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Post by tor on May 11, 2024 13:15:48 GMT -6
#s://i~ibb~co/QkWXd7h/morning~png Despite being named for the dawn that now crept through the gaps between trees, broken up only by soft new-leaf buds fanning out from each branch, Morninglight never was a fan of rising early. He preferred to wake when the sun had already warmed the earth, giving his joints a chance to move easily, not beleaguered by pain or aches. But this time of year, when leaf-bare was still fresh on their minds, the sun had yet to start rising early - thus, Morninglight rarely slept as late as he wanted, for fear of being called lazy by his clanmates. This morning wasn't so bad. He was woken by Mushroomstar's pleasant voice, calling for him from the entrance to the warriors' den. Happily, or at least as happily as he could muster this early, Morninglight pulled himself from his nest to join his leader for a dawn patrol. The world was pink and fresh as they made it to the border, the sun finally joining them as Morninglight shared updates from Avenspaw's latest training. This wasn't the first time they'd met to speak on Mushroomstar's son. There'd been a pawful of private meetings between them since their conversation on Cairne Peak; the sort of private that Morninglight struggled to understand. Were they the sort of private meetings a father took with his son's mentor, especially a father determined not to show favoritism? Or were they the private of two cats with a fondness for each other, something Morninglight had yet to be able to put into words. With how often they spoke of Avenspaw, Morninglight was leaning toward the former, no matter how much he was starting to want the latter. "-and then," he said, chuckling as he recounted his training session with Avenspaw just the day before, "he tumbled right into a puddle. He's energetic, but still kit-clumsy."Maybe just a smidge too energetic for him. The warming season made it easier for Morninglight to keep up, but he wondered if he'd be able to hand another five moons. "He's doing well, though. He's-"What was that? Morninglight narrowed his eyes, the sour scent of an unfamiliar cat floating on the breeze toward them. It was a bit stale, like the cat had been here earlier in the morning, but was hopefully long gone. "Rogue. I feel like we find more and more traces of them lately."
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Post by absurdjinx on May 12, 2024 12:34:19 GMT -6
#s://i~ibb~co/mFB4YCp/mushroom~jpg | mushroomstar, "and the world's gonna know your name
cause you burn with the brightest flame" |
Mushroomstar woke early, rising even before the sun. He stayed in his den with only his thoughts to keep him company until the slightest hints of dawn light filtered through the entrance. Morninglight didn’t sleep in Mushroomstar’s den every night, even though he’d really like it if the other tom did, and Avenspaw started spending more and more nights in the apprentice den - probably so he could sleep next to Berrypaw. It was strange how now that he had company most nights, he felt even lonelier on the nights he slept alone. Perhaps he rose so early because he was yearning for companionship - not that he’d find any pre-dawn. As he slipped out of his den at first light, he tried not to hurry across the clearing to the warriors’ den, but his paws moved faster than usual anyway. Poking his head into the warriors’ den, he scanned the many sleeping forms until he found who he was looking for. “ Morninglight?” The ginger warrior blinked sleep from his eyes as he looked at Mushroomstar, who beckoned him over with a radiant smile. Together, the pair padded out of camp and into the cool shade of the pine forest. They’d been spending more and more time together, something Mushroomstar was beyond happy about, and the topic of their conversations was typically Avenspaw. He absolutely loved discussing his son, whether it was sharing silly stories about him or just hearing about how Avenspaw’s training was going or even giving his friend advice on the best ways to rein the rambunctious apprentice in. Mushroomstar laughed along with Morninglight as the older tom told him a story about Avenspaw. He was happy, but of course, it wouldn’t last. Mushroomstar tasted rogue scent on a light breeze just as Morninglight spoke and he immediately scowled. “ Those rogues keep coming because they don’t know how fierce RidgeClan can be." I'll show them they were wrong to underestimate RidgeClan. " Let’s make sure the rogue has left.” With a lash of his tail, Mushroomstar started following the scent trail, fur bristling angrily at the thought of an outsider trespassing. He was so focused on finding the rogue that he didn’t even check to make sure Morninglight was right behind him, trusting his friend would follow him. He quieted, too, afraid he’d take his anger out on Morninglight if he spoke when really, he was only upset with the trespasser. It didn’t feel like a long time had passed before their tiny patrol found the source of the smell - a golden-furred she-cat who carried herself confidently, as if she belonged within RidgeClan’s boundaries. Mushroomstar didn’t bother pausing to brainstorm a plan with Morninglight, simply erupting from the undergrowth to confront the stranger, certain the molly wouldn’t pick a fight with two experienced warriors. Perhaps because it was two-on-one or maybe even because Morninglight was present, but Mushroomstar managed to control his anger enough so that he only growled, “ You are trespassing on RidgeClan territory and you must leave immediately. We will escort you to the border.” He wasn’t sure what to expect from the outsider, but he knew he had to be prepared for anything, so he stayed close to Morninglight and kept a close eye on the stranger. |
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