all tomorrow's deals are done. {lark}

[LYNX ♥]

As it always had each day, the dawn compelled him away from camp and away from the warmth of his cozy thatched-grass nest. It was a mystery to him, but it was a force he found that he could never ignore, like a siren song, gently urging him into the pre-sun glow that washed the moorland so that he could feel the moist tendrils of dew-laced grass tickling his strong, long limbs and the vulnerable fur of his belly. He felt the very sensation at this time, almost feeling where he had tread so many times before on his routine morning escapes. However, on this particular morning, the short-furred tom simply shook out his black-patched white coat and set off in a different direction. He carelessly flung his legs out into an easy lope which carried him gracefully across the rolling hills of his home. Fleetfoot allowed a soft purr to escape his throat between his rhythmic breaths, matching the cadence of his run. The lakeshore, painted salmon and velvet blue in the midst of the coming dawn, sprawled before him in an instant. Normally, he would venture off into the tightly-woven patches of pine trees before veering toward the glacier, but he had decided the lake would be a far more refreshing site, for once.
Sure enough, Fleetfoot was far from disappointed by his decision. Gradually, his pace slowed. From a graceful lope he bumbled into a canter and finally a slow trot that brought his toes directly into the cool lakewater. From his dampened paws, ripples tumbled into the glassy surface and distrupted the reflections that had lingered there moments before. The tom's own bright eyes were suddenly hidden away beneath his lids, allowing him to take a moment to himself. The warrior drew a deep breath and released it slowly, then once more revealed his emerald gaze and sat. He curled his tail quite neatly across his still-wet forepaws and inclined his head into the sky. Absently, the tom noted that the morning was ripe - his clanmates would be awake by now. Perhaps he would come upon the dawn patrol, and that would be just fine. Then again, Fleetfoot knew he'd be perfectly content in his own company. Once more, the tom closed his eyes. His mind wandered into another dimension.

[lark]

frostdawn;

;the rolling plains of her homeland

called her out of the misty tendrils of her dream, just like they always did. The cold breeze that heralded the morning rolled off the moors, bringing with it the fresh smell of morning dew and the sweet, musty odor of the dried grass crumpled under her petite frame. Her front paw twitched, and claws flexed and retreated back into their sheaths, while a slit of frosty blue peered from creases of dark brown, then widened to reveal a shining azure ellipse, slashed with a line of deepest black that quickly expanded to adapt to the dim interior of the medicine cat's den.

For a moment, Frostdawn lay perfectly still, breath stirring the thick-furred flanks in unison as they rose up and down, the only movement showing that life still burned through her veins. Then she rose, front left paw pawing the air slightly as her whole body moved in a smooth arc, vertebrae sloping down to her neck as she stretched, stiff muscles loosening as she blinked sand from her eyes. Then she gave her shoulder a few quick licks as to dispel a few strands of fur that had fluffed up in the night, and looked around the camp.

Activity had not yet graped the sleeping bundles that lay scattered around the dry, dusty floor; only one nest had been vacated, but the medicine cat was far too tired to tell exactly whose it was. Striding rather grumpily over to an old, hollow pine-tree log that lay a few tail-lengths away from the main camp, near the painfully slow stream that was a still as a puddle, she nosed inside, locating each scented bundle with the aroma that drifted from the fragrant leaves, and dragging them out with her claws. Appraising them, all seemed well; she noted the lack of catnip, but that was to be expected; there was none growing on the territory as far as she knew. Sighing a little, she pushed them all back. She would just have to hope nobody caught greencough; there hadn't been a serious outbreak this year, but she had to keep an extra eye on everyone, especially the elders. As soon as one started coughing, they all did.

Suddenly, her stomach growled threataningly, and she gave the fresh-kill pile a quick glance, only to feel her spirits sink as she noted the supplies were dangerously low. The hunting patrols hadn't been catching much recently, strangely; it was as if newleaf hadn't come at all. She nosed the last few marigold petals into the store, and set out for the rolling grassland. If the prey wouldn't come to her, then she would come to it.

The rabbit's black eyes stared into her own, tiny paws scrabbling at her on as she pinned the writhing brown-furred mammal in the waving grass that surrounded her and her prey. Finish it. The primal command rang in her subconciousness, blanking the rest of her mind, her memory, everything she knew except the rush of the air and the faint touch of bloodlust tinging her emotions as she lunged for the vunerable neck, and bit down, cleaning snapping the neck in two. Half a second hung as the light faded from its eyes, then she picked up the fresh-kill, and stood up proudly, the sun's rays that now creeped over the hillside sparking in her eyes as she turned away frm where the glittering expanse of the lake lay, and towards a faint cluster of tangled pine wood, where she could eat in peace and check once again for the faintest sign of catnip. But as she started towards the chosen spot, she caught a glimpse of something moving near the shoreline. Stopping, and squinting, she saw a shadow of...a cat, settling down close to where the waves lapped on the shingle shore.

Intruder? She doubted it; what kind of invader into Zephyrclan territory would sit by the lake, in plain view of everyone? Remembering the empty nest, she smiled faintly, and turned towards the lake instead, still carrying the large rabbit that swayed dangerously in her jaws. Guess there's someone in the Clan who gets up even earlier than I do!

As she neared the pebble-dashed shore, she noted the familliar white and black coat of Fleetfoot, his eyes closed and body quite still. She approached him slightly nervously from the side; was he asleep, or just daydreaming? Finally making up her mind, she tapped his shoulder lightly with the tip of her tail, and settled down beside him. 'Hello, Fleetfoot. Saw you down here and thought I'd pass by.' She pushed the rabbit towards him slightly. 'Breakfast?' [/blockquote]

_____________

ooc; honestly, actually didn't mean for this to be so long! XP sorry!

[LYNX ♥]

Hello Fleetfoot,
A soft, feminine voice took flight upon the crisp morning air, meeting his ears with a start. His eyes snapped open, gazing almost hysterically into space until the steadily rising sun glanced down from the heavens and poured into them, forcing the tom into a resigned squint. Had he just imagined the voice calling him, some sort of spectre from his daydreams urging him to awaken, or was there a clanmate out there somewhere, summoning him? Suddenly, though, the tom gasped. Of course! It was Frostdawn. The she-cat was settled at his side, her flowing dark fur tumbling gently around her, looking quite serene as usual. "Oh!" Fleetfoot blurted instintively, then broke into a sheepish chuckle, whiskers pulled tight against his cheeks in embarassment. The predominantly pale warrior dipped his head to the she-cat, his clover-green gaze meeting her deep blue one for only an instant before his vision was averted hastily to study his paws rather intently.
"S'rry Frostdawn," He uttered another quiet laugh, curling his tailtip quite delightedly despite his awkward disposition. "Musta dosed off.." It wasn't often he recieved company during the mornings! Given, the sun was well-rising now, most of his clanmates would be awake, they didn't frequently wander to the lake unless assigned. It was a pleasant surprise to meet the medicine cat here, with, praise StarClan, a plump hare in a pile at her paws. "Er, breakfast? Absolutely," the tom purred, finally lifting his sable-patched head with a warm smile stretched across his maw.
As if on cue, an echo of thunder sounded from Fleetfoot's belly. "I haven't a bite to eat yet. Why don't we share? 'Cellent kill, I might add." Mulling it over for a brief moment, the tom added softly, "I'd no idea you hunted so well, being a medicine cat and all. No offense, of course. I guess it never occurred t'me." He babbled, then allowed his voice to trail away into the soft lapping of the lake on stone and sand. The tom shook his head, a sort of reminiscent smile flickered across his features before disappearing into his usual cheerful expression, "It's a wonder I'm not a medicine cat. After all, I'm practically useless in battle." He purred, deep voice thick with mirth, not regret. Finally, the warrior emerged from his reverie and gestured toward the rabbit's carcass with a forepaw, "After you, of course. Ladies first."


//yep. short. haha, figures.

[steps `]

this thread is dead~