`` Steep Forest Terra {Cipherclan}

[MiNTY♥]

Cipherclan is a large territory, and is split into two areas. For Cipherclan is located within a lush, thriving forest full of prey and life, but it is along the mountainside, therefor a steep slant all the way to the glacier, that continues on to flatten out once past the glacier. Most cats either use ancient dug out tunnels full of glowing stones to guide them through the territory, or use the trees, though some with expertise balance can walk along the forest floor.

[MiNTY♥]

Nettlescreech was up ahead of the patrol, he had already caught one squirrel, but Cipherclan could easily eat a lot more than just one squirrel. Dropping the furry creature and kicking dirt over it, he bunched his muscles and leaped up onto a branch. With a start, a chipmunk began to dash up the tree trunk, from below where he was, reaching out he caught his claw in its tail and threw it down, it hit the ground and he jumped down after it, catching it while it was still dizzy. As Bengalshriek came up behind him looking grumpy he flashed his teeth in a smirk and kicked dirt over his chipmunk too. Considering there had been no disturbance for only one night, the territory seemed to be bursting with fresh kill, like a fruit tree with all the ripe fruit you could think of. Stopping to scent the air, above the Tempestclan scent, he could only scent some stale mice. Sniffing around he finally came across a tiny mouse and quickly killed it with no bother, putting it with the rest of the prey, they were going to need to catch a lot more than this if they were to feed all of Cipherclan well. "Rabbitpaw, how good are you at catching prey in trees?" He asked the apprentice. He knew that Tempestclan cats did not have great experience with prey like chipmunks and squirrels, or moles. Well as far as he knew.

Bengalshriek watched as Nettlescreech disappeared up ahead and narrowed his eyes. He climbed the steep hill, his claws catching with every step he made so he was not sent tumbling backwards. He did not like this territory, he didn't like it one bit. Heading away from the rest of the patrol for a few moments he found a darkened area, where a trunk had a split in it, stopping to scent and listen he heard a mouse scuffling around. He waited, very still, for what seemed like moons, finally the mouse came out of the crack, paused, then began to run for it, but he was too quick for the little critter and crushed it under his large paws. Lifting it he dropped it with Nettlescreech's prey and kicked dirt over it. Hearing Nettlescreech his ears twitched, he would not himself ask the tom how to catch prey in trees, but he could listen in, learn a few things, he could not just go on trying to catch mice, as they were more rare in this territory, it would have been better had he been able to stick to his own.

[raid]

Divinemoon quickly picked her way along the terra. She was happy to be in the territory that she knew well and that was once her home. Quickly climbing a tree she picked her way across the branches, spotting a squirrel up ahead. She loved being in the trees. And down below her she spotted the handsome tom Bengalshriek. She smiled lightly as she maneuvered herself through the branches. She was quickly making her way towards the squirrel and took a leap to the branch it was on. One of her paws caught the animal as she hit the branch, another paw digging her claws into it. Quickly grabbing the prey with her mouth she hauled herself onto the branch. Safe and sound. Her sleek gray pelt was ruffled lightly as she picked a semi-clear spot to drop the squirrel down. Of course it was right above Bengalshriek and she let the animal drop from her mouth, aiming to hit the tom. She of course was no great aim but hopefully it would hit him on his head. Laughing slightly she moved towards the trunk of the tree she was on and scaled down it gracefully. "My bad." She snickered lightly.

[cat]

Rabbitpaw growled ever so slightly as he watched both the chipmunk and the squirrel fall to Nettlescreech's claws. He wasn't used to tree-climbing prey; songbirds and mice were the things he had been taught how to catch. That wasn't even songbirds in trees really either. As he opened his mouth to retort, he paused. Why make himself look stupid by saying that he could catch them quicker than a CelestialClan cat? They were, he had to admit, possibly some of the best tree hunters in the clans. He would only make himself look like a fool if he let these words be heard. He may be short-tempered, but he wasn't dumb.
Closing his mouth he lowered his eyes, angrily pulling up some of the short grass with his claws. Oh, how he hated admitting this. "I don't know much. TempestClan apprentices don't spend much time learning how to hunt in stupid trees." He murmured resentfully, his voice so soft it was almost too low to hear.

[lily ♫]

She was running quickly towards what she knew as home. Opening her mouth to scent her surroundings, she caught the scent of a patrol, Brittlenimbus, and of CelestialClan. It was comforting stepping on the slanted land, and Foxkiss was happy for the first time since the Gathering. Of course, speaking with Brittlenimbus had been fun, but being where she belonged? Pure heaven. She slipped into a tunnel that was hidden underneath a tuft of tall grasses, and she waited for Brittlenimbus there, for she had caught the scent of TempestClan cats too.

[cat]

His eyes blazing with excitement, Brittlenimbus paused at what had once been CelestialClan's border with TempestClan. This section was still clean; the scents weren't mixed just yet. Apparently the patrol hadn't reached this far to destroy what had once been StarClan's law. As he stepped over the border, the warrior felt a rush of happiness. The familiar sights and sounds of the territory that he had called home all his life comforted him, wrapping around him like a mother would to a kit. Drinking in the scents frantically as if they would disappear, he leaped toward one of the trees that had been used by cats of all generations for countless moons.
Brittlenimbus let out a satisfied sigh and curled his tail around the branch. Closing his eyes as the wind ruffled his fur, the tom felt as if he could fly. "It's good to be home." He meowed, unaware he had said anything outloud. Oddly enough, Foxkiss was nowhere to be found. He'd find her in a moment. Right now he was busy reliving memories of his past.

[MiNTY♥]

Bengalshriek twitched his ears as a falling squirrel managed to hit him on the head. He clenched his teeth lightly but after a deep breath brushed it off. He tossed his head back and smirked. "Someone has a good aim, trying to knock me out?" He teased. He watched as both cats had easily caught the prey in the trees, and Nettlescreech was already going to teach Rabbitpaw these skills. He hated himself for this, but it was all part of his plan. The Celestialclan cats would like him. "Think one of you could teach an old dog some new tricks?" He asked. He couldn't believe he was asking for their help, but one, he would know how to hunt in trees and his clan mates wouldn't, and two, he wanted them to like him for it to all work out. He looked over at Rabbitpaw and gave him an encouraging smile, yes, this was what he wanted. "Divinemoon? Any help from a skilled warrior?" He purred.

Nettlescreech nodded. "Well you might want to learn, considering this is also your territory now." He meowed and dropped down onto the ground beside the apprentice. "And you can show all your clan mates that you know how to hunt in trees and they wont, and you can laugh at them." He encouraged, buttering the prospect up a little. "Even Bengalshriek wants to learn, and look how much older he is." He meowed. It might take a bit of patience to get his apprentice on the road to being a brilliant warrior, but he would be. "Now if you already know the hunter's crouch its not hard at all, you just need to be a bit more nimble on your paws." He instructed. Leaping easily up onto one of the lower branches, he did a simple hunters crouch, while slowly starting to move forward along the branch. He leaped down landing beside Rabbitpaw. "Now try that on some of the lower branches, don't want you getting hurt." He meowed.

[lily ♫]

ooc: sorry cat! i've been lazy all week. Dx

With a quiet giggle, Foxkiss watched Brittlenimbus up in one of the trees. There was a grin plastered on her face from ear to ear, and she felt quite giddy by being home. "Ohh, Brittlenimbus!" She called in a mysteriously airy tone. It was hide and seek, wasn't it? Another giggle erupted from her, and then she slunk further into the tunnel. Turning her head and looked behind her, and saw a twinkle of light. Scenting nothing, she just passed it off as a hallucination and cooed once more to Brittlenimbus. "Silly tom." She prolonged her vowels, and it seemed as if she was whining, but it was much different.

[/color]

[cat]

Rabbitpaw gave Bengalshriek a quick nod as he caught the older tom's eye. Apparently Nettlescreech was right; the other warrior was asking for help. Perhaps help could be used...even if it did come from another former clan. The young apprentice shifted his weight and watched his mentor leap upwards so gracefully it was as if he was flying. For a second Rabbitpaw felt annoyed; why was it so much harder than it looked? Then he banished the thought as the warrior smoothly landed beside him.
Blinking, the brown tom turned to look at the tree. Narrowing his eyes, he lashed his tail once and gathered his legs beneath him. Suddenly kicking against the ground he headed upwards at what he thought was a smooth leap. Claws sank into bark as he caught hold of the trunk. So he wasn't at the point of jumping as high as a CelestialClan cat, but he might be later on. Scrambling up to a low branch, the tom began to stalk imaginary prey, his steps slightly nervous as a slight wind blew. He felt off-balance in the tree like this; it felt as if he would tumble off any second.

Brittlenimbus's eyes flew open as he heard a soft coo. At first it sounded like a bird, but he wasn't certain. It had a touch of a sly, giggling tone to it. It had to be Foxkss; there was no other answer. Turning to look around him, he parted his jaws once again and took a deep breath. Her scent was still there, but it was hard to tell from where it was coming from; the wind was too strong. Gently leaping to the ground, he paused in his steps and began to head forward, scanning the area with an alert expression. He'd find her; he knew he would. "Silly tom? I think not. Distracted maybe, but not silly." He meowed, a smile curling onto his face.

[raid]

The she-cat's smile grew greatly as she plunked the squirrel right on top of his head. She watched for a moment, expecting a rise out of the tom. She knew that Tempestclan cats were known to be violent. She knew that this was dangerous, it was like playing with fire. It was as if she was asking to be burned by emotionally and physically coming in contact with this tom. But something inside her kept egging her on. Begging her to push the limits further and further, watching till the branch snapped and Bengalshriek would show his true colors. But what happened if it turned on her, could her playful and easy-going personality be changed into something so cruel. She was already pushing her clan-mates with the stubbornness she held and the sometimes terrible attitude she pulled. But the other times she was goodhearted. Would this tom bring out the beat within her, the one already clawing at the insides, wanting to get out and be unleashed? Could he unlock the many locks holding it down and keeping it within. She knew it could be done.....but would she let him get close enough to try? So many parts of her said no, but the parts that said yes outnumbered the other half. Smirking at his words she laughed almost wickedly. It was a teasing laugh, one that accompanied a roll of the eyes and a soft smirk. "Oh it's my help you want now is it?" She purred, making her way down the tree. Her nimble paws carried her down gracefully and with a final leap she was beside him. Taking a few steps to slow herself down she brushed past Bengalshriek. "Watch closely tom, I may not show you again." Though part of her wanted to get close and be nice, she couldn't help but let her voice take a hissing tone as it leaked its way through clenched teeth. He was after all the enemy in her territory. She now had to deal with him and he would be trapped in her fur all day. Taking a deep breath she let the anger and malicious intent seep from her system. "Sorry...it's just....enemies before, clan-mates now...ya know?" Her voice was soft as she spoke and she looked up at the tree. She quickly and easily jumped to the first low branch, doing exactly as Nettlescreech had done, pacing along it at a brisk pace before jumping to the ground once more. "Center your weight and be nimble, though I can't see how will manage that with a big tom like you." She mewed softly smirking as she did so. Let's get this show on the road.

[MiNTY♥]

Bengalshriek chuckled a little. "Well you wont want to make enemies with a tom like me." He hissed playfully, but laughed it off, but this was time to be serious. "Well done Rabbitpaw." He meowed before turning to watch Divinemoon as she proceeded to prance about. "I do that on the ground when I am stalking prey, it can't be that hard." He meowed. Leaping onto the tree he joined Rabbitpaw on the branch. He landed on it with good precision at least. Pretending he was on the ground he did exactly what he would do what stalking prey. Moving across the branch slowly at first, he got a little spooked when he looked at the ground. He hissed softly. "Its the height I don't like." He hissed, feeling uncomfortable he jumped down. "Pretend you are on the ground Rabbitpaw." He called up the the tom, as that was when he had found it easier.

Nettlescreech nodded. "It will feel like that at first, but try to take your mind off how high up you are, which to be honest, is not very high up." He meowed. "Pretend you are stalking prey up there." He called up. He took notice of Divinemoon as she was showing Bengalshriek what to do. He chuckled and the stiff tom. "Not quite." He chuckled up and the dappled amber tom. "Most importantly you don't want to look dowm." He meowed, probably a little too late in Bengalshriek's case.

[cat]

Hearing the compliments, Rabbitpaw gave a curt nod. He didn't look at either tom; he was too nervous to take his eyes off of the branch. He feared falling if he did. Imagining the plunge to the ground, the apprentice shuddered. That doesn't exactly sound like fun. He thought, swallowing. Sliding forward another inch or so, the earth-colored tom squinted, trying to imagine that a mouse was in front of him. It was rather hard, on a background of sky, but it was possible. Somewhat. "I can do this." He murmured, taking a deep breath. Forcing his claws to retract slightly, Rabbitpaw slid farther into his hunter's crouch and advanced forward. Though considerably slower on the branch then in the tree, the move was somewhat good.
Lashing his tail, the apprentice decided to go one step further. A warning shouted in his mind, but he blocked it out. He could do this. Steadying himself, the tom leaped forward. For a few moments the world seemed to slow as his paws landed on a too-thin branch. The twig, already weak from it's deteriorated thinness, snapped. Eyes widening, the apprentice scrambled for a hold, just barely being able to dig a set of claws into a branch. His back legs swinging, he watched as the small branch plunged to the ground. Swallowing his fear, he pulled himself back up onto the safety of the thick branch and crouched down, trying to calm his racing heart. That had been a few pawsteps too close for his liking. "Um...How was that?" He called, a somewhat shaky tone entering the joke. All right, so he had gotten a bit cocky. But that was to be expected from him.

[raid]

Divinemoon laughed lightly. Her graceful movement taking her around the tom a few times as she whispered words. "So the big bad tom has some heights does he?" Her eyes locked onto his frame as she quickly leaped onto the lowest branch. In a few swift movements she scaled up the tree to the next branch and found herself jumping to another. Standing almost frozen in place she called down to where the other cats were, her words directed towards Nettlescreech. "Looks like Tempestclan cats aren't as fearless as we thought!" She chuckled lightly her voice was teasing and playful. She was comfortable around Bengalshriek. Almost to comfortable in a sense. "Well Bengalshriek, what are you waiting for? " A challenge was set by her tone of voice, her proud posture and the glimmer in her eyes.

[lily ♫]

ooc: might as well have taken a machine gun and shot roleplay in the face. ;D

Hiding in the simple tunnel, Foxkiss took a quick peek out of it. Spotting Brittlenimbus with his back away from her, she leaped out of the small confinement and silently stalked behind the tabby and ivory mix. In a quick, fluid motion, the ginger somali she-cat jumped at Brittlenimbus, knocking him to the side. "What took you so long? I swear, thirty moons could have passed!" Laughter was in her delicate teasing tone as she looked up to the handsome tom before her. Thoughts wandering for only a moment, she wondered if he considered her a friend. Probably not yet, of course. We've only been close for..never? Flicking her tail, she dismissed the idea, and let herself calm down from the excitement of being home once more. Watching carefully around her, she felt uneasy as the scent of TempestClan overwhelmed her and there was a rustle in the grass behind her. Hearing the soft call of a bird coming from that direction, she let out a quiet murmur. "Just a bird.."

[cat]

Flicking his tail, the tom lowered his head to sniff at the entrance of a hidden tunnel. A trace of Foxkiss's scent still lingered there. She couldn't be far; she had just been there, and he had heard her.
The tom looked up, surveyed the terrain with mis-matched eyes. He could see why the territory was unliked by so many others. It slanted severely to the point he had to stand off-balance. For any other cat outside his clan, this was just odd. But for him, it was automatic. It was an everyday thing, like hunting and eating. Being taught from an early age to live on this territory, it was odd to be on any flat surface for very long. At Gatherings, he was willing to tolerate it. But anywhere else? He wouldn't be there for very long.
His ears twitched around at the moment before Foxkiss attacked. He heard something like wind, yet it wasn't wind. I wonder... Was the only thing Brittlenimbus could think before the she-cat came out of nowhere. Landing on his side, he lay there, winded. What in the name of StarClan had THAT been? Twisting his head to look around, he narrowed his eyes and purred as he saw Foxkiss. Of course. He should have known.
The tom stood up, shaking his fur out and replying, "I suppose you wouldn't have taken as long." The tone, laced with sarcasm, had a hint of humor added to it as well.