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Post by Jaecarys on Mar 14, 2023 21:43:55 GMT -6
#s://i~imgur~com/uDMcZn9~jpg dawnclaw | | Men need a man would die as soon out of the light of a mage's moon. but it's not by bone, but yet by blade, can break the magic that the devil made. |
Here in the shallow gorge that sheltered the history of the old world, the air was not the same. It wasn’t blustery, or loud, or punishing. It was still and quiet, a glacial calm at peace with the world. It was almost gentle, as if caressing the pale skin of his nose or the tips of his ears. Dawnclaw kept his paws light, padding into the curving maw of the stonemark. Sunset eyes scanned the walls, history etched into stone - beauties and tragedies alike, stories he that he... well. Stories he perhaps had no right to know, no matter how much he wanted to. Things were getting better, but he had a long way to go before anyone would see him as a true MistClanner, and not the RidgeClan deserter. He wondered if he would ever make it here, into this canyon, his past suspended like a twig in amber. Were there individual names here? Who made it into the immortal records, and who didn't? It baffled him as much as it intrigued him. He paused to admire a section of markings reaching up further than he thought a cat could reach. Weather stained and worn, he thought they must have been ancient. Some portions had been worn away or crumbled, but it was no less striking. The saturated light of the sun as it dipped toward the horizon cast an ethereal glow through the narrow top of the stonemark. He would be irritated himself later for the lamentation, would work himself ragged and haul that emotional armor back up. But for now he lingered with the marks of ancestors he didn't belong to, with stories he did not decent from, rooted there by a sense of loss he couldn't place.
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Post by shy on Mar 17, 2023 16:10:40 GMT -6
#s://i~pinimg~com/236x/51/60/79/516079f93390d19892e53e9fc0091c41~jpg irisfrost, In the past few moons Irisfrost had learned more about Mistclan's territory than ever before. As an apprentice she barely paid it mind, silently resigned to a life in the nursery. Why bother exploring land that she'd barely see, visit borders she'd never patrol? Now the land, the trees, the mist, they were familiar. And disappointing. Every path she learned, every tree she passed, they held no sign of her children. The borders she barely wanted to visit now caged her in, prevented her from searching further. But that might change. Dawnclaw had asked Hailstar if the search could be extended beyond the borders. If he agreed, she'd need to be ready. The land outside was dangerous, and as of now she'd only drag a search party down. Fighting was another aspect of warrior life she'd ignored in her apprenticeship, and one she needed to learn. Rumors about Dawnclaw often focused on his past, if he still held loyalty towards his old clan, if he'd stolen her kits. But there were other rumors, that he was a skilled fighter. Perhaps he would teach her. It was easy enough to find him, staring up at the carvings of the stonemark. She'd gotten better at tracking after moons and moons of practice. " Dawnclaw." Irisfrost called out while still a little while away. She didn't want to startle him, not when she was about to ask a favor. " Do you have a moment to talk? I'm afraid it's quite important."
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Post by Jaecarys on Mar 18, 2023 12:30:19 GMT -6
#s://i~imgur~com/uDMcZn9~jpg #s://i~imgur~com/uDMcZn9~jpg dawnclaw | | Men need a man would die as soon out of the light of a mage's moon. but it's not by bone, but yet by blade, can break the magic that the devil made. |
Dawnclaw was grateful Irisfrost didn't hide her approach. He scented her before he heard her, little paws stirring the dirt. His ear tilted toward her before she called out moments later, and his head followed. "Dawnclaw," she said, he tilted his brow at her. "Do you have a moment to talk? I'm afraid it's quite important." A crooked smile slipped over his mouth. He sat and curled his tail around his paws. She was a welcome sight to see, her dove colored pelt that reminded him of a hawk's downy feathers. Something had shifted between them after their talk in the warrior's boughs, and she was a welcomed presence. He had precious little in the way of allies. "I've spoken to Hailstar," he meowed. "He said he would consider the search after the gathering, once we know for certain who we need present in camp."What with war on the horizon, thanks to my claws. He kept that piece to himself. He didn't much feel like talking about that part of his discussion with Hailstar.
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Post by shy on Mar 18, 2023 15:56:45 GMT -6
#s://i~pinimg~com/236x/51/60/79/516079f93390d19892e53e9fc0091c41~jpg irisfrost, Dawnclaw seemed pleased as she approached. Odd. She'd gotten used to her clan either ignoring her or looking at her with pity. How many spoke behind her back, cooing about the heartbroken queen, gone mad with grief, never able let go of her kits? " Thank you for speaking to him. Truly." He had promised to speak to the leader, but it had been a surprise to learn he really had. It was nice to have a new ally in the search for her children. " Even getting him to consider searching beyond our borders is a huge change." Irisfrost sat near Dawnclaw, barely glancing at the carvings around them. " That's actually why I'm here. I don't know much of the land beyond our borders, but I know it isn't safe. That's why I must ask you another favor, even though you have already helped so much." She glanced at her paws before continuing, letting her words hang in the air with the mist. Better to let him build up expectations about her request, let him think of something far more than she actually wanted. That way her request would seem more reasonable. It seemed a little low to stoop to such tactics, but she had no clue if he'd accept or not. " I've heard you're a skilled fighter. And I have few others to turn to." Irisfrost fixed her gaze on him for her next words. " So please, teach me to be a better fighter."
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Post by Jaecarys on Mar 19, 2023 12:01:35 GMT -6
#s://i~imgur~com/uDMcZn9~jpg dawnclaw | | Men need a man would die as soon out of the light of a mage's moon. but it's not by bone, but yet by blade, can break the magic that the devil made. |
Dawnclaw dipped his head down to her. "With any luck, there will be search parties sent within the moon."He lifted it when she sat down, eyes on him without hardly a glance at the walls of the canyon. He couldn't imagine not being awed by the markings, but he supposed growing up with it made it less of a big deal. "That's actually why I'm here," she started. "I don't know much of the land beyond our borders, but I know it isn't safe. That's why I must ask you another favor, even though you have already helped so much." His brow pulled together, but his mouth tightened into a small smile with a shake of his head. Helped so much? He'd only spoken to Hailstar, after killing another leader at that. "It's the very least I can do."She was staring at her paws, silent, as though she were hesitant to ask him of anything. He kept his expression neutral, but trepidation started to rise. He tried not to assume, but he knew the sorts of things that could be asked of him - confront another cat, take the fall for them, lie for them. He'd done all those things, though typically at the behest of his father. "I've heard you're a skilled fighter," she finally said, and that trepidation sank its claws in. "And I have few others to turn to." He winced. "Iris, I can't hurt -"He was cut off when she pinned him with her storm cloud eyes, and cleared up her intentions. "So please, teach me to be a better fighter." He blinked What? "You want me to... train you?" He was the outsider. The violent deserter, the untrusted, the rumored kit-napper and confirmed killer - the code-breaker. But... if there was anyone in the Clan he had an alliance with, it was Irisfrost. And by the stars, he was desperate for a sparring partner. It only took a heartbeat for a lop-sided grin to lighten his face, and he stood with a nod. "I'd be happy to," he mrrowed, tail curling. "Every cat should know how to fight. Especially a queen. Did no one ever teach you?"
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Post by shy on Mar 19, 2023 19:25:04 GMT -6
#s://i~pinimg~com/236x/51/60/79/516079f93390d19892e53e9fc0091c41~jpg irisfrost, "With any luck, there will be search parties sent within the moon."Part of Irisfrost rejoiced at the thought, but the rest wanted to curse Mistclan for taking so long to expand the search. Would they have been found already if the clan had searched outside the borders back when they went missing? She tried to push the thoughts away, softly smiling at Dawnclaw. Best to celebrate with him, and grieve what could've been later. Right now she had to focus, to prepare to fight for them. And thankfully Dawnclaw agreed to teach her. " I do know how to fight, I am a warrior. It's not like I skipped being an apprentice and just stayed in the nursery all my life." If that had been an option, Swanflower would've picked it for her. And she would've meekly agreed, never letting herself dream of anything more. " It's just... you know..." She glanced at him before remembering that he didn't know. The tom wasn't there for her youth, he didn't know her history. Who would've told him? Had anyone else even noticed that she'd been directed down the path of motherhood before she'd even opened her eyes? " I'm just not that good at fighting." I never let myself be good at fighting. Irisfrost kept that part to herself. " But you are, aren't you? You can teach me while we wait for Hailstar to make up his mind."
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Post by Jaecarys on Mar 20, 2023 21:21:49 GMT -6
#s://i~imgur~com/uDMcZn9~jpg dawnclaw | | Men need a man would die as soon out of the light of a mage's moon. but it's not by bone, but yet by blade, can break the magic that the devil made. |
"I do know how to fight, I am a warrior," she meowed. "It's not like I skipped being an apprentice and just stayed in the nursery all my life." His eyes shone like he was hiding a secret. "No," he agreed. "You certainly didn't.""It's just... you know..." She glanced his way, and the only change in his expression was the expectant lift of his brows. Ears stayed perked forward, eyes intent on her. It's just what? he wanted to ask, but stayed the words on his tongue when she skipped the subject forward. "I'm just not that good at fighting." He didn't pry into that loaded admission. "But you are, aren't you? You can teach me while we wait for Hailstar to make up his mind." Dawnclaw shrugged a shoulder with a casual nod. "Fighting is my strength. Bred, born, and raised for it." There was an edge to his tone, a clench in his jaw, little tells for his displeasure in that. Yes, he was damn good at it. So damn good that he'd won every fight to death he'd been in. The tells were well hidden under his warmth - at least he hoped they were. He shook out his ears and lifted his chin, peering with an air of mischief down at the she-cat. "Now is a good a time as any, right?"He flicked his tail, and his demeanor slowly shifted. He stilled for all but carefully placed and controlled movements. His smirk shrunk down into something dark with a daring glimmer in his eye. He flexed his claws once, twice, before leaving them sheathed. "Mark my words, little storm cloud," he rumbled softly. "You'll be a force of nature by the time we're through."He lowered into a half crouch. He watched every movement - her breathing, her ears, her paws, her tail, her whiskers, her eyes most of all. "Attack me. Show me what you know."
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Post by shy on Apr 19, 2023 19:54:50 GMT -6
#s://i~pinimg~com/236x/51/60/79/516079f93390d19892e53e9fc0091c41~jpg irisfrost, Bred, born, and raised for fighting. How sad. Even sadder yet was the fact that it made Irisfrost feel a little better. Had he experienced a similar fate, pushed down the path by someone else before he'd even opened his eyes? Perhaps she'd ask him later. For now he seemed eager to fight, and she'd asked for it. " If you say so." Little storm cloud. That was nice. Maybe it was meant in jest, but it was still worth entertaining the notion that someone saw her that way. Something to be watched as a potential threat, not a watched as a delicate flower that might be trampled. Irisfrost lowed herself into a crouch. The motion was distantly familiar, how long had it been since she'd tried to attack another cat? Had she still been an apprentice? Now, she'd tried to attack Swanflower only a few moons back. The thought of that moment, the dizzying rage, helped her ground herself in the moment. " Alright, brace yourself." Claws sheathed, she rushed circled. Each step was uncertain, but she kept her eyes fixed on Dawnclaw's flank. A heartbeat later she lunged, trying her best to jump onto his side, get a holding without drawing blood. Maybe he'd fall over, maybe she'd fall over trying. Either way it was the attempt that mattered, not the outcome.
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Post by Jaecarys on Apr 24, 2023 18:39:27 GMT -6
#s://i~imgur~com/uDMcZn9~jpg dawnclaw | | Men need a man would die as soon out of the light of a mage's moon. but it's not by bone, but yet by blade, can break the magic that the devil made. |
“Alright, brace yourself,” she said, and his only response was an amused flick of his tail. If only she knew; being braced for attack was his default state. Irisfrost prowled in a slow circle. He didn’t move but for a subtle tilt of his head, eyes following her every move. He watched her eyes most of all — where she put them, how they narrowed or widened. He watched her muscles gather. She lunged. Dawnclaw twisted himself just as she made contact with his side, a flip of his front end to wrap his paws around her shoulders. He let her momentum take them both, turning them over. In half a heartbeat, he had her under him, paws planted on either side of her shoulders and jaws poised just above her throat. He pulled back, ear flicking. “Dead.”He lifted a paw to let her roll out from under him. The rest of her body was already free — he wasn’t going to expose his stomach to her waiting hind claws, and had kept the rest of his own body angled off of her. “You made your attack obvious,” he explained, then lifted a brow at her with a coy smirk. “You were staring at my flank like it was prey to hunt.” He took a step or two back, and then flicked his tail while he just slightly lowered again. He nodded to her. “Again.”
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Post by shy on Apr 26, 2023 16:02:06 GMT -6
#s://i~pinimg~com/236x/51/60/79/516079f93390d19892e53e9fc0091c41~jpg irisfrost, "Dead."Irisfrost knew her first attack would inevitably fail. The difference between herself and Dawnclaw was night and day, apprentice versus seasoned warrior. Still, she shocked at how quickly she was pinned. By the time her body thought to react it was over. " Oh." She let out a shaky breath. For a heartbeat she lay there, her mind racing to catch up to her body. " Good point. I guess I was staring." Irisfrost stood up, instinctually grooming some of the dirt off her pelt. There was no point though. It would surely get dirty again in a moment. This time as she circled she glanced all over Dawnclaw's body. His paws, his flank, his head. Where even to attack? Not the flank again. Too obvious. She let her gaze linger there for a few heartbeats, before glancing around once more. Her eyes settled on his shoulders. Then she forced them to move away again. The shoulder. Good a spot as any. She rushed forward, aiming to hold onto him once more. With the size difference getting on top seemed like the only viable option. Head on she'd stand even less chance. Irisfrost leapt a good distance from the tom, hoping to land on his shoulder and cling there.
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Post by Jaecarys on May 7, 2023 23:11:07 GMT -6
#s://i~imgur~com/uDMcZn9~jpg dawnclaw | | Men need a man would die as soon out of the light of a mage's moon. but it's not by bone, but yet by blade, can break the magic that the devil made. |
He took a full, measured breath as she began her prowl again. She didn’t lock onto any one part of him this time. He wondered how long it had been since she had worked this part of her mind, let alone her body. He wondered how she had fared in the battle, if she’d had to protect her kits. His mind conjured her in that nursery, claws out against him, and it squeezed his chest. Stars, he hoped she hadn’t. He hoped they’d been safe. But watching her stalk him now, he realized they never had been. Even if no one had come for them during battle, someone still did. She bolted at him, and he swore — she was fast, and he’d let his guard down. She came from his side and leaped before he could swipe a strike at her. Her weight struck his shoulders, and she managed to grip his pelt. Far too gently, her claws would hold her there better. He grunted and twisted to clamp his teeth on her nearest paw, but she was small, he couldn’t quite reach. Her weight threw him off and they both tipped over instead. He hit the dirt with an oof, but didn’t try to catch his breath before lurching to his paws. One second he was down, the next, he was facing her again with his ears back and his tail lashing. After a couple heartbeats, a slow grin spread across his maw, and his ears swiveled forward as he straightened. ”Better. Next time you do that, claws out and keep a stronger grip — your practice will be more authentic that way.” He looked her over, considering. ”I’ll keep mine off you. But my skin is tough, don’t be afraid to use them.”He’d been raised on brutal training, but what he’d learned in MistClan is that most weren’t. He’d never had an apprentice before Milkpaw, and while giving a fellow warrior some pointers was hardly having another one, it felt like a test. He couldn't repeat history with Milkpaw — or Irisfrost. ”You’re quick,” he went on. ”Your size gives you an advantage. We should try some quick maneuvers — in and out before they can touch you. Were you taught that?” He needed to know if this was a refresher, or a new tactic to her.
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Post by shy on May 12, 2023 15:47:50 GMT -6
#s://i~pinimg~com/236x/51/60/79/516079f93390d19892e53e9fc0091c41~jpg #s://i~pinimg~com/236x/51/60/79/516079f93390d19892e53e9fc0091c41~jpg irisfrost, To her surprise and delight, this attack went better. For a few heartbeats she clung to Dawnclaw's side. Barely, but it was progress. She felt a tiny bit of pride, that'd she'd managed to get this far. Then they both fell, and she tumbled off. For a few heartbeats she lay there, mentally checking to see if she'd gotten hurt. She was fine, of course. But that old habit of playing safe, staying neat and clean and away from anything that harm a hair on her pelt lingered. Irisfrost shook the thought of and pulled herself up, facing a grinning Dawnclaw. She listened to his suggestions. " But that would hurt you." She cocked her head in confusion, blinking at the tom. " Dawnclaw, I understand that I may not look ferocious, but I simply cannot risk hurting a clanmate, even in training. I must insist." " What if I actually scratched you? And you got an infection?" Lotusfire was a fine medicine cat, but no cat was perfect at their job. " I couldn't bare to see you hurt." It was for a selfish reason, he had agreed to search for her children. But he didn't need to hear that part out loud. The rest of what he said was reasonable. Quick maneuvers, using her speed and size to her strength. It was vaguely familiar, Stonesong had taught her enough to be a warrior. Just not enough to be a good one. " I know those sorts of maneuvers vaguely." Irisfrost took a deep breath. She didn't want to admit that all this fighting was a little tiring. Exhilarating. But tiring. She had gotten used to long walks around the territory, slow and methodical as she searched. Quick bursts of energy weren't as familiar. " I can show you what I know, just give a second to think." And to breathe.
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Post by Jaecarys on May 20, 2023 10:31:43 GMT -6
#s://i~imgur~com/uDMcZn9~jpg dawnclaw | | Men need a man would die as soon out of the light of a mage's moon. but it's not by bone, but yet by blade, can break the magic that the devil made. |
“But that would hurt you.” His smile tempered, and his head tilted just slightly. “Dawnclaw, I understand that I may not look ferocious, but I simply cannot risk hurting a clanmate, even in training. I must insist. What if I accidentally scratched you, and you got an infection?” I’d keep it clean and see the medicine cat. It was a simple solution. He wasn’t sure where her hesitance was coming from when it would be better training. And then she said, ”I couldn’t bare to see you hurt.” He became still with a twinge of surprise. No matter her reason for it, she didn’t want him hurt. The sense of kinship that spread over him like sunlight was unexpected. “I know those sorts of maneuvers vaguely,” she went on with a heavy breath, and he nodded. He suddenly recognized the signs of exhaustion, however subtle. He saw it in his sister often enough, when she forced herself well beyond her limits, as they both did. The rigidity. The controlled, hard breathing. “I can show you what I know, just give me a second to think.” Dawnclaw dipped his head. He wouldn’t point out she was tired — she was proud, he was learning. He just padded over and sat down beside her, eyeing her briefly before looking at the writing on the wall. ”I know MistClan needs every warrior healthy,” he conceded. ”Things were... different in RidgeClan.” He took a full breath, slowly and deliberately expelling the air from his lungs. ”Only some scars are from the war. Most are just from growing up. It was claws and teeth or nothing at all. Maybe not for everyone. But for me and my sister it was, and it worked. Maybe too well.”With a rueful smile, he looked down at Irisfrost. ”I won’t force that on you. You can be fearsome without the claws, little stormcloud.”
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Post by shy on May 21, 2023 18:34:11 GMT -6
#s://i~pinimg~com/236x/51/60/79/516079f93390d19892e53e9fc0091c41~jpg irisfrost, Irisfrost took a few seconds to catch her breath as Dawnclaw replied. Training was hard, especially when she was so far behind and lacking the boundless energy an apprentice typically held. But she could hardly blame her past self for failing to prepare for all this. Others had guided her down that path, one she still struggled to break free from even as an adult. " I'm so sorry to hear that. How cruel to force someone young to fight so intensely." It was hard to imagine anyone allowing such cruelty to befall their own children. The thought of such a thing happening to her own children sent a shiver down her spine. Was all of Ridgeclan so cruel? Was that why they felt so emboldened as to attack Mistclan? Had cruelty and violence become some common place that even their young weren't spared? Or was it contained to just Dawnclaw and his kin? " And thank you for understanding. I can't imagine what you must've gone through in Ridgeclan, but here you won't have to train or practice like that ever again." Irisfrost hoped her words would bring some relief. It was something she'd wanted to hear herself, someone to tell her she'd never have to go back to the life of a queen again. Not unless she wanted to.
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Post by Jaecarys on Jun 20, 2023 11:19:23 GMT -6
#s://i~imgur~com/uDMcZn9~jpg dawnclaw | | Men need a man would die as soon out of the light of a mage's moon. but it's not by bone, but yet by blade, can break the magic that the devil made. |
"I'm so sorry to hear that,” Irisfrost replied. “How cruel to force someone young to fight so intensely." His hackles prickled, like his pelt wanted to bristle in defense of the cruel tom in question. Mousebrained. His father was cruel. He just wasn’t used to anyone else saying it out loud. He remained silent, unsure of what to say, and she kept going. "And thank you for understanding. I can't imagine what you must've gone through in Ridgeclan, but here you won't have to train or practice like that ever again." His brow furrowed. ”No, I suppose I don’t,” he murmured. He thought about his fluffy apprentice, her eager eyes and wonder. He thought of the stern voice in the back of his head always telling him to push her harder. As much as he swore he would never put his new trainees through what he did, he was ashamed to admit his impulses; train with claws like the talons of a hawk, with teeth like the fangs of a cougar. Teach and shape his apprentice the way he had been taught and shaped. She would win every encounter she found herself in, no matter how brutal or bloodthirsty. She would never have to die for her Clan if she did the killing first. Dawnclaw swallowed hard, stomach twisting in familiar knots. Was that him, or his father in him? Were both of those things the same? Unsettled, the warrior lurched to all four paws and shook out his pelt. “I was taught to win with weapons. Don’t let it get to your head if you put me down without them.” He half grumbled it, but he’d let an easy enough smirk slide over his face, a challenging gleam in his eye when he faced her. “I’d be letting you win.”In a singular, fluid movement, Dawnclaw crouched, bunched his muscles, and lunged for the she-cat. He would attempt to grapple her, forelegs wrapping around her neck and shoulders to flip her. “Who do you hate most?” he huffed as he did. He woud try to position his nose at her neck — as innocent of a bite he could come up with. “In all the Clans — put a name to them.”Just casual combat small talk. Totally normal, right? Everyone did it. At least his family did. It was relevant anyways.
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