a pact with the snow [ advanced ]

taras

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He had slept but did not rest. He blinked his mossy eyes as the pale blue light of dawn just began to filter in through the entrance of the tunnel. The lad stirred in his nest as he attempted to grasp onto sleep. Unfortunately for him, slumber slipped through his paws, leaving him restless and tired which was never good. A tired cat makes a cranky cat or at-least that's what Taras had observed. Lucky for him though he rarely fell onto the grumpy side.

Again, he had awakened before dawn leaving him weary and despondent. If that wasn’t enough the fear that provoked his night terrors further surely did him kindly. Fear. It was a constant cloud that hung over the lad, suffocating and thick, kind of like- no. He couldn't bring himself to think of it, of the liquid, it made his stomach churn and queasy. Countless nights he would arise gasping for air that had never been absent. Each time an ache would spur from his chest and threaten to climb up his throat and bring all of his body's contents with it. That was many moons ago, now he had better control of his contents.

When he closed his eyes something horrid bloomed there, a black-petaled shape building endlessly outward. In his body, he stayed in his nest in the tunnel, but in his mind, he stood and walked through the entrance and into the morning. Outside it was frigid and well - white. Everything was consumed by the white blankets that lay across the land during the winter. He couldn't see anything but, still, he continued on until he happened upon Grisha. His previous owner was sprawled in the snow and had fashioned himself with the wretched smelling red liquid. Now Taras isn't one to considered frightful, just like any other cat found in the ports or on the streets he’s as hard as the coming winter. Yes, he has been startled once or twice, but nothing to the extreme of being compared to a shaking leaf - still, when he saw Grisha covered in red he couldn't help but allow a shiver to run down his spine.

Taras quickly flicked his eyes open.
Stop it, he told himself. Forget about him, about the dream.

The large silver coon stared vacantly into the dimly lit space, the all too familiar silence greeting him. Stars know how long he had been laying there before coming to the conclusion that he had to make movement, the sharp claws of leaf-bare fingering through his fur, causing his coat to prickle. Tail lifted high to ensure that it wouldn't brush against any of his clan-mates he quietly navigated his way through the maze of sleeping bodies and nests, each step casting a reassuring gaze over his shoulder to ensure himself that he had not disturbed any of the sleeping souls.

He took note of those that were already up and about. There was Elena, and well - Elena. He liked Elena, her paws were forever moving. She was diligent in her assignments and vigorous in her training. Taras hardly spoke so he never had the opportunity to compliment her work ethic, not that he would. He wondered if she had the same feeling in her paws... The tom shook his head to rid of his forever tantalizing thoughts and glanced around at the other cats that lay in their makeshift nests. The others like Yuliy and Hawke were still dreaming sweetly. He couldn't help but let a small smile dance on his lips. It had only been a few moons ago that he had fallen up the mixed up band of cats, still, he couldn't help but care for each and every one of them. They were his companions now and he would honor that.

Taras' fawn pointed ears perked as footfall began to echo through the tunnel. Before he could even question it Stark urgently rushed passed him and scaled the rocks in more than a timely manner. The tom winced slightly as the leader called for everyone's fantasies to end and walk to the cold of the morning. They were so peaceful. Twitching his nose in slight disgust with himself he refocused on Stark. Obviously, there was the reason behind Stark's actions and abruptly waking his fellow companions. He couldn't imagine Stark waking everyone to show off the latest prey he or someone else caught - oh no - there was a more serious tone behind his voice.

The first snowfall.

Something fluttered in his chest, was it his heart? He couldn't tell. Whatever it was he was still awe-stricken by how many moons had already passed since his departure from Murnmask? From Grisha? From home? His heart sank ever so slightly. He couldn't lie to himself, he missed the "ol' lad," missed his rough hands and thick arms that easily enveloped him, his booming voice that made any room rattle, but most of all those kind eyes. Oh, those eyes! They dug through his flesh and always burned him down to the core. Maybe it was their hue? He had been given a set of icy blue eyes that had kind flecks of brown. Whatever it was he missed it, terribly. But now was not the time to.

‘Double the amount of work.’

Taras' heart lifted. He always thought that his companions' paws were a little more idle than he preferred. Maybe now things would actually get done in a decent and timely manner. He understood the reasoning and purpose behind a lazy morning - however, that didn't mean that he approved of them. The work to be done was staggering. Sluggish mornings were not for those with the faint of heart. Especially him. Hopefully, the duties would be carried out without complaint - but that was him dreaming.

Starks' decision was indeed abrupt but Taras respected it. Winter was never one to stick to a day by day, exclusively scheduled calendar, no, it came when it came, barging through the lands with an unforgiving touch. The first snow fall wasn't something to take lightly and those that did never lasted long. In his travels, he had seen Winter's icy fingers work through the thick coats of cats and leave them for dead. Having a damned soft heart Taras had attempted to aid others but once they were in the icy grips there was nothing he could do. Puffing his chest slightly his mossy green eyes scanned across the den. There were twelve of them. There would be twelve of them when the whisper of snow seeping beneath the rocks, seething along the floor of the tunnels. They would be there. All of them.

By the seas' current and the stars, he thought to himself, praying that he would be right.

It would seem rather unusual that a lad like him would be speaking to the stars as if their very fabrication was their will and had something to do with his. Most spoke ill of those that believed in things that had no true explanation, the stars, the moons, the sea. He understood their reasoning and harsh tones, why would anyone believe in such things. Why they were for kits to comfort them when the days went dark and were full of terrors! Not for an old lad like him! Still - how many times had he followed the stars back home when he got lost? One too many I'd say.

Taking a deep breath the large Maine Coon moved across the cold rocky floor, drifting towards the group that had already gathered. It was only natural that Yulily and Stark would go with one group, as well as Motya. Hawke would lead the other considering he was the only other hunter. Maybe Elena would join Hawke's... He didn't seem so bad. He didn't mind what crowd he followed. The thick silver coat that shrouded his body yearned for a swim but the lake was not the place to do it, he didn't mind the mines nor the meadow, but whenever his duties called him to the forest they weren't something Taras was eager to carry along. Whichever group he joined he would still be slightly displeased with the surroundings. This isn't about comfort this is about survival, he reminded himself.

Flashing his bright moss eyes he waited for an invitation to one of the two groups.

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[ hey everyone!
I just have to say that everyone's charcaters are wonderful  !! 
I love the whole Stark and Yulily mentorship going on here ]