autumn
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Post by autumn on Jan 31, 2020 12:43:19 GMT -5
Beneath one of the silvery trees, a red molly sat. She stared at the glistening coat of the oasis water, watching as the wind blew waves into the large lake and pushed it toward the treeline.
Honeybee shivered, watching the waves come and go. Slowly eroding the shore of the oasis. The water desperately reached for the sand, trying to appear bigger than it truly was. Honeybee turned to look at the tree, touching it with her tail. "By Ara..." she whispered to the bark, looking up through the leaves. Slowly but surely the oasis shrunk. Each day it threatened to disappear, leaving the cats parched simply by looking at it. Honeybee would usually dare to approach the incoming waves, but she felt it necessary to save as much possible water for the hungering queens who would visit. Though, the journey to the oasis would be longer than usual considering its shrunken size.
Honeybee was out in the bright sun, praying. She desired comfort, waiting quietly for a reply. Usually, she would be up in the camp buzzing around her herbs like a bee. This task of praying was often left to the prophet, who was the most attune to receiving word from the Gods. It seemed the clan was not to receive any news of their missing leader, though.
"Please, Ara. We need your wisdom," Honeybee mumbled, pushing her head to the trunk of the tree desperately.
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Owl
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Post by Owl on Feb 8, 2020 23:14:33 GMT -5
Acaciapaw was parched. She walked swiftly and surely towards camp, eyes set on the green gem in the middle of a fiery orange blaze. Like the sun in the sky, it was her and the clan's solace. Though right now, I'm not sure whether I would call the sun a solace. The burning heat was not at all pleasant. She had no idea how the Daywalkers could stand it! Maybe their coats make them special in some way. Immune to the sun's rays. I wouldn't doubt it. She much preferred hunting at night, however chilly it got. She would pick shivering over the sun in her eyes any day... both made her miss catches. But she had woken up somewhat well rested at dawn, so she needed to go hunt. And I didn't catch anything. I just came back empty pawed. It wouldn't be as bad if it was just me that was paying for it. I'm not the only one eating the prey that I catch. She sighed as she stepped into the shade that the trees around the oasis offered, pausing for a moment to relish in the relief it gave her. She was coming into camp on the side that the Cursed den was on, and she would stop by there on the way to the water. Just in case anyone needed to be helped to get a drink or she needed to bring some water back. The cursed had found a broken coconut shell awhile ago, at least before she was born that was used to carry water back and forth. They used to use moss or leaves, but most of the moisture would be lost by the time you got back. And who wanted to taste moss? You just had to be careful not to spill with the shell. And I'm good at balancing... pretty good. I've learned. The calico nodded at one of the cats who was around the den, they looked to be trying to fix it. "Did the entrance cave again?" She croaked as she stopped at their side, a little worried. Her friend was in there, they couldn't be stuck. The cat smiled at her and shook their head. "Just making sure it doesn't happen again, Acaciapaw. You heading down to the water? The coconut's over there." The cat pointed with their tail at a little ditch by one of the trees after Acaciapaw nodded again. She trotted over, just making sure it was really there before replying. "Thank you!" She chirped, and the cat chuckled at her before returning to their work. She picked up the largest of the pieces and started towards the water. She up to the edge of the water and started to drink before she heard the lull of a voice and stir of a breath. Startled, the trainee almost choked on her drink but managed not to cough, her eyes burning as she looked up. There was a cat sitting not far away from her under a tree, eyes closed, murmuring softly. Her coat was shades of red, with a dash of white on her muzzle and touches of black along her spine and upon her forehead. Her eyes opened and they glowed green, brighter than any of the plants Acaciapaw had ever seen. And they fixed on her. Her blood ran cold despite the fact that she was standing in full sun. "M-my apologies m-miss. I didn't mean to d-disturb you."Tags: autumn Notes: SURPRISE |
and if there is a god they'll know why it's so hard
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autumn
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Post by autumn on Feb 12, 2020 10:22:00 GMT -5
Honeybee hadn't noticed the paws tiptoeing lightly behind her at first, too busy stretching her ears towards the vast sky above to hear earthly things. Her mind was focused on signs, so much so that she was jumping to conclusions anytime she heard the breeze or a distant falcon's cry. She became frustrated as soon as she wasn't receiving the results she wanted as quickly as she would like, only making up random prophecies to fulfill her childish desires, and turned her head to look at the silvery pool yet again. Perhaps, if the gods would not send her a message through the sky they would show her something in the water. Instead of sparkling dew, Honeybee was met with the eyes of another cat- a young trainee.
Honeybee quickly sized the trainee up. The cat looked pitiful, so small and fragile. She was skinny in all aspects, and her small head looked awkward with such big, golden eyes. Her legs were long, and her body was covered in little nicks and scratches here or there. Not only that- she was a calico with large splotches of white all over her lower body. Honeybee awkwardly averted her gaze, holding her breath. What a terrible state she's in, the herb tender thought, nervous to look back. Despite the ruddy tabby's lack of manners, the young cat quickly apologized for interrupting her, even going as far as to call her "miss". Honeybee nodded to the calico, but never looked at her directly. Something about the way her skinny body moved when she breathed made Honeybee choke on her guilty feelings. "Y-you're fine," the medicine cat mustered, flashing a quick look at the trainee's small, white paws.
Nervous, and feeling pity, Honeybee stood up. While she was a medicine cat and had to deal with all sorts of struggles, handling someone who was cursed and conscious was something the herb tender was still new to. Usually, cursed cats had their own store of supplies they used for tedious medical duties. They never disturbed the medicine cats unless it was a major issue, or if they were unconscious for some reason or another. Some healers even refused the cursed any kind of service, no matter the injury. Honeybee's mentor was one of few medicine cats who was completely willing to tend to their needs, though the old medicine cat never went out of her way to check on them. Honeybee adopted a similar manner, helping them when they came to her. She would never wish death upon another member of her clan, and so despite being completely self-conscious about her willingness to help the cursed she would still give them the same treatment as any other cat. It was much easier when they were passed out, or when they weren't really making eye contact with her, though.
This trainee looked as if she hadn't eaten in weeks, and it reminded Honeybee of her first cursed patient. He fell off one of the plateaus, hitting his head hard on the rocks below. He never survived that, but Honeybee was tasked with fetching him water and making sure his wounds weren't bleeding out while he was still breathing. She had to take care of him in the cursed section of the camp, so that he wouldn't disturb patients being treated in the medicine den. He was black and white, with tuxedo markings and Honeybee couldn't help but stare in awe at his fluffy fur. Watching him suffer was heart-wrenching, but what was even more terrifying was seeing the other cursed cats mourn his death. They all seemed so close, and so familiar with one another. They were like one big family of rejects, bonded by a trait they could never control and living their day-to-day lives as if they were a completely separate clan from Duneclan. Seeing their love for each other in action made Honeybee's heart melt, because it reminded her of her own father.
Honeybee had to snap herself out of her thoughts, suddenly realize she was making eye contact again- staring into those big golden eyes. She paused, willing herself to look away from the cursed cat but desperate to learn more about her culture. The ticked tabby turned so her body was facing the calico's, shuffling awkwardly. So many questions were burning in her mind, but the question she wanted to ask the most was, "Do you even know who I am?"
She said her thought out loud. Her words cut through the awkward silence that was building between the two clan cats like a sharp blade of grass. What she really meant to ask was, "do you really live in Duneclan?" or "did you call me miss because you don't even know my name?" But instead she continued down a very rude and careless path, addressing the trainee as if she were higher than the skinny little creature before her. Which, technically she was, but it was awkward when she actually acted that way.
Owl
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Owl
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Post by Owl on Feb 12, 2020 18:42:33 GMT -5
The cat seemed to be a little shocked at Acaciapaw's meow, but she was used to it by now. The sound of her voice snapping them out of staring and then the eyes roamed over her white-stained features as if confirming they were real. Sometimes they looked at her and after seeing her white spots, which took about half a second, they seemed disinterested in seeing any other parts of her. Other times the other cat drank all of her in before stopping. This cat was a mix of the two, she heard the signature sharp intake of breath and looked up to watch the eyes jumping away. It was as if the act of looking upon her whiteness was embarrassing. More to her than to me. She probably wasn't expecting to run into one of us today. I do feel sorry for that... but you cannot turn your head and pretend we do not exist. Because we'll always be here. Still, it can be amusing to see cats that act like this... but I mustn't smile. She could take offense. She relaxed a little more after the ruddy colored cat looked away. She couldn't put a whisker on as to exactly why. Perhaps it was the tilt of the other cat's head, the brush of her fur, the light in her eyes. Maybe it was because of the lack of eye contact, Acaciapaw was expected to avert her eyes as the submissive one in any situation with a 'walker. Something made her know that this cat wouldn't hurt her. Or at least think, as her first impressions weren't always the greatest judge of how nice a cat was. Usually she got her hopes up and was just sorely disappointed. I wouldn't bet anything on this time being different. Maybe she'll let me drink and fill up the coconut before shooing me away, that's the most I can hope for. The other cat stood, but didn't move any closer. At least, not yet. She was still facing away from her, and looked to be deep in thought. Acaciapaw waited patiently for her to speak something else, as it wasn't her job to ask questions or start anything that may overstep the other cat's boundaries. As far as the Cursed were concerned, the 'walkers seemed to believe that they had no boundaries. But the Cursed were expected to speak only when spoken to, and to answer swiftly and as honestly as possible. Any question asked, they must answer. The molly turned back to look at her, and she was careful not to look her directly in the eye- though she was curious and her gaze didn't stray too far. The other cat continued to look embarrassed, or at least from what Acaciapaw could deduct from the body language. Maybe she was working up the courage to ask- "Do you even know who I am?" There it was. The bluntness of the question didn't faze her at all. Just watching the other cat and not knowing what she wanted made her nerves bounce, and now she had something to focus on. "Apologies, miss, I'm afraid I do not." She mewed first off, and then went to thinking. Why would she ask this question if she did not think there was a chance I knew who she was? If she was just a Daywalker, she must be a particularly vain one. But she does not strike me as vain, from what I've observed. Her blood chilled again. This cannot be Applewater. She's too young. Her eyes flicked up and down the ticked tabby again. I've seen Applewater. She doesn't have a very pale muzzle, not like this cat. Plus, their voices don't sound the same. But they do look similar. Taking in a breath through her nose, she tried to deduce whether they smelled similar. She cannot expect me to know who she is just because she is the Daywalker leader's sister. But she got something else from using her nose, something she wasn't expecting. She smells of herbs. She couldn't believe that she hadn't noticed the strong leafy scent before. "You must be a medicine cat." She blurted aloud, then felt a wave of embarrassment. "Because you smell of plants." She added quickly, an attempt at justification. I cannot believe I don't know the names of my own clan's medicine cats. I suppose it is because I never thought any of them would treat me. And because she smells of plants so, she must be the healer... but if she is the healer, then why is she praying?Tags: autumn Notes: i love honey sm |
and if there is a god they'll know why it's so hard
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autumn
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Post by autumn on Feb 19, 2020 14:22:16 GMT -5
Honeybee was greatly disappointed when she was told that the little cat did not know who she was, but eventually, that disappointment turned into realization. In the few seconds it took for the apprentice to map out who the ticked tabby was, Honeybee felt herself choke. This skinny, unkempt apprentice, really doesn't even know her own medicine cat. That was the very sad truth. Never before had it really occurred to Honeybee just how different the two sections were. How every time she passed the cursed's hole there were cats who would look out at her with empty stomachs and bulging eyes, watching her do her trivial tasks as if she had not a care in the world, and she never cared to look inside their hole. Not once. How long had she gone without knowing this small cat's name? When this calico was born, where was Honeybee? The herb tender looked up, watching as Acaciapaw's face churned with embarrassment. "You must be a medicine cat," the calico blurted, then paused, "because you smell of plants." Because I smell of plants. Honeybee repeated to herself, staring at the apprentice with an awkward silence. Not because of my name, not because of my face. I must be the healer simply because I smell of plants. The ruddy cat looked at her paws in shame, muttering, "Yes, I'm Honeybee," she flicked her tail and pointed to the general direction of the garden, "I tend to the garden usually, but the water is so low I thought I'd come here to pray." The herb tender paused, looking at the tree. More questions bore into her mind, such as, do the cursed still worship the gods? even though they've been branded as bad in their past lives. Now they have to work hard to fix their mistakes. Honeybee shuffled, And they should. They shouldn't have done wrong in their past, then they wouldn't be in this situation. Timidly, Honeybee looked up to examine the apprentice's fur again. What did she do?Realizing she was leaving the conversation hanging, Honeybee cleared her throat. "Sorry, I promise I'm not usually this quiet. You can be on your way now, I'm sorry for being so... well... uh...." Honeybee stared at the apprentice's paws. "Sorry, did I get your name?" Owl
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Post by Owl on Mar 19, 2020 12:36:07 GMT -5
Acaciapaw fidgeted ever so slightly in the silence that followed after her words. Am I not right? Oh dear, maybe she is just a Daywalker who likes praying and helping tend to herbs. I shouldn't have been so sure. But I still am so sure. How else would she expect me to know her? Maybe she's offended that it took me this long. I really should know what the medicine cats' names are. I should. Even if I wouldn't ever call them. Even if they would never treat me. There is a reason I do not know her, she must know that. "Yes, I'm Honeybee." Relief washed over her like stepping into shade on a hot day and her muscles relaxed. Thank the gods. And Honeybee isn't that hard of a name to remember. It sounds sweet. It suits her, but I cannot say I have heard it before... we rarely speak of the medicine cats by name. She is known as the Healer to us, and nothing more... The cat spoke again, and she perked up to listen to her words. Her eyes followed the flick of her tail to where the herbs sat planted behind her, back near the banks of the oasis. Where the waterline would be if it were not so dry. The plants looked pretty sad, though she was sure the tender was giving them as much water as she could spare. These plants are probably better cared for than we Cursed are. I guess they are more important. What do we do for the clan? Not much. She dwelled on the cat's words about how low the water was. I'm not entirely sure if the gods would listen to me if I prayed... though I still do. They will listen to her, though. They chose her, they should listen to her. Not me, they don't need to hear a word I say. My soul deserves it... though I still wonder if they listen, despite that. Maybe not. I wouldn't blame them. Her interest turned back to Honeybee as the ruddy she-cat spoke again. She was still aware that the other cat was still eyeing her coat, like she still didn't believe that it was real. Trust me, I hope it's not real all the time. The calico let out a little breathy sigh, more nervous than exasperated or anything. She was the kind of cat that laughed when they were afraid. "No need to apologize, miss. There is nothing you need to be sorry for." She mewed, feeling a little bad that the other cat was being so nice to her. She need not apologize to someone like me, nor feel sorry. There is nothing she owes me, and she has already shown me more kindness than the majority of the cats before her combined.
She hated to have to lie to this cat. But she rarely gave out names to 'walkers, even medicine cats. The Cursed thought of names as such personal things, yet not personal in some respects. It was odd. They took no pride in their names like the Daywalkers and Nightwalkers did, not sharing them at the drop of a whisker. They were something to be shared with friends, and the Cursed rarely asked one another for names, instead letting the other cat share when they were ready. Though often, the Cursed knew all of each other's names and did not even need to ask. "They call me Blossompaw." Acaciapaw said, using the common alias she had taken a liking to. Some of her Cursed friends had even taken to referring to her has Blossompaw around the 'walkers, and she was very grateful for that. Some Cursed didn't care about sharing their names, but she did. "Do you wish for me to leave, miss?"Tags: autumn Notes: hi bb |
and if there is a god they'll know why it's so hard
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