SKYLINES ARE BURNING // tallulah

[FIGFEATHER]

”I never thought this day would come!” Figpaw exclaims, a strong giddy chirp leaving her maw upon leaving camp. She was so excited to finally be out and about again with the best mentor she could ask for, Tallulahwing! She’s missed the tortoiseshells lessons dearly, and though it is bittersweet being out for a lesson only to not be in the trees, Figpaw is eager to continue where they had left off.

Considerably behind in training, Figpaw had vowed to Lulu up and down and she’d do her best to catch up. Figpaw was sure she’d be back up to par with other apprentices of her age in no time, she was a swift learner even if it often took her more time to master something in practice than it did mentally understanding its concept.

”I’m glad the territory hasn’t changed a bit… It’s weird- but I almost thought I would’ve had to relearn my way around.” She supposes once you’ve learned something by heart, it never leaves. To this day Figpaw still knew how to get to every which landmark from there they stood. ”What do you think we’ll do today Tallulahwing? There is so much to catch up on, where do we start?!” It was quite intimidating, but Figpaw was ready for the challenge ahead.

// @TALLULAHWING :D so hype for them again ngl ​

---

Spoiler: TAGS ★ 01/05

( primary character / "speech" / ic opinions )​

╰ ★ ჻ 001 GENERAL INFORMATION ,
· FIGPAW, AMAB — she / her
╰ ‣ 9 moons .
╰ ‣ skyclan apprentice . believes in starclan, doesn't fully understand

╰ ★ ჻ 002 VISUALS & AESTHETICS ,
· DOMESTIC FELINE, smells like pine nettles & sap, status — 100%
╰ ‣ A red tabby she-cat with orange eyes. Mangled right hind leg.

╰ ★ ჻ 003 MENTALITY & MANNERISMS ,
· ENFP-A ❝ CAMPAIGNER❞ , Gryfindor, Lawful Good
╰ ‣ Excitable, generous, caring, quick-to-act, daft, naive
╰ ‣ finds relative ease relating to others . kind-hearted, will show mercy

╰ ★ ჻ 004 INTERACTIONS & RELATIONSHIPS ,
· NPC X DAISYFLIGHT, sister to Greenpaw, Violetpaw, Snowpaw & Butterflypaw
╰ ‣ Pansexual . mistakes admiration for romantic feelings
╰ ‣ Apprentice to Tallulahwing
╰ ‣ poor fighter . okay hunter .
╰ ‣ unlikely to start fights . will flee .
╰ ‣ attack in underline . penned by user @ava.

 

[TALLULAHWING]

Tallulahwing, too, had been waiting impatiently for the day her apprentice could rejoin her on her patrols, her lessons, and regain that brilliant smile that was such an accent to sunkissed fur. The torbie had worried such a long time in Dawnglare's den would have stunted Figpaw's energy for all eternity, but she appears excited.

The torbie exhales with a small smile, watching Figpaw's gait carefully. The hind leg is lifted, scarred, and does not touch the ground when she walks. Tallulahwing narrows her eyes thoughtfully.

"The world has gone on, darlin', but the forest is always the same," she murmurs, pacing herself so they would walk at relatively the same speed. "And you're right, there is plenty to catch up on."

For a moment, she isn't sure where they should start. Figpaw's climbing days were surely over, as a cat needed all four legs securely fasted about the bark, all sets of claws dug deep, and that was no longer an option.

Tallulahwing's nose twitches as she says, "Darlin', we're gonna do some ground huntin' today. Let's see how your stealth is now." She tastes the air, narrowing her pale eyes as she does. It's leafbare still, and no amount of wishing was gonna move it along any faster, but she's hoping an earlybird squirrel might poke it's head from its burrow and forage for nuts or seeds. A lone mouse, a vole. Anything.​

[ PENNED BY MARQUETTE ]​

​

 

[FIGFEATHER]

Figpaw nods, yes... the world has most certainly gone on. She feels humbled with tints of frustration, sometimes in one's own mind you seemed to be the main character... without you how could the world continue on? It makes Figpaw realize she's not as important, to the grand scheme of things, then she may sometimes feel. It's a bitter taste, a bitter thought, one hard to swallow for such a young mind.

Oh well, all she could do now is catch up with the world. The red tabby knows she is smart and she is quick, she can do this!

Ground hunting is what Tallulahwing has in mind, the mentor instructs that she displays her current skill in stealth. Obediently Figpaw nods and gets to work, she lowers herself into a hunters crouch and does her best to blend with the environment and use trees as cover. She feels awkward and confused, like a cat pretending to be a duck waddling on the ground, she's not had to do this much before... All of what she had practiced before was in the trees, she gulps.

"I don't smell anything... but there is a bird chirping in the distance." It's all Figpaw has to offer while she still tries to stay quiet. It's difficult for her not to be noisy, especially with the snow crunching underneath her paws. "Its coming from that way," her head tilts in its direction, "if we're lucky, we might be able to catch it foraging." The girl continues to think out loud, but now she looks to Tallulah for approval and further command. ​

---

Spoiler: TAGS ★ 01/05

( primary character / "speech" / ic opinions )​

╰ ★ ჻ 001 GENERAL INFORMATION ,
· FIGPAW, AMAB — she / her
╰ ‣ 9 moons .
╰ ‣ skyclan apprentice . believes in starclan, doesn't fully understand

╰ ★ ჻ 002 VISUALS & AESTHETICS ,
· DOMESTIC FELINE, smells like pine nettles & sap, status — 100%
╰ ‣ A red tabby she-cat with orange eyes. Mangled right hind leg.

╰ ★ ჻ 003 MENTALITY & MANNERISMS ,
· ENFP-A ❝ CAMPAIGNER❞ , Gryfindor, Lawful Good
╰ ‣ Excitable, generous, caring, quick-to-act, daft, naive
╰ ‣ finds relative ease relating to others . kind-hearted, will show mercy

╰ ★ ჻ 004 INTERACTIONS & RELATIONSHIPS ,
· NPC X DAISYFLIGHT, sister to Greenpaw, Violetpaw, Snowpaw & Butterflypaw
╰ ‣ Pansexual . mistakes admiration for romantic feelings
╰ ‣ Apprentice to Tallulahwing
╰ ‣ poor fighter . okay hunter .
╰ ‣ unlikely to start fights . will flee .
╰ ‣ attack in underline . penned by user @ava.

 

[TALLULAHWING]

Tallulahwing follows Figpaw's lead by scenting the air. There was nothing fresh, which is to be expected -- leafbare isn't over yet, and much of their prey are still squirreled away into their holes until warmer days come. She cocks her head, listening to birdsong, and gives the marmalade tabby a nod. "So there is." If the bird is perched in a tree, they're likely out of luck, though Tallulahwing will attempt to catch it if Figpaw can't. The Clan still needs to eat, after all.

She sees the young she-cat turn to her for approval. Tallulahwing's chest is warmed, though she does not show it on her face. How far they've come, the two of them. "Yes. You find out where the bird is. I'll follow at a distance. Let's see if you remember how to stalk a bird on the forest floor." She gives the tabby a brisk nod.​

[ PENNED BY MARQUETTE ]​

​

 

[FIGFEATHER]

At her mentor’s instruction the girl nods before heading to work. One could not waste time tracking prey, time meant more distance the prey put on you, the more likely it was going to take itself out of reach. Especially with a bird, their tiny yet powerful wings allowed them to take off and vanish into the treetops or sky within seconds.

Large ears swerve and crane to listen for the bird in all angles, there were times she swore the sound got quieter… but if that was the case she always got herself back on course. Peering past a dead tree stump the whistling is at it’s loudest, and if one narrows there eyes they could see the prey bouncing and fluttering around a nearby bush. It had found berries to feast upon.

A pink nose points in its direction to ensure Tallulahwing had sights on it. Her paws feel frozen to the ground, afraid to advance. Could she do it? A good leap will have to be made… and she’ll need to move quietly, can she do that with her leg? She can walk, she can crouch, but can she run and be quiet with it?

Her instincts rage, longing for her to make the leap, but she cannot. What if she misses?! What if she costs her clan this piece of prey?
Ears flatten against her skull and she looks to her mentor, her eyes speak for themselves. I can’t do it. ​

---

Spoiler: TAGS ★ 01/05

( primary character / "speech" / ic opinions )​

╰ ★ ჻ 001 GENERAL INFORMATION ,
· FIGPAW, AMAB — she / her
╰ ‣ 9 moons .
╰ ‣ skyclan apprentice . believes in starclan, doesn't fully understand

╰ ★ ჻ 002 VISUALS & AESTHETICS ,
· DOMESTIC FELINE, smells like pine nettles & sap, status — 100%
╰ ‣ A red tabby she-cat with orange eyes. Mangled right hind leg.

╰ ★ ჻ 003 MENTALITY & MANNERISMS ,
· ENFP-A ❝ CAMPAIGNER❞ , Gryfindor, Lawful Good
╰ ‣ Excitable, generous, caring, quick-to-act, daft, naive
╰ ‣ finds relative ease relating to others . kind-hearted, will show mercy

╰ ★ ჻ 004 INTERACTIONS & RELATIONSHIPS ,
· NPC X DAISYFLIGHT, sister to Greenpaw, Violetpaw, Snowpaw & Butterflypaw
╰ ‣ Pansexual . mistakes admiration for romantic feelings
╰ ‣ Apprentice to Tallulahwing
╰ ‣ poor fighter . okay hunter .
╰ ‣ unlikely to start fights . will flee .
╰ ‣ attack in underline . penned by user @ava.

 

[TALLULAHWING]

Tallulahwing hangs back, ensuring her steps are light and her body is low so as not to startle the bird nesting in foliage. Figpaw's tracking skills lead the two of them to the creature in the bush, preening under its wings, its song shrill.

The torbie flicks her gaze to Figpaw, who has spotted it. The she-cat's orange eyes are glazed, her paws rooted to the forest floor. Tallulahwing waits, her patience -- and her anxiety that the bird will fly away -- rising within her.

Figpaw is afraid, Tallulahwing realizes with a quiet exhale of breath. Afraid of ruining this chance, of proving to herself that she isn't the huntress she once was after all.

Her mentor's gaze falls on Figpaw's back leg. Could she effectively stalk from this distance? Would her paw drag the earth, stir the dust and pine needles, scrape the ground and alert the prey? Would she be able to make the leap before the bird notices?

Tallulahwing understands. Her temptation is to rush past her apprentice and make the leap herself, to ensure SkyClan stays fed -- but this lesson is crucial, she feels. If Figpaw fails, they both need to pinpoint why. If she succeeds -- well, even better.

After a heartbeat, Tallulahwing meets Figpaw's gaze and gives her a steely nod. Do it anyway, she communicates. The torbie lowers herself to the earth soundlessly, signifying her refusal to rush in and catch the bird herself. This was for Figpaw to do, not her.​

[ PENNED BY MARQUETTE ]​

​

 

[FIGFEATHER]

If there was anyone’s gaze she could read, it was Tallulahwing’s. The two, naturally, as common hunting partners to each other have communicated silently to each other lots. Reading her eyes was just about as easy as understanding what Tallulahwing told Figpaw with her tongue. Very clearly, she tells her do it anyway.

Figpaw’s heart quickens, what?! Was she bird-brained?!
!
Figpaw can’t believe even inside of her head that she had insulted Tallulahwing, her mentor, one of the cats she looked up to the most! But it was true, was she not crazy?! Here they hunted with rumbling tummies, and the torbie was gambling on her- a recently maimed tabby to get them this bird.

Figpaw doesn’t want this battle, she doesn’t want to face realization that she is not the huntress she once was. There’s suddenly a huge lump in her throat and paws turn into ice, she couldn’t do this! Again she spins her head to look at Tallulahwing, traces of tears burn in her eyes and she wants to open her maw and shout don’t make me!

But Figpaw was not a kitten in the nursery, she’s been taught better than to wail when she did not get her way. She’s spent enough moons pitying herself, pitying and crying about her broken wing and the future that no longer was. It was time to forge a new path, and though the first few steps would be the hardest, she had to take them.

So she blinks tears of fear and frustration away, A deep breath… and now complete focus.
She must think like a ThunderClan cat with the intelligence and twist of a SkyClan cat. She must think like a WindClan cat and bolt lightning speed forward her prey with the humbleness of a SkyClan cat. No matter what strategies of other clans she had to use to be successful, Chyrsalispaw was wrong, she was a SkyClan cat through and through!

With newfound bravery, her feet lift off the ground, a bright flash of fur flashes through the trees- a chirp is sounded, then silence.
With her limp leg dirtied, dragged through the muck, she stands with the bird dead in her jaws. Figpaw’s body shakes in release of adrenaline and shock.

// ​

---

Spoiler: TAGS ★ 01/05

( primary character / "speech" / ic opinions )​

╰ ★ ჻ 001 GENERAL INFORMATION ,
· FIGPAW, AMAB — she / her
╰ ‣ 9 moons .
╰ ‣ skyclan apprentice . believes in starclan, doesn't fully understand

╰ ★ ჻ 002 VISUALS & AESTHETICS ,
· DOMESTIC FELINE, smells like pine nettles & sap, status — 100%
╰ ‣ A red tabby she-cat with orange eyes. Mangled right hind leg.

╰ ★ ჻ 003 MENTALITY & MANNERISMS ,
· ENFP-A ❝ CAMPAIGNER❞ , Gryfindor, Lawful Good
╰ ‣ Excitable, generous, caring, quick-to-act, daft, naive
╰ ‣ finds relative ease relating to others . kind-hearted, will show mercy

╰ ★ ჻ 004 INTERACTIONS & RELATIONSHIPS ,
· NPC X DAISYFLIGHT, sister to Greenpaw, Violetpaw, Snowpaw & Butterflypaw
╰ ‣ Pansexual . mistakes admiration for romantic feelings
╰ ‣ Apprentice to Tallulahwing
╰ ‣ poor fighter . okay hunter .
╰ ‣ unlikely to start fights . will flee .
╰ ‣ attack in underline . penned by user @ava.

 

[TALLULAHWING]

Figpaw gives her an incredulous look, bright eyes rimmed with terror. Tallulahwing can feel her fear. She understands it intimately. Their Clan is hungry. Some kit or queen needs that bird.

But Tallulahwing does not waver. Figpaw needs to try.

And she does. After several hesitant heartbeats, Figpaw, like a streak of sunlight, manages to leap from the earth. Tallulahwing holds her breath without realizing she's doing it.

There's a shriek -- the bird's, not her apprentice's -- and when Figpaw lands, the creature hangs limply from her jaws. Tallulahwing is up in an instant, bounding to her shaking apprentice with her eyes aglow. "You did amazin', Missy!" Her own fur is stiff with adrenaline. "Stars, you got it before it could even open its wings!"

Tallulahwing's pride is obvious in the easy smile, the warmth in her voice and eyes. "Don't ever doubt yourself again, Missy. You are going to be a hell of a SkyClan warrior." Her purr is thick. "And you only need three good legs to be one, unlike the rest of us."​

[ PENNED BY MARQUETTE ]​

​

// i'm so fucking sorry for how late this is

 

[FIGFEATHER]

In pure dismay the bird tumbles from her maw as her mentor bounds towards her. She stares it dumbfounded in its dark round eyes. How…? Even if she looked displeased, she truly was rejoicing in her head. She helped feed her clan in the first time in moons and took the first big step to becoming herself again.

The pride in Tallulahwing’s smile is enough of a reward on its own, a steady, joyful grin grows on her own face. I did it.
Don’t ever doubt yourself again, Missy, Tallulahwing says in a thick purr, you are going to be a hell of a SkyClan warrior.
”I hope so.” She meows in what was almost faux modesty. This had been exactly what she needed to get her spirit back to where it once was. Once more she could believe herself and hold confidence.

Figpaw might not become the warrior she had been on the path to be, but she vows to become an even better one. With or without the trees.​

---

Spoiler: TAGS ★ 01/05

( primary character / "speech" / ic opinions )​

╰ ★ ჻ 001 GENERAL INFORMATION ,
· FIGPAW, AMAB — she / her
╰ ‣ 11 moons .
╰ ‣ skyclan apprentice . believes in starclan, doesn't fully understand

╰ ★ ჻ 002 VISUALS & AESTHETICS ,
· DOMESTIC FELINE, smells like pine nettles & sap, status — 100%
╰ ‣ A red tabby she-cat with orange eyes. Mangled right hind leg.

╰ ★ ჻ 003 MENTALITY & MANNERISMS ,
· ENFP-A ❝ CAMPAIGNER❞ , Gryfindor, Lawful Good
╰ ‣ Excitable, generous, caring, quick-to-act, daft, naive
╰ ‣ finds relative ease relating to others . kind-hearted, will show mercy

╰ ★ ჻ 004 INTERACTIONS & RELATIONSHIPS ,
· NPC X DAISYFLIGHT, sister to Greenpaw, Violetpaw, Snowpaw & Butterflypaw
╰ ‣ Pansexual . mistakes admiration for romantic feelings
╰ ‣ Apprentice to Tallulahwing
╰ ‣ poor fighter . okay hunter .
╰ ‣ unlikely to start fights . will flee .
╰ ‣ attack in underline . penned by user @ava.