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Post by Goldenstar on May 22, 2021 1:46:54 GMT -5
(Tomorrow. Tomorrow I promise. I'll catch you all up on everything then too. Shit's crazy.)
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Post by Goldenstar on May 24, 2021 5:14:33 GMT -5
(PS- Anyone feel free to start a strand with me and I'll post replies later today!)
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Post by Goldenstar on May 31, 2021 2:49:05 GMT -5
(.)
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Post by Goldenstar on Sept 18, 2021 4:18:44 GMT -5
Abe[ cowbird] "Darkviper!" Mack padded through the tall grass, his one good eye warm as he saw his apprentice. The big, rugged, burly tom purred and butted his head against the smaller Warrior's shoulder. "Good morning, my friend. Come now, it is time for another lesson. I hope you slept well last night... today's teaching is very important and will take you a long way in your journey to become the Teller of the Stars. Are you ready?"
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Post by cowbird on Sept 18, 2021 7:25:52 GMT -5
Abe[ cowbird ] "Darkviper!" Mack padded through the tall grass, his one good eye warm as he saw his apprentice. The big, rugged, burly tom purred and butted his head against the smaller Warrior's shoulder. "Good morning, my friend. Come now, it is time for another lesson. I hope you slept well last night... today's teaching is very important and will take you a long way in your journey to become the Teller of the Stars. Are you ready?" Darkviper, who had found some solace on his own on the rocky edges of the mountain the Tribe resided on, hissed lowly at not being prepared for the sudden head butt- sending the dark tortoiseshell scrambling a few mouse lengths down the ledge he had been perched on. "Does the teaching require being displaced from one's perch?" He grumbled, but caught the twinkle in his mentor's eye and smiled. The last several seasons have been difficult so to say for Darkviper in his new role as Readers of the Stars. His friendships were compromised; his Tribemates looked at him with a mixture of awe and slight confusion even still. So it was no surprise that easily some of the best times he had was no hanging out and learning from Mack, the Tribe's Teller of the Stars, who was almost like a second father- a real father- to Darkviper.
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Post by Nightmarequeen on Sept 21, 2021 17:58:31 GMT -5
(Iz here as well)
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Post by Goldenstar on Oct 1, 2021 13:47:35 GMT -5
Abe "Actually, we'll be gone for a few days this time," Mack told his apprentice as they headed down the rocky surface of the mountain. The leader of the Tribe had a leaf-woven sack slung around his shoulder and neck and was walking at a pretty rapid pace as they headed on, side by side. "I know that the Seekers and Messengers usually are the ones to adventure out to find lost souls for the Tribe but... sometimes the Teller must go too. It is wise to keep your paws in the world, Darkviper. You don't ever want to become so used to the Oasis that you forget what struggle feels like. Sometimes, a Teller must go too. But don't worry- I have left the Tribe in capable paws. I've left Blackthorn and Archer in charge of the Tribe's protection and basic duties and Dustysmoke and Wisteria will be in charge of healing until we return. We shouldn't be more than a few days and we'll be back in time for the meeting," Mack told Darkviper as they went along. "As a Teller, you'll be given visions, Darkviper... you'll see where you are needed and there you must go. So now we must go to the town at the base of the mountain. There are some cats there that need our help and shelter. And we must bring them to the Oasis- bring them home. This is the most important part of the Tribe and as the Teller- do you understand?" --- Julie "It shouldn't be long now for the kits to be here..." Dustysmoke told his mate lightly as he ran a paw over her stomach. "Are you excited, Coalember?" his voice was soft. He knew kits were a sensitive topic for the she-cat. "I don't think there will be more than three... Have you thought of any names yet?"
(How many should she have do you think?)
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Post by Nightmarequeen on Oct 1, 2021 21:05:36 GMT -5
Chris:
(Break the cycle maybe three kits exactly distance herself from the one and the two she had before)
Coalember was pressed close to him feeling safety within his closeness, his fur against her own made her relax. A low purr came from the unstable she-cat as she closed her eyes as his paw ran over her swollen belly. It was taking alot for her to not freak out anytime the kitten inside moved, pressing against her sides. They were Dustysmokes, they werent parasites.....they were his. She repeated alot to herself constantly on loop.
"Our kits.....hmmmmm," she whispered softly opening her eyes slowly looking at her belly watching it raise and fall with her breath. She tilted her head slightly, "I want....calm....," she whispered moving to rest her head on her paws. Wanting nothing to do with the darkness that loomed over her.
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Post by cowbird on Nov 8, 2021 13:53:52 GMT -5
Chris
(Are they gonna find any lost little ones there? I can send a few there way if you have anything planned!)
Darkviper nodded his head solemnly, walking shoulder to shoulder (or more like shoulder to head considering the size difference). He remembered when he first took on the role and Reader of the Stars, daunted by all he had to learn. He didnt think he could ever be as benevolent as Mack. Or as wise, or as experienced. There were even some nights Darkviper would lay awake in his nest, dreading the day when he would have to fully step up to the job. Yet the learning moments, when it was just the two of them, were his favorites. He didnt feel obligated to act a certain way then. Nor did he feel like a mouse under a paw when he woke up in the middle of the night and let his insecurities off the vine. This was his first trip as the Reader- his first real task as the future Teller of the Stars and he couldn't be more excited.
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Post by Goldenstar on Nov 22, 2021 4:10:54 GMT -5
(I was definitely thinking they will find some new recruits! I have a few characters I'd like to introduce. And of course you are welcome to add in a lost heart or two!) For about an hour, Mack and Darkviper walked along in near silence but as they came down off the mountain, Mack began to purr. He stopped as the land leveled out and the two toms were now out of Tribe land... and into two-leg territory. There were cars rumbling down streets and people running and laughing. Mack flicked an ear as he and Darkviper settled under a tall, ashen oak tree. Mack turned his one good eye toward his apprentice. "I can feel the chaos of the world..." he told him in a steady voice but his amber eye was clouded. "Humans hold so much pain, Darkviper. We must go deep into the town to find the lost souls I dreamed of. I will need you as my anchor for the next several days to keep from becoming lost and corrupted by the noise. Just be yourself and you'll tether me just fine... your pure heart is why the stars chose you," he purred to the dark tom, licking him between the ears. "Let's rest here for a few moments... then find somewhere to stay for the night."
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Post by cowbird on Nov 29, 2021 11:03:59 GMT -5
(I was definitely thinking they will find some new recruits! I have a few characters I'd like to introduce. And of course you are welcome to add in a lost heart or two!) For about an hour, Mack and Darkviper walked along in near silence but as they came down off the mountain, Mack began to purr. He stopped as the land leveled out and the two toms were now out of Tribe land... and into two-leg territory. There were cars rumbling down streets and people running and laughing. Mack flicked an ear as he and Darkviper settled under a tall, ashen oak tree. Mack turned his one good eye toward his apprentice. "I can feel the chaos of the world..." he told him in a steady voice but his amber eye was clouded. "Humans hold so much pain, Darkviper. We must go deep into the town to find the lost souls I dreamed of. I will need you as my anchor for the next several days to keep from becoming lost and corrupted by the noise. Just be yourself and you'll tether me just fine... your pure heart is why the stars chose you," he purred to the dark tom, licking him between the ears. "Let's rest here for a few moments... then find somewhere to stay for the night." (Oh bet!! I’ll post a character after this reply and we can interweave them into whatever you got) Darkviper looked down at his paws, flushing. He didnt think he was worthy of the honor still, but with so much confidence that Mack was placing on him, it was beginning to feel futile in trying to deny who he was and what the Tribe of Endless Hunting had chosen for him. The sign of affection however… Darkviper felt another rush of heat race on his face as he stood in the stream of memories coming at him. Another cat had touched him like that… though with a lot more intention. Viper tried his best not to think of him, considered they had been on awkward terms since he took on the position as Reader. He loved Rajeen but something was telling him every day that the lanky Messenger was rethinking their whole attraction in the first place. Shaking himself from the memories, though still drowsy from the sensations he used to feel, Darkviper dipped his head to the wise tom beside him. “I wasn't exactly aware that we could feel the aura of humans. Then again, we do live with a rat and a fox so…” The small tom looked back over the bustling strange and noisy settlement of huge, stony nests and flashing lights and grimaced slightly. “I will do as you ask of course but… oh heavens, what kind of cats could live here safely, Mack?”
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Post by Goldenstar on Jan 4, 2022 6:03:15 GMT -5
(Update complete. <3 Will make replies tomorrow.)
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Post by Goldenstar on Jan 5, 2022 22:03:59 GMT -5
Abe "Well, we overslept," Mack's voice was warm as he nudged Darkviper awake. "But I dreamed well. There's a couple of souls we're searching for near here... stay close. Snow fell in the night." He flicked his tail over the younger cat's flank as he began to head toward the more sleepy streets of the city. A thick blanket of white powder was laid across the land and Mack's big paws made loud crunching sounds as they went. As they entered the chaos of the town, Mack pricked his ears. Just ahead of them, there was a scrawny charcoal colored she-cat with white-toes who was half-way sleeping, half-way freezing on top of a trash can. As the two toms approached, he cleared his throat. "Good morning!" "Hm?" she turned miscolored eyes to them, one blue and one green. "Morning then. Not good, perhaps, but morning all the same." She sat up and shook herself, sending sparkles of snow in all directions. She tilted her head and opened her mouth, drinking in the unfamiliar scents of the Tribe cats. "You're not from around her," she observed after a moment. Her pupils narrowed accusingly. "What do you want?" "To help," Mack replied honestly. "We are rescuers. We come to find lost souls and broken hearts and offer them a home." "What's in it for you?" she asked warily. "Why help cats you've neve met?" "Because we can." His amber eye was soft. "My name is Mack. Macky Q. Houston. This is my apprentice- Darkviper. We're from the mountains, from an oasis. My family is a group of lost spirits of all kinds. We've come together become a community filled with peace and love." He offered a small smile. "You're right to be wary of me... I'm sure you've been through a lot." "Mack," she said after a moment. "Darkviper." Her eyes shifted to him. "The cats in the alley call me Magpie." "A fine name!" "I'm a thief," she replied hotly, lashing her tail. "You steal from others to feed those less fortunate. I'm not sure if that counts as stealing. I call it mercy." "How..." Magpie looked bewildered. "How did you... know that?..." "We know lots of things." Mack lifted a paw gently. "Can you show us around? I'm afraid we're very lost down here."
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Post by cowbird on Jan 9, 2022 13:38:40 GMT -5
Chris
Instinctively, Darkviper narrowed his eyes at the dark furred she-cat’s outburst. He didnt exactly think being a thief was a notion for bragging rights and he wasnt exactly sure why a cat like Mack would be recruiting a criminal of some sorts but… then he sighed and relaxed. There you go again with the mess, he chided himself. Was he ever going to be able to be as empathetic as his mentor? He was sure Mack never was so judgemental to cats he never met. But Mack always told him that the qualities of a Teller were honed over time… Darkviper just hoped he learned them before long. He looked up at Magpie expectantly. He was going to do his best to look for the good in these cats no matter what. It was the least he could do.
…
Windsky huffed as she plopped in the warmth of her nest. She never knew carrying kits would be so hard! Mack had told her that she’d kit when he’d arrive but it had been nearly a moon since he and Darkviper, the new Reader of the Stars, had left the Oasis in search for lost souls and Windsky was convinced that at the rate her belly was growing, she’d be due any moment. She had been plagued by all types of fears since she found out she was expecting. She avoided cliffs, only drank lukewarm water (in case she froze the kittens. Poppyleaf and Dovenight had told her that there was no need to do so but she was far too wary.) and did her best to think positive thoughts despite the fact she was panicking half the time.
As she caught her breath in her nest, she scanned the full nursery. She was the only expecting queen now, as Jade and Bluebird’s kits bundled about, their squeaking voices and flailing paws echoing inside the den. Windsky sent an exasperated look to Bluebird as a tom-kit bumped into her shoulder. “How do you stand it?” she asked.
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Post by cowbird on Jan 9, 2022 15:10:11 GMT -5
Cats for Xhii’s Tribe
(Cats that will be found during searches)
Gayle- A bubbly, extremely joyful kitty with an easygoing sense of being. Gayle was born in the dangerous alleys of a human town, but she was such an oddity there. While others fought tooth and nail to secure a meal, Gayle was never afraid to share whatever she had with whoever needed. Gayle is constantly cheerful, always searching for the positive in a situation and if you ever needed someone to help- with literally anything- she’d be on everyone’s recommended list even if they wouldnt admit it. Gayle is a small but compact, light brown tabby she-cat with white undersides and white forepaws and hazel eyes. She has a small, rusty red collar gifted to her by a sweet-hearted tom she met many years ago. || Has no mate/not kits. Open to relationships. || Warrior/Guardian. || cowbird. ||
Muffin- sweet until you get on her nerves, Muffin is a bit of a paradox. She’s rather timid and soft spoken with those she isn't familiar with, giving off the impression of a shy figure. Yet spend two days with her? Raunchy and a bundle of fire is she! Muffin formed these two distinct personalities as a result of her harsh home training by her father, who instilled in her what he thought a she-cat living in the wild should be in order to get a tom who’ll love and protect her. Little did he know… toms were not the only ones on her radar. Muffin is a small, slender yellowish brown she-cat with white splotches on her flank, shoulders and tail and darker tipped ears and tail. || No mate/no kits/no living family. Open to relationships. || Pansexual. || Hunter/Provider. || Has an odd taste for carrots and rabbits. ||
Dexter- large, bold and loud. A fair opposite to many in the peaceful Tribe, Dexter was the clear odd ball out when Mack and Darkviper returned from their journey. He was bigger than most cats, a lot more free in what he thought, and never one to shy away from being honest- even if he knew it wasnt always the best, or most tactful thing to do. He can be brash and offensive at times, but he is loyal to the Tribe and to Mack first and foremost. Dexter is a long, large brown-gray tabby tom with lighter paw and light green eyes. || Warrior/Guardian. ||
Mae (Silent Rain)- as her name would say, Silent Rain was a very quiet cat. She loves to be alone and keep to herself and it took a fair bit of persuading from Darkviper to join the Oasis and open up to her new family on the mountain. As reserved as she is, Silent Rain is a selfless cat, willing to do anything to protect her Tribemates and the Laws of Life. She loves to collect shiny stuff in her free time- and even when she’s out supposedly doing her job. Silent is a very pretty kitty with long, soft white and pale gray fur, a sweeping tail and long legs. She has pretty crystal blue eyes framed by a dark eyeliner and a pretty pink nose. || No mate/no kits but open to relationships. || Bi-curious- finds she-cats in the Tribe to be gorgeous.|| Gatherer/Forager. ||
Daisy/Daisycloud- cream-colored she-cat with lighter cream belly and white paws paired with lovely chocolate brown eyes. A kind, nurturing spirit who was found raising her boisterous litter of three and expecting a second. How does she manage? Well when life brings you challenges, either you run away from the responsibility, or you take it and let it form you to a better person. || Mother to: (her first litter) Steelclaw, Eddy and Fallenrose. (Second litter): August, Cougar and Moonfall. || Queen/Kit-Mother/Nanny. || Hopeless romantic even though fate has not been kind to her in that field.
Steelclaw- gray tabby tom with yellow eyes and hooked, deadly claws. Steel was always the least approachable of his littermates being serious and rather distant, but he likes it that way. “Less attachments, the more work gets done.” He is deep down however, very close to her siblings and extremely protective of his mother’s younger litters. || Training as a Warrior/Guardian. || Brother to Eddy, Fallenrose, August, Cougar and Moonfall. Oldest kit of Daisycloud. || Heterosexual. ||
Eddy- broad-shouldered brown tabby tom with greenish-yellow eyes and a long tail. Jokestar type of character. || Brother to Steelclaw, Fallenrose, August, Cougar and Moonfall. Son of Daisycloud. || Training as a Warrior/Guardian. ||
Fallenrose- the balance between her constantly bickering brothers, she is several levels more mature than Steelclaw yet just as laid back as Eddy as long as there isnt work to do. She loves the open fields and nature and is an adventurous she-cat, so it was no surprise she grew very close to Mack and the other Seekers when she arrived at the Oasis. Fallenrose is a dainty white she-cat with small dark ginger splotches and light leaf-green eyes. || Sister to Steelclaw, Eddy, August, Cougar and Moonfall. || Bisexual. || Training as a Seeker. ||
August- rose-colored tabby and cream tom with hazel eyes. || Son of Daisycloud from her second litter. Littermate of Cougar and Moonfall. ||
Cougar- bulky, pale ginger tom with vibrant green eyes and wide paws. || Son of Daisycloud from her second litter. Littermate to August and Moonfall, younger brother of Steelclaw, Eddy and Fallenrose. || Heterosexual. ||
Moonfall- pretty she-cat with thick, long gray fur and gentle blue eyes. || Youngest of Daisycloud’s second litter. || Heterosexual. ||
(I really like this last one. I have big plans for him)
Val/Vanillanight- peculiar one indeed. Formerly a cold-stone killer of the Broken Brotherhood, Val, as he was known back then, was known to be a silent but oh so deadly assassin, willing to do anything for the sake of his leaders Oriole and Leech. One day however, he watched the members of the Brotherhood murder a whole family in pursuit of new hunting grounds- and that broke him. He became initially paranoid, afraid he’d be wiped out like that if he ever took a mate and defied the ransack group of cats. As time went on, Val grew resentful of the horrible actions his peers took and after one ambush on a GoldenClan patrol, where he witness the injury of a defenseless medicine cat, Val decided to leave the Brotherhood during the chaos of the battle and off into the unknown, desperate to put distance between him and Leech’s followers. Val ended up in a human settlement, scavenging for food and living among hostility, but he deemed it better than having to be a senseless killer. Mack and Darkviper found him on one of the first searches together and when they offered him a home among them, Val was honored to be among such a group of honorable cats, vowing to never follow the path of hate and bloodshed ever again. Val is a dutiful, kind tom who is very understanding and empathetic to others. He knows what it's like to be ashamed of what you’ve done and strives to be as respectful to others and patient as ever. He still however, suffers nightmares from his own crimes that might very well taunt him till the end of his days. Val, or as he was renamed Vanillanight, is a sleek, long-legged and sturdy black and cream tom with amber eyes. || Messenger. || Heterosexual. || No living family, but open to mates/friendships.
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Post by Goldenstar on Jan 19, 2022 5:06:31 GMT -5
Abe, Abe, Abe<3 Magpie stared at Mack, then at Darkviper. After several heartbeats, she nodded. The charcoal she-cat turned on her paws, stiffly leaping down from her trash can perch. She blinked at them with untrusting eyes as she twisted and disappeared through a hole in the wooden fence. She flicked her tail and Mack followed with a bounce in his step. Magpie led them in silence down an alley littered with human trash and dumpsters. The smell was horrific and Mack felt his eyes watering. "What a horrid place." "It isn't the best," she commented. "We call this Snap Alley. It's better to stay away from here during the day- lots of rats and people about. At night, the cats rule it though. Come on... don't linger." She turned right and bounded up on top of a trash bin then leaped from there to a dumpster and jumped up on the corner of a low-hanging building. Once the tribe cats had caught up with her, she continued on, walking with swift paws across the roof. "If you're looking for wayward hearts, I know just who you'll want to see..." her pupils narrowed a she padded downward through a hole in the roof, balancing across a broken support beam. Inside, the building smelled of mildew and dust. Mack pressed close to his apprentice, for the dark space left him at a disadvantage with only one good eye. "Splinter? Are you down here?" "Maggie?" the gravely voice came from somewhere in the darkness. Unfurling from the shadows came an incredible creature. He was a smoky gray and black tom with water-like markings across his pelt. He had thick, matted fur and white paws on all four feet. He was a tall cat with lean muscles and large, tufted ears. His eyes were a dull gray and he froze when he noticed Magpie had strangers with him. "Who are these cats? More moochers from the city?" "No, they're... drifters, of sorts," the charcoal molly told him. "The big brown tom says they're rescuers and that they travel to find lost souls and broken hearts and offer them a home." Splinter's pupils narrowed and he lashed his dirty tail. "Why would they do that?" "Because we can," Mack repeated again, his amber eye glowing with compassion "As I told Magpie, my name is Mack. Macky Q. Houston. This is my apprentice- Darkviper. We come from the mountains, from an oasis. My family is a group of lost spirits of all kinds. We've come together to become a community filled with peace and love." He offered a small smile. "We mean no harm to you. We just want to help." "We would go with you? Back to this oasis?" "If you wanted to- yes." "How do you know you can trust us?" Splinter lashed his tail. "The city is filled with lots of bad and dangerous cats." He flicked his gaze over Darkviper. "Some who would eat that pretty boy up and pick their teeth with his bones. It's a noble quest, what you're trying to do, but I'm afraid it's waisted on the ruffians of this place." "Wait." A soft voice ventured from somewhere beyond Mack's sight. From behind Splinter came another cat, a pretty white she-cat with tan and gray splashes. Her left eye was green and her right eye was blue. She had feathery fur and a long, thick tail that was matted with dirt and twigs. She was extremely thin and her eyes were haunted. She looked from Magpie to Splinter then to the strangers. "You... you would offer your home, this oasis, to complete strangers?..." "If they are willing to see the more peaceful side of life and leave their pasts behind- yes." The molly's eyes sparked with hope and she turned her face toward the black and gray tom. "Oh, Splinter... can we at least consider it? This could be what we've been praying for." "It sounds too good to be true," Splinter murmured, meeting Mack's eye as he tried to find some deception in the great, colossal tom. He flicked his gaze toward Magpie. "What do you think, Maggie?" "They'll be here for a few days at least," she replied slowly. "We can feel them out in that time. Get to know them... if they're lying- we'll kill them. If we decide to go with them and we think something is off- we'll kill them. If they're being sincere... then we've lost nothing." "I once was a lost soul too," Mack told the three cats with a flick of his broad tail. "I had nowhere to go when my old owner passed away. The founder of my tribe, Xhii, found me when I was on my last days of life. She took me in, cared for me, healed me, and nursed me back to health. I learned every ounce of my compassion from her. Love and understanding is a gift and we are given very little of it in this world. It is our job- mine, Viper's, and the duty of the rest of our tribe- to bring it to as many as we can, as often as we can. You are wary of us and that is okay, we expect it. But we want to share our world with you... to expand our family and show as many as we can the ways of love and light and peace. At the very least, we appreciate you considering our offer." "Healing..." the cream and tan she-cat's eyes grew huge. "Splinter, maybe they can help Vee." "Rottie, please don't..." "Splinter, just think about it for a second..." her mis-colored eyes pleading, the she-cat turned her face back to the two tribe cats. "Will you meet our daughter? She's sick..." "Rottie!" "Of course we will." Mack offered a small smile. "Darkviper is still in training but he knows very much... take us to her then, if you please. We'll see what we can do." ~ "Oh, I just take it one day at a time," the kindly molly replied as she licked her cream colored paws. She watched fondly as her boys- named after birds as their mother and grandmother were before them- tumbled about in the tall, green grass. Her honey colored eyes dulled with misery, as they so often did when she thought of her mate who had died before they even reached the oasis. "It would be much easier if Hawthorne had been here to help me... but oh, the tribe has been so incredible through it all. I never dreamed there would be so much support here. I'm glad we chose to make it our home." The biggest of her kits, Horned Lark, batted his mother's tail and Bluebird laughed at him and pushed him away with a gentle paw. "I cannot wait for your little ones to be here, Windy. Oh, you're heart will just melt for them, you'll see!" --- (I am OBSESSED with Val. I cannot wait for him to be part of the tribe. ;x;...)
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Post by cowbird on Jan 21, 2022 14:23:32 GMT -5
Chris
Darkviper hissed lowly as they stalked after Magpie. The hard, broken path under their paws was caked with mud and suspicious, miscellaneous other things that the dark tortoiseshell was certain he didnt want to dirty himself with. A brief flash of amusement cut through his disgust as they bounded up the dumpsters to the low-ledge where Magpie was leading them. He could almost hear Blackthorn scoffing at his prissiness while he was sure Vixenstep would be rolling her eyes to the sky. Get a hold of yourself, Mr. Reader! Darkviper’s whiskers twitched but then the morbid, decaying smell that had bombarded his nostrils on his way down that Snap Alley began to lessen, and for the first time since he and Mack came across her on top of the trash can, Darkviper turned his ever sharp gaze to Magpie.
She seemed to be an alright cat- definitely nothing special, but the fact that she had even agreed to show them around proved to him that beneath her rough exterior, was a cat who had nothing to lose and was, in her own way, looking for a change of life too. Why wont she just leave though? Darkviper had a hard time figuring out just what could keep a cat in a heaven-forsaken place like this. It never dawned on him until now how much he loved being at the Oasis- it wasnt perfect but it beat smelly dark alleys and aching solitude.
When they reached the jagged hole at the top of the human nest, a chill ran up Darkviper’s spine. The odd, decaying smell of wood was a factor, but he was having the odd, creeping feeling they were being watched. He looked over his shoulder briefly, scanning the barren, slush encrusted alley below. Nothing.
“Maggie?” Darkviper spun around at the sound of the rough voice that emitted from the hole and frowned as a bulking form of a tom shuffled out, his shoulders nearly as wide as Mack’s- and almost as tall too. His dull eyes sharpened when they landed on the Tribe cats and his stoic face hardened, but Darkviper, after getting over his startle, couldnt help but notice the hesitance in his posture as he stood before them. He’s more wary of us than he’d care to show, let alone admit, Darkviper mused as his gaze slid between the large tom and Magpie. All of these cats must be like this. The Reader’s sympathy dampened quickly as the tom, Splinter Magpie called him, cast a dismissive look at Darkviper with his not-so slick comment and he was ready to snap his own defiance, but Mack, ever the conscious and graceful, stepped forward and the group slid into the dark entrance, Darkviper’s pelt prickling with both indignation and unease. “I hope this is all worth it,” he mumbled, eyeing Splinter and his mate, Rottie, who had popped out when she heard the voices of the cats. …
“I doubt it!” Windsky snorted as one of her kits kicked within her. “I never planned to be a mother and I hardly know a thing about kits.” She looked over bleakly at Dovenight who seemed so at ease with the rambunctious little cats even though she had none of her own. “I think dont think it’ll be natural for me like it is for all of you.”
(I’m sooo glad you like him! I hope to make him so involved with the RP in general, sooo many plans)
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Post by Goldenstar on Feb 2, 2022 13:18:23 GMT -5
Back into the shadows of the abandoned building, more and more cats were starting to make themselves known. A whisker her, a gleaming eye there, a curious face above, or an excited whisper down below. There were poor homeless souls every which way; many with sunken eyes or hollow stares. Mack felt his desire to help these cats settle so deeply in his chest that it nearly made him weep. They were so hungry, so thin, so wary. And the cats who lead them were no better. Magpie wanted to trust them- so did Rottie and Splinter, he could tell. But they were so used to being on their own... to relying on the other cats in Snap Alley. Outsiders were not kind to them. He could feel it. But there was hope- however faint it may be...
Splinter stopped beside a broken down cardboard box and turned on his paws. His eyes were still untrusting but held a glimmer of hopefulness. A soft cough came from inside the torn box and Rottie moved out of the way. She was peering over the edge into the center and her eyes were soft with love. "Vee, we've brought someone who might help you feel better."
"Is it a kitty-pet? I don't want to see anymore kitty-pets after last time!" came the uncertain, shaky voice. Rottie shook her head.
"No, no. These are... Tribe cats, they said. They say they can heal... will you let them see you?"
"I don't know anything about tribe cats..." her voice was low and small. There was silence for a moment and a rattling sound from her breathing. Rottie's pupils narrowed as Vee sneezed. "Mkay..."
Splinter stepped aside to reveal that one of the walls of the box were broken down. Inside, laying on a pathetic nest of torn up human clothes and straw, there was a very tiny, very sick she-cat. She was a pretty thing, with thin gray fur that was covered in darker gray markings and black spots. Her paws were white and so was the tip of her tail. She has big ears and wide, glossy aqua colored eyes.
"Woah... you're huge..." she gasped to Mack before looking over at Dark Viper. "And you're not..." she coughed suddenly, hacking into her paw. She wiped her eyes then looked at the two toms again. "C-Can you really heal me?"
"We can try. We don't know what's wrong yet..." Mack lowered his voice and came down to Vee's level, his one eye kind. "How long have you been sick?"
"Her entire life. She was born with a cough and that rattle in her chest," Splinter told the Teller. "She's almost eight moons old."
"Small for her age," Mack murmured. "Hmm... well we'll need a few things. Do you have any place around here that grows plants?"
"A couple of patches away from the city and toward the yards in the suburbs," Magpie replied. "Do you need to go there?"
"Yes. Dark Viper." The tom turned his one-eyed gaze to his apprentice. "We need catmint, coltsfoot, juniper berries, tansy or lavender if you can find it, and maybe some poppy seeds so she can rest."
"I'll take you," Rottie offered. "I know what most of those are- I was a kitty-pet once. Should we leave now?"
"The sooner the better," Mack replied gently. He leaned forward and touched his muzzle to his apprentice's forehead. "Be swift and may the stars guide your path." ~ "Well we'll help you," Bluebird told her. "I won't let you do it on your own. We're a big family here in the Tribe- that's what makes us different from clans, yeah? I'm going to love your kits as much as you do. Have faith, small one." She rasped her tongue over Windsky's ear. "Have you thought of any names? Do you want for them to have traditional tribe names or do you want something more clan-based?"
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Post by cowbird on Feb 15, 2022 12:04:48 GMT -5
(kinda embarrassed im just seeing this nnn)
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Post by cowbird on Feb 17, 2022 0:54:34 GMT -5
Chris dearrrr
Darkviper pondered briefly if he should answer the sickly cat’s commentary of his size, or lack thereof in comparisons to his mentor and leader, but ultimately decided against it. Not only was she simply a miserable sight and not any bigger than Bluebird and Jade’s kits back in the Oasis, and because they were surrounded by anxious, slightly suspicious cats, but because a bit of compassion seemed to be finding root in the snappy tom as she watched the bony, ragged pelted forms materialize from the rotting woodwork. They viewed the two intruders warily and rightfully so by Dark Viper caught the glimmer of hope that flickered in one or two gazes when Magpie introduced them as healers and there was an excited mew from one of the younger cats as they cautiously sniffed in their direction. There wasn't much, but unlike Splinter’s despondent attitude when they first met him, hope and honor still existed in some of these cats. As Mack turned his eye towards him and sent him off to find the herbs, he could tell his mentor was feeling the same. I can see we aren't wasting our time here after all, the Reader thought.
He turned to Magpie, not exactly looking forward to having a task with her but keeping his face neutral as he could. She’d learn soon enough he wasn't as ready to make nice as Mack soon enough. He opened his mouth to speak, but a quiet but firm voice cut him off as one of the strange cats approached the two. “I want to come as well.” The voice belonged to a small cat, even smaller than Darkviper, whose frame was augmented by the sagging, dusted and dirt caked pelt she carried. She was a beautiful cat surely but living out here had done her no good as it did for all of the others. Her ribs showed and she had a small but nasty scar on her muzzle, but her eyes were gentle and focused as she sized Darkviper up. “Magpie and I have been in the patches plenty of times together and I’m sure you could use some help getting all that stuff.” Her voice was fair, but there was a slight teasing look dancing in those golden orbs that Darkviper felt slightly put off with. He wasn't going to reject help though. “Very well then,” he muttered and nodded to Magpie to lead the way out.
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Post by Goldenstar on Jun 22, 2022 20:59:14 GMT -5
Moons. It had taken moons to gain the trust of the cats in Snap Alley. Mack and Darkviper had spent so much time among these rough hearts that they'd nearly lost track of it. Yet, somehow, things were different. Vee had slowly gotten better and now, the beautiful, bright-eyed apprentice-aged cat was bouncing eagerly from foot to foot as Splinter held his group meeting from atop the dumpster. Darkviper and Mack sat the back, listening proudly as he spoke. "Today, as many of you know, is a sad but glorious day... for today, many of us will be leaving Snap Alley. Darkviper and Mack have been so kind to us. They'd helped us and befriended us and even cured Vee's sickness. Now, we go with them to the mountains to become part of their Tribe. Some of you have decided to stay here..." he blinked toward a scrawny brown and white tom and nodded fondly. "We wish you well and wish for nothing but the best for you." "And we you," the scrawny tom, Twigs, purred. "May you be blessed, my friend." "With that being said, Mack, do you have anything you'd like to say?" "Thank you all for trusting us. It means the world to me that you let us see your way of life. To those who stay in Snap Alley, you will always be a friend to the Tribe. We hope to see you again." "You're always welcome in the alley," Twigs told him warmly with a blink of his amber eyes. "But you need the daylight. I suppose it's time to go." "I suppose it is," Splinter sighed as he bounded down from the top of the dumpster and made his way to the back to stand before Mack and Darkviper. "We're ready," he told them as Vee bounced beside him. "Lead the way." Mack nodded, pushed to his paws, and turned on his feet. Magpie fell in beside Darkviper and Rottie took to Mack's left as they began to make their way toward the mountains. "Is it as pretty as you say it is, Viper?" Vee asked, her eyes wide and bright. "Will there be kittens like me there? Will I have friends?!"
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Post by cowbird on Jun 22, 2022 22:13:13 GMT -5
Moons. It had taken moons to gain the trust of the cats in Snap Alley. Mack and Darkviper had spent so much time among these rough hearts that they'd nearly lost track of it. Yet, somehow, things were different. Vee had slowly gotten better and now, the beautiful, bright-eyed apprentice-aged cat was bouncing eagerly from foot to foot as Splinter held his group meeting from atop the dumpster. Darkviper and Mack sat the back, listening proudly as he spoke. "Today, as many of you know, is a sad but glorious day... for today, many of us will be leaving Snap Alley. Darkviper and Mack have been so kind to us. They'd helped us and befriended us and even cured Vee's sickness. Now, we go with them to the mountains to become part of their Tribe. Some of you have decided to stay here..." he blinked toward a scrawny brown and white tom and nodded fondly. "We wish you well and wish for nothing but the best for you." "And we you," the scrawny tom, Twigs, purred. "May you be blessed, my friend." "With that being said, Mack, do you have anything you'd like to say?" "Thank you all for trusting us. It means the world to me that you let us see your way of life. To those who stay in Snap Alley, you will always be a friend to the Tribe. We hope to see you again." "You're always welcome in the alley," Twigs told him warmly with a blink of his amber eyes. "But you need the daylight. I suppose it's time to go." "I suppose it is," Splinter sighed as he bounded down from the top of the dumpster and made his way to the back to stand before Mack and Darkviper. "We're ready," he told them as Vee bounced beside him. "Lead the way." Mack nodded, pushed to his paws, and turned on his feet. Magpie fell in beside Darkviper and Rottie took to Mack's left as they began to make their way toward the mountains. "Is it as pretty as you say it is, Viper?" Vee asked, her eyes wide and bright. "Will there be kittens like me there? Will I have friends?!" Darkviper looked back at the wet, dark alley one last time as Mack began to lead the group of new Tribecats back to the Oasis. They had spent moons in the small, cramped spaces and perilous ledges of the home of Splinter and the others, and while Darkviper hadnt exactly enjoyed his time in such an unnatural habitat, now that is was time to leave it, the Reader of the Stars felt a twinge of sadness. He had learned much about not only the life of the cats here, but so much more herbs and how to use them- even ones Mack himself hadnt seen. As he turned tail to follow the group, Darkviper noticed that Muffin was holding some of the new plants that grew around the alley. Good, the small tortoiseshell thought approvingly. If only we can find a way to plant them once we get home. Spirits know how much of a use they’d be…
The high-pitched mew of Vee brought the Tribe tom back to his current senses and he looked down at her briefly as he answered. She was much healthier- healed even- as she walked beside him, head held up high and fur fluffed in anticipation. Despite her ever-upbeat attitude, Darkviper was learning to tolerate her. Even when he was annoyed, it was hard to be snappy with the young cat. She was just too lovable. “Ooh yes, its quite the sight. The territory as a whole is rather harsh and quite a lot to patrol and keep track of. Lots of dust and rock and not enough prey. However, the Oasis itself… there is nothing like it. With the snows finally fading up at the mountains by now, the grass should be taller and greener than ever. The willow tree is my personal favorite. It just sits so gracefully in the middle of the stream. I’m not good at explaining really but whatever you are imagining… just think that but like two times better.” On Darkviper’s other side was Gayle. She was a bubbly, soft-hearted persona that spent most of her time carrying for the sick of the group back in the alley but had known her way around the wild outside of it like the back of her paws. The small brown tabby spoke now, in her light sweet voice. “I hope it doesn't take too long now that you two know how to get back right?”
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