Everything's Illuminated [Open]

[Jadedfox]

The steady drip drip drip of water off the trees was an assault on the Tom cat's ears as he awoke to hear the snoozing of his fellow Warriors all around. Nothing had changed, except the weather. It had been damp lately. Very very damp. As if the Universe expected them all to learn to swim like that of those abnormal Riverclanners. Well, Jadedfox had no intentions of swimming, but according to the Rain, he apparently wasn't going to sleep either.

And here's where being a light sleeper drives me batty.

Envy filled the Tom as he looked around at his clanmates, all very peacefully snoozing. As if their snoring wasn't hard enough to sleep to, now the Rain was enough to drive the cranky Cat over the edge. Forget it. He inwardly scoffed. Sleep, was a lost cause.

Gingerly stepping over the cat in front of him so not to ruin their perfect slumber, Jadedfox made his way to the entrance of the den. It was quite a pleasant night out, regardless of the antagonizing weather, and once he was out of the Den away from his peers, he started to relax a little bit as if being free from their presence took some type of invisible pressure off.

Tonight was a gorgeous night, he had to admit it. Beneath the pitch black of the Night Sky, he could clearly see the stars. And a large Moon lay overhead. It was somewhat eerie; the strange setting. It was Raining, yet everything was illuminated, not a cloud in the sky as the light of night turned his coat a pale orange.

Settling down, the ground beneath his paws was damp. Better out here though. Much more room to breathe. He convinced himself as he coaxed his body to the wet Earth. Crouched uncomfortably for a moment as his belly succumbed to the wetness, he wondered how in the world a Riverclanner could stand this. Shadowclan's land was relatively Marshy as it was, but he had grown up here. The thought of voluntarily getting wet was almost as overbearing as the thought of sleeping in the Warrior's Den. After a few moments, his body heat overcame the wet ground and he created himself a dry spot. I'll just stay here he thought. Stay here and be safe. Safe, comfortable... and damp? Oh well, beggars can't be choosers.

Half closing his pale yellow eyes, Jadedfox found himself purring lightly, his whole demeanor now shifted to content. His small ears stood straight out though, always listening, that way if any Night Patrols or simple stragglers came his way, he'd be ready. Always ready.

--I hope it's okay I changed the font. It's a lot easier for me to read when I'm re-reading over my posts and stuff. I kinda have to squint like an old person to read posts right now xD If not, let me know. I'll remove the font thing.

[sage]

((Yay! Somethin to write with!))

It was a wonderful night, at least to Stormflower. The air was thick and cool with vapor. The slow trickling of rain was sort of a musical sound. Stormflower stared at the beautiful indigo sky. She watched the night sky. Silverpelt is gorgeous tonight, she thought. The soft water was refreshing.

The grey-blue she-cat was perched on a short boulder at the edge of the clearing. She noticed a light stirring in the grass. She leaned over the boulder's edge, peering over. The wind blew, and a strong, scent of ShadowClan wafted over to her, warm and fresh.

She saw a masculine figure in the clearing. It was too dark to tell who. She leaped from the boulder, her paws making little noise as she hit the ground. She stalked up to the cat, slow and soft. Crouching low, she pounced.

''Hello! What're you doing out here so late?'' Stormflower was as cheerful and happy as ever.

[Jadedfox]

His ears had not caught the she-cat's approach, clearly not expecting a Clanmate to literally stalk him out in the open. He had mistakenly assumed that within their own Campgrounds, Shadowclanners would stomp around nosily, much like they usually did during the day; but his brain had made the fatal flaw- this wasn't daytime, it was night and under the black coat of Silverpelt everything in the Night was an enemy.

Half asleep in the misty blanket that had surrounded him, when the bright and cheerful greeting assaulted his ears, adrenaline shot itself into his system and the tom cat sprang up into action immediately on the defensive.

Claws out and tail puffed, he let out a strong hiss but his nose quickly caught the scent. Shadowclan! . A scent so familiar, his brain woke fully out of the "deer in the headlights" stupor which he so hastily reacted to. Stormflower! he mewed loudly, his fur slowly laying flat, You scared the life out of me! What're you doing stalking someone in the middle of the night?!

As the last bits of adrenaline left his body, the Tom was suddenly worried. He had made a fool out of himself. Mousebrain! Your own clanmate frightened you! Some Warrior you are!.

Carefully, he put his claws away, heart pounding in his chest before it actually clicked with him the she-cat had asked a question. Me? Oh I uh, I- Hello earth to idiot, thinnnnnnkkk. I couldn't sleep. The rain and the snoring and the humidity in the Warriors Den is to much to be comfortable in. What're you doing out here so late? Of course he didn't mean to sound rude or snappish, it was just that having already made a fool of himself, Jadedfox wasn't exactly together enough for social interaction after such a surprise greeting.

[/size]

[sage]

Stormflower tried hard not to laugh, but she just couldn't keep the laughter out of her eyes. She managed to keep her trap shut. Her amber eyes sparkled like gems in the shadows, bright and warm. She smiled at Jadedfox reassuringly.

''Didn't mean to scare you!'' she chirped. Stormflower could sense Jadedfox's embarrassment. ''It's okay.'' She smiled sheepishly. ''It was just a joke, just playing...''

''I tend to sleep out here most nights. Much more comfortable.'' The deputy looked around. She whispered, ''I like to look at the stars. They show me things.''

She sighed. The weight of her duty as a deputy weighed on her also. She had other lives to think of. And VenomClan...and BoneClan. Stormflower had heard the news.

''There's other things, too. I have a Clan to look after.''

[Jadedfox]

Stormflower had always been such an agreeable cat. For as long as Jadedfox could remember, he never recalled her having issues. Issues like the Tom cat had. In fact it seemed, that every cat withing Shadowclan was more confident natrually then he was. It was this realization that pricked Jadedfox with anxiety. He had already succeeded in making a fool of himself. And even if Stormflower assured him it was okay, he didn't believe her. In fact, he just grew more and more inwardly bitter as she looked at him. Her bright eyes, tail held high, pretty face all put together in even at the latest times of the night.... Was he the only Shadowclanner that was so inwardly a train wreck? Or did every cat have a "public face" that they projected so well like he? Glancing over the she-cat quickly, he could see her confidence was all natrual. She's deputy genius. Of course she's confident. Again his subconscious succeeded in putting the tom down, and at the inward remark, Jadedfox sighed.

I apologize Stormflower, I didn't mean to sound so rude. I'm just the lightest sleeper in the Clan apparently, so when cats manage to sneak up on me like you did, it just catches me completely off guard. I know it was just a joke. His meow was friendly, but deep down the Tom was cranky. A lack of sleep, wetness and the sheer embarrassment that had yet to wear of had made him worsen every minute he was in her presence. It wasn't that Jadedfox hated company, no in fact, if you were a good friend, he loved company. He thrived in the prescence of those closest to him. What Jadedfox hated was authority. Any cat above him, he always assumed was judging him. It was a completely secret and irrational fear, but regardless of how hard he tried to look on Stormflower's bright and friendly face with equality, he could not remove the fact that he was below her, and would always be; because until the Tom Cat was leader he'd be beneath every cat in the forest with the exception of Apprentices and kits. It was a thought that constantly stewed in the back of his brain. For Jadedfox, lack of caring for other cat's opinions did not exist, and they probably never would.

Casting his gaze to Silverpelt, he looked above a bit baffled by her statement. It was possible Jadedfox didn't believe in Starclan, though he'd never actually considered the idea the sheer thought of something so unreachable showing her something was hard to swallow. Trying his best to hide his confusion and disbelief, he looked back at his Deputy and tilted his head a tad, pale yellow eyes gazing at her with curiosity. Show you things?. The statement came out a bit more pushy then he intended, so quickly he checked himself, ever obedient to his leaders. What kind of things?

[/size]

[sage]

Stormflower frowned. She had never experienced dislike. No one had ever disliked her, as far as she could remember. She could see the hate in Jadedfox's eyes. It was a new experience for her. Stormflower's voice became monotone and shaky.

''N-n-n-o...ooo. I-I-I'm sorry....Jadedfox...'' The deputy took a step back from the young warrior.

She knew the tom was trying to be friendly. But why did he not like her? What was there not to like?!

Stormflower did not answer the rest of his questions. She turned and fled, racing out of the camp. The rain had almost stopped. Stormflower new it was almost dawn. She was exhausted, but she had to get away from the clearing. She was sad about Jadedfox. She'd liked him very much. It was very disappointing. Why should I care? He's just a warrior, she thought.

[Rosestem]

Nightpaw was having a wonderful dream. She and her father had taken over ShadowClan and made all the cats their slaves. Sighing in contentment she fell into deeper sleep. The only sound the soft pitter-patter of rain.

Suddenly, a slash of vivid pink cut into her vision, followed by blood oosing from a wound, and her lying on the ground bleeding. She blinked twice and her eyes shot open, but the dream faded into her subconcious as soon as she had her sight back. Then, she realized that she had awakeneed because of some noise from outside the warrior's den.

TNightpaw yawned. She growled under her breath. Then sniffed the air. It was one of the last times she would see the camp so peaceful. "What is it?' she hissed at the two cats,"What are you..." she broke off after seeing it was her mentor and Jadedfox. "I'm sorry.. am I interuppting something?"

[Jadedfox]

Just as quickly as the interaction had begun, it ended. Catching the poor Tom even more off guard. Had he said something? Done something? Secretly plotted to kill her and not known it? Baffled didn't even begin to describe the utter confusion that had met him. What in Starclan's name did I do?!

[/b]

Well this was fantastic. He had scared her off. And not just any her. But the Deputy. His leader. Foxdung! What the heck just happened?! He stood there, again completely caught off guard as to the social interaction before Nightpaw interrupted his confusion. I don't understand she-cats. That's what you've interrupted... he mewed bitterly. Did you hear that? Did I say something? Although he addressed the apprentice, in theory he was more thinking aloud. Nevermind. You're up. It's Dawn. I've upset your mentor. Help? Asking an apprentice for help wasn't exactly his highest point. But he hoped she understood it was more of a command then anything, and then he found himself trotting after her, easily gaining ground on her fleeting shape with his long legs all the while hoping Nightpaw would follow. He'd made a fool enough of himself, time to redeem some amount of pride before he had to awkwardly work around her in the coming Dawn. Picking up pace to a sprint, he followed her scent when he could no longer see her in the shadows. Coming on her with a soft shuffle of his paws he lightly breathed as he found her, trying his best to muster up some form of an apologetic look.

Stormflower? I'm sorry. That came out wrong back there, I didn't mean to offend you or anything. I just- it's the Rain. When it's this wet I get all out of sorts. Guess there's no question about me not being a Riverclanner eh?

His lame attempt to lighten the mood, fell flat.

Awkward.

In fact awkward couldn't explain it any better. How many times did Jadedfox have to grovel before cats started cutting him a break? Apparently 3 apologies in a half hour have just made things brilliantly disastrous.... Ffffffannntastic he sarcastically scorned himself. Again, the Tom had failed social graces, all this was a relization as he looked back to see if Nightpaw had even followed.

Drawing a deep breath, he found some humility and then walked up to Stormflower's side lightly touching her side with his own as a means of comfort. She cat's had always been into that touchy feely stuff, maybe if he could appease to her soft side, he could get out of this without looking like a total Mousebrain. I'm sorry if it seemed like I didn't want you around back there... I just uh, have never been.... Had never been what? What could he say to make it better? In truth, Jadedfox had no words. No show to give. I don't hate you, and I think you're a fabulous Deputy. Please tell me what you meant by the stars show you things?. His question was sincere, Jadedfox didn't hate her in all honesty. He didn't hate anyone. Hate was a wasted emotion, it was just he found it hard to be enjoyable all the time. With such a conflict of emotions within himself, handling his Clanmates energies was exhausting. But he really was being sincere now. Maybe it was the run to catch up to her, or maybe it was the sheer fact he didn't want to look like an idiot, but he stood now calmly managing himself, hoping she'd find it in her heart to believe him before their entire day was ruined. After all, she was family, maybe not by kin, but by Clan. And he really did respect that above all else.[/font][/blockquote][/size]

[Rosestem]

Nightpaw watched Jadefox wave her forward. She reluctantly followed. "Why is he groveling with my mentor?" she wondered and chuckeled. she was feeling good-tempered, but she decided to make it even more akward. "Are you guys mates or something?" she snidely asked, "I mean.. you're both acting like your distracted, and in LOVE!" she laughed.

[sage]

It had been too much. The night had been long. Exhaustion crashed over her like a wave. She could hardly keep track of Jadedfox's words. Could hardly feel his touch. ''Okay...'' Stormflower mumbled. ''Don't know why I acted that way. I'm the deputy after all. I'm supposed to make an example! Don't apologize.'' Stormflower swayed. ''Shut your trap, Nightpaw,'' she snapped, her cranky mean side bubbling up.

''What about the stars? Oh, yes...'' Stormflower forced her eyes open. Two sleepless nights. Oh joy. ''Well, I rarely get prophetic visions.... The stars tell me things like the seasons, the weather, time. They.... provide navigation. They also tell... of the migration cycles... of the prey. Learn to read them....and much will be revealed.'' Her words were a low mumble. They came out slowly, many fusing with one another, with long breaks. She could hardly think.

The she-cat swayed for one last time and fell. She'd blackened out from exhaustion.

[Jadedfox]

Well, this had all gone to Foxdung. Jadedfox didn't even have words as he stared at his Deputy, now a lump on the Marsh floor. Her words barely registered, as the Tom let his own wave of exhaustion come over him, but he took a deep breath as he looked back to Nighpaw. No, we're most certainly not in love. The words came out at a near hiss. The combination of the miscommunication between the she-cat and himself, as well as the smart remark from a lowly apprentice had officially put the Tom in a horrible mood. Thanks for ruining my day Universe. No really, not like I needed sleep and peace or anything. Instead I wanted to fight with my Deputy and attempt to micromanage a snotty apprentice while she was out cold. Just my idea of a PERFECT day in fact!.

He stewed on the silent stream of thoughts and then looked back to Stormflower. She was out cold, so he doubted she'd be awake any time soon. And he was almost certain Shadowstar would give him an earful if he not only let Nightpaw go back to camp without having an agenda, but also left the Deputy out cold in the middle of their territory. Especially with things so tense between the Clans and the Rogues.

With a sigh, he looked back at Nightpaw and flicked his tail irritably. We can't just leave her here. Shadowstar will have a fit. And I doubt you're strong enough to help carry her. I would myself, but I'm sure she'd be less then appreciative if I touched her right now. You're up now. I guess now's a good a time as any to have you do something. Considering, I don't think you'll be training with Stormflower today. Or at least, until she wakes up. Why don't you look for prey to bring back to the clan. Has Stormflower taught you stalking techniques yet?

Maybe he was overstepping his boundaries by picking up Nightpaw's training, but the Tom felt useless at the moment. He had offended the Deputy, alerted an apprentice to their arguement, and he couldn't help but think that he had caused Stormflower to pass out. Maybe if she found him doing something productive, it would help ease the tension.

[/size]

[Rosestem]

Ngihtpaw watched in shock as her mentor fainted. She felt the desire to laugh, but composed her face. "She's barely taught me to hunt.." she told Jadedfox. Then she had an idea. I know! I'll get some moss and soak it in a puddle! She raced back to camp snithched some moss from the medicine cat den. Nightpaw sauntered toward a pudle and dipped the moss in the icy water, then ran back to where Stormflower lay and squeezed the water onto her face.