SHOT THROUGH THE HEART [➼] INTRO

[NIGHTSWARM]

➼ There was illness spreading within Shadowclan and Nightswarm found it easiest to leave camp to go hunting or simply make themselves useful and busy while their sister dealt with all the sick patients. Small ears would flick to the side as they crept through the marshes, the dark furred feline ducked through the foliage not bothering to glance behind their shoulder to see if anyone had followed them out. Their snout would wrinkle in brief frustration and Nightswarm catches movement from the corner of their eye seeing that there's a small snipe bobbing along the water, they lower their body into a hunting crouch. Letting out a low breath, Nightswarm crept forward trying not to let their current troubling thoughts distract them and continue to stalk forward with their short tail lowering just the same as their body. Once they were close enough, they lunged forward with paws outstretched and the small avian spread out its wings in alarm but Nightswarm didn't give it a chance to escape. Their jaws biting down on its thin neck with a soft crunch and killing it effectively.

They stash it away and go off to find other prey. They stumble upon a stray pigeon, their short ears pressing down onto their skull and crept the same way they had earlier. Nightswarm momentarily flinches when they step on a small twig that snaps and alerts the bird that they're here, they wince but bolt forward with claws unsheathed and ready to strike. They barely manage to hook one of their claws onto the pigeons wing causing it to lose its balance and fall back which opens the opportunity for the warrior to spring onto it with a less clean kill. They end up spitting out a few feathers before gathering both birds and heading back to camp, the thought of it making their stomach twist briefly as they're reminded of the sick clinging to their home.

Nightswarm drops their catch onto the freshkill pile and finds a spot that they can take up to continue spitting out those feathers from their maw, they pick it off carefully with a claw and sighs quietly. Amber eyes searching the camp for either of their siblings or perhaps Lilycrest, an ear flicks as they lift a paw to shake it briefly as a few droplets of mud fell off. Those kittypets brought this plague and they can't help but feel resentment towards the clan itself. Nightswarm pushes the thought aside deciding that they'd think of something more uplifting but its proven to be a struggle as they rest within camp with half lidded eyes watching cats walk about camp.​

[ C'MON, C'MON, AND LOVE ME NORMALLY ]​

 

[SHARPSHADOW]

† Sharppaw could not be someone who looks at other cats and sees a threat. Or at least – he shouldn’t be, he thinks. The most infuriating of cats at all were those who feared nothing and no one; and Sharppaw thinks that must be how to be a proper warrior. Being infuriating, deserving to have their ears and whiskers raked clean off, that was how much of ShadowClan was. She thinks – that must be the key to everything, that she’s missed. Sharppaw could play the game, too. She could blend in with time, watch her.

A pause – because something was different. She doesn’t think – a few moons ago she may have thought such a thing. It was working already, isn’t it?

A clanmate comes – they laze about, apparently having earned it after their deposited piece of prey. They ought to do more – why do they get to rest, when Sharppaw hardly does? He would not be the one to tell them that, though. Because no one likeable would tell you that you need to work harder. He would know.

He tries to think of… small talk. AKA, boring, but socially acceptable remarks to make to acquaintances. " ...Nice catch. " Something they all had in common was their gripes about life. At least, she’s pretty sure. " …Um, might be the last pigeon till New - leaf… " A barely - suppressed shudder. Cool winds only blew past the marsh every once in awhile, but it was a reminder of the dreadful cold season soon to come, either way.

OOC † IN THE MIRROR 08.30.2023

• OOC: IC OPINIONS he sucks
  
•  

• SHARPPAW: brother to Rookpaw. Mentored by Smogmaw
  —— he / she , no pref , icked by they prns ; fine with gendered terms ( tom, molly, etc... )
  —— currently 14 moons old. warrior ceremony delayed due to lackluster progress.
  
  anxious, antisocial, paranoid. Sharppaw is a creature living in constant fear. Most thoughts are irrational, but consistent in that they are borne from pessimism and generalized anxieties.
  — In an era of assessing what has set him back and figuring out what he wants.

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[pinekit]

tags. ↟↟↟ Wow! Two birds at once. Pinekit was near the nursery watching patrols return and deposit their treasures into the freshkill pile. This activity was kinda necessary near dinner time. Pinekit wanted to pick out a yummy piece of prey to fill his belly before sleep. The rules said he and the other kittens plus his mom and the other queens and the elders got to eat first. It was something the kitten took for granted at this stage in his life. He knew nothing about leaf-bare nor the insecurities it brought.

The brown tomkit wandered over towards the kill pile. He had eyed the two birds Nightswarm had brought. ”Hi- Can I have one? I can share,” he asked and then offered to the black and white furred warrior since he felt it still belonged to the killer. He nipped at the snipe, attempting to drag it out from the rest of the prey by its long beak. It wasn’t a scary rat. He was reminded of the dreadful prey and the musings of sickness that Sharppaw had. The speckly bird that Nightswarm caught looked tasty in comparison and it wouldn’t make him sick.


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[TAZ STORAGE UNIT]

Lilycrest had made that day his time of rest. A nasty headache sent him off to his nest and only a few moments ago had he roused out of the comfort of his bed. Side-stepping massive roots and slipping into the throng of clanmates his aimless wandering stuttered to a halt. Lifting his head, he scented the arrival of his longtime companion Nightswarm. Chest fluttering, the tall feline watched the other in a dream-like state. He enjoyed the silly display of spat-out feathers and the cute way her head lolled while dosing. Eventually, the moment is cut short by two younger cats. Sighing outwardly, Lilycrest rocks back onto his paws and pads after them.

Every time his vibrant eyes lock upon the black and white frame of his companion, it's as if Starclan stole the air from his very chest. Gingerly, they tidied up a moment, ensuring no debris or litter clung to their impressive coat. Giving it one last shake, he aimed for a charming entrance. Pointedly ignoring the pangs of irritation over the fact he missed an opportunity to share a meal with his friend. Waving his long and downy tail with a greeting, he finally approached the small group.

Swaying over to Nightswarm and brushing by before laying off to the opposite side of the tuxedo. Looking past his nose and into the fiery gaze of his friend, an answering smile blossomed across his muzzle. Of course, he gave the other two cats a direct look of acknowledgment and a nod of hello before passing them by.

Calmly, the chocolate point meowed aloud. "Impressive. Mind if I hang around?" Humor twinkled in his iris as he chanced a playful glance towards Nightswarm. Rather than answer any inquisitive questions, the large cat rolled over. He proceeded to work out any particularly dirty spots on his thick paw pads.​

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