on the wind* open

[aero ❥]

runningfox

There was a glorious expanse of heaven before him, the awe of it consuming him like a tsunami crashing down over his head. He could feel it soak through his fur, into his skin. The cool breeze that traveled the lush rolling hills swarmed around him, ruffling his pale orange fur. His spirit lifted with it, threatening to sail away on the invisible tide. The pink and red horizon blossomed out across the endless blue sky, yellow rays of the sun shooting from the unknown to streak across the pale ocean he gazed at in silence. It was a countdown of seconds until the golden ring flowered above the fine line of ground. As it first stuck it's head from the hazel earth, a flash surged the landscape, blinding the tom. He stared, hypnotized by it's awesome brilliance for some time. He watched how the moor changed around him, how it brightened and shadowed with new definition. The rolling hills seemed more alive than ever before.

It dawned on Runningfox that he would do anything for his clan. For his territory he called home. He truly loved this desolate place like he loved nothing else in the world. It was a special type of emotional attachment he typically didn't concern himself with, but this new day hadn't started typically either.
With new energy, the warrior took off in long, powerful strides down the hillside, speeding through the whispering grass and past a gurgling stream. He slowed to a walk, paws silent against the ground when he entered a low forest of heather. Crouched, his lengthy tail curled, the dull orange rings coming together to look like a pale vortex. So far his luck with hunting hadn't caught him anything, and now he had to take matters into his own paws. Somewhere in this heather was a warren, he knew this from previous exploration. There was a good chance the inhabitants would still be out since it was only dawn, probably sleepy and feeding before retreating into their tunnels during the heat of the day.

Prowling closer, a fresh scent of hare made his mouth water. Runningfox could see about three fox-lengths away was a small a clearing. His ears perked up at the sound of tussling undergrowth ahead, giving away that something of fair size was close. Inching forward, he could see clearly now. Two bucks were fighting in the dust, kicking each other with powerful back legs. Their squeals of pain and fury seemed to echo. His instincts told him it was a battle for mating rights, meaning there was a doe close by as well. Smirking, he'd settle the score for them. He bolted out into the fray, digging his claws into the first writhing body he met. The sheer look of shock in both of the prey's eyes said his attack would be successful. Not being greedy he only took down one, letting the other slip away into the surrounding heather. It kind of felt unfair, catching them in a private moment like that. He loved a good chase.

His ears and stripes glowed like flames in the sun as he left the purple field behind. The glow grew fainter as it traveled down his body until it vanished and dullness took its place. His fur had always been intriguing, but he never thought too hard about it. It was just fur. What he did think about was nice, cold drink of water from a stream. His tongue felt like a mouse's pelt.

AND SHE SAID, "KISS ME GOODNIGHT SWEET PRINCE."

[Dawn]

* STORMTRICK

[/size][/font]
If I could I relive those days
I know the one thing that would never change


The forest, no, the woods, was cool under the icy dawn, a single bright eye gazing down at the waking felines from a chilling blue sky. As it had always been, the many twinkling warriors of Starclan disappeared as the ball of light appeared, radiating energy and life. It was the center of life, Stormtrick knew as it let his dusty black pelt; it was what kept the cats alive, what kept the forest alive. He lifted his muzzle toward the sky now, beneath the sparse pine trees, and drank in the frigid scents of dawn, slowly deciphering them as if reading the story of the moorlands. He could taste the scent of rabbit... of bird... water, and wind, and ice... and feline. Very close, and very familiar. His young friend, who was in fact nearly his junior by half his years, Runningfox. Stormtrick supposed he was out courting some other youthful Zephyrclan female, perhaps the beautiful Spectrelight, or the graceful Featherbone; or even the Zephyrclan leader herself, quite young and eighteen moons Stormtrick's junior.

The loss of Slatestar was still a raw wound on his heart. Though their hearts had been no closer than friends, he had known her his entire life, had trained with her as an apprentice and played with her as a kit. His respect for her had grown, and he was still extremely proud of her. He missed her, just as surely as the grass missed the quiet zephyr when no wind blew. The other cats in the clan knew of his devotion to the she-cat, and expected him to reject Swishstar as a leader, to consider her far too young yet to make life altering decisions. But he remained quiet on the topic, expressing only quiet respect for the new leader while he mourned with equal quietness.

Strolling into the light, along the moorland, Stormtrick followed his senses and the sound of a creek brushing lovingly over stones, kissing their gray and red faces and turning them a lovely dark color beneath the twinkling water. He dipped into shadows and his eyes began to seek out Runningfox. An odd, utter silence was in his throat, perhaps from thinking about Slatestar, or about some other sorrowful thing that had come to him. He did not dare call out and break the silence, so continued on his walk until he found the young warrior. It was then that he managed to raise his voice over the suddenly harsh sounds of silence, quietly still. "I thought you might be out here wooing some female,"[/color] He called in light tones, dusk colored tail waving in greeting. "But it seems I've been disappointed yet again!"[/color]

[/size] [/blockquote]

[aero ❥]

runningfox

The sound of a stream had already lifted his spirits, making him imagine the cool liquid being lapped up by his pink tongue, running down his throat like the first rain after a long, dry green-leaf. His thirst finally quenched. Sometimes he could be so self centered. His mind eventually wandered past the stream after a few more heavy steps, thinking about the looks he could get from hauling in what must hopefully be the biggest catch of the day so far. He would strut, confidently, towards the fresh-kill pile, placing the hare down on top with pride. He was sure the she-cats would be looking by now, and on cue he would greet a fellow warrior, maybe a respected senior, and nonchalantly flex, his muscles rippling under his coat. He couldn't help but smile at his day dream.

When a familiar voice broke the silence, his mischevious smile stretched wider. "In spirit, Stormtrick, in spirit." He meowed, dropping the hare from his mouth. He assured himself that later he would be up to his old tricks. Any friend was a good friend to Runningfox, and it happened he favored the older tom even better than that. Something about him just clicked with the flirtatious orange tabby. "Must not have been able to scent you above the prey." He added, nodding towards his catch. "Pretty impressive eh? Caught it at a lucky time. Maybe it'll earn me some bonus points." His sly tone suggested what exactly he meant, no further explanation needed. He loved the way he worked.

"I could show you the spot, help make up for being the disappointment I currently am." He suggested, a reply wave of his tail in late greeting. There was a distant tingling in his paw, making him glance down to find one of his forepaws planted firmly in an ant line. The tiny black dots squirmed and crawled in the pale fur, not able to reach the skin but not able to free themselves either. Giving it a hard shake, he stepped over the angry insect line and stood in a spot free of any visible bugs, making sure it was first combed throughly with his sharp yellow gaze. Looking back at the warrior, he shrugged, grin turning sheepish.

AND SHE SAID, "KISS ME GOODNIGHT SWEET PRINCE."

[Dawn]

* STORMTRICK

[/size][/font]
If I could I relive those days
I know the one thing that would never change


He had gazed upon the young tom for a few moments, catching his rather dumb, lofty grin, and snorted at it, padding closer with a quick snap of his tail. It was difficult to tell just what he was thinking of, but no doubt it involved females in some way. He had made it this far without settling into Zephyrclan with a she-cat, and he didn't see why they were so very important to Runningfox. Certainly Stormtrick thought that the clan females were lovely, but more likely than not they were more interested in young fellows like his friend; and that suited him fine, because Stormtrick was well adapted to a solitary life. He enjoyed the company of clanmates, but that was that; sometimes it seemed to others as if he behaved like he had had a mate all his life, and this was why he showed little interest for it; but of course, the mature gray tabby had not. He simply had never developed the taste for being a flirt like many of the others, and was devoted to a life of hunting and fighting for Zephyrclan, his one love.

The tom took note of the large hare, and thought not of himself eating it, but of how much value it would be to the clan. They would see new hope with this, certainly, just as he did in the new warmth of the sun. But still he was troubled... "It's a good catch, though your intentions are less than pure. With whom do you hope to earn 'bonus points?'"[/color] Runningfox was a good friend, if quite different from himself- but it had been said that opposites attracted, and perhaps this was why they had become good friends. Not that Stormtrick was especially particular, or prickly; he tried to remain friendly with all of the cats in his clan, though at times it was rather difficult.

"Well, you certainly do know how to catch the medicine cats after your hide, getting your paws covered in ant bites." He rumbled in a deep tone, a purr of growling amusement hinting beneath his disapproval. His stepping forward had made Runningfox even more visible, though Stormtrick's stern blue eyes were anything but failing at his young age, albeit older than his companion. He was glad to see that the other cat was in good health, though he hadn't expected much physical or mental depression to be set on him. The dusky black cat scarcely ever saw Runningfox without some sort of grin upon his orange maw. "I would be glad for you to show me, all the same." He relented after a moment's pause, flicking one ear to the side in good humor.



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[aero ❥]

runningfox

Runningfox was momentarily distracted once again watching some birds fly overhead. Something had startled them - maybe more fighting bucks? It was certainly a good season. His favorite, actually. When Stormtrick spoke, it made the orange stripped warrior internally sigh. Not in an annoyed way, but a 'we've got lots of work to do' way instead. "With the ladies you old dog. And my intentions have never been pure, what else is new?" He meowed, flicking his tail in amusement. Cocking his head in thought at the other warrior's comment about his ant attack, he almost laughed. "Just another ploy my friend." He answered, able to turn almost anything (good or bad) into a tool to help him flirt. Ant bites? Aww poor baby! Some she-cat out there would feel sorry for him. He'd play it up until they did.

"It would be my pleasure then, but first, my throat feels like a riverbed. I need some water." He picked up his hare, heading toward the sound of a stream close by. He didn't wait to see if Stormtrick would follow, and before long Runningfox was almost dipping his whole head into the clear rushing liquid. Like he had imagined, it was the best drink of water he'd had in moons. Feeling refreshed, he stuck his paw in, feeling the smooth reddish grey stones under paw. It ended up one or two of the insects had bitten him good, the burning itching feeling screaming for relief. Yellow eyes warm, he surveyed the area, recalling the warren was somewhere northeast of here. Yawning, it was still so early, he wasn't used to being up at this time. He usually woke up around noon, prowling the long shadows of dusk and working hard during the night. Not to say he was lazy, no, his competitive side wouldn't let that happen. He just wasn't always the first to provide the clan with a meal.

His stomach fluttered with hunger, having neglected the few stale old pieces of prey from the day before that no one wanted. He was running on empty as he inhaled, taking in scents of the moor. Something silver flashed in the waters of the stream, making his head snap to. His soaking paw pinned the creature, flicking it up out of the water and onto the thin grassy bank. It was a minnow. It wasn't much, but enough to keep him going. Devouring it, the tail disappeared into his mouth as he tilted his head back, hardly chewing he swallowed the tiny fish nearly whole. "Mmm." He purred, taking his paw out of the water and giving it a few licks. "Now that spot!" His tail flicked contently, glance apologetic. If he hadn't gotten a drink he might have died, (maybe not quite...) but he still didn't like to keep the tom waiting.

AND SHE SAID, "KISS ME GOODNIGHT SWEET PRINCE."

[Dawn]

* STORMTRICK

[/size][/font]
If I could I relive those days
I know the one thing that would never change


Stormtrick heard, rather than saw, the birds, one giving a loud call, and as he saw Runningfox watching them, he too tilted his head upward to take in the scene. When his friend spoke again, the older tom snorted rather loudly and in a clearly irritated way, his tail tip twitching. "Yes, mousebrain, but what females in particular?"[/color] He had never figured what she-cats he favored; it seemed he was eager to please any cat of the feminine gender, but Stormtrick didn't know why. What was it that drove him? His ego, so that he might boast being- friendly- with all of the she-cats in Zephyrclan? That didn't seem all that impressive to him. He already held all of the cats as his friends, and he had no interest in fathering kits. Whatever Runningfox's great deal was in taking every interest to please the 'ladies' was a mystery to him.

Taking the orange tom's over exaggeration with ease, the darkly colored tom was already following him to the cool stream that he had heard earlier. He stepped up beside the tabby to take a few laps of the cheerfully rushing water, babbling into the shade of the early day. The water moved quickly enough that he was unable to catch any hint of his reflection, the image quickly shattered as water poured down through the clearing, following the curves of the streambed. Stormtrick raised his head again, dark muzzle dripping, and sent a few droplets flying as he shook them away. He did not respond to Runningfox's yawn with one of his own, for it was normal for the warrior to take part in dawn patrol, and he woke naturally with and just before the rising of the sun. He knew of the other tom's habits, and chose to make no remark; no tsk tsking that he should wake earlier of any sort.

Stormtrick himself had not eaten yet, but he waited patiently while the minnow was quickly eaten. That was how the tom was. He was the patient type, and even if it seemed a bit sorrowful, he always seemed to be waiting. It wasn't sorrowful, though; he made the best of the waiting times, enjoyed the feeling of grass under his paws and the blue sky stretching overhead. He admired that the tom did his best to be quick, though those possessing more youth than he could certainly be a bit selfish at times. "Ah, good. A plump rabbit will be well needed at camp. I expect there will be more kits soon, too, hmm?"[/color]



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[lily ♫]

ORIOLEFLASH**

my words are sharper than the fiercest warrior's claws

[/font]

Dancing across the grassy moors of ZephyrClan was nearly a hobby for each of its Warriors. For Orioleflash, this was extremely true. No matter what the weather was like or how exhausted she might be, her white-splashed paws stretched out in leaping strides just as her white-splashed maw formed an odd little smile. Exploring the lands she forever seemed to roam was something that brought the cranky she-cat great joy on just about any day. Fresh breezes laced with the sweet aromas of budding flowers and new types of greenery, they pleased the she-cat's dainty nose until she caught the untimely musk of male clanmates.

Before the she-cat knew it, her paws had carried her closer to the toms, and after further scenting, Orioleflash had confirmed that Runningfox and Stormtrick stood nearby, a trickling stream rushing slowly nearby. Their rumbling voices intermixed as the Warriors discussed she-cats in quite patronizing tones. Dipping down closer to the ground (really, the tiny she-cat had no reason to), she waited just a few heartbeats before emerging from the heather.

With her decorated face divided up into different sections of bright orange tabby markings and black, Orioleflash let no emotion come over it. Instead, she kept a neutral face and acted as if not a single cat stood between her than the bubbling source of water. Stepping calmly, collected, and quite carefully toward the water with grace, she closed her eyes momentarily and stuck her nose up with a snobby air. It was then that her typically flawless gait was disturbed by a misplaced pebble and the she-cat was sent flying from her stumble, right into the stream. "Dear StarClan!" She hissed in pure agony, her back now entirely submerged and her paws pointed up in the air.

If she could have, Orioleflash would have coddled her now injured paw and silently wept a tear or two, but she was in no present position to do either of the actions. Instead, the she-cat openly glared at the two toms. "If I hear a single chortle, I will rip all your fur off!" Spat the now wound up calico she-cat in her usual angry tone.

Turning her body over, her obsidian patches were sleeker than ever now filled with the water of one ZephyrClan's streams. Inwardly groaning, the she-cat shook herself like a Twoleg's dog might and stepped lightly out of the stream on the same bank as the toms. The wind was cool and the temperature was no where near as fine as it had been last time Orioleflash had taken a dip. Wading in the lake was one thing, but in the stream, it was all the same level of water. In this particular source of running water, it had successfully reached her underbelly even when she stood up on the very tips of her paws on the highest spots of the stream. Muttering under her breath, the she-cat openly shivered, and quite fiercely at that.

Never had the wind been so relentlessly harsh to her, but it wasn't even greenleaf yet. Swallowing her sour thoughts, the she-cat stared at the toms wish disdain. "I t-take it n-neither of y-you are great at f-fishing she-cat out of s-streams." She stuttered, teeth chattering violently. Oh, what'd she'd give for one of them to stand beside her and press into her for warmth, but being the little spitfire she was, that would most likely not happen. Locking her bitter words up for the moment, she resolved to defiantly shiver and glower at her clanmates with utter ease.

ooc: ohmigod i love her. this is so much better than my original post. <3

[aero ❥]

runningfox

Runningfox flicked his tail restlessly, suffering from a minor case of ADD he couldn't stay still for long. Realizing what Stormtrick had meant in the first place, he brushed off minor embarrassment. "The attractive kind preferably, but most any will do. It is the sport of it I'm looking for." He meowed, eyes glazing over to see the invisible faces of about every she-cat in Zephyrclan, even some outside, flash through his head. Ahhhhhh yes. A few stood out, those ones either the females that have been able to escape his alluring presence, or the ones he crowned as trophies. The ones no one would expect to be trapped in his seducing web.

Breaking his thoughts, his friend's next words shattered his femme concentration. Ugh. "If Starclan has any mercy at all, no." He mumbled, glancing at the tom with a mysterious glint in his eyes. The downfall of being a player like himself, you always had to consider kits. Not that he hated the squirming, relentless little balls of fluff, he just didn't want them. Not now. He had too much to do, to many goals to conquer, to many battles to claim victory in. She-cats to hit. "What about yo - ooohhhhh." His words instantly slurred into nothing as a beautiful she-cat stepped into view. She was rather delicious eye candy. He racked his brain to place a name to the slender, wide-eyed beauty. Hazelsky....Featherbone.....damn it what is it....?

"Orioleflash...!" It crossed his lips so lowly it would be impossible for even Stormtrick who was close to him to pick it up. He remembered every possible piece of information he had on her. She was easily irritated, loyal, fierce, angry, loud, didn't like to be called small.... Fairly hot... This was a perfect time for her to come in. He had his great catch with him, a respected older (not old though!) warrior, and the sun was reflecting brilliantly off his stripes. Him in his prime. What else could she want?

The attitude that radiated from her was just as attractive as the rest of her. He was about to cast off a remark about it just as her foot slipped, and sent her tumbling into the stream. He barely bit back laughter that had knocked down his wall of discipline before she growled her threat. Whew. Close one. He would have quit the game before it started, and that he did not approve of. The sight of her shivering did rack up some sympathy from within the cobwebbed depths of his heart, but also was a neon sign flashing the words 'MAKE A MOVE'. He gingerly padded a few steps closer until he was barely a mouse-length away. He disliked a bath as much as the next cat you know. "As it happens, yes. Minnows tend to be the largest thing I fish, though I could always give it a try." He meowed good-naturedly, winking one of his warm yellow eyes. His voice was that deep velvet tone that surfaced every time he met a pretty face.

"A good run would help warm you up faster. I was just about to show Stormtrick this warren I came across. Plenty of rabbits." He gestured towards his catch that lay limp a few fox-lengths away. He hoped the dusky black cat wouldn't mind him inviting her. What else could he expect, right? It would bring more prey back anyway, but only if his plans completely failed. There were plenty of other ways to warm up her blood.

AND SHE SAID, "KISS ME GOODNIGHT SWEET PRINCE."

[Dawn]

* STORMTRICK

[/size][/font]
If I could I relive those days
I know the one thing that would never change


Even more confusing. Stormtrick wasn't all that fond of Runningfox's attitude toward she-cats, but he put up with it. Why? They were no where near each other in age, they shared very few of the same interests, and Runningfox knew little about him; but perhaps there was something in the youthfulness of the tom that brought back memories of a simpler time... Something naive that reminded Stormtrick of himself moons ago, when all he had to worry about was far less. Now it seemed, he was one of the oldest warriors in the clan, despite being quite young for a cat. Always the cool headed one, who was meant to be laid back and relaxed around all, never chasing after she-cats or doing crazy, furiously unpredictable things.

"Starclan will have mercy to bring us kits. It ought to save a few females from your scouting, at best, and we need the warriors." Runningfox had begun to ask the tom a question, but it cut off with a rather slurred, foolish sound. His steely blue eyes were captured by a rather beautiful she-cat, Orioleflash, as she stepped- rather snootily at that- into view. He dipped his head respectfully in greeting to the newcomer, despite her attitude, and had been about to comment when she slipped into the stream. It was, obviously, not her intention to take a swim, either. Stormtrick glanced sharply at Runningfox, about to go to the prickly female's aid, when she gave a vicious meow that was enough to make him flatten his gray-black ears to his skull. He was far from chortling, though she didn't seem to be in any evident danger, and the tall stormy furred cat stepped backward as Orioleflash drew herself out of the water.

"No, I suppose not..."[/color] Answered he with a note of apology, just before Runningfox came onto her quite strongly, thinking himself more charming than any tom in the forest, and caused a wince from Stormtrick. He didn't mind that she had been invited so much as he minded that his friend would now go through every attempt to get on her good side as they went to hunt. And of course, he would far rather hunt by his lonesome than hunt by the side of a zealous male and a she-cat such as Orioleflash. And, glancing back at her from where he had aimlessly been looking in deep thought, she was a very beautiful she-cat. With her eyes the color of sunlight, her fur calico patched, she was worthy of any tom's attention; Stormtrick might have even thought to help keep her warm, but not in the pushy way Runningfox was thinking of. Besides that he held little interest in such ways, and that she was a good deal younger than himself. He realized he had again drifted back to memories and thoughts, gazing just past the small calico, and politely looked away, taking another hesitant step away from the two younger cats. [/size] [/blockquote]

[lily ♫]

orioleflash**
if i had the chance, i'd ask the world to dance, and i'd be dancing with myself

There was just something in the way the pale ginger tabby tom spoke to her that made her skin crawl. His attitude had taken quite a pompous turn as he spoke to her, and this only deepened her strong scowl. As his amber gaze winked at her as his words slipped from his smirking maw without a care, Orioleflash couldn't help but snort. Wasn't he subtle? Twisting her neck to show her unpleasant mood toward the tom, her own bright titian eyes danced like an inferno as they bore into Runningfox's. "I take it those paws of your are quite weak then." Retorted the she-cat icily, taking no notice of his sudden closeness.

These actions were simply those of a hormonal tom, and the calico Warrior couldn't care less. She'd been in her first moon with her full name that this tom had even been born, so the she-cat found it just a bit odd for him to be so blatantly using coquerty and dalliance. At the mention of the rabbits at the warren, a faint smile flashed across her tabby split maw. Hunting was one of Orioleflash's favorite ways to spend her time. "Now that I can agree to!" Gushed the she-cat in the first tone that hadn't been edging toward murderous. With her glance turning toward that of Stormtrick, she nodded politely as he turned his face away and tentatively stepped away.

"Hmm, so I'm not the only one disturbed by the trifling ways of Runningfox? Interesting." She cried to Stormtrick, ignoring the other tom momentarily, her paws pressing into the brook side mud. Though her fur remained slick and wettened, the she-cat attempted to pay her discomfort no more mind that it needed, and Orioleflash tried to allow her uneasiness fade. This would only most likely last until Runningfox's next comment, but it was enough to let her shivering disapate. "Let's go then, boys." Rasped the calico she-cat.