Murky Skies (Tagged)

[Feather]

The sky was a murky gray, the kind that looks like too many shades have been mixed into one and it's become a mess of different designs. It fell across the sky in ringlets, blocking out any hope that the sun might shine. There was snow on the ground surrounding the beach, but the incoming tide had washed away any evidence that anything had fallen from the sky only earlier that day.

A strong burst of wind caught a ginger-she cat off guard as she scrambled to find purchase on the rock she was perched on top of. Fernheart patiently waited for the gust to pass, her long fur swaying in the breeze. The beach was otherwise silent today with most cats of SunsetClan preferring to stay within their camp instead of venturing further. The beach was like this through most of leafbare and would be until the weather warmed. Two-legs didn't usually arrive until late newleaf or early greenleaf. Fernheart preferred the warm weather but enjoyed the solitude of the colder moons.

The gust finally passed and Fernheart was able to move again. Being up on the rocks while it was windy was dangerous and probably wasn't her brightest idea. With an annoyed huff, the she-cat jumped down from her ledge and onto the rocky sand below. The sand parted beneath her paws and Fernheart started to make her way closer to the ocean. She'd been walking along it earlier, but now it was probably time she either go back to camp or go onto Sunset Island. 

Not quite ready to go back to camp, Fernheart decided to brave the cold water and swim to Sunset Island. She wasn't needed back at camp yet and so she might as well make the best of her time alone before she was assigned an apprentice. It wasn't that the pale ginger she-cat didn't want an apprentice, but rather she realized how much time would be put into training one. StarClan forbid she make a mistake and injure the poor young cat. 

Fernheart placed a paw into the ocean water and let it lap over her paw. The water was freezing, but nothing she wasn't used to at this point. She placed the second in and let the water wash over her paws until they were no longer stinging. 'Though they might be frozen solid.' The she-cat idly thought as she waded in a little further. Wouldn't be the first time.

As she made her way out to the island, Fernheart wondered if the weather was going to clear up anytime soon. Leafbare was no where near done, but there was still hope for the occasional sunny day to melt away the worst of the snow. She reached the bank at a slower pace than usual, shaking off the water from her legs and belly before sitting down to attempt and dry herself. The last thing she wanted to do was get sick.  

Tagged: ℓυиαя

[ℓυиαя]

A disturbance of water caused his attention. 

The swell of the waves was larger than that of a passing by fish, and cast out in a soft wake towards him. From where he was, heading back through the water towards the island, he couldn't see the nature of his company. Lifting his head, the tom shifted the smell of salt until he was met with a feminine scent among the chaos. Furthermore; a clan mate. Good, he had thought it too early for the two-legs to be approaching so soon although, they were known for their mousebrain tendencies. The shoreline in the distance was for once clear of snow but it gathered in clusters across the beach of Sunsetclan's camp, as if it were the one trying to keep warm.

Powerful legs pushed him further through the icy waters until one sure paw found its way to the island and he stepped up out of the ocean. Water ran from him as he grew to his usual height, the liquid camouflage falling to expose a winter white pelt half masked with silver rings and faded spots. It ran from him, much like a ducks back and meant that unlike many of his clan, he wouldn't take long to dry in the rare leaf bare sun. From where he stood as the last of his legs broke the waters surface and settled onto land, he could see a she cat occupied the spot just after the small swell of land. Pale ginger fur met ice blue eyes and then he moved with a flick of his ears, across the small swell and over to her.

"Fernheart," the senior warrior said in his usual cool tone that matched the air around them when he was close enough. "I didn't expect anyone else out here to be braving the waters so soon." Taking a seat a few tail lengths from her, Thornfrost had already began to feel the icy water cool on his pelt. Swiping his tongue across his chest a couple of times, the lean warrior began to conserve some heat after his icy bath.

[Feather]

"Fernheart." The she-cat startled, unaware that there had been anyone else near the island, let alone on it. Relief flooded through her as she realized that it was one of her clan mates. The tom's coming into view over the swell of the island. His silver fur was shimmering as he walked closer to her and Fernheart wondered how long he'd been here.

"I didn't expect anyone else out here to be braving the waters so soon." The tom cat meowed before settling down near her. He started to dry himself, suggesting that he'd only just come out of the water as well. Swimming in leafbare was dangerous and younger cats were absolutely forbidden from stepping into the water unnecessarily. There were enough sick cats as it was, they didn't need any more cats coming down will illnesses for the medicine cats to treat. There were hardly enough herbs to go around. Fernheart wondered what he was doing out here at this time. She wasn't sure she'd seen him on this island all that much but she could be wrong. 

"Thornfrost," She meowed, dipping her head slightly to the side in greeting. The pale she-cat brought her tail to wrap around the front of her paws. Despite her long fur, it had never taken her long to dry once out of the water. "I could say the same thing."

Though she'd seen him around camp she'd never really gotten to know Thornfrost personally. The silver tom was one of the senior warriors and was highly respected. He was working hard throughout leafbare to keep the clan safe and Fernheart admired that about the older warrior. "What are you doing out here?"

[ℓυиαя]

"Thornfrost, I could say the same thing. What are you doing out here?"

Looking across at her from where he sat, his leanly muscled body seemingly elegant in its pose, Thornfrost looked her over - glad his pelt was short though he suffered more in winter. It made fighting easier, made swimming easier meant he didn't have to do much in the morning to do with looking good. Other things were more important - such as keeping an eye on Vineheart.

He had originally thought Sandstrike would step up but he had only landed in the role recently - too messed up with the departure of Ratstar. Thornfrost thought it weak. He certainly had those close to him that he would worry over, but none of that stopped his need to support those in high positions. With their fall, came the fall of the clans. Sandstrike had better get his rear end in check.

"Just making the most of my morning before I check in at camp. Yourself?" No doubt, he had a busy day ahead of him and though he always seemed to be thrown into his work - Thornfrost enjoyed this time of the morning after the dawn patrol and before the hunting started. Never before, had someone run into him and especially on a day like this - all the others too cold or too lazy to be bothered with the swim. "What brought you out here this morning?" From what he could remember, Fernheart was younger than him by almost half his age and if he cast his mind back far enough, remembered her as a small kit welcomed to the clan. 

A wind decided to choose that moment to buffet the small island, hardly making a difference to the fur of the short pelted tom as he rose to his feet to let it dry the rest of him. "You all right with all that fur?"

[Feather]

"Just making the most of my morning before I check in at camp." Thornforst meowed. "Yourself? What brought you out here this morning?" 

Fernheart wasn't quite sure why she spent most of her mornings out here. Most of her free time really. She turned her gaze to watch the water lapping up on the shore and wondered why she found watching the coming and going tides so interesting. There was something about the always salty water that soothed her mind when she was unhappy for whatever reason. She flicked her tail backwards so that her paws were free before bringing up her left to wash it. The bottom was covered in sand, so she was careful to avoid that, but the tops were still damp. She was about to answer the silver-grey cat when a gust of wind blew through that had Fernheart shielding her eyes with her front legs, crouched as low as she could get herself. From her place close to the ground she could see Thornfrost raising up to greet the wind and she cursed her long fur. 

As if sensing her thoughts, the silver tom said, "You alright with all that fur?"

Fernheart began to purr in amusement as the gust of wind passed and her fur was left standing up in several directions. "How mouse-brained do I look now?" She asked, posing slightly to show off her messy fur before shaking herself in an attempt to straighten out the worst of the mess. "That answer your question?" 

The pale ginger she-cat began to flatten some of the worst of it with her tongue before another gust of wind blew through the island. She ducked again, muttering a quick curse to StarClan. "I'm just lucky I haven't gotten any fur in my eyes yet." Fernheart admitted, crouched low to the ground where she could look up at Thornfrost's form against the sky. "That's one of the most embarrassing things that can happen to a cat with long fur." 
 
Only after the words left her mouth did Fernheart wonder if Thornfrost would respond to her teasing nature. She hadn't even stopped to consider it before she'd blurted it out. 

[ℓυиαя]

"How mouse-brained do I look now? That answer your question?" 

Something sparked in ice blue eyes and the tom may have been laughing but it never move further than that. Watching her pose briefly on the beach before him, Thornfrost had to admit, she were good at making light of situations - both a blessing and a curse. He himself, rarely let himself indulge in such things, not because he was above it but because it wasn't in his nature. He was a warrior, one with a sharp eye and calculating mind. He left the joking around up to others.

Another gust of wind washed over the island but the tom merely sat and curled his tail around long legs and kept his focus on her. "Yeah, you look like you are having a hard time." Perhaps if the words had been said from another, they could have come across as sarcastic or joking. From the white tom, they were merely a fact of truth.

"I'm just lucky I haven't gotten any fur in my eyes yet. That's one of the most embarrassing things that can happen to a cat with long fur." 

 

Watching her as she ducked again, Thornfrost flicked his tail and studied her carefully. She didn't seem to have a filter which, if he were honest, was kind of relaxing in this kind of setting. Perhaps not in dire situations but right now, he could enjoy the company. "I can see that." Standing, he walked over to her, postitioning to take the brunt of the wind and looking down at her. "Would you like some help?"

[Feather]

Fernheart eyed him from her crouched position and felt relief as Thornfrost didn't seem too annoyed with her. He didn't seem like the type to joke around much but at least he wasn't shutting her down completely like some other clan mates might. She'd been spending too much time around the queens lately, it had become second nature for her to make jokes of situations that might otherwise be serious and require responsibility. There was no reason to worry young kits about things like lack of food and sickness.

"I can see that," The pale she-cat startled slightly when the older tom stepped closer and placed himself so that he was blocking the wind from her. Immediately, her fur calmed down from where it had been moving in the wind and she was able to see without there being the risk of something getting into her eyes. "Would you like some help?"

Fernheart wondered if the cat was just humoring her at this point, but instead of worrying about it she decided to take what she could get. There was no use clamming up and becoming awkward now of all times.

"That's perfect, actually." She meowed, taking the time to shake out her fur again. "Thank you." She would have to wait until she got back to camp to get the worst of the tangles out. One of the SunsetClan queens would probably help her, as usual.

"You'd think all SunsetClan cats would be born with short fur that dries fast," She mused, pointedly looking at Thornfrost's already dry fur from her place below him. "but I just got unlucky, I suppose."

[ℓυиαя]

"That's perfect, actually. Thank you." 

An inclination of his head showed her that he didn't mind, but her apology had been accepted. Flicking his tail, the tom settled down in front of her and began to work on her tail methodically. It wasn't often that Thornfrost slowed down and let his world catch up. Starclan, even now, he knew he would have to be heading back soon. Vineheart no doubt would want to check in with him and Sandstrike was no doubt still doing a poor job supporting her. The tom had only come to his senses when she had come down with Greencough and she was still getting over it.

"You'd think all SunsetClan cats would be born with short fur that dries fast, but I just got unlucky, I suppose."

At first the tom was quiet, partially agreeing with her. If he'd had long fur, he would most likely be miserable except for in Leaf bare. He lived in the water, enjoyed not having the extra weight but he remembered nights in the den where he had woken up due to the cold and nothing but a brisk run had been enough to warm him up. He didn't share a nest after all.

"You're a lot warmer than most," he said, pausing from his work to look up at her. "I might dry faster but I suffer in the snow and you probably have less feathers in your nest. Plus this way you can recruit warriors to help you."

[Feather]

Fernheart adjusted her position slightly so that she had better access to her still damp legs while still allowing Thornfrost the room he needed. To say she was surprised that he was helping her would be an understatement. She wasn't all that aware of what he got up to outside of his usual duties, but she'd never seen him do this before. Especially with a cat he hardly knew. She was used to sharing-tongues with other members of her clan mates, but rarely with someone so high up and respected. Her usual company included both the youngest and oldest members of their clan along with the queens caring for them.  

"Is that what I did?" She asked between licks, amused. She was careful to smooth out any knots that she could find so that they didn't become any worse. "Recruit you?" 

She took a pause to look over at Thornfrost and how he was still working on her tail. Her tail easily took some of the most effort due to how it more often than not ended up getting wet and then forgotten about. "I usually recruit the queens," She mewed. "and of course the kits like to jump in and help too. Though they tend to create more than they untangle."

The she-cat continued to work at her chest, appreciative of Thornfrost's help though still a little confused. He was usually back at camp at this point in the morning. "I do handle the cold weather a lot better than most," She admitted. "I'm sure that's about the only time any of our clan mates are jealous of my fur. I can end up being some of the kits personal warmth when they're cold" She said, remembering how some of them curl into her long fur on especially cold days. Unlike some others, she didn't have a sibling or mate to curl up next to and so her long fur was a blessing in disguise. 

[ℓυиαя]

"Is that what I did? Recruit you?" 

Ice blue eyes flashed up to hers and he saw her confusion. "Well I'm not going to leave you here to grow cold now, am I?" Calculated, logical and sensible as was usual for the slender tom. It was true, he didn't do this often, not really because he didn't want to but because he was usually too busy.

"I usually recruit the queens, and of course the kits like to jump in and help too. Though they tend to create more than they untangle."

Something changed in those blue eyes before he dipped his head again and continued working on de-matting her fur. The more vulnerable of the clan; kits, queens and elders held a certain place within the blizzard of ice that was the male feline. They were the reason he did what he did, put his life on the line, keep himself in constant check and hopefully one day, the same would be done for him. "Well, I hope I do a better job then those kits then, yes?" A joke, a muted one, cast in shadows and one that could be taken as a general comment.

"I do handle the cold weather a lot better than most, I'm sure that's about the only time any of our clan mates are jealous of my fur. I can end up being some of the kits personal warmth when they're cold." 

Spending more time and letting the good deed go unanswered but not unnoticed, Thornfrost finished the majority of her tail and then stood. "Let's head back to camp then because chances are, it will get matted on the way back anyway. You never know, perhaps you can recuit me again there." A flick of a whip like tail had him gesturing to the icy water as he walked in slowly. He needed to head back, not for anything in particular but just so that he were around. Vineheart couldn't be left to rely on the sandy warrior and no doubt she was starting to realise that too. 

[Feather]

Fernheart noticed something about Thornfrost's expression change when she mentioned the kits, but she couldn't figure out what it was before it was gone as fast as it had arrived as the two of them sat there in more or less comfortable companionship. She felt something twist in her stomach, unsure, but before she could try to correct her mistake he was speaking again, "Well, I hope I do a better job then those kits then, yes?" 

"Yes," She meowed, looking down at her almost complete tail. "You definitely do..." She trailed off, watching as he stood and started to make his way back towards the water.  

"Let's head back to camp then because chances are, it will get matted on the way back anyway." Fernheart's heart dropped a little at this, but she understood. She'd been enjoying her time away from camp but now it was time to get back to work. The clan needed as many people helping as possible during leafbare and the ginger cat was surprised that Thornfrost had stayed away as long as he did. 

"You never know, perhaps you can recruit me again there," A happy burst of laughter erupted from Fernheart at this, quiet enough that she may not have altered Thornfrost to the sound but she couldn't be sure. She was...pleased that Thornfrost was taking the time to talk to her and possibly not just leave it at this. Fernheart genuinely liked to sit and talk with other cats but she never expected one of those cats to be Thornfrost. It was a pleasant surprise.

"I might just take you up on that," She called out, getting to her own feet to follow him, "just to warn you."   She caught up to him by entering the cold water, the water parted softly around her and continued to wash up against her legs as she went deeper into the water.She was careful not to ruin is work by keeping her tail raised over the water as long as she could.

"Oh, Thornfrost?" She meowed over the sound of the gently moving water. "Thank you." She hadn't gotten the chance to say it earlier, and she wasn't about to let him run off without her saying it, even with the promise of talking back at camp. She wasn't usually one to let things go unsaid, and she wasn't about to start now. She knew that Thornfrost would probably head back to camp now and Fernheart couldn't help but be a little disappointed that they would be going their separate ways and were unlikely to have another chance to talk for a long time. 

[ℓυиαя]

Her small burst of laughter washed over his fur as he let the water crawl up his legs and engulf his body. He had never talked to this particular she cat before but he found her refreshing in an odd sort of way. The type of cat he maybe wouldn't recruit to attend a patrol with but one he could talk to around camp when he finally found himself with nothing to do.

In this point in time, that was not likely.

"I might just take you up on that, just to warn you." A pause as he felt the water shift around him, no doubt as she too entered the large body of water. Ears flicked as his feet left the ground and he had to rely on his body to keep him afloat. Briefly he turned his head in her direction and his whiskers drew back. He might have spoken if she didn't continue. "Oh, Thornfrost? Thank you." A frown then, as if he was tried to decide if her thanks was just for the cleaning of her tail. He really hadn't done a whole heap but maybe this sort of thing meant more to long furred cats than he had thought. "Welcome," he settled with, seeing her swimming beside him. Turning his attention back to getting back to camp, Thornfrost continued to churn his legs under the water and partially swum, partially let the water take him right to the shore line. It was always faster getting back to shore and soon enough, the long, muscled tom slunk out of the water, with droplets glistening from his pelt.

Time to get back to work.

Looking over his shoulder to check the whereabouts of Fernheart, Thornfrost then started off over the sand back to camp, taking the distance easily with his long legs.

***

"Thornfrost! I thought you were sick - you know, not out here taking charge this morning," the small tabby said with a faint grin as the tall warrior walked into camp. Though still getting over her illness, Vineheart had resumed her sitting duties almost straight away and each day was getting brighter and brighter. Definitely not a serious case of Greencough - lucky for them all - as without her, what would they do then?

"Sorry, I was taking a swim and took longer than usual."

"Thornfrost - I'm joking. Don't be silly! How many times have I told you to go away and do something mindless?"

"Vineheart you kn-"

"Yeah - so get over yourself already." Hitting him on the flank with her tail lightly, Vineheart smiled again as he frowned at her - the interactions much like siblings. "You know what would really help me? If you told me a joke, lighten the mood a little."

"You seem better," he said, changing the subject.

A pause where something flashed across her face, quickly hidden which was something she had once not been very good at. "I'm getting there - yes. Thank you. Anyway I should let you get back to whatever it is you do," winking, Vineheart went to head off. As much as she joked around with him, she truly did appreciate the help, his support and never ending perseverance and dedication.


OOC: Feel free to have her walk on in after him, can interrupt at anytime c: x I kind of just mind blobbed lol

[Feather]

Fernheart watched as Thornfrost seemed to pause at her words before finally settling on, "Welcome." The silver cat then turned to start back to camp, using the water to get back to shore. He looked back at her for a moment but Fernheart failed at catching their eyes. The tom was on his way back to camp before she could say or do anything other wise, most likely to go talk to Vinheart as he usually did.

Probably for the best, the she-cat mused, shaking out some of the droplets of water from her tail as she made it to the shore. Mornings like that never lasted for long, not in leafbare. Half the time she was lucky just to get away from her duties long enough to make the trip over to the island. She looked back at the small island longingly, half wishing that she could shirk her duties and go back. With another shake of her fur, Fernheart made her way back to camp.

-

By the time she arrived at the SunsetClan camp, Fernheart's fur was once again a mess. This wasn't unusual for her, and her clan mates were probably used to it at this point, but today it was bothering her more so than usual though she couldn't quite figure out why. 

Whatever, she thought to herself. No sense making a big deal out of it now. 

There wasn't much else to do before she was assigned her duties for the day. Looking around she could see Cloudshine making her way out of the warriors sleeping den and towards some food. Usually she might go up and chat with the young she-cat but today Fernheart stayed were she was near once of the entrances to their camp.

She hadn't eaten this morning, so Fernheart stood and walked towards their meager pile of food. She nosed around for a moment before coming up with one of the smallest pieces of prey she could find. She would only get a bigger one if she was to share. Even this one, that she was now holding in her mouth, was a bit to big to her liking. Maybe she could go share the rest of it with the queens when she was done. 

She could see Thornfrost talking to Vineheart from where she was resting but she couldn't make out the conversation. Everything is back to normal then. 

She padded over to one of the more secluded areas in SunsetClan camp before settling down. She placed the prey at her feet and took a bite, stomach cramping around the lack of content in it. She would need to find some water this morning as well, she hadn't had enough to drink today as it was. She paused after her bite, praying for her stomach to settle. She shouldn't feel as guilty as she did for eating when someone else could probably use the food. She had to regularly remind herself that everyone needed to keep their strength up, including herself.

To settle her stomach, Fernheart lay out so that her belly was flat to the ground and her paws were out in front of her. She used this time to observe the camp again. Most cats were awake by this point, unlike when she had first woken up this morning. She could see some of the queens moving some bedding around, apprentices were starting to get their tasks from their mentors. The day was finally starting.

OOC: You're amazing <3 I love people who get carried away and bring detail and depth in their posts. Especially with other characters mentioned/brought in. This also took way longer than it should have because my internet has been crap all morning. 

[ℓυиαя]

Just as she went to turn away and get onto organizing the patrols for the coming day, the Deputy noticed Fernheart trot through the entrance looking rather wet, rather a mess and as if she had mentally prepped herself. Thornfrost noticed her too because his ears turned in the direction of the sodding she cat and he looked across at her briefly.

"Busy in the ocean this morning was it?" The small tabby asked him on a mrrow, turning her golden gaze back to the tom from the scars that imprisoned her eyes.

"I had some company, yes" he replied without emotion in that serious tone. "I was as surprised as you are. This time of year, I'm usually alone. She seemed to be struggling with that pelt of hers so I offered to help. I must say, I have no idea how you do it." Laughing, Vineheart smiled but it was one tinged with sadness, pain and keep safe memories. Hadn't she heard something similar from another? Looking over to Fernheart who now laid stretched out on her belly, Vineheart blinked once, twice and then fluffed her tail up behind her.

"Trust me, it's a hassle for us too. Hence why we rope you lot in."

"I volunteered."

"That's what you think." Smiling up at him, she went on as she turned away. "Continue with your morning, I'll round up some of the lazier warriors. Enjoy, Thornfrost."

Watching the smaller feline pad away and begin conversing with others on the far side of camp, Thornfrost stood there for a while before he too turned off and headed over to where he had seen Fernheart in his peripheral. Part of him wanted to patrol and keep busy, check in with his father and his sister. but the loyal, trustworthy part of him knew he had a partial promise to keep. "You would never guess I had just dematted your tail," he commented, sitting and curling that tail around lean legs.

[Feather]

A light breeze washed over Fernheart and the ginger she-cat shivered slightly, her fur still damp from her swim not that long ago. The cool air was penetrating her skin where her thick fur was usually there to protect her. She brought her body in closer to herself, cursing slightly as she wondered how much longer this leafbare was going to last. Just because she was usually warmer during leafbare didn't mean she liked it anymore than the average cat.

With a sigh, Fernheart turned back to observing the camp. The clan was nearly fully awake now, with most cats starting to head out for the next set of patrols. She flicked her ears and focused on the movement around her. She couldn't hear any of the more rambunctious kits up yet, so at least the queens would have some moment of rest before chaos begun. Sometimes, and only sometimes, she wondered what it would be like to have kits of her own. Something about it told her she wasn't quite ready; she loved spending time with the queens and their kits but to see a little kit of her own running around...the idea was terrifying.

Her ears twitched again as she dimly heard Thornfrost's now familiar voice from across the camp. She couldn't make out what he was saying, but it sounded no different than usual so she assumed she'd have nothing to worry about. Talking with him today had been a pleasant surprise, she had always regretted not getting to know some of the more senior warriors in SunsetClan. She hadn't expecting anyone to join her that morning, as most cats didn't like to go out in the middle of leafbare in favour of their warm nests. Occasionally during the warmer moons she'd get some of her friends joining her but they usually scoffed at her adventures this time of the year. She actually usually preferred to spend her time alone in the mornings but she hadn't been opposed to Thornfrost's company. Maybe it was is calm nature that allowed her to relax instead of worrying about the day.

"You would never guess I had just dematted your tail," Fernheart smiled at the voice, turning her gaze upwards towards the newcomer. He was sitting with his tail curled around his tail and Fernheart couldn't help but feel amused over the fact he was sitting so perfectly. 

"No," She mock mourned with a sad sigh, looking down at her tail as if it was a tragedy. "All of your hard work, gone to waste." She looked back up at him with a smile and a friendly tilt to the head. "It's truly a shame."