camp a new morning | o, lounging

[scorchfrost]

It had been a while since Scorchfrost had done anything notable. He felt as though he'd existed in some sort of liminal space for over a year, never able to focus or settle on anything. He wasn't particularly bothered about it, quite neutral actually, but he'd woken this morning with a newfound sense of clarity. He felt as though he'd emerged from a long hibernation; his body was stiff and less than perfectly coordinated but his mind was crisp, his mood lifted. It was looking like a good day for him, perhaps the start of many good days to come.

The older warrior wanted to work, tag along on a hunting patrol or take charge of training the youth, but the pull of the afternoon sun was strong. It broke through the dense pine canopy to cast dapples upon the ground, glimmering and ever-moving with the sway of the trees and drift of the clouds. His dark pelt seemed to absorb the rippling warmth, made only the more obvious by the sun-lit tone on his fur. He settled on his stomach, resting his chin on his outstretched front legs.

He hadn't been present for.. far too long. He spotted kits and apprentices, even young warriors, that he was sure he'd missed the births and lives of. There were cats that he knew were missing, their once crisp scents all but indiscernible under the bustle of an active clan. He'd have to catch himself up on what had happened and what was happening, but for now? He was resting and thinking clearly for the first time in forever.
​

[ YOU CAN'T BREAK MY SPIRIT ]​

 

[CHILLEDSTAR.]

DON'T YOU GIVE ME UP, PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP​

---

it was unfortunate that this... doing nothing was all that chilledstar could do. they hated it. they hated not doing anything at all. but they needed to let their wounds heal. last thing they needed was to be caught off guard and killed again because of their reckless need to be useful. they limped ahead to the fresh kill pile, gently take a rather small piece and sitting down somewhat near the other lazing body, gently taking a bite. huh. they don't think they've ever seen him take a break.

"you doing alright? don't think I've ever seen you willingly rest."

lighthearted, of course, but there is enough concern that it's genuine.
​

 

[Magpiepaw]

—————————————————————⊰♰⊱————————————————————

"Do not call attention to it, once they become aware they will go out of their way to avoid doing so in the future." The workaholics in the clan were going to leave Magpiepaw with nothing but gray fur at one point, he would not longer match the glossy black of his namesake and would need to figure out a new name entirely to befit his appearance. Graypaw, Stormpaw, Tiredpaw, Exhaustedpaw, Makeitstoppaw...

All the same, it was nice to see Scorchfrost out and about properly again and even going so far as to take it easy. Perhaps he can be convinced to give Frostbite lessons as the white lead warrior certainly needed a reminder of his limitations after his fool starvation incident. The medicine cat apprentice scoffs as he plods along next to Chilledstar, head tilted in regards to the elder warrior, "You are lucky you did not have to experience being crawled over by several little wrigglers. Though fret not, more are on the way." Needledrift had kits now as well, no it's fine-continue having them in the most complicated moons of the season, it's not like he enjoyed not being stressed out or anything. Much as he said as much, he did work well under pressure but he would prefer it not be utilized. At least she had the sense to do it in camp. The healer sighed, "Are you well? Any aches? Do not hesitate to say as much, I already visit Fleabounce regularly for similar."

——— ⸸ I'm the kid in the rain. Celebrate the insane ———— ⸸ Yeah, never goes my way

• OOC can go here.
• 
  
  
  Magpiepaw
  —⊰⋅ MCA of ShadowClan
  —⊰⋅ He/They
  "SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  —⊰⋅ Black tom w/a white throat and blue-violet eyes.
  —⊰⋅ Has mild cerebellar hypoplasia (Wobbly cat syndrome)
  
  

​

 

[ONYXPAW]

I WISH YOU COULD SEE THE WICKED TRUTH — Standing among the ranks of younger faces that Scorchfrost likely wouldn't recognize from his absence - or at least his absence of the mind - was Onyxpaw. Still only five moons old, though growing closer to six with each day that passed. What a frightening thought, considering it would put her on an equal playing field with any future apprentices that were made -paws at that age. She'd be expected to know more thanks to her being granted such a name earlier, a revelation that made her stomach churn with worry. She hardly felt like more than a kit, yet it had been almost two moons since Avocetfall had taken her on as an apprentice.

Stress over her training was actually what sent her into camp today, shaking muck from her fur and flexing her claws as she tried not to pout over yet another failed hunting trip. She was improving gradually, but it was... slowly. So slowly that it felt like she was swimming through the marshes rather than leaping carefully from log to log. Perhaps she needed a break too, if only to give herself a moment to breathe and not become discouraged. The chattering of her clanmates nearby was a welcome escape, even if words didn't immediately make themselves known as she approached - they never had, in her experience.

Her bright gaze actually lingered on Scorchfrost for a long moment, forcibly dragging his name to mind even though they hadn't properly spoken before. "It's a good day for a rest, isn't it? I mean, I can't remember the last time we had such a strong sun." The warmth of it was soaking into the darker patches of her pelt, a welcome contrast to the sharp chill of leafbare that had been reigning so far. "Even if it wasn't, though, Magpiepaw is right. Even seasoned warriors need breaks sometimes... or at least Avocetfall thinks so." Though she did have to wonder if her mentor just meant they needed breaks from her and her stumbling on occasion.

CAUGHT UP IN A RUSH ✦ IT IS KILLING YOU

• 

• 
  ✧ shorthaired tortoiseshell point and chocolate point chimera with blue eyes
  ✧ 5 moons old; ages the 1st every month
  ✧ bisexual; crushing on yellowpaw
  ✧ daughter of monarchroot and sleetjaw
  ✧ shadowclan born; silently loyal to her home
  ✧ difficult to befriend; shy to most except yellowpaw
  ✧ "speech", thoughts, attacking
  ✧ peaceful powerplay allowed

​

 

[FERNDANCE]

The work-life balance promoted by the cinnamon tabby previously had been tested this moon. Going out after patrols for long hours to ensure her kittens did not go as hungry as they could was exhausting, but it never felt like hard graft until it was time to settle and limbs burned like firewood. It was weird being able to relate to a clanmate in such a mundane way, as far as Fern knew though, the old tom worked hard for all of ShadowClan, and not just four little lives. She settled opposite him, too close for it to be comfortable, too far away to make contact with the resting warrior. Her chin nestled atop of brindled paws and Ferndance looked up towards Scorchfrost with a smile upon her maw. "I like the sun," she mewed, its rays missing the warrior where she settled. Ears flicked at the comments of other clanmates and eyes widened in thought. "The grave makes for an awful resting place, there are so many fun things to do when you die, you'll never want to sleep," she explained to the other, wrapping her whiplike tail around herself to preserve body heat. "Good for you, using your mortal life to settle."
​

 

[scorchfrost]

Scorchfrost hadn't anticipated the swarm of clanmates that surrounded him but perhaps he should have. He'd settled down in the camp, right out in the open. The softies around him, asking after his health and wellbeing, had most likely felt some weird empathetic pull. They were like emotional jackals, really.

The warrior sighed to himself, opening an orange eye to scan over the assortment of felines. The leader, medicine apprentice, a normal apprentice, and a lead warrior. Golly gee, wasn't it just his day to be surrounded by important folk. " I'm well and fine. " He rasped, jaw stretching into a yawn and cracking rather satisfyingly. " I was enjoying a moment of peace. "

He supposed it was reasonable that Chilledstar wasn't doing leader-y things, they were in rough shape, and the apprentices were meant to be in camp if not studying, and Ferndance, as little as he knew her, had to relax at some point. They could have all been quieter though. " I'd prefer to continue that peace, if you don't mind. "
​

[ YOU CAN'T BREAK MY SPIRIT ]​