camp The Bitter Cold | Intro

[TIGERFROST]

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He slips into camp with a scrawny hare in his jaws, paws leaving broad prints in the snow as a frigid gust nearly sends the Warrior off his feet. With bitter eyes, he carried on, struggling through a drift until he finally begins his descent into the hollow itself. Here, the wind is more easily managed, but the wintry air still bites at the nose. The weather was enough to make any tom grumpy, and Tigerfrost is no exception. Despite the temptation to eat it himself, he drops the hare on what little remains of the fresh-kill pile and turns toward back toward the edge of camp. It is at the very bottom of the hollow barrier that he takes his rest, licking clumps of ice from his paws as he does his best to shelter from the brutal wind.​

 

[SUNNVAR]

Perhaps one should not be so quick to assume that all the toms grumpy. If anything, it would seem that this sudden downturn in the weather has made Sunstride a great deal happier. He walks about the camp with a wild joy that has not shown on his face most days. Wolfsong was right– in the future sun-bitten moons, he would be melting to join these moorland worms. Thick fur has saved him from many adventures that might have turned these slimmer creatures to icy stones. Then again, Tigerfrost was already such a creature.

With a separate hare in his jaws, the jovial tom trots his way towards the heavy snow, head ducked against the powdery white blown against his face. "It will do you no good to let your energy waste away in such cold hours. Why don't we eat this one together, and perhaps our next hunt will double its rewards?" The prey is still warm, settling gently to the layers of snow. Sunstride nudges it a little closer. "You should take your rest within a den, if you intend to stay here longer than a bellyful of hare."

﹥ˏˋ〘  OOC NOTES INFORMATION 〙ˊˎ﹤

• ooc: —
• SUNSTRIDE. named for his coloration and his bold chasing of fate.
  —— cis male, uses he - him. thirty-four moons old. warrior of windclan and former rogue.
  —— cautious of clan life, but an apt learner. encourages close bonds between clanmates.
  —— loyalty uncertain, cares for those surrounding him. undoubtedly closest to wolfsong.
  
  sunstride is broad and bold– a creature standing above most of windclan, though not a beast beyond its borders, with fur that flames red at its base and deepens to a burnt amber with every whorl and stripe. his eyes, in comparison, are a pale summer's blue, still as bold as the rest of him.
• "speech"

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[MALLOWLARK]

In keeping of toms not made grumpy by the weather, Mallowlark's wraithlike visage was soon to descend upon the scene also. Thankfully, the sandy hollow of their home did a goo job at keeping the breeze away- whipping winds grew ever more furious when bolstered with snow, and though he loved to see it he was glad no-one had been swept up in it yet. Though, imagining the dramatics of it indeed blandished a chittering chuckle from his fang-filled grin; just thinking of someone flying eagle-like up into the air, becoming a distant glint in the sky, swept by the storm! It was, at least, a little amusing.

Hearing Sunstride's point about freezing- oh, it did seem likely! In this violent frigidity, it seemed it might be impossible not to end up decoration, limps stiff and rime-razed, bones welded with frost to flesh. "How's the ice taste?" he chimed, a slight jab at how uncomfortable it must be for an already chilly tongue to clear a paw of snow. It probably tasted gross, he would bet- trodden into his paws, run through with dirt and muck and- whatever else. He'd be lucky to not accidentally choke on a stone! Or- maybe that was just wishful thinking. ​

[ PENNED BY PIN ]​

 

[SNAILSTRIDE]

Snailpaw had noticed the weather had gotten worse over the past few days. At first, it had seemed normal (as normal as it could be for someone's first winter), but the shifting energy from those around them had alerted them that things were amiss on WindClan territory. The potential for frostbite, starvation and a painful death did have its perks though, as the marbled tabby found himself more camp bound than usual - not having to move about when it was so frigid was amazing. Their belly low to the earth as they navigated the camp, trying to avoid being the victim of a stray gust's ire, they were quick to notice a gathering of three warriors, one who seemed content by themselves, and two that had been content to interrupt them. Well, there might as well be a third to brighten Tigerfrost's day! Darting over, Snailpaw crouched by Mallowlark's side, their blue eyes wide as they noticed the dead lapine close to Sunstride and Tiger. A shudder ran down the tabby's body like a wave and they forced their gaze away from it, deciding they did not need to see their clanmates gorging on some bloodied prey. Hesitantly, Snailpaw's focus shifted to the ice Mallow mentioned.

'Wait, how does ice taste?'. They realised now that they'd never licked the ice to check - they'd have to do that once Tigerfrost had tired of the company. "You know, I know a way of not getting ice on your paws!" He mewed bombastically, wiggling their snow-laden paws. "You don't walk on the ice! It's an amazing strategy! Though... I guess prey doesn't always let you do that, huh? Oh well! Something to consider for next time!". There was no measure of sarcasm in Snailpaw's voice, and their smile was authentic as they stared down the chimera. Sometimes, warriors needed to learn things too, and Snailpaw was more than happy to teach them.



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[Badgermoon]

It felt a bit like StarClan was punishing them, though if he was being truthful he didn't think they had much to be punished for. It was hard to feel that there wasn't a spiritual component to the incessant snow, the lack of prey, the rampaging sickness, the looming hostilities with SkyClan - the black and white tom was, increasingly, feeling that he needed to pray to the stars for guidance. Or, if not guidance, at least mercy. An unsuccessful hunt had left him stiff-limbed, half-frozen, and sour-tempered, huddled beneath a gorse bush with his coat puffed out to trap as much heat as possible. His usually round, bright eyes were narrow slits that seemed just a little bit bitter. His bad mood eased, though, as he saw a small group of WindClanners form near the camp's edge. It was better than sitting alone, he knew - besides, he liked the three faces he recognized, and seeing as he didn't know the name of the scarred tom, it would be good to join them. Badgermoon slunk over, his broad shoulders held firm against the whipping wind, and offered a little grin. "Wise words, Snailpaw." ​

 

[TIGERFROST]

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Sunstride sure seemed to be in high spirits, and a single glance would tell any cat as to why. The lead warrior's thick coat of fur undoubtedly offered a warm shield against the snow and ice, something that Tigerfrost could no doubt feel a bit jealous over. Regardless, he doesn't mind the offer for food. He's as hungry as any other, and not so quick to turn down a meal if it's openly shared.

"Alright." The scarred tom agreed with rumbling vocals, "I'll share the hare with you. Thanks." With any luck, a full belly would warm him up a bit. Before the two WindClanners could begin their meal, however, it seemed that others were drawn into Tigerfrost's bitter company. Mallowlark draws the tabby's cold gaze, though there's no reason to be outwardly hostile toward his own clan-mates, even if the chill in the air drove him to the edge of rage.

"Tastes like ice." Tigerfrost deadpanned in reply, and then those fiery eyes shift toward Snailpaw and Badgermoon. Oh, how much the muscular tom wanted to roll his eyes. He doesn't, though, because letting himself get worked up over the words of a child was no way for a Warrior to act, no matter how bitter the cold storm might be. Particularly when the deputy was right there.

Still, he can't help his dry remark in reply, "Right. You two call me over when you've caught yourselves a hare in the camp clearing." Though he's not outright hostile, there's clear judgement in his eyes. "I would stay in camp and avoid the snow and ice if I could. There are too many mouths to feed for that, though." Tigerfrost adds in explanation. Someone had to get out there and hunt, and that meant dealing with iced toes, one way or another.

And with that in mind, he goes back to licking the clumps of icy snow from between his toes, until it seems he's finally rid of the stuff. Perhaps now he could focus on devouring that hare that Sunstride had brought over.​

 

[Firefang]

The saccharine scent of fresh kill was a rarity as of late, every small capture meant os much more as the weather grew worse and worse it'd been a while now since Firepaw herself had caught something worth the effort. Her head raises as the scent of blood makes her lick her lips, someone had caught something and she'd raise her head to watch as Tigerfrost and Sunstride dug into a hare. Rarely did prey stay in the pile for long not with so little to go around and every clanmate all but starving as prey became more elusive. She'd get up and pad over and only then see that there was another resting in the pile one she hadn't seen until coming closer and she has to steel the temptation in her gut to yoink it up and rip into like a rabid fox. Starclan what she'd do for a full stomach, but others needed it much more she'd survive and only eat when she absolutely had to she wouldn't steal meals that wasn't her way. Yet her mouth salivates as she watches the two toms eat, she'd come to sit besides Snailpaw bumping her shoulder against his attempting to shove him, not enough to throw him into the snow but it wouldn't be comfortable either. ❝Shouldn't you be in the tunnels doin'.... Anything really?❞ she'd ask and it's mostly her irritation and her hunger pains that make her go after him. Despite the fact she'd yet to go out hunting today herself, she wanted to wait for the sun to fall a ways before braving the territory when not so many cats would be out and about. It was hard to compete with warriors like Tigerfrost, and she also didn't like the idea of them seeing her fail. It was bad enough she'd been seen just days ago by Strawpaw.

❝Nice catches by the way❞ she'd finally say after a break of silence towards both Sunstride and Tigerfrost, she guessed it was the two toms who'd been the one to bring prey back to camp in the first place. She didn't think they were the types to eat another's catch without putting in the work.​

( PLACE ME IN MY CASKET TONIGHT ; BECAUSE IM ALREADY DYING INSIDE )

 

[SNAILSTRIDE]

A surprise shoulder barge caused the marbled tabby to lurch forwards, catching themselves with their forepaws before they fell face-first into the snow. They turned their head sharply towards the culprit, an uneasy smile appearing on their maw. Firepaw asked them a question, and their head tilted like an owl. "I'm not a tunneler, why would I be in the tunnels?" They didn't think a life spent underground would be for them, they were more likely to get lost than be of any use to WindClan underground. Snail didn't miss the snide remark Tigerfrost shot to them and Badgermoon, for a split second, they wondered if they were any use to WindClan above ground either. The doubt was gone by the time they looked toward the other tabby - someone had to be the clan's comic relief, otherwise they'd choke on their own misery by the time leafbare was over. Tigerfrost, looking as miserable as a wet moggy, did have a point about the number of mouths to feed though. WindClan was massive, half of its warriors were overcome with sickness, and the rabbits weren't too keen on peaking their heads above ground whilst the snow covered their food.

"Wait though but if... you give a rabbit to the pile... and someone else gives you a rabbit... then the number of rabbits for those mouths doesn't change... does it?" They did the mental maths and were confident they'd done it right once they'd finished speaking. Their ears quickly flattened once they realised the implication behind their words. "Not to say you didn't do anything though! It was a good catch... I think! I didn't actually see it but if it's dead it has to be good, right? Oh wait I got it wrong anyways, there'd be one extra rabbit? Hmm..." They wished there was an easier way to keep track of how much prey WindClan had, thankfully, such difficulties did not fall onto one overly talkative apprentice. Moving through topics with ease, the marbled tabby sat down properly. "Anyways uh... hi! Bunnies aside, how have you been? ".


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