All Around Us [ᴛᴀɪʟᴄʜᴀsᴇʀ] | Closed

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All Around Us [ᴛᴀɪʟᴄʜᴀsᴇʀ] Jan 19, 2016 12:24:57 GMT

Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2016 12:24:57 GMT

Weathered earth met purposeful footfalls with a gentle touch, the adventure sparking within eyes of gold while feasting on the decadence of new surroundings. Her small, tufted ears twitched and perked at every sound, every movement and her eyes were wide as she drank in the scenery. Fresh out of apprenticeship, Hickorypaw was appropriately named Hickorysmoke and sent off on her own to see the world, find a clan and meet other cats. A real test of everything Addershadow had trained her for, prepared her for. Truth was, however, the young female wasn't sure if she wanted to find a clan. At least, not anytime soon. She had spent her whole life without one and has gotten along just fine. Why change all of that? Hickory believed she was better off fending for herself and keeping her burdens off other's shoulders. Was it a wise choice? Maybe not, but it was fitting for her and she no longer had her strict mentor over her shoulders.

This was her chance to be free and make her own decisions; listen to no one. Pausing at the base of a tree, the willowy she-cat hopped atop a rock and used the momentum of the kick-off to propel her up the trunk onto a low bough. The leaves were finally returning to the tree tops now that Leafbare was coming to a close, giving the stage for Newleaf to provide life and colour back into the world. A firm and steady bout of wind combed through the canopy, coaxing her furs to dance with it until it settled. Standing at her vantage point, Hickorysmoke reclined into a statuesque sit and lifted a paw to groom her face, taking delicate care of her lengthy furs and maintaining the white of her coat.

Collectively, the day was relatively quiet, aside from the occasional songbird, meaning that Hickorysmoke had the ability to relax for a while. After her brief wash, she lowered herself into a strong stretch before laying down against the branch and kneading into the bark. Her silky tail draped behind her, the tip slowly flicking from side to side while her eyes fell closed. Nevertheless, this never meant that her guard was down, as signaled by the alert ears. She wasn't going make the stupid mistake of letting down her guard and having herself be exposed in unfamiliar lands simply to take a nap. She listened.

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Last Edit: Jan 23, 2016 20:24:01 GMT by Deleted

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All Around Us [ᴛᴀɪʟᴄʜᴀsᴇʀ] Jan 20, 2016 23:15:14 GMT

Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2016 23:15:14 GMT

It was uncommon for clan cats to venture outside of their territories; however, Tailchaser did so frequently. He didn't see any reason to keep himself confined to a single section of woodland, to a isolated chunk of the world. Instead, he took off on weekly, even daily, adventures. He explored his surroundings, trying as he might to learn without the help and guidance of his mentor. He prowled through the trees, his shoulders rolling smoothly like a well oiled machine, his tail twitching with a lustful eagerness. Pupils narrowed at the sight of his target, whiskers twitching ever so slightly. This tom was on a hunt and the prey? Today's meal would be a field mouse that seemingly strayed too far from its burrow, too far for its own good. The thought caused Tailchaser's stomach to twist; was he not a mouse too far from his burrow? He shook the nervousness away, refocusing himself, emerging himself within the elegant movements of prey vs. hunter. It was a dance, one that the mouse didn't completely know it was even doing.

The black and white feline whisked over the terrain like a breeze, vivid golden gaze locked on target. It was then that the winds shifted, thrusting his noticeable aroma right toward the unsuspecting rodent. The mouse froze, its small nose twitching as it identified the presents. He knew it wouldn't take long before it realized his location, which would simply add another disadvantage to what he already considered a failed hunt. It had to be now. Lurching forward, Tailchaser spray into action, tearing from his hiding place with purposeful strides. His pads thudded against the earth, claws extended. The mouse zipped away from him, dashing this way and that, but the warrior kept pace with ease, turning on a dime as it tried to escape. He could hardly see the world around him, trees blurring passed him, his limbs moving with pure instinct.

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Last Edit: Jan 20, 2016 23:24:22 GMT by Deleted

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All Around Us [ᴛᴀɪʟᴄʜᴀsᴇʀ] Jan 23, 2016 9:23:10 GMT

Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2016 9:23:10 GMT

       Shortly into her rest, a soft purr developed in her throat, carefully rolling onto her side while maintaining balance on the branch. She reached her front legs out and splayed her toes with extended claws, yawning widely and licking her nose when she was finished. Relaxing into a 'deflated' state, Hickorysmoke opened her eyes and watched the other trees and the woodland animals that lived among them. A pair of squirrels hung out in the tree just ahead of her, and to her left, a woodpecker tirelessly worked at the bark with echoing results causing her ears to shift. Sunlight shone among the dancing leaves, beaming between the breaks and creating shafts of afternoon light.

       She could've laid there for hours, spent the whole day in the boughs of these trees. Alas, she would need to get herself something to eat at some point and the ever-so-punctual rumble of her stomach told her it was time to leave the branches and get some lunch. Stricken with the reluctance of leaving her peaceful spot, the she-cat sighed and stretched one last time before picking herself up and moving closer to the trunk. Hickory carefully positioned herself to maneuver downwards, letting gravity take over and guide her to the ground with a cacophony of scratching claws against the wood and a thud of her landing. Giving herself a once-over, she made sure her long-haired pelt wasn't too messed up and riddled with debris.

       Before she could walk a few steps away from the tree, something scurrying right under her caught her attention. Her pupils narrowed and her ears shot up, snapping her head around to follow the direction the blur went in, but missed it. Furrowing her brows, Hickorysmoke shrugged it off and turned back towards the path. What she was met with when she turned her head startled her, but it was too late for her to properly react.

CRASH!

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Last Edit: Jan 23, 2016 9:24:12 GMT by Deleted

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All Around Us [ᴛᴀɪʟᴄʜᴀsᴇʀ] Jan 23, 2016 19:21:19 GMT

Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2016 19:21:19 GMT

Tailchaser could hear his heartbeat within his ears, beating like a war drum. The sound fueled him, pushed him forward, quickened his pace. Outstretching a paw, he swiped at the mouse, his extended claws grazing the tiny critter, but missing. The chase continued, until... it didn't. Eyes fixated upon the rodent, ears pressed forward with concentration, Tailchaser watched his prey weave around rocks, logs, and thickets of grass. It was all very common for a pursuit, at least it was. The mouse darted under something familiar, but it seemed so strange, so out of place for their current situation. Legs, four of them, and a tail. Ears, eyes, whiskers, fur; it was a cat...CAT!

SMASH!

There was a sudden pain in his face, specifically his nose, and for a moment, the breath from his lungs was gone. He watched as the mouse escaped, vanishing in the distance as he twirled in the air from his collision. Tailchaser twisted his body expertly, realigning himself to land on his paws with a gentle thud. As soon as his pads touched the earth, he lurched into a fighting stance. Arching his back, hackles prickling, the warrior growled threateningly. This was the first time he had ever run into an outsider while on his little gallivants outside of the territory and he wouldn't be made a fool of, not after all his training. Tailchaser unsheathed his claws, like a knight with his mighty sword. He made quick movements, slipping around the unknown feline in a circular motion.

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All Around Us [ᴛᴀɪʟᴄʜᴀsᴇʀ] Jan 23, 2016 20:25:03 GMT

Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2016 20:25:03 GMT

Her shoulder and neck took the brunt of the collision, sending her reeling and onto the ground. Hickorysmoke wound herself around and regained all fours, immediately shifting from relaxed to aggressive. The fur along her back stood up, her tail violently lashing behind her like an angry rattler. A low, drawn out growl manifested itself quietly, getting louder as the moment passed. Her eyes followed the tom's every move, turning her head while he circled her. Though, she didn't give him much time before she leaped from her post and went for his withers. Hickory's front legs wrapped around him while she grabbed into his scruff, aiming to knock him over with the force of her tackle.

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All Around Us [ᴛᴀɪʟᴄʜᴀsᴇʀ] Jan 24, 2016 2:59:09 GMT

Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2016 2:59:09 GMT

Tailchaser jolted, completely surprised by the other cat's quickness to fight. He had thought he was ready— he had growled, he had done the scary stance, and he was a warrior, wasn't he? So why was he so startled, why did he feel so unprepared. In the moments it took for the rouge female to leap toward him, grabbing him in what almost, at first, felt like a hug, the monochrome tom thought of his mentor. Whitetalon had trained him well, had trained him right; he could do this, he knew what to do. A disgruntled, gurgled hiss ripped from him as he accepted her weight, allowing himself to topple to the dirt. He felt the ground hard against his spine. It hurt. He hadn't expected it to hurt. Tailchaser had been injured a few times during training, but this was so different, so...real. She could tear his throat out, leave him here to gargle on his own blood, and for what? For a trip outside the border.

Everything he had done, everything he had been doing seemed so pointless. His entire being winced at the very thoughts of his mistake. Their momentum had thrown both cats to the ground, her on top, probably as she had planned; however, he too had planned, he too could work with energy and movement. Using the same force, Tailchaser thrust his hind limbs up, attempting to stab into her belly, knock her off, and potentially mangle her with his freshly sharpened claws. This is what had to be done. It was either her or him, this is what being a warrior was about, and yet, something felt off. Their fur entangled together as their bodies had met, their aromas twirling within one another. It all felt recognizable, as it had been done before, in another life. Even her touch felt familiar, but there was no time for thoughts, no time for feelings or consideration; he had to win.

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All Around Us [ᴛᴀɪʟᴄʜᴀsᴇʀ] Jan 24, 2016 3:55:40 GMT

Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2016 3:55:40 GMT

In a roll of her surroundings, the stranger was on the ground and she was above him. When she realized what she had done, a spark of confidence shone in her eyes. She had done it! She gained the upper hand! But.. what came next? Everything Addershadow had trained her for was lost and she had no way of finding it. What was once confidence was now panic and in her lapse of concentration she was promptly kicked in the gut with a few scratches on the side. Her breath escaped her for a split second, hitting the ground hard with a single tumble. Hickorysmoke got to her feet to catch her breath, shaking her head to shrug off the sting on her belly and put her focus back on the male.

She dropped her head, slinking into a stalking motion while she maneuvered around him, waiting for him to get to his feet. She had to get a game plan, had to convene some recollection of the training she received before she was released to loner-ship. This was the real deal and the results for either of them could be serious or fatal. With a stark pause in her movements and single, but subtle ear twitch, the soft grey she-cat lunged forward. Using the adrenaline of the moment, she rose up on her hind legs, enabling the chance to swing a hard left-hook across his face; her claws extended in hopes to give him a reminder that he crashed into the wrong cat. This was her chance to make a statement for herself. She did not need a clan and she certainly did not need to die today.

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Last Edit: Jan 24, 2016 3:57:02 GMT by Deleted

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All Around Us [ᴛᴀɪʟᴄʜᴀsᴇʀ] Jan 24, 2016 19:09:47 GMT

Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2016 19:09:47 GMT

       The shadow of her figure that once darkened his form slipped away, bringing back the warmth of sunlight through the canopy of leaves to his pelt. His swift thinking actually worked, maybe he wasn't a dead cat after all; however, he wasn't safe just yet. He had to get up, he had to continue this battle, and for a moment, Tailchaser wondered what would happen if he simply...didn't move. Would she get bored and leave? Call him a coward? Think he was crazed? The tom didn't want to find out, he had to do this the way he was trained, not like a opossum. With a faint stumble, he clambered to his paws, his muzzle wrinkling as he forced another powerful hiss, his ears flat against his head. The dark cat's tail lashed from side to side agitatedly, his claws sinking into the ground.

       He was angry or at least, needed to get angry to win this fight. While his adrenaline was high, he couldn't compel his fears to subside and with that, he held too much doubt to truly win any brawl. She mimicked his previous movements, prowling around him like a stalking panther, and then, she came at him once more. It was as if the world moved in slow motion. With wide eyes, he watched her swiping paw, catching glimpse of her glinting claws. Duck? Block? Run? Swing? What action was he supposed to take again? Whitetalon had always told him to follow his instincts, but it turned out, he didn't have any. In the time it took him to discuss his next move with himself, inside his own head, her attack made impact.

       Her claws pricked his cheek and his face swung around like that of an owl. His head recoiled back to its previous position and he stared, blinking. "Whoa..." he breathed, his gaze shifting over the hazy female before him. That hurt, like really hurt. He was dazed, nearly confused, and crimson now stained the white fur on his cheeks. Amongst his stun, he looked at her, really looked at her, for the first time since they had started their little rumble. Tailchaser fluttered his eye, blinking the fog away, his attention unwavering from her features. He knew this cat, at least, he was so sure he did. She was older, of course, so was he, but it had to be her, it just had to be. "Hick...Hickory?" he mumbled, "Hickorykit?"

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All Around Us [ᴛᴀɪʟᴄʜᴀsᴇʀ] Jan 25, 2016 10:54:07 GMT

Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2016 10:54:07 GMT

The tom looked dazed after her hit, blinking at her like a newborn getting a first glimpse of sunlight. A smirk danced across her features as she prepared to give the next blow, but his words stopped her cold. "Hick...Hickory?" Her name, well, half of her name now, was spoken so familiarly. The female's ears flattened more, knitting her brows and staggering backwards. How could someone know her name? Since her arrival into this area, not only had she hardly met a soul worthy of batting an eyelash, she never spoke her name. A large knot weighed heavy in her gut, her semi-labored breathing from the tussle stabilizing. Racking her brain for the face of this stranger, she considered her options and a way out if this meeting if it came down to it.

Hickorysmoke hadn't spoken aloud, even to herself, since she left Addershadow's care one moon ago. She had no reason to say anything and surely had no company to worry about entertaining. "Who's asking?" She snapped defensively. The small cat flickered her tail rapidly, slinking backwards, but keeping ready and aware. Though, as she reflected on all the cats she's met, only one matched the unaligned facial marking and striking eyes. Her breath escaped her as she uttered a single word. "T-tailkit?"

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All Around Us [ᴛᴀɪʟᴄʜᴀsᴇʀ] Jan 25, 2016 19:33:21 GMT

Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2016 19:33:21 GMT

Tailchaser had completely lost his battle stance, unfocused on what they had previously been doing, despite the other cat's continuation. If she were to attack him now, he'd be dead. He couldn't shake the feeling that he knew her, but then again, how could it be? He had loved Hickorykit, as much as any kitten could love another, and he had pictured them growing old together, becoming warriors after joining ShadowClan, and even having litters of their own; however, that future had been shattered and not once did he assume he would ever get it back. When she spoke his name, at least his preceding name, his body grew tight and ridged. Not with anger or rage, not ready to fight, but with pure, uncomplicated joy. "Wow!" he squealed abruptly. He shook his head, a massive smile growing across his whiskered muzzle.

"Is it really you?" the tom questioned quickly, pressing forward in her direction with an uncontained excitement. His eyes traced her frantically, searching every hair, every inch, lost in a reunion that he never thought possible. He had waited everyday in their meeting spot for her to return. He was there all day, from sun up to sun down, until he headed off to ShadowClan. She was his best friend, his most trusted companion, and he hadn't wanted a life without her. Tailchaser had almost gone after her and it took his parents a lot of convincing to make him stay, to force him to understand that this was the only way. He didn't want to give up on them, not ever, but he was just a kit, and every kit needs to grow up.

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