- May 19, 2023
- 58
- 11
- 8
// retro to rogue invasion!!
Nimble paws tilled against cold dirt, red fur nearly unrecognizable under the coat of dust and crud that had begun to pile up. Heatherpaw had grown quiet after his mothers death, quieter than he ever had been before. In his throes of grief the apprentice had isolated himself from his friends, from his Clanmates, focusing solely on his tasks and responsibilities in the tunnels and around camp. Heatherpaw felt like a ravine had carved itself into his chest and flooded with waves of guilt. Gradually, though, the tide had begun to recede. He felt more comfortable int the tunnels now that he preferred them over the surface and when Robinfang dragged him back to camp, he only felt safe in the cover of the old badger sett his mother used to sleep in.
He had practically replaced her spot in the darkness of the sett. When food was available he would retreat in the darkness to eat by himself or convince one of his denmates to share with him inside. Otherwise his days had been filled with strict routine of waking, diving for the tunnels, working in the dark, then returning to camp just to fall asleep. The routine had remained unbroken for a couple moons now that Heatherpaw hadn't even realized the change of the seasons. The sun had begun to set quicker into moonlight now, but he still didn't feel safe in the blanket of stars. He shielded himself away from their twinkling sights, feeling unfit to bare their presence.
This morning had been the same as any other. A few other apprentices and their mentors had been assigned on repairing a particular finicky tunnel. Supports were worn or overwhelmed much quicker than the others and today they were set on repairing it once again. Scruffy ears perked as one of the warriors, Whitepaw's mentor, noted he caught the scent of prey further down and was met with no objection, though Heatherpaw found it odd as he picked up the tom possibly muttering to himself as the distance between them grew. He dismissed it quickly, instead returning his focus back to their task.
A few moments of silents continued between them, unsuspecting. Heatherpaw paused mid-reach for a stone, paw pads picking up on a sudden sensation beneath- or above? - the patrol.
"Anyone else-" A crack split overhead with an audible rip and his ears flatten. Shouts come from ahead, urging them to rush out and Heatherpaw doesn't hesitate to oblige. He can feel tension from the ceiling release as the supports fail and the cave falls into itself. There's so much soil falling through that only brief glimmers of light appear before being swallowed by the dark once again. His heart is beating out of his chest as paws chasing after heels. Another shine of light reveals silvery fur and Heatherpaw recognizes Bluepaw, staggering behind the chase of the cave-in.
He stalled behind just a few paces to help lead her forward. "Hey, bite my tail if you have to and run!" He would drag her out of these caves if he had to, he wasn't losing anymore denmates today.
-- pls wait for @BLUEPAW to respond before posting!
-- @whitepaw tagging cause mentor momence
Nimble paws tilled against cold dirt, red fur nearly unrecognizable under the coat of dust and crud that had begun to pile up. Heatherpaw had grown quiet after his mothers death, quieter than he ever had been before. In his throes of grief the apprentice had isolated himself from his friends, from his Clanmates, focusing solely on his tasks and responsibilities in the tunnels and around camp. Heatherpaw felt like a ravine had carved itself into his chest and flooded with waves of guilt. Gradually, though, the tide had begun to recede. He felt more comfortable int the tunnels now that he preferred them over the surface and when Robinfang dragged him back to camp, he only felt safe in the cover of the old badger sett his mother used to sleep in.
He had practically replaced her spot in the darkness of the sett. When food was available he would retreat in the darkness to eat by himself or convince one of his denmates to share with him inside. Otherwise his days had been filled with strict routine of waking, diving for the tunnels, working in the dark, then returning to camp just to fall asleep. The routine had remained unbroken for a couple moons now that Heatherpaw hadn't even realized the change of the seasons. The sun had begun to set quicker into moonlight now, but he still didn't feel safe in the blanket of stars. He shielded himself away from their twinkling sights, feeling unfit to bare their presence.
This morning had been the same as any other. A few other apprentices and their mentors had been assigned on repairing a particular finicky tunnel. Supports were worn or overwhelmed much quicker than the others and today they were set on repairing it once again. Scruffy ears perked as one of the warriors, Whitepaw's mentor, noted he caught the scent of prey further down and was met with no objection, though Heatherpaw found it odd as he picked up the tom possibly muttering to himself as the distance between them grew. He dismissed it quickly, instead returning his focus back to their task.
A few moments of silents continued between them, unsuspecting. Heatherpaw paused mid-reach for a stone, paw pads picking up on a sudden sensation beneath- or above? - the patrol.
"Anyone else-" A crack split overhead with an audible rip and his ears flatten. Shouts come from ahead, urging them to rush out and Heatherpaw doesn't hesitate to oblige. He can feel tension from the ceiling release as the supports fail and the cave falls into itself. There's so much soil falling through that only brief glimmers of light appear before being swallowed by the dark once again. His heart is beating out of his chest as paws chasing after heels. Another shine of light reveals silvery fur and Heatherpaw recognizes Bluepaw, staggering behind the chase of the cave-in.
He stalled behind just a few paces to help lead her forward. "Hey, bite my tail if you have to and run!" He would drag her out of these caves if he had to, he wasn't losing anymore denmates today.
-- pls wait for @BLUEPAW to respond before posting!
-- @whitepaw tagging cause mentor momence
WINDCLAN APPRENTICE ✦ RED MACKEREL TABBY ✦ 10 MOONS ✦ TAGS