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Post by tor on Apr 27, 2024 15:36:06 GMT -6
#s://i~ibb~co/TW2rDQP/shadowgaze~jpg When the announcement reached camp ( "The river's frozen! The other clans are gathering!"), Shadowgaze's first instinct was fear. It was an instinct he was sure many members of his clan shared. He knew they all remembered what happened last time the river became so easily traversable., but with this announcement came the promise of peace. MistClan and PrairieClan were together, much more like a gathering than some sort of threat, sponsored by the unexpected freeze and the soft light of a new-leaf sun. His second instinct was to stay behind, forsaking the novelty of a daytime gathering to slip off to the border and find Grey instead. That instinct was harder to choke back. It burned his throat and eyes every time he realized that wasn't an option for him anymore. Grey would not be waiting for him. Grey should not be waiting for him. So he followed his clan to the river. As promised, the river was frozen over, trapped in time and ice in a beautiful display of the season's power over the forest. Shadowgaze lingered for a moment while his clan surged forward, eager to socialize and participate in the games he could see some of the other clans' warriors and apprentices had begun. From here, he could admire the scene - three cats together under one sky, choosing peace and companionship over the animosity that he feared the forest was under constant threat of falling into. This was worth preserving. Striding down from MistClan's side of the gathering place was another cat, his familiar, morning-colored coat catching Shadowgaze's eyes right away. Dawnclaw. Shadowgaze twitched his ears forward, curious when the last time he spoke to his former clanmate was. Before he could tell himself the politics of speaking to Dawnclaw were too complicated, the other warrior looked up at him. Shadowgaze greeted him with a dip of his head and then, not wanting to be rude, began to walk toward him. "Dawnclaw," he greeted, letting his voice flow smoothly between them. "You look well. I would ask how new-leaf is treating you and MistClan, but it seems leaf-bare still lingers in the foest." |
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Post by Jaecarys on May 13, 2024 21:53:00 GMT -6
#s://i~ibb~co/DPdqFFY/tablegif~gif | dawnclaw, when trust disappears, like smoke in the sky, what will become of this? will we last through the night? |
This was baffling, standing at the top of the bank, still shrouded by the Misty Forest, watching them. There was caution from some, but he was already seeing the start of games from the apprentices and younger warriors. He felt a smile try to pull at his maw, like he was watching the last of a good dream fade. It reminded him a little of the grand events that came with every new season. None of those had happened in a long time, too much turmoil in the forest to host things like a deer hunt or for MistClan to travel with stories. He wanted that back. He missed those days, before Wolfstar fractured the unity between the Clans. He’d been so focused on Irisfrost, the kits, and whatever threat RidgeClan could be to MistClan, he’d lost sight of this. The valley deserved peace, not just safety. Unity, not just tolerance. The scent of RidgeClan stuck out as they approached the frozen water, and his ears turned back. He wasn’t sure anyone in RidgeClan would even tolerate him. Watching them, though, he realized… he didn’t recognize many of them. It occurred to him that some of those who had been kits when he left could be warriors now. He didn’t expect that to hurt. Life went on without him, of course it did. He didn’t regret his decision, he was happier now. But… RidgeClan had still been his home once. His kin. Dawnclaw steeled himself, and, along with some other clanmates, left the safety of the trees behind to pick his way down. And it felt as if the moment he was in sight, he was spotted. The striking eyes of a midnight-colored tom met his. Shadowgaze dipped his head in greeting, and then began to approach. When had he even last spoken to him? Was it before he left? Had it been since the battle itself? "Dawnclaw.” Shadowgaze’s tone was even. "You look well. I would ask how new-leaf is treating you and MistClan, but it seems leaf-bare still lingers in the forest." Dawn gave a slanted smile. Not so much animosity as he expected. ”It’s damn cold, and I hate it—my coat was never made for this,” he replied, his whiskers twitching. His attention turned to the gathered Clans, and his smile turned warm, if a little sad. ”I don’t mind, though. Not for this.” Attention back on Shadowgaze, he flicked an ear. ”You’re looking good, yourself. It’s been ages. How are you faring?” |
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