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Post by burp on Jun 1, 2009 22:02:18 GMT -5
A bronze eye opened slowly followed by a blue one. The set of bi-colored eyes wandered around the den, the warm den where his nest was comfertably fashioned. A yawn escaped the gray muzzle that was tinged with white because of age and depression. The set of eyes continued to wander over the few other elders in the den and Frostbelly noticed most of them were all sleepign still. But today he had no rush to go somewhere. No patrol to wake early for no hunting to do. Today was hsi to rest, and tell stories to good kits who didn't ask too many questions, and bother apprentces about wet moss and thorns and ticks in his fluffy gray fur.
Frostbelly stayed in his small nest shoved up in the back of the den. He liked the ack it was dark and alone no drafts stirred there. Much like his poor depressed heart. His poor heart that has suffered so many deaths and so much hurt the heavy weight of faliure. Oh how he longed for it all to go away.
He flicked his ears well his one good ear. The other was simply shreads of skin, the hearing goen otu of it. He waited for an apprentice or kit to stick their head around the corner.
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Post by cat on Jun 2, 2009 15:26:04 GMT -5
There was the sound of rustling as another ancient warrior stirred in his warm nest of moss and feathers. For a few moments he stayed curled, mentally grumbling and trying to fall back asleep and ignore the blazing sun. Yet the sun was insistent; it seemed determined to shine right on him and him alone. Grumbling and flicking his tail in defeat, the tom raised his head and slowly uncurled. Old muscles and joints moved slowly in protest, stiff from the night of being stuck in one position for so long. Stretching out his left hind leg he winced, the result of a long-ago battle wound from whom he couldn't remember anymore. It wasn't like it mattered that much anyway. The old tabby pointed his grizzled and whitened muzzle toward the back of the den, jaws parting to catch the faint scents of his clan mates. He may be old as the trees that were in his land, but he still had the smelling capability of a warrior. Frostbelly. He thought, sure that the old tom was awake. Sure enough he could hear movements and quickened breath that weren't associated with the deep sleep elders were prone to fall into.
Glancing around with bleary eyes, he yawned after noting that none other than him and the bi-colored gaze tom were awake. Looking at the entrance, he grunted with a disapproving tone as he realized no one else was awake. Sure, he could get his own prey. But, then, how would the apprentices learn as he did to care for their elders? We were much quicker when we were apprentices. He thought, flicking his tail. Then, elders were cared for the right way!
Pushing this from his mind, he wondered what he would do this fine day. Perhaps visit Abyssbird in the nursery? Word had reached Tigergrowl's ears that she had finally had her kits. It didn't matter if that two-timing bastard of a tom was their father; the kits couldn't be blamed for that. The elder purred at the thought of his granddaughter. Thinking of her fondly, he found himself smiling. Surprised a smart one like her got mixed up with the likes of him. He thought, sniffing in disgust.
Finished with the musing, he looked back at Frostbelly, a faint smile on his maw. "Morning Frostbelly. Good sleep?" He meowed. |
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Post by burp on Jun 2, 2009 15:36:35 GMT -5
Frsotbelly flicked his one good ear in the direction of another nest, and saw an old cat shifting around, grumbling in his nest. Frsotbelly smiled ot himself pleasently, finally someone else was awake! The blind elder was older than he, but he had retiered before Tigergrowl had, due to depression not long after Snowlark died. Pain wrenched his heart every time he thought of his snowy pelted brother. Oh how much he missed him. He let Tigergrowl look around through his cloudy eyes, scent the air and finally speak.
"Good morning to you as well Tigergrowl." he responded, yawning once more. "Oh I slept alright, what about you? I sure hope those lazy apprentices will be here soon with our breakfast, I'm starved to the bone." he grumped, huffing and puffing, while keeping his ears and eyes on teh door, hoping to smell a young cat and see a tiny head poke around the corner any time soon. The old tom sighed loudly and shifted in his nest so he was a little bit more comfertable.
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Post by cat on Jun 2, 2009 15:48:37 GMT -5
Tigergrowl flicked one ear in the direction of the entrance, a hopeful expression on his face. Then, after a few seconds his face fell. Grumbling he tucked his paws beneath his chest, looking quite silly; his large body looked as if it barely fit in the nest. He managed, however, and rather liked the tight spaces. It felt good, reminded him of the warrior days. Of course a clan always had more warriors than elders, which made the transition somewhat of a shock. He missed waking up in the middle of the night and feeling comforted by the fact that he was surrounded by sleeping and murmuring warriors. Now when he woke up, it was usually silence.
Pelt prickling suddenly, he gave his tabby striped chest a few licks before looking back at the gray and white tom with a welcoming smile. Dipping his head slightly in respect, he sighed and meowed, "I hope so too. I feel as if I haven't eaten in moons. I'd bet a couple of mouse tails that the elders in our day were better taken care of than us. I was never late to deliver prey. Of course he was late, several times in fact, but Tigergrowl tended to let that fact slide out of his memory. |
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Post by burp on Jun 2, 2009 16:02:22 GMT -5
Frsotbelly chuckled softly at Tigergrowls comment. "Oh of course they were, and they probably said what we are saying now, that their elders had been fed better than they had!" he continued to laugh lowly. Oh those days when his mentor were always scolding his brother and he about being late for cleanign out the elders den or teh nursrey, or bringing prey to the medicine cats den. "Oh I hated cleanign out the moss, such a nasty job! I loved it though, when I was a kit and I came to the elders for stories." he sighed, pelasently remembering his younger days. He sniffed the air, but no new scnet touched his glands at all, of course the apprentices would be late again. He would have to speak with Lynxstar again.
'Speaking of kits, how are Abyssbirds doing? They haven't been to see us in a while as I recal." he frowned. His memory was starting to fail him now, in his later days.
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Post by cat on Jun 2, 2009 16:38:16 GMT -5
Tigergrowl purred at the thought, the rusty sound breaking slightly being the only indicator of the silent laughter that came with it. Flicking his tail the elder relaxed, his jaws falling slack slightly to take in new scents. Not that there were any. All he could smell was the fresh mountain air and the strong smell of pine. Oh, home sweet home! "I loved the old stories. I remember as a kit I would believe anything. Remember the one how Patchbreeze said he took down a fox by himself?" He meowed, thinking fondly of the old tom.
Funny thing how easy conversation was these days. Even if you hadn't spoken with a cat in moons, as an elder talking came easily. Perhaps it was just the loneliness that came with that status. Perhaps it was the fact that you no longer worried about clan boundaries as much anymore. Whatever it was, Tigergrowl was thankful for it.
At the mention of Abyssbird's kits, Tigergrowl flicked one ear and smiled. "They're becoming apprentices soon. Perhaps Abyssbird has been teaching them the proper way of the ceremony; she'd keep them so busy they wouldn't be able to visit." He said, unable to keep a tone of pride out of his voice. |
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Post by burp on Jun 2, 2009 19:07:44 GMT -5
Frsotbelly froze at Tigergrowls mention of the fox. Sadness clouded his eyes. If only he could have been like Patchbreeze, taken down a fox by himself. Then his brother would be right here with him right now, sharing stories and beign hard on apprentices. He twitched his ear, shaking his head to clear it. It wasn't your fault...Snowlark is in a better place now... a farmiliar voice echoed in his head. Yes, true true. But that didn't mean Frsotbelly didn't miss him every minute of every day.
"Yes I remember that one. Never truly believed it when I became a warrior and actually had to fight a fox. But it sounded true as an apprentice.' he laughed, his eyes lightening again. 'Oh yes, I'm sure they are just as exicted as we were when we became apprentices! I'm sure Abyssbird is as excited as they are too!" he replied, standing and stretching his legs and back. He heard the pride in the old toms voice, and smiled. Tigergrowl was proud of his grandchildren, adn now great-grandchildren.
"Well I say, lets go get something to eat, those lazy apprentices aren't coming around any tme soon and you and I both know it." he sighed, standing by Tigergrowls nest in case the tom needed guiding. He laughed to himself. One blind and one deaf. Both trying to help each other out.
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Post by cat on Jun 2, 2009 19:42:42 GMT -5
OOc: Only slightly blind. XDD Bic: Tigergrowl flicked his tail and slowly stood. Once again his joints complained, causing him to wince. Apparently it wasn't just the apprentices being lazy over the prey. It seemed they weren't shaking out the moss properly either. Leaning down to give the moss an experimental sniff, he drew back with a grim expression. Yes, the green still carried the scent of water and he could've sworn a drop of the liquid had just touched his nose. "Not only prey....." He murmured, shaking his head.
At the sound of Frostbelly's last words, Tigergrowl pricked his ears. Licking his faded muzzle, he nodded. "Sounds good." He agreed. Carefully leaving the nest, he scented that the tom was right beside him. Feeling a flash of gratitude, he looked toward the fuzzy entrance and felt his pride waver slightly. How would he be able to see the ceremony? He didn't want to miss the sight of the kits given their mentors; that was something truly enjoyable to watch. Oh quit talking as if you're completely blind. He heard a voice whisper. Feeling a pang of sadness as he recognized the she-cat's tone, he nodded. He'd be able to see figures moving around; that would have to do. "Ready?" He asked Frostbelly. |
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Post by burp on Jun 2, 2009 20:21:38 GMT -5
Frsotbelly yawned once more, wondering why he was so tierd when he had slept through the night. No matter, he was awake now. He watched carefully as Tigergrowl stumbled out of his nest, glancing at the den entrance. His heart went out to him. He knew what it was like to loose his hearing, or half of it anyways. But loosing sight must be much harder. At least the old tom could till see hazy images. Gently he placed his tail on Tigergrowls shoulder, so he wouldn't be offended.
"Come on lets go..." he murmmered softly, guiding him to the den entrance where sunlight shone through softly. It was warm enough outside that they could lougne and share tongues later. He slowly led his friend over to the fresh kill pile, and sniffed around catiously, shooting an angry glare at any apprentice who trotted by or dropped more food off. He picked a sparrow off the pile, it was plump and fat like he was getting to be now.
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Post by cat on Jun 2, 2009 20:30:55 GMT -5
Tigergrowl felt the thin tail across his shoulders, but said nothing. In fact, he was grateful. He knew that the tom could still see fine, even if he couldn't hear well. Taking a few tentative steps forward, his gait grew more confident as they weaved in and out of the maze of nests. This area he knew quite well and was able to get around confidently. Paws were swift and confident all the way up to the den entrance. Feeling the sun and air in his fur, he paused. Here's where it gets hard. He thought, feeling a ripple down his spine. It was only by the comforting feel of Frostbelly's tail that he was able to shake off the feeling of uncertainty and continue forward. Several scents bombarded him, sending his head spinning. Opening his mouth, his gaze hardened as he smelled one of the apprentices. Completely oblivious. He thought, snarling slightly.
It was then they reached the fresh-kill pile. Nosing around, he gently picked up the furred body of a mouse and glanced at Frostbelly. "No, no one notice the elders having to get food for themselves." He muttered, sounding quite disgruntled. But the gleam in his eye told different. |
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Post by MiNTY♥ on Jun 5, 2009 17:42:17 GMT -5
"Or the queens." She added with a gentle growl as she slipped out of the fresh kill pile, where she heard Tigergrowl speaking. Her face felt stiff with her healing wound, would it leave a scar? Who knew? The wound along her side wasn't the easiest thing to deal with when you had kits too, it has been ripped open again more than once, and that wasn't very simple to deal with, especially when you had two young kits to look after. "Tigergrowl, what's say you take some time to entertain my two young ones? I need a good rest and some peace and quiet, I just need to relax for a while." She meowed. Her pupils widened gently, making her appear almost as sweet as she used to be. Of course, she would never be that sweet again, that was in the past, but it was still there inside her, somewhere. "How are both of you, Frostbelly, Tigergrowl?" She had only started to meow when she heard it pitter-patter of tiny paws behind her. She sighed and sucked in her breath for a moment or two. "Yes Sallowkit?" She asked, without having to turn around to tell which one of her kits it would be.
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Post by cat on Jun 11, 2009 15:34:52 GMT -5
Tigergrowl turned to look at the queen, blinking as he caught the familiar yet strange scent of Serenewinter. That scent had been gone for some time, and had returned a few days ago. Now, the soft and comforting smell of milk clung to her pelt like a burr does to fur. It was easy to tell, even for him, that she had delivered a litter of kits.
As the soft sound of tiny paws came up behind the queen, the old tom chuckled. So young, yet so rough. Every clan kit was prepared to live in this forest that made survival hard from the minute they were born. Tigergrowl knew the trip would be rough for Sallowkit, yet the journey was something the kit would never forget.
"Of course Serenewinter. Everyone needs time off. By the way, how are you feeling?" He meowed, dipping his head as his eyes burned with concern. |
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