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Post by dylan on Oct 5, 2011 20:06:45 GMT -5
Everything seemed so still in the camp, other than the normal business of the warriors going and coming from patrol. A hunting patrol had come right past her, catching her attention for a few moments. The next thing she knew a border patrol had gone out. There went a few more moments of her being distracted. Finally, it seemed the hustle was calming down.
Applepaw had been wandering around camp, waiting for her brother to return from training. He was probably out hunting with his mentor. The two siblings would trade what they had learned from the day after getting back, like they had done every day since they became apprentices.
The apprentice had paced the camp, made sure her nest was still nice and warm, and now she was back to pacing. Staying still was just not something Applepaw could do. A bug crawled nearby, and the apprentice couldn't help but mewl in delight. Another distraction! Wiggling her bottom she followed it and pounced. Before she could see what had happened, a butterfly floated past her. Applepaw and her short attention span spotted it, chasing after it now.
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Post by ♦ stormeh ♦ on Oct 5, 2011 20:24:06 GMT -5
Nettlepaw sat just outside the apprentices' den, grooming his long sandy-colored fur thoughtfully. As he stiffled a yawn, he glanced up at the sky to admire the beautiful colors of dawn, blue, light green and purple all blended to form beautiful colors all around him.
Out of the corner of his eye though, a flame-colored tabby she-cat intruded his vision, and he turned to gaze at Applepaw. He felt his ears grow warm. He liked Applepaw because she was independent, and she was quick-minded. Nettlepaw knew she wasn't the trusting type, but he wanted to become friends with her. "Hi, Applepaw! Did you see the rabbit Runningleap caught? It was huge!" he chirped, trying to spark up a small conversation with the pretty tabby.
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Post by dylan on Oct 5, 2011 22:27:38 GMT -5
Applepaw was busy chasing her butterfly. It reminded her of being in the nursery as a kit again and it was fun. She remembered the warmth of her mother and her brother beside her. But it was also back when she had her best friend, and the mousebrained kit decided to make her who she is today, a cat with trust issues. Green eyes were full of mischief now as she spotted her next prey...a leaf.
Right as she was pouncing on the leaf she heard her name being called. Who was interrupting her fun game? Turning around she saw that it was one of her denmates, Nettlepaw. she wished Flamepaw was with her. He would be able to talk for her and she wouldn't have to interact with another cat. But he wasn't and she was left on her own. She let out a deep sigh and turned her attention to the tom.
"No I didn't. He must have been lucky to catch one on our territory."
[/color] she replied. Now that was something she would love to see. Applepaw had never tasted rabbit before, and wondered what it tasted like. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/size] |
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Post by ♦ stormeh ♦ on Oct 6, 2011 14:45:55 GMT -5
Nettlepaw relaxed a bit when Applepaw didn't tell him to leave her alone, and his confidence grew. "Actually, I saw it on the fresh-kill pile after the elders were finished with it," he meowed, his eyes shining. "I can go get it, and you can see how big it is, even if half of it's gone!" he grinned.
Without waiting for an answer, Nettlepaw whisked around and bounded over to the pile of fresh-kill. At least Applepaw didn't appear to dislike him, he thought cheerfully. He clamped his jaws down on the large rabbit, and began to heave it back to Applepaw. It was quite heavy and plump, which was very strange when the prey was becomming scarcer every day.
When he finally reached the pretty tabby, he let the rabbit drop to the ground and gasped for breathe. "Geez, that thing was hard to carry! You want to share it?" he gestured to the rabbit with a flick of his tail. Nettlepaw didn't know wether Applepaw would agree to his offer, and if she didn't there was no doubt he wouldn't be disappointed.
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Post by dylan on Oct 6, 2011 19:53:27 GMT -5
Well if it was big enough to feed the elders and still half of it was left, it must have been huge! The curious apprentice was wondering just how a cat could catch something like that. Maybe one day she could be like that. Applepaw nodded at his suggestion, that sounded like a good idea. He wasn't telling her to do anything, he was asking her permission. This tom was actually kind, who would have thought. Just as long as she didn't get close to him she would be fine. Talking would be alright, it didn't involve much trust.
Applepaw's green eyes widened as she saw just how large the rabbit was. It was bigger than she was! "I bet it was hard to carry, look at the size of that thing!"
[/color] her eyes were wide with shock. But then, Nettlepaw had suggested something a little uncomfortable for her. Looking around, she wished her brother were here. He could bail her out. But Nettlepaw had been kind to her so far, he wasn't pushing her. She nodded slowly. "Sure, I forgot to eat earlier, and it looks really good. Any idea what it tastes like?"[/color] Applepaw asked. The she-cat was a bit nervous that she had let herself open up even this much around a tom. Usually she was completely distant and stayed far away. What was this feeling she was experiencing? Could it be that she was actually starting to trust him, slightly? Surely it couldn't be, not after everything she had been through in the past. But it really was...how could she be trusting him?[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size] |
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Post by ♦ stormeh ♦ on Oct 6, 2011 20:04:32 GMT -5
Nettlepaw purred indelight and joke, "I know! This rabbit will be told in elders' stories for seasons to come!" He sat down across from Applepaw and curled his tail delicately around his paws. "I can't really explain it.. it kinda tastes like a mix of mouse and squirrel, but better!" he described, licking his chops at the thought of diving into the large piece of prey.
Though when he asked her if she'd like to share the rabbit with him, Applepaw appeared as though she felt uncomfortable about the idea. The smile on his face vanished and was replaced with a slightly anxious look. "Er, I mean, only if you want," he added hastily, not wanting to be a burden to her. Though when she
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Post by dylan on Oct 6, 2011 20:48:46 GMT -5
Though he was kidding, Nettlepaw was probably right. The elders would probably be thinking about their own warrior days and boasting about the prey they had caught. As the tom sat across from her she realized this was the closest she had allowed a tom, other than her brother, since being a kit. Blinking at his explanation of the taste she figured she would just have to find out for herself. It sounded good since she liked both mice and squirrels. Applepaw couldn't imagine anything better than that!
"I guess it's fine. I mean, I just don't know how to do this."
[/color] she mewed, pointing with her tail to him and then herself. "I mean, I usually don't talk to other cats, they stay away from me and I stay away from them."[/color] she added, trying to decrease confusion. "Sorry, I'm just out of practice with this whole conversation thing."[/color] Applepaw finally said, looking at her paws.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size] |
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Post by ♦ stormeh ♦ on Oct 6, 2011 20:55:16 GMT -5
Nettlepaw blinked sympathetically at Applepaw and smiled, trying to cheer her up. "That's okay, you don't need to practise to talk to someone," he pointed out simply, as if talking to just anyone was the easiest thing in the world. Well, to him at lease.
"So, you wanna try the rabbit now?" he asked, trying to change the subject o make it easier for Applepaw to talk to him. He knew that she wasn't one with socializing with others, so he wanted to drop the topic as soon as possible, so she doesn't get upset. However, Nettlepaw didn't know about Applepaw's past; about her friend who betrayed her.
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Post by dylan on Oct 6, 2011 21:15:24 GMT -5
Was this cat serious? Talking was something that was easy? Well of course she knew how to talk to her family, that was the easy part. Maybe thinking of other cats as her family would help? No, she couldn't, that is exactly what happened last time. Applepaw still didn't understand this whole 'conversation' deal. It was awkward and unpleasant at times, and she didn't like it at all. But Nettlepaw seemed to be good at it, maybe he could help her. "Easy for you to say, I don't know how to talk to others."
[/color] Applepaw blinked. She had forgotten all about the rabbit for a moment. How could she have forgotten it was so huge! She nodded uneasily, and bent down to take a small taste. She hoped she would like it. The red tabby swallowed, and realized it actually wasn't that bad. Taking another taste she looked at Nettlepaw. "Your right, it is good!"[/color] Applepaw mewed, forgetting she had the rabbit in her mouth, and slightly choking on it. She looked away, embarrassed by what had happened. Swallowing the bite she licked her paws, cleaning her face.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size] |
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Post by ♦ stormeh ♦ on Oct 6, 2011 21:22:13 GMT -5
Nettlepaw barely frowned but said nothing more, obviously Applepaw didn't want to continue that subject. As she finally decided to try the rabbit, Nettlepaw's grin returned and he surpressed a mrrow of laughter as Applepaw choked a bit on it. Are you okay? I think you took a bigger bite than you could handle!" he teased lightly, amusement gleaming in his silver, thoughtful eyes.
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Post by dylan on Oct 6, 2011 21:51:10 GMT -5
Applepaw was actually feeling comfortable around someone other than those she was related to. Well....this was new. A smile actually formed on her face. He was teasing her! No fair! "Yeah well....I meant to do that, I was seeing if you had a sense of humor."
[/color] she said trying to defend herself. Glancing at the rabbit then to Nettlepaw she grinned. "Fine then, show me how to eat a rabbit...oh great one."[/color] her tone was light and playful. For the first time in a while, Applepaw felt free and able to actually break apart from her tough demeanor to have fun.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size] |
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Post by ♦ stormeh ♦ on Oct 6, 2011 22:18:06 GMT -5
Nettlepaw thought he barely noticed Applepaw relax, and so did he. This was something he'd rather do than go on a hunting patrol. "Alright, fine! You win. I assume you know how to eat prey by now, right?" he joked, a teasing gleam in his eyes. Glancing down at the rabbit, he licked his lips tentatively. Bending down, he took a few bites out of it, and finished them in a few gulps. "Does that help?" he asked sarcastically, though his tone was light. Nettlepaw let out a soft mrrow of laughter at his joke and girnned. Were they actually getting along? The apprentice felt his hopes rising. Maybe they could even become friends! That way, Nettlepaw could get to know her better.
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Post by dylan on Oct 7, 2011 19:20:54 GMT -5
Applepaw was glaring at the tom by now, she tried to look angry but for some reason she just could not around Nettlepaw. He was like a magnet for her to have a grin on her face. The glare soon turned into one of amusement. "No, I've never eaten prey before in my life....of course I have eaten prey before you big furball!"
[/color] her tone was pure joking material by this point. She was going to have a hard time staying serious with him. "No, that just makes it even more confusing."[/color] Applepaw rolled her eyes. Oh, if he was going to be sarcastic, so should she. She could play this little game. She grinned as her mind began to think of devious plans. She would get back at him, she just had to find the right moment.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size] |
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Post by ♦ stormeh ♦ on Oct 8, 2011 11:57:45 GMT -5
Nettlepaw's smile almost faltered when Applepaw glared at him, but he soon regained his cheerfulness when he realized her eyes were filled with amusement. "Hey, I'm no furball!" he growled playfully, sniffing in fake scorn. Though he couldn't keep a straight face for long, and finally grinned once more.
Then, he thought of hunting, and an idea formed in his mind. "Hey, you wanna go hunting with me? Er, I mean, with our mentors?" he suggested, flicking his ear in anticipation. Nettlepaw would've loved to go hunting with Applepaw, but knowing how uncertain she could be, he fretted that she would dismiss his idea as soon as she opened her jaws to reply.
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Post by dylan on Oct 8, 2011 17:46:07 GMT -5
Applepaw felt at peace with Nettlepaw, which was a good thing. It was a feeling that she had suppressed for far too long and having fun was something she needed to do. Just to get a smile from her was something special, to actually get a full blown grin, it took a lot. And here she was grinning at Nettlepaw. She would have to talk to Flamepaw, and see what he thought. Maybe it was time for her to open up again, and let at least Nettlepaw in.
Her eyes widened with shock at his suggestion. Go out of camp, with him? This was a wide stretch. But if they went with their mentors...that could be a little better. "I guess that would be okay."
[/color] she said after much contemplation. "But I'm not too good at hunting yet, I'm still working on it."[/color] Applepaw felt she needed to let Nettlepaw know. She really wasn't too great at anything just yet. She hadn't been an apprentice for too long and was still learning how to do everything.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size] |
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