camp ON A SINKING SNOW BANK -- shoveling snow

Oct 29, 2024
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Snow is...well, Smokykit would describe it as unlike anything she'd ever seen, but that wouldn't exactly be true; the frost that had once littered the ground is remarkably similar, all things considered. The freezing crunch underpaw is more than enough to cement that comparison, though she supposes the snow is a little much in a way that the frost wasn't — much more of a nuisance, that is. At least the frost was confined to a freezing layer, while the snow that falls from the sky continues to pile up, and up, and up, until it threatens to drown out the whole world in a sea of white. It had been a little enchanting at first, watching the flakes fall from the sky for the first time, but when the cold had encroached upon her playtime outside the nursery, Smokykit quickly grew to hold the snow in disdain, sticking her tongue out in protest as if it could freeze the fat flakes in place. There was no enchantment in staying stuck in the nursery, in watching her regular play areas sink beneath white drifts, and even when they were allowed to romp about outside, the snow sent her and her littermates scrambling away for warmth much quicker than the frost ever had.

Whiskers twitching from the cold air at the entrance of the nursery, Smokykit sits poised, watching as activity continues even in spite of the dreary weather. When the frost had come, it had hardly retreated, but this was something else entirely; the freezing winds kept blowing more and more snow, unrelenting even when the frost had melted away for a day, and if she had more of a mind to worry, she might worry this snow would continue forever. Or, perhaps the snow would give way to something even worse — that was what had happened with the frost, right? The thought makes her nose scrunch, stony expression darkening further. What could be worse than all the snow, she wonders? Ice failing from the sky, maybe? Snow was certainly better than ice, that much she was certain of. Maybe it would just be snow but bigger, colder, and worse, like how the snow now was in comparison to the frost. None of those options sounded any good to her, not when all she wanted was to be able to run around outside freely again.

How could any of the warriors even stand it, anyway? There must be snow outside of camp, too, and they all kept going outside to hunt and stuff even though their paws must be freezing! Though, maybe that was what being a warrior was all about — doing the hard stuff, the things that aren't any fun. Unless you made them fun, she supposes, gaze trailing over a few stray cats lingering about camp, attempting to clear out some of the piled snow. Sure, it was probably cold, but the way they scooped and shoved the snow into drifts, clearing out the center of camp...well, it did look kind of fun. Admittedly, they've already done most of the work, what with camp being cleared enough to maneuver about in, but that just meant it was the perfect time for her to swoop in and help out, right?

Whether her siblings would follow or not, Smokykit slips out, fur standing on edge along her back at the sudden sensation of packed snow under her paws, and after making sure Ashenfall didn't immediately sweep her back in, she darts towards one of the closer snowdrifts. It's practically a dance, the way she tries to avoid keeping any one of her paws from touching the ground for too long, and yet it's one she gives up quickly as she begins her self-imposed task. Neither calculated nor collected are her actions, only haphazard shoves and pushes, and the whole thing is a messy affair as she tries to kick up some of the snow underfoot and pack it in a little bit more out of the way. For her first time at shoveling snow, Smokykit's pretty proud of her efforts — and efforts they are, even if not the most efficient. She's not making anything worse, at the very least, even if her piles aren't quite so tightly-packed and are still littered with tiny pawprints.

Somewhere along the way, she starts to lose the plot, and the snow spends less time being shoveled and more time being decorated with imprints and serenaded with giggles, though every now and then she still remembers to shove a little more aside. At least she's making a little progress at widening the area just beyond the nursery — just, very, very slowly. Engrossed in carving out crude figures in the snow, Smokykit doesn't hear the approach of someone else until they're almost upon her, jumping in surprise. Quick to recover, she offers a beaming grin, and sweeps a smoky-clad paw towards the work she'd done in the last few minutes. "Look! I'm helping!" she announces eagerly, chest puffing out in pride. A small trail has been carved in her wake, snow pressed up into the drifts that line the edges of camp, and though she'll surely have to head back inside the nursery soon, in this moment Smokykit is all bright eyes, pricked ears, and boundless enthusiasm even in the face of the cold.​

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  • OOC: -
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  • SMOKYKIT. She/her, kit of ShadowClan
    .Flintwish x Ashenfall, littermate to Promisekit, Tinykit, & Mercykit
    . 2 moons old, ages on the 1st
    .An ill-proportioned, smoky molly with bright amber eyes and an exceedingly curly, tangled pelt.
    .Enthusiastic and vibrant, easily distracted, prideful & caring - friendly within reason
    .Peaceful & healing powerplay permitted - brushing up against her, shoulder bumps, etc.
    .Penned by Hijinks - feel free to DM me on Discord to plot! ^^
 
FROM COFFIN TO THE CRADLE
I GOT DEMONS, I GOT ANGELS
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ternfrost 24 moons female she/her shadowclan queen
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The snowstorm takes them by surprise - or at least, it would've if Starlingheart hadn't been warned. Ternfrost doesn't claim to understand starclans whims, but mind cannot help but think of her grandfathers words as she watches the flakes fall across camp in violent flurries. Cursed - if that is not what this is, then she does not know what to think.

Hulking figure sits at nurseries maw, watching flakes flutter by - despite everything, she enjoys the cold weather while it lasts, far better suited with her double coat and webbed paws for this type of terrain then thee sweltering heat that comes with greenleaf. But the comfortable temperatures come with a high cost - empty bellies, and now sickness.

Blue gaze tracks tiny figure as it shuffle forwards, contemplating with a swish of her fluffy tail - disrupting the snow that has begun to gather at the edge of the den. " Good job, " she says at last with a slow blink - expression unchanging, but words warm. She has no quarrel with the child, despite her dislike of its parents. " Best not to stay out too long, lest you get the sniffles or lose your ears like Betonyfrost, " she warns after a moment, amusement in her tone.

actions & " speech, " & 'thoughts/quotes'
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I - S H O U L D- H A V E- B E E N- B O R N- W I T H-
A -W A R N I N G- L A B E L
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Bouncekit isn't too interested in helping the warrior's out with the chore of clearing snow. That was a boring warrior task, she was only interested in the fun ones like patrolling the territory and fighting enemy warriors! Safe to say, Smokykit, who was three moons her younger, was somehow already more dutiful than her. Thats just how Bouncekit was though despite her age, her head swarming with fanatics and fantasies, yet to truly wake to most of the harsh realities of the world.

Myrtlefoot usually tells her no when it comes to going outside in the cold, but she's too tired to tell her kit no today. So Bouncekit is tearing around camp, hopping through the unshoveled snow and flying into the piles the warrior's had made. Definitely doing more harm than helping.

Paying no mind to Ternfrost's warning Bouncekit instead fixates herself on Smokykit whose still unaware of the older kit's presence. Once close enough, she slams a forepaw into the ground, sending a wave of snow in the direction of Smokeykit in an effort to initiate play, assuming it'd be welcomed. Whether successful in her efforts or not, she can be heard giggling as she races off. "Bet'cha can't get me, Smokykit!" And of course Smokykit wouldn't be able to - not easily anyways. Bouncekit was double- if not triple her size, but she doesn't realize how much of an advantage she really has against the younger kits. She does not know she is playing unfair.
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Moltface's pelt brushes Ternfrost's flank, daring a step into the freezing air... though the nursery itself was hardly the bastion of warmth it had once been. With both her and Ternfrost's eye on Smokeykit, she doesn't bother wondering if Ashenfall knew about her whereabouts... A bit of fun in the snow wouldn't kill her— though Moltface wouldn't be surprised if the first-time parents may beg to differ...

" Lovely work, " she agrees. And it's genuine— she did appreciate not risking being knee-deep in snow the moment she steps out of the nursery... A mismatched set of ears shuffles atop their head as Ternfrost utters her warning. Moltface hums consideringly. " Mm, I've heard swamp monsters find earless cats much more appetizing, " they warn. They're about to continue on, make up something or other about their only line of defense having been the snow, and thusly, Smokykit has unknowingly made a grave error...

Ah, but he's interrupted by the likes of Bouncekit. He supposes the other queens would be appreciative, at least. Moltface doesn't stifle his snicker as the poor thing has a shower of slush aimed in their direction; an impressive attack. Kittish jaws— though, quite a bit bigger than Smokykit's still squeal around the words, Bet'cha can't catch me! and Moltface snorts. Obviously, it was true enough. Clever Bouncekit almost certainly knew this.

" Smokykit. " He lowers his head. An easygoing gaze takes on a conspiratorial glint, all of a sudden. Moltfae beckons the kit closer with a velveteen forepaw. Fried vocals lower to a whisper. " If you can chase Bouncekit back over here, I'll help you play a trick on her, " she offers with a smile.
 
So close to the nursery entrance, it's not exactly unexpected that some of the queens might be there to overlook her efforts, but neither is it an unwelcome sight, either; the familiar shapes of Ternfrost and Moltface quickly draw a beaming grin onto her features. If she had been puffed up before, the praise falling from the both of them is more than enough to make Smokykit wiggle with excitement, less than subtly repositioning herself to better show off her work. After all, it was for them as much as it was anybody else, considering they all shared the same residence — who better to appreciate her haphazardly-crafted snow piles?

It's as though she's captured a beam of the sun's light, glancing between the two of them. "I'm gonna clear the whole nursery!" Smokykit boasts — perhaps a bit more than she's fit to handle, especially considering the time she's already spent in the snow and her proclivity for distraction, but they don't need to know that. The driving snow is relentless, but so is she, breaks in the warm nursery notwithstanding. Ternfrost offers a warning, words of sniffles and missing ears, and Moltface bounces right back, leaving Smokykit whipping between the two, trying to parse ears, swamp monsters, and Betonyfrost.

"What — my ears? I'm gonna lose my ears?" she intones, wide eyes brimming no longer with wonder but instead something more akin to disbelieving horror. Instinctively, a paw brushes the smoke-tipped tops of her ears, as though to reassure herself that yes, they're both still there and in working order. "Can that really happen...?" If it had just been Ternfrost, maybe she would have been a little more skeptical, but with Moltface in on it too, well...that had to mean something, right? Something bad for her ears, by the sound of it!

The idea of a swamp monster sounds equally unappealing than losing her ears, she thinks, though then, she thinks again — maybe a swamp monster would be better than having your ears fall off because they're so cold. At least you could try and fight off a swamp monster; what could be done about the cold, except avoidance? Packed away into the nursery, pressed up against the warm bodies of kin, and slowly wasting away from boredom — certainly not as exciting as doing battle against a monster. "Um, is it 'cause you can't hear them coming with no ears? So it's easier for them to getcha'?" Unfortunately for Smokykit, if her question were to receive a response, she'd never hear it, as right then a blinding sense of cold settles over her back, almost sending her off her paws.

"AH—" she squeals, clumps of snow clinging to her curly pelt and greedily leaching off of her dwindling warmth. If she had been wiggly before, now Smokykit is downright shaking — shaking off the snow that threatens to melt down her sides, as though sloughing off a second skin. It's not until she hears the giggling, turning in place as she shakes off each paw individually, that she starts to realize just what has happened. As the packed flakes begin to slide off of her, so does the shocked expression, and quickly she's back to delighted at Bouncekit's challenge. "I betcha' I can!" she howls back, whiskers twitching off the last of the flakes in preparation for a chase that will surely guide warmth back through her limbs.

Before she goes tearing off, though, Moltface catches her attention, leaning in closer. It takes a monumental effort to hold herself in place long enough to hear his words, but when she does, Smokykit is glad for her own self-restraint. Maybe they would sweep some snow back at Bouncekit in return, dusting her denmate in white just as she now appears — that would certainly be a fun trick! Pearly-white kitten teeth appear in a wicked grin, a quick "Okay!" all she has to offer before her restlessness finally gets the better of her. Shoveling around snow is fun and all, but it's not the same as a good old-fashioned game of chase, where she can really burn off energy. The snow drags at Smokykit, clinging in mats around her legs, and she's nowhere near as fast as Bouncekit, especially with such a head start, but still, she persists. Her herding is clumsy, movements curbed awkwardly by the snow and by Bouncekit's own pace, but Smokykit at least tries to keep up, tries to lead her hopefully-unsuspecting playmate towards whatever trap Moltface might spring.​

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  • OOC: -
  • 91652258_QgH2WTCoAYMc2Mi.png

  • SMOKYKIT. She/her, kit of ShadowClan
    .Flintwish x Ashenfall, littermate to Promisekit, Tinykit, & Mercykit
    . 3 moons old, ages on the 1st
    .An ill-proportioned, smoky molly with bright amber eyes and an exceedingly curly, tangled pelt.
    .Enthusiastic and vibrant, easily distracted, prideful & caring - friendly within reason
    .Peaceful & healing powerplay permitted - brushing up against her, shoulder bumps, etc.
    .Penned by Hijinks - feel free to DM me on Discord to plot! ^^
 
He's no tattletale. He watches his sister leave the den with partially closed, mismatched eyes, his tail curled atop his nose and his limbs hiding beneath the bulk of his body. She can have her fun in the snow, he thinks. His curly fur does just enough in the warmth of the nursery to keep him settled and hold his tongue still - but out there? Oh, he can already see how others have snow clumping their fur. He'd be nothing more than a snow-cat if he was caught in any bit of the drift.

Two queens crowd the nursery's maw, and Promisekit is not himself if he is not eager to be included. And so, he creeps between them, using the larger bodies of Moltface and Ternfrost to block out most of the incoming cold. He arrives just in time to see Bouncekit, with chattering teeth, shower his sister with snow and tear off. The queen to his left offers Smokykit an agreement, should his sister find herself able to chase the larger kitten back towards the nursery. Snaking his tail between the spaces left empty, to rest it on his forepaws, he looks towards Moltface.

"What're'ya gonna do?" he mumbles with a lopsided grin, curious to know before he sees it (if he ever sees it at all.)
 
— Ternfrost's son easily dwarfed a lot of his denmates and he didn't know how much more he would grow, perhaps, he would outgrow his own mother but he wouldn't know until he became a warrior. He stretches out in his nest only to follow Promisekit to see what had caught the others attention to see that both his mother and Moltface were standing at the nursery entrance. His large helm tilts to the side trying to get a good glimpse of what was happening outside and saw that both Bouncekit and Smokykit were running around in the snow, the inky furred tom blinks his dark eyes to regard them quietly with disinterest.

Promisekit already asks Moltface what's he plans to do with Bouncekit if Smokykit succeeds in chasing her over in the direction of the nursery once more, he can't help but blink with utter confusion that the cold could take away their ears but given that it leaves the very maw of his mother... Well, who is he to doubt her when all she ever tells him is the blunt truth? "Can you lose more than just your ears?" He questions his mother with a calm twitch of his whiskers and continues to watch his denmates play, he had no means of joining them but had it been his own siblings then maybe he would've joined them.


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  • ooc
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    a unruly furred black and white tomkit with brown eyes & low white
    rainbowkit, despite his vibrant name, is anything but he tends to come off as dull or boring to those around him since he's moreso fixed on absorbing any knowledge offered to him. he won't entertain kit games and if he continues to be pressured into playing them, he isn't afraid to swat away his denmates with his six-toed paws and sharp words; all his opinions are IC only.
    4 moons old; ages the 8th every month
    sexuality unknown; too young to consider love
    child of snakehiss and maggotfur
    brother to ivorykit and cornflowerkit
    semi-hard to befriend due to how stiff/standoffish he is ; stubborn/will pick fights if he sees necessary
    "speech", thoughts, attacking
    peaceful powerplay allowed