theeriginals
White Star
Currently in College, May not respond right away
Posts: 51
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Post by theeriginals on Sept 26, 2022 19:42:54 GMT
Barrelmoon - Coveclan
Words: 264
Stretched out on a smooth rock in the sun, pale belly facing the sky lay Barrelmoon. He sighed in contentment and let his aching body soak up the warmth, ears flicking at the sound of the waves crashing and the sand crunching underneath paw steps. The sounds of the clan comforted him and made him feel at home. The middle-aged tom took a deep breath of sea air and rolled to lay on his side, moving to rest his chin on the rock so he could look at the camp clearing. Everything seemed to be business as usual.
‘I wonder,’ Thought the round tom as he watched cats walk by, eyes dropping closed from the warmth of the sun on his pelt, ‘If I should go hunting soon? Hmm…. Or help clean dens or something..’ He wrinkled his nose and shook his head a little, ‘No. There are enough apprentices for that. Maybe the medicine cat needs help today?’
Barrelmoon opened his eyes again and glanced in the direction of the den. An ear turned in the direction to try and pick up any signs of hurried movement, but there was nothing. It would’ve been easier to figure out what to do if he could help watch over kits or train an apprentice of his own. As much as laying in the sun made him happy…. He wanted to feel like he was contributing to the clan, not acting like an elder or a lazy barn cat. He shrugged and closed his eyes once more, settling on dozing for a few moments.
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Post by Pants on Oct 6, 2022 23:24:54 GMT
Creekstar trotted into the camp, head held high as a decent sized fish flopped in between his jaws, sending sprays of salty water into the air with each sporadic movement of its fleeting life. With the soft sand in between filling the spaces in between his toes with each step, the tom hauled the fresh kill to its designated pile, placing the fish down and giving the final killing bite to its head. With the prey now laying still upon the remainder of the game caught by his clanmates. The tom gave a small nod to himself in accomplishment, turning tail to begin heading further into the clearing.
A mass of gray fur immediately caught his attention, that mass being Barrelmoon. He wasn't part of the original clan of cats that had moved to this new area, but he did show promise. With the warriors being so busy making do in their new environment, the tom was a handy resource in the fact that he enjoyed the aspect of being a mentor to the young cats of the clan. Not in the same way that mentors taught apprentices to hunt or fight, but more like a guiding light for those who were lost on their path to warriorhood. Barrelmoon's paternal and compassionate demeanor made accepting the tom into the clan an easy choice. Other leaders before Creekstar might not have been so keen on allowing outsiders to make up the clan's numbers, but Creekstar seemed to think of things differently..
"Barrelmoon!" The young leader called, tail curled at the end and a jovial energy with each step, "Find a good spot to sunbathe?" He meowed with a slight purr. "Looks comfy enough, at least!" The blue tom stood next to his older clanmate, stretching out his legs while still on his toes - feeling the tension flee from his lower joints. His line of sight then rested on the gray cat, the light in his eyes matching his friendly smile.
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theeriginals
White Star
Currently in College, May not respond right away
Posts: 51
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Post by theeriginals on Oct 7, 2022 2:45:27 GMT
Barrelmoon maneuvered his body into a more comfortable position to talk, paws tucking underneath his body as he smiled up at Creekstar. “Hello, Creekstar,” He greeted the tom and briefly sniffed the air, licking his lips as he smelled the scent of fresh fish, “You were out hunting? I hope the fishing was easy.” The gray tom purred a laugh when Creekstar brought attention to his sunning spot.
“The beach always seems to have the best areas to sunbathe.” The former barn cat patted the empty spot next to him, “You can sit here if you like. I don’t mind sharing..”
Barrelmoon felt that the blue tom was a good friend already, maybe even a brother of sorts. The gray tom liked to think he was able to sense a cat’s true personality and Creekstar had always seemed genuine. The leader seemed a little young to have kits of his own, but Barrelmoon figured every cat has their own path. Speaking of Creekstar’s kits…. “How’s your youngin’s training going? Well I hope?” He asked Creekstar, tilting his head to the side.
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Post by Pants on Oct 17, 2022 18:46:05 GMT
Creekstar's ears straightened out a bit as the older tom brought up the hunting trip. "I was!" was the leader's reply, "Fish seemed to be quite generous today! Hoping to go back out later and catch another." Creekstar took Barrelmoon's invitation and sat beside him, tail casually wrapped around his paws. The warmth of the sun was very comforting. Creekstar could see why his clanmate had chosen this spot. He closed his eyes and let his pelt collect the rays of sunlight.
Barrelmoon brought up his childrens' training. "Aaah, they're doing well! Or at least as well as I could hope. Beepaw is... Well... Beepaw." And he gave a small sigh under his breath, "Boltclaw seems to be managing her. She's a tough one, for sure..." Creekstar trailed off for a moment, opening his eyes again, staring off in front of him. "She'll be a fine warrior, I'm sure, but I've never known an apprentice quite as troublesome. Must be StarClan's way of testing me, huh?" He chuckled a bit, turning his head to Barrelmoon. "What do you think? You've raised kits before, right?" The young blue tabby lay down next to his clanmate, ready to listen to what he might say. |
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theeriginals
White Star
Currently in College, May not respond right away
Posts: 51
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Post by theeriginals on Oct 17, 2022 18:55:39 GMT
Barrelmoon listened as Creekstar talked about his kits, smiling at the love clear in the leader’s voice. “Beepaw does seem to be…. Quite spirited,” He chuckled “but I agree. Boltclaw seems to be handling her well.” At the mention of Starclan, the older tom hesitated before giving it a thought. He didn’t really know if he believed in Starclan, definitely believed in spirits…. But Starclan? Eh. They were important to the Clan Cats so…
“If Starclan is testing you, then maybe they just want to see how you’ll guide Beepaw. Along with her clanmates guiding her.” He licked a paw and drew it over his ear. When Creekstar asked if he had ever raised kits, Barrelmoon paused and thought again. The former barn cat chuckled again and sighed, “Sadly no. I’ve never had kits of my own. I’ve only ever helped others with their young. Or mentored cats that were apprentice age.” He began his grooming again as he spoke, “I hope I don’t get too old to have my own though.” A wistful and sad look clouded his eyes for a second before he shook his head and looked back up at Creekstar, “If you don’t mind me asking, where is their other parent?”
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Post by Pants on Jan 5, 2023 21:34:45 GMT
Creekstar looked intently at the older tom, nodding as he spoke. Creekstar was really young to be a leader, so maybe this was StarClan's way of testing him. What better way than to throw everything at him at once, right? Between the kits being born, losing his mate, and moving the entire clan, things were already difficult for the blue tabby. At least they were settled, and at least they could try and rest easy now. But being a single parent was a challenge all on its own, even with mentors to help out.
"I'm sure the right time and cat will come along, Barrelmoon," Creekstar tried to reassure the large warrior, "I reckon it's a matter of waiting for things to fall into place."
The topic of his kits' mother arose and Creekstar's ears perked for a moment before slightly pinning back as his eyes , a solemn expression on his face. "Aaah, Iriseye... Well... We lost her during the journey here." Creekstar took in a deep breath and exhaled softly to release the tension he felt in his chest. "She went out hunting. I made the clan wait for days. But..." The tom was trying to keep his composure, shuffling his paws closer together, tail tightly wrapped around his being. "She never came back..." The tom shook his head for a moment before immediately trying to change the subject. "I'm sure she would've loved it here, though! What with the beautiful sights and the fish and the fresh ocean air. It's all so wonderful!" It was obvious he was making an attempt to push away the negative in his thoughts, giving a friendly smile. "What about you? You take a fancy to anyone? Surely someone has caught your eye, right?" |
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theeriginals
White Star
Currently in College, May not respond right away
Posts: 51
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Post by theeriginals on Jan 6, 2023 0:04:33 GMT
Barrelmoon nodded here and there as Creekstar spoke. He chuckled at the tom’s kind words, “Thank you. In the meantime, while I wait for that special cat, I can at least help the clan.” He shifted to sit up and wrap his tail around his paws and continued listening to the younger tom.
His heart ached when the sadness appeared on Creekstar’s face, a paternal instinct causing Barrelmoon to rest his tail on the blue cat’s back. “I’m sorry to hear about your mate.” He murmured, low enough that eavesdropping young cats wouldn’t hear, “I’m sure she’s proud of you and your kits.” At the leader’s quick change of subject and tone, Barrelmoon offered him reprieve from his grief by letting the conversation change.
When asked about his love life, the former barn cat was somewhat unprepared but didn’t know why. “That’s a good question, Creekstar.” He hummed in consideration as he recalled the cats he met on his travels, “There were a few companions I had before finding the clans, but it was never anything serious or lasted long enough. Mostly some- ah… kitty pets I think you call them?- that found a loner interesting and mysterious.” He laughed at his own words and shook his head, “It’s expected when you’re a wandering tom. Some of them were good friends though…” Barrelmoon looked contemplative as he murmured, “I wonder how they are these days.”
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Post by Pants on Feb 9, 2023 6:49:30 GMT
Creekstar was grateful that Barrelmoon allowed the conversation's subject to change. The wounds were still fresh in his heart, but while the tom was willing to be vulnerable with his clanmates, he wasn't sure that this would be the appropriate time to allow himself to truly grieve. He was the leader, after all, and a much higher level of composure was expected of him, and he wasn't ready to share that with much of anyone...
So the blue tabby instead intently listened to his clanmate, giving the older tom his undivided attention. He nodded as he absorbed himself into this new topic, trying to imagine what sorts of cats the large tom had been the companion of, and more so what that would look like with a kittypet. Barrelmoon had been the wandering type. Weren't kittypets stagnant, surely tied to their life of confinement and comfort? Aah, well, he did say those companionships were mostly short lived. He blinked a few times, grounding himself in the present once again. Creekstar gave a smile and placed a gentle paw onto Barrelmoon's shoulder. "Well, at least you're here with us now! You've got plenty of cats that care for you, and by StarClan, I'm sure you've got quite a few stories they'd love to hear!" The leader chirped, a bit excited himself. He loved hearing about the world outside of the clans. Not that he ever planned on leaving - he was a warrior through and through - but something about the idea of cats beyond the borders had always fascinated Creekstar. The blue tabby had always wondered what lives they must lead! Oh, the exciting experiences they must have! Even the kittypets must have something to share, right?
Then an idea popped into the tom's mind. "Say, you wouldn't mind telling a story now, would ya?" His eyes darted back towards the direction of the fresh kill pile. The fish he had managed to catch earlier was sizable and could feed at least two cats. "That fish isn't gonna eat itself, ya know..." He gave a grin as he looked back to the large tom. |
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theeriginals
White Star
Currently in College, May not respond right away
Posts: 51
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Post by theeriginals on Feb 9, 2023 20:29:43 GMT
Barrelmoon couldn’t help the purr of amusement rumbling in his chest as Creekstar’s eyes glittered with excitement for the older cat’s stories. ‘Though they are far and few between,’ he thought and considered the offer for the fresh fish. The weather was good and so was hunting so… why not treat yourself to some good prey? A full belly and good company would always help him cheer up so perhaps it would help the younger tom. “Is my leader offering to share his catch with me? Who am I to refuse,” He replied with a smile, “I will warn you, a loner’s life isn’t as interesting as a clan cat’s. Hopefully, I don’t put you to sleep as an elder’s stories would.”
The gray tom started to think about what parts of his life would be the most interesting… he’d traveled all over a two-leg place once. Lots of loud and annoying dogs, some particularly testy kittypets that thought he was a challenger for mates and territory. Or perhaps Creekstar would like to hear about his kithood in the barn? As that memory passed over his thoughts, Barrelmoon could’ve sworn he smelled the scent of warm hay and overfed mice. “I’ve got a variety of stories from my travels so you can take your pick.” He meowed.
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