slow farewell — hunting

[DUSKPOOL]

anger makes you stupid . stupid gets you killed .
︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

Duskpool emerged from the nursery on heavy paws, watching cats with a deadpan gaze, wondering just what he was doing, saying goodbye to Lostmoon. The queen begged him not to go, but he was firm in his decision to leave. Even if that broke his heart to leave his children, because he wouldn’t be able to stop a damn thing from happening to them, but he had to leave, even if this would be the last time he stepped paw in camp.

He should have left long ago, watching Shadowfire and Smokefang’s crumbled bodies, but he was selfish, tethered to cats he couldn’t bear to leave. He was a warrior, and damnit was he gonna do everything in his power to protect them, even if that meant pulling away from them.

He wasn’t good. He refused to drag them down, letting a torn ear flick at Lostmoon’s choked cries. His heart squeezed at the star-awful sound, listening to Jaggedstorm soothe his distressed mate until his cries gradually softened the further he pulled away. I’ll do what I can to come back to ya, kiddo. He thought, brow crinkling. A promise to those he held close to his blackened heart. I'll come back one way or another.

He bit back a sigh, tilting his helm, teeth-gritting at the rawness he felt, protected behind an air of indifference. He wanted nothing more than to comfort Lostmoon, wrapping him in a bone-crushing embrace and praying to the stars that would be enough of an apology, but Lostmoon needed time.

They all needed time.

With that, Duskpool gravitated towards the entrance, peering across the camp with a tired optic. “Anyone wanna join me on a hunt?” He rumbled, wooly tail flickering. No doubt my last. He thought with a twitch of his brow, but it would have been worth it, knowin’ he did whatever he could to protect em’ even if he couldn’t see the end. He made peace with that the moment he volunteered. ​

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thought speech​

 

[Drizzlepelt]

Drizzlepelt wasn’t sure what to make of Duskpool offering himself up for the journey to the mountains. His former mentor might try his best to appear closed off, but even Drizzlepelt could tell he was partially doing this as a form of self-sacrifice. He wishes that the elder warrior had more respect for himself and for all he’s done in the name of SkyClan. If anything happened to him, the clan would not be the same. It would not be his same home, THEIR same home. So, Duskpool’s dour mood these past few days has him concerned.

It’s understandable, despite his worry. Duskpool has lost a lot already in this one life, and after the death of Yukio has affected him greatly. He’s been giving the smoky tom some space, as he’s needed his own. But he’s about to leave for StarClan knows how long, so he knows he needs to get some kind of word in with Duskpool before he heads out. And the opportunity arises when he asks for volunteers to go hunting, no doubt him offering another way to say goodbye before the fated day arrives.

“I’ll join, if that’s alright with you! We can be like mentor and mentee again,” Drizzlepelt winks playfully. He tries to uphold a more lighthearted attitude, more for his own sake than for Duskpool’s.​

 

[DUSKPOOL]

anger makes you stupid . stupid gets you killed .
︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

The older warrior paused, tearing his gaze away from the familiar rumble of camp to stare at his old apprentice, expression softening. He rumbled in quiet greetings, wooly tail flickering. “Sure, kiddo. ” He couldn’t help but think this might be one of the last moments he’d have with the warrior, but Duskpool was quick to squash it down. “Just like the old days.”

He didn’t need ‘em circlin’ his head like damn vultures, but they were there in the back of his mind, haunting him like ghosts. He bit back a grumble, molten copper narrowing. “Let’s get goin’ before the sun starts settin’.” He gave Drizzlepelt a half-hearted smile, obscured, but there despite the tiredness that weighed down his bulky frame.

Duskpool rumbled, exiting camp to stare at the forest he called his home. He couldn’t help the twitch of his lips at the sight, feeling as if it would be his last. He bit back a snort, letting his indifference shine through. A torn ear twitched, letting his frame carry him further in search of prey with Drizzlepelt not too far behind. “How are ya doin’?” He finally asked, swinging a molten gaze towards the other, letting his ear swerve, attentive. “Won’t see ya for a while.” He decided, turning his helm at the sound of leaves crunching. “Make sure ya take care of yourself, ya hear?” I won’t be there. He didn’t say, merely offering a rumble that rattled his chest. ​

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thought speech​

 

[Drizzlepelt]

Drizzlepelt returns the favor by rumbling in contentment, happy that Duskpool’s expression lightened when he made himself known. “Just like the old days,” he parrots back, tone soft. There was no doubt he’d be refused but it’s still nice to hear from one of the cats he admires the most. Especially since he would not hear his gruff voice for awhile.

He nods, even though hunting at sundown sounds pleasant. The time between the end of the day and night really does bring a sense of calmness to it, despite the predators that might be lurking about. Sleep was just as important as food, however. He doesn’t think about how much trouble he might actually have when he lays down, worried for his clanmates about to leave. No, they’ll be fine.

Yellow eyes glance at the scenery as they move away from camp, same as Duskpool. Eyes trained to hunt, despite any feelings bubbling in his gut. He expects small talk, but being asked how he is has never been an easy question to answer. “No worries, I’ll do my best to keep safe. I would hate to not be able to see you ever again,” he chuckles, though there’s a hint of his worry laced in.

“And I’m…doing better than I thought I would. Even if I’m not going with you, my sense of duty remains. It helps to have a goal.” He sincerely hopes to step up in terms of support for the clan while some of their most important members are away. He might not be on the level of someone like Orangeblossom, but he can still do good work. “Like right now! Wonder what we’ll end up bringing back tonight.”​