out of touch, out of time | icepaw

[strawmoon]

Another day, another tunnel. Another day, another dig, they do like to dig, it never bothered them. They had followed their mentor to the tunnels but had... gotten lost... Or... More like wandered off, probably worrying them sick but it does not occur to Strawpaw. Deeper they wander, in awe of how the worms wiggled between the walls. Its warmer down here than up there, thats for sure, and Straw does not blame them for being ugly down here instead of up there. They hook a worm up with a claw, watching as it writhes on their paw before they take it and chuck it backwards.

Unfortunately for Straw they had totally forgotten Icepaw had followed them in to help map out the tunnels and Straw immediately whips around with bristled fur. "Don't touch it!" their voice a hiss, probably the most emotion they have shown yet. It would be... very bad for Icepaw (Schmopaw) to touch the worm... The worm would infect her... They didn't want to see Icepaw turn in to a worm... As Strawstar, leader of Wormclan, it would suck having to induct another member in to their ranks. And then they would have to carry worm Icepaw everywhere with them which sounds like a lot of work... And then what would they tell the others? Icepaw got stuck as a worm and now they're their new leader?

// @icepaw ​

"speech"​

 

[icebreath]

TAGS — Icepaw's used to working and training alongside Smokepaw more so than any other tunneler apprentice, so they were a little apprehensive about pairing up with Strawpaw today. They're... weird. But nice, at least. Not a bad cat in the slightest, and they seem to care about their prestigious job as much as Icepaw does, which she has to respect. They're not very talkative, either, which works perfectly for the lynx point; she's more than happy to carry out their tasks in dutiful quietude, only communicating when necessary to get their bearings among other such things.

Things seem to be going well until they wind up separated from Skymoon. Icepaw's been jittery ever since they realized it, anxiously keeping track of the sounds and smells they encounter for any sign of Strawpaw's mentor — but to no avail. It'll be fine. She'll find us, or we'll find her, and in the meantime we have each other for safety. They can't say they find their thoughts too convincing, but it's better than nothing so she clings onto them as best as she can. This tunnel feels familiar, anyway. They think. They always feel so confident when they're down here with a warrior, but it's so easy to second guess everything the moment they're left to their own devices.

Strawpaw suddenly stops walking, to Icepaw's confusion and mild irritation. But just as she's about to ask why, a worm suddenly comes flying toward her and lands by her forepaws. She bites back an exasperated sigh, readying a gentle reminder to stay focused and not throw things at their partner, when Strawpaw suddenly whips around with uncharacteristic aggression and yanks a sharp gasp from Icepaw's lungs. "What? Why?!" they mew with startled concern, pale eyes wide and short fur bristling. What could be so dangerous about a worm? Is it diseased? Can worms even get diseases?
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