Sunsetclan Explorers [tagged]

[Deleted]

ℓυиαя&@scarlet

An afternoon alone, hunting for what he could in a season that doesn't offer much. He sighed in dismay as he couldn't catch wind of any prey. While he was generally lucky with prey here, it was always difficult when the season changed. The silver pelted tom walked around the abandoned building. He had always loved this place as a kit, it was basically a giant play ground. To this day he feels he still hasn't explored every den in this giant nest. He checked around for sight of any other clanmates, he didn't feel like being caught as he let his playful side out. Besides, if he was to attract a mate now would be the time. They could get to know each other before the next appropriate mating season. He still had little faith in his mind of this happening any time soon. He still has the nervous bits where he looses his sense of direction and becomes a clumsy mess. Someday he'll find someone who adores him for him. Him and all his awkward glory.

He walked deeper into the nest, trying to figure out where his last adventure left off at. He turned left and started walking towards a room that had... smooth dirt. The dirt was cold and an unusual color. Not like the rest of the ground. Then again he failed to forget, this wasn't the average den or nest. He was deep in thought while exploring the odd den. The rush of excitement flowed over him and he felt like a kit again.

[ℓυиαя]

The wind picked up as the small, long haired tabby stepped closer to the hollow twoleg nest, round ears flattened as the wind buffeted her small frame, her tail floating in the wind.

Why was she here?

Why had she come back?

What good would ever come of this?

Golden eyes set in a face of scars searched the monstrosity in earnest, in pain, in worry. What if I'm not alone here, what if she came back? Vineheart hadn't even wanted to come here but somehow.. somehow her feet had lead her to where everything had changed one sunny morning. From that point on, nothing had been the same - both for good and for bad. Since the run in, the new deputy of Sunsetclan hadn't been back, she hadn't let herself - perhaps she hadn't wanted to. but now against her better judgement here she was.

And now that she was standing before it, she didn't know what to do.

Vineheart didn't have many memories of that fateful day except for what she saw in her sleep and flashbacks every now and then. A snow white pelt drenched in blood, two mismatched eyes and the occasional glimpse of Sandstrike, a well known Sunsetclan warrior that had also been witness to the terrible day. but she remembered the pain and she bore the scars to prove it.  Perhaps she didn't want to come back because she was scared of what she could remember.

Only planning on coming to glimpse the abandonned twoleg nest from afar, Vineheart stilled as she scented another cat. Her body froze as her mind flicked through every senario - that was until she forced herself to distinguish the scent.

Sunsetclan. A soft sigh of relief.

Eyes narrowed, Vineheart wondered who would possibly be rummaging around in this place. Although, they didn't have any reason to fear it did they? Step by cautious step, the deputy closed in on the site never letting her eyes leave the entrance for a moment. By the time she had reached the whole in the weatherboards, the hair along the back of her neck was spiked and her breathing almost forced as the memories rained havoc on her brain. Telling herself that it was no big deal, that her attacker was no longer present and that she could trust this cat, Vineheart pushed her way into the nest and looked around as her eyes adjusted. There, a cat she remembered.

"..Pebblespot?"

[Deleted]

The young tom gracefully leaped onto the oddly shaped obstruction in the middle of the oddly textured den. It gave him a higher up view of the nest. He smiled and trotted around on the high up surface. "I pebblestar, declare you and you the newest warriors to Sunsetclan!" he had deepened his voice to make him sound more like a noble leader. He meowed faintly to mimic the cheering of the invisible clan cats before him. He walked over to yet another oddly smooth surface. "Now excuse me while I lay with my beautiful mate" he fluffed out his chest and walked into what he imagined would be his personal den. He knew a true leader wouldn't dismiss themselves that way; however, this was his fantasy and he had just decided to change the traditional rules of his imaginary clan. He sat for a moment and looked to his left, "darling, I hate to run, but I must mark the borders once more so I can keep you; my beloved, safe" he nodded his head respectfully to dismiss himself from an imaginary queen.

He chuckled to himself and hopped off the high surface. He went to the next den in the nest, which seemed to have returned to the same ground as the rest of the nest. There was a giant looking glass that separated this den from what seemed to be the outside. He tilted his head and wondered why a twoleg would want to keep themselves from being away from the outside. To him, it was a marvelous place.

He sat up and his nose twitched. He caught wind of another cat. He hopped to his toes and his fur began to bristle. He walked around the corner and then the smell became familiar. It was another clanmate. His fur rested back to his skin. His heart then jumped up to his throat, what if they saw his little act? He turned the corner and his eyes widen as his name was called out, "V-vineheart?" he responded. "H-hey! How are you doing my grand deputy!" he trotted up to the black she-cat and nervously chuckled as he greeted her.

[ℓυиαя]

The Sunsetclan Deputy was so taken aback by her clanmates performance that she forgot her nervousness momentarily. While she didn't know the tom very well personally, she hadn't expected this sort of behavior either. 

"H-hey! How are you doing my grand deputy!"

She didn't know what to say to that she really didn't, her eyes still wide as he grew closer to her. Suddenly a grin spread across her face, one that once would have been at home that now was a rare occurrence. She started to laugh, not a horrible laugh but one that lit up her face amist the scars that now traversed it. Giving him an apologetic glance she managed to get out between laughing: "Hello Pebblespot, I'm.... sorry. That was.. the last thing I expected."

He couldn't know how true that was. To expect to see the cat from her nightmares, no matter how irrational that was, and then to stumble across this, Vineheart was glad for the light distraction. Her mind sobered at those thoughts and the laughter left her, only a small smile remaining. "Do you aspire to one day become leader?" There was interest in her voice now as she took in the tom before her.

[Deleted]

He was cursing at himself. He should've known he was never truly alone. This clan was plentiful. Let alone be caught doing that ridiculous act in front of his deputy. How embarrassing! He bashfully smiled as she laughed at his performance. He has noticed her smile being nonexistent for a while now; he was glad that was able to bring it back.

He dug his paw into the ground as she began to inquire his other motives. Him? A leader? "M-me? A leader? I... I don't know. I never saw myself as the leader type... but isn't it every cats dream at one point to be leader?" he never know a kit or apprentice or even a warrior that boasted and bragged about becoming leader of the clan one day. "It's a natural thing, you know" he huffed. He slowly walked over to her, his tail flickering with excitement. He was eager to change the subject, at least draw the attention away from his screen play. "Have you had a chance to explore this nest from top to bottom before?" he looked towards the ceiling and smiled, a twinkle in his eye. "I had wanted to do this since I was a kit, but... you know... parents dieing. Then I went straight into training!" his heart felt heavy as he brought up that memory, but he quickly regained his normal spirit.

He trotted over to the next den, "you want to come with me?" he looked over his shoulder, curiosity coursing through his paws. It looked like there was a whole other level to this next, it was still nothing but a playground.

[ℓυиαя]

"Have you had a chance to explore this nest from top to bottom before?"

Her stomach sunk as his words reminded her of where she was, the place that was so often the scene of her horrific dreams when it had once been her reality. As her laughter subsided, the tabby shifted her paws as the walls seemingly closed in on her restricting her breathing. Had she had a chance to explore this nest from top to bottom before? What did she say to that? What could she say when she was incapable of saying anything at all? Golden eyes surveyed the dank den in which the two of them stood; one excited the other reserved, cautious and frozen - even her feathered tail still. Even being here she could feel her, the lethal edge that intruder had given off as she had visciously and brutally reigned attacks on her and Sandstrike.

She would have died here if it wasn't for him. Yet somehow she got the impression that he respected her because of it. 

However safe and living she was, that murderous furball still walked free. It had been that or Vineheart's life.

Those eyes moved past Pebblespot to where a dark smear lay on the weird feeling den ground and the images flooded back tenfold, her ears flattening against the assailment. Limbs turned to lead as her eyes travelled further around the odd den, her hackles raising. She- they needed to get out of here, now. It wasn't safe, she could come back at any moment. Vineheart had gotten the impression this loner didn't play by the rules.

"No, and you shouldn't either. It's not safe." Her words were uncharacteristically blunt in her panic, the walls continuing to close in on her, her breathing growing more and more shallow with each inch they closed in.

[Deleted]

He smiled brightly then noticed his deputy start to act strangely. It looked like she started to... panic. His shoulders dropped with disappointment, what could have caused that? His own personal anxiety set in when he realized she may be upset he considered exploring the nest. She was deputy, she could get him into some trouble. He started looking around for an excuse to get out of it.

His nerves started to settle when he noticed her starting to panic more and more. He danced on his paws, such a graceful she-cat should not need to worry. He walked over to her with a relaxed smiled "Vineheart... I-it's okay. Whatever it is, it's okay. It's just you and me..." he smiled and nuzzled her shoulder. He wasn't sure if that would be stepping over any lines, but if it were him, he'd want to be comforted. "We can walk out of here, I'll just imagine the rest of the nest!" he stepped away and bashfully smiled, "as you've discovered, I'm pretty good at imagining my own little world" he shook of his small smile and traded it in for a sarcastic grin. Hoping to lighten up the mood.

[ℓυиαя]

The blood,

The pain,

The panic.

Why couldn't it stop.

Please let it stop.

His words floated to her through the haze as if they were drifting through a different medium rather than the air around them - distorted and warped to her ears. A frown caused her scars to buckle over golden eyes that seemed so... vulnerable, yet much older than her mere 20 moons. She was so young for all of this. Some might even say too young. Lost in the fog of trauma and reliving the horrible events that had befallen her mere tail lengths from where they stood, the fur of her shoulder prickled and she jumped - that gaze burning bright locking on him.

While tendrils of fog still clung to her mind much like a spiderweb on a fern frond, Pebblespots touch had jolted her from her torturous mind and she took a deep breath. She had been so strong until now, but then again she guessed that was easier than if you were far away. Here, she was back where it all happened and that put a lock on her, both physically and mentally. This time his words were clear to her freed mind.

"We can walk out of here, I'll just imagine the rest of the nest! As you've discovered, I'm pretty good at imagining my own little world."

His consoling filled her with gratitude but also embarrassment. How could she just break down like that? Normally she wouldn't have cared but this last while since becoming Deputy, she had become aware of what others would think of her in this new position. Vineheart struggled to think about what she knew about him. A young tom he was, even younger than her and clearly he had his fair share of pain. Finally she spoke, and as she spoke her composure regained itself bit by bit. She was stronger than this. If anything, the ordeal here a few moons ago had shown her that. "Thank you Pebblespot...I'm sorry you had to see that, but.. thank you."

Golden eyes shone now with her gratitude and she pushed off the embarrassment, telling herself that everyone had rough times - it was those times that made them seem more relatable. "I should probably head off however uh-" she paused to give the den a brief, fleeting glance "I shouldn't be here. I'd feel better if you weren't either." If he wanted to stay it was up to him but she felt sick at the thought of her possibly still being around. He was so young. Turning, Vineheart hurried out of the dank den and into the sunlight which warmed her fur and her thoughts.

[Deleted]

He smiled as he noticed she began to calm down. He nodded respectfully, ”you’re welcome, vineheart…” she started walking away from the nest, he was curious about her panic attack. It seemed a series of events took place in this nest and from the looks of it, the experience had a negative impact on her life. He wondered if she could look past it one day. Then he shook his head, he still can’t over his own history. This will stick with her for as long as she’ll live, but she could at least have friends to keep her occupied.

He was lost in thought and hadn’t notice her walk out of the nest. He shook his head and held his tail up high, ”w-wait!” he trotted next to her, stumbling slightly over his paws. ”I’ll be happy to abide by your wishes! I was done hunting there anyway” he was too much of a nice guy for his own good. ”We’re... we’re you going back to camp?” he questioned. ”Company is always a good thing for a long walk!” rambling on as he usually does. He was pathetic.

[ℓυиαя]

Her fur tingled, still feeling as if she was trapped in that enclosed space that smelt of dust and moss. Quickly licking a paw and rubbing it over her head, Vineheart tried to rid herself of the heaviness in her limbs. Gradually as the sun continued to warm her fur, the lead in her body eased away and she was left blinking into the soft sunlight.

A sigh of relief left the small tabby as she heard Pebblespot follow her out of the death trap and she turned around to meet him when he came up behind her. She felt much better now she wasn't encompassed by the abandoned nest but the stench of death and danger still clung to the outside. This had been a mistake.

At his nervous words, Vineheart smiled softly, he truly was an endearing character and she saw in him the want to put others first. The concern he had for others was heart warming. "I was yes but I would appreciate the company, Pebblespot. Thank you." Giving the feral nest once last glance, Vineheart shuddered inwardly and turned away, climbing back into the heart of Sunsetclan territory and flicking her tail for him to join her. As nervous as he was, she liked the friendly young tom. The walk would be a long one and she was glad to have someone to take her mind off the events that had just occurred. but first, she owed him a proper apology.

Taking a deep breath, Vineheart stopped when she was a good distance away from the nest and turned to face him. "What you saw back there.. I'm sorry you had to see that and I appreciate how understanding you were. It's a... long story and still raw I'm afraid. I guess everyone has something and that.. that is mine."

[Deleted]

He swished his tail as he trotted behind her. He always had a bounce in his step and a gentle smile. She stopped in front of him and began to apologize for her behavior, he smiled and shook his head, ”Vineheart, it’s alright. I’ve been there before. Some history will never fade no matter how new or old it is, but as long as you have company and friendship, it gets easier!” he sat down and curled his tail over his paws delicately. His head slightly lowered, ”I still think about my parents… It’s hard without them seeing how much I’ve grown, but I know they wouldn’t want me to be sad all the time. My mother and father always told me to look towards the stars and imagine a bright future!” hearing him say it to someone else, he didn’t realize how cheesy it sounded. However, it still got him through rough times.

He sat up and slowly began walking again, at this pace they’d be back by night fall; however, he didn’t mind. ”You don’t have to explain yourself” he reassured. If she truly felt like talking about it, then she could, but there was no way he would try and pry that information out of her. It would be like pealing a fresh scab off a wound! ”Do you have any plans whenever you become… Vinestar?” his eyes twinkled as if he was talking to her as a leader already.

[ℓυиαя]

Wise words from such a young cat. 

She guessed that's what pain did to someone.

However her panic attack wasn't just because she had been in that.. place again - it was because that monster was still out there. What if she got hold of someone like Pebblespot? What if she got hold of anyone? She had had murderous intent and no morals to speak of - facts that had been written right there in the monsters mismatched eyes. Eyes that still haunted the young deputy. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Vineheart's golden eyes were soft as she listened to Pebblespot talk about his experiences. When he paused, she smiled gently knowing she wasn't the only one with fresh wounds. "Your parent's sound like they were amazing Pebblespot. I'm sure they would have been very proud." A soft tone, a respectful tone and her horrifically scarred face was kind, a trait that many knew her for. 

Getting up when he did, Vineheart kept pace beside him, her much smaller legs having to work faster to keep up. After a comfortable silence when he spoke again, Vineheart slid him a sideways look and laughed lightly, turning her mind away from the horrors her back was to. "When I become Vinestar? I haven't really thought about it yet, I'm still slipping into the roll of deputy if I'm truly honest. The best I can do is keep ready in case - Starclan forbid- anything happens to Ratstar. I don't think anyone is truly ready to take on a leadership role. It's how you carry out the role that counts." A thoughtful pause before another soft laugh, slightly cheeky this time. "I know you have a few plans, Pebblestar." Those golden eyes twinkled back at him. Her becoming deputy had been a complete shock but it had only taken one look at Sandstrike to know he had mentioned her to Ratstar, the cunning tom.

[Deleted]

He puffed his chest out proudly as she spoke about his parents. He loved talking about his parents, even if it hurt a little. He nodded in agreement as she mentioned how no one could be fully ready. Especially when this happen unexpectedly, which is how most leader positions are made. Just as he thought there would be another moment of silence she questioned his plans if he were to become leader. His eyes widen slightly and he stumbled over his paws. ”W-well… as you saw I would just make apprentices into warriors then I would leave my wonderful mate unexpectedly decide to mark my territory instead” he smiled proudly then realized he just discovered he didn’t attempt to have relations in his own world. He hoped she notice that.

”In all seriousness… I’m not really sure what I would do if I were in that position either. You’re right, you can never be fully ready” he nodded and smiled, ”all you need to know though, is that you’ll have a wonderful and loyal clan to help you be the best you can” he always tried to look towards the brighter side of things, no matter how bleak a situation could be.

He didn’t mind accompanying the deputy to the camp. In fact he didn’t mind the company, period. When training throughout his apprenticeship he didn’t focus on friendship, he just kept his eye on the prize. That prize was his warrior name. Maybe it was a good thing she ran into him at the twoleg nest. He could use this opportunity to make a new friend.

[Deleted]

(Sending a reminder in case you forgot ℓυиαя
and because I need to have 50 words I'm just going to type random text. 
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[ℓυиαя]

OOC: Thank you! I had gotten so busy and then forgot D: Sorry for late reply!

Padding beside the young warrior, Vineheart mused at his words. It was true, with the exception of a certain apprentice, the clan had been surprisingly supportive of her young age. At only 20 moons, there could have been many older warriors that were apprehensive of her experience and age. Not to mention the scars that cut her face had been something they hadn't reacted too well to when they had appeared. Maybe they had taken a different look on it this time. It had also helped her that Sandstrike had somewhat explained himself to her on that fateful night. It made more sense to her now.

"It has been wonderful how supportive everyone has been, that is true." A jealous image of a russet coloured apprentice came to mind but she quickly dismissed such thoughts. Pebblespot didn't need to hear about that confrontation and the she cat in question wasn't worth worrying over for now. For a while, there was a comfortable silence as the two headed back to camp and then suddenly she spoke again with that calm, caring voice that was so easy to trust. "Who do you usually spend your time with among the clan, Pebblespot?" Rounded ears flicked in question as her eyes swung to meet his.