A [Wild Breeze] Off the Sea (Avery) - I

[Avery]

Ooc: -slinks in-
Muse: High
Music: I See Fire - Ed Sheeran
Words: 622
Tags: [Acro.]
---



"Listen, SunsetClanner, In case you haven't noticed... neither of us have any 'business here.' So... you just go right ahead and chase me all you like. In fact, I welcome it. If you want to play pretend and say this territory is yours and that I'm trespassing, then, please, be my guest: do something about it. Because, honestly, I'm sick of just wandering this absolute nothingness and waiting to die."

Anger.

Red, hot anger surged through her body.

Blacks claws dug into the dirt.

Ears peeled backwards towards her skull.

Normally warm eyes went icy.

I want to rake my claws across your smug little face.
 
Watch your tongue you piece of dung.. I can easily
     kill you
              and
                   no one
                            would ever know.

   

I.. wouldn't kill him would I? 

  The thought hit her like a large wave, snuffing out her anger like a candle flame going out. With every ounce of restraint in her body she forced her face to remain neutral, not wanting the tom in front of her to see her internal battle. Emotions rolled into one giant ball of misery and she flicked her tail, trying to dislodge it from her body. When did she get so violent that her first reaction was to harm the cat rather then talk it out? When did she ever wish to kill someone? Since you've had to fight for yourself. Two particular tom's flashed in front of her memory; a fiery red coat and a older cat with a muted brown coat. Both of whom she was missing dearly. but both had a paw in her current mood swings... shoving that dangerous topic away she drew her eyes over the tom.
 He looked exhausted, matted, and thin, as if he hadn't had a decent meal since they got there.

 "Isolation and exile certainly doesn't suit you Whisperclanner." She meowed curtly. "And yes, it is mine. I've searched a large portion of this island, and this is the furthest from whatever predator is out there." She had hoped the tom would know she wasn't making up the predatory scent, not knowing how far he had traveled since their arrival point. Slowly her loathing turned to guilt as her orbs finally took in how poor the cat looked, and compassion bloomed in her heart. Enjoying the feeling of normal emotions she welcomed it with open paws, and looked down at the mouse resting near her paws. The pelt was a bit dirty, but it would do for a starving cat. The feeling of hatred needed to be replaced with kindness and the only way to do that would be to settle this hate relationship. Plus, the tom would surely die if she didn't help him. Hooking a claw in it she threw it towards him, it's body bumping twice before resting at his paws. Narrowing her eyes she growled, "It's yours. If you dare refuse my peace offering I will chase you back to where we first started like the mousebrain you would be." Tail lashing at the seriousness of her words she continued, "If you want, I can grab more, you look pretty thin." 
 
 She prayed to Starclan that the tom would put aside his anger and hatred to let her help him with his road to recovery. If he was anything like her, he would have to swallow a large portion of his pride. Although a large portion of her helping him was just for him... she secretly needed to help him to restore herself. After a few moments she piped up, "I'm Wildpaw." Her eyes challenging him to say something about her being an apprentice. 

[[Acro.]]

ooc:// Blaaaargh Avery, I'm so sorry for poofing .___.
LOVE your last post, by the way. Faaaaaaantastic <3

Even in his poor condition, the more primitive part of Copperbreeze could sense the surge of tension in the air--the danger. His pelt bristled weakly and he narrowed his eyes on the she-cat, wondering if she was actually about to come after him...

"Isolation and exile certainly doesn't suit you Whisperclanner."

He blinked, brow furrowed. The tension had evaporated--at least, the dangerous parts of it had--and now she was just... talking to him. What was this? What was this game she was playing?

"And yes, it is mine. I've searched a large portion of this island, and this is the furthest from whatever predator is out there."

...predator? Had he been so absorbed in his own pit of self-pity and suffering that he'd been sense-blind to the fact they were not alone on this pile of sand? That, perhaps, they were not the most dangerous things there? How in StarClan's name had Copperbreeze not fallen prey to this predator? He hadn't gone very far... his scent must not have traveled much. The predator didn't know about him, either. For a cat as immensely unlucky as Copperbreeze... it seemed Fortune had decided to momentarily smile upon him.

He wondered what disaster would come next to make up for it.

The mouse coming to a halt in front of him pulled his attention back to the SunsetClanner. He glared down at the kill before his eyes found hers, his tail lashing half-heartedly to one side.

"It's yours. If you dare refuse my peace offering I will chase you back to where we first started like the mousebrain you would be. If you want, I can grab more, you look pretty thin."

Did she just call him a mousebrain? Did she just--

"Shut up."

He wasn't just going to stand there and take pity from this--

"Shut. Up. Not a word."

The tom sneered, casting his eyes off to the side so he didn't have to see her or her dunghead mouse. She probably thought she was just so wonderful, helping such a poor, pathetic creature like Copperbreeze. How great for her. How perfect. She was only basically saving his life.

And now he owed her.

And he'd rather starve to death than be indebted to such an ignorant, abhorrent, obnoxious, self-righteous--

"I'm Wildpaw."

--Wildpaw.

Begrudgingly, the tom's eyes made their way back over to the she-cat, meeting her look of challenge with one of his own defiance. A part of him knew there was a moment, just then, where whatever he did or said next would decide for him whether he lived or died on that island... or, whether he died sooner, rather than later. Now the only question was...

How much longer did he want live in the all-encompassing darkness that had become his world?

The tom was silent for a long moment... and then, slowly, cringing with the effort, he sat back on his haunches and spoke two words very, very clearly. "...I'm Copperbreeze."

And then he bent over and sunk his teeth into that mouse, unable to deny how badly his mouth had been watering for a taste.

[Avery]

Tags: [Acro.]
Music: None
Muse: Good
Words: 341
Ooc: It's alright ^-^ Low muse on my part, and I haven't written her in a bit. Sorry for the shortness

---

"...I'm Copperbreeze."

Finally a name to the face. The tabby apprentice relaxed slightly, her eyes never leaving the tom as he devoured the mouse in front of her. It was a relief that he had chosen to eat rather then stand there like a prickly thornbush, and continued to be thick-headed. Wildpaw wasn't really up for a battle of insults right now. Her mind was to occupied of thoughts from home, and she was trying hard to shove them away. Settling onto her haunches she rested her tail across her paws, and waited for him to finish at least half the mouse, knowing it would be pointless to ask him questions until he had somewhat fulfilled his hunger. "Where have you been staying?" She meowed slightly curiously. Wildpaw had traveled the length of the island and a majority of the heart of it, but not once had she run into his scent after she had left him on the beach.

A buzzing sound entered her ear and she flicked both ears with irritation, sending the bee that had been flying nearby to scurry away. Glancing away she watched it's lazy path around the wild flowers, before it darted up into the sky. To her surprise it was nearly Sunhigh. She still had more things to do before the sun fell, and she glanced towards Copperbreeze. "Do you want anymore? And don't be stoic about it." Her eyes flashed, knowing that the proud tom would probably deny anymore help from her because of his stupid honor. Whisperclan cat's were far to arrogant and proud in her opinion. The apprentice knew that if she had been in his paws she'd probably have a difficult time accepting help, but she'd accept it because she needed it. "I won't tell anyone in Whisperclan." This time her eyes sparkled in amusement at her joke. "It'll be our little secret."

[[Acro.]]

ooc:// It's fine!

His mouth was full.

Edit: his mouth was full of savory, mouth-watering morsels fit for only the ranks of StarClan, and no finer flavors had ever blessed the sensory organs blanketing his tongue.

And she was talking to him.

"Where have you been staying?"

In response, the spidery tom simply glanced up, shot her a glare, quirked his brow, licked his lips... and then continued eating the remnants of his feast. Where had he been staying? Pah. Wherever he happened to collapse, that's where.

"Do you want anymore? And don't be stoic about it. I won't tell anyone in WhisperClan--it'll be our little secret."

Swallowing his last bite and savoring every moment... the tom sat up and stared at the she-cat. Was she... was she trying to be funny?

Really?

Of all the times to try and make a joke, this was the one she decided on?

"Be funny," a quiet voice insisted. Copperbreeze pulled his whiskers back. The last time he had tried to "be funny," it had been so devastating that the she-cat he was talking to decided she'd better just go ahead and leave the Clan.

So, no.

No, he was not going to try and be funny.

The sleek warrior straightened up as much as his injuries would allow (which still left him hunched over), and he flicked his tail, meeting Wildpaw's eyes for only a moment before casting his own away. "Look around," he commented dryly. "No one in WhisperClan or SunsetClan is ever going to know one damn thing about what happens to us here." Neither would they care. The tom went quiet, pointedly averting his eyes and keeping his head bitterly low before adding, in a quieter, more subdued yet still begrudging voice, "... thanks. For the mouse."

And not a soul would ever know he had voiced even an ounce of gratitude.

[Avery]

Tags: [Acro.]
Muse: Good
Music: None
Words: 319
----

"Look around. No one in WhisperClan or SunsetClan is ever going to know one damn thing about what happens to us here."

Wildpaw's heart clenched.

She didn't need to think about that. She didn't want to even consider what the dark warrior had just spoken. If she did, she might give up the portion of hope that made the hurting over missing home stop. Wildpaw wanted to see her friends and Clan again, even if she didn't truly feel like she belonged there. "I'm sure we will find a way." She meowed simply, her eyes resting on him, taking in his defeated and bitter frame. "There has to be a way off this island... We might just have to swim again." She shuddered at the thought of putting herself back into the ocean's grasps. Her muscles tightened at the memory of swaying, swirling motion of the current, and feeling like she was mouse in the ocean's paws.

"... thanks. For the mouse."

At his words, Wildpaw was pulled back into the present, her mind being dragged from the terrifying swim she had endured. "Oh, you're welcome. There's plenty here, not many squirrels but more so mice and voles." Her tail flicked at the thought of nothing bigger then a mouse lived on this island. Could that be because of the predator that resided with them? Could the predator be hunting down anything bigger and that's why there was so many smaller prey for them to it? The paw prints that she had found were pretty big compared to her dainty paws, but then again, size of print could mean nothing. For all she knew the animal just had big feet. "You must be thirsty. There's water just up the crest." Her ears slid forwards to point to the small creek and spring that was just a few foxlengths away. "Fresh, and clean."

[[Acro.]]

ooc:// Aveeryyyyyyyyy I'm sorry D: I know I said I'd get this up last night, but some thiiiiings came up and I did not return to internet after I left for dinner >.>

"Oh, you're welcome." And then blahblahblah squirrels and voles.

The tom was only half listening, his eyes regarding their surroundings as though he hadn't seen them before. Now that his hunger was no longer consuming so much of his focus, he could really take in the landscape... and he hated it. Because it is a strange, unsettling feeling to know you are seeing the place where you are going to die.

"...water..."

Hm? His ears perked toward the she-cat.

"Fresh and clean."

Then he turned to her, attentive but wary. Water... clean water... and not just some splattering of dew on a leaf. Actual water. Copperbreeze followed with his eyes to where she was indicating, and they narrowed sharply onto the tiny spring. And then he saw the distance between it and him, and he cursed audibly under his breath. "...foxdung."

Because what was perhaps only a short, discreet walk for Wildpaw was about to be an arduous, painful struggle for Copperbreeze. but there was no denying the truth: he was thirsty. His dark pelt bristled as he began to re-engage the muscles he had mistakenly let rest--a poor judgment call that he was paying for, now. He never should have sat down. With a heave, clenching his jaw, Copperbreeze forced himself up onto four paws, his front legs shaking with the effort it took to stand. but he'd done it, due in large part, most likely, to the energy he'd received from that precious meal. Courtesy of Wildpaw.

Fabulous.

First, she tells him she's going to chase him away. Then, she throws him her mouse. Then she offers him water. What next, was she going to pull his whiskers out? Honestly, a little consistency would be nice. As the spidery tom began making his slow way toward the spring, body shuddering with every step, he called back over his shoulder to the SunsetClanner, tone dry. "You sure I'm not trespassing, now?" he asked with a teasing (or taunting?) flick of his tail.

[Avery]

Tags: [Acro.]
Music: --
Muse: Good
Words: 460
Ooc:
----

Forest green eyes watched the tom slowly, and painfully make his way towards the small creek that rested near by. She could visibly see how much pain he was in, and it was quite hard to watch him make his way to drink. Taking a tiny step forwards she went to help, but held back. She had been surprised when he had taken the mouse from her, and she definitely didn't want to take any chances or push her luck by offending him by offering help. So the Sunsetclan tabby waited for him to reach the water's edge even though her own tail tip twitched with impatience. Settling herself onto her haunches, she wrapped her plumed tail across her paws, as if it was her way to prevent herself from moving.

Ears angling each way she tried to pick up on the sounds around them. Birds sang softly amongst the thick foliage of the trees, and she couldn't help but look up to try to pick out the one's that she knew. Perhaps if she were to locate some that resided in Sunsetclan, it would mean that they weren't to far out into sea. That there was a chance to even go home and see her Clanmembers. Her heart constricted for a brief moment as faces bloomed in front of her eyes; the petite tabby that she called her best friend, the deep red fluffy kit that she had taken under her wing who was surely getting his ceremony soon, the stone cold shadow that she had left on terrible terms, as well as the outside bengal tom that made her day brighter and the fiery dangerous tom who had captured her heart. Were they wondering about her? Did anyone even notice that she was missing? Did Birchflame realize she was gone? Worry made her whiskers twitch, and she barely caught the words Copperbreeze meowed cheekily over his shoulder.

"You sure I'm not trespassing, now?"

Green eyes narrowed at the black furred tom, and she flashed him an unfriendly smile. "Funny." She replied dryly, her tail flicking. Guilt banged inside her stomach and she wrestled to ignore the feeling. She wasn't being rude... She just wasn't in the mood to deal with teasing or petty taunting. Her thoughts were focused on other things. "Is it your shoulder?" She asked him nodding towards him, wondering which portion was hurt. She wasn't exactly skilled in the ways of the medicine cat, but she knew a few of the basics from listening to Mintpaw chatter whenever she passed the medicine cat's den. Wildpaw couldn't smell the salty tang of blood, but then again that could be because her nostrils were still stuffed with salt from the sea.

[[Acro.]]

ooc:// Avery... <3

Copperbreeze scoffed quietly at the she-cat's dry response to his equally dry remark, finally able to bend down to lap up some of the cool, soothing water. His body, at first, felt repulsed by the spring--he was braced for salt and sea--but once he physically registered the liquid's purity, he was able to relax and felt no further fear of retching it up. He drank greedily.

"Is it your shoulder?"

Wincing as he sat back up, the tom fixed Wildpaw with an accusingly cold, scrutinizing stare. Was this a trick? Was she just trying to figure out where he was weakest? Her plan all along: lure him into a false sense of security, give him food and water... ask him where he hurt... make her move. He doubted she was clever enough to think that far ahead, but he wouldn't put it past a SunsetClanner to try. The tom was stony silent for a few, pointed moments, his pride wanting him to keep his mouth shut, to simply turn-tail and leave this she-cat to "her" territory... but the tiniest voice of rationale told him he would never make it alone again. Not so soon.

"Stay," it whispered. "Survive."

And how could he argue with that?

Finally, after this internal battle (which was really only a small part of the war waging inside of him--did he really want to survive...?), the tom clenched his jaw and looked away, lashing his tail. "Yeah," he replied begrudgingly, tone defensive but compliant. "It's my shoulder." He drew his ears back, hating himself for this conversation--for this entire situation. "I must have hit it on our way here." An added bitterness crept into his tone, then, as he was reminded of why they were there to begin with.

Her her her her her

Her fault.


And still, no apology.

Typical.

[Avery]

Tags: [Acro.]
Music: Wye Oak- Civilian
Words: 530
Muse: High
Ooc:

---

I am nothing without pretend

I know my faults

Can't live with them

"Yeah,
It's my shoulder.
"I must have hit it on our way here."

Funny little arrogant piece of foxdung aren't you?

I know my thoughts

but I can't hide them

Green eyes flashed slightly but she made no comment to his words just yet. She would allow him to have his upper paw for the moment, let the fragile tom feel superior again. If that is what he needed to do in order to accept her generosity, so be it. Wildpaw needed to redeem herself for her earlier thoughts, and she would bite her tongue for now in order to do so. Her tail twitched, ears angle forwards while a look of neutral expression was presented on her face. If Copperbreeze wanted to play taunting games she would embrace it with open paws for several reasons. First, they needed each other to survive. That was clear with the large predator tracks that dotted the landscape around them. If that thing attacked one of them, they would surely be killed, but with both of them possibly working together they could have a chance. Secondly, Copperbreeze was nothing, nothing like the fiery red tom back at home. That cat was the master of mind games, taunts and always being one step ahead of you.


Wildpaw had had plenty of practice with him.
This tom would be easy.

I don't need another friend
When most of them
I can barely keep up with them

Long black claws slid out of their sheathe's and she began to pluck the mouse fur that was still stuck to the inside. Her teeth casually scraped it from the side's of each one before her right ear flicked, and her eyes returned to him. "Oh, well we should see about healing it then." She meowed casually, "Is it dislocated or just badly bruised?" Wiggling her claws she flicked them back into their sheathe's, before standing up again. "If it's dislocated we're going to have to set it back into it's socket somehow. If it's bruised.. well then you're going to have to sit tight for a bit and not move it to much." Her expression was leveled as she talked but her eyes spoke volume's. If the tom's shoulder was badly injured he would need to rely on her in order to hunt and take care of both of them. How he responded to her questions would certainly set what kind of care he would receive... Plus it would also dictate on whether she would chase his scrawny little butt back into the ocean.

It was his choice really.
Be nice or be killed.
Simple.

Perfectly able to hold my own hand

but I still can't kiss my own neck

[[Acro.]]

ooc:// Avery!

He felt it.

The pressure riding against him.

The voice of reason screaming for him to watch his mouth--his words--to really watch them, now. His tail lashed once weakly, his eyes narrowing to meet hers. He glanced briefly down at his useless shoulder, considering and weighing his options, his realities...

Would it really be so bad to die alone, sooner than he had originally anticipated? Why prolong the inevitable?

He could do it. He could do it with a word. Just say it, and then let it happen naturally from there. He shoves--she gives--she leaves him--he lays down.

He does not get up.

He does not suffer anymore.

These thoughts and more flashed brightly behind his shadowed green eyes, his whiskers pulling back with the beginnings of a snarl. He could do it with a word...

but then the light faded and his whiskers fell and he looked away, glaring down into the rippling spring.

"...just bruised," he muttered darkly, and then hesitated before adding, "but badly."

Coward.

Copperbreeze glanced toward the she-cat from the corner of his eye, just waiting for her to make her comments--to say how she would help him. How good of her. Poor, pathetic him. He grit his teeth and clenched his jaw, not sure if he'd be able to handle what came next.

Not sure if he'd want to.

// So I figured you could write a reaction and then timekskip mid-post? Or react and my next post will skip ahead several days? Whatchu think? You started the last skip, but if you feel inspired to go for it again I will not oppose you c:

[Avery]

Tags: [Acro.]
Muse: Very very high
Music: Eyes on Fire - blue foundation
words: 1046
Ooc:
---

"...just bruised
but badly."


I'll seek you out,
    Flay you alive
One more word and you wont survive
          And I'm not scared
                                of your
                                       stolen power
                                                                                          See right through you any hour


Whiskers twitched quickly, a mere fraction of movement, hardly noticeble by the untrained eye. Green eyes gleamed and her tail tip twitched in the air. It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless and the Sunsetclan apprentice would take it. She would grasp any wins she could at this point, feeling like she needed to have something go right since this last week had been miserable for her. Not wishing to rub her upper paw over the tom Wildpaw merely turned and began to pad away, only pausing to glance over her shoulder at him. "Well then, rest up, you have a long road to recovery then. I'll go hunt." Turning her attention forwards she bounded into the surrounding woods, knowing the best place would be the tree pile again. That was the last time Wildpaw would show glee at 'winning' a test with the Whisperclan tom. She knew now that not only did he need her to survive, she needed him. She needed his companionship, even if he was a frustrating and arrogant cat, but she needed him in order to not dive head first into the darkness that was threatening to swallow her whole.

I won't soothe your pain
I won't ease your strain
You'll be waiting in vain
I
     got
          nothing
                              for you to gain





She needed him to fight in order to fight for her old self.
.... She needed to fight for her.

I'm taking it slow
                                                     Feeding my flame
Shuffling
                 the cards of
    your game






---
                   And just in time
                               In the right place
Suddenly
                      I will play my ace

Sunlight.

I won't soothe your pain
              I won't ease your strain
You'll be waiting in vain
                            I got nothing for you to gain



The feeling of warmth against her fur was blissful. Ever since landing on this island Wildpaw had began to appreciate the sunshine a whole lot more. It overpowered darkness in more ways then one, and meant life for the she-cat. Nostrils wide she breathed in the crisp morning air, her green orbs taking in the view from atop the hill of fallen tree logs. Tail draped over delicate paws that she-cat absorbed the view in front of her. The ocean was calm, and only tiny waves crashed against the sandy shores in the distance, a very safe distance at that. The foliage that carpeted the rested of the massive drop was thick with green, their leaves almost in full Greenleaf glory. Birds soared up ahead, and a sea-gull's cry caused a lone ear to flick at the sound. Her eyes strained, like they did every morning, to see beyond the haze of the massive stretch of water that sat in the distance. Her heart clenched in hope that she would eventually be able to see even a sliver of land on the horizon. She would give anything to be able to see even a tiny sliver of her home.

Eyes on fire
Your spine is ablaze
Felling any foe with my gaze

Faces flashed in front of her, and her heart ached, causing the petite tabby to cry out in despair. A dark brown tom with calm eyes and powerful aura, a tabby who was a best friend but acted more like a sister, a dark red tom with a blindly white chest and paws, a bengal deputy, and lastly a fiery red tom with a charming smile and wicked gleam in his eyes. All of her friends, family and lover in one moment caused her to look down at her paws, claws sliding out of their sheathes as she tried to control her emotions. Taking slow deep breathes she finally managed to wrestle their faces away, and locked them into the deep chasms of her mind. Family, friends, and love made you weak. She couldn't be weak out here. There was no support from a large Clan. There was no boundaries, and there were worst things out here that could cause havoc. For once Wildpaw was realizing how soft Clan life actually was. There was always someone that was there to talk to, or to hunt with, or if you were sick someone was there to take care of you. Out here.. on this Starclan forsaken island.. there was no one but herself and an injured Whisperclan tom.


Copperbreeze.

She had forgotten about him. Getting up from her position she grabbed the three mice that lay beside her, and felt their tiny bodies bump against her chest as she began to pad back to her temporary home. It had been at least a two moons since their arrival, and Wildpaw had been looking after the warrior since he had shown up on her 'territory.' The tom had received a badly bruised shoulder during their... water travels, and had been unable to do much besides lie down or drink water at the river. The tabby Sunsetclan apprentice had been the one to hunt, take care of him, clean the den, and patrol their territory. She didn't necessarily mind the hunting or patrolling, it often gave her an opportunity to escape from his tongue and sharp ways. For the first time in her life Wildpaw was trying to not start arguments. The she-cat needed Copperbreeze, not that she would ever admit to that, in order to keep herself sane.

The mixture of herself and Copperbreeze filled her nostrils the moment she passed the boundary that they had set up. It was more of a formal precaution, hoping that their scents would propel any unwanted attention from predators. "Copperbreeze?" She meowed, coming to a halt in the middle of camp, the bodies plopping down from her mouth the moment she talked. Sighing she picked each one up and shook the dirt from their coats, irritated by her carelessness. She hated dirty food. "You up yet?" Grabbing one for herself she moved towards a patch of grass and settled herself down to eat.

And just in time
In the right place
Steadily emerging with grace

[[Acro.]]

ooc:// Awesooommmmmmmmmme Avery!
Also... do you keep calling Fallowmist brown? Do you... do you remember how he is not brown?
I KNOW THEY HAVEN'T SEEN EACH OTHER IN A WHILE but GEEZ


I put one foot in front of the other one...

...I don't need a new love

"Copperbreeze?"

His name. Familiar. Like a birdsong he knew but risked forgetting.

The tom had just stepped out of camp while Wildpaw had gone off, stretching his leg and shoulder that he could feel were recovering. He wouldn't be sprinting around the island anytime soon, but at least he was somewhat mobile. He tried to walk as much as he could each day, pacing their ram-shackle camp or circling it... at first these exercises had been arduous, leaving him feeling helpless and degraded... but he knew he had to keep pushing.

    Keep going.

        Every day.

There was this innate understanding within himself that told him if he were ever to give up on that forsaken rock--if he ever stopped trying--ever laid too still... he would lose himself and never find the power (the courage) to stand again.

...admittedly, not wanting to appear overly pathetic in front of the SunsetClanner was helping him immensely. If not for this, he wouldn't have much reason to push himself. At first, she'd had to help him move about, stay near so he didn't topple, keep close so he didn't further his injury. That had been a nightmare. The ingrained animosity he felt toward her made each day something he was repulsed by--his own weakness, reliance on her, her willingness to provide for him like some kind of divine, annoying... provider.

but the days had gone on and he'd accepted this fate, and he found that, now, perhaps, her presence--her help--her company... it was not all so unbearable.

- Or a new life -

The tom ducked back through the foliage and into camp just as Wildpaw had chosen a mouse for herself. He nodded toward her, limping slowly across the quaint clearing to have a mouse of his own. Their camp wasn't... exquisite, but it was... adequate.

It was enough for its purpose, he supposed.

He sat down across from the she-cat, his eyes falling briefly to the mice before landing on her. He was quiet, having learned that perhaps it would all be better if he just figured out how to keep his mouth shut.

...he didn't always succeed, but he could try.

He watched her momentarily, his fair green eyes distant. Through their time together, though he'd yet to ask, the tom had gathered that this she-cat had something or someone she was missing--friends, perhaps, some family... her home. Things she yearned for. And then he had the sinking realization that he did not share in these losses.

No one to miss. No one to miss him.

Just some place he had been living that didn't really feel like a home.

He had escaped one dark life only to be thrown into another.

Copperbreeze looked away, trying to push these thoughts aside--to not be reminded of his emptiness by seeing how full her life had been.

"Any sign of the predator?" he asked calmly, voice low as he pulled one of the mice toward himself with his good foreleg, just assuming he was free to take one. It was just part of the system, now. He pulled his ears back, flicking his tail as he forced his eyes back up to find hers. "Any sign of... anything?"

- Just a better place to die -

// Just mentioned that she had been helping him walk and exercise and stuff. I can change it if you'd like :3

[Avery]

Tags: [Acro.]
Music: Mixture
Words:
Muse: very good
OOC: SHH THAT'S A MINOR DETAIL OK? Also, I'm just gonna say that Sunsetclan cat's don't know what deer look like because they live by the ocean... ignore the logic fail. Tis fine :3 I like that she's helping him, makes it more interesting.

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"Any sign of the predator?
Any sign of... anything?"

Teeth tore the flesh off the tiny body with ease, and the tabby flicked an ear to show that she had heard him. She was just starving and needed to subside the screaming stomach before she could civilly talk to him. Swallowing she shook her head, "Nothing beside's birds and rodents. There were some larger mammals with horns on their heads, but they got spooked when I showed up and ran off. They were kind of pretty." She admitted before taking another bite. "As for our friend... I saw some fresh tracks this morning but he was going the opposite direction from us. The scent of blood was rather heavy which mean's he caught something." The massive printed tracks that criss-crossed across the territory kept the apprentice up at night. They were double the size of the two cat's, meaning that whatever possessed them must be a big predator. So far the animal hadn't picked up on the scent of the two of them, and Wildpaw thanked Starclan everyday for it. However, it was only a matter of time until he sniffed them out and then disator. With Copperbreeze still injured Wildpaw was worried that he wouldn't be able to fight... If that was the case she would need to hold whatever it was so he could get away. Or he would be a mousebrain and choose to die rather then let her save him.

"How did the excerizes go?" She asked once half her mouse had been finished. "You're limping still, but not as much from when I first saw you. Is it still as sore?" Wood splintering caused her to scramble to stand, her black claws out and ready to fight whatever was out there. Ears swiveled in a spastic manner trying to pin point where the sound was coming from. A shadow fell across the two cat's and orbs traveled upwards at the animal that was blocking the sunlight. The horned beasts from earlier were currently traveling in a herd through the forest eating the foliage that littered the ground. Large brown eyes widened in surprise at the site of Wildpaw and Copperbreeze. Wildpaw relaxed, holding her breath waiting for it to sprint off like it had done earlier. Several members were nearby, their brown ears moving in every direction, wondering what the other one was doing. Large nostrils went towards Wildpaw and a musky scent flowed across the petite tabby as the creature scented her curiously. With her fur puffed she waited impatiently for it to stop, before it switched to scenting Copperbreeze. (he can swipe or ignore, you choose, it's still running off haha). On quick feet the animal rotated on long hind legs before dashing off with it's family. Wildpaw watched it disappear before turning towards Copperbreeze, releasing the air she hadn't realized she had been holding.

[[Acro.]]

ooc:// Haha, suuuure, suuuuuuuure...
Also, WhisperClanners totally know what deer are. Livin' in a meadow, and all...
And I LOVE that image with her and the deer!! Both amusing and endearing :3

Copperbreeze nodded, subdued, as Wildpaw explained her excursion. The tidbit about large mammals with horns caught his intrigue, mainly due to the fact that she was calling (what he assumed were) deer "large mammals with horns on their heads." Had she really never...? Oh, whatever; he'd probably correct her, eventually. The tom took his first bite after she'd finished with the observation about the predator, the prey meat feeling medicinal as it slid down his throat. 'Mice,' he thought.

Mice, at least, were still familiar.

"How did the exercises go? You're limping still, but not as much from when I first saw you. Is it still as sore?"

He swallowed his mouthful and licked his lips, lifting his head to acknowledge her and then glancing indifferently down toward his shoulder. He opened his mouth to respond, but clamped it shut again with a near-audible click of his teeth when the sound of wood splintering sent his instincts into a desperate flurry.

Danger predator danger move vulnerable helpless

Danger.

Blinking back into focus, a throbbing in his shoulder alerted the tom that he had been jolted onto his paws, his pupils dilating as his eyes reached for signs of the incoming threat. He also noticed how he had taken a single step toward Wildpaw, defensively.

In defense of her.

The realization of his initial reflex to protect her, despite his obvious handicap, struck something deep within him.

Dark as his life may seem, unbearable as he may come off to others... Copperbreeze was still a warrior, in spite of it all.

When he realized it was just a herd of deer, the tom relaxed and eased slowly again onto his haunches, hoping the SunsetClanner had not seen his protective reaction, drawing his ears back while the (ahem) large mammals with horns on their heads passed through. Being from WhisperClan, this sight was not so foreign to him... but seeing the way Wildpaw reacted told him it was otherworldly for her. Instead of watching the creatures, he just watched her, his whiskers twitching, amused, as one of them became brave enough to investigate her. Admittedly, the image... had some semblance of charm about it, though the tom was reluctant to acknowledge it. Her awe over things that to him were so common... it was... intriguing.

Only when the deer turned its attention to him did he pull his eyes sharply away from the she-cat to glare at the larger animal and spit out a dissatisfied hiss. It pivoted in its odd, gangly-yet-graceful manner and disappeared, the tom lashing his tail as if to wish it a good riddance.

He was in no mood for these reminders.

Already he could feel a shadow hovering over him, heavier than most days when he could forget (typically) that there had been a life before this forsaken island. His lip curled back, his anger a natural defense against this weight... but his frustration dissipated when he caught that look on Wildpaw's face--the way she exhaled with a quiet whoosh the air she had been clinging to.

His smiled.

The expression was slight, marked by a quirking of his brow, but it existed. He flicked his tail, amused. "Deer," he commented casually, watching her with a faint flicker of light behind his muted gaze. "They're virtually harmless, in spite of those... rather vicious-looking horns."

[Avery]

Tags: [Acro.]
Words: 303
Music:
Muse: Decent
--


"Deer. They're virtually harmless, in spite of those... rather vicious-looking horns."

"Deer" She meowed, rolling the word around her tongue while she watched the white tail bob out of sight. The trees gave one last rattle before they went still, and the two cat's were alone once again. Birds returned to singing, and Wildpaw shook herself. "I've heard about them but where Sunsetclan is we don't really get forest animals, mostly sea life like seals or otters." The scent of salt filled her nose and her heart stung with longing, knowing that from where they stood it was impossible for them to get even a small scent of the ocean air. She had grown up with the sea just a few foxlengths away, and now she was finding herself growing more comfortable with standing in the shelter of the trees then with ocean air around her. In fact, the tabby feline didn't wish to see the ocean for an incredibly long time. Not after the near drowning experience that she had suffered on her way here. If she felt water gushing around her paws it would be far to soon.

Walking forwards she wandered towards the stream that rested above a small hill, it's soft burbling calming the memories that floated around her mind. Dipping her muzzle she sucked in two large mouthfuls of crisp water, and twitched her whisker's to get the excess of. Turning around she regarded Copperbreeze before meowing, "Are you up for another walk around?" After the encounter with the deer Wildpaw had remembered something that her mentor had taught her on one of their many training sessions. "If we get split up for whatever reason we should find a spot or two to meet at. Plus, I want you to move your shoulder some more."