pafp let the breeze blow heavy — snowball fight

[GRAVELSNAP]

Slatepaw has seemed off lately. Maybe it’s the snow, or the cold, or the fact that their father is being very hard on him when it comes to his apprenticeship. Perhaps Gravelpaw is just thinking too deeply about the issues that his brother has had to face. Slatepaw has always seemed softer, more fragile, more weak; Lynxtooth tends to press at fraying nerves, spitting salt water on open wounds, all in the name of making sure his sons live up to his legacy. And Gravelpaw knows that he’s tough, he can take it. But Slatepaw… what if it’s all too much for him? Gravelpaw doesn’t know what they’d do without their brother, their other half. He won’t admit it aloud, but he’s worried about how Slatepaw is faring now that the weather has been becoming more harsh.

No matter the reason, something is up with their brother and they’re going to do something dumb about it. Slatepaw is their only friend within the clan; forming alliances with other apprentices is hard when they all seem to have some kind of disease that makes them talk too much, and too loudly. So if he’s sad, then Gravelpaw has to do something to make it better, even if it means sacrificing a bit of dignity.

Upon spotting the other black and white apprentice, Gravelpaw wanders over and aims to brush against their brother’s side. Their voice is quiet when they speak, but their tone is tinged with playfulness. "Hey, Slatepaw. I bet you can’t hit me with a snowball." Without waiting for confirmation, they gather some snow into their paw, sending it flying in Slatepaw’s direction. Whether it lands on their brother or not, the black and white apprentice lurches to the side, preparing for a counterattack. For a moment, they turn to glance behind them; if they spot another clanmate, they’ll offer a jerk of their head—come on, join in.

// pls wait for @slatepaw !!
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[ DEATH OF A DREAM ]​

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[slatepaw]

---

slatepaw
6 moons - windclan apprentice - speech​

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ───────────────── ☾ ───────────────── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮



slatepaw didn't much care for the snow that fell over the territories.

for one, his fur was too thin around his paws, and his paw pads were yet too soft and uncalloused to protect him against its bitter cold. second, unlike gravelpaw who was mostly white, slatepaw stood no chance in camouflaging himself amongst the backdrop of pristine crystals. he stuck out like a sore thumb, even more than usual. he hated it.

with gravelpaw's approach, though, his sour mood slightly lifted. his brother was the only cat in this clan who seemed to somewhat understand him - although he wished he'd stop groveling at their father's paws. gravelpaw was not the one to suffer at lynxtooth's beating claws, but yet he cowered down and obeyed him without question. in all honesty, slatepaw was jealous of his brother for just that - he had independence, while still being on lynxtooth's good side, all without the cruelty of their father's 'training' methods. but slatepaw would never mention his grievances to his brother, nor the reality of his training routine. he wouldn't sour their relationship, as much distaste as he had for it.

gravelpaw's challenge to hit a snowball at him was out of the blue, and not something slatepaw was particularly interested in. he didn't like the snow, why would he play in it? but just as he opened his mouth to decline, he was prompt hit in the face with a snowball, stunning him for a moment. "alright," he grumbled, wiping the large chunk of snow off his face. already, his nose stung, and his whiskers were sending off alarms left and right, protesting the snow that coated them. "you asked for it."

slatepaw stood up, urgently darting around to a nearby rock and hiding behind it. every once in a while he peaked out at gravelpaw, and anyone else that might've joined in, but behind his shelter he was arranging a mass of snowballs the quickest he could. and, for his first attack, the largest in his growing pile would be sent out, launched in gravelpaw's direction.



╰── ⋅ ⋅ ───────────────── ☾ ───────────────── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯

༶•┈┈⛧┈★ just a castaway, an island lost at sea

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[Badgermoon]

It would seem that this was a black-and-white-cat-only type of affair, as Badgermoon approached with a grin slowly forming on his face. This ought to be good. A snowball fight seemed like a fair use of time in the midst of a blizzard when there was functionally nothing else to do - and, besides, he wasn't going to stop a pair of young cats from having fun, especially since he was pretty sure these two were siblings. Bonding with one's family and Clanmates was a practical activity in and of itself, in his mind, and so he darted over and fell into an easy half-crouch behind a snow bank. "Every cat for themselves!" Badgermoon declared with a slightly exaggerated cackle, swiping his paw against a heap of snow and trying to spray it over Gravelpaw's face. Just because the hazel-eyed apprentice had started it and was welcoming others into the game didn't mean he was immune from a snow-attack. Besides, this was a good way to get a teeny-tiny bit of revenge for the younger WindClanner's lack of gratitude for his help with that damn crotchety elder.​

 

[Firefang]

Firepaw wouldn't want a father like Lynxtooth that was something she knew for sure, not that she comprehended what it was like to have a father - she'd only had her mother; Ravencry was harsh in her own right but Firepaw believed she could make her proud one day, earn back the attention she long since lost. She wasn't very involved with her life not like Lynxtooth whom always seemed to be shadowing the two apprentices with his oppressive gaze. She avoided him when she could, she "learned her lesson" not to stray too close to him whenever she was spending time with the other apprentices lest she wanted to be smacked on the back of her head again! Yeah he was strong alright impressively so - but he seemed like a better warrior then a father, she wouldn't say she felt bad for the pair of littermates they got on her nerves sometimes as everyone seemed to do but she isn't envious of them either. Especially Slatepaw who despite having Lynxtooth as his mentor as well seemed just so weak, he was so silent all the time as timid as a mouse and she quickly grew bored of trying to start anything with him. It just felt like pickin' on a defenseless kit! It felt like she rarely heard his voice often drowned out by the cats who'd never shut their yap like Snailpaw.

Her ears swivel though from where she stands hearing that rare tone of his meow and looking over to find the sight of snow flinging, Slatepaw and their sibling engaged in a snow fight not too unlike the one Icepaw and Crowpaw had. Her tail flicks and apprehension bubbles within her, they probably don't want her there joining them she figures and it's likely the truth, her ears fold back as she watches the snow pelt on their fur and suddenly she's walking over head dipped and tail lashing anxiously behind her. ❝Hey mousebrains! I'm joinin' in rather ya like it or not!❞ it's easy to lean on habits on names she calls everyone, but before she can meow anymore she looks towards Badgermoon gritting her teeth as she knows she can't get away with putting him in with the others. He was the deputy now ❝... and hey Badgermoon❞ it lacks the same fire, she gulps prodding at the snow with one paw. Should she jus tstart? Pick up snow in her paw and try to chuck it was it just that simple?

She never played games like this with Smokepaw and their other littermate not even when they were kits, no moss ball no nothing. ❝...Soooo like... What do you do to win?❞ if she was gonna play then she would be the best, that was always her goal!​

( PLACE ME IN MY CASKET TONIGHT ; BECAUSE IM ALREADY DYING INSIDE )

 

[MALLOWLARK]

Mallowlark had never had any sort of parental issues, other then the fact his father had never shown his face! Heavy Snow and his aunts were enough for him, and his mother was such an inspiration in his life that he spent a lot on energy attempting to emulate her friendliness to an unintentionally terrifying extreme. At the sight of this little game, the sharp-fanged grin ever set upon his features brightened- grew. Staccato sounds of laughter singing in the air, skipping steps carved his path toward the little group. Another domino-pelted cat to add to the array!

Through snowstorms and sickness, it was nice to know that fun could still be had. Every cat for themselves did Badgermoon urge, and with the most impossible beam upon his snowy features Mallowlark readied himself to lead his own battalion- with the snowflakes as his loyal army! Almost doubling over from the screeching laughter that built in intensity and volume as it erupted from his ajar smile, he somehow managed to scoop up enough snow- and strength- to attempt to hurl a wave toward Badgermoon's face. Ample time was given, though accidentally, to dodge... his laughter was an unintentional war cry. ​

[ PENNED BY PIN ]​

 

[icebreath]

TAGS — It's nice to see Slatepaw having a good time in the snow. She doesn't know him well at all, but he'd seemed so shy last they interacted — and entirely unwilling to play when Crowpaw invited him to join her and Icepaw's impromptu game. Admittedly, his outright ignoring of the invitation had kind of rubbed her the wrong way; he hadn't acknowledged it at all! But she wants to give him the benefit of the doubt, especially when she knows how difficult it can feel to socialize with cats you aren't already friendly with. Maybe this is her second chance to click with him. It seems like everyone's having fun, so she musters up the courage to approach.

Firepaw does the same shortly before she does, asking a competitive question that Icepaw never would've considered. There's no winning, she wants to say. But instead she decides to get a bit of payback for, well, the entirety of their relationship — a playful setting feels like a safe place for that, especially with Badgermoon right there. "Here, let me show you a good strategy," she meows, padding over to stand right in front of Firepaw. "So first, you gather up some snow like this..." They start sweeping it into a small pile with a forepaw, pausing a moment before suddenly scooping and flinging it up into Firepaw's face with a smile before darting off to avoid immediate retaliation.
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[GRAVELSNAP]

At first it seems that Slatepaw might not join in, and Gravelpaw huffs—because he’s only doing this for Slatepaw, of course, there’s no other reason he’d be out here freezing his tail and paws off in the snow. Of course. But his brother agrees, against all odds, and Gravelpaw can’t help but grin at him, all toothy and pleased.

It’s one of the only childish activities they’ll allow themself, anything to make Slatepaw happy. Anything to try and cheer him up, lift him from whatever dark mood their father has perpetually put him in. Because Gravelpaw isn’t stupid—they know that something is going on, that Slatepaw takes Lynxtooth’s criticism worse than they do. They don’t push it, though, because they’ve finally reached a stage where their father doesn’t look at them only with disappointment, with anger. He’s a bit more forgiving, and Gravelpaw can’t sacrifice that.

Slatepaw darts behind a rock, and Gravelpaw uses the moment to slink closer to the hiding spot. He’s promptly smacked with a ball of snow, though, and he sputters when it hits him straight in the head. It’s payback for his own headshot on Slatepaw, he knows. Karma in live action. But he doesn’t get the chance to protest or counterattack, because Badgermoon is declaring war and suddenly there’s snow flying over his head and settling into powder along his shoulders, and Gravelpaw laughs. For the first time in moons, he genuinely laughs. Not a forced, sociable chuckle or a giggle put on for Slatepaw’s sake—a bubbly, carefree laugh.

"No fair," he protests, shaking the snow from his mostly-white pelt. They’ll both pay for that, he’s sure of it. Just as soon as he gathers together a ball of snow that doesn’t crumble apart in his paws. Firepaw’s voice rises above the sounds of Badgermoon’s laughter, asking to join. She doesn’t seem to care too much, though, because she asks how to win anyway.

Finally he gets a snowball formed, and rushes behind the rock where Slatepaw is—hazel eyes narrow to slits as he sees all the snowballs that his brother is making. "I know I said you couldn’t hit me, but," he drops his voice to a whisper, hoping that it’s out of earshot of the others, "you hit me. So, what if we team up against the others?" He jerks his head toward Firepaw, the biggest threat to them and obviously determined to win, and Icepaw, who is already dumping snow onto the tabby apprentice’s head. Mallowlark’s pealing laughter is almost grating, but it’s joyful and the inky-pawed tom is battering Badgermoon with snow, so they’re both distracted—maybe.
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[ DEATH OF A DREAM ]​

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[Firefang]

Her pelt prickles in surprise at Mallowlark's signature cry of laughter; she didn't think that she'd ever properly get used to the sound of his voice much less his caterwaul of raucous laughter that seemed to come out of nowhere. What is wrong with him? She'd always ask but there was never any proper answer he was just Mallowlark it was who he was for better or worse he was harmless just another warrior despite his eccentricities. Didn't mean she had to be comfortable around him or like him; she's glad he goes after Badgermoon rather then her the deputy could keep him plenty entertained! She watches from the corner of her eye before her attention is grabbed like always by Icepaw who surprisingly comes striding over to her, she looks taken aback for once no smarmy comment rolling off her tongue directed towards the pretty apprentice. She looks ruffled if anything, shifting uncomfortably on her paws and the fur around her neck fluffing up. What was she trying to do? There was no way she was just gonna help her, what would motivate her to do that? Her head tilts and she would watch intently regardless, even if she's on edge expecting the pleasantness of Icepaw's words and help to turn venomous.

After all why would she care about her enough to help her? She watches intently as their paws press into the snow scooping it up before pausing and really she should see it coming foxlengths away but no all she sees is snow coming right at her face before she can jump back, she almost falls over onto her butt a surprised yelp of a mraow coming out of her before she can stop it. The snow would slide down her face before she shakes her pelt revealing furious eyes and a scowl. ❝You little mousebrain you shouldn't have done that!❞ she snaps before slamming one forepaw out into the snow to try and send it flying up to block icepaw's view before she pounces forward claws sheathed to attempt tackle the Tunneler and if she connected she'd send them both clumsily tumbling into the snow.
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( PLACE ME IN MY CASKET TONIGHT ; BECAUSE IM ALREADY DYING INSIDE )