. But yes, of course the pretty cat was her... he obviously wasnt the pretty she cat.
He purred as she rubbed against him and he licked her ear as she laid down. "Im glad you see it my way! You take the first bite!" He smirked at the saying and swished his tail contentedly. While offering her the first bite seemed gentlemanly, it was also a pain for him to bite into prey any harder than a soft bodied mouse, longer canines were more of a hassle than they were really worth! Once the fish was opened he dropped his head to join her in eating. It was so tasty on his empty stomach.
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 2:16 pm
First bite? Can do. She had noted his teeth probably made it more difficult to dig into things awhile ago. She didn't eat the fish with any sense of false delicacy; they were hungry and it was fish, had she mentioned that yet?! However, she did neatly scrape at the fish to help Bloodoath a tad, ripping up pieces for him to easily dig into.
She doubt she could ever be truly content with a singular fish at the current state they were in, but when her stomach felt adequately comforted she pulled back, licking her teeth clean as she waited for Bloodoath to finish his half. A low purr rumbled from her as she cleaned her teeth, eyes narrowed in a smile. That would go a long way. Delicious, filling, and rewarding.
She eyed Bloodoath from her spot, brushing her cheek against his when he had finished in an affectionate gesture. It had been too long so she had some time to lay down and feel the tension roll off her shoulders, plus food on top? Really, she was grateful. She'd need to return the favor next time. She was a rather good vole and squirrel catcher (although squirrel was her least favorite prey).
"Perhaps I'd take the clan somewhere where there's a plentiful bounty of fish for a handsome cat to hunt," Now, normally, Goldenleaf didn't quite do romantic anything. Shyness often got in the way, but really, when you're a starving cat with an insane amount of stress and someone offers you your favorite food and sets the mood just right you'll find yourself with a very affectionate Goldenleaf. Things were stressful -- insanely so. This wasn't. This was nice and comforting, and really she much rather experience nice and comforting then drown in another hour of panic.
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 2:48 pm
He really appreciated that she didnt make a big deal out of his teeth hindering him, and he really liked that she dove right in. There was something thrilling about providing food for a hungry cat... especially one that he liked.... He noticed that she clawed the fish a bit and purred a gentle thank you as he ate down his portion. He finished and licked his tongue over his maw lapping off any flavor left.
He pressed against her happily rubbing his cheek to hers. This was a nice little get away. Long overdue. With so much stress that this made sense. He hmmmed with amusement. "A handsome cat huh? One that will catch you fish all day long?" He licked her cheek. "Im just sorry i cant give you more fish right now... but someday... i will fish you a whole stream..." His red eyes were warm and he pressed his nose to her ear purring.
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 2:57 pm
She returned the lick, tail flicking over his. What a happy fantasy -- innocent and ideal. She shook her head, kneading the dirt tentatively around her paws.
"A whole stream? I'll be larger than a pregnant she-cat. Although, I wouldn't complain, either." Her cheeks flushed at the comment, head tossing back to nuzzle under his chin.
"There's no more fish, but-" she cut off briefly, not one for such boldness often. "I'm awfully cold and wouldn't mind if we stayed here a bit longer, perhaps even curl up close." Her words were innocent enough, but her tone rumbled out in a gentle purr. This was as bold as she was getting, and he was terribly comfortable to snuggle against currently. She had absolutely zero intention of getting up if he was content with her offer.
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 3:13 pm
"A whole stream... All kinds of different tasty fish." He purred in a seductive rumble. "Larger than a pregnant she-cat.... now that is a happy picture...." All cats liked kits for the clan, especially with the hard times kits would be a joy, if only the famine wasnt so bad.
He licked her ear smoothly and purred. "We could stay out here.... until the moon is high in the sky... that way... we could see our way back... And I could see how lovely you look bathed in the moonlight." Having definitely won her over and that offer between them. He rumbled a purr settled in to spend the night with the she cat.
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