Observation! (Open)

[*Midnightsoul*]

A black-furred she-cat slid out of the apprentices' den, eyes glittering due to the bright, annoying sunlight. In fact, the sunlight bothered Midnightpaw so much that she closed her eyes, and let out a low hiss, searching with her paws, whiskers, and hearing ability to find a tree that would provide shade for her.

Upon finding a tree, Midnightpaw flopped down against the trunk, tail lashing. She purred for a few moments, enjoying the serenity... The calmness that was grasping the camp soothed her, and for the first time in a few weeks, Midnightpaw felt truly happy. Although she expected the hard work, and readied herself for it, that would come with apprenticeship, Midnightpaw hadn't really known what it was like to be an apprentice.. Until she became one, that is. She'd learned something from that: no matter how much you ready yourself, you really don't know what something's like until you experience it yourself.

I wonder where Tigerstar is. Midnightpaw thought, her narrowed eyes slowly searching the camp for the familiar pelt of the ThunderClan leader. Well, maybe she isn't around. I could do with some interaction with another cat, though. I'm rather bored, which is odd considering I usually relish a silent camp. Impulsively, Midnightpaw called out, "any cat want to hang out?" She instantly felt the burn of her pelt in embarrassment after the words had left her mouth, and she wished she'd thought before she'd spoken. The apprentice squirmed nervously and sat up, suddenly very self-conscious.

[Mutant]

Finchpaw

lean on me when you're not strong[/center]

The sunlight filtered quietly through the budding trees. A fresh scent of blossoms drifted on the breeze, and the ginger-furred apprentice stirred in his den, sighing softly as he woke to the warm new-leaf day. He stretched his long limbs out, inadvertently pushing himself up against his brother's back; Finchpaw stirred and opened his pale yellow eyes, gazing around blearily.
"You getting up?" he muttered to his brother. Cricketpaw yawned and shook his head, curling up again.
"Tired. Didn't get to sleep 'till moonhigh last night," he answered, and tucked his nose under his tail, drifting back into an easy sleep.
Finchpaw sat up slowly, fluffing his fur and stretching. The den was warm with the body heat of sleeping cats, and it was a wonderful feeling to be in there, but the young cat knew that he had duties to attend to. He had gone to sleep far earlier than Cricketpaw the night before, and it was time he got up and did what he could for the Clan. He slunk out of the den just in time to hear Midnightpaw's question. He lifted his tail and trotted over cheerfully, shaking out his fur as he approached her.
"You want to hunt or something, Midnightpaw?" he asked, his voice bright and happy despite the note of sleepiness still behind it. "It's a beautiful day, huh? I love new-leaf, lots of prey to be caught, lots of sunlight and new growth." He had never really spent much time with Midnightpaw- not with any of the other apprentices, really; he was usually with Cricketpaw, who tended to repel the others. Cricketpaw was wonderful, Finchpaw would never say a thing against him, but sometimes he wished that his brother would be more welcoming to the other apprentices. He made it very clear that he wasn't interested in being around them, not even taking his meals with his peers. Finchpaw loved his brother dearly, but it might be nice to have other friends, too. He sat down in front of Midnightpaw and drew a paw over his ear, flattening his sleep-ruffled fur.

[*Midnightsoul*]

"I've always been pretty poor at hunting, and still am not sure too well how.." Midnightpaw answered, trying her best to hide her embarrassment. Why should I be embarrassed? I'm a pretty good fighter... Besides, no cat's good at everything. She flicked her tail, "I don't really care what I do, though, as long as I get out of camp." Midnightpaw wasn't one to talk too much, but she didn't want to come off as rude. "Yes, it's definitely a nice day!" She mewed in agreement, blinking at Finchpaw.

Midnightpaw slowly went off into her mind, where she went often. She was a daydreamer, and when she didn't feel like talking, she appeared to be listening, but was not. Although this time losing herself in her thoughts was moreover a mistake and due to the nice day, Midnightpaw simply wanted to be away. Whether that meant in her thoughts or out of camp didn't matter; as long as she could get away from the mass of other cats that were ThunderClan, she was happy.

Blinking several times to reenter reality, Midnightpaw flicked her ear, hoping she hadn't missed anything that Finchpaw had said. I've got to stop doing that when I'm talking with other cats.

[Shizuka]

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[atrb=background,http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad342/Shizuka_Hyuga/Emberstrikemiddle.png][scrolly:h(224),w(328),sy, c()] ------------------------------ A ginger tabby muscular pelt slipped out from the apprentice's den, and amber eyes gazed around contently. Today, the camp seemed to be under a tranquil spell of peace, and it calmed his mind, for he was a very calm, laid-back tom himself. He wondered where Tigerstar, Howlingwind, Echofire, and pretty much all of the warriors were. He guessed that some were probably still sleeping, but he also knew that Howlingwind must have had many of the warriors already out on their patrols. At first he worried that he should be out there too, helping, but then he guessed, with the camp so peaceful, that there were enough members to go around doing the work, and the apprentices remaining in the camp would have to just wait until their mentors returned, and enjoy some free time to relax, play, and chat. Then he heard a voice meow, "Any cat wanna hang out?" I do. He replied in his thoughts, not really the type to go around saying things like that, as he looked in the direction of the voice. It was Midnightpaw, the pretty black she-cat apprentice of Tigerstar herself. He had never let anyone know about his secret feelings toward the pretty she-cat, but at the same time, every time he found himself looking at her, he felt the warm tug in his heart, and above all else, he wished he had the guts to talk to her more, maybe even tell her how he felt. Well, confessions weren't on his list of priorities. Not yet, at least for now. Emberpaw felt a mix of emotions going through his mind as he considered going to her, or staying where he was. Well, he couldn't just ignore her call, couldn't he? But when he looked over, he realized he was too late, for just then, the apprentice Finchpaw was trotting over cheerfully. Emberpaw wondered how Finchpaw was so bold. If only he had the courage to do anything he wanted...But this internal conflict wasn't over, not by a long shot. Seeing Finchpaw with Midnightpaw, asking her out to hunt, and then to his disappointment, hearing Midnightpaw accepting with a friendly blink, he felt a surge of mixed emotions welling up within. These feeling, he hadn't really felt before, but he began to understand one thing. He wanted to be the one to make Midnightpaw smile. He wanted to be the one asking her out to hunt together. Emberpaw was jealous of Finchpaw. He knew he had to act soon, or Midnightpaw and Finchpaw would head out without him. In an instant moment of pure boldness, or possibly foolishness to be eternally regretted for the rest of his life, Emberpaw walked toward them, and meowed, almost hesitating, "A-are you two going hunting? May I come with you?" ------------------------------ Ooc: YES MY MUSE HAS RETURNED@!! word count: 466! muse: Returned!! For now at least ^^ tags: Finchpaw and Midniightpaw [/scrolly]

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[*Midnightsoul*]

Midnightpaw's pelt burned as Emberpaw asked if they were hunting and if he could go as well. Midnightpaw fought back a smile and purr at the tom, and answered, "yes, we are. You're free to come, if you wish." Her mew was quiet and soft. However, Midnightpaw hadn't been considering Finchpaw when she answered. All she could really think about was, well, what she was thinking. Pelt burning, fighting a smile.. My voice even sounds weird. What's wrong with me? D-do I have a crush on Emberpaw? After all, I'm almost never this nice to any cat! Midnightpaw gulped in nervousness, her pelt not just burning in embarrassment and a possible crush, but nervousness tinged in as well.

Did she like Emberpaw? Would he be the tom for her? He surely seemed to be her type: didn't appear like the kind of cat that blabs every moment, or go around with his chest puffed out and flirting with every she-cat in sight. Midnightpaw had no tolerance or respect for arrogant, annoying toms. However, she generally held toms who were quiet and kind in high respect.

[Mutant]

Finchpaw

lean on me when you're not strong[/center]

Oblivious to the romantic tension between the two young cats, Finchpaw purred cheerfully, scuffling his paws with excitement. "Of course you can come!" he said happily. "The more the better, right? We'll catch so much prey, ThunderClan won't know what to do with it all!"
He slipped into a hunter's crouch and pounced at a falling leaf; it crunched under his paws, and he chewed the stem for a moment in the back of his mouth, tail waving happily. He looked back at Emberpaw and Midnightpaw to be sure that they were following, and charged towards the tunnel out of camp. It would be fun to get to know the other apprentices, he thought. He never saw anyone other than Cricketpaw, really- and it was starting to show. For his age, he was behind in both training and familiarity with the members of the Clan. He seemed blissfully unaware of the fact that he was, for all intensive purposes, the lowest-ranking of the apprentices, the furthest from being made a warrior. He stumbled clumsily under his paws. Really, his determination to catch an impressive amount of prey was probably in vain; he often tripped, and had no clue how to hunt certain animals properly. He could really be a mess, and everyone knew it, but his cheerful enthusiasm made it difficult to point out. Nobody wanted to spoil his spirited joy, and it wasn't totally his fault- he needed a solid mentor, but ThunderClan was short on warriors, and there didn't seem to be space for him. He seemed to harbor no bitterness- in fact, hardly even an awareness of the frustrating situation, which made it, in a way, easier to ignore. Practice couldn't hurt, though, and he was brimming with energy now that he'd had a chance to wake up. He was eager to go out and enjoy himself, maybe form the beginnings of a relationship with the two denmates that he barely knew.

[Shizuka]

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[atrb=background,http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad342/Shizuka_Hyuga/Emberstrikemiddle.png][scrolly:h(224),w(328),sy, c()] ------------------------------ Emberpaw couldn't hold back a pleasant smile, even purring a little, when Midnightpaw, and then Finchpaw, both said he could come. "Thank you. I would like that." he meowed, his voice just as soft. While seeming calm and pleasant on the outside, Emberpaw was nearly freaking out in his mind. I get to go hunting with Midnightpaw! I can't believe it! We're going to be together, just the two of us...and Finchpaw. If I show her how my training has gone so far, will she be impressed? But her mentor is Tigerstar! She might have been trained better, so she probably thinks I'm not all that great... Conflicting questions and thoughts went around in his head. But he didn't know what to say. His soft amber eyes shone as he nodded in agreement with Finchpaw. Emberpaw tilted his head curiously when Finchpaw pounced at a falling leaf, but glanced at Midnightpaw before following Finchpaw towards the tunnel out of camp. Finchpaw was actually the youngest of the apprentices, but his spirit showed his determination. Emberpaw just was feeling a bit anxious about whom Midnightpaw would rather hang out with more on this hunt. It was a nagging feeling, and he couldn't ignore it. ------------------------------ Ooc: ~ word count: 202 muse: holding out somehow tags: Finchpaw and Midniightpaw [/scrolly]

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[*Midnightsoul*]

Flicking her tail in a sign of slight annoyance toward Finchpaw's kit-like actions, Midnightpaw mostly walked close to Emberpaw on the way out of camp; so close, in fact, that she felt her fur brush against his a few times, and that resulted in her pelt burning as if it was truly on fire, and her eyes widening slightly in embarrassment and fear. Well, if he attacks in anger, I'll fight right back. I may not have had much training, any in hunting, even, but I can still fight. I wouldn't want to fight Emberpaw, though, so I'm glad we're in the same Clan. Midnightpaw held back a purr, knowing that she had an advantage if any she-cat did to Emberpaw: she was in the same Clan as him.

Taking a deep breath, Midnightpaw let out a quiet mew of "I love this season; so fresh, warm, and full of prey." Stretching, the apprentice took another few paces forward before crouching, doing so in a poor manner at that, and stalking forward, looking and scenting for prey. I look like an idiot. I look like an idiot. Midnightpaw repeated in her mind, groaning inwardly. Yup. Go ahead; make yourself look like an incompetent mouse-brain in front of Emberpaw. Smooth move.

[Mutant]

Finchpaw

lean on me when you're not strong[/center]

The young cat bounced cheerfully around the forest, tail high with excitement. He didn't even notice Midnightpaw's irritation; he was too busy rubbing his face on every tree and rock that he could, darting back and forth in front of his two companions like a frantic squirrel. A low purr rumbled in his throat as he rubbed the side of his face against the rough bark of a pine tree; it was such a beautiful day, and everything felt so wonderful. This was what being in a Clan was all about, he thought- being with your Clanmates, hunting, enjoying yourself. He paused and flicked his ears, a tiny scuffling suddenly attracting his attention. A mouse- he could smell it. He dropped into a clumsy crouch, his expression almost comically serious after his kitlike display just moments before. He slid closer and closer, eyes set on the little rodent sniffing among the roots of a nearby oak tree- and his tail, which he had neglected to keep still, brushed a dry leaf on the ground. The mouse froze and looked up. Finchpaw leaped, paws scrabbling frantically to catch the tiny creature, but it escaped into a little burrow near the base of the tree's trunk before he could get a hold. He stuck his nose in the hole, sniffing loudly, but it was gone. He sat down with a sigh and looked back at Midnightpaw and Emberpaw. "It got away," he said plainly, explaining despite the clarity of the situation.

[Shizuka]

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[atrb=background,http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad342/Shizuka_Hyuga/Emberstrikemiddle.png][scrolly:h(224),w(328),sy, c()] ------------------------------ Emberpaw felt like his spine was tingling when Midnightpaw's soft midnight fur brushed up against his ginger pelt, and he thought he was going to pass out from happiness, metaphorically, of course. It was a surprising thing to him, and the joy he felt just at their pelts brushing was indescribable. It came as a sweet relief to him when Midnightpaw choose to walk closer to him than Finchpaw, and all the more amazing a moment when their pelts touched. A happy purr rumbled out from his chest as he walked, savoring this moment, wishing it would never end. Finchpaw's cheerful, kit-like behavior at the least put on a pleasant mood, if not too excited of a mood for his and Midnightpaw's peaceful preference. But Emberpaw at least was able to put up with it, especially since, for now, it appeared that Finchpaw wasn't bothering anyone. The apprentice was still young, but the harsh life of a warrior would soon turn him into a mature adult. Emberpaw's attention was brought back to the current situation when Midnightpaw began trying to track down the scent of any prey. "That's a good idea, start crouching before you find the prey and scare it away." he thought, and wanted to complement her for it, but couldn't find the words to speak. Ugh...I hate being shy sometimes. He groaned to himself in his thoughts. So he just followed her lead, and crouched down into the Hunters crouch, his strong, toned muscles being put to work. He heard a tiny scuffling in the area, and saw Finchpaw was already onto it, and patiently decided to let the young apprentice practice his skills. Finchpaw's crouch wasn't the smoothest, and he had forgotten the important task: to keep your tail still. Emberpaw sighed inwardly to himself, since if he mentioned something about it right then, that would foil the whole purpose of keeping silent. Seeing Finchpaw sit and look at them with no prey in his paws, Emberpaw felt a slight sense of...older brother-ness...that he should, as a more experienced apprentice, give some advice. Stepping forward, he slid easily into the Hunter's Crouch again, to show Finchpaw, displaying prominently how it was done with the bulge of his coiled muscles, and the ripple of his muscles as he stalked forward. "Like this." He meowed as he stalked around to show Finchpaw. "And remember," He stiffened his tail and held it parallel to the ground. ""to keep your tail still." He wondered if this was what it was like to be a mentor...He cast a quick glance over at Midnightpaw, curious to see if she approved or disapproved with his methods. ------------------------------ Ooc: Finchpaw is so cute xD writing that made me think of the "'Cuz every time we touch, I get this feeling," song xD word count: 441 muse: holding on tags: Finchpaw and Midniightpaw [/scrolly]

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[*Midnightsoul*]

"It's unfortunate," Midnightpaw quietly began, "but there will always be more prey. As cats continue their generations, so do our prey, so the cycle will repeat for as long as any cat could possibly imagine." The black-furred she-cat sat up and licked a paw, wondering where the wisdom came from, but hoping that it impressed Emberpaw at least a little bit.

When Midnightpaw's attention was no longer on prey, after Finchpaw's failure, she turned all of her attention toward Emberpaw. She couldn't help but stare stupidly at him when he crouched, his muscles.. He's so strong.. The feline thought, pelt burning in embarrassment. He'll make a wonderful warrior... So smart, so strong..

Seeing that Emberpaw had looked over at her, Midnightpaw shook her head, idiot! Don't stare at him and think so dreamily like that! You never know when he's going to look at you or say something to you! The she-cat brought herself back to reality again and gave Emberpaw a shy, pleasant smile before blinking at him, green eyes vibrant with happiness.


The sight of a leaf oddly moving, as there was no breeze to be felt, caught Midnightpaw's attention, and she stood on her hind legs a bit to see if she was right. After viewing another movement from a leaf close to the first one, Midnightpaw crouched and padded forward. I wonder.. Was Emberpaw giving Finchpaw tips when he was crouched before he looked over at me? I can't believe I was so absorbed in thinking about him that I didn't know if he was speaking! I think I heard his voice, but... what was he saying? Midnightpaw hissed at herself in her mind, then realized she'd stepped on a twig and that the movement was a vole.

The vole bolted away from cover, and Midnightpaw hastily chased after it, only to fail as it ran into a hole in the ground. Muttering angrily to herself, Midnightpaw padded back to Finchpaw and Emberpaw, tail and head held low in embarrassment. I messed up in front of Emberpaw!