- Aug 7, 2022
- 345
- 65
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IF THE POINT'S TO NEVER DISAPOINT YOU, SOMEBODY'S GOT TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO
Leaf-fall was here.
It was harder to tell in Skyclans territory, where the pine trees remained evergreen and the non-existent foliage didn’t wilt because it wasn’t there.
Instead, the mark was changed by the cooling of the wind and the darkening of the sky earlier and earlier each night. The prey was still out, foraging what they could before the frost arrived and started killing the plantlife and sending the bugs burrowing, but the chimera knew from experience now that soon, they too would make themselves scarce, leaving the cats to go hungry or worked to the bone trying to survive.
He was going to be ready, though.
Thistlebacks routine of early mornings and late nights had stuck with him into adulthood, and he often began his day with a light workout that led into hunting and patrols. The gaps were usually filled in with training sessions or time spent with Twitch and his clan, and today was no different. He was determined to be in top shape by the time Leafbare finally hit, so that when he finally had to go without food or withstand the bitter cold, he could stand to suffer it.
It’d be easier to give up a meal to another cat if his body was in good shape. Easier to hunt the extra few hours if his muscles were strong enough to carry him just that much longer in the cold. If he could have gorged himself and slept the season away like a bear then he might have chosen that route instead- but there was work to do and cats to keep alive.
That afternoon, while the sun was still high and offering some warmth, Quillstrike made his way to the rockpile. Today, he wasn’t alone though. It wasn’t unusual for the dark furred tabby to occasionally ask others along with him. Even if he did prefer the quiet sometimes, he wasn’t a completely antisocial cat. Company and conversation could be nice sometimes, and there was always the added benefit of knowing his clanmates were keeping themselves sharp as well.
”The snakes usually calm down this time of year, but they’re still out so don’t get bitten.”
Twitch had used to bug him a lot about messing around out here, but it was a good place for strength building and since a lot of his clanmates tended to steer clear, he found it to be worth the risk. Besides, it wasn’t all that dangerous if you just paid attention and didn’t fuck around. You know; common sense stuff.
”Basically just pick a rock and move it. Don’t get too ambitious though, or you’ll fuck up your back.” he explained as he made his way over to one of large rocks scattered off at the edge of the rockpile, something subtle in his tone suggesting he spoke from experience. The rock he ended up choosing was nothing special or necessarily impressive; it was somewhat flat in shape and fairly sizeable, but small enough for a cat to move if they put a bit of effort into it.
”If you do it right, you’ll feel it in your shoulders and hindlegs. Makes your climbing and jumping stronger.” As he spoke, he reached out and hooked his paws under the rock before giving a tug. The muscles in his shoulders flexed and his hind paws dug into the ground, and a moment later the rock flipped over to settle on it’s other side. ”You can push them too, if they’re rounder.”
@edenberry ?!
skyclan - male - 31 months (Feb 17th) - mated to Twitchbolt - a very tall, muscular chimera with mismatched eyes and several scars. has bluejay feathers woven like spikes along his spine and neck.
