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Post by Bloodrose on Dec 19, 2016 19:19:20 GMT -5
Duskstorm listened intently to the conversations happening around him as he cleaned his toes and paw-pads, every so often checking to see if his leg still hurt- which, of course, it did, but it was still worth a check- and keeping an eye on his surroundings. It was a little too loud for his tastes.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2016 19:48:53 GMT -5
"He's not sick, if that's what you're asking," Maplefall meowed. She dropped the herbs she'd gathered in front of Lighttail and squinted at Thunderheart. "He's not crazy, either. Just conflicted now." She threw a glance back at all the other cats, then leaned close. "You know the whispers."
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Post by Hawkeyes258 on Dec 19, 2016 20:49:28 GMT -5
Rowantooth lets out a low growl. He digs his claws into the ground and flexes them. He was tempted to ask these Herbalist more about the king's health. Clearly something was up. All the more reason to retire.
Aspenwhisker pinned his ears back.
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Post by Scartail48 on Dec 19, 2016 21:37:16 GMT -5
- - Lighttail
"Please. I support the king, but clearly he's ill-" she paused when realized the king's brother was sitting beside her. "I mean um..." Lighttail shuffled her feet and looked to Maplefall desperately. She silently cursed herself for engaging in a political discussion, which, as she always found, just ruined conversations.
- - Flamewhisker
"I noticed you got some good scratches in on that fox," he mewed, trying to start a conversation with Rosebriar while he waited for the herbalists to become available. "Did you get hurt?" Flamewhisker casually licked his paw.
- - Tawnyclaw
"That went badly," Tawnyclaw stated, glancing at Duskstorm. "You probably knew that." She gestured to his injured leg.
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Post by Bloodrose on Dec 19, 2016 21:40:29 GMT -5
'Gee... do you think?' He growled, giving her a very antisocial glare, wanting nothing more at the moment than to be left alone to lick his wounds and regain his pride.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2016 21:46:05 GMT -5
"What we mean to say, is he's ill . . . but not ill enough he's unfit to rule." Maplefall swept her gaze over all the other cats, then coughed and looked toward the garden. "Lighttail, do you believe we need some more marigold?" Talking about opinions so closely with the brother of the king nearby certainly unsettled her, and she squinted over at her fellow politically inept herbalist.
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☾ αятємιѕ ☽
When I think about going back to school I want to EAT my own SOCKS
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Post by ☾ αятємιѕ ☽ on Dec 19, 2016 21:46:43 GMT -5
- - Thunderheart
Thunderheart narrowed his eyes. Wrinkles formed in his muzzle, suggesting the beginnings of a snarl, but he caught himself.
"I don't know what whispers you two have heard," he growled, "but Stoneheart is just as capable to rule as he ever was. He's mourning the death of his wife and son--is he not allowed to grieve without the castle spreading around ideas of treason? After all the good he's done?"
- - Sandstripe
Sandstripe stifled a laugh at Duskstorm's biting reply and looked over her shoulder at Rowantooth, hearing his growl. "Are you injured?" she asked.
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Post by Scartail48 on Dec 19, 2016 21:47:07 GMT -5
- - Tawnyclaw
"Yeah that's..," she trailed off, not expecting such a sharp retort. Tawnyclaw saw the glare and turned her gaze back to the freaked out herbalist before her. "I'm just saying, that the guards could have done a little more if there was better managing. But what do I know. I'm clearly not a glorious war hero like you." Her tone was sarcastic, and her face was blank. She knew the rebuttal was unnecessary, but she wasn't thinking clearly. She remembered why she didn't talk to other cats.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2016 21:52:14 GMT -5
"I don't mean to suggest he's unfit to rule!" Maplefall snapped, letting a burst of the irritation she felt whenever someone disturbed her plants leak into her mew. Inappropriate, surely, but her honor was at stake here and she felt almost attacked by the suggestion she was disloyal. "But you know how others are acting because of what they presume is his state!" Her eyes flashed, and she actively bit her tongue to keep from spitting anything else out. Yowling the ear of the brother of the king was certainly not an advisable route.
---
Oak bounded into the room where the injured cats were, awkwardly bouncing up and down at the edge of the room--he wanted to check in with his mentor and fellow castlemates, but the herbalists had their job to do and he didn't want to get in the way. He swung his gaze around all the hunters and guards lying in the room.
"Are you all okay?" He called, hoping this approach wouldn't annoy the herbalists but would portray the proper amount of concern. He began pacing back and forth, tail lashing in concern.
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Post by Bloodrose on Dec 19, 2016 21:55:05 GMT -5
Satisfied when she left him alone, he continued to clean the muck and dust off of his silken pelt, trying his best not to aggravate his poor leg.
He swivelled his ears to listen in on the conversations. 'It couldn't be helped.' He piped up. 'It was two foxes and there were more hunters than guards on that outing.' He flexed his claws and then lay down, intending on getting some what he thought, well deserved rest- until Oak came in, and he had to resist the urge to groan.
He sat up again and glanced across the room at the young apprentice, and despite his aggravation his entire demeanour softened towards the kit. 'We're alright, Oak. Just a little dishevelled. Come here, tell me what you've done today before I get some rest; I'll set you off on something to do for the rest of the afternoon.'
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Post by Scartail48 on Dec 19, 2016 22:03:20 GMT -5
- - Lighttail
"Maple!" Lighttail hissed in her ear. This was supposed to be private communication between her and Thunderheart, but EVERYONE WAS SO SENSITIVE ABOUT PLANTS. She screamed in her head and made a wish that one day cats would shut up and shove the herbs down their whiny gullets before going off on the herbalists.
- - Tawnyclaw
"Still," she sighed, glaring at Sandstripe's little chuckle at Duskstorm's comment.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2016 22:03:56 GMT -5
"I got moss for Sunpetal, and I caught a mouse that had come in through the wall of castle. It was a sickly little thing, though." Oak leaned on his left paw, then his right, mind hurtling back to what he'd done that day. "Not much else. Nobody told me to go on the hunting patrol, and I missed out on the foxes--" he stared at the cats gathered with wide eyes, and his look made it obvious he wasn't disappointed to miss out on the danger.
---
"You know what? I'll get the marigold," Maplefall hissed, still feeling put-off. She stalked away, tail flicking back and forth irritably--her loyalty had been questioned! Her very core!--and slipped into the garden to gather more marigold.
By the time she returned she'd cooled down, and padded past Thunderheart with a cool but not unfriendly air.
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Post by Bloodrose on Dec 19, 2016 22:07:49 GMT -5
"I got moss for Sunpetal, and I caught a mouse that had come in through the wall of castle. It was a sickly little thing, though." Oak leaned on his left paw, then his right, mind hurtling back to what he'd done that day. "Not much else. Nobody told me to go on the hunting patrol, and I missed out on the foxes--" he stared at the cats gathered with wide eyes, and his look made it obvious he wasn't disappointed to miss out on the danger. --- "You know what? I'll get the marigold," Maplefall hissed, still feeling put-off. She stalked away, tail flicking back and forth irritably--her loyalty had been questioned! Her very core!--and slipped into the garden to gather more marigold. By the time she returned she'd cooled down, and padded past Thunderheart with a cool but not unfriendly air. Duskstorm nodded as he listened, sounding satisfied by what Oak told him. The transformation in the Tom when he was around Kits- especially his own apprentice, whom he heavily doted on and expected only the best of- was amazing. 'Alright.' He said, lying down again, trying to think of what to set him away on. 'I want you to practice your pouncing- find another apprentice and you can do it together maybe. And then I want you to go and hunt some more mice around the castle- try and scent the difference between a sick mouse and a healthy one.' |
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☾ αятємιѕ ☽
When I think about going back to school I want to EAT my own SOCKS
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Post by ☾ αятємιѕ ☽ on Dec 19, 2016 22:15:08 GMT -5
- - Thunderheart
"Well. Let's address these whispers now, shall we?" Thunderheart stood up and raised his voice so everyone in the garden could hear him. "Listen up! It's been brought to my attention that there have been rumors going around about our King. I will put a silence to those rumors now. He is currently still grieving the loss of his loved ones. I have been filling in for some of his duties while he mourns. But he is just as strong in body and mind as he ever was, just as I am--and I will fight to the death to defend him." With a final growl, he pushed Lighttail off of him and walked out the garden with as much dignity as he could; he hadn't even had treatment for his leg yet. He made eye contact with Maplefall, and a hint of regret flashed in his eyes; he began to realize that he may have just made things worse by yelling at the herbalists and the patrol that had saved his life.
He left the herbs meant for Stoneheart behind.
- - Sandstripe
Sandstripe watched the scene in silence. She turned back to her patients and widened her eyes, as if to say, what a mess, then went back to sorting out the herbs at her feet.
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Post by Scartail48 on Dec 19, 2016 22:31:21 GMT -5
- - Lighttail
"He didn't-," Lighttail began, squinting. "He didn't take the herbs. Now he and his brother are sick." She turned to Maplefall and squinted even harder. "Did we just get called traitors for trying to help our royal family?" She kept her voice to a low whisper. She dig her claws into the earth and squeezed her eyes shut as tight as she could, trying to just take in what happened.
- - Flamewhisker
The orange tabby sat in shock. He didn't know anyone was even disloyal in this clan. Who would dare question the integrity of the royal family? What was happening to the castle he swore to protect? Just moments ago, it had been about trying to heal their wounds, not open new ones. He had to admire Thunderheart's dedication to his brother, and silently believe that he was the truest guard anyone could know. Not by his strength, but by his words.
- - Tawnyclaw
It was unbelievable. Tawnyclaw barely even knew what was happening, but Thunderheart's outburst only made her more confident that the castle needed a new leader. Their personal drama had to be contained- or at least that's what Tawnyclaw did with her emotions.
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Post by hawkclaw3 on Dec 19, 2016 23:03:01 GMT -5
Shadowfire | Garden
Shadowfire had crept closer to where the wounded cats were being treated, casually listening in to hear about the attack. Her ears were pricked up as she acted genuinely concerned for the well-being of each and every cat. As Thunderheart rose to speak before the cats in the garden, the she-cat's attention immediately jumped to him. She narrowed her eyes, as if to better make him out from the distance she was from him. Hidden from plain sight, there was a furious glint in her eye. As he finished, she let her body relax and her mind start spinning. She sat down to blend in more with the crowd and not draw attention to herself. Good thing it doesn't seem to be too hard to beat you out then, the shepcat thought to herself.
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Post by Hawkeyes258 on Dec 20, 2016 5:56:10 GMT -5
Rowantooth didn't believe a word of it. "It's one thing to grieve but it's another to neglect your followers." He said raising his voice slightly. He didn't really care who heard him.
Ripplestorm glanced over at his clanmate. "Oh he just needs to fall in love again. Then our king will be right as rain."
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Post by Icefang on Dec 20, 2016 7:20:02 GMT -5
Icefang followed Stoneheart up the stairs. He wondered what Dewfern and him would talk about. I hope this will end well he thought to himself.
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Post by Mother Dark on Dec 20, 2016 9:09:51 GMT -5
Rosebriar was so shocked at the fact that any one could be disloyal to their mighty king she forgot that Flamewhisker had said anything. His question had startled her. She shook her head as she took inventory of all the small cuts and thorns tangled in her fur.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2016 10:20:10 GMT -5
"I need to give him his treatment," Maplefall murmured to Lighttail. "Just keep your head low. I don't think he was reaaaaaaallu that mad." She winced, hoping it hadn't been her who had started the whole yowling escapade.
She picked up the herbs meant for Thunderheart and rushed after him, hoping to catch up.
---
"Okay. I can do that!" Oak nudged Duskstorm before running off. "Get better, Duskstorm! Shadowfire said you'd teach me a new hunting move!"
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Post by Bloodrose on Dec 20, 2016 11:00:24 GMT -5
Duskstorm chuckled lightly and lay his head back down, closing his eyes with a sigh. He'd have to get better soon, for his apprentices sake. He worried he might lose him if he didn't heal quickly.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2016 11:02:36 GMT -5
Oak padded around the castle, looking for one of the other apprentices. Right now there were no other hunter apprentices, but any apprentice could size up the quality of a jump. He didn't find any nice, but he kept his ears perked for the skittering of claws and his senses alert for the smell of mouse.
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Post by Scartail48 on Dec 20, 2016 14:57:58 GMT -5
- - Flamewhisker
Flamewhisker lowered his voice. "There are... whispers?" he asked. "Have you heard anything?" Flamewhisker was no royal guard, but he had always held a strong sense of faith in the current dynasty. He forgot all about the first question he asked the she-cat, and stared at where Thunderheart left.
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☾ αятємιѕ ☽
When I think about going back to school I want to EAT my own SOCKS
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Post by ☾ αятємιѕ ☽ on Dec 20, 2016 15:54:37 GMT -5
- - Sandstripe
Sandstripe sighed. "I've known Thunderheart and Stoneherart since we were kits," she said. "I've seen their highs and lows. But I've never seen them like this before. Stoneheart seems like he's sleepwalking half the time and Thunderheart isn't equipped to handle the stress of leadership. If Stoneheart would step down peacefully, they could retire to the life that they seem to want . . . but that's never going to happen."
- - Thunderheart
Thunderheart padded through the castle, toward the royal tower, but slowly; he was trying to calculate what he would say when his brother saw the state he was in. His ears lifted when he heard Maplefall's pawsteps behind him and he looked over his shoulder to see her, then glanced around to check if there was anyone else in the area. He sighed and slowed down a little so she could catch up.
"Sorry," he said. "I know you and Lighttail didn't mean any harm."
- - Stoneheart
Stoneheart jumped onto what remained of an abandoned piece of furniture and sat down. "Go ahead and give me a report first, Icefang," he said. "Did you see any suspicious activity today?"
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Post by Mother Dark on Dec 20, 2016 16:16:44 GMT -5
Rosebriar looked at the state of her fur and the nasty red fur caught in her claws and started to groom out all of the blood and brush that was caught in it.
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Post by Hawkeyes258 on Dec 20, 2016 16:29:12 GMT -5
Rowantooth mutters something to himself before walking off. He wanted to be alone to think and to plan. How long was Stoneheart going to stand idle? A real leader would look out for his clanmates. "Something has to be done." He mumbled softly to himself.
Ripplestorm watched him go and shakes his head. He knew all to well that Rowantooth didn't like the king. Sighing he decided to just walk off too. Would be a good time to get something to eat right about now.
Aspenwhisker didn't really know what to do now. "So um can I go now"?
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Post by Icefang on Dec 20, 2016 17:06:11 GMT -5
Icefang thought for a second. "I haven't seen much but some cats have been acting a little suspicious but that's all." Icefang stated.
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Post by Scartail48 on Dec 20, 2016 17:43:03 GMT -5
- - Dewfern
"Suspicious?" Dewfern asked as she hopped onto her bed. "What have they been doing?" Maybe people are talking about me.., she thought. Sometimes the she-cat wondered if others had forgotten all about her, or if she had just vanished from their thoughts as soon as her dad issued the command to keep her in the tower.
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Post by Scartail48 on Dec 20, 2016 18:04:08 GMT -5
- - Flamewhisker
"Rowantooth..," he began. "Maybe you shouldn't talk so openly about the king's mental state." Flamewhisker looked up at the tom from his nest nervously.
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Post by Hawkeyes258 on Dec 20, 2016 18:06:23 GMT -5
Rowantooth turned his gaze to Flamewhisker. "Or what"? He challenged.
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