theeriginals
White Star
Currently in College, May not respond right away
Posts: 51
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Post by theeriginals on Sept 29, 2022 15:55:09 GMT
Aster’s paw steps slowed as they neared the Star Cliffs, mostly in awe of the area but cautiousness as well. It was beautiful. Fitting for the Tribe of Endless Hunting to come and speak to the living. Her ears twitched out of habit, thinking for a moment that she heard something, but figured it was just because she wasn’t familiar with this area.
When she realized the Poolwalker had stopped walking and was talking to her, Aster stopped beside her and listened. She was still looking around at her surroundings, a glimmer of wonder in her eyes.
“No. I’ve never been here or at the top.” She murmured and met Butterfly’s gaze, forgetting to school her expression and unknowingly allowing the molly to see how awestruck she was. Her fur prickled in anticipation as she glanced towards their path, “You’re sure it’s okay for me to accompany you to the top?”
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Dappledolly
Red Star
The unrelenting constancy of love and hope can rescue and restore you from any scope 🧿✨
Posts: 32
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Post by Dappledolly on Sept 29, 2022 19:42:17 GMT
Butterfly purred softly as she watched the to-be's face fill with wonder. The first time she had seen this place was when they had first arrived, and the view still takes her breath to this day. She enjoyed showing the beautiful pool to her tribemates as she insists everyone should be able to view it at least once. At times, she often found herself walking up here in the middle of the night, just wanting a moment of peace from her hectic thoughts that her den occasionally brought to her. "Every cat should be able to see it at least once" she mewed, smiling at Aster.
The white molly then turned back towards the path and jumped up one of the rocks, motioning to Aster to follow her. "Just be careful with the steps, cats tend to slip down some of the rocks when they aren't looking, mainly clan cats." she called back, starting to make her way up the steps. The air became cooler and water droplets could be seen flowing in the air, almost inviting them closer.
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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 Sept 29, 2022 19:54:03 GMT
The to-be realized suddenly that she had been staring like a wide eyed kit, clearing her throat softly and straightening her posture. “It’s kind of you to show us, Poolwalker. Not many have seen the top I assume?”
As Butterfly leapt onto the rocks, Aster switched her attention to the path and noticed the loose stones and rocks that would easily send a cat tumbling if they didn’t know the right path. She figured the older cat would know the path like the back of her paw so she thought nothing of it and leapt up after her. “Thank you for the tips. I’ll try not to slip.” She replied, “I’d rather not risk bringing the tribe down one hunter.”
The spray from the waterfalls gathered on her whiskers and eyelashes, making her blink a few times and shake her head. The humidity causing her usually straight fur to develop a little wave, courtesy of her father’s curly pelt. “Do the stones get slippery along the way?”
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Dappledolly
Red Star
The unrelenting constancy of love and hope can rescue and restore you from any scope 🧿✨
Posts: 32
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Post by Dappledolly on Sept 29, 2022 20:24:03 GMT
Butterfly continued on the path, water droplets from stalactites above as the continued. "Not many yet, but I would like to have most of the clan come and see it at some point." she mused, watching her paws as she stepped over the rocks. "The farther we go, the worse it'll get. Stay on the larger side of the rocks and watch your footing." she called back, ear twitching as the sound of running water filled the air. The waterfalls were always a sight, especially the view from the very top. You could see just as much as a bird high in the sky, and it felt liberating.
Disorganized waterfalls twisted and bent around the mouth of the cave as they came into view with glittering water droplets now raining down making the floor slippery and shiny. The cave mouth, large and welcoming was softly illuminated with a blue hue courtesy of the mushrooms, glowworms and bioluminescent algae that stuck to the main pool. It was definitely a sight. As she looked at the to-be, she began trotting towards the waterfall, looking down and out towards land as far as the eye could see. "Come look!" she called out, closing her eyes and taking a big breath.
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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 Sept 29, 2022 20:45:25 GMT
“Oh. I see,” She called back as she carefully picked her way up the rocks and boulders, “I can see why you’d only want a small number of cats coming this way.” Aster was able to follow behind with little issue, finding it similar to walking a long river stones, but the uneven ground made her slightly apprehensive. She had been closely watching her paws as to not slip, so when she heard Butterfly call her to come look Aster picked up the pace.
She hauled herself up the last rock and stood at the top, feeling wind buffeting her face. A combination of the rushing water spraying in her face and the usual mountain wind. Slowly Aster took in everything from the cave and the glowing algae to the rolling hills and landscapes before them….. and to the small white and gray she-cat next to her.
Her paws felt suddenly frozen to the cold stone beneath her as she saw the joy sparkling in Butterfly’s eyes as she too was looking at everything. Once again Aster questioned whether it was just the sun light and the water drops on their fur that made the Poolwalker shimmer and shine. The caramel she-cat was perplexed, having never seen any cat much less her leader in this light. She couldn’t figure out why she was so transfixed, it was… unfamiliar but not unpleasant.
Before the other molly turned to her, Aster forced herself to act as if nothing happened. She had an assignment to do and she couldn’t afford to be distracted. At least that’s what she told herself as she drew closer to Butterfly. “A dangerous and beautiful view.” She murmured as she looked back at the view of the territories, trying to focus on the wind cooling her warm fur, “I’m not surprised the ancestors would have it so well hidden and protected.”
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Dappledolly
Red Star
The unrelenting constancy of love and hope can rescue and restore you from any scope 🧿✨
Posts: 32
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Post by Dappledolly on Sept 29, 2022 22:28:15 GMT
"I like to say this was a gift from the ancestors," she began, thinking back to the small blue butterfly that led her to the cave long ago. "Well hidden to protect the pool and us from danger." She thought back to her tribe and all the cats that have yet to witness such an amazing and breathtaking view, however she seemed to enjoy this moment even more.. Something about the way the light bounced off the golden molly's fur, almost as if her fur could contain the rays themselves. She shook those thoughts away, trying to compose herself. She knew she couldn't think like that.. even though everything felt warmer around her. She shook her pelt, grounding herself once more as she looked back to Aster.
Before she could say another word, a soft rumbling crept under their paws, causing her to furrow her brow. Rumbling? Where could that have come from? She tore her eyes from Aster to the bottom of the path, then to above and around the waterfall. She took one step forward, trying to get a better view of the situation when suddenly, in the same heartbeat, an earsplitting crack sounded across the cavern. Her deep blue eyes grew wide with terror, turning to the other as the lump of stone she had been standing on began to peel away from the mountain, falling down towards the lake below. Thousands of thoughts raced through her head. Should she jump? Is she too far? What would happen to the tribe if she didn't? What would happen to Aster? What would happen to her? Should she accept her fate or try? She froze. Behind her, rubble and earth exploded against the mountaintop and rolled down towards the lake below.
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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 Sept 29, 2022 22:53:35 GMT
One moment the two tribe cats were chatting and sharing a view, and the next Butterfly was turning towards her, the sound of earth splitting echoed painfully in her ears. Everything in Aster’s body was yelling at her to run, save herself, there was no time, but she couldn’t leave Butterfly.
Aster stumbled as the ground rumbled beneath her, sounding like a hungry monster on the thunderpath. She was losing time. The to-be lunged forward to grab Butterfly’s scruff. Her heart hammered against her rib cage as the sound of the landslide drew closer. With all the strength Aster could muster, she sunk her teeth into the Poolwalker’s scruff, shifting her paws to get a better foot hold.
Just as the landslide closed in, Aster managed to pull Butterfly to safety. She had to almost toss her to a safer area, hoping the molly would land with little pain. The to-be couldn’t even open her jaws to ask after letting go of Butterfly. As she had pivoted on her front right paw, Aster felt shooting pain and she crumpled with a yowl.
At the same moment the landslide surged passed the two cats, obscuring Aster’s view of her leader. She coughed and wheezed as dust and debris kicked up around her, the she-cat trying to limp-crawl away from the edge.
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Dappledolly
Red Star
The unrelenting constancy of love and hope can rescue and restore you from any scope 🧿✨
Posts: 32
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Post by Dappledolly on Sept 30, 2022 2:01:29 GMT
The world felt as if it had stopped. Giant rocks crashed and cracked loudly around them as she almost accepted her immanent demise. Suddenly, she felt herself getting pulled back. She could feel her heart pounding, tiny bits of rock slashing her face and legs causing small abrasions. The rocks continued to pour for what seemed like hours, and once the last rock tumbled across the cliff it became eerily quiet. Butterfly coughed, dust still clouding around them and filling her lungs. She slowly got up, pain searing in her left cheek and eyes filled with dust. "Aster?!" She called out, a cough quickly following behind. How could she have let this happen? How could she have been so foolish as to put her in harms way? "Aster!!" she called out, urgency in her voice as her eyes began to brim with tears. 1 Suddenly, the sound of Aster coughing could be heard and tears began flowing freely down her face, rushing to the molly's side. "I'm so sorry!" she cried, quickly pressing herself against the caramel molly. "Are you hurt?! Is something wrong?! I'm so sorry." she wailed, quickly trying to assess her for any wounds. How could she have let this happen? She was foolish to bring Aster so far up for the simple sake of the beautiful view. They were supposed to be collecting herbs! Not at the Star Cliffs on such a stupid whim. "I shouldn't have put you in harms way... it was very foolish of me and I'm so sorry." Her breaths were shaky, and she tried to steady her paws and she continued to examine Aster.
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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 Sept 30, 2022 2:18:48 GMT
Even through the throbbing pain in her leg, relief washed over her to see that Butterfly had made it with only scrapes and scratches. She went to speak and ended up coughing again, sneezing as wells as the dust tickled her nose. Aster looked back up at Butterfly as the small molly ran towards her, clearly devastated and looking guilty. But why would she feel guilty? Aster was assigned to help her and keep her safe, also Butterfly was her Poolwalker. It’d be wrong of her to not do something.
The white and gray she-cat was hovering over her like a mother bird, tears streaking her cheeks. Aster made to wipe them away but made the mistake of lifting her injured paw, wincing and trying to hide her pain. Butterfly’s pelt pressing against hers flooded her with comfort, easing the anxiety that rippled just below the surface. Aster panted and furrowed her brow as she gathered her racing thoughts.
“I’m okay, Poolwalker. It’s my job to protect you.” She rasped and coughed again, tail flicking in annoyance at the dust and debris, “I’m just glad I got you to safety in time. You didn’t land hard did you?” Aster looked at her with concerned copper eyes clouded with pain. Instinctively seeking comfort like a kit to its mother, and not realizing it, her side pressed closer to Butterfly’s. The warmth seeping from the small cat’s fur bled into hers, once again easing her anxiety and Aster found herself breathing in her leader’s scent. It struck her as odd that someone outside of her family could make her feel this…. Safe? Comforted? But in this moment she was to frazzled to really think in depth about it. “That scratch on your cheek seems to be the worst of your injuries,” She cleared her throat at the scratchy sound of her voice.
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Dappledolly
Red Star
The unrelenting constancy of love and hope can rescue and restore you from any scope 🧿✨
Posts: 32
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Post by Dappledolly on Sept 30, 2022 3:50:13 GMT
Concern filled her eyes as she noticed the younger molly wince in pain, quickly going to examine the paw in question. There were a couple of scratches, but nothing overtly apparent upon visual examination. She lightly attempted to move her paw only to notice her wince once more, quickly placing her paw back down. "It must have been sprained," she mewed quietly, poorly attempting to hide her guilt and concern "We need to get you back, I have some herbs that will help get you feeling better in no time.. I'm just sorry I wasn't paying more attention"
She stayed quiet, hovering slightly making sure no other major wounds were present before she turned back to the molly. "You saved my life... I don't know how I could possibly repay you." She smiled as she pressed herself closer to the molly, softly taking her her scent. "Thank you." In that moment, time stood still around them. Even as the dust settled and the glittering droplets escaping from the winding waterfalls behind them began to fill the air, she stood, feeling safe. She jumped back to her thoughts as she heard the molly mention her cheek. She had only felt sharp pain and had not noticed the minor bleed being so caught up in her thoughts. "I'm more concerned about you. Are you able to lean on me as we go down the path? The last thing I want is for you to slip..." She looked down the winding path, eyeing the rocks for any potential cracks caused by the landslide. She was sure they could make it down together, they just had to go slow.
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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 Sept 30, 2022 4:10:14 GMT
“There’s no need to thank me. Any cat would do the same.” Aster’s voice was soft, studying Butterfly’s expression, “Don’t blame yourself. You can’t predict these things, ya know?” She’d tried to hold in the second wince of pain while Butterfly inspected her paw.
“I think,” Aster paused and hesitated before continuing, “I think I’ll be okay. Don’t you need to talk to the ancestors? It’ll give me a moment to get my bearings.” Her fur was bristled along her spine from shock. The eerie silence of the cavern was accompanied by the sound of rushing water, just as it was before the landslide.
The to-be looked towards the cave, at the soft glow and the light reflected from the pool. “We made it all the way here. Might as well right?” She mewed and looked back at Butterfly.
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Dappledolly
Red Star
The unrelenting constancy of love and hope can rescue and restore you from any scope 🧿✨
Posts: 32
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Post by Dappledolly on Sept 30, 2022 14:46:44 GMT
She softly smiled at the she-cat, looking back towards the softly glowing cavern that appeared untouched by the chaos that had ensued. She nodded, trying to collect her thoughts. What would the ancestors tell her? Would they be upset with her for naively putting a cats life at risk? Was the landslide a warning to them? She shook her pelt, flinging dirt and debris from her pelt onto the floor as she collected her thoughts. It was probably just an accident.. or so she hoped.
She nodded to the other, staring deep into the cavern where flicks of the pools reflection bounced off the walls and glittered, beckoning them to approach. Her eyes transfixed on the cave, slowly beginning to pad towards it. "Please stay close." she spoke softly, almost as if she wanted no one else but Aster to hear. As she drew into the cave, the intense glittering from the pool lightly, the slow dripping waterfall from the stalactites lightly causing ripples in the glowing pool. The clan cats used this pool to commune with their ancestors, and as pretty as it was, she knew their pool was higher up.
She slowly continued, quietly padding a couple of steps higher to a larger pool of water, salty like the ocean and easy to float on. Blue coral like mushrooms glowing just below the surface, emitting a soft blue hue. She slowly took a step into the pool, bioluminescent algae causing a burst of light to ripple through the pond before quickly disappearing.
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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 Sept 30, 2022 15:51:59 GMT
Aster followed as best as she could, keeping her injured paw from touching the ground. Her ears twitched at every dripping noise and the scuff of their paw pads on the worn stone. It was smoother than the floors of the caves where the tribe had set up camp, quieter too without the bustling noise of cats coming and going.
She could catch the faintest hint of the clans as they passed the small pool, remembering briefly that the tribe and the clans shared the cave. One ear turned towards the Poolwalker as she spoke. Aster nodded and focused on the faint brushing of their fur against each other’s flanks, trusting Butterfly to show her the way to their communing pool in the dim light. The glow worms and bioluminescent algae reflected off her eyes just as it did with the still waters nestled in dips in the cave floor.
The steady drip of water and the calm feel of the cave helped to release the tension from her shoulders. As they grew near to the tribe’s communing pool, Aster stopped at the edge of the water. She felt the ice cold water lap at her paws while Butterfly slide seamlessly into it. She watched as the glowing light caused her companion’s fur to take on a blue-green hue, water reflections causing her pelt to look as if the Poolwalker belonged here. Like she had always been part of this territory’s water ways even though this was all new.
The caramel molly hesitated for a moment before quietly asking, “I assume I’ll wait here?”
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Dappledolly
Red Star
The unrelenting constancy of love and hope can rescue and restore you from any scope 🧿✨
Posts: 32
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Post by Dappledolly on Sept 30, 2022 22:11:08 GMT
The Poolwalker nodded, flashing the molly a quick smile before fully stepping into the pool, small body lightly floating in the water given the salinity. The algae glowed around her, causing glittering blue to flash across the pool as she settled towards the middle of the pool. The Poolwalker before her never liked to get her fur wet, usually only going as far as to have her nose lightly touch the water, but Butterfly felt the most connected when she was in the water. It also helped that the pool was one she had never seen before, even in the old territory the pool was lovely, but nothing like this one. "I won't be long." she called back, taking a big breath and slowly exhaling, feeling her muscles relax bit by bit.
She closed her eyes, still aware of her surroundings. The warm smell of Aster at the edge of the pool, the humidity of the room and the surrounding waterfalls crashing into pools far away, and the feeling of her paws and body mostly in the pool, lightly floating as she tried to concentrate. It almost felt nostalgic, like when she was a kit and her parents carried her her paws lightly lifting as faint familiar laughter could he heard in the distance only to her ears. She smiled at the familiar sound, knowing exactly who was waiting for her on the other side. As she opened her eyes, her deep blue eyes met pale green ones as a she met Sky That Breaks at Dawn and a smile spread on her face.
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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 Sept 30, 2022 23:03:00 GMT
Aster nodded and watched Butterfly step deeper into the pool until she reached a depth where she was treading water. The to-be was unaware of the pool’s salinity, rather looking on curiously to see what really happens when a Poolwalker communes with the ancestors. She carefully laid down, stretching her injured paw out to avoid putting weight on it.
The space next to her was cold again, and she found herself missing the white and gray molly’s flank against hers. She assumed that it was because Butterfly was her leader and healer, so it would be natural that she would find the she-cat as a source of comfort. Aster busied herself with watching the glow worms wriggle by or nudging some pebbles around to occupy her mind.
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