Sometimes Abrasive isn't the answer
🌸Buff-Spud🌸
Stingfrost, had entered the camp, late in the day, it had gone past sun high, and now they were well into the afternoon, the weather was just starting to cool off, but it was still warm enough for many to still lounge around the camp. As the speckled tom made his way into camp, it would seem he'd been out since even before dawn and now he was only just making his way back into the camp. He avoided eye contact with just about everyone, as he had been for the past few moons. Even during his or anyone's warrior ceremonies, he hadn't been able to enjoy them. Many seemed to ask why the tom seemed so Off but he'd never answer, often either shrugging and walking away, or giving a sharp, 'It's none of your business' then walking away. It even seemed that the young warrior was trying to avoid even his brother's gaze. None the less, it seemed the tom wasn't going to open up about his problems, not any time soon at least. As the tom walked into the camp, his tail held low, and his entire body, also somewhat low as he seemed to creep his way towards the warriors, den. Weaving his way around cats, avoiding their gaze, or in his mind, their glares. He was sure he could feel their eyes burning into his pelt. One step, two steps, he was almost at the den, he hoped he'd not be noticed, enough, or have his name called or anything. All he wanted to do was hide in the corner of the den, and try to sleep. Although, his pelt prickled as he felt like he wasn't going to be so lucky.
Rosiells
Despite Stingfrost's best efforts to go unseen, there was no escaping Figfall's bright blue eyes - especially for a tom she so admired. It was always from afar, of course; she was much to shy to talk to him or his brother. In Figfall's eyes, they were simply too cool, and she felt too nervous about making a bad impression. However, today she had a good reason to talk to Stingfrost, and her excitement about it showed. "Oh, Stingfrost!" The she-cat called in a sing-songy voice, quickly ducking in front of the tom before he could escape into the warriors' den. "Juniperstrike's assigned you, me, and Hazeldawn to a hunting patrol. Of course, if Hazeldawn's not around, we could always go just the two of us..." Figfall purred. She had nothing against Hazeldawn; on the contrary, Figfall liked her quite a bit. But can you blame a girl for trying to get some alone time with a cute tom?
ThePunMaster (Winter5587)
Hazeldawn had been in her nest, a bored expression on her scarred face. She was done with training, done with all apprentice duties... she was a warrior! But she didn't think being a warrior would be so boring. Well, excluding the patrols and such, she very much enjoyed those now. Sure, she talks to warriors, if they had time to chat with her, but it never lasted long. So yes, she would consider this a boring start to her life as a warrior. Her only ear flicked up at the sound of her voice, any drowsiness leaving her mind- she didn't even realize she was dozing off -and listened in on why she was brought up. Hunting patrol? she thought, With me, Figfall, and Stingfrost... huh, well alright, shouldn't be too bad. Not that she didn't like the others, it was just an odd group the deputy picked out for a patrol. But like she just thought, it shouldn't be too bad... she hoped. She got up and stretched slightly, before padding out to the two cats. "I'm here, i'm here..." she muttered as she approached glancing at them with her half-blind, amber gaze, "I heard I'm supposed to be on a hunting patrol?" She already knew what she heard, but that would mean that she eavesdroppedeven though it wasn't for something bad -and she didn't want to be accused of that. Safety precautions, as she would like to state it.
🌸Buff-Spud🌸
Stingfrost stopped in his tracks, as he heard his name be called. For a moment, he would look at the ground, somewhat defeated. Taking a deep breath, he lifted his head and turned to face the source of the voice. As he turned, his icy eyes would fall onto, none other than Figfall, a newer warrior, one he shared a den with mere moons ago, and now he was once again, not that he had much of an opinion of her, he didn't have much of one for many of the clan. After all he was the cruel one, who'd managed to turn so many against both him and his brother. He blinked slowly as she spoke. He'd been put on patrol while he was out? What if he hadn't been back in time? What'd the patrol do then? "Oh, I see" The tom responded simply. As he glanced around looking for Hazeldawn, seeing if she'd make it to the patrol and for a couple of moments, it'd almost seem like it would be just Figfall and Stingfrost, although soon enough the scarred molly appeared. Just as they did with Figfall, the tom's icy blue eyes fell onto the golden warrior. He took a pace back before he'd look at both of the mollies. "Well, it seems like we're all here...Figfall, do you want to lead the patrol?" The tom suggested. "...Or Hazeldawn, who ever feels like leading it, I guess" The tom shrugged as he spoke, the tom wasn't really feeling up to the patrol, let alone leading it. His gaze was distant as he slowly turned and began to make his way towards the camp entrance. If he was lucky, he'd be able to sneak off, and head back to camp. Although he was unsure of even that.
Rosiells
When Hazeldawn made her way out of the warriors' den, Figfall waved her bushy tail in greeting to the warrior. She didn't quite make the connection that Hazeldawn had been eavesdropping, but even if she had, she wouldn't have minded. After all, Figfall did it herself quite often. When Stingfrost spoke, however, Figfall's attention swiftly turned back to the tom. "I can lead it!" The she-cat piped up quickly, all too eager to impress the both of them. "We'll, uh, hunt at the fishing pond! There should be plenty of fish there for us to bring back to camp," Figfall declared, puffing out her chest slightly in an attempt to compensate for the nervousness that could be heard clearly in her voice. "Come on then!" She then said, bounding away toward the camp entrance.
ThePunMaster (Winter5587)
Hazeldawn glanced between the two for a moment, and when Stingfrost mentioned who was leading the patrol, she opened her twisted jaw to say that Figfall could- she wasn't much for leading, believe it or not -but the she-cat seemed to beat her to it. She mentally sighed in relief when she stated she'd lead it. She looked over at Figfall and nodded. "I'm fine with fishing," she responded with a grin. She was better with fishing than she was at hunting on land, since it didn't require her to run and trip over her long legs. It happened quite a few times, but she would never admit that. The golden-furred warrior glanced over and quickly scrambled to follow them after snapping herself out of her thoughts. She bounded next to the two, her tail flicking behind her.
🌸Buff-Spud🌸
The tom was happy that the decision was made so swiftly with no squabbling. When Figfall then suggested going to the fishing pond, and Hazeldawn agreeing swiftly afterwards, the tom would merely grunt in agreement. The fishing pond wasn't too far away and with them two splashing about catching fish, it'd be easy to slip away unnoticed. He half planned, as he continued to walk out of the camp, Figfall quickly passing him, to take her place as the leader of the patrol. Rosiells While Figfall had been worried for a moment that there would be disagreement, she was glad to have been proven wrong. The she-cat had grown up surrounded by many, many siblings, and so she had become adjusted to squabbling to a point where she constantly expected it. Fortunately, it seemed she didn't need to expect it with these two, and so Figfall cheerfully trotted out of camp at the head of the patrol. "Sooo, how were your days?" Figfall asked over her shoulder after only a brief moment of silence, wanting to strike up conversation with the two of them.
ThePunMaster (Winter5587)
Hazeldawn bounded after them slowly, her tail flicking behind her. She wondered, now that it was officially green-leaf, if there would be more fish- the bigger fish. She hoped so. Maybe I could bring a big one home and show Murkypool! Show him that I'm still good with his hunting techniques, she thought, her half-blind, amber gaze shining. Her hunting ways were obviously much more different, due to her lack of sight in her left eye, so she always loved to show her mentor the larger animals she caught, just to prove she learned something from him. Her thoughts were pushed aside quickly when Figfall spoke, making the golden-furred warrior glance forward at where the other she-cat was walking. "They've been fine for me!" she answered, her one ear giving a small twitch as she spoke, "Nothing much besides patrols." She looked at both cats in front of her, since she stuck towards the back of the small group.
🌸Buff-Spud🌸
The tom continued to follow Figfall, slowly the tom's slowed down a little allowing Hazeldawn to then pass him, be it if she wanted to or not, adding more chance to allow him to slip off unnoticed when the time felt right. As the cats talked and walked, Stingfrost found himself looking down at his paws watching each step he took, silently, not even really listening to the two mollies. On one step his claws slid out slightly, causing him to flinch a little, reminding him of that dark night when he wasn't long made a warrior. It was then he heard Hazeldawn's response to Figfall. The tom who hadn't really been listening, looked up to the cats, blinking slightly. Quickly he had to think of something to say. "uuuh, yeah...fine" He finally managed to stammer out, keeping it short and brief.
Rosiells
Noticing Stingfrost drop behind the group, Figfall slowed her pace as well. While she didn't mind the tom trying to get some space (lone wolves were cool and mysterious, after all), she didn't like the idea of them awkwardly traveling along in a line, and so she fell into step beside Hazeldawn instead. "Awh, come on!" The warrior groaned in response to their answers, rolling her bright blue eyes. "You two aren't giving me very much to work with. There's gotta be something interesting going on in your lives!" Figfall was a bit of a gossip, and so she was eager to hear if there was any drama in their lives. "Here, I'll start us off. The other day, Pomegranatesong came into camp and she was all like..." Figfall continued to ramble on for a few minutes, weaving a dramatic tale of the argument between herself and her sister over which of the two deserved to eat the plump squirrel that had been on the fresh-kill pile yesterday. "And then my brother Plumleap got involved and said that our older sister Newtjaw should get it! I don't even think Newtjaw was hungry, but Pomegranatesong's always sooo eager to impress so of course she agreed to it. I would've looked like a jerk if I didn't agree too, and so Newtjaw ended up getting the squirrel and I haven't talked to Pomegranatesong or Plumleap since the incident."
ThePunMaster (Winter5587)
Hazeldawn glanced over at Figfall again as she slowed to walk beside her. She didn't have much exciting going on in her life now. Everything seemed to go her way after 'the incident'- which is something she'd rather forget about but obviously can't -so it wasn't as 'interesting' as it was before. The golden-furred warrior listened to Figfall's story as they continued to walk to the pond. She didn't know what having a sibling was like, so it was interesting to hear about them. Not that she didn't ever have a sibling, she had a brother before, but he died when they were kits, so it's been so long since she's had a bond like that. So when siblings fought- kind of like what Figfall was telling about -she always wondered why they argued. But she never said anything about it and just nodded when she started to finish up her little story. "If it was that big of a squirrel, wouldn't it have been easier to share it?" She piped up, but instantly turned down her question as another thought came to her, "But I guess it's hard to share things with your siblings... eh, nevermind then." She shook her head with a slight huff. Sure, she didn't have a sibling in a very long time, but she did remember how hard it was to share with them. But it IS much easier than arguing, I guess, she added to herself, shrugging slightly at the thought.
🌸Buff-Spud🌸
As the tom continued to follow behind the two mollies he blunk slowly only really half listening. The Story Figfall was telling wasn't that investing. That was until she mentioned about how she hadn't spoken to her siblings since the conflict. It reminded him about how he hadn't spoken much to his own brother, since his own Mistake. He winced at the thought, he knew he had to speak to his twin, but he couldn't bring himself to do it, he knew Sharpclaw was mad and worried. But he couldn't tell his brother what he'd done. "You should talk to your siblings again, " He somewhat grunted, still looking down at his paws, was he walked. "Something as daft as that shouldn't split families"
Rosiells
"Share it?" Figfall blinked in surprise, her blue eyes widening in what seemed like horror. In fact, she looked absolutely appalled for a moment. "Why, that's-! ...Not actually a bad idea." The idea of 'sharing' finally seemed to process after a moment, and Figfall looked down at her paws, embarrassed that she hadn't thought of that before. Well, she thought to herself, it's not like Pomegranatesong wanted to share! ...Actually, I guess she kinda did, since she agreed to give it to Newtjaw. Figfall shuffled her paws awkwardly when she heard Stingfrost throw in his thoughts. He's right. Poor Hazeldawn doesn't even have siblings, and here I am fighting with mine over something trivial. "I'll, uh, try to catch something big enough for me and my siblings to share while we're out," Figfall mumbled awkwardly, embarrassed. What if Hazeldawn and Stingfrost thought she was petty and dumb for complaining like that? Of course, she was petty and dumb, but she didn't want anyone else knowing that!
ThePunMaster (Winter5587)
Hazeldawn nodded, agreeing with what Stingfrost had said. She wasn't sure about everyone else, but the thought of her family- which were only her parents -splitting up for a certain reason was something she never wanted to happen. It would seem too surreal to the golden-furred warrior for it to happen. She scrunched her nose up at the thought before casting it aside, never to be thought of again. Her amber gaze flicked over to the other two warriors. "That's a good idea, I'd do that too!" She commented on Figfall's last statement, her positive outlook practically being heard in her voice, "I'm sure it'll fix any problems with you and your siblings." At least, she hoped it would. She knew that there were some... dense cats out there- not that she'd ever admit thinking that -who wouldn't accept offerings like that and keep whatever rivalry they're experiencing, going. Her eyes furrowed at the thought of it, before shaking her head again and regaining her attention on the other two warriors, not wanting to get distracted and miss anything they were probably going to say.
🌸Buff-Spud🌸
Also Winter if you want me to Buy the negative trait I am fine with doing so ! ) The Freckled tom shrugged as he heard Figfall's words. Hearing how awkward and how upset she was compared to her nature before hand got to the tom a little. Making him feel even more compassion for others around him than he ever had before. Sure he felt bad for the cat he murdered but now he felt bad for a cat he knew and lived with. "It's no big deal, everyone makes mistakes, just when you get back gather your family and talk with them, that's it" The tom mewed in a soft manner. He sighed softly as he knew he should be taking his advice when it came to his own brother, but no. He still couldn't face him. "Then they should accept that yeah you made a mistake but they still love you don't they, so life goes on" He continued as he continued to walk with the two mollies.
Rosiells
Figfall blinked in surprise when she heard Stingfrost's response. She hadn't expected such... kindness from the tom. Granted, she didn't know him very well, but from what she'd heard of him words of advice weren't in his usual dialogue. Turning her face away, Figfall had to hide the heat she felt boiling up under her cheek fur. She was the queen of misinterpreting things, and so she was certain that he must be being kind to her because he liked her in some capacity. All it was was growth of character, but Figfall wasn't exactly the sharpest tool in the shed. "O-Oh look, we're here! That's convenient, yeah?" Figfall awkwardly chuckled as the patrol finally padded up to the fishing pond. Eager for a subject change, Figfall bounded forward to the water's edge and started looking for the shadows of fish in the water.
ThePunMaster (Winter5587)
Hazeldawn nodded, agreeing with what Stingfrost was saying. If she were in Figfall's paws, she'd do something like that! It'd be torture to her if there was some sort of issue between her and another cat, literal torture. She silently questioned Stingfrost's odd behavior- at least, odd to her -but shrugged it off. If she brought it up, she would only guess that it'd stop. So she pushed the thought out of her mind. Her one ear perked up when Figfall said that they arrived to the pond. She looked back forward and saw the other she-cat go over to the shoreline. The scar-faced warrior followed in tow, but was a few feet away from where Figfall was. She didn't want to disturb the fish near her area- nor do the same to Stingfrost -so she steered away from that area and settled herself in her own. Okay, now CATCH a fish. DON'T fall in! the half-blind she-cat thought as her tail swishes behind her and her amber eyes stared intensely into the water for the familiar shadows of the fish.
🌸Buff-Spud🌸
The tom blinked for a few moments as he looked up towards Figfall, watching her odd behaviour, as she started out confident and proud, to Awkward and shy, now she seemed even more so. Before then taking a glance at Hazeldawn, perhaps she understood why the cream molly was acting so weird. Although once they arrived he'd quickly watch as the two of them parted to head towards areas of the pond to fish. All this time the tom had been wanting to separate from the two of them, wanting to go and hide elsewhere, but now he found himself able to do so, easily. But he almost found his paws drawing him closer to the water, wanting to stay in the company of the two mollies. Although in all honesty he didn't feel like fishing. As he approached the water's edge, heading towards some rocks that the tops would poke out of the surface. Within moments he'd leap to one rock, then to another, then one more, a little bit of a distance from the shore, but not so far that he wouldn't be able to hear the two mollies clearly. Before he'd then lie down on the rock, lounging as he'd watch the two of them.
Rosiells
While Hazeldawn was careful not to scare off the fish by allowing her shadow to cast over the water, Figfall had forgotten about such things from her training, and was shocked to find the fish already swimming away when she approached the bank. "Hey, wait!" Figfall cried, racing after the fish. However, her shadow was cast ahead of her, and so the faster she ran after them, the faster they swam away. However, the she-cat was determined to catch something for her family, and so she became entirely focused on chasing the fish... that is, until she ran head-first into Hazeldawn, sending both she-cats tumbling into the water.
ThePunMaster (Winter5587)
Hazeldawn could hear Figfall, but she didn't pick up her head as she had her eyes set on a fish. If she looked away for a second, she'd lose it. At least, that's what she assumed would happen. Just a little closer... she thought to herself, slowly raising a paw up to strike. That was probably what led to her downfall... literally. Her eyes widened as she felt another body collide into hers, making her let out a startle yelp before crashing into the water with a splash. The golden-furred she-cat quickly scrambled to her paws, spatting out water that she inhaled during the process, and blinked in surprise. Honestly, she wasn't at all mad about the fish getting away. She probably would've missed it anyways.
🌸Buff-Spud🌸
For a moment Stingfrost found himself looking at his reflection in the water, his ears twitching as the other two mollies seemed to be doing their own thing. That was till he heard Figfall calling 'Hey Wait'. Slowly the tom would lift his head to look up and see the pointed warrior chasing after the fish. Perhaps a smile could be seen creeping onto the tom's muzzle. It seemed that her childish innocence and naiveness hadn't been lost on her like so many would lose. He watched as Hazeldawn seemed so focused on trying to get her catch, that she hadn't seen the other molly charging right for her. Before he could even stammer a quick 'Hey Look out' the two cats seemed to be in a mass of sodden fur. The tom would leap onto another rock, getting closer to the two of them, as he looked down, he would ask them. "Are you two alright?" Concern in his voice, and worry on his face, although you couldn't miss the fact that despite his worry, he seemed to have a small smile on his muzzle.
Rosiells
Even though Hazeldawn managed to immediately scramble back up onto her paws, Figfall remained in the water still for a long moment, completely submerged and unable to be seen due to the murky sand that had been kicked up when the two she-cats had fallen in. For a terrifying moment, it seemed that Figfall wouldn't be resurfacing... and then, suddenly, the she-cat burst up out of the water, a fish locked in her jaws. "Look what I-!" The few words Figfall tried to speak before the fish suddenly flopped out of her jaws were muffled by her clenched jaws. As the fish made its attempt at escape, Figfall's paws reached up to catch it, and for a moment the fish juggled between them before finally Figfall clamped her jaws back down on the fish. Beaming from ear to ear, Figfall swam over to where Hazeldawn was in the shallower water and hoisted herself up onto the shore, dropping the now-dead fish beside her. "Look what I caught!" The she-cat boasted, her words much more clear now that her mouth was empty.
ThePunMaster (Winter5587)
Hazeldawn carefully shook out her pelt of any water that seemed to attach to her thick fur. Well, she seemed to have jinxed herself. 'Don't fall into the water', she thought, sniffing indignantly as she mocked her own thoughts. She should be used to it by now, she'll always fall in. But hey, that makes it more fun... to her, at least. She glanced over at Stingfrost when he spoke and gave a nod. "'M fine," she meowed, "More surprised than anything..." Her ears perked up as she heard Figfall fumbling in the water, making her glance over in confusion. But it seems she missed what happened, since the she-cat padded onto shore. Shrugging to herself, she dragged herself out of the water and onto dry land and looked down when she heard a thump. Her amber eyes widened at the sight of a fish. "Huh... that fish wasn't lucky enough to get away quickly like the rest of them," she meowed, surprised. She assumed that all the fish fled when the two she-cats fell into the water. She assumed wrong apparently. The young warrior glanced up and grinned at Figfall. "Nice catch!" she commented excitedly.
🌸Buff-Spud🌸
For a moment the tom continued to look into the water concerned, his focus shifting from Hazeldawn to the water where Figfall had disappeared. For a while, the tom's heart would sink, as the time went on longer at the molly wouldn't resurface the more his heart would sink and the more the feeling in his stomach became more and more uneasy. He really thought he'd have to return to camp with Hazeldawn explaining that Figfall had drowned. As he was silently in shock, planning out what he was going to say to Ripplestar and his clanmates, the pointed molly finally resurfaced, and with a fish in her jaws no less. At that moment the freckled tom could breath a sigh of relief, and the pit in his stomach seemed to subside...in one way. Nodding his head at Hazeldawn's words agreeing with her. Even amongst all the chaos, the molly was still able to pull through and do the unthinkable, catching a fish. The tom jumped from another rock then finally back onto the shore himself. "It's a fine catch, I am sure your family would be glad you caught it" As he lifted his head looking back in the direction of camp his tail twitching slightly. "Though, we should likely head back, it'll be getting dark soon, and we don't want you both getting a chill, you'll be out of action for days" The tom pointed out, at the sun seemed to be falling in the sky.
Rosiells
Once Figfall's pride sunk in enough, the she-cat took a seat and began licking herself, trying to aid in drying off her fur. She hoped that Hazeldawn wasn't too mad at her for knocking her into the water... Fortunately, the other she-cat didn't seem upset at all. Figfall beamed when she heard Hazeldawn's praise... but, for some reason, her heart thumped awkwardly in her chest as well. Why did she like hearing Hazeldawn's praise so much? Figfall shook it off, instead focusing on what Stingfrost said. "Are you sure? I feel bad, you guys didn't catch anything..." Figfall frowned, looking up at the sky. The tom was right, though, it was getting dark out, and she didn't want to be out in the cold night with her sopping wet pelt. Reluctantly, the she-cat clambered back up onto her paws and picked up her catch, signalling that she was ready to head back to camp.
ThePunMaster (Winter5587)
Hazeldawn looked up at the sky and saw it was getting darker out. She agreed though, she didn't want to get sick from the mix of her wet fur and the night's air. Nor did she want to be cold. She's had enough of that for a while. So she nodded in response before glancing over at Figfall, giving a light shrug to dismiss the question. "I'm alright with not catching anything," she meowed in response, flicking her paws which had felt sodden to her still, "As long as we bring something home, I'm fine with it!" The golden-furred warrior then got to her paws and turned in the direction of camp and walked in that direction, pausing for a moment to make sure she wasn't going too far ahead of the other two. "At least you have something to share with your family!" She added to Figfall, having the signature upbeat, positive tone in her voice.
🌸Buff-Spud🌸
As Stingfrost would look at the other two cats he'd smile softly, although quickly turning away, silently hoping that they didn't catch it, but deep down he also silently hoped that maybe they did catch it. Conflicting feelings made his stomach churn. Although one thing was certain, there was a chill in the air, it was clear that the night was quickly coming, and the two wet mollies wouldn't want to be out. "Don't worry about it, I am sure I'll get put on some hunting patrol or what ever tomorrow, I think what's important is that you both get back to camp, dry off, warm up, and Fig you share the fish with your siblings" He'd respond, before following Hazeldawn, beginning to head back to camp.
Rosiells
While Figfall was still somewhat reluctant to leave, she knew better than to be rude and demand that the two of them stay and hunt. And besides, staying out in the cold really wasn't all that appealing. "You're right, I should make up with my siblings as soon as I can... but hey, maybe with any luck we'll all get placed on the same hunting patrol again tomorrow?" It was incredibly unlikely, but still Figfall was genuinely hopeful. Despite how big of a bust this patrol had been and the fact that she and Hazeldawn were now soaking wet, she had still had fun and liked the two of them quite a bit. And so, as Figfall turned and padded off toward camp, she hoped that she'd be able to spend some more time with Hazeldawn and Stingfrost soon.