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Post by blossom on May 9, 2016 18:22:08 GMT 8
First patrol of May, on the timeline intended to take place a few days after the border skirmish. The cats chosen were not involved at the time of this post, but if they become involved and get injured, PM me and I'll swap the cat out.
Cats: Leopard - Ryetail, Fallen - Honeyleaf, Umbra - Kestrelpaw, and @asiandumbledore - Cherrypaw
Border: RoseClan/IvyClan border
Bearshadow stalked out into the early dawn light, his head held high. This was his first morning as deputy, and his first time planning the patrols. Pride pulsed through him, though uncharacteristic anxiety prickled just underneath. He needed to get this right, especially now. While all of the borders needed to be checked, most pressing in his mind were his concerns about the recent border skirmish with IvyClan. It had not been one of his prouder moments, and his wounds were only just beginning to mend. He had to admit, he hadn't exactly expected his new position after that, but was glad that Echostar agreed that he was the best suited for the job. He began checking the wounds upon his flank as he debated the warriors he wanted for what could potentially be a dangerous patrol. While normally he would assume two warriors and an apprentice would be good enough, the disturbance with Chervilpaw had caused some stirring among the clans. Speaking of Chervilpaw, she was right out. She could be in danger if they ran into a patrol that recognized her as the apprentice who had been the catalyst for the fight. Especially if they knew that she was Echostar's apprentice. He grimaced at the thought, and noted that his scratches smelt slightly off. That meant he would have to go see Dawnspiral, in case they were becoming infected. Which marked him out of the patrol as well. Perhaps he ought to send Cherrypaw then, in case he had to spend much of the day there. A cat without an apprentice would be a good plan to supplement that he would not be joining her, perhaps one that had yet to have an apprentice. Honeyleaf would be ready for an apprentice soon, and would likely be a candidate for when Quietkit was made an apprentice. It would be good for her to gain some experience, he decided firmly. Now he just needed an older warrior he knew he could rely on to lead the patrol. That choice was obvious, Ryetail, for all his snark, was a reliable senior warrior and would leave him with little to worry about if they encountered hostile IvyClanners. His apprentice, what was his name? Ah, yes Kestrelpaw, another one of Secretsong's kits. An absurdly large litter if he was asked, though he reminded himself that StarClan only blessed cats with burdens they could handle. If he remembered correctly, Kestrelpaw was a hardy young cat, and if nothing else, the fourth cat would give them a cat to send for reinforcements in case of emergency. Huffing, the large tabby got to his paws and made his way over to where the apprentices slept. He ducked his head inside, and a strange relief filled him as he noted the surplus of apprentices. Secretsong's massive litter had been a blessing in that way. A trouble making blessing, but a blessing none the less. He didn't actually catch sight of the pair he was looking for, but he assumed they were in there anyway. "Cherrypaw, Kestrelpaw. Get up," He ordered sternly, not caring if he woke the other slumbering apprentices, "You two are on the dawn patrol." He didn't bother waiting for a response before padding over to the warrior's den. When he looked inside he didn't immediately see the two warriors and wondered if he had missed them. He stood there for a long time looking around, wondering if he was simply overlooking them, or if they had slipped by while he was tending his flank.
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2016 20:01:27 GMT 8
Cherrypaw woke to see her mentor in the den opening. She was on dawn patrol! But where was Krestlepaw? She shook her head. Probably just wandering around, getting attacked by a badger. Cherrypaw laughed to herself and walked out of the cave, stepping on Chervilpaw.
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Post by Fallen on May 10, 2016 6:15:03 GMT 8
It was dawn and it was a day, the cinamon tabby would have to wake up a little bit earlier than she would. Honeyleaf emerged from the warriors den and stalked towards Bearshadow the deputy. I almost forgot that I was patrolling today. The cinamon tabby dipped her head to the deputy before fixing her gaze onto Cherrypaw one of the apprentices that would be joining the patrol today. Honeyleaf had heard that Ryetail and Kestrelpaw were going to join as well.
Honeyleaf waited for the rest of the patrol to emerge from their dens.
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Post by Leopard on May 10, 2016 11:49:14 GMT 8
(I nearly completely missed the bit about Chervilpaw, I’m getting some pretty weird looks from people in the library because of how I burst out laughing. This is great.)
The yowl shattered all the tranquilness of Chervilpaw’s sleep and immediately the medley of stinging and aching drew her fully into wakefulness. For a moment she was terrified, the events of the border patrol still fresh as the scratches. Her fear was the reason she was sleeping here amongst her siblings, rather than in the medicine cat den. She was tempted to hiss out, complain about being woken up in her weakened state but this was Bearshadow, the main reason she was still here, and besides he would probably tell her she should have stayed in the medicine cat den if she wanted to be coddled and if she was incredibly unlucky, he might even order her out on the patrol. She nestled deeper into her nest to suppress a shiver that had nothing to do with the thought of stepping out into the coolness of the morning. A foot collided with her flank sending a wave of pain shooting out from her scratches.
“Hey! Watch it.” It took a moment for the other name to sink in; Kestrelpaw going to the Ivyclan border with Cherrypaw for company. Her voice went small. "When you see my brother, tell him to be careful.”
“Now, now Bearshadow, staring at cats as they sleep.” Ryetail, stood behind the deputy, shaking his head. “Creee-py. Besides, the only cat worth watching is standing right behind you.”
Dawn patrol time yet again, and while it was now Bearshadow rather than Echostar who made the arrangements he was well used to it by now; if Kestrelpaw was going on the patrol he would be going, assigned or not. Angry looking wounds peered through the deputy’s grizzled pelt and there was already one too many injured apprentice. A low growl rumbled in his throat, attacking a brand new apprentice over a handful of feathers, it wasn’t right. He looked around, Honeyleaf was already waiting so he settled down beside her tail neatly folded over his paws.
“Morning. Are we waiting on anyone else?”
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Post by blossom on May 11, 2016 10:27:47 GMT 8
Bearshadow nearly jumped out of his skin as a cat spoke up behind him. He spun around to catch sight of both the warriors he was looking for sitting right behind him. He flattened his ears in embarrassment and had to shake out his bristling fur. While it was unlike him to be so easily startled, he was already nervous and on edge from the pressure from his new position. He was rather surprised and annoyed at how nervous he was, he had planned for being deputy for such a long time, and where he had certainty once that he was the cat for the job, doubt itched at the back of his mind. He had to force himself to brush off the senior warrior's initial comment with a flick of his tail.
"Kestrelpaw is the only one you are missing, but you can fill him in when he gets here," the grizzled tabby huffed, "Ryetail, you are in charge; I want you to lead the patrol up along the IvyClan border. After what happened a few days ago I want you to make sure you leave the scent markers as strong as possible. Try to avoid conflict though. We have enough injured. I have to speak with Dawnspiral, so I won't be joining you. Honeyleaf, I want you to keep an eye on Cherrypaw for me. It'll be good practice for you before you become a mentor. Any questions?"
He narrowed his eyes slightly and looked around the group, giving his apprentice a meaningful look. He hoped she would be on her best behavior, as the apprentice of the deputy, he needed her to set an example for the others. Besides, he wanted to give Honeyleaf confidence as a mentor, and that would be easier if Cherrypaw behaved. He didn't consider her to be a troublemaker, but all apprentices seemed to find trouble whether they were looking for it or not.
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Post by Umbra on May 11, 2016 14:14:19 GMT 8
Kestelpaw was sitting just outside the camp, watching the sun peek its rays over the trees, he loved seeing the sunrise as much as he loved sleeping in, which caused controversy with himself. So, he evened it out, one day he'd get up early and the next he'd sleep in. Today had just so happened to be the day he got up early.
He was still troubled over Chevrilpaew's encounter with Ivyclan, it really ate at him that he wasn't there to protect his sister. Even though there was no way he could've know about it, he still felt guilty that he hadn't even felt in inkling of fear or sense of something being wrong. He had been all the way over at Badger Knoll, so he hadn't even been close to where the fight had occurred.
The tops of the trees were now bathed in a golden glow, washing away Kestrelpaw's agony. He sighed, listening to the birds chirping in the breeze, and the meows. Meows? Kestrelpaw turned to the camp, yes there were voices coming from inside, and one of them sounded very familiar, Ryetail was making some snide comment no doubt.
Kestrelpaw sighed again, but a very different kind of sigh than his first one, he couldn't help but feel a little let down whenever he thought of his mentor. Especially since Chevrilpaw had Echostar as her mentor. Deep down inside he couldn't help but be jealous that she had been chosen by the very leader of their clan. It wasn't easy being Ryetail's apprentice, even though Kestrelpaw was nearly the same size as his mentor, he was still very intimidated by him. Ryetail tended to criticize more than compliment, and so far Kestrelpaw hadn't seen much complementing, of course, he was a very new apprentice and was still learning the ropes of apprenticeship. Maybe Ryetail would warm up to him in the future.
It was with this positive thought that Kestrelpaw turned and headed into camp, undoubtedly the cat's he heard were the dawn patrol, and if Ryetail was with them, he would probably be going as well. He padded into camp and saw the deputy Bearshadow, Honeyleaf, Cherrypaw, and Ryetail sitting in a semi-circle. He caught the tail end of the conversation as he strolled up.
"...Honeyleaf, I want you to keep an eye on Cherrypaw for me. It'll be good practice for you before you become a mentor. Any questions?"
Clearing his throat, Kestrelpaw looked first to Bearshadow and then to Ryetail expectantly, "What did I miss?" he asked, in what he hoped was a fully respectful tone.
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2016 19:52:18 GMT 8
Cherrypaw snorted. "We're going on border patrol, mouse-brain. Next time wake up when you need to."
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Post by Leopard on May 11, 2016 20:38:27 GMT 8
The deputy's words washed over Ryetail and he nodded, tail swishing along with the words. His shoulders, tense ever since he first heard about the border skirmish, tightened even further. For a moment his face was clouded over with concern; back along the Ivyclan border with two apprentices in tow. Honeyleaf was a competent warrior but neither of them was particularly big. If Ryetail had it his way this patrol would be a show of strength.
"Of course Bearshadow. Your wish is my command.”
Ahh there was Kestrelpaw, slipping back into camp from doing whatever would draw an apprentice from the warmth of the den this early. It didn’t surprise him at all when Kestrelpaw looked to Bearshadow first, Ryetail wasn’t the most impressive cat, yet it still stung. In a show of nonchalance Ryetail dipped his head to groom a spotless patch of fur on his belly.
“…mouse-brain. Next time wake up when you need to."
At the sound of Cherrypaw’s voice Ryetail’s head snapped up. That was his apprentice. Feeling Bearshadown’ presence he choked down his words. Honeyleaf was responsible for Cherrypaw today, the last thing she needed was for Ryetail to speak for her before she’d had the chance. If she couldn’t handle it he would verbally claw the Cherrypaw’s ears. The unprofessional half of him hoped his denmate couldn’t handle it.
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Post by blossom on May 11, 2016 23:39:34 GMT 8
"Cherrypaw," Bearshadow warned harshly, "Don't be so rude. Honestly, I'm still right here."
He sighed and gave Ryetail a look, hoping to get across that he was welcome to intervene if necessary before glancing around the patrol, suddenly doubting his choice. While Ryetail had experience and Honeyleaf had youthful strength, He felt like something was missing in the patrol. They needed a larger cat, muscle to show thy meant business.
"Ryetail, may we speak privately for a moment?" He asked as he beckoned with his tail and padded off toward a secluded edge of camp. He tried not to growl at himself, though he remembered the warrior code said that one's elders always had much to teach them. Ryetail was no elder, but he was a senior warrior as well, and might be able to settle his turning stomach. After a moment, without waiting to he see if the other cat had followed, he asked, "Do you think I should send another warrior? If so do you have a recommendation?"
He hated asking others for help, even if it was the Clan way to support each other. What was worse was that he couldn't even think of a cat to send. They may have had a surplus of apprentices, but they had less warriors than he would like to choose from. He had intended to have Aspenleaf lead the moonhigh patrol, and Smallwhisker was just as small as the others.
"Perhaps I ought to delay my trip to Dawnspiral," he mused aloud. He was one of the largest warriors in the clan, and having the deputy on the patrol might be the best show of force he could offer, even if his wounds limited his fighting abilities.
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2016 3:54:45 GMT 8
Cherrypaw dipped her head in embarrassment. "Sorry." She mumbled to Bearshadow. She hoped he wouldn't punish her.
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Post by Fallen on May 12, 2016 6:14:04 GMT 8
Honeyleaf nodded to Bearshadow. She would of course she would keep an eye on the the apprentice. Hopefully Cherrypaw was not a trouble maker. Her golden gaze fixed on Cherrypaw. The cinamon tabby was going to open her mouth to spea but then Bearshadow spoke. I hope she does not act like this all the time.
Honeyleaf waited for Ryetail to lead the patrol into the territory. "So are we all ready to go?" The cinamon tabby asked Ryetail.
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Post by Umbra on May 16, 2016 8:41:20 GMT 8
Kestrelpaw let out a hiss of breath as Cherrypaw snapped at him. He glared angrily at her, opening his mouth to make a snarky remark about how while she had been soundly sleeping while he was up, but thankfully before he could make a fool of himself Bearshadow reprimanded her. He humphed, reddening in the face as he realized what a mistake it would have been if he had said something.
"I forgive you, Cherrypaw." He meowed, even though she hadn't addressed the apology to him. 'She should have', he thought a little resentfully, 'after all, it wasn't Bearshadow she called a mouse-brain.' But he bucked it up, he wouldn't give her the satisfaction of showing that she got under his skin.
From the way Bearshadow pulled Ryetail aside, Kestrelpaw assumed that Ryetail would be the leader of their patrol that morning. He hoped he would get a chance to impress his mentor, perhaps today would be the day that he actually did something his mentor would think worthy of praise.
As Bearshadow and Ryetail held a muted conversation, Kestrelpaw kneaded the ground, impatient to get on the way. He glanced at Cherrypaw, wondering if she was excited and as impatient as he, she had been made an apprentice slightly earlier than he and his siblings, so perhaps this sort of thing was now mundane to her? He glanced over at Honeyleaf, who seemed to be in charge of Cherrypaw in Bearshadows absence, she was looking at Cherrypaw intently, almost like she was willing her to behave whist on the patrol.
Honeyleaf stood and looked expectantly to Ryetail, "So, are we all ready to go?"
Kestrelpaw bounded to his feet, and then hastily licked the front of his chest, hoping to not seem to eager. He looked to Ryetail as they waited for his word.
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2016 9:28:13 GMT 8
Cherrypaw leaned over to Krestlepaw. "I bet I can be on good behavior for the entire patrol." She whispered. "If I don't, then I have to clean the elders' bedding. If I can, then you have to say that I can be good if I want." She too waited for the signal.
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Post by Leopard on May 16, 2016 19:28:02 GMT 8
Ryetail dipped his head. “Of course.”
Meekly he followed the deputy over away from the rest of the patrol. As if expecting a scolding he turned over his shoulder and winked back at Kestrelpaw and the others. Inside the cheery façade fell away leaving him scrabbling for a foothold, private instructions and secrets never came in times of free hunting. The last thing he expected was for Bearshadow to turn and ask for advice. Ryetail was a senior warrior but the inner apprentice, too small and sickly to attend his first gathering opened his mouth in awe.
“Another warrior?” Ryetail’s voice fell oddly flat.
He ran the faces of his clanmates carefully through his mind and in a few moments he shook his head. Bearshadow had obviously reached the same conclusion; there was no other able bodied cat to send unless he planned on running Ryetail ragged by inundating him with apprentices.
“This will be fine. Look Honeyleaf and I mightn’t look like much but we’ll be okay. They’ll probably see it as a show of nonchalance.” A thin veil hiding just how weak they really were. “Much as you would have them shaking in their whiskers Honeyleaf and I can handle it.”
If Bearshadow came it would say two things; they were nervous (true) and shorthanded (even truer). In many ways the show, even if it was recognized as such was safer.
More to convince himself than Bearshadow, Ryetail turned back to the patrol. “We’re heading out. Unless our esteemed deputy has anymore words of wisdom before we depart?”
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Post by blossom on May 16, 2016 23:32:16 GMT 8
Bearshadow couldn't help the relieved purr that escaped him as he shook his head slightly at the older warrior, "You mean you won't have them shaking in their whiskers? Well at least they'll be shocked if they try to start something. Now go on, preferably before my fur turns gray."
He nodded and turned to walk off, waving his tail to dismiss the patrol. He felt more confident in the patrol knowing they had an experienced warrior at their front, and his aching body was relieved to return to Dawnspiral's den for a fresh poultice to fight off what he worried might be a growing infection. In recent days the warrior had been running himself rather ragged and hadn't been tending his wounds as well he should.
"StarClan light your path," He called over his shoulder, and he honestly prayed for their safe return.
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